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mar.28.22

She felt strange, standing in front of the elf king's throne; the elf princeling – she'd learned was called Legolas – stood beside the throne. In the elegant seat of power was a tall man, ageless in his beauty. His blue eyes looked her over from head to toe and back again. She found it difficult to hold his gaze.

"So this is the creature who cared for you, is it?" the king asked Legolas.

He nodded once. "Yes. This is Lullaby. She is human, traveling with the dwarf company."

The king's eyebrows furrowed ever-so-slightly. "The dwarfs were the once who tried killing you, Legolas. Am I correct on that?"

"Yes. Their leader, Thorin Oakenshield, had tried to take my life. Lullaby gave it back to me."

"Yet they travel in the same company," the king said then, a sly smile in his face. "How amusing." He sat up in his chair. "Tell me, human. Why did you do opposite of your leader?"

"I don't like death," Lullaby answered; her words felt like they were catching in her throat, thanks to her nerves. "Legolas had no business in dying at the hands of Thorin Oakenshield."

"You would defy him, to protect a stranger like Legolas – an elf prince of Mirkwood?" the king pursued.

"Titles didn't matter at the time. I didn't know who he was." Lullaby forced herself to look at the king. "He was just an elf who didn't deserve to die at the hands of a dwarf."

"So the human intervened." The king stood. Slowly, he descended the steps of his throne  and stood in front of Lullaby. He towered heavily over her, more than Legolas had. Lullaby watched the king, nervousness making her shake. "What made you value his life?"

Lullaby exhaled slowly, her shoulders shaking. "It would have been a useless killing, as all killings are, in my opinion. But dying because of one person's blind hatred is one of the worst." She met the king's eyes. "I couldn't let him die for just existing."

The king knelt down in front of her, coming fave to face with her. He lowered his voice, softening it, speaking only to her. "I am grateful for your pure heart. Don't be frightened of me. You have nothing to fear." He gently took her hand. "I am Thranduil, king of Mirkwood. Legolas is my son. I am, and will be, eternally grateful to your selfless act in saving him."

She exhaled slowly. "You're most welcome, your...." She paused, stuck on finding the formal title.

The king noticed and chuckled gently. "Calling me Thranduil will be just fine, Lullaby. You have earned it."

She nodded. "Thank you, Thranduil." Her eyes lifted, her nerves softening. They drifted up to his crown: bone white points behind his head – she couldn't tell if it was driftwood or real bones – and little red leaves on dark stems. She recognized the shape of the leaves, though she saw no blooms. "Wild roses," she said then, lost in the focus of the red leaves.

He smiled at her. "Indeed they are. No blooms, though."

"Blooms are best in midsummer. Late summer, they ebb, and the leaves take over," she said; the words were automatic. Her nerves had faded. "That's why they're red; it's the end of the season soon."

Thranduil paused a moment, letting her words soak in. "What an interesting human you are." He slowly stood up, folding his hands in front of him. "There will be a feast for supper, to celebrate the safe return of Legolas. You are free to join us. And whichever of your companions have ventured with you from your company."

Lullaby clenched her jaw. "I am the only one of my company here. I left them with Legolas, to make sure he got back safely. Fili and Kili and Bilbo wanted to come with me, but Thorin would not allow them to. Thorin said if I left them, I was cast out, and therefore did not deserve help." She looked up at Thranduil. "I'm alone."

Thranduil nodded once. "Then you may join us. You are welcome here in the Kingdom of Mirkwood, as long as you wish."

She smiled at the king. "Thank you, Thranduil."

"You are most welcome." Thranduil turned toward where Legolas stood. "You may show her to a room, and fetch her clean robes. Make sure she feels welcome."

Legolas bounded down the steps, soon by Lullaby's side. "Of course."

Lullaby followed Legolas, winding down swirling hallways of elegance.

"I believe he likes you," Legolas said after a bit of silence. "And he does not like many people, let alone humans."

"I feel incredibly privileged," Lullaby answered. "I didn't want to disrespect him."

"You did not," Legolas assured kindly. "You are on his good side. I believe he admires your strength, to leave your dwarfs to help me."

"I'd do it again if I had to."

Legolas slid his hand into hers; she looked up at him, surprised. "I am grateful to you. I suppose I must return the favor."

She smiled at him. "Just don't let me embarrass myself in front of your kin, Tree Sprite, and I'm sure we'll be even."

Legolas smiled at the nickname she gave him. "Of course, Shrub Brush; I will be right by your side."

She chuckled at his words. "Shrub Brush?" she asked.

"You're short, like a shrub," he answered honestly.

She couldn't help but laugh. "Clever one, Tree Sprite."