A/N: What's this? Two chapters in a row! We're reaching the second half of Yuletide and things are about to get fun! Thank you once again for all the reviews/comments and follows! I'm so glad you're all enjoying it! You have no idea how much I appreciate it! I also want to thank you for all the suggestions for the biathlon, I know what to do with it now!

Finally, I'm wondering about my pacing, do you think Millie and Thranduil's dynamic is developing fine or is it too quick? I'm thinking about when to have the dreaded first kiss. It might be a few chapters away yet. I might do three parts of Yule because there's a lot to these chapters and a lot of dialogue.

Anyway, on with the chapter and it's a long one, so enjoy!

Chapter Seventeen

Yuletide, Part II

Thranduil's POV

Six long years had passed since the end of the war against Sauron. In those six years, not once had I seen my son. Occasionally, I received a letter explaining his whereabouts, but they were also rare and few between. I am more than aware that my actions in the past have caused a rift between Legolas and I, especially with the part I played in the Battle of the Five Armies. Over the years that followed, we did our best to mend our bond and to some extent it worked, but I knew in my heart that my son would follow a different path. One that meant he would not sit upon the throne of Mirkwood.

Regrettably, I showed resentment towards his choice to travel with a dwarf and human instead of doing his duty to his kin. I'm not proud of it, but it is what it is. That didn't mean I did not miss my son or that I didn't worry about him in his absence. I loved him and I always would no matter what choice he made. That was my role as a father

Which is why when I saw Legolas standing in the doorway to the Great Hall of Erebor, I did not know what to say. Millicent had no family of her own here and from what I understood, she didn't have much family - if any at all - back in her world. For her to reunite me with my son in spite of her own feelings was a kindness I had never been shown. It became all the more important to me that the gift I had for her was the right one. I knew there was no way I could truly thank her, but I wanted to try.

That night was filled with more laughter and joy than I had experienced in a while. Any ill will that I had towards the dwarves Erebor was in the past. I shared drinks with Fili and recounted old stories and I even shared a dance with Maggie. Months ago, none of this would have been possible if it wasn't because of Millie showing up on my doorstep. If she hadn't shown up, no doubt my life would have continued as it always did and I would probably have been satisfied with that.

Satisfied. Not happy.

That was no longer a life I wish to live.

Dwarves and elves had one thing in common; we knew how to party. I recall days of my youth when great parties were held frequently, inviting people from all corners of Middle-Earth. The Yuletide ball would carry on until early hours of morning when people were either too tired to dance or too drunk to keep drinking. Even Elrond gave into temptation and indulged in more than several glasses of wine. Spirits were high and now more than ever, I had a feeling that this night would forever strengthen the bonds between the elves of mirkwood, men of Dale and dwarves of Erebor.

Millicent was also having a good time. Across the table, I saw her enjoying conversations with Nat and Theo, as well as Master Óin and Glóin. I also noticed that Legolas took her aside at one point for a private conversation after which he hugged her. I immediately knew that he had accepted her as a friend and that he too was grateful for what she'd done for us.

Many hours and drinks later, the pace of the party eventually slowed down. Several guests had already retreated to sleep off what would no doubt be an unpleasant hangover. In the corner of my eyes, I saw Millicent sneak away and I decided to follow her.

A few moments later, I found Millicent outside, further up a hill. She lay on a woollen cloak, gazing up at the sky. On this particular night, the sky above us was a perfect blanket of midnight blue, covered with a million stars shining down on us. I wondered if Millicent knew about the significance of stars to elves.

"They're all different from home." Millicent said. "I thought perhaps I might recognise some of the constellations, but they're all foreign. I don't even know what constellations you have, if any."

"Would you like me to show you?" I asked, a bit quicker than I anticipated

"I would love to. Will you sit?"

I composed myself before I lay down next to Millicent. It was a brisk night and a light breeze swept past us, acting as a reminder that the North Wind still ruled the sky. I found myself wondering what winters were like in Millicent's world and hoped that one day I would find out more about her life before she came here. We lay in silence for a while and I heard her heart beating clearly as she exhaled deep breaths. It had been a long time since I last watched the stars and even longer since I was joined by someone else. For too long had I stayed locked in my chambers and my ancestors would be ashamed. Watching the stars filled me with a great calm and almost a longing.

