Author's note: Hi guys! Chapter 21 is up! we're getting close! and I cannot wait to finish this story! enjoy!

Disclaimer: All LOTR characters do not belong to me! except Aya!

Chapter 21

Breath raced as the pitter patter of feet was heard through the hallways of the palace. Gilwen would stop for no one or nothing, not when she was set her mind to focus on one goal as she ran to the entrance of the castle. When Lord Galion come over to the laundry room by the southern ends of the castle, her heart had beat with anxiety, what would bring Lord Galion here of all places? He had smiled and barely spoken a sentence before taking off.

Aran Thranduil and Lady Aya...They had found her! they had found her friend, tears gathered in her eyes as she raced to the entrance with a heart filled with elation and excitement.

Thranduil jumped down from his steed and carried an embarassed Aya from his back. She would have to get used to his attention in the presence of others since she would soon be Queen. Aya in her own right was peeved at the manner The Elven king behaved, every signal or hidden message she sent to him on the basis of his conduct was delibrately ignored, the whole of the elven guard were staring! She was about to state her displeasure when she heard feet rushing towards her and turned to see who was coming. Brown and cream white clothing clashed into her as she stood stock still blinking, she drew out of her confusion when she heard sobbing and looked to the elleth who was currently embracing her.

Gilwen

Aya wrapped her arms around the sobbing elleth, "Gomen ne Gilwen chan, i left without saying anything...forgive me" the words heavy with shame. Gilwen had calmed down abit, she looked at Aya and began to speak-

-SMACK!

"Is that any way to address The King and His Lady? did i not teach you much better Gwinig?"

Gilwen clutched her head in her hands and hunched over as she gritted her teeth in response to the pain. There was only one person who talk with iron in her tone could hit the upside of her head that way.

"Naneth Einior!" Gilwen squealed in pain still clutching her head. Her grandmother had come to visit. Idhrenniel smirked at her childish granddaughter, her countenance clearly disapproving of her behaviour after reuniting for the first time in three hundred years. However, before anymore could be said, Aya grabbed Gilwen in a tight and long embrace, her body shaking as she struggled not to lose control over her emotions. Gilwen grew quiet, her heart warming as her eyes grew moist and softer. She returned her friends embrace and silent apology with as much love as she could transmit into her arms.

This was truly all nice and pretty, a heart warming and beautiful reunion indeed, but he had just returned from a much detestable journey that he had forced himself to partake in for the sake of the tearful woman in the arms of her maid. Thranduil had no patience for such frivolities especially when they interfered with his own time, a situation he was currently suffering now. He narrowed his eyes and moved to tear the two friends apart, he had things to discuss with Aya and quite frankly was weary from travelling. But as he took a step forward, he caught sight of Idhrenniel who shook her head subtly and disapprovingly with a clear glint of consequences should he interference in the moment, in her grey-blue eyes. His jaw hardened as he held his peace and watched in unveiled irritation. The two, much to Thranduil's relief, separated and allowing Gilwen to take charge in settling the luggage of the returned party.

Aya sighed as she sat in her old room in the guest quarters, all the furniture had been replaced and everything looked brand new. There was a fresh feel and silence of the room that soothed her mind of her thoughts, Aya basked in it until a knock on her door startled her.

"Come in..." Galion opened the door and stepped in, closing the door behind him gently, he smiled.

"I suppose...that l-" his hand shot up to silence her as Galion moved to sit beside her.

"You must be tired from so much travel...especially when in the company of one such as Aran Thranduil..."

"I did not...l-leaving...i didn't mean to cause any trouble...everything just...i thought that...it would've been better if I left" Galion sighed at the sight of his ward struggling to overcome her fear, she must've thought he was angry. Placing his hand over hers as she fisted her dress, he watched her jerk her face up to look at him and his heart clenched. Aya swallowed her tears back thickly, though it was quite obvious that her eyes watered, her guilt hit her full force at seeing her guardian again.

