"My lord." A soldier bowed. Thranduil pinned him with a glare. 

"What news?" Thranduil stroked my hand absentmindedly. I had taken the spot next to him proclaiming my right as queen. I stood next to my king proudly. 

"The orc packs have vanished. All that was found was dead bodies and arrows." He bowed again.

Thranduil looked up at me. His eyes softened. "Legolas." He breathed. I smiled. He turned back to the guard. "Never mind that. The prince must be on his way back from King Aragorn's crowing." His son had been gone for nearly two years and Thranduil was growing restless. 

I turned my attention back to the maidens of the court. They all adverted their eyes as I skimmed their section with my icy blues. 

I smirked slightly. My gown was of the finest material and my tiara balanced regally on my head. 

Thranduil had not proposed yet, but it was common knowledge that I would be queen. He doted on me every free moment he had. 

I gently ran my hand through his blonde hair. He looked up and smiled. My face softened slightly. He let his eyes melt into mine. 

"My lord." A guard approached. 

He sighed and regally turned his head to the elf. "Yes?" He raised his perfectly sculpted brow. 

"There is someone to see you." 

"Did they give a name?"

"They claimed to be an old friend my lord." 

"Let them in." He waved his hand. The guard bowed and walked off. 

"Who could it be?" I whispered. 

"An old friend?" He wrinkled his brow. "Another King perhaps?"

I nodded and reached into the hem of my gown. My fingers brushed my knife hidden there. I left my hand in Thranduil's as I took my stance for a fight. 

"My Lord." The guard stood to the side and let the figure move towards us. 

"Who are you and why do you come unannounced?" Thranduil questioned. I stared at the figure. 

"Is that any way to treat family, brother?" The figure threw his hood back and his blonde hair spilled from its trapping. 

Thranduil stood. "I thought I had told you never to come back." 

"You did." The elf nodded. "But it was so long ago." He looked up with a glint in his eye. "And who is this?" He motioned to me.

Thranduil tensed and tightened his grip on my hand. "This is Alavara." He responded cooly.

"Ah your wife?" He asked. A smirk played on his features as though he knew he had hit a sour topic. 

"Yes." Thranduil clipped. I looked down at him. He signaled me with his eyes to go along with the tale. "This is your Queen." 

"I had know clue my brother could attract someone so beautiful." He bowed. Thranduil growled under his breath. 

"What brings you here, Respen?" Thranduil sat back down and I stood proudly next to him. 

"I come to ask for forgiveness. Simple. I want it, and then I will leave." He knelt. "Will my king forgive me for my past actions?" 

"Your king can not." Thranduil spoke. His handsome features fell and his shoulders slumped. "What you did was and is too terrible for words. You were a turncoat and betrayed your family to the darkness." He turned to me. I gave him a small look of understanding. "But, your brother can." 

Respen's eyes lifted and Thranduil stood and walked down to his younger brother. He wrapped his arms around him. 

"Thank you brother." He whispered. 

"Please, stay until Legolas gets here?" He asked his brother. 

"Of course Thranduil." Respen nodded. 

"Alavara." Thranduil motioned for me to join them. 

I swept down to him and then slid my hand into his. "No wedding bands?" Respen motioned to our entangled hands. 

"They are at the workshop being fixed." Thranduil calmly stated. I nodded along. 

"I can only stay till Legolas comes back." Respen told us as we walked towards his new quarters. 

"Alright." Thranduil nodded. 

We chatted as we walked to his rooms. He stepped into the door. "My lord, my lady." He bowed and walked inside. 

We swiftly walked to our chambers. "Thranduil." I warned as soon as the door shut. 

"Hush love." He silenced me. "Bring me the goldsmith." He ordered to a passing servant. 

"Are we really going along with this?"

"Yes Alavara, I don't see what choice we have." He ran his hands through my hair. "I love you." 

"I know." I smiled as he pressed a light kiss to my lips. 

"I want to marry you properly. With a grand ceremony, a ring, everyone watching you be wed to me. Alavara, I guess what I am asking is when Legolas returns, will you marry me?" He pulled a beautiful ring from the desk near our bed. 

"Let's hope Legolas returns soon."  I pressed my mouth to his again. He smiled and slipped the ring onto my finger. 

"Yes let's."