It was three day's travel from the portal's cave in Gundabad to the stone halls of the wood elves in Mirkwood. In that time, Seren hadn't said or eaten much. The spider web covered trees of the forest and the gloom of its shadows didn't seem to register to her. Not even the orc attacks bothered her terribly. She simply hid out of the way with the healers and the linen draped bodies of the dead. She knew which one was Tal without having to look.

The bloating and stench that she expected from the corpses hadn't set in. A healer by the name of Ceridwen told her the drape was treated with strong herbs that slowed the decaying process. She might have found that fascinating if her mind hadn't bitterly demanded to know why this couldn't have saved her brother.

She didn't speak the thought, however. She never spoke her thoughts. The first day of their journey, Caireann had stayed with Seren in order to be near Haavelas and to favor her injured leg. Seren learned that Haavelas was Caireann's cousin and the last of the father-name on her mother's side. They had been close since his father died and he came to live with his only family. Caireann and Seren didn't talk much – they didn't really need to – but they were both dealing with a terrible loss and there was a comfort in that. The orc encounters required Caireann's attention however and once her wound had been seen to by a healer, she was back in her place to help guard their party. Seren missed her.

Despite her duties, Caireann made certain Seren took every meal, meager though they were. She also brought clothes for her to change into from whatever others in the group had to spare so she wouldn't have to walk for days covered in blood. When she was pushed into a clear stream to wash off as best as could be managed, Seren had to admit it felt good to rid herself of the grime. The pants and tunic were mismatched in size color but they were soft and kept her warm.

Her former garments were added to a pile that morning and burned with the bloody and tattered remnants of everyone else's ruined things. When she'd seen Tal's clothes among them, her surprise must have been obvious. Caireann took her aside and explained it was necessary to make it less easy for orcs to track them.

Seren went to where her brother's body lay on the makeshift rack and lifted the linen, finding him nude underneath. His skin had been cleaned and it was pale and clammy. The hole from the bullet looked like a harmless mole until she stared closely. She almost touched it but pulled back at the last moment, replaced the drape and hurried to a secluded spot where she retched until her stomach was once again empty.

After that, she stayed up near the front of their party and studied everything about her surroundings, even occasionally asking questions when she couldn't distract herself enough. On the third day, she heard talk of reaching their destination by nightfall and her nerves returned. She still hadn't a clue what living with the elves would mean for her but it didn't seem the right place or time to ask Thranduil about it so she remained silent.

Legolas watched Seren from his place by his father. He had wanted to offer the comfort of a friend but he was as clueless to her customs on such a thing as she was on theirs. When Caireann had taken the human woman under her charge, he felt relieved if a bit sad to be left mourning Tal alone. His kin were suitably attentive to the losses of the other elves but none of them knew Taliesin.

Thranduil studied his son, taking a much considered guess as to what bothered him. He looked ahead to where Seren walked, startled (as he was from time to time) by the deep red of her hair as the sun shone off of the long braid.

"I owe my life to her brother."

If Legolas was surprised by the sudden statement; he didn't show it and merely nodded in agreement. "I owe them both such a debt many times over."

Thranduil's eyelids fluttered and he breathed deep through his nose. "He will be honored, Legolas."

"I did not doubt that, father." Finally, Legolas turned to him. "What is it you wish to know?"

Thranduil's lips curved up slightly at one corner at Legolas's directness. "I know nothing of the man who died in my stead. I only ask that you tell me about him."

Legolas smiled. "The first thing you should know about Taliesin, is that he was a great admirer of a renowned warrior by the name of Bruce Lee."

The sun was low in the sky when Seren had her first glimpse the elves' home. A few hours earlier, the forest became less ominous and had started to lighten, the air smelled fresher and the sounds of animal life returned. When they came alongside a wide river, everyone had picked up their pace and now she understood why. She stopped to stare at the tall stone arch on the far side of a bridge, also carved from the shale embedded in the ground. Trees provided colorful shade over the platform and Seren's gaze roamed over the ornately etched surface of the wall before her as she crossed.

