Using a chair to alleviate her right leg, Ellenya secured to her thigh a lethal hunting knife with serrated edges, it was just as much for survival, as it was a weapon. Satisfied the leather bands were fastened tightly enough, she began to lace up her dark, suede, boots, sturdy in craftsmanship, but light enough to not leave heavy tracks. The journey to her home territories would be no easy feat; orcs and warg would be the least of her worries once they were clear of Lorien. Great spiders, with their fatal poisons, dark spectres that oozed out of Dol Guldor were sent not to kill a man, but incapacitate and overcome the light of elven spirits, with dark magic and illusions of the mind. It was true, the greatness of Greenwood was just a fading memory, the dark, ominous forest of Mirkwood had destroyed all evidence that Greenwood have ever existed, save for her homeland, at least there the memory still lived, her people's strength and spirit, defying the darkness of Sauron. This thought brought Ellenya much comfort, and it was from here the elleth drew her courage from.

Briefly caught up in the memories of her home and her people, Ellenya did not hear the Lady Galadriel enter her room. The noble elleth had been fore-warned that the princess would return home, it was only a matter of time, Galadriel's gift of foresight had told her the woodland realm was suffering, and Ellenya would need to return to shoulder greater responsibilities. The vision brought sadness to the elleth, she would miss Lairiel's daughter deeply, but she had a feeling it would not be the last she would see of Ellenya, for the days grew darker and many choices were before Thranduil's children. This morsel of wisdom Galadriel kept to herself, for no-one should interfere with choices that shape an individual's destiny.

"Would you have not come to me to say your farewells Ellenya?" The Lady spoke sadly and watched with a sad smile, as Ellenya turned to meet her gaze with an equally mournful look.

"My Lady, I need to leave now, he needs me," Ellenya answered, knowing well that Galadriel would already know the reason for her leaving so swiftly, "I was on my way to see you I promise."

Galadriel held up her hand, motioning for Ellenya to be at peace, "I know child, I know," she murmured, "I knew you would return home, I had just hoped it would have not been under such worrisome circumstances."

The Lady, dropped her hand into her white robes and pulled out a leather pouch and held it out to Ellenya; "It is medicine, it will help ease your Adar's pain, please let him know that he remains in my thoughts and prayers."

Ellenya gladly accepted the pouch of herbs from the elleth who had been like family to her, Galadriel's blue eyes, shimmered with sincerity and Ellenya felt like her anxieties had been momentarily halted.

"Thranduil is very strong dear one, I am sure it is nothing to fret over," Galadriel soothed, as she held out her arms, asking for a farewell embrace, which Ellenya dutifully obliged too. After a few moments Galadriel released her dear friend, and placed her hands on her shoulders and with a firm voice exclaimed;

"Come, my Grandsons are waiting to escort you home, you must not waste any more time Princess."

xXx

Ellenya strode towards the brightly lit courtyard, the sky was slowly growing lighter, but most of the lamps still burned brightly in the cool morning air. She worked her hair into a loose plait at the nape of her neck, before tucking her long cool, blonde, locks securely into the hood of her grey cloak.

"Good morning, are you hungry?" Elrohir grinned from his position, leaning against a marble pillar, and tossed a piece of lembas bread hard at Ellenya's head.

With ease Ellenya caught her breakfast with one hand, and arched a perfectly curved eyebrow;

"Thank You Elrohir, but where is Elladan, I trust he has not slept in?" She teased, before nibbling a bit of the bread.

Elrohir shook his head and was about to answer when a loud clip-clopping of horses hooves against hard ground, came rumbling up beside them. Ellenya darted out of the way quickly, as three fine, stallions trotted, excitedly into the courtyard, their ears flicking with curiosity, their bodies shuddering at the thought of an early morning hack. A pitch black stead, carried the familiar figure of Elladan, his blue robe cascading down his horses flank, he held the reins of chestnut coloured beast, whom Elrohir quickly received as his own. The third, and most highly strung was a dapple grey, and he trotted behind the other two with no reign, Ellenya smiled gently to the beast, holding out her hand, it's ears pricked and he danced to her side, nudging her palm with his nose, then nickered loudly in excitement.

"Easy Belan, we will be home soon enough," Ellenya whispered, as she stroked her mounts grey neck, and then instinctively ran her hands along his body and legs.

"You beast is as wild as you are Ellenya, he would not let me place a leading halter on him, I was a little stumped as too how I would get him out of his stable," Elladan confessed from atop his stead.

