It had been many months since the fall of Erebor, since the dragon came and made the Mountain its new home; there had been no word of what happened to the survivors of both the siege of the dwarven realm, but also the mortal city which neighboured it. Presumably anyone who did survive was able to relocate elsewhere and carve out another life for themselves, hopefully not dwelling on what was now lost. That didn't bear thinking about, remembering better, happier times.

There was partial guilt which plagued Liruliniel for a long time. She did feel guilty, she felt like she could've done more, although Thranduil was most adamant that there wasn't. He soon grew a bit fed up and short with her when she kept moping about miserable and depressive after the attack. She would be fine, and then she'd come over very melancholic.

Liruliniel had replied bluntly to him once; "How can you not sympathise? We've lost a home too, surely you know the pain of that?" She thought it had been a wise move, although she also knew she had better luck getting blood from a stone. As if Thranduil was ever going to sympathise and feel sorry for the dwarves.

Thranduil had been seated at his desk when she said this, she was pacing around behind him. It was one of those rare days, where he decided to spend time doing whatever work he needed in the comforts of their room. So, for this, he wasn't wearing the usual regal attire. It was a little odd to see him so casual, but even kings couldn't be so finely dressed and serious all the time.

But nonetheless, he had looked over his shoulder at her rather blankly. "We had to leave Amon Lanc for another reason. It wasn't anything we had done which caused this."

Liruliniel had frowned, lips in a thin line and eyes dangerously narrowing. Thranduil's response was silence and the narrowing of his eyes too. There was no headway with this conversation, so she left it and collapsed in a chair to read a book she had plucked from the bookcase previously in her pacing. It was one he suggested she might like, something about valiant knights and treacherous trials a mortal had to go through to achieve something or other. In all honesty, she only half paid attention to what he said, she was slightly shocked that he was verbally recommending something to her.

These bouts of sadness over the dwarves lessened but didn't disappear, and it was an unspoken thing. Thranduil knew it was there, and he was willing to silently accept it, silently as in never speak of it or barely speak of it at all. That way he wouldn't feel his own temper and patience slip. He didn't have time to concentrate and worry over what happened, in his eyes it happened and there was nothing they could've done.

Thranduil was blunter on his views and thoughts unlike her, Liruliniel often had a way of overcomplicating things and thinking too much. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but it could be her worst trait at times. To further aid getting her mind off possible roaming dwarves, he entertained her idea about dealing with the spiders and trespassing orcs. To this Liruliniel had been ecstatic, more for the fact that he was genuinely asking her about things and listening to her opinions. Yes, it was something he did at times anyway, but most times she felt like she was being humoured more than anything. This time it felt very serious; he looked very serious as he spoke to her and the other council members about it.

Of course, when he stoically told her that she could be permitted out on patrols if she went with Legolas and Tauriel and was safe, and cautious, Liruliniel just about almost fell to the floor in a faint of shock and surprise. Mind, it was something which seemed to pain him to say. But ultimately, she needed something to do. That much was painfully obvious more now as time stretched on. She could only aid in training so long before she'd get itchy feet to physically arm herself and aid those which went out all the time.

Thranduil had watched from the sidelines as Liruliniel came over pained and saddened when some didn't return, he knew full well this layered onto whatever guilt she held from the dwarves, and it all merged together into a weird amalgamation. The problem with Liruliniel that Thranduil had always spied was that she took things too personally, she always took slights, damages and deaths as a personal blow to herself; like if she were there, something would've been different, she'd have been able to stop something from happening, someone wouldn't have lost their life.

Unselfish to the point of it being painful, Thranduil conceded nonetheless to let her out, but not on every patrol. She was still not wholly at full strength and the ever-creeping darkness would affect her even if she'd try and put on a brave face for him. Now that was painful, to have her pretend all was fine when it clearly wasn't. He never called her out on it, because he didn't want to argue the point with her, she'd stick her head in the sand and would no doubt go off in a strop. Rather like a naughty child having been told off, and Thranduil could not be bothered to contend with any of that. Life was difficult enough as it was, without his partner being livid at him.

Despite of the difficult times they lived in, there was still no word after so many months of what happened to the survivors, Liruliniel took part in patrols every couple of days a week, and what days off she had she'd spend with Thranduil. These days were spent either walking around the kingdom, council meetings, if she was having a bad day then in their own room where he - even though he seemed begrudging - would bring work to do in the bedroom while she slept or stayed nestled up to his side watching with distant eyes.

Today was one of those days off, Liruliniel had concocted loads of ideas of what to do with the day. These ideas diverted off different tangents to the point that she lost the actual point of what she was talking about, at this point Thranduil would just sigh rather heavily through his nose and just stare at her unblinkingly. She'd come to quickly and sheepishly smile before waving a hand, maybe waiting until tomorrow came was a wise idea? Thranduil didn't think that Liruliniel ever got to grasp with the fact that it was her day off. Although he had downtime days with her, where minimum work was done, he didn't really have days off, as such. She got this with one look and dropped the subject, hence the waiting until tomorrow.

