"Momma! Momma! Momma! Momma please! I sit in beleg-adar pointy chair please! Please please please momma!" Istuviel had cried, jumping and tugging on Aroreth's skirts.

She looked down, smiling at her young daughter and caressed her head before ushering her in the direction of her father's antlered throne platform.

As they walked down narrow pathways and through corridors within the mountain wall, Aroreth thought how she felt raising a child.

She and Istuvien had had such a difficult time becoming pregnant. Though the trying was fun, bringing a child to birth was the hard part. Their first time she'd had a miscarriage and went through a bad depression before they tried again and got Istuviel. She had known she had wanted a child, possibly even more children down the time when she felt ready again. She had no idea how happy she would be before she had Istuviel, and when she held her in her arms it caused her chest to tighten so much at the sight of her. She had been so scared about complications. Already having a miscarriage, she was nervous about still births, genetic defects that only had them living for no more than a month.

But Istuviel was already living way past that, and was a most healthy and lively baby at her birth, and still a live-wire now as she scurried down paths towards the throne platform. Her chocolate wavey hair waving in the breeze that she created at her pace. And the burgundy purple skirt fluttered around her feet and not once tripped her up.

Aroreths' smile deepened as the tightness she usually got affected her eyes and chest again. Three medium-sized French braids pulled from the left side of her head, over her crown, and pulled together into one down to the end; leaving the rest of her hair flowing softly down her back. Her own gown, a fall golden brown, floated around her legs. She may have looked like her, but Istuviel seemed to have more of her father's out-going personality in her, or for now at least seemed so at her current age. But then again she was still a child, and was still growing into herself.

"Nana, look!" Istuviel said, reaching back and grasped her mothers hand.

"Here we are, amin mar," Aroreth said, walking with her up the first set of steps to the main platform.

Istuviel let go and ran up to the throne and attempted to climb up to sit on it, but she was having difficulties with her skirts and short limbs.

She chuckled softly and began to walk towards her before saying, "let me help you, dilthener."

-------------------------

beleg-adar = great father, Nana = mommy, amin mar = my treasure, dilthener = little one

"Who dares sit on my throne?" Thranduil said with a stern face as he swept to the centre of the throne hall and stood at the base of his throne. His gaze was locked onto one rapscallion in particular who was attempting to seat herself on the immense throne with the help of her partner in crime. Thranduil cocked an elegant brow as he looked at the two of them from below.



Though in all but a few seconds, his steely exterior softened and he gave the pair a bright smile. He had been drawn to the room by the unmistakable squeal belonging to his granddaughter within his throne hall and not trusting Istuviel nor Aroreth not to break anything if they were playing in there, he decided to check on the two of them. He did not always show it, but he cared deeply for them as he cared for all of his children and his people. Though he understood that he was not always the easiest of Elves to have as a father, and no matter how hard he tried to show his love more openly, it hurt more than anything for him to strip away the layers of distant personality that he had built up as an armour over the years. But that did not mean that he could not feel happiness and love like all others.



"Allow me to show you how it all works-" He smiled as he swiftly climbed the stairs to join the other two. With effortless grace, he scooped up the young Elleth into his arms and playfully threw her up into the air and caught the giggling little Elleth. Orelien had hated it when he had done the same with Aroreth when she had been a child, but he had known what he was doing. He sat down on the throne with little Istuviel sat on his lap and gave Aroreth a smile. "Now are you paying attention little one because I won't be repeating this! And you could learn a lot~" He said as he shifted his position to allow Istuviel to see better the long winding pathway that came from the entrance.



"Now if someone wants to speak to me, they'll enter through that door over there-" Thranduil pointed and focusing on the great structures, he moved them through his will, without any physical contact. It was something he had learnt to do after millennia of harnessing and training his fëa to change matter around them all. Having control over the gates provided his people with safety, but for now, this ability served to amuse his little granddaughter. "And then they'll come down and stand there and ask me their question. And then with the help of my friends, I answer them and choose what to do." He said, smiling fondly at the girl.