"He is not used to reins, Elladan, he was not raised that way," Ellenya laughed softly as she hopped onto her animal with easy grace, and turned to smirk at her friend. "Yes I suppose you could say he is wild like his owner."

"Ha! She admits it finally," Elladan smirked, "come I did not waste my morning being hassled by your horse, to tarry in the open air breaking our fast... again Elrohir!" Elladan ordered and shot his brother a disapproving look, as Elrohir guiltily swallowed more lembas bread.

"Quick! Before he eats all are rations," Ellenya giggled as she brought her stead shoulder to shoulder with Elladan's. Elrohir rolled his eyes and stuffed the remains of his breakfast in a pocket in his robe, and settling himself for the journey ahead.

Ellenya only had to whisper encouragements to Belan and he quietened under her hand, the horse began to move to her will, and the three companions eased their horses into a gentle trot, heading for their exit and the familiar paths to King Thranduil's realm.

xXx

Rain poured down from the sky, in large, angry, droplets, even the great canopies of the forest could not hold back the torrential onslaught. Thus the ground was sodden, great soupy puddles formed in the water-logged earth, and everything was slippery, there was no shelter to be found from the continuous rainfall.

Crouched over an area, that was particularly muddy, was a fair-haired ellon, clad in green and brown. His sharp, blue, eyes monitored the ground, and his features were pulled into an expression of frustration. Leaning on one of his fine, long, knives, the elf waved a hand over the earth, tracing invisible patterns to the untrained eye; however, if one was skilled they would see the outline of footprints in the earth. But these tracks were faint, the heavy rain disrupted them, and the warrior elf, could not quite distinguish in what direction the bearers of these tracks had fled too. Sighing the elf, raised his head and tried to make an educated guess, for these were orc tracks, and he had been hell bent on tracking this particular group down for the past two days.

Deciding on a westerly path, the ellon straightened out of his crouch, and grumbled audibly, he was soaked, and covered in mud to his knees, not a handsome sight for the Prince of the Woodland Realm. Rubbing excess water off his forehead with his forearm, Legolas sighed and shrugged his sodden cloak more securely around him, before striding off in his estimated direction.

As he carefully picked his way through the dense foliage of the dark forest, Legolas dreamed up that he was sitting by the fire in his Adar's great hall, warming his weary feet, enjoying a glass of wine and the company of his Ada and sister. In reality his Adar was suffering from a poison induced fever, and his sister was leagues away in Lorien, though the prince silently prayed she would soon be on her way home, for he could really use some help.

Though he was crowned prince, Legolas shirked that title in favour of becoming a warrior, the only way he could be sure he was taken seriously was to keep his identity concealed to anyone outside of his home, only those who knew him on a personal level, knew his true title, and outside of the noble elves they were sparse. Not that Legolas did not take his responsibilities as prince seriously, for he was notoriously loyal, and loved his home and his people, however he was a much more simplistic individual. He had no time for elaborate parties, showy attire, and the general pomp and ceremony of being a royal, he preferred nature, he was free-spirited and adventurous, and could spend weeks roaming in the wild, as he often had to, in order to protect his home.

On this particularly occasion he was hunting down a band of orc spies, that had been watching an elven out post, he had managed to slay three before the other five had fled. Legolas was determined to find them before they could report back to their masters, and a new assault could be waged on innocent elves. However the unfortunate weather was making it hard to do anything, other than trudge drearily through sodden ground, with no real sense of achievement. He sighed momentarily and glanced at the green leafy ferns, which brushed his arms as he passed and smiled, at least the rain kept them healthy and happy. He ran his calloused fingers through the soft, furry, leaves and sighed aloud;

"I suppose this weather is much more enjoyable to you, than I, what I would do for some shelter for a while?"

He stared at the plant for a moment, and then toyed with the idea that he was quite mad, and had been on his own too long, resorting to talking to things to keep him company. As he considered this worrying trend, he became aware of the sudden stillness, apart from the thrumming rain, the forest noises had all but ceased. Drawing his long bow, and notching an arrow, the elf slowly adjusted his sharp senses, he was being hunted!

A whistle of movement to his left, had Legolas spin to fire a shot, to his dismay it hit a tree. He frowned as another rustle of movement caught his attention to his right, high in the tree tops, too high for orc. He turned to face the sound drawing his bow again, nostrils flaring with anticipation, there were much fouler and more dangerous beings that dwelt in the woods than orc.

