Bain heard the rapping noise against the window. He got up curiously wondering who at this hour had come to their house. He unlatched the window to find a raven – but this raven was far larger than any he had seen. It must have been from Mirkwood, Bain thought. The bird ruffled his feathers and held out his foot.

"I have a message from the Elvenking to the bargeman of Esgaroth. He is to read it immediately," said the raven.

The boy stared at the talking raven in surprise – mostly shocked that the bird spoke. It was obviously some form of enchantment the elves had placed upon the creature. Bain cleared his throat and nodded, taking the wrapped parchment from the raven's foot.

"T-thank you," Bain stuttered. "I'll see my father gets it. Do I owe any form of payment, bird?"

"No, the Elvenking specified it was from Lady Ylva, your cousin and himself. There is no payment for the messenger. Good day to you, lad."

The raven opened his large black wings and kicked off the window sill into the sky. Bain watched as he flew away towards Mirkwood. He shut the window quickly – hoping no one saw the encounter.

"Bain, what is it? Is it Da?" Sigrid asked as she came downstairs, noticing her brother's expression.

"It's from the Elvenking and Ylva. A messenger came and said to give it to Da."

"Ylva? She's alright?"

"There's a way to find out."

Bain unrolled the parchment and read the elegant script of the Elvenking. His eyes broadened at the message and he handed it to Sigrid.

"She's going to marry the Elvenking?" Sigrid exclaimed, eyes widening. "The Elvenking of Mirkwood has proposed to our cousin?"

"I think he wants to propose but he's asking for Da's consent. He wants Da to go to Mirkwood to see him. Ylva is going to be Queen of the Greenwood."

Just as Sigrid was about to respond, their father came home. He noticed the bewildered expressions of his children and looked concerned. Bain immediately handed the letter to his father. As Bard removed his quiver of arrows off his shoulder, he took the letter and read it.

"When did this arrive?" he asked.

"Just moments ago," Bain answered. "Will you go to Mirkwood then, Da? Is Ylva really going to marry the Elvenking?"

"Without my consent, she will marry no one. I will go once my business here is finished with the Master and Yric. I'd rather Ylva marry the Elvenking and marry because she chooses."

"What did the Master say?" Bain continued, quietly.

"He means to make Ylva his bride – but Ylva seems to found a home in the Greenwood. I doubt the Elvenking would let it be any other way. She would never agree to an arranged marriage with the Master. He's a brute…no better than her father." Bard responded, solemnly.

Bain sighed and looked at the letter again after Bard handed it to his son. Tilda came down to greet her father. Bard embraced her and kiss the top of her head. Sigrid was already in the kitchen preparing a small, light supper for the family. She could believe that her cousin was almost affianced to an elf – but not just any elf at that. Ylva would be queen.

They had often in their childhood fantasized about such ideas – but it was mere child's play. Never had any of them dared to hope – that they would marry someone other than a human. The dwarves kept to themselves as much as the elves did, particularly after the fall of Erebor when Smaug had come. The deeds of elves and dwarves and other creatures of Arda had only been stories told from the parents to their children. The world beyond Esgaroth was largely told in folklore and few from that small town upon the lake ventured outside to see it.

.::.*.::.

Thranduil sat in the library. Earlier that night he had sought wisdom and knowledge from ancient texts. Ylva was only half elf. She would live longer than the average human but Thranduil would continue even after she was gone. He wondered if Ylva would trade her mortal life for immortality. Would she give up the love of her uncle and cousins to be with him? Could she stand to watch the world change before them while remaining as they were? Had he been the one to choose – Thranduil would desire her immortal. He pondered if he could bare the cost again of losing someone he loved passionately. He had loved once before but never imagined he could again. Ylva brought that light into him again. She woke something in Thranduil he thought lost.

It was incredibly rare for elves to love twice, Thranduil knew this. He had not seen in his lifetime, up until now, any elf find love after their first mate had died or sailed on to Valinor. He wondered why Eru had allowed for this union to occur. Of all the elves throughout the ages, Thranduil was one of the fortunate to experience this again.

"Tell me something of this." Thranduil said, quietly. "I must know – I could not bare it again if I lost Ylva as I did Legolas' mother."

"Thranduil, why does this trouble you?"

Galadriel's voice reached his ears. He looked up – there was the lady of light by the window, slowly walking towards the Elvenking.

"I cannot lose her. There must be a way for her to be immortal."

"For all things there is a cost. She will lose her family. There are things that cannot change, but some can, if you and Ylva are willing. It will come at a price. Do not make choices yet, Thranduil."

"How do you mean by this?" he asked, rising from his chair.

"There are occurrences unseen that the White Council have felt. Something is stirring and changing in the world. We must all be prepared. I must urge you to keep a watchful eye for whatever lies in the North of your kingdom. I, too, shall keep watch."

Thranduil gave a graceful nod and bow. He walked beside Galadriel towards the window again. She turned to look at the Elvenking and smiled kindly.

"Do not fear and do not worry of what is to come, Thranduil. All will come to pass as it should."

"Farewell, my lady Galadriel," he said.

As he bowed – her presence left the room. It was a small reoccurring feeling, however, Thranduil swayed not from this hope that he had. There was yet still a chance for Ylva to become immortal and live her days with him as queen. He dared to hope – even a little. Though something alarmed him about Galadriel's warning. What forces moved about – causing these changes upon Arda? Something was waking within the darkness of the world. Spiders were coming to the forest and the Greenwood itself was changing. Though he did not like to confess such things, Thranduil knew a shadow had been cast upon the Greenwood. It had slowly begun to enter as poison enters the blood and eventually to the heart.

Thranduil suddenly felt the darkness loom over him. The library felt heavier, as though something spread over it too. Without another thought, he left it. I will not allow this shadow to attach itself here. Not while my queen still lives.

.::*::.