***Still in the same timeline***

Queen takes Rook

Very early in the morning, Adrahan made his way to the King chambers. He knocked on the door and waited for Thranduil to answer.

"Greetings King Thranduil." A simple nod of his head indicated that the elf had his Lord's attention.

"I have come to report on the whereabouts of the Queen, as you asked."

"And?"

"She tried to exist the inner keep as you said, a few days past. The guards refused her access. She was dressed semi-formally. She turned and has not tried since. I believe today she will try again." The King nodded indicating for the captain to keep going.

"Like we observed, she goes every few days. All those days Nathaniel, the Ellon she meets with, is not on duty. We have tried rearranging the schedules, but it would seem she always knows which day to go."

"Today, this Nathaniel is not on duty is that it?" Adrahan nodded and continued his analysis.

"Exactly! My guess is that she will use her coming back to the stables with prince Legolas to slip away unnoticed. My night guard can keep his distance and follow her, but I doubt the normal guards on duty will drag the Queen back if she does not want to accompany them. It would also be counter productive to this mission. Until we know more of this Nathaniel's intentions, or the Queen for that matter, it would be wiser to let the events unfold themselves."

"Do you think the Queen is in any danger from this Ellon?"

"No my Lord, I am positive he means her no harm. We went through his file and he is a registered Avari soldier. I believe he was an acquaintance of the Queen Eveena during her past life in the northern plains. Although she clearly uses a false identity with him which we have not figured out just yet the reason behind it. Either he is very versed in the art of deception and deceit to even my spies, or he really has no clue that she is your Queen." He hesitated for a minute, unsure of the way to phrase his next words. "They…they have exchanged letters many times during their encounters." Thranduil turned to face his most trusted advisor. The frown on his face could not be deeper, his gaze was icy.

"Where is the Queen now?"

"She is strolling her private gardens my Lord." The pen in Thranduil's hand broke in two from the force of his clench to it.

XXXXXXX

The morning came quickly. I did not sleep that night. I strolled my private gardens even though His Majesty had forbidden it, whistling to the night's starling. The sunrise was coming fast at this time of year, the days were getting longer and longer. The prince knocked at my door. Well, I am pretty sure it was him anyway. Already in my ridding gear, I made haste to answer the door. Even though sleep did not take me tonight, I was as ecstatic as the young prince and therefore, he would not tell of my predicament. But it was not the prince. It was the King.

"My lord?" Clearly my surprise was evident in my voice and my eyes.

"Legolas is almost ready." He hesitated for a little but pursued. "I wanted to make sure you were up and about." He was doubting me and my commitment to this. I can understand why. I have disappointed the prince many times in the past years, and I will most likely disappoint him many times in the futur.

"Of course, your Majesty." He entered my room without an invitation and paced the tile floor. It almost sounded like the ticking of a clock for he was very steady in his pacing. He was troubled.

"Legolas did not mention the road you were taking or your destination. Enlighten me." Perhaps it was worry who was making him fidgety. I could understand.

"We are taking the horses and not the Elk's, so it will be through the main elven road. We are to make haste and be at the waterfalls close to Laketown before the sun rises. We will have an escort therefore I doubt anything is bound to happen my Lord. It is a commerce road frequented by many." He stopped abruptly and turned to face me. Hands behind his back, his sneer was evident in his face.

"I will decide if it is a calculated risk that I am willing to make, you know NOTHING of this kingdom and the dangers lurking in the forest. Do not act as if you would." His tone implied finality. I did not contradict him this time either. I did spend most of my time caged in his keep and it is true that I know little of his realm. But I know of danger and I know how to fight.

"I will be armed; the prince will be as well."

"And after a sleepless night defying my commands, how can you claim that your aim with your bow will be true?" His arched eyebrow and his look of disdain for my apparently great abilities with a bow were clearly being questioned. He was an infuriating Ellon, managing to make someone feel inferior, clueless, and stupid all in one sentence. How could he know I defied his order? No one was there. He must have guessed. Lying would not do me good.

