"I am sorry I didn't visit sooner; I may have got swept up in, well, life; but you seem well! Not that I am expecting some adverse thing from me not visiting you, that is. Just ignore me, I'm speaking very little sense. I hope you manage to get out, I always thought this was too small a place for something as large as you. Your antlers, I mean! I mean...Arthion, I am sorry I seem to just not be making much sense at all."

The elk behind her snorted shortly, he was laying within the hay of his stall quite comfortably. Although, when he first saw Liruliniel peer around the corner happily, he was standing. He was standing and merely looking out at the stables around him, Liruliniel thought he looked bored. His brown eyes were just staring off at nothing, although they practically lit up when she produced an apple from her side. As usual, she didn't seem to waste time coming into the stall with him. Arthion seemed to eat up the attention she gave him as readily and quickly as he devoured the apple she offered him.

Soon he settled, and she settled back against him. She rose and fell with each breath he took, her back against his side and she nestled herself against the thick fur. Arthion's large head bowed as his neck leaned down so he could fully look at her face when she rambled away incoherently. He did let out a few short sighs, his eyes blinking and just staring at her which made her awkwardly smile. She had the feeling the elk was finding her words amusing yet insulting at the same time.

He'd grown more in the months away. Liruliniel thought he had reached adulthood the last time she saw him after her travels; how wrong she was! Now she believed he'd reached maturity. Just meant he was even more gigantic against her. Though large in size, he wasn't hostile in nature or brutish. Arthion was and always had been very careful around her. The animal instinctually seemed to know that the being who bought him apples and chattered non-stop, was smaller and more fragile than himself.

He may nudge his head against her, but it was done in a most gentle manner. Arthion was a gentle giant, and Liruliniel just smiled his way again when he rested his head down and into the hay of his stall. She turned onto her side, her shoulder resting against his ribcage, not that he seemed to mind at all. Liruliniel reached up with a hand and stroked it through the brown fur of his neck. His eyes opened at the action, looking her way as she just smiled some more.

She had woken early, bathed and changed quickly before relocating her trunks of luggage to her room to sort through. Most of it was clothing, admittedly. Fine dresses, and tunics. There were a few pairs of trousers and boots in there too. It wasn't all clothes, Haldir had given her a gift of new knives though, which she would proudly use and strap to herself if she could. She was going to be all pointed weaponry if and when she ever suited up for battle again.

Liruliniel picked off a piece of hay from her tunic, she had come to notice a theme within the clothing she was given. Blue, a very rich coloured blue at that. Not too dissimilar to that of her dress. She had been confused, yet Galadriel hadn't really explained the particular reason why her wardrobe had a blue theme running through it. Liruliniel just believed that maybe it was just a Ñoldorin thing? After all, wood elves wore clothing the colour of their forestry homes. Being a High Elf, as it were, maybe dictated a sign of showing as such and what made more of a statement than clothes?

She sighed, it seemed everything was against her, in hindsight, to try and keep her lineage secret. So, she wore the cobalt blue tunic with quiet acceptance. The collar of it came up high, stopping just under her chin. Like her other tunics, the sleeves were well fitted and the length of it stopped just above her knees. There were minute details on it, especially around the collar and the hems of the sleeves and tunic itself. Almost like filigree, silver embroidered patterns were sewn along, weaving and tangling together while being so subtle that it wasn't too much detail.

She simply wore dark trousers with this, her usual boots and her hair with only two braids in; even if these were two main ones which she then wrapped and twisted together to make a thicker solitary one. She didn't wear her circlet; she didn't need to walk around with it on permanently surely? She knew Galadriel did, and even Elrond but that was because of who they were. Image thing, Liruliniel couldn't help but muse. She couldn't help but laugh, elves and a public image, she never knew it meant so much.

"Do you go out, Arthion? I hear that anything on this side of the forest is safe. It's beyond the gates and further across the Mountains that there is trouble." Liruliniel sounded upset, but then how could she not be? Frowning and moving away, she watched Arthion raise his head too and look at her. "Do you remember coming here?" She asked, she knew she wasn't going to get a verbal response, but she was curious. She always wondered what sort of memories animals had.

She remembered coming here, all too well. Not just because she spent most of it struggling and unwell, but because it seemed like her words had spurred on the move. She hoped she wouldn't be the root of another possible move. Spiders and a dragon, it didn't bode well, and her stomach dropped at the thought. The spiders could be managed, if Thranduil was open to the suggestion. The dragon however, that was a new problem altogether. Liruliniel hadn't properly seen the creature, but what she saw made her stomach plummet even more.

The drake they fought was big, this dragon seemed bigger. The thought of a flying fire breathing serpent out there had her shuddering as if she were suddenly cold. What exactly was going on in the world again? Shaking her head, she decided to opt for a lighter topic. "I didn't really see anyone about when I was coming here. Do you think they are all tucked up in bed nursing sore heads? The healers are going to have fun. I imagine though, that they too are suffering." Liruliniel giggled quietly to herself.

It was true though, her journey to the stables was very quiet. Not a soul to be seen, it was eerie really to see the corridors so void of life. Even the kitchens were empty, and the communal hall for meals. It wasn't too early as to not be up and about, but there was literally no one.

"Perhaps a lay in will do them all good, hm?" Tilting her head she reached up and cupped his face when he took to snuffling near her. She just laughed and ruffled his fur, "I am sorry that I perhaps woke you! But you were already awake when I came here, so don't be like that." She exclaimed when he just continued nuzzling against her, she just carried on laughing.

He was acting so put out, when in truth he wasn't asleep, she didn't wake him. Unlike Ithilwen, the small, sturdy horse was fast asleep when Liruliniel checked on her first. She left her to it, she'd visit again later to see if she was awake then. Arthion shook his head, careful to raise his head up to do so. Liruliniel did hunker down a little, his antlers came a little too close to her own head for her liking.

Reaching up and placing her hand against one had Arthion pausing in going to chew on hay. She gave it a gentle tap and in return he let out a snort. He didn't look too pleased with that action, and Liruliniel smiled awkwardly and apologetically. She had always wondered what they felt like, they were slightly rough under her hands yet strong. "I am sorry, my friend. I didn't mean to offend you." Liruliniel apologised and leaned her head against his neck. She huddled against him with her eyes shut, Arthion bowed his head around to tuck it against her smaller body.

The thought of hay had left his mind for the moment. Liruliniel wrapped her arms around him, and she couldn't help but let out an exclaim when the elk put his hooves underneath himself and stood with ease. Poor Liruliniel was practically dangling from his neck. Her feet peddled a little in the air and she just hung there; she could just let go with ease and land without hurting herself. "Care to let me down?" She asked, with how she hung she couldn't fully see where was safe to land. She didn't want to accidentally land on his foot.

"This is a most unfortunate scene," Liruliniel managed to turn her head from within the fur and smile awkwardly. Thranduil leaned his arms against the stall and looked on curiously. "What are you doing to him?" He, much like Liruliniel, was one of extreme few that wasn't nursing a sore head. He was passing when he heard talking, he heard her voice and couldn't help but come in and see what was going on. He wasn't expecting to see Arthion standing, chewing hay while Liruliniel hung from his neck.

"He stood up!"

Thranduil raised an eyebrow, that was not the answer he was expecting. "It's a bit childish to blame an animal, Liruliniel. Especially blaming an animal for doing whatever it wants." Which in this instance was Arthion wanting to stand and move around his stall, taking Liruliniel with him. "Just let go."

"No..." Liruliniel trailed off, letting go with an audience present meant that if the letting go went wrong, she'd provide humour. And though she didn't mind, right now she didn't want that. But not only that, Arthion's stall had yet to be mucked out.

Thranduil sighed, he had to put this slightly comical sight to an end, if only for her sake. So, he opened the stall, Arthion just looked at him blankly from the action. He continued to chew on hay, even as Thranduil moved over. He rubbed a hand gently down his muzzle, Arthion leaned into his touch before raising his head again as Thranduil's hands moved to her arms. Liruliniel wiggled a little as he picked her up with ease from under her arms. She looked even more baffled when between himself and Arthion leaning down, she was soon sitting sidewards on him.

Thranduil kept his hands either side of where her legs now rested against the side of the elk's body. She seemed stable up there, but even still. Arthion was having a new rider on him, Thranduil didn't know how he'd react regardless of him tolerating her. It was one thing to be petted, fed or talked to; but it was something else entirely to have the person suddenly on his back. Arthion was unaffected, he simply looked behind himself and Liruliniel stiffly turned to look at him in return.

She was so high up, being high up when in a tree was fine, she had control over that. But being on Arthion's back...she had little control here, because she had no training or practise with him. She couldn't help but let out an uncertain hum, it was a noise which had Arthion's ears flicking back. That had her eyes widening and growing tense on his back again. "I am not sure I am happy to be up here or not." Liruliniel said at length, quietly too, Arthion's ears flicked back again, and she hunched her shoulders.

Thranduil had to admit she looked very uncomfortable. Awkwardly so, in fact. "He hasn't thrown you off yet, so it shows he trusts you to be up there." Those words had her eyes widening and snapping to him. Thranduil smirked, he probably shouldn't have encouraged possible worry and fear to spread in her, but he couldn't help it.

