"I did not dare to hope."

Trigger warning: Some readers might find parts of this chapter disturbing!

30th August/Urui, 3016, The Unseen Realm.

Almárie felt the soft, wet grass under her bare feet as she walked through the dreamy forest. She looked up and smiled at the familiar starlit sky. It felt good to be home. A sudden clash of thunder caught her attention. The forest had now turned into a vast, burning wasteland, with dark clouds blocking the sky above. Sauron appeared in front of her in all his horrific glory. Almárie tried to turn and run, but her feet were stuck fast. She turned her face from him as he grabbed hold of her. And could feel his hot breath upon her neck. "Not even a kiss for your betrothed? You knew I would find you eventually. Or did you think I would simply forget about you, my Almárie?"

"I am not your Almárie!"

Sauron held her chin and forced her to look at his hideous face. "You soon will be. Now let me taste those lips!" He tried to force his kiss upon her, but Almarie sent him hurtling across the wasteland.

Sauron wiped the dirt from his mouth and got to his feet. His leering face broke out into sinister laughter. "There is nothing more attractive than a reluctant bride." All at once, he was on to her again. One hand clasped around Almárie's throat. "If I throttle the life from you in the unseen. They will find your lifeless corpse in the morning, with not a mark upon it."

"Do it then, if it pleases you. I will never yield!"

He released her. "No, that feeble body of yours has something I need to restore myself fully. When your fea bonded with the seed of your mortal father, your blood became unique. So unique that it can restore me to what I was..... once I have my ring."

Almárie was not intimidated and stood defiantly, willing her feet to free themselves. "I thought you intended to Wed me, not drain my blood!"

Sauron let out a malicious chuckle. "Oh, I shall do far more to you than that. I only need a little of it at a time." Again he pulled her to him, his foul lips almost on hers, his voice a faint whisper. "You are so pure and innocent. I will certainly enjoy taking my pleasure of you. I shall make you Empress of all Arda. And in return for my grace, you will bear me powerful sons that will dominate and subdue the world." Almárie tried to pull away again, but this time Sauron held her fast. She could feel his lustful energy. "Perhaps I should give you a taste of what is to come."

"You will not find me easy prey, Sauron!"

"My name is MIARON!!!" His voice echoed through the wasteland.

Almárie struggled and tried to free herself from his grip, but knew any resistance would deplete her will. She felt the hot, hard ground on her back as he pinned her down. His flaming eyes bored into her like hot iron spikes and his laughter was maniacal. "No point in resisting. You will enjoy it in the end!"

Suddenly there was a flash of pale blonde hair as two strong, slender arms pulled a shocked Sauron off her. Almárie sat up as she recovered. To her amazement, she could see the Dark Lord crouching on the ground, seemingly cowering as a tall blonde Elf stood over him. His sword at the ready. "King Thranduil!" she whispered. Shocked by his presence.

Almárie knew Sauron was only feigning, and the king was in mortal danger. "Do not engage with him! If he slays you here, there is no return!" Sauron quickly rose, and stood before him, a sinister smile on his face. Thranduil recoiled at his hideous form. Heeding Almárie's words, he moved towards her, maintaining a defensive stance towards the Dark Lord. Now back on her feet, Almarie used her remaining Will to break open the ground. She created a deep chasm to prevent Sauron from reaching them. Then sank to her knees.

Thranduil knelt beside her, his voice a soft whisper. "Thorwen...... are you....?"

"I must replenish my Will before I can get us out of here!" He knew who she was, that much was clear. But how he, an Elf of the twilight, had entered the unseen was a subject best discussed once they were safe.

Sauron taunted them from the other side of the chasm. "You win this time, Almárie! But you cannot run forever. I know where you dwell and your arrogant Elf king cannot keep you from me! I shall enjoy killing him slowly while you watch! Then I shall enjoy having you, body and soul!"

The sky cleared, and the stars and forest returned. Almárie stood before Thranduil, his expression a mixture of confusion and intrigue. "Almárie?"

"That is the name Eru gave me when I came to be. How are you here?"

