Salutations! Anyone still reading this? Reviews have kinda tanked, so just wondering if there's still interest in this story?

Happy my birthday! I hate my birthday, so writing/posting makes it a tiny bit better. :)

This is a double length chapter, and in fact, it's the longest chapter in the whole story, so far. The time skip here is eight years after Thranduil and Elizabeth's marriage, or the events of BOTFA. I hope you like it, and in the next chapter comes the return of our beloved Legolas. ^_^

Chapter Twenty-six

Elizabeth walked back from the gardens, in a good mood and smiling from the pleasant time she had spent with Elirien, who was due to give birth to her first child any day. Her desire to see the kingdom filled with young had gotten off to a bright start, with more than twenty-five births since the battle in Dale, and hopefully many more to come.

An unusually large cluster of guards were gathered outside the throne room, and she quickly adjusted her course to go and speak with them instead of going to her sitting room as intended.

"Galedir, what is the cause for so many of you here?" She waited until all the guards bowed and then looked to the captain for explanation.

"My queen," he said respectfully, "there was a skirmish this morning with upwards of thirty orcs in the nearby woods. King Thranduil now questions one of the creatures we took alive."

Head tilted, she nodded. "Thank you." He inclined his head and she swept past them all, traversing the path leading up until she looked directly into her husband's eyes, who was obviously far from pleased.

His voice was soft and coaxing. "The sooner you tell us what you know, the sooner this will all be over."

With arms crossed over his chest, he stood to one side of the orc, with Feren holding the creature still by the shoulders. Hands bound tightly behind its back, the thing was glaring defiantly forward, still refusing to speak.

No luck? she mouthed, taking his slight frown as a no.

Stopping beside the king, she bit her lip as a sudden idea struck her. May I try? she asked him through mind touch.

He glanced down at her. If you like, but do not expect much. They are very dull and stubborn creatures.

Nodding, she took a breath, letting her face quickly fall into cold, harsh lines and stepped around the Elvenking to face the orc. He looked up immediately, his small, yellow eyes narrowing in his dark face. He took a deep breath, like a blood hound scenting prey, his lips lifting into a barbarous smile.

"A human woman," he began in a guttural purr, his tone betraying surprise, "among elves. And just who are you?"

Eyes going even colder, she smiled, putting as much cruelty and evil into the expression as she could muster. She stepped forward and leaned down until she could smell the orc's fetid stench, noting how his pupils dilated at her proximity.

"I am the sole woman who has won a place among elves, by the vast and terrifying power that courses through my veins. That is all you need know." She laughed inwardly when she felt Thranduil's amusement at her words.

"I can be your darkest nightmare, orc, or your dearest wish; that choice I leave to you to make." Leaning back a bit, she pretended to examine him with great interest. "How would you like to please me, by telling me what you know?"

He scoffed. "Why should I do anything to please you, wench? I don't serve your weak and pitiful kind."

In a quick motion, she pulled her small dagger from her sleeve and pressed it into the orc's cheek, smiling pleasantly with eyes full of malice as she pressed hard enough to scratch the skin without drawing much blood, moving it up and down his cheek.

"Because if you don't," she hissed, "I'm going to cut you into tiny little pieces, and every piece will beg me for death, but I won't grant it. I'll keep you alive, just to enjoy your suffering." She straightened, noting how he shivered with either excitement or fear, giddy inside that he seemed to have bought her little act.

"But," she continued. "If you please me... like a good, little pet..." She slit her palm, allowing her blood to gather on the blade before she pulled it free and held it close to him. "I will give you a taste of what you crave most."

He jerked against Feren's strong hold on him, his mouth falling open in ecstasy as he scented her blood.

"Tell me," she said in a quiet murmur, holding the dagger just beyond the reach of his salivating mouth. "Why did you come into the woods? What is your purpose here?"

Shuddering, the orc's muscles stood out in his dark gray skin as he fought the elf holding him. "My master… He will take these woods and conquer all within. You're all going to die!"

She tilted her head and smiled mockingly. "I don't think so." Her smile faded and her voice grew sharp. "Tell me where your forces are encamped." She moved the blade closer, just letting the tip of his tongue catch a taste of her blood, and he purred, eyes rolling back in his head in pleasure.

