AN: I still don't own anything Tolkien or Lord of the Rings. I just own my character and storyline.

One of my readers/reviewers asked how long it takes me to get a chapter out.

It depends, usually on how busy my life gets, or whether something unexpected (or unpleasant) shows up. Since it's the holiday season, I'll be busy with work, holiday planning and shopping, as well as family life, but I'll do my best to keep posting as regularly as I can.

Usually, I try to set a goal of posting every 7-10 days, but even then, things can be unpredictable.

One or two readers have also pointed out various mistakes in my chapters. Another reason it takes me so long to post is that I also edit my own work. So if I miss anything or make a mistake, it's usually because I'm doing it at the end of a busy work day, or whenever I have time on the weekends.

I very much appreciate everyone's patience in regards to all of this. I know I might sound angry or upset in this note, but I'm not. All I ask is that everyone please remember that I'm doing the best I can, balancing writing with everything else going on my life.

And now, on to the chapter! Enjoy, and please don't forget to review.

Chapter 37: The Realm of Mirkwood:

The next morning, I woke to breakfast on a table beside me, and Ethelwen standing at the foot of the bed, with an envelope in her hand. There was an anxious look on her face, which was a signal that a very stressful day lay ahead of me.

I was rather impressed with the amount of food served, as well as with the food itself. Ham, bacon, eggs, fresh bread and fruit all sat there under a silver dome, as well as goblets of juice and water.

'I haven't had ham or bacon for breakfast in years,' I thought, a wistful smile on my face. 'In Rivendell, we usually have fresh or dried fruit, porridge, eggs, and cold wild game from the night before, if there was any left.'

The same could be said about the food in Lothlorien. But here in Mirkwood, the food leaned towards what was served in Erebor or Dale, than anything in the Elf realms.

'Well, I might as well take advantage of it,' I decided, digging into the bacon and eggs with enthusiasm. Besides, if I was going to meet with Thranduil, it would be better if I did it on a full stomach.

After breakfast, I had a lovely hot bath scented with roses, and was dressed by Ethelwen in one of the more elegant gowns I had brought. This one consisted of a dusty rose undergown, with a deeper, almost magenta overdress embroidered with silver and gold crystals. Accompanying it was a soft pink sash shot with gold and silver, and matching slippers for my feet.

Jewelry was the most difficult part of my outfit –Ethelwen wanted to layer as much as possible on me, while I wanted to keep things simple.

Finally, we decided on an intricate gold headdress that resembled woven vines, with leaves encrusted with pink diamonds. A pair of matching bracelets wrapped around my wrists, while a ring with a small, flawless pink diamond rested on my right ring finger. Clasped around my neck was a necklace of gold roses set with pink diamonds, each bud connected by a short length of thin gold chain.

All of this had been a gift from my loving foster father, to show me off to the King of Mirkwood. And they weren't even the best jewels Lord Elrond had given me for this journey.

"You are ready," Ethelwen proudly proclaimed. "Come; it's time to go."

Gandalf, Glorfindel and Balin were waiting before the Throne Room's large double doors, with only two of them very well-dressed. Balin was in dark hues of brown, black and deep green. Beside him, Glorfindel blazed in brilliant blue and pale silver, which accented his blonde hair and blue-grey eyes.

Gandalf was the only one not dressed up. He simply wore his grey robes, though he'd politely left his hat behind in his rooms. One hand still clutched his staff, though, as a reminder of his magical abilities.

While Glorfindel had brought his finery in the carts from Rivendell, I had no idea where Balin had gotten his, and I doubt that Thranduil had provided them. 'Then again, Balin had brought several large packs with him from Erebor. And he could have bought a few things in the Shire, just in case.'

When he saw me, Balin straightened up and tucked his thumbs into the great gold belt that wrapped around his waist. "Now there's a sight to behold in the morning. You look lovely, lass."

"Good morning, Meluir," Gandalf greeted me, a smile on his face as he came to offer me his arm. "I have convinced your Elven protector to allow me to escort you this morning. I hope you do not mind?"

It was easy to return his smile. "Of course," I replied, gently laying a hand on the offered arm. "Though I would very much like to know how you managed it."

The look Glorfindel gave the wizard was scathing. "He thought it might remind King Thranduil that you had more than just Elves as allies."

And that was that, for the Master of Ceremonies arrived to let us inside. It was time for us to greet our host.

The Throne Room of King Thranduil was the grandest I had ever seen.

Tall pillars engraved with tree and vine designs lined the walls, supporting the weight of the mountain above. Candles, candelabras and lamps lit the room, their light catching on the jewels and silks those attending were wearing.

And there were a great many people attending.

