"Nana!"

"Oh my baby girl, my little princess - my light," I cry in utter relief as I watch Celairiel run to me. She weaves through the pillars that lead out to the little rock garden in the servants' quarters, and leaps into my waiting arms.

"Nana, why will they not let you come home?" She cries and burrows her face into my neck, her arms turning into a vice like grip around my shoulders; "Why is Legolas not allowed to come with me?"

"I don't know honey, I really don't know," I sob painfully as I crumple to the ground with her, and kiss her crown. "But I will not allow it, Legolas will join us soon. I promise you that!"

"They would not let me go to him Nana," Celairiel tells me with wide betrayed eyes; "They said he was to be guarded because he was to be King someday...but Nana they are wrong. I told them so; I told them Ada was to be King. I pushed them away, and I kicked them when they tried to stop me from seeing my brother. I told them Ada would hurt them if they stopped me. I told them when Ada came home he would send them away...but Nana they just laughed!"

"Who did this?" I demand, and grip her small shoulders tightly; "Who said these things to you sweetheart?"

"The elf from the council, the one who is sour faced, and the elleth Tithemes," Celairiel tells me confidently, and I quickly ascertain that she speaks of Galour and his wife. "Nana they have moved into our home, the lady came with her maids. She tried on your jewellery. I tried to stop her, I bit her and pulled her hair, but she sent me away with Ellie...so Ellie brought me here. Nana I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt her - well I did - but she shouldn't touch what doesn't belong to her."

My hand quickly flies to my throat, and I gasp when I realise the set of gems that Thranduil gave me is not there. I had taken them off and set them by my bedside to bathe.

That BITCH has my necklace! That tramp! Ohhh, HOW DARE SHE?

"Nana...please don't be mad at me," Celairiel's soft little voice pulls me away from my murderous thoughts, and I quickly refocus and redirect my attention. Also, infinitely glad that I didn't launch into a tirade of swear words in front of my easily influenced child, as she peers up at me with questioning eyes tinged with a hint of dulled anger.

"No, I'm not mad," I reply calmly, and smooth her hair from her face. "Although darlin', I think we need to work on your temper. Kicking and biting is fine in this instance, but promise me you won't make it a habit? Little Princesses should be well behaved, and polite, even if they are angry."

"I promise," She chirps, and supresses a wry smirk, as I do the same.

"Why don't you go and find my old charcoals, I think Ollie still has them kept in the chest in my old room." I command my pacified daughter; "We can draw something nice for Legolas - to give to him when we see him again."

"Okay," She agrees and stands with me, eyeing me cautiously; "But what are you going to do about that lady in our house?"

"I'm going to throw her out and send her to the dungeons," I reply sharply and Celairiel grins darkly.

"Good! I don't like her, and Ada will send them faraway when he comes home," My daughter gives a confident bob of her head, before she skips off to find my old art supplies, and I stride back into the lounge to decipher this news.

"They have moved into my quarters...is this some kind of joke?" I roar as I stampede with all the ferocity of an enraged bull into the living room. Ollie is the first to my side with her arms crossed, glaring accusingly at both Elbes and Calanon.

"No...and yes," Elbes stutters and tugs at her sleeve; "We couldn't stop them; they said it was there right to acquire the assets - to ensure nothing was stolen. They tried to make it out they were taking everything into safekeeping, but my lady I do not believe them. The elleth - his wife - she lifted the jewels the Prince gave you. Your daughter saw her, Celairiel was wild and wicked with the lady, and we had to haul her away. But, I do not blame the child; it was most distressing for her."

"The white gems?" Ollie pipes up, her jaw slackening as she looks to her mother for confirmation; Gilron pales slightly and shakes her head. Gilron has arrived at Ollie's request, and she has been my rock of support ever since.

"Yes, I believe so," Elbes elaborates; "The ones my lady always wears."

"The Queen's jewels!" Gilron spits vehemently and clenches her fists; "That elleth knows damn well the heritage of that necklace. That is an heirloom from Doriath; it was commissioned by Queen Melian herself. It was gift to Lassiel's family for their long years of service. They were a dear gift to her; every elleth that served under Lassiel knows this story. It is treason for her even to touch them! She is as much as claiming right to be called royalty if she wears them."

"I did not know that," I gape in disbelief at Gilron, and clutch my bear neck tighter; "Thranduil, h-he never said. He just gave them to me, flippantly, like they were nothing more than a parting gift. If I had of known I would never have left them lying so carelessly on my bedside table!"

