The journey in which Liruliniel and Thranduil first took was now done in silence; not that they made a lot of noise the first time, but the older elves which were accompanying them seemed to be paying more attention to the surroundings than what they ever did. It was like they knew something wasn't right. In all honesty, between the two younger elves, Liruliniel was definitely the slower on the uptake than the blonde elf-Prince was. Thranduil had felt the change in atmosphere almost instantly. It was clear he wasn't alone, those following felt it too.

And actually, now that she was returning, Liruliniel felt this suffocating weight. Like someone was pushing down on her shoulders with such a force that she was struggling to stay upright. She hadn't noticed this the first time until the latter part before leaving. She had been too distracted with getting away from Thranduil. In all honesty, she was glad he was with her when they noticed this place. She didn't think anyone would believe her if she reported back alone. Who could deny what was real if it came from the heir to the throne? Liruliniel didn't see anyone calling Thranduil out. Not only because of Oropher perhaps coming to defend his son, but Thranduil was more than capable of shooting people down himself. He had done it to her enough times.

Why hadn't she felt this way the first time? She was aware she was having fun in the odd game of chase. But even still...for someone who spent so long amongst the trees whenever she could, she wasn't being very intuitive now, was she? The dread which was seeping through her like wading through water was making her stomach plummet and drop. She felt like she was on the edge of a cavernous abyss and about to fall over the edge and fall to nothingness. The dread and sickness which she was feeling was just a byproduct of whatever this all was.

"Here!" Liruliniel exclaimed quietly, she saw the sick tree she had tried to jump to. If anything, it looked worse now that the light was dimming ever so slightly. It wasn't getting late in the day; it was like the light was being seeped out and away from this area.

She hesitantly jumped down; she tried not to jump or flinch when Oropher landed beside her. He was so silent that he just appeared. His taller form overshadowed her as he looked around, it was dark enough but now he stayed beside her, Liruliniel was well and truly in shadow. Baramaethor had come with them, and at any other time Liruliniel would've been pleased that she had proved him wrong, that he was wrong and was silent. But she couldn't. She wrapped her arms around herself and looked towards Thranduil when he walked to her side.

He looked uneasy, the tension evident in the way in which he held himself. He was ready to spring into action if needed. No one felt safe here. What was safe wasn't anymore, and Baramaethor walked around the clearing looking over everything. He spotted the stream Liruliniel had spoken of, he crouched down and examined it while Oropher and Hérion had walked a little way to the side. The tree line was thinning out the more they walked from this clearing. It was like a natural path had slowly appeared from nowhere.

"I feel sick." Liruliniel looked up at Thranduil with a strained look. He was watching where his father had disappeared to, his form and her father could only just be seen. Hearing her speak, he glanced down at her. "Was it like this earlier?"

"Yes. You were just ignorant to it." Thranduil commented, watching as she leaned her hands against her knees and took deep breaths. "What is wrong?"

"I'm struggling to breathe." Liruliniel looked up at him with a frown. "Can't you feel it too? The air...there is something wrong with the air."

Thranduil looked around, everyone else seemed to be fine. Well, Baramaethor didn't seem affected by whatever was troubling her. He was too busy inspecting the dying trees. Their fathers were still exploring ahead of them. There was something very oppressive about the area, but not so much where he was struggling to breathe. He felt weighed down, like his legs were being sucked downwards into the earth below his feet. Everything within him was practically screaming at him to leave, to get away, yet it took so much to ignore the feeling and stay put. How would that look if he ran away?

"Thranduil," she whispered, sounding small, he frowned and looked back at her. Not caring one bit about the lack of a title, but he hesitantly placed a hand on her back. She was still doubled over trying to breathe, he didn't know what to do. Patting her gently, he was glad she got the hint and stood shakily up. He directed her to a tree, one which wasn't seemingly dead. She leaned against the trunk before sliding downwards.

