Okay a bit of a preface, this chapter is going to kick off the flash backs of how Thranduil and Gwendolyn met, the best way to tell if your in flash back or not is that one is Gwendolyn and the other is Gwen. I will try and give y'all warning if the chapter is a flashback or not too. Anyway enjoy :)

Gwendolyn sighed deeply as she gazed at the thick canopy of trees shielding her from the sky. They had not yet arrived into the kingdom of Greenwood and already she hated it. She simply could not imagine herself living without the bright rays of the sun. And if the stories were true she would barely see daylight in the dim halls of King's palace.

No. The very idea made her sad, she would have to find a way to be sent back to Lorien. Perhaps she could convince her mother. Her mother could sometimes be swayed by frivolous things, it had practically devastated her to have find new suitors for Gwendolyn. Though Gwendolyn doubted she would like her mother's choices in Greenwood anymore than she had in Lorien. The hard person to convince would be her father.

She grimaced at the thought of that conversation. He was too much like Galadriel, his sister, to be swayed easily.

But then again Gwendolyn had a bit of their stubbornness running through her veins too. Her father had commented many times how Gwendolyn reminded him of a young Galadriel. Unfortunately, Gwendolyn's likeness to Galadriel is what got her sent to Greenwood in the first place. Among Galadriel's stubbornness and charm she had also inherited many of her abilities.

Even in Lorien, the safest city in middle earth, Gwendolyn had become a target. She hadn't even noticed it at first, a dark energy following her, surrounding her. But Galadriel had sensed it around her young niece and sought to destroy it. At first she had succeeded and Gwendolyn was free to practice magic and grow into a young maiden. But as her abilities grew under Galadriel's teaching the darkness returned. It didn't attach itself to her as it had before, but she could feel it following her, like a shadow. It drained her energy, fed off of her like a parasite. As Gwendolyn's power grew greater the darkness also grew stronger. Eventually Galadriel had instructed her to stop using her abilities, but that hadn't worked either. Simply being around Galadriel made Gwendolyn's power grow, they were like twin spirits. Galadriel was a sun and Gwendolyn was the flower that grew from its light.

They had carried on like that, trying to maintain a normal life. Galadriel would frequently try to banish the darkness from her, but it always returned. Until one day Galadriel looked into her mysterious mirror and saw something that gave her cause to send Gwendolyn away. She refused to tell her exactly what was to come, but if Gwendolyn stayed and her powers continued to grow bad things would happen. Her very life was at risk and that was enough for Galadriel to send away her brother's family and favored niece.

Gwendolyn had despaired at this. In many ways her bond to Galadriel ran deeper than it did to her parents. Being sent away felt like the ultimate abandonment. However, Gwendolyn knew better than to go against the advice of Galadriel, so with her parents she went into the forest of Greenwood.

Her two brothers Lenchon, and Eiliandor had left a week before them to bring the majority of their belongings. She would be eager to get their opinion of Greenwood from them. She had no doubt that two had charmed their way through half the kingdom by now.

She could tell their small group was getting close now, if it weren't for the path her horse would take hours to navigate the thick forest. Without warning they heard the thundering sound of horses coming towards them. Gwendolyn froze gathering power around her as easily as one intakes air to breath. She then saw Elvish guards break the trees, woodland elves, they were here to escort them to the palace. She exhaled and released the power back into the air. With its release she felt the cold presence of the darkness, soon it would just be a distant memory.

"We come on behalf of the King of Greenwood who welcomes you to his kingdom." One of the guards announced to her father who was now at the head of their company. "You will meet him for an audience as soon as you have settled your belongings." The guard said swiftly. Her father nodded. It would be rude to do anything but see the King after entering his Kingdom.

The guards turned the horses and led them through the outskirts of the kingdom. Most of the Kingdom dwelled under ground in the mountain, but several homes and farms were outside. Like the mountain she could barely tell that anyone lived on the land. The homes and farms blended seamlessly into the trees and land. It fascinated Gwendolyn to see such dwellings. She was gazing at her new home when her mother pulled her horse alongside her.

"Gwendolyn, my dear, you are to be your absolute most charming around the King. It is important that we gain his favor in this Kingdom." Her mother said solemnly.

