Galion took the offered seat in front of the king's desk and waited, easily suppressing the nerves. By the set of his brow, he knew that Thranduil was about to highlight a problem for his steward to solve.
"We are all glad of the rain," the Elvenking began after a brief greeting, "however problematic its arrival. Have the effects of the drought been substantially negated?"
"Nearly, sire," the steward answered, gratitude coloring his tone.
"Good."
Thranduil seemed to hesitate, now, and Galion suppressed the urge to fidget in his seat, as he had successfully done countless times before. He steeled himself for what came next.
"There have been rumors," the king said gravely, "that our housekeeper should have anticipated the weather that put our staff at risk in the mountains."
"I see."
Galion's expression remained neutral, but Thranduil could sense his disagreement.
"What is your opinion of Elluin's abilities as a leader?"
The steward's brows raised only slightly at the abrupt question. He willed his thoughts into order, believing the king would lose his patience if he hesitated longer than necessary. Although, he had been in a better mood of late…
"Well, sire," Galion began confidently, "her abilities as an effective administrator are unquestionable. The harvests have been more productive in the months since she joined us, and the goods within the palace are well maintained. I daresay the staff is pleased with her leadership, especially since she has done the same jobs she assigns for them."
Thranduil's gaze did not waver from his steward's face. Galion realized he was expected to give a more exhaustive analysis. He swallowed before continuing.
"As a diplomat, she has also distinguished herself, sire. There have been the…episodes with the Dwarves, of course. But she has also mediated every instance in which the palace supplies most affected by the drought had to be divided between competing factions. Her decisions were fair and there were no objections to her resolutions from any parties.
"Her generosity is well known," Galion added. "While she is certainly not afraid to give orders, she always does so with compassion, considering both the future and the present impacts. I have enjoyed working with her, and I am looking forward to our continued association." He thought it bold to imply that the king should keep Elluin in her position, but both he and Thranduil knew that the statement served as an unequivocal show of support for the elleth.
"Thank you," the king said. "It relieves me to hear that the foraging incident did not tarnish your view of her acceptability for her position. I would also know what my other staff think of the lady, and if it can be easily obtained, the opinions of some of our Silvan citizens outside of the palace. Galion, may I entrust you to perform a discreet investigation?"
Galion blinked. "Yes, sire."
"Let it be brief," Thranduil continued, leaning back in his chair. "I would have your report by this evening."
"Very well, my king."
~.~.~
Lady Anarrima hid her surprise when Thranduil came to sit on the floor at her feet, leaning with his back against one of the front legs. When he asked to come see her after the morning's council meeting, she had expected her nephew to remain on his feet, comfortably leaning against the wall as he usually did, or to sprawl on one of the armchairs in her receiving room. Her heart twinged remembering how frequently he had sat at her feet when he was a young boy in Doriath, his cheek leaning lightly against her knee. Of course, Thranduil had been smaller then. And how few his troubles were…
She did not resist the urge to run a hand over his hair as she had done those thousands of years ago. Thranduil made no move to stop her, and she realized he was missing the simplicity of his childhood, as well—his parents alive and blissful, and no cares beyond living happily as a family.
"My dear boy…" she murmured quietly, still leisurely stroking his hair. Anarrima had noticed that the past several days had been kind to her nephew—the worries did not sit as heavily on his brow, and he met the issues brought up during council meetings with more optimism than usual. She had wondered if the forest's promised abundance after the heavy rains were to blame. But mere rainfall would not bring an Elvenking to her feet, and his back was to her, so she could not see his expression. She waited.
Eventually, Thranduil sighed and spoke. "Aunt, I have begun a friendship with Elluin."
Anarrima hummed her understanding, hand still moving.
"It seems that she influences me somewhat more than I had anticipated." There was no concern in his tone; simply acceptance. "I would know what impact you believe this could have."
"I see," she said.
After a moment, she moved her hand to Thranduil's jaw, prompting him to turn and meet her eyes. She studied him for the space of a few breaths before she released him and leaned back in her chair.
"I will tell you of Elu Thingol and Melian," Anarrima said.
Thranduil knew better than to protest, knowing that there was a point his aunt wanted to make despite the apparent change in subject. It jarred him, though, when he realized she would liken his relationship with Elluin to that of the Sinda king of old and his Maia queen.
"I was not born until after their union," she said, "but I had the privilege of living many years under their rule. Melian enchanted Thingol, but it was not the type of enchantment that controlled. She advised him, and her wisdom benefitted the realm, but it was her love for Thingol that made her so successful as queen. Thingol ruled the people of Doriath better because of what they shared. It is true that the Girdle of Melian protected the realm from danger. But just as tangibly, the love of Melian protected Thingol's heart from the tragedies plaguing the rest of Middle Earth."
Anarrima paused, and Thranduil watched as her mind drifted back from memories to focus on the ellon before her.
"Elluin does that for you, you know," she said simply.
Thranduil released a breath, shocked by the enormity of that truth. His gaze dropped from his aunt's face to the far wall.
