Thranduil despised his father's brunches almost as much as he despised politics but at least this time he would have the advantage of watching whatever plan Rinien had unfold. And there was Rinien, too. Though she wouldn't wear her hair down as she did in the woods, with only a single, small braid used to keep her hair out of her face while the rest of it flew freely, it would still be nice to see her. Even if he couldn't talk to her. But apart from the opportunity to see his friend, his time at the brunch would be miserable: talk of politics, talk of war, talk of his apparently impending marriage – all of which made his stomach churn with varying forms of disgust. Not to mention the fact that most of the people invited disliked him. Yes, his morning would truly be terrible.

So, to make up for the fact that he would be miserable, he dressed as finely as he could, knowing it intimidated others – especially the Silvan elves. Besides, Thranduil always felt at least a little happier when he was in especially fancy garb.

As usual, he was disappointed to see Rinien with her hair pulled up and to see her in such a plain, dark blue dress. That wasn't to say he didn't think she looked good in it – he most certainly thought she looked good – but he missed the wild woman from the woods. His father greeted Carandan's family. "Carandan, I'm so happy your family could all come."

Thranduil could see that Rinien, Caranhil and Nimariel were about as happy to be there as he was. Good. If he was to be miserable, at least he wouldn't be miserable alone. He could have been wrong, but he thought he almost caught an eye roll from Rinien as she took in his appearance which caused him to smirk a little bit.

He could see his father had invited a lot of Sindar Elves who just so happened to have daughters. It would seem that subtlety was not a trait his father possessed in any large quantity. Thranduil would even listen to politics rather than stand as Sindar elleths pursued him shamelessly.

Rinien stood across the room with an enormous smile on her face. "What has you smirking the way Prince Thranduil smirks?" Ninith asked. (Ninith's parents had quite a bit of influence over the Silvan community so it wasn't surprising that she was invited to the brunch.)

"I don't smirk like Prince Thranduil," Rinien replied defensively.

"You do now – you never used to – but the real question is why you're smirking like Prince Thranduil."

This made Rinien quite excited. "I may have gotten a certain captain of the guard invited to this brunch, though he isn't here yet."

Ninith's mouth dropped in unabashed shock. "The guard is never invited to palace events unless they're there to do their job. How did you get him invited?"

"Ah, but that would be telling. Now, when Runathiel and Sarnor arrive you have to make sure they 'run into' each other." Rinien remembered the events from only a few nights ago and grimaced. "Also, you may owe Sarnor a favor. Or, at the very least, I do."

Ninith arched her auburn eyebrow. "Do I want to know what you've done now?"

"Well….Sarnor may or may not have caught me as I wandered in from the woods the night of the attempted coup and let me go despite how suspicious I looked."

"You were caught during the coup?" Ninith whispered harshly. "You're lucky you weren't banished with the rest of them, though I guess I can't claim to be perfect. I may have known there would be a coup soon," she admitted. "I didn't think it would be a violent one so I didn't say anything."

"You what?" Now it was Rinien's turn to reprimand. "What if they had succeeded, Ninith?"

"Well, I heard the prince wasn't in around during the attempt so if they had killed Oropher, Thranduil may have become king, which, for obvious reasons, would have been absolutely horrifying."

"Would it really be so bad if Thranduil became king? We can't know for certain whether he would do poorly as a leader until he actually rules the Realm."

"I can know for certain," Ninith grumbled. "Right now he's probably sitting alone as usual, watching the goings-on in the room and making internal condescending comments on all of us – a hobby he will probably continue when we sit down for our meal."

"At the moment he's speaking with the king and his advisers, including my father. Perhaps they're discussing the coup as well." She decided to direct the conversation back at Ninith, fearing if they stayed on the subject of Thranduil she may make it more obvious that she thought of him fondly. "I hope you've learned your lessons and will stay away from the rebels. Your life could have been on the line."

Ninith lowered her eyes in something resembling shame which was an unusual emotion for the young elleth to show. "Fine, I'll stay away but that doesn't make them any less correct when they say that Oropher needs to make changes."

"Yes, but I don't think killing him or even just removing Oropher from power will fix the problem."

"Well, we would have to remove Thranduil, too."

"Ninith, I'm serious. Besides, you have to admit the king didn't screw up this coup situation; his response was perfectly just."

"Fine, fine," she groaned. "I never knew you were such a staunch defender of the king."

"You must also remember he employs my father and I wouldn't call my defense 'staunch'." Thankfully, Runathiel and Sarnor arrived to end the conversation between Rinien and Ninith. As they entered the hall, it was clear that neither one had been expecting to encounter the other at the brunch – each of them blushing profusely when they saw one another. An enormous grin spread on Rinien's face. "Look who's arrived."