"Magic," he whispered, going still, then leaning toward her with wide and pleading eyes. "More, mistress! Please! Just another taste..."

She smirked and shook her head. "Answer me, first. You are my creature now, are you not? You wish to please me?"

"Yes!" He bobbed his head up and down. "Yes, mistress, I will serve you as you wish. The others wait in the small fortress we build in the far west of the forest. A secret, dark place, in the thick of the spiders. I can show you. More…."

She extended the blade, allowing the orc to lap eagerly at the blood, ignoring his small, ecstatic grunts and her own revulsion at the sight. Looking beyond him to Thranduil, who still stood with arms crossed, watching them with a blank expression, she lifted her brows expectantly.

Feren glanced at her before looking back down at the orc he held fast, a slight furrow to his brows as his attention remained unwaveringly focused on the beast feasting on her blood.

The Elvenking kept his eyes locked to Elizabeth's. "Bring a map," he barked, and one of the guards made haste to comply.

With all the blood having been meticulously lapped from her blade, she replaced it in the arm sheath hidden beneath her sleeve and stepped back to wait. The orc was staring at her with a look of worshipful devotion, licking the final taste of her blood from his lips.

The map was brought and held before the orc. "There, mistress, do you see? In that cluster there. We felled the trees and have begun to build a structure. You would not know it as the many spiders hide our activity and numbers with the thickness of their webs."

Thranduil stood just out of the orc's sight, behind him, and she glanced at him before she asked what she knew the king most wanted to know. "What are your numbers? How many reside in this place, and what are the defenses?"

He purred and smiled up at her. "There are more than three hundred there now. The only defense is the spiders and those few what keep watch. If you go swiftly in secret, you will take them by surprise and have the advantage. Have I pleased you with this knowledge, my mistress?"

Elizabeth smiled benevolently, allowing her expression to relax into something less cold. "Yes, you have. So, if I go right away to this stronghold, they will not be expecting us?"

He pulled against Feren's hold on him again, leaning nearer to her, his eyes wide and pleading. "Yes, but you must not go near there yourself, mistress," he implored. "There is a bright magic in your blood, and the power you spoke of. The lord of all my kind would take you for himself if he learned of you. You must stay hidden here."

Thranduil paced over suddenly and tilted his head, looking impassively on the orc. "Is there anything else you can tell us? Anything else of use to the lady?"

"No, nothing," he said, looking up, face growing sullen at the sight of the elf lord and his question. "I have told you all I know."

The Elvenking narrowed his eyes, staring coldly. "Good." In a blur of movement, he drew his sword and beheaded the orc, then smoothly sheathed the blade as the creature's head rolled across the floor.

He addressed his captain immediately. "Feren, I want five hundred warriors mustered and outfitted to march as soon as possible. Speed is paramount."

"Yes, my lord, I will begin preparations at once." Feren stepped clear of the orc and signaled the other guards to come remove the body. Bowing, he swiftly followed the guards that bore away the orc's carcass.

After the guards departed, Thranduil stepped close to Elizabeth, gazing down on her with furrowed brows. "That was rather disturbing to watch," he murmured. "Have you questioned an orc before?"

She shook her head. "No, never. But I remember when I fought their kind in Dale, more than once I heard them say how they wanted to drink my blood. I suppose I've thought of them as vampire-like creatures ever since, and the way I spoke with him was from something I once read in a book about a vampire hunter."

His face relaxed into an amused smile. "You assumed that persona from a book? I did not realize you had such a gift for playacting. You must have read some rather macabre tales."

"A few." She looked at him from under her lashes and smiled. "But not many of those kind; I have always preferred happy tales over horror."

"Hmm." He lifted the hand she had cut open and rubbed away the few flakes of dried blood on her palm, his expression sobering. "I appreciate what you did, but another time, do not feed one of those creatures your blood, not even to gain power over it. You heard what the beast said. Dark things must never learn of you."

"As you wish, love," she said with a shrug. "I really had no idea my blood would do...whatever it did." She smirked. "And may I say how much I admire the masterful way you handle your sword? I think I'm just going to go to our rooms, and...think about that for a while. Perhaps picture other things you handle with equal mastery."

