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Chapter 16
Evie POV
Evie twirled in her dress, the skirt making a swishy noise as it moves.
The fabric was light and silky to touch, but was thick enough to keep out the chill of the night.
Golden material was covered in little flowers and leaves, embroidered with silver metallic thread.
The usual long sleeves were present with a slightly more daring v neckline that showed off her breasts nicely.
A deep purple sash was tied in a bow around her a waist, a nice contrast.
Her curly hair was half up, with most hanging down her back.
The crystal heart necklace stood out against the creaminess of the skin at her neck.
"You look beautiful, Naneth."
The little elf Prince was sitting on the edge of the woman's perfectly made bed, waiting patiently as she finished dressing for dinner.
Evie's heart felt full that her favourite being gave her such praise, for his opinion was the most important.
Except that of which, an almost replica of the elf in front of her, was becoming more and more important to her. She shook the thought off.
"Again!" The little clapped in delight when she twirled again.
She giggled along with him.
The Prince, clad in dark blue with silver accents, hopped off the bed and held his hand out to the woman.
"We can't be late Naneth, or Adar won't be pleased!"
She took his offered hand in hers and they walked out the door of her suite and down the corridor towards the dining room.
They chatted between themselves, Legolas twittering off fact about trading techniques, until they came to a stop in front of double doors.
She looked over the little elf next to her.
"You look very handsome tonight, Honey."
He sent her a dazzling smile and gave her hand a squeeze.
The guards either side of the doors moved to open them simultaneously.
Thranduil POV
The large wooden table was perfectly set for six with crystal glasses and floral adornments down the center.
The elaborate room was warm from the fire flickering away, four figures could be seen mulling around the fireplace, glasses of wine in hand.
They looked up at the noise of the door opening.
The Elvenking felt his breath catch at the sight of the red headed woman walking in, hand in hand with his son.
Beautiful, he thought.
Too late he noticed the dark haired ellon already steps ahead of him to greet the arrivals.
"Beauty personified indeed, Lady Evie."
He watched in distaste as his adviser lifted her small hand and brought it up to lips, lingering a little too long.
The woman gave a quick curtesy in response, but was quick to retract her hand.
"Good evening, Lord Galion. Don't you think our Prince looks particularly dashing tonight?"
Thranduil was pleased to see the surprise on his adviser's face.
"Yes, Prince Legolas, a pleasure to have you in our company."
The little Prince gave a small graceful bow.
"Lord Galion."
It was at that point that Legolas spied the Grey Wizard standing next to his Adar and pulled Evie forward in his excitement, the adviser promptly dismissed.
"Mithrandir!
A chuckle from the form clad in grey.
"My have you grown, Prince Legolas, a inch or two at least!"
"You are mistaken, it had been three!"
"But of course. You look well after your adventure"
Remembering Evie at his side, gestured to her.
"Mithrandir, I'd like you to meet Lady Evangeline"
The grey eyes crinkled in amusement.
"Lady Evie and I had the pleasure of meeting earlier today. And what splendid company she is, I daresay you are a very lucky elfling!"
"Yes I am. I brought her back with me."
The Elvenking sifted his eyes to appreciate the form of the red head.
His tone was considerably softer as he stepped forward to clasp her hand, his heart beating faster from the warmth of her touch.
"Good Evening, Lady Evangeline."
She curtsied low in response to this, her green eyes locking with his as she rose.
"Well, aren't you going to introduce me?"
A new, female voice interrupted the pair.
"Lady Evangeline, may I present Lady Haleth. She is the daughter of one of my Adar's advisers."
Evie had the wind knocked out of her as she hugged fiercely by a being dressed in bright pink.
"oh."
Just as suddenly, the weight was gone and she was greeted by a pair of curious, warm brown eyes and a bright smile.
The Lady in question had golden blonde hair that was free flowing down her back, no adornments to be seen.
Evie decided then that she'd like the new elf, who seemed a bit more outgoing then the ones she'd met so far.
"I think we're going to be great friends, Lady Evangeline."
"Please call me Evie."
Thranduil watched his exchange unfold and was rather glad that Haleth had been so open to the newcomer.
Just at that moment, a bell sounded, indicating that dinner was ready to be served.
Legolas took Evie's hand and pulled her to sit next to him at the table.
Galion seated himself at the end to her right, with Haleth next to him.
Mithdrandir was seated to the King's left.
The King lifted his glass.
"To our good health and welcome to Mithrandir for another visit!"
Entre was served and they began to eat.
Galion broke the silence.
"You've just returned Lady Haleth. You had a good journey?"
"Yes, my lord, it was eventful. But entering the Greenwood I came across the strangest thing."
"oh, do go on…"
"Some of trees looked sick."
That got the table's attention.
"Where did you see this, Haleth?"
"To the east towards laketown."
"Did you see this too Mithrandir?"
"no, I came from Imaldris."
The King was not pleased with this news.
"but enough of all this dreary talk, I'm curious about you, Evie."
Evie looked up from her soup, a little uncomfortable to be the centre of attention.
Haleth had a twinkle in her eyes as she spoke and winked at the little elf.
"I've heard you saved our young Prince."
"it was nothing, just an orc."
"really? No! aren't they awful creatures."
A little voice weighed in.
"She was wonderful and then in the end, she tackled it to the ground, her sword went right through the middle of it's chest."
"he makes it sound more than it is."
Evie moved her hand in a dismissive gesture, but quickly snapped her gaze to the blonde haired elf at the head of the table.
"A gallant effort to be congratulated." The deep tone of the King.
A heartbeat later, Galion voiced his thoughts from Evie's right side.
"Absolutely, our Lady Evie is a hero."
Thranduil could see Evie visibly relax when the next course was served and topic of conversation shifted to other trivial matters.
