The sun was far past noon when Legolas and his father finally reached the gardens near the White Tower. Thranduil had seen some of the City, but Legolas had not wanted to show him too much as he assumed he was tired from the very long journey. He knew his father too well, however, to know that he would spend more time in the gardens than he would anywhere else. His father had a passion for flowers and things that blossomed, so when Thranduil was introduced to the gardens, he took in their beauty with great delight.

"The gardens have thrived here," Thranduil said softly, leaning in to smell a particular yellow blossom. "You have done well since they were planted by our people."

"There are caretakers for the garden," Legolas explained, "but there is nothing as the line of Kings remade to keep the flowers blooming, Adar. The white tree blossoms even in winter."

"Yes, I have heard," he replied, staring down the row toward the White Tree, the fountain flowing behind it. "How is your very old friend?"

"Aragorn is very well."

"And our Evenstar?" he asked with a smile. "Putting up with him as best she can?"

Legolas smiled back. "Yes, indeed, as only a woman can. I think, perhaps, they are closer now than they ever were."

"And you, Legolas, what have you been doing? Traveling long hours with the dwarf? Courting elegant females?" He raised his eyebrows and Legolas rolled his eyes.

"Gimli and I had been doing a bit of traveling. When we parted in Eryn Lasgalen, he and I traveled to the Glittering Caves, which he vastly enjoyed."

Thranduil laughed. "You not so much, my boy?"

"I did, surprisingly," Legolas replied. "He intends to make his home there soon."

"Soon? Perhaps after you are wed?"

Legolas nodded. "Yes, I…think so. It is going to be different without him. We have been constant companions these last seven years, since the War, you know."

"You have finally cured yourself of the curse of the Greenwood," Thranduil said with a sad smile.

"Curse? What curse is that, Adar?" Legolas asked, confused.

"The curse to stay in the place one has made for oneself."

Legolas tilted his head. "Are we speaking of me…or of you?"

"Both, really," he sighed softly. "I do miss you, Legolas, more than I can ever say. But I must put aside these selfish things for I am happy for you. My heart is full of joy for what you have found; your most earnest desire these long years was to find someone to share your heart with and you have. I could not be happier for you." He looked over at his son. "Life will change, must change, but for the good. You shall still see your friends and spend time with them, even when you are wed, yes?" He smiled. "I am sure you have little intention of returning to Eryn Lasgalen once you and your bride are wed."

Legolas looked guilty. "I…do not know what to say."

"Speak your heart. Be honest," replied Thranduil softly. "That is all I have ever asked of you."

Legolas looked into his face. "Ithilien is a beautiful country, and much of it could be made even more so with our kin to grow it and give it life again. I was…thinking that perhaps some of the elves of Eryn Lasgalen would be eager to share it with me if I…were to move there upon our marriage."

Thranduil nodded. "I am certain there are many that would be eager to see the open woods and live among the trees again instead of the halls of our kingdom. When I return home, I will see who would be interested in such an endeavor. I could see Otsul and his family journeying with you."

"I did not intend to divide your kingdom, Adar."

"Legolas, when you are my age," he sighed softly, "you come to see there were more important things than property and treasure that you should…pay more attention to. You are not the man I—"

"I am the man you were," Legolas said softly, "that you used to be."

Thranduil looked wistful for a moment, and then a shadow of sadness crossed over his face. "Yes, it has been a long time since I have seen him." He glanced away and then back to Legolas's eyes with more of a smile. "Does our dwarvish friend enjoy the company of your betrothed?"

"Very much," Legolas replied, and then glanced sideways at his father, thinking that the conversation might have grown too serious if Thranduil had allowed it to continue. "You were not asking that to see if your opinion shall be the same, yes?"

"Of course not. I shall make my own mind, but…I cannot see a reason that I would not like her. If you love her, she shall be as a daughter to me."

Legolas's face flushed as he stared at his father, and he had to look away. "Thank you, Adar. That means so much to me."

"Though you still have not even told me her name."

Legolas blushed even redder and laughed suddenly. "Enguina! Her name is Enguina. Enchanting, astonishing, amusing, kindhearted Enguina."

