Faewyn and I raced through the woods, not stopping even when I thought my silly mortal legs would give way. It was imperative that we reach the Elvenking in a timely manner, as disappearing on him again would do nothing to improve my reputation. Suddenly, Faewyn stopped quite suddenly. She literally stopped running so quickly I unceremoniously ran over her and fell onto a few tree branches.

Faewyn looked at me crossly as she untangled a few leaves from her hair, and said, "Honestly, you humans."

"Sorry, Catwoman," I replied, "Guess I'm not good enough for you then."

We both grinned and then my friend said, "We are almost there," and my adrenaline started going again. 

I don't really know what the general impression of the King was, but to me he was extremely intimidating. Just being in his presence gave me the inclination to crawl under a large rock. I set my jaw.

"Okay," I said. "Gwaem." Let's go. Faewyn led me through a thick grove of trees. Again, frightening me half out of my wits, she randomly stopped, turned, and put her hand on my shoulder.

"Gianna," she started. "After these trees there is only a clearing, which is where the palace is. Do not act like your business here is clandestine or shaded. You must walk, with me, directly towards the palace with great purpose. An elf on business for the King never looks down or looks as horribly afraid as you do." Seeing my stricken expression, she laughed easily and assured me that I actually did not look as tragic as I thought. I relaxed, if only a little bit.

"Also," she continued, "if we do end up being able to seek counsel with the King, which will assuredly be extremely difficult, you must never look directly at him, unless he speaks to you, as that would be disrespectful. Speaking of which, only speak when spoken to and don't forget to bow when you enter the room. And try to leave most of the talking to me."

I gaped at her in a very ungainly fashion.

"Any questions?" Faewyn smiled impishly. "Come then," she said, turning around again. Frantically, I tried not to forget anything she had just shared with me in the previous thirty seconds. I followed Faewyn as softly as I could, stepping as she had taught me. Toe, heel. Weight distribution. Faewyn looked back at me.

"This was your idea," she reminded me teasingly. "We can still, you know, turn back, if you-"

"No!" I interrupted. "Let us do this." She grinned at me.

"Elenath tir-ammen," she added. May the stars watch over us.

We stepped softly into the clearing. Ahead of us loomed a single massive pair of gates, strong, ironbound, impenetrable. But they were beautiful, carved in likeness of trees, covered in metal tracings of vines. I wanted to stop and stare at them for a while, but I remembered what Faewyn told me, and continued on, staring straight ahead. As we neared the great doors, two armed guards stopped us, crossing their blades in front.

"Daro (Halt)!" the left one said. "Who seeks council with the King?"

"I do," said Faewyn, tilting her chin up slightly. "Faewyn Calathiriel, and Gianna Davidiel of the realm of Men." I looked the guard straight in the eye, and although Faewyn had warned me not to talk, of course I did anyway.

"Tur-le nar-en aran mín darth-sí," I said, trying to not sound condescending, although still assertively. You may tell the king we are here. Faewyn looked from me to the guard nervously. He inclined his head with a queer half-smile.

"Le ped-edhelen, nether (You speak Elvish, young one)," he replied, directing the comment to me. "Nae, an Sindarín-nîn na al-sui lend sui cín (Alas, for my Sindarin is not as sweet as your own)," I replied.  As if in proof of this, I faltered on the word "lend (sweet)" and blushed slightly. He offered me a warm smile.

"I speak also some Westron," he replied. "I will show you to the king." Faewyn let out a soft relieved noise. The guard turned, leaving his compatriot with his sword, and motioned for us to follow.

"Good job," Faewyn conceded as we entered the 20-foot gates. I smiled. Perhaps this would not be as nerve-racking as I had predicted. The guard was silent when we entered the dim interior of the palace. I gasped, in awe. Huge buttresses, seemingly carved into the wood and stone, supported huge, soaring arches. Delicate stairways curved down alongside sparkling waterfalls, and small glimmering lamps were everywhere.

