Thranduil was strolling through the castle grounds near the training field. He peered in through the trees without being noticed, where he could clearly see his daughter and Bellethiel sparring together. He frowned sourly. Naturally, he wanted Alasse to be able to hold her own against enemies, but after actually losing her to one, he dreaded the thought of her fighting at all. He prayed she wasn't planning to reenter that dangerous world. Not after the efforts he had gone through to get her back!
Thranduil noticed Bellethiel charge Alasse, and though she dodged the taller, stronger elleth's block, Bellethiel fiercely took a mighty flick at Alasse's sword. While Alasse managed to keep a grip on her weapon, the other elf swung at her again and this time, Alasse fell and landed flat on her back. Thranduil instantly panicked and started to run over to help her. Bellethiel knelt directly over her with her long dagger tilted at Alasse's chin. "Do you admit defeat, Your Highness?" She asked threateningly.
"No!" Alasse growled, kneeing her friend in the shin and elbowing her onto her own backside, then she swiped the dagger from Bellethiel's hand with one graceful snap of her blade.
"Excellent, mellon." Bellethiel smiled widely. "That is the best you have done this week."
Alasse held out her hand to help her friend up when Thranduil hurried to her side. "Alasse, are you alright, child?" He asked frantically.
"Oh. Hello, Ada. Of course I'm alright." Alasse chuckled. "Did you see what just happened?"
"I did. You both should be more careful!" Thranduil growled. "Especially you, Bellethiel." He narrowed his eyes at the warrior. "My daughter was in bad shape before I brought her back here. I will not see her fall into it again!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Bellethiel said meekly.
"It's my fault, Ada. It was my idea." Alasse added.
"I have assigned you to protect my daughter, not to harm her and put her back in the frail state I prayed I would never see her in again!" Thranduil fumed at Bellethiel.
"Ada, please calm down." Alasse grabbed his arm. He looked down at her darkly.
"And, you. For Valar's sake, stop being so reckless! Are you trying to get yourself killed? You're not Legolas, Alasse. Stop trying to be like him!" Thranduil hissed and turned on his heel. Both she-elves were left standing there, surprised and dejected.
"Perhaps this was not such a wise idea." Bellethiel said.
"He has been so on edge ever since we returned from Gondor. It's been two and a half months, and he is still so frazzled." Alasse mumbled.
"I think he's worried about you. And I do not blame him in the least." Bellethiel smiled.
"Well, he didn't have to snap at you so harshly. I'm sorry I got you in trouble."
Bellethiel pulled her princess to her in a side-hug. "For what it's worth, that was a spectacular stunt you pulled back there. I must say, I am impressed." She said encouragingly.
"Really?" Alasse's face lit up.
"Ai. Really."
"Legolas taught it to me. He's...taught me so much." Alasse said sadly.
"You miss him very much, don't you?"
"Very much. But at least I still have him. You on the other hand..." Alasse stopped talking. Bellethiel looked away and her eyes glistened with tears at the back. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have..."
"It's alright." Bellethiel waved her off, trying to wipe her eyes. She cleared her throat and plastered a tearful smile. "Excellent work today, Alasse. Keep it up! Excuse me!" And she dashed away, covering her face. Alasse was grateful for the praise, but now felt saddened at her friend's heartache, and thinking about Lindethiel.
"Ada should know about what happened to me when I saw Naneth." Alasse said to herself. "Maybe right now would be a good time to tell him?"
Thranduil was vexed. Why had he flown off the handle like that? It had only been a simple fall! It wasn't as if she'd cried out in pain or anything like that. His daughter of all people should know how to protect herself. Why was he so bent on making sure she didn't learn how to better it? It was such a messed up mindset he had webbed into himself. He truly knew he'd acted ridiculously out there in the training field. But how was he supposed to not? After seeing his little girl slip under death's icy fingers then just get dropped back into his life again? Thranduil was torn with not only his plan now, but also his current instantaneous, overbearing input on how she spent her time. If only Calathiel was here! His beloved wife. If she was here, would she be the one fretting all the time? Would he be the one to tell her that their children needed breathing space? Without his soulmate to whisper it in his ears right this minute, Thranduil felt so lost.
"Dear Aragorn,
In two days' time, we shall be leaving for Dale. I am looking forward to seeing Bard and his family again. He has been fair king to his people. Yet I can still recall when he was merely a humble bargeman, scrimping and saving every wage he could to take care of his sweet family. He's a fine man. How I wish you could accompany me! You would get along splendidly with Bard and his son, Bain. But I am afraid Bard will have passed by the time you pay a visit to his kingdom.
I am excited to be on the road again, though it feels so awkward without you, Gimli, or Legolas coming along! I cannot describe just how out of place that feels! Tatsu has agreed to come along. She is thrilled and terrified. She has never ventured outside the Woodland Realm. And I intend for her to see more of the outside world when she comes back to Gondor with me.
How are Faramir and Eowyn faring? How is their little one? Last I heard, she is beginning to show, and that everyone says Faramir has never looked more proud and can't stop smiling.
Ada is still so tense. I thought that being home he would've settled by now.
I must end this for now. Be safe, my love, and just do your best, till we meet again.
Yours always,
Alasse Thranduiliel"
At dinner, Thranduil apologized for his outburst. Of course, Alasse acted like it was no big deal, but it still confused and troubled her.
It was nearly midnight. Thranduil went to Alasse's room to ask her if she wanted to take a stroll through the gardens with him under the stars. He knocked but there was no answer. "Alasse?" He called. She still didn't answer. Panic gripping him, he burst into the bedroom and rushed to her bedside. He immediately felt foolish. She was safely lying on the bed, over the covers. Her eyes were glazed over, so she was asleep, with a medical text book sprawled out across her chest, her arm clutching it. Thranduil smiled sadly. It reminded him of when she and Legolas were elflings, and had played so hard during the day that they couldn't stay awake at dinner. "What a fool I am." Thranduil scolded himself. He reached down, taking the book from her hand and caressed her forehead. "I think you have done enough studying for the day, my dear." He said, setting the book on the night stand. Then he leaned over and kissed her cheek, stroking her face. "Sleep peacefully, my little princess." He murmured, and blew out the candle.