"Of course Naneth." Gwendolyn answered not caring enough to ask why her mother wished to gain such favor. Her mother could barely live if she didn't have to something to plan and work towards.

"It will be quite a feat to start new, but I am determined we interact with high society." Her mother went on.

"I am sure we will Naneth. After all Ada's family is well known in Middle Earth." Gwendolyn comforted. They reached the stables before her mother could reply. Gwendolyn passed her horse to a stable boy before following the rest of their company to the main gate of the mountain. They were a small group, only three families, but already their arrival had caused quite a stir. People milling about had stopped to look at them, but none approached to say anything. Gwendolyn stuck close to her father, she was wary of this place and its people. She didn't know them and it would be wise to avoid getting lost.

Gwendolyn looked in awe at the interior of the palace. The halls were dim, yes, but beautiful none the less. They followed the guard along the winding path and to the throne room. At the end of the path Gwendolyn could see the massive structure of the King's throne. She swallowed thickly as they approached, if he did not like them would he send them away? Her father stepped before the King and bowed solemnly.

"My King, Lord Finrod and his house." A guard announced, he completely glossed over the other families with them, though they could probably count as a part of their 'house' since they all hailed from Lorien. Whether they felt slighted or not they all bowed or curtsied respectively. She was finally able to get a decent look at the King as she lifted her head. He was like most Elven men, handsome, beautiful even, but with an edge to his expression that echoed his position as King. He radiated with that power as he surveyed them. Gwendolyn knew this was not a person to awaken animosity in. She would have to behave herself in this Kingdom, if she stepped out of line she wouldn't be sent to an audience with her doting Uncle and Aunt. She had to swallow a laugh at the thought of this King dealing with Gwendolyn when she was a child.

She froze slightly as the King met her eyes. She had totally tuned out the idle introductions and prayed a question had not been directed towards her. She breathed a sigh of relief as one of their family friends spoke up about his work with metal. She did her best to listen this time, it would be unbelievably embarrassing if she was called out on her boredom, which some nobility did not hesitate to do.

"And what of your daughter Lord Finrod?" The King said his eyes drifting back over to hers. She could see the barest spark of curiosity in his distant expression. She glanced at her father's back wondering what he would say about her.

"My youngest, and beloved daughter Gwendolyn." He threw a fond glance over his shoulder at her. "She is excellent with art and music, but she has been proclaimed the best dancer in Lorien." Her father said proudly. The King sat forward amusement at her father's boasting played across his face.

"Indeed? I will have to dance with you myself to see your talent." He said meeting Gwendolyn's eyes again. She felt a small blush creep into her cheeks. She was not used to such attention.

"Of course my King." She said ducking her head slightly. When she looked up he was wearing the barest of smiles.

"Your company is free to get settled in my kingdom now Lord Finrod. Should you need anything ask one of the servants or guards." He said dismissing them. As they turned to leave Gwendolyn's mother was hovering at her elbow.

"It would appear you've caught the King's attention." Her mother said the moment they were out of earshot.

"I have done no such thing." Gwendolyn protested. "No man would look twice at me while wearing riding clothes covered in dirt." She continued.

"Ah yes, but even covered in dirt you garnered more attention than Lord Thavron's daughter." Her mother said gesturing to the red headed maiden that had accompanied them. She was only a little older than Gwendolyn, but they had never met before their journey to Greenwood. She looked sad and slightly annoyed.

"But their daughter is not my concern. Let's find our rooms and get settled."

The rooms were not easy to find, Gwendolyn was sure she would get lost many times before learning the layout of the palace. As it held at least half of the kingdom in the mountain the halls were absolutely sprawling. When they did find the rooms, she was positively charmed by them. Her room was very small with no window, but to make up for the lack of light the walls were covered with colorful tapestries. They also had a small living area between her parents and her brother's rooms. It did have a small sky light and a gurgling fountain where they could collect water for bathing and drinking. Their 'hall' also had four other families living on it with a shared bathing room and kitchen. While it was quite unlike anything she had seen before she felt safe here hiding under all the stone. She smiled to herself perhaps she would like it as much as Lorien one day.

A bit of an abrupt ending but I had to cut this off before it became too long. Let me know what you think!