Thranduil stirred before sunrise to a cool, misty dawn. He did not feel cold and in fact one side of him felt warm. He smiled contentedly as he realised why. Erienne was curled up to his right, still fast asleep. Thranduil adjusted her head upon his arm and leaned back, his hand toying with her curls. Her hair was growing though it was still short. He remembered the events of the previous day and mulled over them. Day after day whatever he learnt only made him more determined to protect Mirkwood. The forts were nearly completed and Mirkwood would be completely walled soon.

He remembered Airion telling him about the missives. If Lady Galadriel was willing to come all the way down, she was worried about war, whether it be now or hundreds of years later. 'Twas not just about about Mirkwood's defences. The Lady Galadriel was happy that Erienne was back. Thranduil smiled absently. For all the meekness she showed in front of him, he knew that Erienne was powerful in both skill and by family ties. He had not been joking when he said that Elrond had been unhappy over his decision not to go to war to save her. Airion had told him about how she had introduced herself to Tauriel. It made Thranduil smile. Though he sometimes felt sorry for Tauriel, he agreed that she needed to realize her duties and have a better sense of the world around her. Tragedy could strike anyone. It took the strong to come out of it. Perhaps, Erienne could help her and her Nana. Thranduil was more concerned about Tauriel's nana. She had taken Bainion's loss badly after he had been taken prisoner and had lost her senses. Perhaps it was for the best that she did not know what actually happened to him. She came to the palace sometimes, just walked around and stayed in the kitchen. Thranduil did not mind and neither did Elda. Aradan always ensured that she ate and had a place to sleep if she chose to stay over. But they did not know how to get her to get back to reality. Perhaps, Erienne could.

Thranduil felt an arm going around him and looked down at Erienne. Though her eyes were closed, she was smiling. "Is it dawn, my lord?" she mumbled sleepily. Despite the sombre revelations of the previous day, it felt good to have just spent time with Erienne. Smiling, Thranduil kissed her tousled curls. "Unfortunately, yes, meleth," he said as Erienne sat up.

"We slept outside," she said shaking her head, "whatever will our elves think of us? Sleeping in the garden in mid-autumn like a pair of young lovers."

"Awww Erienne, am I too old for you? I may not be young but I am in love," Thranduil teased and was rewarded with a blush from Erienne.

"Hush, Thranduil. Somebody might hear us." She turned around and gasped.

"Aradan! I totally forgot to tell him to go back and sleep. Is he still there?"

Thranduil sat up and looked at the rocks. Aradan was leaning against the rocks, his back facing them. Thranduil felt a pang of guilt. Aradan would not really have slept the whole night. Normally, he would have posted a soldier to rotate duty. But, he had been with Erienne sharing private moments and Aradan would not have seen it fit to just post guard and leave him alone.

"Oh, Erienne! Aradan would not have slept the whole night in the cold..?"Thranduil paused and realised that he hadn't felt cold. His eyes wandered and he spotted the embers of a dying fire as well as the second cloak over Erienne. His Commander.

"Come, my lord," Erienne said, walking towards Aradan. He was lying against the rocks, his eyes closed. Besides him were arrows and dead snakes. He had been making the arrows that Erienne had told him about and preparing the poison from the snakes.

"Good morning, my lady," he said jovially, lifting a brow lazily, "ain't it a bit too early for you to disturb me?" Erienne returned his greeting with equal cheer. Though Aradan sounded cheerful, neither Erienne nor Thranduil missed the worry in his voice.

"Good morning, Commander. Since I feel much better today, I shall be kind to you. You need only report for duty in the afternoon." Thranduil's message was equally light-hearted but Erienne knew his silent message. He wanted to assure Aradan that he was fine and did not want Aradan to worry about him.

Aradan looked at Erienne and bowed. "Always leave it to a lady to set things right. I shall be off now, my lady. Pray do not forget me for lunch."

Erienne did not reply, merely nodding as she leaned against Thranduil. As Aradan left, she called out his name, bowing when he turned. Aradan pretended not to notice and left. Thranduil squeezed Erienne's hands and reached for the arrows. "Aradan will probably be testing them. You mentioned aconitum as well. I had Galaden prepare them."

Erienne nodded. "Your Captain will be reporting today. She has her work laid out for her. We have to prepare for Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond's arrival as well."

Thranduil smiled, "I will be out of your way then." He hesitated and then said, "Bainion's mate, Meldiriel. She might come around now that Tauriel is here. I don't have to tell you. Do look out for her."

Erienne nodded, "Don't worry, my lord. I will see to them."

They were finishing a quick breakfast when Tauriel came. For perhaps the first time, she appeared nervous and fearful. Thranduil stood up, acknowledged her bow and left. He did not want to lose his temper with her and did not really trust himself.

Erienne was straight-faced. "Good morning, Captain. Have you had your breakfast?"

Tauriel nodded and Erienne continued, "We are preparing for Lady Galadriel's and Lord Elrond's arrival. The elves will be busy in the kitchen and the halls. The soldiers are out for their war exercises. We are thus rather short-handed here. I would have you supervise the gardens and the kitchens. Ensure that all is in order and that all the elves are safe. By afternoon, the garden should be cleaned and ready. Should something be amiss, be sure to inform Lt.-Gen. Airion. He is overall in-charge today."