He knelt down in front of her, he didn't understand. She looked pale, she was pale in complexion anyway, but her skin looked opaque right now. Yet her cheeks were flushed, her forehead was beaded a little with sweat. Thranduil lifted up his hand and placed it against her forehead. He vaguely remembered his mother doing this if, on the rare occasions, he had come over feeling unwell. Their kind wasn't exactly prone to illness, yet Thranduil often tried to pull the wool over his mother's eyes if there was something he didn't want to do. She knew, of course, she was his mother she knew him better than anyone. But sometimes she humoured him.

Unlike him, Liruliniel felt freezing. She wasn't shivering, but she felt as if she had been outside on a winter day without appropriate clothing. Yes, their kind also wasn't prone to being affected by the climate like mortals, but if the weather was harsh enough, they would still feel a side effect. She felt frozen. She leaned forwards with a pathetic sounding sigh, a whimper almost. His hand was cooling down fast just from being in contact with her, yet his warmth wasn't warming her at all.

"Lord Baramaethor!" Thranduil was lost, he called over his shoulder for the older elf present. Whatever he was doing was not important, well, not as important as his suffering companion. Liruliniel was pained by something, Thranduil didn't know what. But maybe Baramaethor would?

He looked back at Liruliniel, even as sound of material appeared by his side and the form of the elf knelt down the other side of her outstretched legs. Despite of their moment earlier on, Baramaethor's expression was worried. He ushered Thranduil's hand away, he took the girl's face in his hands and expected her, he turned her face from one side to the other. Thranduil caught Liruliniel's gaze every so often, she looked so distant.

"What's wrong with her?" Thranduil asked, watching Baramaethor let her face go and for Liruliniel to lean back and look sadly between the two.

"Some feel affects and states of changes more than others." Baramaethor responded slowly. "We are creatures of nature, and she is young, perceptive despite of how she acts."

"Was that a compliment?" Liruliniel smiled his way awkwardly.

Baramaethor shook his head with a quiet sigh. "You didn't drink the water, did you?" Liruliniel shook her head slowly, "Or find anything to eat?" Not that he spied any berries growing on bushes. Everything was seemingly dead. Yet again, she shook her head. "I'm going to find your fathers. They have been gone too long, and I do not like it. But we need to get you out of here." He looked at Thranduil sternly, "Look after her." And with that, he stood and left them. Thranduil looked and watched his retreating back as he followed the way that their fathers disappeared off in.

"This really will hinder me coming out, won't it?"

Thranduil's eyes blinked slowly, he looked at her. "I did already say." He sighed almost inaudibly, moving slowly he stopped kneeling before her and moved to sit beside her. The tree she was leaning against was huge, the roots gnarled and sticking up and out of the ground. Yet the span in between was large enough for them to sit beside each other comfortably.

Liruliniel looked up at him, Thranduil hated to say it or think it, but she looked frail. Elves and maturity, and a state of immortality didn't usually happen until they were about fifty. Liruliniel was nowhere near that age, shy of it by perhaps a good thirty years or so. She was fragile, children were vulnerable, and she looked it right now. It was a bit hard for Thranduil to look at her, mainly because she was usually so full of life, always smiling even if she was getting told off. She was so full of life. So, for her to be so limp and pale...it unsettled him.

He frowned when a small hand was waved up at him, he looked confusedly at Liruliniel. She just nodded, "I promise I won't die on you." She whispered, Thranduil still looked a bit confused. She frowned, an expression which made her look pained. Thranduil didn't know if she was in pain, but she looked it. "Thranduil...hold my hand, I'm scared." Liruliniel whispered, her voice wavering as she looked terrified and so very small and young.

His bigger hand enveloped hers easily enough. His longer fingers wrapped around her small, slender ones. Liruliniel sent him a thankful smile, Thranduil's expression was neutral. Though he did lean back and frown down at her when even in a moment such as this, she was taking advantage. Liruliniel had leant to the side, she had rested their hands in her lap and leaned her head against his shoulder. She sent a tired smile his way, Thranduil could feel her weight, not at all heavy but cold, this cold aura was surrounding her.

