Chapter 25

The light giggling that came out in faintly aroused Aya from sleep, Thranduil didnt giggle. Eyes shot open to look for the source of the sound only to find Gilwen and Idhrenniel beaming at her.

"Good day to you your majesty" they said courtesying. Aya gasped bunching the sheets to her chest.

"Your majesty?" Aya wondered as she looked around, Thranduil was nowhere to be found. Who were they referring to?

Sensing her confusion, Idhrenniel stepped up to Aya whose grasped on the sheets tightened. She was clearly embarrassed to be found in such a situation. Idhrenniel placed her hands on her cheek in a motherly touch to keep her at ease.

"You are mated to the King now my Lady, you are as of your joining last night, now the Queen of the Mirkwood elves". Gilwen sat on the side of the bed beaming at her friend now turned Queen.

" I-I don't understand, what do you mean Queen? we only spent the night together...we're not married" Aya looked at Idhrenniel as though she'd grown two heads. Bewildered, Idhrenniel and Gilwen shared a look and Gilwen decided to approach this careful so she wouldnt startle a very confused Aya even more.

"My Lady..." Gilwen began slowly "...in elven custom, marriage is done through consumation of love..." Gilwen waited for the words to sink in.

" Did His majesty ask you to say anything during your night together? anything at all?" Idhrenniel leaned closer urging her gently to spoke. Aya held her hand to her head and was in disbelief.

"I-I'm not sure, I cannot really remember...he said something about The Valar. But that doesn't mean anything right I mean! it doesn't mean we married or anything" Aya chuckled nervously, swallowing hard she watched the faces of her friends.

"I'm afraid if The Valar was mentioned, then it is sealed. You are without a doubt Queen of Mirkwood and Thranduil's wife"

"I am Queen...Thranduil is my Husband" Aya had repeated her words slowly trying to grasp the situation. She had wanted merely to do something for herself, just this once. Yet she had not thought the consequence would be this dire. Either Way the deed was done and it would be all the more reason to act quickly.

Thranduil moved with care as he walked through the woods of his forest. Reports had described the damage in detail but he had to see it for himself. The trunks once dark, rich and alive now turned pale as though their lifeblood had been sapped and it had been, Sauron had seen to that. He could feel it, songs of the forest grew tired and weary. His precious forest would be no more than a resting place for dead elves and dead wood.

He twisted on his heel, his grey and silver cape, armour twirling along with it.

"Send for Mithrandir at once!" He had let his people see too much of the agony that came with death and suffering. No, He would not fail this time, not while he was king! A rider set out with a dispatched letter to find the newly instated white wizard currently dwelling in Imladris for the time being.

Aya still looked dazed as she flipped through the books saddled on her lap, books on elven culture.

" Your Majesty?" Aya continued to flip absentminded, did Thranduil know what would happen if he bedded her? he did... didn't he? of course he did. He was thousands of years old, of course he knew! Ano Bagayarou! when she saw him again-

"My Lady!" Aya snapped out of her vengeful thoughts to see her hand fisting the page she was clutching, quickly letting go and trying to smoothen the creases, she looked up to see Bereneth staring concerned over her.

"Ah Bereneth, good day to you" with her response Aya watched her courtsey lowly.

"And good day to you, your majesty" Bereneth returned quaintly. Aya scoffed.

"not you too, enough of this, come and sit" Aya said exasperated, throughout her walk to the library as she left Thranduil's chambers, she had been treated with nothing but bows and reverence.

"it is law that we show the same respect accorded to the Queen as is shown to the King"

"You know I expected you most to behave normally...formality is something I grew tired of a long time ago" Aya sighed and smiled, she wondered at something though.

"How did you find out?" Aya asked curiously.

"Well, the king made the announcement in the council chambers earlier this morning and in a rather interesting manner, news of it is all over the kingdom now" Bereneth said blushing as she said.

