***between the scene in the Throne room and the one in the study***

A reminder: The throne room scene is when Thranduil realise he mistook his wife's behavior for immaturity and lack of love towards his son and the study scene is when he slaped her for criticizing his way of educating his son. In between those two events, lots of elven years past (that's why she missed many of Legolas' bithdays...because she didn't like attending formal diners with Thranduil and feigned illness.)

Interrogation

"Father?"

"Yes"

"I was wondering if I could take a ride in the forest today."

"Since when do you ask for my permission?"

"Well I wanted to go alone since no one's available."

"Ask your mother to go with you."

Legolas twisted his foot on the ground, very interested in the tiles suddenly.

"What is it Legolas, I have little time for this. You are grown enough to make decision on your own. You don't need to ask permission if you take someone with you."

"Mother refuses."

Thranduil lifted his gaze from his paper and eyed his son with sudden interest.

"And what is the reason of her refusal? Surely she has something to do. You know the girls takes lot of her times, Amara is still rather young my son."

"Well…I know….but they are asleep and mother hasn't been with them all day, the maids are taking care of them."

"Why did she refuse then?"

Legolas' hands were playing with the hem of his tunic in anxiety which his father didn't take time to notice.

"Son, what is wrong?" No answer came from the young boy, his head lowered towards the ground. His father kept silent and waited patiently for the young ellon to respond.

"I don't think mother likes me…" Eyebrows raised to the top of Thrandruil's hair line. The king was speechless, literally. His only son and heir seemed really depressed by it, but he had never came to the him to complain on this matter. How long had he been feeling that way? Hard to tell really…

"Why would you say that Legolas?"

"Well….everytime I want to ask for her for permission on something, she always tell me to ask you about it. I always end up going to the archer training ground or riding in the forest with one of the guards. She never wants to spend time with me, doesn't walk with me, tell me about her family like she used to. She doesn't put me to bed anymore and do my hair in the morning. Maybe she doesn't like me, I must be doing something wrong. I tried really hard to make her like me but it just, I just…it doesn't work Ada." His father could tell Legolas was on the verge of tears, his voiced was strained and filled with emotions.

"Son, you told me you liked her very much when you first met her. It had seem to go really well between you two. Are you sure you are not just too demanding on her. She has two other children to take care of now, surely you understand that."

"I know father…but she just spend time with them, never with me. I don't know what to do, you are always so occupied and…I…I feel a bit left out. Every time I want to spend time with my two sisters, she usually leaves, letting maids take care of watching over us. She seems to avoid me ada…" Pondering on what had just been said, his father looked at Legolas pensively. A sight escaped his lips and he raised from his chair, walking over the small child. He kneeled in front of his son, embraced him and left a kiss on the child's forehead.

"I'm sure she loves you, don't you fret. I'll talk about it with her, see what has been going on. Perhaps she is feeling a bit unwell, or maybe she misses her home. Adrahan." Said man, who had kept to himself in the corner of the room walked forward.

"Yes your highness."

"Take Legolas out for a ride, I will finish the paperwork on my own. Son, go change, he will meet you in the stables in half an hour, get the stable hand to give you a hand with tacking them up if you need any help alright?"

His son nodded excitedly, embraced his father again and left for his room. The king raised from his crutched position and turned toward his assistant.

"Have you noticed any behavior unfit of the Queen my friend?" Adrahan didn't answer right away and seemed deep in thoughts for a moment.

"Well not really, she always treats the young prince with respect. I didn't really notice her behaving in any unwanted way. It's true she doesn't spend much time with him lately, but I think she is just a bit exhausted from the girls. Amara is so lively and getting herself in trouble all the time, but I have to say she does seem a bit depressed lately." Thranduil nodded and sat back in his chair behind the desk.

"Depressed you say? I didn't notice she was more secluded than usually, she keeps to herself a lot and doesn't hang around maidens of lords like I wish she would."

"Well, she doesn't have a lot of common with these girls. Perhaps you should talk to her about it. Although, I know she has been spending a lot of time with Nathaniel."

"Nathaniel…who is this?"

"One of the archers of the third division. The guardians of Mirkwood sire, posted close to the outside gate."

"So she has been leaving the palace quite a lot I assume, going to the market and strolling into town…" Adrahan noticed the displeasure on the kings face and what he was implying to this new information received.

"Well yes, she goes outside more often than before. I would say around every 6 days."

"And is there something I should be informed of my friend, it seems you are keeping information from me." The icy gaze locked with his assistant and the other elf seemed hesitant to answer, which seem to fuel a deeper anger in the king.

