Written By: TammyT70

As the time for the festival came closer, everyone was busy with decorations a.d preparing the food. Luna spent as much time as she could with Dasia. She showed her around the castle and the gardens, only getting lost occasionally. They even snuck out to the kings garden but didn't go to far in as Luna didn't want to anger the king by being there without permission. Little did she know that they were being watched by two sets of eyes. When she wasn't with her sister, she was helping decorate the hall or helping with food preparation. The night before the festival a young guard came up to her and let her know that the king had summoned her. He led her out to the kings garden.

Thranduil POV

Having watched Luna and her sister Dasia for a few days I have become, I guess, I have been a little jealous of their relationship. They are so close. I only wish I could have been as close with my father and even Legolas. I have figured out that I truly do care for Luna and I don't think I could ever be happy without her. The way she smiles at me and how she gets along with Legolas almost as if she had known us our whole lives. She truly seems to care.

Ah here she is Luna is always beautiful even though she is covered in flour from the kitchens.

Luna POV

As I am following the guard Galion, I think about the conversation I had with Dasia. I told her that I was torn about leaving after the ball or staying with the king. She told me that she wants me to be happy but wants me to come at least for a visit to Lorien. I have grown very fond of Thranduil and I think he has for me also. I truly don't know what to do. I love Dasia and hate being so far a away from her. I know she cares for the ellon Orophin, but I also think Legolas likes her also. I'm some small way I wouldn't mind her being with Legolas then I wouldn't have to make a choice. But whomever she choses I want her to be happy.

Legolas walks up to Luna and ask her where she is going.

She tells him that the king had summoned her to see him. Legolas asked where Dasia was and she told him she was going to the ballroom to help decorate. And then Galion asked Luna to wait just a few minutes while he announced her.

Luna POV

I am a little anxious as to why he has summoned me. He has been so busy with the affairs of the court she had not seen him much. The grand doors open to the royal garden and she sees him stand there in a white silky tunic and black leggings with polished black boots. He turns to look at her and she realized that she had blotches of flour all over even in her hair. To say the least she is embarrassed to have Thranduil see her this way.

He walked forward with a huge smile upon his face that actually reached his eyes. He put his arms around her and held her close. She pulled back and apologized for being so sorry for being so so dirty and getting it all over him. He smiled again and asked if she would like another walk around the gardens again.Luna smiled and place her hand on his arm.

Thranduil POV

Luna have you decided whether or not you are going to stay. She stopped walking and sat on a small bench and I came to sit next to her. She smiled again but it wasn't the smile she had a few minutes ago. I want to stay here with you and Legolas but I want to visit Lorien and visit with her sister and see the other elven realms. I pause for a few minutes while I decide what to say to her. I love my sister very dearly. The whole time we were separated it weighed so heavy my heart I thought at times it would crush. I don't want that feeling again. I thought she was finished and I stood again and looked at her. I could tell she wanted to say more but seems afraid.

What is it you want to tell me me. Luna sat there for.minute and had tears in them. I kissed softly and waited for her to say it. My king I have come to care for you and Legolas a great deal and am afraid if I do leave you would not let me back in. She cries more...I am afraid

I will never see you again. Ah melleth I could never turn you away! I care for you more than you could possibly know. With that said I will walk you back to your quarters for the night. You need your rest for tomorrow festival. I kissed her lightly and bid her good nigh

I then go to find my son and and smile when I see him talking to Dasia. The girl is smiling but is looking like she wants to be rescued. About that time I see Haldir, Orophin, and Rumil walk up and stand between Dasia and Legolas and Orophin puts his arm protectively around Dasia. Legolas seems angry and storms away almost knocking me over. I called out to him but he just kept going. I decided to retire for the night.

The next day I had a young servant girl deliver a beautiful off white lacy dress with a low cut V neck lined in starlight jewels delivered to Luna and a Lavender one of similar make delivered to Dasia. The maids sent them down for breakfast with Haldir and his brothers and myself. Luna was beautiful even when she awoke. My heart sang to see her beautiful smiling face. Though the discussion from the day before still hung heavily on my mind. After breakfast everyone went their separate ways to start getting ready for the ball....

Several hours later

Luna had been scrubbed thoroughly and put into a dress that seemed like an angel would wear it! Dasia had gone through the same torture. And for her being independent she was probably not liking all of this attention, but at last they were both ready for the ball. Dasia went to Luna'a chambers to sit with her if she could sit down. The dress was really tight from the waist up but from there down the dress was full and hard to maneuver around in much less sit in. Luna was wearing the same fashion dress but with all kinds jewels all over it making it shimmer and shine. Moments later there was a knock at the door and Thranduil and Legolas and Orophin were standing there.

