We rose early the next morn for a hunt that was begin the festivities and provide the meat for the opening banquet, which would be the official coming of age party. I had never particularly enjoyed hunting animals if it was not necessary, and Thranduil had always detested blood sports, especially if they involved a skill at which he was not gifted (in this case, it was archery), but socializing and support for our sons were priorities.

"You should be cheerful," I told him as we readied ourselves at dawn. He had grumbled to be pulled from his rest, groaned to be fitted with a longbow, and scowled now at my sunny mood.

"I have every right not to attend," he said, piousness written across his features.

"As king, yes," I agreed, tying my fur cloak around my shoulders. "But as their father, you truly should put aside your own comforts."

"That is what I have been doing," he sniped. "For years! I am sure my neck will have a permanent crick in it from looking over my shoulder for whatever mischief Belegorn has been getting into."

"That cannot be true," I said, disbelieving his final statement. "He has been far too old for such antics for several years."

Thranduil exhaled sharply, but said no more. The stables were in turmoil when we arrived, indeed so busy that our horses had not been prepared for us, as expected. The oversight did not improve the king's mood. I was content to saddle my own horse, as I often did, and I laughed at the sight of the thunderous face in the stall next to mine.

"Would your countenance improve if I did that for you?" I asked, peering over the ledge to give my husband an indulgent smile.

"No," he said, nearly cinching the billet too tight. His horse whinnied and blew on his face reproachfully, upsetting the last remnant of the dignified king aura he had been holding on to. "Please, let us depart so we may return all the sooner."

I did not deign to reply, and we led our horses from the stable. The courtyard was even busier – it seemed half the city would be joining us. We tried to navigate through the horses, elves, and droppings, but made little progress.

"Where are Belegorn and Legolas?" I asked, distracted. I could easily peer over the majority of the heads present, as I was taller than most, but I could not see the head of either one of my sons.

"I cannot see them," Thranduil said. "And if they cannot roll themselves out of bed for this, I am returning to mine. No rewards for the absent, I say."

I grew impatient with the standstill, so I put my fingers in my mouth and whistled shrilly. Every head turned to me, most in confusion, but those near me (Thranduil included), winced at the noise.

"Would someone be kind enough to point me in the direction of the princes?" I shouted. Everyone looked around, and finally I saw some fingers pointing to the east of where we were. "Come," I said to the king, and I mounted my horse. The threat of being run over by a pair of trotting horses cleared the way for us quite well, and I was thankful to finally be moving. Belegorn and Legolas hovered near the edge of the crowd, and as we advanced I saw a ruby apple slip from Legolas's sleeve between his horse's eager lips.

"Let us be on our way," Thranduil said to them, and they obediently joined us on horseback. We rode to the beginning of the wooded road, and faced the crowd, which began to quiet. The king opened his mouth to address them, but Belegorn was already speaking.

"Today we ride to fill our halls and bellies with the sweet meat of the forest's offerings! Ladies and others not participating should please keep the back! Hunters, to me!" He pulled a silver inlaid horn from his side, and gave three sharp blasts before sending his horse galloping down the road. Legolas followed in hot pursuit.

I turned to Thranduil and saw that he looked quite irate. "He does that often, you know," he informed me as we began our much lazier trek, being quickly overtaken by the most zealous of the company. "Sometimes he thinks to preside over council meetings."

"I am not surprised," I said. "He has ever been domineering. Come, let us ride this way." We departed from the bulk of the party, and soon we were out of sight of the road, though not too far that we could not hear the horns and cheers.

"Do you have any intention of bring back any prizes?" Thranduil asked.

"Not on this day."

He chuckled to himself. "It is a fine day for a ride, anyhow."

I smiled to him, and he reached for my hand, bring our horses close together. I hummed to myself, keeping in time with the hoof beats. We rode without speaking further for many miles, staying somewhat near the group. I decided that even if we were not in the center of the excitement, this would still suffice. All creatures passed us unhindered, and I began to sing in my contentment.

Arda, with her ten thousand flowers,
Air, with all its beams and showers,
Heaven's infinite expanse,
Sea's resplendent countenance—
All around and all above
Bear this record: this is love

Sounds among the vales and hills,
In the woods and by the rills,
Of the breeze and of the bird,
By the gentle murmur stirred—
Sacred songs, beneath, above,
Have one chorus: this is love

All the hopes that sweetly start
From the fountain of the heart,
All the bliss that ever comes
To our earthly handmade homes,
All the voices from above
Sweetly whisper: this is love
*

"Interesting choice, for the dead of winter," the king said when I finished. The cantankerous old biddy - he was not hiding his own joy, despite his pessimistic commentary.

"I shan't apologize for it," I said, glaring at him with displeasure. "I am happy, and so I sing." I knew he enjoyed my singing, there was really no need for debate on the appropriateness of the season.

"I wish I had thought to bring our own lunch," Thranduil sighed, shifting on his horse.

"I suppose we should join the others, at least for the meal," I said, grudgingly in agreement with his conclusion.

"We might see the trophies Belegorn and Legolas have caught as well."

"Perhaps they need to be directed along a more fruitful path, if they have been unlucky."

"I shall not. Their victory or defeat will be by their own hands."

It was a curious remark, but I did not say so. "Will you point our way to them directly?" I asked.

He turned his horse, and mine followed suit. Our timing was correct, as several elves were spreading out a small meal, which was already being consumed.

Thranduil was very proper, as he lifted me from my horse and led me to where we were to sit. He even sought out our refreshment, so that I could sit prettily until he returned.

"Thank you," I told him after receiving a plate of travel fare. I bit back a groan – I wished for other foods besides the dried fruit and lembas that I seemed to never get a break from, but this meal was apparently not to be it.

"It will be better tonight," Thranduil whispered. He had seen my face, and knew me well enough to know the reason.

"Very good," I said. "You would hardly be a proper king if it was not to be."

Horns sounded, and all guessed the cause, loud shouts preceding the great entrance. In the following upset, the food on my plate was thrown into the air and scattered on the ground. I cast a dark look to the elfling whose elbow had knocked into me before sighing. It was no great loss, anyway.

Belegorn entered the glade to loud cheering, high on his horse, to which was tethered a pair of young bucks. Legolas followed behind, looking slightly downcast. I wondered why, as he had a mixture of at least a dozen geese, turkeys and pheasants tied to his saddle. The forest had clearly yielded its fruits, so I wondered at his unhappiness.

Belegorn leaped from his horse, and triumphantly began again to address the crowd. I only half-listened to his speech, and then hissed to Thranduil, "Where did he learn to speak so superfluously? It is irksome by half."

Thranduil shrugged in return. "I do not know. He does seem to like to hear his own voice, at any rate."

"Indeed," Not feeling kindly towards my eldest son, I stood. "Might we leave now? I would like to seek out a more imaginative luncheon so that I am not completely famished at the feast tonight."

"As you wish, my love," Thranduil stood as well. "I tire of this outing."

And so we rode back to the city.


*Text by Thomas R. Taylor, edited slightly for my own purposes. Sorry Tom.


A/N: Thank you to all who review - it really makes me feel squishy inside :) I'm open to all feedback!