Thirty summers and winters passed, with Legolas still in my care and Belegorn still in Thranduil's. The forest remained much the same, and my heart had lightened slightly at the small respite from conflict. The princes' coming of age was to take place during Midwinter, with feasting and tournaments occurring forest-wide for a week. I had had trouble ensuring Legolas's focus for the last days we spent together in our routine, and finally agreed to his pestering that we would return to the city day early.

It soon became clear that Legolas was not the only one wanting to begin the celebrations prematurely. A bouting ring had been set up in an isolated area not a mile from the city, and when we rode in there were several young males practicing for the tournaments soon to come. I craned my neck over the watching heads, and surely enough, my eldest was in the thick of the excitement. Our party stopped, and I watched with admiration as Belegorn disarmed his foe with a clever swish of his sword.

"Aha!" he cried, helping his opponent to his feet before the defeated limped from the arena. "That is four wins in a row! Who might now test their mettle to mine?"

I felt Legolas beside me, twitching to step into the ring and challenge his brother, but I stopped him.

"I will accept your challenge," I said, my voice dissolving into puffs in the chill air. The watching heads turned to gape at me.

"Mother," Belegorn hesitated slightly. "You are here early!"

"A fortunate thing indeed," I said, dismounting and shedding my cloak before unsheathing my own blade. "For you seem to be in need of a good dose of humbling."

Snickers ran through the watchers, and Belegorn straightened his back proudly. "As you wish, Mother." I climbed over the rope surrounding the combat area amid more titters.

"Would you care for a short respite before beginning?" I asked, taunting him.

"Would you like to change into proper trousers?" Belegorn smirked back at me, and I grinned at him. He knew exactly what he was doing. I kicked out my overskirt for effect, revealing my woolen leggings to the delight of the audience.

"I can beat you, skirt or none."

He merely rose an eyebrow at me, and attacked. I easily dodged the blow, and by the look he gave me I knew he expected me to. He was testing me! To think that my own son would be arrogantly trying my defenses as if he was the better swordsperson. I nearly laughed aloud, and let him continue. While he continued to strike, I nimbly stepped away from his sword and blocked his blows, searching for his own flaws. Thranduil had trained him well – and no doubt personally. Unfortunately for the prince, I had been trained with the king and knew exactly the weaknesses that had no doubt been passed on. While planning my move, Belegorn surprised me with a well-aimed swipe at my hand, which made me release my sword. A cheer rose from the crowd watching.

"Do you forfeit?" Belegorn asked, panting slightly from our deadly dance.

I gave him a lethal grin, and within moments my knives were free from where they were strapped to my back, and I kicked him square in the chest. He had not been expecting more weapons, being unfamiliar with my hidden cache, and assuming that I would want to continue the jeering until I retrieved my sword. He fell on his back, and I followed his trajectory, ending my path crouched above him, my boots pinning down his wrists and my knives at his throat.

I had not seen Belegorn so alarmed since our adventure at Dol Guldur, but his face quickly cleared and he broke into a chuckle.

"You might have to teach me your tricks now, Mother, that Father has exhausted his supply," he said as I released my hold on him, helping him to his feet.

"Nonsense," I said, and we retreated from the ring amid whistles and even louder cheers. "Then I might never best you," I spoke quietly into his ear, and returned my weapons to their places. I declined the wine being passed around the quench the thirst of those that had already fought, and dismissed the guards. I led my horse away from the din and into the stables. I was about to rub down my horse when a slender hand covered mine, which had been making its way towards a brush.

"Leave that for the stable boys," Thranduil said into my ear, his arm snaking around my waist. "I have need of you elsewhere."

"Oh?" I asked, allowing myself to be steered into the palace. "And where might that be? The council room? The kitchens? Surely not the cellars."

"My bedroom," he hissed, and I giggled. He was not one to mince words on this day! It had been seven months since we had seen each other last, and my longing for his physical comfort was so obviously reciprocated. But I was to be thwarted. Once we arrived at our bedroom, I saw that a steaming bath was already waiting, and soon my clothes were on the floor and I was nearly tossed into the tub.

"You smell like you have been sleeping outside," Thranduil sniffed as he wiped imaginary filty from his hands, but I knew he was teasing.

"I have been," I said, peeking at him from over the rim. "If you wanted a sweet smelling wife, you might not send her to cavort with the animals underneath the trees."

"There are plenty of streams to bathe in."

I answered by heaving some suds and water at him, which quickly soaked through his robes. I could not help laughing at the indignant look on his face. "O, have some humor!"

"You give me no choice but to join you," Thranduil said, and shortly his clothes were on the floor next to mine, and he squeezed into the tub behind me.

"Perfect," I murmured, and leaned back into his solid chest.

