I almost forgot to post tonight since I am knee-deep in re-reading Shadows of the Past by Lady Silma. No matter how many times I read it, I still find myself unable to stop reading until the end. Check out my Favorite Stories page to find the link. Anyway, back to Thranduil. Enjoy!

Two weeks after the autumn festival, Thranduil decided he wanted to try Balamaethor's idea and take Ellissiel into the mountains to look at the stars. He was slightly hesitant to ask, not sure how she would react when he asked, or how her parents would feel about him taking her up into the mountains overnight. But he was determined to try anyway.

He was rather surprised when he failed to find Ellissiel in the stables when he sought her out one evening.

"Hey there, Arahil," Thranduil said as the young colt trotted up to him. "You don't know where Lissi is do you?" The horse just flicked his ears and nudged Thranduil's hand with his nose. Grinning, Thranduil started scratching the foal's ears.

"Good evening, Prince Thranduil," a stable hand said as he walked by.

"Evening," Thranduil said, turning to look at the elf. "You haven't seen Lady Ellissiel have you?"

"Not since noon," the elf replied, continuing his work without looking up. "She left with Lord Althrin."

"Thank you," Thranduil said with a smile, hurrying away and leaving a very upset colt behind. Thranduil was too focused on Althrin to think about Arahil. The young prince had been less than pleased to hear Ellissiel was with the other elf, and he hoped very much to find them and somehow get the elleth away from him. By this point, Thranduil had accepted the fact that his jealousy was not going to go away anytime soon. So he chose to embrace it and do his very best to keep Althrin away from Ellissiel.

Thranduil looked for Ellissiel for a good half an hour before he reached her house. He desperately hoped she was there, and not at Althrin's, where he could do nothing about their companionship. He was in luck.

"Good evening, Prince Thranduil," Minuial said with a smile as she opened the door. "To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"I was looking for Ellissiel, my lady," he said, returning her smile. "Is she here?"

"Yes," Minuial said, her smile faltering ever so slightly. Before she even said it, Thranduil knew why. "She is out on the veranda with Althrin."

"Do you think she would mind if I interrupted for a moment?" resisting the urge to invite himself in.

"I think she would be pleased to see you," Minuial said, taking a step back. "Please, come in."

Thranduil smiled gratefully, entering the house. As Minuial shut the door behind him, he made for the back door, trying not to appear hurried. Despite his efforts, Minuial noticed. She carefully sat down within earshot of the drama that was soon going to take place on the veranda. Lord Dintieron was not there to intervene if things got heated between the two male elves, so she listened carefully, prepared to step in if the conversation took a dangerous turn.

Thranduil stepped out onto the veranda, his eyes falling on Ellissiel and Althrin sitting next to each other at the table, looking out over the gardens. He was glad it was Ellissiel who noticed him first.

"Oh, Thranduil! I didn't hear you come in. Would you care to join us?"

"Certainly," Thranduil said, walking around the table to take the seat Ellissiel indicated beside her. As he did so, his eyes met Althrin's. The two elves glared daggers at each other for the second it took for Thranduil to find his seat, before his attention returned to Ellissiel. "I actually came here with a proposition for you, Lissi," he said, his death glare replaced with a soft smile. He felt immense satisfaction at the look on Althrin's face as he said this, noticing the other elf's jaw clench and scowl deepen out of the corner of his eye.

"What would that be?" Ellissiel said, her attention completely on him now, to Thranduil's delight.

"I was wondering if perhaps you would be willing to join me on an expedition into the mountains sometime in the next couple weeks. You did say you wanted to go there and watch the stars at some point."

"I would love to!" Ellissiel said, leaning forward eagerly. "We should go next weekend! There is supposed to be a comet visible to the northwest then that I would dearly love to see."

"It is settled then," Thranduil said with a smile. "I will make the arrangements."

"Lissi," Althrin said, interrupting the exchange. "I thought you were going to come out on my uncle's boat that evening to look at the comet."

