Elda had not disturbed Ithilwen on her first day in the palace. Ithilwen kept to her room at first. It was very well-furnished. The mattress was soft and comfortable and the bed had been carved from beech. There was candle holder by her bed, along with water container. A cupboard nearby contained at least three sets of clothes. Two were long gowns and one was a tunic. There were gloves and shoes to go along with them. Ithilwen smiled, Galaden was ensuring her comfort but she had to caution him against showing such enthusiasm. Rarely anything got past their sharp and suspicious Commander's eyes. He was bound to question this.

But Galaden was not a simpleton either. She got her answer later in the evening when she insisted on helping Elda. "Healer Galaden had spoken to Commander Aradan, hina. You have done so much for his soldiers and our dear Prince. We owe you, Ithilwen. The King is not one to forget favours."

"Do not say that , Elda. It thanks kindness to give a stranger a home. Your realm has kind rulers and administrators. It is I who am in their debt."

Changing the topic, she said, "Is there anything that I can do now?"

Elda hesitated, "There is much to be done. Autumn and winter will set upon us soon. There are vegetables to be pickled, wheat to be stored and bread to be baked. I am making mushroom soup and roasted vegetables for dinner tonight. There will be corn bread as well and strawberry tarts for dessert for the King and Commander since the meal is so simple."

Ithilwen looked in surprise. Galaden had mentioned that Mirkwood's coffers were well-stocked. Why then was dinner so simple? It was hardly a meal fit for a king. Though, she did not voice it out, Elda must have seen her surprised look.

"Our King does not eat much at all. He merely eats to live. His only weakness is wine and he takes it once in a while. He has lost taste for all other pleasures in life since Queen Erienne. When Prince Legolas was around, things were different of course. The King's standing instruction is that anything the Prince asks should be provided. I used to bake strawberry tarts for him. And make juice of lemons and apples. He would take them away with the dinner and have it with his friends by the stream."

"The Prince does not join the King at the table?" Ithilwen did not look happy.

"It is not the Prince's fault. The King did try his best to be good father to the Prince but he was often preoccupied with affairs of the realm. Besides, the King is truly not happy. Why, I have never seen him smile, except with the Prince, of course. The Commander, too."

Ithilwen nodded. Elda was reaffirming what Galaden had said. She felt selfish. Earlier, she had been feeling sorry for herself. She had been born a princess, raised to be a queen. Instead, she had been doomed to be a prisoner and now a kitchen hand. She had been quite upset. Now, it appeared that Kings and Commanders too were mere elves, serving their elves despite their own pains and losses.

Eager to help, she offered to pound the wheat but was refused by Elda. "It is too strenuous for you now. Perhaps next time. Why don't you make the tarts? I have already baked them. You just have to add the fillings."

Ithilwen nodded, getting to work enthusiastically. "May I sweeten the cream slightly, Elda? That would help the taste to stand out against the strawberries. They are slightly sour, I think."

Elda was surprised. Ithilwen must be a learned one. She nodded in approval. As they continued working, Ithilwen suggested other small things. Herbs to add to the soup. Ensure that the vegetables are removed from the fire whilst they are still crunchy. As she finished icing the tarts, she took the last two pastries and began using them to make peach cobbler.

Elda was surprised. "Why the peach cobbler, Ithilwen?"

Ithilwen looked up. She blinked awhile. "Uhm..uhm.."

"Don't you know, Elda? Commander Aradan does not take too well to strawberries." It was Galaden. He was holding a bottle in his hands. Giving it to Ithilwen, he continued, "I just arrived. I have dinner with Thranduil and Aradan once a week. For you, Ithilwen. You ought to rub it on your hands every night. It will help your bruise to heal faster."

"I never knew, Healer Galaden. Why I have been making strawberry tarts for years? I was never told."

Galaden smiled sadly, "It's not as if the pair has been eating anything proper all these years. You would not have noticed anyway because Aradan always claims he ought not to eat much and skips dessert."

"Will you excuse us, Elda? I just need to check on Ithilwen's wounds?"

Elda nodded as she proceeded to pack the food for the soldiers in the infirmary. She felt upset with herself that she had not known this simple fact about her commander. Why the Woodland Realm owed their peace and stability to him as much as to the King and she had not even looked out for a simple pleasure as a proper dessert.

When dinner had been served much later, Elda turned to Ithilwen. "You have been such a help, hina. I am grateful but I do feel foolish, child, for I did not realise Commander Aradan's lack of enthusiasm for the strawberry tarts."

Ithilwen was reassuring, "I don't think he was enthusiastic about any dessert, Elda. Do not berate yourself. Your commander's only passion seems to be the safety of Mirkwood and the service of his King."

"You are right there, child. I had best bring the dessert out now."

When she went to clear the dishes, Aradan commended her. "The food was delicious today, Elda. We ought to thank you." Galaden was smiling happily as well.

Elda hesitated though. Thranduil was continuing with his food without comment. But she noted that he had eaten more than usual. Pleased, she met Galaden's eyes in understanding before turning to Aradan, "Thank you, Commander, Sire. But the praise belongs to someone else."

Thranduil reached for the water in silence and Elda knew that she was expected to explain. Thranduil always had a streak of arrogance in him but he had a good heart and they were lucky to have him as their ruler. Still, she did not dare address him directly. "It was Ithilwen, Commander. She suggested that I add some herbs to the soup and told me when to remove the vegetables from the oven. She must be a learned one, Commander."

As she set the dessert on the table, she saw the King frown and looked hesitant. But the Commander smiled at her and thanked her. "Why the peach cobbler suddenly, Elda?"

This time, Elda was embarrassed. "Forgive me, Commander. I never realised that you ought not to be taking too many strawberries. It was only today that our Healer had informed Ithilwen. She prepared the peach cobbler."

"Thank you, Elda. It looks delicious. Please do thank Ithilwen for me as well."

When Elda had left, Aradan turned to Thranduil. "What is wrong, my lord?" he asked.

Galaden looked up cautiously. Aradan calling Thranduil "my lord" meant that Aradan was on Commander mode. He would start thinking.

Luckily, Thranduil merely shook his head. "I am okay, Aradan. The dinner brings back good memories."

Nodding, Aradan returned to his dessert "Thranduil is right. The peach cobbler is delicious, Galaden. Thank you for informing Ithilwen about my preferences. You seem to be quite taken with her. Are you sure Lairiel won't be jealous?"

"Lairiel will be more than happy to cast me off. Claims I have become a doddering old elf. But I am afraid she is stuck with me. Ithilwen is already taken."

This time, both Thranduil and Aradan looked up expectantly. Thranduil had nearly finished his strawberry tart. "By whom?" he asked.

"Her mate still lives, Thranduil. At least, that's what I understand. But she can't go back to him. She fears that she will not be accepted."

Thranduil was thoughtful. "Would you know who he is? We can talk to him. She is an innocent. She can't be punished more than she already is?"

Thranduil's next words were softer. "If her mate refuses her, she can stay here. He is most foolish not to realise how lucky he is."

The dinner ended with Aradan first glaring at Galaden for having upset Thranduil and then look away thoughtfully. Galaden bit his lips and continued his dessert in silence.