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"The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8

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Annalee

"What do you think of him, Annalee?" Ada asks me quietly the next morning as we eat breakfast at the dining table. His crimson hair is neatly brushed and braided loosely on the sides behind his pointed ears, and he wears his best navy blue tunic and black bottoms. His eyes are bright and happy, no trace of the usual tiredness or sorrow, and I decide that speaking of Arahaelon is going to be my new way of cheering him up.

I look up at him, my mouth full of scrambled eggs. I chew and swallow quickly, my cheeks warming. "Whatever do you mean?" I ask him, placing my cheek in the palm of my hand, poking at the food on my plate with my fork.

Ada chuckles softly. "What do you think of Arahaelon? We were just talking about him, melleth (love)," he replies patiently, "Do you like him?"

"Of course I like him. He is my friend," I answer shortly.

Another round of chuckles falls from his lips. "You know exactly what I mean. Do you fancy him? Would you court him if he were to ask you?"

"He would never ask me such a thing," I complain, but Ada gives me a look. "I... I do not know, Ada. I think we share a bond. I can feel it very faintly, but I do not know if I can allow myself to feel such things for him. He is the Crown Prince."

"His title is the only thing that holds you back?"

"No," I answer hesitantly, "Well, I do not know. There is just so much doubt inside of me. I am too shy to ever feel comfortable around him. He makes me feel so embarrassed all of the time! I do not understand these emotions."

Ada tips his head back, laughing delightedly. "Oh, Annalee," he sighs, shaking his head as he smiles. He reaches over the table to take my hands in his, and his emerald eyes look at me with sudden seriousness. "My child, you think too much. I can see the way your eyes light up when you speak of him. It is normal to feel shy around the one you share a bond with. Do not let that hold you back."

"You just want me to get married," I say with a small smirk, laughing.

He laughs, too. "Of course I want you to get married, but I want you to be happy. Marrying Arahaelon would be a great thing for you, Annalee, but if you do not think he is the one for you, then I would not push you to pursue such a thing."

"I know," I reply, smiling at him. "I love you, Ada."

"I love you," he answers, his eyes dancing with love and laughter.

A knock at the front door startles me, and I jump slightly. My eyes widen as I turn to my father, realizing that it must be Arahaelon. "Do not do anything embarrassing, please," I beg him, standing from the table, and he laughs loudly.

"Go let him in. Do not leave him waiting," he says, standing and shooing me out of the dining room.

I walk to the front of the house quickly, straightening out the front of my dress skirts before opening the door. I am met with dazzling green eyes, and I smile widely. "Arahaelon," I breathe, unconsciously leaning against the door as if I am melting, and I take in the sight of his handsome smile, "Please, come in."

"Good morning, Annalee," he says in his silky, deep voice, his eyes roaming over my facial features slowly, "You look beautiful."

I blush. "Thank you."

He grins at my reaction.

"Please, come in. My ada is waiting in the living room," I tell him, shutting the door behind him. I then lead him into the living room, praying that this will not be as awkward as I fear it will be.

Ada sits in his usual chair by the empty fireplace, legs crossed and pretending to be reading a book, but I can tell by his slight smile that he was listening to our conversation with his sharp, elven hearing. He turns to look at us as we approach him, and he stands, bowing to Arahaelon. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you, my Prince," he says.

"The same to you, but please, no formalities," Arahaelon says, inclining his head in greeting, and he glances at me with his beautiful eyes, "Annalee speaks of you often and with much love. It is an honor to finally meet you."

Ada is practically glowing with approval, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I cannot even begin to imagine his expression when meeting Arahaelon's family. He would hand me over for marriage in the blink of an eye, with or without my consent.

"Annalee is my jewel. It makes me indescribably happy to know that she is in such good company when she is with you and your family," Ada says, looking at me with love swimming in his eyes that crinkle when he smiles.

"My family adores her, and they were all excited to hear that she is visiting the palace again today. In fact, my ada has asked me to extend the offer to you, my lord."

Ada's eyes widen in surprise. "I would not wish to intrude," he says uncertainly.

"Ada, you will not be intruding. King Thranduil has asked you to come. Please do not refuse on such terms," I beg him with a smile, wishing only for his happiness. He rarely leaves the house anymore, and I think fresh air and new faces would do him some good.

"Yes, it would please my parents very much if you were to give them company for the day," Arahaelon further persuades.

