Thalia and Legolas walked through the gardens in silence after they had told each other everything that had happened to them in the last ten years. "Why does he seem so different? Your dad I mean?" She asked making Legolas feel as though he had been put on the spot. "I mean he always had his grumpy moments but… there is something different about him. Don't you think so?"

He shrugged. "He has been that way for several years, Thalia. For a while he didn't to speak to anyone without anger in his voice. It was like he had lost my mother all over again." Thalia nodded, remembering the stories of how cruel and heartless Thranduil had become after his wife, Legolas' mother, had died. He was even distant with his own son. What Legolas wouldn't tell her is that it was because of her that his father was like that again.

"Are there things I should avoid asking him? I wouldn't want to aggravate him." Her voice was quiet as if she was afraid Thranduil himself would hear.

"He has a temper, Thalia." He looked at her. "Just like everyone else, he has his good days and he has his bad days. You could ask him anything, it just depends on what kind of day he is having on how he will react."

"Alright then…" She paused and looked around the magnificent garden. "Do you know why he took me in that day he found me outside Mirkwood?"

"Yes." She waited for him to go on. "But I am afraid that is something my father would have to answer… and he will, in time." Thalia let out a frustrated sigh. "I am sorry, mellon nîn ." Her eyes landed on his. "That is just something you should hear from him, not me."

"It's okay, Legolas. I am sure he would tell me if I asked." Legolas nodded but it wasn't convincing. "So this celebration we are having… can there be music… and dancing?"

He chuckled. "Nice way to change the subject. And yes, I am sure my father would be okay with that."

"I want it to be like the old ones I never got to attend. The celebrations I would only hear about before I went to sleep and after I woke up…" There was hope in her eyes. "Do you know how amazing it is going to sleep knowing that I will remain here and awaken to the same thing?" She knew he didn't but just smiled. "I am so happy I get to stay here. This is where I belong, Legolas." She looked up through the small opening in the underground gardens to see that night was vastly approaching. "Well, I wanted to get cleaned up before dinner so I am afraid I must leave you." She started walking away but abruptly stopped. "Legolas… is my… do I…"

"Your chambers are in the same place, Thalia." She nodded with a small smile then quickly walked off, wanting to see her room. After wandering through the maze of bridges and halls she finally reached the door to her old room. She took a deep breath and opened the grand doors with one swift motion. Her eyes explored the large room and she gasped when she saw that the bed was bigger. It was a four-poster king sized bed decorated with antlers… just like in her dream.

She squealed with delight as she ran to the room connected to hers. It was her own bathroom. Really it was just another large room with a deep, natural hot spring and a large mirror on one of the walls. She took off the borrowed dress and laughed when she saw that she was still wearing her sleeping shorts. She took them off along with her undergarments and tiptoed into the pleasantly warm water. Her silvery hair floated on top of the water as she let her body sink into it. All of the tension in her muscles left and she let out a soft, unintentional, moan which made her laugh. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the smooth stone behind her. "The needed baths like these on Earth." She sighed just before going completely underwater to get her head wet. When she came back up she opened her eyes and screamed at the lady elf standing by the edge of the spring.

"I am so sorry, Thalia! I didn't mean to frighten you." With a hand on her beating heart Thalia shook her head and smiled.

"I should apologizing for screaming like someone was killing me." They both laughed. When Thalia actually looked at the elf her smile widened. "Malil!"

"It is good that you have returned, Thalia. You have changed. You have become a beautiful elf, milady." The handmaid said just before Thalia stepped out of the water. Malil handed her the silky smooth robe she had and Thalia slipped it on then gave the elf a hug.

"I have missed you." Malil had become a good friend to Thalia as a child. She was always there for her. She always got her ready for the day and always did her hair with intricate braids. Malil was more like a mother than any of her foster mothers ever were.

They both walked into Thalia's room. "The king has already had some dresses made for you. They are in your wardrobe." This made her smile. She walked over to her wardrobe and opened it up to reveal a few gorgeous dresses. She instantly went for the light pink dress with off the shoulder sleeves and jewels on the bodice. "Perfect choice." Malil said while taking the dress from Thalia and unzipping it. She slipped off her robe and stepped into the gown, letting Malil zip it up for her. "Come sit and I will do your hair." She told Thalia. She sat down in the chair at her vanity and watched as Malil brushed her damp, wavy hair.