"I think I'd like to get down now." Liruliniel said while reaching out with her hands. They were clutching onto each other in her lap, but now they were being held out for him. "Thranduil!" She exclaimed his name as he took a step back and shook his head, Liruliniel looked desperately at him. She couldn't get off of Arthion herself, her legs barely hung over his body. They may have been the same level, in fact. But the huge gap between his belly and the floor, her feet did not even enter that space.

"You are fine up there, do not worry so much."

"Where are you going?!" Liruliniel asked with a worried tone and expression. Thranduil had merely turned to exit the stall, Liruliniel let out a startled noise and leaned down to hold around Arthion's neck again. His master had left the door open and walked away, and Arthion clearly knew this was a sign to follow. Liruliniel however, did not, and was not enjoying being sort of messed around with right now.

"I heard you talking to him."

"How much?"

Thranduil moved to where Arthion's riding gear was. He paused and looked back at them, only to raise an eyebrow when Liruliniel's face peeked over Arthion's head from his fur. "All of it." He said slowly while moving back over, there was a stand which he placed the large saddle on. "Come on then, little bird. Let's get you down from this perch and back on solid ground, where you are clearly happier."

"Don't patronise me...this is horrible, I mean, no offence here, but I am not enjoying this too much. You try being my height and up here."

Thranduil sighed and looked at her plainly, "I have been."

"And you go on!" Liruliniel seethed with a frown, her seething wasn't genuine as she narrowed her eyes at him.

Thranduil smiled simply, he quite liked her being so small in comparison to himself. Even from the small number of embraces they shared, she tucked up perfectly against his body. But also, there was a protective feeling about being able to do so. It was hard to explain, but being able to have her so close without a hindrance just did something for him. But anyway, he held up his hands and she wasted little time in slipping into his hold.

She let out a relieved sigh when she felt her feet land on the floor. "At any other time, I would not mind being up there, but...well, it is unknown to me. Not only that, but it also happened so suddenly! At any another time I would probably be fine." She said while stepping aside and watching him saddle up the elk.

It seemed much like herself, he was wearing a much simpler attire today. That wasn't to say, much like her own tunic, his was not finely detailed and impressive as to not give illusion to who he was. It was still a slate silver in colour, shimmered when the light caught it and there wasn't the usual oversized robe overtop. This had been left somewhere, apparently the same applied for his crown. Liruliniel leaned back against the wall behind herself, just watching him. Each action was done from muscle memory, Thranduil didn't seem to think about what he was doing because he'd done it so many times.

Once he was done, he turned and looked at her. "What about now?"

"Sorry?" Liruliniel blinked, coming out of her thoughts and pushing away from the wall.

Thranduil stood holding the reins, while also looking at her plainly. "I asked you, what about now?"

"Well..."

He rolled his eyes and moved past her, leading Arthion to the exit where it instantly led out and into the woodland beyond. "Are you honestly so scared about riding him, or is it having to take lessons of how to ride him from me that you are not up for?" Thranduil watched as she looked utterly affronted by his words, mocking and sarcastic as she double took, stamped a foot and pointed a finger at him. "Yes?" Liruliniel's finger bent, she sagged her shoulders and walked slowly after him. Thranduil just looked and watched her with a blank look. "Liruliniel, you can say no. You are acting as if I am asking you to do the worst job possible." Thranduil shook his head and listened to the woodland noises from the open space out of the door. Already he could hear slight chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves from the breeze of the day. He knew that from the main exit, beyond the gates that the woodland was silent. This part of the forest was like a last sanctuary for elves and animals alike.

"But I would like to know." Liruliniel said, now she had unfortunately had the experience, as sudden as it was, she would like to know what it was like to be able to ride the elk.

"Of course you would." Thranduil started off walking, Arthion seemingly eager to get out as his pace picked up a little. He knew Liruliniel wouldn't be able to resist. He knew how she felt about the animal; she had hesitantly grown fond of him and from how Arthion reacted to her, Thranduil could see he felt a similar. He knew there would be no trouble in getting to the point of her being able to ride him, a bond was the first step. Liruliniel was hesitant earlier because she was not in control of the moment.

The woody space around them was peaceful, other than the calls of animals in the morning. The sun was already trying to shine from around dark clouds. It seemed like it was going to rain sometime today, just unsure when, the two of them continued their walk through the tall trees. Everything was so much healthier looking this side of the forest. Even as they went, they could hear the churning and splashing of the river. They weren't immediately close to it, but if they continued on this route they would be.

As it was, there was a clearing which was used for riding lessons. Thranduil stopped and looked at her, Liruliniel shifted from foot to foot with a thoughtful look. "What is it?" He asked, she seemed to be musing over something, and excuse him for wanting to know what.

"I may need help," Liruliniel admitted quietly, after all, Arthion was a lot taller than her horse. But then, he was in comparison to any other horse, or animal. Thranduil didn't answer, he let go of the reins, trusting Arthion entirely not to move off. Which he didn't, he stood there with his head raised sniffing the air and looking about himself. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Thranduil directed her to the side. Much like he did previously, he had very little effort in practically picking her up and aiding her onto his back.

Now that she was in a saddle, Liruliniel looked more comfortable. She shifted her weight to get it right but ultimately, it wasn't. This saddle was made for Oropher, likewise then passed down to Thranduil. It didn't feel comfortable, or right, but in a realistic sense: how often was she going to go riding Arthion? She wasn't. He wasn't hers to freely go riding out on. She looked down herself and pouted, she couldn't even reach the stirrups. Liruliniel looked somewhat defeatedly at Thranduil.

He in turn just stood back as she sat upright. She may have been sitting within a seat which wasn't designed for her, she may not be able to reach the footholds, but she did look like she somewhat belonged up there; dressed in her regal blue tunic, sitting straight backed and with how the sun was now shining, it was picking up the more fiery streaks in her hair as well as the finely stitched patterns on her top. Arthion too was basking a bit more obviously in the sunrays, the dark browns of his pelt now looking brighter and richer, more chestnut in colour.

"How many times did he buck you off, before he accepted you as his rider?" Liruliniel's question had Thranduil coming from his thoughts with a tilted head. Liruliniel just fidgeted in the saddle, her hands grasping lightly onto the reins as her legs wiggled a little either side of the elk.

"Believe it or not, long before you came into his life, I was doing much the same as you." Thranduil replied, Liruliniel looked surprised. Thranduil smiled and reached up to pat Arthion's neck fondly. "Though I did not spoil him so much with apples, I visited him daily. Or as much as I could. Even skipping lessons and avoiding my father for the sake of spending time with him. It was a lot simpler to do so then listen to my father instruct me on what I should be doing, and how I should be doing things. In hindsight, I know he was teaching and preparing me for this role. But really, sitting in a stable seemed much better." Thranduil explained, sounding fond over the memories he had of his childhood, Arthion shook his head and let out a sigh as if he was agreeing with him.

"I did that too."

"I am aware," Thranduil looked up at her with a knowing look. "Everyone knew you sought him out, but everyone also knew that if they were to try to take you away from him; he was likely to react and stand guard. You see, you are halfway there to learning and succeeding in riding him, Liruliniel. You just didn't know it. The moment you stepped into his stall, and the moment he freely showed he trusted you was the first step. Not saying that you'd be able to instantly ride him, he may have reacted badly still. But you have to come to trust each other."

Liruliniel listened, she couldn't really recall ever having a lesson taught to her by him before. His tone was calm and thoughtful as he continued to stroke his hand over Arthion's neck and face. Even as she sat here, she could plainly see he cared very much for the elk. She inhaled slowly, exhaling just as such she looked about herself. "Why are you doing this?" She couldn't help but ask. Her earlier thoughts still stuck with her; she wasn't going to be able to freely go riding Arthion whenever.

Thranduil's hands paused, his blue eyes looking slowly up to her sea-coloured ones. "Because I thought you'd like to know," he said thoughtfully as he tilted his head a little. From listening to her speak, Thranduil couldn't help but feel like this was something that Liruliniel had harboured secretly for a while. Maybe he had presumed wrong?

Liruliniel smiled down at him, even leaning down in the saddle to rest her arms against her thighs. One hand reached out and Thranduil took hold of it without a second thought. "True as that may be, and it is. I think I'd much rather leave off a riding lesson for now, come up. Come on, like there isn't room for you up here too. I think I'd prefer to go for a morning ride with you, Thranduil." It wasn't like anyone was up and about to come in search of him for some reason or another.

Unlike her, Thranduil managed to get up with ease. There was plenty of room to sit, and his feet hooked into the stirrups easily enough. Reaching around her, his hands held over hers and with the gentlest of commands, urged Arthion on. Liruliniel relaxed back against him, seemingly preferring not to be in control of the elk. She may have wished to know how to ride him, who wouldn't after all? But she was happier to let Thranduil take control, he had years upon years of practice and handling, nothing was going to go wrong with him taking the reins, even if her hands were still underneath his.

