SIX MONTHS LATER - FEAST OF STARLIGHT, 2942

One night a year, the Woodland Realm comes to life in every way possible. I used to see it from my heavenly refuge, gaze in fascination at the merry celebrations and vast assortments of food and wine, and wonder what it would be like to be at the centre of all that joviality and feel the night grow and rise around me. All the while I knew that it was my light, the light of the Stars, that ignited the spirits of these elves. They all appreciated what I did more than I did myself.

To actually walk among them, to have their smiles greet you around every corner, is more than any Star deserves. The elves may have their own feelings towards me at any other time, but today, even the most arrogant or disagreeable of them have managed to put aside their contempt for me and contribute to the festivities. I would not say that Tavalon and his sons are exactly friendly, but they seem to be suppressing their feelings of resentment as best they can. Perhaps Thranduil gave them a little talk while I was otherwise occupied.

Thranduil is more than I deserve too.  My husband makes every second of my life worth living, and with him, I feel I am becoming the Queen I need to be.  It was difficult at first, but that first period of unsureness is finally beginning to ebb away, allowing me to come into my own.  I'll admit, there were a few nights early on where it was bad, where I would stress and panic and break down crying in Thranduil's arms, wishing that somehow my duty could fulfil itself.  I knew it was never going to be easy.  It was and still is Thranduil who helps and guides me like no one else could.  I often wonder whether he struggled to rule at first, or if Ellerian did, whilst knowing it is better off that I refrain from asking him.

Today is a day of confidence.  I manage not to stumble on my words while having some new dresses fitted, or blush when the shortage of Dorwinion wine is announced—which was down to a little party a few of us threw for Gelya's begetting day—or even panic when a pack of spiders are found prowling the edges of our borders.  The final event does make my palms grow so sweaty, Thranduil actually wipes my hands on his robe before taking hold of them, but I remain calm and stand my ground like any good Queen should.  Tauriel and the Guard are sent to kill them, returning soon after with black blood dripping from their blades.  If there is anyone Thranduil and I can trust to perform admirably, it is them.

Now that night has fallen, and the kingdom has been sealed, everything can really begin.  The late autumn has wrapped around the forest in a blanket of orange and burnt gold, bringing cold winds with the fading dusk and a clear sky perfectly timed for the occasion.  Every Star in the heavens is visible... save one.

That Star strolls through the brightly lit halls with a chestnut-haired Silvan to one side, the impeccably dressed Elvenking to the other and a glass of sweet red wine in one hand.  I can feel my gleaming diadem resting against my forehead, my flowing layers of pale blue and silver gown brushing lightly against my legs, and infinite elation radiating from me as my companions and I are welcomed into the crowd.

'What a beautiful dress! Those colours suit you so much,' Nairelin exclaims, her rosy cheeks flushing even pinker with excitement as her earthy-coloured eyes take in the sight of my new dress.

Personally, I think Thranduil's attire is even more fetching than my own seems to be. A suit of glossy grey and obsidian hugs the contours of his body, complemented by the huge cloak of blood-red velvet that cascades down from his neck and contrasts with the blinding platinum of his hair. His tall, pointed crown suits the season, adorned with sprigs of autumn leaves as though it were a tree itself, and adding to his already massive height so much that he had to duck to get through our bedroom door this morning. The memory of that moment triggers a smirk to tug at the corners of my lips.

Snapping back to the present, I pour out my gratitude only to have Thranduil make an additional comment. 'I commissioned a set of ten, all equally stunning,' he says proudly, sliding his arm around my waist in one of his little displays of power. It amuses me how he often does such things, but pleases me even more. We are one and the same, yet also utterly different. One eternal storm of fire and ice.

However, I was unaware that he had asked for ten dresses! I have only seen three, and at the time I thought that was more than enough.

'Thranduil, you spoil me!' I giggle, feeling my face grow warm.

