The training fields, library, and lunch behind him, Thranduil stamped his feet as he approached the ballroom. The vast hallway led into the square room with its high ceiling and golden candlesticks glowing along the walls. There was no carpet, but a smooth marble floor ran cool beneath his boots. At the far end of the room, two elves sat behind a piano, its wood dark and glowing, and a lyre with golden strings.

Thranduil joined a cluster of elflings in the middle of the floor. A dozen pairs of eyes turned to him and Thranduil offered a bow.

"I apologize for being late," Thranduil said. "I lingered too long at lunch."

"No matter, we are glad you are in attendance," his teacher replied. "I am Gaven." He addressed the class, "Dancing is among the most important skills you will learn. As lord and ladies of this court, you will be expected to attend many a ball and festival for it is on the dance floor that relationships and allies are made."

"I do not want to be a butterfly," a girl complained. "I would rather not sail above flowers when I can be down among them being honest."

Thranduil looked at her with interest. With blonde hair and blue eyes, she stood with her arms folded over a blue dress that was simpler than the silk tufts and skirts clustered around him.

Gaven pointed his tuning fork at her. "My dear girl, you ought to be thankful to be included in this at all. Let us hear only gratitude in this room today."

"One ought to dance because they enjoy it," Thranduil said. "I hope I learn to love this."

Gaven's dark brows came together. "Since you to obviously share the same rebellion, you may dance together and keep from spoiling the pleasure for the rest of us." He propelled Thranduil to stand beside the girl in blue.

As Gen gestured to the musicians and demonstrated the first steps of a waltz, Thranduil looked sideways at his partner. "My name is Ailunai," she volunteered. "And anyone will tell you I am not a lady."

"Everyone will tell you I am the Prince," Thranduil rejoined.

Ailunai smiled and her rose lips parted to reveal a straight row of upper teeth. "Come on, I bet we can dance as well as that stodgy Elfia, who takes private lessons."

Thranduil put his hand on her shoulder and slid an arm around her waist. He glanced at Gaven before stepping into the first steps of the dance. He watched his feet, making Ailunai squeal when he pinched her toes.

Elfia glided past on the arm of her partner, her eyes ahead. Ailunai giggled, "If I look at you, Thranduil, I trip."

"You will learn to find confidence in the steps," Gaven said. "Come now, shoulders straight and eyes ahead! You will not learn if you do not have faith."

An hour later the class disbanded. Ailunai remarked, "I suppose dancing is not all bad once you grow used to it."

Thranduil waved his hands. "I need to dance something faster! I could fall asleep to that music. I have to change now; I cannot weed in silk."

"Weed?" Ailunai questioned. She nudged the floor with her toe. "I used to weed back home."

"Where is home for you?" Thranduil asked as he passed out of the ballroom.

"Home is a vineyard a week's journey from here," Ailunai answered. "My mother sent me here to learn; she said it is the opportunity of a lifetime but—I would rather be home."

Thranduil tried not to notice the tear in the corner of her left eye. "If Ivy does not mind, you may join me in the kitchen gardens."

"You are most kind, my prince," Ailunai said. "But I better not. I board here and it would not be good for me to be seen with the Prince."

"Oh," Thranduil said.

Ailunai hastened to say, "I would love to come but I could never pay for tutoring like this; as a reward for the fine wine my family makes for him, the King offered me a spot in the court. I am expected to join the royal court and I cannot jeopardize a family dream."

"If you change your mind, I do not change mine," Thranduil said. He left her standing alone in the vast hall.

Ivy greeted him out in the warm sunshine beside the squash beds. The leafy plants spread prickling leaves over rounded yellow and white squashes. As Thranduil dug his hands into the cool soil, he said, "I do not think I like family dreams."

Ivy glanced at him. "Family dreams are wonderous if it is you who is dreaming."

Thranduil gathered weeds by their roots and pulled the bunches free. "That is true. But too many people do not dream that way."

"I try not to pass on my dreams to others," Ivy said. "I think it better to accomplish them in my lifetime."

"Not everyone sees it as clearly as you," Thranduil sighed. He stared at the ground and watched it transform, crumbling to reveal little ant holes and caves where bugs had bedded down for the winter.

Thranduil joined Hyrondal the next day eager to practice. The wind was in good spirits and blew with abandon, bringing to life the song of the forest as branches cracked and grass bowed.

Hyrondal tilted his head critically at Thranduil. "You are learning."

Thranduil grinned. "I have been taking dancing lessons."

"Dancing lessons!" Hyrondal scoffed. "Dancing lessons will not help you hear the song of the forest. But, since you fancy yourself, take up your sword and come fight me!"