Elves in shining gold armor stood at attention by the doors and the great panels of stone slowly opened as they neared. Thranduil and Legolas had taken the lead, disappearing inside first and many salutations were given to their group as they passed.

The dark inside was blinding for a moment and Seren clung close the rock on her left as she followed the press of bodies over narrow stone steps until the crowd fanned out in a more open area. Her only guide was the shine of pale hair as the king and his son continued forward. Lanterns started to come to life and she slowed as the cavern before her was revealed with their glow. Everywhere – off in the distance, hovering over nothing, following every path and hanging right above her head – lights glowed softly, illuminating everything with a golden hue.

She was on a wide ledge in a dizzyingly vast chamber. Hundreds of feet away and right next to her, all around her, golden-lit corridors led from the cavern in which she stood. Paths were carved into the rough earth, leading off in every direction and arches offered a peek of paths just beyond as they led wanderers away. A set of wide spiral stairs hidden in a corner offered a way up to higher hallways. There was a central platform, surrounded by large pillars that arched out and up into the ceiling above and it was almost entirely cutoff, save for one stone walkway that meandered to it. Even from across the chasm, she could see the elevated throne that dominated the space. Briefly she wondered what kind of animal could have antlers so large. Beyond it still more lights could be seen floating through gaps as they stretched further on.

Carvings decorated the stone everywhere. Every door arch, the side of every crossing and even the thick pillars supporting the ceiling were beautifully adorned with delicate lines that wove around each other in intricate patterns. It was a stark contrast to the wild rock they were etched into.

Everyone flowed around her, some taking a moment to smile at her awestruck expression but none seemed to mind that she had stopped in their midst.

She was so engrossed in the surroundings that she hadn't noticed she was being watched.

Thranduil felt a smirk tug on his lips as the human openly stared around her. He felt no small amount of pride for the beauty and practical genius of his home but watching others who were seeing it for the first time, helped to keep him from taking it for granted. Even with her grief weighing upon her, Seren wasn't unmoved by the splendor of his halls. It was a promising sign.

Slowly she came out of her daze and saw that she was alone on the wide entrance ledge. She couldn't even begin to guess where they'd taken Tal. As she gazed around, she spotted Thranduil on the central dais.

"What now?"

He gestured for her to come to him and she crossed the stone walkway, staring down in awe as more levels were revealed below. In the center of the walkway, she slowed and took a moment to let her eyes try and take it all in at once. Her vision blurred but golden shadows and little sparks of light seemed to be sprinkled all around her, as if she were caught in a jar of fireflies. She pulled her sight back into focus and resumed her journey to the throne but took one more glance behind and below her, not surprised to see more grandeur there but still startled at the vast network of stairs and paths revealed under the floor.

"Our various storerooms, armories and dungeons are down there," Thranduil informed her as she stepped onto the platform. "Most personal chambers are to the left." He gestured high above them and she followed the movement.

"Where have they taken Taliesin?" She asked abruptly.

Thranduil went still. He should have expected that. "He's being prepared for tonight's ceremony as we speak. I had thought you would prefer to refresh yourself before the evening began."

"Tonight?" Seren's went wide.

"Of course."

She nodded absently and wandered away, her eyes flittering fast over everything and nothing. She closed them and took a steadying breath, struggling to find one thought to focus on.

"And where might I freshen up?" That one question started a tumble of others. "Where am I in this place? What will I do? What are the laws? Do I call you king? Can I travel if I wish? Are there any foods considered too sacred to eat? Are all citizens expected to earn an income? What –"

Thranduil held up a hand to halt the flow of words and stared at her for a moment, not unkindly. "Follow me." He gestured out to the path and they walked along it while he considered which of her questions to answer first.

"This chamber is the central entrance to our kingdom. Most travel flows through here. Know that we do not travel to other lands for leisure. If there is business to be attended or an important gathering, we will leave then and only then. The forest beyond isn't a safe place for an idle stroll."

They had reached the set of stairs and Thranduil started up them without waiting to see how she was processing his words thus far. Instead he continued, "There are no foods you are not permitted to eat…" He pursed his lips, trying not to scoff at the absurdity of such a statement.

