I had been pacing our bedroom for several minutes before the door was thrown open and the king's furious figure stormed in.

"Thranduil, please," I said, running to his side and clutching his arms. "Please calm down – I did not think –"

"Oh, I know you did not think!" he wrenched himself from my grasp easily, and strode to the window in long steps, stopping to stare at the vista. He rested his head on an arm, relaxing his rigid muscles, and appearing calm except for his clenched fists.

I did not know what to stay. I sat weakly on the bed, my chin trembling with unshed tears. Shame filled to the brim, for I was to blame, I had allowed Belegorn to do this wicked, wicked thing…

"You did not know," Thranduil said, his voice quieting. "For I have shared this with no one."

I still could not speak.

"My connection to the forest is not entirely unique," he began, still looking away. "My father had the connection before I did. After he died, and I was new in my abilities, I stayed away from the city for a measure of time to orient myself. It was then that I met the stag. The stag was my father, in a different form. Though I know he rests now in Aman, a measure of his spirit lingers here, in the forest that he loved. Because of that form, he could still keep watch, as a sentinel of sorts. He was able to share his thoughts with me as a stag, but he was outside my realm." Now he turned to me. "I could never feel his presence. I did not believe that he was truly in danger from Belegorn. My father is far too clever." He laughed hollowly. "You might imagine the shock of having your father's corpse thrown in front of you by an ignorant ass."

I felt sick; so utterly sick that I thought for a moment I might faint. The destruction of such purity for sport was an evil of itself, but the killing of kin? I closed my eyes, disgusted at Belegorn for such an act, but more at myself for my allowance. I buried my face in my hands, an unbidden moan escaping from my lips. What had I done?

"Do not blame yourself."

I raised my head, but Thranduil still did not look at me.

"The blame is on Belegorn, for I imagine that to succeed, he resorted to trickery. An honest hunter would never catch the white stag."

Anger began to burn in me, taking its turn as it became clear that Thranduil's had lessened somewhat. I flew to my feet, full of righteous indignation "You did not tell us!" I cried. "This is your own doing, as you seem to expect expect all things to fall in line with what you desire without any personal exertion!"

His head whipped around to face me, his wrath surfaced once more. "You expect no secrets between us? You are hardly the blameless one in our marriage to make such a request! You cannot possibly expect me to confide all the silly nuances of the forest to you; you spend the entirety of your time flouncing through it without a single care for aught else!"

"Silly nuances? Your father is neither of those things! Nor is his safety irrelevant!"

"Nor are you the one to decide how I use my own authority," Thranduil's eyes were flashing dangerously.

"I do not think you should be left alone in your deliberating! That is foolish to a fault, o king," My voice had turned to ice, and I met my husband's steely gaze heatedly. "I…I cannot be a wife or queen to you if you ostracize me so."

"You have ostracized yourself. Your gallivanting keeps you distanced from me, and I would never put such sensitive matters to ink and parchment."

I reeled back slightly at this disclosure. So this was the heart of it. I lowered my eyes, and wondered for what would come next. I asked him, very meekly, "Am I to be your wife, or am I to be your servant? Is it the palace or the posts? The council or the dwarves?"

"Caradel…"

I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, and rebellious tears began to leak onto my cheeks. I felt soft fingers wipe them, and Thranduil's forehead touched mine. "Matters are not always black and white, my darling. Please do not assume that you cannot be with me, and rove at your will."

"That…that is what you said."

"That is not what I said. Look at me," Thranduil lifted my chin, and I looked into his smiling eyes. "I am sorry I am so angry, I have said things that I did not intend."

"So have I," I said. "And truthfully…if I had to choose between you and adventures, I would choose you every time."

The king laughed. "There is no choice for me. You are an adventure in itself, that much is certain!" He wrapped me snugly in his arms then, and I clung to him as salvation. "We have strayed from the topic at hand," he said gently, after a time. "Something must be done of Belegorn."

