Chapter 27

For nigh a fortnight they journeyed through the woods of the Elvenking's realm, and spring gave its place to summer. The road southwest was long and precarious at parts, where the elven path was nearly lost from sight, and the flora was so dense that even the elves had some trouble finding it again. The farther south they got, the darker the woods became. And even though the sun above the tall trees shone bright and warm, little of its light reached the ground. The foliage was thick, hanging over the riders' heads like an impenetrable parapet of leaves and boughs, imprisoning the dampness below and making the air close and oppressive. Nameless creatures lurked in the shadows, behind shrubs and under rocks, but they dared not emerge from their hiding places, for the light of the passing elves frightened them, and they ran from it.

"I thought that in summer the forest would be less gloomy", commented Daenerys in a low voice, as she rode her horse close to Thranduil's elk.

"Spring or winter, autumn or summer, it matters not, when we tread so close to the ruins of Dol Guldur", he replied. "For there stands the black fortress of evil, and nothing can break its darkness. The protection spells I have woven around my Halls and my borders have no power here. But still, the foul creatures of darkness fear us, and they will not dare attack us, unless their numbers are great."

For the Elvenking traveled with a great host of elves; two score soldiers and servants rode along with him, carrying provisions, rolled sheets and poles for tents, weapons and chests with garments and other necessities, as well as gifts for the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim. Daenerys glanced back at the long column of the King's retinue. Tall elves rode on horses and sat on carts, all dressed in hooded grey or olive-green cloaks. Their faces were solemn, their eyes deep and serene, and there was a faint glow about them all, making them shine like stars upon the waning night sky. Such a magical sight, she thought, to watch the elves ride slowly and silently through the woods. And their magic lingers after their passage… It is palpable, like a scent in the wind. It is a pity there are no elves in Westeros, or Essos. Were, perhaps, the Children of the Forest a little like these wood elves? No one can tell… Their stories are lost to memory and myth.

There might not be elves in Daenerys' world, but there were dragons. And her own three dragons now had been left behind, resting in their nests upon the hill of the Elvenking's Halls. Thranduil and Daenerys had agreed it would be unwise to bring even one of them to Lothlórien, for the people would be upset, and rightfully so. But they were of the mind to talk to Celeborn and Galadriel of her dragons and their plans to use them as a weapon in the war. If they indeed wished to see the dragons for themselves, they would be welcome to visit them in the Elvenking's realm whenever they willed. Thranduil had spoken to Daenerys of the leaders of the Galadhrim and their power, and she had understood how important their allegiance in the coming war was. It was imperative that they, in turn, understood what possessing three growing dragons meant.

Thranduil's voice brought her out of her musings. "We shall be soon leaving the forest, though. Lórien is farther south, and we will follow the Anduin up to its confluence with the Celebrant. There is no reason why we should continue south through the woods and get closer still to Dol Guldur. No good will come out of it but needless risks."

Daenerys recalled the maps of the land she had studied in the Elvenking's library. The Great River flowed south in a fairly straight course, and it would be easy enough to ride along its eastern bank. And where it met with the river Celebrant was the eastern border of Lothlórien. "I will be glad to leave this darkness and see the sun again", she said, and Thranduil nodded and smiled. "I suppose we will be expected, once we reach the Golden Wood?"

"Indeed. I have sent word to the lord Celeborn of my wish to visit them. He was surprised, truth be told, for I have not ventured beyond my borders for years… But he is certain to have prepared a grand reception. You see, Daenerys, Celeborn and I have been friends for ages, ever since we both dwelled in Doriath. He was a kinsman of King Elu Thingol's and one of his councilors, alongside my father", he explained.

"I remember reading about him in your father's book, the one Istuives had gifted me. He mentioned him often in the section where he narrated your life in Doriath. I surmised they were friends", she said.

"Yes… He had been a friend of my father's, as well as mine. I admit we grew apart as the centuries went by, and our lives took different courses, but the sentiment remains, and old friendships are not easily forgotten amongst the elves", he told her with a small smile.

"How is he like, then?"

"Tall and fair, and silver-haired, like many of the Sindar. He is wise and measures his words before speaking… but he is no great friend of humor and jesting. I fear you will find him rather dull at times", he replied, wearing a look of amusement on his face. "His wife is entirely different, though", he added.