"Those are nice descriptions of her. Tell me more," Thranduil said immediately. "How did you meet? What does she look like? How long have you known each other?"

"There are too many questions there, Adar," he laughed in reply. "Enguina is of our elf-kindred of Lórien; long, fair hair, emerald eyes, she is…the loveliest woman I have ever laid eyes on. But if that were all that had led me to her, I would be shallow indeed. I saw Enguina had a friendly, loving heart; though stubborn and often judgmental, she is the other half of my person, my soul. She has weakness, but she has so much strength to her in ways one might not expect. We are similar, yet, we are very different. I am far more trusting yet far more protective. She is easy to tease, fun to be with, very witty, and sometimes very silly." He smiled and gave a sheepish laugh. "Enguina runs faster than anyone I have ever known. She can catch me, which is no small feat," he said with a bit of astonishment, "as long as I am not cheating. She enjoys my antics, though sometimes I can hardly comprehend why she bothers. I have bruises from being hit in the arm."

"How did you meet her, Legolas?"

"Enguina is a very old friend of Arwen's," he told his father. "She is the sister of Haldir, Captain of the Golden Wood. You might—"

"Haldir? Yes, I remember him quite well from his many visits as a messenger in our Woods. He was a good man; Celeborn had said in many missives he was an intelligent Captain. He was killed in the War, was he not?"

Legolas nodded. "Yes, there is a mallorn planted here in the garden in his honor. Her brother is the very same. Enguina left Lórien on her way to the Undying Lands, but something brought her here to visit Arwen before she made that long journey." He smiled thoughtfully. "I have been thanking Ilúvatar every day since I made the discovery. Arwen introduced us, and—"

"You spent the rest of the time courting her," Thranduil guessed.

"I asked for her hand only two months after I had met her," Legolas whispered sheepishly. "I knew what I wanted…I knew what I saw in her, what we could have together. I understood my own heart. Guin and I have only known one another since she came to Minas Tirith—since December—so we have not yet been together even six months." He looked away from his father's eyes.

"A brief courtship."

"One that was fraught with more impossibilities than you would care for me to recount," he muttered. "But it should not matter, yes? If we are in love."

"It would not matter if you knew her but a day," Thranduil agreed, "if you loved her, and she you. It sounds, my boy, as though Ilúvatar brought her here for a reason; perhaps you were meant to meet." He smiled at his son. "I do not doubt it for a moment, not with the way you speak of her."

"It seems so strange," Legolas whispered, in awe. "You know I have loved before, Adar, but I feel as though I have never loved before her. Almost as though anything before these past months in my life were nearly unreal, not truth. It is as though the only truth Eru has revealed to me is in Guin. My love for her, her love for me…this is real, true. Meant to be."

Thranduil was silent for a moment and then he placed a hand on Legolas's shoulder. "You cannot understand the joy in my heart that overflows to see you so happy, Legolas," he said seriously. "I have worried for you long enough; now, I suppose, you are to become her trouble."

Legolas shook his head. "If you knew her, Adar," he said softly, "you would realize that it would be exactly the opposite."

No sooner had the words come out of his mouth when a hurtling object crashed into his father, knocking him clear off his feet. Even the quick reflexes of Thranduil could not prevent the woman and himself from landing on the ground, even as he reached for her, catching her arm before she could completely hit the grass. Half in his arms, the two of them touched down onto the ground, the Elven King still seeking to protect her from the impact. It was completely unsuccessful, and Legolas burst out laughing as he realized that the woman on the ground with Thranduil was Enguina. Arwen came limping out of the hedgerow not seconds later, coming to a halt beside Legolas.

"Oh, Thranduil! We are terribly sorry! We were—"

"Running, obviously," Legolas said, rolling his eyes as the two of them sat up.

"Well, Enguina was running," Arwen said sheepishly, "after I remembered my injury."

"I suppose this is a good a time as any. Adar, may I introduce Enguina, Lady of Lórien, and my betrothed."