"You never answered my question," Liruliniel's head had come to rest against his shoulder. Her eyes were flicking over the trees around them; the woodland here had a habit of creating its own wandering paths. These were clearly used by animals as trails, be it for hunting or returning to their dens. Thickets of bushes grew everywhere, some with winter berries already starting to show, others with the smallest of budding flowers withering out. Liruliniel liked autumn, she always thought it was a beautiful season full of change. It was always interesting to see how the changing of the season affected the wood around her.

"Which one?" Thranduil answered, his voice low as she was leaning so close to him. She could feel the gentle rumble of it go through her, likewise each time he breathed she moved with the motion too.

"How many times did you get thrown off before he allowed you to ride him?" Liruliniel smiled when a slightly awkward expression appeared on his face, Thranduil looked tensely forwards. He was seemingly avoiding looking down at her, like he knew she had a growing smile on her face. "May I guess?" She asked, earning more silence and more of a steely look to appear. "Five, no? Higher or lower? How about ten? Was it in the double digits?" Liruliniel teased, fidgeting a little in the saddle to turn her upper body to look over her shoulder at him.

"Must you insist on such a childish game?"

"It passes the time, do you not think so? Plus, it is amusing."

"To you."

"No, come on now, Thranduil...deep down you find it amusing too."

Thranduil blinked, his eyes finally coming to rest on hers. "Perhaps I have been humouring you, all this time whenever such moments appear?"

"Ah," Liruliniel nodded her head and leaned back against him. "That is possibly true, I am inclined to say it definitely is. But to humour, such as you do and sound genuine still about it shows that you care deep down about not hurting my feelings." Liruliniel said quietly, shutting her eyes for the moment and enjoying the sounds of nature around them.

"And you know that is true," he replied, Liruliniel's eyes slowly opened. His voice had come incredibly close, and tilting her head she found he had leaned down, so his face was practically next to hers. His chin more or less came to rest on her shoulder as he smiled lightly at her steadily growing flushed face. He found it amusing still how easily she blushed from the closest of contacts.

She coughed quietly, clearing her throat which suddenly felt very dry. "Yes, well..."

"Well?" He queried with a raised eyebrow, drawling the word out quietly and lowly still very close to her ear, practically whispering in it.

She shuddered from the action, something which had him pulling her closer to himself despite still holding onto the reins. "What was the point of this conversation again?" She was finding her mind was becoming more and more frazzled with him just being, well, him. He knew how to completely throw her off kilter without doing anything but to talk.

Thranduil chuckled quietly and leaned away, sitting upright his eyes gazed upwards at the sky. It was just about visible through the canopy of oranges, greens and reds. "You were trying to point out some imperfections."

She gasped in faux shock and horror, even clasping a hand to her heart as she tilted her head to look at him. Thranduil's eyes just slid down slowly to her face, an unimpressed expression on his face now. "You, imperfect? Well, I never...never before have I heard such nonsense! Such ridiculousness." Thranduil raised an eyebrow silently, Liruliniel smiled and laughed quietly. "Everyone is imperfect in some way. There is no such thing as perfection, it's a fruitless notion and something which can never be achieved. There is no shame in admitting to wrongs, and errors. How else are we meant to learn and grow from them? So yes, you may have been thrown off Arthion several times in your learning, but you did learn, and you are able to ride him now. There's no shame in that. Only because you are King, does not mean you are perfect either. I am sorry, but it doesn't. We are not as foolish as mortals, we do not act heatedly in the moment, we are able to assess and think and act accordingly; but that still can have adverse effects."

Thranduil just listened to her thoughtfully spoken words. She was ultimately right about several things, Thranduil could admit to that. "It wasn't several times." Liruliniel looked up at him when he spoke after a few moments of silence. Thranduil looked down at her, "It was more in the double digits." She smiled softly; he half expected her to laugh and exclaim about how she was right. But she didn't, she just smiled up at him before looking forwards again.

"You got there though." She said quietly, her head tilting up to look at the leaves above them as they passed a low bough. "This is nice," she sounded distant as her eyes roamed around, she was simply enjoying basically everything. "Can we do this again?" Her head tilted so she could gauge his expression and reaction to her question.

"I don't see why not," Thranduil replied, if he could get space for five minutes and wasn't called into a meeting about some topic which could be quite trivial. He can definitely still see why his father sought safety in his study. Liruliniel just smiled happily to herself over his answer. She looked forwards again, feeling his hands tense a little over hers and pull gently on the reins to avoid Arthion wandering in another direction. Thranduil evidently had his own ideals of where to go that differed from the elk.

A crisp breeze travelled through the trees, rustling leaves as it went but also bringing with it the smell of rain and earth. It had already clearly rained elsewhere downstream; the rain clouds above were moving more in their direction. They couldn't spy them, because of the thick array of tree canopies above them. It didn't deter them or make them turn back though. Instead, they kept going onwards. When Arthion broke through the bushes and paced a little more, the bank of the river came into view.

The rapids were frothing and white, spraying droplets up and over the bank and onto the muddy grass patches there. From the small tracks on the bank, it was clear animals came here regularly to drink. Although hopefully carefully, because with the way the waves toiled and turned, it wouldn't take much to get taken with it. Arthion sniffed the air, and the body of water too before turning and moving downwards. They moved next to it, every so often spray from the water could be felt in the wind that gently moved past them, but it was nothing major.

The rapids soon gave way to a small waterfall; there were a few along the river but this one was quite the drop. Standing at a safe distance from the edge, the three looked out over the view. The richly coloured leaves seemed to sway in the breeze, the chill of it had grown a little more since being near the water; yet the sky above was, at the moment, a complete contrast to the brilliant blue of the water.

The sky was ladened with greying clouds, they seemed to have darkened the more they journeyed on. It was most definitely going to rain, and soon. But that didn't mean the view was any less beautiful, because it was. The changing season, and the sunlight above, just reflected and magnified how breathtaking their woodland home was. The water glistened; it sparkled even when the rays of light hit it. What dew was left over had the grass shimmering under Arthion's hooves, and the leaves too had a slight shine to them.

From their vantage point, they could follow the river downwards through the valley and onwards. With their sight they could see very far, even a little more past Esgaroth. The river town seemed to have a darkening aura around it, or that might just have always been there and Liruliniel never noticed. She could see smoke coming from wonky and crooked chimneys. Even the slanted rooftops were easily spotted, she remembered too well what that town was like, how sceptical the faces were of those within it. It really did hit home Caladhiel's hesitance towards mortals, they weren't very friendly. Surely not all of them were like that though?

"Have you ever been to Esgaroth?" Liruliniel looked upwards, Thranduil's gaze moved away from the sight in front of them to her, he shook his head slowly. "Ever wanted to?"

"No. Nor do I find that I will ever need to." Thranduil replied simply, which was true. He kept the trade deal open that his father struck with the Master, and that was fine. That was enough contact for him. Liruliniel just hummed, Thranduil sighed. "What is it?"

"Nothing, nothing."

"I don't believe you."

"Just...you're a bit of a hermit, aren't you?" Liruliniel asked, trying not to laugh even when his eyes hardened down at her. Liruliniel kept it together for several more seconds before bursting out laughing. Thranduil didn't respond, his eyes just narrowed downwards at her, and she stilled after a few moments before sighing heavily. She wiped a hand under her eyes and leaned back against him. "Lovely view." She commented, trying to maybe get him to stop glaring at her.

"It is that." He couldn't disagree, he may not venture much outside of his home, but even from here Thranduil had forgotten how beautiful it really was.

"What do you think Dale is like?" Liruliniel asked after a moment or two.

"I presume it will be much like Esgaroth."

"But minus the salty fishy smell...and possibly the livid faces of nearly everyone."

"You're really selling the place."

"Not that you'd visit anyway! You should have seen how they reacted to your father, I have never seen people more afraid, wary and sceptical." Liruliniel laughed, remembering full well the memory of her accompanying Oropher into the town. Everyone who was milling about did look utterly fearful.

"Are you saying they'd be much the same, if it were me visiting them now?" Thranduil asked, letting go of one of her hands when he felt it fidget underneath his palm again. He watched as she crossed her arms in thought, even going as far as tapping her chin and humming quietly. Thranduil just waited patiently, even nudging Arthion over to the water edge to drink carefully.

"Yes." Liruliniel replied, Thranduil couldn't help but sigh. He wasn't surprised that he'd been kept in content silence for such a simple answer. "You can be as imposing as your father. It seems like a family trait; your son already has the makings of it lurking." Liruliniel mused, it seemed like it just ran in his family. Liruliniel's head turned as she continued to look onwards, "Erebor?" She dared ask with a growing grin, Thranduil's face said it all. "See! This too runs in your family, your father disliked dwarves too. What is wrong with you all?"

"Are you just highlighting what you perceive as problems with me and my family? Only because your grandfather worked alongside them, and traded openly with them, does not mean every elf going is the same." Thranduil said, it didn't take much to truly research more on Celebrimbor. "And that, is a trait you have inherited from him." Because she so readily wished to befriend those in Ered Luin, and also, she seemingly got along fine with those that were sent from Khazad-dûm.

"I just think the world will be a nicer place, if we all got along." Liruliniel said quietly, yet honestly.

Thranduil sighed, he didn't mean to shoot her down or anything. "Not everyone is inclined the same way, Liruliniel."

