Thranduil, the elven king of Woodland Realm, was sitting on the armachair in his private chamber, drinking red wine from a silver chalice. His autumn crown, which was decorated with leafs and berries, was resting on the table. And Thranduil was feeling a bit like an autumn leaf, dead, withered and about to fall from his tree. Legolas, his only child and heir, sailed West with his friend Gimli. Now Thranduil had no heir. Mirkwood kingdom will fall after his death, because there will be no one to sit on his wooden throne. He emptied another goblet of wine. Sip after sip, it was calming him in some mysterious way.

"There will be winter soon," he said to himself and yawned "My kingdom will hide under snow. And then, there will be spring, with Spring Festival. Beautiful elven ladies will dance, decorated with spring flowers..." suddenly the cup slipped off his hand and made clink when silver met the wooden floor. Thranduil's eyes closed and his head dropped on the headrest of the armchair. A subtle elf appeared from the shadows behind the chamber's door. It was his personal servant Naraweth, holding a blanket in his slight hands. The sleep potion worked perfectly as he wanted. As his personal servant, he knew him more then anyone else. And because he was very loyal servant, he couldn't bear just watching the sorrow of his lord.

Naraweth gently covered sleeping Thranduil with the blanket. "Sleep well, my king. You need a rest." That was all he could do at the moment "I am just an odd servant, you know."

With sadness, he blowed off all candles and left the room.

Autumn passed his sceptre to winter. Thick layers of pure white snow fell on Mirkwood and all the beautiful nature was sleeping.

Thranduil was standing on the balcony of his chamber. Snowflakes, like little diamonds, were falling from sad grey sky.

"My king," said someone behind him. He turned back. It was Naraweth, wearing thick woolen cloak and winter boots, everything covered with snowflakes, no doubt he was outside,

"What is it, my loyal servant?" asked king.

"Lord Elrond is here. He wants to see you. Shall I let him in?" When his lord nodded, subtle elf disappeared for a while.

In the corridor behind the king chamber's door, Elrond was waiting.

"How is he?" asked the lord of Rivendell.

Naraweth sighed. "He is mourning for several months already and I am afraid he'll die because of sorrow. I even started adding a sleep potion into his wine. I believe you can manage to help him better than me," and he stepped away so the healer could enter the chamber.

"My old friend, welcome and have a seat" said Thranduil as his visitor entered. Sight of him set on the little flames in king's eyes. He called Naraweth to fill two chalices with wine. "Tell me, how are you? What about Aragorn and Arwen?" he questioned to Elrond.

Elrond sipped wine from his chalice and smiled. "I still can't believe it, but... I am going to be grandfather!"

Little happy flames in Thranduil's eyes died, but he smiled over these good news. "Congratulations then, Elrond." He sighed "I wish my Legolas could be here with me and give me some grandchildren, too."

Lord of Rivendell looked at him. "I understand your grief, my old friend. Remember, I've lost my wife, too. But if it will continue as it does now, you'll die because from all that sorrow."

"And wouldn't it be better?" whispered Thranduil.

Elrond put his hand on the friend's shoulder. "Don't even think about that. Who would rule the kingdom? Your people need you." Besides, you don't even have any heir, he thought, but decided it would be better not to mention it. Just let him some time...

"All right," sighed the Elvenking "Do you, one of the most skilled healers in Middle Earth, know a cure for broken heart then?"

The questioned thought for a while, then he nodded. "Yes. There are two known cures; the first of them is called time, one of the most powerful things in the world. And the second... well, maybe you will find it out yourself after some time. Anyway, wait till spring comes to your kingdom," smiled Elrond mysteriously.

This led to more questions appearing in Thranduil's head.