All thoughts vanished from her head, the world around her disappearing momentarily, the only she could concentrate on was the incessant wild fluttering in her stomach, on his lips softly kissing hers, his warm breath caressing the skin on her face. And then, if was as if she snapped awake, a sudden rush of panic hitting her from out of nowhere. He was kissing her. He was kissing her.

Her thoughts snapped back to her at the sudden sound of the wooden maid doors being pushed opened behind her, immediately pulling apart but a second to late, her eyes landing on a pair of wide stunned grey-blue ones. She moved apart suddenly, blinking a couple of times, her reeling trying to process what had happened, even though part of her never wanted that kiss to end, her thoughts now jumbled mess she could not put in order.

"I was looking for you Sig. Just to let you know that dinner is served." Arwen spoke in rushed sheepish tone, standing there by the half-opened door, seeming to be making an effort not to let a teasing grin appear on her shock face, her eyes shifting to gaze at Sigrid, who immediately looked down.

"Oh, and your father is on his way to tell you the same thing, Lasgalen, so you two might want to sit slightly more apart." She added, her voice cracking in a little laugh at the end before she disappeared through the door, seeming in a rush to leave the porch.

Her heart skipped a beat, a sudden new rush of panic crossing to her body, her mind already imagining Arwen telling everyone else inside the house, and she was sure her face must have turned scarlet.

"I…No…"She stammered at the sudden confused looked that had crossed his infinite ice blue eyes, which were looking at her oddly welcoming, gentle, not that piercing frozen look they usually carried. "I can't…."

"I'm sorry…It's just.." She didn't know where to start, what to say, shaking her head slightly in the process, feeling a couple of her golden curls falls into her face. He had kissed her. They were…they were barely even friends… she could not even guess when he would be warm or cold towards her…and he had kissed her. "I…"

"It's ok….. you don't have to explain." He helped her, offering her a small smile, even though she didn't miss the sudden heart-wrenching hurt look that crossed his eyes from only a second. His ice blue eyes, the color of crystal blue oceans, fixed instead on the forest ahead, an odd silence following, filled only with the frantic beating of her frenzied heart and that cursed fluttering on her insides. And yet, he did not seem cold or distant, that freezing wall that almost always seem to cover him completely absent now. "Sorry if I crossed a line."

"No…I.." She had never struggled with words this much since her first year at Snape's class, when he had endlessly questioned her. She didn't want to be this confused, and yet strangely wanted him to kiss her again. But she barely knew him! "…Friends?"

"Now, that's a first." He let out a melodic light laugh, nodding his head, his eyes looking at her gently, softly, welcoming warm ponds of icy blue, even though she could still see a faint lingering trail of sadness in them.

She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it again once she found nothing to say, not knowing what to do, her mind fleeting with so many disordered thoughts, her heart still fluttering like a caged bird. However, the sound of the large wooden front doors being opened behind her saved her from having do add anything.

"Dinner is served." A deep familiar voice announced calmly, her head turning to look over her shoulder at the tall figure of Oropher Lasgalen suddenly appearing through the cracked door. His dark blue eyes fell instantly on his son, a stern expression crossing over his handsome chiseled face. "What are you doing outside with no coat? Do you want to catch a cold?! Come inside both of you."

She didn't wait to be told twice, quickly rising to her feet and heading inside the house, momentarily grateful for the interruption and excuse to get away. At least to have some time to order her thoughts. She heard Thranduil rising to his feet too, but did not turn to look. It was as if in a single second her entire body had been consumed by a massive pool of nerves, her insides twisting and clenching even at the knowledge that he was right behind her.

The warms and brightness of the house felt incredibly welcoming, the freezing night air staying behind as the smells of thousands of dishes filled her nose and the soft melody of Christmas music caressed her ears. She could already hear the joyful loud voices coming from the living the room, a faint echo of pop! letting her know that everyone else as still entertained with the twins' popping marshmallows. She passed through there in the direction towards the dining room, barely even aware that Thranduil had gone somewhere else with his father.

"There you are!" Elladan's voice called loudly the second his silver eyes landed on her, that familiar warm grin that usually always meant trouble adorning his handsome face. "I was wondering whether you had completely abandoned us!"

"Just went outside for a bit." She shrugged, her insides once again assaulted by that bundles of nerves and flutter at the mere mention of that.

Legolas and Elise's little brother were the only two figures still huddled by the roaring fire, still popping the marshmallows nearly two at a time. Both of the twins were now lounging in the overly large couch, Arwen and Elise having disappeared somewhere else.

"I heard dinner is served." Elrorhir added in that ever playful tone of his, sounding a little too excited at the prospect of food.

