Here's the next chapter! It's always so exciting to log in and check the new followers and I will try my best to make my update more regularly. Also, thank you all for your support! :)

The golden array of sunlight danced into the grand study room where an adorned oak desk stood in the middle. Behind it was a wooden shelf incrusted with numerous books, befitting the shape of the wall. The doorway to the balcony half opened, allowed soft breeze to enter the room freely. In the room were two slender figures, their fair countenance dreary. Both plunged deep in their contemplation.

"How bad was it?" Thranduil broke the dreadful silence in first hand. His sapphire eyes dimmed with misgiving.

"I know not. I am losing it. The evil grow stronger with every breath I take and the forest darkened inch by inch. I can sense it. Bitterness boiled in my heart." Idherion remarked arduously, his hands gripped hard against the wooden frame of the window.

"The southern border had already fallen to evil hands. But the alliance between Greenwood and Wilwarin would never break. I could-"

"No, your people will be sacrificed in vain let alone the fight is not yours." Idherion replied rather sternly. He turned around to face his old friend for over a thousand years. The crystal green in his eyes no longer shined. His pale face tired, sorrow replaced the serene where it should be.

"The darkness is among our people, Thranduil. Our glorified gift had driven too much attention. Our endowment in bond is now a poison for us." Idherion glided soundlessly toward him as he conceded the truth. He took a halt beside his study desk and ran his fingers through the parchments scattered atop, his mind seemed to sink deep in thoughts again.

"I don't understand…You had been the most reviving nation on Arda. How…?" Thranduil was most bewildered, for the situation here had grown dramatically dire ere they took any notice.

"Years ago, a patrol from my northern realm reported one of our archer missing. No trace, but only great gruesome evil left in the air. The troop searched frantically over the whole realm and forest but to no avail. Then darkness crept in. First from the one who bonded dearest to the missing archer, and so the evil spread like foul disease. It contaminated my people through our spiritual connection, brought them down one by one. My realm had already shrunk fiercely. Some of my kin had left shore before their heart was depraved. Some had dwelt deeper into the grey mountain to take shelter. It was a brutal yet undeniable truth. Our era will soon be ended." As if revealing the atrocious story consumed all his vigor. Light drained from Idherion, his appearance suddenly grave and pale like shattered chalkstone.

"It might not end like that. There is still hope. The Valar dote for your kin."

"The Valar was no longer on our side. Our perception had gone beyond nature. It is my kindred to pay the debt now, and decisions had to be made. To either abandon our benison and homeland or stay and fight to the last strand of our kindred perished." Idherion turned his head back to gaze through the window into the forest, his eyes afar and glassy.

"Then the decision is all but obvious. You must quicken your evacuation, Idherion." At least there were still some approaches to amend. Thranduil was sort of relieved.

"That is the major task I have been running, still some of my people refused to leave their home behind. Discharging a whole nation was no easy errand."

"It was unwise to falter any longer, the evil might strike in untimely…" Thranduil's brows knitted over the imminent jeopardy.

"If…If things were to go rough, would you consider sailing west?" He started off tentatively for him least wished this assumption to come true, yet all circumstances had to be put through beforehand.

"Not until I settle the rest of my people, and what about Ardhoniel? She is too young to leave shore. Gwaedhiel will follow me to wherever it ended, but what will be the fate of our beloved daughter?" Idherion snapped his eyes up to meet with his, the anguish in them once again outrageous. If they were to really parted, the length of time apart will then be unpredictable. Perhaps for thousands of years will their reunion be possible.

"I will take good care of her, if it came to your request. You have my-" Thranduil's words were cut short with an alerting flick of Idherion's hand. Idherion's vision went blank shortly, head tilting to an angle as if sensing something. They stood there in silence. A couple of seconds later the gleeful bouncing footsteps drew near down the spiral stairs and the wooden door sprang open by Ardhoniel, with Legolas following behind. In mere seconds the king of Wilwarin had already switched his moody face into an elating grin, which Thranduil soon followed. But upon seeing the innocent elfling he could not ease the bitter sorrow in his heart. Despite his expression remained composed and tender, his heart was a raging storm. Ardhoniel shot him a puzzle look as she cocked her head to the side.

"Why are you so sad, Thranduil?" Her fledgling voice put a gorge to his throat.

"Nothing precisely, henig. The soon be ended summer solstice celebration probably is the criminal here." He smiled a bit wearily but he upheld his appearance calm and even. Ardhoniel's bewilderment deepened as he saw her nictitate with muddle. The subsequence dubious gaze from his son coming to his direction was even harder to neglect. He then met them with a slight shake of his head. It was not his information to perceive. Not quite yet.

Efficiently, Idherion put an end to his interrogation by scooting up his little daughter and placed a fondly kiss on her delicate face.

"So what is my princess so excited about?" His question distracted the little elfling's attention as she started to giggle thrilling adventure of their garden trip. The king of Wilwarin hearkened intently to his child and chuckled with her gleefully. Though in flash seconds, Thranduil caught his eyes darted to him, giving him a quick nod in reassurance, Idherion's eyes flickered with gratitude while perturbation lingered. He then knew the notion he formerly offered had been assented.