"Show yourself and I'll consider sparing your life?" Legolas called to his mystery hunter.

A whistle of movement directly behind Legolas, alerted him to his attackers close proximity, disregarding his bow he pulled his long knife from its sheath, and in a blindingly swift movement spun to face his enemy. With a clang of steel blades, Legolas' knife collided with an elvish sword, its wielder cloaked and hooded, in dark brown garb, the attacker tutted under their breath and Legolas immediately recognised the sarcastic tone of his sister.

"Conversing with your attacker brother, have you grown soft?" Ellenya's lilting voice questioned, as she pulled back her hood and graced her brother with a teasing smile.

Legolas grinned and knocked her sword out of the way with his knife, before enveloping his younger sister in a warm embrace;

"Ellenya I have missed you!" He exclaimed in her ear, as he squeezed her tightly, "I am so happy to see you."

Ellenya smiled in genuine happiness, it was good to see her brother, as she breathed in his familiar scent, that she associated with home; "It has been far too long," she murmured back.

Legolas pulled back to take a look at his sister; "The years have been kind to you sister, you grow more beautiful every day!" He exclaimed then smirked, "Yet no ring on your finger, alas I presume your temperament has not improved much?"

This earned Legolas a hard punch on the arm and disgruntled look from his sister;

"You are one to talk brother, still married to you bow I see?"

Legolas chuckled and shook his head, that was an argument he was not going to get into;

"You did not travel alone?" Legolas quickly changed the topic.

"No, of course I didn't! It is most improper for a Lady to travel alone, Elrond's sons escorted me here, well they escorted me roughly here, I left them on the main path, because I saw some orc tracks, I reckoned you would not be too far away," Ellenya explained.

"You know me too well sister, alas I am still tracking the vile creatures," Legolas sighed and squinted in the distance, internally reckoning they were long out of his reach.

"The orc you seek, where their five, lightly armed, most likely scouts?" Ellenya asked suddenly interested.

Legolas nodded, "Indeed that sounds like apt description."

Ellenya slapped her hand on her brother's arm playfully, "Well then, you can give up the chase, the twins and I have dealt with that problem. Now let's go home, I have a bone to pick with Adar!"

Legolas stared incredulously after his sister, who slinked off through the wood. She was only home two minutes and she was already stealing kills from him, this would just not do. Legolas gathered up his weaponry, and set off after his sister. Once he was caught up, and the two settled into a good pace through the woods, Ellenya decided to question her brother on their Ada's state;

"How is he?" She asked calmly, keeping her eyes ahead, as they strode in unison.

Legolas clenched his jaw, and Ellenya caught his worried expression from the corner of her eye, however she remained impassive and waited for his reply.

"Adar is...not himself," Legolas started, "The arrow was poison tipped, he is very lucky that it did settle in his bloodstream."

Ellenya inhaled sharply and quickened her pace, anxiety eating away at her insides, she just about kept her composure;

"What happened?" she asked quietly.

"A lucky shot from the enemy," Legolas muttered, "It was just a normal patrol, but you know our Adar he had to be involved, he wanted to see for himself some damage caused to an outpost from a the previous nights raid. I was not there, I was dealing with an assault on an opposite perimeter, though now J wish I had of accompanied him, maybe I could of helped, avoided the injury, I do not know!" He sighed and glanced at Ellenya, who gave him an encouraging smile;

"It is not your fault, you do not know if the events could have been changed," she reassured her brother.

"Maybe so," Legolas mused, not quite ready to forgive himself, "I suppose the news it not all that bad, Adar and the guard where victorious that night, he fought on even with his injury, the healers believe that is why the wound is taking longer to heal, Adar most likely caused any further damage himself with his stubbornness!"

"Then we should make haste, the Lady Galadriel has sent herbs, they are powerful, they will ease his pain," Ellenya managed to say, her voice faltering on the last word, she really was going to hang her Ada for keeping this from her.

xXx

King Thranduil sat on the edge of his bed, using his good arm to grip a chair that the healer had placed in front of him; it did not escape him that this was also a device to stop him slumping forward unto the ground, which at this present time seemed very desirable. He clung to the wood of the chair, like it was all that was keeping him upright, his head swum, and he felt a little nauseous, as the healer began easing off his loose shirt to examine and redress the wound on his shoulder.

