It was the day before the celebration. All week elves from all over the lands had come so they could celebrate the return of the known girl that traveled through different worlds. Thalia laughed at herself. Who knew she would become famous? During the week Thranduil made sure he had time with Thalia every single day, even if it was only the time they shared at the table for meals. He did his best to keep his temper in check while he was around her but he could only do so much. There were several occasions where he would storm off after she would ask a question he didn't want to answer. Most of the time it was because she would ask why he brought her to Mirkwood in the first place. Him walking off would leave Thalia feeling guilty until he came to her after dinner to apologize.

She decided to avoid asking him what "meleth nin" meant, instead she went to Legolas but he told her to ask Thranduil. Since she wasn't going to do that she thought the library might have something useful but because she was put in charge of planning this celebration she never had time to and when she did she was exhausted.

Thranduil was just as exhausted as Thalia was. It wasn't easy running a kingdom, especially when there was a celebration coming up and visitors from everywhere coming in. The only times he didn't feel the pain of the never-ending headache was when he was sleeping and when he was with Thalia. But even with her he had to battle with anger. She would ask questions that he did not yet want to answer. He could hear her asking that dreaded question over and over again. "Why won't you tell me why you brought me here? I mean it's a simple question." He only wished the answer was simple. There were so many ways he could answer that question but none of them sounded right. "Because it was dangerous out there." No that wouldn't explain how he knew she was out there. "Gandalf told me to." But that would only lead to more questions… Then there was always the truth. "Gandalf the Grey came to me one day and told me that you were meant to be mine… That we were meant to be as one." But that sounded foolish. She didn't want her to think that she didn't have a choice. He wanted her to love him without being pushed to love him.

There was never a question if he loved her. Seeing her as she was now, a beautiful, intelligent, grown elf… he knew he loved her. He loved her with every fiber of his being. He loved her so much she made him forget about the pain he had for the loss of his wife. But these were things he would never say out loud… not even to his son.

"Ada?" Thranduil snapped out of his thoughts and looked to his son waiting for him to continue. "If she asks me one more time what "meleth nin" means, I'm going to have to tell her." They stood in the throne room and had been talking about Thalia before Thranduil's mind went wondering.

"You will do no such thing, my son." He said in a harsh tone.

Legolas sighed. "She likes you, Ada. If you do not see that you are blind." He almost yelled. "When she and I spend time together all she talks about is you." Thranduil looked at his son in shock. "I think she loves you, Ada."

"But that's just it, a thought! I cannot go out on a limb with a thought!" He hissed.

"She would never tell me her feelings for her, for she is just like you." Legolas said just before leaving the throne room. Thranduil let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.

"What's got him in such a huff?" It was Thalia… just what he needed. He looked over to see her dressed in a dress that matched the color of her eyes. "You don't look too happy either, my king." He watched as she walked up the stairs and to the throne. Before he could as what she was doing she plopped right down in the large chair and leaned back, making herself comfortable.

"Enjoying yourself?" He asked with a grin.

She nodded then sat up straight. "What do you think? Do I look like royalty?" She stuck her nose in the air and looked down at him, trying not to laugh. Thranduil shook his head and started up the stairs. When he reached the top she scooted over to make room for him. She sat beside her and leaned back, closing his eyes. He felt her lean back beside him. "I am kinda regretting having a party." She said making him laugh.

"Try being a king, my dear." He said while looking at her through one eye. He noticed that she was propped up on her side so she was facing him.

"I am a female… I couldn't be king, your argument is invalid." She gave him a charming smile just before sticking her tongue out at him, something she seemed to do a lot when she was joking.

"Then try being queen." He said while raising his brows.

"I could to it." She said matter-of-factly making him looked at her.

"So much confidence, pen tithen." She grinned. "And what makes you think you would be a good queen."

"Simple." She began while sitting up. "With you as king it would be easy." Thranduil's breath caught in his chest and his body stiffened at her words. He had no idea if she was joking or not but he didn't care. Hearing her say that gave him faith. "You should rest." He heard her say. He sat up and looked at her. "If you are too tired to dance tomorrow I think my heart will break." She stuck out her lower lip before smiling at him and standing straight up. "Goodnight, meleth nin." She paused and glanced back at him before walking down the stairs. "Still waiting for you to tell me what that means…" He watched her go not realizing his mouth hung open slightly. Was she teasing him?

Thalia had looked back at him just before leaving the throne room and smiled when she saw that he looked shocked. She had been sending hints to him since her first day back. She like him… who was she kidding she loved him. She couldn't explain it but she knew it the second she had seen him in that throne room her first day back. It was the strangest thing. She had heard somewhere that if two elven souls were meant to be together they would feel the pull the moment they laid eyes on each other… but that was an old tale that was most likely made up to keep elven girls hopeful. Though, at that moment Thalia believed it. She did feel as though their souls were connected and she knew he felt it too. She was just waiting for him to show that to her. Like just then in the throne room… Thalia wanted nothing more than for him to pick her up from that throne and kiss her until she died from lack of oxygen. She wanted him to devour her completely.

Pen tithen – Little one