Thranduil was usually the one to wake early, so it was of some surprise that the one who woke up early this morning was in fact Liruliniel. Her eyes blinked several times before she lifted her head from the pillow and looked over her shoulder. The lighting in the room was cold, something blue hued and alien to her. It was like the light on a rainy day, only when her eyes looked to the windows she was met with a different sight. Snow.

Winter had come to the forest and soft fluffy clumps of flakes were drifting slowly downwards. A large smile slowly appeared on her face, she glanced at the sleeping male beside her, Thranduil was seemingly content in sleep and didn't feel her move as she padded quietly to the window.

She pressed her face to the glass, her eyes looking upwards at the grey sky, the clouds were surely unleashing the most snow she'd seen in recent times. Already snow had covered most of the trees around them, the bridges throughout the kingdom were now hidden underneath a white blanket. The river hadn't frozen, and Liruliniel couldn't recall if it had ever done so. She felt almost giddy as she stood there, practically hopping from foot to foot in her nightgown, she loved autumn, had adoration for spring and summer, but winter did something else entirely to her home and herself.

She could see the beauty in the cold, the glistening in the dim rays of light and the spectacular intricacies of each individual snowflake. Winter was beautiful, it was harsh, it was cruel and uncaring to those who weren't strong enough to face it on equal terms, but it was beautiful. She couldn't help it, and much to Thranduil's displeasure she ran back and jumped on the bed. He hadn't been happy, not only being woken up still early in the morning when he was sleeping, but how he was woken up. Liruliniel could be childish, bubbly in her character to the point that it still irked many, and Thranduil - despite of the past - had grown to admire the fact that she half was like this to continue pushing someone's buttons in return, but also, it's how she coped with the world; the world had to be lighter than the darkness that she could see. But even still, to come jumping on the bed squealing like a child!

"It's too early, Liruliniel. Go back to sleep." Thranduil's voice was low, rough sounding still with sleep as he endeavoured to roll over and do just that. His natural body clock, when he did sleep, usually had him up at dawn, usually to see the first rays of sun come peeking down into his kingdom. Seems he hadn't woken up, he presumed it was way before dawn.

Could he do what he intended though? No. Not a chance, mainly because Liruliniel had grasped his shoulders and pulled him back over. Although she had originally sort of, maybe, quite possibly have literally jumped on him, she now rested on the edge of the bed looking down at him. Thranduil got turned back over, eyes shut but a deep frown on his face. "You better have a good reason for this." He said, sounding serious although really there was no threat in his words.

"Glosta!" Liruliniel all but chimed excitedly.

This had him opening his eyes slowly, he looked past her and at the window. Thranduil's reaction was less enthusiastic than hers, he just raised an eyebrow, sighed quietly and nodded. "So, it is." He added after a few moments, completely missing the pout on Liruliniel's face as he shut his eyes again.

They could all feel winter in the air, that sharp crispness which came with small plumes of steam when breathing in and out. It was getting a lot cooler very quickly, any day they were waiting for the first snowfalls of winter, and here it was. Did he think he'd be literally alerted so loudly and so early in the morning? No. Had she always been this excited for snow? Thranduil honestly couldn't remember.

"Can we go out?" Liruliniel shook him by the shoulders, Thranduil sighed heavily and let out a tired sounding groan, "Please?!" Liruliniel clambered over him rather cat like but also very unladylike, how was this little forest spirit climbing about him in childish wonder and all smiles and wide eyes was a Princess, he didn't know. That was sometimes a mystery, he unfortunately had to say.

"Later." Was his one response, Thranduil could feel her small hands fist slowly against his own casual attire for bed. He opened his eyes and saw her kneeling there practically in his lap, glaring in the soft light of the morning so far. The snow continued to fall silently as they stared at each other. "You're not going out there, Liruliniel. For one, it is still early."

"For two?"

"What?" Thranduil couldn't even hide his blunt tone behind a pretence of indifference. He wanted to go back to sleep, it was as simple as that.

"You must have another reason?" Liruliniel shrugged obviously.

Thranduil rolled his eyes, propping himself up onto his elbows, he looked at her pointedly. "For two, I don't think you'd stick to the inner kingdom. And if that is likely to happen, I'd prefer to be with you when you go wandering." He stated, watching as her excitement slowly dwindled. Though he could still feel her being a bundle of nervous energy ready to explode, he watched as she gave a resigned sigh and nod. "Now, can you go back to sleep?" He fell back against the pillows behind him, the plushness of them taking him in readily and him finding himself drifting off already. He would've if it wasn't for the elf he shared this room with scrambling again. "What are you doing?" He didn't even open his eyes; he could just feel her moving about and he sounded distantly asleep almost.

"Getting back in bed."

"Then why are you still sitting on me?" Thranduil couldn't help it, he smirked over the question. He knew she wouldn't have a response. Cracking open an eye, he just watched her muse and mutter before rolling off of him and slipping back inside the covers. "If you are upset that I made you move, you can come back." He turned his face to look at her and the smirk on his face grew when he saw her cheeks grow very red. He made it worse by opening his arms at her and Liruliniel just buried her face against the pillow. Her embarrassed moments were still around, endearing until the end and seemingly not going away. They weren't as bad, but even still.