"Elrond told me that elves are fond of starlight." Millicent recalled "Why is that?"

"Elves were awakened by Valar during the Long Night." I explained "Starlight was the first light we ever saw and it is precious to us."

"Do you...remember it?"

I shook my head and chuckled. Millicent knew of course that elves were immortal, but I realised she didn't know my actual age.

"No, but my father did." I replied "We often watched the stars when I was an elfling and he told me that the first star he remembered seeing was Anarríma. It is one of the constellations set in the heavens by Varda to enlighten the awakening of elves and gathered from among the ancient stars. That one over there slightly to the left is called Menelmacar, also known as the Swordsman of the sky. Our stories say the Valar placed him in the sky as a way of foreboding the Last Battle."

"Where? I can't see him."

Gently, I grabbed Millicent's hand and slipped my fingers between hers. Then, with our combined index-fingers, pointed towards the sky and traced a line from the moon to the position of the Swordsman. I'd almost forgotten that the stars were always brightest during Yule and tonight, their shine danced across the sky as they had done for thousands of years. At first, I thought that Millecent would let go of my hand once I pointed out the constellation, but to my surprise, she didn't.

"What other stars are there?" she asked

"Well, our brightest and most beloved star is that of Eärendil. It is the light that shines in the horizon both in the morning and the evening. It was a boat raised by the Valar and led by Eärendil, who carries a shining Silmaril while watching the Doors of Night."

"What about you? Do you have a favourite star?"

I nodded and as I slightly squeezed Millicent's hand I drew a line over the horizon until our fingers landed on a bright blue round dot.

"That is Luinil." I explained "Our ancestors knew it as the Blue One because during the Long Night it was his light that phone the brightest. My mother first told me his story when I was but a young elfling and since then, he has always brought me comfort and guidance."

"That's lovely." Millicent said "My father and I used to watch the stars. He had friends in Cornwall and when I was little we used to park the car out on the moor. There, the sky was so clear you could see the entirety of the Milky Way, sprinkled like bits of white snow over a velvet blanket. He told me about Orion - the Great Hunter."

"Who is he?"

"In ancient Greek mythology, Orion was the son of Poseidon - the great god of the sea. He possessed supernatural strength and a talented hunter who claimed he could rid the world of all its animals. This angered the Earth goddess Gaia, who sent a scorpion to defeat Orion. Orion then tried to battle the scorpion, but he quickly realized that he could not shoot his arrow through the creature's armor. Orion proved troublesome to the other gods, so it was the goddess Artemis who put him in the sky so that she could always see him."

I found myself listening to the story with awe. I was ashamed to admit that at first, Millicent's world seemed to me to be one without magic, but it was now clear to me this was far from the case. Her world had gods and heroes just like ours did and stories that were passed on for generations.

We lay there in silence for what seemed like hours, but it was a comfortable silence. Millicent's hand still rested comfortably in mine and I gently traced circles in the palm of her hand. Her skin was soft, if a bit cold from the wind and I noticed a scar just above her life line.

"It was a knife cut." Millicent said "I was tending an injured soldier whose state of shock made him violent. As we tried to hold him down, he managed to reach for his knife and cut my hand. Eventually we managed to sedate him, but he still died from infection. His name was Tommy."

"You have seen a lot of death?" I asked, but it was more of a statement. "Seems an awful fate for one so young."

"Yes, I've seen my share. You get used to it eventually, like it becomes a part of who you are. But, even when everything seems hopeless there's still light when you get to save someone's life and see them get back to their loved ones."

"You are selfless, to sacrifice your own time with your family so that others can be reunited with theirs. I'm sure they are forever grateful to you."

"I don't have a family anymore, remember? Not since Charlie died. If I can give my time to help those who willingly sacrificed their life for our country, then I will. It is my duty, after all."

A loud chortle from down the hill interrupted our moment and I saw Millicent shivering from cold. As much as I wanted this moment to last, I did not wish for her to become sick. I got back up on my feet and helped Millicent back on hers.

