Author note: sorry for the wait I need to find some inspiration from Legolas. Hopefully soon I can re watch the extended lotr series at blockbuster. So bear with me. thank you all for the support for this story and "Thranduil heartless obsession". You guys are awesome. I feel like this story will cover a larger span of time than Thranduil's story. Elaine needs time to heal and come into her own. Let me know what you guys think Please! Read and hope you all enjoy! <3

Exploration

Elaine smiled as she rocked the babe to sleep, Tristan was in classes at the moment. Though he was behind in his studies compared to the other elf children, his tutors were happy to see his excited energy toward his studies. She was also glad to be able to ply her own wits toward bettering her own knowledge. Her friends and hosts warned her to keep to herself her more powerful abilities. She would see to the babe after breakfast when Loriel and Thranduil would be taking counsel with nobles and advisors trying to solve certain problems.

Afterward Loriel would return and she would normally have a chance to run errands or explore the palace markets. She often went beyond the stronghold to explore the forest. Though more often than not legolas would be soon at her side. She didn't mind once he had told her that the forest was still dangerous. She would return to the keep with Legolas who often disappeared soon after walking her back and then go see to Tristan and whatever Loriel needed.

He often came to her when nightmares took a hold of her at night. She felt safe when he would rouse her from her half awakened state. He would stay with her and calm her into a deeper more peaceful slumber. She felt the depth of his kindness and empathy. As if her pain could cause him pain. She knew elves had great empathy, his father however seemed to have only recently learned empathy. Due mostly to Loriel she suspected. Legolas learned it from somewhere besides his father long ago.

The routin over the last two weeks was comfortable and easy for not only herself and tristan but also little Aven as well. The babe had taken quite a liking to her and Tristan. Loriel was finally able to begin taking on some of the more harrowing duties of a queen for this race. The acceptance Elaine saw for the cursed elf queen was truly touching. The softness that entered the kings eyes when he gazed at her was heart warming as well.

She remembered many tales of the Elven king of legend. He was never known to be very forgiving or easy tempered. He was haughty and heartless and for an elf that was something rare to see. Though she suspected he had a very good reason for being that way. It was so different to see him now and what she had heard of him before. She was surprised that he had taken up for her as he had. Even a prince like legolas shouldn't have cared about her situation. They had saved her though and it was only once she arrived that she realized how lucky she was.

A sudden movement at the door way to the nursery had her glancing up from her rambling thoughts to see Thranduil standing there in his luxuious robe and crown. He nodded to her, like most other elves his face remained neutral and serene. His expression seemed colder still than other elves. He strode closer and reached for the sleeping babe. She gently placed her charge in his arms and watched as he placed the babe in her bed. He covered the little one to ward off any chill and stroked her cheek lovingly.

"Is lady Loriel busy. Normally she comes to watch over Aven as I run errands." she stood trying to create a conversation to relieve the awkward silence.

"She is conversing with an advisor on the merits of a few more studies she may need. I have not spent much time with my daughter recently, she is precious as is the time i have with her." He said sadly .

"I suspect that perhaps this lesson was hard learned my Lord?" she asked holding her breath hoping he wasn't insulted at her forwardness.

"Yes with Legolas I lost my wife and my father and became a father myself all within a short time for an elf. I was still trying to lead my people as best as I could. I thought that perhaps so long as he survived unto adult hood that affection and tenderness wasn't needed. I was wrong. It is good that he learned these things after he left this realm." he said nodding to her that he was done with the conversation.

She made her way to the door only to pause when Thranduil spoke once more.

"And Elaine realize that so long as what you say isn't blatantly insulting or cruel I don't mind that you speak your mind. In fact I find it rather refreshing as does my son. He tells me he enjoys his time spent with you exploring the forest. Showing you his homeland.  It is good that he has a friend that will survive as long as he will. Too long has he been without an elf as a friend. I hope the amiable friendship between you will continue."

"And I enjoy the time spent with Prince Legolas. He is kind and a friend worthy of having. I only hope the same can be said for me."