"Would you mind if I did? I got cold." Liruliniel said after a few quiet moments and peeking from the pillow.

"Come," he held his arm out the way and watched her slink her way back to where she was, only this time comfortably under the covers and blankets of the bed. Thranduil pulled the covers up to shoulders, her head and one of her hands were the only things outside of the cocoon.

Wrapping his arms around her, he then kissed the top of her head before shutting his eyes again. Her hand tightened against his top, and slipping an arm from her back, he encased her hand with his. Liruliniel may have woken up and thought she wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep but being warm and comfortable in Thranduil's arms made staying awake really very hard.

The next time that Liruliniel's eyes opened, she was greeted with a similar low light as before. It was obviously going to be a grey day, if it was still snowing then no way would it brighten up any more than this. She hadn't seemingly moved in her sleep either, evidently very comfortable being stretched out and down Thranduil's own body, which equally seemed unmoving. But then, she supposed moving for him would be harder with her in tow. Liruliniel rolled her eyes tiredly, she felt a bit bad that he could maybe sacrificing sleep if he wasn't comfortable. Needless to say, she was a little surprised when she slowly raised her head from his chest to chance a look. She half expected his usual borderline scowl to be in place, but no, he was still fast asleep but that alone wasn't the soul reason why she felt her eyes slowly widening.

The enchantment he always had in place had slipped. Liruliniel's eyes glanced over the long since healed burn that ran down the majority of the side of his face and even a little to his neck. Her stomach twisted a little, the memories of that happening were most likely going to stay with her and him forever, she wasn't even being dramatic about that.

Reaching a hand up, she hesitantly glanced at his expression, soft and peaceful, his silvery platinum hair trailed over the pillows and encircled his head like a halo almost. Her fingertips grazed gently over his cheek, the sunken skin felt surprisingly soft underneath her own. She wasn't expecting it to be rough, still hot to the touch as if the burn had just happened, but this had her tilting her head slightly.

She minutely shifted, placing her other hand palm down on his chest, her chin resting against it as her other hand continued its gentle pathways over the marred skin. Though healed, it looked like it could still cause pain. Sinewy muscle was quite easily discerned from what was healthy tissue. Where the wound started and ended seamed up perfectly with the rest of his skin, that wasn't to say it wasn't obvious, it was definitely that and Liruliniel didn't find herself swayed about it either way.

As strange as that sounded, she didn't feel disgust by it, why would she? She wasn't a shallow being. She had seen this wound at its worse, she had given some of her life force to him for the sake of it healing. An attempt at healing. She did what she could. It was a part of him, did she understand why he hid behind an enchantment? Yes, in a way. Surely others would not think him weak because of it? Having a scar did not show someone was weak, it showed they were strong to survive such a thing that inflicted it.

Thranduil was a fighter, Liruliniel had seen that and knew it. She expected him to have to be, in order to stand out from his father. She sympathised, really, she did. He was a sort of parody of what her life could've been, and that was painful to think of. She could barely attend lessons when she was a child, how'd she have coped with royal duties?

The thought alone caused her to pull a face and look rather disgusted. Maybe being ignorant for so long was a good thing to happen. Being the last of something meant a huge number of responsibilities, although she guessed being one of a very dying line of High Elves was definitely the definition of responsibilities...

Sniffing quietly, she just turned her attention back to the here and now. The sunken skin under her fingertips just made his face seem narrower than it naturally was. Liruliniel tilted her head in its resting place as her fingers danced gently downwards. She didn't know how extensive his nerves were, or even if they were still there. The thought of him not feeling half of his face all the time had her heart plummeting, that must be both horrible and totally strange. If that was the case, he wouldn't feel her hand there at all. To not feel her hand affected her more than she thought as she looked sadly at him.

She still looked sad when he seemed to stir below her. Her fingers recoiled from the side of his neck, it seemed there were still nerves firing off there that he was being touched. Thranduil's eyes slowly opened, he let out a tired sounding sigh before blinking and looking down at her. His expression soon went from slow waking, to confused. She was still looking at him sadly, "Do I even wish to know?" Thranduil asked, he got a confused expression in return with a raised eyebrow to complete it all.

Liruliniel was puzzled, she wasn't too sure how enchantments worked, but he didn't feel an effect either way if it were not there? Or maybe he was still waking, and it would sink in soon? Liruliniel wasn't sure, she tucked her hand under her other one and looked upwards at him. "I was thinking." Which wasn't a lie.

"This still better not be about snow." He wouldn't be surprised if it was.

Liruliniel smiled, "No!"

"So?" Thranduil looked at her and watched her smile slip. "Are you going to tell me what has you looking so upset?"

Liruliniel wasn't too sure how to broach this topic, instead she tapped to the side of her face and then waved it gently at him with a hesitant look. That was perhaps not the gentlest way to do it, but she watched as his eyes considerably widened and a hand was placed against his face.