Enguina turned immediately to look into the face of the man she had run in to, disbelieving what Legolas had said. This was Thranduil? Yes, this close to him she could clearly see the family resemblance, the same chin, the same setting of the eyes into their faces, the flaxen hair. Thranduil's eyes however, were green, and Enguina wondered briefly if Legolas had his mother's eyes. She was drawn back to the fact that though she was seated upon the ground with him, she could tell he was broad-shouldered and tall, very striking. She also found that she could barely speak, but she began to try to force out words.

"Oh, my Lord," she said, bowing her head immediately, "I am so grievously—"

"Please," he said shaking his head and halting her mid-sentence, "do not apologize." He brushed off his tunic and tugged himself to his feet. Reaching down, he extended a hand to Enguina and he drew her up beside him. It was with an immediate glance-over that Thranduil appraised Enguina, and she barely recognized he was doing it aside from the sweeping gaze. "It is my pleasure to finally meet you, Enguina."

His smooth, calming voice began to put her at ease and his smile surprised her. "You smile?" she asked, blushing furiously as he touched the back of her hand with his lips before releasing it.

He gave a sideways glance at his son and then looked into her eyes again. "Who said that I did not smile?"

"I did not say that," insisted Legolas. "What I said was—"

"He made you out to be a bit of a bear actually," Enguina admitted while Thranduil raised an eyebrow, Legolas glared at her, and Arwen laughed at her words.

"Well, he was not wrong, I suppose," Thranduil agreed as his son crossed his arms. The older elf gave a little smile again. "You were saying, Legolas?"

"This is precisely what I was saying," he stated. "She is going to bring all the trouble. I shall have nothing to do with it."

"You were speaking of me?" asked Enguina shyly, her face still flushed from landing on Thranduil. "It was really Arwen's fault, you know. I was only—"

"In fact, it was," Arwen agreed. "I suggested the run until I remembered. I do tend to be the improper one…or, I was."

"I do recall that about you," Thranduil said softly, taking her in. "Ah, Evenstar, it seems marriage is treating you well, though you do look…different."

"May I, Thranduil?" she asked softly, and before he could respond she gave him a hug. "It has been far too long since last we saw one another." As Arwen began to release him, he kept his hand around her back and fingered a few strands of her hair.

"Yes, you are…different," he said softly, and she smiled, dipping her head to acknowledge the remark. "But this is good, yes? I asked Legolas how that…scoundrel…is, but he was a bit avoidant of an answer."

She laughed outright at him as she stepped back fully to include Legolas and Enguina in their conversation. "Oh Thranduil, do not pretend you do not love Aragorn so well! I know very well how you feel about him. He is the same as he ever was; he has become a good king."

Thranduil nodded. "Of course he has; he had it inside him all along. It will be good to see him as well; how changed he will be!"

"For the better," Legolas said, settling his arm around Enguina's waist and tugging her a bit closer to him. "And how was your ride near the Anduin?"

"It was wonderful," Enguina emphasized, meeting his eyes. "Arwen and I enjoyed ourselves, as did Asfaloth and Lómë."

"I wish I could have been there. It would have been very enjoyable indeed."

"She meant we enjoyed ourselves without you bothering us, of course," Arwen murmured slyly.

Legolas clasped a hand over his heart. "I am wounded." He gave Enguina a bit of a look. "I should bet you even went swimming without me."

"Ugh," Enguina groaned, "honestly, Legolas!" Rolling her eyes, she looked to Thranduil. "When did you arrive, my Lord? Have you been in Minas Tirith long?"

"Thranduil," the King reminded her, "and only a few hours ago. Legolas was showing me a bit of the City. It has been…" he shook his head, "I cannot even remember the last time I was within these walls. It is an impressive place. I am glad I was timely enough for the wedding."

Enguina smiled at him. "Legolas and I are very glad that you could make it. We were beginning to worry that you would not arrive."

"I would never have missed it. I am much looking forward to getting to know you, Enguina." His words made her stomach flutter, but his smile encouraged her. "I hope Legolas has not told you too much about me."

"Oh, not much at all," she agreed.