"Oh child," Gilron chuckles sadly and comes to take my shaking hand; "He knows you, he knows you would have been terrified to wear such gems if you knew their meaning. Thranduil intended you to wear them proudly; he knew that when you returned wearing them the people would know the King had given you his favour. Oropher would have given Thranduil permission to bestow you with such a queenly gift. It was more an outward sign for us...than a personal gesture for you."

"Fat lot of good that did, now that heartless crow has them in her possession," I growl and cross my arms tightly about my chest before I begin pacing.

Suddenly the events of the last time I was with Thranduil come flooding back, and the ache in my spirit tears into a searing burn that feels like it has been rubbed with acid. I bite my lip to suppress a yelp and try to remain standing tall, although my voice comes out rougher than I had expected when I speak; "They are in our home, they have our son, they are pillaging our belongings - I cannot take any more of this! I need to find those papers and take back the control, before they bring about a civil war!"

"Agreed!" Calanon pipes up - from his obscured position at the back of the room - and suddenly gestures behind him to a very familiar ellon; "Which is why I have enlisted the help of the perfect accomplice."

"Tinuben?" I balk and stare open mouthed at all of them. Timid and soft spoken Tinuben is going to save the day? I really hope the plan sounds better when Calanon articulates it, than it does in my head right now.

"Yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds Clara," Tinuben giggles nervously as if reading my thoughts; "But I am, in actual fact, the only servant still able to gain access to the King's chambers. You see I keep a lot of Legolas' teaching material in there - Oropher liked to sign off on my various teaching plans, mainly history topics, he would ensure I knew my facts when I taught him about Doriath. I also help with the accounts of the Kingdom, so I know where the King archives his personal reports. I can find the documents Clara."

"Oh I would kiss you right now if that was not entirely inappropriate!" I shriek and lunge for the suddenly flustered elf and throw my arms around him; "Tinuben, you are officially a protector of the peace...do you know that? I will have Thranduil bestow lordship on you when returns, I vow it!"

"Oh...ah...there is no need," Tinuben blushes and gently but awkwardly removes himself from my embrace; "Do you really believe Thranduil is well...do you believe he will come home?"

"I don't just believe it Tinuben, I feel it," I confirm with a weary sigh as I clutch the painful site at my chest, and force my tongue to speak the truth that my heart believes and yet as the days drag on it is becomingly increasingly harder to do so; "He lives, and he grows stronger. I promise you we will hear word of his return soon."

"Then we do this in loyalty and love for our King, and his Queen," Tinuben replies as he, and everyone else in the room bows.

I sort of stand open mouthed and dazed for a few long seconds. The weight of his words and their actions seems to touch me in the midst of my anger and my grief. This is dangerous for all of them; we are basically plotting treason, although I wouldn't call it that. But we are attempting to overthrow the council and that is an offense punishable by imprisonment, or at the very worst banishment.

I am chained to this room, and Tinuben would freely go in search of documents that would release me? If he gets caught, I dread to think what Galour would do to him? In my worry I glance to Ollie and Gilron, and I know as a mother how I would feel risking my child's life for another. Gilron only gives me a beaming smile, while Oliel looks proudly to her brother;

"I will help you with this Tinuben," My best friend chirps up and scurries to his side; "You will need a lookout; I can distract inquisitive eyes and ears."

"No Ollie," I warn, as I reach for her hand; "Ollie, he will know of our friendship. This is dangerous, too dangerous even for you Tinuben. I hate myself for having to ask this off any of you, you shouldn't need to put yourself at risk."

"It is not that risky," Tinuben chuckles and tilts his head to the side; "What happened to the Protector of the Peace speech? Really all I need to find is Raffyn's set of keys for the restricted library...I am sure they are bound to be in his chambers somewhere?"

"Yes I am sure of it," Ollie nods and crosses her arms; "He is - I mean was - always organized to within an inch of his existence," My friend corrects herself, and a suddenly expressive flash of grief passes over her features. It is hard to come to terms with the fact that those we speak of so fondly are no longer with us anymore.

"Organised yes, but suspicious and guarded would have been better descriptions of him," I muse aloud and begin to pace a little more aggressively than intended. "This isn't a case of lifting a set of keys from his rooms. He would have secured them, hidden in plain sight probably." I tap my chin and try to conjure up memories of evenings spent listening to Raffyn clatter about with keys and reports. Sometimes, in my early days, I would have helped him in his study. I am certain that key should be in there - but where?