Pulling away, she started down the path to their private chambers, glancing back at him over her shoulder with a teasing smile. "It is likely to be a while before Feren requires your attention again. You are welcome to join me if you happen to find the time, and feel so inclined."

Thranduil watched Elizabeth walk away with a small, considering smile, admiring the natural curve and sway of her hips as she moved that he had always been so entranced by. With narrowed eyes, he glanced down the path Feren had taken. It likely would be quite a while until his captain came to report to him again, and what better way to clear his mind in preparation for the battle that lay ahead? Removing his crown, he placed it at the base of his throne and swiftly moved to follow her.

The last of the armored warriors led by the King disappeared into the trees to the west, on their way to eradicate the threat of encroaching darkness on their realm. Elizabeth silently prayed for their quick victory and safe return, finally abandoning her watchful perch and moving back into the halls.

When she neared the throne room's antechambers, she was approached by Galion holding a long list in his hand, and she repressed a sigh at the prospect of more busy work.

"My lady, this is the list of foodstuffs we must still procure before the autumn feast. You mentioned you wanted to look over everything?"

Accepting it with a smile, she scanned the neat rows listed, her eyebrows climbing in surprise. "Do we always order quite this much wine?"

Frowning, Galion checked the tally. "The extra is for the hot cider. When the King tasted the recipe you sent to the kitchens, he decided we must have enough to serve to everyone."

"Oh, I see." She met his eyes with a smile. "It's a shame we can't make our own wine, we might save a fortune."

"We do make our own table wine, but the King has long preferred Dorwinion for feasting and revels."

She handed the list back to the steward. "Ah well, I suppose every kingdom must have its little excesses. Carry on, then, this all looks fine. Oh, have I received anything from Erebor?"

"Your letters are on your desk, and I believe there was quite a heavy box for you from King Dain. It's also in your office awaiting your pleasure."

Elizabeth grinned. "Excellent! I can't wait to see how his workers fared making zippers and pens from what I sent. So clever, those dwarves."

Galion sniffed. "If you say so, my lady."

She smirked, well aware of how little love was lost between some of the older elves and dwarves. "I'll be attending to correspondence for the next several hours."

He bowed, rolling the list back up, and Elizabeth hurried her steps to her combined office and sitting room. She moved the unread letters to one side, pulling her chair close and about to sit when she caught sight of a loose paper sitting on one side of her desk, and froze.

HUMAN WHORE

The two words there were written in a fine, elegant hand, but there was no mistaking the spirit of the message and that it was clearly intended for her. Lifting it, she stared down at the note for several long minutes.

Glancing around, she folded it up and opened a drawer, shoving it to the bottom of a stack of writing supplies. The words were less upsetting than the realization of someone thinking ill of her walking freely in her private rooms. Could it even be someone she interacted with regularly? Should she bring it to Thranduil's attention?

She shook her head, rejecting the idea immediately. He had plenty to occupy him and she wasn't about to burden him further with such petty foolishness. After all, it was just words on a paper and hardly amounted to anything of a serious nature or an actual threat.

Squaring her shoulders, she set to work reading and answering her correspondence, but a shadow of worry hung over her for the remainder of the evening and followed her into sleep, tainting it with restlessness and nightmares.

Feren jogged to where his King stood with his twin swords still at his sides as he surveyed the carnage that surrounded them. Dead orcs lay everywhere, along with a number of swarthy Easterlings that had been encamped with them.

The need to deal with the spiders first had delayed their attack and somewhat robbed them of the element of surprise, but the greater number of elves easily overcame the wicked men and orcs. Dealing with the bodies would likely take longer than the actual battle.

"We have victory, my lord. The last of the creatures lie dead."

Thranduil looked at the fledgling structure the orcs had been building with narrowed eyes, then swept his gaze to the sickly trees all around them, thick with webs.

"I want no part of this structure left standing, every bit of it must be torn down. See to that after the bodies have been disposed of."

"Shall we burn the bodies?"

"No." The King drew a breath, casting a glance at the dense canopy of branches above and around them. "We cannot risk a runaway fire with the trees. Dig a common grave and let that suffice."

Feren nodded his understanding. "Shall I have your tent prepared, my lord?"

"I am not yet finished killing things. Call a company to me, both swords and bows." He looked toward the thickest of the webs grimly. "We will not depart until we have freed a portion of these woods from this darkness."