"I wish we had more time to walk with you," Arwen said softly. "We were coming to greet Legolas to let him know we had returned, but Enguina has a dress fitting very shortly and we must be headed to the fifth level for that. Were you both just coming from that way?"

"Yes. Perhaps we should wait to speak more until dinner?" Legolas suggested. "I am sure you would like to wash before supper, Adar. This might be a good opportunity for heading to the guesthouse."

"And then we can meet at the House for dinner," Arwen said, reaching out to touch Thranduil's arm. "It would be our honor if you would join us, Thranduil."

"Is Éowyn cooking tonight?" Enguina asked. "I thought perhaps she was, but I was unsure if she was feeling better."

Legolas nodded. "Faramir had hoped they would join us. We can meet you there in a little while?" he asked softly and Enguina nodded, stepping closer to Arwen so they could depart.

"Thank you for the invitation, Evenstar," added Thranduil. "It would be a pleasure to clean off the dirt from the road before dinner." He glanced over at Enguina and Legolas as his son smiled down to her. "I am glad we ran into each other."

Enguina blushed furiously. "I am so sorry!"

He smiled. "Do not be embarrassed. We will see one another again in a short while."

"You are much too forgiving," she murmured, trying to force her skin to pale.

Thranduil shook his head. "Most people do not call me forgiving."

She eyed him for a moment, unable to tell if he was teasing her and she was supposed to laugh or if she was supposed to think that it was a warning or…well, she did not know what she was supposed to do. "They must be wrong then," she said to him. "We will see you for dinner at the King's House."

"Indeed. Enjoy your dress fitting."

Just as Enguina turned to leave with Arwen, Legolas caught her elbow and tugged her back, forgetting that everyone else in the world existed. "Where do you think you are going?" he whispered low, and her skin flushed simply at his tone. Arwen slowed her pace, but continued walking, refusing to turn about and interrupt the two of them. Thranduil watched the interaction with interest.

"Legolas—" she began, but he ignored her.

"You did not even greet me," he continued, and she tilted her head.

"I was speaking with your father," she chided him in a whisper. "Are you feeling…slighted?" He lowered his chin so their lips were very close. "Because I was not the one having a conversation about the one he loves when she showed up."

"It is not my fault if my father asked a very pertinent question about you, moina."

"Mmm," she said, sounding unsure if he was telling the truth. "I need to be going."

He looked wounded again, and she tried very hard, though unsuccessfully, not to smile at him. "I will make a bargain with you."

"No," she said immediately. "I know you. You will simply go back on it."

"I never go back on my promises," he stated. "If you kiss me goodbye, I promise I will tell no embarrassing stories of you to my father while we are apart."

She looked at him a moment, her eyes narrowing. "And what of when we are together?"

His eyes twinkled. "If I have to include that in the bargain, then you will have to do more."

"Enguina!" Arwen called from down the row. "You are going to be late!"

She looked away from him to Arwen, looked indecisive for a moment, and then turned back to him. "Fine. I agree." She leaned up onto the ends of her toes and then lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Legolas's neck and kissing him. He took full advantage of the kiss, which Enguina had meant to only last a second, tugging her close and slipping his arms around her back to hold her to him. She forgot about Thranduil, and kissed him as he wished, and then he finally released her. Flushed with pleasure, she nibbled her lower lip as he grinned at her.

"I love you, Guin."

"I love you, too," she whispered, and then she scampered off into the rows of flowers to join her rather impatient friend. Legolas found it impossible to pull his eyes away and look back at his father until she was gone from sight.

"I am so in love with her," he murmured, "sometimes I cannot even think straight, focus."

"I can see that," Thranduil replied with a little smile.

"What do you think of her, Adar?" he asked, suddenly worried for his father's approval. In spite of the elf's reassurances, Legolas still felt that Thranduil could change his opinion and his thoughts on accepting her as though she were his daughter.

"Legolas!" Thranduil laughed. "I only just met the poor thing, and we barely spoke."

He turned to his father and frowned. "She wants your approval more than anything in the world," he said softly, and Thranduil sighed and looked away from his eyes. "She wants you to like her." Thranduil remained silent and Legolas looked anxious. "Damn it, I want you to like her!"