He only laughs and leans in to touch his lips to mine.  In the corner of my eye, I notice Gelya ecstatically grabbing Nairelin's hand while bouncing on the balls of her feet. I then chuckle to myself as Thranduil reluctantly pulls away, because the sheer amount of joy emanating from the elves around me is far more than they would ever dare to display to other races. But this night is ours, and ours alone. We are free to act however we like, get as drunk as we like, and no one will ever see.

Except for that time last year with the dwarves... I'm actually rather glad I wasn't here to cope with that level of turmoil.

'Are you feeling well at the moment, Elena?' Marieth asks kindly.

'Yes, thank you,' I reply, risking a glance at a smirking Thranduil.

'I still can't believe there's going to be a royal baby!' Gelya beams at me proudly, sparks of excitement dancing across her eyes.

Ah, yes—the royal baby. It is common knowledge that I carry Thranduil's second child within me. My ever-growing stomach is the reason for these new dresses being fitted, and because of this all eyes are fixed on me and not the child's father stood proud and tall beside me.

The child's half-brother will be absent for the birth, as he is leaving in two weeks. I know Legolas will care for his half-sibling and come to visit them, but his heart is still wandering out in the wilderness, yet to find its place. I can only hope that he finds someone to satisfy his longing sooner rather than later.

It is a pity that Tauriel isn't that someone. Not that Thranduil would ever have allowed it, of course. My husband is set on a respectable connection between his son and a refined elleth of the Sindar, so to continue the tradition of the kingdom, but I have known for a while that Legolas has no interest in any of the eligible maidens. Now that his eyes for Tauriel have faded, he looks elsewhere to find that which he desires.

Tauriel, on the other hand, is still clinging to bitter memories of the early winter. It was good of her not to openly resent the love between Thranduil and I when hers was so cruelly taken from her. However, I fear that if the dwarf had survived, they would still have been parted by law. It was a doomed relationship from the very start.

Where is Tauriel? She has been on my thoughts of late, since it is coming up to the year's anniversary of her love's death, but I have not seen her since around midday. A wave of nausea rolls in my stomach as I realise why she has disappeared. I'm not leaving her to be consumed by the demons of her past, not if I can help it. Who is more likely to know where she went than her best friend, the Prince?

I find Legolas conversing animatedly with some ellons of the Guard, and upon seeing me he immediately excuses himself and turns to greet me with his radiant smile. 'Good evening, Legolas,' I say warmly, 'have you seen Tauriel? I haven't seen her anywhere and I was wondering if she's alright.'

'No, I'm afraid I haven't,' he answers sadly, 'not for an hour at least. I'm sorry, I'm not sure where she went.'

I fight the urge to click my tongue in frustration. 'Thank you, mellon nín.'

'You look lovely tonight, Elena!' Legolas remarks as I begin turning to leave.

'Thank you again!' I call over my shoulder.

How far I will be able to slip away before Thranduil notices my absence, I do not know.  I do not sense his presence behind me as I descend through the sparsely populated lower halls, scanning every elf in my path for a sign of my quarry, but I guarantee his breath will be down my neck soon enough.  When I find her, I will only need a few minutes.  Ilúvatar knows if I will be successful.

At long last, I have woven my way around several thundering waterfalls when a flash of auburn up ahead tells me that my search was not in vain.  Tauriel is sat forlornly next to one of the prison cells, her legs dangling off the edge of the pathway and the warm light turning her hair into a cascade of fire down her back.  She spends most of her time staring up past the illuminated entrances to the high halls and beyond even the ceiling itself, as if she could really see the Stars twinkling in their vast infinity above.  Occasionally she looks down at the dark, round stone she is holding fondly in her hands, and runs her thumbs across the runes engraved on it.

'My Lady.'  The Captain of the Guard almost chokes on her words as she addresses me without even looking my way.

'Do call me Elena,' I say, pausing while taking a step forward, 'and come join us.'

