"So, how long have you been able to see things? Is it something you've always had since birth?" Thorin was curious. His eyes moved from the view before him to the elf beside him. Liruliniel looked better than she did moments ago, being outside seemed to be doing her some good. Although she had tried to insist, she was fine, Thorin could see when someone wasn't; so, with a hand kept resting against her shoulder, he had led her out of the room with guilt weighing slowly down on him.

He didn't know that was going to be the reaction she'd have, but then would anyone presume another would act such a way when surrounded by such wealth? She had originally asked him to take her to one of his favourite parts of his home. So, he did, he led her through straight corridors of black stone and rock and eventually exited through the large open doorway to reach the ramparts again.

Liruliniel had hesitantly looked over them, she had commented they were above the main gate to which he nodded his head over. He liked coming up here to think. Obviously, he wasn't alone most of the time, there were guards positioned up here after all. But none of them bothered him, Thorin could simply stand and look outwards and let his mind wander.

It didn't wander too far, but he found peace in being outside and seeing the neighbouring city happily thriving. A little beyond that if he trained his sight a bit more was Esgaroth, Thorin had only been a few times, nothing too special, but he'd heard people within Dale speak a bit negatively about their neighbours. If Thorin really strained his eyes, he could just about see the Woodland Realm lurking on the horizon.

Liruliniel had enjoyed the sight but then oddly seemed more fascinated with the banners which were flapping in the calm breeze of the day. The golden rod which they were tied to reflect the sun brilliantly and she turned away with a hard look. No item that was gold or too little would be left out. She had listened to his question while taking to leaning against the heavy brickwork. She thought over it, maybe for a bit longer than usual seems the answer wasn't all too long. "No, I wasn't born with it. I found out when I was younger."

"How, if you don't mind me asking?" Thorin ventured on, Liruliniel seemed to be quite accommodating when it came to talking, and questions; but more importantly answering them too.

He wasn't too sure the other elves in her company would be the same. But his curiosity was still quite high. He knew strange things could happen in the world, and that skills could be acquired or others born with them; he didn't ever think he would ever meet someone like that though. No offence to other visitors, but no one that interesting ever visited Erebor.

Liruliniel's eyes looked around at the view, it was different than the one in her room. She enjoyed seeing the kites flying over Dale, and it wasn't hard for her to imagine the happy faces of children as they gazed upwards. They hadn't travelled through the two nearby cities, instead they had stuck to the woodland that went around to lead them to here.

It was a straightforward journey, surprisingly they hadn't encountered any spiders in the forest, and the rocky terrain near the Mountain was different and sometimes a little difficult to traverse, but they all got here. Her eyes moved away from the colourful kites and back to him, moving from her leaning post she turned her back and leaned back too.

Crossing her arms, she eyed up the large doorway they came out of. There was no door attached, no hinges to show there even was one. Still didn't mean that like most of the kingdom, this doorway hadn't escaped being carved brilliantly and carefully. Thorin just looked at her patiently, he was in no rush to hear anymore of her story, she could take as long as she wanted.

Liruliniel looked at her boots and squinted her eyes in thought some more. "Our homeland is dying, but it is dying a slow death, an agonising death. Some are more susceptible to feeling shifts and changes in their environment than others, elves are perceptive anyway, but I think I am more so. I was running away, wanting to explore more of our new home and I fell. The tree I landed in was rotten, decaying from within and it couldn't bear my weight. I wasn't alone, but that didn't mean I was believed when I started saying something was wrong. I remember my vision blacking out at the corners, not being able to breathe, and this whispering sound. That was the beginning, and for many years after, all I had in my dreams were images of death and war. At the moment, all I have is fire and death. I don't sleep much; I struggle to sleep. It is hard to when that's all that can be seen."

Thorin looked sympathetic, "That doesn't sound like an easy burden to bear."

"No," she smiled honestly and pushed away from her leaning position. Honestly, as much as she loved seeing Dale, her heart clenched at the Dale before her and the one she had seen burning. The kites flying wouldn't last long, and the happy faces of children would be no more, and it made her feel sick.

She had always dreamt of coming here, and now she had she didn't want to be anymore because all she was seeing and feeling was death and this unspeakable heaviness. "But I make do, I survive because I have to. It doesn't make it easy, but I am not one for being kept down." Liruliniel said while Thorin seemed to understand her words because he nodded along. Tilting her head and smiling down at him, she waved a hand his way. "I have told you so much about myself, yet I know next to nothing about you. Who are you?" Liruliniel watched as he shifted a little uncomfortably yet ran a hand through his long wavy black hair and gestured back inside.

She followed Thorin as he walked through the spacious corridor which had some dwarven guards sitting in or changing shifts over to go out and stand outside. "I'm really not all that interesting, in comparison to you." Thorin said offhandedly while awkwardly smiling and walking down the stairs which they had originally came up.

Liruliniel hummed, she narrowed her eyes in thought and clicked her tongue. "Either you are very modest, shy, or believe that to be true. Either of which, it seems like I have a mystery to solve." She said with a growing smile, Thorin looked at her curiously, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow when she laughed softly. "Don't look like that! Isn't it part of being friends to figure each other out?"

"You want to be my friend?" Thorin's eyes near on grew to the size of dinner plates, he didn't think he had ever heard something so...he would say ridiculous, but by the look on Liruliniel's face he knew she was being serious.

Liruliniel placed a hand to his shoulder, "You are not the first dwarf that I have befriended. I grew up around some, you know?"

"Really?" Thorin looked even more dumbfounded then. Was it just him, or was she full of surprises? He cursed himself for judging all by how and who they are, but she truly was breaking the mould here of what he thought elves would be like. Did he think others were like her? Evidently not.

"Now that is an interesting story!" Liruliniel beamed as they continued on their walk. Thorin listened and laughed over her tale, she didn't hold back on details, telling him how the dwarven smith had been extremely grumpy when he noticed a small elven girl sneaking about his workshop.

Liruliniel had remembered it being incredibly smoky, yet spacious enough for him to do his work; there were many swords hanging, treated and ready to be properly sharpened and cleaned for use. But also, it was evidently where he slept too, because of the small bunk in the room. She couldn't understand how someone could work or sleep in such heat, but this Bodur apparently did.

Thorin listened to how she explained she was bored, they'd just come to the Blue Mountains and though mortals lived there too, it was the dwarves that really caught her interest. Thorin felt a bit sorry for her when she admitted mortal children didn't wish to play with her, and she was the youngest in the elven group for quite some time; so, she set her eyes to the dwarves. She had spoken fondly about how she had watched the closeness they showed for their kin, and she couldn't get why no one wished to be like that with her.

