A cool breeze lifted Thranduil's hair off his sweaty neck. He and Ailunai sat outside on the family room balcony awaiting Nimrethil with their tea. The high wall above them threw shade down on the white chairs and table.

Ailunai glanced out toward the view the balcony offered of the land where the royal gardens had once been. "Oropher talks of rebuilding it soon."

"I wish he would leave it as it is," Thranduil replied. "The air is clearer out front. I see no need for a front garden too, when the one in the back is as luxurious."

Ailunai held Thranduil's hand on the tabletop. "No doubt Oropher is too occupied with assembling the royal guard to be troubled with rebuilding the front gardens now. You, of course, intend to go with him?"

Thranduil sighed and pulled his hand away. "If Oropher insists on riding forth to the border with nearly half of Mirkwood's guard, I cannot let him go alone. Perhaps if he sees the humans are not a threat, I can persuade him to choose peace."

"How the path of life changes!" Ailunai lamented. She drew her hand into her lap. "I received a visit from my parents. I am expected—"

Nestel, Oropher's personal manservant, appeared in the doorway. He looked at Ailunai from under his eyebrows with inky black eyes as if storing the picture to paint for Oropher later. In a flat voice he said, "Prince Thranduil, the King requests your immediate presence in his sitting room."

Thranduil gulped down the last of his iced tea to fortify himself and apologized to Ailunai for leaving her to enjoy her tea alone. Nestel had quietly faded back whence he had come. Thranduil walked to Oropher's sitting room.

"You have redecorated," Thranduil said, as he entered the space.

Here in the vast room with windows to the floor overlooking a tiny garden nook, the presence of Natelle was preserved in her embroidered yellow curtains and saffron pillow covers. The polished, bare floor shone, as did the cherry wood coffee table before the sofa. In the other half of the room a matching dining table overlooked by six oil paintings of Mirkwood past nobility offered an elegant place to congregate.

"I wished more space," Oropher said. He rose from his chair set at an angle before the twinkling windows and caught up a velvet green box from the table beside him. Thranduil noticed he wore Natelle's wedding ring as well as his own on his hand.

Oropher snapped open the box. Thranduil's heart shocked his feet numb. An emerald as green as a tree's reflection in a summer stream winked at him.

"This ring," Oropher said, "belonged to the first Queen of Mirkwood and has been passed down through our family. It is customary for this ring to mark the hand of the Crown Prince's betrothed."

As Thranduil continued to stare at him, his eyes unconsciously narrowing into slits, Oropher added, "I do not feel as if you have done your rightful duty toward Marseille. It is time to correct that. The lady is staying at the palace."

Thranduil took the ring box from Oropher, his chilled fingers almost refusing to curl around it. "I barely know her."

"Through your own fault," Oropher said sternly. "And mine. Marseille is of excellent breeding. You will find no better throughout the kingdom."

"That is a poor way indeed to regard a woman, my king."

Oropher folded his arms. "I give you the ring now so you may prepare yourself to recognize the reality of the betrothal. When we return from the borders, I expect your mind to be clear of all fanciful distractions."

Ailunai. Bitterness rose in Thranduil's throat. He turned away to find a smile to place on his face before turning back to Oropher. "This ring will mark the hand of my beloved, my king. This I promise you." Seeing Nestel had set the coffee table for tea, he added, "Perhaps ada will join us for tea?"

He needed an anchor, something to stop himself from clawing away Oropher's calm.

"Of course," Oropher said. He snapped his fingers at Nestel pointedly and the elf disappeared in search of Harune. "We will tell him the happy news."

After tea Thranduil walked with Harune toward his chamber, the ring box an anvil in his pocket. Harune put a hand on his arm as if sensing his gloom and said, "I know you have no intention of marrying Marseille."

"Oropher will not understand," Thranduil answered. "I found myself too dismayed by his lack of understanding to argue my betrothal with him."

"Perhaps Oropher has his expectations," Harune said, "but think of Marseille, if you will. She has been raised to marry you. Her life has been devoted to the education of a Queen."