Thranduil looked to the side, where were the other three in their company? Liruliniel couldn't be left alone, and he couldn't take her with him if he went in search for them. Moving her might get angered words sent his way. Looking back at the younger elf, Thranduil didn't know what to do. "Do you remember that time when you thought you had found a troll horde in Ered Luin?" Liruliniel looked upwards from his shoulder, a tired smile appearing on her face. She remembered too well it seemed. "You were adamant, you got the dwarves riled up something chronic, didn't you? They hadn't had trolls, of all things, up there for many years, if at all. Everyone knows they don't travel far from the Misty Mountains; yet no, no you were sure, no matter what anyone said. You roped Thalion into trying to come see, he didn't though, because he didn't believe you."

"You humoured me," Liruliniel said, her voice sounding distant and breaking.

Thranduil nodded, "Bigger fool me, because who got themselves stuck in their excitement?" Liruliniel laughed, only to cough. Thranduil watched her lean heavily forward, he patted her back and tried to ease her slightly. He wasn't expecting her to take further liberties and lean against him fully now that his arm was around her back. Stifling a comment, and sucking it up, Thranduil just inhaled deeply.

"I missed my footing!"

"No, you fell straight into a crevasse." Thranduil's other hand just waved in the air before plummeting to his lap, as if that was a decent reenactment of what happened to her. She swatted a hand at him, it was a pathetic attempt, but he got the hint: no more joking at her expense. In fact, he was trying to do the opposite, he was trying to distract her, he was trying, him, son of Oropher of all elves was trying to cheer her up.

"You didn't help."

"No. I got help. I wasn't climbing down there." Thranduil said surely, earning a dry look to be sent up at him. "What?"

"You know...at some point, I am very sure you will have to do something you won't want to. It might not be climbing down to help a friend out of a pit, but it'll be something."

"I'll face that when it comes. No point dwelling on something that's hypothetical."

Liruliniel sighed and looked forwards. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me."

"Fine mess you've created."

"I didn't do this!"

"No. No you didn't. But something did," Thranduil said looking around. It still felt heavy, even with their laughter it didn't lighten the heaviness at all. Thranduil still felt like they were being watched, and he inwardly urged the other three to return. What if something had happened? The thought had crossed his mind which caused him to straighten up a bit. What if they were pointlessly waiting here? No, he thought decisively, no, that wasn't right, and it wouldn't happen. If there was a fight, whoever against, they'd hear it...right?

"We're going to have to move again, aren't we?"

"We don't know that do we? Not until my father comes back."

Liruliniel looked tiredly up at him, "He will know what to do, right?"

Thranduil looked down at her in return. He wasn't just saying this because it was his father, but because it was true; "He is the smartest elf I know." Liruliniel blinked slowly and looked downwards. Thranduil got the sense that didn't ease her at all. "If it's any consolation, I don't want to move either."

"It's too big." She muttered, Thranduil raised an eyebrow at that while she seemed to pout childishly.

"We used to live in forests with surrounding mountains, Liruliniel." He hated to state it, but those mountains weren't exactly small.

She hummed and nodded, "Guess you're right." Thranduil just sighed and shook his head, "Do you want to go find the others?" Liruliniel asked after a few moments of silence.

"I'm not leaving you here alone." Thranduil said, looking down at her as she looked earnestly up at him in return. "They'll come back, they've clearly found something of interest to them."

"I could probably walk."

"You could probably fall."

"Then you could just drag me by my arm."

"As tempting offer as that is, I'm going to have to decline." Liruliniel laughed over his words, Thranduil just looked upwards when he heard the crunch of leaves. He placed his spare hand against her shoulder, as if he had to suddenly grasp on tightly and run with her in his arms. However, this wasn't needed because the three missing elves strode towards them. Expressions were terse, something wasn't right and for the first time Thranduil found himself completely in the dark over what exactly was happening.

Hérion marched over, his expression hard to read as he knelt down. Baramaethor clearly had told both what had happened. "It's all right," he said, noticing the look Thranduil was sending his way. Although at any other time, Hérion would find it amusing the elf-Prince was looking so defensive over his daughter but now was not the time. He scooped her easily up, situating her on his back as her arms weakly held on around his neck.