"I do not know. I was deep in Elven dreams and came across a white doe who led me to the wasteland. Then I saw you. But I did not know it was you until I saw your eyes. I did not quite understand what was happening. I just knew you needed help!" He looked about him. "This place, is it Valinor?"

"You have my gratitude, King Thranduil. This is the unseen. A place for my kind and those connected to us. I made it from the memory of where I once resided in Valinor. I walk here in my dreams, but alone. No one has come to me, except for Sauron.... and now you. But you have never seen Valinor or beheld the light of the trees. You should not be here. Someone must have granted you this grace."

Thranduil smiled, a slight blush appearing on his cheeks. "Then I feel most honoured to see you as you truly are, Almárie. I cannot describe what I am feeling right now." He came close and gently took her hands.

Almárie could feel the warmth of his Fea's loving energy. "What of Legolas? Calenamath said..."

Thranduil put a finger gently on her lips. "Whatever Calenamath told you. I was wrong to put you both in such a position. Can you forgive me?"

Thorwen smiled. At last, she could open her heart to him and brought her hand up to his cheek. "There is nothing to forgive, Melleth nin."

Thranduil's eyes were moist. He looked down at first, almost afraid to look into her eyes. "Will I remember any of this when I wake?"

"I do not know. You may remember some of it."

"I hope I remember this." He gently brushed his lips against hers and she responded in kind.

The kiss, though gentle, filled Almárie with the most intense emotions she had ever experienced in her entire existence. If this was the love she had heard spoken of, she never wanted it to end. She looked up into his sapphire eyes. "I did not dare to hope."

"I did not dare to open myself. But now my fear is gone." Suddenly, Thranduil looked at his hands as slowly they began to fade along with the rest of him. He looked fearfully at Almárie. "What is happening to me?"

"Fear not! You are just returning to the physical world."

"But what if I..." But even as he said the words, he had faded from her.

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1st September/Ivanneth, 3016, The Orchard.

Erresil nervously approached the main doors of the Elven Halls. The guard nodded, and she passed him something as she exited. Once outside, she hastily made her way to the far end of the Orchard. Then, ensuring she was unseen made a bird call and waited for a reply. Her eyes lit up as a scout slipped down from the trees. She ran to him and they embraced and kissed passionately.

"Someone will notice my absence, so I cannot stay for long."

"Do you have anything to report?"

"The herbs you gave me worked. They plagued my lady with nightmares last night and this morning she is weak, as if a shadow has come upon her."

"Good, the weaker she is, the easier it will be to deliver her to the Temple when the time comes."

"They won't hurt her, will they, like before?"

"It is not our concern. Freeing our people from the Sindarin Overlords is."

"I do not want to see anyone hurt."

"Don't be a fool Eressil, freedom is seldom won peacefully."

"But you speak of Kinslaying."

"The Brotherhood of the Silvan will not kill unless it is necessary. That is not our way. If you love me, you will do as I ask. You are my eyes and ears among the Sindar."

"Oh Daedor, of course, I love you. I will do anything you ask."

Daedor produced a pouch. "Here are some more herbs for your mistress's nightly drink." Eressil took it and they kissed before she took her leave and hurried back to the Elven Halls.

That evening, Eressil was in the small kitchen that was attached to Thorwen's chamber. As she prepared her mistress's bedtime drink, Golviel entered the kitchen with some laundry. "Why are you serving my lady's drink in that wooden goblet? She is not a child and there are far better drinking cups to use."

"She is a child compared to us!"

Golviel sniffed the goblet. "It smells funny." She reached up to a nearby shelf and pulled down one of fine silver. "Here, make another brew and use this." She then whisked the wooden goblet away and attempted to dispose of it. But Eressil stopped her.

"What are you doing? It is perfectly fine!"

"You cannot serve it to my lady. It smells off!"

"I cannot smell anything!"

The two of them fought angrily until Celephinniel entered the kitchen. "What is going on in here? I heard the most awful din!"

Eressil glared at Golviel for a moment, then lowered her eyes. "Apologies, my Lady, Celephinniel. Golviel was scolding me for using the wrong goblet for my lady's evening drink."