He was not pleased to witness Galion lean into the red head and whisper something in her ear that consequently made her laugh.
He was interrupted in his thoughts by Mithrandir.
"sorry, what was that?"
"The wine, King Thranduil, it is Dorwinian, is it not?"
"yes, I had several cases brought up after the harvest."
"indeed, only the best."
He was distracted when Haleth addressed Evie again with a cheeky grin.
"That necklace is simply stunning, Evie. Did a lover give it to you?"
He found himself tuning in, curious about the answer.
His eyebrows rose when Evie gave a little snort and erupted into laughter.
He saw her exchange a loving look with his son before answering.
"I am lucky enough to be loved by the most wonderful elf in the world!"
Understanding washed through him, mixed with relief that there was no other.
It was Haleth that voiced his thoughts.
"Prince Legolas gave it to you!."
"yes, so that I will always be close to her heart."
He was annoyed to hear Galion huff from the other end of the table.
As dessert was served, he watched his son get out of his seat and make his way to Haleth's side, whispering in her ear.
His eyes narrowed at the mischief that was reflected in both elves' eyes.
The little Prince went back to his seat and began to eat, an innocent mask in place.
"I've heard some whispers about you, Evie."
He saw the woman stop talking and whip her face to Haleth in suspicion.
"What have you heard?"
"That you have the voice of an angel."
He couldn't help but laugh as he saw Evie look directly at Legolas with a stern look.
"No, absolutely not."
"Naneth, please."
Having not previously heard the little Prince refer to this woman as mother before, Thranduil saw his other guests freeze in shock momentarily.
The grey wizard beside him gave him a quizzical look.
He knew what that look meant and he wasn't happy about it.
He addressed his son.
"Legolas, if Lady Evangeline doesn't want to sing…"
"no, she has to."
He was about to speak again, when he watched Legolas reach up to whisper in Evie's ear.
The King was curious about what he said, for he saw the woman's green eyes roll, but concede to the Prince's request.
"you have to help me, Honey."
"Yes, naneth."
"And you have to finish your dessert first."
A nod.
"and then straight to bed."
Another nod.
Thranduil was shocked. His son had this red headed woman wrapped around his little finger.
Not long after, the meal was finished and the company made their way to the adjacent sitting room.
The King, Galion, Haleth & Mithrandir took their seats, while Evie picked up Legolas, so he was settled on her right hip and faced their audience.
It was Legolas who began to sing.
"I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess
Now when did you last let your heart decide?
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways, and under
On a magic carpet ride
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming"
It was then that Evie's voice took over and the Elvenking found himself mesmerising by her.
"A whole new world
A dazzling place i never knew
But now from way up here
It's crystal clear
That now i'm in a whole new world with you
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
A whole new world (Don't you dare close your eyes)
A hundred thousand things to see (Hold your breath, it gets better)
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be"
Another together, their voiced melted together.
" A whole new world (Every turn a surprise)
With new horizons to pursue (Every moment red letter)
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
A whole new world (A whole new world)
That's where we'll be (That's where we will be)
A thrilling chase (A wondrous place)
For you and me..."
Complete silence greeted them.
A moment later, the King led the applause, the others joining in with enthusiasm.
Legolas beamed and the kissed Evie on the cheek.
She whispered in his ear and then let him down.
They both bowed and then the little Prince ran to his Adar and pressed a kiss to his cheek also.
"Goodnight Ada."
"Goodnight son, that was very well done."
He patted his son on the back, who smiled widely at the praise and then ran to the door.
"Well done, my dear! What a beautiful voice you have."
"Thank you Mithrandir."
He was pleased to find Evie seated beside him, Haleth having given her her drink back.
"Simply lovely, Evie."
"A beauty and a songbird, the Greenwood is very lucky to have you."
She smiled, but he saw her turn to look at him, the only one who hadn't said anything.
Feeling bold from the numerous glasses of wine, the King shifted closer to the woman and leaned in to smell her usual scent of lavender.
"I shall have to have you sing for me more often."
She laughed when she heard his teasing.
"not you too! Legolas is bad enough."
he thought the mock outrage on her face was endearing and continued to tease her.
"you must share the secret my son whispered in your ear to get you to sing for us."
She giggled at that into her glass.
He found he rather liked that sound coming from her lips.
She raised her green eyes to lock with his and the King found himself breathless.
She used her hand to indicate for him to come closer, which he did without hesitation.
He shivered as he felt the warmth of her breath on his pointed ear as she whispered softly.
"I'll never tell."
Another giggle and he felt her body pull away.
He gave her a look of mock hurt, but inside, he loved the way her eyes had lit up in mischief.
"Never is a long time, Naur emel"
He saw her open her mouth to speak, her eyes confused at the term he'd used. But he didn't give her a chance.
He leaned closer once more, his eyes flicking over her wild curls, restraining his wish to move her hair over her shoulder and give her creamy neck a soft kiss.
"I spoke to Feren."
"oh?"
"He will train you. Report to him at the training fields in the morning."
"thank you."
He could hear the sincerity in her words.
They both looked up as Galion spoke.
"Lady Evie, our Glír ae, will you give us another?"
"oh no! it's much too late. I might actually head to sleep."
"A pity, you must promise another time."
Thranduil's mood darkened when he observed Galion rise and offer his arm to the red headed woman.
Both eyebrows rose when she did not take it.
"Actually, Mithrandir, I was hoping you might…"
The Grey Wizard stood and smiled at Evie.
"It would be my pleasure, my dear."
He turned back and addressed the King.
"Goodnight Thranduil."
"Goodnight Mithrandir, Lady Evangeline."
He was pleased to see her give him a soft smile as she spoke.
"Sweet dreams, Majesty."
*Fireheart
*Songbird