Lifting his horn, Feren blew two short and one long blast before he let it drop back to where it hung at his waist. "Shall I accompany you?"

Thranduil gave a brief shake of his head. "See to the things we spoke of. I have no desire to linger here any longer than necessary."

"No, nor I." Feren's brow furrowed, his thoughts returning to the halls and his wife.

"Do not worry," the King said with the barest hint of a smile. "You will be back in plenty of time before the birth."

Relieved, Feren smiled. "That is good to hear, thank you, Sire. I shall attend to the necessary tasks in the meantime."

When the company was assembled, the King moved toward the heart of the nests, cutting through the webs and their inhabitants with all the ferocity borne of the years of accumulated hate in battling the spiders, surrounded on all sides by his Silvan warriors.

Galedir entered the rose garden, stopped in front of Elizabeth and bowed. "Your Majesty, there is a messenger from Esgaroth as was sent with an urgent message to the King, but has asked to see you in his absence."

Her lips pressed together while she listened and then nodded. "Let him come to me here," she said quietly, setting aside the book she had been reading and folding her hands on her lap.

Within minutes, a scruffy, bedraggled man was ushered into the garden, the dark circles under his eyes and deep lines on his face making him look as though he hadn't slept in a week, or ever.

"Milady," he said respectfully and bowed low, then pulled a folded paper from an inner pocket of his coat and offered it to her.

She broke the wax seal and scanned it, her expression quickly growing disturbed as she read. Looking up with a frown still on her face, she addressed the elf beside the messenger.

"Take this man and give him nourishment and a bed to sleep in; he looks ready to drop."

The guard murmured an acknowledgment and the man bowed low once more, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank ye kindly, milady."

After he departed, led by the elf, Elizabeth turned to her captain. "Galedir, how soon can you have a hundred warriors armed and ready to accompany me to Esgaroth?"

His brows furrowed in thought. "After I send out the call, that many can be made ready in an hour, or perhaps closer to two, my queen. Is there some pressing threat?"

She stood and held out the note to him, gathering her things from the bench where she had been sitting while he read it. Folding it back up, he returned it to her with an unusually serious demeanor.

"Should we not rather delay until the King returns?"

Quirking a brow, she started walking toward the garden gate back to the halls, Galedir falling into step beside her. "Do you really think orcs will wait politely and quietly until the King has a chance to deal with them? They will continue to kill, and those deaths might be prevented if we do not delay. No, I shall lead the forces to Esgaroth myself. Do not look so grim, it will not be the first time for me to face such a task."

He squared his shoulders, well convinced of where his duty lay. "My lady, I request to be allowed to accompany you to Esgaroth."

She shrugged. "Provided you have someone competent to assume your duties here, request granted. I expect to depart from the front gates in two hours, so make haste with your preparations."

"I will work swiftly."

Galedir bowed and hurried away while Elizabeth went straight to her oversized closet in her quarters and opened a trunk she had scarce bothered with since coming to Middle-earth beyond making sure all the pieces were still sound, but she felt the need for all of it now, very glad she had decided to bring a few pieces of armor. If she hadn't, no doubt they would have ended up in a museum somewhere. The thought that she herself was as old as a museum relic made her smile somewhat ruefully.

She pulled out her shining silver breastplate, pauldrons and shield, setting them to one side, then reached for the matching mail shirt and skirting. If she was going to lead warriors as a queen, then dammit, she intended to look like something that would put the fear of God into the orcs terrorizing Esgaroth's people while she did it. If there were only one thing expected of a royal, it was to look the part of majestic leader, even if they were otherwise as dimwitted as a post. Hopefully, her own wits were sharp enough to pass muster and keep her alive under the additional weight of armor.

Less than two hours later, she was mounted on her favorite white stallion with her sword and shield secured to the saddle, dressed in her battle armor displaying the Somerset coat of arms, with her hair arranged plaited away from her face but otherwise hanging free in such a way that she thought would have made both Queen Elizabeth I and Boudicca proud. She had even donned her silver circlet for the occasion, amused at the realization that she did it because Thranduil would have approved.