Dammit why couldn't I have paid more attention instead of swooning like the ridiculous child I was!

"What are you thinking Clara?" Calanon asks carefully, as Tinuben glances nervously at the door. He knows the longer we all congregate here the more likely it will be that someone will find us. Then we really will be in trouble, and questions will be asked.

"Okay!" I breathe in deeply and run my hands through my hair in a soothing motion; "Leave the key finding to Gilron and I. Elbes you take watch here, pretend you are allowing me supervised visitation to my daughter - if anyone asks. Tinuben, you make sure you stay around the study and the King's private apartments. Make up whatever excuse you have to, but I doubt Galour will be too interested, he'll not expect you to be involved in anything."

"I am certain there was a compliment in that somewhere," Tinuben purses his lips and cocks an eyebrow at me, and I smirk playfully for him.

"Gilron will get the key to Ollie, and Ollie you will get the key to your brother, understood?" I eye them all hopefully, and thankfully they all nod back. Calanon opens his mouth to ask the inevitable questions, before I cut him off with a wave of my hand; "Calanon, keep the lords distracted and give Galour whatever attention he wants to keep him preoccupied. If this goes down as I want it too, he won't have too long to bask in his own glory! I don't intend to be in the least bit merciful!"

There is a unanimous whisper of agreement throughout the room to my commands, and without another word my best friend, my healer, and my son's teacher leave. Gilron glides to my side and encircles her hand with mine. Soothingly she rubs my back, and presses a kiss to my cheek, before pulling my chin so that I look her in the eye;

"My darling Clara," She whispers in a worried tone; "Be brave now little one, this is your test of courage."

I barely smile through the angry and defeated tears, as we embrace tightly. We stay like this for a moment; for I am sure she has comforted Lassiel many times like this before. I am sure the previous Queen faced much more strife in her life than I, and I am positive Gilron recognizes a test when she sees one. Either way she is right - it is a time to be brave.

"Well we better get hunting!" I exclaim and give a little shrug of my shoulders, still working vainly to keep my shattered tears from falling freely.

"Hunting for what?"

The curious little voice pulls my attention completely, and I smile adoringly at my headstrong daughter.

She stands with her hands on her hips, and her one eyebrow rose questionably - she looks so much like Thranduil when she does that. Before I can speak, Gilron interrupts;

"Celairiel we need to find a key, do you think you could help us?" She asks pleadingly, and predictably a mischievous glint lights Celairiel's eyes, but she does well to disguise her interest.

"Does this key help get that stupid lady out of my house?" Celairiel asks airily, through half lidded eyes as she toys with a strand of her hair. I can tell she is trying to weigh up the worth of this activity, and if it is much more appealing than drawing some pretty pictures for her absent brother. Both Gilron and I nod in unison, and a sly grin plays across her young features before she flicks her hair over her shoulder and chirps; "Okay, I can help."

"Excellent," Gilron claps her hands, as we rush towards Raffyn's chambers. "Between the three of us we will find that key in no time!"

xXx

Three solid hours we have searched for the chain of keys that Raffyn kept in his possession. I expected it to be difficult, but not this difficult!

Once we emptied all drawers and cabinets, Celairiel and I resorted to ripping up sofa cushions, whilst Gilron nosed through every vase and ornamental dish in sight before moving onto Raffyn's wardrobes.

In my mind's eye I can clearly picture the ring of three keys Raffyn always had laced to his waist; one was for his treasury, one was for the King's apartments, and the last was for the King's private archives. They were big, clumsy, ornate keys that clinked when he walked...they shouldn't be that hard to find...why is this so difficult?

"Nana?" Celairiel taps my arm, as I sit on my knees on the floor before the large bookcase, pawing through yet another drawer. I glance up at her, and I realize tears are brimming in my eyes and her young face is drawn in anxiety at the desperation in my movements; "Nana don't be upset, we will find the key. I am very good at hunts - Legolas' told me so."

"I know you are honey," I smile, and attempt to inconspicuously wipe my eyes and nose with my sleeve; "Listen Celairiel, Nana just needs a minute to think...why don't you go help Gilron check the bedside chest, hmm?"

"Okay," She nods timorously, and retracts her hand from my arm and sighs loudly.

I watch her move dejectedly across the room, her hand moving along the polished surface of the bookshelf, her fingers brushing off the hard backs of the many books housed there. My eyes follow the titles of each book as she moves by them, and suddenly I let out a shrill gasp and launch across the space to where my daughter stands by the bookcase, looking a tad alarmed.