"I know, Althrin," Lissi said, looking guiltily at her friend as Thranduil eyed him carefully, waiting to see what was going to happen before interjecting. "But I always go out on your uncle's boat for these things. I have never been in the mountains. Just this once, do you mind if I go with Thranduil instead?"

Clearly, Althrin did mind. But instead of saying it outright, he instead responded with his own questions. "But aren't the mountains dangerous? And do you think your parents will let you go on an overnight trip there?" It was clear he wanted to say 'with Thranduil' instead of simply 'there', but he refrained, shooting Thranduil a nasty look instead.

"I don't see why not. Who else will be going?" She turned to Thranduil expectantly.

"Balamaethor and Raina will definitely go, and I imagine Novathin and Lithiavas will come as well," he said simply. "You will have nothing to worry about, Lissi. You will be perfectly safe."

"Perfectly safe?" Althrin interjected before Ellissiel could respond. "Four elves and two elleths against the hundreds of goblins running around the mountains? What makes you so confident?"

"I have been well trained in combat," Thranduil said, eyes flashing dangerously as he and Althrin tried to stare each other down. "As have Balamaethor, Novathin, and Lithiavas. Raina is not helpless either. We can certainly take care of Lissi. Besides, there are no goblins in the region we will be visiting. It is too close to the city, and frequently patrolled by guards."

"There are more than just goblins in the mountains though. What about wolves? And trolls?"

"We are well trained in combat," Thranduil repeated, his voice starting to show he was losing patience with Althrin. "If by some unlikely chance we run into goblins or wolves or trolls, we can still protect Lissi."

"You don't know that. Anything could happen."

"And who are you to decide what she will or will not do?"

"Her best friend. I want what is best for her."

"And you think I don't?"

"Is there anything I can help with?" Both elves looked up at Minuial, who had appeared quietly in the doorway while they had been arguing.

"Actually," Thranduil said boldly, feeling his adrenaline pumping from the confrontation that had just been interrupted. "I think you can. How would you feel about Lissi joining me and some of my friends in the mountains next weekend to observe the comet from a better vantage point?"

"Lissi? What are your thoughts?" Minuial said, looking at her daughter, who had been strangely quiet during the heated exchange a moment ago.

"Well, I would really like to go," she said after a moment. "I trust Thranduil and his friends to protect me if something were to happen."

"Who will be joining you?" Minuial asked, looking at Thranduil once more.

"Lords Balamaethor, Novathin, and Lithiavas, and Lady Raina," Thranduil said, his calm returning slowly. "We will be camping at the northern outpost. It will be very safe."

"Well then, I see no reason for her not to go then," Minuial said with a small smile. "It sounds like fun to me."

"Thank you!" Ellissiel said happily, getting up and hugging her mother. Minuial smiled, returning the hug, but she did not fail to notice the smug look Thranduil wore as he looked across the table at Althrin, who had a nasty glare on his face once more. Both looks vanished as soon as Ellissiel turned around once more. "Why don't you come with us, Althrin?"

Minuial had to stifle a grin at the looks that flashed across the elves' faces at this question. Ellissiel had asked it innocently enough, but it looked as though both elves had been slapped. There was no trace of the smug look on Thranduil's face anymore, replaced instead by a look of poorly-veiled horror, and Althrin looked as though he was dying a little inside.

"Well," Althrin said, obviously in a heated internal battle with himself. "I would love to, but I should probably stay here. I have things to do next weekend, and can't be gone all weekend." Minuial was mildly surprised he hadn't agreed instantly, but perhaps he thought it would be unwise to go off with Thranduil and his friends alone, especially when it would be fairly easy for one of them to cause him bodily harm and make it look like an accident. The look of relief was evident on Thranduil's face as Ellissiel, frowned.

"I'm sorry. I wish you could come. Next time, perhaps?"

"We will see," Althrin said with a forced smile. Minuial turned to go back inside, convinced the worst was over. She looked forward to telling her husband all that had transpired when he got home.