"My father was in the company of King Oropher at the time so he couldn't parent me and my brother." She had commented, trying to explain for her father's absence. "But then Thalion was too young to try and keep me in check either. So, it's no wonder I managed to run off and find Bodur," she said, looking rather proud at her sneaking and running about. "He hadn't been happy mind. He had chased me out the workshop shouting; 'Get out you little impish pest!' Which...I thought was funny, and it still is really. But time after time I kept coming back, gradually though. I'd peer around the door, or I'd sit on a stool near the exit so I could run if he got angry again. But it showed that after time he realised that I didn't really have anyone else to be around.

So, I was surprised one day when he came walking over to where I sat, he picked me up under the arms and set me on his workbench. There he had gone on to explain about what he was forging, how it was done, the sketched plans and the metal he'd use to do it. I think he thought I'd grow bored...but I didn't, he gave me a wooden sword as a present once, I still have it. But he also allowed me to train with weapons he made, though he had joked about them being too heavy for my weak limbs. Weak?! I scoffed at him for that...though in truth when I first went to try and lift a sword, I failed which set him off laughing."

Thorin hadn't, couldn't and didn't think he'd ever see a time where an elf walked and talked so fondly of a dwarf. And it was true, while she spoke about her childhood friend, Liruliniel had a smile on her face and her eyes were alight with remembering funny memories to tell him. "You sounded very close," which was true, it seemed the smith was there when everyone else was where? He didn't know.

"Hm, we were, I was sad to leave Ered Luin, I still wonder if he is there working away. He didn't care in the end about who I was, or what; he just cared that a small girl was alone and sad and being with him made me a little less so."

Thorin stopped suddenly, which had Liruliniel looking at him worriedly. He had been quite contented and happy while she talked away, she didn't know if something she'd possibly said offended him somehow. Not that she was sure how, she hadn't said anything rude. "Would you like to see the forges here?"

Liruliniel's eyes lit up again, "Really?!"

Thorin laughed at her reaction, "Yes, really. I wouldn't throw out the suggestion only to retract it, would I?"

Liruliniel waved a finger at him, "I don't know...maybe that is something you do, how am I meant to know?" After all, he hadn't been forthcoming with information about himself. She refused to believe he didn't think himself interesting. She thought he was quite charming and polite really, he probably had things to do but here he was keeping her company.

Thorin rolled his eyes and gestured a hand towards another steep set of stairs. Liruliniel trotted down with him, and it didn't take long for them to soon feel the raging heat of the furnaces. Liruliniel hadn't ever seen something so amazing, everything here was amazing she believed she should start categorising them in levels from one to ten, which level of amazing was this, about an eight she supposed?

But the room consisted of large cylindrical furnaces spaced evenly apart, even from here she could see the fires burning fiercely within. Thick smoke raised from the top as molten metal was heated down in a controlled manner and then transported to another part of the room. There were many figures here, all rushing about doing their assigned tasks. Liruliniel couldn't help but laugh while Thorin looked apologetically up at her when some banter between a pair used some colourful language.

She wasn't so easily offended as to care, but she couldn't help but walk over and look down at the dark steely looking item they were seemingly talking over. "You are very skilled," one dwarf noticed her first, being on the opposite side of the worktable, the one in front of her jumped and slowly looked up. Liruliniel smiled, his expression was utterly baffling as he tried to figure out why she was so close and looking down at him. "May I?"

The dwarf smith here looked to Thorin, still utterly confused and Thorin in return just nodded his head. "Yes, sure, here," he all but scrambled to the side while also dropping his tools on the table and letting her get a closer look.

"You are making armour," she leaned down, their worktops were quite a bit smaller than what she was used to. Her eyes slid over to the dwarf opposite to her, "Are you not?"

"Y-yes..."

"It is interesting looking. Mine is so...fancy, yours is practical; it looks practical." Liruliniel looked to Thorin when he joined her side, she laughed at his expression. Everyone just looked so confused, she couldn't help but find humour in it. "Can I have a go?" This just got them looking even more confused, all of them looked as if she had just stood here and started speaking her native language. Honestly, Liruliniel hadn't ever seen three dwarves look so miffed.

"Perhaps we better start you off on something easier eh, lass?" The one opposite her quipped with a smirk, she could see it even from behind the bushy brunette beard.

Liruliniel stood up straight and shrugged, reaching over her shoulder she took Silmacil off and placed it on the table, the dwarves looked at it with curious eyes as she stood rolling her sleeves up. "I am not afraid of hard work, Master Dwarf. Just so you know, most of my life has been hard work." She commented offhandedly while waving a hand down at the sword, "You can touch it, take it out and have a look, it is a very old weapon." They looked like eager children, dwarves and crafts, even elven crafts it was something they seemingly couldn't help but have a look at. Rolling her eyes, she reached across and unsheathed it for them, seems none of them were going to. "My grandfather made it, it hasn't seen battle...that I know of, and I pray it doesn't any time soon." She turned it over and handed it to the dwarf who jumped from her side.

"It is exceptionally done." He marvelled quietly, running his sooty hands over the blade gently as too not cut himself. There was no transfer of dirt over to the sword though, somehow.

The one opposite to her looked it over too, "Aye, perhaps some of his skills have come over to you."

"I'm a soldier, not a smith, but I would like to have a go seems I'm here!" Liruliniel shrugged happily and smiled, she looked at Thorin, "And if I ever get around to going to Ered Luin, I can show off to Bodur." She said with a mischievous grin, Thorin just shook his head slowly he hadn't exactly thought that she'd genuinely wish to take part in trying to forge down here.

But then, he probably should've suspected as such, considering. Even as he rolled his own sleeves up, Liruliniel was hurrying along behind one of the dwarves who was talking her through some process or another. Even he could see she was lapping it up, he hadn't thought an elf would look so excited, but she did. But also, Thorin didn't think an elf would take too kindly to being given orders by a dwarf, Liruliniel looked more than fine with it.

"Is she going to be here for a while?" Thorin hadn't realised one of the other dwarves was still present. He looked over, noticing how he was leaning against his forearm and sketching with his other hand on drafting paper.

"Yes, I believe so, why?" Thorin couldn't help but ask curiously.

The dwarf let out a short laugh and flicked his smoky ringed eyes up at him. "Because work is going to be a lot more entertaining if she's around." He laughed again, looking over to where his companion and Liruliniel disappeared too. Even before he finished speaking, they both heard her exclaiming something in wonder and excitement.

"Somehow I believe you are right." Although Thorin was more believing as a whole, the short time she'd be here for was definitely going to be entertaining in one way or another. He bid farewell to the dwarf drawing away and moved over to where Liruliniel was, Thorin didn't know what had grabbed her attention so fully, but he was interested to see what it was.

=

The next time Thranduil saw Liruliniel, he was definitely not expecting her to be covered in sooty, smoke residue and laughing quite amicably beside Thorin. It was drawing close to dinner, as such someone had gone in search of them. Thranduil hadn't thought anything of it when there was word they were in the work rooms of the kingdom. He hadn't even really thought anything of the company she was with but seeing her so happy and mucky...Thranduil couldn't help but inhale slowly and keep a rather stoic expression on his face.

