-Yugiyasha96 Thank you for your review! English is not my native language, but I will go and try and look to improve such things! Because of writing about my favorite stories my English has already improved quite a bit!-

Requests.

"Thranduil, you seem not well." Cervus calmly said when he came into the council and he obviously could see that Thranduil was not feeling well.

"Hold your tongue." Thranduil snapped, while he glared at Cervus. It was the last thing he needed now. "Just start the council." He commanded, and the first councilor stood to speak. Thranduil was barely keeping his eyes open by the time it was time for lunch.

"Excuse me for a moment." Cervus said when they had finished the next subject. Now that the Yule ball was about to be over, the things that could wait started to make their appearances once again. Before Thranduil could say anything Cervus had already left the room, to return a couple of moments later with a steaming goblet. "You should drink something." Cervus said as he put the goblet down in front of Thranduil and sat down on his place.

"I am not going to drink that."

"Surely you are not going to embarrass yourself in front of the whole council, are you?" Cervus whispered. Thranduil glared at him before he took a small sip from the herbal tea. Cervus sighed. How was he to treat a stubborn elf?

Cervus kept a close eye on Thranduil during the remainder of the council. He continued to sip from the herbal tea, and after a while Cervus noted that Thranduil's face did not looked that strained anymore. Cervus nodded to himself, guessing the herbal tea had kicked in and Thranduil's headache had lessened.

Cervus had to admit that he grew quite bored after a while when one of the councilors kept continuing about a small subject that was not even that important. When he looked at Thranduil, he could not help but smile as it quite looked like Thranduil was napping through the council. His sleep was obviously aided by the pain killing herbs, and maybe because he was already quite tired. Cervus decided to keep quiet.

"What do you think, aran-nin?" The councilor asked after a while into a discussion with another councilor. "Aran-nin?" He asked again when he did not react. A frown grew on the councilor's face. The councilors started to whisper among themselves on what the possible reason could be, that their king was sleeping through a council!

"If I may?" Cervus said as he stood, silencing the councilors as he gained attention.

"You are the head-healer, you know what is going on?" One of the councilors asked.

"I know why he fell asleep, if that is what you want to know? What further exactly is going on, I do not know. That is also the reason why the Peredhel family will stay with us longer, so hîr Elrond can aid me if I would need to. Aran Thranduil most likely fell asleep because of the herbal tea I gave him." Cervus motioned to the mostly empty goblet with now cold tea. "Recently aran Thranduil is plagued with headaches. That is the reason for the tea and most likely that he fell asleep. We all know aran Thranduil can be stubborn, and he does not want to admit that there is something not quite right. He also forbade me to inform you about the situation. Do not mention this to anyone, and if you need to speak about this, make sure no one overhears your conversation."

"How serious do you think it is?"

"I do not know. It could be something minor, but it also could turn into something really serious." Thranduil stirred in his sleep. "So, keep an eye out for anything unusual, and come to me or hîr Elrond to report." Cervus whispered.

"The council is dismissed. We will continue tomorrow were we stopped today." Tegalad stood and watched as the councilors slowly left the room. "What do you think we need to do with aran Thranduil?"

"I am going to see if he awakens and then bring him to his room. Then I am probably going to speak with Elrond. Thranduil cannot continue like this."

"Nay, he cannot." Tegalad agreed. "Would you mind if I stay while you awaken him?"

"Nay, but it is better if stay out of his sight."

"Very well." Tegalad walked over to the far corner and went to search for some books. Cervus softly shook Thranduil's shoulder, hoping to give him a soft awakening.

"Thranduil." Cervus softly called. After a moment Thranduil almost jerked upright, fully awake. He let out a soft gasp and slowly his vision focused on the healer beside him. Tegalad stilled his movements and strained his ears to catch every little thing.

"Cervus?" Thranduil softly asked.

"Aye, Aran-nin?"

"Where are the councilors?" Thranduil asked after a moment when he saw that the table in front of him was empty.

"The council ended, and everyone left. Are you hungry?"

"Nay, I am not that hungry."

"Now is your head?"

"Better."

"But not fully?" Cervus gently cupped Thranduil's cheek with one of his hands to properly look into Thranduil's eyes.

"Nay." Thranduil sighed as the word came out no louder than a soft whisper.

"Let me help you to your room, there you can eat a little. I shall bring Legolas if you like. He had to miss you all day and would love to see you."

"Aye, I would like to see Legolas." Thranduil replied as he slowly stood. Cervus gently held his hand on Thranduil's upper arm so he could aid him when he would need to. Tegalad could not believe what he heard and neither believe what he saw when he looked. Cervus had to help Thranduil keeping his balance to stay upright.

"I fell asleep because of the herbs, did I not?"

"I am afraid so. It was only a light dose intended to only dull the pain."

