A/N: I am so sorry for the extremely long wait for another chapter. The past semester plus work and travel have left me with little time, exhausted, and in a state of writer's block. Hopefully, this will make up for it!

Chapter 33

As soon as Evelyn was cleared to walk on her healing ankle, Thranduil was true to his word and held a ceremony in honor of Legolas' binding. The king went above and beyond as he proclaimed to all gathered that she was not only the crown princess of the realm but of equal standing as the Maiar, and as such deserving of the same respect and honor shown to them.

People's attitudes had not changed overnight, however, no one showed her any hostility. They all bowed and greeted her as her position required. None wanted to face Corwen's fate. Once the guards had located her, Thranduil collected her himself, tossing her in his dungeon until he decided her fate along with the two elleth whom she directed to scare the young stallion. All three had been banished. She heard they were somewhere on the outskirts of Alqualondë. Thranduil had gone as far as writing to all the elven leaders about the nature of their banishment. Tirion would not grant them sanctuary.

While she had maids now, none had tried to befriend her. Everyone still viewed her with suspicion and now a sense of awe. Evelyn was not sure which was worse. She was still lonely. Thranduil had also kept his word on sending them away, saying a newly bonded couple needed time together without the duties of a realm to interfere. In a few days they would be leaving to live at her home in the mountains above Lady Nienna's halls. Evelyn was excited to go back home, she missed it, here one concern was that with them would travel other elves of Thranduil's realm to live with them. He planned to send them with kitchen staff, personal royal staff, and the top-ranking officers of Legolas' command and their families.

…

Evelyn left it up to Legolas to decide where to house the elves accompanying them, she did not know what was acceptable. She would have been happy no matter what he chose. Seeing all their faces as the palace, as she still called it, came into view. It was nothing like they had ever seen before. It looked like glass. Even Legolas had been amazed and she had described it to him many times as they traveled.

In the end Legolas placed his eight soldiers and their families in the guest wing, giving them free reign to take which rooms fit their needs best. Evelyn, now the mistress of her own home, forced herself to be courageous, asking each of their subject to let her know of any changes they needed to make their home fit their needs. She left out the fact that Nienna had a hand in construction and she would need to go through her to find out how to alter the home. They did not need to know those small details. The kitchen and house staff were temporarily in the family portion of the home until housing could be built at the ground level where the kitchen was located. Their personal staff would keep rooms in their personal suite, taking the rooms in the back of the mountain.

For the first time in a long time Evelyn felt her stress beginning to melt away.

…

The past three months had been the best of Evelyn's life. The change in Legolas was almost instant. Gone was his mask, his stoic, Thranduil like behavior. Instead he became jovial, spontaneous. He was like a child again. His captain, Cúnir, as well as many others, were in a state of shock it seemed. Evelyn had to admit that to an extent, she was too. She knew it would do them good to get away, she did not realize it would happen so quickly. Many times, the others ogled them in disbelief, Legolas showed his affection for her whether they were along, in the garden, or on one of the terraces in view of whoever was outside. Today was not an exception.

Evelyn had just finished speaking to Cúnir's wife Arasseth. The elleth, staring at her feet the whole time, was inquiring about an area to start a garden. She sighed, hoping they would eventually come to at least trust her, looking for friendship seemed too much to ask. Of course, she had given her and the other elleth permission to start a garden wherever they saw fit.

Standing from where she was sitting on the terrace, she walked forward to lean over the balcony. She saw Arasseth speaking with a few of the other mates, more than likely discussing the location of their personal gardens. Evelyn never heard the silent footsteps behind her.

Evelyn squealed as robust arms encircled her waist. Multiple sets of eyes jolted to their direction watching as their prince swung his mate around, in an affectionate display. She knew instantly it was Legolas, feeling his aura intertwine with her own at such a close proximity. He had come from building an archery range, it was clear from his musky odor.

"Legolas," she yelped, "You're disgusting, let me go!"

He complied with her demands long enough let her turn around before he yanked her back against his chest, planting a firm kiss on her protesting lips. Evelyn, though returning the kiss, did not give up fighting against his hold. Legolas chuckled.

"You need a bath!" She slapped his chest playfully as he pulled back from her mouth.

He nuzzled into her neck, sending shivers through her body, "Only if I have company."

"I think that can be arranged," Evelyn laughed.

"Good, I know just the place." Snatching her hand, he began pulling her along the terrace towards the new archery field.

Stumbling behind him, she struggled to get free, "Legolas, the bath is the other way."

Turning to look back, he grinned mischievously, "I never said it would be a proper bath."

Instantly she knew where Legolas was taking her. There was a stream than ran parallel to the house, and right along the path her mate was dragging her. At first, she balked, the thought of being heard, not to mention being seen. However, as his feelings crashed into through their bond, she knew there would be no turning him down and she threw caution to the wind.