When I am finally reunited with Thranduil, he seems mildly annoyed by the drama occurring with him, Legolas and Tauriel. He dismisses Gelya in a slightly ruder fashion than usual, but she doesn't complain and merely smiles at me before turning away down the corridor.

'Young elves...' Thranduil mutters to himself as he helps me sit down on a chair in one of the airy hallways next to the gardens. 'They think they know what's best for them...'

It's difficult to restrain laughter. Tauriel and Gelya are both young, but Legolas is nearly three thousand years old—not young at all. He must still seem so childlike in Thranduil's eyes.

'How did it go?' I ask casually, hoping to wean some information out of him that's worthy of telling Gelya later.

'Legolas has barely changed from when he was an elfling. Headstrong and adventure-seeking. It puts him in so much danger.'

'Perhaps you worry too much?' I say tentatively.

'Not just for him. Young Tauriel is also subject to my concern, as I've noticed how close she is to Legolas, and how much she wishes they could head off on an adventure together.' He adds a small scoff.

'I'd've thought she wouldn't be up for any more of that after the Battle,' I say, praying Thranduil knows I've watched these events from the sky, and not been eavesdropping like I was today.

'I did too,' he sighs.

'King Thranduil!' a deep voice booms from down the corridor.

'For the love of Ilúvatar...' Thranduil rises from his seat beside me to greet the dark-haired ellon striding purposefully towards him. 'Is it a matter of urgency, Tavalon? For if it is not, I would like to request a moment of peace from your presence.'

I snigger softly into my hand as Tavalon frowns. In this state, he really does resemble his horrible son. 'It is, in fact, a matter of extreme urgency. I just received word from some of the South Gate guards that more spiders have been entering our borders, two dozen at least.'

At this, Thranduil's face hardens. 'I thought the South Gate was cleared last week.'

'It seems we have had a breach in defence. They're wreaking havoc at the South Gate as we speak. You may want to rethink your strategies, my King,' Tavalon says with a hint of smugness.

Thranduil sighs deeply. 'I shall investigate immediately. Elena,' he says, turning to me, 'there is no time to order a maid, but I won't be long. Just stay out of trouble for me?' His smirk is somewhat reassuring.

'I will, if you stay out of trouble for me,' I smile back. Truthfully, I don't feel entirely relaxed knowing he's going off to help ward a pack of giant spiders from the gate, but I want to seem particularly calm and collected in front of Tavalon.

Thranduil's smirk widens before he notices Tavalon watching. The two tall elves turn their backs and hasten down the corridor pointing southward, sleek hairs of platinum blond and ebony black swinging behind them as they walk.

I don't feel hugely comfortable sat alone in a deserted hallway, especially with the knowledge that I still can't escape if needs be. However, attempting to daydream while gazing at an intricate wall decoration made of flowers is thankfully aiding my distraction. If luck is with me, no unpleasant elves will pass through here while Thranduil is absent from my side.

Suddenly, my stomach churns as another ebony-haired ellon appears at the end of the corridor, with his eyes seemingly fixed on me. Fate is clearly not on my side right now—I think it's Avadhil.

'Hello, my Lady,' the ellon drawls, and I instantly realise that this is not Avadhil but his notoriously handsome older brother. Gelya was right, Avalor is generally much better looking than his brother or father, but from Thranduil's description of him, I know not to be fooled by his looks. 'What are you doing all alone over here?'

I decide to choose my words carefully. 'I'm waiting for my friend.'

'Well, this elf is exceedingly lucky to be friends with someone as unique as you!' Avalor says with a sickly smile, leaning against the chair Thranduil previously occupied, 'Mae govannen, my Lady Elena. My name is Avalor, eldest son of Lord Tavalon.'

'Mae govannen,' I say through gritted teeth, faking a smile at the ellon whose dark eyes are fondly surveying my body.

'I must say, I am absolutely starstruck! And I mean quite literally!' he laughs.

I can't deny, I'm already bored of this ellon's attempt at complimenting me. 'My Lord Avalor, there is no need for flattery. If you have come to say something, please say it.'

