I apologize for the late update. I my father is 86 and we thought he had covid. It took us a few days to get him into a doctor. He does not have Covid but he does have pneumonia which has hospitalized him before . Most recently last November. So I have been dealing with that. Until he is better chapters might come slower than normal. Thank you so much for reading. I promise I am not going to just stop in the middle of the story. It will be finished.


Juniper stood beside her husband. Watching everything about the ceremony. It was the first one she was witness to. Ryu was splendid in her white dress. White lace draped over her curves and spilled down around her feet. In contrast to the darkness of her eyes and hair. Her hair like a river of pitch that shimmered in the light with flecks of blue. She smiled as Tharanduil asks if they have the rings.

Moments before the ceremony began Juniper stood with Ryu in Thranduil's office. In Junipers hand was a small circle of silver. She took Ryu's small hand and lay the silver ring on the palm and pushed her fingers to curl around it.

"Thranduil told me this ring is for Legolas. He said that this ring is the one he wore when he was betrothed. His adar and his adar's adar all the way back to the first of their line wore these rings. The one that you will wear was worn by all the wives all the way back. He said that these rings will be passed to your son when he is betrothed. "

Ryu gasped and looked at the ring in her hand.

"When you are married you will replace the silver ring with one of gold. That is the ring you will wear all of you life and you will both be one. " Juniper wrapped her arms around her sister and hugged her tightly. "I am so happy. " She said in a whisper to Ryu's ear.

Then leaned back and looked her in her eyes. "But are you sure? Are you sure he is the one?" The look in her eyes told all the truth Juniper need to know.

"I am."

A rather exhausted looking Galion knocked at the door.

A few minutes later the ceremony was at hand. Thranduil was speaking the words. Words about love and bonding and the rings were exhanged and they were offically betrothed. Then they feasted.

Juniper was unusually quiet during all this. Seeming to prefer sitting alone and sipping wine. For some reason that night it tasted really good. She did mingle with those gathered . She danced with Thranduil and Elthian. Then watched as Ryu and Legolas sneaked away. A little grin formed on her lips.

The night continued and she drank more wine while sitting on the steps of the dais. Slowly the melancholy that had threatened to make her evening a bit less fun was fading and she had a buzzing sensation in her head. Elladan came to sit with her . He carried a bottle of wine with him. This bottle looked different than the others.

"My Lady." He bowed to her as he approached.

She was now feeling extremely social and swept her hand out before her in a generous motion. "Please my dear Elladan sit with me and share your wine." She thrust her goblet out towards him and smiled brightly. How could he say no? Which he didn't.

"You know this is Haldir's wine and its a bit different than Dorwinion." He said with a smile.

"What makes it different?" She asked and watched the dark amber liquid flow to her goblet.

"Haldir does something to it. He won't tell me what it is. Though I do have some suspicions." Elladan sat beside her now and just drank from the bottle and she lifted her goblet to her lips.

Then he continued. "It's a bit stronger. "

She took a deep drink and it almost burned as it went down but it had a fruity flavor which she found she did like.

"You don't say." The Queen remarked and coughed a little.

"I watched Legolas destroy what he had with Finnola." He leveled his gaze on Juniper who was drinking more from her goblet and she was finding she rather enjoyed the burn. "It was so harsh. I tried to warn him about his behavior prior but he did not listen. Now I know why."

Juniper held out her goblet to him and her other elbow pressing to her thigh as she rests her other hand against her cheek.

"Why Elladan?" She asked and watched him fill her goblet again.

"Look at him and Ryu." He said.

She shifted her gaze to them . They having returned from the tryst in the darkened corridors. They were laughing and they both had a white glow about them. She wondered if Elladan could see that. "That is what an ellon looks like when he finds his bond mate. Finnola was never meant for him. "

Juniper lifted her head from her hand and now looked more closely. Her lavender eyes honed in on them. There was so much joy to behold. She lifted the goblet and drank very deeply of the liquid within it.

"Well Finnola found her mate so all worked out. " Juniper said a bit of a slur to her words.