Ada watches us both for a moment before nodding. "Alright, then. I would not wish to decline an offer from the king of Mirkwood."

Arahaelon and I share a smile. "Shall we go then?" he questions, offering me his arm.

"We shall."

____

We pick up Nym on the way to the palace since Faraine and Itylra are hard at work today, and he rambles excitedly the whole walk there, holding onto my hand tightly. When we enter the palace, Arahaelon leads us to a door that I did not see yesterday, though this is understandable since the palace is huge. But I do notice that, just like yesterday, he has led us to a secluded part of the palace where only a few servants and guards are walking the corridors. Arahaelon quickly explains that this is the Family Wing.

He raps on the door softly, and we are called in by the king. We enter a large room that smells faintly of parchment and ink, and everything in sight seems to be several different shades of dark red. The king sits at a large, beautifully carved desk, his white hair flowing freely down his shoulders with a thick silver circlet rested upon his brow. His gaze drowns us, quickly realizing that there is a stranger in the room, and he stands, an uncharacteristic smile forming on his lips.

"Welcome," he says, his voice deep and strong as he spreads his arms in a gesture matching his welcoming attitude, "You must be Annalee's father."

Ada bows. "My King, 'tis an honor to meet you. I am Annalee's father Rhistel."

"Rise, we are all friends here," Thranduil says, only a trace of his brief smile left on his lips as he falls back into his stoic, kingly demeanor. He stands tall and straight, a king in all his glory, but he seems to be softer somehow than he was yesterday. He seems so pleased to meet my father, and I am baffled as to why.

Ada does as he is asked, but there is a seriousness about him that shows just how much he respects his king. He stands stiff and his posture is impeccable as he speaks. "I thank you for being so kind to my daughters yesterday. You have brought them much happiness. You will never know how much that means to me as their father," he says.

King Thranduil's icy blue eyes drift over to me for a moment, seeming to pick up on every little detail of my appearance and expression, and I am sure he can read me like a book. I watch as his gaze travels between Arahaelon and I for a short moment before returning to my father. "I am quite sure I understand the feeling."

The door opens, and I turn to see Queen Alarya stepping inside, a radiant smile on her face. "The guards told me you arrived," she says, floating over to my father gracefully, "You must be Annalee's father. How wonderful it is to meet you."

Ada inclines his head, knowing better than to bow again. "An honor," he says, giving her a kind smile. "I am Rhistel."

Nym tires of being ignored, and he waves at the queen. "Hello!"

She chuckles softly, waving back at him. "Hello, little one. I am so very happy to see you again so soon."

He giggles as she walks over, kissing his chubby cheeks.

She stands, taking my hands in hers. "Oh, Annalee, the same to you. My children are all so excited to see you again. When Arahaelon told us at breakfast that you would be visiting, it was all any of them could talk about for the rest of the morning."

I laugh, glancing at Arahaelon fleetingly with a raised brow. "I am glad to be back, and I know that Ada is delighted at the opportunity to meet you all."

"Well then, come, Rhistel, and sit with Thranduil and I. Arahaelon has plans to take Annalee to the library and to see his siblings. We can all get to know one another," Queen Alarya says, gesturing for him to sit down with a very sweet smile.

Arahaelon escorts Nym and I out of the room, and I glance back worriedly as the door shuts behind us.

"Do not worry. My parents do not bite, though, many would be surprised hearing that Ada does not do such a thing," Arahaelon says with a slight smirk.

I laugh. "I just worry for Ada, is all. He became very reserved and shut-off after the death of my nana. Recently I have seen that he is becoming more like his old self, but I am still worried for him. No one should have to sit at home day-after-day, swimming in the memories of what used to be. 'Tis unhealthy and only makes him more sorrowful. I just hope that your parents will not mistake his personality as rude and standoffish. I fear I take after him quite a bit."

"They will understand. Both are highly observant and know of your mother's passing. Do not worry," he says, taking my hand and squeezing it comfortingly.

Nym crosses behind me, moving in between Arahaelon and I, and he takes both our hands in his own, grinning up at us. "Where are we going?"

"To the library, little warrior," I tell him, laughing softly.

"But I want to see Tadion and Legolas," he says with a pout, and Arahaelon and I laugh.

"Well, let us go and find them, and we can go to the library later," I suggest, and Arahaelon nods, leading us down a hallway to the left.