Long moments passed before he spoke again. "I have resolved to be a friend to her, first," he said. "She hesitated when I…" His cheeks colored uncharacteristically, and his aunt raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I embraced her, when she came back safe from the fire in the Dark Mountains. She lost her hesitation to respond in kind only after we confirmed our friendship."
"What was the cause of that hesitation?" Anarrima asked, curious.
"I am not certain," Thranduil admitted uncomfortably. He had been too distracted that night to accurately read Elluin's motivations.
"It could have been that she was surprised," said the elleth, in a tone suggesting she sympathized.
"I fear, Aunt, that my relationship with her has been largely one-sided," he confessed. "She serves me in so many ways… I thought perhaps that she would first wish me to be more reciprocal—that she doubted my desire to show her the same interest and support."
Anarrima laughed, and Thranduil looked at her questioningly.
"I have never seen a happier elleth," she explained. "I believe the past few days' attention from you has left Elluin without doubt of your regard." Thrandui's eyes twinkled with hope. "My maidservant could not attend to me this morning, so Elluin was obliged to take over her duties. She brought me my breakfast and helped arrange my hair, and all the while, it seemed as if she were barely stifling the urge to jump into a dance."
Thranduil smiled at the image, relief tempering his expression.
"Thank you, Aunt," he said finally.
"What will you do now?" she prodded.
The ellon stared at the wall another moment before giving a small, resolute nod. "I will continue proving my regard to her, until there is no more hesitation." He ignored the qualifying voice in his head that reminded him of Elluin's ability to make him act on his innermost desires against his will. He had to trust that he could allow her to show him when she was ready, instead of having his actions force anything.
Anarrima smiled and set a hand on her nephew's shoulder. "May the stars shine on you both."
Thranduil took her hand and kissed it before rising.
~.~.~
After giving his report to the king, Galion notified his clerk to show his visitor into his office. He poured two goblets of wine and stood to receive Master Umen.
"Well met, old friend," said the jeweler, fondly clasping the steward's forearm. "I have brought them."
Galion ushered the ellon to a seat and received a soft cloth bag from him.
"Tell me, Umen, how certain are you that you had the measurements right?"
The craftsman scoffed. "How certain are you that the king was offered tea this morning?"
Galion managed to temper his scowl. "Very well." He carefully removed the contents of the bag, his face lighting up with pleasure. "Umen, you have outdone yourself."
"They did turn out rather well," came the smooth reply, pride evident in the Elf's tone. "Now, when do you think they will be presented?"
The steward's eyes twinkled. "Not long now, I deem."
~.~.~
"Elluin, he will arrive when he arrives," Soronume said with a smirk, watching his daughter stare once more at the path toward their house. The excited hopefulness in her eyes stirred his heart.
Her exasperated sigh drew a smile from Linalda. "Come stir the pot, dear," she coaxed. Anything to occupy the young elleth's mind more than the waiting. The house had long since been prepared to receive the Elvenking, and dinner was ready to serve. The scent of herbs and fresh bread wafted invitingly through the space.
The glint of the sun's fading light off the armor of two Elven guards finally caught the Elves' eyes through their window, alerting them of Thranduil's imminent arrival. Again, Soronume opened the door in anticipation of the knock, and cheerfully welcomed him.
Elluin grew more relaxed throughout the evening as her family engaged Thranduil in easy conversation. They all voiced their appreciation for the Dorwinion wine the king had brought to share with them over the meal. Soronume and the king spoke lightly of possible ways to improve the trade relations with the Men who made it, though neither seemed eager to suggest any concrete steps that would obligate serious consideration. Thranduil commented on the rich flavors of the carrots, cabbage, and herbs in the soup. Elluin confirmed that they came from her garden. Linalda told stories of specific trees that she and some Silvan ellith frequented nearby, whose thoughts were always blissful. Soronume eagerly explained a specific technique had used on the wooden chest in the royal chamber when the king expressed curiosity.
When they next knew it, the stars were bright in the sky. Thranduil started to hint that he should return to the palace as Elluin set new candles in the lantern that had burned low. The action obligated her to move aside a small vase on the table that held a handful of daisies.
"Elluin, you must have quite a field of daisies at your disposal," Thranduil said, "given the number of them you pluck." He had received many daisies from her over the past weeks.
"I have only a few daisy bushes, sire," she replied, "but they are healthy and fruitful. I wonder…" She boldly met his gaze. "Would you like to see them, sire?"
No hesitation, he observed to himself. "Yes, I would." His reply came unbidden from his lips, but he did not regret it.
"I shall walk out with you, then, my king, and we can go through the garden before you return to the palace."
Thranduil took his leave of Soronume and Linalda with the due pleasantries, all of them expressing their wish to repeat the evening soon. Elluin received encouraging smiles from her parents before she walked out of the door.
With a wave of his hand, Thranduil instructed his guards to remain on the path as he followed the elleth, skirting the house to a small clearing a short distance beyond. He took a deep breath and allowed the magic of the woodland by night to fill his senses, deliberately ignoring the strange feeling of anticipation that bubbled in his belly.