Thranduil walked with me into the gardens. "How was your time away?" He searched my eyes. 

"It was long." I sighed. He helped me sit on a bench and he sat next to me. "I went through too much hurt for anyone."

"I told you." He smirked. "I told you life would be different."

"You were right." I laid my head on his shoulder. "I should have staid. I should have watched Legolas grow up."

"Alavara, you came when he needed you." He cupped my cheek. "Our son is the person he is today, because of you."

I smiled and looked at the flowers. "Now what about you?" 

"I was asked by a band of dwarves for aid." He smiled. "Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, came to me. I tried, but the greed was too great."

"What happened?"

"He and his friend escaped, by way of a hobbit." He chuckled and I let a smirk play at my mouth. "They went on to utterly destroy Laketown, but the people then received Dale, so they were happy. Thorin and his nephews, Fili and Kili, died protecting their own. Tauriel, the elleth captain Legolas loved, fell in love with the youngest, Kili. When he died, she was heart broken. She sailed to the undying lands and Legolas left. I sent him to Elrond and to find Aragorn."

"He did." I remembered. "Aragorn and Arathorn were the king and prince I served."

"Really?" Thranduil hiked a brow. "You surprise me."

"Always." I grinned. 

He laughed and I snuggled into his chest. "I love you Alavara."

"I love you too, Thranduil." I played with his long, platinum, blonde hair. "You are too beautiful for your own good."

He looked down at me. "As are you." 

I smiled and he wrapped his arms around me, tugging me closer. "I can not wait for Legolas to return." 

Thranduil smiled and rubbed my arm. "You are precious." He kissed my temple. "Im mel cin." 

"Im mel cin." I replied and reached up to stroke his cheek. "Thranduil, I am sorry for leaving." 

"Shh." He put his finger over my lips. "No, do not be sorry. You helped me see things I would never have been able to." 

"I am glad you helped the dwarves."

"You heard about that?"

"Legolas is truly a wealth of knowledge when his mother pries." I giggled as Thranduil shook his head sighing.

"That boy."

"He is just like his Ada." I rubbed his hand. 

"Or his Emig, I do not ever remember being pried for things." He wiggled his brows. 

"Oh, Thranduil, you hurt me! Are you saying I am an easy open?" I mocked being hurt.

"Yes." He brushed my hair back. "Alavara, if I wanted something out of you, I could get it." He pressed a kiss to my neck and I melted into his side. 

"Perhaps you could, but no one else." I defended. 

"Even Legolas?"

"Uh..." I could not form a sentence. Thranduil was busy pressing kisses to my slender neck. "Thranduil..." I whined. 

He chuckled darkly and pulled his head away. His gentle blue eyes met mine. He smirked and I rubbed his jaw and moved up to his ears. I gently ran my fingertips on the tips of his ears. He closed his eyes and groaned. 

"Alavara." He warned. I traced his strong jaw and high cheekbones. His silver and blue circlet shown against his pale skin and blonde hair. 

I removed my hands and set them in my lap. "Yes?" I looked up at him with full innocence. 

"You little tease." He captured my hands and pressed kisses to them. 

I giggled and pulled away. I stood and he did the same. He extended his arm for me to take it and we walked around the extensive gardens. 

"How did the King under the Mountain die?" I questioned. Thranduil's eyebrows knit together. 

"He died destroying Azog the Defiler." His eyes took on their hard sheen again. "He and his nephews. The line of Durin is no more." 

I closed my eyes and swallowed. Legolas had not told me that. "Did you receive your gems?"

"Yes." He nodded curtly. "You are wearing three of the largest." He stopped us and gently touched my necklace. "Did it comfort you?"

"Yes. When I felt lonely or like no one cared for me, I would look at it and remember. Mithrenele was a great companion, but I needed your love with me." 

"It will be always." He started walking again. 

"When is Legolas due home?"

"Soon. He sent word earlier today that he was making his way to GreenWood." Thranduil let a soft smile play at his lips. 

"When Legolas returns all will be the same." We stopped at the overlook and watched the sunset. Thranduil pulled me against his chest and I buried my face into his neck. "We will be our family once more."

"Alavara." Thranduil rested his head on mine. "You are too sweet for words."

I smiled and he pressed a kiss to my head, and for the first time in a thousand years I stood in the arms of my king.