We find the two brothers and Elrohir in a small living room, laughing and talking over each other loudly. When we enter the room, Arahaelon knocks on the door frame to get their attention, and then three pairs of eyes shift to look at us.

"Annalee!" Tadion exclaims from his place on the couch where he lays across it lazily, and he grins.

Nym releases our hands, racing over to Tadion and jumping up onto his stomach, and the older elf groans in pain.

"Hello, Tadion," I reply, laughing at his expression of pain, and Nym continues to sit on his stomach, looking as happy as ever.

Arahaelon, leads me to sit on the opposite couch beside Legolas, and I end up sitting between the two.

"How are you?" Legolas asks politely.

"I am well. How are you?"

He smirks slightly. "Surely not as good as Arahaelon is right now."

Elrohir laughs from his place across from us where he sits beside Tadion and Nym.

I observe him carefully for a moment. "You are Elrohir, right?"

The others stare at me in shock.

"You can tell which one he is?" Tadion asks disbelievingly, and even Elrohir seems surprised. "People who have known them for years still get them confused sometimes. How did you know?"

I laugh, shrugging. "I figured Elladan is with Almarëa."

They laugh again, looking more at ease knowing my reasoning since the twins are exact copies of each other.

"That is sneaky," Tadion says, narrowing his eyes at me.

Legolas chuckles. "You have to tell who's who when they are standing right beside each other with no Almarëa to help you. Only then will I be thoroughly impressed."

"I accept that challenge," I reply boldly, knowing that I have always had a knack for observing people. Already I have noticed that Elladan seems slightly more reserved than his twin, and Elrohir's eyes are more mischievous.

Arahaelon smiles at me. "I think you would be able to tell the difference easily."

"Nym, what are you doing?" Tadion asks suddenly, laughing loudly as the child touches his face curiously.

"Your cheeks are squishy," he replies simply, and we all burst into laughter.

From the corner of my eye, I watch as Arahaelon places his arm behind me on the couch, and I notice for the first time how close he is to me. Our knees are almost touching, and now that I am aware of his closeness, I can feel the heat radiating from his skin. My heart pitter-patters in my chest in that most uncomfortable, yet sensational way that it always seems to do around him. A smile comes to my lips against my will, and I turn my head away from Legolas when I see that he has noticed.

"I do not know whether to laugh or to be offended," Tadion mumbles to Nym, who giggles contentedly.

The door opens, and we all turn to see Lossenel entering the room. Her expression lights up when she spots me. "Annalee! I just spoke with your father. He is so kind," she says, walking toward us, "Nana said you were in the library. I was surprised to not find you there."

"Nym wished to see your brothers," I respond, and my breath catches in my throat when Arahaelon scoots closer to me in order to make room for his sister. Our eyes meet for a moment, his body completely pressed against mine, and suddenly I can feel his emotions through our faint bond. They surge through my veins with such intensity that I almost gasp. I can feel his deep affection for me, the feeling warm and inexplicably strong. Flashes of memories play before my eyes: my shy smile as I blush, his hand reaching out to touch one of my curls that rests over my collarbone, and an image of me laughing, not knowing that he is watching me. His emotions are laid bare for me to sift through, and I am shocked at just how much he cares for me. I suddenly see myself sitting in the dark forest with fireflies around me, the moonlight pooling over my brilliantly white dress, and I am astounded by the memory. He was there?

His green eyes pull me in, as welcoming and endless as the forest, but in mere seconds they are closed off and so are his emotions. He pulls away from me ever-so-slightly, and I am released from his gaze as he turns to look at his sister.

"Where is Almarëa?" he asks, his voice steady and even.

My mouth is open slightly in shock, and I look down at my hands in my lap, trying to get a hold of myself. I have never in my life felt so much love- yes, love. That is the feeling! I felt his love for me, washing over me like bright, beaming rays of sunshine, and I could barely breathe, the emotion was so strong. It is crazy that he loves me, but I know what I felt was no figment of my imagination. He loves me. The Crown Prince of Mirkwood is in love with me.

"I am not sure. I think she and Elladan planned on visiting Itylra and Faraine in Woodhurst," she replies, and I am vaguely aware of the conversation going on around me as my head spins.

We only just met. There is no way Arahaelon can be in love with me. No one falls in love within mere days. But I know what I felt. I know that no matter how crazy it seems, he loves me.

"Nana?" Nym questions with a grin, and the others laugh.