Tauriel nodded meekly and got to work. As she walked off, Erienne pursed her lips. Tauriel was certainly meek today. After instructing Elda, she got to work on the tapestry. As she sewed away, Tauriel came in to announce Lairiel and Ceridwen. Lairiel had come to help her and had brought Ceridwen along. When Erienne told Lairiel her intended design for the tapestry, she looked surprised. "Why that is a lovely idea, my lady. Let's work on it."

Erienne observed as Tauriel hid her scowl carefully. "Captain, Ceridwen is here. I trust you have enquired if her arm is better. I am sure you did not mean to hurt her."

Tauriel blinked before she realised what Erienne was talking about. "Uhm..uhm.."

"It does not matter, my lady. My arm is fully healed, Captain Tauriel. Do not worry. I am well."

Erienne hid her smile as she nodded to Tauriel, giving her permission to leave. She knew that she could not compare Tauriel and Ceridwen. The latter had grown up with loving parents, safe and secure. Whilst Tauriel's safety and upbringing and safety had been seen to by Thranduil and Aradan, it still lacked the love of her parents.

Erienne began to think. Thranduil had said that Meldiriel might come. She would wait. In the meantime, there was work to be done. She had Tauriel ensure that the elves in the kitchen knew what was to be done and update her on the progress from Elda. By noon, all was going well when she heard a small shout from the halls before she sensed hushed whispers.

Lairiel looked at her and paused. "It must be Meldiriel, my lady. But she does not create any problems. What could be the matter?"

Erienne requested Lairiel to continue with the tapestry and went down to check. Tauriel was whispering to her Nana and she was not being gentle. Erienne could see Meldiriel cowering. It was her first time seeing Meldiriel and she could not help the guilt that rose in her throat. She hurried to the kitchen.

"What seems to be the problem here, Captain?" she asked, her voice as even as possible.

Tauriel blushed. "I..nothing, my lady. I am just trying to get my…her to go home."

Erienne looked at her, this time sternly, "Your nana, you mean? Why, there is no need for her to go home. As it is, her help is needed."

Tauriel's looked at Erienne as if she was daft and then looked embarrassed. "Pardon, my lady. You might not be aware that my nana is feeble of mind. She would not be of much help."

Erienne swallowed her anger. "I will decide that, Tauriel. You may see to the gardens now. Please check on the progress there and report to me."

As Tauriel turned to leave, without a choice, Erienne saw Meldiriel look at her. In fact, the latter came over to her and bowed. "My lady, you might not know me. I am Meldiriel, Bainion's mate. I am so glad you are back and well.."

Meldiriel paused. Erienne was surprised. Meldiriel did not sound feeble of mind at all. As if in answer, Elda came over, "She sometimes forgets herself, my lady but she can handle simple tasks. Sometimes, she can be clear-minded."

Erienne swallowed. She had not realised how difficult it would be for her to face Bainion's widow. "My lady..please.. I do seek your pardon. Please do pardon Tauriel this once. She hurt you, did she not and raised her sword to our King. All were talking about it. I did not know until yesterday when I learnt she was to report to the palace. Please pardon her this once." Meldiriel sought to kneel in front of Erienne.

"No, Meldiriel! Do not kneel. Please stand up now. Tauriel will come to no harm. I would that she learns her responsibilities and carry them out ably for the better of the Woodlands."

Meldiriel nodded, "Aye, my lady. You are kind. Bainion would have wanted that too." Mediriel hesitated, "My lady, if you could tell me..I..I know Bainion is no more. But he did not die in pain, did he? An arrow found his heart? He died in one fell blow?"

Erienne stared at Meldiriel and could feel the waves of dizziness come over her. She swayed slightly and caught herself. Meldiriel looked fearful, "My lady, I am so sorry if I upset you. It was not my intent. Please pardon me."

Meldiriel had taken Bainion's death badly. What good would the truth do to her?

Erienne looked at Meldiriel and managed to get the words out, "His throat was slit. It was a quick death. He died to save me. I owe him my life, Meldiriel."

Meldiriel looked relieved though her tears did not stop. "It was his duty. He would have been glad to know that you are back safe. I am..I am glad, my lady." As Meldiriel choked on her words, Erienne shook her head, "There is no gladness in any of our elves' loss, Meldiriel. But I would beg that you be strong and live your life. Bainion would have wanted it. Be a good mother to Tauriel."

"I am not that, my lady," Meldiriel was sad now, "I have disappointed my child."

Erienne reached for Meldiriel's hands, "No, you are not. She needs you, Meldiriel. Be there for her. You have a brave daughter. In time, she will become wiser too."

Meldiriel nodded more happily. "Thank you, my lady. You are very kind."

When Erienne turned to leave, she saw Thranduil look at her from above. As their eyes met, she shook her head at Thranduil's grateful smile. Leaving Meldiriel to Elda, Erienne returned to her tapestry. Meldiriel did not need to know the truth. When Tauriel returned to the kitchen, she was surprised to see her Nana busy pounding the flour. She was occupied and on task, chatting happily with Elda. It left Tauriel with something to think about.