Oropher held a hand out to his son, Thranduil slipped his hand into the one offered and got pulled up. He brushed himself down and looked up at his father, "Not here, I'll explain when we are safe."

"Are we not safe here?" Thranduil found himself asking without thinking. Of course, they clearly weren't if his father had said this.

"Not now," Oropher said in a firmer tone, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. Thranduil got the hint and leaped upwards into the trees and took off running as quickly as he could back home. He didn't see Liruliniel anymore, Hérion was present in the meeting which took place when they returned to Amon Lanc's halls though.

Thranduil sent him a questioning yet worried look, Hérion placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thalion is with her," Hérion said, and Thranduil could only imagine the lecture the young girl was getting from her brother. But it was all coming from a good place, Thalion was protective. And Thranduil knew that seeing his sister like this, it would make him feel powerless.

Oropher called for quiet, important figures both in how their kin lived and got on here as well as martial figures were all present. Thranduil couldn't remember seeing all these people in one place together before. Not even when the talks of moving from Ered Luin happened. "A small part of our homeland is dying; the disease is spreading fast and will be on our doorstep within the next few weeks. This is a familiar darkness, an all too familiar foe; we hoped for peace longer, we hoped for something here, and it has come to be that it is not as safe as we believed."

"What is the plan?" Hérion was still beside Thranduil, he hadn't realised and looked up at the older elf beside him.

Oropher looked at him with hard eyes. "We travel north." He said slowly and measuredly. Voices were soon discussing this, yet Oropher just stood there while everyone quietly discussed this. "It is not ideal. But if we get beyond the mountains, we can create a better stronghold. We have the high ground here, but we won't have it for long, and we will be overrun, or starved out. I do not make this decision lightly; it pains me to do so. But for our survival, we must move on." Oropher said it all so decisively that if anyone wanted to disagree, they'd probably be met with hard words and eyes.

Thranduil could see his father was not pleased with this, he had believed they could be happy here for a long time; yet it was to no avail. Thranduil found himself turning and leaving the hall before anyone else, for some reason he wanted to break the news to siblings first that they were moving, predominantly Liruliniel, seems she had asked him the same question earlier. Seems she was right about something else, yet again.

The dwelling in which the siblings lived in with their father was humble, like most of the quarters in which other elves lived in. Simple, it was all so simple. The fortress was a warren of corridors, rooms and endless stretching halls. Thranduil knew where Thalion and his sister lived, he hadn't ever visited, but he just knew. It was one of those weird things, just knowing where another soul was.

The invisible line in which they all dwelt wasn't something that was thought over really, elves weren't as petty as mortals; they didn't see how, even though his own rooms were lavish and grand, that even though Thranduil lived in wealth only due to his father coming to lead, and be in power, that it meant anything. It meant something, sure, but really, they all lived together in the same community, if one thing was out of kilter then the rest of them would suffer.

Where they came from, or where they lived, did not deter or detrimentally affect how they acted, or what they did. There was no such thing as jealousy either, one could envy the comparison if it happened between the sibling's simple lodgings, and Thranduil's ones, but jealousy had caused so much bad, so much evil to happen already within the world over something simple, that really what would be the point?

In some ways, Thranduil somewhat envied the simplicity of the sibling's home. Despite their father being so close to his, it didn't mean their home was any better than the elf next door. Thranduil guessed that was just the way things were; being royalty meant that one had to be surrounded by the things which showed status. Hérion was a soldier, his son was going to be a soldier too, and his daughter, well, his daughter was hell bent on the same goal. In all honesty, being surrounded by plush lodgings would probably throw the soldier in Hérion off. The thought of the serious elf finding himself lost walking about the rooms of what his father had accumulated, collected and created did make Thranduil smirk, just a little.

Knocking on the gnarled wood of the door, Thranduil stood back, hands behind his back and standing straight. His eyebrows slowly pulled into a frown, even as he stood here, he could hear Thalion exclaiming something, clearly to Liruliniel. The door opened and Thalion literally double took, sea-coloured eyes wide as the sun as he stared at his friend. It wasn't that they didn't have visitors, but their visitors were never members of their appointed royal family.