She hummed and nodded, she guessed he was right. But she still liked to be optimistic. Everyone could come together and be on friendly terms; but to do so it may have involved losing face or sucking up pride for the moment. Her eyes grew distant the more she stared at the Lonely Mountain. She couldn't fully see it, but she could see the rough outline of it cresting the horizon. There seemed to be a fog hanging around the summit, which meant the peak of it was hidden from view. It sat and looked out and over everything before it.

But there was something else, the more she stared, the more Liruliniel could discern certain things; within the mirrored bowl, she had spied a dragon flying and parts of brickwork smashing. Raining fire and people running weren't hard to picture together within the confines of either Esgaroth or Dale. Liruliniel tensed in the saddle, it was something Thranduil noticed quite considerably. He looked down at her, her face pale and eyes distant. Liruliniel was in her own mind, lost in her thoughts as she just stared.

"Liruliniel," Thranduil placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her gently. Although his shaking grew more adamant as she remained unresponsive. "Liruliniel!" She still didn't react to him exclaiming her name, Thranduil frowned and turned her face away from the view she was looking at. "You need to breathe," he implored, looking at her seriously. Her eyes seemed to clear, whatever glassy appearance they had moments ago was going and she suddenly sucked in a lungful of air desperately.

"Your hesitance towards the dwarves maybe warranted." Her voice sounded hoarse, her throat hurt and so did her lungs from the lack of air in them.

Thranduil kept her face tilted upwards to look at him, he worried her looking back would have her zoning out again. "What do you mean?" Her words were ominous, Thranduil's eyes searched hers as they widened and she looked a bit fearful. "Liruliniel, calm down. Calm, steady." He said quietly and calmly when she seemed to fuss suddenly in his hold. Like she needed to get free, being too close was suffocating to her and she needed air and space. "What did you see?"

"The dragon," Liruliniel blinked wide eyes, Thranduil's fingers gently threaded into the back of her braided hair. His thumb took to stroking her cheek and the action seemed to ground her; it also seemed to calm her too as she stared at him.

Thranduil, from experience, had learned to be patient when moments like this appeared. Before, when she had her first turn, he hadn't been too brilliant at helping her out. He had been short with her, before worry took hold. And he really did worry. Much like then, she had become pale, her sight came with a downside; it took it out of her, it left her withdrawn and hollow looking. Whatever thoughts he had about her sight being useful as an advantage would not be as such if it made her like this. Thranduil hated seeing her look so broken over something which she had fragmentally seen.

Regardless, he urged Arthion to turn away and for them to return home. He thought that was enough outside time for now, she looked suddenly exhausted. "What do you mean?" He asked after they'd retreated back into the woodland. He for one suddenly felt safer being amongst the sky touching trees, it seemed his relief wasn't his alone as Liruliniel's eyes slid to a shut with a heavy sigh.

"The dwarves...they do something, and it brings it there. I couldn't figure out parts of what I saw before, but I think it comes for them. But what's between a dragon and Erebor?"

"Esgaroth and Dale." Thranduil's voice was low as he realised what she was saying. "Which one is it?"

"Dale." Liruliniel took little solace in knowing this. "I think the dragon destroys Dale."

Thranduil, for the life of him, did not know what the dwarves could do to lure a dragon out of its hiding place. Something great in magnitude no doubt, because dragons rarely left their hordes or dwellings for any random thing. "Did it come here?" Liruliniel shook her head quickly at that, Thranduil was relieved although still equally troubled.

What could a bunch of dwarves do to warrant a dragon's attention? It was no secret dwarves were fond of mining, and thus what they found; jewels, treasures and natural minerals which could then be worked with and forged into something else entirely. It was also no secret, that dragons had a love for riches, like magpies they were drawn to shiny things, gold especially.

Thranduil couldn't help but frown, he could just curse the ignorance of dwarves for what they were about to bring unto themselves, but he didn't. And he only didn't because of the fact that seeing what she had, and what she clearly did again in more detail now, had taken it out of her. Liruliniel needed to be taken back home, and she needed rest. The thought of leaving her all alone within her quarters had Thranduil frowning, what if more visions and dreams came to her while alone? She seemed to not care much before, she seemed to cope fine enough too...but she was now no longer alone, because he was very much here and very much worried.

"We have to warn them." That had Thranduil tilting his head down at her, he frowned and looked utterly confused by her words. Liruliniel frowned in turn and looked questionably at him. "Thranduil, we have to warn them."

"And say what? Say that my seer may have witnessed your plight by dragon fire? Do you honestly believe they will listen; do you think they will heed my words? You know what dwarves are like, pig-headed and stubborn to the end. Getting a message from me will be ignored, laughed at no doubt and then the letter burned." Thranduil said bitterly, he knew his tone was sharp and cutting as he looked from her and around themselves. "As long as the attention doesn't waver elsewhere-"

"We cannot hide away! We cannot leave them to that plight...we can't...we have seen what a mere drake can do, but this thing is worse. From the glimpses I've seen, it is a monster. How can we idly sit by and allow the dwarves to face that alone? They will face certain death!"

"Then that is their fate."

Liruliniel fidgeted in the saddle, Thranduil frowned and tried to stop her only to get his hands slapped away. She threw her leg over and jumped down. She landed in a crouch and commenced running off. Thranduil called after her and she soon scampered up a tree and out of sight. "That is a cruel and cold thing to say, and I understand why you would not wish to get near a dragon, not many would, but I cannot sit by and let them die. You won't send word, fine. Then I will." Liruliniel's voice came from a tree nearby.

"Liruliniel, what makes you think your word will be listened to any more than mine?" Thranduil nudged Arthion over to where he thought she was. Sure enough, sitting up the tree with her back against the trunk was Liruliniel. She looked increasingly mad that he had come over, like he was going to leave her. She ran off to get away and get space before she snapped at him.

Liruliniel swung her legs over the branch, she leaned her arms against her thighs and frowned. "Because I care. And that care can come across quite easily in writing, if you allow it to. I have talked to a dwarf-King before, I swayed him to aid us in a battle he didn't wish to be a part of. If you are basing dwarves all to be and act the same, then I surely have the same chance to persuade yet another stubborn, pig-headed dwarf over?" She shook her head and looked away from him when his eyes turned hard, "You should probably head back. No doubt someone is looking for you."

"I am not leaving you out here."

"What's the matter, you don't trust me?" Liruliniel smirked, utterly sarcastic over her words. "You think I am going to go running off, don't you? Well, you are right in some ways. I will warn them, however I can. You won't, fine, you wallow in your pride and refuse to aid those who will need it; but I cannot and will not because it goes against everything I stand for. I will not stand by and not try and warn them. You are right, they may ignore my words too and if they do, then fine. But I do not know, if I do not try." Liruliniel said passionately and seriously as she slipped from the branch and landed on the ground quietly. She stood up and moved around the elk and seemed to determinedly walk onwards, ignoring him following after her on Arthion.

"Liruliniel-"

"You cannot try and contradict me, because you know I am right. Just...leave me alone, Thranduil. Much like last time, you are opting to do nothing over what I have told you. Is this also a running theme?" Liruliniel asked while turning and looking up at him, she looked pained. She remembered sharing dreams with him in the past, and he acted nonchalant and a similar way to how he was now.

He believed her and what she saw, but he didn't wish to act on her visions and that hurt, that really hurt her. Liruliniel believed she had this ability and should use it in an effort to help whoever was affected, however Thranduil did not seem the same. She understood wanting to protect them all, but at what price? It didn't take much to offer aid, and from what she could assume the dwarves of Erebor would soon need it.

Thranduil jumped down, Liruliniel didn't look so happy about this prospect either. He easily closed what little distance there was between them and cupped her face to look at him. "Do not think I am ignoring what you are saying. But you have to be realistic, what hope do we have in beating a dragon? Look at it from my standpoint, aid, is one thing. But to lead everyone into a firestorm is something I will not do, Liruliniel. I will not do it. I will not march my kin into certain death."

Liruliniel looked sadly at him, her hands coming to hold onto his forearms. "But we cannot avoid trying to forewarn them..."

Thranduil inhaled deeply, she wasn't going to drop this. So, he relented, slowly he nodded and sighed softly. "Fine. We will try. We will write to them, and then we shall go from there. If that is all right with you?" Liruliniel nodded her head slowly, a relieved look appearing on her face. "Do not ever think I ignore you, Liruliniel. I don't. But what you unload to me, I need to think on, not just for your safety, but for everyone else's too. Decisions I make affect everyone, whereas you are freer to do as you please." Thranduil said softly, watching as any determined fight she had was well and truly gone. All she looked like now was tired again, like earlier. Her visions had taken it out of her, and all he wished was to get her home and safe. "May we return back now?"

"Yes." She replied softly, her hands bypassing his to tuck strands of blonde hair behind his ears. Her hands soon rested against his cheeks, much like his were doing to hers. Thranduil leaned down, softly he rested his forehead against hers. "Can we not argue, please? It pains me very much to do so." Which it did, speaking so fiercely to him had a pain wrenching and pulling at her chest. It was a feeling she disliked hugely, and from the look on his face she knew he felt a similar thing.