This did not go unnoticed by Elladan. "Glorfindel. Yes I have known him my entire life. It was going to take someone like Finnola to tame him down. He return from aman ready to fight. "

She leaned against tapestry covered wall behind her and looked at Elladan. "What was he like before?" Juniper was now fairly drunk but still extremely curious as ever.

"I did not know him then but I hear that he was more reserved. More quiet and gentle. He was always a great warrior Juniper. Glorfindel fought for days . I mean non-stop during the fall of Gondolin. He even slew a Balrog and saved many of his people. He lost his life for it but he returned as you know. "

She sat there enthralled by the indepth story she was told about Glorfindel. Far more than was in the books she had read .

"However, when he returned he was far more quick to fight. He was much stronger than he had been. They sent him back for a reason. He was returned to his people as their champion. The elves champion. It is said that he was touched by Tulkas and trained by him while he was in aman. He will not speak of it. Not once since I have known him has he ever spoken about aman."

"Trying to impress the Queen with tales of your glory days Elladan?"

They both looked towards the voice. She smiled widely seeing Elthian standing there. He was eyeing the Queen.

"My glory days? "Elladan said with a laugh. "My glory days have not even begun Elthian." He pushed himself up. "My Lady it has been a sheer pleasure speaking with you." He bowed and swept her small hand up in his and kissed the back of it tenderly. This made Elthian raise a brow. "Good luck Elthian." He laughed as he walked away.

She drained her globlet then of the march wardens wine. "Ohhh I meant to ask him to refill my goblet." She frowned and stared into the empty vessel.

Elthians brows creased. He gently lifted the goblet from her fingers and lifted it to his nose. He winced and pulled the goblet quickly away from him. "How much have you had of the March Wardens Wine Melamin?" He asked gently.

"Ermmm lets see. I had a few glasses of Thranduil's wine then Elladan .. You know what he said ? He was telling me about Glorfindel and ..."

Elthian lifting a finger and pressed it against her soft lips. "Shhh Melamin how many times did he refill your cup?" He asked slowly and calmly.

She kissed his fingertip and smiled. " Well he refilled it twice. "

The color drained from Elthian's face and he looked around for Elladan. Neither he nor his brother were visible. "Melamin I think we should get Thranduil and depart of the evening. " Now he was looking around for Thranduil.

"Why?" She blurt out . "I want to dance some more. "

Elthian looked at her . She couldn't even sit up straight. Her body leaned against the wall. Now Elthian was not entirely sober himself. This was a celebration after all. It took him a moment to locate the King. "You stay here please My Lady. " He left her then and she scowled at him.

"My Lord I need a moment of your time." Elthian said politely.

Thranduil excused himself from those he was speaking with. He was rather deep into his cups as well but he knew how to conduct himself properly even with that delicious buzz.

"Juniper has had at least 2 goblets full of Dorwinion and 2 of Haldir's wine. "

Thranduil looked wide eyed to him. "Who gave her Haldir's wine?" He growled lowly.

"You have Elrond's sons at this affair and you are asking me that? I found her with Elladan. He gave it to her and Elrohir more than likely put him up to it. I think we should leave. " Elthain suggested.

Thranduil's gaze found her . She was trying to get up from where she sat on the steps. He had to blink a few times to make sure he was seeing what he was seeing. She was inebriated. "Go get her and get her to the chambers. I will be along shortly." Thranduil growled and when he could not find either of Elronds spawn. He then looked for Elrond himself.

Elthian carried her along the corridors. They were quiet now with the exception of her giggling and prattle. She had shifted in his arms. Hers sliding over his shoulders. She pulled herself up so she could lick along his ear. Elthian blinked and gasped. She ginned and whispered drunkenly in his ear. "Lets get naked as soon as we are home. I mean at the door. " She finished with a wicked little giggle.

His steps got faster when she started to undo the ties of her dresses bodice. "Might as well get a head start." The words purred from her lips.

