A/N: For some reason I really enjoyed writing the last chapter. Perhaps it's because I finally humanized (or Elvenized?) Ithilwen. Anyway, I think I will be nice and include one of my reviewers in this chapter: Dinloth! I will even stick with the name.

My first day was, though trying, rather enjoyable.

Legolas, after his rest, had much to do and was gone most of the day so he arranged for his steward to make arrangements. He had also arranged that Eruwaedhiel would tutor me late at night (sleep is not a requirement for Elves, but rather a commodity). She was to give me my first lesson at midnight.

Interviews for a lady-in-waiting for me was set up; as well as --much to my protest-- a governess for Ithilwen.

Those would start tomorrow.

Apparently things happened rather quickly in Mirkwood. A seamstress came and measured Ithilwen and I at four, the steward left a list of possible governesses, and a page came and told me that Alya requested my prescence at seven.

I ran a brush through my hair and pinned it up into a half-pony-tail before following the page down the hall to Queen Alya's.

With growing apprehension I mutely followed the page, he left me at a cherry-wood door with a quick bow.

I sighed, smoothed my dress and knocked on the door.

"Enter," A woman's voice called.

I opened the door and was surprised at the richness of the room.

Autumn colors, rich golds and deep orange canopy covered a low-to-the-ground table at which Alya sat with parchment before her and a quill pen in hand.

Several brightly covered throw rugs covered a carpeted floor.

Cushions, blankets, and other such things served for seating, all were either goldenrod in color or a dark red.

Alya set the pen down and looked up at me, she smiled, "I suppose you are wondering why the wicked step-mother called you, eh?"

I shook my head, "I do not think you wicked..." I faltered for what to call her, "Your majesty," I finished quickly.

Alya seemed disdainfully amused, "As I was saying, you wonder, no? Well, I shall enlighten you; I called you because I want to ask you a question: why?"

"Why?" I repeated, "I don't quite understand you, M'am."

"Majesty," She corrected me, "Why did you marry my son?"

"Because I love him," I replied without hesitation.

Alya nodded, "Did you ever stop to think of the fact that he ruled a nation? That he ruled a nation that, by birth and race, the simplest peasant surpasses you in understanding?"

I balled my fists, my fingernails making crescent marks on my palm. I hate to use the term claimed and trademarked by Rob, but: oh no, she didn't!

She smiled complacently, "Did you also think of how you were going to rule this country? Did you even think? Was he just there and you were desperate for a husband?"

I swallowed, mentally counting back from ten. Supposedly, it relieves anger. But, let me save ten seconds of your life, it doesn't.

That snide smile remaining intact she continued, "And what of your child? Is it even Legolas's? Were you pregnant when you married him?"

My mouth dropped open, fuming, "How...Dare...You! Majesty, I have stood by and allowed you to berate and insult me so far but you have just crossed the line. My child, though she is a mixed-breed, is more pure than daintiest Noldorian Elda-Hina. No child vould've been more of a blessing to my life. And if you ever insult both my honor and that of your son, you will have the wrath of an angry mother to deal with."

Alya seemed taken aback, she stared at me, glaring. Her perfectly groomed eyebrows knitted in anger, her shapely mouth hardened into a thin line. "You may go," She said quietly.

I nodded and left, closing the door behind me as softly as I could. As I strode down the stone-hewn hallway I had the nagging feeling of regret and slight fear. I'd have to remember to ask one of the butlers to change the locks on my door...

When I returned to the room Ithilwen was still napping. Her prone form was curled into a ball. Her hair undone and splayed across her face.

I smiled and smoothed her hair, tucking the strands from behind her eyes.

Collapsing onto a chaise longue I undid my hair, letting it fall from the intricate bun I had worked on.

Well, you've started a war, now, honey, a familiar but at the same time foreign voice came into my mind.

My eyes widened, "Jade!" I cried out.

Yep, I travel fast. But what the hell did you do to the Ice Queen? She's in her room fuming, I can sense it, I heard her laughter echoing in my mind.

I see you haven't changed much, I said withh mild irritation.

