Disclaimer: I own nothing except obvious OC's!

Author's note: thanks for the favourite/follows and following reviewers Optimistic Pessimist that I am, myra k kuran, StayTraught. Sorry for any spelling mistakes. R&R

Happy reading!

Ivoriel's POV

"Malenor, why are the trees so sad?" Ivoriel asked curiously. The trees seemed to have a darker aura than normal. The leaves and branches greyer as if they were alive but didn't live. They were strangely beautiful but were not vibrant in colour. The rushing water of the stream brought a strange eerie calm and peacefulness over the garden. Though the plants used for healing and such grew effervescently. The nature strangely eased her mind to an almost energetic and adventurous temperament.

Malenor laughed in exasperation at her consistent questions.

"You're a curious little thing. There is a darkness that surrounds us, though I do not know from what." He said. She had a strange feeling that he wasn't telling her the entire truth but let it drop. He turned back to picking more herbs. The herb garden was large and the only place she had visited so far with so much sunlight.

"Ivoriel? Tell me what this is again? It has very special healing properties." Malenor questioned probably to see if she had been listening before.

"Athelas!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands happily. He smiled as her tired and haunted eyes lit up. He took a moment to observe her. It was the happiest he had seen her yet. Ivoriel turned in the direction of the trees a small breeze making strands of her hair turn wild and her dress flutter gently against her skin. He had already warned her not to roam too far.

She wandered a little near a great oak tree only far enough that she could still she Malenor crouched on the ground. Its appearance grey but she could sense a powerful life form in it. She touched its rough bark with her tiny soft hand completely unaware of another presence and it wasn't Malenor's. At her touch the tree's leaves trembled and quivered in the breeze. Slowly the dark aura that surrounded it slowly melted away but only from the tree and the ground around it, making it more vigorous with life but never really changing. Ivoriel smiled in delight as she could hear and feel the tree's liveliness without being clouded by the ever growing darkness. She removed her hand feeling eyes on her she turned back to where Malenor had been only moments before but in his place stood, whom she learnt was Thranduil. The great Elven king of the Greenwood. Ivoriel stood where she was not uttering a single word and not breaking eye contact, nor did she make any move towards him. That was until he beckoned her with his hand to come to him. She did so hesitantly. In that moment as she came closer to him she began to feel extremely intimidated and terrified of this tall elf. The Elven king felt an almost pleasurable pressure against his heart as he glanced at the tree she had touched. She trembled as she felt his gaze back on her.

"There are many foul things that lurk in the shadows of the forest." His voice like silk but held an underlining threat. No doubt directed at her. She gazed up at his face, not once meeting his eyes for fear that he may see through her. She smiled gently.

"Adar told me not all foul creatures hide in the shadows." She said so softly that his sharp hearing barely caught the noise her lips made. This was without a doubt directed at him.

"You believe me to be some sort of monster?" he asked somewhat harshly causing the little elfling to flinch. She gave no answer.

"Where did you learn that?" he demanded gesturing to the great oak with his hand, clearly feeling what she did to the tree. Ivoriel was frightened into silence instead she shrugged her shoulders. This obviously displeased him, for he crouched down in front of her. She could feel his harsh, piercing gaze willing her to look at him. She did everything but that; instead she looked at the broach at the top of his chest.

"How vague you are! Some would think you have something to hide. If you will not answer your king there will be consequences! So I ask you once more where did you learn this ability you so ardently wish to keep from me?" he asked, his sharp grey eyes seemed determined to get answers.

"No one." She said quietly looking down at her dress which she clutched in a tight fist. She blinked her eyes once and looked back at him. Her gaze glassy with unshed tears. He stood up impatiently and walked leisurely yet gracefully towards the oak she had stood before minutes ago.

"Come." He said sternly without turning to see if she followed. She followed after him curiously. He observed it while she caught up, his strides much longer than hers.

"I will not send you to the dungeons if you only show me once more." He said leading me to a different tree. This tree very beautiful even with the dark quality that encased it, much like Thranduil's heart except that was forever enclosed in ice.

The leaves seemed to come alive and flickered against the current of air that carried against the landscape. Leaves fell into a tragic but beautiful dance before landing on the ground. Ivoriel placed her fingers on the coarse bark once more, the darkness receding from it.

Thranduil signed in joy, the small pull of pleasure tugging at his heart. The tree draining her energy away.

Ivoriel began to feel exhausted, her eyes lids drooped and her body swayed before slowly it descended towards the soft grass under her feet but she never made it, arms snaked around her lifting her up. Exhaustion claimed her. Her eyes no longer seeing.

...

Thranduil placed the tiny form of Ivoriel in her new chambers. Her chambers were close to his so he could keep an eye on her but they were even closer to the head healer's chambers. She seemed to trust Malenor. He would use this to his advantage. He would use her to his advantage.

If only he knew that it would not be so easy, especially with more time that passes by.