Ninith's grin mirrored Rinien's as she said, "This is going to be interesting. I think I see Runathiel approaching. Keep her occupied as I fetch Sarnor and we'll have a little fun, shall we?"

The red-headed elleth approached Rinien with a forlorn look on her face. "He's here."

"Why do you look so upset? I would have thought you'd be happy."

"I'm happy he's here but I will not have an opportunity to talk to him; at least, it's not incredibly likely."

"That is why you have us: to act as your backbone."

"You didn't…you wouldn't," Runathiel gasped.

"Oh but we would."

Then they heard the ever-loud Ninith approaching with Sarnor. "So Rinien tells me that I owe you a favor? I have to admit I am incredibly grateful you did not have her locked up."

"I did not believe she was responsible for the act of treason," he admitted stiffly, eyes continuously wandering to Runathiel as his blush deepened. Ninith shot a look to Rinien that clearly said 'isn't this rich?' before Sarnor continued. "I must admit I am intrigued that a lady of your position chooses to wander the woods in search of spiders and whatever other foul creatures she may find."

"It is something a lady of my position would very much like to keep a secret, if at all possible."

Ninith shot him a warning look – telling him he better not give away Rinien's secret – but Runathiel chose to take a different approach. "Please?" she asked, hazel eyes wide.

He responded immediately to Runathiel. "Of course. I would never put Lady Rinien in a difficult position."

"Thank you," Rinien told him sincerely. "You do not know how much this means to me."

"Do not feel as if you need to spend the entire brunch with us," Runathiel squeaked. "I'm sure you have much more important Elves to talk to." The elleth thought she was doing the ellon a favor by releasing him from their company.

At this, Sarnor stared intently at his feet and blushed still deeper, if that was even possible. "If I am to be truthful, I do not know any others apart from the king at this event and he is currently indisposed with his advisors." This caused Rinien to feel slightly guilty she had him invited to the brunch but she would be damned if she didn't give Runathiel some time with him. Hopefully, this would be the only time it was necessary to invite him anywhere in order for the pair to interact.

"You may sit with us at the brunch," Ninith offered. "Because if I am to be truthful, we sometimes feel out of place at these parties, as well. After all, if you look around, we're among the only Silvan elves here, and many of the Sindar lords and ladies do not like to associate themselves with the likes of us."

A look of deep gratitude etched itself on Sarnor's face but before he could say anything, the bell rang to indicate the food was being served. As the guests began to flock towards the table, Rinien and the others joined them and as they did so, Sarnor bent down to whisper in her ear. "You and Ninith no longer owe me anything. Any debt you may have once had has been paid one hundred times over."

"And how is that?" she asked innocently, though she suspected what the captain of the guard meant.

"You officially introduced me to Runathiel," he replied awkwardly. "I must admit I…" His blush returned with a vengeance.

So Sarnor shared Runathiel's interest. This was the best news Rinien had heard all morning and she intended to share this news with Runathiel later that afternoon once they were all free from the prison sentence that was this brunch. They all sat down at the long, ornate table – the Silvan elves shoved off into a corner where most the Sindar elves would not have to socialize with them.

Oropher raised his glass. "My friends, in these troubling times, it is truly comforting to know that there are those loyal to the crown of the Woodland Realm and I promise that loyalty will have its reward in the end. This brunch is in celebration of that loyalty, celebration that those who are disloyal did not succeed." Rinien noticed a red tinge hit Ninith's cheeks. "This shows that we will not be broken by rebels or dissenters but shall arise from this dark hour even stronger than we were before. Though war approaches, I hope that you may all find courage and comfort in the strength of our Kingdom. Thank you all for being here and I hope you enjoy our meal together."

Once side conversations and the clanking of silverware against plates were loud enough, Ninith turned to Rinien. "The king was certainly laying it on thick."

"Many things may be said about our king but let it never be said that he is a bad speaker. In fact, I think his oratory ability is a talent which has helped him remain king even while he makes grievous mistakes concerning his domestic policy."

"I think you have been listening to your father too much," Ninith said as she rolled her eyes in mock exasperation.

Rinien turned to Thranduil towards the head of the table, wondering what he thought of his father's speech. She luckily caught his eyes and from the look on his face, Thranduil was just as impressed with his father's speech as Ninith. Though he refrained from rolling his eyes – a very common response when he became irritated with something or someone – Thranduil was not above giving Rinien a look that said 'my father's speech was complete and utter bullshit'. Rinien knew from their conversations that Oropher was not nearly as calm about the coup as he pretended to be. In fact, he was more shaken by the coup than he was by the idea of Sauron. (These confused priorities were, in fact, one of the roots of Oropher's problems.) If nothing else, though, it comforted her to know that Thranduil would always be honest with her.

