And so enter a very overprotective Thranduil. When it comes to his children's safety, especially his little girl, he gets easily stirred up!

"You'll have to keep this dry, my lady." Maerwen instructed Alasse as she finished bandaging the injured arm.

"Yes." Alasse nodded.

"And you shall take another dose of pain-reducer before dinner."

"I will. Thank you, my friend." Alasse sighed. She was feeling weary, but her mind could not just quiet down no matter how tired she felt!

What was Thranduil going to think if he found out? Maybe he would understand why she and Legolas trained? She hoped so, but she knew it was unlikely. And if Thranduil ever disapproved of something, he hardly ever voiced his true reasons behind it, expecting everyone to just accept his voice alone as law. He and Legolas had gotten into many arguments, as Legolas was a very curious elf and liked to know the objective of things, rather than follow blindly, and more often that not, Thranduil would give him a simple, but ill-worded or arrogant response and leave it at that.

Alasse retreated to her room and looked down at her arm. It didn't hurt as much, with Maerwen's medicine working, and it would heal very soon, nothing to worry much about. But Alasse felt embarrassed that it even had happened and how it had happened. "I'm a terrible fighter." She muttered to herself. A knock came to the door. "Who is it?"

"It's me, child!" Tatsu, Alasse's personal maid and her nanny since infancy answered.

"Come in." Alasse called. Tatsu stepped inside and strode over to the bed.

"Oh my child, are you alright?" She crooned.

"I'm alright, Tatsu. Maerwen fixed me up. I'll be fine." Alasse smiled.

"Your brother told me what happened. The poor boy looked petrified."

"I don't blame him." Alasse shrugged. "He's worried about Ada finding out."

"I see!" Tatsu agreed. "Is there anything I can get for my favorite princess? Perhaps some tea to soothe your nerves?"

"Yes, thank you! Oh, and Tatsu? Think you could help me find an outfit for dinner? Are any of my long-sleeved dresses clean?"

"I believe so." The old nursemaid winked.

Unfortunately for Legolas, Thranduil had managed to pry himself from council meetings and was fully intending to have dinner with his family. He sat at the end of the table in his great chair as the servants added delicacies and wine and water to the table. Alasse came in first. She bowed as she approached Thranduil then took her seat on his left. "Where is your brother?" Thranduil asked.

"He is coming, Ada. He had something he had to tend to first." Alasse replied, sipping her water. "So, how was your day?"

"I'd rather not discuss it." Thranduil said dismissively. Alasse nearly choked on her water. So, he was in a bad mood? Oh Valar, they better play it extra safe tonight!

"Oh. That bad?" She tried to ask casually.

"Ai." Thranduil grunted. "How was your day?"

"Uhm..." Alasse bit her lip. "Alright, I guess."

"Boring, hmm?" Thranduil teased. Alasse giggled nervously. Her day had been anything but boring! "Well, if your brother is not going to show up, we might as well start without him." Thranduil helped himself to buttering a roll. Alasse began filling her plate.

Thranduil cocked his head curiously as he noticed the helpful servings she was taking. She had been acting extra hungry for a while. And another thing, she had been looking and acting almost just as tired as him and Legolas at the end of the day too. He wasn't sure if it was anything to worry about, but it was abnormal. "Hungry are we?" He asked lightly.

"Oh. I didn't realize." Alasse blushed sheepishly.

"Your appetite has increased for a while. Do I make you that nervous?" Thranduil smirked. Alasse struggled to keep her expression calm and normal, but it was next to impossible. "And you have been extra tired too, even though you have told me that sometimes you nap in the afternoon. Can you explain yourself?"

"I'm sorry I worried you." Alasse answered quickly.

"I expect no less from my children. It's my lot in life to worry." Thranduil sighed.

"I am sorry I am late, Ada." Legolas panted as he marched to the table, bowed, then took his seat. "Alasse, save some for me!"

Legolas and Thranduil discussed the results of the council meetings, though Alasse and Legolas both were only half-listening. They weren't little anymore, so they couldn't get away with 'accidentally' dropping silverware under the table to speak in codes. "What do you think on that point, Legolas?" Thranduil asked. "Legolas?" He spoke louder.

"Hmm? I'm sorry. What?" Legolas gaped.

Thranduil rolled his eyes and huffed. "You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" He muttered. "It's your job to be attentive!"

"Sorry, Ada." Legolas gulped.

Alasse reached for her goblet of wine and did not notice a shred of white material peeking out underneath the bottom of her right sleeve, more visible than she would've wanted, if she'd noticed. But Thranduil did! He gazed at her other wrist and didn't see the white cloth. "Alasse, what is that?" Thranduil asked.

"What is what?" Alasse asked innocently.