'I'd rather stay here.'  Still, she keeps her shining eyes fixed on the rune stone that she is now turning over in her hands.

'Please. I know why you're sad, and I cannot bear to see you suffer like this.'

'Do not waste your time trying to persuade me. It is your light they are celebrating up there.'

I take another tentative step towards her, my gaze inexplicably drawn to the runes carved into the stone's smooth surface.  'I can hardly celebrate while you are down here alone. It's not the same without you, mellon nín.'

Tauriel finally turns to face me, revealing gleaming beads of tears accumulating in her woeful eyes.  'I'm sorry, my Lady...' she says in barely more than a whisper, 'but I cannot go up there.'

'How many times must I tell you to call me Elena?' I sigh.

'Clearly quite a few.'  She blinks away some of her tears.  'But I will be staying down here tonight.'

Another sigh.  Perhaps it is best that she remains in solitude for tonight, even if it means I worry about her to the point of feeling physically sick.  There can be drastic consequences of the actions of bereaved elves, and I do not know if I can count on Tauriel not to do anything reckless with her heightened emotions.  If my luck holds, she will do nothing at all. 

'If you require anything, do come and see me,' I state at last.

'Of course.'

She turns back to her rune stone, and I turn back to the pathway.  I make it up almost every flight of stairs before Thranduil's hand tugs me off into a side corridor, taking me by surprise.

'Where have you been, meleth?'  His icy irises are swimming with concern as his hand naturally rises to cup the side of my face.  The other still carries a half-full glass of Dorwinion.

'Speaking with Tauriel.  She is sat alone outside one of the prison cells.  She refused to accompany me back up here.'

He sighs deeply, before taking a sip of wine and placing his glass down on the nearby table that carries a set of ornate candlesticks.  'You and I both know of her sorrows,' he says gravely, 'if she wants her space, then we give it to her.'

'That might not be the best solution, and you know it!' I persist, 'I just wish there was something I could do...'

'I'm afraid it will take a great deal to bring her out of her despair.  All we can do is wait.'  I exhale slowly, nodding my head, which Thranduil then takes in his hands and leaves a kiss on the top of.  'Come back with me.  The night is still young,' his deep voice utters beside my ear, 'shine for us, êl nín.' He moves his hands to place them gently across the soft swell of my stomach and murmurs a few words in Sindarin.

'Thranduil?' I murmur after a moment's pause.

My husband's eyes move back up to meet mine.  'Yes?'

'Our child will be alright here, won't they?'

'Of course they will,' he says earnestly before adding, 'why do you worry about this now?'

'They are half Star. I do not wish for them to suffer at the hands of the more easily corrupted elves... the way I did.'  Looking at Thranduil helps banish the memories threatening to creep back into my mind.

'They will have us. You and I, Elena. You have nothing to fear.' He pauses, closing his fingers around mine. 'Do you trust me?'

'I trust you, meleth nín.'

'Then let us return to the festivities. I promise you, our child will be safe here, with us.'

He leans in so close that our breath mingles and I begin to sink into the comfort of his familiar body, before those lips that I have come to know so well find their place caressing mine in a kiss that deepens by the second. 

'I love you, Thranduil,' I breathe against his skin.

'I love you too,' he mumbles in his wonderfully deep voice, pressing his lips down into my neck.

And with that, we return to the lively halls above, ready to dance the night away in the arms of the one to whom our heart belongs.  This is the night of starlight, after all.

***

Elvish:
Mellon nín = my friend
Meleth = love
Êl nín = my Star
Meleth nín = my love

And so the story goes on, but now it's someone else's turn to tell it.  Elena and Thranduil's parts are not over, though.  They will return in the sequel, Darkest Nights, along with characters you know... and characters you don't ;)

Thank you for all the support you've given over this first book!  It all meant so much, and really gave me the motivation to carry on writing.  I can only hope you enjoy the second one too, as I've really been looking forward to publishing it :D

See you soon... :) Xx