Elves from all over came to the palace of Mirkwood, in hope of being selected by the King to become his new bride. The maidens wore dresses of blood ruby, aqua ocean, emerald leaf and navy royal with hair of flaxen gold, caramel brunette and ebony midnight. None in which had caught his eye as he sat upon his throne, not having danced with any. Despite this, the women danced with Thranduil's elves, keeping them on display whilst the King scanned the grand hallway once more to see if he had missed any.

Disappointed coated his silver-blue eyes having seen no woman whose looks were worthy enough to grab his attention. Not wishing to see the unworthy any more, he stood up from his throne and left the hallway to rest in his chamber for a moment. Thranduil was a King who loved nothing more than to throw parties within his palace, providing rich wine to drink, food rare to one's taste buds and music so fine that everyone will wish to dance beyond their limits.

Once Thranduil entered his chamber, he passed his King-sized bed to walk out onto the balcony. His hands rested upon the stone as he looked out into the Woodland, over to the horizon. He was not searching for anything, he was merely thinking whilst he felt the night air hit against his pale skin which was almost as white as snow. He closed his eyes, breathing in through his nose and exhaling from his nose also. The King did this in a deep manner, proving his discontented thoughts currently flowing through his mind. 'Perhaps remarrying is something that fate is not going to allow me to do'

When Thranduil opened his eyes however, his own thoughts were proven wrong. A fair maiden with fuchsia hair, like the autumn leaves and a white dress more beautiful than the moon itself, walked out from his palace and headed into the woodland. The King was intrigued by the appearance of this female and decided that she could be his potential bride. He left his balcony, returning back to the hallway in order to exit his palace. He arrived outside and scanned the area of trees to discover her current location. When he did, he followed her trail to where she was.

The fair maiden looked down at the ground whilst she walked slowly into the dark woodland. She did not wear any shoes for she had simply never owned a pair, however she was lucky enough to have the material possible for making the very dress in which she wore. Her head was in the clouds as she walked away from Thranduil's palace, feeling like she stood no chance whatsoever against the other beautiful she-elves in becoming his bride. She had watched him from the side of the hallway, standing behind a pillar. She had been too nervous to find an elf's hand to dance with so she just stood there. Unnoticed.

The shy female stopped in her tracks when she heard a twig snap behind her. 'W-what was that?' Her body was frozen to the spot, nerves taking control of her body.

"Mankoi naa lle n'e sinome?" ("Why are you out here?")

The grand and noble voice belonged to the King of the very woodland in which they were within. The maiden turned around and faced Thranduil, her heart pounding hard against her chest.

"Aiya! Amin hiraetha," ("Oh! I'm sorry,") She bowed her head down to him and kept it there, not daring to look into his eyes. "Kela goheno nin, a'maelamin Aran" ("Please forgive me, my beloved King")

The King looked down at the fuchsia headed maiden, thinking solemnly. 'Exceptional manners and a unique appearance like none I have seen. Her hair is that of autumn leaves. I can see clearly into her soul... it is pure. Truly worthy of becoming my wife.'

"Raise your head, maiden"

Although she was stunned by his enchanting presence, she found the courage to raise her head and look at him, straight into his royal eyes. His eyes looked into hers also, searching deeper into her soul and heart. 'Yes... such purity lies within this maiden' He stepped closer to her but as he did, she stepped back.

"You did not answer my question"

His voice was bold and very demanding, such behaviour struck fear into the young maiden which caused her poor heart to race.

"I-I felt like I did not belong, my beloved King. I had not danced once"

"And neither had I, yet you still felt it was right to leave my palace before the ball ended"

She continued to step back for he would not stop advancing forth to her. However, her back was now against a tree when Thranduil finally stopped. He offered her his hand.

"Perhaps now is our chance to steal a dance before the night ends"

She looked at his hand, hesitating but her nerves got the better of her and she snatched back her hand.

"I couldn't possibly-"

"Are you saying no to your King?"

This caused the maiden to shut herself up whilst tilting her head upwards, looking at him once more. His eyes seemed more gentle than they were before, inviting her to take his hand now. Thranduil held onto her hand and his other strong hand went to her waist, where he pulled her closer to him. She gasped quietly as he did so. They could still hear the music from the palace which gave them a reason to stay exactly where they were. Once the maiden placed her hand onto his broad shoulder, he leant down and whispered into her ear.

"Now dance"

His calm yet forceful command gave her no choice but to obey. Her body was acting against her will, but she was not complaining. Thranduil stepped forward and she moved with the King, looking down at her feet so she could make sure she wouldn't trip up.

"Look at me"

He whispered, wanting her to give him eye-contact. It was something he desired, for he loved the connection he felt between the both of them. Once again, she obeyed, lifting her head up to look into the King's beautiful and rare elven eyes. Despite his eyes, his face was serious and very fearful looking for the maiden. She felt as if he was scolding her for something and she tried to figure out what, but these thoughts corrupted her footing and she ended up tripping over the King's foot, almost falling to the ground if it weren't for him pulling her back up. She bowed her head, apologising over and over again, but the King did not wish to listen to any of it.

"Dina" ("Be silent")

He hushed her and went back to the slow waltz in which they were previously doing. The maiden did not feel right doing this however. She felt under pressure and was still over-whelmed by the very fact the King of Mirkwood, Thranduil, was dancing with her. 'Could it be... he considers me...' She interrupted her own thoughts and broke away from the King.

"I am sorry, my beloved King, but I cannot do this." She lifted up her dress a bit so she could walk away easier as she turned around. "I best be leav- oh!" The maiden had stepped onto ice without even realising it and fell backwards.

One second was all it took for Thranduil to step onto the ice smoothly and grab her waist with one of his big, firm hands whilst the other held her hand, pulling her into his strong chest. Their eyes connected once more, the maiden's heart beating with warmth now. His eyes were soft and more welcoming than before, casting aside her shyness. He spoke calmly to the maiden in his arms.

"Your grace is unflattering, maiden"

The fuchsia haired female's cheeks went crimson in embarrassment but he continued to speak in such a way that made him seem mildly infatuated by her. But he was more than infatuated. He felt his icy heart grow warm, staring at this maiden.

"you should seek improvement in that"

Thranduil realised her and she laughed quietly, tucking some of her hair behind her ear; her confidence now slowly growing around him.

"Yes, perhaps so"

She bowed her head once more to King Thranduil, stepping back onto the frost-covered grass. She looked up and noticed the moon was at the highest point in the sky.

"I really must be going now, it's midnight"

The maiden was about to run when Thranduil called out to her.

"You have not given me your name"

She stopped, turning her head back to the King with a small yet charming smile.

"You never asked for it... my beloved King"

Without another minute passing by, she ran off through the woodland soon disappearing. The King was left standing on the ice, not getting a chance to ask for it. A smirk came to his serene face as he looked up to the moon, seeing that it was indeed midnight.

'Run away for now, but I will find you... little Cinderella'