Thranduil ran his slender yet strong fingers up her thighs, pausing at times to draw small circles on her silken skin, not to please her, but to tease her. A grin crossed his face when he felt the small tremors, that raced through her body. His wife was desperately needy and he would soon satisfy her desire by uniting their bodies. Baineth moaned softly when he cupped her sex with his hand. He rested it there and felt the heat that radiated from her. Then, without warning he slid a finger between her folds, causing her to shiver all over. Thranduil looked up at her and smirked. They hadn't even begun yet and Baineth was already so close. Her hair was heavily tousled and her cheeks flushed with desire for him.

He pursed his lips and returned his attention to her nub. Slowly, he began to drew circles around her pearl, brushing the tip of his finger gently over the swollen nub, while placing his other large hand over her tummy, to hold her in place. This was his time. Baineth shivered when he began to flick his finger over her pearl, causing her to moan sensually. It was music to his sensitive elven ears. His wife's moans, deep and yet so feminine. He could listen to nothing else, except her desperate gasps and moans, which escaped her rosy lips when he surrendered his attention to the little nub between her folds, so small and yet a messenger of immense pleasure.

Her back rose from the mattress, and her breathing deepened. He risked a glance, seeing her grasp onto the bed sheets with her slender fingers. Thranduil wanted that she would hold him that way. Thranduil gripped her thighs and brought his face to her folds. Baineth trembled when she felt his hot breath, which touched her most intimate parts. With a groan she grabbed hold of his hair, running her fingers through it, before she pulled him closer to her mound.

Baineth's cheeks were heated and a wave of pleasure floated through her slender body when Thranduil parted her folds and licked her slit slowly. So slowly, that Baineth almost lost control. Her head arched back and she moaned when he finally reached her pearl. Slowly he began to flick his tongue over the swollen nub, grinning again when Baineth tugged excitedly on his hair.

"I'll pay you back," she exclaimed excited, her voice thickly covered with lust, sounding desperate and lustful at the same time.

Thranduil grinned into her folds, turned his head and placed a tender kiss on the heated skin of her thigh. "I will hold you to your word," he whispered huskily.

Baineth proved no resistance when he spread her thighs wider apart. She surrendered fully to his attention, as he began to lick and suck her sensitive pearl. Baineth's face was on fire, as was her entire body. She could feel the blood rushing through her needy body, as it began to thud loudly in her ears.

Thranduil entered a finger in her inner sex and she moaned in return, pushing her hips up into his face. He crooked his finger, finding and stroking her sweet spot, making her wriggle and moan lustfully while he enveloped her pearl with his lips, sucking her harder than before. Her gasps and moans were stopped by sheer need for release. She fell silent, something what happened rarely. It proved that he would soon succeeded in satisfying her yearning.

Baineth's whole body was burning, tensing and screaming with need as she got ever closer to her climax. The bundle of pure lust was blossoming inside her with each moment that Thranduil sucked her. Then he rubbed the little spot inside her with more intensity and Baineth's toes curled and her back arched back, while she rocked against him. Her orgasm was released, accompanied with the most sensual moan Thranduil had heard so far. He released her now sensitive pearl and pressed his tongue on it, believing to feel her pulse throbbing inside the tiny but.

Baineth sighed when cooler air brushed over her mound. Thranduil moved between her thighs and grabbed her waist, pulling her into a more promising position. Baineth shuddered when he suddenly hovered over her, his own gaze was heated with the fire of flaming lust. She cupped his head with her hands and pulled him down into a feverish kiss. He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, sucking on it until she moaned with pleasure. Releasing the now reddened lip, he attacked her mouth with even more passion. His tongue darted into the cave of her mouth, exploring it, dancing wildly with her tongue. Her hands grasped his strong shoulders and Baineth shuddered all over when he began to rub his hard shaft through her folds, teasing her pearl as he went along. His strokes became more intense and Baineth moaned into his mouth.

Being filled yet again with desperate need for release, she dug her fingers into his back, scratching his perfect skin in protest for being left yearning to such degree. Thranduil let out a animalistic growl and broke away from her, sliding his throbbing shaft down her folds, entering her hot inner sex. He trembled with need when he pushed all of his shaft inside her, feeling her walls clasp firmly around him, holding him tightly. He was there, finally, after a long morning of struggle and duties, he was with her, in their own, private union. Thranduil risked a look, meeting her gaze, which was deep and filled with yearning and love.