What in Middle Earth will I say to him? He knows that I felt it. I saw the way he reacted, and I am sure if I saw into his soul, he saw into mine. Is he hurt by what he saw? I do not love him; at least, I do not think I do. The idea of love is terrifying. Why, I can barely stand to think of it! So, surely these feelings I have for him are not love.

All of the thoughts running through my mind are too much to bear, and I find myself standing and excusing myself, walking to the door with faux calmness. When I am out of the room, I am running, my mind whirling with thoughts and my heart racing in my chest so loudly that I can hear it. Startled servants and guards quickly move out of my way as my feet take me away from the room-away from the prince. Something wet drips down my cheeks, and I reach up, wiping at my eyes furiously.

Without realizing where I have been running to, I find myself at the door leading to the gardens, and I stop, staring at it for a moment. Tears crawl down my cheeks as I push the door open, stepping outside into an oasis that helps to calm me down slightly. I run through the maze-like garden, knowing that Arahaelon will know where to find me, so I try to find a place to sit and think that is as far away from the palace as possible.

When I am tired from running, I slow down, entering a small clearing to my right, and I freeze when I notice that someone is sitting on the swing in the middle of it. I stare in shock as the queen lifts her gaze from her book, her expression immediately becoming alarmed when she sees my red eyes and wet cheeks. She snaps her book shut quickly, gesturing for me to join her on the white swing covered in ivy.

"Annalee, what has happened?" she questions as I reluctantly sit down beside her. She rests her hand over one of mine, her shocked expression softening as I sniffle. "Did Tadion say something hurtful? That boy has no thought about what comes out of his mouth. You need not worry over his words."

I shake my head, laughing slightly despite my deep sadness and confusion. "No," I breathe shakily, "No, he did not say anything. No one did."

"Then what is the matter?" Her question is so soft and gentle, not at all intrusive or demanding. She is patient, asking me in such a way so that I can choose whether or not to tell her what is on my mind. When I do not answer, she begins speaking in order to make me feel more comfortable, I guess. "Thranduil wished to speak with your father alone for awhile. I am not sure why, honestly, but I am glad. If I had not left, I would never have found you here. Surely, there is a reason why I was the one to see you like this."

I nod, not really sure what to say, and I wipe my eyes again, feeling foolish. I decide to explain what happened. "Arahaelon was sitting next to me, and he leaned close to allow room for Lossenel to sit with us. When he touched me I... I felt his emotions somehow," I explain quietly, shaking my head, "I do not know how to explain it, but somehow I knew how he felt about me. I was overwhelmed."

She nods understandingly. "And you did not like what you felt?"

Fresh tears come to my eyes, and I refuse to meet her gaze. "He loves me," I whisper, my heart constricting in my chest as the words leave my lips, "He loves me, and he barely knows anything about me. How is that possible?"

"That is the way of bonds," she replies simply, "Sometimes, an elf accepts the feelings from the moment they begin. Arahaelon was this way. He felt that you were his soul mate, and by accepting this fact, his feelings have grown deeper inside of him. This love he feels for you is natural, but it will grow even stronger in time, just as yours will, Annalee. I believe that you are refusing to accept the bond that is already forming between the two of you. The longer you push it away, the more pain you will bring upon yourself and upon my son."
I frown, my eyebrows furrowing. "So, I am in love with him, too?" I ask her in a small voice, sounding like a child begging my mother to give me all the answers.

She laughs melodically. "That is something that you only know the answer to, my dear. Sometimes, one elf falls in love before the other does. I do not know exactly why this happens, but it does. Thranduil was just like Arahaelon, you know," she says, a fond smile coming to her lips, "He says that he fell in love with me the moment he first laid eyes on me at the Winter Solstice feast; whereas, it took me many, many weeks to understand that I loved him, too. I think the idea of the king being in love with me frightened me. I did not wish to be queen. Thranduil was stubborn, though- he still is. He pursued me diligently, and I could only deny my true feelings for so long before I finally admitted that I was in love."

"You make it sound so easy and romantic," I tell her, shaking my head, "I have no idea what I am going to say to Arahaelon. I do not wish to hurt him." I grimace at the thought of his eyes turning sad.

"My son is understanding, and as you said, he loves you. He will not push you."

We are quiet for a moment as I let her words sink in.