"Boy, people need a chance to meet, to get to know one another," he sighed. "I have no doubt at all that after dinner I will declare her the most likeable, beautiful, charming, and agreeable lady in all of Middle-Earth, and therefore, perfect for you in every possible way."

Legolas caught his father's shoulder and began steering him towards the guesthouses. "Father, if you say agreeable, we are not speaking of the same woman!"

Dinner was a wonderful affair. Even though it had in fact been cooked in a hurry as Éowyn and her family had once again been unable to attend, the food was well-done and everyone enjoyed it. At the moment, Aragorn still had not arrived, though Arwen did not seem too surprised. The man had to pay his dues from joining her in bed a few extra hours the day before, so she did not complain as much as the others. She knew that whenever he could, he would be on his way. Even Gimli had not arrived yet, and Legolas had voiced his annoyance that the dwarf had not yet made an appearance.

"Is it possible," asked Thranduil with a bit of disbelief, "that one could travel an entire day in Minas Tirith without seeing its king? Where in all of Middle-Earth is that boy? Is he always this late?"

Arwen smiled at him but Enguina laughed. "He sounds like me when I first arrived!"

"I have learned, Thranduil," Arwen told him softly, "that one should rejoice when Aragorn is here and try to handle it to the best of their ability when he is not. Why do you not tell us of the Greenwood?" Arwen suggested instead of trying to answer his question. "I am sure Enguina would like to hear you tell of your Realm. How have things been since the War?"

"In the Greenwood? Well, what can I say?" he said, thinking aloud. "Things have been changing for the better, most especially since Sauron was overthrown, of course. The spiders have decreased, along with the raids of goblins from the mountains, though they can still be found. But our people are strong…resilient, as those in Gondor and Rohan have been these many years, chasing away the nastiness that invades their borders." He lifted his chin a bit when he spoke and Enguina noticed that he took great pride in his people. "Our borders are well-protected, and we are used to war. To finally live in peace is strange to us. Mirkwood's history is such that even in the time when Middle-Earth was supposed to be at peace, we were still fighting."

"Adar, do you need to mention the old days?" Legolas asked softly. Enguina glanced at him, seeing that he was almost embarrassed at his father's pride, by his father's words.

"For Enguina's benefit," Thranduil replied tersely, "I was attempting to include a bit of the history of the Realm you grew up in. That is, if she does not object to hearing—"

"I did hear about a few of the incidents Mirkwood faced that the other woodland realms did not," Enguina interrupted gently, leaning forward on the table to display her interest. "Though we have all had some trouble with orcs in our own ways…even Rivendell." She reached beneath the table to Legolas who sat beside her and rested a hand on his knee, squeezing gently. He gave a twitch at the movement, but no other sign. She knew, however, he understood her perfectly. Go easy on your father.

Arwen, who had been walking about the kitchen handing our dessert plates now moved on to dishing the dessert—an apple cobbler that looked quite delicious. She nodded across the table to Thranduil. "That is true," she agreed, "I remember my father and brothers out near the Trollshaws, protecting the borders of Imladris. At times, when my father was not near, I would join my brothers in the woods, hunting orcs and trolls."

Thranduil gave her a little smile as a piece of the cobbler was placed before him. "I am certain Elrond would not have been pleased if he knew."

"No indeed, and I will admit that my brothers were only more...open to the idea after my mother was taken," she said. "And bear in mind, Thranduil, that Hadhafang was my father's sword."

Thranduil nodded. "That is true, and a better bearer such a sword could not have. But, you, Evenstar, should remember that he only gave it to you after he realized he was not going to be able to stop you. Better to arm the ones you love than to live in fear of them in pain."

Enguina smiled. "Words to live by."

"Remember them when you have children," he told her pointedly, and though she laughed and blushed, he continued. "I am serious, my dear. Imagine, if you will, the moment that a father hands his daughter a weapon and allows her to learn to defend herself." He frowned. "Our goal, as a parent, as a being who cares for our realm, our people, is to keep them safe—it is our duty. To hand you a weapon is to say that we are not able to do that as well as we would wish. That is a difficult task."