"Books!" I yelp, and bash my head with the heel of my hand; "Of course! No one is going to look for keys in books...Celairiel you little genius!"

"What did I do?" She giggles nervously, as I start to manically trail books from their perfectly ordered shelves, searching for one that sounds hallow.

"You just give me the brightest ideas my love," I sing and ruffle her hair excitedly, as she watches me with wide eyed wonderment...or maybe just slight terror.

I have to pause myself in my excitement, and think carefully - exactly what book and where would you hide a set of keys in a bookcase? I spy a line of history books - very dull, very Raffyn - but I note how they count upwards in volumes and curiously Raffyn has two copies of a "third" volume. Holding my breath, I rap my curled knuckle to the first and then its twin...bingo...the first one is clearly hallow. Slipping it out from the case I carefully unwind the leather ties and open it to reveal the hallow shell, and the set of keys! Carefully I hold them up, and breathe out a prayer of thankfulness before clutching them tightly to my chest and staring victoriously at my daughter.

"Oh Nana!" She beams, and wraps her arms around my waist; "You found them!"

"What? What did you find?" Gilron whispers shrilly as she dances in from the adjoining bedchamber, then stops mid skip to clamp her hand over her mouth to restrain a shriek of delight.

"You need to get them to Ollie...now!" I command, and she raises her hand to me before I attempt to toss her the keys.

"Wait...just wait Clara," She warns, and steadies my arm; "I will check that we are not being watched, and we need to find a way to get you back into your home, because you need to finish this not me, nor Tinuben."

"Of course," I reply and clutch the keys tighter still; "You can be assured Gilron, if I get my hands on those documents I have no intentions of quietly taking back my position!"

"Good, then stay here with Celairiel, and wait for my signal," Gilron orders me for a change as she slips out the door; "After all it has been a few hours Clara, we need to know what is going on out there."

"Indeed," I nod and follow Celairiel back into the main living quarters where Ellie has kept guard, in the pretence that she is allowing mother and daughter to spend some well-deserved time together.

The three of us nervously take up position on one of the large settees by the fire, and attempt to remain calm as we wait. Celairiel crawls up my belly and rests her head on my chest, clutching a handful of hair in her hand she begs me to sing to her. Of course I oblige, and between her calming heartbeat against mine and my soft lullabies, I eventually begin to gain a sense of calm and clarity.

Those documents are bound to exist, and it won't be long until I can chain up that snake and put him safely behind bars where he will no longer be a threat to my children, or my people.

In this new quiet I silently vent my frustrations and curse this war for causing the separation between Thranduil and I - for I could really use him here. The only problem is, although I know he lives, I have not the slightest notion of how he will be returned to me? What if comes home so badly damaged that he is unrecognizable to me? His feä already feels different to me, it is still him but it is changed...greatly changed.

It has been seven long years, and so much has changed for us both. Everyone is expecting a reuniting of a King and his Queen. But all I want is to find my husband in the broken fragments of the elf that returns to me. Truly, this mishap with Galour and the council is nothing compared to the greater pains and anxieties of my heart, and I swear to Eru I will not hold back if I am proven right. That disgusting creature will beg at my feet for mercy, I will ensure it!

"Clara? Clara you have to come quickly?"

Gilron pokes her head around the doorway, and beckons me with a finger. I glance at the sleeping form of my daughter, who lies outstretched over my belly. I deliberate leaving her, for I am terrified of letting her out of my sight in case someone takes her from me.

"It is alright, Elbes and I will stay but you need to go...now!" Gilron proceeds to encourage me, and grasping the urgency in her voice I slip out the door.

"Where do I go, and wait...are you not coming?" I ask quietly, as she points upward.

"To the communal libraries on the second floor," Gilron whispers softly; "No you don't need me, you'll find your help there! Be quick and be careful - don't get caught."

"Yes ma'am!" I nod and sweep up the servants stairwell, with my heart in my mouth. I have no idea what I am going to find, but I sincerely hope it is Tinuben with a handful of sealed papers.

I make it to the second floor only to spy a guard stride past with a brightly glowing lamp. With a sharp inhale, I dart back behind the shadows of the stairwell and crane my neck to see if he will disappear down the left wing. Unfortunately he pauses by the entrance of the communal library, and appears to take up sentry duty there - much to my annoyance! With a muffled groan and a dull thud, I bash my head against the wrought iron baluster.

