Thranduil was not fully comfortable with the current arrangement in the Mirkwood palace healing ward, though he had been 'home' for a month now and the dreary dilapidation of the summerhouse lay behind him.

The pains in Thranduil's shoulder and torso were fading as the skin bonded together and hinted at leaving a pink scar once the stitches were pulled loose. He could sit up himself without collapsing from the agony of movement and his voice rapidly grew stronger over discussions with Ailunai, Nimrethil, Jailil, and Hyrondal.

His healing chamber was big and beautifully lit, with a view of the kitchen gardens through the massive floor-length window parallel to Thranduil's bed. Oropher's bed was closest to the window and, though fifteen feet separated them, Thranduil cringed in the king's presence. He did not wish to share a room with Oropher but, in the healing ward, Avaron's decision was final.

One fresh morning with birds outside the window and laughter rising from the kitchen gardens below, Jailil walked into the room. Thranduil sat in the company of Ailunai, Nimrethil, and Hyrondal, but Jailil's face changed the voice of the room and even Nimrethil fell silent. Oropher glanced up from his book.

"Look," Jailil said, "I have a new belt."

"Why!" Nimrethil exclaimed. She sprang out of her chair and ran around Jailil. "It is green. Is your training finished?"

Jailil shook his head. "No. I will stay on under Avaron's instruction but Avaron—he said I earned the belt of a healer after the summerhouse. He gave it to me last night. I almost did not wear it."

"I see we are not the first people you told!" Nimrethil accused. She fingered the elaborate bow on Jailil's hip. "You can tie a knot but not this."

Jailil flushed. "Delya and I happened to cross paths this morning. She—she has decided to take up training in the apothecary department preparing medicines."

"Happened to cross paths?" Nimrethil tossed her head. "There is no such thing!" She sank back into her chair with a snort.

Thranduil chuckled. He missed the banter. He turned to Ailunai sitting beside him. "What happened after I left? None of you have mentioned a thing. Did—elves die?"

Nimrethil sobered. Jailil cast Ailunai a warning look. Ailunai brushed her golden hair off her shoulders and her blue eyes darkened. "We have not spoken of it, Thranduil, because there is nothing to say."

"Tell me!" Thranduil exclaimed. He sat up straight and gasped. "Ow."

"Sit back!" Oropher snapped. "You cannot heal if you refuse to rest!"

Ailunai guided Thranduil back against his pillows with her slender hand on his chest. She leaned closer. "The memories are painful, especially for me. I never thought I would be able to hurt another elf, but I found myself the only halt between armed warriors and innocent, helpless people!" Her voice rose. "I have never found myself so angry, Thranduil, as I was that day when the royal guard tried to herd those of us who dared stand up to tyranny out of our homes. I did not kill anyone, but I fought back!"

"I object to your use of the word tyranny," Oropher said.

"Hmph!" Nimrethil replied. "Thranduil, it was terrible. We fought for days and, even after we heard what happened at the summerhouse, the council insisted on carrying out that wretched—em—the King's departing order."

"There was so much hate," Ailunai said thickly. "Mirkwood was being fed blood, Thranduil! I never thought I would see elves killing elves, but it happened. I grew angry."

"It was marvelous!" Nimrethil interjected.

"I am sorry I could not be here," Thranduil said. "I am sorry I could not stand with you."

"Do not be sorry your fight took you elsewhere," Ailunai replied. "You fought where you had to. I am relieved you were not here to see me in my anger. It is the ugliest moment of my life."

Thranduil raised his eyebrows. "Now I am worried."

Ailunai ducked her head. "I may have destroyed the royal gardens."

"May have!" Nimrethil exclaimed. She flung out her arms. "It is all rubble."

"Yuai took me to observe the wreckage after I returned," Hyrondal added. "There is nothing left save a stone bench and its pavilion."

"Afterwards," Ailunai said, with a hint of a smile, "The council realized they would have to appease me and called off the attack. Avaron requested we say nothing. He did not wish your peace of mind disturbed."