Somehow, I managed to stay calm as Gandalf led me down the carpeted aisle, towards the glittering gold-and-wood throne where Thranduil regally sat. Clad in silver and green velvet robes, he looked every inch the King of an Elven Wood. His fingers glittered with gemstones in a dizzying array of green shades, some set in silver, some in gold. Atop his head was a crown of small tree branches, so fresh there were leaves and green buds growing from them. Interwoven between the branches was silver wire so thin, it resembled dew glittering on spider webs.

I tried to keep the scowl off my face as I kept a dignified pace with Gandalf. 'Why do I have the feeling Thranduil arranged all this just to impress me and Balin?'

'All this' included the nobility of the realm, as well as soldiers lining the walls. I don't know what sort of trouble they were expecting, but I had the feeling they were only here to show off the might of Mirkwood's army.

I kept my eyes forward, but let my other senses reach out, to get a better feel of the crowd. My nose picked up various woodland scents, likely coming from the fragrances worn by males and females alike. There was wood, musk, flowers, green plants, and even the faint hint of something like rain water.

My ears strained to pick up any conversations around me, but any talk had been silenced as soon as I set foot on the gold-colored carpet that ran up to the foot of the dais where Thranduil sat. I did pick up some sort of melody being played by an orchestra, though, which was doing a fairly decent job of cutting through the tension running through the room.

As we stopped at the foot of the dais, out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Gandalf had an amused spark in his blue orbs, though his face was serious. Without showing any other sign of amusement, he performed a very nice bow to Thranduil.

To match my escort, I sank into as deep a curtsy as I could manage. I may not have the liquid grace of the Elves, but after a great deal of practice, I had gotten rather good at it.

Thranduil didn't seem impressed, but he did acknowledge us with a polite nod. He then proceeded to show off his authority with a single raised finger, which immediately silenced the orchestra and seemed to cause the very air to go still.

It was enough to impress and frustrate me, that he had this kind of power and liked to flaunt it. Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel weren't like this, and they had Rings of Power.

As Gandalf and I rose, Thranduil actually rose to his feet, a sign of respect towards his new guests. "Lady Meluir of Rivendell," he greeted me. The tone of his voice echoed throughout the room, smooth and authoritative. "I bid you and your friends welcome to my Realm, and my house."

His eyes drifted over those standing behind me. I could tell immediately when he caught sight of Balin, for those hard sapphire eyes of his flickered with an inner fire. It wasn't outright hatred, though; it was actually more of a frustration, possibly at having to entertain one of the Dwarves who had escaped his 'inescapable' dungeon.

"You are kind to receive us, Sire," I replied, making a smaller curtsey. "We very much look forward to our stay, and getting to know your kingdom better."

I was somewhat surprised when Ethelwen stepped forward, a small box in her hands. I hadn't seen her with it before. Had she hidden it in her gown, or had Glorfindel brought it with him and passed it off to her?

"Sire," Lord Glorfindel said, drawing my attention towards him as he gave a graceful bow. "We bring a gift to you, from the Lord of Rivendell, as a gesture of friendship and gratitude for your kind invitation towards his beloved foster daughter."

From watching the movies and reading the books back in my world, I knew that Thranduil was very fond of receiving gifts. I had no idea what Lord Elrond had sent, but hopefully it was something shiny and valuable.

An attendant retrieved the box and carefully handed it up to his king. Thranduil accepted it, and flipped the top open, his eyes glowing a little in pleasure as he retrieved the gift from inside: a large broach in the shape of a gold leaf, with golden jewels making up the sections of the leaf. Each gemstone caught the light beautifully, shining like bits of sunshine. It was quite beautiful, and impressive.

Apparently Thranduil thought so, too, for he made a gesture of thanks towards Ethelwen and Glorfindel, and carefully attached the broach to his tunic at the neckline. It stood out against the green material, which is probably what he had intended.

"I again welcome you to my lands," the Elf King said, gracefully taking his seat once more. "For you enjoyment, I have arranged a great many feasts and evenings of entertainment during your stay. These will begin this evening, after sunset."

We all recognized a dismissal when we heard it, and without hesitation, everyone bowed. I saw a small flick of Thranduil's finger signal the orchestra to strike up again, and a moment later, Hithil was beside me, asking that I follow her to a cluster of chairs that a mob of servants placed near the throne.

"For it will be easier for others to approach you, than for you to exhaust yourself walking the Hall," she explained, motioning towards a specially placed seat.

I was quickly took the chair indicated, with Glorfindel on one side and Gandalf on the other, with Balin seated beside Gandalf. Meanwhile, Ethelwen took a stance behind me, ready to fetch me any refreshments I might need, and possibly 'rescue' me from any uncomfortable situations or conversations that might arise.