"Here, you are freezing." I said and wrapped her cloak tighter around her as well as my arms, which she did not mind or protest. "Come, let us return inside. I am sure Elrond is missing his companion for the festivities."

I awoke the following morning in good spirits, albeit with a head sore from over indulging in dwarrow ale. According to tradition, the breakfast following the ball was equally as anticipated and I knew it would be needed for the day ahead.

"I can see why you like her."

Legolas stood outside my chambers, leaning against the wall with an ever so smug grin on his face.

"I know not what you mean, ion-nin." I replied

"Forgive my disbelief, ada, but I see how you look at her. Everyone does, except it would seem the two of you. It has been a long time since I saw you so filled with joy."

My son was perspective as always. Ever since Legolas was an elfling there was no point hiding anything from him. I wondered what he thought about this new turn of events. Particularly after last night, during mine and Millicent's private moment outside. It was nothing but a conversation between two friends, yet I still felt as though we were closer than before. I didn't want to take anything for granted though and I was still not certain of my own feelings. Besides, Legolas still loved his mother very much and if I admitted that I….felt something for Millicent, whatever it may be, I also could not help but feel I was also betraying the memory of his mother.

"It is alright, ada." Legolas said as if he had read my thoughts. "You are allowed to move on from naneth and to be happy. It is all I have ever wanted for you. I know you and I know you probably will not admit anything to me or yourself, but for what it is worth, you need not worry about my feelings. Besides, I do like her."

Further down the corridor, Eira's gleeful laughter thankfully interrupted our conversation and I smelled a variety of hot foods from the great hall. Legolas and I walked in silence to the hall and found everyone else were already gathered. Eira ran excitedly between the tables, while the others were mid-conversation. Millie sat on the far end between Theo and Elrond and looked a little tired but seemed to be happy.

"So, it's a biathlon then?" Felix asked as he poured himself mulled cider. I wondered what tales he, Legolas and Gimli had to share from their travels. "You compete in two sports suitable for winter?"

"Aye, in the first sport men compete against each other for the honor of their yuletide companion and at the end, a champion will be crowned." Fili explained as he grabbed Eira mid-air and placed his daughter on his lap. "If you do not have a companion you are also allowed to compete, however, you must still decide whose honor you are fighting for and if you win, your companion must present you with a kiss."

In the moment Filli finished his sentence, I caught Elrond looking at me from across the table and I saw a mischievous grin tug at his lips. That sly half-elf. This was his plan all along. I must admit that I did not see it coming for a second and I had to hand it to Elrond, he still knew how to play these games. It was funny, I thought, how little some things changed over thousands of years.

"What's the second sport?" Millicent asked "Is it one that women can participate in?"

"Aye, the second sport is bowling." Gimli replied cheerfully "One that us dwarves are particularly skilled at."

"Well, at least where I'm from, we usually bowl in teams."

It surprised me to hear that bowling existed in Millie's world as well, but I was also glad that there was something we all had in common. Master Gimli was indeed right, dwarves were remarkably talented bowlers. I recalled a time in my youth when I participated in a game with my fellow elves and sorely lost.

"I have an idea." Nat said "How about a game with humans from Earth vs the dwarves and elves from Middle-Earth? I don't want to brag, but Maggie, Felix and I basically grew up in a bowling alley."

"Is that right, lass?" Gimli teased "Well, I believe we have ourselves a set-up then."

"How does it work?" Millicent asked "Are we defending somebody's honor?"

Bouts of laughter spread across the table and Millicent's cheeks turned pink, a colour that rather suited her. I'd never seen her be embarrassed though and she usually took everything in her stride. One of the many things that I admired about her.

"No, Ms Millicent." Óin chuckled as he wiped the steam off his glasses. "Bowling is a sport about money. We place wages on who we think might win or lose. Nearly everyone under the mountain will be participating in teams and bets are placed all around. In the end, the winning team collects the pot."

"That sounds like harmless fun." Millicent said

"Oh, you have no idea m'dear."

Master Óin was right. Millicent had no idea of how competitive the day was about to get and I for one found myself excited.

