Myri78: I think Thranduil needs someone to not be afraid to speak with him like that. Glad you enjoyed the chapter.

IwishChan: Well you have to remember that Mirkwood elves are much more cautious than the elves in Lothlorien or Rivendell. Mirkwood elves tend to distrust strangers- but since Giselle arrived on the arms of their prince, they won't object too much (or at least not aloud). Thranduil, however, is still sizing her up. Thanks for the review.

Orlando's Hot Chick: Of course she thinks that! But then again she's never seen Thranduil angry… hmm- I'll have to fit that into the story. Thanks for the review.

immortalwizardpirateelf-fan: I think that's Giselle's aim. This IS Legolas' father that she's trying to impress. We'll just have to see how well they get along now shall we? Thanks for the review.

LittleLeaf: I have to say that last line Thranduil said is one of my favorites. I don't know why... but anyway… Thanks for the review!

Legolaslover: I'm glad you are enjoying the story so much. You can definitely expect Thranduil to do more teasing. Thanks for the review!

Beautystar: If you think bond means marriage then you are right. If not, then what do you mean? Thanks for reviewing!

Aurora-myst I'm glad you're liking the story. Isn't Ghost in the Graveyard the best? Thanks for the review!

Lady Knight19: I'm glad you love the story. Thanks for the review.

Chapter 21: Let it Snow

Giselle giggled into the pillow. Legolas watched her with a big smile on his face. Giselle looked up. "What?" she asked.

They were lying on Legolas' bed, after Giselle had walked in through the side door. Legolas looked at the ceiling "Nothing, love, nothing at all." Giselle snorted. She hated how he always said 'nothing' it was so … human. But then again a part of her secretly loved it. Giselle stretched her body before wrapping an arm around his waist and tucking her leg in between his. He lazily ran his fingers through her hair.

"I've been thinking,"

"Have you now?"

"Well, yes."

"Hmm."

Giselle sighed and rolled over Legolas so that she was lying in his embrace on the other side of the bed. "Would you like to know what I've been thinking?"

"Of course, love."

"Well… do elves have birthdays?"

Legolas lay quietly for a moment, thinking. "My race," he began slowly, "has 'birthdays' although I think it is different from your race."

"Oh?" Giselle prompted.

"We do not celebrate our birth day, we celebrate our begetting day. That is the day in which we are conceived." Legolas explained.

"Oh," Giselle said, "I've been wondering about that."

"When is your birth day?" Legolas asked.

"Early spring. You?"

"Mid spring."

Giselle giggled again. She was happy that their birth day's were so close to each other.She rolled over so that she was lying fully on top of Legolas. "Comfortable?" Legolas asked.

"I'm very comfortable right now, thank you for asking." Legolas rolled his eyes. Suddenly he sat up, bringing Giselle up with him. "Do you want to take a walk outside?"

"It's really cold."

Legolas shrugged. "You'll dress warmly and besides, you have me to keep you warm."

Giselle relented and she soon found her self bundled up and ready to brave to outside world. Only when they reached the outside world the soon saw that it was indeed snowing.

Legolas wasn't one to be deterred by a few snowflakes and he dragged his less than willing partner with him.

They walked in silence, watching the snow drift lazily to the ground only to disappear into the damp earth. "Legolas? Do your friends like me?" Giselle suddenly asked.

Legolas looked at her sideways. "Yes…" he said slowly. He too had seen something pass in Narnia's eyes and he had gotten a forbidding feeling over it but he had forced himself to let it by. For the remainder of the feast all of his friends treated Giselle with respect and he had no reason to be wary of his own friends.

Giselle nodded and squeezed his hand. "I guess we're going to be in Mirkwood until spring. Which should be fun." Legolas nodded.

The remainder of their walk was in silence. They visited their horses and went out on a field where they met with Legolas' friend, Maren for a quick practice of archery.

While Legolas and Maren fired arrows one after another Giselle tilted her head back and stuck her tongue out, tasting the tiny cold pricks of snowflakes as they dissolved in her mouth. Soon she realized that she didn't hear the sounds of a bow being pulled taut or the sound of an arrow whizzing through the air. She closed her mouth and looked over to see that both of them were staring at her with a blank look. She stared at the innocently in return.

"I guess we will not be leaving for Mirkwood until spring." Elrohir said to his brother Elladan. They were both in a talan on the outskirts of their grandparent's realm with Haldir. They watched the snow drifting down and they knew that it would be useless to try to travel now. It may not be snowing much here, but up north in Mirkwood there would be more snow than you desired.