"She hasn't been acting in any way to tainted her or your reputation. It's nothing really important your highness, I'm convinced it's only friendship between them…" Thranduil frowned at this and interrupted the elf.

"I will decide what is important or not Adrahan."

"Of course your highness."

"The reason why you have never mentioned this is bothering me quite a lot though."

"Because I thought you would overreact, just like you are right now. I never thought I was supposed to spy on her and report all her activities to you my lord. If I must say, I think it's a good thing for her, to finally bond with someone here. She is quite lonely that's for sure, and yes loneliness leads to some depressive state usually." Even if Adrahan was just an assistant, he had watch the king grow up from elfling to adult, being beforehand his father's assistant. Therefore, even if he would sometime speak out of turn, Thranduil respected the man like a father. The king did nothing about the "overacting" part because actually, he might be. But then again, this Nathaniel guy was tickling his inner peace quite a lot.

"Overreacting maybe, but something seems at work here. Is she coming back with gowns, jewellery, anything from all her trip to the market place lately? Presents for the children perhaps?"

"Well…no…but that doesn't prove anything my lord."

"Maybe it doesn't, but it certainly leads to speculation though. Has anyone noticed her strange friendship with this guard?" Adrahan pondered for a moment, trying to remember from who he had heard such a thing.

"The maids are talking about it, but nothing was implied in there speech about her cheating on you, or being overly too friendly. I didn't think it would be wise to alarm you with such an insignificant flash in the pan."

"I want you to spy on her. Get someone to keep an eye on her at all times." The king was dead serious, in his tone, in his posture, in his eyes. His assistant was flabbergasted at his lords mistrust. The Queen had done nothing wrong to deserve her husband spying on her. But then again, perhaps it was alright to make sure nothing was amiss with this relationship, for the benefit of Eveena, Thranduil and Nathaniel, but mostly for the children. After all, if she had nothing to hide, then he will find nothing and gladly will he put it in front of the king's eye to see, because after all spying on your wife is a dangerous road to take. Trust is very important in any relationship.

"As you wish my lord."

"I want to discuss the Legolas part with her. Get someone to send her here. Oh and make sure she knows it's an official summon from the king, otherwise she will just ignore me." Adrahan nodded and left Thranduil to his thinking.

XXXXX

A maid came to my room that afternoon, informing me that the king was ordering me to meet him in his study with no delay. I put down my book on the small table of my balcony for me to finish later. I had no idea what he wanted at this time of the day, in fact it was quite unusual for him. Nonetheless, I changed into an appropriate dress he had once offered me and made my way to him. I politely knocked on the door. His response was immediate and I walked into the room to find him very deep in thoughts. He never wanted my point of view in anything, so I'm pretty sure my summon had nothing to do with the paperwork he was currently filling. As always, it was silent for a while. Knowing my husband, he was annoyed at something. The frown on his face was evident, either from something I was or wasn't doing or simply anything else, that I wasn't convinced.

"Did I wake you?" He didn't even lift his gaze to look at me and continued with whatever he was doing.

"No my lord."

"What were you doing?"

"I was reading a book."

"Are you unwell…sick perhaps or tired?"

"No my lord." I had no idea where he was going with this. He rarely inquires how I am feeling lately.

"How is Legolas doing."

"I'm not sure I grasp the question here." His sapphire blue orbs lifted from the desk and he put down his pen at the same time. He leaned back in his chair crossing his finger on his laps. The way he was eyeing me sent shiver down my spine, and not in a good way.

"He wanted to go riding today, apparently he asked you to go with him but you refused. Why is that, you always liked riding before."

"I didn't feel like it today." He nodded but didn't drop the intensity of his stare.

"And do you feel like it sometimes."

"Rarely."

"I thought you loved riding, that horses are very important in your culture and you love spending time at the stables. You used to when you first came here."

"Yes."

"I don't understand. Do you miss your home?"

"Sometimes."

"Do you love our children?"

"Yes."

"Are you unhappy?" I didn't answer right away like I previously did. Of course I wasn't really happy, but should I share this with him, he doesn't seem to care much anyway. He noticed my delay and raised an eyebrow expectantly.

"No."

"Is something the matter then?"

"Not that I am aware." That wasn't the answer he was seeking but he released me with a flick of his hand, indicating for me to leave his study. I didn't linger unnecessary and simply left him to his work, returning to my chambers to finish that book. I am not quite sure what he wanted to learn from that interrogation, but he didn't seem satisfied. Surely this would come up sometime again in the future.

