Ailunai brushed her palms off on her blue dress and curtsied. "It is my delight, my king, to give voice to the forest. The Queen is at rest and I am comforted."

Oropher cast a final look about the burial grove. Light dappled among the shadows. He would visit again in solitude. Now he felt peace in the air. Natelle's tree would grow.

Assured, Oropher turned to leave. On the narrow path through a meadow of grass and small blue and white flowers, Thranduil walked beside him. Harune and Ailunai lingered several paces behind.

Thranduil's blue eyes and breath hesitated before he inquired, "You visited Sapphire's grave?"

"It was the proper gesture of sympathy to extend," Oropher replied. He smirked. "Your surprise is agreeable."

Thranduil smirked back. "As is your depth of feeling." He clasped his hands behind his back. "I know your dutiful gesture meant a lot to ada."

"Harune has already expressed his gratitude. I do not need the addition of yours."

"I did not know one could receive too much gratitude," Thranduil said quietly.

Oropher tugged his hood back up as he and Thranduil stepped onto a wider path, aware they would soon be approaching the palace. It soon came into view around the next bend, glowing weather-softened brown. The moss along the sharp roof ridges and eaves blushed green.

Upon entering the gentle whiteness of the healing ward, Thranduil and Oropher found Avaron and Jailil awaiting them in their shared chamber.

"I see the meaning of a short stroll is lost upon you." Avaron folded his arms and pounced upon Ailunai as she entered the room.

"The forest called. I answered," Ailunai answered nonchalantly.

Thranduil put a hand on Avaron's arm as the healer scowled. "We found it necessary to visit the burial ground of Sapphire and Queen Natelle. I assure you we strolled most casually."

"As seeing as neither you nor the King appear taxed, I am willing to accept your gracious excuses."

"So kind," Thranduil bowed humbly. He straightened with a spry smile. "I feel quite brisk!"

"Nevertheless, you must pace yourself. I have been privilege to too many relapses caused by rash behavior to allow it to happen under my nose."

"Rash behavior!" Thranduil exclaimed. He sprawled across his bed. "I am named after patience."

Harune raised his eyebrows. "I cannot say I am familiar with that aspect of your namesake, Thranduil. I believe I neglected to put Basics of the Wood Elf Tongue on your bookshelf, but I will rectify that tomorrow."

Thranduil groaned and jerked a pillow from under the pillow sham to cover his head with. Ailunai reached down and brushed her fingers across his arm. He heard her leave in the company of Harune. A moment later Nimrethil burst in, gleefully announcing, "Dinner!"

She clattered the dishes off her tray onto the table and stood back as Thranduil and Oropher came to eat. Instead of preparing individual plates, she had arranged the sliced vegetables, cheeses, meats, jams, and breads around six different sauces. A discreet basket at the end of the table attempted to hide its sugary contents and failed.

"Hyrondal is out hunting again, you know," Nimrethil said, as Thranduil reached for rolls of thin-sliced pink boar meat. "He is especially good at it. Of course, the hunt is quite dull without you. In fact, nothing is the same without you. I feel as if you have been held captive in this dreadful room for centuries!"

"You exaggerate," Thranduil told her. "Healing is a long process, as I am sure you know. Avaron will allow us freedom of will again soon."

"The kitchens are all abuzz, my king," Nimrethil said wickedly. "There is no end of talk and planning for your welcome back to the court."

"I look forward to rejoining society in full capacity," Oropher replied. He gestured with his fork. "You are excused."

Nimrethil sighed and bowed her way toward the door. "As you wish it, my king. Do try to look delighted, Thranduil."

Thranduil met Oropher's gaze. "I know it will be difficult to rejoin the court without . . . the Queen's company."

Oropher shifted. "I . . . confess I do not look forward to the solitude."

"I know I am unwelcome company at matters of the court," Thranduil said, "But I will not leave you walk alone, abar."

Oropher's eyebrows twitched. "Your outspoken and tactless form of expression are not welcome at matters of the court. You are. I fully expect you to be present in full capacity. It was your mother's wish you fulfill your duties as Crown Prince to the highest degree."

Unbidden, Thranduil flinched. "I am aware of Natelle's wishes, abar. I will strive to . . . meet the ideals expected of me."

"Good. I will rest easier at night knowing you are at my side."

Thranduil fidgeted. "Oropher, I . . . I have come to love spending time with you, learning from you, and growing with you, but I need you to know, once I leave this room, I too have a life to live, and it will not in company with you every passing hour."

A small smile widened Oropher's lips. "It is not my intention to tie you to my side. No insult intended, but I doubt I could survive constant exposure to you."

Thranduil frowned. He said haughtily, "I am shocked you have survived thus far."

Oropher laughed. The sound nourished his empty ears. "Thranduil, I assure you, you are not unbearable. I only wished to ascertain there is a decent level of communication between us."

"And you, I see, abar, have a sense of humor after all. I assure you; I will do my best not to disgrace you in the eyes of the court. Now, I wonder what Nimrethil has left us for dessert?"

Five days later a joyful Thranduil and satisfied Oropher sallied forth from the healing ward, Avaron having declared he could not hold them a day longer. In the company of Harune in the long-missed coziness of their shared family room, Thranduil lay on the sofa with his head in Harune's lap and smiled at the ceiling.

"I missed this, ada. I missed you. It is not the same when Oropher is with us."

Harune ran his fingers through Thranduil's hair. "I am glad you have found connection with him. You are not as unalike as you think."

Thranduil looked up at his father. "I found more than connection, ada, I finally found some peace. I feel you did too."

"We both lost loved ones. You we share."

Thranduil shut his eyes. "I did not think of it in such a beautiful manner before." He hesitated before he sat up. "I . . . think I will see Oropher to say goodnight. I have you, but he is alone."

Harune smiled and covered Thranduil's hand with his. "He will appreciate the gesture. I will be here when you return."

Thranduil trod a path to Oropher's chambers in the eastern corner of the palace. He passed statuesque guards standing with their hands clasped behind them at many of the intersections and hallways before he reached Oropher's protected door. He knocked.

"Come in!" Outside of the quietude of the healing ward, Oropher's voice echoed, commanding and rich.

Thranduil turned the gold doorknob and entered the plush interior of Oropher's bedchamber. From his seat in a green-and-gold armchair beside an empty hearth, Oropher set aside his cup of tea on the polished table beside him and rose.

"Tea?" Thranduil inquired, admiring the elegantly outfitted tray complete with a silver teapot, sugar cube bottle, and pitcher.

Oropher raised his eyebrows. "You did not come out of curiosity about my nighttime habits, Thranduil. I must draw your attention to your procrastination-driven attitude."

Thranduil chuckled. "I came to say goodnight, abar. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Thranduil."

Oropher sat back down to his tea. He smiled into the cup long after the door clicked behind his son.

While I fully intended this chapter to highlight the courtly celebration of Oropher and Thranduil to full health, the characters decided otherwise. The celebration(s) will take place next chapter, however, and this I put to you with as much sincerity as Oropher's final sentence.

Thanks kindly for reading! Your comments and suggestions for improvement make my day.