"Is it father?!"

Thalion's expression went blank as he frowned, "That's absurd. Why would he knock, on his own door?" Thalion shot over his shoulder, he slowly looked back at Thranduil. He just raised an eyebrow, not taking to heart that he was still standing on their doorstep. "Come in, sorry," he beckoned with a hand, Thalion just walked away from the door.

Thranduil looked about himself, Thalion had left him to it and Thranduil just turned and shut the door. Not that he was used to elves opening and shutting doors for him, but...anyway, the room in which he found himself in was something like a merger of rooms. In one corner was a small kitchen area, for the most part they all ate socially. It was rare to be solitary. But there was also a rickety looking table, with three chairs just for the family. Visitors didn't seat themselves there, well, unless it was business Hérion was discussing then Thranduil was sure the two siblings would be told to go to their rooms.

But this small communal room was cosy, there were seats near the fire and a pile of cushions. Somehow Thranduil got the feeling Liruliniel spent most of the time cross legged or laying on the latter, he could imagine her sitting there, mahogany hair appearing auburn and fiery in the light of the flames before her. Her eyes sparkling almost as she just stared, Thranduil got the sense she would be enthralled watching the fire crackling about and the flames licking the wood within.

He rolled his eyes as he made his way more into the main room, too many thoughts spent on the younger elf there than normal or needed. There was a small corridor leading off from the room, even from where he was standing, he could spy four doors, three rooms and a bathroom perhaps? Thranduil didn't know, the layout to his father and his own dwellings weren't like this. The simplicity was beautiful in its own way.

Thalion glanced his way, he saw his friend wasn't following and sent him an odd look. His hand was against a door, Thranduil got the hint and slowly strode forwards. There hadn't been any verbal prompt, but he understood the look fine enough. Thalion pushed open the door and nodded, Thranduil loitered near the door and peeked in. The siblings were exchanging rushed words, Thalion running a hand down his face as he looked over his shoulder again.

"Would you come in already? You're letting out all the heat." Thalion crossed his arms, frowning now and it wasn't until Thranduil moved into the room did he understand why.

His suspicions had been they all had a room each, but in fact the siblings shared. There was a small fire burning in the hearth, the room was much too hot, stifling even, but Liruliniel sat swamped in her bed. Literally swamped, it looked like she had nearly every cover and throw possible around her and on her bed. She was more blanket than elf, Thranduil concluded. But, even with the supreme swaddling, it just made Liruliniel look small, well smaller.

Thranduil was left to shut the door again and edged into the room. He felt incredibly out of place and for a moment, even partially regretted coming here. Yet Thalion just plopped down on Liruliniel's bed, much to her displeasure, considering the amount of covers, her feet and where they ended could be seen. And her brother almost jumped and landed on them. Thalion gestured a hand to him, Thranduil looked around perplexed before catching another hint, he sat on the edge of Thalion's bed. Straight backed, hands in his lap and looking even more out of place than he imagined he did.

Thranduil didn't take Thalion's earlier snapping to heart, everything about his friend radiated concern for his sister. His sister that still looked incredibly pale to Thranduil's eyes, pale, distant, small, exhausted, fragile. Thalion raised an eyebrow, looking to his sister as she nestled back into her cocoon of pillows and covers, she was ignorant to Thranduil just blatantly staring. "So, to what do we owe the pleasure? We don't often have visitors." Thalion said, earning Thranduil's gaze to slide over to him. Thalion's mouth turned upwards at the sides, Thranduil just blinked. He knew her brother caught him looking, and Thranduil didn't honestly care.

"I could tell; your manners were a little lax."

Liruliniel let out a sudden peel of laughter. Earning a glare from her brother and a very rare and genuine smile from Thranduil. Even if she looked like this, she still found herself able to laugh, to find humour. "Thalion is usually kept away from visitors. I usually do the meeting and greeting. Mainly because Thalion and father are not usually here." She explained, rolling a hand, or trying to but all she did was wave a cover around. She raised an eyebrow, unamused expression on her face that clearly didn't have the effect she hoped.

