On the table were food that Eliannel couldn't recognise, she took what was closest to her plate and that was it. She didn't feel adventurous enough to try food she wasn't used to. But when she took her first bites, she marveled at the taste. She let out a moan and closed her eyes so she didn't notice that people at the table tried their best not to look in her direction. She knew she hadn't tasted all the cuisines of the world but she was convinced that food tasted better here than where she comes from.

"It's delicious! Elrond, please compliment on my behalf those who made all this food. It's really good!" she exclaimed.

"I sure will" said Elrond with a smile.

Eliannel even drank wine and found the taste so sweet that she emptied her cup rather quickly. Soon enough, she began to feel her body relaxing, she didn't know she was holding up so much pressure until now. She no longer sat upright but she leaned against the back of her chair and watched the musician playing music in front of them with admiration. She always loved listening to music but she never had real life musicians playing her tunes in front of her while eating dinner, she felt like royalty in the Middle Ages. When the first melody ended, she started to clap her hands in applause but when she noticed that everyone was still talking to each other, she stopped herself. She turned her eyes to Thranduil to make sure he didn't notice only to find that he was staring at her with a side smile on his face.

As her cup was being refilled for the third time, Eliannel felt so sleepy that she asked if she could excuse herself and go to bed. Thranduil immediately stood up and offered to accompany her to her room. She didn't feel the strength to argue with him so she remained silent.

They walked side by side but Thranduil was constantly looking at her, making sure she didn't fall or miss a step. Even in their many years together, she never was a fan of alcohol so he was worried when he saw her drinking tonight.

As if Eliannel knew what he was thinking, she said "I don't normally drink…" breaking the silence and looking at the ground.

"I know you don't" said Thranduil, feeling reassured that his wife didn't change too much in his absence.

She met his gaze, surprised at his answer. He was looking at her so tenderly that her cheeks began to redden. When they reached her room, Thranduil kept his distance as she was putting herself to bed. He only came forward when she closed her eyes and started to breathe through her mouth. He fixed the covers, worried she might feel cold in her dress as she didn't change for a night gown.

"I want to go home" mumbled Eliannel in a very sleepy voice.

"Tomorrow." Thranduil whispered as he pressed his lips on her forehead before leaving the room. Eliannel didn't wake at the touch but felt like a breeze was coming on her face.

–

Thranduil didn't sleep but he made preparations all night in his head, imagining returning to Mirkwook with its Queen, seeing Legolas reuniting with his mother. All those beautiful thoughts made him feel so enthusiastic that he couldn't wait for the sun to come up.

When he passed through the garden early in the morning, he was surprised to hear the laugh of his wife. He quickly walked towards her with a smile on his face only to find her talking rather too close to his liking to Lindir.

Eliannel was throwing her head back laughing and hitting Lindir's right arm at the same time. When she noticed Thranduil coming up towards them, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, suppressing her laughter by biting her lips which made Thranduil feeling jealous. He never felt jealous his entire life because Eliannel never was in such proximity with an ellon except with him so the feeling was new to him.

"Good, you're awake. Let's go home then." said Thranduil, trying his best to seem emotionless.

"What? I'm not leaving. I like it here." Eliannel exclaimed with her hands on her hips.

At that moment Thranduil realized that when she said she wanted to go home, it didn't mean Mirkwood and that he misunderstood because he heard what he was only wanting to hear. He didn't like to ever admit being mistaken so he didn't mention last night's occurrence.

"You'll like it even better over there. Everyone is waiting for your return."

Eliannel didn't answer but she looked like she didn't believe him.

"Our son is waiting for you." added Thranduil hoping for a positive reaction.