He bit his lower lip and began thrusting inside her with great desire, filling her entirely with each stroke. Thranduil moaned when she clenched her inner muscles around him to increase the pressure. It caused him to want to explode right here and now. But he refused. Thranduil's rhythm became steady and he lifted himself of off her and supported his weight with his elbows. He continued to drive inside her, watching the lust which swam in her eyes. It brought him even closer to his own climax, but still he refused to give in that easily. Baineth thrust her hips up, urging him to take her harder. This was a request which Thranduil could impossibly turn down. He thrust inside her feverishly, giving up his own desire to last another few moments. His scrotum tightened and he grabbed her shoulders when he reached his peak. The moment when his hot seed spilled into her womb, was one of the greatest, that existed. He felt proud. With a fast move he knelt on the mattress, sitting back on his heels. Thranduil held her by her butt and now Baineth's flushed face was on the same level with his.

He thrust his pulsing shaft repeatedly over her soft spot. Baineth's hard nipples pressed against his chest when she climaxed, before her entire body nuzzled against his. With a satisfied smile he slowed his movements and held her there, straddling his lap, gasping for air. Baineth was totally exhausted. They lingered in their embrace, his large hands stroked her back tenderly, while she buried her face in his muscular chest. Finally, their breaths calmed and they relaxed against each other.

A soft and deep groan from him made her smile.

"I have to go, unfortunately," he said regretfully, as he placed her gently back on the bed.

Baineth pulled him into a gentle kiss, nodding in understanding.

"When I come back, please remember that you wanted to pay me back," he said smugly before he got up and walked to the bathroom.

Baineth grinned, staring contentedly at the ceiling. Of course I'll do that, she thought.


"Ada, why is our forest called Mirkwood," Míron asked thoughtfully, interrupting his father, who had been reading for them. "Dimaethor told us that the forest was previously known as Greenwood the great. Why has it a different name now? What happened?"

Míron looked at his father through his questioning eyes and Thranduil sighed inwardly. Mithrileth had looked up from the book that Thranduil had just read for them and looked at her brother seriously.

"That's easy to understand," she said, "The forest has changed. It was formerly green and filled with light and is now dark. Hence the name," explained Mithrileth.

Míron looked at his sister in silence before he looked back at his father. He was not satisfied with her response. Thranduil caressed Míron's back gently, who thereby felt encouraged to ask further.

"I understand that, ada, but why is the forest dark? The sun shines during the day, but the darkness under the trees still persists."

Mithrileth looked at her father curiously and snuggled closer to him in the hope that he would explain it to them.

Thranduil pften sat with his two children in his study and read to them from old books. Stories which his father had once read to him. A few days ago he had discovered a note in an old book. A small piece of parchment on which a few words were written, which had encouraged the young prince then. It was a note, which his father, Oropher, once wrote him. It was thousands of years old and Thranduil had been overcome by melancholy and sadness. Melancholy, because it reminded him of his father, who no longer was among them. Sadness, because it reminded him of his own failure. While he had been sitting in his study at night, memories overcame him of his own childhood, which was already an eternity behind him. But then he had been dismayed deeply when he realized that he had only found the note because he had wanted to read for his children. He felt guilty because he had never given Legolas this privilege. Otherwise, he would have found his father's note much earlier. Thranduil was torn from his thoughts when Mithrileth tugged impatiently on his tunic.

"Ada, what are you thinking about," Mithrileth asked concerned. "Are you thinking about the forest? You look sad."

Thranduil shook his head. "No, I was thinking of something else," he replied, trying to shake off his memories.

"Why is the forest dark," Míron asked again, expecting an explanation from his father.

The prying eyes of his children seemed to pierce him, and Thranduil nodded slowly. Eventually he had to talk to them about it.

"Outside of the borders of our kingdom lurk countless dangers. This has always been a fact. But at some point, the time came at which these dangers have crossed our borders and brought the darkness with them into our wood," explained Thranduil.

Mithrileth stared at her father wide-eyed, waiting that he would speak on.

"The forest is dangerous," asked Miron, who sat up in his father's lap.

Thranduil stroked his son's back soothingly and nodded reluctantly.

"Yes. Not the whole forest, but the danger is spreading slowly, as the darkness does," he said with audible bitterness. "But do not worry. You are well protected in this palace. Nothing bad can and will enter here," said Thranduil, to calm his children.

Míron nodded and his gaze wandered through the study of his father.

"Ada," he said and looked at Thranduil. "Why did the evil come to our forest," he asked, with audible concern.

Thranduil should have known that his children would ask further questions. He would not lie. Thranduil looked at Míron, remembering the day when he had told Baineth the history of the forest. The time had come, to share it with his children, to reassure them.

