Weeks passed. They traveled back to Greenwood after the infamous meetings with the other leaders. Rage over them still boiled in Thranduil when he met her again.
She wore a deep green dress when she walked among the hallways. Her hair fell to her shoulders in dark curls, her pointy ears peaking threw it. She seemed not to take any notice of his presence, instead she was fascinated by the walls of his palace. Her thin hands traveled along every bit of the wood, following the lines and thinking for a moment before choosing which one to be next.
All of sudden she began to speak, he did not know if she spoke to him or to somebody else, maybe nobody at all, "I wonder, if I'm going to be once as old as these trees were. This wood is one of the finest and oldest I ever came across. My mother would have been amazed.", it was barely a whisper but to him it was audible.
He approached her silently and said, "You lost her?", she jumped at his very presence and turned to him, bowing. "My King, I..", she started but was cut off by his deep voice, "Stop that. You are no citizen from Greenwod, you are my guest. Please, don't call me that."
"I understand. It is still uncommon for you to hear these words, to wear this crown, and you miss your father like any good son would do. I will do as you order.", she giggled at the last sentence and he did not understand the humor. "And yes, I lost her, but this is all in the past. She was killed while I was still small.", she added, two single tears escaping her eyes.
He stood next to her helplessly, he did not know to say anything, except for, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked.". "It is okay. You don't need to be sorry, Thranduil. You can hug me again, if you want, that is.", that caused him to stare at her in disbelief, his cheeks blushing. She laughed at his expression. Slowly his embarrassment faded into a grin and he asked, "Lady Gladhril, you're definitely a woman with many secrets. Would you like to answer a few of my questions over dinner?"
As she stepped into the throne room a large table met her sight. On it were various foods, dishes from all corners of Greenwood the Great, from sweet fresh fruits to steaming delicious meat.
Thranduil sat on the edge of the table in his large throne, still unaccustomed to the furniture. When she took a step into the room he stood hastily. He wore a silvery robe, sewed with yarn made out of starlight, and slim simple black trousers underneath. His crown shone as if it was emerging light itself and it was the only thing that held his light blond hair.
She for herself had chosen a simple dark red dress. The color was not familiar to her, but she knew about him and his crown and wanted to fit in. Around her waist was a girdle made from roots in a complicated yet beautiful pattern, which was the only jewelery-like thing she wore. Her hair fell open down to her shoulders.
"M-Mae Govannen, Gadhril.", he stuttered, "You look wonderful.", his mind wondered how she made that with no jewelery at all.