The guards at the door tried to not look. They however failed as she lifted up and draped herself over Elthian's shoulder and waved to them . Her giggles loud even as the door closed behind them. "Put me down Elthian. " She squirmed hard in his arms. He gently lowered her down as she stumbled around and finally got her footing.

"I love you." She said and smiled up at him. Her eyes heavily lidded in that moment. She kicked off her shoes . One went flying and hit the door behind Elthian's shoulder. She spun around and darted into the main room. A fire burned brightly in the fire place. Elthian sighed and looked down before following. He passed her dress which lay on the rug near the entrance.

She stood naked before the fire. her body awash in the orange light. She was swaying side to side as she watched the flames. She turned her head and looked at him form over her shoulder. " I'm guessing you don't want to be naked with me." She slurred out and made a pouty face.

Elthian began to move closer to her. "Oh yes I do want to Juniper. However, you are drunk."

She blinked a few times and grinned. "So this is drunk. I think I like it."

Thranduil walked with purpose towards his chambers. He was wondering why he was feeling as if he drank far more than he had and now he knew why. She was very inebriated. He opened the door with so much force that it hit was wall behind it with a loud thud. It made Elthian jump and looked towards the entrance.

Juniper gasped then giggled and took off in a staggering run towards Thranduil. "Melamin, Elthian said I am drunk. " She threw herself into his arms and he lifted her up . Embracing her closely.

"Indeed you are." He held her tightly and looked over to where Elthian stood. He wore a frustrated expression and shook his head .

"He said ..." She trailed off and pulled herself back so she could look at Thranduil. " He said he would not get naked with me because of it. You will though . Wont you Melamaminin." She burst into giggles then and began to wiggle.

Thranduil looked at her. His brows rising high . "Absolutely." He said with a grin. Then motioned with his head for Elthian to follow. He turned towards the bedroom and she wrapped her arms around him her head on his shoulder.

He whispered softly to her as he entered the room. "I know I made a promise but I am afraid I must break it. "

She moaned softly. "What promise?" The next words he uttered sent her to sleep.

Elthian entered just as he was laying her down making sure she lay on her side. "As much as it would have been fun to play tonight I am afraid that I do not relish a drunken tryst." He said and looked to Elthian. "I feel it best she sleep it off. " Elthian nodded to him. "Go find Elrond and if you can find his sons as well that would be best . Bring them to my private office."

Elthain sighed. "Yes My Lord. Though it will be dificult to not punch those two. How dare they." He remarked and left. Thranduil's attention back on his pixie. His hands gently caressing her head. "I am very sorry that I broke my promise."

Elrond was still at the celebration. Though it go on all night He appeared to be leaving. Elthian waited for him at the door. He scanned the room with his sweeping gaze and did not see either Elladan or Elrohir.

As Elrond approached Elthian stopped him. "My Lord." He spoke softly. " King Thranduil requires your presence in this private office. If you know where your sons are I suggest you bring them as well."

Elrond looked to Elthian . His brow creased heavily. "I see." He motioned for Lindir who immediately came to his lords side. "Find my sons and bring them to Thranduil's quaters. Quickly." Lindir nodded and hurried off.

"Now Elthian lets go and perhaps you can tell me what the issue is on the way."

Elthian turned to walk with him. " I think its best you speak with My King first." This made Elrond's brows raise. He was wondering what his sons had done now.

Elrond entered Thranduil's chambers with Elthian. Thranduil meeting them at the door. "Firstly. I need you to tend to my wife. Your son Elladan saw fit to give her Haldir's wine."

Elrond choked. "Take me to her now." The urgency in his voice made Thranduil move quickly.

"I placed her in a dreamless sleep." He explained as he entered the bedroom.

There curled up on her side was the Queen. Elrond moved to her side quickly. He sat on the bed and his hand pressed to her forehead. "Wake her Thranduil we must get her to vomit." Elrond rose and went to Thranduil's private medicine cabinet and began to look over the various vials.

Thranduil sat upon the bed and lifted Junipers small form into his arms and whispered to her . She did not awaken. "Juniper. You must wake up. "

He said gently to her and gave her a small shake. "Juniper? Please Melamin you must wake up. " His voice was beginning to sound more panicked.

