Thanks the following peeps for your reviews:

ButlerGirlAnime, silentmayhem, Cricket22, Kelwtim2spar, Ganzademon, 01Katie

Absolutely love to hear your feedback/predictions on what happens next. Helps me shape the story better.

Sorry for the time delay, but here is the next chapter. Enjoy my lovelies xx

Chapter 49

Thranduil POV

In what was a rare occurrence in his long life, the fierce and mighty Elvenking was unsure on what to do. He had wakened 30 minutes ago when he felt his wife push back their forest green silk cover, get up out of bed and slip out their chamber door.

Out of respect for her, he had let her go, but now that some time had passed and his level of concern was growing, especially since he could feel Evie's anxiety down the bond, he wanted to take action.

Slipping out of bed himself, he donned the closest robe and opened their chamber door. Coming face to face with the guards stationed outside, they answered him before he had to even ask the question.

"The Queen went in the direction of the kitchens, My King."

He nodded his head in thanks and then turned left down the corridor, back towards the public domain of the Palace.

He took his time to make his way to the kitchens, thinking of the best way to approach what was bothering her, pleased that he only passed the elves on duty for the night.

Eventually, he found himself at the open entrance to the large, warm kitchen that seemed to be bustling with activity all day and night. And that night was no exception, for this early, the bakers had begun their work for the day ahead.

He waved off the workers who stopped immediately upon seeing his tall figure and instead focused his attention on the solitary figure that was curled up in a nook near a fire that needed stoking.

Having not spent much time in the kitchens since he was an elfling, Thranduil had forgotten about this comfy spot, but could not fault it for being her choice for alone time.

He curious about the parchment and quill that was resting in her lap, both hands being warmed by whatever hot drink was in her cup, but knew she had to be the one to share it with him.

He picked up a nearby stool and walked over to Evie, stopping to place the stool down and sit facing her, reaching out to take one of her hands in his to show her some comfort.

"Good Evening wife, or should I say Good Morning?"

He gave her his most cheeky grin, which he reserved for her and Legolas exclusively, and was rewarded with a smile that lit up her face. Good, she was pleased to see him so that meant he hadn't done anything to cause her upset.

"I think Good Morning will do. Did you miss me?"

"Yes. I've been without you longer than I ever wish to repeat again."

He let his eye close for a moment when her hand left his to reach up and cup the side of his face lovingly.

"You couldn't sleep?"

"I heard you wake. Are you alright?"

"Yes. Well. Mostly. Yes. I just."

"What is it my darling, share your burden with me and I promise to sort it out."

He delighted in the sound of her laughter resonating around the warm space.

"I appreciate that, but I'm not sure you can."

"You do know who your husband is, don't you?"

"Remind me?"

"Great Elvenking, battle warrior and ruler of the Greenwood. I can fix anything."

"That's a mighty promise."

"I just happen to have the skills to back it up. Now, share with me."

"I overheard your argument with Galion today."

"I see."

And he did. Lord Galion had waltzed into his private study unannounced and proceeds to explain that he was of the opinion that Neldor's actions be brought to trial with Evie providing a detailed explanation of her ordeal so that he could be judge accordingly for his actions. He was still outraged that the long time councilman had been arrested and largely protested his guilt.

Thranduil had asserted his authority and informed Galion that Evie would share her memories with whomever she chose, whenever she was ready to and in the meantime Neldor could rot in the prison cell.

"I want to do it."

That absolutely floored him and caused momentary speechlessness.

"Not for his benefit, but for ours. So that we can put it all behind us and never think of it again."

"Are you sure? The stress on the babe.."

"Will be fine. And I'd like to share it all with you first."

"I choose which bits to share?"

"No. I plan to share it all. It's so that you don't get a bad shock in front of a room full of people. Your temper Thranduil can be…unpredictable."

"I'm not that bad."

He knew the disbelieving look she sent him meant that he did in fact get 'that bad' and had to concede she might be right. Knowing the facts would help shape how to handle the trial.

"Alright. Would you like to do it now?"

"No. I think in your study might be best and perhaps if we had someone write it down. A record, you know?"

"hmmmmm that might not be a bad idea. Later today? Do you think you feel up to it?"

"I think it will help put it behind me."

"Very well. With that sorted, shall we go back to bed?"

"Well, about Luke."

Ahhh. Here was the pressure point causing the anxiety.

"He's in your past, he matters not."

"Yes, but what will you do with him?"

"Did you have any thoughts on the matter?"

"Well, he didn't intend to harm me…"

"No, just carry you off against your will."

"I know. And that is inexcusable behaviour, but I it doesn't sit well with me if he were to be executed."