He wasn't expecting her to act any differently than she usually did back home. Maybe a small part of him hoped she'd turn it down a little, but no, no she was evidently having the time of her life. Though he was pleased to see her so happy, and she was truly happy, Thranduil couldn't help but frown a little as his eyes watched the pair draw close to where he was standing with Thrór; as she suspected, he hadn't let Thranduil have much time to himself before an escort appeared and queried - it wasn't a question he could decline - whether he'd like to also explore the kingdom with the king as his guide.

Thranduil had graciously accepted the invite, and he had walked around the city looking over it but sadly, he didn't find it as interesting as what Liruliniel did. Elves weren't made for dark spaces underground, these were places where they could not thrive, the atmosphere was jovial and relaxed, and the kingdom truly was at peace; but to Thranduil the woodland spaces outside were definitely more alluring. Everything was too dark, the stone within the Mountain which made up the complex stairs and rooms within were too cold, dwarves may be very happy shuffling about in the gloom, but he wasn't, and he knew nor was his kin.

Liruliniel being the exception, as ever because she looked ecstatic. How much was that from what she'd done in her day, or her company present, Thranduil did not know. The thought of the dwarf-Prince making her so happy though had him narrowing his eyes ever so slightly. Thrór however laughed at the sight of the dirty pair, Thranduil's eyes slid downwards at him, at least someone was finding humour in this because he wasn't as such.

Honestly, he wished to warn the dwarf-King of his possible impending doom and be done with it. Thranduil suspected the letter he wrote years before was shunned, he knew it had been, was perhaps more accurate; he wanted to tell Thrór the truth and then be done with it and go. He knew his words would get ignored too. But he knew if he didn't try, Liruliniel would, or she'd keep on until he swayed and conceded.

"What have you two been doing?" Thrór shook his head, the jewels and trinkets in his beard clinking together as he did so. The light that was within the room they were in bounced off of the fine items and made them twinkle.

"Would you believe trying to become a smith?" Liruliniel tried to explain their appearances, only to awkwardly scratch her neck and smile sheepishly at the dwarf who stood there chuckling still. Thranduil tilted his head minutely, he looked almost questionably at her and Liruliniel just smiled through the soot at him.

Something about her trying to be a smith, even though it took years and years to be one, had him feeling unsettled. She was not her grandfather, but inherit skills happened to appear at any time in anyone's life. Thrór sighed and placed his hands against his hips with a shake of his head, he looked to be despairing, though his blue eyes were still light with mirth from them looking like that. "At least you are honest, how did it go?" He asked, lowering his arms and making the thick fur trimmed sleeves of his robe fall back down into place too.

Liruliniel laughed quietly and waved her hands in the air. "Awful!"

"I believe she has a long way to go, before taking anyone's job from them." Thorin commented while crossing his arms and looking at her with a smirk.

"I wouldn't want to put them out of work, so I just pretended to be rubbish, see." Liruliniel countered with a click of her finger, she looked so sure of herself that Thorin just shifted his weight and looked at her plainly. She laughed and shook her head, "I'm going to go change now, I do not want to be the cause for dinner being late." She decided to just divert the topic as she swept escaped strands of hair over her ears with a sigh. "Sire, may I have a word with you?" She stepped forwards, bowing her head in a brief bye to the two dwarves.

"If you must." Thranduil turned and had her jumping to walk beside him as they left their companions behind.

Liruliniel just sighed at his offish tone, was he honestly a bit jealous? Hilarious, but annoying, and Liruliniel blew out a sigh again as she looked at her grubby hands. It was fun being down there, even if she believed she was more of a hindrance. It was still fun. "I saw something else." This had him stopping so suddenly that Liruliniel tripped over her own feet almost to stop too.

Thranduil looked at her distantly, a frown creeping onto his face as he looked unhappily at her. "And you are only telling me this now?" He questioned in a low tone as she nodded her head, "Why?"

Liruliniel shook her head, she went to step in front of him and hold his hands, yet she stopped. She pulled her hands away and kept them to her chest, she didn't want to get him dirty too. Thranduil's hard expression slipped ever so slightly when he saw her look disheartened from her failed attempt. "Because regardless of when these moments happen, I continue on. So I went to the ramparts, I could see to Esgaroth from there! But I watched kites fly and saw the winding course of the Anduin. It is very beautiful up there, perhaps I can show you? But yes, admittedly I did venture to the forges and, well...it was fun! But I didn't want to go back to my room and brood, or get you worried."

Thranduil placed a hand on her sooty shoulder and urged her onwards to her room to bathe and change. "What did you see?"

Liruliniel opened her mouth, only to shut it. Her smoky covered nose twitched in thought for a few moments before she looked up at him hesitantly. "You have been walking with King Thrór, correct? I don't suppose he showed you the hall that is covered and filled with golden mounds of treasure? I didn't think he did. Thranduil, that is the cause...that and perhaps the stone in the throne. We couldn't figure it out before, remember? But Prince Thorin, I told him why we were here because he asked. That's how I know of this space, he showed me, and he said he sees his grandfather down there quite often, half the time he appears to be overwhelmed and dazed. Thranduil, King Thrór is sick, there is some growing obsession on this gold, and it's only getting worse; we passed the mines, and they're toiling away finding new things all the time." Liruliniel explained while looking up at him sadly, with the realisation that though having moments of happiness and joking around, deep down there was something wrong with the ruling king, and it may be something everyone here knew but didn't talk about.

"His obsession with this Arkenstone is beyond compare. I had listened to how it was found, and how it is believed to be the centre, the heart of this place. A divine item, demonstrating his right to rule because this was found within his reign. None can question or contradict because of this. There isn't likely to be a rebellion against a possible mad king because of some dwarfish tradition or binding to a stone." Thranduil said somewhat bitterly as he rolled his eyes, he thought dictating a rule through or by a found item, no matter how beautiful it was, was a bit ridiculous. He didn't think he'd ever truly understand dwarves, but then Thranduil didn't honestly think he wished to.

Liruliniel placed a hand to her chin and rubbed it thoughtfully, this if anything made more soot and grime smear on her skin. She didn't seem to mind as she slowly looked to her room coming up, she reached out and opened the door and pottered in. "Aren't you coming in too? We can't leave this conversation in the middle." Liruliniel said while noticing him lingering in the doorway. She was too busy grabbing clean clothes to notice he hadn't entered the room.

Thranduil moved in silently, shutting the door behind himself as he went to sit on the edge of the bed and watch her. "What are you proposing?"

"Wasn't it you who said you'd talk to him?"