"Let me tell you a story," said Thranduil and closed the book before he placed it on his desk. Then he leaned back in his chair and Míron and Mithrileth snuggled close to him. They loved to hear their father's voice as it vibrated in his chest when he spoke.

"In this forest, there is a place that has never been touched by the darkness," he began.

Míron's head perked up and he looked at his father excitedly.

"What kind of place is this," he asked curiously.

Thranduil smiled and patted his son's back gently. Míron listened to his father with rapt attention.

"That's what I'll tell you now. There is a legend which says that Varda came to Middle Earth many millennia's ago. It is said, that she has lived here for some time. At that time, this forest did not exist. Varda planted the first trees, which grow at the heart of the forest. When they began to grow, Varda blessed the trees with eternal life. My father, your grandfather, heard this story when he was very young. Maybe he was as old as you are now. Later, after the fall of Doriath, he decided to build his empire in this forest, so that we could all live in peace. Therefore, the elves came to Greenwood the great, as it was then called. Legend has it that Varda has created a small lake, at the same spot, where her trees still thrive today. It is said, that a star fell from the sky and created a crater. The star made a hole into the ground and a spring appeared. It's waters, were pure and untouched, with the color of pure starlight. It is said, that it has special powers, that it can even heal the sick. In this place, nothing bad can happen."

"You have the greatest treasure of Middle-earth in your forest," commented Mithrileth her father's story.

"Your mother has said the same thing, when I told her this story," said Thranduil and kissed the top of her head.

"Naneth knows of this place," Míron asked curiously.

Thranduil nodded. "Yes, we were once there," said Thranduil and remembered the night that he had spent there with Baineth.

Mithrileth and Míron sat up abruptly. "Ada, please let us go there," they begged in unison.

Thranduil smiled and nodded, "I'll show you the place," he said to make them happy.

"When," cried his children excited.

"This summer. We will go there this summer."

"You still have not answered my question," said Míron. "Why did this evil come into our forest," he asked again.

Thranduil sighed inwardly. It would have been nice if his children had forgotten their question. He pulled them closer to him and was silent for a moment before he spoke.

"The evil was stronger than us," he replied finally as he thought about his failure. If he had not made certain mistakes, much would have been different. But now it was too late.

Míron and Mithrileth looked at each other with wide eyes and but said nothing. They knew that their father would not talk further about it. Definitely their brother would tell them more.


"Gwador, gwador," cried Míron and Mithrileth excited when they came to the practice grounds.

Legolas looked around in surprise and released the arrow blind, which nevertheless hit its target.

Míron's eyes widened as his gaze followed the arrow.

"You hit the target," he said excitedly, "Although you shot the arrow blindly."

Legolas grinned and knelt so Mithrileth could embrace him. Within a few moments Míron was at his side, who embraced his elder brother.

"No," Legolas said, getting up quickly. "Father said that you are too young," Legolas said as he noticed, that Míron tried to steal an arrow from his quiver.

Míron pouted and accepted Legolas' chastisement silently.

Legolas was sorry to rebuke his brother and patted Míron's shoulder.

"As soon as the time comes, I'll train you," he said to cheer him.

Míron's face shone with happiness and he nodded enthusiastically.

"And what about me," asked Mithrileth, while she raised an elegant eyebrow expertly. "You always speak only of what will be when Míron's time has come. When will my time come? When will you train me?"

Legolas was so surprised by the unexpected question of his sister that he was speechless at first. Then he raised his eyebrows and made a funny face while he scratched the back of head. He should train his sister? Legolas had always meditated to train Míron, but Mithrileth? He doubted, then thought of her birth, which had been more difficult than Míron's. Lord Elrond had said, that Mithrileth would also find her place in this world. Maybe not as a princess, as Legolas had believed, but as a warrior. His gaze was serious when he looked down at his petite sister. What may be her fate in this world, which held so many dangers? Before he was aware of what he did, he nodded at her thoughtfully.

A broad smile appeared on Mithrileth's lips and she looked at her brother triumphantly. Míron shrugged his shoulders and hinted her that they had a question to ask.

"Gwador why was the evil, stronger than us," she asked.

Legolas looked at her surprised, " Have you spent time with ada," he asked, trying to come up with an excuse, why his father had been wrong.

"Yes," replied his siblings in unison.

Legolas leaned his bow against the stone wall and looked at his young siblings thoughtfully.

"Well, where you want to sit," he said.

"On your lap," cried Míron and Mithrileth simultaneously.

Legolas laughed and shook his head.

"I know that already, I meant where we want to go to talk?"

