The next day, an Elf had come bursting into the kitchens saying that a copse of beech trees had been spotted that was positively brimming with nuts. It made for a busy morning for Elluin, who had to rework the duties of the palace servants to ensure that they could take advantage of the sunny day both for laundering and for gathering the nuts while meeting the usual needs of the palace. Galion murmured the excuse for her absence in the council chamber that morning when his king raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
Thranduil was thoroughly disgruntled to find his housekeeper once again missing from among the members the following morning. He stifled a sigh and was about to take his seat with the others when, suddenly, the sound of rushing footsteps forestalled him. Elluin appeared in the doorway, somewhat out of breath and bearing the evidence of a trip into the woods. Her hair was slightly disheveled and there were patches of dirt and plant debris still clinging to her skirts.
All eyes landed on her and her cheeks, already slightly flushed from exertion, reddened even further. "Forgive my tardiness, sire," she mumbled with a curtsy. "I was detained."
"Whatever by, dear lady?" he asked through a kind, amused smile.
"I had been…in the forest just after dawn and spotted a very large beehive, sire," she said as she walked toward her seat beside Galion. The steward's eyes were wide in suppressed outrage that a member of his staff would appear thus at a council meeting.
Thranduil's smile grew slightly, knowing that she had been out searching for flowers for him. He had a sizable bunch of beautiful red campion blooms with breakfast earlier. He crossed his arms, oblivious to the curious looks from the advisors around the table. "Was the palace housekeeper required to investigate this beehive?"
"Not so much the hive itself, sire," she said, casting an apologetic glance to Galion, whose discomfort she clearly sensed. "I did estimate its size, then I had to determine if we could afford to harvest the entire hive for wax instead of using it as a regular source of honey. I was obliged to confer with our craftsmen to see if they had need of the wax, and with our palace stores to see our stock of honey. I'm afraid I had to forego the paved paths to reach the palace in time for the council, my king." She swished her skirts slightly to indicate the lingering evidence of her rush through the underbrush.
"I see," said the king. By now all the council members, except amused Lady Anarrima and distressed Galion, had astonishment apparent on their faces, as the king had never maintained a smile for this long in their memory outside of feast times. "Deciding on the distribution of palace resources is indeed a matter appropriate for members of the council," Thranduil continued. "You should be commended, lady, for beginning your work in favor of the kingdom so early."
Elluin was entirely unsuccessful at hiding her own smile of pleasure as she curtsied meekly to accept the compliment. She obeyed Galion's desperate but muted gesture for her to take her seat beside him. Regardless of how happy the steward was for Elluin and Thranduil's newfound love, he was severely displeased with breaches of etiquette.
"What was the fate of the beehive?" Lord Derion ventured, brushing off the wide-eyed glare he received from Lady Raegdis from across the table with a smile.
Elluin cast another hestitant glance at Galion before she answered, "Both our carpenter and our blacksmiths had need of the wax, my lord. As we speak, our staff is singing the bees to sleep."
"Do blacksmiths and carpenters make candles now?" Lady Ninniach asked curiously. While she usually sat silent, observing until her wisdom grew enough for her to participate under her mother's tutelage, Derion's question and her familiarity with Elluin emboldened her.
Elluin quickly realized that nobody else in the room knew how to answer the question. Apparently, the finer workings of the trades were not familiar to the other council members. "No, my lady," she soon said. "Beeswax is used as an adhesive in both of these crafts. It is especially useful in preventing water from rotting away wood."
Murmurs and nods floated around the room.
"I wager the Dwarf smiths were appropriately appreciative," Lord Derion said, question in his eyes.
"Yes, my lord." Elluin seemed especially pleased with this.
She dared a look at Thranduil. He gazed at her with warmth and pride in his eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.
Galion subtly cleared his throat. Seeing his steward's severe expression beside Elluin seemed to break through the trance that had overtaken the Elvenking. Thranduil took a breath and adopted his usual stoic expression. "If there are no more questions for the mistress of the household, I suggest we begin."
~.~.~
The following morning, Thranduil held audiences in the throne room. His steward was, again, bustling inside between every few petitioners to request the king's input on one matter or another. But at the end of the morning, after Galion confirmed his orders based on the morning's decisions, the Elvenking beckoned him to stay.
"Galion, I would have Master Umen come to the palace." As usual, the authority of Thranduil's voice filled the empty space, though he did not speak loudly.
"Very well, sire," Galion said with his usual efficiency. "May I inquire as to the reason?"
Thranduil smiled in anticipation of the surprise he was certain to see on his steward's face. "Some time hence, I hope to announce my betrothal."
Galion smiled brightly but kept his demeanor calm. "I offer my congratulations, my king," he said smoothly. "I shall have quarters prepared for Lady Elluin for the betrothal period."
Thranduil could not completely hide his bewilderment, brow furrowing. "You knew?"
Galion was hard pressed not to laugh at the royal Elf he had known for millennia. "Yes, sire," was his simple reply. "In fact, in anticipation of this announcement, I presumed to make some arrangements for which I would seek the king's approval now, and which, perhaps, would spare Master Umen the summons."
Thranduil stared as Galion reverently withdrew a small bag of soft cloth from inside his tunic, handing it over to the king with a bow.
"How did you know?" the king demanded sharply.
One of Galion's eyebrows raised slightly, and Thranduil suspected strongly that the gesture was his steward's equivalent of rolling his eyes. Thranduil's brows furrowed deeper.
"Sire, the effect that the king and the lady have on each other is undeniable," Galion explained, as if it were completely obvious.
