The Elf, the Hobbit and the Dwarf - Book 1 NEW VERSION

A Heart of Ice

"Honourable," Thranduíl laughed and shook his head. He sat on his throne lazily and glared at Míriel with a very stern gaze. Míriel tried not to look uncomfortable and weak, but Thranduíl seemed to have that effect on people. "Dwarves can never be considered honourable. They lie, deceive and take whatever they think is theirs. You do not know these Dwarves, Míriel, they have given you a false image of who they are. For that, I forbid you to go near that mountain."

"You have no right to command over me," Míriel said and she could feel her insides burn with anger. She had tried to keep calm, but her ill-temper took hold of her. Míriel felt tempted to try and cast a spell at Thranduíl - that was how angry she was with him. Míriel tried her very hardest not to explode. "I am a lady of Lothlórien, granddaughter of the most powerful Elf our time has ever seen, Lady Galadriel. I am not your subject to command over, and I will never be."

"But you are my son's intended," Thranduíl said and did not seem swayed by what she had just told him. Míriel hated that every attempt to try to overpower him never worked. Thranduíl knew exactly how to handle every situation that was thrown at him. An Elf this old and wise was much better at this than Míriel.

"Or at least you will be when this is over. I would advise you not to stand in my way, Lady Míriel of Lothlórien, if you ever want my son."

Míriel bit her lip harshly. There was nothing she could say to change Thranduíl for he was as cold as ice. She needed a different approach if she was going to ever try to stop this. Instead of trying to fight Thranduíl, she would have to make him like her, make him trust her. Míriel decided to do as he told her, anything to smoulder him and soften him up. Perhaps then he would let her go to the mountain and speak to Thorin one last time before they attacked.

"Very well then," Míriel said and nodded slowly. She pretended to be deeply affected by what he had said about Legolas and gave a sincere face of sadness as she thought of never being with the prince again.

"I am in your command, King Thranduíl. I care for your son, and I would do the impossible for him."

"That is what I thought," Thranduíl said and smiled faintly, looking pleased.

He walked up from his throne and moved gracefully toward the coffin in one of the corners, bent down and opened its lock. Thranduíl pulled a silk red cloak out of it and upon the folded cloak sat a beautiful crown. It was different from the one that Míriel had which had belonged to her mother, but it was no less gorgeous. It was in silver, decorated with small flowers of gems.

"This is for you, as a future princess of my realm."

Míriel hesitantly accepted the two gifts. She didn't really crave them, but she had to do what Thranduíl wanted to soften him. There were worse things than to have to wear beautiful crowns and cloaks in life, and she would do it if it meant that Thranduíl started to trust her. Míriel smiled at him faintly and bowed her head thankfully. She couldn't help but think that her father would either be disappointed that she had given up so easily to fight Thranduíl instead of facing him, or proud that she had such a sneaky mind.

"I have arranged for a proper armour to be made for you already and it should arrive shortly," Thranduíl said which was quite the surprise for Míriel. He wanted her to completely change herself into one of his people. "You will not attend with us as we attack, though, for I could not risk you getting hurt if the Dwarves are angered. It would only cause heartbreak for Legolas, something I know all about."

Míriel frowned and wondered what he meant by this. Could it be that he was speaking of his late wife, Legolas' mother? In that case, it would mean that Thranduíl did have some feelings within him and was not as cold as she thought. Perhaps this was the very reason that the King was so harsh and emotionless - he was broken after the death of his beloved wife. Míriel dared not ask him, though, she instead asked him something else that would perhaps shine some light on the situation.