Ithilwen woke up before sunrise, as was her usual practice. She had settled quite comfortably in the palace in a few days. Elda was caring and so were most of the other elleths, who helped out in the kitchen. Either that or they had been warned by Elda, under Galaden's orders, Ithilwen thought to herself.

Galaden had repeated the King's comments to her and she had pleaded with him not to pursue the matter. She was not ready for it. The Healer had listened to her pleas and agreed, albeit unhappily, to let her be as she was, for now at least. Ithilwen was not fooled. The Healer had realised that something else was bothering her. He was just being patient with her.

Stretching, she got up and tidied her room before taking her clothes to bathe. In truth, she was quite excited about today. Elda had told her that today was the day of the market. Now, that food was controlled and every household had to contribute to the castle larder, markets were only held once a month. There was also no point collecting food every week, Elda had explained for it would go bad. The elves would then come and exchange their provisions, leaving the fresh stock and taking the older suppliers to exchange or sell at the market. "It will be fun, hina. Come along. There is no work in the kitchen today. The King and Commander insist that they will see to their own meals on this day. But I have packed pies for them."

Ithilwen had been puzzled. What did Thranduil and Aradan know of cooking? Galaden, perhaps. But, not those two. Ithilwen looked at the sky. It was still an hour to sunrise. If she hurried, she would have time. She had to use the darkness to wash at the stream first. Even though Galaden had seen to her comforts at the kitchen, even he could not possibly explain why she, a kitchen helper, ought to get water delivered to her room when none of the other elves did. Only the King and Commander enjoyed such privileges.

Not that she minded. She was quite glad to be able to spend some time alone in the stream by herself. Upon reaching there, she removed her clothes, checked to ensure that her precious possession was intact. She had to find a way to return it but it had to be done carefully. She would bide her time for it. Now, she just wanted some pleasure for herself. Again ensuring that her veil was in place, she entered the water in her petticoat. The water was cold but she was used to the cold, it having been all she had at Dol Guldur, if she had the luck of any water at all.

For a few precious minutes, she lay in the water, enjoying its pristine cleanliness upon her skin. Elda had told her that Mirkwood's forests were home to lavender and grapefruit and she could use them to wash herself. But, still, she hesitated. She did not want the King to think that she was overstepping herself.

About to get up and leave, she stilled suddenly. There was someone nearby. Who would be coming this early to wash at the stream? And then, she heard the sound of horses trotting. "Who..?" a soldier's voice was cut off halfway by another command and she knew that the soldiers had ridden off. That meant that the command had come from…

"All is clear, Thranduil. It is just Ithilwen washing at the stream." Aradan. He had sent the soldiers off. Ithilwen was irritated. Could she not hide from him even in the wee hours of the morning? And then, a fear went through her. Her clothes. Had he gone through them again?

Quickly, she crept through the weeds and pulled her clothes. Feeling amongst them, she realised that the object was still tucked in safe amongst the hems of her dress. Relieved, she quickly transferred it to her tunic, again checking her veil. Her scarf. She groaned. She had not brought her scarf thinking that she would only need it after her hair had dried. It did not really matter. Thranduil had already seen her hair but she could not help her vanity, useless as it was. As she emerged from the stream, she was not shocked to see that Thranduil and Aradan were still there. They had sent the soldiers off though. She wrapped her cloak tightly around herself.

"Why do you bathe here in this bitter cold? You could have waited for the sun to rise." It was Thranduil. "I…my lord, I just.."this time, Ithilwen was shocked to find that she was losing her temper. Why was she bathing in the bitter cold? Why? Did he not know why? She wanted to scream. Behind her, the waters in the stream began flowing more rapidly.

"I apologise, Ithilwen. It was an oversight on my part again. I shall arrange for the necessary for you to wash yourself in the comfort of your room," it was Aradan. He had got off his horse and was bowing slightly to her. Ithilwen neither noticed nor cared. Her chin jutted out defiantly and for a fleeting moment, Aradan saw a proud maiden standing in front of him. But, that was all it lasted. Her shoulders hunched almost immediately and she nodded obediently and scurried back.

Turning, Aradan mounted his stallion again. Thranduil looked at his Commander curiously. "Why did you bow to her?"

"'Twas my fault, Thranduil. She saved Legolas' life. We have been amiss in our duties," Aradan's reply was sensible. But incomplete. Thanduil realised that he had missed something.

Aradan was smiling at him. Or was it a smirk?

"What?" Thranduil asked irritated.

"You really ought to learn how to talk to elleths, my lord. Asking her why she was washing when none could see her? You made our little elemental angry."

Thranduil looked at the stream. The waters were just calming again. "Women," he muttered to himself, riding off, "nothing but trouble."

When Ithilwen went back to the kitchen, she sat alone for awhile. She was upset and angry, with herself. That had been a close call. What if Aradan had gone through her clothes again? She had been lucky. And Thranduil had seen her, all ugly as a scarecrow, with her bony body and pathetic excuse for hair. It did not matter. It never would matter anymore but still, Ithilwen allowed herself a few moments of self-pity and wept softly.

It helped to let her sorrow out and soon, she was back on task. Elda's pies were quite delicious but hardly enough for two warriors. She understood the cook's decision. She had wanted to make something that would not require heating and could be eaten on their own. Perhaps, she could help. Quickly, she set to work. Dicing the musrooms, onions and tomatoes, chunking the meat and grating the cheese. Soon, the meat pie was over the wood oven and the chilli was simmering over the fire. She paused. Only a handful of soldiers would be around today. They might not be in the kitchen. She set a pot of water nearby,

Sparks of fire

Power of heat and light

Reward well my toil and tire

Protect my home from your ire

For, know we not your might

Against you, we can never fight

Sprinkles of water

Gift of life, aid my plea

Should the fire falter

Thou shall help it flee

Satistfied, Erienne prepared dessert and cleaned the kitchen. When Elda came in some time later, she was all ready to go. Shaking away Elda's praises, she begged her to ask the Commander for permission to leave. As they walked off in the morning breeze, Ithilwen could hardly contain her excitement, unaware of Aradan's eyes following her.