"You know, Thranduil has been pushing him to choose a bride. It has been tough on Arahaelon, knowing that any day now his father could tell him that he is giving up the crown, and I am sure that he has had many restless nights wondering whether Thranduil will choose a bride for him or let him decide," she confides, her sage eyes watching me with motherly affection, "Please, do not give up on him. Arahaelon needs you right now. He needs someone that can make him happy and make him forget his duties and fears for a time."

My eyes widen in surprise. "The king can force him to marry?" I ask quickly, suddenly feeling very scared. What if he forces Arahaelon to marry another elleth? My heart shatters at the thought, and I do not even bother trying to figure out why.

"Thranduil would not do that to him, but it is a fear of Arahaelon's, I believe," she replies, gauging my reaction carefully.

I sigh inaudibly, my body relaxing in relief. My head is too jumbled with thoughts to even worry about my sudden irrational fear of Arahaelon marrying someone that is not me. My head aches, and I feel so tired and winded from such a rush of emotions and revelations.

"Annalee!"

I whip my head around at the faint sound of his voice.

"Annalee! Where are you?"

I turn to the queen, my eyes wide with sudden fright. "What will I say to him?" I question her.

She smiles softly. "Everything that you have told me. Be honest with him, Annalee. That is what he will want."

"But I do not know what it is that I am feeling," I mumble, placing my head in my hands, "I do not like this."

She laughs quietly, patting my shoulder as she stands. "You will be fine. Everything will work out in the end. You will see," she soothes, and I hear her soft footsteps as she exits the clearing.

I sit with my head still in my hands as Arahaelon's voice grows louder, closer. "Annalee, please," he begs, "I only wish to speak with you."

"I am here," I call after a moment, unable to ignore him and his distress that I feel so vividly through our weak bond.

I hear his footsteps as he enters the clearing, and they pause for a moment when he finds me crumpled upon the swing with my hands covering my face. He approaches me quickly, and I feel the swing move as he sits beside me.

"Annalee," he sighs quietly, his fingers running over my hair gently. "Will you look at me?"

I shake my head but allow my hands to fall to my lap, and I keep my head down, embarrassed by my behavior. "I am sorry," I mumble, "I feel silly for running. You know that I am no good at hiding my feelings."

"You do not have to apologize," he states, taking my hand and kissing each of my knuckles. My stomach flutters at the sensation of his soft lips on my skin. "Please, look at me," he almost whispers, and I cannot deny his plea as his deep voice rolls over my skin causing it to erupt in goosebumps.

I meet his gaze, my heart soaring in fear of what will happen next.

His eyebrows furrow as he takes in the sight of my tear-streaked face. "Oh, Annalee," he whispers, running his thumbs over my cheeks as if to rid them of any trace of my sorrow. "I knew when we touched that it was bad for you to see into my head. I never wished for you to know how I felt. Not yet, anyway."

"I just find bonds so strange. I am so confused," I admit sheepishly, "I have never felt this way before. I do not know what love is like. I do not know if that is what I feel for you yet."

"I understand," he replies, one hand falling to my lap as he intertwines our fingers. "You do not have to explain. I just want you to be happy. I do not wish for you to be upset. I cannot help how I feel, but how I feel does not need to affect you this deeply."

"But it does," I tell him, "It does affect me. I was not expecting to randomly connect with you, and feeling those things scared me. I am not ready for... for whatever this is that is intertwining our souls." I point from his chest to mine as I speak.

"Annalee, I am not rushing you. I do not expect anything of you," he tells me patiently, searching my eyes with his loving ones.

"I-I know," I reply, looking away.

"Will you come back inside with me and try to forget this?" he asks gently, and I can feel the intensity of his gaze on my skin like a touch.

"You wish for me to forget?" I ask him in surprise, looking at him again.

"Yes. My emotions and memories are my own. They are not your burden to bear," he says, his eyes tightening, "I just want you to be happy. I do not like seeing you this way."

"I am fine," I tell him, breathing deeply, "And I am happy, now that this has been straightened out."

He smiles, squeezing my hand, and his eyes are once again closed off. "Come, let us go back."

He leads me through the garden, my hand tucked safely in his, and I walk by his side, still remembering how it felt to be washed in the warmth of his love. My cheeks heat up at the thought.

When we reach the small living room where the others are, Arahaelon and I stop at the door and listen to all the laughter and yelling coming from inside the room. I distinctly hear Nym and Tadion shouting, and I look at Arahaelon as we both laugh. He opens the door, and I shriek in surprise as a couch pillow sails through the air straight for us and hits Arahaelon right in the face.