Thranduil sat beside Novathin as he slowly ate his breakfast. In an hour or so, he would be riding north with Ellissiel for a two day trip. He would have her undivided attention for an extended period of time, with no threat of Althrin interrupting. At the moment he was relishing this victory, waiting for the elleth to join him and his friends so they could head off to the stables together. The horses had already been saddled and the gear packed, they just needed the last member of their party to arrive, and they could depart for the mountain outpost.

"Good morning, everyone!" Thranduil looked up with a smile as Ellissiel sat across from him, dressed in her riding tunic and leggings, a leather bag slung over one shoulder.

"How are you all today?"

"Not as excited as I am sure you are, Lissi," Balamaethor said with a smile. "By the way, I don't believe you have met Raina yet, have you?"

"I have not had the pleasure," Ellissiel said, smiling at the other elleth, who returned it as she brushed her dark hair out of her eyes. "It is nice to meet you, Raina."

"And you, Lissi. I have heard a great deal about you."

"Good things, I hope," she laughed, shifting the bag on her shoulder. "I have heard many good things about you from Balamaethor."

"I'm sure you have, but don't believe half of what he says," Raina said, smiling up at the elf beside her. "He tends to exaggerate."

"Well I don't know about you all, but I'm ready to hit the road," Lithiavas said, standing up and stretching. "We've got a long ride ahead of us."

The six elves started for the stables, chatting amicably, excited for their adventure.

"I'm afraid we only have four horses prepared, my lady," Thranduil said at one point, walking next to Ellissiel, who was practically skipping with excitement. "I hope you will not be terribly disappointed to have to ride with me."

"What makes you think I'm riding with you? I think you will be the one to ride with me," Ellissiel said, her eyes shining as she teased him. "It's only right, since I take him out for rides more than you do."

"In that case I think it should be you who rides with me. I do not get to ride often enough and therefore you should let me have the reins. Besides, I am the one who knows where we are going."

"I guess there is only one way to settle this," Ellissiel said. "Novathin, will you hold this for a moment?"

"Sure, Lissi," he said, taking her proffered bag curiously. The other elves watched curiously, wondering where this was headed.

"Whoever gets to Arandil first gets the reins!" With that she took off running towards the stables. It took Thranduil a fraction of a second to realize what had happened before he bolted after her, grinning broadly, leaving their friends behind, shaking their heads.

Ellissiel was quick, but even with her head start, Thranduil quickly caught up to her. Whereas Ellissiel's primary daily activities were reading and gardening, Thranduil's involved extended periods of physical activity. When he caught up to her, Thranduil grabbed Ellissiel around the waist, making her scream in surprise, and he put her down again facing the wrong direction as he started off towards the barns again. But Ellissiel wouldn't be beat that easily, and before he was able to put distance between them, she grabbed his arm and pulled him back as best she could. Not wanting to hurt her, Thranduil came to an abrupt stop, giving Ellissiel the chance to get ahead of him once more as the stables came into view, the four saddled horses waiting out in front. She reached the horses first, but before she could swing up into the saddle, Thranduil vaulted onto Arandil from behind, leaving Ellissiel with one foot in a stirrup and a scowl on her face.

"I win," Thranduil said, a dazzling smile on his face. "So, will you consent to ride with me now, my lady?"

"No. I don't think I will," Ellissiel said, taking her foot out of the stirrup and walking away from him, arms crossed as she pouted. "I think I would rather ride with Lord Novathin."

"Really?" Novathin said in surprise, having just walked out of the woods with the other elves. "Very well. You know I am happy to have you join me, Lissi."

"Thank you, Novathin. How very kind," Ellissiel said, shooting Thranduil a scowl before approaching Novathin's mount. Thranduil wasn't sure what had just happened, he just knew that somehow he was no longer in Ellissiel's good graces. He watched in shock as Novathin mounted his roan mare and pulled Ellissiel up behind him. Novathin shrugged apologetically at Thranduil before turning and following Lithiavas, who was already heading north, Balamaethor and Raina riding just behind him. Thranduil brought up the rear as his mind continued trying to grasp what had just transpired.