"With your aid, you have seen this kingdom undone, remember?" Thranduil said while standing and shooing her hands away gently. Some of her hair had escaped her braids, it meant that it had tangled over and around the circlet which was still present. Thranduil's nimble fingers managed to gently free her hair and the jewellery without much struggle. He set it to one side and watched her frown at his words. He was only saying the truth.

"It is insulting, isn't it? To walk up to someone and call them out on being mad."

"We are not being that blunt," Thranduil despaired, he had better tact with words than she did, and he wasn't going to go straight for the jugular there.

Liruliniel stopped in the middle of walking to the bathroom and looked at him questionably. "Sometimes being blunt is the only thing to do. He needs to know what his horde is doing, Thranduil; it is sowing the seeds of his own demise, but also everyone else who resides here and near. If a dragon comes, will we not be pulled in too?"

Thranduil walked over to her, he watched her turn to face him with her clean bundle of clothes in her arms. She may have been reluctant to touch him, but he didn't hold back cupping her face in his hands. She whined and laughed, trying to back off to stop him getting dirty too.

Yet Thranduil just smiled and stroked his thumbs over her sooty cheeks anyway, Liruliniel just pouted. She sighed contently though, even nuzzling a bit more against one of his palms. "I'm not risking your life, Legolas's or anyone else's for the blind ambition and ignorance of a dwarf-King." Liruliniel's eyes slowly opened and looked at his, his blue eyes looked steely and seriously down at her. He wasn't joking, he would not march his people to fight against a dragon they had no hope of defeating. "Go bathe and change, Liruliniel. We will talk more afterwards." Thranduil tilted her head and kissed the top of her head, her hair had a smoky scent to it too and he let her go soon after, she smiled and walked quickly into the bathroom leaving him to sit and wait for her return.

"You're jealous, aren't you? Don't think I didn't see the look you sent in Prince Thorin's direction!" Liruliniel's voice called out from the bathroom, Thranduil shut his eyes and internally worked his mind over this. She sounded amused while the sounds of splashing water could be heard. "The silence says it all, sire! You are feeling intimidated by a dwarf!"

Thranduil glared at the bathroom door, he didn't respond which seemed to make her laugh more from the closed off room. It was silent for a few more moments, though he could hear her singing quietly away to herself as she no doubt got dressed and ready for dinner. Thranduil's eyes blinked, and he stood up when the door opened and she ventured out. She was talking about something, but he wasn't listening, and this was only because he was yet again temporarily taken back by what she had opted to wear; it was like her returning from Lórien all over again. So, some part of her deep down did enjoy wearing beautifully made dresses, this moment was evidence of that.

Unlike the deep blue of her usual tunics and that other dress, this one flowed, as if it had a life of its own the thin material flowed and swayed with each motion she made; it was somewhat alluring to watch really, there was a shift underneath attached to the dress which was a pale colour, the top half and the equally flowing sleeves were a pale cream, in certain light it looked tinted with an even paler colour of green; but this colour bled away the more it travelled down the dress, the same went for the sleeves, that this warm orange colour replaced it and the two colours mingled perfectly.

The sleeves seemed to have slits in the front, so her arms could come out and she wouldn't need to forever tamper with the sleeves and wrestle with them. There was a small belt made of golden leaf motifs that nipped the waist in, but the long chain continued downwards and stopped near her knees. The neckline came slightly off the shoulders and her hair, though still damp, had seemingly retained some of the curls from the previous braids.

Liruliniel had noticed silence from her talking and looked over her shoulder at him, she paused returning the circlet back on her head. "Thranduil?" Her voice was low and questioning as she looked at him worriedly. Silence and him always worried her, usually it meant he was thinking too much on something and well, the reaction could then be anything from sarcasm to more silence.

"You look beautiful."

"Oh..." Liruliniel's eyes widened and even from the small space between them he could see her cheeks redden ever so slightly. She tucked a piece of her hair over her ears and looked bashfully downwards, "Thank you."

Thranduil just found himself smiling, so easily embarrassed she all but jumped when he took her circlet from her and placed it atop her drying hair. He had already brushed the smudges of soot from his hands, so running them down the light-coloured sleeves to hold her hands meant they didn't run the risk of getting dirty. "In all seriousness though, do you feel well?" He asked worriedly, he knew how she got when a vision took hold, and he watched her head nod before she looked up at him.

"It knocked me a bit, but I am well. Shall we go? Best not keep them waiting." Liruliniel got one of her hands free and gestured towards the door, her other hand linked with his as she started backtracking and pulling him too. "Don't look like that!" She laughed, it was like a petulant child not wishing to do something.

"You believe they would wait for us? Liruliniel, I do not think dwarves are that courteous." Thranduil just smirked, watching her frown his way.

"You are a shrewd elf, Thranduil."

"Yes, I believe you've told me that before." He sighed and looked down at her when she let out a quiet chuckle, her free hand came to rest against his arm. Her hand travelled up and down his sleeve, he had changed since arriving too, no longer wearing the silvery tunic with the dark details he had opted for something that was an icy blue with a mottled pattern that was just a fraction darker than the main clothing colour.

The length of it rivalled that of his other, a train trailing behind him made very little sounds over the dark stone of Erebor's corridors. The colour complemented him perfectly, and the only reason Liruliniel didn't return the sentiment was that she knew all she'd get in return was a knowing smirk. Thranduil really didn't need his ego boosting, or her telling him how handsome he looked; and he did, the colour accentuated his pale skin and hair in a way which was quite bewitching to her, but yet it also bought out the stunning clear tone of his eyes.

There wasn't really a time where she could think that he didn't always dress so neatly and elegantly, but Liruliniel couldn't help but be a little discouraged that the darkness of Erebor, even with the torches and fire, wouldn't do justice to just how exquisite he looked. But also, she couldn't help but muse that they were perhaps going to be the lone two who looked so proper, what did she know, dwarves may dress somewhat smart for the occasion of dinner, or not...

=

The silence in the room was almost unbearable and absolute, in fact it would've been if it wasn't for the large fire raging in the hearth to one side; the chunky blocks of wood which had been thrown in were readily and quickly consumed by the flickering and dancing flames. Every so often a piece would chip and fall off, tumbling down into and amongst the ashes which were still presently there, as yet to be cleaned out it seemed.

It also seemed it was used quite often, the darkened marks up the back of the equally dark stone of the chimney was evidence of that. Another spitting sound came from the flames, and another piece chipped off; the wafer-thin segment wafted upwards in the ascension of the smoke, only to disappear within the smoggy cloud and not be seen again.

As grand as the fire was, and it truly was considering how much of the wall it took up, it also accentuated the details and expressions of those which were either seated around it or were just stand closely. For one, the flames managed to pick up each minute detail of Thrór and his less than appeased expression.