Liruliniel was seemingly being moved, or there was an attempt, she rivalled this by pushing her hands against his chest and looking firmly down at him. "I don't care what you look like, Thranduil. You do realise this? You also don't need to hide from me; it must be exhausting keeping a disguise up."

Thranduil just laid there looking at her blankly, one milky eye clearly unseeing at all, the other was just staring hollowly up at her. She didn't mean to offend him. "So that explains the pitiful look."

"I wasn't pitying you!" Liruliniel double took and frowned down at him, Thranduil looked even more displeased by this. Like he would want her sympathy. "I was curious to see how you had healed, that is all. I didn't know if you would feel anything, I've just been laying here admiring really." This had him scoffing and rolling his eyes, "Don't be vain, Thranduil." Liruliniel despaired, yet she let out a surprised noise when her shoulders were grasped onto and with skilled ease which seemed otherworldly, she was pulled to sit up too.

"I wasn't. It is just amusing, your choice of words, that is." Of course she would see beauty in the damaged. His hands remained on her shoulders as she yet again found herself seated within his lap. She looked confused, again, by his words. Thranduil just shook his head and leaned back against the headboard, "Your friend aided with it, after you." He went on to explain gently, watching her tilt her head curiously. "Did you think I alone, and the healers we bought with us, were responsible for aiding in the enchantment?" He couldn't help but ask, watching as realisation was slowly dawning on her.

"Lord Elrond helped you?" She asked, sounded excited. "I didn't know."

"Why would you?" Thranduil asked with a shrug, a minuscule movement as he sat and wondered really when the last time was that the perfect mask wasn't in place. He couldn't remember, honestly, he couldn't. Always it was there, and it had become so natural now, that he did not think of it at all. So of course, it was a surprise when it had slipped through sleep, truly he must've been deeply asleep for this to happen. A slight moment of thoughts meandering, and that was it.

Liruliniel mused over this slightly rhetorical question before shrugging too. With a smile she looked over her shoulder and then back at him. "Can we go out now?"

He sighed, quite heavily and leaned his head back, his eyes glanced at the ceiling, and he seemed to think over her question for a long time. He did say they would, but really where was the urgency? From times past, winters stayed and stuck around for a long time. Yes, this was the first snowfall, but there would be plenty more.

Thranduil presumed eventually she'd get bored of snow, but then looking at her smiling face he was more inclined to say no, she wouldn't. "Can we at least get up first, perhaps even dare to have something to eat before we do so?" He asked, she nodded her head, totally agreeing with him. "In that case, can you move?"

"You're the one that pulled me up too."

"But you're the one which wished to lay on me to sleep. I never knew you were so comforted by me, Liruliniel. Honestly, I was not." Thranduil smirked, watching her get flustered there as they both knew she had no retort. He didn't think he'd tire of teasing her, it was amusing.

"Good morning," Liruliniel opted instead, leaning forwards and kissing his cheek. He was not expecting her to kiss the scarred cheek, so he may have looked somewhat surprised when she did. She pulled back with a warm smile, it baffled him in a small way how someone who wasn't still readily accepted could be so accepting of him and his flaws; though he wished to admit he had none, even he wasn't that perfect.

So, it was like an instinctive movement that he grasped the back of her neck gently, tangling his fingers through her bed muddled hair and pulled her forwards. They were both flawed in some small respect or another, but each forgot those things to take in each other's ways. Despite of the way in which it looked like Liruliniel was in control of the moment, she couldn't be less so. Though yes, within his lap practically straddling him could appear the opposite, even with her hands fisted against his chest, Thranduil in fact dictated the pace and the slow, longing speed in which they kissed.

Perish the thought of taking over, the thought alone had her inwardly laughing. All that physically came from this though was a smile as she tilted her head slightly to deepen what was already a rather deep kiss. As instinctive as his movements to pull her close were, she subconsciously found herself pushing herself closer to him too. Something between a sigh and a very quiet and low groan came from the back of his throat, having her hips push down and against him had him gripping a hand to one.

Something akin to a small whimper came from her, feeling his larger hand hold onto her and keep her where she was. Over time simple kisses, anywhere else when in their quarters, had slowly turned into something more. A promise of something more which could lead on from such simple yet loving gestures.

Liruliniel was clueless in the ways of love, in a way, and actions which came from this whereas Thranduil would always be the one to know exactly what to do and when; but also, what implications could mean. Not to be so blunt, but she couldn't help it, Thranduil had been here before. Not a thought to think about when in this situation, or others like it, but this wasn't new to him. All of it was new to her, even with these many passing years.

Thranduil had never pushed for something she wasn't willing to do, but each time a moment evolved, it seemed to stop for some reason. Physically he would appear unaffected, but really, he was. Only, this time the moment was broken by a series of short sharp knocks on the main quarter's door. Thranduil was half tempted to ignore it, though the knocking didn't cease and he could feel her slipping away from him, again.