"You wanted me here all along," he accused.

"I cannot deny it," I stretched out my leg lazily, taking my time to sponge it down. I heard noises of impatience from behind me, but did not speed up the process. I began to hum a song of Belegriand, the longest that I knew. Thranduil was not one to give in easily, but he groaned as I began the seventh verse.

"You shall drive me wild," he said, and yanked the sponge from my hand. Within moments I was scrubbed clean scalp to toe, and smelling like fresh sage and wild blueberries.

"Now the delight of this very special bath is gone," I pouted, but still turning awkwardly to rest my head on his chest. "Whatever will now fill my time? Perhaps a variety of equally pleasant pursuits?"

He kissed me then, and I felt the lonesomeness and tensions melt from my shoulders. I was perfectly content to stay in the water, right next to the warmth emanating from the fire, but Thranduil soon had me sprawled on our bed, using the sheets to dry my skin. I thought to say something, as I often did, but the glances exchanged between us communicated things that did not need to be uttered aloud.

The sun had begun to sink, leaving only speckles of light drifting in through the open balcony before we were fully contented, and notwithstanding the nipping breeze that began to filter in, we remained warm. I felt Thranduil's fingers loosen my damp hair from the hasty knot I had put it in during our sojourn in the bathtub, and gently he began to comb it out while humming quietly. I closed my eyes and let the peace of the moment seep into my bones and my memory. I would never forget how wonderful it felt to relax in my lover's arms, blissful in the world for the time being.

The sky blackened, causing long shadows to creep across the walls from the fire. Merry noises filtered through the window and I was drawn out of my dreaming.

"It seems the parties are to begin early," the king said in a soft voice.

"As well they might," I said, drowsy. "Our sons certainly did not inherit your aversion for such functions. Legolas has been chomping at the bit for the past weeks."

"I only pray that you will not attempt to steal their moment."

"Me?" I mocked indignation. "I have never done such a thing, nor would I betray my own kin in such a way."

Thranduil laughed aloud. "I distinctly remember how you outshone all attending ladies at the ball where which I was to choose a wife. You even insisted beforehand that you were not even in the running! By all rights you should have attended as a lowly council member, and yet you were the most beautiful, and clearly the most desperate."

I pulled a face. "You and I have two different perceptions of that event, my love. I was not desperate!"

"Surely you were, for your bodice was cut the lowest."

I gasped, in real indignation this time, and pinched the king's arm in retaliation. It was a weak revenge, but I managed to derive an inkling of satisfaction from the groan it elicited.

"You should not treat me so contemptuously, my queen," Thranduil said, rubbing his sore spot. "For I have a gift for you, and if you do not treat me sweetly I might present it to another."

My eyes narrowed. "You would not dare."

"Perhaps you are right about that," his eyes twinkled back. "After how well you trounced Belegorn today, I might begin to fear crossing you!"

"Enough," I sat up straight and flipped my hair over my shoulder piously. "What is my gift?"

Thranduil bent over to produce a wrapped package that had been kept under the bed. "Ah," he said, stopping my hand from eagerly untying the ribbon that held it. "There is a condition."

"Oh? And what is that?" I asked.

But he saw my impatient expression, and conceded. "I will tell you afterwards."

The wrapping fell away, and silky fabric fell over my lap in a waterfall of silver. Light emanated from the folds, and I was positively dazzled. A dress – a dress that seemed to be made of starlight.

"Does it meet your standards?" Thranduil asked, clearly apprehensive.

I held up the garment, inspecting it critically. "I might shorten the skirt a bit. Oh, and the neckline is much too high…"

A growl came from my husband's throat. "You are fortunate that I am quite aware that you only tease so when you are pleased. But your words remind me of my condition."

I raised my eyebrows.

"There are certain…items in your wardrobe that I would prefer if you wore for my eyes only. You are very fetching in your frocks, of course, but some do show quite the expanse of flesh, and it is not very proper for a queen of - "

But I interrupted. "I agree to your terms."

Confusion passed over Thranduil's face. "You agree so readily? I had a whole speech prepared!"

I smiled up at him. "You are my dearest love. I am disinclined to deny you anything, let alone a request that is so complimentary."

He grinned. "I also wish to see this dress on you now."

I wriggled out of bed and into the dress. It fit perfectly, and was perhaps my first gown that was modest enough for Thranduil's taste, but still appealing enough for mine. I twirled for him.

"Do you like it?" I asked.

He grabbed my hand, and held it to his lips. "You are as lovely as Elbereth herself. I am the most privileged king in Arda."

I blushed and tried, unsuccessfully, to hide a smile. Thranduil tugged my arm, and I squealed to be pulled back into the bed for more kisses and caresses.