"Surely you do not suggest I marry her to protect her dignity!"

Harune's eyebrows shot up. "Certainly not! I merely suggest you talk to her. I am certain she has feelings on the matter too."

Thranduil turned to suit the action to the word at once, but Harune stopped him. "Oropher has the right idea when he suggests you spend your ride to the borders clearing your mind and being sure of how you wish to move forward. Speak to Marseille when you return, Thranduil. I am convinced you have packing to do."

"Pity you cannot come with me," Thranduil said.

"I choose not to come," Harune said. "I know I will find the solitude healing, in its own way, and you have no need of me."

Thranduil laughed. "You will be worried sick every night wondering if I am killing myself."

"I," said Harune, "Have taken care to assuage such worries."

Thranduil looked at him keenly, but Harune volunteered no further information.

Next day after breakfast Thranduil searched for Ailunai to say goodbye but could not find her. Disappointed and stretched for time, he left a note in her chamber and swung the heavy travelling cloak draped over his arm around himself. It wrapped around him to protect his clothes from dust.

As he left the palace and hurried toward the stables, he saw Harune waiting near the barn door and hurried into his hug.

"Remember to think, ion nin," Harune whispered. "I love you."

"So much." Thranduil held on a moment longer before letting go.

Harune's blue eyes twinkled at him. "You will not go alone."

Thranduil looked past his father as Harune stepped aside to reveal Hyrondal, Jailil, Nimrethil, and Ailunai standing beside a massive, covered wagon with the reins to their horses in hand.

"Surely you can tell by our traveling garb we have not come to say goodbye," Ailunai teased. "The last time I let you out of my sight you came back to me in pieces. It will not happen again."

Thranduil grinned as Hyrondal put the reins to a second horse in his hand. "How did you manage it?"

Nimrethil hiked up her skirts and clambered into the wagon seat. She took the reins to the four horses pulling the cart.

"I managed it!" Nimrethil declared. She dipped her head as Delya slid out of the covered wagon. "Introducing myself, chef to the troops."

"Yuai is up ahead with the guard," Hyrondal added, "But he could not leave his star apprentice behind."

Jailil hugged Delya to him. "We are responsible for damages."

Thranduil winced. "I hope it does not come to that."

"I," said Ailunai, "Am here for you!"

Nimrethil sniffed. "She is really here in her capacity as tree oracle."

"But that is not as romantic," Ailunai whispered, and kissed Thranduil's cheek.

"We really must go," Nimrethil insisted, glancing around. "I accosted the actual appointed chef and locked him in the pantry, but he is sure to be out by now, and I refuse to hand over my throne."

"You must join Oropher at the head of the procession," Ailunai told Thranduil. "He is no doubt ready to depart."

"See you on the road!" Thranduil promised as he stepped into the saddle of his horse.

Hyrondal mounted easily beside him. He jerked his head at Nimrethil as she gleefully whipped up the four horses and the wagon barreled down the road ahead. "She will kill herself before she gets to the border."

Thranduil grinned. "Bet on it?"

Hyrondal clucked to his horse. "Do you take me for a fool?" The animal burst into a gallop and followed the last white glimpse of the covered wagon. Jailil and Ailunai were gone too by the time Thranduil said his final goodbye to Harune and turned his horse onto the path leading to Oropher.

They marched out on the open road past the palace, past the cheering lords and ladies, respectful servants. The road filled and thinned with the hundreds of marching armored elves bearing flags and drums. Yuai came at the head of the procession, directly behind Oropher and flanked by four captains in shining breastplates and green cloaks.

Thranduil spied Marseille and nodded to her, his head heavy at the thought the proud, beautiful warriors making music behind him were prepared to kill.

Thanks kindly for reading, y'all!

HelloLOTR: Thank YOU so much for sharing your thoughts on the previous chapter! Love that you loved Oropher's join on the side.

Went out to the theatre today for the first time in eighteen months. First thing I see when I get back: #CovidisnotOver trending on Twitter . . .

Next Chapter: Thranduil is attacked!