At first light, the bell from the tower started signalling that enemies were approaching the walls. Sonja lifted her head abruptly from her pillow, awoken by the sound.

-'They're here', she whispered as if trying to chase the nightmare away.

Thranduil rose beside her and placed a gentle kiss on her bare shoulder, trying to hang on to what they have shared a little longer. He feared this moment more than he cared to admit. She was alive and she was back in his arms; the thought of losing her again was unbearable.

Her breath was uneven and he could feel the anxiety and adrenaline taking control over her body.

-'Get your armor, get dressed! Your people need you', she asked, jumping from the bed and looking for her own clothes.

There was no more time to waste. It was all happening fast now.

They both dressed in silence, a myriad of thoughts going through their minds, yet no more words were spoken.

-'I'm scared, mother! ' they heard a child's voice calling from the threshold.

Sonja dropped to her knees and opened her arms to him.

-'Come to me, my little Prince! ' she asked him, her eyes wet with tears.

The boy ran to her and crashed into her chest, embracing her with his small hands. His chin was resting on her shoulder and his blue eyes could not stop looking at Thranduil and his beautiful, long hair. The Elvenking smiled back at him as he allowed a warm thrill to invade his heart.

-'Are you an elf? ' the child finally got over his shyness and asked.

-'Yes, I am', he replied in a soft voice. 'My name is Thranduil Oropherion. '

-'He is a King, little Prince', Sonja explained to the child.

-'Like father? ' he asked in the most innocent way.

Sonja turned and looked up at the elf. Her gaze traced his tall, handsome figure as he stood before her, dressed in his royal armor. She remained hooked into his warm eyes and part of her felt as if she was seeing him, the real him, for the very first time. She found herself secretly wishing the child was theirs and his sudden smile betrayed the fact that he was sensing her thoughts. Sonja closed her eyes and let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding until that moment, before being able to speak again.

-'Yes. Like father', she replied kissing the boy on top of his head. 'You need to be brave now. Promise me you will stay inside the walls! You need to be safe. Promise me! ' she asked looking into his young eyes.

-'I promise, mother. '

-'You are my sweet boy. I love you!' she added before releasing him from her embrace.

Thranduil watched as the boy left the room and once the door was closed, he turned to Sonja once more, moving to join her on the balcony.

-'Motherhood suits you', he said with a warm smile. 'Don't worry, we will keep him safe. The White City shall not fall on this day. '

He approached her and laid the sweetest kiss on her temple, then he held her in a tight embrace, listening to the beat of her heart and the whispers of her thoughts. He did not wish the moment to end.

-'I'm scared too', Sonja eventually spoke amidst the silence.

-'You are brave, you are a Queen! Never forget that', he replied pulling her whole being even closer into his chest. 'I vow to always be here when you need me, my beautiful human. '

-'I'm sorry… For everything. I love you', she whispered.

-'Goheno nin. It is I who should ask for forgiveness. I never should have let that happen to you, meleth nin. '

Sonja looked deep into Thranduil's eyes and placed a hand on his cheek. Her hand slid down slowly and rested over the elf's heart, before she turned from him, now facing the great mountains.

-'Look! ' Thranduil called softly, pointing at the sky, leaning against the wall behind him and keeping his arm securely around her waist and her body pressed against his own.

The sun bathed the entire valley in a crimson light making them lose themselves in silent beauty. But those same rays that should have brought warmth to a new dawn slowly reminded them of the coming battle and the blood that would be spilled that day. His hands wounded tighter around her, like they belonged about her waist. Her head rested gently on his shoulder just where he loved her most, where he wanted her to stay forever, even now when the war was etching itself between them.

-'I'm ready', she breathed the words into the wind. 'It's time! '

Alistair surprised the Elvenking, just as he was walking out of the Queen's chamber.

-'King Thranduil, did you lose your way? ' he addressed him in a defying tone.

The elf threw him a mere glimpse, not halting his walk to bother with the mortal. He was keen on meeting his soldiers in the courtyard and order them to start the attack on the invaders.

-'Maybe there are a few things that need to be made clear here', the human insisted.

-'Which are? ' the King finally asked, his eyes narrowing as he stopped his pace and turned around.

The Prince stepped closer. He was tall, but not as tall as Thranduil, whom didn't flinch under his intense stare.

-'I think you overstayed your welcome, elf! ' he hissed. 'Helena is mine! '

Thranduil's face turned dark. His right hand rose and he grabbed Alistair's neck in a strong choke, pinning his back against the wall. His feet could no longer reach the floor.

-'You fool! Do you really think she would love someone like you? You sicken me. You are not to touch her again! Do not test my power and do not tempt my fury! ' he commanded, pushing him harder against the wall.

His voice was colder than ice and harder than steel. It was clearly not a request, but a severe threat.

-'You must release me, you must...' Alistair tried to speak while struggling for breaths.

-'Must I? '

He felt the Prince fading under his grip and for a moment he was tempted not to weaken the hold on his throat. Just a few years ago, he would not have hesitated to take his life, but things were different now. She made everything different. And now she was his again.

The King watched the terror born in Alistair's eyes as he came to face the prospect of his death. His back was hurting from being slammed into the wall and his chest was fighting the inability to breathe. At the last second, Thranduil withdrew his hand and moved away, leaving the human behind, crumbled on the floor, gasping for air and burning with hate.