"We are sustained by the efforts of all who live here. Hunters bring meat. Those who can grow things help to provide edible crops, though the soil here is difficult to cultivate since Sauron cursed the land."

"Sauron? Legolas mentioned him."

"Good. Then there are some things you will already understand but we will discuss them later."

They continued climbing the stairs, passing the second level and going higher. His silver-black armor seemed to click and ring with a rising pitch after each step.

"We also rely somewhat on trade relations with a civilization of men not too far from our borders. If you remain here, you will be expected to contribute in some way but how you do this will be for you to decide."

They eventually reached a wide arched entrance and it led to the fourth main path she had seen since they entered the staircase and Thranduil led her along it. They followed it to the left of the cavern, under slopes of stone and to an archway central from the throne below. She gazed across the chasm behind her and saw a set of grand gold inlaid doors among even more intricately carved earth, guarded by gold armored elves and surmised it was the king's chambers. For a moment, she wondered what such chambers would look like but shook her head a moment later for the foolish curiosity and returned her attention forward.

What followed was a confusing and beautiful maze of halls and doors that would bend one way and then another. More lanterns hovered above them, hiding behind arches that crossed over them, until they passed directly below; thus the very stone of the hall seemed to glow with its own light.

Abruptly the hall turned and sunshine streamed into the corridor from large vaulted openings on the right hand side. Through them, Seren could see a lush open area filled with plants, trees and fauna as well as large clearings where grass grew several feet high. Some things were identical to plant life back on Earth and others were foreign to her.

The expanse was vast, several acres stretched before the thicker tree line of the Greenwood in the distance. From their height, the structures below seemed tiny.

A cascade of water tumbled over the rock a short distance ahead and she could see more light glowing through the arches behind the waterfall. A small forest stood to the left while a river meandered through it and off into the horizon.

Further down, more openings and paths were cut into the rock face and suddenly Seren understood this wasn't a small tribe of elves hiding in a cave, it was a city carved into the earth where the mountains grew high enough to protect them. Below where they stood, another arched bridge spanned the distance and offered several side paths to other areas so one could cut across to the far south entrances of the halls rather than go around through the central chamber.

"Do you not believe in railings?" Seren quipped.

"Only a fool would fall."

He continued on and slowed before the turn where hallway disappeared to the left. He watched and waited for her to finish gazing at the gardens outside.

"It's so beautiful here," she said breathlessly before finally turning away.

Thranduil spared a glance at the oasis, thinking of a time when it was more than the pale reflection of its former glory and he smiled faintly.

"I expect you will pick up the finer points of our laws in time," he said abruptly. "Those that are most important here are rather simple. I imagine you are familiar with laws that prohibit thieving, property damage and harming another person…"

"Of course, your highness; I'm not a barbarian," she quipped.

He raised a brow and continued around the corner and she followed him deep into a golden lit cavern. It was far smaller than the main entrance and six corridors led off into places unknown like the rays of a star.

Thranduil chose a path to the left of them and they wended through a brightly lit hallway until he stopped at an open door. Through it was a small foyer. Benches on each side sat under a lantern that hung in the center over a little rug. Alcoves offered what Seren guessed were hooks for outer wear. There was no rear wall but instead a short set of wide stairs. The top was just below Thranduil's head, offering a peek of a larger chamber beyond.

"'Your highness' is a human salutation for human royalty. 'Lord' or 'king' will do," he said, stopping at the stairs.

He was serious – of course he was. Seren paused as she tried to imagine uttering such a title.

"You disapprove…" Thranduil was studying her in that focused way he had a habit of doing and reading her like a book.

She drew in a breath. "No… well not really – it doesn't matter what the word is. I didn't grow up with a king or lord to answer to. Even if 'His Royal Elfyness' was a proper title; I'd still have trouble addressing anyone with it."

"I would agree – that… 'title' is absurd."

His sour expression made her smile despite herself. The sly eye roll that followed made her wonder if that had been his intent.

"It will take time for you to adjust; that is understood. I hope you will find that, whatever freedoms you feel you've lost, what can be gained here is more than a fair trade."