Nope, now what did you do to--HOLY SHIT YOU HAVE A YOUNGLING! She screamed, my inner ear vibrated even though I couldn't physically hear her.

Yes, dear. And calm down, now, you are going to land, you are going to find a thick patch of trees and you are going to wait for me, understood?

Childbirth's made you bitchy, woman! Jade said dryly.

Knock off the language, it's getting on my nerves, it's starting to sound barbaric to me and I want to become a perfect wife and princess. And you had better stay the fuck out of sight or so help me I will beat you shitless! I snarled at her.

Jade chuckled, You're off to a smashing start, Nicky.

I had no choice but to bring Ithilwen with me when I went to meet Jade. I daren't leave her alone too long; who knows what a four-year-old could get into in a mildly enchanted castle filled with Eru's chosen race.

I crossed the bridge, my link, which was now back and stronger than ever, to her guided me to a patch of oak trees deep in the forest.

Jade lay stretched lazily across the clearing, nearly twenty feet in length. She had gotten larger and bulkier, her scales held a healthy metallic sheen to them. Her warm eyes were brighter and held a mixture of warmth and amusement in them as I walked into the clearing.

Ithilwen, who had been following me in a half-asleep trance stared at Jade in shock and terror. She tugged on my skirt, "Mommy!" She squeaked and hid behind me.

I scooped her up into my arms, "It's okay, baby. She won't hurt you, this is a nice dragon, she likes you." I nearly laughed at the irony, you'd think I would be doing this when a neighbour's Rottweiler came into our yard back home, not when I went tramping into a forest and bumped into my pet dragon.

Jade snorted in annoyance, You speak of me as if I was a dog. I do have a brain you know.

I wonder sometimes, I remarked dryly.

Jade rolled her green eyes and leaned down until her massive head (which was larger than Ithilwen) was level to the ground. She stared at Ithilwen, studying her.

Ithilwen regarded Jade with the utmost terror.

Jade said nothing to me, she only stared at her, Jade nudged Ithilwen with the end of her nose.

Ithilwen made a small noise and jumped back, I held her in place, "She won't hurt you. Her name is Jade, she's my friend. She saved my life several times."
"Mommy, I thought dragons didn't exist..." Ithilwen said fearfully.

She's a smart child, I can tell by her eyes. I wonder where she got that from, because I know that she didn't get it from you. Jade chuckled, I had forgotten how strange that vibrating noise was.

"What's it doing?" Ithilwen squealed.

I smiled, "She's laughing, lovey."

Ithilwen screamed, "It's saying things in my head!"

I nodded, "That's how Jade talks. Don't be afraid, Ithilwen."

Ithilwen stared at Jade transfixedly, slowly she reached out her tiny pale hand and brushed it against Jade's jaw. She smiled and nodded, "She's kinda nice, in a weird way. Can she come back to our house?"

I sincerely hope you don't expect me to get into those tiny little hallways. And Elves and my people are not known for our good relations.

"Maybe sometime later, but right now we're going to stay out here for a bit," I replied to her.

Ithilwen shrugged and plopped onto the grass, still regarding Jade warily.

So for the next hour Jade and I sat in that clearing and talked. Of old times, of Ithilwen, of her mate. It wasn't the same as when we were out questing. But it was still pleasant and we both enjoyed. Ithilwen napped lightly beneath a sunny patch where the trees didn't filter out the sun.

"I think I should return, it's getting a bit late and Legolas will worry, besides, Alya is probably out looking for me with a Gom Jabbar." (A/N: a term from a novel, Dune, a poisonous dart that kills on contact wielded by 'Bene Gesserit witches')

Most likely. I have missed you, little one; promise me you shall return with Ithilwen? Jade said uncharachteristically.

I nodded, I promise.

A/N: Sorry I didn't put her first ettiquette lessons into this chapter. But I was really unsure how to fit these two scenes into the story and so I decided to merge them. I know it's fast and a bit sloppy but I'm really tired and my love troubles are...sigh nevermind. I will make the next chapter better, really, I will.