"The lady Galadriel?"

"Yes… She used to live in Doriath for a time, and that is where she met her husband. But the Galadriel of those bygone days resembles little the Galadriel she is today", he said, reminiscing. "Her rebelliousness has given its place to temperance, and her rashness to wisdom. Her pride and desire to rule have transformed themselves into a love so deep for this land that she has devoted herself and her powers to its protection. She sees herself as no Queen, but only as a Guardian. But in truth, she is no less than a Queen, and Celeborn no less than a King, and they are treated so by everyone in Lórien and beyond", he stated.

"Remarkable how one so powerful cares not for titles and decorations", Daenerys commented.

Thranduil shook his head. "She is above all that. Her true power lies in her keen spirit and her vast knowledge, and her magic is the strongest elven magic there is in Middle-Earth in our time. She is a Ringbearer, too, and wields Nenya, one of the three elven rings. With that she protects her realm from all evil, and no foul creature dares trespass in Lórien. Nothing moves under the mellyrn that she is not aware of. Her presence is all-encompassing, and you may be frightened of her at first. But Galadriel is of benign intent, and she would never seek to disturb your heart and mind."

Daenerys was listening to him, feeling awed. All the elves she had met so far looked majestic to her, and Thranduil most of all. How much fairer and more imposing could this lady be? She found she was eager to meet her.

"And she is beautiful, breathtakingly beautiful", Thranduil belatedly added. "Her eyes are azure pools of shimmering light, and her hair… oh, her hair…" he sighed. "Long tresses of silver-gold, fabled among the elven folk, for they are said to have captured the light of the Two Trees. Her face is sweet and youthful, but in her eyes lies all the wisdom of the world. Her voice is like balm to a wounded heart, her gaze like morning dew. No man, elf or dwarf has ever beheld the Lady of the Wood and not marveled."

"Your words of praise for the lady Galadriel are making me feel jealous, Thranduil. Should they?" she asked with a pout.

But he laughed. "No, my sweet Daenerys, never. The Lady is a wonder to behold, and even I would be humbled before her, but she does not hold my heart. It is yours, and yours alone", he assured her.

Daenerys smiled knowingly. "I know. My words held no true doubt."

"You were teasing me, then?"

"I was", she answered, and her eyes danced with mirth.

Thranduil wanted to grab her and kiss her then, but their current state forbade him to. He had to wait for until much later, when they made camp for the night

By dusk they left the forest behind. They rode now through sparse trees, and in the distance they could see the light of the setting sun reflected on the waters of the Anduin. The sky above cleared as they emerged from the woods, and to the west it was painted with a myriad of colors, ranging from golden to red and from purple to pink. Clouds hung upon the Hithaeglir, but they were not laden with rain and did not herald a storm. They stretched like fingers over the mountain peaks, and caught and refracted the light as the sun dove behind them, following its perpetual, immutable course. A soft breeze blew in the faces of the riders, fragrant with the scent of river plants and spring flowers, and they were glad to be out of the gloom of the woods. They rode south across the Gladden Fields, and passed the point where Sîr Ninglor met the Anduin. Now, the Gladden Fields - called Loeg Ningloron buy the elves – were less of a field and more of a marsh, and vast clumps of yellow irises grew there, and they were so tall that at some points even hindered the vision of the riders. Thranduil and his host kept to the eastern edge of the marshes and moved southward, for he did not wish to needlessly cross and wade through the small isles and the treacherous waters. And when the light of the day was gone and the night was gloaming, he gave the order to stop and make camp.

Fires were lit and tents were erected, but this time Daenerys would share the King's tent. For he had announced their intention to marry to his people a good two months past, and after some initial questioning and voiced objections, the upheaval had subsided, and the elves had accepted their King's decision. Most of the common people had been in favor of it from the start, but some of the nobility looked at it with a wary eye, for they still considered Daenerys an oddity amongst the elven folk, and they looked at her dragons suspiciously. Still, it was not in their best interest to continue to oppose the will of their King, and in the end they relented, and wished him happiness and prosperity. And Thranduil and Daenerys had thrown a feast by mid-spring, to show the realm their appreciation, and to announce their betrothal. She wore the ring he had given her, and she gave him a ring of her own: the band was silver and shaped like elk antlers on the top, which met and cradled a sparkling emerald. And they ate delicious food until the platters were empty, and drank fine wine until all decanters were drained, and danced and made merry until the dawn broke.