Great!

Biting my lip, I attempt to conceive another plan that will allow me to gain entrance to the libraries, without getting noticed by the armed guard. Seriously - Since when did I have to act like the burglar in my own home? I swear, when I get this sorted I am having a nice long bath and demanding a weekend to myself! This is ridiculous...

"But...I just want to play in the hallway?"

That voice! That is my boy...my little rescuer...he is in the library and that is why the doorways are being manned. I literally pop my head up over the bannister like an excitable meerkat, and crane forwards to see if I can catch a glimpse of him. Oh Gilron you genius...if I can just get his attention for a minute?

"Can I just kick my ball up and down the hallway...please? I won't leave your sight I promise," Legolas pleads with the unrelenting guard. But I hear that sweet and innocent note in his voice that ensures he manipulates any situation and after some huffing and puffing the elf relents, and I hear him scuffle about with his soft ball.

I watch silently from behind the shadow of the stairs as Legolas jogs up and down the hallway, my heart aching at the sight of him so close. It takes me all my resolve not to rip up the stairs and grab him.

I have to think...I have to get his attention!

Scowling, I rub my forehead and consider how to alert him without alerting the guard as well. Just as I am about to throw my hands up in exasperation, I spy the charm bracelet around my wrist and the heavy little heart stone attached to it.

Yes! That's it!

Eagerly I wrestle with the stone and the clasp until I free it from the bracelet. Leaning forward, I slip my arm through the balusters and reach up so I set the stone on the polished wood floor.

I have to time this just right, but I am pretty sure my son will see the stone...he misses nothing; he'd see a flea hop off a black cat in the darkest night of winter!

I crane my neck and wait until I spy him turn back to face me and kick the ball towards the stairwell. The moment he taps the ball, I push the charm so that it skids into the centre of the hallway and right into his line of vision.

I spy him pause and then pad curiously to the object to inspect. I hold my breath and cross all available fingers and toes, and pray he puts two and two together quickly. Mercifully he picks up the stone, and immediately his eyes dart to the stairwell, but then back to his custodian. Carefully he tucks the stone into his pocket, and resumes kicking his ball, and for a moment I'm confused. Did he understand my message? But I need not have worried. With an ill-timed kick Legolas launches the ball down the stairwell, and spins to alert the guard of his mistake;

"Opps, I'm sorry!" He chirps and clutches his hands innocently behind his back; "Can I go fetch it, I promise I'll come right back?"

"If you are not back up those stairs in two minutes young master, I will be forced to come find you and take you back to your chambers," The guard reminds Legolas sternly, but my son just shrugs and saunters to the stairwell.

"Okay...okay...two minutes - yes sir," He huffs and salutes as he rounds the staircase, and I slink down to the lower level so we are slightly out of earshot.

With a hop skip and a jump Legolas descends the stairs as if he has not a care in the world, but when he reaches the bottom he practically lunges into my waiting arms. He buries his face into my neck and attempts to conceal terrified sobs, so I clutch him tighter still to muffle his fear and keep him hidden;

"Sshh, don't cry," I soothe, but find I too am blubbing like an idiot, as I kiss his crown repeatedly. "Sshh, they will hear."

Legolas pulls away and glances fearfully up the stairwell, his young mind working quickly in an attempt to concoct a plan of escape. We could run, but that would cause a scene! No, we have to distract this nitwit and then find Tinuben.

I scan the hallway and spy an open storage closet...it is perfectly reasonable to assume the ball rolled into the closet? If we could get him in there, we could lock him in and that would give us some time. Quickly I snatch the soft ball from the ground and toss into the dusty closet, which is no more than a servant's store. Legolas follows my gaze and suddenly his eyes light with understanding, and he grins.

"That is two minutes up young prince!" The guard bellows down the stairs, and as he does I place a finger to my lips and crouch behind the door. Legolas wipes the tears from his eyes and peers up the stairs at the descending elf. "By order of lord Galour you are not to be without protection, I cannot allow you to wander alone. If you are intent on disobeying me young sir, I will be forced to quarantine you in your chambers."

"I-I'm sorry," Legolas murmurs and points towards the open closet; "My ball rolled into the servants closet I can't find it."

I hear the guard sigh, and quickly I reach for the wooden base of the extinguished torch above me. I grasp it tightly in my hands and say a quick little prayer of forgiveness, because I do feel kind of bad about my next actions.