"I wanted fresh air." My voice let no emotions transpire.

"Ah! That is rich! Fresh air. Do I look like a fool? A simpleton?" I shook my head to indicate no. He extended his arm toward the balcony very theatrically. "Your rooms are a bay window of fresh air! Do you enjoy defying me as such, does it amuse you? I clearly expressed my refusal for you to walk your private gardens. And here, in the middle of the night, you disobey me intentionally. Fresh air!" He threw his hand up in the air to mimic folly.

Somehow, this has turned out from a conversation about Legolas' welfare during our ride to the King's displease of my night stroll. It felt like he was overacting a little. But then again, Thranduil was prone to not be very consistent in his temper and reasoning when it came to dealing with me.

"I understand your concern my King, but the escort should provide the best protection as they are all warriors of your realm. I will merely arm myself as a habit of going out of the outerkeep and into the forest wandering. I should not have to make use of my bow. My sleepless night should not be a hindrance to my abilities either."

"We will continue this conversation later. Be sure to be back at midday. And no more strolling in your gardens!" Thranduil stormed out of my room just as quickly as he entered it. The door slammed shut behind the rush of fabric. What a strange exchange indeed. The king seemed out of it, of some sort.

Legolas was already in the stables when I arrived. He had taken the liberty to start taking up my horse. What a gentle and considerate young Ellon. We set off to a rapid pace to make it before the sun rose. It was too fast a pace to entertain conversation or look at the scenery. The moon still shone brightly to guide our path on the way. Dawn was upon us when we arrived at our destination. Legolas beamed with joy. We dismounted and made the rest of the way on foot. We had to manage our way between the trees, branches, and rocks close to the edge of the river below. Near the water we sat and waited in silence, for a while.

"I remember you telling me that your people worship the sun. I thought you would like to come and see it's first ray hit the falls as it is important for your people and this scenery is mostly ethereal." I smiled at him. Oh, how fast he was growing! This year, he would become of age to start running around Mirkwood on his own. But It is not until his 81st birthday that he would be a full fledge adult and ready to take on the world.

"Thank you, my young prince. I am most delighted you thought of me." His smile was strained. Something displeased him. We stayed for a while, until the dark orange sky turned into blue hues. Our ride back was much more relaxed. Legolas inquired a little about the training of the horses by my people. He asked genuinely good questions. I answered simply, to the best of my abilities. He went through a little monologue on his everyday life. I simply nodded to his antics to let him know that I was listening.

On the last stretch, when he rode in front of me at a little canter, with his long golden locks flowing behind him, he reminded him of his father when he came north to my people. Thranduil had answered my fathers call that day, against all odds he had come to our aid. I remember when his soldiers clad in shining armors atop their large beasts made the appearance over the hills, how otherworldly they had looked. He was by far the most handsome Ellon I had ever seen. I must have been only around 70 in those days. Still not of age. His army defied the orcs left in Gundabad and prevailed easily, their fighting ability was unquestioned, and their number was much more imposing than the foul beasts. Thranduil's first Queen fell in battle on those lands.

Although a great friendship between my father and the king started from that day onwards, Thranduil grieved. Legolas had just been born. My father was invited often to the Woodland Realm and so he would grace King Thranduils' halls on many occasions. This is how he came to know the undying lands and had the desire to set sail with my mother as well as some of our people. When I became of age, my father decided to bring me along during his visit with the King of the Greenwood. I have to say, I was quite excited about the whole ordeal. It was my first time into other elves' territory, and I was looking forward to meeting many of my age. There was a bit of a romantic feeling to it, being the maiden from far away lands.

As the story goes, you know that I did not get to meet many Ellons from Greenwood, since as soon as I arrived, the King already had his eyes on me. I am not sure if it is out of genuine interest for me, because I attracted him or out of a deal he struck with my dad, but it sure felt like I was sold to him in exchange for a passage to Valinor. Perhaps it is exactly how it was. But Thranduil was patient with me, gave me time to adapt, made me spend time with his son quite a lot. Legolas was such a good Elflying when he was younger. He still is. But it is just so different from before.

