CHAPTER 14

A/N This is just a small chapter with some filler.

I just wanted to thank all my readers. And thanks for sending in reviews. I never thought I could get so many. There's not much left in this story. I know I said that about five chapters ago or something. But really, there should only be about 2-4. But there will be an epilogue.

Oh, and the name of the new character is based on my daughter's name in an elvish name generator online.

When Elenya stepped out of the room, there was a slightly older looking elf waiting for her. She had blonde hair and blue eyes and was dressed in noble robes.

"Elenya, I presume?" she said.

"Yes. You're not dressed as a maid."

"Well, I'm not a maid, actually."

"Pardon. Thranduil said a maid would escort me to get ready for dinner."

"Yes, I sent her away. My name is Alatariel. And I know more about your situation than some maid does. So if you would not mind it, I will take you to get ready for tonight."

"I would be happy if you helped me. But can I ask why you feel you are more knowledgeable about my situation?"

She smiled widely at Elenya and reached for her hand.

"Come dear, I'll explain it all to you in your room."

They walked hurriedly through the place. Alatariel's smiled undiminished leading the way. They finally arrived to a set of double doors that she opened wide.

Elenya stepped through and was struck by the emptiness of it. She had expected a lavish room decorated, perhaps not as lavish as Legolas', but certainly not this empty space. There were a couple of ornate chairs; a full-length mirror propped up against the wall next to a closet with a few dresses in it. There was also a small vanity table on one side.

"You are wondering why it is so empty?" asked Alatariel.

"Well, I don't want to sound like a demanding guest, but it is sparse," Elenya responded.

"It is empty because no one has lived here for many years. They have been set aside for you. There is an adjoining bathroom, and that door at the end leads to your bedroom. In there is another door leading to a modest and private garden for you to enjoy. If you want to stay here you can decorate it as you wish. These furnishings were just brought in today when you left Legolas' bedroom."

"I can live in the palace?"

"You can live here as long as you wish. Even if you marry later on you can keep living in here. Although you may want a larger space if you have more than one child."

Elenya walked through the small apartment in shock. She went out into the garden and was greeted by a beautiful sight. While the rooms were bare, the garden was filled with blooming flowers. The whole thing was only about the size of her new bedroom, but it was enough. At one end there was a wooden bench and when she sat down, Alatariel sat next to her.

"I don't know what to say. I'm overwhelmed," Elenya commented.

"I know. I felt the same," Alatariel said.

"What do you mean?"

"I was in your position too once, though so long ago."

Understanding dawned on Elenya suddenly. "Oh, my. You were a gift to the prince on his 1000th birthday as well. Thranduil, then? Or do you come from another land?"

Alatariel smiled wistfully, looking out into the garden as if in memory. "No I am not a foreigner. I was born in Greenwood. And yes, I was with Thranduil on his birthday. A lovely few days we spent together."

Elenya was stunned into silence. So many questions she wanted to ask, but not knowing where to begin or if some would be impolite to ask. But Alatariel seemed to read her mind.

"I know you must have many questions about all this, and that is why I sent the maid away. I thought you might benefit from meeting with someone who was in your same situation once."

"Were these your rooms?" Elenya ventured.

"Yes. I moved out of them after I had my second son, after my marriage. It was rather small here for the four of us, and we moved somewhere closer to the kitchens. My husband is head chef."

Elenya's memory was sparked by her words. "Your second son? Your first son is Thranduil's son, correct? That's what Feryn said."

Alatariel looked at Elenya with shock.

"Pardon, please," said Elenya realizing the incredibly personal question she just blurted out. "I am abusing your kindness. Do not answer my questions. I will never speak of it again, my apologies!"

Alatariel visibly calmed at Elenya's words. "No, my dear. I am not offended at all. Yes, my firstborn son is the son of Thranduil conceived during our time together on his birthday. I am just shocked that Feryn would have mentioned it. It was such a surprise to Thranduil and I to find out I was pregnant. It may have been a possibility to us, but still."

"Well, Legolas and I managed to avoid that possibility. The Lady Arwen from Rivendell gave Legolas her own contraceptive potion for me to take."

"That was nice of her. If it was hard to come by in my time it's even harder now with all the dangers in the road between the two lands. Still, I love my son and do not regret having him."

"So, your life was improved after all, after being with Thranduil?"

"Well, it was as if all of a sudden, I was a really important person. I was at all the great dinners and party's with all honored guests. And this time I was sitting with them. Before I was just working in the kitchens, bringing out trays of food. It took some time to get adjusted, but then it was wonderful. I got to meet all these travelers, and sometimes, when my sons grew, I got to travel with them. Before, I was too busy in the kitchens to meet travelers. And being in the noble court was a wonderful way to raise my sons. They managed to easily learn all trades they wished, and not just wait for an apprenticeship to be available."

"It does sound wonderful," Elenya said.

"May we go inside now. The maids have brought in a few dresses for you to choose from. And I will help you fix your hair up nicely if you wish. We could pick some flowers from this garden to put in it to match whatever dress you pick."

"Yes, sounds wonderful. Can we talk more inside?"

"As you wish."

A/N Hey, I've lost two pounds this week on my new diet. It's called the Kate Bosworth diet. Every time I start craving pizza, ice cream, cinnamon covered pretzels, I picture Kate Bosworth in my head and it works every time. If anyone has heard that she and Orlando aren't really dating, don't tell me. This diet is working so far.

GO MARLINS!!!!!!!