Renion and Thandir surrounded her on either side, with another two dozen elves mounted around them, while the bulk of the armored warriors were on foot. Feeling the weight of leadership lying more heavily on her than the equipment she was arrayed in, Elizabeth nodded to Galedir and he gave the command to march for Esgaroth.

The King and his army returned in subdued triumph over a week after they departed, to halls that seemed very quiet and mostly empty. When Galion met the King outside the gates, his lord was looking displeased as he walked toward him.

"Where is the queen, Galion?" he asked with a puzzled frown. "I expected she would have been here to immediately welcome our return."

Galion met his lord's eyes, his face void of all expression. "The queen departed the day before yesterday with a company of one hundred warriors to go to the aid of the people of Esgaroth, Sire. A message came from their new leader, Master Calder, begging for help to drive off a horde of invading orcs who have been harassing and killing their people and taking their goods."

The King's face went from annoyance to full fury by the end of his steward's explanation, and he swore vehemently, causing Galion's eyebrows to raise in surprise at the rare display.

"Bring me a fresh mount," he said sharply, "and alert my guards we ride for Esgaroth immediately. All except Feren, he is to remain here."

Without waiting for a reply, he stalked off into the great cavern and went to the royal rooms he shared with Elizabeth, growing even angrier when he inhaled her subtle rose scent, further taunting him with her absence in light of his need for her. Why had she not stayed in her place in the halls and waited for him to return to deal with Esgaroth's problems?

Entering her closet, he frowned at the mess scattered across the floor; leather vambraces, and several types of daggers interspersed with a jumble of clothing were strewn near an open trunk. It was very unlike Elizabeth to be so careless with her possessions, indicating she must have left in a great hurry.

He went to his own impressive wardrobe and replaced the cloak that had been ruined in battle with a fresh one in gold to match the set of armor he wore, making his way back to the gates, noting his guards all stood ready to depart. Mounting the large, black destrier that replaced his weary elk, he urged the horse forward in a burst of speed, not entirely decided as to what he intended to do when he caught up with his wayward wife.

Bearing down in a full gallop on a fleeing orc, Elizabeth leaned forward and swung her sword in a downward arc, slicing into its back and neck, glancing behind her to see that while the head was not fully severed by her strike, the creature was dead nonetheless. She had taken off after the orc and his fellows without a backward glance near the end of the chaotic battle, knowing one or more of her guards would follow or soon catch up to her.

"Where are the others?" she shouted at Renion where he galloped along beside her.

"Back to the east to head off any other stragglers."

She pulled her horse to a slow walk, glancing around. "Can you see or hear any more of them from here?"

Renion swept his keen elven gaze along the nearby trees and back down the open slope they had just traversed. "I see no others, my lady. That must have been the last of the ones that ran off this way."

"Then let us go rejoin the main host near Esgaroth. I want to ensure we are thorough and get the very last of them."

As they started at a light trot back down the steep hill, Thandir and Galedir met them, slowing their mounts until they all trotted along together, her captain speaking first.

"We have finished clearing the surrounding countryside of the orcs as you commanded, my queen."

She clicked her tongue at her horse and firmed her grip on the reins to keep him from breaking into a full gallop down the hill and looked at the newly arrived elves. "Did you run into any difficulty with the warg riders?"

"Nay, my lady," Galedir responded. "There were only the three of them, and very quickly dispatched."

Elizabeth squinted ahead, trying to see further in the gathering dusk. "And what of injuries, are there many as need the services of the healer?"

A smile lit Galedir's face. "There were very few injuries, and all minor. This has been a very successful undertaking under your command, my queen. I offer my sincere compliments."

She chuckled and slid her sword into her sheathe strapped to her saddle. "You needn't sound quite so surprised. As I have been around battle and warfare for much of my life, I was bound to pick up a thing or two." She rolled her shoulder, feeling the soreness setting in from the weight of her chest-plate and grinned playfully at the elves around her. "Last one back has to clean my armor!"

Giving her stallion his full head, she shot down the hill and along the edge of the lake toward Esgaroth, tearing up the turf in her great speed and chuckling when Galedir just managed to catch up to her before they reached the settlement, his face bright with a challenging grin. She slowed her horse as they passed the bulk of her soldiers, then laughed again in delight when she saw who was riding toward them.

