Thanks again to everyone for all the support. I hope you guys are liking where the story is going. I love reading your reviews and I love having discussions about my story with all of you. I'm hoping that I can keep the updates coming now and finish this, but don't worry, there's still a lot left for me to write so the end isn't in sight any time soon! Thanks for reading and sticking with me!

Hours passed since Thranduil had left to battle the orcs who had stepped on the soil of our home. I had went back to the infirmary, looking after the few patients I had at that time. There was a young elf who had fallen ill, not enough to be a concern, but enough to make him uncomfortable, who I spent most of the time with. I found being around him, so young, innocent and joyful, to be rather uplifting. He liked talking about the stars, more than anything, and asked me more than once if I thought he would be well enough for the upcoming festival, one of his favorites. I told him each time that he could, but he could not be up too late and would have to sleep as much as he wanted the next day, which pleased him greatly.

It was not long after the elfling had fallen into a peaceful sleep, that the bells sounded, signaling that everyone had returned from the orc battle. I left the boy's side, leaving him with a drink of water soaked with herbs to give him strength at his bedside table, and hurried to the main entrance.

Leading the mass of elves in battle armour was Thranduil, his face cold and rough. He had not a mark on him, but his hair was not as sleek and neat as always. His eyes were displeased.

I immediately fell into step beside him. "Are you alright?" I asked. "Has anyone been hurt?"

"I am fine," he answered gruffly. "We have a few minor injuries and one arrow wound."

"I will see to those right away then." I moved to turn, to head for the hurt soldiers, but before as I did, Thranduil took my arm, perhaps harder than he meant to. I let out a small cry and he opened his fingers, letting go right away.

"The injuries are very minor," he said quietly. "Come with me instead."

I looked over my shoulder, wanting to see for myself. But Thranduil kept moving forward. I decided to place my trust in the very capable hands of my staff, of Harn, who was quickly proving himself to be an excellent healer.

I followed Thranduil back to his chambers, where, without a word, he headed for his room. Once inside, he began roughly pulling the armour he wore, which was not much for only an orc battle, from his chest and wrists. I stood near the wall, unsure of why he wanted me here or what he was planning on doing. Once he had taken the armour, leaving it on the floor, he disappeared into his dressing room, leaving the door ajar as he pulled his shirt and tunic off, exposing his bare back to me. When he pulled off his tights, I averted my eyes as quickly as I could, but not without catching a glimpse, ever so slight, but still so potent, of his backside, below his waist. I stepped away from where I had been standing, to where I could see nothing of him changing at all.

He came back into his room, wearing a simple grey tunic and placed his crown back atop his head. Then, with a wretched sigh, he flung himself into a chair and put his feet on the stool before it. He steepled his fingers before his face and took on a painfully brooding expression, staring at the room before him, his eye narrowed above his fingers.

"Why did you want me here?" I asked, walking slowly towards the chair he sat in.

"So that I keep myself from doing something destructive in my anger."

"Destructive?" I questioned, daring to take another step forward. "Why would you do that?"

"I hate orcs."

"And you just killed a bunch of them, did you not?"

"Disgusting creatures."

I sighed. Of course this was getting nowhere. I debated in my mind walking out of the room, going back to where I was itching to be. I wanted to make sure that everyone in this kingdom was well.

"We killed the entire infestation," he said. "But my concern is why were they here in the first place?"

I shrugged and stepped closer to him. "I know nothing of battles or politics of other races or people or lands. It cannot be that difficult. Orcs are incredibly stupid, I know that much."

Was that a chuckle that escaped Thranduil's lips? "That is my concern," he said. "Orcs do not act on their own." He took down his steeple of fingers and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Protecting this kingdom is my job, my biggest interest being king, but I have done less than adequate lately."

I closed the distance between myself and where he sat. Feeling uneasy towering over him, I knelt down, on the floor underneath me, its cool stone against my legs, as I folded them under me, kneeling by the king's lap, sitting in his intimate company.

"All kings have trials," I told him, looking up into face, which felt proper, instead of looking down on him. "It is the duty of being so powerful. You have the responsibility, the stress, of having that power."

"It is trying," he said, his eyes still cast down, "to know the right and wrong things to do. This orc problem is vexing me."

"I can tell," I said with a smile. "It is merely orcs. They can't do much harm."

"No, but why they're here is what I must find out. I cannot risk the danger that this kingdom could be harmed by war."

Fear gripped my belly. "Could we be involved in war?"

"I am not thinking that will happen, but I must find the source of the army. Orcs do not usually work on their own."

I nodded. I knew nothing of battle, war or fighting, other than treating the wounds that they brought and because of that, I hated the idea of unrest in the world.

"My lord," I said softly. "I do not mean to leave you, but I must check on the soldiers who came in hurt today. I must be sure they are well."

Thranduil nodded once. "Of course. You have your own duties. I should be burdening you with mine as well."

I stood. "It's not much of a burden," I assured him. "Not really at all." I started away from him, walking back towards the exit of his private halls.

"Wait, Audriel."

I turned and Thranduil was standing now, merely steps away from me. The way he moved was with more grace than I had seen of any other elf.

"Tomorrow," he said slowly, carefully, "tomorrow night, the…"

"The party?" I offered.

"Yes." He nodded. "I was perhaps hoping that you would accompany me?"

"I do not usually attend that sort of thing," I admitted.

His face fell, his mouth dipping down at the corners. "You will not consider it?"

I debated the idea. "I could do that, yes."

A smile broke across Thranduil's face. It was small, but he wasn't holding back the emotion. "Please do. It would greatly delight me to have you there to accompany me."

I held my hands together behind my back. "I will think on it. But I really must go."

"I will see you tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes, I can promise that at least."