And after that feast had ended, Thranduil told Daenerys that he would take her to Lothlórien in the next month, as he was intending to keep his promise. The journey there would be in celebration of their betrothal, and the Elvenking was persuaded by his fiancée to at last take some time off his duties, and devote a few weeks to his leisure and to her as well. And he had acceded, for he knew not when – or if – they would again have such a chance in the months to come. Legolas had also played a part in putting his father's worries to rest, for in him Thranduil saw an able ruler, and the realm would not remain without governance for the weeks he would be away. And the Prince had accepted the duty willingly, and insisted that his father take as much time off as he deemed necessary.

The last light of the day faded into the western sky, when the tents had at last been erected, and everything had been set in order. Stationing guards outside his tent, the Elvenking pushed the front flap aside and stepped inside. Behind him followed Daenerys, carrying a tray with two bowls of hot stew and slices of yellow cheese and brown, seedy bread. "You have considered our dinner, I see", Thranduil commented, as the rich scent of the steaming stew reached him.

"Of course. We have ridden all day long; we should not forgo this hearty meal. And I do not know about you, but for my part, I am starving", she replied emphatically.

He chuckled. "Very well. Come, sit with me", he invited her, drawing two stools forth. She set the tray on the small trestle table and sat beside him. As they began taking their first spoonfuls of the stew, he asked her, "How are you liking the journey so far? I trust it has not been too tiring for you."

"Tiring?" she laughed. "This is a pleasure ride, my love. I have ridden with the Dothraki through the Great Grass Sea for months on end, living on nothing but dry horse meat and fermented mare's milk", she told him.

"Your life has made you tough… much tougher than you look. Please forgive me for thinking you weaker than that", he said.

She extended her hand to him and touched his wrist tenderly. "Thranduil… what I said was not meant as a reprimand. I know you asked because you care. But you need not be worried about me all the time. I am alright."

"Yes…" he murmured, and returned to his stew. And though he spoke no more and his face betrayed no emotion, Daenerys was certain of his thoughts; he tended to be overly protective with her for fear of losing her, like he had lost Gilwen. He dreaded that something ill might befall her one day, and rob him of her. And he always worried about her well-being, and it was his first and foremost concern. Feeling the need now to thank him for his deep care, she leaned close and kissed his temple. Mildly surprised, he set his bowl down and looked at her. "What was that for?" he asked her.

"Just a little kiss of appreciation", she hummed.

He gazed deep into her violet eyes and a small smile graced his chiseled features. "Accepted… and appreciated." His next move was to bend forward and claim her lips in a fervent kiss, while his hand crept to the back of her neck and cradled her head. She responded in kind, and for a while they took a break from consuming their meal, tasting and devouring each other hungrily instead. And only when their hunger was somewhat sated did they break apart, and returned their attention to the stew in their bowls, which was quickly getting cold.

"Lothlórien is not too far away now, is it?" Daenerys asked a while later, as she set her now empty bowl aside.

Thranduil stood and reached for his flagon of wine. "No, we shall reach it in two days' time", he answered her, as he filled a glass. "Would you like some wine?" he asked in turn.

"No, thank you."

He returned to her side and sat down on his stool. "Lórien is majestic, you will see."

"I have no doubt about that. But my thoughts turn to our people and the dragons. Will they be safe, now that I am away? I am not sure it was wise to leave the dragons behind", she said.

"We could not have taken them along", he said. "Lórien is no place for them. They would not be permitted to hunt there, for the animals that dwell in the Golden Wood are protected by the Galadhrim, and they are not to be harmed. And Lórien is not a very large forest, whereas in the vastness of my realm they can fly and hunt unhindered. The dragons have proven effective in diminishing the numbers of the foul creatures, did you know that? My guards report to me that they often come across charred orc corpses and burned spider nests."

She nodded with a small smile but then gave him a skeptical look. "I have never been parted from them for so long… until now. What if they grow restless, wary, and dangerous? They know me as their mother. What if they feel I have abandoned them?" she worried.