"A little bird told us you were enjoying target practice on some orcs, and we thought we might come lend you a hand, but I see you have it all sorted!" King Dain shouted with a grin, riding his large ram next to King Bard and his son, Bain, other men and dwarves in their retinue riding behind them.

Dain trotted closer and winked. "Here Lizzy, I've brought you a present." He pitched a large troll's head to the ground in front of Elizabeth's horse, making the stallion dance nervously to the side and she chuckled and shook her head.

"Why Dain, how you always spoil me with the very nicest things!" she gushed, making the elves, dwarves and men around them laugh. "Was that creature running loose up close to your kingdom?"

He nodded, his brown eyes twinkling. "Seemed he was trying to run away from you, and why not? You look fierce as a dwarf, my lady, and well covered in the blood of your enemies, I see. Now come down from that high horse and give a proper greeting to your old friends."

Bard had dismounted his horse and came to help Elizabeth down, seeming to sense that her backside had all but become one with her saddle, and she was rather sore and stiff. When she stood on solid ground, he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, giving her a genuine smile.

"It is good to see you, Elizabeth, despite the less than grand surroundings and circumstances. It seems you had good hunting today."

She nodded, beaming. "We did, indeed, and I certainly hope it's enough to keep those things contained for a while. I don't relish wearing orc blood any more often than absolutely necessary."

Turning, she hugged Bain, squeezing his arm when he blushed. "I would swear you are taller every time I see you, Bain, and even more handsome too."

Ducking his head, he glanced at his father with a grin. "Da said your first words to me would be to tease." He reached for her hand, bowing formally over it. "Greetings, my lady, I think you are even more beautiful than the last time we met, and the orc blood does nothing to detract."

Smirking, she gave a nod to Bard. "I see your son continues in his silver-tongued ways. He clearly must have inherited it from his mother."

"My lady, you wound me," Bard said with a smile, his formerly stern demeanor having relaxed greatly during the eight years of their friendship.

Having also dismounted from his ram, Dain came round and took her arm, tugging her close and startling her by kissing her full on the mouth, her face nearly swallowed up by his impressive beard. She rested a hand on his shoulder and laughed in surprise, tilting her head as she drew back.

"Have you been drinking, my lord?"

He smiled widely and winked again. "Have you ever known me not to drink? And where is your woodland sprite of a husband, lass? Bringing up the rear?"

Her smile wilted a bit and she sighed. "It would seem to be orc season all around. The King took warriors to deal with an infestation of them in the western woods, and had not returned when I departed to come to aid the people here."

"You've led this force all on your own?" Bard asked in surprise, glancing at the elven fighters behind her.

Elizabeth raised a brow and shrugged. "As you see." She smiled, glancing at Galedir, Renion and Thandir who had also dismounted and now stood nearby. "The Silvans are the very finest warriors, and fierce in battle. I merely came along for the ride."

Dain slapped a hand against the metal back of her armor. "Oh, you're being modest, Lizzy. By the state of you, I'd say you more than killed your fair share today. You've clearly got more dwarf in your line than elf or man; all you lack is the beard." Turning to his second, he gave instruction to set up his tents and prepare a feast with the foodstuffs they had brought down from the mountain before turning back to Bard and Elizabeth.

"Come and sit with us under the tree while we wait, Lizzy. Bard and I have been wondering when you're coming for another visit, as it's been three years since your last, and Dale and Erebor have well felt the absence."

"Just give me a moment, I'm coming now," she said over her shoulder, heading for the cluster of elves to speak with her captain.

Elizabeth gave quiet instruction to Galedir to see to the needs of their warriors and ensure their own camp and tents were set up for the night before the feasting began. The citizens of Esgaroth soon brought droves of food and drink to the shore where the bulk of the small army of elves were, in gratitude for being freed from the pillaging and murderous orcs. The men, dwarves and elves all mingled together as full evening fell, drinking laughing and talking, comfortable with one another as neighbors and allies.

Musicians also began to bring their instruments and set up to play and sing, lending a raucous and celebratory air, while many torches lit the night as bright as day, reflecting off the surface of the Long Lake.

The Elvenking and his riders crested the rise leading down to the brightly lit valley near the newly rebuilt Esgaroth well after dark had fallen. They passed clear signs of battle, including orc carcasses and trampled earth where many feet had trod, and it was immediately clear that victory belonged to his people. It was further apparent that the victory had been easily attained, and based on the loudness of the current revelry, the celebration was in full swing.