"I cannot heal without knowing what I am healing for," Thranduil answered.

"Those elves who did not die in the attack are home," Ailunai said. "I do not know for how long. The council might issue another banishment order."

Thranduil sat up. "Over my dead body!" he said savagely.

Jailil folded his arms. "In my new capacity as healer, I must insist you all leave now. You are exciting the patient."

"I will be back tomorrow," Ailunai said low. She kissed Thranduil before accompanying Nimrethil and Hyrondal from the room.

"Rest," Jailil said, before he shut the door after him.

Thranduil turned his head against the pillow and glanced at Oropher. The king was still focused on his book.

The healing chamber vibrated with sunshine the next morning. The yellow curtains pulled back revealed the greening colors in the kitchen gardens. Oropher's bedside table shuddered under a stack of books and scrolls, as did Thranduil's, and both elves were engrossed in breakfast.

Thranduil's tray held a pile of fluffy biscuits topped with a note from Nimrethil. Thranduil offered one to Oropher, but the king shook his head. Thranduil shrugged and buttered a biscuit. As he ate the last crumbs and set his empty tray aside, a knock sounded, and Onyx came in. He drew up a chair to Thranduil's bed and sat down.

"You have not come to see me until now," Thranduil accused.

"I am satisfied you are healing," Onyx answered. The hollowness of his voice startled Thranduil. "I did not wish to not see you, but I was not encouraged by the company you keep."

"Onyx," Thranduil said. "What is wrong?"

"I regret I will miss your return to full health," Onyx replied. "I am moving."

"Where to?"

"Eastern Mirkwood."

Thranduil's smile faded. "Eastern Mirkwood? Eastern Mirkwood—is weeks away! You are leaving."

Onyx avoided Thranduil's gaze. "I need space. Need to find my own answers—about now. I cannot stay here, Thranduil. I am so full of hate in this place." He stood. "Goodbye, little brother. I am only sorry you cannot come with me."

"Onyx!" Thranduil shouted, but his brother walked out the door without looking back.

Thranduil gritted his teeth. He flung off his blankets and braced his hands against the mattress. Harune appeared in the doorway before he could rise. "Thranduil! No. You will hurt yourself."

"I do not care!" Thranduil cried. "Let me go, ada! I am sorry about Sapphire. I am." He fought against Harune's hand on his chest holding him from rising.

"Onyx does not blame you for her passing," Harune said softly. He sat down beside Thranduil and put an arm around his shoulders. "He blames himself. As he said, he needs space to find his own peace. Let him go. He will come home when he is ready."

"It is my fault," Thranduil said quietly. He clenched his hands in his lap. "If I had not gone—"

"You would live knowing you did nothing," Harune said. "Sapphire chose her path. She died proudly following her heart. You did the only thing that was right."

"Why does it feel so wrong?" Thranduil whispered. He shut his eyes and two hot tears streaked out. "Is—is Jade coming home?"

"She received my letter," Harune answered. "She wrote back to say she is staying in the Iron Hills."

Thranduil wiped his eyes. "Surely her ambassadorial duties are not so important she cannot come home?"

Harune combed his hand through Thranduil's blond hair. "She did not say so in words, but I believe she found someone to love."

Thranduil blinked. "He might be a dwarf."

Harune laughed. "It is likely. She will come home when she is ready too."

A chill crept through Thranduil's heart and froze his tears. The horror leaked into his voice. "Then, ada, you—you are all alone . . ."

Harune wrapped him in a gentle, careful hug but Thranduil still winced. "I am not alone, ion nin. My family lives in my heart and I have you. I will Onyx and Jade, yes, and I will weep over Sapphire's absence, but I shared a lifetime with her I will not soon forget. Because I grieve, Thranduil, does not mean I am alone."

Thranduil let out a long breath. "I love you, ada. I hope I will be . . . welcome company."

"Always," Harune assured him. He kissed the top of Thranduil's head.

April's Fools! I was tempted to 'fake' post this chapter, but I love it and y'all too much to be so wicked . . .

Next Chapter: One more chance for Oropher!