A/N:  Just to note there is a mature scene at the end of the chapter - again no smut terms just a significant scene.
Media - Bastille ft Gabrielle Alpin - Dreams (Fleetwood Mac cover) totally awesome cover I can't get enough of it.
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The sun is shimmering through the gaps in the brightly coloured leaves, creating a beautiful pattern of mottled golden greens and dazzling damson, all gleaming like a backlit dream.

Truly the forest feels like it is celebrating, like it has waited patiently for this day just as much as I have - to walk among its splendour with Thranduil at my side, and my children in the distance, with carefree voices so filled with joy. It feels like a perfect dream, like one of those moments in my life that I try to soak up, just so I can remember it for always.

Today we are just an elven family, like we always are when we retreat into the woods. The forest and its inhabitants are not interested in titles or responsibilities, it only demands respect and that is something Thranduil has in abundance for this wild world. It feels like the forest knows this, it seems to hum melodiously, like a happy sigh at the sight of one of its own returning. The happiness and lightness that exudes from the very roots of the trees is infectious, and it does the desired trick in lighting the darkness in my husband's shadowed features. I was right to steal him away; we were all right in giving him this moment of freedom from all that weighs him down.

We escaped in the morning, with the use of the servant's exits - which I can still successfully navigate.

It was something of a comedic prison break. Thranduil faked some kind of injury related fatigue, which was so well acted that several of the noble elves insisted he extend his rest until the following morning. Galion was harder to convince, but I managed to send him on a wild goose chase for a number of roots and herbs that do not exist. I imagine that will keep him busy for the remainder of the day.

Once we had cleared our home of anyone that would be suspicious, we dressed down, we stole food from the pantries, and we left like extremely stealthy thieves...and I am pretty sure the children loved every minute of the theatrics.

We made it to Ollie's homestead further out in the mouths of the caves, were she has a path that leads to the forest, and as promised a stunning little glen. Olban's extended family had grouped together, so by the time we arrived there was quite the happy gathering.

Gilron, and Olban's sisters had put on the most scrumptious spread, whilst the ellyn had taken to breaking out the instruments, adding such an infectiously joyous mood to the already singing forest. Yes, there was much to grieve for - war had taken its toll on everyone - but for the moment there was reason to celebrate, reasons to be grateful...and celebrate we did.

For a few happy hours we talked with friends, we ate casually, and sang songs in merry tunes. The children played around us, and everywhere we looked there appeared to happy faces, relieved to be reunited with long absent loved ones.

After the meal ran its course, Thranduil and I slipped into the wood to walk in peaceful company, enjoying the simplicity of the day.

"You did not have to go to this trouble," Thranduil sighs contentedly by my side, one of his hands wrapped loosely around mine, the other outstretched to brush the long fern leaves that tickle us as we pass their way.

"It was not intended to turn into such a party, but it seems we just cannot help ourselves," I reply with a lighthearted giggle as he gently pirouettes me to the tune of a distant melody. "Any excuse to sing and dance."

"Yes," He smiles, such a peaceful and genuine smile that I could praise the Valar for being able to reach him. It feels like he is himself again, or at least part of himself.

"So what do you want to do?" I ask brightly as he pulls me into him to dance in a slow circle, humming slightly to the music playing just beyond the trees that hide us from the gathering.

"You mean apart from run away?" Thranduil answers airily, but laughs loudly at the strained look I give him. Pulling me close, in time with the beat, he places his lips to my ear and whispers; "Only for a little while, I promise I will come back."

"You would run without me?" I accuse but lean into his silk voice, enjoying how his palm feels against the small of my back as we sway. I feel his lips twitch into a smile - or maybe a smirk - against my ear, and then he takes me off guard by kissing me tenderly on the crook of my neck.

"But I am your prisoner for the day, am I not? I expect you would have to hunt me down if I ran. I expect you would have to follow me?" The teasing lilt in his voice encourages a bubble of delighted laughter to escape my lips, and all I can do is nod in agreement to his statement.

He plants another firm kiss to my lips unexpectedly, but before I can react he pulls away from me and raises an eyebrow challengingly;

"Good...well let us hope you are fast enough," He chuckles darkly, and I balk at the suggestion, he can't be serious?

"Thranduil...no...love, what are you doing?" I whine in exasperation and step towards him, but he ducks out of my way and lunges for a tree. I snap my head upwards, and wave my arms in warning; "You can't climb it's not good for you...Thranduil? We can't leave the children...and everyone will be looking for us. Thranduil...come down!"

"You are stalling meleth, you know you cannot catch me," Thranduil sniggers tauntingly from somewhere above the canopy, and I scowl furiously at the fluttering leaves; "And stop fussing, you promised you would not fuss...you sound like an old hen...what happened to my obnoxious little star? Did she get old and boring in my absence?"