"I couldn't agree more." Thranduil kissed her forehead tenderly before turning and looking to where Arthion stood waiting for them. The elk had just stood and indifferently watched them, but as soon as they made their way forwards to him, the heavens opened. Liruliniel yelped and hunched her shoulders, whereas Thranduil grasped tightly onto the reins. Easily he managed to help her up and he soon followed, with an urgent tug, Arthion turned and ran through the trees to get them back to the palace before they got anymore soaked through.

Liruliniel soon sat in her room towelling her hair dry the best she could. Having braided it when it was already wet, the rain had done nothing but set the curls in more. In all honesty, she hadn't got too wet even if they had ridden against the wind and rain; if anything, the moment they stepped foot back inside, did the full onslaught seem to hit.

It seemed like a storm was heading their way, and Liruliniel couldn't help but slow her movements down to think about that. She didn't believe the weather could be an omen, be it a terrible or good one. The weather just did what the weather did, no matter what or when. No one had control over it, and to see it as a bad sign she thought was just to be a hugely superstitious elf.

But a small part of her couldn't help it, she was dwelling on such a prospect. It seemed strange that no sooner does she fully come to terms and grasps onto what some of her vision meant, did it start to rain. Was it a sign? Was worse coming their way? Liruliniel rolled her eyes and finished drying her mass of curls, her hair was mostly straight, maybe it curled a little at the end. But now it was a bouncing mass of coiling curls, she didn't mind, a part of her quite liked it really, but even drying her hair wasn't distracting that small piece of her mind.

What worse could come their way? Hadn't they all been through enough already? Liruliniel had soon learned in life that things have to get worse before they get better. So...where was the better? She couldn't sit here and think about what worse was going to come for them, or to them. She honestly believed they'd all had enough, more than enough of ill will. Much like the weather though, life doesn't choose when to be good or bad, it just happens.

Shaking her head, she stood and picked her damp clothes off the floor from where she just dumped them. She had readily changed, it felt relieving to peel off the rain laden clothes. She may not have got very wet, but her clothes seemingly took in a lot. Placing them in the washing basket in her bathroom, she looked around her home with a small sigh. She had nothing else to do, and there was the prospect of a letter to write which was calling her away from her home.

Brushing a hand down herself, she straightened out the plain blue tunic she'd put on. It wasn't dissimilar to her forestry green ones; it was just a different colour. Reaching for the door, she stepped out and into the corridor which was now slowly showing signs of life. That wasn't to say the life out here looked happy. Some still looked half asleep, whereas some were clearly suffering with headaches. Some walked about with heavy eyes, while some seemed to just pause, as if to recollect themselves before walking on. She couldn't help but smirk, would that teach them for next time? No, of course not.

Jogging up a small flight of stairs she called out with her hand raised, Legolas turned curiously when he heard his name. He watched her approach him quickly, "Have you seen your father?" Liruliniel had already diverted to the throne room, he wasn't in there. She was going to go to the study next but thought maybe his son knew where he was.

Legolas shifted his weight from one leg to another; he looked over her shoulder and around at the corridor they were in. "Last I knew he was still within his room, why?" He had briefly passed his father earlier, he had apparently been out due to the rain drops coating his skin, clothes and hair. Thranduil hadn't explained how or why he was like that, he just greeted him as coolly as ever and entered his room. As far as Legolas knew, he hadn't left.

Liruliniel smiled, she tucked a curl behind her ear and sighed. "I need help writing a letter."

Legolas raised an eyebrow at that, something about that sentence just caught him. He didn't think a letter would be hard to write, no matter who the receiver was. But then what did he know? He didn't actually write to anyone outside of their home, those beyond - much like his father - did not wholly interest him as such. "I think he's still up there, Liruliniel." He said at length, watching as her eyes widened and she nodded. "Excuse me, I said I would accompany some on patrol."

"Be careful out there, I think the weather has made for treacherous footings. Last thing we need is you hurting yourself."

Legolas rolled his eyes, a stern expression flitting onto his face briefly before it changed to one of tense resignation. Liruliniel just stood there with her arms crossed and smiling lightly. "Believe it or not, I am surer of my footing now." He said in a low voice, so no one passing heard. He didn't wish others around to know that once upon a time, he was rather unsure and unsteady. Liruliniel had zero trouble tripping him whenever they sparred and beating him too. Not memories he wished to remember, by that he meant when he was beaten; the memories of her training him were fond, fun and he would look at them kindly.

Liruliniel reached up and patted him on the arm, "I am sure you are. But even still, be safe." She said, joking aside she hadn't ever fought a spider and didn't know what it would entail. Legolas had seemingly done it a few times, he was experienced, more so than her. But it still didn't mean she couldn't worry for her friend.

"I will be, don't worry, it doesn't suit you." Legolas gave a half smile, Liruliniel placed her arm back by her side and smiled kindly. "You've always done so much worrying, even when you tried to hide it. Go and write your letter, Liruliniel. Then just relax for the day, you deserve it, do you not?" Legolas asked, watching as she sighed in what seemed to be relief and nodded her head.

"I don't seem able to stop," that went for both rest and worrying, Liruliniel just didn't do sitting still. And she couldn't help the nagging worry, not when she constantly saw horrible things. Why couldn't she foresee something nice? Was that honestly too hard to ask?

"Try," Legolas pointed a finger at her while inclining his head and turning away.

"Are you free for a spar sometime?" Liruliniel called out to his retreating form, she tucked her hands behind her back and watched him glance over his shoulder at her. She just smiled at him, in all honesty, she would happily accept him beating her in a match if it meant she could see how much he had grown.

Being surpassed was part of life, she was there in the beginning of his training, it would be nostalgic if she was there at the end; even more so considering she appeared to be the lone being he couldn't beat, other than perhaps his father. But even Liruliniel won against Thranduil through a fluke, and she'd admit to that. In a straight match, she'd still get beaten and she knew that.

"Sure, I will look forward to it." Legolas replied, watching her smile and nod before turning away and leaving him to his patrol. They parted ways and disappeared quickly from each other's view, he continued towards the gates, and she found herself running up a flight of stairs.

She had never had a reason to go to the upper levels of the palace before. It was something, and somewhere that wasn't exactly encouraged unless there was a specific reason to. The sandy staircases weaved upwards, and she found her boots made very little noise against them as she slowed her pace down. She stopped in the middle of one set of stairs and just looked outwards. From where she was, she could spy other platforms which had stairs leading from them but also corridors which led off from them too. The place was a warren of platforms, corridors and staircases.

With a sigh, Liruliniel turned and continued on her way. She swung her arms by her sides as she did so. She even whistled quietly, as suspected no one else was up here. The corridor she walked down had few doors leading from it, yet she remembered Legolas's room, for when she sought him out when he was a child. She smiled painfully at that; he had seemed so small and fragile. Seeing him now, it was hard to see that child still. She shook her head, she imagined that's what some may have seen when they looked at her too.

Reaching up, Liruliniel knocked on the door she suspected was Thranduil's. It may not have been, there were other doors up here and her eyes stayed on a random one for a while. Her stomach twisted, was that one formerly Vanadessë's? Or perhaps another one was? Liruliniel's hand was still in the air when the door opened, she only stopped staring down the corridor when Thranduil placed his hand over hers and pushed it down. She jumped from the contact, and he looked concernedly at her. She seemed too in her head still for his liking.

"We have a letter to write." Liruliniel said suddenly, her tone a bit forced as she tried to push awkward feelings down. She hadn't properly thought of it until now, but if that room was Vanadessë's, then surely within this room were going to be more of her property? After all, it was their room.

Thranduil turned and gestured to the room behind himself, he didn't like her tense expression. She still looked pale, coupled with the withdrawn expression it had him worrying. Liruliniel trotted in and let out an astonished noise, Thranduil just moved past her and towards the desk that was in the room. She however turned on her heels and looked upwards at the ceiling. She did venture more into the room, but all the while she was looking over everything. He leaned back against the desk and watched her with a slightly amused expression.

They were in the equivalent of her main living space, but of course it was far larger. Much like hers it had the usual furniture, even if these were naturally more lavish looking. There was a large fire to one side, more or less the double of hers. The flames flicked and crackled in the hearth, hungrily eating away at the wood below. The heat from the fire outdid hers too, the warm glow was welcoming though. It made the space feel more homely, that was only said because of the huge windows which were opposite to the door, and where he was practically leaning.

Large windows could often bring in cold air or make somewhere feel cold. It would be fine in the warmer weather though. Much like the intricately vaulted ceiling, that had caught her attention almost instantly, the windows were much the same. Delicately placed within frames of wood and stone, carved and with carvings on them as the view beyond looked out at the inner parts of the kingdom. The river predominantly could be spied quite brilliantly, along with the bridges which led over them and to other dwellings.

There were bookcases present too, stacked and crammed and Liruliniel just believed these were an overspill of the horde that was in the study. She didn't know that Oropher liked to read so much, she'd never seen him read. She'd seen Thranduil read now and again and presumed the love for it passed on from father to son. Once the view of the window got dull, if it ever could, she was over there skimming her fingers over the spines of the books. Some were so cracked, clearly, they had been read several times.