"What matters to me now is your safe return, I thank the valar that you are returned alive and well" Galion said softly as he smiled warmly to Aya. They spent some more time speaking on the experiences she had whilst away, before Galion let her be so she could rest in time for the feast that was being prepared in the evening.

Dinner had been an embarrasing affair for Aya, having returned to the palace, Thranduil had practically forced her to sit right by him at the high table, silencing any protests from her. Moving towards the place she felt most at peace, she opened the grand library doors as quietly as she could, of course her guards fully reinstated, were not too far behind as she went about her business. Her fingers slid over the spines of books on the shelves and faltered when she recognized one in particular...Beren and Luthien.

Shuddering, she turned from that shelf and went on to another. Lost in thought, she failed to notice another presence within the library.

"Lady Aya, i would not be surprised to find you here" .Startled, Aya twirled round to find Bereneth standing before her.

"Lady Bereneth...good eve to you" Aya bowed in greeting, she hadn't seen Bereneth since she arrived, believing her to be busy. In truth, Aya had wanted to speak with her and now seeing her here in the flesh, the words failed to form. Bereneth quietly sat down on one of the arm chairs and proceeded to read the book she had read. Aya, deciding not to say anything, turned back to find a book on the shelf she was surfing.

"i shouldn't have told you that story..." Bereneth said softly. Aya wasn't sure she heard correctly, her head turned just slightly to find Bereneth addressing her.

"excuse me?" Bereneth shut her book promptly, sighing as she did so. "If...if i knew what you were planning on doing, i never would have told you about...about Beren and Luthien, or you and...and The King". Bereneth had never thought the outcome of that discussion would lead to her fleeing or plunging Aran thranduil into a mix of wrath and sorrow. Aya sighed, any thought of having a silent moment in the library had just flown out the door. She sat down, facing Bereneth as her hands clutched the garments of her dress.

"it wasn't your fault that i left, Lady Bereneth...truthfully, i would've left eitherway" Aya sighed and looked down at the mangled cloth she was gripping. "i left all on my own...regardless of anyone's influence in the matter"

Bereneth looked down, feeling stiff and tense all over "about that...your room and in the forest, I'm..I'm sorry, it was cruel of me to treat you that way and I understand if you dont forgive me" Bereneth said as she looked back up to find Aya smiling gently at her.

"Chichi'Ue once told me, that anger is a beast that only comes out of from a forest full of hurt..."

"Chichi'Ue?" Bereneth wondered at the term.

"My Father...though I must admit, i am very curious, why did you hate me so much?" .

"Two hundred and eighty years ago...my mother was murdered by men of The South..." Aya knew from the waver of her voice that she had brooched a very sensitive subject, she let her speak nevertheless. "She was on her way to visit her kin in Lorien, but hadn't returned for weeks. So a search party was sent out. They returned with her body and Father nearly faded from it, since then he's never been the same" Bereneth looked sideways, concealing the pain that was clearly glistening her green eyes, along with shame.

"Then you came, and at first when i heard i thought justice would be served for my mother's death, but The King began to take a liking and my hatred grew..." Bereneth stopped as Aya moved beside her and took her hands.

"Gomen ne Bereneth dono" Aya opened her arms in an invitation of embrace. Bereneth, taken aback, looked at the woman before her. Bereneth flung herself into Aya's arms, she did understand the words this woman had spoken, but the tone of her voice was enough. The floodgates of tears that she had kept at bay for so long, came flowing out, with all expressions of pain flowing along with it. How long ago had anyone offered her comfort? how long had anyone shown her care? she had to hide behind a mask of coldness to keep the pain from overtaking her. And now here she was, crying her heart out to a woman she had carried disdain for.