"That stout strip of white covering your arm." Thranduil pointed out. Legolas froze and turned a few degrees pale. Alasse's jaw dropped.

"Oh, that? It's just..." She tried to speak.

"That looks like-a bandage!" Thranduil sputtered. He took her hand in his and shoved her sleeve up her arm. "Alasse! What is this? What has happened to you?" Thranduil asked.

"It was just an accident, Ada. I'm fine." Alasse said, trying to put her sleeve back down.

"What happened?" Thranduil persisted.

"I...I cut myself." Alasse said lowly.

"How?"

"Doesn't matter. It's taken care of." Alasse said, trying to end the matter.

"DOESN'T matter? Doesn't matter?" Thranduil boomed. "There's a sizable divot on your arm, and you say it's nothing? I want to know what happened, and I want to know now!"

"Well…"

"It was my fault!" Legolas blurted out.

"It was not, Legolas. It was mine. I was careless. I didn't pay attention to what I was doing." Alasse argued.

"But it was my idea." Legolas insisted.

"Enough!" Thranduil declared angrily. "You will address your answers to me. Will someone explain just what is going on here?"

"Well, Ada...you see...I...Legolas and I...we...we've been..." Alasse stammered.

"Yes?" Thranduil narrowed his eyes.

"I've been teaching her to fight!" Legolas announced. Might as well get it over with. Thranduil's blue eyes widened as he gasped, staring at the two of them in horror.

"That's right, Ada. Legolas is training me to defend myself. I had an accident today during one of our sessions, and..." Alasse said meekly.

Thranduil pinned his menacing glare on Legolas. "You've what?!" He growled lowly. "You've been training her in the use of arms?"

"Yes, I have." Legolas said boldly.

"Without asking me?"

"We didn't think we had to, Ada. Legolas is only trying to prot-" Alasse started.

"He's only trying to get you killed!" Thranduil cut her off sharply.

"That's not true!" Legolas and Alasse both protested, shocked at their father's words.

"Have you suddenly lost your wits, the both of you? You know what you are doing? You are setting her up as an easy target. Anything could take her down without a moment's notice, and she would die trying to defend herself."

"Ada, Legolas is only trying to protect me." Alasse cut in.

"Protect you? Is that what you call it? I am your protection, princess." Thranduil snarled. "Just how long have you both been at this...this folly?"

"It is not folly, Father! I'm trying to save her life!" Legolas nearly shouted, rising to his full height from the table. He was lividly taken aback that his dad would react this way, and accuse him of being so disregarding.

"Answer the question." Thranduil glared.

"About six months." Alasse answered, keeping her eyes in her lap.

"And all that time, you have gone behind my back, committing this absurdity." Thranduil snapped. "Tauriel! Feren!" He bellowed. Alasse and Legolas stared at each with absolute shock. What had set him off so hard? Thranduil was being ridiculous! Feren and Tauriel soon arrived. They bowed respectfully.

"My lord." Tauriel addressed him first.

"Did you two know that Legolas been spending considerable time in the training fields, with my daughter?" Thranduil asked icily. Both elves cleared their throats.

"Yes, my lord." Tauriel nodded.

"Feren?"

"Ai, my king. I knew." Feren replied meekly.

"So, that's your game, huh?" Thranduil rose to his feet, pacing around the table with his hands behind his back. "Everyone conspires behind my back and does as they please-playing with my daughter's life-, knowing I would not approve. Have you all lost your sense of duty?"

"Father! It was my sense of duty that led me to make the choice!" Legolas declared defensively. "I'm trying to help her. Do you want someone like Durion to be able to go after her again?" Thranduil whirled around and gaped dangerously at Legolas.

"Trying to help her? This is not the proper solution. I expected you especially, Legolas to be more sensible about this." Thranduil sneered.

"Ada, stop please!" Alasse begged.

That did it! Legolas threw his napkin on the table. "So, that's the way you feel about it, huh?" He growled. "I'm sorry if caring about my sister's safety suddenly makes me a stupid son!" He spun on his heel.

"Legolas, no..." Alasse implored.

"I am not finished, Legolas!" Thranduil shouted.

"I am!" Legolas called back and marched out of the room. Tauriel and Feren cringed with wide eyes. What the heck had gotten Thranduil so riled over a good thing like this? He glanced at them and his daughter. Alasse stared at him, confused, angry, and hurt with tears running down her face.

"Get out. Leave me! And don't any of you come to speak to me until I have sent for you." Thranduil demanded. Alasse shook her head, and practically ran from the room. Tauriel and Feren sighed in frustration and left without so much as a bow.

Thranduil stood there, huffing with rage. He grabbed a goblet and threw it against the wall. Then he dropped down into his seat and rubbed his whirling head.