She turned and just stood there with wide eyes, still trying to take in how beautiful of a room this was. Don't get her wrong, she loved her quarters and how cosy and homely they were, but this totally beat hers by a long shot. She could tell it was his space immediately, much like anyone could tell hers belonged to her; she wasn't chaotic, or messy, but things laying around the space and how it was furnished and decorated was just typically her. A bit haphazard, yet everything had a purpose and place.

This wasn't like her rooms, everything was ideally organised nothing seemed out of place. It was seemingly perfect to look at, ironically like the owner of said space. Shaking her head, she just let out a low whistle. If she had rooms like this, she definitely wouldn't leave. No matter if she had to run a kingdom. There was another door to the side, which she presumed led to his room. Her eyes diverted from there quickly enough and to him.

Thranduil just continued to lean against the desk, arms loosely crossed and smirking her way. Liruliniel rolled her eyes and dragged her feet over, "So, I maybe a little jealous."

"You don't say?" He quirked while pushing away from the desk and pulling the chair out to sit. Where the desk was, it meant that it had a near on perfect view of the window and view. Liruliniel sat down on the large window seat and rested her hands against her knees. Thranduil wasn't surprised by her words, her expression and reaction to just this space said it all.

"Makes my place look like a hovel!" She laughed, earning a double take from him as he paused finding paper and ink. Liruliniel just grinned, her home was so pokey in comparison. But of course, his quarters would outdo hers, he was royalty after all.

Thranduil shook his head, he didn't know what to say to that. So instead, he found all he needed for this letter, though he had hoped she'd drop the subject, of course she didn't. He'd be a fool if he thought she would drop it so readily. Brushing imaginary dust from his dry ashy grey tunic, he looked at her pointedly. "You came here for a reason, Liruliniel. And I am sure it wasn't to admire this room." He'd rather get this letter writing over and done with.

The sooner the better. He knew the likely outcome was what he said, his words would be ignored, the letter probably burned and then when all was said and done, the dwarves would pin blame on him, and them, for some reason or another. They were stubborn, and pig-headed, and sometimes very unable to see sense or reason when it was right in front of them. The thought of contacting King Thrór was as appealing as facing the drake which had wounded him so gravely again. Not appealing, not in the slightest.

She fidgeted almost excitedly on the cushioned window seat, Thranduil just lifted his head from the paper and watched her. She even looked excited, Thranduil had the horrid feeling that she was expecting more from this letter than what was actually going to happen. Her optimism wasn't shared, though he would never dampen it no matter how realistic his retorts and replies were. He liked her optimism, it was something not many shared and she always managed to see the good, even if there wasn't any around that others could spy.

"Are you alright?" He couldn't help but question, the way she was fidgeting had him believing otherwise.

"Quite, quite."

He lowered the pen in his hands and tilted his head; he was more inclined to disbelieve her now. She was very quick to answering, and the same word too. He forgot about finishing the cordial sentence on the paper so far, the longer he dragged out this letter the better in his mind. "I don't believe you, just so you know."

"It is exciting, isn't it?! I mean, not the reason for this...but isn't it?" Liruliniel all but burst with brewing excitement. She for one found it truly enthralling. Yes, her vision haunted her still the thought of that falling on so many innocents was stomach churning. But if there was a way to stop that from ever happening, then it was exciting to her to try. Thranduil got roped in to aid, and she knew he didn't like it.

Thranduil leaned back in the chair, he stretched his legs out underneath and crossed them over at the ankles. "Somehow I get the feeling you are presuming more will happen, whereas I believe something else entirely will happen." He said, watching as she tapped her fingers against her knees. He sighed and pushed forwards; he grasped a hold of the pen and dipped it in the ink. "Nothing will happen, Liruliniel. Nothing." He said certainly, why would a dwarf-King listen to him, to them?

She whined; it was a noise which had him looking sharply at her for. She pouted, she looked disgruntled, and she even muttered under her breath. He tilted his head with a patient look, yet with hard eyes practically bored into her waiting for her to explain her moment. "Why've you got to be so boring for?" That was something which had his eyes hardening even more at her for, what was already an icy look had substantially grown a whole lot worse. Anyone else being looked at like that would surely balk and back away, no, not her. Instead. Liruliniel just smiled and rocked slightly to and from. "So not only are you a hermit, but you're a boring antisocial hermit at that." She huffed in a joking tone, tightly crossing her arms and blowing out a short sigh.

Thranduil just sat there still and silent, eyes glaring at her while trying to think of a logical reply. He stood, the chair barely making a sound against the floor beneath it. Him moving so stilly and slowly had her looking up at him with a slightly worried face. Thranduil moved over, before crouching down in front of her. Liruliniel looked near on petrified for the silence, the awkward heavy silence and annoyed aura that surrounded him. Let alone the glaring, that had her fidgeting again but not in excitement, more like kept at bay terror. He shouldn't find it amusing that he could instil such a thing on her, but it was amusing.

Thranduil was used to others being a similar to him, hesitant, perhaps even a little awkward with their words and how they said them. He had inherited his father's steely anger and the slightly short span which it was on, but it was kept tethered quite well. Liruliniel looked like she was expecting him to suddenly explode, he was used to her joking words, especially at his expense. Did he like them? Not entirely, but he was never going to get her to stop. That was just a part of her that people either liked, or didn't, it was as simple as that.

"And what, pray tell, does that make you?" Thranduil asked calmly, his low tone and how he spoke had her looking a little less tense. She still looked on edge though, as if he was luring her into a faux sense of safety. Thranduil placed his hands either side of where her legs rested, having such a long reach due to the length of his limbs meant he could keep her there without invading her space completely.

"The antisocial hermit's rather unhelpful advisor?" She asked in a very confused tone, Thranduil raised an eyebrow while she awkwardly smiled. She was making it up as she went along, and they both knew it.

"Ah," he sighed with a slight nod of his head. His eyes narrowed sceptically at her though, they suddenly shifted to hers and Liruliniel acted as if she had been pinned in place. She went slightly ramrod straight, wide eyed and just sitting there still completely tense. "Advisor?" He sounded confused too, shaking his head and even letting out a tut. "I do believe you have perhaps gone past that point, don't you?" He watched as she seemed to think over his words before giving an uncertain shrug. "Unhelpful, perhaps. But not always, I'll give you that much." He said while pushing away and standing up with ease. He smiled when he heard her let out an unhappy noise at that, she couldn't see the smile seems his back was still to her, but he suspected she knew it was there.

Thranduil returned to his seat, he sat down casual as anything and commenced finishing this blasted sentence. Liruliniel shifted and stood, he watched her from the corner of his eyes as she came over and leaned against the desk by his side. She was wanting to know what he was writing, so she was going to stand and watch. Thranduil sent her a blank look, he didn't like being stood over, least of all when writing. Liruliniel sighed and turned away with her head bowed.

He couldn't stand her look so disheartened, with a sigh he paused writing again. "Get a chair and bring it over." She looked happily at him and did so, rather quickly at that. Soon enough she was sitting next to him in one of the comfortable chairs which were near the fire. She tucked her legs underneath herself and leaned her arms against the desk while he picked up writing again. "How much detail would you like to go into?"

"Your father never held back." Liruliniel responded, Thranduil's hand ceased again, and he looked questionably at her. She smiled, "Whenever I told him things, I always told the utmost truth and detail. I didn't always do so with you, to be honest. But him, I had too. But with that knowledge, he wrote it all down, every detail and sent it to Lord Elrond. And, well, we know what happened from there."

Thranduil thought about her words for a few moments, he looked at the page and then at her. "Perhaps this is best coming from your hand." Liruliniel looked taken back by that and even waved her hands in the air when he tried to give her the pen. "Liruliniel, you are more than able to write. I do not see why I should scribe for you, when you can just write what you saw with ease. If you struggle to explain something out loud to me, you may not if you write it yourself. All in all, I believe it would be much easier." Thranduil said plainly. He didn't see why he should write what she says or tells him, she was capable.

She just needed aid in getting a letter started. After all, a letter coming from her may have been easily looked over, yet if it came from him, not so much. A king writing to a fellow king was important, that was a letter which could not be ignored. A princess writing to a king, depending on the circumstances, it could be shunned. Either way, to be honest he still believed his letter would be ignored.

She nodded her head slowly, Thranduil passed the pen to her and the letter so far. Liruliniel sat for a few moments, she was trying to think of how to start this. Thranduil could see she was struggling to formulate a beginning. Liruliniel looked up at him sadly, "It will start with doom and gloom."

He sympathetically reached up and placed a hand against the back of her head. His long fingers threaded into the mass of curls as he reassuringly tried to calm her worrying. He hadn't ever seen her hair like this, in all honestly it had taken a lot not to instantly run his hand through her auburn locks when she first appeared. "Then start it with doom and gloom. It will get the point across, won't it?" He stated, if she pussyfooted around the subject, it could be ignored. If she got straight to it...how could anyone ignore that?

Liruliniel nodded, Thranduil moved his hand from her hair and ran it down her back. "It starts, when a dragon comes to Dale," she said while writing that exact sentence.

