Author notes: I intend for this will be a long story with many chapters. This is my first attempt at writing anything whatsoever. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 1

Second Age

"Thranduil, you are incorrigible" Estelen giggled. "Exactly what will I tell my father is the reason behind my crumpled dress?" She stood and hopelessly attempted to straighten her dress. Estelen looked at him lying lazily in the grass. By Iluvatar, he was gorgeous. His long golden white hair carelessly fanned around him. His grey eyes reminded her of a winter sky, she could stare into them endlessly. It seemed as if they were sneaking off more often and were bound to get caught, it was only a matter of time. Though they were careful to never take it too far, both took liberties exploring each other's body hungrily as if each time would be the last.

He stood and wrapped his arms around her, "Tell him you attempted to break your very own stag to ride."

"What an interesting innuendo. Should I happen to mention you were that stag?" Estelen replied.

"Mmm", Thranduil mumbled. He was distracted by her closeness as he drug his knuckle up the length of her spine. She shivered and giggled again. How he loved her laugh, those lavender eyes, quick wit, but mostly he loved her heart and soul. Fearful to mention those words, his father Oropher had yet to announce to whom he would be betrothed. He hoped his father would choose Estelen, surely he would. Her family line could be traced back to the beginning of time and were most honorable, but then he could never understand his father. Such somber thoughts stole the playful heat from of his mood "We should be going, the sun will be on the horizon soon". He took her hand for a bit as they walked closer to their kingdom, but not too close as to expose their secret love.

She noticed his mood changed suddenly. In the past, she would have pried for more information. Over the years, she had come to understand that there were many sides to Thranduil and he was an incredibly private person. Even after all these years, he still didn't tell her everything. He was the Prince and future king of Greenwood the Great after all, and to rule he must keep his personal thoughts from affecting his kingdom. "When will we meet again?"

Thranduil sighed, "My father is leaving for Lothlorien in a few days and has a mind to take me with him. It is too soon to tell."

Estelen felt loneliness creep into her heart. "Lothlorien is a long journey. It will be many moons before I see you."

Thranduil could hear the pain in her voice and it angered him. He knew he must go with his father, if he were to ever gain enough favor to choose his bride. He might actually be able to pull this off. He assumed that because Oropher invited him to come along, he must finally see his son is a man and ready to rule. "Yes, it is quite a way. There is a saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder." I believe time shall pass quickly and we will once again be stealing ourselves away to the edge of the meadow, my dear"

Estelen squeezed his hand lightly and tugged him to stop. She placed a chaste kiss upon his lips and hugged him. "You always know how to make me feel better." They parted at last time and as each began to take their separate path and said:

Thranduil "In the light of the moon,"

Estelen " Under the starry skies"

Thranduil "I will be here"

Estelen "And you will be mine"

It was their special little endearment, so simple and beautiful. Uniquely theirs, Estelen knew that this was as close as Thranduil would come to telling her he loved her. She didn't need to hear those words because she knew in her heart that he truly loved her as much as she loved him.