"Now just you wait a minute! The only one old and boring here is you," I accuse and plant my hands on my hips. He just called me an 'old hen' oh I am going to kill him! "You are like...what? Three thousand years my senior, you should be sprouting a beard soon...maybe some grey hair too."

There is a whoosh and a light thunk, as an acorn hits my shoulder. I flinch and mouth an 'ouch' before glaring indignantly at the treetops.

"I resent that," I hear my husband's disgusted voice, and it sounds like it is getting further away. "Are you coming or not?"

"I cannot leave the children Thranduil!" I shout up into the trees, but when I get no reply I frown and gather he is long gone. "Thranduil? Really? That is great...you just take off, leave me here!"

"Clara, my lovely, who are you talking to?"

I gasp, leap, and spin to find Ollie laughing unashamedly at me, her cheeks flushed pink from some sort of gleeful exertion. Her beautiful mahogany mane is loose and wild about her face, and she looks altogether relaxed. I open my mouth, and point upwards, then shrug furiously;

"He left...he just ran away expecting me to follow!" I snap, and she bites her lip to suppress a snigger; "He must have gone and hit his head, he forgets some of us have responsibilities...two actually... and I can't just go swanning off whenever I like."

"Clara?"

"And for the record," I continue, whilst pointing my finger threateningly; "He is injured, he should not be tree climbing let alone running, he is going to hurt himself."

"Clara?"

"What?" I cry and flap my arms in an irritable motion, making Ollie erupt into giggles, only furthering my irritation.

"Clara, you are not the only one trying to heal people," She smiles warmly and tilts her chin back towards the glen, to the sounds of laughing children. "Aradan and I have the children...my idiot of a mate is playing water knights with Celairiel on his back, my brother has Tauriel, and Legolas is the evil water snake attempting to scupper their chances of finding some sort of hidden jewels. Honestly it is quite elaborate, and Aradan gets to play a horse...with a missing leg...which apparently makes him magic. And you think you have problems?"

"Oh...so...you are watching the children?" I query, just to ensure I am following correctly.

"As per Nana Gilron's express orders - she told Thranduil to take you for a stroll, did he not mention that?" Ollie asks calmly, but a knowing smirk spreads across her face.

"No, he did not?" I mutter and peer questionably up into the trees. "I suppose he thought I would find an excuse to prevent him from over exerting himself."

"Well," Olllie chuckles and crosses her arms; "maybe you should open your ears and listen to him for a change...some healing isn't physical."

I blush deeply at her statement, but she merely smirks and turns on her heel to trot back to the festivities, leaving me to ponder where on earth my husband disappeared to.

Turning towards the woods, I pad timidly barefoot across the earth. Pushing the thick overgrowth and ferns out of my way. I narrow my eyes and breathe in deeply.

Suddenly it becomes quite clear just how disjointed we are. I used to be able to follow him, I used to know in the very roots of our bond where he was, and now I am floundering...or am I? I think maybe I am just wearied, and therefore have allowed our bond to wane - Ollie is right, I'm not listening to him. For if I was listening I would have surely heard the gently pull of his spirit with mine, encouragingly nudging me forwards, and begging me to follow.

So for the first time since he has returned to me, I listen; not as a healer, or a soon-to-be Queen, or even as a wife...I listen like an elf, waiting to hear the call of her mate and respond.

I feel free as I run, my pale green chiffon dress turning to tatters as it snags on the bark of the trees that I climb, or catches on the rocks I vault over. My toes dip into cool water, or squelch through sodden earth. My hair catches on the breeze, with leaves twining in the knots that easily form, making it even more wild and untamable than it already is.

I push myself, I run faster and harder, I lift the restraints of all the various titles I hold. For a brief period of escapism I am just Clara, and that is such a wonderful thought that it makes me giggle breathlessly. Thranduil is right, it is good to run just for a little bit...good for the elvish soul.

My hunting leads me to a breathtakingly serene glade, somewhere inconsequential in the depths of Greenwood. It is so lusciously green and vibrant, that I instantly slow and spin around to blink upwards at the leafy canopy with its sun speckled light. The grass is tall, at least to my waist, as I wade through it like a green ocean.

I let my palms brush the ticklish blades. The breeze barely seems to disturb the great trees here, or else they protect and shelter this little pocket of beauty, either way it is stunning. I feel so rooted here, my spirit is actually tingling with life, like the forest feeds it. I breathe it all in. I lap it up and store it deep down in my soul, this is healing. This is exactly what a little wood elf needs.

As I sway and spin in free circles - completely forgetting my reasons for travelling here in the first place - something tugs at my heart. A song fills my Feä, and it is just as deliriously content as mine, in this world so far from the realities of our situation.