He moaned audibly when he had to jostle himself to remove his garment, it was most uncomfortable, and his usually strong arms, felt weak and heavy as lead. The Woodland King was not accustomed to feeling so vulnerable, or to be put in such an intimate situation with a strange elleth. Though he was fairly certain by the diligent look in the young elf's eyes that this was common work to her, and that saddened him a little. In his attempt to ignore the shame he felt at being an invalid, and to distract himself from the inevitable pain that would follow, he decided to converse with the healer;

"Do you see many wounds like these?" He questioned, gazing kindly at the young elf, who was obviously shocked at his soft tone, she stopped what she was doing and bowed her head respectfully before answering;

"Yes your majesty, I have seen many of these wounds in my short time as healer."

Thranduil nodded his head thoughtfully, and then grimaced as he felt the gauze pull away from his tender flesh, it nearly brought tears to his eyes. He cleared his throat and attempted to articulate further questions, in order to distract himself.

"So how long have you been under Lady Torwe—arrgh...son of a troll...STOP JUST STOP!" Thranduil roared and instinctively caught the elleth's hand to stop her from inflicting anymore pain, whilst he gasped for breath. The elleth yelped in fear and cowered away from the King's icy words.

"I am sorry my lord, it is the infected mucus I must remove it, please sire?" She hurriedly explained herself.

Thranduil let go of the elleth's hand, and bit down hard on his tongue, he was not expecting the pain, it was like he was experiencing the blow of the arrow all over again. He glared at the elleth and then placed his hand back on the chair, tensing every muscle he could, he stared determinedly ahead;

"Do what you must!" he glowered and braced himself.

True enough more pain came, rolling over the Woodland King in sickening waves, the sooner he recovered from this injury the better. He groaned, hissed and mumbled curses under his breath as the now nervous elleth worked quickly at his wound. He found himself concentrating on sounds outside of his chambers, anything to distract him, he heard doors banging and raised voices, and he absently wondered who would be causing such a stir. If he was able to walk unaided he would have stormed out there himself and demanded an end to such inappropriate behaviour.

As he eavesdropped he became aware that there were three sets of footsteps, and only two sets of voices. The first and loudest sounded like his advisor Arystor, he noted the elf's voice was high pitched, and had an element of pleading to it, like he was reasoning with the other two. The other was unmistakable; it was the low rumble of his son's voice, as he rebuked Arystor repeatedly. However the third set person made no noise, only swift and quick footsteps, and with surprise Thranduil ascertained they were heading straight to his chamber, and he frowned at the door, instantly aware of his state of undress, and that he probably looked horrendous, he threw his healer a confused look, and noted she too returned a quizzical look.

A few moments later Arystor's high voice was easily discernible outside the King's door;

"I really must protest, the King is resting, can this not wait until the morning!" The advisor squeaked.

"Move," was the only reply given, and at that voice stirred Thranduil to his very core.

In the same instant the doors to his chamber were thrown open, with a thundering bang, and the tall, silhouette of his daughter framed the doorway. Ellenya was fuming as she cast her eyes over her Adar's familiar belongings, before they came to rest on the elf in question.

Thranduil was in shock, he was momentarily delighted to see his daughter, but that was quickly replaced, she was not meant to be here, and clearly someone had not been wise enough to keep their mouth shut, he had a fair idea who, and looked past his daughter to fix his son with an angry glare, but Legolas just shrugged his shoulders and glared, defiantly back.

Ellenya was prepared to start a war, ready to rip into her Adar for being too proud to admit to being injured, even to scream and shout, possibly throw a few things in a bad temper. But the sight of her Ada, sickly grey, with the angry red wound on his right left shoulder, attempting to sit upright, she quickly changed her mind. Crossing the room, she swiftly knelt down in front of her Adar and took his hand, piercing him with wide. Troubled, eyes;

"Ada?" she cried, "I am so sorry I should have been here for you."

Angry tears threatened to spill over Ellenya's silvery, blue, eyes and she dropped her gaze to conceal her emotions. Thranduil moved by the hurt in his daughters face, let his immediate anger ebb away and with his good hand, cupped her chin and titled her head upwards so he could see her beautiful face.

"My little light, why are you here?" he murmured sadly.

Ellenya frowned, "I am here for you Ada, why did you hide this from me?" she continued to cry, and the tears she tried to conceal began to make an appearance.

Thranduil felt guilty, horribly guilty as he took in his youngest child's painful expression, he had not wanted to see her hurt, he did not want to be the cause of her pain;

"This is why Ellenya!" Thranduil answered, catching the stray tears at her eye, and then gently whisking them away with his thumb, "I could not bear to see you cry needlessly."