"Take her to the bath. Use cold water . Immerse her in it. " The only bath that he could do that in was the one in down the hall. He lifted her naked form carefully and hurried from the room . Elthian was already there filling the tub with cold water.

"Hold her a moment. " He passed her to Elthian who was looking extremely worried. Thranduil shrugged off his robes and tunic leaving him in just his leggings . He climbed into the tub and lowered down in the rising cold water . Elthian passed her near lifeless body to him and she was lowered into the cold water.

"Wake up Melamin." Thranduil spoke to her softly . The cold was making her begin to move . She moaned softly. It was the first sign of life in those tense moments . "There you are come back to me." He held her to him and cupped cold water in his hand and poured it over her head. Realizing she was fevered then.

Elrond appeared at the door Thranduil looked to him. "She is very hot to the touch."

Elrond nodded. "Of course she is . She was poisoned by Haldir's wine. Does anyone know how much she drank?"

"She told me she had 2 goblets of Dorwinion and 2 goblets of Haldir's wine." Elthian answered as he pressed hard to the wall. His hands in fists.

Elrond winced as he sat on the stool beside the tub. "Get a bucket Elthian . When I get this in her it will not take long for it to work."

Elrond looked to Thranduil. "Hold her head up an back." Thranduil did as he was told. "Alright little fae You must drink this and I am sorry for what it will do. " The small cup was brought to her lips and gently he began to pour the mixture past them. Making her swallow it then pouring a bit more into her mouth. She began to moan and weakly squirm against it . The taste was terrible. She was too weak to fight too much and soon she had taken it all.

The bucket was placed down beside the tub. "Now we wait. It shouldn't be too long. "

There were several very tense moments before a bit more fight came to the fae and Thranduil helped her lean over the side of the tub. Elrond holding the bucket up as the contents of her belly were purged. Several times. In the middle of the 3rd retching Lindir arrived with Elrond's sons who now stood in the door way wide eyed. Watching the Queen be sick from the bathtub with Thranduil holding her and their father tending her.

All eyes were on them. Angry eyes. None more so than the Kings. Elrohir looked to his brother. "What did you do? " Elladan looked down appearing very guilty.

Thranduil scowled at them. "Elthian take them to my office. Unharmed." He added at the end seeing Elthian's rage building.

Once Elrond was satisfied that she was done vomiting he took her from Thranduil so he could rise from the water. He peeled his wet leggings off and dropped them on the floor with a splat. His robe lifted, he wrapped it around himself and took his wife back into his arms. She was shivering and whimpering softly. The fever had dropped since the cold bath and the purging of the rest of the alcohol from her stomach.

Thranduil lay her back in the bed gently. "The rest will have to take its course but I am sure she will pull through. Though she will be rather ill in the morning. I will do all that I can to ease her suffering. " Elrond said softly then sighed. "I do not think Elrohir had anything to do with this Thranduil but Elladan is very guilty" Thanduil said nothing. He just stared at Juniper and caressed her head.

He rose from the bed and turned towards the door walking past Elrond. Elrond knew it would be well within the kings rights to severely punish his son. He hoped he would not go overboard.

The morning came slowly. When she awoke she obviously felt terrible. Thranduil sat with his back against the headboard. Her small body cradled against his chest. He was encouraging her to sip the tea he offered to her. She didn't want it. She kept turning away from it. "You must drink it. It will help you to feel better. " His voice was gentle and encouraging and she would sip it although very slowly.

Elrond observed from the hallway. Recalling the scathing words he had spoken to his son and being grateful that he was only sitting in one of Thranduil's cells for the time being and not being further punished. Galadriel and Celeborn would be arriving today and he wondered how they would take to this news.

Hiroc rode hard along side Minogos. Of course he went too. He could not let his nephew go on this journey without him. Glorfindel rode to the back. They only stopped to rest the horses and themselves for a few hours a day. Hiroc was surprised that the large horse was doing so well.