Hitting his head lightly against the headboard, he frowned with his eyes shut for a few moments before regaining composure and carefully moving her from himself. Liruliniel looked a little annoyed, always the more emotional and expressive one she seemed to pull away begrudgingly. Staying knelt on the bed, she watched him grab a robe and slip it on before disappearing from the room, not before kissing her on the forehead lightly and effortlessly putting the enchantment back in place.

She watched the door shut with a sigh, crossing her legs and pulling the cover over her shoulders, she cocooned herself slightly and listened to the voices from the other room. She couldn't really tell if the conversation was a good one or not, but from Thranduil reappearing with a grave look on his face, she was inclined to say no. She reached out to stop him pacing so hurriedly and got a shake of the head for it, Thranduil eased her away gently, even with the stormy expression on his face and commenced getting ready for the day.

He was visibly annoyed, but not at her. Liruliniel was unaware what had transpired in the brief talk and Thranduil wasn't too sure how he should go about approaching the topic. A servant, a messenger of sorts had come to tell him that they themselves had a messenger arrive. This was odd, and Thranduil had expressed exactly that only to feel whatever words that he was about to say just wither before they left his mouth.

The messenger had come from Voronwë, a king in his own small stretch of land. Thranduil hadn't exactly had to play host, let alone to a fellow king. This wasn't what was making him feel suddenly cold within, like ice was just slowly encasing him inside to out. He was frozen to the spot as he stared long and hard at the messenger, who was asking for orders on what to do next.

Voronwë was Vanadessë's father, and Thranduil had not had contact with the elf since he married his daughter. Why he was planning a visit, sending a messenger ahead beforehand, Thranduil didn't know. But he did know he didn't like not knowing. He intended to garner information from this messenger, hence why he told the elf to take the messenger to the throne room, Thranduil would conduct his sort of interrogation there, alone.

With attire that all but matched the wintery day that was happening outside, Thranduil was just about ready to leave. He paused though, looking at Liruliniel's somewhat sullen expression. Walking over and sitting beside her, he placed a hand on her shoulder. "This will not take long." He hoped, he didn't wish to be caught in a long discussion with someone who was merely a messenger.

Liruliniel smiled and nodded, even he could see she was humouring him with being fine with this. With a small sigh, he stood and left, Liruliniel now on her own looked about and fell to the side in bed. What was the point of getting up now for? Nestling down in the comforts of the warm bed, she guessed five more minutes wouldn't hurt before attempting to find something else to occupy her time.

=

Heavy limbs sunk within the snow-covered forest floor, the small flakes above continued to drift downwards in a slow, meandering path; there was no breeze as such, at least not a constant one. Every so often one would try and stir, an attempt to muster up to bring on blizzard like conditions, yet all it amounted to be a pathetic whisper of a chill which took snowflakes with it and then died down just as those flakes landed against the ground. It was continuous though, the snow, it wasn't letting up nor was it seemingly going to stop at all today.

Raising equally heavy eyelids, sea-coloured eyes looked hollowly downwards, reaching out from underneath her cloak, Liruliniel brushed flakes away before spotting the perfectly white flowers suddenly spring up. She had been sitting here for a while, the cold naturally did not affect her like those she shared her home with, but even still her cheeks were gathering a rosy tint. She imagined the same tint was on the tip of her nose and ears too, each time she blew out, a small plume appeared. She wasn't cold, she had layered up so she wouldn't get a possible lecture. Sniffing quietly, she tilted her head from underneath the hood of her cloak, she looked over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes before looking upwards.

The boughs of the tree were sparse, the whole woodland was sparse, foliage either withered with the cold snap, or it hardened up. Already she saw the effects the season was having, a few chirps around her alerted her to birds attempting to forage for some form of food. A blackbird was hopping about around her now, and up in the empty branches were a couple of finches. Hearing a certain twittering noise, she couldn't help but roll her eyes slowly. There was even a lark somewhere nearby.

Shaking her head, she brushed snow from her lap, it had clearly landed upon her hood and now was free to float downwards. Her fingers were slightly red from the chill in the air, but it wasn't painful. She hadn't lost feeling in them and she continued to clean snow away from the flowers. It was fruitless, of course. No sooner would she clear them would snow land on them again and cover them away. But it was the thought, the maintenance that counted. Even as she cleared them, she saw the barren soil underneath, the forest had only just gone into winter and already everything seemed bleaker.

Liruliniel could hear the low whisperings on the wind, along with within the kingdom and palace complex behind her. Something, no, someone was coming. It caused her to frown; they didn't exactly like visitors here. Seldom took any in, any lost travellers were watched from afar, if they got into trouble they did not help. But this was something else. Liruliniel couldn't discern if it was good or bad.

She placed a hand to her heart and tilted her head in thought; she didn't feel malice. There was no feeling of smothering darkness, her heart didn't feel like it was in a vice being slowly squeezed and her eyesight didn't have encroaching shadows at the sides. Simply put, whatever this oncoming thing, person, was she felt no ill will. Narrowing her eyes in thought, she looked upwards again.