"So do you think you could do my job if I wanted to go on holiday after that?" He asked her as he looked to see her little face.



But as he spoke to her, he caught a look on Aroreth's face that seemed a little uncertain. He gathered that she might need to talk to him, and so he leaned in to talk to Istuviel. "You know you have not shown me how sweetly you can sing in quite some time little one. Would you show me how well you've been progressing with your lessons by singing me a song? You could even perform just before us! And I'm certain you'll make your mother proud." Thranduil suggested, motioning to the floor before them.

Aroreth gasped threatricly as her daughter's gasp was real, both turning to see Thranduil.

"Beleg-adar!" Istuviel cried, giggling. She then squealed when Thranduil scooped her up into the air and snuggled into his lap. And no matter what anyone said, she loved her grandfather very much and was always happy to have fun with him.

Aroreth just smiled and allowed her father to help her daughter, but not so much help as pick her up and put her on his lap. He seemed to truly like pretending to be all powerful and intimidating at first with her daughter, but he then seemed to turn into a pussy cat around her. And she loved seeing that side of her father, she missed it and was glad to have had her daughter so that he could act more of a child again. And happy.

Istuviel had not learn quite all of her words, so she simply nodded and got comfortable for a special lesson.

Aroreth rolled her eyes but kept her smile, he really played it up. But at the age Istuviel was at, she ate it up and was completely fascinated. And he was a very good teacher, teaching she and her siblings how to use a sword and bow, how to ride a horse, most physical activities. She didn't take to any of them, even though she was very good on a horse she was no where near as well as her younger sister Gilrien. She personally took to a healers touch, and was good since she was very protective of her family.

And right now she trusted her father with her daughter, watching as Istuviel ooo and aaa at her fathers' fëa ability which he used to move the arched structure entrance to the airy chamber. And then she snorted, but her snort was more her just pushing air out through her nose and sucked in her lips slightly, holding them between the teeth as she turned her head away. The remark about him asking help from his friends was a little hard to believe, at least what she knew about her father, but for teaching her daughter about dealing with visitors it was more profitable for her to be a better leader than him and gain knowledge and help from friends to be a kind and benevolent leader.

But Aroreth quickly recovered, for it was not always good to make fun of someone, especially in the presence of the much younger generation. Though she didn't always believe in most of the ways her father ran things, she did know that it was all in protection of his people. She hoped that, in time, he would ease up on the such strong wall he put up. Even around most all of his kin.

She remembered her time as a child with her father, and as she watched him with Istuviel, her heart warmed at seeing how involved in her daughters life he wanted to be. Thranduil had been a great father before her mothers' death, and only lessened to a good father. And now with his granddaughter, Aroreth could see the great father she knew slowly coming back again.

She wondered, would she be a good parent to her? Could she even be a great parent? Her mother had been a great mother to her. She missed her very much, and when she was pregnant she wished she'd had her there then. Of course there was other mothers around her who had given advise, but she had needed her own mother.

She looked up when her father asked Istuviel if she could do his job if her wanted to go on holiday. She smiled quickly at her daughters reaction and then her cupping her chin to think hard about what she wanted to say.

Istuviel then leaned in and listened conspiriatle to her grandfather, nodding and then gasped softly. "Oh, I been getting really really good!" she said and leaped off his lap and scurried to the center of the chamber. She smoothed her gown out, cleared her throat and began a soft, low song.

And her father was right, Aroreth was very proud of Istuviel. And though she was still learning, Istuviel had an amazing voice like she and her mother before her.

Was she being a good mother to her? Was she teaching her everything she needed? Was she even ready to be a mother?