Thranduil caught up his wooden sword. As Hyrondal faced him he said, "Remember, it does not matter so much what I do as long as you listen to the forest."

"I might not hear it with you whacking at me with your sword," Thranduil answered.

Hyrondal shrugged. He attacked and Thranduil knew he heard the forest whispering from the way he moved. With half his mind on Yuai's lessons and the other half listening to the trees, Thranduil flung himself against Hyrondal's advance. The elves danced, pushing back and forth as their swords clacked. The ground melded to fit his feet as Thranduil ducked and rolled but it was not until the final steps of the duel that he managed to fend Hyrondal back.

"Perfect," Hyrondal panted. "We will go on learning together."

Thranduil leaned on his sword. "I cannot believe you do this all day."

"I have to," Hyrondal answered. He hesitated. "The food you bring helps. But come with me; I need to show you something."

Thranduil frowned. "What is it?"

Hyrondal beckoned. "Do not be impatient."

His sword over his shoulder, Thranduil followed Hyrondal. Hyrondal's hair, the color of the tree trunks, flapped over his shoulders as Hyrondal jogged past the sword and archery fields. He stopped, treading lightly, and Thranduil watched his shoulders tense as he scanned the area. The trees thinned as the land slanted upwards to a high crest.

Thranduil glanced at Hyrondal before he noticed the hill ran as far as he could see in both directions along the top of a deep ravine. He could not see the far end of the ravine, but treetops poked out at eye level, their roots hidden far below in the swamp-like ground.

"What is this place?" Thranduil asked. "It is like a scar in the ground."

"It is an ancient track," Hyrondal answered. "Fully trained warriors must complete it within a week before being initiated into the royal guard. Elves have died in it."

Thranduil looked again at the ravine. "It lacks only orcs!"

"Oh, there are orcs hiding down there," Hyrondal said. He drew in a breath. "A rite as ancient as this track says, if I survive one end to the next within a week, Captain Yuai is required to give me an apprenticeship."

Thranduil grabbed Hyrondal's arm. "Hyrondal, no!"

"I will ask him first to teach me," Hyrondal answered. "But, if he refuses me, I have no other way of claiming my dream."

"Dreams are not worth dying for," Thranduil said softly.

Hyrondal stabbed a finger at him. "That is why Mirkwood is dead, Thranduil! No one is passionate. No one cares! Dreams are abandoned as this sickly place breeds cowards. I will die for my dream, Thranduil. I am not afraid of death, but I fear not trying."

Thranduil heard only truth in Hyrondal's voice.

"I think we are done for the day," Hyrondal said shortly. "See you tomorrow."

Thranduil left Hyrondal standing on the hill, staring down into the ravine. He would ask—demand Yuai take Hyrondal on as an apprentice. He would do it even though Hyrondal had not asked him to, perhaps because Hyrondal did not want him to. But Hyrondal was his friend and were friends not worth saving?

"You look disturbed," Harune said at once, when Thranduil joined him in the family room.

"It is hard to make some decisions," Thranduil answered.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Thranduil sat on the sofa beside Harune and leaned his head on his father's shoulder. "As the Prince, I could save a life, but not in the way he wants to be saved."

"Sometimes," said Harune, "we think we are helping someone when all we are doing is hurting them."

Thranduil hesitated. "Ada, are dreams worth dying for?"

Harune shifted to slide an arm around Thranduil's waist. "I think so. You know, often it is not about the dream but how you achieve it that matters."

"I think that is how Hyrondal feels," Thranduil mused, and wriggled closer to Harune.

"Yuai tells me you are progressing well in the field," Harune said.

'Hyrondal is a big help practicing what I learn with Yuai," Thranduil answered. "Did you know the forest sings?"

Harune whispered down Thranduil's ear, "Only to those who listen."

Thranduil grinned. "Have you seen Nimrethil?"

"She is still begging Hafia for an apprenticeship," Harune said sadly. "She does not seem to be able to open her eyes."

"It is not fair apprenticeships cost gold!" Thranduil said.

Harune made a noise in the back of his throat. "It is not unacceptable to ask some small return for hours spent teaching an apprentice."

"But I always thought apprenticeships were about passing on a skill or passion," Thranduil answered.

Harune hugged him. "Not everyone will take on an apprentice due to passion alone. It is true the monetary aspect of it leads to many unmotivated apprentices, but it has been this way for a long time."

"Would you ever take on an apprentice?" Thranduil asked.

"And teach him what? Elfling management skills?" Harune teased.

"I know some elves who could use it," Thranduil said gloomily.

Thankfully this week I did not forget to post the new chapter! Hope you all enjoyed and, as always, I love to hear your thoughts and guesses at what may happen next.

Next Chapter: Nimrethil shares some good news.