"Yes," I pulled myself from him and stood straighter, clearing my throat to deliver my idea. "I have had this thought before, but it was only a passing fancy. You are aware that I have retained contact with Elrond since Celebrían's departure. His sons are now full grown, and assist the Dúnadain in keeping Eriador free of such evils as wolves and stray orcs. Elrond has invited our own sons to the fray for the experience, I thought they might benefit from such an exploit. I now believe that this would keep Belegorn out of mischief, and give him a greater sense of purpose."

Thranduil frowned. "Are you confident of that? I would hate a larger path of destruction in Belegorn's wake."

"You should have more faith in your son!" I exclaimed. "Belegorn is not so dreadful by nature, he is simply frustrated by being kept locked and bound while he should be out exploring."

He raised his eyebrows. "Do I sense a hint of accusation in your tone?"

"No," I said. "This is as much my fault as yours. And now we all pay the due."

"Very well. If you are certain of your assessment, I trust you. And to be truthful, I would not mind a reprieve from his wildness. Now, who of us is to tell him of his fate?"

I walked towards Belegorn's chambers with no small amount of trepidation. I could have cursed Thranduil with putting this burden on me, but his reasons were sound. Belegorn would not want a sentence from his father, for it would be construed as a punishment with little cause. I did not want this to be a punishment. I had slight envy myself, for hunting wolf seemed a great excitement to me.

Belegorn was seething angrily when I entered. He reminded me of a tightly strung arrow, a deadly projectile that might let loose and kill in half an instant. He had always greeted me fondly in the past, for I did not doubt that I was his favorite parent, but now he only turned on me in wrath.

"What is it, then?" he barked. "Am I to be exiled? Stripped of the crown? Or perhaps by some small chance Father will see fit to communicate with me beyond expectations that I never seem to reach, maybe explain why my actions were so offensive."

I did not see a use in skirting the pronouncement. "You have been invited by Lord Elrond to hunt with his sons. I think tomorrow will be a perfectly timed departure, though I am sorry that your festivities will be cut short."

Belegorn's jaw dropped. "Banishment? With Elladan and Elrohir? Ninnies!"

"It is not a banishment, you are welcome to return home when you are ready."

He snorted in derision. "Ready! Differing opinions of that standard would not be hard to acquire."

"That is entirely irrelevant. You," I jabbed my finger into his chest as I said this. "Will have to decide when you are ready. You are the steward of your fate now."

"But not so that I could decide not to leave."

"Correct. Your actions have negated that privilege."

"Is Legolas going to come as well? Twins with twins, I suppose."

"He is not. He has been given my position."

"What!"

I pursed my lips in irritation. "Legolas is remarkably well-behaved, and he has a sensible head. If you wish to be so promoted in your father's eyes, you should strive for the same."

Belegorn groaned. I turned to leave, only turning back as I closed the door behind me. "I would begin packing, if I were you," I suggested.

He left before dawn, while Thranduil and I were still abed. We heard of his parting from a pair of guards. I tried not to let his lack of farewell bother me, for I knew that bitterness made one shun all others. The celebrations continued for one more day, very subdued, and I was absent from them, for I was preparing for a journey of my own. It was a drizzly day that I fixed to depart, and I took leave of my husband and younger son with no small measure of regret. Legolas was despondent, and clearly fearful for his new job that he would undertake without me.

"You will perform admirably," I told him, determined to be cheerful despite my own black mood, and I kissed his cheek. "The wardens know you well enough, and what to expect. You have been trained in this, do not forget." He nodded, and did not waste time in turned towards the stables to prepare for his own westward trek.

"I should have discussed exchange rates of timber and gold with you," Thranduil murmured to me. We were now alone, and he pulled my cloak tighter around my shoulders, smoothing the hood. His actions were affectionate, and I perceived that he was more apprehensive of my safety now than he had been when I simply patrolled the forest.

"We studied economics together long ago," I said, exerting myself to kiss him lightly on the lips. "I shall fight tooth and nail for any trade to benefit us equally."

"Dwarves can be cunning."

"So can I."

His face broke into a wan grin, but it did not reach his eyes. "Be safe."

"I will."

He helped me to mount my saddle, and I galloped from the gate, my troops of guards falling in behind me.