As Istuviel eagerly hurried down the steps to perform for both him and Aroreth, Thranduil looked fondly after the dear child- so young and full of life and energy that had been drained from much of the Realm over the hard years that they had suffered. She possessed an innocence that had been torn from much of their family and was lost forever inmost cases- at least it was in his case. There would never be a chance for him to go back to years when he had lived in the bliss of a new world dawning. It was too late for him-but not for his children. They could still change their fates, they just had to believe that they could.

Istuviel's sweet voice filled the air and the Elvenking listened intently as she sung- her voice was very beautiful, crisp and she had a brilliant sense of rhythm and timing. Though he also could not help but pick out the errors that she was making in her technique, though in all fairness they were all mistakes that Gilrin had made so he wasn't surprised that his children had picked them up too. But he decided to say nothing, his children would not believe him if ever he revealed that he had been a singer and their mother a warrior when they had first met. He remembered once he had actually dreamt of becoming a performer in his youth- and they would surely not believe him if he told them that their mother had teased him for almost century when he told her just that.

But Thranduil was drawn away from Istuviel's singing as he looked to Aroreth and as much as she tried to hide it, there was little one could conceal from a father. Especially one who had lived thousands of years with vast experience concealing his thoughts and emotions.

He saw in her eyes a look of worry, of despair and a fear- a look that ought not to belong to a fair elleth who had a loving and caring and a sweet young daughter of her own. And it disheartened him to see his daughter like so- not when she had so much to live for, not when she still had her family and friends that cared for her. The family had of course never been the same since- well, since that fateful day all those years ago, but Thranduil had sworn to Gilrin that he would help the children gifted to them see past the darkness and strive to make the best of the life that their mother had sacrificed herself for them to have. But with the spread of the shadows and darkness in their home, a young son to raise on his own without help from his daughters, three children who did not want to speak to him or interact with him in any way and the gaping hole in his heart that Gilrin's death had left the task one he constantly felt he had failed in.

Though he was and always would be there for them with open arms when they wished for his guidance or company. And hopefully Aroreth would not give him the cold shoulder yet again if he tried to approach her. He motioned for her to come closer with a simple gesture-

"I know that look upon your face dear child, and it is not the merry face that a proud mother of a wonderful young daughter and wife to a brave and heroic husband should ever have to carry. Pray share what it is that burdens you so with me, so that I may aid you in lightening your load." He said quietly so Istuviel could not hear them speaking.

Aroreth noticed the motion gesture and looked up at her father before he spoke. Once he started, she flushed slightly and held her lower lip between her teeth. One thing she knew about her father was that you could never hold much from him for long, and it wasn't like she was holding it from him. She just.....it wasn't something she had even voiced aloud, not even to Istuvien.

She scooted closer and clasped her hands together tightly in her lap before saying softly, "ada...I am concerned about being a mother....I worry if I will be a good mother. I....have no one to turn to. Yes, I know there are other mothers in our Halls, but that is not the same." She suddenly sighed, and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her left ear. "I know this is my first child, but nanath is not with us..." she confessed softly.

Aroreth looked over at her daughter and her brows knotted up in the middle of her forehead. Could she keep her daughter always this joyful, even with all the darkness clamoring around them?

(not watching ME, so posts will be shortish)

Thranduil listened intently as Aroreth shared with him that which troubled her, all the while he kept his eyes on Istuviel, offering the young child the occasional smile of encouragement as she sung her sweet little song. He remained quiet as Aroreth spoke, allowing his daughter to voice what needed saying without interruption. Though as soon as Gilrin was brought into the conversation, the Elvenking’s face turned cold and he barely managed to conceal the pain it caused him to remember her.

There was a short silence after Aroreth finished speaking as Thranduil thought on what she said. It was a feeling that he could most definitely relate to- when Aroreth had been born, he had lost both his parents and Gilrin had lost her own and with the only person they knew from Doriath left in the Mountain being Tarthadir, they had very alone at times. The two of them had been so fearful of the world that their child would be brought into, having been witness to so much death and destruction. It was not a world that any sane person would want to bring their children into.