"The problem we have Evangeline, is that he is human. Not an elf. Our subjects will not be merciful to him for the potential harm he could have caused you, their beloved Queen."

"I just feel conflicted."

"Of course you do. You cared for him, like you care for all, and that's a big reason of why I love you."

He couldn't resist then, so he leaned forward and captured her plump lips in a fierce kiss with the intention of reassuring her.

Once they parted, he stood and offered his hand to her.

"Come. Back to bed with me wife and we can sort it out later."

"alright."

"And if you don't feel like sleeping, there are other ways I can keep you entertained…"

The kitchen staff smiled as the watched the royal couple leave together hand in hand, the red headed Queen's feminine giggle echoing down the hallway a welcome sound in the early morning.

Evie POV

They had sat for hours and Evie was tired. Tired from lack of sleep and tired of having to think about what happened to her. But ever so often she reminded herself why she doing this.

And it was helpful that the only people in the room was herself, Thranduil and Feren who had been more than happy to transcribe it all even though it was not in his usual scope of duties.

The thing Evie and Thranduil had argued over was who would be trustworthy not to share the details before the trial. Feren's timely interruption had settled the matter so they had settled themselves in for a long afternoon.

Feren had proven to be a good choice also for his forethought in gently asking pointed questions to gather more detail so it would not be forgotten or left out.

She had begun by explaining the nature of the relationship between herself and Luke and the events that had transpired in the other world.

She had expected her husband to be upset when she spoke of these things, but was surprised to find that he was upset on her behalf, for any woman to be treated in such a way was unacceptable.

She moved on to the day she had been abducted, starting with the visit with Melui, picnicking with Legolas and then receiving the note to go to the stables to meet Thranduil. It was then that he asked a question, having remained mostly silent so far.

"Why didn't you see that it wasn't my handwriting?"

"I had a lot on my mind and I just didn't analyse it to that degree. In my head it was like a sign, a perfect opportunity to tell you about the baby."

"Except that it never happened."

"Exactly."

She then went into great detail about the time she spent with Luke, the company of orcs and their plans. Why they found her dress on the ground and how the unexpected arrival of the spiders had been frightening, but given her the opportunity she needed to get away.

And then the encounter with Lord Neldor, his insitance she come back to the palace and her disarming of him. When she had finished that bit, Feren had looked impressed with her efforts, for he had not heard his information before. Their questioning of Neldor so far had proved quite useless.

"And I left the left clip because I could feel how close Thranduil was and I wanted him to know where I had been. I knew that he knew I wouldn't have left it without a reason."

"Quite right. Speaking of, would you like it back?"

Evie felt emotional then at the kind look on the mighty King's face as he stepped towards her and pulled the now clean and sparkling pair of leaf clips from his pocket and gently slid them into her red curls, before dipping low to give her a searing kiss.

They were interrupted by Feren's cough and quickly pulled away as a result.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but since you weren't found for some time after that, I take it there is more to the story My Queen?"

As hard as it was, Evie pushed Thranduil to go back and sit in his own chair, promising with her eyes to pick that up again later.

"Yes Feren. I recognised where I was and went in search of the evil growth we found all those months ago."

"Did you find it?"

"Yes. And I got rid of it."

The matter of fact way she said this was met with stunned silence from both male elves in the room. It was her husband that spoke up first.

"What did you do?"

"I used my magic. I trained with Mithrandir to block out awful things from my mind and how to wield my magic better. It was exhausting. That's why it took so long for me to come back looking for you, my body was so tired I slept. When I woke up, that part of the forest was once again lush and I was surrounded by animals. The trees kept singing to me."

"So, it's gone?"

"Yes. Nothing left."

Evie had felt nervous numerous times in her life, but at that moment she was truly worried about their reaction to her actions. Maybe she shouldn't have taken the initiative afterall.

But she definitely wasn't prepared for the response she got, glimpsing a wide smile on the Captains face before she felt her body being picked up and spun in familiar male arms.

When they came to stop, she looked down into the face of Thranduil who was absolutely beaming at her and she couldn't help but smile back, validated by the pride shining down the bond.

"You really are an incredible woman Evangeline."

A/N: So there we go, finally beginning to deal with some of the big issues that still need to be resolved before the story can end. (though that is a sad thought in truth and I'm definitely not ready to let these characters go just yet)

So there is a trial for us all to look forward to and we still don't know what Thranduil plans to do with Luke yet, but we're getting closer. Probs need to address the baby in a bit more detail too I'm thinking. And of course more fluff. Writing the fluff is so much fun.

Cannot believe the next chapter is the big 50! This story really has become bigger than i originally thought. Until then xx