"Um, here," said Míron enthusiastically, pointing at a small wooden bench near them.

The prince nodded and before he knew it, he was sitting together with his siblings on the bench and they cuddled up to him. Legolas could feel their excitement.

"Has ada told you more about that," he asked.

"No," Mithrileth replied, "We were hoping, that you would tell us more."

Of course, thought Legolas. He had once again the pleasure to explain his siblings something unpleasant. Thank you, ada, he thought with slight bitterness.

"Sometimes evil is stronger than us, to show us, that we are still stronger," he declared and looked into the bewildered faces of his siblings. "So far we have always managed to overcome evil. Therefore, we now know, that we will finally defeat evil. It may sometimes seem as if we would lose. But in the end, we have always survived. Therefore, you do not have you worry. Eventually even our forest will be re-filled with warm light, because the darkness will give way to the light."

"But," said Mithrileth with a sorrowful expression, "Great wars were necessary for this to happen. Dimaethor told us about them. All had to struggle to overcome evil. I do not want that you and ada will go to war," she said, while tears welled in her eyes, her voice trembling.

Legolas rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head.

"Do not be afraid, elves notice great wars early on. There are no indications that there will be a war in the next hundred years," he said and paused.

It was not utterly true, but he would not frighten them. Míron and Mithrileth should grow up as carefree as possible. Legolas knew that another war would come, but when it would happen, he could not tell. He hoped that his siblings would be grown up then.


"What were you thinking" inquired Baineth visibly upset. "You scared the children with your stories. Which one of you had the idea to tell them about the evil of this world," she said reproachfully, looking back and forth between Thranduil and Legolas.

"That was me," said Thranduil calmly.

"Our children were afraid to fall asleep and spoke only on subsequent wars which would be needed to overcome evil."

"That was the part of the information, which I contributed," said Legolas softly.

Baineth looked at the prince in disbelief.

"You? Again you," she asked incredulously. "I've said many times that certain topics should not be discussed until Míron and Mithrileth are old enough. They are definitely too young for this topic."

Legolas stepped closer to Baineth, his expression apologetic and yet angered.

"If my father tells them that evil was stronger than us and fails to explain them more," Legolas said, glancing angrily to Thranduil, "Then I tell them that evil previously was always defeated. To reassure them," he added. "My father has a habit, to tell his children things, without bringing it to an end. This part, he graciously leaves to me to explain. And I always try my best. That's all I can do."

Baineth's gaze was fixed on Thranduil, who smiled at her. Legolas knew what was coming and left his father's chamber.

"They are too young for this," said Baineth reproachfully.

Thranduil slowly walked up to her and grabbed her upper arms gently.

"I can not lie to them," he said.

"Of course, you should not lie to them," agreed Baineth," But you can tell them things in another manner, that suits their age."

"Some questions must be answered honestly," Thranduil said.

Baineth sighed audible and Thranduil grinned.

"Well, and now," he inquired of her.

Baineth looked at him with raised eyebrows, "What now," she asked, slightly irritated.

"Don't you remember, you wanted to pay me back," said Thranduil expectantly.

Baineth scoffed and freed herself from his grip. "I did," she said, while she went to the bed.

"I think it's about time, don't you think," asked Thranduil as he followed her in a predatory manner.

"As you can see I am busy," replied Baineth, while she crawled into the middle of the bed and pointed at her two children, sleeping under the blanket.

Thranduil frowned as he stepped closer, "What are they doing here," he asked, surprised.

Baineth looked at him incredulously. "They sleep here," she commented on the question of her husband. "Like I said, they were afraid to fall asleep. Therefore, they sleep with us."

"Too bad," said Thranduil and grinned. "Well, we can use the bathroom."

Baineth laughed about the determination of her husband. She climbed out of the bed and followed him toward the bathroom until she heard Mithrileth, who was whimpering softly in her sleep. Thranduil turned and knew that he would not get much attention from his wife tonight. While Baineth snuggled between her sleeping children, Thranduil pulled a book from the shelf and sat down beside Míron on the bed.

"We can't hide our children forever behind these walls. The world out there, will eventually shape them," he said softly, his gaze fixed on his children.

"I know," whispered Baineth, her voice sorrowful.

Thranduil stroked her hair gently and squeezed her hand.

"It'll be all right," he said to reassure her.

Baineth did not answer immediately, but squeezed his hand and pulled it to her mouth, kissing it.

"Thank you," she said softly. "I hope you are right."


A/N: Thank you for your encouraging comments. As announced, in the next chapter we will make the first leap in time. Another will follow soon.