"I know." She laughed at his expression, making her way to the large couch and sitting upon the armrest. "Why are you still here then?"

"There's no way we're leaving those marshmallow unsupervised." Elladan grinned, his silver eyes looking in the direction of the two boys still sitting on the carpet by the fire. "I don't want to know that'll happen if they somehow decide to throw too many at the fire….it'll be one big explosion."

"That sounds…..dangerous." She could not contain a laugh at what she had heard, even though she made a point to remember that. Whenever the twins said something could end in an explosion it must certainly always ended in an explosion. Perhaps, now that she came to think about it, it was better that Thranduil had decided to leave this room.

"Yeah…don't let Ada know we enchanted the marshmallows." Elrohir was quick to add, lazily rising to his feet. "Otherwise we might never hear the end of it if he finds out."

"If I find out what?" a powerful musical voice echoed from behind, nearly making them jump, the tall dark haired wizard suddenly appearing at the ample doorway connecting the living room and dining room. His wise silver eyes, those that made her feel as she barely knew anything at all, were throwing his sons a stern warning look, one dark eyebrow raised high on his forehead.

"Nothi-"

Elaldan's words was interrupted by a sudden pop! from little Rupert Blackcove's marshmallow, a wave of sparks exploding around the fireplace. The tall wizards eyes widened instantly, turning from silver to a furious storm grey, suddenly looking taller and massively intimidating.

"What are the two of you thinking?!" She would have ran from the room had she not been suddenly petrified in fear at what was coming for the twins, definitely not wanting to call any attention to herself. "Do you want to injure someone! Playing with fire when we have guests in the house! Now get up! And clear all the marshmallows, I don't want to find any lying around!"

Se hurried out of the room faster than she thought possible, still hearing the tall wizard reprimanding his sons as they begrudgingly put the remaining marshmallows away. The large dining table was already replete with an assortment of exquisite looking dishes on silver and golden trays, making it look nearly impossible to try them all. Tall fine crystal cups filled with pumpkin juice sat at ever place, along with an expensive-looking set of plates and silver cutlery. She was almost surprised to find Mr. and Mrs. Blackvoce already sitting there talking between themselves, Elise next to them. The blonde Ravenclaw did not so much as turn her head up in her direction as she walked inside the room, making her grab onto the hope that perhaps Arwen had not told anybody yet.

As if she had summoned her with her mind, the stunning dark-haired Ravenclaw girl suddenly appeared through the door that led to the kitchen, her grey-blue eyes throwing her a knowing almost too sheepish look as they met hers. The twins sister crossed the room in complete silence, elegantly setting down a tray full of grapes on the table – even though it looked like there was any space left!-

"This looks delicious." She had never been so grateful to hear the twins walking into the dining room, the two of them choosing seats at one end of the table, Elrohir motion for her to join them. She did almost immediately, picking out the seat directly to Elrorhir's right.

"Can I sit here?" Arwen had suddenly appeared, her eyes looking at her still with that mocking sparkle concealed in them, pointing at the vacant seat to Sigrid's right. "Or is are you expecting anyone else to sit by you?"

What? She nearly chocked at Arwen's words, even though she somehow managed not to turn bright red under the girl's knowing smirk.

"What are you talking about, Arwen?" Elladan shook his head, throwing his sister a slightly annoyed strange look, as if questioning her sanity with a roll of his eyes. Mercifully it seemed that neither of them had caught their sister's mocking tone.

"Nothing." The dark-haired Ravenclaw girl shrugged as if nothing had happened, comfortably lowering herself to sit on the high-backed chair. "Just wanted to check if it was free."

She turned to look at the dark-haired girl, throwing her a murdering look that almost wanted to threaten her into silence. Out of the corner of her eyes she caught sight of Mr. Peredhel entering the room, his silver eyes not missing a chance to throw his sons another warning look before sitting down at the head of the table.

"Woaa…." The little blond boy exclaimed as he appeared through the door, his born eyes, so much like his sister's landing on the piles of delicious looking food, Legolas appearing close behind. They rushed to take seats as far away from the adults as they could muster, and even though Legolas was a couple of years older than the boy, they seemed to be having a really good time judging by their laughs.

The only two missing figures walking into the spacious dining the kitchen, her eyes instantly lowering at the sight of his long silvery hair and silent ice blue eyes, his cold quiet façade once again in place. He followed his father towards the table, yet looking as if he had suddenly received a long stern lecture from the older wizard, judging by his suddenly sour mood and the way in which his father threw a single pointed look in his direction.