Ninith elbowed her to bring her back to the Silvan end of the table. "Care to tell me where your mind wandered to just now?"

"I was just thinking about the kingdom," Rinien answered vaguely.

"I was not aware you held any interest in politics."

"It's a recent development."

"I tire of your secrets, Rinien, but we have more pressing matters to discuss." She turned her head to Sarnor and Runathiel who were deep in conversation. "It would seem your plan worked."

"I could never have done it without you, Ninith."

"You are most certainly right but I thank you for your efforts nonetheless. I still can't help but wonder how you managed to get him invited."

"A lady must have some secrets and this is one I intend to keep."

"I hope you understand that I will find out eventually."

"Of that I have no doubts but for now I am content to keep my secrets."

After brunch, Oropher approached Thranduil. "Though I'm happy you participated a little in politics during the brunch, I must admit I am a little disappointed you did not choose to socialize with any of the young, Sindar ladies who were invited."

"Yes, it is indeed a shame." It had, of course, been wholly intentional on Thranduil's part to avoid the ladies but he could spout back all the conversations held on politics in case his father suspected.

Oropher was exhausted with his son by this time but he had known since day one patience would be required to see his son wedded and expecting an heir by the time they rode off for war. So, he swallowed any anger he may have taken out on Thranduil and told him of his plans for the next few weeks, instead. "You and I will be traveling to Rivendell, soon. I have business there and since you are the crown prince it seemed right that you should be there to learn a thing or two about politics."

Thranduil already knew 'a thing or two' about politics – more than his father understood – and he knew a trip to Rivendell would mean weeks without seeing Rinien. He could also tell his father was lying about the journey, though what he would lie about was an absolute mystery to Thranduil as his father had always elected to be entirely honest with him. Besides, he had never been a fan of the residents of Rivendell: they were all boring – especially Elrond. He also had to be practical. "Do you really think it wise to leave at such a time, father? We've had a recent attempted coup and the Silvan elves are still restless."

"I was thinking of leaving Carandan in charge while we're away. Surely the Silvan elves cannot object to that."

"Carandan is trustworthy," Thranduil admitted. "And I suppose that's better than leaving me to act in your place while you are away. That would most certainly have the Silvan elves up in arms."

Oropher's face became gentler after that comment, understanding Thranduil was, at least on some level, hurt by the fact that his own people did not trust him to be a good ruler. "I know you care about the Realm more than you let on; I simply do not understand why you choose to act as though you could care less about the goings-on. If only you were to show how much concern you have for our home, the people may have more confidence in you."

"I do not need their confidence."

"That may not always be the case," Oropher replied prophetically. "There may come a time when you must become king and you will not only need their loyalty but they will also need a faith in you. I'm afraid, as of late, I have been falling quite short in that area."

"It would not be difficult for you to earn back the support of our people." Thranduil said this with such utter surety that he shocked his father. "I urge you to take on more Silvan counselors as more representation would likely sate the rage felt by many among the Silvan elves."

Once again, Oropher chose not to heed Thranduil's advice. "I've already informed my council that you and I shall be leaving in the morning, so I suggest you rest."

The prince paced in his room for nearly a solid hour before putting some light, but still beautiful, armor on to meet Rinien. They would be hunting spiders that night rather than training but he knew she would not mind in the least to get the opportunity to take out a nest. As usual, she immediately saw he would need a night of hunting, though she still could not guess the extent of his sadness. "We will not be able to meet tomorrow, or for quite a while after that," he eventually admitted to her, ashamed that he would have to disappoint her.

"Why?" she asked, hurt in her eyes.

"My father insists that I come to Rivendell with him. I do not yet know what ulterior motives he has for the journey though I suspect I will not like them."

"Do you know when you will return?"

"No."

"Then I cannot promise I will not journey through the woods alone as I used to."

"I suppose I could expect nothing less." He paused. "Just promise me you will be careful."

She smiled at his request since it clearly indicated he cared about her. "I will do my utmost."

After they had successfully destroyed a nest of spiders – having to travel quite a distance in order to do so – they realized their excursion had lasted into the very early morning. "I suppose we must part ways for a while, now," he sighed.

"Have a pleasant journey," she said earnestly. "And promise me that you will be careful as well. The road to Rivendell has become quite treacherous of late."

"No harm shall come to me," he promised.

"I will miss you," she admitted. "I've come to thoroughly enjoy our evenings together, Thranduil." Rinien had dropped the title 'Lord Thranduil' in the weeks they had spent together.

His face softened in a way she had never seen it before. "I shall miss you, too, Rinien."