Chapter Text
Raven and her twin sister Vivianna were born to a dwarven father and an elven mother. They didn’t know this of course, barely anyone did. This explained why they looked like Elves but were barely as tall as a dwarf. The father died before they were born; Vivianna died only a few years after their birth due to complications of her heritage. Since then, many of Raven’s kin looked at her as if she was fragile and sickly, expecting her to eventually meet the same fate. And though Raven wasn’t particularly strong, she grew up healthy and without issues.
King Thranduil, Elvenking of the Woodland Realm, was her uncle. He mourned for a long time when his sister gave her life to bear the children but took them in and treated them well none the less. He loved Raven, though not as a daughter or niece, but as a possession. Such a hybrid was rare in this world and was sure to hold value or power in some way or another. And until he figured out what it was, she was not to leave his forest. She was only to leave the castle with supervision and not to talk to any strangers.
Raven was a shy and quiet Elf, only opening up to others when she was talking about the books she read about the world outside of the forest or when she wanted to sing. She had the most beautiful voice in the kingdom and performed often, on the kings’ order.
She grew up with Legolas, who she viewed as an older brother and someone to look up to. Legolas was very protective of her. He taught her how to use a bow effectively but never took her on missions.
Raven spend most of her days roaming the castle, while humming songs to herself and thinking about all the adventures she read about in her books. She occasionally explored places in the castle she wasn’t supposed to be in, such as the dungeons and prison cells. Raven knew everything about the castle inside and out.
It was another usual day. Raven woke up to the sound of knocking. “Come in”, she said, still half asleep and slowly sitting up. The door opened and Legolas came in: “Good morning, or should I say Good day? It’s almost noon. I thought you wanted to go to the forest today.” Raven rubbed her eyes and yawned “I did but uncle said you’d be too busy today, so I figured I’d rest a bit longer. I’ve had trouble sleeping lately”. Legolas sat down on her bed next to her and looked concerned: “The nightmare again?” Raven nodded. She kept having a dream that was very blurry and faint, like an old memory you can barely recall. She saw her uncle looking at her, then nodding at a shadowy figure uttering the words ‘do it’ and then there was a bright flash, pain, then nothing and she would wake up. “Well,” Legolas said, “we can go another day. Maybe I can bring you on a mission soon and on our way home we explore.” Raven perked up hearing this “Really? Your promise?” “IF it’s a mission that’s not too dangerous, yes”. She was very excited hearing this when there was another knock on the door. “Raven! It's Azuka, the King asked to speak with you”. Legolas gave her a hug, then left. Raven got up, brushed her hair, and put on her day gown, then made her way to the throne room with Azuka in tow. Azuka was never far from her as she was assigned to guard Raven specifically. Over the years they became good friends, but Azuka still pretended as if their relationship was purely professional in front of others, since the King was known to be ill tempered.
The king may be Ravens uncle, but she still had to respect him as her king, so she bowed before him “you asked to speak with me, my lord?” “Hello Raven. I trust you slept well?”, the king answered. “Of course, thank you”, she replied, not wanting to trouble him with her dream. “The Feast of Starlight is coming up and I’d like you to perform.” Raven nodded obediently, knowing he’d ask her to perform for it sooner or later. “Of course, my king. Anything in particular you would like me to sing?” “Just the usual like every year”, king Thranduil replied. Raven frowned a bit but agreed. She loved to sing but would love some new tales and stories to sing of. As she was about to leave, she heard a guard run up to them yelling: “My King! My King! A group of dwarves as well as a halfling were captured in our forest! They refuse to cooperate and won’t tell us what they were up to! What are your orders?”
Raven’s eyes widened at the news. Dwarfs? Like the ones in the books? Real dwarfs in our forest?
She couldn’t contain herself and wanted to ask where they were and to see them, but Azuka, noticing her excitement, put a firm hand on her shoulder and looked at Raven with a frown. She was right, the king would never allow her to be near anyone he didn’t deem safe or trustworthy.
The king thought for a moment, then, with a wave of his hand simply said: “To the Dungeons for now. I’ll deal with them later. We have preparations to make. The Fest of Starlight isn’t far off.”
The guard nodded in agreement and hurriedly left, presumably to do as he was told. Azuka noticed Raven staring after him, excused herself and Raven from King Thranduil and led her back to her room.