[Elenya]

Elenya moved silently among the trees. She had seen men enter here, but there had been no sign of them since she came into the forest. "Greenwood the Great", she thought. " I have heard only of what you were." A rustle came from the trees. She drew her sword, placed it on her lap, and pulled Ore to a halt. "It must have been merely a bird", she told herself. Ever since the band of elves she had been traveling with were lost to orcs in the mountains, she was constantly on her guard. The men she had seen looked brutal, and there were too many for her to defend herself. She patted her hip, and let out a sigh of relief. The weight of the parchment was reassuring. She just needed to make it to Thranduil without being caught, but that could make itself out to be a difficult task. There were all sorts of merciless creatures in the woods, and Elenya didn't want to cross paths with any of them. She closed her eyes against her will. Sleep deprived for days, she couldn't risk falling asleep. Another rustle. She opened her eyes to the sound of a voice.
"What's this? The king should like to see you. Trespassing in Mirkwood, for this you shall die!"
Elenya bolted around, sword raised. The voice belonged to an elf, one of the king's guards. Suddenly, as he saw the small circlet of silver on her arm, he dropped his bow.
"I beg your pardon, my lady. I did not realize that you were of good standing. May I ask your business here?"
Elenya hesitated to answer.
"I am Elenya of Rivendell. I was sent here with an urgent message for King Thranduil."
"I see." the elf said. He seemed suspicious. "May I escort you to the Great Hall?"
"It would be appreciated. Do you know of the men who entered here two nights past?" she questioned the elf.
"Yes," he replied. "They were captured by Prince Legolas, and taken before Thranduil."
A heaviness was lifted off Elenya's chest.
The Woodland Realm slowly came into view. She waited for her audience with Thranduil, and his reaction to the hidden message she carried.