Long ago, a young elvish king and his wife were expecting a child. The husband was a kind and accepting king while the wife was a wise and caring woman. The

two would wake in the morn with no worries and fall asleep very much the same for the two ruled without a doubt and another child on their hands would make their

rule perfect. One night, the wife woke and shook her husband awake.

"My love, what is bothering you at this time of night?" He asked, propping himself up on the bed with his elbows.

"The baby is coming." She whispered, grabbing her stomach in pain. He jumped out of bed, pulled on a robe and called for a healer. A elvish maiden ran inside and and

to the queen's side.

"My king, I need you to leave the room until this is over." The king nodded, kissed his wife on the forehead and left. The healer turned back to the queen and nodded.

She placed a clean towel under the queen and pulled down the queen's underwear. She pushed the queen's nightgown up to her knees and nodded.

"My queen, I need you to take a deep breath and push on the count of three, is that alright?" The queen took deep breaths and quickly nodded.

"One..two...three...push!" The healer ordered as she stood at the end of the rather small bed. The queen hunched forward, grunting in pain once more. She fell back

onto the pillows and gulped in air. A minute or so later the healer repeated the command and the queen hunched forward once more.

"You are doing great, my queen. One more push, alright?" The healer looked up into the queen's faded ocean blue eyes. Sweat poured down her face and her

breathing was quick. The queen screamed in pain as she pushed one more time before falling back on the pillows. The healer smiled as a scream, not an adult's

scream, but a baby's scream filled the room. She cut the cord, cleaned the child off in the wash room and wrapped her in a warm blanket.

"My queen, would you like to see your daughter?" The healer asked as she stood in the doorway of the wash room. No response. She looked up to see the queen

lying in the bed, her breathing ceased, her limbs limp.

"My king, come quick!" The healer called, rushing to the bed. The king rushed inside and knelt down beside the bed.

"My queen, my life, my love, please do not leave me. I cannot wake without you, I cannot fall asleep without you… please." He pleaded, holding her limp hand. He sat

there for about a minute or so before standing and turning to the healer who held his daughter in her arms. He gently pulled the bundle from the healer's arms. The

baby yawned and wrapped her small hand around her father's finger.

"My little Vanya…"

Years later

King Thranduil walked up the spiral stairs and sat on his throne. The Elvish Guard left this morn to investigate the rumors of men in the forest. Vanya and Legolas, his dear children, tagged along. The sun broke through the trees, it was noon.
"Ada, here are intruders you have requested." Legolas and I spoke in unison, leading the Elvish Guard toward the throne. 13 men stood in the center of the group, blindfolds covering their eyes.
"Remove the blindfolds." The King requested, standing up from the throne. The men of the Elvish Guard removed the blindfolds and stepped back. The Elvish King, his children by his side, stood at least a foot or so from the leader of the group.
"State your purpose for entering the forest and disturbing the peace." The King ordered.
"My friends and I were starving and went in search for food." The dwarf explained, glaring up at the elf.
"State your real purpose for disturbing peace in the forest."
"I told you, my friends and I were starving and went in search for food."
"I will hear no more. I want these men thrown into the dungeons until one wishes to confess." The King ordered with a wave of the hand. He returned to his throne, sitting down and watching as the Elvish Guard dragged the dwarves to the dungeons. Legolas retreated to his room, leaving his little sister and father alone in the throne room.
"Ada, the dwarves were passing through and are innocent." I protested
"No, the dwarves have disturbed peace in the Woodland Realm." Ada fired back.
"The dwarves were searching for food and you'd do the same if you were in their shoes." I argued.
"The dwarves are guilty of disturbing peace and will be sentenced to death if no one confesses by the third night." He shouted, standing up from his throne and approaching me. I turned to leave but Ada grabbed my wrist.
"I am sorry, my child." He apologized.
"It's alright…" I whispered, looking down at the leaf covered ground. He placed a hand on my chin, causing me to look up at Ada and smile.
"You remind me of your mother. She was strong, kind, and determined, like you." He pulled me into his arms.
"My little Vanya…"