#8 Hobby
Not many people knew that the great Elvenking had a hobby and even fewer knew what it was. Oh yes, everyone had heard of his penchant for collecting shiny things, like gemstones and gold. Some even called him the 'Magpie King', although never to his face mind you, but his real hobby, the thing he loved to do most whenever he could find time, was a very closely guarded secret.
Gliding serenely down the corridor, no one who saw him would have known that Thranduil was deep in thought, planning out in his mind his next project. Rounding a corner his heart began to beat a little quicker as he neared the plain, oak door which was his destination. He always felt this way at the beginning of a new tapestry, the thrill of creating something new, something never before seen was indescribable. Turning the key in the lock and pushing open the door he smiled as he saw the waiting loom with its emerging portrait of a fair, laughing elfling hiding at the top of a tall beech, and walked swiftly to its sturdy frame, ready to forget the cares of the realm for another few hours. His fingers busy, his heart at peace.