I wait patiently until Legolas directs the irked guard to the closet and has him rummage about inside. Then I creep around the doorframe and raise my makeshift club.

"I do not have time to be looking for toys! After this you will be returning to your quarters!" The guards puffs, and as he spins around to point a warning finger at my incredibly innocent looking son, but he finds me instead and his mouth pops open.

"I'm really sorry about this," I apologize, right before I clunk him round the head with the blunt object and watch guilty as he blacks out.

"Is he going to be alright?" Legolas asks with mild concern, as he eyes the passed out elf cautiously. "We won't get into trouble for that, will we Nana?

"Oh yea, he'll be fine," I confirm with a nod, but check to make sure he is still breathing before I shut the closet door and jam it closed with a discarded chair. "Don't worry; I will have Calanon check him out later."

"What are we going to do now?" Legolas cheeps anxiously and takes my hand tightly in his.

"We find Tinuben!" I reply resolutely and brandish the set of keys I have safely tucked in my pocket, and tug him back up the stairs.

"Nana Tinuben is in the study preparing lessons, he has been for hours," Legolas reminds me, and then pulls my hand to slow me down; "You cannot get caught by Galour - he'll throw you out!"

"I'm not going to get caught," I soothe Legolas, when he pierces me with terrified eyes; "I am going to sort this once and for all, just you wait and see - and you're going to help me!"

Legolas simply nods, and I allow him to safely lead the way through our home. He carefully leads me past guards and quietly we make it into the study used for his schooling. Legolas is momentarily confused to find Tinuben missing, but one knowing smile from me and he accepts that things are well.

From the study I can see the main doors into the King's private apartments, and I spy Ollie as she pretends to clean everything around them. I have to alert her that I am here, so I can get the keys to Tinuben. Legolas spies my concentration on Ollie, and suddenly he is skipping across the hall and bounding up to her with a serene little smile. They talk for a moment, and then he plays with the heart stone visibly in his hand before hopping back to me in the study. It takes Ollie all of about five seconds before she faux cleans the door handles of the study entrance.

I wave from my position wedged between the bookcase and an armchair, and she visibly sighs in exasperation. But when I wave the keys at her, she grins excitedly and flits about the room pretending to return a few books before snapping the keys from my hand and darting off to find her brother.

Legolas takes up lookout duty, as he pretends to read by the doorway. Sprawling himself out on the mat he flicks impatiently through a large book covered in maps, every now and again his eyes would scan the halls and then return to the book, but not before landing on me and giving me a small upward quirk of his lips. His little gesture to let me know everything is well. After what feels like an age of being stuck behind a bookcase and an armchair I hear the approach of swift footsteps and I poke my head around the chair to ascertain if it is a friend or foe.

It is Tinuben who professionally strides into the study, pretending to be absorbed in the papers in front of him. He gives Legolas a gruff gesture, and my son jumps up from the floor and ambles into the room after his teacher, closing the doors behind him.

Tinuben sits down at the desk and sets out the papers calmly, acting very much like nothing is out of place, and I listen as he and Legolas have a very brief and ordinary conversation, before he raises his head and grins like a Cheshire cat in my direction.

"You didn't?" I mouth and crawl out from behind the chair, timidly straightening up and stepping towards him, not daring to hope.

"About this lordship...do you think your majesty could pull a few strings and get me a nice embroidered tunic? Oh, or a nice set of writing quills...the expensive ones...with golden tips?" Tinuben winks, and leans over the table as I leap the distance between us and snatch the large officially sealed and signed document.

"Tinuben - for this you can have anything you want!" I confirm with an overwhelmed gasp before I tug him close and plant a kiss to his cheek. He blushes crimson and ducks his head, making Legolas giggle as he joins us by the desk.

In a flurry I open up the document and read aloud, clearly, in Oropher's own handwriting, his final wishes. There it is, written in elegant script - my name.

I drop onto the nearest chair and breathe out a long sigh of relief. I could actually cry if I wasn't so bloody furious at the fact I was cheated out of this! Clearly Galour has either destroyed the public copy, or he has it under lock and key! It doesn't matter anyway, what matters is I have proof now and I am claiming my right to rule this realm in the absence of my husband - the official and only heir to the throne.

My murderous thoughts are briefly interrupted when I hear Ollie pleading with someone to not enter the study because she hasn't cleaned it, and I am pretty certain that somebody is the snake himself.