Standing by the Long Lake was strange, especially considering Lake Town no longer existed. Last time I had stood by its shores was during the dwarves' quest to Erebor. Both Maggie and Fili were different people back then and not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined calling them my friends as I did now. Just as it did every year, ice had frozen over the lake and ontop of the ice was a thin layer of snow. A chill hung in the air and a brisk wind foretold of an oncoming snowstorm, perhaps later in the day.

Millicent wore a long blue dress and thick winter cloak with a hood that covered her hair. Yesterday, her hair had been braided, but today her blonde curls cascaded down her shoulders. My fellow competitors were all gathered on the edge of the lake and I scanned the terrain ahead. The rules were simple enough; skate as quickly as possible across the lake, avoid the obstacles and skate back before the others. To the spectator, it seemed easy enough but dwarves were tricksters. If my memory was correct, there would be traps set out across the lake. If one wasn't careful enough, you could easily slip through the cracks and into the ice-cold water. Elves were at an advantage because of our enhanced senses, but dwarves had them also. Óin, who was too old to participate, gathered the contestants together and then turned to the crowd.

"You know the rules, before we start, those without companions must choose whose honour they wish to fight for."

Only a couple of others were without companions and when Óin turned to me, I was surprised to find my own heart beating a little faster than usual.

"I choose Lady Millicent," I announced "If she will accept."

"I will." Millicent acknowledged, much to my relief.

"Alright then, on yer marks, set-"

On the third count, Óin sounded the horn and we were off. Even though centuries had passed since I last skated, my feet still remembered the movements. Each time moved forward, the breeze tousled my hair and I quickly studied my competitors. Theo and Gimli were right behind me and I heard the son of Glôin cackle to himself as he tackled some of his fellow dwarves. Foul play was of course allowed, as well as anticipated, but I decided to not go down that route.

"It's good to see old age has not yet caught up with, my friend." Fili sassed as he skated past me, a grin wide as the River Anduin on his face "Slow as elves age, surely nearly 10,000 years would leave its mark?"

"I commend you on your forthrightness, mellon-nin." I said "Your Uncle Thorin would have been proud of you and not just for your sharp tongue. You and your wife are doing a fine job in Erebor."

"Aye, but I think he'd not be best pleased if he knew you were here, which he will if he is watching from Mahal's hall with Bilbo and Riley. Now, are you going to stop your jabbering or focus on what's important? "

Fili was quicker on his feet than I anticipated and before I knew it, he tackled me so that I fell over and a sharp shard of ice sliced a part of my leg. I quickly got back up on my feet, ignoring the pain and then resumed skating passed the others. In the distance I saw Felix skating only slightly behind Legolas.

One dwarf miscalculated his moves and fell right into a freezing pool of water, cursing in Khuzdul as the rest of us carried on. As I skated ahead, only Elrond and Gimli were ahead of me.

"I know what you're doing, Elrond." I said "You are a fool."

"Am I now?" Elrond asked "Sometimes a bit of foolishness is required if you are to come to your senses."

I'd reached the turning marker and as I thought Elrond was next to me, I heard his skates hit the ice as he slipped, no doubt on purpose that sly-orc and left me ahead of the competitors until finally, I reached the finish line where the onlooking audience applauded.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have our champion!" Master Óin called out "Lord Thranduil of Mirkwood!"

Pride jolted through my body like lightning and through the crowd I saw Millicent applauding next to Maggie and Nat while they whispered amongst each other. No doubt about what would come next.

A shared kiss as a token of gratitude for defending her honor. The noise of the crowd drowned away around us as I walked towards Millicent and the closer I got the louder I heard her heart beating, almost in sync with mine. Finally, I stood close enough to her that I could feel her breath and in that moment it was just the two of us.

"Congratulations on a victory well earned, my lord." Millicent said "I didn't think you had it in you."

"I'm glad to have earned your faith, rather than disbelief in my abilities, my lady." I teased "I believe there is a time honored tradition to deal with?"

Millicent nodded and once again I felt our hands lightly touch and then ass as the noise drowned away and it was just us two for a moment, she placed her lips on my cheek.

To be continued…..

I know, I know! It's mean to tease! I want to save the actual kiss for the right moment, but maybe not too far off in the future. I did say this would be a slow burn. I hope you liked this chapter! I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments! How is Thranduil's character developing?

Next up: bowling and gift exchanging!