It was after dinner, and the talk about the details as to why the elves were here had yet to happen beforehand, so it was happening now. Only, Thrór - much like any other dwarf, let alone a king - did not take kindly to the almost bland, condescending and passively spoken words which came from a fellow king, elf or otherwise. But then what else was he meant to expect, Thrór was under no illusions that the aura and general disposition and mentality of Thranduil was that he was better than any and all, or at least that's what he gave off.

Regardless, Thranduil had sat with one leg crossed over the other with his hands resting in his lap as his eyes stared unblinkingly at Thrór, and simply he had spoken; "Your endless mining is going to bring ruin upon you all." The tone wasn't softly spoken from a friend, it was blunt and bored sounding; as if what he was saying was the blindingly obvious.

Thrór's reaction was silence, while Thráin had instantly exclaimed and took to aggressively giving Thranduil a piece of his mind, how could he accuse them of such a thing? Where was his place to even presume or suggest this situation? Did he honestly come all this way, just for that?

Thranduil had just watched the dwarf-Prince with a minor air of curiosity before rather audibly sighing, that silenced Thráin then who just glared sharply at him. Thranduil's response was to simply raise an eyebrow and tilt his head a fraction, he was fed up already with this. He sat here knowing the dwarves were not going to listen to him, yet still he tried. They, well, Thráin openly insulted him, and he still just sat here and took it silently, even if on the inside he was not all too happy at all.

The silence stretched on for too long, and it was only the fire which took over the void where their voices were moments ago. It seemed like Thrór was thinking, but that was hard to tell considering how he looked disdainfully down at the ground below his boots. The patterned caps on the top looked slightly weathered from use and constant wear, but the intricate bands coiling around each other could still be seen in this low light. But still he remained silent, and the silence if anything was getting heavier with the more time that passed.

"It is a fair warning," Thrór's voice spoke up eventually, thick and heavy with thought as he ran a hand gently over his beard. The interlocked trinkets within didn't get disturbed by his fingers, strangely enough they remained perfectly in place.

Thranduil resisted rolling his eyes and just straightened up in his seat. Even Liruliniel, who was standing beside him silently staring at the fire shot a look from the corner of her eyes. Thranduil was surprised she'd been silent this long, but then glancing at her every now and then, it was clear her attention was elsewhere. That elsewhere was probably her thoughts, and he for one was not a fan of that.

"It is," he responded, he tried not to sound annoyed really, what else was he meant to say to that? Thrór sounded thoughtful, yet sceptical at the same time. Did he honestly think Thranduil was trying to trick him? Probably, he wouldn't be surprised.

Thrór's blue eyes narrowed slowly and stared onwards at him. "By what chance do you think you have the right to tell us what to do in our own home?"

With indifference, Thranduil just looked at him expressionlessly. "Treasure has a habit of corrupting and bringing corruption."

"Speak plainly, would you? You're speaking ominously for no reason other than you seem to wish to." Thráin had Thranduil's eyes slowly slide over to his form as he stood abruptly and paced around the room. He was confused and annoyed.

"A dragon." Liruliniel said plainly, the meandering paces of Thráin stopped as he slowly turned and looked disbelievingly at her. Thrór looked upwards at her with wide eyes too, Thranduil sighed quietly and slid his eyes shut.

It was only a matter of time before that creature got mentioned, he was going to do it to get sense into them, but she beat him to it. She had stared at the fire too long that it was hurting her eyes, the flowing loose dress she still wore reflected the brightness of the flames and she turned away slowly. Watching the fire was mind numbing, relaxing in a way yet made her feel utter turmoil in another.

Sweeping her skirt out of the way, she sat down on the armrest of Thranduil's chair. It seemed a flaw, but there were only three chairs in the room, and no one seemed to get any others bought in. Thranduil unlinked his fingers and placed a hand gently against her lower back, partially to steady her which in reality was ridiculous, her balance was otherworldly like his own, but also just to hold onto her in some way.

Both looked to Thráin though when he spat out a scoff, he shook his head and marched over, stopping a little in front of the two elves who looked wide eyed at his hasty walking and sudden silence. "There are no dragons in these parts! There hasn't been for hundreds, if not thousands of years!"

Liruliniel frowned and found herself recoiling from the shouting dwarf in front of her, whereas Thranduil moved to sit forwards, frowning up at him darkly. "And you readily believe they are all dead? You are a fool if you believe so, only because you do not see any, does not mean they are not out there." He said almost through gritted teeth, he knew dwarves were stubborn and thick headed, but Thráin was pushing it right now.

Thráin's response to being called out as a fool was to look suddenly rather angrily downwards at the pair, mainly Thranduil and take a step back when the taller elf stood up. By all means, he was ready to stand and literally look down at the dwarf-Prince, but he didn't because Liruliniel beat him to it. "Please, listen! Honestly, we are not here to start an argument, you have all been most kind and gracious to us, the last thing I want is to fight. Sire, I have seen your halls of gold, and I have seen you walk amongst the hills that you have created." Liruliniel bypassed Thráin, who looked angrily at her for doing so. She ignored him and went to Thrór, kneeling down, she placed her hands on the armrest and looked at him honestly. "I see things, and I have seen your kingdom destroyed."

"Preposterous-"

"I do not lie! I don't like lies, and I do not take part in telling them." Liruliniel all but barked over her shoulder, out of the two, Thráin was the one who was being more openly contradicting.

But when she looked at him, she could see he was possibly afraid, much like Thorin, Thráin knew what his father was doing. Liruliniel could see it in the way he shiftily looked at her, his resolve slipping. Thráin was covering up his worry with anger, in an attempt to try and defend his father. What child wouldn't do that for their parent? No one wishes to admit they are wrong, least of all a child admitting their parent is and was wrong.

Thráin ran a hand heavily down his face, an exhausted sigh coming from him as he did so. He walked back over and collapsed almost in his chair. Looking upwards at the ceiling for a few moments, he looked at his father. Thrór's face was downcast back at the floor, Liruliniel looked to Thráin worriedly. "He is oftentimes like this. There are good days, there are bad; but he does not sleep, he wanders the halls and the mines, always looking and always adding to what is there." Thráin explained, he sounded utterly worn out.

Liruliniel sympathised with him, forgiving his outbursts and anger because clearly, he had been carrying this burden for a long time before they arrived. "It is my right," Thrór spoke, having Liruliniel look back at him from his low tone. "Is it not?" Here he looked to her, as if she could rightly tell him yes.

Liruliniel shook her head slowly, "No...as a leader, as a King, it is your responsibility to set the standards to how others act. You hide away within Erebor, others will do the same; any treasure you collect, you keep to yourself, others will think that is the norm and trade will cut out for you. Your wealth could be used for good, not be wasted sitting collecting dust in a hall." Liruliniel spoke softly and kindly, it was what she believed to be right.

