"Tauriel?" Legolas grinned as the redhead flipped backwards out of a tree after shooting a spider with her arrow. The arrow had been let loose with a little more force than Legolas was expecting, and nor was the spider expecting it, as it now lay in a crumpled heap, shuddering out it's last breath.

"You're a little angry today, are you not?" He teased, but he frowned as she turned towards him, avoiding his gaze, and instead of returning his playful banter, dipped her head.

"Just taking care of the problem, as I promised our king I would, my Lord."

Legolas, pulled her to a stop as she started to walk away, and her skin tingled as his fingertips made contact with the bit of skin that was bare on her wrist. She tugged away quickly, making him scowl.

"Tauriel? What has gotten into you? I was only teasing. Something is wrong."

"Nothing, sire. It was just brought to my attention that you may admire me for more than just my skill with a bow."

"Is it not already so obvious?" he tilted his head, curious, as he was very forward and open with his advances. Hope blossomed in her chest as she finally met his eyes, and his smile broke her heart. They could never be. His father had made sure of that. Clearing her throat, her eyes dulled, and his dulled with hers, and she turned to walk away again.

"A union between us would never be possible. I am only a Silvan elf, and you may one day marry into another powerful elven family, expanding our kingdoms."

"...Father, put this in your head, didn't he?" Legolas' voice was tight with anger, and his eyes were cold, fists tightening at his sides. It was rare that Legolas ever showed this side of himself, and a brief flash of alarm went through her.

"Lady Arwen, for example, will be of age very soon."

"He did...What did he say, exactly?"

"My Lord. Whatever he said, it was nothing I did not already know myself. Please, let it go."

And with that, Tauriel took to the trees, disappearing in the darkness of the leaves, the only sound alerting him to her whereabouts was the death screech of another spider. Anger overtook him, and before he could think better of it, he was taking off in the trees himself, but in the opposite direction, heading back towards the palace. His father was in a meeting, but he couldn't control himself as he thrust open the doors and interrupted the entire affair.

"Oh, Legolas, how nice of you to join us." His father's voice was, as always, cool as he met his son's angry gaze, the knowing smirk already on his lips, but as he realized that, this time, it was real anger on his child's face, the smirk faded.

"Leave us. We will continue this after I have spoken with my son." The gathering broke swiftly, most welcoming the break from their king's oppressive presence.

Legolas watched silently, seethingly as they left, and as soon as the doors closed, Legolas looked at his father.

"What business is it of yours to bother in my affairs?" he asked, his voice tight.

"Depending on what affairs, I have all the right in all of Arda. I am your father, and your king."

"You do not have the right to tell me whom I love."

"Oh, Tauriel. Please, Legolas, you will meet other worthy of your time, worthy of your title. Like most women, they would give anything just to be called a Queen. You must choose wisely, my son."

Legolas wasn't sure why he was shocked that his father's opinion of women, especially Tauriel, who had done him no wrong, were so low. But then he thought of his mother, and thought of Iythrinel and poor Fae. He straightened even more.

"If I want to be with Tauriel, I will be. You have no room to talk, you married a good woman and treat her like orc filth just because you wanted a useless relic from a forgotten age. rather it was Grandmother's or not, it was not needed. It was your pride and your greed and now you're both stuck here, you even more unhappy than before."

Thranduil's entire body had tightened, and he was having trouble keeping his glamor up as he stared with steely eyes at Legolas. It was then, that look that Thranduil had never given him before, that Legolas knew he had pushed his father too far.

"She is a phase. You will outgrow. Now you are dismissed, I have more important matters to attend to."

"Such as?"

"The boy. Guards! Fetch the child that was the cause of Iythrinel's near death. Bring him to me."

Legolas' eyes widened, and he stood across the room, locking eyes with his father as they waged a silent battle of wills against each other. It seemed like an eternity before the boy was brought before them, shivering, eyes wide with wonder even still. He was so small, but he lifted his chin as he met the eyes of the king head on. Legolas was proud of the boy for that.