The door bangs open, and of course there he stands absolutely seething, his beady eyes practically burning out of his head at my presence. Slowly I stand and clutch my freedom to my chest; I outstretch my hand and angle Legolas so he stands behind me. Tinuben rushes around the desk and comes to my side, so that Legolas is carefully shielded from view.

"Seize her! Seize that wild and violent elleth before she harms another one of my servants" Galour spits and two guards appear to flank him, ready to arrest their Queen.

So I can assume the elf in the closet woke up then...I couldn't have timed that better myself!

His dramatic entrance has caused a stir, and both Calanon and the other noble who spoke up in my defence arrive just in time to witness me losing it.

"You lay one finger on me and imprisonment in the dungeons will be the least of your worries," I warn the two guards who approach, and suddenly they seem not so sure. "It seems we have a snake in our midst. A desperate, power hungry, and greedy little snake!" I hiss and point my finger threateningly at Galour, who suddenly pales.

"She is mad with grief...seize her before she says something she will later regret!" Galour orders again, but the two guards don't budge instead they glance anxiously at one another.

"Be silent Galour!" I shriek and he goes rigid at my tone. Calmly I stride up to Calanon and the other noble and offer them the official documentation, which they both study carefully.

After a moment Calanon smirks at the sickly looking Galour, and the other noble immediately bows to me;

"Oh your majesty," He cries as his head nearly touches his knees; "Please can you forgive the council our most grievous mistake!"

"I cannot help but wonder how much the council knew of this mistake, and how much they were either threatened or cornered into agreeing to the unjust ruling of this pathetic excuse for an elf!" I bark viciously at both the stunned Galour, and the visibly quivering council lord. With a disgusted snort I come to stand toe to toe with Galour and look him dead in the eye - but he seems to have trouble doing the same for me; "Look at me Galour - Look at your Queen when she addresses you!"

"You are not my queen! Your husband is dead, and if not it won't be long I am sure...and you expect me to kneel to you - some pathetic Avari scum - I think not!" He hisses, and I come across his face with the hardest slap I believe I have ever given. The force of the blow colours his cheek a delightful red hue, and he actually stares in shock at my actions.

"You knew Oropher's last orders; you knew I was to be his regent?" I cry and feel my hands ball into fists; "You knew and you did everything in your power to prevent it. That is treason Galour - do you understand what you have done? You have poisoned the King's council and attempted to overrule his final decrees. You have just verbalized your wish to see his son -and the true heir - dead!"

"And I would do it again in a heartbeat - it should have been me!" Galour wails in my face, and stamps his foot like a petulant child. "I should have been the King the Silvan claimed - not him! He was nothing but a pauper's son covered in a few yards of silk! He was not a noble by birth! Him and that bizarre wife of his - she was a kinslayer!"

The room goes so quiet that I am certain you could hear a pin drop. Dark looks start circulating between the older elves in the room, and I get the distinct impression that accusing their beloved Queen of murder is the stupidest thing Galour could have done. Instinctually I nod for Ollie to leave with Legolas, for I won't have his Grandmother disrespected in his presence. Once my son is removed from the situation, I level Galour with a cold look;

"How dare you speak lies against the House of Oropher, your wicked tongue knows no end Galour!" I hiss icily and click my fingers for the two guards to react - which they do without complaint; "Seize this coward, and remove him from my sight...I cannot even bear to look at him! He is no friend of the Silvan, nor is he capable of loyalty to his Sovereign."

"Call me a liar if you will, but I was there! I know each and every dark secret of the House of Oropher," Galour snorts haughtily and wrestles with the guards. "Pathetic scum - I thought maybe Thranduil would learn from his father's mistakes and marry someone worthy and at least sane, but I see that he is just as pathetic and ill reared as his mother! I would rather rot in the dungeons than watch you destroy this Kingdom."

"Well if you insist," I sneer, and shove my face into his, just so I can make my point clear; "You will go to the dungeons Galour; you and your wife, and all your servants. I will have your assets frozen and your titles revoked until my husband can return and pass judgement on your crimes."

"My wife is innocent; you would not make her suffer for my crimes?" Galour suddenly pales, and his eyes fill with a dreadful panic. A look I know all too well.

"My son and daughter were innocent, but you seemed to think it was fine to hurt them," I reply calmly and inspect my nails before continuing; "After all Galour, was it not you that told me I had to watch my behaviour or else I could implicate my children further? Well, consider your little tantrum grounds enough for me to consider you and your house a threat to the peace of this Kingdom. After all I am only acting in the interest of the people - nothing personal Galour but I just don't think you have the mental capacity to take command. Wouldn't that be your expert opinion Calanon?"