Aya poured all the warmth she could into that one embrace. Memories of her rejection and scorn in her father's court resurfaced and unconsciously, she tightened her hold over the sobbing elleth before her. Yes, she understood, she thought as she smiled gently at Bereneth, she needed someone to blame in order to deal with her pain...a pain no one should carry for so long. Bereneth had calmed down eventually and as though she suddenly realized what she had done, she wretched herself out of Aya's embrace and turned away and began adjusting her hair and garments to distract herself from the embarrasment she felt.

"D-Dont think we're friends all of a sudden! t-this changes nothing" A giggle errupted in the air and Bereneth turned to find Aya's sleeve over her mouth as she tried to hide her giggle, it brought a smile to her face.

"You should laugh more...it suits you better" Bereneth said with a pinch of bitterness. Aya blushed darkly, surprised Bereneth would compliment her...Did she hit her head on the way here? No matter, she was glad, she had found a friend in Bereneth...Somewhat.

"So should you..." Aya said smiling as she looked at Bereneth who was surprised. Bereneth returned her smile and looked down.

"i am sorry for how i treated you, i went too far"

"Bereneth all is forgiven, let the past be that and only that...the past" Aya said as she rose, she had dealt with one issue, but there lay another far more serious issue to deal with...The forest.

"You know...i could show you a thing or two about the ways of elven court, seeing that you'll be married to Aran Thranduil soon" Aya swivelled round to face the elleth before her.

"What do you mean? and how do you even know if he intends to do that?"

"On his departure, he notified the court of his intentions to make you his Queen"

"So the whole kingdom knows about this??" At this Bereneth snorted, rolling her eyes impatiently.

"Yes! now do you want my offer or not??" Bereneth asked as Aya turned to rush out of the library.

"Ah, yes i would certainly appreciate that, thank you! " Aya stopped for a beat as she turned to smile at Bereneth and then took off. Bereneth shook her head, now that she had returned, the palace would be quite noisy.

Aya had one destination, he certainly had a lot of explaining to do. He goes doing things according to his whim and now she will have no peace!. She was about to knock on the study when she heard a voice "Enter". Opening the door, she bowed in greeting.

"i could hear you stamping your feet from a mile away, what has you so disturbed?" Thranduil had expected the outburst she was exhibiting now. Aya looked like she could burn the elf before her in cinders, moving toward him she literally growled

"you told the whole kingdom! you announced to the whole kingdom you were marrying me?? the whole of Middle Earth would surely have news of this by now, no discretion was given without truly informing-Oh!" she jumped in the middle of her uncharacteristic tirade, startled at the sudden proximity between herself and The ElfKing, when did he move? she lost her train of thought as she sighted the look he gave her, unconsciously licking her lips as they suddenly went dry.

Thranduil's eyes flashed a tone darker as he caught sight of the slight movement, he had initially meant to throw her off her rant by startling her...but now, his mind had other ideas as he moved forward. The room suddenly felt hotter as she saw Thranduil advancing on her with a devillish smirk on his face, her feet reacted before her mind, moving back as he came upon her and THUD! gasping lightly, her heart thumped wildly in her chest. How had the situation changed from a scolding to this?? she was trapped in a corner, literally. Thranduil seeing this, widened his smirk in glee...good. He stood before her with no ounce of decency for her personal space and placed a hand on the wall before, effectively trapping her from attempting to flee, not that she'd have a chance regardless.

"W-what are d-doing?" Aya whispered out as she turned away, she would not look into his eyes, no she could not for it would be her undoing.

"I would say it is quite obvious, wouldn't you? you know...It is considered rude not to face your King when he addresses you...lirimaer" Thranduil's voice deepened, speaking in effect of his desire for her, and he made it very obvious as his long slender finger trailed down her check to her slightly bare collar bone, hanging it softly at the bust of her dress.

The only thing holding her treacherous body up was the knee Thranduil had lodged in between her legs, to keep her falling and most likely from running as well.

"I would not be so discourteous, but your majesty i-is, is..." Aya's face was burning from embarassment, that she would think of such things to say. But Thranduil was not having it.