"I take it they weren't too happy?" Aya groaned as Bereneth giggled, letting out all the details of how Thranduil had boldy declared his claim on Lady Aya as his wife and completed every necessary requirement in fulfilment of said marriage act.

"Indeed they weren't, though i believe some were more shocked than angry. Lord Galion was said to have turned blue at the news, murmuring over the kings defilement of his innocent ward" The tips of Aya's ears grew hot, she would kill him for his insensitive behavior on the matter. If everyone had heard then, news must've reached Mikata's room by now.

"I will go to the healing halls from here, would you mind accompanying me?" Aya stood, her body to the door as she turned to look at Bereneth expectantly.

"Of course, you're majesty" Bereneth responded while curtseying. And Aya grimaced, unused to the sight.

"We are alone Bereneth with no one to see, please treat me as your friend" While she could not ask her to stop her behavior all together while she was queen, she could atleast curb the formalities while they were alone.

Walking through the halls was embarrassing now as it was in the morning. Everywhere she went, she received greetings and bows, honestly Thranduil had not bothered to tell her at all let alone prepare her for what was expected. Sighting Cenedir as he walked towards her, she sighed in relief until Cenedir bowed waist deep before her. Apparently he as well would partake in this treatment.

"Your Majesty...Lady Bereneth" Cenedir greeted, his eyes sparkling with amusement and gladness altogether. Aya had seen the mischief in his eyes and smiled, Cenedir would be normal around her.

"Lord Cenedir...It is good to see you are well" Bereneth said softly, a change that didn't escape Aya's notice, she watched the exchange between the head of her personal guard and her friend and was curious at what she saw.

"Mae Govannen Lady Bereneth, it is good to see you doing well" Cenedir bowed slightly while speaking courteously to the flustering elleth beside his Queen. Bowing once more, he excused himself quickly and left briskly.

Silence ensued as they walked towards the healing wards until Bereneth sighed.

"Alright say it..." Bereneth said bracing herself for the onslaught of questions to come from the smiling woman beside her.

"Say what?"

"What you're clearly going to say eventually"

"I never planned to say anything, but since you offered...you and the captain of guard?" Aya said as she smirked. Bereneth grew red, her blue eyes shifting to the side to avoid further scrutiny. She sighed loudly and quite sadly which snapped her companion out of her amusement.

"I've known Cenedir since i was an elfling but only from afar, really at one point i had begun to wonder what it would be like to have him look at me, only me just once. Silly aren't I..." Bereneth giggled though her laugh sounded hollow. Aya touched her hand lightly and smiled gently.

"Oh it's nothing but a passing fancy, with time it will surely fade" Bereneth waved her hand, smiling as they reached the halls.

Aya and Bereneth moved the wing in which her friend was kept and was glad to see her on her feet away from the bed she had been confined to. Mikata or was it Gilith now...she would have to get used to her friend in a new body and new life.

Gilith sighted Aya and Lady Bereneth approaching, she was adjusting as well as she could to the quirks that came with being an elf. With trained reflexes, Gilith bowed more elegantly.

Aya closed her eyes in exasperation, what she would do when she saw that insufferable elf again. "I see word has reached you too?"

"Your majesty-"

"-Iie Mikata Chan, daijobu dakara tate kudasai" Aya interrupted her, slightly irritated that she of all people would place such barriers between.

"Demo Anata wa-" Gilith switched subconsciously to her native tongue as she tried to justify her behavior.

"That's enough Lady Gilith...I would not have my friend place anymore distance from me, I had enough of that in Chichu'es court, I won't do it again" Aya said as she grabbed Gilith and forced her to stand upright, looking at her as she spoke.

Aya hugged Gilith as the tears slid down her cheeks.

" We're not going to be apart any further than this, wakarimasu ka?"

"Hai! wakarimasu"

"Hontoni?" Aya said calmly into Gilith's shoulder and smiled as she felt Gilith squeeze back.

"Hai!" Gilith cried as she buried her face in her friend's shoulder.