Mercifully the exquisite food and joyful aura floating around the room seemed to keep everybody busy, conversation quickly and easily flowing across the long wooden table, where nobody would notice just how nervous she actually felt. Next to her, the twins were piling food in totheir plates at a rate that would anyone believe they hadn't been fed in years. Arwen had not stopped throwing her mischievous knowing glances, no matter how many times she glared in her direction, having to resort once to elbowing the kicking the Ravenclaw girl's leg under the table in order to make her stop.

"Ow!" Arwen complained in a hushed whispered that only she was able to hear, drowned by a roar of laughter coming from Mr. Blackcove's funny figure, who in her opinion had already had a little too much eggnog. "What was that for?"

"Stop looking at me like that!" She hissed quickly, thankful that Elrohir was too concentrated on biting into a large piece of ham to listen to her.

"But it's so much fun." Arwen laughed in silence, her pale hands reaching for the silver bowl of creamy mashed potations and serving a whole spoonful on her plate. "Do you even know how much trouble you're in if I tell my brothers?"

"You will not do that." She whispered under her breath, suddenly smiling at the new piece information she remembered she knew.

"And why not?" Arwen narrowed her eyes at her suspiciously, making her smile softly before whispering in a low voice.

"You'll not tell unless you also want me tell them you have been dating their best friend for months now." She whispered, watching as Arwen let out a musical laugh.

"Fine." She agreed, nodding her had in complete silence. "I won't tell anyone, Sig. But you can't tell them about me either."

"I wasn't going to." It was her turn to smile. She knew she could trust the twins' sister, the dark haired Ravenclaw girl not really the kind to be gossiping around, even though she enjoyed teasing someone every once in a while, but it didn't mean she would go around spreading gossip. It was one of the things she liked about Arwen, that and the fact that she had somehow not once judged her or commented about why Lasgalen would ever have kissed her, not seeming to keep the same hatred her brother's did towards the Slytherin Seeker. She kenw Arwen would not waste a second that night to grill her with questions, but at least her secret was completely safe in trustworthy hands.

"You have very handsome sons." She could hear Mrs. Blackcove saying to Oropher Lasgalen at other end of the table, her beady eyes carefully studying the two silver haired boys just above her long nose, and she wondered if she was doing some kind of math in her head trying to find who in her family might be a good match for them. "You know, I think I have a very pretty niece that is just about your elder son's age! She goes to Bauxbatons, very very pretty young lady."

Next to her Elrohir nearly chocked on his pumpkin juice as he too overheard the conversation, Mr. Lasgalen clearly not amused either judging by the forced smile he gave the nosy witch.

"I told you to sit away from her." Elrohir added once he was able to breathe again, speaking in a low voice a barely moving his lips, making her have to struggle not to laugh.

She ventured a glance across the table, her eyes looking for his tall regal figure seating some distance to the right, just by the short balding wizard who did not even seemed to have noticed his presence. He was sitting in complete silence, nearly the only figure at the table not participating in any conversation. He was not really eating either, merely moving around food on his plate with his silver fork, taking only tiny bites every once in a while. Every few seconds she could see Oropher Lasgalens' eyes darting in his direction, so very discreetly that she wondered if anyone in the room could even notice, seeming to be carefully holding watch over him.

"Are you going to eat that?" Elrohir's voice made her eyes fly in his direction only to find him looking a the piece of ham still on her plate, her eyes narrowing in his direction.

"Yes, I am." She stated, stifling a laugh as she slid her plate a little away from the younger twin before her ham could mysteriously disappear. "Just get another piece! Don't eat mine!"

"The tray is already too far." The younger twin muttered under his breath, motioning with his eyes to where the golden tray filled with the exquisite ham was all the way across the table by Mrs. Blackcove's plate.

"You just don't want her attention to fall on you." She guessed with a laugh, throwing the younger twin a teasing smirk. Across the table, she could still see the nosy with bombarding Oropher Lasgalen with all sort of questions, some of them somewhat personal, the later looking as though he wanted to stand up and switch seats, but being too regal and polite to do so.

Thankfully, only a few minutes later the trays with food magically disappeared from the table, only to be replaced by hundreds of desserts, which they wasted no time on devouring. After the delicious fulfilling meal as over the figures in the dining room slowly started to rise and return to the grand living room, huddling in pairs or groups and continuing their conversations. She shook her head slightly as she saw Mr. Blackcove taking yet another bottle of eggnog.

Her stomach clenched again as she saw Thranduil Lasgalen stand up from the table in complete silence, walking into the living room without really addressing anyone. His ice blue eyes met her for a split second, and she was slightly taken aback by the lack of that cold freezing stare she had almost been expecting. But he didn't' says anything, both of the twins once again glaring daggers in his direction from their spots at the table.