"So, you are the cause of all the ruckus? Such a small child." Thranduil started, and the boy wrinkled his nose. He thought he was pretty big for other elven boys his age. But before the boy could defend himself, or even apologize, Thranduil went on.

"My best guard, personal guard, her life was almost lost for the measly likes of you. Did you know that? Were you ready to pay for her life with yours? And do you know the horrors of the orcs? What they would have done to you before they granted you final rest?"

Legolas understood that his father, still angry at Legolas himself, was simply taking his anger out on the child. But he was slowly inching to the realm of "too far." He moved towards his father slowly, but his father had already snatched the child up, standing him right before him in a movement so fast the child was sure to have whiplash.

"Tell me everything that happened, every small detail. Where did they come from? How many? What were you doing out so late?"

"I-I don't know, my Lord. I was just out walking and they came out of nowhere! I don't remember much bu-"

"Think!"

The questions were unending, and as the child started sniffling that he couldn't remember, trying to stay strong and not cry before the king, Legolas knew there was no stopping his father now. He left the room in a hurry, and his absence went unnoticed as he fled down the hall towards the room he knew Nel and Fae sat and made merry.

Iythrinel and Faeilân had just started laughing when Legolas burst into the room. His hair, for once, was a mess of silver and gold around his face, his eyes wide as he searched the room for a moment, then met the eyes of Fae.

"Legolas?" Fae asked softly, while simultaneously Iythrinel, "What's happened?" But as she went to move, pain lanced through her and she winced, Fae's hand gently pushing her back down. It had been two weeks now. Two weeks since Faeilân had run from Bard's arms in a hurry, racing with all the speed Ainur held to save Iythrinel's life. But, because she had been so close to the Fade, Iythrinel still held the pain of the wounds, and still would for quite some time.

"Forgive me. But father suddenly remembered the existence of the child and now has him in interrogation."

Faeilân and Iythrinel met each other's eyes, and Faeilân didn't even argue when Nel started to rise, but instead helped her up. Followed closely by the felines and Legolas, they made their way down into the depths of the palace, then into the heart where the throne room lay. Just as they entered the room, Thranduil sneered into the child's face, his anger so much his glamour slipped.

"I don't remember!" The poor child was by now a sobbing mess.

"TRY HARDER!"

"Thranduil!" the king turned sharply at the sound of Iythrinel's voice. His glamour was back in place, and his eyes wide. It was now his turn to hold the expression of a child being scolded. Even Fae stared at him, shaking her head slowly in disapproval. Legolas was less than impressed as he helped hold Nel up.

"Perhaps you and Legolas should take the child home." Fae's voice was too calm, to quiet. Nel felt her shaking with anger, and she pulled herself away to smile sweetly and apologetically at the weeping child.

"Come, little one, let us take you home. Tell me, what is your name?"

"T-Thalion, m-my l-lady." he sniffled, rubbing roughly at his eyes, puffing out his chest a little, "Are you feeling better?"

"Of course, Thalion. I'll tell you all about it. Come on." Legolas stayed to one side of Iythrinel as they started out of the room, Thalion on the other side, holding her hand as she chatted at him happily, trying to erase the horrors from his mind, Mistamor padding after them. He'd been through too much, and thranduil had no business interrogating him as he had. Iythrinel would have words with him later.

Iythrinel, after obtaining the location of his home, found herself where the servant elves lived; a son of servants. Swiftly she gave three strong knocks. She did not have to wait long for a maiden elf to open the door and look down at her with slight wonder and suddenly she was pulled into the woman's arms,

"I thank you Lady Iythrinel, my son has told me that you saved him, he has been distraught ever since though. The king seemed so angered when he retrieved him."

Iythrinel pulled back and gave the woman a smile and clapped her hands on her shoulders. "It is my pleasure to have been able to help him madame. No longer fret for I have him now." Thalion peeked from behind her at his mom, swiftly he was in her arms.