I cover my mouth with my hands, bursting into laughter along with the others, but Tadion, who I assume threw the pillow, looks terrified.

Nym points at the Crown Prince, shrieking with laughter. "Ar's been hit!"

Lossenel is crouched behind the couch on the left side of the room, sandwiched between Legolas and Elrohir, and the trio is breathless from laughing.

Arahaelon calmly reaches down to pick up the pillow, and he shuts the door behind us. "What is going on here?" he questions, his voice low and resembling his father's perfectly. I bite my lip to keep from laughing at the look on Tadion's face.

"Ar! Ar! Throw it back!" Nym shouts, toddling over to us with a huge grin. "Throw it at Tadion!"

I scoop the adorable child into my arms, kissing his cheek. "What are you all doing?"

"We are playing!" he exclaims, "Lossie, 'Ro, and Legolas are on one team, and Tadion and I are on the other. We were waiting for you to come back so you can play with us!"

"Well, what team am I on?" I ask him.

"You are with them, and Arahaelon is on my team," he states seriously, pointing for me to join my team.

I look at Arahaelon as I set Nym down, and I shrug slightly, snatching the pillow away from him.

"That is cheating!" Arahaelon exclaims as I run for the couch, and the room erupts into chaos, all of us running around like a bunch of elflings.

I throw the pillow at Arahaelon, and he looks at me as if I have betrayed him, causing us to all laugh.

"Stop staring at Annalee, and start throwing, Ar!" Tadion shouts, grabbing the pillow from his brother and pelting Legolas with it, along with three more he finds on the couch.

Lossenel takes my hand, pulling me behind the couch with her as the others run around, hitting each other and tripping and fighting. Her cheeks are flushed, and she is breathless with laughter.

"Stay here with me. I grew up playing this game with three brothers. I like to think I am a champion," she says with a grin, brushing a few strands of fallen hair from her face.

I grin back. "What fun this is! Faraine and I never played like this growing up."

She rolls her eyes. "You are lucky. Brothers are crazy."

I laugh in response, flinching as a pillow sails over the couch and lands in front of us.

She takes my hand, surprising me, and I turn to look at her worried eyes. "Are you alright? I know something happened between you and Ar."

I shake my head, giving her a reassuring smile. "'Twas nothing. I just... I found out something that surprised me, but I am alright now."

She smiles happily. "Good. Ar adores you. I would hate for something to happen between you."

Tadion comes around the couch, sliding for a moment on the slippery floor, and he grabs the pillow, racing away without even noticing us.

"Something did happen between us," I reply with a fond smile as I hear Arahaelon's boyish laughter ringing about the room, and my cheeks ache from smiling so hard, "And I think things are going to be different from now on."

"Different?" she questions.

I nod, meeting her gentle gaze and finding a new sister. "Yes. I believe things between us are changing quickly."

She grins, needing no explanation to understand, and she takes my hand, pulling me up from behind our make-shift fort and leading us straight into the battle, together. When Arahaelon sees me, he smirks, dashing straight for me, and I attempt to run away. He is much faster than me, though, and he catches me in his arms, pulling me close to him.

"Are you having fun yet?" he questions, his lips at my ear so that I can hear him. Laughter runs beneath his words, and my heart is in my throat as he holds me to him, his arms wrapped snugly around my waist.

"Yes," I reply, meeting his eyes that dance with the light in the room, "I would not wish to be anywhere else." And I mean it.

We smile at each other for a moment, both of us content with being so close and happy. I do not know how long it will take me to fall in love with him, to get past my fears and heal the wounds that have been in my soul for dozens of years, but I now know that pushing him away is only hurting us. Being here, wrapped in his arms with my new friends running and laughing around us like elflings, I feel as if I am right where I belong.

"Stop staring at each other like that!" Tadion exclaims, "It makes me sick to my stomach. This is war! Not a fairytale!"

A pillow hits both our heads, disheveling our hair and making us burst into laughter, and our foreheads touch for a brief moment.

The door to the room opens at that exact moment, and we all turn to see King Thranduil in the doorway.

__________

A/N: Ahhh, I hope y'all enjoy! I had so much fun with this chapter and its emotional rollercoaster ride! Love y'all to the Moon and back, and God bless!

Love,

Josie <3