The Christmas music from the enchanted megaphone in the living room had turned up in volume again, the high-pitched voice of a with singing merrily to a tune she had never heard before.

"Dad! Dad!" Little Rupert had run towards his father, nearly jumping up and down with excitement, the balding short wizard letting out another round of his roaring laughter. "Can we do the boxes on, please? Please? You said after dinner! please?"

"The boxes..sure! "The bald wizard laughed again, even though she had no idea what it was they were talking about. "But outside, come on."

Mr. Blackcove motioned with a hand, the little boy jumping in joy, his eyes quickly finding Legolas and grabbing him by the arm, dragging out in the direction of the front doors.

"Come on, everyone!" Mr. Blackcove suddenly called, his merry eyes sweeping through the figures of all the young ones in the living room. "Time for some of Zonko's Christmas laugh surprise boxes!"

she had no idea what those things were, but apparently the twins did because they were on their feet in an instant, the expression on their faces one that made her believe she better be wary about those boxes. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see Mrs. Balckcove pulling out from under the tree a large bag full of what appeared to be square boxes of different sizes and colors, none of them revealing what was inside.

She followed the twins outside the house through the spacious front porch, having to blink a couple of times to adjust to the peaceful darkness outside. Legoals and Rupert were already out on the snowed grounds, running around and stopping every once in a while to throw snow balls at each other. The twins were quick to appear by her side, walking past her and out in the snow, followed by the laughing figure of Mr. Blackcove and his wife.

"Here! Here!" Mr. Blackcove called the attention of the two running boys, carrying three square boxes in his hands, the other still on the large bag his wife carried around with her. Arwen and Elise had also appeared on the spacious porch, walking down into the snow in curiosity, Elise seeming partially excited as her little brother about whatever it was these boxes were.

She followed them silently, her boots sinking in the freezing snow, which was still too powdery and soft. The freezing wind hit her face like a comforting hand, the faint echo of the Christmas music in the living room still reaching her ears. The house looked incredibly warm and welcoming from the outside, its many windows all lighted with that flickering yellow light that almost made you feel the comforting heat that was inside.

Up above their heads the sky was perfectly clear, no clouds covering the silver light of the full moon, which washed over the frozen lake in a collection of sparkling reflections. Her heart battered like thunder on her chest at the sight of the elder Lasgalen brother suddenly walking out into the porch, some distance behind her. She could not tell whether he truly wanted to join or if he had been forced to, but nonetheless he was there, slowly walking across de snowed yard and towards where they stood by the edge of the frozen lake.

Her attention flew back to Mr. Blackcove at the sudden sound of a collection of delighted shrieks and laughs. One of the boxes had suddenly exploded open, the purple one, a thousand of tiny purple confetti erupting high into the air, taller than their heads, while the box suddenly jumped as it let out a laugh so contagious that it even made her chuckle.

"That was a safe one." She heard Elladan adding the second she reached his side, his silver eyes laughing along with his grin as he looked at the now quieting box. She had no idea what he meant, and honestly would rather not find out.

"Now your turn!" Little Rupert was telling Legolas, handing the silvery –haired boy a bright apple green box, which the latter almost took a little too excitedly.

"I don't wanna open it!' The younger Lasgalen brother let out a nervous laugh, looking at the box in his hands as if he could not decide whether it was going to hug him or punch him.

"I'll open it!" Elise offered, raising her hand as though she were in class back at school. And that seemed to be the only thing the younger Lasgalen needed to get his courage and open the lid of the box.

He let out a surprised yell before throwing the box on the snow and jumping a couple of steps backs, a new round of laughter filling the forest. Out of the box had suddenly magically materialized a little elf, dressed in a pointy Christmas hat with a little bell on the top, and was loudly singing Christmas Carols as he jumped around in circles, banging onto everyone's legs. They all moved around, jumping left and right in order to evade the little magical creature, which only did a couple of rounds before disappearing in a sudden puff! followed by a cloud of smoke.

"I'll do the next one!" Elise sounded a little too excited about it, quickly walking ahead and taking a bright turquoise box into her hands.

"I need gloves for this." She whispered to the twins, no longer feeling her fingers at the freezing temperatures. "Don't finish the boxes without me."

"Then hurry!" Elrohir added with a laugh, just as she quickly turned around and started her march back towards the house in long strides, sticking her frozen fingers inside her pockets. Behind her she could hear another round of delighted laughs and giggles at whatever it was that come out of Elise's box, only making her hurry her steps. She didn't want to miss the fun!