"I could find you some scraps, if you want?" She asked, the blackbird looking down at her simply tilted its head. She sighed and patted her knees, "I will see what I can do. Life is hard enough, and I fear you may reside in the wrong forest to have a plentiful and peaceful winter. Hang tight, my friend, I will return." Liruliniel said while sweeping her cloak out from underneath her feet when she stood. She pushed her hood down as soon as she walked inside, much like the outside, the canopy which made up the majority of the roof was void.

Not all the trees however lost their leaves, the trees here were old and definitely hardy. But the younger ones shed their leaves and regrew them with the warmer weather. The snow which drifted and fell downwards ultimately landed within the river and was swept away. Everything about the kingdom was designed and worked around nature, specifically the nature that it resided within and around. It would get the most sunlight coming through on spring days, and summer too. The walkways and connecting corridors and platforms would avoid the snow in the winter because of where they were placed underneath and around the hardier trees which kept their leaves.

Liruliniel's trip to get bread scraps was short lived, she watched the small birds flutter and peck at what she offered before she turned and walked elsewhere. She was alone and enjoying the silence. She was half tempted to go hunt out Anameleth, but somehow Liruliniel didn't feel like having her more energetic friend around herself. Unfortunately, there was a current void in company which could only be filled with one being, and he...was still in a meeting with someone who remained a mystery. Although, some speculated about just who it was and why they were here. Nothing concrete had been presented to anyone, and Liruliniel was sure out of everyone those higher up would hear first. That was just how things worked.

Walking out of another doorway she looked at the snowy bridge before her. With a smile she pulled her hood back up and walked onwards. She brushed snow away and leaned her arms against the wooden railing there. She peered down at the blue waters still churning below her. The river was a constant; it didn't seem to change much regardless of the season they were all in. Liruliniel leaned her head against her hand with a pout, she couldn't help but look around herself in thought.

Others were out here too; some younger elves were playing around whereas some couples merely strolled together enjoying the snow and the effect it had on their home. It made everything shimmer with this cool glint that reflected rays of light, it made things look crystalline and precious. Liruliniel smiled slightly and shook her head, their forest was precious, and the snow and the diamond effects that it bought made everything seem even more delicate. Winter was always precarious; it bought danger and a charm which was sad but beautiful.

This would be the same, many years from now, this sight would still be the same; she could see it, perhaps not in a vision or physically but she could. She sniffed; would she still be here? Would any of them all still be here? She rubbed her chest again, something panged within her, this was a pit stop, this world, these lands. But she was sure the winter would still look beautiful in those long awaiting years.

Winter was melancholic and she couldn't help but reminisce and think, even if those thoughts were deep. It was just what happened, she guessed. Like in spring and summer when one would think of new comings, new beginnings and a bright future. Liruliniel frowned, what did that make winter? Dark evenings and mornings and a dark horizon where anything could appear unseen and unheard and be here before it's too late. Liruliniel straightened up and looked to the side, she hadn't heard the footsteps it was merely coincidence to look up at the same time that Thranduil had seemingly appeared.

Like most of their kin, neither sunk into the snow nor could walk the surface with no troubles at all. Unlike her, he didn't seem to be wrapped up, not that she was expecting him to be. His wintery attire just made him appear more ethereal within the current surroundings, he seemed paler too, his hair silvery and glowing within the winter light as his eyes seemed sharper, keener in the grey light of the day.

He had gone for his meeting hesitantly, and Liruliniel hadn't exactly rushed to get ready to go out for a walk. She was half tempted to stay in the warm until he returned, but it was clear to her that he didn't know when he'd be free. He didn't look displeased that he had been informed that she was out here, yet he seemed as stoic as ever as he looked at her.

Liruliniel sighed and kept a hand on the wooden rail and turned to look at him with a smile. "At least I stuck to the inner kingdom!" She exclaimed jokingly, those who were walking about out here regarded their king being present with wary looks. It wasn't that Thranduil didn't go for walks around their home, just it wasn't something he was prone to doing.

Her words caused his eyes to narrow, Liruliniel's smile slipped. Letting go of the rail she walked towards him. The bridges which connected different parts of their home together were lengthy. He was already standing about halfway and remained there as she soon stopped before him. Wriggling her hand out from her cloak, she simply held it out to him with an innocent look. A moment passed before Thranduil's longer fingers wrapped around hers and their hands hung in the small space between them.

He wasn't openly affectionate, but this was the most she was ever expecting from him when around others, and that was fine with her. Sometimes the smallest gesture was the biggest, and she had always found herself comforted by holding his hand and hoped it bought some relief to him. Because he truly needed relief, Liruliniel did not understand why he looked so perplexed.

"What is it?" She asked quietly, stepping forwards and turning to lean against the wooden rail where he was. She brushed snow away with her spare hand before leaning her arm on it, their linked hands soon joined her arm. Though she ended up cradling his hand in between both of hers. Somehow wanting to protect his skin from being against the cold and damp wood, it was a bit ridiculous, but that's what she did.