We arrived at the stables and I was still lost in memories. The stables were situated in the Outerkeep section; therefore, it would be a good moment to simply slip away into the market like I use to do. Nathaniel was off duty today and I was confident he would find me there. I jumped off my horse and made way to untack him as efficiently as possible. Stable hands came to assist me, but as fast as they offered some help, I sent them away. In our peoples' traditions and way of living, taking care of the animal that let us ride him is the least anyone can do. Even my father, the leader of our people, always took care of his own. They then went to assist the young prince while some continued their chores of the day. Legolas came to me already ready to leave and left the hands to take care of the rest.

"Are you coming mother?"

"No Legolas, I still have to brush him down, and feed him. But you go ahead! You can tell your father about all of our sightseeing."

"The stables managers can take care of that. Come mother!" He was not ordering me but was mostly excited to drag me to Thranduil. I would not indulge him.

"No Legolas, where I come from, horses are sacred." I ran my hand on the horse's neck and shoulder turning my attention back to the animal. "I will finish up in here and be on my way afterward. I will join you later." He nodded a little displease, or disappointed could have been the better word for it as I could tell there was no more skip in his step. He simply walked up the aisle and made his way towards the innerkeep, back to his father. As promised, I finished up in the stables, but instead of heading to the inner keep, as would have been expected of me, I left the stables through the side door. It led to a stairway through the tree roots and would bring me close to the eastern gate. It was not the fastest route to the market, but it was the least crowded.

I came across various types of people, but mostly commoners. They bowed their head at me, but very slightly, as if to simply acknowledge my presence and bid me a good day. I was still dressed in my riding gear. Although it was more modest than a dress like I usually wore, it was still made with embroidery and intricate patterns, the fabric was of dark blue velvet, so it offered a noble look to it. I definitely still passed for an Ellyth above standard earnings, but not as evident as a noble lady of the court.

XXXXXXX

Thranduil saw his son enter his study from the corner of his eyes. All paperwork were left on the desk as the king rose to welcome his returning son.

"Had a nice ride I presume." Legolas nodded eagerly to his father and told all of the morning events, although uneventful it was.

"Where is the Queen?" Thranduil finally managed to ask. Legolas' eyes looked up at his father and they soon watered very slightly.

"She stayed behind at the stables." The King waited for the crown prince to continue his story.

"She said that horses are sacred amongst her people and she told me to go on, that she would stay behind to take care of the animal." Right eyebrow raised as an indication of questioning to his son.

"How does that make you upset Legolas? She is truthful to her traditions; horses are sacred for the Avari." The young prince pouted somewhat slightly. It was a curious behavior for one his age. In barely 20 years he would be of age. He would be able to rule.

"It's just that…she barely gave me a few words today on our ride. And it was to thank me for thinking of bringing her, she said it like...like when you praise one of your captains and he is thanking you. It was very solemn. I told her all about my studies, how I was doing in my archery practices, but she did not seem to care or to be interested in it. I am confused Ada. She does not love me anymore. And I have not done anything mean to her I swear, I love her." The shoulder of the king stiffened. The smile he bestowed upon his son was tense. The words came out sharper than intended.

"Do not worry about such things Legolas, YOU have done nothing wrong." The King's hand came to rest on his son's shoulder. A little squeeze of them had an encouraging effect. "Talking about archery, Adrahan is teaching you today how to shoot effectively from a horse. Don't change out of your riding gear so soon, he will take you right after lunch." The hurt and sadness in the prince's eyes lifted immediately. Thranduil was left to his own thoughts as the prince flew from the room in search of food before the afternoon events. Pacing in his study, the king was much more than displeased, he was furious.

Next up, the awaited scene with Nathaniel :) stay tuned! Can't wait to hear from you guys!