They turned around when the heard someone climbing the ladder and they soon saw Haldir poke his head through the hole on the ground. "A band of 30 orcs have ventured inside our borders. Will you come?"

"Of course." Elrohir replied. Haldir grinned before climbing swiftly down.

The twins quickly strapped their quivers on and grabbed their bows before following Haldir down the talan and to the orcs.

Gandalf had left the day before, leaving just as quickly as he had come. Elladan hoped that he would be alright in the oncoming weather.

Thranduil sat in his office, rubbing his temple as he looked at the reports from his officers. He wished nothing bad to befall Lothlorien, but the orcs were coming from the south and the south was closer to Lothlorien. Why were they getting the brunt of the orcs and not Lothlorien? Thranduil knew the answer, but he still asked the question. Because Galadriel had one of the three rings in her possession, that's why. A knock sounded on his door.

"Enter." He called a bit irritated.

Legolas popped through the door and gave his father a boyish grin before bowing. "I thought you were with Giselle?" Thranduil asked as he leaned back into the cushioned chair.

"I was. She is with Narnia if I am not mistaken."

Thranduil nodded. "Sit, sit!" He gestured to the two chairs in front of his desk.

Thranduil studied his son for a moment before looking at one of the sheets on the desk. "In the south sightings of spiders have increased. Two are injured and should be arriving the day after tomorrow. I need you to go south." Thranduil stated.

Legolas sighed. "Father, can you not send someone else in my place? I really do not think I should leave Giselle so soon. We merely arrived a few days ago!" he pleaded.

Thranduil waved his hand and said firmly "She'll be well taken care of, my son. I've heard that she's befriended Narnia quickly and she'll have me…" Legolas scoffed at that.

"Come now," he said teasingly, "I think she enjoys my company far more than she enjoys yours." Legolas stared at his father. He was not sure how to respond. His father rarely teased. From what he gathered from Giselle they had a… entertaining conversation. Just the fact that Giselle had gotten Thranduil to open up enough to tease surprised him. It also filled him with pride.

Slowly his lips curved upwards and his eyes twinkled. "Alright. When should I leave?"

Thranduil was silent for a moment before replying, "Tomorrow." Legolas nodded, accepting the decision.

"By your leave." He stood up. Thranduil nodded and Legolas bowed before leaving.

Really, Thranduil did not remember his son, his Legolas, acting in this manner. Usually he would go to the south, or wherever they needed him without question.

His thoughts turned to himself and he fondly remembered a time when he was thrilled of the prospect of going on patrols. That is, of course, before he met his wife…

"Where are the kitchens?" Giselle asked. Narnia looked up suprised. She knew where the kitchens were. Maren, Legolas and her would often sneak in, hoping to receive a pastry from the cookswhen they were younger.

"Follow me," she said smoothly as she set the book she was reading onto a nearby table and leading Giselle out of the vast library and down the corridors. They passed elves who greeted Giselle with a bow before carrying on with whatever business they were attending before. Giselle's cheeks reddened slightly.

She didn't like how the bowed to her. But she was in love with their prince and it would seem rather rude if they did not greet their future princesswith respect. Narnia opened a door on the left and ushered Giselle inside before entering herself.

Giselle breathed in deeply. These kitchens were bigger then those at Rivendell and although it was inside a mountain, it was clean, and spacious. The walls were a light grey in color and long elegant wooden tables dotted the room. She decided she liked the kitchen.

They left the kitchens and made their way to the great hall. "I must go now. Farewell Giselle."

"Bye." Giselle called. She watched Narnia leave the palace before heading towards her room. She entered and found Legolas waiting for her. He was sprawled on her bed and his fingers lazily traced the patterns on the blanket.

"Hey!" she said brightly as she sat next to him and gave him a quick kiss.

"Hello," Legolas replied. His fingers stopped tracing the blanket and instead opted for a slender waist. He sighed. It would do no good to keep it from her any longer. "Giselle, I have to leave tomorrow."

He watched the smile fade from her lips to be replaced by a concerned frown. "Why?"

"There have been attacks on our borders in the south. Tomorrow I'll be leaving."

Giselle was silent for a moment. "How long will you be gone?"

"I do not know, but it won't be to long."

"No more than two months?"

Legolas squeezed her waist. "No more than two months. Come," he smoothly changed the subjects, "Midday meal is about to begin."

Giselle let him take her arm and lead her to the dining room, cleary unhappy with the turn of events. But determined to not let it show on her face. She could spend some time awayfrom Legolas. Really, she could.