Thranduil looked over her shoulder and read what she was writing, she didn't speak much else out. But she did pause now and again, she asked him to help her think of a certain word and he was happy to oblige. He could see that her writing this was still as hurtful as her saying it to him. Either way she was pained, and he didn't like it. He didn't know how to help her; he couldn't take this pain away or even share it. So, he sat, and helped her, he kept a gentle hand resting against her back as she leaned forwards writing away.

Seeing her place the pen gently in the stand next to the inkwell, Thranduil took the letter and signed it from himself, Liruliniel had already signed her name, and he waited for the ink to dry before folding and sealing it away. He'd sent it later, or tomorrow. He looked at her after he placed the wax seal back in its place on the desk. Liruliniel was sitting with her hands gripping her knees and her face staring off at the window. She didn't look relieved, or excited anymore. The heaviness of any prospect from her letter had been coped with by good humour. It's how she always coped with something bad. Thranduil knew full well that the thought of many dying weighed heavily on her, even more so considering she knew it would happen if she wasn't listened to.

He reached up and tucked hair behind her ear, the contact had her snapping back to attention as she jumped a little. Thranduil looked at her worriedly, "You look tired," he stated, he could practically hear the cogs in her mind churning and grinding together thinking over any and all outcomes. But then, like usual seeing something always made her like this.

Liruliniel smiled and reached up to remove his hand from her hair again. "I couldn't sleep, even if I wished to." She knew she'd see more, and she knew she wouldn't rest. It always happened.

Thranduil turned in his seat, he looked seriously at their loosely linked hands before setting his eyes on hers. Liruliniel's own gaze looked watery, saddened and Thranduil's was stern as he looked determinedly at her. "I do not want you to be alone, not like last time." When she foresaw the war, she had carried that vision with her for so long and she was suffering alone with it, all that time.

Liruliniel smiled, although it wasn't one of happiness as her eyes darted around the room. "Thranduil, I can cope, I have done it before."

He let go of her hand and stood, she turned in her seat and watched him pace away. Liruliniel frowned worriedly, something had annoyed him a little. He paused and turned to the fire; he just stared down at it for a long time before turning his face back in her direction. The warm glow of the fire illuminated half of his face in an orangey light, the rest of him was illuminated by the darkening light of the day from the window.

"But you don't have to, nor do I want you to. You are trying to keep me at arm's length where your foresight is involved, you have already admitted you never told me the honest truth, you kept some details at bay. You haven't now, because you can't be due to our change in circumstances. As your King, I need to know, but as my love, I will not stand by and let you return to being alone. The thought of you further suffering when I am here to help, to listen is unwarranted. I know you can cope, but you could cope even better if you weren't doing it alone." Thranduil said while halfway through his words she had turned and left the chair to walk slowly towards him.

She soon stood in front of the fire too, the heat of it instantly warming her from the chill of being near the window. Her hands reached for him, and he didn't hesitate to take a hold of them. They soon stood in silence, the only noise which could be heard in the room was the crackling of the fire; continuously it was spitting and cracking at the dried and burning wood within the stony hearth.

Thranduil could see that she was thinking over his words, but some part of them had her looking saddened. He didn't mean to upset her in anyway, that was never his intentions. He felt her hands slip from his, and soon her arms were reaching out to wrap around him. Liruliniel's head nestled against the soft fabric of his tunic as he felt her hands clutch on tightly against his back. It may have taken him a moment or two to react, yet he did so and wound his arms around her in turn and kept her close. His chin resting on the top of her head as his eyes slowly shut.

"Did you just confess your love for me, in an odd manner, or is that just me?"

He let out a chuckle, "Out of everything I said, that is the thing which you dwell on more." His eyes stayed shut, even as he felt her fidget a little against him. He smiled slowly in thought, no doubt she was looking rather red cheeked again and thought hiding against him would hide this fact too. No, not a chance he speculated as much and was inclined to believe he was right.

"But you did?"

Thranduil frowned slowly, his eyes now opening as he leaned back from her. Liruliniel didn't seem too forthcoming with getting space, yet her head slipped from its resting place as she craned her neck a little upwards to look at him. "I did." He stated rather obviously, "Should I not have? It is one thing to know the feeling, but something else to express it freely, willingly and verbally." He felt love for her, and from her. Was it honestly a bad thing for him to say it out loud?

She shook her head gently, the mass of curls swaying slightly from the action. She smiled softly his way, her eyes diverting to the fire as she thought over her words. "I just wasn't expecting it." Which was true, she wasn't. Frowning in thought, she smiled his way again when her eyes landed on his. "You know, I think I first realised I loved you when I returned from Imladris. I've always cared, but this felt different, more consuming and painful. It was mainly the latter because you were truly unattainable to me, I always believed you were anyway. But this time it was very real. I can't express why that was the moment, maybe because it sunk in that you were well and truly out of reach. Maybe I was a little jealous over the situation, foolishness believing that you could be as happy if not more so when in the company of another." Liruliniel spoke softly as her eyes grew distant, she had returned back to staring at the fire as Thranduil could see her thinking deeply.

"I...I just remember coming back, and seeing you all grown up, and I thought to myself how much the years had changed us both. But then, it hadn't because we were seemingly very able to continue how we left off, albeit a little awkwardly. And because we continued on so familiarly, because nothing truly seemed to change other than us growing older, I don't know...I just think going away heightened and made how I felt more obvious to me. I would've ignored those feelings, if you know, what happened didn't happen, because all I have truly ever wanted for you was to be happy, Thranduil."

"You are a selfless creature, Liruliniel." Thranduil said after letting her words hang in the air for several moments. He dipped his head to the side slightly to catch her eyes; she blinked and came from her thoughts and looked back at him with a small smile in place.

"I will come and move in up here, if it gives you peace of mind and comfort for me." Liruliniel decided to reply to his earlier words. She could see the relief basically wash over him, clearly, he believed he'd have to keep on badgering her to get her to agree. But when she thought over it, maybe it was time. Maybe.

Hanging onto fragments of the past which loitered in ghost filled rooms, was not going to do her any good. The past wasn't going to help her heal, or to make her any better of a being. Taking the first step on a new path was scary, but she wasn't doing it alone.

"In that case, would you care to see your new room?" Thranduil asked, he tried to keep the pleasure out of his tone. He was pleased she agreed, and he was pleased she agreed more so to try and be up here and be more open with him.

"You've been waiting for this, haven't you?" She couldn't help but laugh, he tilted his head and tried to look nonchalant, he failed. He failed mainly because of the lopsided smile which soon appeared on his face. "Very well, sire. Lead the way, if you please." She let go of him and gestured a hand his way.

Thranduil simply turned on his heels and made his way to the door, he opened it and allowed her to exit first before making his way down the corridor slightly. There were a few rooms which led off from it, and he made his way to the door which was about halfway down. Reaching out and simply pushing the door handle down, he stepped aside to allow her in. It wasn't too dissimilar to his room, very spacious with just as much grand engraving and carvings on the walls and pillars around the corners. There was a large window present, although the view differed. This one showed off the brilliance of the autumnal trees and foliage of the garden areas. In fact, if she looked hard enough, she could spy the small patch of white flowers which she adopted as her family's resting place.

Thranduil stayed near the door and just watched her explore. She seemed excited to do so, pottering around and having a look at everything. He watched her disappear into the bedroom before shuffling back out with wide eyes. He smiled surely; it seemed like a culture shock to suddenly have so much space. Her quarters were cosy, warm and familiar and these were so far removed. He didn't doubt she'd settle in quickly though; she seemed to have that ability to make anywhere familiar to her.

Although a sudden troubled expression flitted onto her face which had him frowning, he didn't like the look any more than he'd like whatever words were going to come from her while looking like that. "What is it?" He asked anyway, the sooner she replied the better and the sooner he could discern whether he needed to be concerned or not.

Liruliniel stood near her own unlit fire, she looked over the large hearth and turned to him. "This room, it isn't...the former owner wasn't Vanadessë, was it?" She struggled, even her tone sounded struggled. Overall, she looked tensely at him, Thranduil turned much the same.

He was standing straight backed anyway, but now he felt like a rod had been rammed down his spine because of how sudden and still he stood. His eyes travelled around the room, almost awkwardly as he slowly found himself shaking his head. "No." He decisively said, Liruliniel didn't look bought. Thranduil would not do such a thing as to allow her to move into where Vanadessë used to dwell. It was disrespectful yet again to both females, but also for his cherished memories sake, he didn't want the two lapsing over into the same space. They were both independent, so independently memories from both would occur in similar surroundings, sometimes being exactly the same, yet differing in a way.

"Thranduil."

"It isn't." He replied as shortly as she had spoken his name, he could see she didn't believe him. Sweeping his eyes over the simply furnished room, he stepped back into the corridor. He looked sidelong at her, and she walked out after him, Thranduil shut the door and led the way back to his. There was no point her dwelling in there yet, none of her things were there. "Legolas has her old room. When he was old enough to have his own space, we moved him into there. It seemed right for him to have her room, to be surrounded by some of her things. I am not sure how extensive his memory is of her, but his need to remember his mother outdoes my memories of her." He'd always remember Vanadessë, but Legolas didn't have that luxury being so young when she died.

