"My son, Thranduil." Oropher said, gesturing to the elf standing next to him who looked enough like his father Celebrian would have known he was the son without the introduction, or the circlet on his head. "Thranduil will show you around the city and the forest while your father and I talk."
It was subtle and brief but Celebrian didn't miss the panic in his eyes even if his tone was smooth, "Thranduil will?"
"Yes." Oropher said without a glance to his son, "Thranduil will."
Celebrian her heard own father laugh from where he stood next to her and then he kissed her forehead, "Have fun, little star. I will see you later."
Ignoring her own slight misgivings about the situation she tried to give him a bright smile and kissed his cheek, "Alright Ada, I will see you later."
And then their fathers turned and walked away, the Prince rolled his eyes at his fathers turned back.
"Impolite." Came Orophers somewhat scolding tone as they began to ascend the stairs.
The two of them remained absolutely silent until they were certain the footsteps had faded completely. Thranduil cleared his throat awkwardly, "Hello."
"Hello."
The silence returned.
She could tell when she was not wanted. She was an only child of the Lord and Lady, and as such the other elfings hadn't exactly raced to include her in things considered remotely against her parents wishes. Which, to an extent she could understand. Her mother could be frightening.
But it still made her angry.
Celebrian crossed her arms, not caring her tone sounded just as crossed, "Well don't let me ruin your evening. Feel free to run off now that they're out of sight, I won't even say anything. I'll tell my Ada I had a headache."
He looked both a bit surprised and a tad offended at this continued turn of events. "And they say I'm the hostile one? Valar. I was going to just invite you to join but nevermind, enjoy your headache."
Before she could say or do anything else he turned on his heel and vanished down another set of stairs.
Celebrian sighed.
.0
A knock came at the door and she looked up from her book with a frown. At home she would usually find some random object to use as a bookmark but this was not her book, and so she carefully noted the page number and closed the book.
Not bothering to put shoes on eh walked to open it, stunned to find Prince Thranduil standing there. "How's your headache?"
She stood a little straighter, "Its gone. Thank you for asking."
"That's good. I was going to invite you to join me in tonight's activities, on one condition."
She narrowed her eyes, "Whats the condition?"
"You don't tell your Ada and you certainly do not tell mine anything about it. Because we're probably going to end up places we aren't supposed to go. Deal?"
Sensing a rarely offered adventure afot she wasted no time, "Deal."
And then a beautiful smile lit up his face, the likes of which she never would have expected. "Go get changed into something you can climb in. I'll wait out here, but hurry."
.0
"Your late!" A voice from the bush hissed, seconds before two other young male elves appeared from it.
"Sorry, I had to get Celebrian."
She waved in a manner she hoped looked less awkward than it felt. One of the elves from the bush frowned, "Who's Celebrian?"
"Lord Celeborns daughter."
Thranduil indicated to the one who had done all the talking thus far, "Ferdan, son of Lord Belrome."
The second newcomer raised his hand before Thranduil could get to him, "I'm Galion. I dont really matter."
Ferdan snored loudly, "Then why is your ego still so big?"
Galion tossed some hair over his shoulders, "Birth defect. Nothing to be done."
Thranduil said loudly over the both of them, "These are my two dearest friends."
"And only one of us is getting paid!" Galion added brightly, laughing at Thranduil's expression. "Come on, we're going to miss everything!"
"What would we be missing, by the way?"
Somewhere in the forest a horn was blown, Thranduil took her hand to guide her as they all began running through the trees, "A scavenger hunt!"
By the time she got home late that night, she was near covered in mud and several bruises but Celeborn hadn't seen her so happy in months. So he let it slide that she was less than forthcoming about their activities.