"It was an old wooden goblet. We have not used them since Lady Thorwen first came here. Plus, the drink smells off. I told her to brew it again and use this," said Golviel, pointing to the silver goblet on the sideboard.

Celephinniel gave the wooden goblet a quick sniff. There was a slightly musty smell about it. But she was unsure if it was the goblet or the drink itself. "Golviel is right, dispose of this immediately. Eressil, you know full well Lady Thorwen uses the silver goblets for her drinks. I am surprised you would make such a mistake. What has got into you of late?"

Eressil hung her head. "Forgive me. I will get another drink."

"No need. Lady Thorwen has already retired."

Eressil frowned. "But my lady never misses her evening drink, my lady."

"She is getting up early tomorrow as she is out riding with the king," replied Celephinniel.

Eressil was secretly relieved. She would not have to add the herbs to the drink, at least for that evening. She did not want to hurt Lady Thorwen, but she also did not want to let down Daedor or the Silvan Brotherhood. As much as she was uncomfortable with their methods, she also believed that the Silvan people should not be under the kingship of the Sindar.

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2nd September/Ivanneth, 3016, The Woodland Realm.

The air hung with the fruity scents of the season as Thranduil and Thorwen rode together ahead of a small group of servants and guards. His crown was now adorned with berries and autumn leaves. Silently they rode through the forest, enjoying the birdsong and sound of the trees whispering above them. His perfect Elven hearing picked up on something approaching. Cautiously, he stopped the party and looked about him. Suddenly a white doe leapt into their path. She stood looking at Thranduil and Thorwen, her head giving them a nod of approval.

A guard aimed his bow. "She is a fine specimen for your table. Shall I take her, my Lord King, or do you wish to?"

"No! Leave her. A white Hart sighting is a rare blessing. Leave her alone!" The doe sprang away into the bushes and out of sight.

Thranduil smiled slightly at Thorwen, then motioned for the party to continue. Eventually, they came to a small clearing where the attendants prepared a picnic. Thorwen caught the king's eye while they washed her hands in a bowl on a stand. Blushing as he smiled back. They had not yet spoken of what had taken place a couple of nights past, and Thorwen wondered if Thranduil remembered any of it. The two of them ate silently at first. Still catching each other's eyes, both on the edge of speaking. Finally, Thranduil broke the ice and the two of them engaged in small talk. Both longed to speak of what had happened but were painfully aware that they were overlooked.

If only he could hear her thoughts. Then they could converse unguarded. "If only I could...." came the reply. Thorwen looked up from her meal to see Thranduil staring at her inquiringly. He nodded slightly as if to imply he had indeed heard her.

Growing in confidence, Thorwen spoke in her mind. "Do you remember anything?"

Thranduil half smirked and his face flushed a little."I remember everything, Almárie. But we must be careful. Our enemies are closer than I once feared."

He asked an attendant for more wine. "This is from the last barrel that came from Dale that you and Legolas chose. It had been delayed, but arrived this morning." The attendant filled each of their glass goblets with the wine decanter. The bright red liquid looked more like blood to Thorwen as it poured into the glass. She reached for her glass and sniffed for the bouquet, but something felt wrong as if tainted.

Thorwen looked up at Thranduil and, to her horror, the glass was almost to his lips. "Thranduil, Don't!" She cried out instinctively.

Everyone was shocked to hear Thorwen speak to the king so intimately. But this was no time for protocol.

Thranduil stopped, the glass still poised upon his lips. "Thorwen! what is the meaning of this?"

One word then slipped out of her mouth. "Lau!"

There was a loud smash and both glasses exploded! The wine contained within spilt onto the table, hissing and making holes through the tablecloth and into the wood. They both stood up and backed away. Thranduil stood shaking in horror, his eyes fixed on the table."Someone poisoned the wine!" he stammered as he pointed at the table. He shouted a command and Bregwen and the other Hurscarls came down from the trees on ropes surrounding everyone in the clearing, bows drawn.