The house was oddly empty – and mercifully warm- inside, her feet quickly brushing away the excess snow on the front door mat before crossing the entrance hall in the direction of the wide wooden staircase. Something else caught her attention: sudden voices coming from the kitchen, speaking quietly yet loud enough for her to hear what they were saying perfectly clearly.

"What else do you need, Elrond?" It was Oropher's voice, sounding agitated, desperate, not that calmed powerful voice she had heard before. "More gold? I can make another donation. What can I do?"

"More gold won't change things, Oropher." Mr. Peredhel's calmed strong voice replied, followed by what seemed to be the sound of someone dropping down onto a kitchen chair. "No amount of money can do any difference. You know there's no cure for this."

"There has to be something." The blonde wizard added again, even though she could hear the unmistakable edge of hopelessness laced in his voice, the sound dropping down.

"I wish there was." Came Mr. Peredhel's reply, the sound somewhat pained, barely audible. "He's about to be sixteen. We didn't think he would make it to five. It's a miracle he survived in the first place."

"Well, buy him more time!" Oropher's voice suddenly snapped, followed by a short silence.

"I'm sorry, Elrond." Oropher added in a low voice, the sound was again hopeless, as if haunted by an excruciated torture. "I…I don't know what else to do."

"We're doing our best, but you know the curse won't stop trying to evade our attempts are restraining it." Elrond's voice still held that saddened tone that made her stomach sink deep inside of her, as if he was trying to be comforting but there was no comfort at all to offer. "He seems well today."

"Today." Oropher sighed almost desperately. "He had a fever yesterday, and the day before that. I could tell he was in a lot of pain, but he didn't say anything. This year's been worse than last. And I…." The tall wizard sighed, seeming to be trying to find either the words or the strength to say them.

"I can no longer just buy him a new race broomstick and watch as he forgets for a few seconds about everything else only to watch him laugh like any other boy his age, like I did when he was younger. Or bribe him with candy and ice cream after coming back from St. Mungo's to cheer him up. That worked when he was six or seven. He's tired, and in constant pain, and I can't do anything about it."

"Broomsticks worked miracles the first time around." Elrond added in that same calmed comforting voice. "Just like that cat you got him the first year in the hospital when he was five. It cheered him up enough for him to speak again after months of complete silence. Something else will come along. But you can't hover over him anymore like you did when he was a child."

"He was outside in the cold without a coat. He knows he'll get sick if he's not careful." Oropher sighed almost desperately, and she could hear the shuffling of a chair.

"His fifteen." Elrond added, still in that saddened voice. "He doesn't care about being careful. If you saw the things my two sons do….It's the same-"

"It's not the same." Oropher snapped in a pained tone. "The difference is your sons will not end up in St. Mungo's not knowing whether they'll live or if a forsaken curse will finally kill them merely because they caught a cold for being outside in the snow!"

She didn't want to hear anymore, she couldn't hear anymore, her heart already constricting so painfully that she wanted to run, her feet suddenly dashing up the long elegant staircase, trying to focus on anything else, on getting her warm woolen gloves and walking out of that house, to where everyone else stood outside cheering and laughing around the boxes…

Here's chapter 21! :) (I really should be doing homework though….) Anyway I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think!

Again thank you so so much for dropping by comments and letting me know your thoughts on the story! Goddessofwarriorcats, Eryniel Greenleaf, Rose61393, Josie Sullivan, VanyaNoldo22, nananatz and zazanga. It really means a lot to read each and every single one of your words. Thanks a thousand times

If there are any Almarëa readers here, don't despair I haven't abandoned that story. I'm very stressed and full of work right now and the lighter tone of this story is a perfect de-stressant for me as it easier and more fun to write. Almarëa takes a lot of energy because the storyline is more intense and I need more time and concentration to devote to each chapter, but I'll update as soon as I can and have time to produce a proper chapter at the quality I want it!

Eryniel Greenleaf: No cookies?! What do you mean no Christmas cookies?! Christmas cookies for me or the next chapter will have the most horrible cliffhanger I can come up with! ;)

VanyaNoldo22: thank you! Happy Christmas to you too early! But I love celebration Chirstmas early! If it were up to me I would make it Christmas the entire year!

Josie: with these two…I don't know, you're never safe form fights ;)

Goddessofwarriorcats: they got caught!

Rose61393: I know! Haha I've been waiting for that moment 20 chapters as well.

nananatz: reaction is here hehe things are a little complicated.

Zazanga: I knowww! It's very irritating, you can see by his sour cold mood haha. And yes! It's happening! Or is it?

Love,

Elena