The maiden elf wiped at her eyes, for she had been worried for her son and looked at her. "He's so shaken, was the king angered at him? We had thought him to still be tense because of your health."

Iythrinel shook her head. "He is not level headed as of right now I'm afraid, I removed Thalion before too much damage could be done. He may be scared but there was no true harm done to him, our king would not truly allow anger to control him and hurt his own people. No matter how cold and cruel he may seem." The mother simply nodded.

"Please come in my lady." Following her into the home Nel looked around the simple home.

Iythrinel stood in the living quarters as the maiden elf went off to place her tired and shaken son in his room. When she returned Nel resolved to do something for the boy, her interest had in fact been piqued when she saw him there in the throne room. She wanted to train him. He had potential.

When the maiden had settled she asked "May I ask your name?"

Wide eyes stared at her, "Of course my lady, I am Githa."

Nel smiled. "Githa, I have a request I ask you to consider." She took in a breath, "If you and your husband do not mind, I would actually like to take Thalion under my wing. I would like to apprentice him."

Githa looked up with shock , "I will have to speak with Daeyinar. He is away at the moment, part of the scout. I have no doubts that he would accept such an honor."

Nel nodded and sat up to leave. "I must take leave now, ask for me once you have made your decision. For now I have other, matters to attend to." In her mind she envisioned Fae and Thranduil arguing, nearly at each others throats. As she walked to the door she remembered Legolas had been with her, as well as Mistamor. Upon leaving the home she was met with the confounding sight of a small striped cat hissing at a growling Mistamor, Legolas between the two trying to talk the large black feline down.

"Mistamor please, it's just a cat." Mistamor would have none of that however, but before much could be done Nel called out to her.

"Mistamor, Legolas, as much as this amuses me and as much as I would adore to let it happen, I do believe your father needs saving from Fae. If only to allow me to get on him about his unneeded actions as well." She winced and her hand lifted to her wound. "And I can't make it there by myself for now."

Olórin found himself in the Hall of Eru, a frown creasing his flawless face. Just moment before, he had been hiking back down the hills of the Shire after marking a poor unsuspecting hobbit's door. Now he was in the marble hall, meeting the eyes of his superiors. He lifted a brow; this couldn't be good.

"My Lords and Ladies. I assume there is reason you've called me from my original task?" He tried his hardest not to sound annoyed, but there was only one of him, and he seemed to be tasked with far more than his fellow Maia. They were all still on earth, tending to their business.

Manwë, however, recognized his annoyance for what it was, and cleared his throat.

"Our young Fae is about to be tasked with the most important part of her mission yet. She will need you. Go to her."

The Maia frowned in confusion at first, then his eyes widened. So soon? He had no chance to voice his concerns, as Faelan's small family burst into the room, once more in all their fury and anger. Their youngest daughter was of course, this time, far from the fray of impending battle and hostility.

"She has only been married! You will not!" Already, Nielíqui and Òmar were in armor, ready to battle the rest of their family. Nielíqui stood to the right of her husband, their boys flanking them in a small triangle shape.

It's about, to go, down; these were the thoughts of Olórin as he took a small step back and away, his brows lifted. He was not about to get into the middle of this. He thought briefly about taking Fae and running, but as he inched closer towards his exit, the small family was blasted back by an unseen force, pinned to the walls, their weapons clattering uselessly to the ground as Eru Ilúvatar himself made a very rare appearance. In fact, this was the first time anyone had seen him physically in thousands of years.

He stood tall, taller than all of them, wispy white and gold hair that fell down his back, and features that one couldn't really tell rather he was male or female. His features were soft and womanly, but his form was muscular, as he only wore silk ties sashes to cover his sex. The being glowed with ethereal light as he towered over them all, his eyes opening slowly, glowing and ghostly white as he looked over his children, pinned to the wall.

This time, when he spoke, instead of the booming voice that usually echoed through the hall, it was a mixture, both deep and female and all male, commanding, hurt filled, confusion and wonderment in his tone.