The downside of being seated meant that a line of greeters could form. Most were nobility, welcoming me to Mirkwood and voicing their hopes that I would enjoy myself during my stay. Others seemed eager to get to Glorfindel, as though they could somehow rise up in society by saying the Elf Lord and somehow acknowledged them in public.

Gandalf was widely greeted, but poor Balin seemed to be getting snubbed a great deal by everyone outside our party. I guessed it was because he was a Dwarf, and I felt angry about it on his behalf.

Gandalf seemed to sense my frustration, for just as I was about to start lecturing the Mirkwood Elves on politeness, he leaned over and whispered something to Balin. The Dwarf seemed surprised at whatever was said, but he nodded in agreement.

I was shocked when Gandalf rose from his chair and the two switched places, with Balin taking a firm seat beside me. "Apparently, Gandalf feels that you and I didn't see much of each other during our journey through Mirkwood," he whispered in explanation. "Though I must admit, I rather like sitting next to a lovely girl like yourself."

I blushed and smiled at his compliment. "And I like sitting next to a charming Dwarf," I said back, watching the Elves before me to catch their reaction. "I am quite honored that you and Thorin regard me as a friend."

Balin reached over and patted me gently on the arm, the light of the room catching on the clear gems decorating his gauntlets. "Ah, lass, there are few in this world who wouldn't like you. If they don't, it's because they've no taste and no heart whatsoever."

Some of the Elves seemed to wince as Balin touched my arm, but a glare from Glorfindel made them behave. The rest of my greeters came and went, and by the time I was done, it was after noon, and there was a migraine forming just above my eyebrows.

"The lady needs rest," Ethelwen firmly informed Glorfindel as she brought me a cup of water flavored with mint. "We have been here for hours. She will need food and rest, before tonight's events."

Those who had come around for a second encounter reluctantly pulled back as Glorfindel took my hand and led me towards the dais, where Thranduil still sat. One of the King's servants was whispering in his ear as we approached, but before any of us could speak, he looked at Glorfindel and gave a nod.

"Come, dear one," my guardian whispered. "He has given us permission to withdraw."

As soon as we were out of the hall, Ethelwen gently took my arm and began leading me away from the Throne Room. Hithil appeared before we had gone far, and the two of them had me back in my quarters in no time.

It wasn't long before I was rushed into my bedroom by Ethelwen, who proceeded to change me into a nightgown, produce a tray of marvelous smelling food, and press a cup of medicine into my hand.

"Food first," she ordered. "Then the medicine. You will rest for an hour or so, and when you wake, I will have the servants prepare a hot bath. While you rest, I will choose a gown and jewels for you to wear tonight, and help you dress after your bath."

Everything proceeded exactly as she'd planned, and before I knew it, I was ready to face Thrandul at a dinner table.

Tonight, I was dressed as a princess. Ethelwen would have it no other way.

My gown was a deep emerald green shot through with gold thread, making it shimmer. Embroidered around the hemlines were vines of gold leaves, with a light dusting of gold crystals. My waist had a gold belt of gold and silver wire decorated with flowers.

A gold necklace with flowers and emerald leaves decorated my neck, while a matching headdress rested on my brow. Around my wrists were thin gold and silver bracelets; on my left hand was a ring with a gold stone, while my right had one with a round emerald.

"You look lovely, my lady," Ethelwen said, curtseying slightly. "If Thranduil doesn't look impressed, it's only because he's good at hiding it."

I saw her mouth twitch, and burst out laughing. "I think you're right," I said, looking down at my gown. "Well, I hope I won't shame the Rivendell dressmakers or my father this evening. Not with you and Lord Glorfindel sitting close to me, at least."

Ethelwen herself was lovely in a brown velvet gown trimmed in gold ribbon. Since she was 'just' my handmaiden, she wasn't going to wear any gown that outshone mine, but I did want her looking her best.

"Wear something from my jewelry box," I told her as the idea came to me. "No, don't argue. I want you to shine. Pick out a bracelet, and maybe a ring or two. If you'd like something simple, that's fine, but please chose something."

She hesitated, then reached into a hidden pocket of her gown, drawing out a simple gold necklace with a single, small gold leaf dangling from it. "It was my mother's," she explained. "I'd thought to wear it tonight, but wasn't certain."

"Then wear it," I softly told her. "I'm sure she would be proud to see you wear it before the King of Mirkwood and his court."

I fastened the clasp for her, and smiled at the way the leaf caught the candlelight. "Lovely," I complimented her. "I wish I'd thought to buy you things before, in Erebor or Lorien. I shall have to remedy that while we're here."

