Author's Note:

That's right, two in one night. Thank you all for the support, and smiles. Also, keep the suggestions coming. I love getting PM's telling me what ya'll would like to happen!
As always, To the Professor! PS, Lady Viola Delesseps...I'll make a Thranduil fan out of you yet!

Chapter Seven: How the Flames Danced.

Legolas reached the border of his fathers kingdom by mid-day. He knew that as soon as he crossed that border, his father would know of his presence. As was common to all who entered the Wood Legolas has to adjust himself to the closeness of the air. Once on a somewhat familiar path he dismounted his horse, and led it by the reins. Using what he had learned from the book, he began to search for the clearing. Slowly, after hours over rock and root, he came upon the clearing. But, it was not as he remembered it from his youth. At the west end of the the clearing he saw a white willow tree with golden leaves hanging over the pond, that he had no memory of. Legolas, curious and thirsty for knowledge as ever sprinted to the tree. He spent a few minutes admiring it's beauty before kneeling down before its trunk. As he bent down to take his place beneath its shade, a slow, musical breeze played through the leaves.

'Legolas.'

He rose quickly, searching for the source of the voice he had heard. "Who is here? Show yourself. I mean you no harm." he called out.

'Closer, you need to come closer.'

Instinctively, Legolas went even closer to the trees, running his hand along the trunk he thought that he felt the tree becoming warmer, that it felt. He examined it even closer, and finally he saw what the voice was calling him to. In the ancient language of his people small golden letter shone as he put his hand beneath them
It read,

' Here sleeps Glineth.
Wife of Thranduil I, mother of Legolas and Núrel.'

"Núrel? Who is she?" he asked.

'Read, my son. '
Struggling with tears, he rummaged in his bag and took out the book. With shaking hands and a heavy heart, he read on.


The sun had risen, and was in the middle of the sky before Thranduil and Glineth began to awake from their restful embrace. Glineth blinked slowly, hardly believing in who's arms she was in.
"Should we not return?" she asked.
Thranduil responded to her question by gripping her closer and tighter to his chest.
"I am the King. I will return when I wish."
Unable to stop her hands she moved the loose strands of hair that had covered his face. 'Has there ever been a being more beautiful?' she thought.
"Would you really like the whole of the Guard to see you like this? Hair a mess and laying in the grass with your prisoner? Hardly kingly behavior, your Majesty."
"Keep up that sort of talk, Glineth and I'll show you unkingly behavior. Let them see. What is wrong about laying in the grass holding the woman I love? Let them see." he said, as he laid kisses on her forehead.
Glineth quickly wriggled her way from Thranduil's arms and stood.
"Enough, it's time we returned. Let's not cause worry." she said.

On the walk back to the Gate, neither spoke a word. Something had changed, and the two of them were not able to place what exactly it was. They reached the door to her room uncommonly fast, happily evading the looks and whispers from everyone who noticed their absence.
"Goodbye, Thranduil. " Glineth said, bowing.
"Wait, please." he asked.
"No. I wish to bathe. I am covered in grass and smell of dirt." she said, eager to end their meeting.
"I can wait, if you wish." he asked, hoping that he would not have to leave her so soon.
"No, I am sure that you have some important matters to attend to. Goodbye." she said, shutting her door.
Once she was resettled in her room, she called out for her friend, Kaylanya. It took her a while, but soon enough she was in the room bringing laughter out of her friend.
"Where did you go, my Lady?" she asked, curious.
"To look at more trees, and water. Hardly anything exciting."
Kaylanya knew something was on the mind of her friend. Not wanting to upset her more, she continued to make her laugh, and prepared her bath.


Glineth was correct. More dull "kingly" duties awaited him when he returned. Among these was a council meeting, that was sure to be the same as it was the other day. Why he had to attend, was beyond his understanding.
As he entered the room, freshly bathed and hair neatened, all of the council rose and bowed.
"Please, sit. Let us be done with this as soon as we can. I am sure there are other things that we would rather be doing." he said.
The council laughed automatically and sat back down in their chairs.
"Your Majesty, it was brought to our attention that you left the palace in the company of a prisoner."
"I did. What of it? " he responded as he lazily put his crossed legs onto the council table and closed his eyes. "I can keep company with whomever I choose."
"That is so, but she is an unknown danger. Until she is-"
Thranduil rose quickly, causing his chair to slide noisily behind him. "I will choose whom I spend my time with. And you will remember who is King here, ALL OF YOU!"
"She is not for you, Majesty. There are others, more suitable for you. "
"I say that she is suitable. I will make her my Queen tomorrow if I so choose. Fugitive or not, she was born of this land, a Maiden of the Forest. Dangerous or no, Glineth is in my care. If any harm comes to her, you three will be the first to find yourself a head shorter." he spat as he walked out of the room, slamming the door shut.

Up in her room, Glineth was sitting out on the high balcony with her friend, Nelion. They were both about to leap on to a nearby tree when she heard Kaylanya allow the King entry to the room. Nelion, knowing that the King knew all he thought of Glineth the moment he saw Nelion look on her, he jumped from the balcony to the ground. He was not one who could stand up to his quickly changing mood.

"Having a party are we?' Thranduil asked, raising his brows at Glineth.
"I wished for company, that is all."
"But not mine, I see."
"No, not yours. It is nice to see others, you know."
"Nelion. He is interested in you, you know. I can see it in his eyes. Tell me, do you feel the same? Is that why you cast me away so quickly?" Thranduil said, becoming angry.

"I know he is. I will speak to him of it. There is no hope for him and I, and it would be wrong to give him such hope. He is a treasured friend, as are you."
She then laid herself on her couch and lazily picked up a book, not wanting to fuel his mood any longer.
"I will not tolerate it, Glineth."
"Very well, do not tolerate it. He will remain my friend, no matter what your jealous pride thinks."
Thranduil moved to stand in front of her, he took her left hand in his and pulled her up to stand facing him.
"I will have no other thinking that they will be bonded to you. You are my Glineth. "
"I am not some precious jewel that you own, Thranduil, and it would be best that you remembered it." Glineth said, looking up at him.
Again powerless under his gaze, she felt her anger slip away. She put her head to his chest and smiled widely.

They hugged each other whispering words of apology and affection. Kaylanya, happily left the two to their happiness.

"My Thranduil." Glineth thought as they settled onto her couch, watching the flames burn in the fireplace.

"My Queen." Thranduil whispered to himself, as he watched the flames dance on the faced of his now beloved.


A/N: Why this took so long, I'll never know. But, at least things are moving merrily along.
My hands were incredibly cold as I typed this all out, but I hope the story didn't suffer too bad because of it!