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "But you spoke to them, you told them you will be gone for some time, and they listened. You yourself told me this only a few days ago. Why have doubts now?"

Daenerys shook her head. "Yes, they listened to me. And I do not think they would seek to harm anyone; they know that the elves are now my people. But what if they unwillingly cause some damage in their restlessness? What if someone does get harmed, although unintentionally? Dragons are wild and unpredictable, and their nature remains thus no matter how many soothing words I may speak to them."

The King nodded. "I understand that. I understand your concerns. There will always be risks, when you choose to house three dragons. But my people already know this well, and they are wise enough to keep out of the dragons' way."

"But still the dragons are unattended."

Her unappeased look made his demeanor soften, and he cupped her cheek. "My love, I understand that the bond you share with them is strong and unbreakable. But need I remind you what you told me? You told me that the dragons are not children. So perhaps they can do without their mother for a few weeks."

Daenerys sighed. "I want to believe you are right... They are growing so fast now, Thranduil. I should not still view them as children, and yet I do. It seems to me only yesterday when they were three tiny things, scared and trembling upon my shoulders. And I look at them now, and while I know in my reasonable mind that they are three large fire-breathing winged serpents, who can roast entire hosts on a whim, I cannot forget that they are my children, and how they nuzzle up to me, seeking my affection, and look at me with their huge, glowing eyes... They are my children; they will always be. And I will always worry about them. Would that I had more experience… Would that I had someone with me to guide me", she wistfully said, her mind momentarily turning to Ser Jorah.

"You share the sentiments and concerns of a parent towards her child", Thranduil remarked in a quiet voice, and gave her a small smile. "The feeling never goes away, Daenerys, even when your child grows thousands of years old and chooses his own path, which may very well not include you."

She looked deep into his eyes then and knew that he was speaking out of his own personal experience. And his words came like a balm upon her heart, for they bore wisdom and truth.

"A parent will always be a parent. The mother will love and worry for her children, even if they are quite well on their own, and do not truly need her support any longer", he went on. "But she will always be there for them, in case they need her, quiet and silent as an ever-vigilant sentinel."

She looked at him with eyes glazed over with unshed tears. The deepest root of her worry and unrest became gradually clear to her then, and he drew her in his arms protectively, holding her head against his chest, as he told her, "You do not need a dragon expert or a wizened guide, my heart. All you needed is a mother to hold you and love you, and show you what motherhood means."

She shivered in his embrace then, and silent sobs rocked her frame. He caressed her hair and soothed her as she wept, dropping feathery kisses on the top of her head. "I have been hunted from the day I was born… I would have been killed in my crib, had the Usurper's assassins been more effective in their role. No mother I knew and no father. No one held me as babe or chased my nightmares away. I grew up a scared and lonely child, submissive and cowardly, afraid of my own brother, to whom fate had not been much kinder. How am I supposed to know what love looks like?" she whimpered.

"Hush, hush…" he whispered as he brushed her tears away. "Your heart is full of love, Daenerys. And you long to love and be loved. You have so much to give. You loved your dragons from the moment they were given to you as eggs, am I wrong?" She nodded, confirming his words. "And you loved your husband the Khal, even though he was sometimes violent. You loved your stillborn son, and you love him even after his death. You loved your husband's people, although they were a barbaric tribe, who had no love for the people of the west. And it was love that led you to free those slaves, to whom the witch that tricked you belonged. You are willing to love everyone who is close to you, Daenerys. Your heart is gentle, just and forgiving. I know that. I have seen that. You came to love me, the King of a people so strange to you, although I kept you captive for a time and I saw your dragons with suspicion and detestation at first. Your heart is not closed to love, but so open to it… It basks and soars in love, and all you do in your life is dictated by a great feeling of love towards the world", he concluded his short monologue.

She clung to him tightly, winding her arms about his shoulders. "Thank you, thank you…" she murmured uncounted times.

He kissed her temple, her ear, her cheek. "No, do not thank me. To be loved by you is a great privilege." And he smiled to her, and she smiled back. They kissed, and their kiss was the sweetest they had ever shared, filled with the purest feelings of love. And their souls connected, and Daenerys let herself be lost in his light, and she allowed it to bathe her and engulf her, and at last her worries were laid to rest, and her heart was calm and peaceful.