Waiting for the girls. I put my hand on Thranduil arm and he placed his hand over my hand. I felt a beautiful almost glowing warmth run through me. I felt weak in the knees,.Thranduil steadied me. We didn't wait to see what happened with Dasia and her escorts. As we reached the doors to the ballroom I felt extremely nervous..Thranduil felt this and calmly spoke some words of elvish into my war which caused my heart to flutter. We moved to the kings table where He, pulled out my chair. And before long my sister came in on the arms of not 1 ellon but 2! Surprised me!

Soon after Dasia and her escorts arrived King Thranduil stood up and gave a welcoming speech and the festivities began. Dasia started dancing with Orophin and Legolas stood a little bit away from the dancing glaring at Orophin. I had to laugh internally at the thought of the ellons that fought for Dasia's attention. I liked Orophin but didn't know him that well. Legolas I had grown to love as a good friend and I guess secretly I was rooting for him. I truly just want her to be happy with whomever she chooses.

Soon after the music started Thranduil pulled me from my thoughts and whisked me off to the dance floor. It didn't take long before I was no longer aware of the others in the room. He truly was a wonderful dancer and made me feel as if there was no one else in the world except the 2 of us. Sadly though the dance was over and Thranduil had gone off to talk to Lord Elrond and other nobles and dignitaries. I wandered around and found myself out on a balcony staring at the stars.

Thranduil POV

Dancing with Luna made me want to never let her go. It felt so perfect and right. I have to find away to keep her from going to Lorien. It irritated me that others seemed to want to talk to me about things that at some point might seem important but at the moment I only want her. As the night went on I could not find Luna. As I walked around the ballroom I finally spotted her on the balcony talking to one of my guards. Anger and hurt came over me.

As Thranduil quickly went to the balcony the guard Elros turned and looked a bit frightened. Luna turned to look also and started to smile seeing Thranduil coming towards them, but the smile faded as she saw the look on Thranduil's face. Thranduil stopped just short of Elros and told him to go watch the front gate. Then he turned to Luna with hurt and anger apparent on his face. Nothing was said for several minutes. Finally he looked at her and told her to follow him as he didn't want to cause a scene in front of everyone.

But Dasia was watching as Luna, with a worried look on her face, followed Thranduil out of the ballroom. Dasia started to follow but Legolas who had also seen what was happening stopped her.

Thranduil led Luna up to the royal quarters. When inside her whirled around and in two steps he was in front of her with his hand wrapped tightly around her arm. He seemed to be looking straight through her and then yelled wanting to know what was going on with Elros? Luna was terrified and tried to pull away from him but his hold on her was too strong and becoming painful.

Luna POV

Thranduil you are hurting me! Please let go but he wasn't listening. His eyes had darkened and I was completely terrified. Thranduil nothing is going on between Elros and I. He saw me standing on the balcony and came to check on me. Please you have to believe me. Thranduil stared at her for a moment before loosening his grip.

Thranduil POV

Luna appeared to be telling the truth and I felt so stupid at that moment. Then I noticed her arm red and starting to bruise. I am so sorry Luna. I truly am. I don't know what happened to me. Please forgive me Luna I truly care for you melleth nin. I don't ever want to be apart from you. Luna would you walk with me in the garden? She agreed but still seemed scared. As we walked she seemed to become a little more relaxed. We came to our favorite bench as we set down I looked at her and could see that she was a bit worried about something. Luna what is wrong? She seemed hesitant but then said that she had forgiven me before I had even asked for her forgiveness but that she was going to go to Lorien with her sister. I think my world just collapsed. Fear and panic, things I was not accustomed to, crept in. No! Luna please stay! Those were the words that came quickly from me.

Lunas POV

After telling him that I was leaving he seemed to be in pain. It almost broke my heart to say this. Thranduil I just want to visit. I want to reside here in Mirkwood. Dasia wants me to visit and see where she had chosen to live. Thranduil I am not leaving you for good. I know that you probably can't come because of the kingdom needing you here, but I need to go. With that said he just shook his head, gently kissed me, and walked away. Tears stung my eyes as it seems he was walking away from me for good. I ran until I ran into someone with a very hard chest and I fell back but didn't hit the ground. Whomever I had run into had caught me and helped me to get steady on my feet. I looked up to apologize for me being so clumsy and saw my sister's friend Haldir. He looked at me with concern and asked why I was crying. I asked him if he had seen my sister and he nodded and said he saw her last with Legolas. Then he proceeded to take me to her.

Legolas and Dasia turned around and she saw me crying and I ran to her. She asked the ellons to please excuse us as she needed to be with me. After they left I told her everything that had happened but left out the bruise on on my arm and tried to cover it up but she saw it. Neither of them realizing that Thranduil was watching the whole thing...