Enguina stared at him a moment, his green eyes locked on hers. "Now I see where Legolas gets that same intensity, that same overprotective nature from."

Thranduil remained serious for a moment. "When you have children, Enguina, you shall see how difficult it is to admit that you cannot protect them from everything…and how hard it is to let go." Then he smiled suddenly, eyeing Legolas. "So, my son has a bit of my nature?"

"I do not know you quite well enough yet," Enguina admitted, "but I would say that to protect others is in his very bones. But, to return to the subject of Mirkwood, Legolas told me you live underground. That is so different, so intriguing! In Lórien, all of our homes were in trees and I have never known anything so different. I do not know if I could ever live underground in tunnels such as in your kingdom, though Legolas has told me they are nothing as I am picturing. It is hard to imagine."

"I understand," Thranduil replied as Arwen finally took her seat and everyone began eating their cobbler. "But what Legolas has told you is the truth. The 'tunnels' as you say, are not tunnels at all, but halls, great wide halls. The halls were built when we were on excellent terms with the dwarves and they were beautiful and carven. The throne room alone is nearly three times as tall and wide as the throne room in Ecthelion." He gave a humorless smile. "You know how we elves are about beauty. But Eryn Lasgalen would not be the sort of place for an elf to feel trapped, my dear. We need light, air, open space and nature to live and breathe; no elf does well in a closed, dark space. We do not live entirely underground...there are homes among the trees. Yet all of our people take shelter within the tunnels during times of…trouble. There have not been many that close to our home."

"I would love to see it someday," she replied, her eyes wide. "I am certain that it is something to see, a kingdom of beauty that is different from both Rivendell and Lórien."

"Yes, the Greenwood is beautiful in its own right, though it has its dangers just as every other Realm."

Legolas smiled, resting a hand on the one on his knee. "You almost did see it, Enguina. Much sooner than you expected that you would."

Thranduil's eyebrows shot up and he studied the two of them from across the table, wrapping his hands around his mug of tea. "Oh? And when was the lady near my woods? And why did you not come? I would have made you very welcome."

"It is…a bit of a long story," Enguina said softly, unsure that Legolas would want to tell such a story to his own father and why in the world he would make it look as though she would want to tell it.

"Actually, it all has to do with me…and you, Adar," Legolas admitted. "A group of elves was hell-bent on taking over your kingdom. Prince Faramir of Ithilien and his wife and Enguina and I had journeyed to Ithilien to find the perfect place to settle down, begin our lives, and start our family. Within that journey, those elves attacked Faramir and me, seriously wounding him and kidnapping myself. Their intention was to hold me captive and ransom me against the Greenwood."

Thranduil stared at him. "What?"

"Yes, I told them it was utter madness," he continued. "I explained, in very detailed and animated language how the life of one man, even that one being your son, would not be saved for the lives of many. That is simply not the way of things. The Realm must come first."

"Why did you not tell me?" Thranduil asked, and not calmly. "When did this happen? What in the name of heaven—"

"This happened not even a month ago, Thranduil," Arwen interrupted softly.

"You are my son," Thranduil argued. "You should have told me."

"I am telling you," Legolas insisted. "I was taken, and then my friends set forth to rescue me. Things were handled, though I will admit I was grievously wounded; thankfully, Aragorn once again made himself my savior in that regard."

"It was recent enough that it would have made no sense to journey the rest of the way to the borders of Eryn Lasgalen," Enguina added. "You were already journeying, and we were to be married in a month, and—"

"Ilúvatar in Heaven," Thranduil said his voice full of worry, "and you are well now? All of you?"

Enguina did not respond, unable to answer that statement truthfully, so Legolas answered instead. "Of course, Adar," he said soothingly, "everyone is fine, though we did all acquire some injuries along the way. Everything is fine now."

Thranduil shook his head slowly, still trying to absorb what they were telling him. "And these men who attacked you? What has become of them?"

