Chapter 5

'It's just, he's so' Turi paused 'intense.' Larien laughed and hugged her lovesick friend. They were kicking back after work the next day, and the friends had decided to meet up for some heart to heart talk. And wine, of course.

The Starlight canteen was their favourite hangout, and they were huddled close to each other at one of the corner tables, half empty cups of berry wine on the polished wooden surface in front of them.

'It'll never happen' Turi said, dropping her head to her crossed arms on the table. Larien bit her lip, trying not to laugh. She loved her friend dearly but hadn't the heart to lie. 'Thranduil of all elves' she sighed. 'I mean, the king' she looked at Turi, still resting her head in her arms.

'I knoooow' Turi crooned. She then jerked up and gave her startled friend a dazzling smile. 'Can't say I don't try to achieve my full potential' she mimicked her old partner Taryan's voice, in full on 'let me tell you something little elf' mode. Larien nodded her head. 'I know you miss him Turi.'

'And then this new case!' Turi slumped against the back wall. 'I mean, who torches their boss?!' she looked at Larien who shot her a meaningful look. 'That idiot of a Coamenel is not my boss' Turi said, reading her friend's mind. 'Nah, you want to do your boss.' They both laughed at that.

'He really is an idiot that one' Turi admitted 'and anyone torching the commander would have my full support.'

Larien sighed. 'Why don't you go and visit him?' Turi looked confused. 'To torch him?' 'No silly, I meant Thranduil...' her voice trailed off as they both considered the impossibility of just strolling into the palace and demanding to see the great king to make a public declaration of love.

'Hm' said Turi. 'Hm' replied Larien.

Turi leaned forward and gulped down the last of her wine. A worst-case scenario seemed the most likely outcome for her current predicament. Elf maiden longs for king. King ignores her. Elf pines away. Thranduil was unreachable, unapproachable even by any standard. Seemingly, there was no way out of her lovelorn situation.

She plunked her empty glass down on the table and hugged her friend goodbye, giving her a last sweet smile over her shoulder as she made her way out of the Starlight.

Feeling too down to go to her quarters and face her thoughts alone, Turi wandered aimlessly into the evening, marveling at the leaf coated sky above. It was still early in the season and nights were a bit nippy. She pulled the hood of her simple green outfit over her blonde hair and walked up several walkways, until she wound her way up to a high point that overlooked the sleepy landscape.

There Turi sat, alone with her feelings but happy as well, just enjoying the stillness of the night in the elven realm.

Suddenly, the silence was pierced by a ringing scream. Turi's head jerked in the direction of the sound, and she saw little lights flickering on all around it. Another bloodcurdling howl followed.

Her pulse racing now, Turi's ears stood on point and all her elfish senses were tingling. Something had happened, and it wasn't good.