A/N: I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Not being able to update forced me to do more research for the upcoming chapters (which is a good thing), but I am excited to finally present to you a few new chapters...Please review when you have a chance! Thanks!

The evening meal began soon after the chiming of "second bells." The Banquet Hall was filled with the lords and ladies of the castle. Aragorn and King Thranduil were now seated at the head of the grand table. Though all noticed, no one dared be rude and remark on the empty chair next to Thranduil.

In the kitchen, other than Selihl and Adriel, the servants wondered about Linnah. It had been long since she had been seen and though they heard rumors of her connection with the orc invasion, none knew for sure. Meena would scarcely speak of Linnah, only to say that she was ill and resting comfortably in the Healer's care. When a servant mentioned visiting her, Meena told them that the Healer had given strict orders for her to be left alone for her own good.

Meena walked out of the kitchen and into the Banquet Hall. She was carrying a large silver tray which held a variety of fruits and vegetables. Behind her, Adriel followed with a smaller tray covered in a variety of breads and rolls. They made their way toward the king's end of the table. Gillel was there, pouring wine as usual.

Halfway down the hall, Adriel let out a gasp and absently tipped her serving tray, allowing the breads and rolls to tumble to the floor. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked on in shock, as Legolas slowly entered the Banquet Hall. He was dressed in his finest royal attire and on his arm was Linnah. She looked like one of the many ladies seated at the king's table. She was wearing a gown of royalty. It shimmered green in the torchlight of the hall and had small pearl accents along the edges of the long hanging sleeves as well as the low cut bodice. Her hair was braided and twisted up on her head. Several small pearls dotted her dark mahogany hair. Around her neck was a delicate mithril necklace with a small green jewel at her throat.

It was Meena who had brought Linnah the dress to wear and had hemmed it to fit her. Meena had to convince her, as she had helped Linnah with her hair, that accompanying the prince was the right thing to do. But it was Legolas, who just before they left his chambers, presented Linnah with the necklace she now wore, as his engagement gift to her.

Legolas ignored the stares and whispers of those in the Banquet Hall. When Linnah glanced up at him nervously, he smiled at her reassuringly and continued to lead her farther into the hall. As they approached the king's end of the table, Legolas was not surprised to see his father rise from his chair, a disapproving look clouding his face. Nor was he surprised to see Orlindel's negative reaction as he and others rose in politeness at the king's standing. Before Thranduil could utter a word, Legolas looked at him intensely and spoke something no one nearby could hear. The king sat back down slowly and said nothing, but continued to glare at his son. The rest of those at the table seated themselves as well.

The air was completely still. Besides the occasional whisper, all in attendance were frozen to their spot. Legolas must have said something else to his father, because Thranduil suddenly looked around and asked irritated, "Who said to stop the feast?" Immediately everyone went back to their meals and previous discussions or in the case of the servants, back to attending those dining.

Meena assisted Adriel in collecting the bread and rolls off of the floor. Adriel continued to follow Linnah with her eyes, which were wide in shock.

"Adriel, please stop staring," whispered Meena. They finished cleaning the mess and headed back toward the kitchen.

Aragorn stood as Linnah and Legolas reached the end of the long table.

"I couldn't help but notice the lady does not have a chair. Permit me to offer her mine," he said with a slight bow of his head.

"Thank you, my lord. You are most kind," said Linnah quietly, smiling softly at the ranger. Aragorn nodded his affirmation and stepped aside. He held the chair for Linnah and as she sat, he pushed the chair in for her. Linnah was now seated next to the King of Mirkwood.

No sooner had Linnah sat, when Selihl rushed over with chair for Aragorn. After some minor adjusting, he placed it between Linnah and Aeron, who was seated to her left. Before he moved away, Selihl whispered into Linnah's ear, "You look amazing. Well done!" Aragorn thanked Selihl for the chair and sat down.

"Oh why couldn't Selihl put the chair on my other side?" thought Linnah nervously to herself, "Don't look at the king, look somewhere else but don't look at the king."