Thrór however did not, he moved with speed, flinging his arms in the air in disgust as an expression to accompany the action flitted onto his face. He shot up too, so suddenly that poor Liruliniel almost went tumbling back. If it wasn't for her elven agility she surely would've gone rolling into the fire. She stumbled away, only to bump into something. Thranduil stood there silently and looking unfavourably at the dwarf-King who'd practically shoved her aside.

He steadied his hands on her shoulders, even if he was holding onto her a little too tightly. "You cannot speak of sense and reason with them; they will not listen." Thranduil said while watching as Thrór suddenly stopped moving about the room when he heard his voice.

The look Thrór sent in Thranduil's direction would have anyone quaking if not suddenly melting from the heated anger which lingered in his blue eyes. Thranduil, at any other time, probably would've smirked over his words and the reaction they yielded, but he didn't this time.

Instead, he just stared at the shorter male who stood there seething almost. "You dare speak to me of sense and reason? You, who hide away in your forest palace while you let your precious trees around you die and succumb to evil? You dare try and come here to sway me otherwise, when you do nothing to aid your own situation? And you speak of what it is to be a leader, a King, when you yourself reign over nothing, and no one." Thrór's anger filled words were firstly shot at Thranduil, his eyes widened slowly over how sharply spoken and cutting they were before Thrór's words whipped out at Liruliniel. She lowered her head sadly and hid behind her hair. "It seems perhaps, before coming to me and telling me how to do things, you should firstly look closer to home." Thrór's tone was sarcastic, even from under his beard a smirk could be seen.

"Father-"

"Enough! Enough of this talk of dragons and destruction, I do not wish to hear anymore of it." Thrór shot Thráin down without so much as a glance, the prince stood from his seat and looked appalled at his father.

"It isn't just you." Liruliniel said lowly and seriously, she lifted her head and glared at him. "It isn't just you! You will selfishly continue, you will not change your ways, and you will die! But do you know what? It isn't just you who will suffer the wrath of the dragon; it is the people of Dale. It will raise it to the ground, and there will be nothing left, do you hear me? Nothing! All those people, women, men, children...they will perish, and it will be because a dwarf-King will not heed the advice and words from those who are not his enemy, but his friends, on the fact that if he does not stop, all your precious gold will attract the eyes of something that will perceive it as theirs. Gold sings out to a dragon like nectar to a bee, only a dragon won't sting you and die; it will burn you all and take your lands and treasures for itself, and there will be nothing you can do about it.

I have seen it, twice, the more I stay here the more I see. King Thrór, I am begging you to stop; not for me, I am not a selfish elf, don't do it for me...but do it for the innocents in Dale, who have done nothing to warrant this. Do it for your own people, who are good, and fair and loving to you and their home. I do not want what I see, to become a reality. But I fear it will, and I have seen enough visions come to pass already." Liruliniel finished off sadly, throughout her tone had been hard and pleading, soft and friendly in an attempt to get through to the older ruler.

For the most part, Thrór had stood silent and staring at her with wide eyes. Eventually he turned and walked back to be beside Thráin, his son looked hopeful in some ways, yet seeing the look on his father's face his own expression dwindled. "I do believe your stay here is coming to a close. You best rest up before you travel tomorrow. See them out, Thráin." Thrór's voice was hollow, so was his look as he didn't even watch his son guide the two elves out.

Thráin followed them into the corridor, he ran a hand through his hair and grumbled under his breath. "Apologies for how I acted," he stopped when they were a good few meters away from the room.

Liruliniel smiled, "You have nothing to apologise for," she said, although the look on Thranduil's face said otherwise. "You were looking out for your father; I'd have done the same." She shrugged loosely, Thráin nodded slowly and looked thankful for her not holding out a grudge here, yet again, Thranduil looked otherwise.

"He has gone quite mad," Thráin admitted with a defeated sigh. "It has only grown worse since the Arkenstone was discovered. Now every little thing which is found has to go to him. Before, we would share and we would trade, that much you are right on, Princess. He does not listen to sense, as you've seen. He will not listen to me; he will not listen to advisors. It is his way, or no way."

"It is a hard situation you are in. To be under the rule of a mad King, I fear that the future maybe set for you all." Liruliniel said softly with a sad look sent up at Thranduil, still stoic faced he looked between the pair.

"If we are to leave tomorrow, just let it be known to your father that we tried." Thranduil said somewhat sternly, as if he was talking down to a child.

Thráin nodded his head, "Aye, I can see that now," which was a little ironic considering the fact he only had one eye. Yet he ran a hand through his beard again, the cylindrical clasps within it got tapped against thoughtfully. "Do you know when?" Thráin asked, hoping to get a time scale and put into place some preparations, just in case.

Liruliniel looked apologetically at him, "I wish I did, but I don't. I am sorry, if I knew I would tell you."

"I know you would," Thráin could feel her sincerity, he nodded down the corridor. "Best you be off, I shall see if what my father said is true, if he really wishes for you to leave come tomorrow." He stepped back and bowed at them both before turning on his heels and walking away.

"That went well," Thranduil commented, turning and commencing walking slowly along the corridor.

Liruliniel double took and picked up her skirts to catch up with him. "That did not go well."

"It went as well as could be expected." He figured that much was true, yet she still looked at him sharply. Thranduil raised an eyebrow, or not. Shaking his head, he reached out and placed a hand behind her back. "It was a likely outcome, Liruliniel."

"I know, but even still..."

"We tried," Thranduil urged that, he looked at her seriously. "We have tried. What more could we do? There is nothing, we can do no more. We cannot undermine and go behind his back, because that will no doubt bring about a fight neither of us wish to happen, or take part in."

"Even if it meant stopping a dragon?"

"I will not go to war, to attempt to get dwarves to see sense." Thranduil frowned and shot her a look, how she thought that was the lesser of the evil, he did not know. He for one would quite happily leave now, if the king wished it. Why wait until tomorrow? They did what they set out to do, they may have failed, but they had come here in warning anyway. It was up to Thrór whether he'd listen or not, Thranduil was inclined to believe the latter. He saw the way the dwarf-King acted, and he listened to how he spoke, Thrór was lost. He was lost within his own thoughts, feelings and wants. Thráin's words said it all, Thrór had more or less become a selfish ruling monarch.

Liruliniel did feel conflicted over this all, somehow, she felt like more could've been said, or done. But ultimately what else was there to say or do? They had said the truth, they had done what they came here for, that much Thranduil was correct on. But still, something was niggling away at her, and she couldn't help but muse it was because of the few dwarves she had encountered here already. They were all good, funny in their own little ways and polite despite of the odd cursing now and then; but they were good, and they were totally undeserving of what was to fall on them.

It was painful to think about really, how many of them would survive? Was there an easy route out of Erebor, so that some may escape to freedom? If they did, where would they go? The Iron Hills, perhaps? Or would they go further afield? So many questions and no answers were hurting her head, she rubbed her forehead with a deep frown and a heavy sigh.

