Thranduil knelt to Natelle and Oropher. "My King and Queen."

"We hear," Natelle said, "That you neglected your lessons in favor of a wretched waif in the healing ward."

"I ask forgiveness, my queen. Hyrondal is my friend and he needed me. If you ask my tutors, you will be assured I made up for lost time with extra hours."

"I am glad you are learning some responsibility," Oropher said. He sat back in his throne. "I will have you know the havoc you tried to cause by signing the wage increase petition failed."

"Maybe I was not trying to wreak havoc, my king," Thranduil answered.

"Then, pray tell, what were you trying to accomplish by shaming me?"

"If it is truth you want, my king, I have only to tell you I wished our people to know whose side I am on."

"I no longer want to hear your progressive ideas at council meetings," Oropher said. "You will be silent and listen unless you have something worthy to contribute."

"Yes, my king." Thranduil bowed. He felt now was not the time to tell Oropher he thought all his ideas were worthy.

Oropher waved a hand to dismiss him and Thranduil rose. He hesitated. "I will have you know if either of you lay mortally wounded, I would forsake all else to aid you."

"As seeing as you saved that waif's arm, I am pleased to hear it," Oropher replied.

Thranduil left the throne hall, walked past the vast double doors. He skipped to his small family room and announced, "Oropher does not like my progressive ideas, ada."

"After reading your notes from the last meeting, I see why," Harune answered. He took his feet off the small coffee table in front of the sofa and sat up. "Jailil sends word Hyrondal is healing."

Thranduil sat cross-legged on the floor and leaned his elbows on the coffee table. "Do you think I am raising myself?"

Harune raised his dark eyebrows. "Do you wish me to be present at your side throughout the day, ion nin?"

Thranduil chuckled. "No. I like knowing you are here when I need you. I do not think Oropher agrees, though."

"It is hard to agree with something you do not understand," Harune answered.

Thranduil hesitated. "Where are Onyx and Jade?"

Harune smiled. "Your siblings. Jade is travelling with one of her mentors; one of Mirkwood's finest ambassadors, and Onyx is in training with a Captain in another sector of Mirkwood."

"Why did Onyx not train with Yuai?"

"Well," Harune said, "Onyx did not like Yuai." He held up a sheaf of papers. "Both Jade and Onyx send letters; would you like to read them with me?"

"Do you miss them?"

"Every day," Harune answered. "But I am also happy knowing they are following their dreams. One of the reasons I most enjoy being with you is I have another child to care for. When you came into my life, Jade and Onyx were older then you were now."

"I will grow up, you know, ada."

Harune looked at Thranduil kindly. "I am prepared, I assure you."

Thranduil said thoughtfully, "I am not sure I am prepared."

"That is why I am here," Harune replied.

Thranduil turned his head to the side. "With Hyrondal healing, I have nothing to do, ada. I miss our duels."

"Well," Harune said. He stood. "You can help me mend pillowcases and then you have another council meeting to attend."

Elsewhere in the palace, Jailil dragged his feet as he walked back to the stables. Assured Hyrondal was well and sleeping, he knew he had the next chapter of Herbal Lore to look forward to, but he had tasted true healing and returning to his meager efforts in the barn loft made his heart sink.

The next day Thranduil, Jailil, Nimrethil, and Ailunai gathered in Hyrondal's room. Thranduil brought a book, Jailil herbs, Ailunai flowers, and Nimrethil two dozen flower-shaped pastries.

"They are not sweet," Nimrethil said. "So you can eat them, Hyrondal."

Hyrondal reached for a pastry and flaked crumbs into the floor. "I hope none of you got into trouble because of me. And stop looking at my arm, Thranduil, I cannot help it if it looks foul."

Thranduil tore his green eyes off the fat slugs leeched to Hyrondal's arm and shook his head. "Oropher was quite understanding about my having abandoned lessons to be here after I told him I made up for it with extra work."

"Coral said she was glad to be rid of me for a spell," Nimrethil declared, and tossed her head.

"Geoda is making me do your share of the mucking out," Jailil told Hyrondal. "But I do not mind because I find it hard to concentrate on herbs without you there to tease me."

"My tutors were gracious enough to excuse me after I worked my charms," Ailunai said quietly.

A servant appeared in the doorway of the white room. He held a silver tray with a scroll on it. "Hyrondal Ravenzel?"

Hyrondal swallowed his pastry. "That is me."

"This arrived for you this morning," the elf said, and offered Hyrondal the tray.

Hyrondal's smile faded when he touched the scroll; he knew the feel of his family's paper anywhere. He nodded his thanks to the servant and untied the purple ribbon holding the scroll together.

"Oh!" Hyrondal said. He looked up at his friends. "I have been disowned."

"I have always wanted to be disowned," Thranduil said at once.

Ailunai smacked his arm. "Thranduil! This is not a joke."

Hyrondal leaned back against his pillows. "I am not sure how I feel about it, to be honest. I never wanted to go home but what do I do now?"

Avaron glided into the room. "I recommend you rest as you are far from healed."

Hyrondal ate another pastry. "I feel better."

Avaron's black eyebrows joined his hair. He turned as Yuai stuck his head around the doorframe and Thranduil exclaimed, "What are you doing here?" He folded his arms.

Yuai stepped into the chamber and his braids swung onto his chest. "I did not come for you, my prince. I came to speak with Hyrondal."

"Well," said Nimrethil. "What a shame I did not make enough pastries for the likes of you."

Yuai drew up a chair from the corner of the room and sat down beside the bed. He leaned his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands. "After you entered the ravine," he said, "I had time to think and I realized I regretted my decision to turn your request for an apprenticeship down. I know you did not make it through the ravine in time enough to qualify for ka-lei-na-say, but you survived and that is quite a feat."

"It was a foolish thing to do," Hyrondal said. He smiled. "But I do not regret it."

"You would have if you had lost your arm," Nimrethil said unfeelingly.

Yuai frowned at her before he looked Hyrondal in the eye. "I have come to offer you an apprenticeship, Hyrondal."

Hyrondal narrowed his eyes. "There is no gold in it for you."

"I am aware," Yuai answered. "And I am almost relieved. With apprentices of the past, I have had parents poking in at in opportune moments."

Hyrondal laughed hollowly. "No need to worry about my family; I was disowned this morning. For all intents and purposes, I am an orphan now."

"Since you obviously need time to think about my offer, I will come back tomorrow," Yuai said and stood.

"No!" Hyrondal said quickly. "I do accept your offer, but you do not seem to understand." He glanced at the slugs on his arm. "Even though my arm is not to be cut off, I may not be able to use it again and, if I cannot use my arm, I cannot be a warrior."

Yuai sat back down. "Now that is the most foolish thing you have said yet! Thranduil, if you must bring him books, bring him history books. Hyrondal, you do not need both arms to be a great warrior. Some of the greatest warriors lost limbs, but they fought on and conquered."

"What I mean is, do you want a crippled apprentice?"

"I will tell you this right now," Yuai replied. "The first thing I teach you is self-worth."

"You are breaking the customary apprenticeship rules taking Hyrondal on as an apprentice," Thranduil said.

Yuai nodded his head. "True. But if you will sign your name to a wage increase petition, I think I am willing to fuel passion."

Thranduil folded his arms. "You heard about the petition?"

"Valar above, Thranduil, all of Mirkwood heard about the petition!"

"Really?" Thranduil said. "Now, that is good news."

. . . Healing is a beautiful thing, is it not? . . .

Thanks kindly for reading; you know I love hearing from you!

Next Chapter: Another wish is fulfilled. ( Any guesses as to whose wish it might be? )