Legolas took his usual seat at his father's right side. His intent was for Linnah to sit next to him at his right, but had been too involved in his silent conversation with Thranduil to realize her placement. The king had ceased his glaring, but it was evident at least to Linnah, that their silent argument was continuing. A plate was placed before Legolas and he ignored it. Linnah looked down the table at the lords and ladies seated there, feeling hugely out of place. She also made a point of avoiding Lord Orlindel's gaze, but when her eyes met with Aeron's kind eyes she let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. The captain winked at her and lifted his goblet slightly towards Linnah. "Wine," thought Linnah. "Yes. That's exactly what I need!"

As if by some sort of butler intuition, Gillel appeared at Linnah's side and poured Linnah a goblet full of the king's best wine. Leaning over her left shoulder he too, like Selihl, took a moment to whisper a comment into Linnah's ear. "You look lovely, Linnah. Refrain from speaking unless you are spoken to and don't make eye contact with the king. By the way, your hands are shaking my dear, drink up."

Linnah looked down at her hand as she reached for her goblet. It was visibly shaking and she immediately hid it in her lap. The color rose in her cheeks as she had no idea her hands had been shaking until Gillel mentioned it.

Aragorn noticed her do this and reached under the table to clasp her hand and squeeze it gently. Leaning over slightly, he said, "Formal dinners make me uncomfortable as well. Though, I am sure I will be able to manage this one with such beautiful company at my side."

He let go of her hand and lifted his own goblet to his lips, smiling. Linnah returned his smile and reaching for her own cup, was relieved to see that the shaking had somewhat subsided. She drank deeply and felt the warmth of the smooth liquid flow into her body. She made short work of her wine and Gillel was there to refill her goblet. It wasn't until a plate was laid before her that she realized that she was actually hungry. She wanted desperately to look at Legolas, but that would mean turning her head in the king's direction.

"I know your thoughts, Linnah," came Legolas's calming voice. "We are bound now my love and even if you were a thousand leagues away I could still sense what you feel. Relax, everything will be fine. Can you not feel me as well?"

Linnah tried to answer him. She wasn't sure how to do this, so she pretended to be interested in something in her lap and closed her eyes, concentrating on sensing him. At first there was nothing, but then after a moment she started to feel slightly angry and sad and enmeshed in these emotions was a sense of love and hope. These were his feelings and she was experiencing them as if they were her own. The sensation was very odd and feeling a little dizzy, she opened her eyes.

"Do you feel me, Linnah?" Legolas asked again.

"Yes, I feel you," she answered in her mind, not knowing if he actually heard her.

"Good. Please do not worry," came her lover's voice.

Linnah smiled to herself, awed by her new ability to mind-speak. Turning her mind away from the prince for the moment, she took a few bites of her meal and washed it down with more wine. The potent wine was having the desired effect on her and she began to feel less nervous, despite the fact she could feel the heat of the King of Mirkwood's body just next to hers. It appeared that this was the same for most everyone at the table. Other then Orlindel and the king, no one seemed to be on edge or disturbed by her presence. In fact, the hall was now filled once again with music and boisterous conversation. She turned her attention to Aragorn, who was now eating quietly, deep in his own thoughts.

"My Lord, I am told you are to escort me…home."

Aragorn looked up from his plate at her and smiled politely while he finished chewing the bite he just took. He drank from his cup as Linnah berated herself mentally for interrupting his dinner.

"Yes," he replied, setting down the cup. "I have offered to do this, if the lady would permit me."

"Of course. You have my deepest gratitude, Sir. I hope that I will not be too much of a burden."

"Legolas and I will see to it that you will not be," said Aragorn with a sly smile.

"My Lord?" Linnah felt her heart leap thinking that Legolas was going to come with them after all. "Please explain what you mean."

"Legolas did not tell you? We are to begin your training tomorrow if you are up to it."

"No. Legolas, um, I mean his Highness, has not informed me of any training." In her head, she thought, "So that's what he meant about tomorrow."