Thranduil tilted his head slightly, at least now he realised why she was always out and about. She was here alone. Day in, day out, that must be lonely. He had always thought she was a lonely child, this just proved it. "I'm sure they appreciate the effort." Effort, more like having their ears chewed off by her never-ending chatter.

Liruliniel stifled a yawn and nestled onto her side. There were enough pillows to keep her comfortably propped up. She looked tiredly at him, "Why are you here?"

Thalion rolled his eyes, sending his sister an incredibly stupid look. Surely, she wasn't that ignorant? "Liruliniel, he's evidently here to see if you are all right. Or at least, I am guessing so?" Thalion mused before turning his face back to Thranduil. He in turn nodded slowly and Thalion sent his sister a smug smile.

"Your father said you were looking after her, and I thought it would only be a matter of time before you fell out." Thranduil said measuredly, thinking over his words.

"Ah! Acting peacekeeper, hm? Well, you're in luck, because this is the quietest, I have ever seen her." Thalion said jokingly yet looked worriedly to his sister. Even between the small exchange of words, she had shut her eyes and seemingly drifted off to sleep. "What happened?" His eyes looked heavy, concern may not have been enough of a word to explain the emotion in his eyes.

Thranduil inhaled slowly and recalled the events which had led to his sister being like this. Liruliniel was clearly asleep because she didn't chip in. By the end of it, Thalion was left frowning and looking incredibly confused. It wasn't exactly heard of for elves to be stricken so suddenly like this. It was peculiar, something else to make Liruliniel even more of an enigma. Well, if it was going to be anyone, it would surely be her. Thranduil was not surprised.

Thalion leaned forwards, his forearms against his knees as he looked at Thranduil. The space between the beds was only a few paces, the fire crackled to the side of them. "Are you saying, that the longer we stay here, the worse she could get?"

"Lord Baramaethor said something about changes, and how some feel it more." Thranduil hadn't mentioned that in his retelling, Thalion raised an eyebrow curiously over that one. "But yes, I suppose that is what I am saying."

"So, what is happening?"

Thranduil looked over to the fire, the flames were illuminating the small room brilliantly. Their room was small, enough room for their beds, small pieces of furniture which probably held clothes. The fire let out a violent sounding spitting noise, and Thranduil looked at Thalion as he knelt down suddenly and commenced raking the fire. He was pulling and prying pieces out to quieten it down. "We're moving." Thranduil said after a few moments of silence.

Thalion was still kneeling, he looked over his shoulder at him sceptically. "Where?" The voice wasn't his, both looked to the bed. Liruliniel had woken, she had listened and now she wanted an answer.

"North."

Liruliniel rubbed at her eyes, "North? Over the mountains?" She asked curiously. She knew there were mountains within the forest. But she hadn't seen them. Did she want to? Sure, sounded interesting. But to travel to them, and over them? She hadn't ever thought of it.

Thranduil inclined his head slowly. "Yes." He verbalised anyway. Watching as she pushed herself up, the covers surrounding her fell away and Thranduil adverted his eyes out of polite decency. She had changed out of her tunic, a creamy coloured nightgown which seemed two sizes too big for her was on her small frame instead. Her hair wasn't braided, the rich brown hair falling in gentle waves over her shoulders.

Thalion pushed himself up, much to Liruliniel's apparent happiness, he sat next to his friend. "When?" He pushed a hand through his long, brown hair and looked to Thranduil.

"I don't know. But I wanted to tell you both first."

"Why?" Liruliniel asked, eyes narrowing slightly as she rearranged herself in her bed. She pulled covers around her shoulders, clearly crossed her legs and looked across at the two boys.

Thranduil frowned slowly, "Because you asked me earlier, and I didn't know the answer. Now I do, what sort of friend would I be if I didn't answer you or tell you this?" Thranduil asked, Liruliniel smiled tiredly and Thalion just frowned. "Didn't think you'd appreciate hearing it from another source."

"Even our father?" Liruliniel asked, a small smirk now appearing on her face.

Thranduil shrugged loosely, he looked back to the smaller fire. "Well..."