She curtsied to him and then was walking toward the tutors where Tristan was most of the morning. She asked to borrow him a few hours early. This forest was calling for her to help it. She was willing to try at least to heal some of its wounds. Her son needed to learn at least the basics of their gifts. He had some of the same power but nothing like what she did. She was thankful for this because it meant he would not stand out as harshly as she did.

He followed her quietly through the woods toward the darker part of the forest. She told him to keep an eye out for trouble from a nearby branch. She walked toward the decaying meadow. She let her mind reach out to the earth and found the lingering sickness there. A sickness of a darkness long since gone but still remaining. She built within herself a powerful light of healing. She danced to the song of the earth she sang as she released the light little by little. Once she felt the earth healed she stopped her song and dance and looked at the vibrant meadow.

Tristan was there smiling widely at the sight before hiim. She walked toward him and clasped his hand as he walked back with her.

"Mamma how did you do that?" he asked

"I simply seek the light within myself and help the earth heal itself. It is a gift that I was born with. You have  a small touch of this gift. I will help you learn to use it only if you promise me one thing?" she explained.

"What is it Mamma?" his teal blue eyes wide and sincere.

"Never let anyone know that you have this gift. Only Thranduil, Loriel, and Legolas truly know of the gift I have and that is because I sense that they will not fear it. Keep the talents I am showing you quite and use them privately." she said kneeling before him and grasping his shoulders.

"yes Mamma I promise. When can I learn about all this?" He asked as they continued toward the gates of the palace.

"I want you to try to hear the forest and the earth first. In quite moments listen for their voices. Concentrate. After you accomplish this we will go from there." she said quietly as they moved through the halls.

"Alright I will try my best. I'm gong to find Legolas or Mister Gimli to see if i can help them with anything. Have good studies mamma."  He kissed her cheek quickly and was off dashing through the halls. Many elves stopped and smiled happy to see a young face about.

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Legolas walked back to his room perplexed about what he had witnessed. He had seen a mother teach a child a valuable lesson. The power he had seen in that moment was potent he felt goose flesh raise on his skin. The forest cried out in happiness at her actions. Like his father he was in tuned to the forest and its voice. She was healing the forest. Giving them back the Greenwood, transforming the mirky place back to what it was before the darkness tainted it.

Why would she do something like this? She had no reason to care for the state of the forest. She was a woman that had been through so much pain and torment, most in her position would lose all trust and goodness in them. She had trusted them, strangers, to see her safely to better life. She had trusted them with her son, when she should have been wary of them. She managed to keep the faith in the good in the hearts of the races despite what had been done.

He found himself going to the library to where he noted Kariel helping her with reading and writing. She was also trying to learn the elvish tongue. She was a very avid student from what Kariel said. She even offered to babysit her child while she ran errands in the late evening after class. This female confounded him. And yet for her kindness she didn't truly open up to anyone. She kept herself closed from everyone. It was only in those moments after a nightmare or in conversation that intrigued her could you see a glimpse of the woman that lay beneath.

'her songs as well let you know that she is indeed alive. When she had healed the meadow I felt her every nuiance of emotion. What beauty i saw inside her.' he thought

He turned from the library and went in search of the young ellon that had become a shadow to himself and gimli. The boy truly was quick on his feet and his naivety was amusing at times when he asked his mother questions. Much like how he had asked if he could grow a beard. It was refreshing to have such a young one around the palace. Children were rare and precious among the elves.

He found Gimli and Tristan sitting in the nursery with his mother. He noted the boy was looking out the window fruitivly. Gimli and Loriel didn't seem to notice. He nodded in greeting and moved toward the boy.

"What is it you are trying to hear little one?" he asked leaning against the wall at the boys side.

"It's a secret. Mamma told me not to say nothin." he whispered lowly.

"Very well keep your secrets but if by chance you are trying to hear the forest prehaps you should try touching a tree to see if you can hear its voice. Sometimes its best to try a more tactile method rather than a mental bond." he advised lowly.

"well if i ever try that then I will be sure to try that Mister Legolas." he said smiling widely up at him and running out of the room.

"Prehaps my father can be of more assistance he is much better at sensing the forest." he called after the figure.

He smiled at the confused looks Gimli and Loriel gave him and went to pick up his gurggling little sister.