Aragorn smiled at her and said, "It is a long ride to Forlindon, Linnah. Though I will be at your side and will protect you with all that I have, you will need to be prepared to defend yourself should the need arise. We only have a few short days in which to train you. Not long enough, I am afraid. Though I know it will hurt you to hear this, the sooner you leave Mirkwood, the safer you'll be."

"You are right, my lord, it does pain me to hear you say this." She glanced around the room and continued in a determined voice, "but I know it's for the best. I would not want to endanger the castle with my presence."

"That is noble of you, Linnah," Aragorn said tenderly. He could see how hard this was for her. He thought of Arwen. It had been long since he, himself had been home and with his beloved. He knew it would be longer still before he would prove himself worthy enough for her father's blessing. Aragorn knew full well the pain and longing of a lover's embrace long missed. This is what lay ahead for Linnah and he was helpless to shield her from it.

"Thank you for saying so, my Lord."

Noticing the music, Aragorn stood from his chair and asked, "Would the lady permit me to have this dance?'

Linnah was delighted in responding, "Yes." Though she was uncomfortable with the idea of dancing in front of everyone, anything to get away from the king was worthwhile.

Linnah stood and took the hand he offered her. She thoughtlessly turned her head for a moment to look at Legolas and jumped when Thranduil met her gaze first. His strong voice entered her mind. "So my son has chosen you?"

Linnah raised her eyebrows in surprise. Legolas turned his head immediately in their direction, sensing Linnah's heart race.

"Don't be so surprised, young one. When two are bound it is apparent to those who choose to see it. Does it not matter to you that my son did not have my blessing to do this?"

Linnah answered softly, her head slightly bowed, "I did not know of this. I believe it was not my place to question it, your Highness, when he asked me."

"But is it your place to dine next to me at my own table? Is it your place, servant maiden of Mirkwood, to bind yourself to its crown prince?" This Thranduil spoke aloud and Legolas immediately stood and took Linnah's hand from Aragorn. Anyone within earshot was now privy to this news, if they did not already suspect it. The table quieted down some, though no one dared cease speaking altogether. Thranduil then noticed for the first time the necklace around Linnah's throat. Through clenched teeth, he said, "I see that Legolas has given you his mother's necklace." Linnah's free hand went immediately to her neck. Legolas had not told her of this when he had given the necklace to her earlier.

Orlindel muttered loud enough for Linnah to hear, "I am surprised it has not tarnished on such an unworthy neck."

Legolas stepped in front of Linnah and choosing to ignore Orlindel's comment, said aloud, "I think we've heard enough, father. It surprises me that you can not see why I didn't waste my time in seeking your blessing. We will take the rest of our meal elsewhere, and trouble your table no longer." He turned his eyes to Aragorn, "If my friend does not mind, I wish to have my lady's first dance of the evening."

"I do not mind, if I can have at least one this night," smiled Aragorn in return. Then added, "I did ask her first, though."

"We'll see if I can bear to part with her," answered Legolas smoothly, calming a little at the ranger's jesting. Aragorn sat back down in his seat, a slight grin teasing the corners of his mouth.

Without another word, Legolas led Linnah away from the table and towards the open doors of the balcony. Thranduil said nothing as he watched them walk off. He was torn in his anger, though he would never admit this to Legolas. The world was changing and though try as he might to resist it, he would have to change as well if his kingdom was to survive. He sighed heavily and turned back to his plate. Maybe it was seeing the necklace that caused it, but for the first time in many years, he felt a strong longing for his wife. He wished she were here to assist him in understanding his son's behavior. He then noticed that there was a strangeness to the chairs next to him being empty. He motioned for Aragorn to move closer into Linnah's now unoccupied chair. Aragorn obeyed his wish and immediately Linnah's unfinished meal and goblet were cleared. A fresh plate and a full goblet were served to the ranger in their place.

"So, tell me Aragorn," began Thranduil, trying to change the mood and be more jovial. "How was Elrond when you last saw him?"