In a moment I cease my joyful dancing to spin in the direction of a heavily laden willow. A willow so tall that it takes up the expanse of the glade, its long and sweeping branches teaming with thick leaves, so thick that I can barely see behind its green curtain. But then I see it, the briefest flash of platinum hair and the throaty laughter. I pick up the hems of my dirt stained dress and bound towards it.

I weave between the willow branches, chasing him until I catch him by the wrist.

I pause him, and when he turns to face me his features are so lit up and relaxed, I find myself completely transfixed. Not because of his beauty, or for his strength of spirit, or for the very fact that when he is happy his mood is utterly infectious -  I pause because for a moment I see a King. Not just any elf King, but a woodland King, and for a moment I am in awe...he is exactly how I imagined him.

The branches of the willow have fallen over his shoulders, and in some way - as he has poked his body through the gaps - some of the twigs and leaves have settled on his brow.

He is crowned, and he doesn't even know it.

The strong sunlight only extenuating the glow off of his features, illuminating his silvery blue eyes so filled with a wiser more ethereal being than the one I stumbled upon in a healing chamber all those moons ago.

"What is it?" Thranduil asks quietly, his voice still light and humour filled, but I see his brows crease in worry.

"N-nothing," I stammer, as I step closer to him with all my wide eyed dreamer wonderment. He gives a soft but mirthful laugh as he steps closer to me, his momentary crown falling away, but not detracting from the majesty of the image in the slightest...at least not to me.

"You look like the forest made you," he chuckles as he pulls me into the hidden depths of the willow, behind its thick curtain. "Like a creation of Yavanna herself."

"Maybe I am," I chuckle breathily as I melt into his arms, forgetting for the moment that I should be careful.

"It suits you," He whispers quietly before lowering his lips to mine and kissing me so deeply, and so tenderly that I altogether surrender to him.

I am not so sure how it all started, how the wilful desire to be connected to him again became so suddenly apparent. I could blame the wildness of the wood and its nature thrumming in my very veins. I could blame the heat of the summer air, or the wonder of my imagination at seeing my mate in a new light. I could have reasoned a great many things, but the truth was that it just happened...it was our time.

Hidden in the long grass, using only the deep green cloak Thranduil had worn, obscured by the great leafy barrier of the willow, we made our bed.

I relented to his demands; I let him take the lead over better judgement.

Thranduil was as careful and as gentle as always; taking time to relearn all of me again. It wasn't long until he had kissed every last inch of me, his heart beating in rhythm to my own as we became so entwined with one another that we forgot were one of us began and the other ended.

At last his hands drifted up the curves of my hips, his thumb massaging the dip of my pelvis, the other hand pushing the fabric of my dress out of the way.

"Wait," I murmur, feeling the direction of his mind and knowing his intention; "Are you able for this? I can-"

"I am able," Thranduil answers me in a voice barely above a fluttering whisper, his tone so aching that I find no words to argue.

His lips latch to mine as he settles himself above me, his weight against my shivering body, reminding me of how long it has been.

"I have missed you," I babble, almost incoherently, as I feel the beginnings of our wounded feä begin to knit together. The flame like essence of his spirt licking at the parched fragments of my own, and suddenly I sense that I am coming alive again...that my light is beginning to burn as it should.

"I am here, I am not leaving again." He soothes quietly as our bodies begin to meld, my eyes flying open to watch how his face relaxes in the moment we are joined.

His breath hitches, and he lets out a pleasurable moan as I raise myself to meet him. I feel his spirit slice through mine like a burning arrow, cauterizing our once parted and wounded spirit. I cry out in joyous agony, and throw my head back, my hands knotting in the grass.

"Thranduil...I...wh-what are you?" I gasp out and writhe against the intensity of his passion - his force of will. I feel like I have been set on fire, like I am burning with such fierce energy that I could combust at any second.

"Hush, be still meleth...let me in," Thranduil sighs in-between pleasurable pants, as his Feä mingles and tangles ever more deeply with mine.

His hand captures one of mine and places it around his neck, while he calms me with a lingering and burning kiss. When he pulls away, our eyes meet and I feel a surge of that burning energy move me. It is then that I understand.

He is healing me, in the only way he can - by returning to me what he took.

He is feeding my fading life's energy with his, making it spark and light up with our bonding. Once I register this I relax into him as he commands, and take complete pleasure in feeling the broken shards of ourselves be heated and reshaped under the fire of our love for one another. Together we fit again and that is the most amazing sensation I have ever felt...we are truly reunited.

Our reunion is not long lived, for it has been many years, but in that short expanse of time it was the most intense love I have ever experienced. The passion so raw that it leaves me utterly spent, and Thranduil is neither fit nor strong enough to endure either. So with his body stretched across mine, in the peace of the glade, with only our pulsing bond to focus on, we rest together.

There are no disruptions, no duties, no emergencies to attend to. We can just lie still and bask in the joy of being together.

Just two elven lovers, just two common place woodland beings, all bound up in the spirit of the wood.