But they had had each other. And their love was what had gotten them through it all.

“Having a child is no easy task Aroreth, believe me. Children will make you worry more than you ever thought possible, their stubbornness can sometimes make you feel like pulling your hair out, they take pleasure in doing the opposite of what you ask them and I do not think I can think of another task more exhausting than supervising four children running around the forest.” Thranduil explained- remembering that feeling of being so utterly worn out by the end of every day looking after all the children. He had not even being able to make it to the end of a feast without accidentally drifting off all through the night.

Thranduil was about to bring up his own experience but choked on his words before he had even started speaking. He couldn't... He could not bear to remember how he had lost his father- the memory of his face burning as he and his father were engulfed by dragonfire was still too vivid for him to even mention.

“Despite it all, you must trust yourself and do what you feel is right. There are many who can guide you in these Halls if you seek help- and know that you may always come to me if you wish. But remember that Istuviel, like all children is unique and you and Istuven know her better than anyone else so what may apply to some elflings may not apply to her, your judgement is often best.” He explained, choosing to simply to tell her tht which he had learnt and not how he had learnt it himself.

“We had the same fear when we first learnt that you had been gifted to us. But once you we laid eyes on you for the first time, we somehow knew that everything would be all right. And despite a lot of trial and error, we soon learnt what we could and could not do. And I am certain that you and Istuven are very capable of raising Istuviel to be as sweet and caring as you are and as brave as her father.” Thranduil said, a smile nearly reaching his eyes. “You just need to have more faith.”

Aroreth smiled, feeling it smirk into her left cheek as she watched Istuviel begin to grow bored with her singing. She knew she put a heavy weight on her father, and so let him to his thoughts and watched as her daughter looked around and played with her hands along the ridge edge of the platform.

She looked up and listened to her father when he began to speak, sharing his experiences. She smiled in humour at what he said, for it was true. She had had a trying of a time when she was a small baby. And though she was a very good child, hr daughter definitely could make her want to pull her hair out. But Istuvien was always there, the majority of the time when he was not protecting their home, he was just as energetic as Istuviel and could keep up with her. Where as Aroreth would sometimes feel flickers of panic run through her at what her daughter would do. Her parents had four children, where she only one so far, and she felt the headaches that would come with the corralling of numerous children. She had a much calmer time dealing with the patients she helped in the healing chambers than when she was watching Istuviel.

But deep down, Aroreth could not now live without having her daughter in her life, much like she could not live without her husband. She did not wish to think about what might happen to her if that ever did happen, but she did. And no matter how much is drained and scared her, she did find much joy in being with Istuviel, holding her daughter close and feeling the love.

She turned away from her daughter then and caught the last glimpses of her fathers internal struggle before he spoke. She nodded. "Thank you, ada. I appreciate all that you can offer me in the ways of a parent. And Istuvien would be more that happy and willing to come to you for fatherly advice. Yes, she is a unique child," she said, and looked to what her daughter was now doing. She sighed, "sometimes it is hard to have faith, even with-" But she was not able to finish what she was saying when Istuviel came bounding over and throw herself into Thranduil's lap.

"Beleg-adar, may we go do something?" her squeaky yet sweet child voice asked, showing the wisdom that was beyond her age as she smiled innocently up at him.

As Istuviel jumped onto the Elvenking whilst Aroreth was trying to explain what it was that had her so worried, he raised a brow and looked down at his grand-daughter with a stern gaze. “Istuviel, whilst all of us may wish to have the world tending to our every need- patience is a lesson we all must learn and one that you need if you are to make any long-lasting friendship my dear. Could you not see that your mother and I were talking? I would like you to apologise for interrupting your mother.” Thranduil said on a serious note. He was not cold or harsh in his instruction, but found it important to encourage young elves to learn respect. He was all for spending time and playing with Istuviel, but that did not mean that he would not expect her to be mindful of her manners.