"Take me outside, to see the stars…" she whispered to him. "It is such a sweet night, and I want to look at them, and think of you."

With a fluttering heart he complied, and soon they were strolling through the yellow iris fields, holding hands and gazing up at the night sky. To the west ran the Anduin, and in the silence of the darkness his torrid waters could be heard, rushing in their perpetual course towards the Bay of Belfalas. Frogs croaked and crickets chirped, and the light breeze caused the long stalks of the irises to sway and whistle, and all around peace reigned.

They came upon an elevation of the ground and there they stopped and sat amidst the flowers. Above them shone the silver stars, and the waning moon cast its faint glow upon the still waters of the marshes beyond the foot of the small hill.

"The sky looks like black velvet embroidered with silver thread", the mother of dragons commented.

"It is so beautiful…" the Elvenking breathed. "A pity we cannot gaze upon it more often. Once, long ago, my people lived under the stars, free and unafraid. But those days are gone, and now we are forced to live our lives in fear and constant caution, hiding in deep caverns as if we are dwarves, and forsaking the starlight in order to stay safe and alive", he lamented. "Can you believe it, Daenerys, that there are forces in this world so cruel and malicious, that they would seek to destroy such beauty, and seek to replace it with gloom and death and ruin?"

"It darkens my heart even to think of it. Your world is truly magical, Thranduil. Here even the smallest lake or the plainest tree is veiled in a cloth of beauty and wonder. The land itself is alive, and even I, a foreigner, can feel it. A rock is not a mere rock; a blade of grass is not an insignificant existence. The soil vibrates beneath my feet, the wind whispers in my ear, the waters sing to me, the mountains thrum with pride and the woods dance around me… I can only imagine how it feels to you elves, who are creatures of nature, and bound to it", she said, and turned her gaze from the sky to his eyes. She saw pure starlight reflected in them, and her heart melted with love for him.

"The world is music itself, my love. Woe to anyone, who ever forgets it."

His gaze softened then, as he beheld her beautiful face, white and luminous under the silver light of the sky. He bent slowly and touched his lips upon hers, and she sighed in delight. They leaned back in their bed of irises, and their lips touched again. "I love you, Daenerys. Never forget that."

"I know…" she murmured with a soft smile. "And I love you too."

The night was warm, and she did not shiver when he pushed the gown off of her shoulders. The breeze caressed her skin, and she relished the feeling. His fingers followed to where the wind had touched her, and she trembled this time, for his touch was tentative but diligent, never leaving a spot on her skin unexplored. And she unclasped his cloak, and it fell on the grass, serving as a sheet for them to lie on. She then unfastened the cords of his tunic, her palms eager to make contact with his smooth skin. The coolness of it was a welcome contrast to her own feverish skin, and their naked touch caused sparks of excitement to ignite between them.

"I am tired of trying to be strong…" she murmured. "I do not want to be strong now. With you I want to be myself, soft and vulnerable in your arms… I want to be just Daenerys."

"And I just wish to be Thranduil. Not the King, not the warrior, not the ice-cold statue the others see… Not even the father. With you I wish to be the young ellon I once was, smiling and carefree, with the fire of life in my heart", he confessed.

Her fingers traced the lines of his face on the left side. Without another prompt, he knew what she meant. The façade was gone from his appearance, and his scars were revealed. Her fingers danced over them tenderly. "We are free of any pretense; we are simply ourselves", she whispered to him, and kissed his ruined cheek.

He shivered and closed his eyes, but did not withdraw from her touch. He gave himself to her unconditionally, and her hands explored all the scars one by one. And to her he seemed as vulnerable as she, too, felt, if not more. For she knew that it was not easy for him to expose himself thus, and he only did it for her, and with her.

"I do not have scars on my skin", she told him softly, "but the scars in my soul match yours… They are there; invisible, but there."

"I know, I know…" he breathed. "You heart is safe in my keeping. And although the scars may never truly heal, they become less painful over time."

He pulled her to him then, his hands traveling down her sides until they found the hem of her gown. Slipping out of their remaining garments, they embraced and kissed, and there upon the grass and under the stars they loved each other well into the night.