Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope(My Version)

Hundred-and-Twenty Two

140 ABY

Zakuul

The Spire

The Palace of the Eternal Dragon

Anastasia stands on a balcony overlooking the gardens. It's a far less formal meeting place than the Throne Room. And fewer formalities tend to help unsolicited advice of any kind to stick. She knows that well. And so does Thranduil, who has secretly dreaded this meeting since receiving the summons.

Thranduil: *[in Sindarin Elvish]* I am here now... What do you want?

Anastasia: *[replying in fluent Sindarin]* To have a discussion; regarding your son and his future...

Thranduil: *[knowing where this is probably going]* What have you seen?

Anastasia: A bright future to be sure, full of happiness and love. But this future may also find your absence from it.

Thranduil: *[remains deathly silent; at first from anger, but then from despair]*

Anastasia: I take it you already know why that may be.

Thranduil: *[nods solemnly]*

Anastasia: *[smirking slightly]* So, what are you gonna do about it?

Thranduil: *[internally debates with himself a moment before speaking]* What would you advise?

Anastasia: Be supportive of him and what he intends to do. Ask him if he is sure of what he wants, but cease asking when you have a clear answer. And accept that he is an adult capable of making his own decisions... And I know that last one will be really hard.

Thranduil: *[slightly amused]* Is that so?

Anastasia: Yes. When my eldest began courting his wife, I didn't know what to think. Especially since she couldn't recognize him wearing glasses. But now they have a baby on the way, and I couldn't be happier for them... When Aeniel first fell out with her fiancé, she cried for days and barely ate for weeks. When they got back together, it was all I could do to not break every bone in his body twice for breaking her heart that one time. But now they're engaged, and he has genuinely turned his life around. And as for Branniel, I knew her wife was troubled from the start. But Sierra proved me wrong about everything.

Joey: Mum?

Anastasia: *[a bit startled]* Yes?

Anastasia: *[smiles]* Everything is fine. Do you need anything?

Thranduil: *[is thinking about all of what was said]*

Joey: No, I just wanted to see if all is well.

Anastasia: *[nods]* Very well.