Thranduil took these as negative signs and placed a hand on her shoulder, she stopped walking and looked up at him a little confused. "It isn't your fault," he believed she was somehow blaming herself for not getting through to Thrór. Liruliniel could be charming at the best of times, but she definitely didn't fail here, and he wished her to know that.

"Then why do I feel like it is?" Liruliniel whispered softly, she looked at her hands and twiddled her fingers slightly before picking and playing at her sleeves.

"Because you have seen what happens, you feel responsible to speak and advise; only, when that goes wrong you find yourself despairing. You didn't do anything wrong, and you did all you could."

"So, we should just leave them to this fate?" Liruliniel asked hesitantly, looking at him with a troubled expression as she stopped playing with her sleeves.

Thranduil sighed quietly, "I do not know what else there is to do. No matter who you are, sometimes fate cannot be tampered with. Perhaps this is one of those times, Liruliniel. You foresaw the war, it still happened, didn't it? Things happen for a reason, sometimes good and sometimes bad, but even you cannot change the course of fate."

"I do not believe it is their fate to perish in dragon-fire." Liruliniel strongly believed that, even if his words held a nugget of truth.

Thranduil tilted his head in thought, he turned on his heels and slowly started to walk away with his hands behind his back. His footsteps barely made a sound as he travelled along the dark corridor, the flickering of torches hanging kept the space illuminated though. The flame light captured and bounced off the finer intricacies of his attire as he walked past them. "Some will surely survive," he said after a few moments, he noted she wasn't beside him. Turning and looking back, he saw her standing where he had started walking from. Despite of the distance between them, he knew she still heard him because she frowned softly. Thranduil's hands unclasped from each other, and he held one out towards her. "Come, lingering in the shadows will do you no good." Which it wouldn't, he knew she knew that too.

Liruliniel picked up her skirts with one hand and quickly walked to his side, her spare hand instantly slid into his and she felt relief wash over her just from the contact. Thranduil's hand got lost within the long sleeve of her dress as their hands settled in between them. "If we are to leave tomorrow, there is one thing I wish to do before we go." Liruliniel spoke up after a few moments of quiet walking, Thranduil looked curious over her words.

He had of course been shown around most of the kingdom, and really, he didn't think he wished to venture off somewhere else within it. Liruliniel smiled, she picked up her skirt again and commenced trying to run down the corridor, with him in tow. Only, of course, being stronger than her all he had to do was stop walking and root himself to the spot and she came hurtling back from the recoil of him not moving.

He didn't exactly like surprises, least of all if it was coming from her, Thranduil was sceptical to say the least. Yet Liruliniel just peered up with a smile from where she came shuffling back and landing against his chest. She didn't look like she was scheming something, but he had learned a long time ago she was quite good at masking her expressions, sometimes she failed but most of the time she did a good job. Against better judgement, Thranduil relented; Liruliniel let out an excited noise and went running off as fast as she could within her current garments. Thranduil was fast walking behind her, he wasn't exactly getting pulled along like he used to when they were children, but she was still trying her hardest.

The last thing Thranduil expected, was to be led outside. The dwarves who were standing guard peered out of their helmets with confusion as they watched him being led along silently. He just raised a questioning brow, as if they were going to openly comment, of course they didn't and they looked elsewhere just as Liruliniel let out a quiet exclaim over the night view.

The sentinel like statues which stood either side of the door looked blankly out at the same view too, obviously with less emotion because of their stone faces, but Liruliniel let go of his hand and immediately started fast walking down the pathway. The path which led up to the Mountain was raised, gravely underfoot and pebbly but because it was higher up, it meant that even from here they could spy ahead quite far.

Dale was softly illuminated, orange glowing lights could be seen from small windows, not everyone had retired to bed even if it seemed the hour was late. The moon was full and rather large in the sky, which meant everything was being covered in a silvery glow. There were no clouds, or what clouds there was, were small and whispery, they trailed languidly along the darkened sky as the stars shone out equally as brightly as the moon.

The wooded areas which took up most of the other areas around the dwarf kingdom seemed almost alien at night. Like most things, the darkness made it appear somehow different. All trees were familiar to Liruliniel, no matter where they were, trees like the earth they grew from were just an extension of herself and she had always felt very grounded and in tune with the nature around her. It was this area that she made a beeline for, Thranduil just stood and looked away from the vast sky above him to where her form was disappearing off to. He couldn't help but sigh, she came here mainly for herself, no matter how eager she was to get him out here too.

The last he saw was the orangey trail of her dress billowing out behind her as she ran into the tree line and disappeared within the foliage. He felt his eyes narrow before he even registered, he was somewhat glaring off into that direction. He looked over his shoulder when he heard the dwarves whispering amongst themselves and Thranduil just turned and walked off quickly in search of her.

He didn't take dwarves to be the gossiping type, but they seemed to speculate that he had just been led on and ditched. Knowing Liruliniel like he did, she had probably got childishly overwhelmed with being able to actually be out here with the trees and had gone running off before she realised, she had. It was typically something she would do; he honestly wouldn't put that past her at all.

Didn't mean finding her was any easier. He knew how quick she could be, and silent too, and everything around him now was silent. Unlike back home, where even the section of the forest closest and enclosed by walls for safety wasn't like this; this felt calm, relaxing like he had been here before, yet he hadn't. Venturing outside back home was something rare, when and if he did it was brief and usually only because Liruliniel had badgered him and pleaded with him to come out with her.

She didn't go out on her own anymore, even when inside Thranduil could see the affects the changes on their home was having on her. She didn't need to be outside to be feeling whatever it was, which made him somewhat powerless. How can you protect someone, from something that is unseen? Regardless, he placed a hand against a trunk and felt the roughness of the bark under his palm before looking around himself. There was a gentle breeze this evening, it felt a little chilled now that the day had worn on, but it was nothing too horrendous.

He slipped silently from the tree and walked on, there was no pathway through here, not that he struggled to discern a path and make his own way onwards. It was very much like home, the trees ascended upwards so high that it seemed like they could reach the stars themselves. The small bushes and brambles grew quite contagiously around the area, the ground could be seen under fallen leaves and twigs, but finding rightful footing wasn't too easy.

Hearing a creak, Thranduil glanced upwards. "Of course," he cursed himself for not hearing it sooner, the gentle pattering of feet running and jumping along the branches. He was being stalked and watched, and he was so in his own thoughts he hadn't realised.

Liruliniel let out a quiet laugh, she leaned against her knees and tilted her head from her branch perch. "Of course," she repeated, as if she wasn't going to be up a tree. Dress or not, she was coming up here. She had never felt more at peace, then when she was up in amongst the boughs of a tree.

"Good view?" Thranduil asked offhandedly, he continued on his walk and listened to the sudden impacting sound which came from above, she'd clearly just jumped a gap and landed in the tree he just walked under and past.

