Elvish translations –

Quel Andune – Good afternoon

Adar – Father

Diola lle – Thank you

May 24th, 2769 TA

King Thranduil's Palace

The Woodland Realm

Beneath a large elm tree, in the gardens of the Elven King's palace, sat an elf maiden with flowing white-blonde hair, light violet eyes, pale skin and blood red lips. A book was lying open in her lap, forgotten momentarily as the elf stroked the head and neck of a young doe that had approached her not that long ago and was curled up beside her, burrowing into the warmth of her body.

The female elf knew she wasn't supposed to be in the gardens at that moment, as her father had requested her and her brother's presence at one of his meetings with his royal council. But, as she was known to do, she had made a quick escape before her escort could find her at her chambers and had hidden underneath her favourite tree—her mother's tree.

The sound of footsteps filled the gardens and she lifted her head to find her brother's disapproving gaze locked on her.

"Quel andune, Legolas," she called softly.

"Adar is not happy with you," he replied as he sat down beside her. The light haired elf pursed her lips and shrugged indifferently at him, her attention slipping back to the doe as the light brown animal stood up on wobbly legs before walking away, disappearing into the trees.

"When is Adar ever happy with me?"

"Marissa, you can't keep this up," Legolas scolded, tugging on a strand of her hair. Marissa winced and tugged her braid free. "You know his patience will only extend so far with you. If you push him much further, he will make good on his threat and send you to Imladris."

"I do not believe he will find my absence that terrible," she said smoothly as she closed her book and stood, brushing the strands of grass from her skirt. "He can barely stand to look at me."

"You know that's not true, father loves you." Legolas stood as well and reached out, taking her hand in his. "Sending you away would make him even more closed off than he is now." Marissa sighed sadly and moved in to embrace him, feeling his arms wrap around her securely.

"I will go and speak with him… but only because you wish it," she told him firmly as they separated after a few seconds.

"Diola lle," Legolas whispered. He watched her walk away with a mischievous glint in his deep blue eyes.

Marissa hesitated outside of her father's council chambers, rocking briefly on her heels. She reached out and knocked on the door before she could change her mind. A quiet 'come in' sounded from inside and she opened the door, slipping into the chambers and closing the door behind her.

"Adar?" Marissa asked carefully, staring at her father's back. The great elven king straightened up immediately at the sound of his daughter's voice and he slowly turned to face her, gazing down at her with stern eyes.

"You missed the council meeting," Thranduil said, silky smooth as he stopped in front of her. A look of innocence spread across her face and she smiled lightly up at him.

"I got distracted?"

"Marissa, you are a princess of the Woodland Realm, you have duties to attend to," Thranduil told his youngest child sternly. Disappointment flashed across his face, causing her to frown sadly. "How do you expect to achieve anything if you refuse to do as I ask?"

"I'm sorry, Adar. It won't happen again," she promised, shoulders slumping at the knowledge that she'd disappointed him yet again. "What happened in the meeting?"

"The Dwarf King Thror has extended an invitation to us to attend a feast and pay homage to him as a result of the finding of the Arkenstone," he explained, gesturing for her to read the letter on the table. Marissa picked it up and skimmed through it quickly. "You and Legolas will accompany me to the mountain."

Marissa's eyes widened in disbelief. She shook her head frantically. "B-but Adar, I—" She cut off abruptly as he sent her a disapproving look. She took a deep breath before exhaling deeply. "I would be honoured to accompany you to the dwarves' stone prison."

"Very well. We leave before night fall, you should start packing your things."

Marissa bit back a series of protests and bowed her head as she left the room. A scowl settled on her lips as she marched away from the council chambers towards her own.

A few hours later, Marissa, Legolas, their father, Tauriel and a few other guards were riding out of the Woodland Realm and heading in the direction of Dale, which they would pass through before riding on to the Lonely Mountain.

The dark haired elf maid glanced back over her shoulder at their home with wistful eyes before a sharp command from her father had her turning back around to focus on the journey ahead of them.

"Are you alright?" Tauriel asked softly, gaining her princess and friend's attention.

"I'm fine, I promise… I'm just going to miss this place," Marissa explained with a small smile.

"We are only going to be gone a week," the fiery haired guard reminded her.

"I know. I'm just being silly, I guess."

Tauriel smiled knowingly at her friend as she reached out and nudged her softly. Marissa grinned back before challenging the other elf to a race. The two elves let out a stream of laughter as their horses nickered lightly and increased their speed in an attempt to beat the other one.

Behind them, Legolas smirked in amusement and Thranduil rolled his eyes at his daughter and guard's immaturity but forced himself to turn his attention to his son and started up a conversation about what could possibly happen at the mountain when they arrived.

Legolas made a bet with his father, saying that the dwarves would treat them like they were the scum of the earth and Thranduil claimed they would be polite on the outside, but they would be able to sense the disdain the dwarves held for every elf they encountered. The two male elves shook hands and increased their speed, eager to see who would be the winner of the wager.