Chapter 9 ended with:

The king lifted an eyebrow and looked at Elrond's sons, known all over Middle Earth for the multiple lovers they had had, both elven and mortal. His reaction was enough for Haldir to realize he was insulting his Lady's family with his righteousness. He himself was not totally pure in this regard, having had a few lovers in the past millennia. He sent an apologetic look at Lord Celeborn, who was glaring at him. This was not his best moment.

Chapter 10 – Revelations part 2

Now that Haldir had expressed his reservations about courting Valerie, it was time to ask Glorfindel for his own opinion on the matter.

"Glorfindel?" Elrond asked, turning to his lieutenant.

"Lady Valerie is an intriguing elleth, very different from anyone I have ever met. Other world, other customs. What happened between the king and her was probably normal in her world, and this does not mean that she should be rejected as if she was a whore," he said, glaring at Haldir.

Thranduil could only commend Glorfindel for his perceptiveness, but his reaction did not follow his own personal plans. He had expected Haldir and Glorfindel to reject Valerie, while Legolas would have obviously let him decide what the next steps were. The Elvenking had been planning to take all the necessary time he needed to decide what he would do with Valerie. Take her back to Greenwood as a concubine? Bind himself to her? Spare himself the trouble of having a mate again and leave her in Isengard after he got bored by her? Deep down, he knew that last option was not truly one, but he did not have the strength to admit it to himself yet. He wanted to feel like he still had some control, that he could go back home and resume his life as it had been before without thinking about her ever again.

"I did not mean to say that she is a whore," Haldir attempted to backtrack.

"We all know what you meant, Marchwarden," Elrond cut without his usual courtesy, hinting that this was exactly what Haldir had meant. "I believe Mithrandir should go get the lady's version of the events. This could guide us about what should be done next."

Mithrandir stood and left the room after getting approval from Saruman. Radagast followed him, all too happy to escape the charged atmosphere in the dining room.

"Glorfindel is still willing to see if he can find an understanding with Valerie," Elrond started again, receiving a nod from his captain. "Haldir retracted his interest. Legolas?"

"I will not be pursuing Lady Valerie," the prince replied, unable to look at his adar.

"Then we will let Glorfindel and Valerie get to know each other and decide if they want to bind," the lord of Imladris concluded.

"Absolutely not!"

Thranduil realized he was the one who had said the words when everyone stared at him.

"Your Majesty, you are not part of the prophecy," Saruman stated delicately. "But your son..."

"Neither my son or Glorfindel will bind themselves to the lady." There was a finality in his tone that informed everyone that Thranduil had never been that serious.

"Are you suggesting that… you will make her your queen?" Arwen inquired to clarify his thoughts.

"Dear Arwen, what I decide is no one's concern."

"I beg to differ," Celeborn said. "Your actions will prevent the accomplishment of the prophecy. I assume you remember that reborn elflings are expected, to unite all elves and men against the darkness growing in Middle Earth? With your considerable ego, you will deprive Middle Earth from a solution to win against the forces of Sauron?"

"We brought her here to see the prophecy realized. I refuse to let all our efforts go to waste!" Saruman's expression was no longer obsequious, it was now calculating as if he was assessing which alternative would most benefit the Istari. He was letting his true self come out, and all the elven leaders saw that the White Wizard was no longer the peaceful being he had always been.

"You keep speaking of Valerie as if she had no choice in the matter," Galadriel remarked. "I suggest that we ask her what her wishes are. After all, her reaction to the king earlier does not make me believe that she is considering any type of relationship with him. She may prefer Glorfindel after all."

"From now on, please consider her my business. I will let you know my decision." Thranduil put all his powers of persuasion in these sentences. He truly believed they should all go back to their realms and let him make his own arrangements about Valerie. He was the only king in the room after all.

"Will you crown her, your Majesty?"

Thranduil could visualize the wheels turning in Saruman's head. With his protegee queen in Greenwood and the fact that he knew the king's secret, the wizard thought he would be able to control Greenwood indirectly. How wrong he was.

"I wish I could look in my mirror," Galadriel stated regretfully. "I could see if the reborn elves have disappeared from Middle Earth's future." She truly was desolate, and the disappointment in her eyes made Thranduil feel like an elfling who had saddened his naneth.

The guilt lasted for about five seconds in Thranduil's mind. Elrond and Galadriel had rings to protect their realms. Why did they need reborn elflings? Greenwood was completely unprotected, other than by the sheer courage and absolute lethalness of his son and his army. He had no pity to waste on the other realms, certainly not the mortal ones. A dark voice, in the far back of his mind, reminded him that he should be ruling all these people, force them into submission and create an empire in Middle Earth, one that would make Mordor tremble. He easily forced the voice back where he had successfully kept it caged since his encounter with the dragon, when he had lost physical integrity and gained an evil that tormented him night and day. This last fact, not even Saruman and Legolas knew about. This evil hiding in his fëa was his own burden to bear, and certainly not something he should share with an elleth. Valerie's soul was still pure, she should not be tainted by this vileness. Binding may be out of the question for that reason.

Thranduil stood, and the entire Greenwood delegation stood after him. The king could see that his counselors could barely look at the other elves in attendance. Cowards. Only Legolas was holding himself like the prince that he was.

"Thank you for this wonderful conversation, and for your hospitality. Saruman, please advise Lady Valerie that I will be visiting her later in the afternoon. Please ensure that she will be ready to receive me."

Without a look back, he left the room. Legolas followed but went to his own tent instead of confronting his adar. This left Thranduil wondering if his son did not disapprove after all.

In the next chapter, the "he said/she said" arguments start!

I really appreciated the support of wendurful51 (Saruman is getting worse, no?), Lyryenn (Glorfindel will get a reaction out of Thranduil soon!), glassary (will try to update more frequently then!), princessnera, AHealingRenaissance, earthdragon (the king has a lot to think about before his next move), stubs1101 (Legolas will not forgive quickly) and Maggie (Glorfindel will be very nice to Valerie next time he sees her…)