He turned to Aroreth with Istuviel spread across his laps, “Perhaps it would be best if we finish this conversation in private? It seems you have a wild young monster that’s starting to grow impatient.” He said, discussing Aroreth’s insecurities with her parenting certainly was not the conversation that ought to take place before Istuviel.

And with that, he scooped Istuviel into his arms and carried her down the wooden stairs from his throne. He put her down again to let her run around on the floor and looked after the little thing as she happily bounded off.

In all honesty, there was not much to be done at this current moment. The guard were still practising in the training hall, so he couldn't take her down there to run around play around with some of the weapons they had for the elflings to learn with. And Thranduil was fairly certain that the maids preparing the feasting hall for that evening would not appreciate having their work undone for them by Istuviel.

Of course, there were pools and smaller halls where they might take her. But with a child like Istuviel, he doubted it would keep her entertained for more than a few seconds before she wanted to go elsewhere. But there was somewhere else-

“Now Istuviel, I’m certain that if you ask your mother very nicely and you promise to me that you will be on your best behaviour, that you may accompany me to visit Arataure outside. But I need you to behave! You know how dangerous the woodland is?” He said, stressing the need for her to stay by his or her mother’s side. It grieved him that he should have to teach his own grandchild to fear the woods which he knew and loved. But it had to be done. He could not allow a repeat of what had already happened, even if it meant sheltering Istuviel from that which he loved most.

Aroreth watched, and listened, as Istuviel listened to Thranduil. A hint of a smile happened upon her lips. Istuviel began to feel sorry and cowed. She most of her manners, one being not to interrupt a conversation. Especially not with the way she had done so. She had been taught to gently tug on the person's garment that she wished to speak to and wait patiently til they acknowledged her. But she was growing bored, and when that happened she sometimes became forgetful of the lessons she had been taught. "I am sorry, beleg-adar," she began, then turned to Aroreth with slightly wet eyes, "I am sorry, naneth. I not mean to get in middle of you talking. I just...wanted to play with you. I should have remembered what you teach me, naneth. I will try to remember."

Her smile broadened, caressing her daughters cheek and then kissed her forehead. "So long as you remember your mistake and learn from it, I will accept your apology, amin mar," she said gently, then turned to look up at her father and nodded her agreement to continuing their conversation later.

Aroreth chuckled gently at her father's slight poke at fun and then her daughters complains and squirm in her arms. She swiftly moved down the steps before him, listening as Istuviels' cries turned to laughter before he set her down before them. She was ever so grateful to have her father with her, and that Istuviel had taken such a good liking to him, and always pushed past his coldness to give him all the love and warm she had to give him.

She monitored her daughter as she gaily skipped down the path, occasionally glancing back to see where her elders were taking her; and watching her father think. He did not much pay attention to his footing, but the Elven King had lived here for so long that it was all second nature. It's what happened to all Mirkwood Elves: they were all a little awkward at first, even after learning to properly walk but all soon gained footing long before reaching triple digits.

They both paused and turned when Thranduil began speaking, and when she glanced down at Istuviel, she saw that her little ones eyes had widened and possibly even sparkled at the thought at visiting the beloved Arataure. Even Aroreth, who had on a few number occasions, been blessed with time with her father's great stead and companion. But she had grown up with Arataure through her ages, but Istuviel only grew up with tales of the great beast and asked nearly everyday if she could meet him. And now she was to be given that meeting finally.

"I absolutely promise, beleg-adar. But, will I not be safe with you and naneth with me? And is not adar outside even now, looking after ow...ow..." Istuviel said, but was having trouble speaking her last word. Her brows even knotted together with her difficulty.

Aroreth knelt down, placing a hand on her daughters' shoulder and said, "our. Ow-wer." Slowly pronouncing the word Istuviel was trying to say.

"Ow....wer home. I am safe, with you, and naneth. And Arataure. And adar. I will be safe," Istuviel finished, reaching up to grab Thranduil's hand.

