From the vantage point of a small window on the second floor, I could see my father sat on the throne clearly. King Thranduil sat there graciously, listening to every word the counselor said with patience. A stiff voice of the adviser implied that the situation was serious. I heard something about the Orcs and the ring, but I couldn't figure it out what they were talking about. Slowly I leaned closer to the window.

"We must act fast, my lord. There has no time for us anymore to play this waiting game. The flame of war is looming at the border of Mirkwood. We should maneuver our force immediately." A member of the council said firmly.
I observed my father in every move. Spying on the King was one of my favorite hobbies.
Slowly my father stood up. The council was immediately in silence, waiting for the decision of the King.

"Then we shall ride to the South. I will lead the army myself." Briefly the King ordered.
"As you command, my King." The counselor bowed.

In seven days, they rode south. He took a last look at me and smiled warmly.
"I will be away not for long. For the time being, you should study hard. Listen to everything your mother says and be good to her."

"Why can't I go with you?" My heart sank when he mounted on his elk. I wished I could follow him everywhere, but I couldn't on that day. My legs were too slim, and my hands were too tiny, that's what my mother told me. I was too young, way too young to fight.

"I will come back very soon." He said kindly. I hid my face under his cloak. Tear started to fall while he was stroking my head gently.

"This is not the time to cry, my Prince." He handed me a crossbow.

"I remember you told me once that you want to be the greatest archer in Middle-earth. Well, you are not going to be a successful one if you are lazy like this. Don't you want to be like Aegnor, the great, anymore? " He smirked.

Clutching the bow close to my heart, I started running after my father. I wanted to tell him…I wanted to tell him badly that….
I ran faster and faster before catching up with my father again at the forest gate. I called his name, but he couldn't hear me.

"Ada!" for the third times I yelled.

"I don't want to be like Aegnor, the great!" Suddenly he slowed down his elk and turned around.

"And what do you want to be, my precious Prince?"

I stood there, enshrouding myself in the darkness.

"I don't think Aegnor is so great anymore! Ada! I want to be like Thranduil, the great! I want to be the king of Mirkwood like you!" I shouted.
He waved his hand for the last time and smiled brightly. I waved back, but he could not see me from there.

The color of the crystal clear sky was deepened. Gradually the sky turned into mesmerizing emerald green. When nightfall came, it changed into dark blue of sapphire, then pitch black took over the atmosphere. Like a morning mist fading when the sun rose high, I took a glimpse of my father's shadow disappeared slowly behind the walls on his war elk.

"I want to be like you, Thranduil, the great." I whispered.