"When?" Thalion asked, he wanted to know when they were going to pack up and leave.

Thranduil shook his head, "I am unsure. My father has only just announced the decision."

Thalion shook his head, seemingly disgruntled in a way. His news bought him very little joy. "She can't walk that far." Thalion waved a hand to Liruliniel, she shot him a look.

"She can hear you." Thalion sent her a look, and Liruliniel just narrowed her eyes in return. She didn't like being talked about as if she wasn't here.

"No, I know," Thranduil agreed. Even if she rested another day, who could say she'd be any better tomorrow? Yes, he surmised she had rested a few hours already. But she hadn't seemed back to full health.

"Well, I can't fly, that I know of. And I am not being left behind, nor am I that important that delaying moving would revolve around me. You, yes. Me, no." Liruliniel said, waving a finger at Thranduil, this time her hand out of the cover.

Thalion straightened up, "The stables have very few horses, and let's be honest, your father's choice in stead..."

Thranduil sighed, "Arthion-"

"Takes up a lot of room," Liruliniel cut in with a quiet laugh. Thranduil just stared at her, a quiet sigh coming from him. Liruliniel merely raised an eyebrow, "Just saying," she held her hands up in defence.

Arthion wasn't just any typical type of stead, at least not a horse; no, Arthion was a large, very majestic looking elk, the span of his seemingly never-ending antlers was truly something which made the beast look even more imposing than he actually was. He was very temperamental, taking to very few, and letting even fewer nearby. He was larger than a horse, and took up room, Liruliniel knew this from experience of stall cleaning, Arthion had watched indifferently back in Ered Luin. Like he was judging her. Liruliniel thought he was, but also praying the small elf girl wouldn't get near him.

Liruliniel's expression went distant, "He scares me."

Thranduil and Thalion exchanged a look before looking back at her. Liruliniel just looked between them confusedly. "Well, never thought I'd see the day my sister was scared of something. Let alone an elk."

"Have you seen him?!" Her voice broke and wavered from raising her voice. "And that's not true, other things scare me, I just don't voice it. It's like admitting to being afraid is a taboo. I don't want to be judged; I get that enough." She pouted and frowned looking most disheartened as she looked to the pillows propped against her headboard. She took to plumping them up before leaning and nestling down again.

"Are you afraid now?" Thalion asked, moving from Thranduil's side. His blue eyes watched as his friend merely took to sorting the covers out and tucking his sister into bed. "Be honest."

Liruliniel looked up at him, her expression a little pained. "I am." She paused, "The unknown is scary, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. But never mind," he stroked a hand over her head and leaned down to kiss her temple. Thranduil could see Liruliniel blink her eyes and shut them, he felt wrong witnessing such a tender sibling moment. He didn't know what that was like, being an only child. "Do you know why?" Thalion knelt down, keeping one arm over his sister while the other came to rest on a knee. "We're here to look out for you, right?" Thranduil got a look cast his way, he nodded slowly. Thalion rolled his eyes with a smile, "Really pushing reassurance there," Thalion said with a quiet laugh.

Liruliniel pouted, "But who's going to look out for you two?"

"No offence, I do not think you'll be much use to anyone right now." Thalion said kindly, she looked thoughtful before nodding slowly. He perked up and looked to the doorway when he heard the main door open. "That'll be father, he will probably want to know you're awake." Hérion had left Liruliniel when she had finally lapsed into sleep.

Thranduil just watched him leave the room, turning back around he wasn't surprised to have Liruliniel's eyes staring at him. "Were...are you worried about me?"

"You almost collapsed beside me."

"Doesn't answer my question."

Thranduil sighed and stood up, looking around the small room, his eyes did look to the door. He could hear father and son talk quietly, yet neither ventured close. Twiddling his fingers by his sides, Thranduil strode forwards, all four steps until he was by her bedside. "I can't have my guard collapsing on me, what use would she be then?" He asked, slowly sitting on the edge of the bed and looking at her.