Thranduil looked towards the raging water, the sound coming from the crashing waves loud yet comforting. He used to just lay awake at times listening to the static noise and it sometimes lulling him to sleep. Shutting his eyes, he sighed. "Our messenger brings uncertain news."

"Uncertain how?" Liruliniel turned her face to look at his profile from underneath her hood.

Thranduil's eyes slowly opened, and he looked at their hands, he felt a conflict which he thought he had come to terms with many, many years ago. "King Voronwë is to visit." The air grew distinctly icier, Thranduil looked to Liruliniel as her wide eyes stared long and hard at the river. She was processing this silently, though not peacefully. "Liruliniel, he knows you exist, but he does not know about us." Thranduil admitted, the messenger had been quite honest, some of his frank words had rubbed Thranduil up the wrong way.

It pained him not to act rather decisively and protectively over some of the choice words used in part about and over Liruliniel. All in all, there was no amusement or fondness there. Thranduil had never mused over ever having contact with Vanadessë's family again. He had met them seldom few times, contact was barely existent. He didn't and couldn't even recall a letter consoling him when she was killed.

Liruliniel opened and shut her mouth a few times before blinking and slipping her hand from his. "They will hate me. They see this as a small slice of what remains of what Vanadessë had."

"But you have already renounced any claim." Thranduil said, not pleased still by her decision although he still understood why she did it even more so now.

Liruliniel pushed her hood down and frowned up at him. Her pale skin and fiery hair seemed to be accentuated by the glowing white of the snow around them, her eyes looked fiercely up at him. Liruliniel was being deadly serious as she stared up at him with unblinking eyes. "They will hate you too." She waved a hand at him with a sad smile, "Thranduil, Vanadessë's father is going to despise you for moving on, the same goes for me for being the one to apparently take her place. Let us be honest, our kind are not known typically for being with more than one other. It is like the swan; they tend to have one partner for their entire life. If that partner dies, they could die of heartbreak. It is possible for them to have another partner, but would that bond be as strong as the first? It is unknown."

"Did you just compare me to a swan?"

Liruliniel laughed and nodded, "Well...you are elegant like one. But that was not my point, and you know it."

Despite the smirk on his face, Thranduil couldn't help but have it slightly tinted with sadness. "I understood what you were trying to say."

Liruliniel reached up and patted him on the shoulder, Thranduil frowned down at her as she just patted him again. Raising an eyebrow down at her didn't deter her, not that he was surprised. He just sighed and hung his head slightly, she smiled. "My dear, I do not mind pretending to just you know...be the exiled Princess I am for the sake of pretence. It will pain him to think you have moved on to find happiness, after his daughter. It may cause problems."

"I am aware to that." He didn't want a fight, an argument or physically anything else. "You can stop lying. You mind, a lot."

Liruliniel shrugged and looked sadly away from him. She leaned against the rail with both arms and looked up at the sky, a sad smile appeared on her face as her eyes watched a small flock of sparrows go soaring past. "It hurts. But I would rather pretend, to feign ignorance than to upset my friend's father. Has he even met Legolas?"

"No."

Liruliniel pulled a face and mouthed the word, Thranduil just frowned at her. "Well, I never...this is going to be awkward. Maybe I'll leave for this visit, I can always go visit relatives. I hear Lórien is lovely this time of year!"

"You're not going anywhere." Thranduil said decisively, her shoulders slumped, and she pouted. "I can hear you," she was muttering under her breath how unfair this was, she didn't like awkward situations, and she definitely didn't want to meet Vanadessë's father.

Liruliniel shook her head, "I will stay, like I would leave." Shutting her eyes she smiled lightly again. "I will take to the background again, because this is another one of those times where I simply cannot compete with Vanadessë. And that's how this visit will have to be, what it must be like. I do not wish to have an angered father here, nor do I wish for Legolas to meet his grandfather in such an awkward way, where he may be seething over how this kingdom has moved on from his daughter, and her short reign." Liruliniel said while smiling as it seemed some of the bread from earlier was still around and a small lark went flying off with a large chunk with eager sparrows flying after it.

"You shouldn't have to do that." Thranduil stated while looking at her, his eyes slightly wide with surprise over what she had actually said. She looked at him confused, blinking she waved a hand nonchalantly in the air as if that would dispel this whole conversation. "And I would prefer you not to as well. Swans who do manage to find another partner, would surely cherish their second chance to be loved, to be together with another more so, would they not? Would they not also do anything within their power to make things work; wouldn't take things for granted, more guarded and more logical over everything."

Liruliniel smiled up at him, "I'm not a swan." She laughed, yet sighed understanding what he was saying. "I will always be by your side, have been since...well, seemingly since the beginning and I will be until we come to meet our end. But I do not wish to anger a visiting King, Thranduil. And I am sure you do not either, he is family. Perhaps not to you, but he is to Legolas."

Brushing snow away, Thranduil leaned down beside her. He didn't seem to care about the dampness of the wood sinking into the frosty blues and whites of his tunic sleeves. He looked at the river and then sidelong at her, "He can be angry, but not at you. That I will not stand." After all, he did make a move towards her first to show his true feelings and intentions, poor Liruliniel didn't.