"Needlessly? Adar that is no scratch you bear, I could have lost you!" Ellenya gulped back the loud sobs that threatened to escape her lips.

"Oh nonsense child, I have suffered worse! It is nothing," Thranduil soothed and patted his daughter's face. Ellenya sighed and rested against the bed frame, she was not completely convinced, but if her Adar could argue with her, he was certainly was on his road to recovery. She watched as her Adar's eyebrows furrowed and he studied her with a worried look;

"You should be in Lorien Ellenya, where it is safer for you! The journey you undertook to return home was perilous, you did not do it alone?" The King asked, suddenly reeling from the anxiety of all the dark possibilities that could have befallen his daughter.

"Elrond's sons escorted me home, it was the least they could do, after hiding this from me!" Ellenya scowled at the memory, "Though I am not a child anymore Ada, I can survive in Mirkwood alone, you do not give me enough credit!"

Thranduil snorted, and pretended he did not hear Ellenya's last statement; instead he glowered at his son, who was evidently the guilty party, now that Elrond's sons had been ruled out;

"At least someone's sons still understand the importance of carrying out the orders of their King and Father, Legolas you swore to me you would not utter a word!" Thranduil growled at his son.

Legolas smirked, "I did not utter a word Adar, I wrote a letter instead, besides I told you I would never hide anything from Ellenya, she deserved to know!"

"Do not play smart with me son!" Thranduil warned.

"Adar do not place the blame on my brother, you are at fault and you know it!" Ellenya exclaimed angrily and stood to her feet. "Do you truly believe I would have not discovered this on my own? You can lie Ada, but the whispers of the trees and my heart was enough to tell me something was amiss!"

Thranduil and his daughter engaged in a defiant stare off, until the elven King, weakened from the effort he had used up, slumped forward slightly. Before he could fall forward anymore, Ellenya and Legolas rushed to his side and helped him lie back on his bed. Ellenya ordered the healer to fetch her Adar some wine, and to boil a pot of water, she swiftly handed the other elleth the pouch of herbs;

"Stew some of this in the water and add it to the wound, it contains some of the bark of the mallorn trees, it is a very strong anti-septic. Then let the remains cool, and have him drink it, when the pain is at its worst," She commanded, the healer nodded swiftly and excited the room.

"Since when did you become such the knowledgeable healer?" Thranduil groaned from his bed.

"Since you sent me away to Lothlorien and I had to invent ways to entertain myself," Ellenya scolded as she checked her Ada's vitals. Legolas stepped back and allowed his sister to work, taking a seat at the bedside, and eyeing his Adar;

"This is why you need her here!" Legolas pointed out, and laughed when is Adar half scowled, half winced at him, "You will forgive me when you are out hunting within the week Ada," Legolas chuckled.

"He will be doing no such thing," Ellenya said with an alarmed tone, "You will rest Ada, I will take over any of your duties in the interim, and Legolas will keep on top of trade and security."

Thranduil opened his mouth to vehemently protest but was silenced by the resolute look he received from both his children. Sighing loudly, King Thranduil resigned himself to the fact that in punishment for his sins, he would remain on house arrest for the foreseeable future, or at least until he could hold himself upright!

xXx

Ellenya had only been home a full day and night, by the second morning it was as If she had never left, she easily slid back into her old routines, regardless of the events that led her home she was feeling happier. With a spring in her step, the woodland Princess, strode through the familiar surroundings, nodding her 'hello's,' and 'good mornings,' to the various servants and members of the court. Dressed in a fine, green, robes, which belonged to her mother, and her bronze, circlet of stars on her brow, Ellenya commanded the attention of all she came in contact with.

She reached her Adar's bed chamber, and without announcing her arrival, briskly waltzed in, carrying with her a cup, of not so pleasant smelling liquid. Thranduil, sat comfortably on his bed, and lifted his head from the array of papers he had sprawled about him; he smiled warmly at his beloved daughter, who was apparently all business this morning in her stately attire, and confident expression.

"Good morning Adar...this place is bat cave, you need some light and air," Ellenya swiftly opened doors, to allow the light, and fresh air circulate the room.