"They are all dead," he replied simply.

"Very dead," added Arwen and Thranduil looked over at her, though she did not raise her eyes from her empty dessert plate. "Gimli burned every corpse. The Greenwood is safe from them."

"And my son," Thranduil added. He eyed Legolas and frowned. "The life of Eryn Lasgalen is most precious to me, but you are my only son. I would have found a way to rescue you and keep safe the Greenwood."

Legolas sighed. "You would never have given in for me, and you should not. A man with such responsibilities must be bigger than his family; all must serve the One." Thranduil looked at him, but said nothing. Enguina stared at Legolas, listening to his words and saddened by them. The tension in the air was thickening, as though something needed to be said that continued to go un-said. No one spoke.

Just then, the front door opened and inside walked Aragorn, calmly shaking water from his hair. Closing the door, he gave the table a little smile as he jerked his head in the direction of the outside. "It is raining now, of course, as I walked here, but it should soon clear; the moon is nearly out."

Arwen and Enguina smiled, Legolas stood up in greeting, and Thranduil half-turned in his chair to see the man. "Ah, Elessar! A little more grey I see, but much less grim; marriage has suited you quite well."

Aragorn grinned at him, clasping the elf's arm. "You have no idea," he chuckled, and he glanced up just in time to catch the blush on Arwen's cheeks. "It is so good to see you, Thranduil. I trust your journey was safe; no surprises? I saw Fânrim in the guard quarters so I knew you were here."

"You knew, yet you sent no one to greet me?" he asked, his eyebrows raising. "A King should greet another King when he enters his kingdom." His tone was chastising, but Aragorn only looked at him.

"Thranduil," Aragorn tried to say with a serious face, "you know I have always tried to live by your example."

The elf raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you making fun—"

"Not at all! I was merely trying to draw a comparison. At least I did not have you tossed into a prison for attempting to visit your son."

The elf's eyes narrowed. "You are not still holding that—"

"There is a story there!" laughed Enguina suddenly, jumping at the chance to lighten the mood. "Someone tell it, please."

"Gladly," offered Legolas. "The man was traveling through the woods of Mirkwood and the guards did not recognize him at all. Of course not; why would they? He was of no importance—"

"Oh, none at all," Enguina scoffed. "Ridiculous!"

"You must remember, Enguina," Arwen interrupted in that soft voice of hers, "that Aragorn was nowhere near as well-known as he is now. He would have appeared a common traveler to them."

"Less than common, actually," Aragorn insisted, availing himself of a chicken leg and some bread near the hearth before taking a seat beside Thranduil and smiling at Enguina. "And it was right for them to take me captive; I did not belong wandering in their woods."

"Unfortunately for Aragorn," Legolas continued, "I was out in the woods at the time that he made his appearance. Needless to say, no one believed a word of his story or that he had come to see me. When I arrived, I discovered a prisoner had been taken, and I headed to the jail to see what was going on, finding Aragorn." He rolled his eyes. "He was out in moments, of course, but I have never let my father live that one down. Neither will Aragorn."

"You deserve it," Aragorn explained to Thranduil, "for the many faults you have always pointed out to me."

"I suppose I do," he sighed in reply. "Legolas was just relating the situation of the past month or so when he had been taken. I am sincerely glad you are all safe. You have done wonders with Minas Tirith, Elessar, and the people are more cheerful than ever I have seen them. I did see some construction on the wall as I was traveling into the City today; it looked like construction was going on with that fourth level. Did something happen?"

"Yes," Aragorn nodded, "in fact we had an explosion there not six months ago. It leveled a section of the wall and killed several Gondorians and left many without homes. We are still rebuilding."

"An explosion?" questioned Thranduil. "What sort of madness has been going on?"

"More than anyone cares to admit, Adar," Legolas replied.

"Speaking of that, and now that you are here, Aragorn," Enguina began, "I was going to ask you for a favor."

"Please do not ask him for favors," Legolas jumped in, just as Aragorn opened his mouth. He gave Legolas a look, and then looked back at her.

"What is it, Enguina?"