She seemed fine to continue being long suffering, and he had had enough of that. There was no need or reason for her to be, least of all to someone who had been passed for years. Voronwë could be angry at Thranduil, curse him until the end of time for him finding love again, but Thranduil would not have Voronwë pushing that anger at Liruliniel.

Liruliniel held out her hand again, "Here's to an awkward situation we'd rather both avoid." Thranduil reached up and placed her smaller hand between his. He merely hummed and nodded; both remained in silence for a few moments. The songs of winter birds could be heard, along with the chatter of elves which were still out and about here. "Why is he visiting now?"

Thranduil looked at her with a small smile, minute, just simply the turning of the corner of his lips yet he slowly raised his eyebrows, "I thought you'd ask sooner."

"Kind of got distracted."

"Yes, I can tell." Her priorities got slightly mixed, though intentions were good. "His kingdom is in plight. Goblins have come to inhabit the mountainside which he resides nearby. They do not have the numbers to fend them off or defend their home."

"He and his kin aren't moving in, are they?!" Liruliniel couldn't help but exclaim with wide eyes. She swiped a hand over her forehead, that would truly be mortifyingly awkward!

Thranduil's head slowly turned, his eyes widened from merely even dwelling over that subject. Both looked at each other with the mixed feelings of apprehension, fear, worry and shock. Regaining his composure, Thranduil looked away and to the sky. "No." The relieved sigh from Liruliniel was loud and Thranduil smiled slowly. "He is merely passing through; they intend to sail."

"That is sad." No matter the blurted-out words, she felt saddened, but also...it was a bit of a paradox. Would that eventually happen to them here?

Thranduil nodded, he agreed. "He visited, long ago with Vanadessë. You were in Imladris, I remember first meeting him very well, because of how imposing he was. You thought my father was bad? Well, fathers defensively guarding their daughters is something else entirely to be fearful of." Liruliniel laughed, the thought of Thranduil being scared of someone's father was amusing. Thranduil shot her an icy look, she merely grinned. "My father kept him at arm's length, which I found odd seems it was his idea we were to be wed. Their kingdom was in trouble long before Vanadessë and I were married. My father feared for constant handouts and aid to be sent. Her kingdom was weak, ours was not. Do I believe the same shall happen now? I would not be wholly surprised. You know what it is like to leave a home behind that you do not wish to, more than anyone, Liruliniel."

"We cannot defend our own borders plus send relief to theirs."

"Their kingdom is lost, Liruliniel. It would be pointless, a lost cause." Thranduil said, he had sent out for information and got hesitant, yet bad news back.

"Do you think he will try to persuade you to allow himself and his kin to stay?" Liruliniel asked hesitantly.

Thranduil's expression turned stormy, his eyes narrowed, and he looked slowly at her. "A place cannot have two Kings; that is a power struggle, and history has shown it does not end well. He has no place here. Am I saddened he feels sailing is the only course of action he can take? Perhaps. It is hard to tell, due to never having contact."

Liruliniel hummed and rubbed her chin in thought. "I get the feeling he didn't contact often, because he didn't like you."

Thranduil rolled his eyes, "Of course he didn't. I married his daughter. A father is the first and will forever until the end be the one constant love. No man perhaps can ever be right for them. It is a strong bond that, and no one would be able to compete." Thranduil found himself frowning again, he even let out a low sigh when Liruliniel's hand was patting him slightly patronisingly again.

"My father liked you. Just to let you know, if he was still alive, I do not think he would mind this and I think you may be one that he would trust explicitly to look after me. Also helps that you were my brother's best friend."

"That's biased reasons then." Thranduil said, removing her hand from his arm, she couldn't even be bothered to reach up to his shoulder.

Liruliniel laughed and nodded, "Family members are weird. So...when are the guests meant to be arriving?"

"Within the week."

"United front?"

"Wouldn't have it any other way. No more hiding, no more taking to the background thinking that is what you are meant to do, Liruliniel. At any other time, perhaps. If you and I were merely still skirting around each other than yes, you could do that. But as it is? No. There is no other place that you belong, other than by my side."

Liruliniel smiled, she leaned to the side and leaned against him. Thranduil tensed a little, just because of the fact that others were present witnessing. "Relax. I do not think any here can rightly judge anymore. I believe all everyone wants is for you to be happy, Thranduil. And do you know what would make me happy right now?" She peered up at him, he shook his head slowly. Liruliniel smiled and shot away from him, she grasped onto his hand and started tugging as she backtracked. "Having a walk like you said we would!" She beamed at him as he tilted his head slightly as he was trailing along with her.

"I did, didn't I?"

"Yes!" Liruliniel exclaimed with a smile. Thranduil's expression softened, he got his hand free and turned her around. He stepped beside her and slipped his hand back into hers, they continued across the bridge, the snow barely crunching underneath their boots as they lapsed back into comfortable silence.

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Inventory:

It's snowing - Glosta

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Edited: 3/July/2025