"I hope I did not miss much?" Thranduil almost huffed.

"Nay, only a boring discussion about something minor." Cervus chuckled. That was all that Tegalad heard before they were too far away for him to hear. He gathered a book before he made his way to his study. A council with Elrond and or Cervus had to be in order to fully try to understand what was going on.

"I have a request." Elrond said when he stepped into Tegalad's study.

"And that might be?" Tegalad looked up annoyed at the interruption of his work.

"The simple request if we could stay longer."

"And why would you, if I may ask?"

"You surely have noticed that something strange is going on with Thranduil? I wish to stay here both in request of Cervus, and because I would like to stay for the same reasons Cervus has asked me to stay. Besides, Celebrían was under the impression that you did not mind the presence of Erestor. She also deemed it well for Legolas that he could go and play with Elladan and Elrohir."

"Very well." Tegalad said and dismissed the Elven lord with a wave of his hand. Tegalad had seen Thranduil this morning with Cervus and indeed deemed it better for the Imladris Lord and healer to stick around for a little while longer. They came before the other so why would they not stay longer than the others. "You should go and speak with Cervus." He called before Elrond closed the door behind him. When he entered the feasting hall, he heard merry music and laughter. He made his way over to Celebrían, and on his way somewhere he saw some pale blond hair fly past him, followed by two raven haired.

"Who let those three loose?" Elrond asked as he was close enough, so he would not have to shout over the background noise.

Celebrían laughed softly before she replied; "Anameleth has a day off, and I did not want to sit there all day. They promised me they would behave. As long as no one get hurt, or they break anything it will be well, would it not?"

"Very well then." Elrond smiled as he joined the conversation with several lords from Ered Luin.

"Suilad, hîr Círdan. How are things fairing in Ered Luin?" Elrond asked with a little smile and a bow.

"Things are well." Hîr Círdan nodded. "We have no more raids than usual and the outlaws are easily controlled."

"And the ships?" Elrond asked as he raised a brow, being known to the great artwork of shipbuilding by the old elf.

"Very well. We expect several edain from the Tolfalas and Belfalas near Gondor to come and visit us this summer so we can show them and teach them the art of shipbuilding." Lord Círdan explained with a smile.

"It has long since people from so far south have come north for dealing with the elves." Elrond commended with a frown.

"Aye, I am afraid so, but I do not mind, as long as they behave." Círdan chuckled.

"I would believe so. I am sure they had never had a keg of dwarvish mead or elvish wine." Elrond laughed.

"I believe they will bring a couple of kegs and bottles of wine with them south when their boat is finished."

"Merchants?"

"Nay, shipbuilders for transporting arms men."

"They are not preparing for war, are they?" Another ellon asked with a frown.

"Nay I do not think so. But I have to agree that it is easiest to transport troops over the rivers is the easiest and most efficient way." Lord Círdan explained. "Especially in the lands of the edain are many rivers they can use. We can teach them the diversity which also allows them to carry many goods in the hold of their ships…"

It was after the large banquet that they had gathered in the small parlor.

"All right, listen up." Elrond said with a little smile. "We have agreed that we will stay for a while longer, here in Mirkwood."

"Really?" Both twins asked when they looked at each other and back to their father.

"Aye." Elrond smiled and sat down next to Celebrían. Legolas grinned at the twins. After the excitement died down a bit, tea was brought for them.

Legolas snuggled down in his ada's arms as they sat in front of the fire. Yule ball was finally over and 'Dan and 'Ro would stay longer! Elladan sat on Celebrían's lap while Elrond took Elrohir on his lap. They too sat in front of the fireplace, together with Glorfindel and Erestor.

"Would you like me to read you a story?"

"Aye!" Both Elladan and Elrohir said.

"Legolas? Can you show them please how they supposed to ask things?" Thranduil whispered.

"Aye, saes." Legolas softly said with a little smile.

"Saes." Both Elladan and Elrohir copied.

"Well, because you asked so nicely." Erestor smiled and opened a large leather-bound volume. Legolas looked at Erestor from where his head rested on Thranduil's chest. Both of Thranduil's arms were wrapped around him in a light hug. It seemed that even Glorfindel enjoyed listening to the story of Erestor.

Thranduil enjoyed the peaceful moment as much as the others did. No one with annoying questions or complaints. Just sitting quietly in front of the fireplace while cuddling with his son.

"Once upon a time There was a Great Eagle. He was sent by Manwë to watch over the Noldor. His name was Thorondor. Together with his sons Landroval and Gwaihir, were guardians of Gondolin. They belong to the great race of eagles…."

Dictionary:

Hîr - Lord

Aran-nin - My king

Saes - Please

Edain -Men

Suilad - Informal greeting

Ellon - He-elf

Ered Luin - Blue Mountains