'If you're expecting an apology on behalf of my foolish little brother, I'm afraid it would be worth nothing unless it came from Avadhil himself. I only came to gaze upon your dazzling beauty and offer you any help I can give. It's only right considering how rude and obnoxious Avadhil and his friends were to you. And also, between you and me...' he pauses, leaning closer to me, 'you could do with some other company besides the King and that poor Silvan friend of yours.'

That's it. I'm not having anything to do with someone who talks about Thranduil and Gelya like that. Time to layer up some lies. 'That's awfully kind of you, but I think I'm fine as I am for now. The healers have said peace and quiet is good as I recover from my injuries and the shock of my Fall.'

'Really? Oh, well then, I'm dreadfully sorry, my Lady. Just ask for me if you ever need to talk to anyone. I'd be most glad to help you, êl bain.' Avalor descends elegantly to place a kiss on my hand. It takes my best efforts not to wince.

Beautiful star? I'm not having any more of that, if I can help it.

Also, if he thinks his kiss was anywhere near as good as Thranduil's, he couldn't be more wrong.

'Thank you...' I begin to say, but I tail off as Avalor now seats himself in the chair I have mentally labelled as Thranduil's. How. Dare. He.

'I'd be honoured to stay with you while you wait for your friend. If that is what the healers have advised, I shan't speak at all,' he drawls.

'Please, my Lord, this isn't necessary. Thranduil said he wouldn't be long—'

'Ah, so you are waiting for the King?' Avalor smirks. Oh Valar... why did I have to mention his name?

'Yes...' I say, racking my brain, 'he and your father set off to the South Gate. They heard there were spiders attacking there. They... will need as many swords as they can get.'

I think Avalor noticed my poor attempt to be rid of him, despite his eyes being fixed on my body. 'They've managed without me before, they can manage again. Besides, we don't want any irresponsible young elves giving you a hard time while the King's occupied, do we?' he laughs patronisingly.

I've had enough of him. 'Sorry, but I'd much prefer to be alone at the moment. So if you could maybe show a little courtesy towards the Star you seem so eager to please, that would be excellent.'

He looks a little surprised at my nerve, but still hasn't taken his eyes off my breast.

'Excuse me?' I deliberately shuffle in my seat so to interrupt his gaze, 'please don't do that. I'd rather ellons didn't constantly stare at my body parts, so if you're trying to impress me, it's not working. Now leave me in peace!'

Avalor scoffs quietly. 'You're telling me to leave?'

'Yes, well done,' I reply sarcastically, 'go on, then.'

'You can't give orders to me, êl,' he snaps.  'I go where and when I please.'

'Oh no, you don't.'

Both our heads whip around to see Thranduil marching swiftly down the hall towards us, glowering at Avalor with the same kingly glare he used on Avadhil and his cronies.

'Thranduil?' I say, baffled as to why he's back so soon, 'what are you doing back already?'

'There's no breach at the South Gate,' scoffs the King, 'the whole thing was just a diversion set up by Tavalon so his snake of a son could slip in here and seduce you. I should have known—'

'What are you talking about?' Avalor blurts unconvincingly.

'I'm talking about how your family was out to get Elena right from the start. Avadhil's attempt failed, so the rest of you took drastic action, am I correct?'

I can barely believe what I'm hearing, yet somehow it does make sense. Meanwhile, Avalor is stuttering indistinguishable words, his face getting redder by the second.

'Get out of my sight. And don't come near Elena again, not you, not Avadhil, and not your pathetic father, unless you want him to be removed from my council of advisors forever.' The King bears down on Avalor with a face like rock and a voice like a knife, cleaving right through the trembling ellon sat before him. This is the sternest and fiercest I've ever seen Thranduil... it's scary, but in a slightly attractive way.

Avalor immediately scuttles away, cursing in Sindarin under his breath. Thranduil shoots him a dirty look as he slinks out of sight.

'I need to stop getting into scrapes with that family...' I breathe slowly, 'then you won't have to keep saving me from them.'

Thranduil sighs, his calming smirk returning to his face, and welcoming a rush of relief into my chest. 'What happened to staying out of trouble?'

We probably laugh far too much at this.

***

Elvish:
Êl bain = beautiful star