Thranduil spent the rest of the morning trying to get back on Ellissiel's good side. He rode level with her, trying to coax her into conversation while she defiantly ignored him, speaking only occasionally, and always addressing her questions to Novathin, who answered pleasantly, trying to hide his amused smile. The three elves at the front talked amongst themselves, every once in a while glancing back to watch Thranduil grow increasingly desperate for Ellissiel to talk to him.

They stopped around midday for lunch beside a small pond. Lunch was a cheerful affair, except for Thranduil, who sat in a depressed silence while Ellissiel chatted with Raina.

"Come on, Prince Mopey," Lithiavas said with a grin, looking down at Thranduil as the latter sat leaning against a large oak tree, eating a piece of bread. "Let's go for a swim. It might make you feel better." Sighing, Thranduil stood up, finishing his bread and following Lithiavas towards the edge of the pond, where Balamaethor and Novathin were already taking off their boots. After removing his boots and tunic, Thranduil followed his friends' example and dove into the pond in nothing but his leggings. He was still a little put out about the morning riding up, but swimming around and dunking his friends in the water made him feel better. Soon he was laughing and joking as usual, though his eyes would frequently dart to the bank, where Ellissiel sat, still chatting with Raina.

"So how are you enjoying the trip so far?" Raina asked Ellissiel, her eyes following Balamaethor as he forced Lithiavas's head underwater.

"It's fun. I don't usually get more than an hour outside of the city except when I go out on the sea. I must admit, I really enjoy the woods out here. It's peaceful, you know?"

"Well, at least it is when these four aren't making all sorts of noise," Raina said, nodding at the four elves laughing and shouting loudly in the pond. "Thranduil seems to be doing better after you snubbed him this morning."

"He had it coming," Ellissiel said, glancing at Thranduil as he stood waist deep in the water. "He will be fine."

"I don't think he can take another few hours with you ignoring him," Raina said with a smile. "He was looking so pitiful, I was starting to feel bad for him. After all, he did plan this weekend just for you."

"I know," Ellissiel said, leaning back on her hands. "But I can't let him be too proud of himself. He's already got a big head about it."

"You are cruel," Raina said with a laugh. "I could never do that to Balamaethor."

"That's different though. Thranduil and I are just friends."

"Really? That's it?" Raina said skeptically, watching Ellissiel closely. Ellissiel met her gaze squarely, though Raina noticed her glance out at the pond again, a slight pink in her cheeks.

"Really. Why? Did Balamaethor say otherwise?"

"Hey, what are you too whispering about over there?"

"You," Raina said evenly, smiling at Balamaethor as he sat on the far bank. Ellissiel turned slightly pinker as she felt four sets of eyes on her. She hoped that none of them had heard any of their conversation.

"My favorite topic," Balamaethor said with a grin, Raina rolling her eyes at him. "Just don't share all my secrets. I like to have some mystery left."

"What secrets?" Raina called back as he slid back into the water. "You're an open book."

"I resent that," Balamaethor retorted before getting dunked by Novathin and effectively ending the conversation.

"Anyway," Raina said, turning back to Ellissiel as Balamaethor tackled Novathin. "I just assumed since you were so close something else might be going on. After all, Prince Thranduil does not have many female friends."

"We are just friends," Ellissiel repeated, shifting once again so she was sitting cross-legged. "He's been so nice to me."

"And you don't think there's a reason for that?"

"Why does there need to be a reason? I assumed he just enjoyed my company and wanted to make sure I didn't steal his horse."

"Hmm, interesting theory," Rania said, turning to look out at the pond again as the elves began taking turns jumping from an overhanging tree into the pond below. Raina was not at all convinced by Ellissiel's logic. It sounded to her like Ellissiel was trying to convince herself that was the case. But she didn't press the issue. Ellissiel would have to figure out Thranduil's feelings and her own in her own time. Even in the short time Raina had spent with Ellissiel, she could tell Ellissiel's feelings were a little bit more than just friendly towards Thranduil. She couldn't mistake the darkening of Ellissiel's cheeks as she watched Thranduil stand on the tree branch, jumping into a back flip and diving gracefully into the water below.