"Without a doubt," Calanon nods solemnly; "The elf is greatly troubled, it would be unsafe to allow him within the public domain."

With a cold smile of victory I retract from Galour, and gesture for the guards to do their duty and ship him off. He stares wide eyed and open mouthed as he is trailed from my presence; by the look on his face I assume he wasn't expecting that. Once I am rid of his vile stench I turn curtly on the other noble elf in my presence, and he instantly shrinks from my dark glare;

"Consider the various council seats held by the remaining lords frozen until further notice," I tell the rather shaken ellon in my presence; "I need to be sure I can trust my councillors before I hold session again. Any pressing concerns can be brought to me directly, and in the interim you may continue carrying out your duties as servants of the realm."

"That is most gracious of you my lady," He mews and bows deeply again; "The council does not deserve such mercy from you."

"Maybe not," I sigh and absently turn the sleeves of my gown up; "But I am not revengeful by nature. I am reunited with my children, and my King's laws have been upheld, I see no need to cause any further pain to our people. As I informed Galour, I reserve judgment until my husband returns from the wars. He is after all the designated heir and therefore the matters of treason, and slandering of his name, are his to punish justly."

"Indeed my lady," He bows deeply again; "The council will have much to answer for on his lord's return. We have failed to protect that which was dear to him."

"Are we not all here?" I query and eye the ellon appraisingly. He nods timidly as if unsure of what I mean, so I sigh and explain my point; "The Kingdom is still standing, the children are safe and well, and the people have not suffered needlessly because of this error. I am pacified, and I am sure my husband will take this into consideration."

The elf mutters some more apologies to me, but I raise my hand and Calanon quickly shows him the exit. I may be pacified that the remaining council members did not intentional go out of their way to overthrow me, but that doesn't mean I can tolerate to be in the same room as them at the present moment.

"Oh Clara, that was tremendous," Calanon praises breathlessly and goes to clutch my hand, but I twitch away from and stalk to the doorway throwing it open with a violent force; "My lady?" He squawks and rushes to my side. "Are you well?"

I roll my eyes at the idiocy of the question - am I well? I have not been well for weeks; I am inches away from breaking something in half because I can't quite cope with this stress. The stress of an elven body, the stress of being severed from something so acutely vital to my survival, and dear gods why does every feeling and thought have to be intensified? If I was mortal I would not sense these things, I would not feel my injured mate suffer, neither would I sense the suffering and fear in my children as if it was entirely mine; nor would I feel hate, or rage, or grief so profoundly with such an all-consuming fire that it would threaten to burn up everything in my path.

Elves are magnificent creatures, so blessed to feel a range of emotions so deeply and profoundly, but they spend centuries learning to explore and cage these feelings. I have only spent a handful of years in this body, and even now it continues to overwhelm me. I suppose this is why Raffyn followed me so carefully, or why Oropher was continuously so paternal over me, or why Thranduil was so innately protective of me. Even at the thought of their names, a bubble of sorrow rises up my spirit and chokes me, and I stagger into the nearest wall.

"Clara!" Calanon cries and reaches for me when my legs go from beneath me; "Tinuben send for my apprentice - tell her to bring my satchel."

"Is she alright?" Tinuben asks, his voice a tremor...or maybe my hearing is echoing out again. I feel Calanon pull me into his arms, and I squeeze my eyes shut to avoid the swimming sensation of the room.

"She is exhausted; she is fading Tinuben - she cannot go on under this stress! I am still amazed she has made it this far," Calanon answers him with a slight awed tone, and I recognize that I am being carried swiftly back to my chambers, to the warmth of home and familiarity.

Still part of my conscious brain fights to remain alert - I am not finished!

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a/n: oh the DRAMA! Guys, Big thank you to all my readers and followers.  It's crucial at the moment, because I had a real identity/writers crisis wobble and you have no idea how absolutely brilliant you all are for voting, reading, sharing, and commenting. Sooo, on behalf of all writers, don't forget how flipping fabulous you are!

Also if you lurve Lotr FanFiction like me, don't forget to check out 'DreamCatchers' my LoTR fanfic Collab with TiedinRed
AND
My 3rd place competition winner
'Little Hope' found in my Short Stories collection.

Again, VOTE PLLLEASE! And discuss I love hearing from you guys :D