Liruliniel let out a quiet laugh, Thranduil found himself warming on the inside. He found himself quite liking having the ability to make her laugh. Even if his question was sarcastic, and joking a little at her expense, she still laughed. Perhaps the only elf he knew that would laugh at herself, but only at certain times it seems. "I'm so sorry, sire, I came over most unwell and failed in my mission."

"You better not repeat the action next time."

"Not sure how that would look, you save me, perish the thought." Liruliniel rolled her eyes with a smirk.

Thranduil leaned his elbow against his knee and leaned his cheek against his palm as he looked at her. His other arm just rested across his lap, his fingers lightly tapping against his knee. "And you don't think the reverse would be humorous?"

Liruliniel just beamed his way, "It's hilarious!" Thranduil didn't expect any other response other than that, if he was honest. "Does your father know you're down here?"

"No. Though I am sure he suspects I am, considering the circumstances." Thranduil said, he guessed his father knew he had come visiting. Looking at her curiously, Thranduil got an interested look sent back at him. "Would it be that awful for me to come to your rescue, yet again?"

Liruliniel scoffed, "You didn't rescue me when I fell, hunting for a troll treasure-trove. You got help. That's different. Would it be that bad for me to rescue you?"

Thranduil straightened up, his other hand coming to clasp his other knee. "You wouldn't ever let the moment go, it would be forever bought up and told at gatherings to embarrass me and brag about yourself. It would be unbearable to be saved by you, Liruliniel. But I couldn't think of someone I would trust more when within that moment."

"Even at the expense of my bragging?"

Thranduil nodded, "I'm sure I could put up with that."

"Forever, and ever?"

"That's a long time, perhaps not. Maybe when you come to apply for the guard, I'll get my father to retract his decision." Thranduil said, faux seriousness in his voice. Well aware that shockingly for once, he was being somewhat childish, joking around here with a relatively poorly Liruliniel.

"Don't be so mean."

"Learn some modesty." He replied, crossing his arms now as Liruliniel laid there pouting at him before a wide grin appeared on her face. "I should leave you to rest. If we are to move out soon, you will need as much strength as you can muster."

"Thank you for visiting, Prince Thranduil."

He raised an eyebrow as he went to stand. "Formalities now?" He turned and looked down at her, she sniffed and seemed to wrap herself up more with little wiggling motions. "Friends don't use such things. Are we not friends now, Liruliniel?"

She looked at him pointedly, "It's more I don't have a title. So, forgetting about them when together, is much easier for you." Liruliniel said, pointing a finger at him before nudging her head against the pillows and settling, this time apparently for good seems she let out a relieved, content sigh. Someone was clearly comfortable.

Thranduil placed a hand to his chest, getting a sceptical look from her before he bowed. This action had her looking even more perplexed, her eyes wide like her brothers were when he saw Thranduil outside. "Until tomorrow, Lady Liruliniel." He said quietly, his eyes flicking to hers before he straightened up.

Liruliniel looked at him with a small smile, a genuine look despite how exhausted she suddenly seemed. She also appeared thankful, even if they were joking, that he had called her as such. "Until tomorrow, Prince Thranduil. I would bow, but I think I'd fall over." Liruliniel returned the kind words yet laughed quietly. Her balance was still off, Thranduil just shook his head. Yet again, such a typical Liruliniel response. He took his leave then, lingering at the doorway just to look back at the small form which was her laying in her bed. She smiled and waved a hand in a farewell fashion, Thranduil inclined his head and turned to leave.

Hérion didn't look shocked he was here, Thalion told him clearly of the visitor they had. There were no words exchanged, yet Thalion saw him out, this time opening the door for him and looking at him as he turned in the corridor. "Father says we are commencing our move tomorrow. He says that your father has sent word west, to Amdír, just to alert him that we are moving." Amdír was another Sindar who ruled over Silvan elves, he resided within Lórinand. There was a river parting the two kingdoms, the Anduin, but even still the two kingdoms did have frequent contact. Moving away from near kin could go either way, but Thranduil found himself nodding and wishing his friend a pleasant evening before turning and leaving to retreat to his large residence for an evening of dwelling over different prospects of what moving could bring.

——

Edited: 19/June/25