"Why do you fight this? It has already begun. There is no other way, and she is married. This was the agreement." He tilted his head, finally releasing them from his hold with a subtle blink, otherwise staring at them unblinkingly.

"But so soon? It has not even been a month since she was wed! Wed to an elf she doesn't even love. At least give her a choice in this." Òmar cried through his coughs as he struggled to regain breath after having it not only knocked from him, but choked as well.

Nielíqui was the first to regain her footing, and she stood fearlessly before the large Master of all, her head almost all the way back against her shoulder blades as she looked up to meet his eyes.

"She is mine. She is yours. Surely you feel her pain? Her sorrow?"

"It is my will, and it is done. Nothing will change, do not throw your lives away so easily, as I created each and every single one of you with care and love. Do not make me retake the life I so willingly gave. Because, little one, it can be done."

He cast a glance over the rest of the room, and then just as fast as he appeared, Eru vanished, and a collective breath was released, as if all had been holding their breath.

"So it is done. By the will of our Lord and Master Eru Ilúvatar, in his own hall. It has been decided." the strong voice of the Wind Valor echoed through the room, and with one last push of Eru's powers, the small family was sent back to their section of the wood, and for once, Nienna wasn't the only one weeping, Nielíqui joined her.

Olórin felt the pain of the small family as if it were his own. He was as close to Fae as they were, so he supposed he could call it his own. But he had been created for one purpose, and that was to obey his masters. He lifted his right arm and swept his cloak back onto his shoulders, taking on the guise of Mithrandir at the same time. His voice, now brittle and worn with the age of Gandalf, he looked up to his master and dipped his head a little.

"What would you have me do?"

Fae watched as Legolas and Nel escorted the child from the room, then turned to stare at Thranduil, still shaking, and making sure the small group was out of earshot before she turned on the elvenking fully with a sneer of her own, baring her teeth.

"That was low, even for you. Making an innocent child cry when you even hesitated to save your own friend's life, more concerned about my identity at the time. How far the elves have come! No wonder Nienna weeps, for the creatures the Valor created are lead by the likes of you." At this point, she knew, she had never been so angry. By doing what he had to the child, he had also, once again, hurt Iythrinel. Even, by a small part, the child had played a part in saving Nel's life. And of course, Thranduil couldn't see past his own stupidity and blindness to see this. The child was of his people. The child could have been killed.

She took a deep breath, and Thranduil had turned towards her to retaliate, but before she could, she lifted her finger, standing on her toes as she shoved her finger into his face, not even an inch from his nose.

"You will not speak until I am done. This is not my kingdom, but I will not-" her voice cut off, sharp, a groan lodging in her throat as a sharp pain sliced through her lower abdomen. She whimpered, and crumpled instantly, Thranduil looking on with a lifted brow as she went to her knees.

Faeilân? What is it? Ainur pushed up against her side, rubbing his cold nose to her cheek, and she let out another soft sound of distress. She heard the male feline gasp, and she looked at him with alarm.

"Ainur, what's happening to me? C-Call for Mithrandir." she fell onto her side as the pain increased, and frowned up at the blurry images of her useless husband and Ainur standing over her. Then she was suddenly in the air, being carried off to a room, which happened to be Thranduil's.

"Is the child mine or the humans?" was all he asked, his voice cool and indifferent.

She stared up at him wildly, confusion marring her face. What was he talking about? The child? The one that had just left? She didn't struggle as he carried her through the halls, up and down the stairs, and finally, laid her in his bed. For a brief moment, she wondered why it was he had brought her here instead of the rooms she preferred, her own.

"Is it mine? Or is it the barrel man? It is a simple question, really."

"What are you on about, elf?" she grumbled, breathing a sigh of relief as the pain subsided a little. She looked up to see Thranduil's gaze meeting her own. But it was Ainur who answered, seeming to be annoyed by Thranduil more than usual.

My Lady…..You are with child. And it is not natural. It is the work of the Valor.