I waved aside her protests with a smile and a wink. "Or I could make hints that a few gifts for you from Thranduil would mean a great deal to me."

Then Hithil arrived, and it was time for us to put on our 'court faces.'

This time, as we entered the dining hall, it was Glorfindel who was at my side.

Clad in deep blue shot with silver, with a plain circlet on his brow, he was every inch an Elf Lord. There even seemed to be a sort of subtle glow coming from him, but I attributed that to the light coming from the thousand candles lighting the room.

I managed to keep my composure by focusing not on the bowing courtiers, but the tables where we would be dining. The high table in particular was covered with elegant silver dishes and sparkling crystal cups, the chairs crafted of mahogany and upholstered with fine velvet cushions. It was an impressive sight –but then, Thranduil thrived on creating a spectacle for his visitors.

Glorfindel and I were led to our spots at the great table. Ethelwen was to my right and Thranduil himself to my left. The moment we were seated, the courtiers attending the meal took their places, barely making it to their chairs before Thranduil signaled for the meal to begin.

I had thought the grand dinners in Rivendell and Lothlorien had been splendidly done, but they seemed rather miniscule compared to the offerings paraded by during this night.

A huge roast boar on a silver platter was brought to us by four servers, the skin glistening with fat and juices. Thranduil himself cut a piece for me, Glorfindel, and even Ethelwen, which greatly increased my opinion of him.

Roast goose, duck, and chicken were also paraded by, followed by thick steaks of venison and beef. Vegetables and potatoes cooked a dozen different ways were offered and served, followed by a somewhat citrusy broth to cleanse the palate.

Dessert was truly something to behold, as it was a beautifully crafted cake in the shape of a rolling hill, complete with trees and a river of shimmering sugar. I was incredibly impressed with the craftsmanship, and when a slice had been served to me, I asked that my compliments be given to the cooks and bakers. I also saw how smug Thranduil was, when he overheard my words, but managed not to be annoyed at him.

There was no ball this evening, since the meal had been rather heavy, but that did not mean there was no entertainment. Just as I was expecting us all to be dismissed back to our rooms, Thranduil gave a great clap of his hands, a signal that had the doors to the Hall springing open and a troop of Elves flow in.

I gasped in delight as some musicians rushed to take their places, and a dozen or so Elves gathered in the center of the hall, their voices rising up in song. The large space in the center of the room was quickly filled with couples excited to dance.

The sight of Middle Earth Elves dancing can give great joy, but also cause jealousy in humans. Even after all my dance lessons, I was still a bit disappointed in myself, knowing that I could never hope to match their grace. Only professional ballet dancers on Earth look anywhere close Elves in grace of movement when on a dancefloor.

Still, watching them was soothing, and the music lifted my spirits and made me smile. The dances had no stories behind them, but it was lovely to watch them glide and spin around, the ladies' gowns spreading out like unfurling flower petals as they whirled on their nimble feet.

During a pause in the music, I heard Glorfindel whisper to Thranduil, "Has your son not yet returned from his journeys? He has been gone for some time, and I was hoping to speak to him, as he is one of the finest warriors in your Kingdom."

The Elf King didn't seem pleased at the topic of conversation. "No, he has not returned. I believe he is in the North, spending time with the Rangers. The chance of adventure seems to have appealed to him far more than his duty to his realm."

"Oh, I doubt that," Glorfindel softly protested. "I met Prince Legolas years ago. He is dedicated to you, and your people."

He paused a moment. "But sometimes it is best to let the young find other paths. They will have time enough to think of serious matters, and a little adventure and excitement sometimes does one good."

Thranduil didn't seem convinced, but he did nod. "I expect him home sometime soon, though I was quite disappointed that I am unable to introduce him to the Lady Meluir."

I couldn't think why he'd want me to meet his son, but then, I suppose the children and foster children of royalty usually tried so spend a little time together. I just hoped he wasn't trying to play matchmaker.

'Don't be silly,' I chided myself as a pair of dancers took the floor, and a new melody was begun. 'Thranduil has a low tolerance for humans. There's no way he'd try and match his only son with one.'

Still, I was a bit disappointed at not being able to meet a future member of the Fellowship. Legolas was going to do some pretty awesome things during his travels with them. Plus, I had a soft spot for archers, because I'd always wanted to try it, but never did.

'I should ask Glorfindel if archery could be added to my lessons.' That was going to be one of the first things I did when I returned to Rivendell.

Tonight, however, I would allow myself to relax, enjoy the fluid movements of the dancers, and enjoy myself. Everything else could wait for another time.

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