Hahahaha, Merry Christmas all!! And have a very happy New Year!! And now for chapter 35..

~~~~~~~~~CHAPTER 35

*** "Melamin," came a soft, soothing male voice, deep and kind. A delicate hand stroked aside a few stray strands of her luscious blonde hair from her face with extreme daintiness, as if she were made of the thinnest glass imaginable, easily broken and shattered. Her eyes fluttered open and closed a few times, blinking, trying to rid of the heavy grogginess that threatened to overcome her conscious mind. Her vision cleared after being somewhat blurry with sleep and came to rest upon a handsome Elvin face. Deep brown eyes filled with wisdom and such a passionate love she could stare into them forever. The charming lips of his curled back into a crooked grin at seeing her entranced smile towards him.

"And what pleases you so, amaelamin?" he teased, giving her a playful kiss upon her forehead. She sighed gratefully, turning onto her side to face him on the bed, resting her chin in her upturned hand.

"Waking up to someone as brilliant as yourself lying beside me." She leaned in toward him a planted a soft, adoring kiss upon his lips before pulling away. His eyes shined with a gladness that radiated as if he was the luckiest Elf alive, that nothing could get better, or so it seemed. Although it hardly showed any of his affection towards his wife---it was impossible to ever show that sort of dedication. But even if it was not shown, it was felt, more than he could ever know.

He scooted over the short distance between them and wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace, resting his head atop her own and breathing in deeply her scent of faint pine and oak. She wrapped her arms around his waist and cuddled in closer, savoring the romantic moment, wishing it would just last forever, just this peace and bliss and love she felt. He reached down to caress her chin, and then allowed his hand to wander down and finger her necklace, handling the leaf with the uttermost care, knowing this was her most prized possession, representing everything she stood for; the forest and nature was signified in the green leaf, serenity in the silver threads that wound through it, and love within the depths, for if you stare upon the leaf's swirling colors you will find what is spoken about.

The couple held each other that morning, to the very last possible moment, knowing that even once it had ended and they had started about their day, it would last forever.***

* * * *

Riania stood, her palm still opened with the necklace resting in it, eyes wild with fear and confusion as the truth began to dawn on her, somewhat. The maid gazed upon her Mistress, wondering, for as soon as she had placed the object into her hand she had gone completely still, if only for a few seconds, before her eyes focused and seemed frightened. Now she reached for the necklace, fingers almost grasping it, before the queen clenched her own around it. The maid withdrew her hand quickly, still puzzled, wondering what on Middle Earth was going on. Riania's eyes seemed to blaze with frustration, and some hurt. Suddenly, as if convulsed, she threw herself onto the bed and wept piteously into a pillow..

* * * *

Drascion thought a moment, long and hard, caressing his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe, sire.." he began to suggest.

Thranduil held up a commanding hand to silence his friend before he could go on any more. "No, I am sorry, but I think if measures must be taken, I must come up with them myself. I do not wish to burden others with the responsibility of what their submission may bring." The king's companion hushed himself and pondered this.

"I see, my lord," he agreed solemnly, nodding his head slowly. Before any one of them could go on any longer, a knock interrupted their deliberations. King Thranduil heaved heavily before motioning to Drascion to open the door to emit the one who sought him. His friend opened it enough and the maid of Riania's entered.

"Your majesty," she curtsied deeply, seeming reluctant to be here. "Ah hem, your wife seems a bit.." The servant searched for the words but could find none, and just gazed at the king. Looking into her eyes he knew something troubling was about to arise.

Without excusing himself or using the formalities usually required, Thranduil pushed past both visitors and dashed down the corridor to see what matter was about now.

* * * *

*** A cool breeze whispered all around her as she took a stroll, breathing in deeply, savoring the pine and oak smell she loved so much. Crisp, autumn leaves crunched softly beneath her footsteps as she took in her surroundings, noting all of the new, wondrous colors that overtook the trees, the overall scene seeming like a never-sinking sunset. It was beautiful..

She rested a light hand upon her abdomen, concentrating. What would this child bring..? ***

Riania paused in her sobs as her eyes widened at this last memory she just re-lived. Abdomen, child? She was pregnant??! The tears, which stuck on her cheeks, barely had time to dry before a fresh wave spilled over and she was surrounded by her own sobs.

*** Peace, serenity filled every ounce of her being. She lay completely comfortable in a grassy meadow, head on top of hands, deep into a reverie. As a child, she had no real worries, and oh what a joy that was. She reflected her life so far, which began only 200 years ago. She imagined herself in centuries to come, living a wondrous life, finding someone to love and to love her, and children that were sure to come of a marriage. Everything would turn out just fine, everything would be brilliant.. ***

Riania had finally managed to cease her desperate wails to but a few gasps, wiping away the tears that moistened her face so. Sitting up right, she smoothed out her dress and sniffed. What had just happened to her? She seemed to have remembered quite a few things, but what did it all mean? She thought that when she would remember these things they would just sort of seep back into her conscious mind, and it would be like she had only forgotten something for a moment. But these, these daydreams were so vivid and real it was downright frightening, frightening to the point that Riania had been in tears. But those were not just upset cries, they were sorrowful ones too, for now the queen could see what her life had been- filled with happiness, hope, and love. That may never be completely true again..

Thranduil flung himself against the two oaken doors that led to the chambers of his wife and threw them open, caught up in the moment of terror of his wife's safety. Who knew what the servant had meant by "she seems a bit.."?

The sight reassured him and yet made him more distressed at the same moment. She sat with the most calm he's ever seen, cradling ever so gently in her hand an object that he could not yet come to see. Although perfectly composed, tears streamed never endingly down her face to fall upon the entity that she beheld. Her eyes seemed so sad and drawn as if she had not slept for centuries, and she seemed to have paled and looked weary as if from travel.

"Melamin.." he murmured, arms outstretched to her even though she did not gaze upon him. At his words her head shot up at attention, eyes focusing with almost a surprised air as he had stopped speaking. Those same, deep chocolate eyes from her memory gazed upon her with such compassion she jumped up and ran to embrace him. Thranduil was caught off guard as his wife suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his shoulder. Her tears created a wet stain and the king draped his arms over her shoulders, comforting her softly. What was happening? Before he could cogitate anything else she fell limp in his arms, deep into sleep..

***so, what do you all think??? Is it interesting? Does it suck big weenies? Lol Give it to me straight, don't sugar-coat it, please ^_^