"I have been thinking..." she continued a bit slowly, and then decided to plow on through the rest of it, "I was thinking that since there has been so much chaos around here recently, I would like to begin learning the sword so that I might defend myself more readily. I can use a bow quite well, and I was hoping that…well, I was hoping that you might be willing, if you could find some time, to teach me." She chewed her lower lip and watched Aragorn's face. "It would be a very good thing to know how to do."

"Surprisingly, I believe I agree with that," Legolas said with a bit of disbelief. "It would be good to practice with the sword as the knives have been lost."

"Lost?" Thranduil asked softly, and Legolas nodded. "What happened to them?"

"One was lost in the initial assault, the other Enguina was kind enough to keep for me." He smiled ruefully. "I will admit that one is not much help without the other…they are meant to be used as a unit."

"That is true," Thranduil said softly.

"I…am sorry, Adar," Legolas replied in the same voice, and Enguina glanced back and forth between them. It was then she realized that the knives must have been a gift of some sort from the King to his son; they may have even been in his family for generations, or they might have been forged for Legolas specifically. Enguina could never have said, but she felt as though something had been lost, and she felt as though she was partially responsible.

"Thranduil," she whispered, "Gimli and I searched everywhere for the other blade, but we could not find it, even after every body had been burned or prepared for burial. I am so sorry for their loss—"

Thranduil shook his head. "It is not anyone's fault; neither of you should apologize. Though, what shall you wield now without them? Only your bow?" He studied his son and Legolas shook his head slowly.

"A few months ago, Enguina's brother Haldir was memorialized here in Minas Tirith. Aragorn had been keeping the elf's sword and returned it to Enguina. She, in turn, knowing she would never wield it, gave it to me." He glanced at Aragorn. "If you would consent to working with me as well, I would like to have a reason to wield it." After the man nodded, Legolas looked back to his father. "And, if it is good enough for you, I would like to give the lone knife to Enguina; it would suit her better than a sword."

"It would be fitting," Thranduil replied, nodding. "A part of you shall protect her."

Enguina blushed. "That is not necessary, really—"

"It is actually, and it should be done."

"I think I can make myself free, if not tomorrow, than the following day. If I…force the issue. Perhaps lunch in the gardens? Among the hedgerow might be a quiet place to duel a bit," Aragorn suggested.

"Mind your shoulder," Arwen said softly and he smiled to himself at her words.

"Does every one of you have an injury?" complained Thranduil, sitting back in his chair and losing his perfect posture for a moment. The movement appeared so relaxed that it surprised Enguina; almost as though nowhere was out of place for the Elven King. "Even the Evenstar was limping today, I noticed. I thought you had all become older, you understand? More intelligent…wiser."

"Not this lot," Legolas said with a laugh. "Aragorn was actually rescuing Enguina from drowning when he received that wound. We are very grateful for his sacrifice."

Thranduil sighed. "I am much ashamed to admit it, but I think I have grown tired from my very long journey." He appeared depressed to admit it. "As much as I desire to remain—"

"Thranduil," chided Arwen, "we are not going anywhere. We have dinner here every evening."

"Yes," laughed Aragorn. "Though we would much like you to stay, go and rest! Come for breakfast tomorrow—Arwen will be lonely."

"That early, my Lord?"

"That early," Aragorn replied as Arwen nodded.

Enguina shook her head. "I suppose it is only right, considering how long we had been away."

"Reparation…for so much time away," he agreed with a smile.

"Adar," Legolas said, rising and keeping Enguina's hand within his own, "Enguina and I will walk you. It has been a long day, yes?" Enguina nodded. It was strange to her how he could know that when she had only just been feeling it herself. "We will all see you in the morning."

"Dinner was delicious, Evenstar," Thranduil said softly. "It was my pleasure to share it with you. I am…exceedingly glad to see you all again and to be fellowshipping with you."

"You are so kind, Thranduil," Arwen said. "May your first night in Minas Tirith be a peaceful one." He reached across the table, took her hand and kissed it, and then clasped Aragorn's arm.

"Until the morning, then," he said and turned to follow his son outside.