He had been paying close attention to the bond while keeping his own presence muted, curious as to the reason for the elated happiness he could feel from Elizabeth and wanting to briefly observe her undetected. Even from a distance, he could see signs of Bard and Dain's forces and presence. He hoped they had plenty of wine on hand, for he was well in need of strong drink.

When Thranduil could see her clearly in a tent across the distance with Dain and Bard, he pulled his horse to a halt and stared for a long moment. He had never known Elizabeth possessed her own armor, the markings on it obviously the symbol of the royal house or kingdom she was born to. She looked fierce, foreign and exotic, the vibrancy of her humanity never more apparent or alluring, and he felt the spreading warmth of satisfaction in his chest that she belonged entirely to him. He smiled, finally decided on how to greet his queen.

Elizabeth choked, coughed and gasped, shaking her head as Dain and Bard laughed at her when she thrust Dain's pipe back into his hands and snatched her wine goblet, drinking great gulps until her air passage felt somewhat clear again.

"Oh, that's vile tasting," she sputtered when she could speak again. "I can't begin to understand the attraction for smoking. I imagine that's what it might have been like to kiss Smaug."

Dain took a deep draw from his pipe, releasing it slowly, and chuckled. "There are a few other benefits to this particular pipeweed which you are ill equipped to appreciate, my lady, except perhaps being on the receiving end of it. I should give you some to take to your husband."

Bard laughed softly and shook his head. "Oh, here we go. Prepare yourself, Elizabeth, I fear you are in for some indelicate talk now."

Shrugging, Dain blew out another cloud of smoke. "Indelicate, bah! Mankind has some strange ideas regarding what is and isn't appropriate to talk about in mixed company, but we dwarves have no such qualms. We are all married, so what's the mystery?"

"What indeed?" Elizabeth asked with a grin, leaning closer to Dain. "Alright, tell me what it does."

Shaking his head, Bard crossed the tent and refilled his wine goblet while Dain explained to Elizabeth, making her pull back to look the dwarf in the eye with a teasing smile.

"Is that all it's good for?" She shrugged and crossed to where Bard stood, holding her own goblet out to him for a refill, and smirking at the two kings after she sipped from her cup.

"But you forget, Dain, I am wed to an elf. Anything that is designed to increase virility is rather..." she swirled the wine in her goblet as her smile grew, "superfluous. In fact, from my point of view, it may well be life threatening, or at the very least, leave me unable to walk straight for a week."

Bard choked on his wine, going into his own coughing fit mixed with shocked laughter while Dain grimaced.

"Ack lass, spare me. I don't need any visuals of you with the elf."

She laughed and quirked a brow. "You started it, Dain, and you know you can always rely on me to finish whatever you start."

Her smile faded and her head cocked to the side before she set her goblet down. "I'll be back shortly," she said, already striding hurriedly from the tent and turning toward where the horses were clustered together, her smile beaming brightly when she caught sight of the King dismounting from his large destrier, his blue eyes locked firmly to her excited gray-green gaze.

Thrilled at the sight of him, she ran forward and found herself quickly caught up in his strong embrace and drowning in the heat of his ardent kiss. When he released her, she stared breathlessly up at him, blushing in sudden embarrassment.

"Fine greetings to you too, lord husband." She glanced around self consciously at his guards, who had only just begun to dismount, and dropped her voice. "I am sure you told me before that elves were never demonstrative in front of others."

He laced their hands together and began walking back toward the tent she had come from, his chin raised imperiously. "I am the king, I can do as I like, and I recognized you were desperately in need of kissing."

She bit her lip to control her grin. "I've been kissed more today than on any other day, I think. I don't believe I've suddenly become more appealing. Is it the orc blood or the armor?"

His eyes narrowed when he looked at her. "The armor is certainly a part of it," he said, his eyes sweeping her appreciatively, "but who else has been kissing my wife, pray tell?"

"Bard and Dain have come down from the mountain." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Come and have some refreshment and a rest now. Did you have any difficulty in the western woods?"

He pursed his lips thoughtfully. "No difficulties. We destroyed them utterly and did away with the structure, and as many nests as were nearby there."