Aroreth was slightly surprised at what her daughter said, but proud. She knew she could be reckless, as with any child her age, but she also knew better. She looked up at her father then, awaiting his answer. She respected what her father wanted to instill in her daughter, but she had already been told of what dangers could await far into the woods.

(sorry if it's....choppy at the end)

Thranduil could not help but give a small chuckle as Istuviel's eyes seemed to widen with wonder and excitement at the mention of Arataure. It was true that even after all the years that Thranduil had spent amongst them, their mere presence alone was could still easily render him at a loss for words. He remembered the first time he had seen them- as quite a relatively young ellon towards the start of the Second Age, and he remembered the fear that he had felt being confronted with such large and dangerous animals. And yet-

The awe he had felt as he stood face-to-face to them. Thraduil had never before seen (nor ever again) another living creature that could match their majesty, elegance and power.

But looking to Istuviel now, he reminded of when he introduced Aroreth, Gilrien, Merilien and Legolas to Arataure Silevren- the looks of wonder on their faces as they came face to face with him. He was by far the largest of the elks that Thranduil had bonded with and had also been distinctly recognisable by his silvery tail that he boasted. Of course, the Arataure that he was taking Istviel to see was not the same elk. There had in fact been a further two Arataure's after Silevren's death and now Thranduil had Talagor- Swift foot.

The new Arataure was younger and perhaps a little wilder than his predecessors, he was less tolerant of strangers and had quite the attitude if one dared to aggravate him. However he was loyal and in him Thranduil saw a strong and free spirit within the young, fast elk.

Though he was drawn from his thoughts of Arataure as Istuviel protested that she'd be safe with Thranduil and Aroreth, despite Thranduil's warnings. And at this, Thranduil's face hardened. Once he may have believed that he was able to keep his family from danger- but too often had he been proved wrong to trust that they were safe even should he accompany out into the woodland. Bearing that in mind, he turned to Istuviel.

"No Istuviel, just because I am here and your mother does not guarantee your safety. There is darkness that does not rest in the great Woodland, your mother knows this better than many. You will do well to remember that sometimes not even we can save everyone from it." Thranduil muttered as he then proceeded to head for the Mirkwood gates, allowing Istuviel and Aroreth to follow. He needed a little time to recollect himself.

Aroreth watched as her father walked off, knowing that he was troubled by memories of the past. But...did he not remember himself that a child as young as Istuviel still had to grow and learn of the world? It would take time for her to understand the full depth of the dangers out in the world.

She surpressed the shudder that ran through her at her own terrible memory before turning at the tugging of her skirts by her daughter.

"Did I speak somefin bad momma?" Istuviel asked softly, sadness underlaying her words. Her eyes wide and glassy.

Aroreth smiled softly and knelt down to speak to her. "Your beleg-adar loves you, but he has seen and know more of the world than you know of yet. And you must understand that he is very protective of our family. He just wishes you to be more cautious, and understand that I, and your father, and beleg-adar will not always be around to protect you, and keep you safe. Nor your uncle and aunts," she said, with a flitting acknowledgment of her sister Merilien who most certainly would not be of much help in her condition. "Though I would not wish you to change who you seem to be becoming. You are quite curious, adventurous, and I see you are becoming a bit reckless. But you need to keep in mind, there are dangers in the wood, and you still do not have the skills to protect yourself."

She kissed Istuviels forehead before standing up, grasped her small hand and began following the direction her father headed in.

"How can I fix, beleg-adar?"

Aroreth thought only for a moment before answering, "there is not much any of us can do to help your beleg-adar. Some things cannot be made well. But you must take your teaching and learnings seriously, and do the very best you can to grow. Show beleg-adar that you can protect yourself, and understand the dangers that can harm you dearly. But always remember, right now you are still growing and still learning, and soon will gain the knowledge you must know."

She looked down quickly to catch Istuviel rub her eyes and nod hard. Oh, how she wished things were right again in the world.