Thranduil sighed and squinted from the sudden harshness of stronger light, he was enjoying the softer light of candles, to his sensitive eyes. He rearranged the papers on his lap and returned to intently gazing at them, whilst instinctively reaching for his cup of sweet tea, a guilty treat of his;

"Ada!" Ellenya scolded, and yanked the cup from his hand, and replacing it with the foul smelling cup she had brought with her, ignoring her Adar's vocal whining, she loudly reminded him, "You know very well you must drink a cup of this in the morning, it is far healthier for you than that!"

Ellenya pointed to the tea in her hand, before setting it out of reach, chuckling softly at her Adar's evident huffing, and his pained expression as he studied the liquid in the cup, in remembrance of its vile taste. Ellenya spied the official papers littering her Adar's bed and angrily grabbed them;

"What is this?" She asked, hoisting the papers above her head and glaring accusingly at her Adar; "I thought I made it clear, no working, no studying, you must not stress yourself it is bad for your condition!" Ellenya further exclaimed and dropped the papers on a lounge chair, out of her Father's grasp.

Thranduil exasperatedly, thumped the bed with his fists, "Ellenya I am still King, I have a right to view the day's reports, this is highly aggravating," he growled, "Now hand them back, I need to make a few amendments."

Thranduil outstretched his good arm, and gestured for the papers back, Ellenya lifted her chin haughtily and collapsed on the lounge chair, lifting the documents in her hand. Thranduil frowned, the restrictions of bed rest were slowly knawing away at his last ounce of patience, it did not help that his daughter enjoyed enforcing this law.

"if it is so important I will read them too you, and we will make amendments together, whilst you drink your medicine," Ellenya commanded and began rifling through the documents that he had clearly taken from Legolas, her brother's scrawling notes peppering the pages.

Thranduil huffed loudly, and began sipping the disgusting liquid cautiously; making regular revolted noises, which only earned him an arched eyebrow and an uncaring glance from his child, as she diligently scanned the previous days reports.

"This is disgusting, how long will you torture me with this vile concoction!" Thranduil said, as he screwed his face up and set the cup aside for the moment, he really did have the stomach for it this morning.

Without glancing up, Ellenya answered smoothly, "Things that are good for you, are often are vile to the taste, and you will drink it for as long as is necessary."

The elven King audibly grumbled and cursed himself for using that same line with Ellenya as an elfling when she would not eat or drink something, he never dreamt it would come back to haunt me. Resigning himself to his fate, he picked up the cup and continued to torture himself, whilst intently watching his daughter, as he noted small frown line etch on her brow, as she deciphered more of the reports. After a short while, Ellenya dropped the papers unto her lap and gave her Adar and worrisome look;

"This is bad Adar, you did not tell me it was this bad?" She accused and stared down helplessly at her brother's various details on the increasing level of orc attacks, and the long list of fatalities, damages and theft that had occurred in the last month alone. Ellenya knew things were tough, but they were evidently getting worse, she was not sure how much more their forces could take.

Thranduil sighed and nodded, "Yes Ellenya is getting worse, but we can manage; the outposts are still intact, Legolas is still maintaining the routes in and out of the realm, we just need to be more intelligent in are strategies."

"Ada, did you not see these figures, how many more losses can we endure? Is it wise to continuing to bring aid to the men in Dale and the woodmen, we cannot afford to risk such endeavors?" Ellenya reasoned, she seen no sense it risking the lives of her people, to bring ease to strangers.

"Ellenya the lines of communication and trade must be kept open, between ourselves and our allies, if we isolate ourselves again we run the risk of division, and we will be over-powered," Thranduil rebuked his daughter, "It is not that simple, I wish it was but are power is dwindling, there are not enough of us to contain the darkness from Dol Guldor, but I will raise this Kingdom to the ground before I see it taken by the enemy!"

With Thranduil's words, an uneasy tension settled in the room, as Ellenya gazed at the reports before her, she knew her Adar spoke the truth, and she too would fight to the last breath to maintain their home, but she was worried. It would take a miracle for them to survive this, and even if they did what would be left to live for, her Adar had already been wounded, how long would it be until Legolas or even she suffered the same fate? Or worse how many more innocent lives would be massacred in the firing lines?

Sighing she stood up from her chair and turned to her Adar with resolute and steely expression;

"Then we will endure as we always have, I will take my leave, I have much to think about!"

With that Ellenya exited the King's chambers, leaving Thranduil with the pile of reports, having decided that it was pointless to withhold them from him, he would worry regardless. They all would, she just prayed that time would be kind to them, and would give the woodland people and herself, enough time to find a solution to their mounting concerns.