Sariel showed up in my room later in the afternoon. Her eyes were still puffy from her nap after lunch. I rushed her golden hair, styled them in her favorite tresses and let her roam my gardens in the search of a blue butterfly. My two daughters inherited mostly their father's traits. Both were blond, with long dark eyelash, oval shaped face, thin nose and in Sariel's case, lean and tall even for her age. I know they would both become beautiful ellyth, very sought after in a couple of years. In fact, they pictured, along with Legolas and their father, the perfect image of a Sindarian heritage. I was the black sheep of this family. It pains me a bit to know that none of my children resemble me, but deep down I know it is for the best. I am far from ugly, it's just that in these woods and in this part of the world, Avari elves were a bit looked upon. Being Queen protected me from gossip or mean words, but my daughters would have to marry Lords from Mirkwood, or other elfen kingdom and I didn't want anyone to judge them for having an Avari heritage. Sariel had my eyes though, piercing gray iris with a darker shade of indigo on the outside. She was truly breathtaking and always would be. I just hoped she wouldn't be vane in the future, neither her or my younger one because vanity is something I despise in a person's trait.

My little bundle of joy came running towards me in her light blue gown, flowers in hand.

"Look mama, I picked them out for you!" I took the offered bouquet and smiled at her. She sat on my laps trying to look at the book I was reading. Of course, she was a bit too young for reading but she liked trying to understand the words. I would sometimes read to her aloud when she would do that.

"Sariel, I know you meant well, but when you pick a flower, you remove it from its roots. Without them, she can only survive for a little while. I love flowers as well, but sometimes it is best to leave them be. That way, you can appreciate their smell and beauty a lot longer." She nodded in understanding and kept smiling nonetheless. I put down my book and started to tie the smaller flowers in her hair this decorate her tresses.

"Mother?"

"Yes Legolas."

"Could you redo my hair too before diner." I turned my head toward the little prince who had silently entered the room, just back from his ride in the woods. I nodded and turned back towards the head I was currently working on. He left to go clean up without another word. I knew he wouldn't be back for quite a while so when I finished, I took Sariel to her room and helped her change her gown for diner. Amara was still too young and never attended so I left her in the hands of the maid. Running late, I asked one of the servant to escort her to the royal dinner hall tonight, to give me time to redo my hair as well. It wasn't anything formal, just the family together. When I arrived, Thranduil and Sariel were already seated. Legolas arrived a bit late, with his hair already done.

The conversation was mostly between father and son all evening. Sariel left earlier, tired from her butterfly chasing and spring flower picking of the day. I was left alone with the two men, not including myself in their conversation until Legolas mentioned my name. I know he asked a question but I couldn't remember the words at all.

"What did you say my prince?"

"Where were you, I came to your room earlier you promised to do my hair and you weren't there anymore."

"I was changing Sariel and putting Amara to bed." Thranduil was eyeing me much like he did earlier in the day.

"Oh…" It was silent for a moment, clearly the defeat in the prince's speech was noticed. When I raised from my chair to excuse myself for the evening, my husband interrupted me.

"You take Legolas back to his room, I have to see the commander of the night watch."

"Yes your highness. Come young prince." I bowed and left with Legolas on my side. Arriving in his room, I turned to him. "Will you be needing anything?" He looked at me with the same eyes his father had, but a more gentle version of them. After a while he looked to the floor and shook his head indicating a negative response.

"Good night then." I smiled a little and turned on my heels, going back to my quarters on the other side of the palace.

Meanwhile, Thranduil was meeting with a dark cloaked figure in his study. Adrahan presented the man.

"You will be spying on my wife. I want to know everything she is doing and where she is going. I want to know who she is talking to, for how long and if anything seems out of place."

"Should I be looking for anything in particular your highness?"

"A certain Nathaniel."

And the plot thickens a bit...who is Nathaniel exactly? I wanted to give you an input on the relationship between Legolas and Eveena, so it's a start for now.

For my reviewers: I have no idea how long this story will be for now. I'm looking towards more than 20 chapters at least althought it will depend on the interest shown. Please keep reviewing, it motivates me ;)

To my guests who don't review: It doesn't have to be a very long input, but if you like this story and wish for it to continue, even if you do not have a account, please review :)

Other than that, suspense, mystery and secrets are coming...Eveena and Thranduil's relationship is going to be at it's worst for the next chapters, get ready...