Four rings fell from the bag into Thranduil's palm. He gingerly lifted a gold one to inspect with wonder.
Galion smiled to see the appreciation on the king's face and dared to speak again. "I had Master Umen take a surreptitious measure of Lady Elluin's finger some time past, and we collaborated on the design of the two wedding rings. I took the liberty of incorporating elements of the lands of your birth into each ring. I sent for pearls from Lindon, and you will note they are set among the waves engraved on the bands. The emeralds set in the leaves, and the diamonds between the designs, are remnants of the riches of Menegroth. They had belonged to Lord Berenil, who entrusted them to me for this purpose."
Thranduil swallowed a hard lump in his throat.
"The two silver rings were the ones Master Soronume and Linalda had used for their betrothal," Galion continued. "When I asked last week, they told me it was their plan to offer the rings to the king and their daughter. Master Umen has resized and polished them."
Gratitude threatened to overwhelm Thranduil's heart, and he was obliged to blink several times. To be considered worthy of such precious treasures touched him deeply. A long moment passed before he trusted himself to speak. "When did you have the wedding bands commissioned?"
"The day Lady Elluin convinced my king not to cancel the summer festival."
Thranduil looked at his steward with a mixture of accusation and appreciation. "You knew before I did."
"A good steward anticipates his sovereign's every need," Galion offered.
Thranduil shook his head in disbelief as he stared at his steward. "The rings are beautiful," he said earnestly. With some reluctance, he gently slid them back into the bag, which he tucked into the folds of his robe as he rose. Steadily, he stepped down from his throne and walked toward the door.
Galion had felt quite pleased with the king's reaction and was rather proud of the work that he and Umen had done. He waited for the king to pass him so he could follow him out, but when Thranduil drew level with him, he stopped. Galion had his gaze respectfully on the ground and so was caught by surprise when Thranduil's strong hand settled on his shoulder, startling him into meeting his gaze.
"Galion, you have been a friend to me," the king said. "I am grateful."
The steward's eyes glittered with warmth, and he inclined his head. "It has been my honor, sire."
~.~.~
Galion did not often find the need to give any specific instructions to the king's body servants. The change in circumstances, however, merited some additional consideration. Maethon and Sulros answered the summons to meet the steward in his office the following morning, satisfied that Thranduil would not need them. The king was on the training grounds, assisting in the instruction of the new captains. There were plenty of new soldiers who would jump to fulfill any of the king's wishes, making Sulros and Maethon rather superfluous for the moment.
"Thank you for coming," Galion began. While he was technically their superior, their duties seldom overlapped. Since the king's body servants were thus more independent, Galion felt it appropriate to treat them more as collaborators. "Maethon, I have gathered that you and Lady Elluin enjoy a friendship outside of the palace."
"Yes, my lord."
"I have been recently informed, and perhaps you already were aware, of the recent developments between the lady and our king."
Maethon nodded somberly. "They have finally declared their affections to each other."
Sulros' eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Well, that explains some things!"
Maethon could not help but poke fun at his companion. "For all the pride you take in your powers of observation, Sulros, this was a rather significant thing to miss."
"I do not have the benefit of being in Elluin's close confidence," Sulros retorted in an offended tone, but his lips quirking into a smile. "I have largely been avoiding her since she became the housekeeper for fear of how she would wield her new power. And now, I may soon be expected to pledge my loyalty to her as queen! What is to become of me?"
Maethon snorted at the jest.
"Now, I trust you will both continue to keep the matter discreet," Galion said quite needlessly, and they mumbled their assent. "And…though it may be difficult, for the sake of the kingdom, ensure that their relationship can be deepened."
Sulros' eyes widened. "The good of the kingdom?"
Galion sighed and looked with disappointment at him. "In truth, have you not noticed her effect on him? I worry that during three centuries of service to the king, you still have no understanding of his moods."
"What does that have to do with Greenwood?" he asked, forgetting to be offended this time in favor sating his curiosity.
"Elluin stays the darkness in his spirit," Maethon broke in simply. "You know better than I what he faced on the Dagorlad, Sulros. And even before that, he had been broken so many times in his long life that his heart had become hardened with scars. I do not know how many more tragedies he could endure before turning completely from his own nature, and dragging the realm with him to cower in obscurity until the withering of the world. But Elluin has shown him that he may soften his heart again without fear, allowing in light and love, to strengthen both king and kingdom."
The ellyn stared at the usually taciturn Elf for many moments.
"How very loquacious you have become, friend," Sulros marveled. He sighed deeply. "I sense the truth in your words. I believe I shall not now begrudge Elluin the occasional errand." His customary smile returned to his face. "But what can we do to help them?"
"That would be easier if we had the cooperation of the royal advisors," Maethon noted, turning to Galion. "Invariably, whenever Elluin and the king have a chance to spend time together, one matter or another obliges me to interrupt them. And that time is rarely to be had, as it is."
"Indeed," the steward acknowledged. "However, the king does not yet wish to inform the council members of his relationship. There is also the matter of preparations throughout the kingdom for having a queen," Galion mumbled almost to himself. He nodded decisively and fixed both the servants with a determined look. "I shall make myself a gatekeeper until it pleases the king to select someone else. If anyone approaches you requesting an audience with the king, refer them to me. I will make certain my whereabouts are always known."
"My lord," Sulros said with a smirk, "I had thought that we engaged a royal housekeeper in order to relieve you of some of your burdens."
"Alas, the irony is not lost on me," Galion said with a good-natured smile. "However, I find that I do not resent it in light of the king's happiness."
The servants nodded their agreement.