He turned away and took to the steps, leaving her to follow as she would.

She was trying to think of a retort but all thought of being clever fled when she finally stepped into the vast room he had led her to. Her eyes widened at the warmly lit space. A four-poster bed, freshly dressed in plum colored bedclothes, stood on the far side directly opposite her. A shaft of light ghosted over the end of it and she could see an opening high in the wall. There were other such openings that let light into the space, shining softly on the beige stone. Other furniture arrayed around the room made it clear this was a personal space, her space.

To her right, a set of white curtains closed of an arch about two meters wide. Behind them was a little balcony, through which a view of a narrow chasm in the rock could be seen. The cliff face pointed sharply in and a waterfall fell over the tip and into a river that rolled over the ground below and into the Greenwood. Many balconies like the one on which she stood dotted the cliff face within the gorge on either side. The view to her right displayed the dense forest not far beyond the opening to this little glen.

She returned to the main chamber and saw another archway in the far wall and wandered inside. It was a round and plain beige stone room. The floor was impeccably smooth and the walls were faceted. A skinny stone column nestled in each crease, rising away from the wall and arcing toward the others and they all met in the center of the domed ceiling. Between the rays of the star-like shape, depictions of the moon etched in silver and surrounded by golden stars showed the phases of the lunar body.

Seren glance toward Thranduil who stood in the entrance and reached for a thick gold satin cord and pulled. A series of clicks echoed above, followed by the sound of stone sliding on stone. When she looked back to the ceiling, she gasped. The long triangular picture stones rotated down and hung open to the late afternoon sky. Sunshine streamed in, glinting off of the precious metals that had been laid into them.

"When the moon rises, you will see that these images mirror its phases and the moon will light the corresponding phase at its peak," Thranduil informed her.

"It's beautiful," she murmured.

She went back to the main room and turned in a circle trying to absorb the idea of this being her home, this lovely set of rooms devoid of her personal touches and she with nothing to make them her own.

"This place is… It's overwhelming. Tal would have loved to see it." She trailed off when she realized she'd so casually mentioned him. All at once, her good humor left her and a cold vice gripped her heart. She kept her back to the elvenking while she struggled to keep her breathing even.

When she felt less like she would crack, she faced him again. "So… this is my room?"

"These are your chambers, yes."

Thranduil indicated another doorway near the stairs to the foyer that led to yet another small room which Seren guessed was for bathing. She had missed it.

"The ceremony will begin at dusk, Seren. Perhaps you should take some time to rest." He stood there, awkwardly watching her, not sure what he wanted to say but certain he should offer some words.

"I cannot say I'm not glad I still live… but I regret the cost of it. It is a cruel reward fate has bestowed upon you. I would do more not to be the reason for your brother's decision, if I could but change it."

For many heavy moments, she simply stared at him, her emerald eyes round with disbelief. He clasped his hands together in front of himself and set his mouth in a firm line, waiting for a reply.

Finally a puff of incredulity left her. She found his demeanor endearing as he was clearly unused to owing his life to anyone. "That was… an awkwardly lovely sentiment, Thranduil. Thank you." Then she remembered. "Oh, sorry! I mean – That is – Um…" She swallowed. Why was this so hard? It was his title! It was only a word.

"I believe I can let it slide," he said wryly and headed toward the door. He stopped at the top of the stairs and half turned, smirking. "Just this once."

There were many questions Thranduil wanted ask but he was aware this wasn't an appropriate time. He was also weary of his armor so he took his leave after advising her that he would send Ceridwen for her later.

"Welcome to the Greenwood, Seren." And then he was gone.

The door clicked quietly closed and Seren stood there, in the middle of the gorgeous room, standing on a ridiculously fine area rug the color of red wine and none of it mattered because she was alone. She wandered over to the bed and lay upon it, feeling so very tired. Suddenly the thought that she had nothing suitable for a funeral struck her and it brought tears to her eyes. She tried to blink them away but the last few days played through her mind and she could resist no longer. The room echoed with soft sobs as Seren thought of her brother and finally wept.