"Is what?" he drawled, smirking as he pressed himself further into her, relishing her squeal. Clasping a hand over her mouth, she couldn't believe she made such a sound though but she had no choice, she had felt it...h-hi-his s-sword pressing into her inner thighs. Try as she may, she could not move back any further away from him and into the wall.

"I-it is inappropriate t-to t-to-touch me this way!" Aya struggled to speak as she tried to push him away with her hands spread on his frame. It was late at night and they were alone, what did she think would happen? she'd have her say and then leave after he'd listen to her demands? she forgot something quickly how passionate Thranduil really was.

"would you prefer I take you to the dinning hall and ravish you there? on the table perhaps?" he whispered huskily as he snatched her arms from his chest and drew her from the wall and wrapped an arm around her small waist.

Without meaning to, Aya looked up in disbelief and realized her mistake too late. Thranduil let his desire flare through his eyes as he trapped her in his gaze. He pushed her back against the wall and went for her lips, his hands roamed over her body. Thinking she heard a knock, Aya tried to pry herself from his grasp whilst fighting the fire set ablaze wherever his hands touched.

"T-Thranduil, s-someone w-will see us l-like this!" she whimpered as all her efforts to escape his hold was futile. Thranduil had begun assaulting the crook of her neck, not bothering to give any answer to her, her squealing and moans fueling his need to feel her more.

"Ahem" The two jumped apart, Aya took this opportunity to put some distance between herself and the elf who was nigh from binding himself to her on the way. She was even more embarrased when she saw Galion by the door. Red faced, she bowed quickly and said her greetings while dashing out.

Thranduil remained unfazed and quite frankly, annoyed by the interruption, standing proudly as though he had not just been caught taking a great deal of liberties with his councilor's ward. Said councilor raised an eye brow as a statement. Thranduil rolled his eyes, here it comes.

"another second and you would've bound yourself to her...on the wall" Galion folded his arms, his stern face directed to a very unamused King.

"I was going to, had you not interrupted"

Thranduil didn't know how long he would keep himself in check, everytime they were alone, he found it difficult to resist touching her. It was not as though he couldn't take her, in truth there was nothing stopping him as Elven culture dictates marriage through consummation. However, it would be a disservice to her dignity if he did not perform any kind of ceremony to make it official for her. But by The Valar, he wanted her.

"it seems i may have to appoint a chaperone afterall"

"Indeed? and if I refuse?"

"As her official guardian, I have the authority to send her away...i wonder what she'll think of Rivendel, she's expressed some interest in visiting Lord Elrond's last homely home" Galion smiled at Thranduil's blanching face.

"you wouldn't dare" Thranduil snarled.

"not if you refrain from trying to seduce her Aran nin" Galion sighed, the real matter for his coming was about to set Mirkwood on fire "in other news...We've received word from the border...Your Son Hirnin Legolas is on his way here " Galion's shoulders raised slightly as they grew tense.

"Legolas...often had I wondered about his return, though I sense there is more to tell me" Thranduil's piercing eyes fell on Galion, waiting for the councilor to speak.

"Ah-Yes, He is in the companionship of two people...an elleth and a dwarf..." Galion could have sworn Thranduil turned sickly at the mention of the dwarf, and it truly would have been amusing only...Thranduil despised dwarves, and never hesitated to show it. The eery silence set Galion on edge, most likely the dwarf would either be turned away or thrown in a cell in a dungeon. Either way, he was not eager to find out.

"I see...when he arrives, send him to me"

"As you wish Aran Nin" Galion bowed and left, greatly disturbed by the lack of reaction Thranduil had displayed just then. He himself may not like dwarves but he held some sympathy for this one, if Legolas knew his father, he'd leave the dwarf be.

Thranduil returned to his desk, so his son had returned at last, with a dwarf and woman in tow...this would be a reunion and an explanation.