Malil put several small braids in Thalia's hair and styled it so her ears were showing. "I love it, Malil. Thank you." She said as she stood from her chair. "I guess I should get down there then. I wouldn't want to keep them waiting, if there are anything like they used to be they'll be aggravated that I took so long." Malil smiled at her then gently pushed her towards the door. "Thanks again Malil!" Thalia said before swiftly walking out of the room and into the hall. She maneuvered her way through the pathways and finally came to the dining hall. Every elf in the room looked at her when she walked in. Thranduil and Legolas stood from where they sat at the table, as any gentleman would. Thalia smiled at them and walked over to the table, taking the chair across from Legolas and beside Thranduil. Once she sat the other elves were permitted to do so as well. Thalia knew that the elves at the table were mostly advisors and honored warriors.

She felt Thranduil's eyes on her making her look at him. "You look lovely, Thalia." He said with a pleasant smile.

"Le athae, Thranduil." She smiled at him and picked up her fork so she could begin eating.

"Legolas told me you wanted dancing at the celebration." Thranduil spoke up as a servant poured wine into their goblets.

"Is that a yes to the celebration then?" She asked making him smile yet again. Legolas thought it was strange but good to see his father smiling so much.

"I have already told other colonies, including Rivendale." Thranduil told her. "A week from tonight is when the celebration will take place." Thalia looked to Legolas with a large smile displayed on her face.

"This is great!" She took her goblet and held it up. "To being back! To being reunited with my dearest friends!" Legolas lifted his glass and so did Thranduil. They clanked them together and each took a sip of their wine.

A few hours passed and the table was slowly clearing. Soon it was only Thalia left with Legolas and Thranduil. They had both been listening intently on how she had spent the last ten years of her life. Legolas thought she was funny with how seriously she told stories. She used her hands a lot, making large gestures every so often. She once even smacked Thranduil with her hand while flailing her arms about. Of course this made Legolas laugh but Thranduil didn't look all too amused… that was until Thalia looked at him with her large eyes filled with worry. Thranduil could feel his lips curl up into a grin making the worry disappear from her eyes.

"So you had lived near the ocean for four years?" Legolas asked when they got to the topic of Florida. Thalia nodded. "Why?"

She looked at the table. "It was the only place without mountains and vast forests. It was the only place that didn't remind me of this."

"Did you like it there?" It was Thranduil's voice that asked the question.

Thalia nodded and looked at him only to see a flicker of pain in his eyes. Her hand rested on his under the table. "But I like it here much better." Thranduil's heart melted with her kind gesture but her hand left his all too soon.

"Well we are happy you are back." Legolas said while standing from the table. "I believe I have had a tiring day and will retire early tonight. Goodnight to you both." With a slight bow he walked away, leaving Thranduil and Thalia alone.

"My son seems to be enlightened with your return." Thranduil said before gulping down the rest of his sixth glass of wine.

Thalia smiled. "Funny. He said the same thing about you."

Thranduil sent her a sideways glance with a smirk on his face. "Did he now?" He asked and she nodded.

She stood from the table and put her hands on the sides of his chair. "Yup." The "p" on the word popped making Thranduil shake with laughter. "He said you were grumpy before I came back." Her tone was full of sarcasm. Her mouth was awfully close to his ear as she continued. "I mean I know I am awesome but I didn't know I was that aw…" In a flash Thranduil was standing in front of her with his hands lightly gripping her arms. Thalia giggled. "Calm down hotshot, I was only kidding." Thranduil knew that. The reason he had grabbed her was to keep her from continue what she was doing to her which was bewitching him with her soft voice that close to his ears. He let her go and gave her a smile. "Will you walk with me?" She asked while motioning to the pathways that led towards her room.

"Of course." He told her. They walked beside one another in silence.

It wasn't until they were almost to her chambers when she spoke. "Thank you Thranduil. For the new dresses, the new bed… and just thank you."

They stood outside of her doors now. "No thanks is necessary, Thalia." He assured her with a grin.

She smirked and stood on her tiptoes, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Goodnight."

He watched her open her doors and start walking into her room. "Until tomorrow, meleth nin." He said before walking away. Thalia hadn't realized what he had said until she already had her door shut and was half way to her bed. Meleth nin. It was the same thing he had said to her in that dream. She ran back to the door and threw it open but realized after looking down the halls that he was gone. She would make sure to ask him what those words meant the next time she saw him.

Mellon nîn – My friend

Le athae – Thank you