Faewyn turned to me. "It's beautiful, is it not?"

I nodded. As my gaze fell on the path, not one foot on either side of me the path disappeared and below was seen a blue river, reflecting a faint light from where it entered the palace. Following this pleasant discovery, I tried to not look down anymore.

"So, Faewyn," I began instead, speaking softly. This place had the solemn and peaceful hush of a library, and I did not want to disturb it.

"Yes?" she replied.

"You've been here before?"

"Once. I was forty, just out of my teens, and my father asked me to accompany him to ask a favor of the king."

"Is he in the King's favor?" I asked.

"One of the few," Faewyn replied thoughtfully.

We were still walking, seemingly no farther than we had been just a few moments ago.

Faewyn and I chattered softly, and just as suddenly, our guard stopped and said "Darth-sí." Wait here. We stepped back, waiting with baited breath. We were at the foot of a tall staircase, and the walls behind were draped with deep gold and green tapestries, vines and trees stitched in detailed forms in shining thread.

"The colors represent the seasons," Faewyn murmured.

I nodded in acknowledgement. The guard was at the top of the staircase now. He banged his spear once, sharply, and the sound resonated with a bell-like tone as it ricocheted off the stone walls.

"My King," he called. "Gianna Davidiel and Faewyn Calathiriel to see you," For a moment, there was no answer.

Then, a deep melodious voice replied. "They may step forward."

All the fear that I had thought dissipated after our success with the guard came back like an ice bath. 

"It's showtime," I muttered. Faewyn looked at me curiously--this was not a saying she was familiar with. The guard turned and waved us on. We looked at each other and nodded, then began the steep ascent up the stairway. At the top, there was an open doorway, through which there was a throne room.

We carefully stepped through, and the guard bowed once, murmured "Good luck," to us, and began the long walk back to his post at the gates. The Elvenking sat languidly in a large, ornate throne, which was carved in the likeness of antlers. Both Faewyn and I bowed simultaneously.

"Greetings," he began. "What brings you to my halls?" I stepped forward unconsciously.

"Le sulion," I began, which did not seem as heroic as it sounded in my head. "I have come to apologise for vanishing in your presence but half a fortnight ago. I owe you an apology, and beg for you to listen to my explanation."

"You are forgiven," he said, bowing his head. "Proceed." Faewyn nodded at me encouragingly, and I told him as best I could all I knew about my little dream issues. He listened intently throughout. When I had finished speaking, he regarded me thoughtfully for a second, his ice-blue eyes making me feel transparent and vulnerable. 

Which I suppose I was.

"You have spoken truthfully," he said, "So my forgiveness will be all the deeper. I cannot blame you for something you can not control."

"Thank you, my King." He nodded, then switched his gaze to Faewyn.

"I recall your face from a time ago," he told her.

"Indeed," she affirmed. "My father is of high rank in your guard. "

"You may tell him he is one of the best," the King said with a wry smile. Faewyn smiled proudly.

"Much obliged, my King," she returned in a hushed voice. I sensed that my time was running short, so I looked pointedly at Faewyn, who got the message.

"Great King," I said, "I thank you for the time you have allowed me. I can feel my time running short and I must ask your leave."

"You have it," he replied. "But, next time you find yourself among the boughs of this forest, seek me out, for I wish to confer with our greatest scholars so that we may discover the cause of your presence here." 

"Yes, my King," I replied. "So it shall be."

He inclined his head. "You may tell them that King Thranduil expects you," he added, in response to my unasked question. "They will know I have sent for you."

Faewyn and I both bowed again, and waited until the king had swept regally out of the room before we turned and were led on a different path by a guard who had been standing by. 

Finally, outdoors, Faewyn spoke. "You did an excellent job," she exclaimed.

"As did you," I replied. I felt myself slipping.

"I'll come back, soon," I replied, with a last gasp. 

She waved, and I found myself staring up at my blank ceiling once again.