He pondered what kind of woman this was to have Minogos willing to abandon his mission to save her. He had never seen him so driven over love. Minogos began to slow . His horse coming to a slow trot then then stopping. Hiroc slows and stops as well. As Glorfindel caught up he too stopped on the other side of Minogos. Gone was the dry desert landscape and they were now on rolling plains. The grasses brown with the season.

On the plain before them was a large herd of musk oxen grazing. In the far distance was a line of Mountains. "That is where we will find her. His castle is at the base of those mountains. Though I am unsure of how we should approach. There is not much cover and I am unfamiliar with this place. "

"Lets find a place to camp. The sun will be down soon. Perhaps after some food and rest . Real rest the plan will come to you. " Hiroc suggested.

Glorfindel agreed. "I know my mind would be less fogged with some rest. "

Minogos relented and agreed as well.

Juniper had drank the tea and even eaten some warm bread with a little butter. She was feeling better though her body felt as if she had fallen off a cliff. Elrond had joined them . He sitting in the high backed chair near the fire place. Thranduil still held her against his chest.

"What do you remember Juniper?" Elrond asked .

"I feel guilty." She began and Thranduil arched a brow as he listened. "It was Ryu's and Legolas' night. It was their celebration. Yet there was the sense of melancholy that I just couldn't get past. I was happy for them yet sad for myself. That is very selfish. I should not have felt like that. "

Thranduil spoke softly. "Why were you sad for yourself?" He asked. Her head lowered. She did not speak for several moments and finally she sighed.

"The ceremony was beautiful. In one year there will be another one and it will be even more splendid. I did not even know that was something I could have. " As she spoke Thranduil winced and looked to Elrond. "Then everyone was celebrating them. They were so happy. Everyone was dancing and laughing. Everyone was happy right along with them. It made me feel sad inside. I didn't even know there was a celebration for these things."

Thranduil held her tighter and lay his head on hers. "It was selfish to feel like that. I know it was. I'm not proud of that. I just couldn't stop feeling like that. I was given a goblet or wine and I drank it and I began to feel better so I drank another one and I was feeling even better. Elladan came and sat with me. I wanted more wine and he had wine so I asked him for a cup and he filled my goblet. "

They both listened with interest now. "He told me this was special wine made by mmmm its a name I don't know well. " She was thinking hard.

"Haldir." Elrond said gently.

"Yes that's him, Haldir. Haldir did something to the wine to make it special. It burned a little when I drank it but I kind of liked it so I told him to give me another cup and he did. He told me about Glorfindel. Things I didn't know . Then Elthian came and I am not sure what happened after Elthian came. "

Elrond looked to Thranduil. "This does not excuse him for his stupidity Elrond."

Elrond arched a brow. "It does excuse him from being malicious Thranduil. How could he refuse the demands of the Queen?"

She looked between them. Very confused. "What happened?"

"Melamin if you had only had a few goblets of Dorwinion wine there would have been no trouble. However, Elladan gave you Haldir's wine. It is very potent and you are very small. It poisoned you and made you very sick. If Elrond had not been there to tend you, You may not have woke up. " Thranduil explained.

"He did not mean to do this Juniper. It was reckless and stupid on his part. He did not think you would become so very sick. " Elrond explained gently.

She wiggled away from Thranduil and winced . She lowered her head to her small hands. "Melamin move slowly. "

She pushed his hands away. "What did you do to Elladan?" She asked and managed to lift her head and look back to him.

"He is in the dungeon. No harm has come to him but he needs to be punished."

She scowled. "I wanted the wine. I asked for it. He was only fulfilling my requests."

"He should have known better Juniper. My son is foolish but he is not that much of an idiot. I agree that he should have some punishment. Perhaps sitting in a cell for a few days will help him to become more wise." Elrond said with a gentle smile to her.

She sighed and now leaned back against Thranduil. Elrond poured her another cup of tea and handed it to Thranduil. "You need to drink more of this. It will help you to recover. " He said and Thranduil began to have her sip it.