Both heard sniffing and turned to see Bereneth rubbing her eyes, she turned away when she noticed Aya's and the other elleth staring and stuttere, trying to regain composure.

"I-i, There's something in my eyes, silly me, the-the maids really should clean the dust in here-" She stopped when Aya grabbed her hand and pulled them both in a circle as they giggled and cried.

"What in the Valar happened here?!" The three ladies jumped at the roar of The King who had burst in along with Galion, Legolas, Belthion and Cenedir who had followed in tow.

"Your majest-" Aya could not finish her sentence as Thranduil grabbed her and began to inspect her thoroughly. Aya flushed darker as she saw Thranduil bending to check her legs upwards.

"Your majesty! Thranduil!!" Aya yelled when he ignored her. Thranduil jumped and held her hands and Aya saw the look of panic in his eyes and sighed.

"I am fine! we are all fine!" she said to reassure him as she waved to the other ladies who were both embarrassed and bewildered at The King's behaviour.

"your emotion were all over the palace...we thought, well Ada thought something may be wrong..." Legolas explained better though his composure no less different from his father's.

"Meleth, why were you crying?? what is it that troubles you so??" Thranduil said still feeling through their now sealed bond to check for any sign of danger.

" Yes, all is well, forgive me for causing you to worry...we were just having a little bonding time"

Deep sighs of relief could be heard from the background as Belthion, Galion and Cenedir as they turned to return to their various stations.

"Very well then...if there is no trouble then-"

"-There is the matter of your little announcement this morning...when were you going to tell me your intentions??" Bereneth and Gilith's eyes grew wide in fear and disbelief, no one...had ever spoken to Thranduil like that, ever.

"Ah yes...that" Thranduil could feel the flood of annoyance into his mind from her and knew he should pick his word sensitively. He turned to the other ellith and with a strict look, dismissed them quietly. As they hurriedly left, they could not help but feel a bit of worry especially Bereneth who had faced the wrath of The King head on.

" Lirimaer, we are husband and wife now and such an occurrence cannot be kept secret from my council or people for long" Thranduil moved towards her in a bid to calm her heated emotions.

"With no warning? how could you keep such a thing from me? You never told me...that bedding me would result into making me Queen!" Aya spoke as she gave him an accusatory look.

" I admit, that I should have better prepared you for the reality but I did warn you that there would be consequences for seducing me..." Thranduil said coolly as he drew her closer.

"But to be Queen! Thranduil I-I don't think I can do this" Aya stuttered as Thranduil pulled her into his embrace.

"You can meleth,i am here...I will help you" Thranduil moved to kiss her but Aya back away.

"Wait! this does not mean I forgive you" Thranduil smirked at the statement. "I would not expect you to" .

Outside the door, full of worry and anxiety, Bereneth and Gilith waited with their ears to the door trying to make sure everything was alright, that was until they heard a moan.

"What are you doing by the door?" Both ladies jumped around to find a miffed Meniel holding a basket of leaves, most likely she went to get more herbs. The head healer tried to push past them wondering about their behavior but the two ladies grabbed her and shook their heads.

"His majesty and Lady Aya are in there!" Meniel frowned at this.

"Doing what?" Her answer came shortly after when a loud moan erupted, all present turning red at more sounds coming from behind the door. Footsteps were heard from behind them and the party turned to see Legolas and Galion returning from behind.

"Why are you all by the door? Where's Ada I was told he was..." another moan erupted and Legolas grew quiet while Galion turned pale.

" Nevermind then, perhaps Lord Galion and I will...seek him at a later hour" Legolas quickly grabbed Galion who looked he wanted to burst into the halls.

Meniel sighed deeply, her poor sheets would have to be changed, as much as she rejoiced at The King's newfound love, she wondered if this would be a daily occurrence. She shooed the other ladies off and decided to give herself a little distance by the door to save her ears. How long they had been there or would be there she did not know, but it would not do good for people to walk in their King on Queen whilst they coupled.

Meniel sighed again...they would be there for a while, and so would she... apparently.