Liruliniel looked guilty, and she felt awful. Placing a hand on his arm, she smiled reassuringly. "I am sorry," she apologised, although he shook his head resolutely.

"I do not blame you for suspecting as such. I suppose, in a way that it is a natural thought to have. You two couldn't have differed more if you even tried. Why would I wish to place you into a situation, a role where I know you will not readily fit, or want? You have already said you do not wish to be Queen, I may have thoughts over this, but I will not discourage you from what you want to do, or what you want from life. But likewise, I have stated that you are not a replacement, and you are not."

"So...whose room do I have?"

Here Thranduil just smirked at her, Liruliniel's shoulders tensed. She didn't like that look, he looked too smug, and she didn't agree with it. "My father's."

"Thranduil!" She exclaimed and went to swat at his arm, only for him to catch her hand and turn it over in his. "I...what? No, why?"

Most of Oropher's things had been sorted through, Thranduil hadn't realised how little his father actually owned. Deep down it seemed he was quite humble really, only owning what was necessary or useful. Legolas had been given some items of his grandfather's, a bow for example was one thing. While when it came to secondary sword weaponry, Thranduil kept them aside for himself. It wasn't that he didn't trust Legolas to have them, but Thranduil knew his father would predominantly want him to have them.

Oropher was buried with his main sword, and those that remained were still brilliant, and spectacular, but Thranduil had them in his quarters as more exhibition pieces. He had his own weapons, and his father's had seen too much fighting that he thought it was time they stopped. Sighing and walking back into his room, Thranduil shut the door after her and watched her go to the fire and warm her hands. He frowned slowly, walking to her side he reached up and placed a hand to her forehead. Liruliniel frowned confusedly up at him.

She was still chilled. It was strange, seeing things had effects like making her exhausted and chilling her. Looking around, he turned and walked to the other chair still near the fire. The long trailing robe which he often wore over top his tunic was draped over the back. He picked it up and placed it over her shoulders, Liruliniel laughed and looked down at herself. It was ridiculously big for her, yet Thranduil watched as she wiggled her arms into it and pulled it around herself. She buried her face against the soft material with her eyes shut, just simply enjoying being swaddled in it.

There was something earthy about the scent which lingered to it, not like dirt but just of the forest. Like cool mornings and the smell of late blooming flowers and nature, Thranduil just raised an eyebrow. He honestly didn't know what to say about her being still and just practically inhaling the scent which clung to his clothes. Shaking his head with a sigh, he clasped his hands behind his back. "Because why not?" He answered after a few moments.

Liruliniel double took at him, "That is not an answer!" She laughed, which it wasn't. There were other rooms up here, surely, they were free? She felt awkward occupying the room which was Oropher's. That was just too weird for her liking.

Thranduil sighed, he shut his eyes and just listened to the crackling fire. Hearing movement, he looked downwards at her. Liruliniel grabbed another piece of wood and put it in the hearth. The flames were starting to simmer down too much; she stoked it and looked at him. "I haven't a viable answer, Liruliniel. The other rooms up here were used by my father as further study areas, or apparently for storage in one room for instance." He explained, which was true he wasn't lying to her.

She hummed in thought, earning a sidewards glance from him. She pondered and looked at the fire, the heat of it had doubled and she found herself yawning quietly into the extremely long sleeves of the robe. Rubbing her eyes, she looked at him. The look on Thranduil's face was sympathising yet a little worried, he'd seen enough bad moments from her to know foresight really took it out of her.

"I never knew your father had so many places to hide away." Which was also true, she thought he just had the study area.

Thranduil tucked a curl behind her ear, he couldn't help but smile fondly when she yawned quietly again. "You need to rest," he said instead, Liruliniel's eyes looked heavily at him. Thranduil placed an arm around her shoulders and guided her away from the fire. She slipped from his hold though and trotted over to the window seat, he just followed after her and sat down too. Sitting and looking out the window counted as rest; she was tucked up in the corner swamped in his robe and looking like quite the small package sitting there.

Liruliniel rubbed her eyes again, another yawn coming from her as she blinked his way. Thranduil sat opposite, leaning back in the corner but with one leg over the other at the knee. His hands rested in his lap, though catching her eyes he shifted and held his arms out to her. Liruliniel smiled and moved forwards, the long robe trailing along behind her as she went. There was plenty of room for them to be seated together. He managed to stretch out his long legs, as her body came to settle between them, her legs trailing down between his too as she laid slightly on her side and against the window. He had his arms around her; he made sure the robe was fully tucked around her as well; mainly protecting her from any chill which could come from the window and the rainy cold weather beyond.

Her head came to rest against his shoulder, and Thranduil leaned his head gently on top. He could feel her hands try and wiggle out of the long sleeves, eventually they did, and he peered down to see her smaller fingers latch onto his tunic, he couldn't help but roll his eyes back to the window when her other hand took to twiddling locks of his hair. He never got the fascination she had with it, and he didn't think he ever would. He could just ask, but he thought asking would probably embarrass her; and as much as he found her embarrassment endearing, maybe having just one unknown calming habit kept a mystery would be nice.

"I forgot, I said I would mention the spider problem to you." Liruliniel's face peeked up hesitantly, Thranduil moved away from her to look at her face. He looked troubled, and she felt bad for making him feel as such. With a sigh, she nestled against the crook of his neck. "Ignoring the problem will not make it go away."

"What would you suggest?" He asked, both sounding a bit sarcastic but also genuinely interested. He leaned his head back on top of hers as he felt her fingers absentmindedly draw patterns against his chest. Even through the material of his tunic, the sensation caused him to withhold a shudder. It was a distractingly innocent action done by her, and he knew it.

"I think it could be managed. But to do so, we'd need to know where the main nests are."

"You wish to conduct a survey?" Thranduil sounded a little patronising over it, and for his words he got a flick to the chest for it. He frowned downwards at her, even if she couldn't see it because her face was still nestled closely against him.

"Something is drawing them here, Dol Guldur is the problem, but we cannot venture that far to it. I feel like if we do, it will not end well for us. Conducting a survey of the woodland near to us is not a bad idea. Surely, they must congregate more in certain places than others? Can we not find these places and eradicate them?"

Thranduil listened to her words with a gentle sigh, he combed a hand over her hair and kissed the top of her head gently. "I think this is too much talking for someone who is needing rest." He said, blatantly changing the conversation to something else. He didn't want to talk about the spiders, because right now he didn't want to think about them.

"Can you just talk to me? Your voice is very relaxing to listen to," Liruliniel said sleepily, Thranduil looked out the window as his head leaned back against the wall. He wasn't sure she was fully aware to what she said, but it had him smiling lightly as his eyes watched rain track its way down the window. But it was true, with how she was leaning against him, his voice came out as a low but calming rumble. It was very soothing to listen to as she found herself slowly drifting off in his arms.

"I think your suggestion is a sound one, I am sure it will give you peace of mind if I agree to it. But as it is, I do not see any rush to action." He said quietly, combing his hand through her hair and listening to the tired hum which came from her. Thranduil managed to tilt his head and spy her content face, she was buried against him and the robe, and the ghost of a sleepy smile could be seen. "I do not want you readily running out there though, because I fear what will happen if and when you'd cross paths with one of those creatures. The darkness has an affinity to you, it is something that I still do not fully understand, but it is something that constantly plagues my thoughts. If you go out there, I fear you may not return. I fear you may get led astray by them in hopes of finding answers to their dwellings and source." Thranduil said honestly, how could he not worry for her if she went out there? Or if she even tried, it didn't matter if she was within a team, if she went into her own thoughts and saw something, she'd be compelled to follow and find answers.

"But...but I would come back to you, I will always come back to you." Was the sleepy tiredly spoken reply as she took to trying to curl up a little, she failed and instead just readjusted her laying position.

Thranduil's heart clenched at that, a sleepy promise but one which he knew was true. "I would feel better if I could see you, Liruliniel. If I knew you were here, with me, not out there in danger." She had more to risk and lose if she went spider hunting, she feared the dark powers of the world would get her, and Thranduil was trying to still protect her from that.

She let out a quiet mumble, he didn't know if they were meant to be words, but he felt her fingers fidget and readjust themselves too. Where the collar of his tunic parted, he could feel her soft fingers trace over the hollow of his throat, Thranduil reached down and grasped onto her fingers gently. Her sleepy touches were distracting as they were comforting. Liruliniel didn't reply, Thranduil could hear her breathing fully level out now as she stilled in his lap.

He stroked a hand down her back and kept her close, his fingers gently stroking up and down as his head tilted to look out the window again. He leaned his temple against the cool glass as his eyes just watched the flowing river down below, it seemed to be getting churned up more with the wind which was travelling through the kingdom.

He couldn't help but sigh, he hoped this storm would pass quickly enough. Not that he had any reason to go out, or avoid getting wet, but he knew for certain that the elf in his arms would become steadily more angsty with the more time she was kept in. She always needed to be doing something it seemed, and somehow Thranduil felt like the weather wasn't going to hinder her much, he just hoped that whatever she ideally planned to do, he'd be let in on too.

——

Edited: 30/June/25