I had just gotten the dress, which was tighter than I thought, to get unstuck from my head when there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see Legolas ready to escort me to dinner. What was the point of having a husband if he wasn't going to act like one? Legolas smiled at me.

"Ele!"

I giggled at the expression on his face.

"Do I look that bad?" I asked with a smile.

"Ui. A lelyalmë."

I wrapped my arm around his and we walked towards the dining area. When we arrived I could see Thranduil was already sitting there, looking as he always did: annoyed.

"What took so long?" He asked hearing us enter.

He looked up and seemed like he wanted to suck those words back in. I sat down across from him and next to Legolas. We started eating and I could see him looking at his plate, but then something strange happened. For a moment, although faint I could've sworn he smiled.

"So…" I said trying to break the ice.

"Ah!" He said flipping his head up. "You have training starting tomorrow."

"Training for what?"

"Being a queen."

"You don't have a training manual or something I could read?" I asked.

Everyone at the table started laughing but Thranduil held his stern look.

Dinner ended with silence which at this point I was kind of getting used to it. I excused myself and began walking towards my room.

"Aranel."

I stopped and turned around. Hearing him say my name caused butterflies to break free in my stomach.

"I will take you back to your room," He said without offering his arm.

"I'm guessing Legolas had a talk with you," I said to him.

"I'm the one who tells others what to do, not the other way around," He answered.

So we walked together until we reached the door.

"Goodnight," I said.

"Goodnight," He answered before walking away.

As I got into the new bed I found myself crying, I was doubting myself again. Training? I guess I underestimated this a little bit.

Erie woke me up the next morning and rushed me out the door to breakfast. Legolas, Thranduil and I sat at the same spots and ate quietly.

"Ada, I have some important matters to discuss with you," Legolas suddenly blurted out.

After he said this he gave me a look telling me to leave.

"What?" I asked with food still in my mouth.

They both stared at me.

"I'm going to be queen aren't I? Shouldn't I be allowed to hear these matters?"

"No," Thranduil said bluntly.

I got up and pushed my chair back in. It was stupid not including me, maybe I could've helped them. I began walking around when an elf who seemed to be out of breath grabbed my arm.

"There you are!" He said.

"I'm sorry but who are you?" I asked.

"We're already late for your first class!"

I sighed as I followed him into a room where I saw a woman waiting for me. She bowed her head.

"Your highness, I will be your teacher," She said.

I smiled and went to give her my thanks but she started the lesson before I had time to take a breath.

I zoned out as she talked about past queens, kings, battles, politics, but then it hit me.

"Um excuse me.."

"Yes?"

"I was wondering about Thranduil's previous wife."

There was an awkward silence. I looked into her eyes which were the same color as mine. Usually I could read people well, but she seemed a little hard to understand. Her reaction was as if she was the queen or at least cared a lot for Thranduil, which I found not likely.

"She died in childbirth," She eventually said.

Once she said that I automatically felt bad for asking.

"I'm sure he loved her a lot," I said.

"Yes, she was the light in his life. Once she died he changed," She answered.

She continued the lesson and I continued contemplating about Thranduil. I figured now maybe his actions were a little more justified but that still doesn't mean he should be so cold towards people.

After my hours of boring lesson were over I walked around the gardens a little bit. As I followed the path I could see the outside forest. It was still very dark but it tempted me to run away into the shadows.

"Aranel."

I turned around.

"Oh, hello," I said to Thranduil. "Did you have fun discussing matters behind my back?"

"Why of course I did. With you there it would've been a nuisance."

Well at least he's honest. I sat down at the nearest bench. He continued to stand and look at the flowers.

"Uh..Thranduil if you should ever need my help with anything just let me know. As queen I have to support you," I said looking up.

"You wouldn't be any help," He said.

"I'm trying to be nice to you!" I said getting up.

He walked towards me.

"No need. Why would we need to be nice to one another if we are just using each other?"

I began walking away tired of dealing with his attitude.

He grabbed my arm.

"Don't get any ideas," He said.

"Of course not, they would be too good to be true," I said trying to whip my arm from his grasp.

"I won't let go until I'm done with you," He said pulling me closer to him.

"Well, I'm done," I said elbowing him in the chest.

I heard him grunt in pain and so I was able to wiggle out of his arms.

I didn't look back but I wanted to. I wanted to see the surprised look on his face but I knew I would be in for it tonight.

I went to finish off my lessons and then continued to wander around until I stumbled upon the library. I finally felt at peace. Just as I was reaching for a book Legolas barged through the door.

"What have you done?" He asked.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" He asked.

"Well, I may have elbowed him," I said.

Legolas' serious face vanished and he began laughing hysterically.

"What?" I asked.

"I think it's about time someone stood up to him, but he won't take it easy on you."

"I don't expect him to," I said thinking of his previous wife.

Legolas sat with me in the library and we sat there sharing random stories about our lives. We walked to dinner when a guard stopped me.

"Where do you think you are going?" He asked getting ready to put his hand on me.

"Don't you dare touch her," Legolas said getting in front of me. "She is the future queen, you are out of place to talk to her like that!"

"I am sorry prince."

The guard bowed.

"Orders from the king, she is to eat and spend the night in the dungeons."

Thranduil was really immature, he just always had to be the best. Legolas was going to say something when I stopped him.

"Okay," I said "Lead the way," I told the guard.

As we were leaving I heard Thranduil approaching, Legolas seemed to be arguing with him. It was cold down there but I knew I had to prove my point. I didn't eat the food they gave me but found the corner of the cell and tried to get comfortable. There was no point of comfort down there, I tried moving around, but nothing. I just couldn't seem to fall asleep and I was starting to get hungry. The food was still sitting there but I was making a point.

My lessons exhausted me, I was hungry and I couldn't sleep. I figured I understood how prisoners felt a little more, but in a sense wasn't I too, a prisoner? I used him as a way out and so did he. There was no point in getting to know him. He was right. Why would I waste my time if we were both just using one another?

I managed to close my eyes with the little bit of energy I had left. I heard someone open the cell door but my vision was so blurry I couldn't make out who it was. I stumbled over and then fell into their arms.

Translations: Ele: Wow Ui: No A lelyalme: Let's go