She smiled and lifted his hand to her mouth, kissing his knuckles before they entered the tent.

"Well, speak of the devil and he appears before you." Dain lifted his cup in salute. "Come in and have a drink, Thranduil, you look to have just come from the thick of it," he said, his eyes running over the Elvenking's gold armor, still spattered in orc blood and spider remains.

Elizabeth poured a tall glass of wine and handed it to her husband after he seated himself near Bard, who clasped him on the shoulder with a smile.

"I'm pleased to see you, my friend. I trust you had success in your own orc hunt?"

After draining his wine and receiving a refill, the Elvenking lifted his chin in a slow nod. "I and my host dealt with the orcs and then returned to my halls expecting a rich welcome, with all the comforts of hearth and home." His eyes narrowed and slid to Elizabeth, leaning against a nearby table, who preferred standing due to the continuing soreness in her backside caused by the long day's worth of fighting from the saddle.

"Imagine my surprise when I discovered Elizabeth was out seeking her own glory in battle rather than attending to her wifely duties, and instead of rest I was forced to come retrieve my queen," he quipped, softening his words with a smile.

"Now don't be too hard on the lass," Dain said, stroking a hand down his long beard. "The lake folk are obliged for her timely arrival, as she well beat Bard and myself and had it all finished up by the time we got down the mountain. There was little sport to be had, beyond the troll and a few others that came our way."

Elizabeth sighed tiredly and pushed away from the table. "Wifely or queenly duties aside, I am well ready to be free of this armor, so I will bid you gentle lords a good night. Enjoy your wine," she winked at Dain, "but mind you don't smoke too much or you're liable to have a very uncomfortable night without your wife here with you, and naught but your hand for company."

She walked out of the tent and headed for her own, leaving Thranduil frowning, Bard chuckling and Dain guffawing loudly in her wake.

An hour later, she was freshly washed and comfortably clad in a soft gown and beginning to brush out her long, tangled mass of hair when she heard her husband enter the main room of the tent, calling to one of the guards to assist him in removing his armor.

By the time he had also washed and changed into a pair of sleeping pants, Elizabeth had already laid down on the camp bed and was just beginning to doze when he joined her and pulled her into his arms to rest against his bare chest.

"Are you truly angry with me for coming here?" she asked, fully awake again and tilting her head up to look at him.

"Angry?" he murmured.

His eyes darkened with a sudden intensity of emotion before he took her mouth with his own, kissing her passionately and rolling her beneath him, soon doing away with their clothing in a whirlwind coupling so enthusiastic that it very nearly bordered on violence. It left her breathing heavily on top of him some time later, still tingling with the aftermath of orgasm and the echo of his strong grip on her waist and thighs.

When his fingers combed lightly through strands of her hair, she chanced another look up at him to see him smiling at her in newly relaxed amusement. She nuzzled against his chest and smiled.

"Shall I take that as a no, then?"

He laughed softly and raised a dark golden brow. "No, I am not angry. But when I want you and you are not there, it certainly annoys me to no end. As queen, I admit you have performed your duty well in coming to the aid of our allies here in my absence. Even if I would have preferred you to wait in the halls and leave all this for me to attend."

Elizabeth smirked, pushing herself upright until she was sitting on top of him. "But have I at least redeemed myself in your eyes by adequately performing my wifely duties?"

Thranduil smiled. "Your performance in my arms has always far exceeded the pale description of adequate, Elizabeth, rather more in the range of exquisite, but you know I will not be so quickly satisfied with so brief a taste of you." He cupped her breast and brushed his thumb across a dusky nipple, making her sigh.

She bit her lip and leaned closer, bracing her hands against his firm chest. "You didn't happen to smoke any of Dain's pipe, I hope? I will eventually need sleep."

He tugged her ear with his teeth, sucking her lobe into his mouth and whispering his words. "You know I have no need of any such artificial enhancements, mîr nin. (my treasure) But allow me to remind you yet again of all the joys of having an elven lover."

The pale grey light of dawn shone down upon the Long Lake before the Elvenking and queen finally sought sleep in the comfort of one another's embrace; and the well-trained Silvan guards stationed outside their tent never betrayed by word or look just what manner of things they might have overheard with their keen ears during the long night.

~o~