"Well," he looked up then, Liruliniel had a hand above her eyes as if she was trying to spy the land. "All I see is trees...more trees, oh look! Another tree."

Thranduil rolled his eyes, despairing a little over her childish comments. "Is that not why you came out here?"

"Oh, yes."

"Then what's the problem?" He wasn't following, getting silence as a response he looked up only to frown and call out her name. She coyly looked over her shoulder as she hauled herself up into another branch above her. She was going up, and he had caught her in the act of it. "Not that I doubt your abilities but do be careful." Thranduil could only say, watching her grin and continue to jump up and up before he could only just see her form. He could only imagine the state of what was once a beautiful dress she was wearing. What else was he expecting? Liruliniel had always been a climber.

His trail soon came to an end due to a slight outcrop, it wasn't a sheer drop before him, but it was one, he had no interest in going down. He could stand here and look out at the view, from the gates of Erebor it was beautiful and vast but now he was closer to Dale, he could spy the smaller details of the city. All the houses looked similar, most were close together and it looked homely, he guessed? Thranduil wasn't too sure what to base this on, seems all he had ever known when it came to home, were trees and buildings entwined around nature.

Thranduil looked sidewards when her form popped up suddenly. He was surprised to see she was still all in one piece; her dress wasn't any worse for having to succumb to her climbing. Liruliniel took in a lungful of air and sighed heavily, "It is a shame if we are to leave tomorrow. I would've liked to have explored the city."

"I'm not sure they'd have liked you climbing about their homes and roofs." Thranduil replied to her longing words with a partial joke, partial truth. Liruliniel laughed; to be fair she had to give him that, she couldn't imagine many would welcome her running around.

She kept her eyes on the night sky above and leaned slowly to the side. Thranduil tensed suddenly from her weight impacting against him without any warning, not that he was surprised. She completely missed the look he sent down at her because her eyes were glued to the sky. She looked content, he could definitely say that. But then how much of that contentedness was from being outside amongst woodlands which weren't likely to make her keel over?

Thranduil felt for her, Liruliniel was outgoing but over the passing years had become more and more isolated. She socialised with those around her, of course she did she wasn't rude, but she usually kept to the usual haunts. She may be happy to stay longer if she could, but he was not and he knew the others felt the same.

"I'm not sure I could do it though," Liruliniel's voice trailed off quietly, she tore her eyes away from staring upwards to look at the city for a moment. Thranduil didn't miss the pained look which flitted onto his face. "It is similar to the kingdom, the more I stay and walk around the more I can possibly end up seeing. If I go to Dale, I could turn a corner onto a street but see the street as it is within my vision. Regardless of the vendors, the happy faces of those down there...I wouldn't see that...it is getting worse, Thranduil." Liruliniel pushed away from him gently and turned to face him.

"I know," he commented quietly. She was seeing things stronger than before, he didn't know the reasons he just knew it was happening. He didn't like the thought of her walking around in a waking nightmare. She looked a bit confused by his simple answer, Thranduil turned and reached up to cup her face in his hands. "I have noticed, you have this far off look, and I do not know if you are here with me, or elsewhere." It worried him, honestly it really did.

Liruliniel placed her hands against his forearms and smiled slowly. "Where else would I rather be than somewhere with you?" This had a smirk slowly appearing on his face as he looked somewhat smug over her words. She just looked at him plainly, it wasn't like she was lying. "Do one thing for me, if you can?"

"What is it?" He didn't like the sound of her tone, something within him went a bit cold with dread.

Liruliniel let go of one of his arms, if only to reach up and place her palm against his cheek. "Keep me grounded, please."

He came to rest one of his hands over hers, turning his face, he kissed her palm. He nodded and looked down at her when she let out a quiet laugh, he could only presume he had somehow tickled her there. "Of course, you need not have even asked me." Liruliniel merely smiled in return, just leaning down he rested his forehead against hers with a gentle bump. The rustling of the leaves in the breeze was all the noise which could be heard, that was until Liruliniel let out a quiet yawn. Thranduil leaned away with a gentle smile, "May I suggest we return back? If we're leaving, we will need to be prepared and rested." That much he could agree with Thrór on.

Liruliniel nodded, she turned beside him and held onto his hand and walked by his side this time instead of running up and into the trees around them. "Do you really think we'll go tomorrow?"

"I cannot see the statement being retracted."

"That is a shame, I would've liked to have stayed a little longer. Even if it pains me a little." Liruliniel sighed, smiling suddenly she looked at him. "Did I ever tell you that there is information here about my grandfather?"

Thranduil frowned, that seemed like both a random thing but also a sudden thing to come out with. "No, you didn't. What did you discover?" He was curious, but he could also see she was a bit excited to tell him what she'd found. Thranduil wasn't overly keen on the fact that it was Thorin who aided her here, but he listened to her retell him what she'd been read from the scroll. It truly did seem she and her grandfather had more in common by the moment. "Planning on getting an occupation in the smithy then, by any chance?" Thranduil asked while they made their ways back inside.

Liruliniel laughed, "I did awful here, I will do awful there! No, I am not a crafter, maybe Thalion had inherited those skills?" Not that they'd ever know, but it was likely. They wandered slowly upwards towards where their rooms were, sometimes talking and sometimes not.

By the time her room came into view, Liruliniel smiled somewhat bittersweetly. She wasn't expecting them to more or less get kicked out, even if not immediately that was still what was happening. "Until tomorrow then," Liruliniel smiled and bowed her head, Thranduil watched her attempt at being polite and cordial for a moment before she smiled again and tiptoed up to kiss him softly on the cheek.

He shut his eyes and leaned his head against hers, but after a few minutes he felt her move away and open her door. Liruliniel did send him one more smile before slipping inside and disappearing from view. Thranduil looked up at the ceiling, he mentally counted down before the door opened and she peered out with a cheeky grin, he just tilted his head with a casual expression on his face.

His wrist was clutched onto gently and he was tugged into the room. He didn't need as much sleep and rest as her, and although they did still have separate rooms, both had found that much like when they were awake, they felt more at peace when together come the night. Especially Liruliniel, with her broken sleep and dreams; back home a few times she had ventured to his room uncertainly, she had wrapped herself up in a throw and looked so small and scared, how could he turn her away like that?

He would never do such a thing, this had even happened the rare times where he was getting sleep and Liruliniel had seemingly got over her embarrassment then to settle in his arms, in his bed, and sleep. Although come the morning she had been flustered, and he had found amusement in it, but it was something that stuck.

So he stayed with her, he stayed vigilant and sometimes watching, sometimes sitting with his eyes shut in silence; but each and every time he allowed her to either end up sleeping in his arms, even if it meant sitting up, or holding his hand so she knew he was there. Thranduil was very much an anchor point, and he was definitely there when and if she ever woke up startled and scared.

——

Edited: 3/July/25