He smiled, wryly. "Albeit one without a kingdom, so long as I remain here." And, even taking into account that the kings she had previously met were not quite normal, a fairly different one - Thranduil was king of a woodland realm first and a monarch second. His crown when he had been brought was made of autumn leaves and berries. It was no longer in the condition it had been, which was depressing. Were he home, the wood-elves would have created another.

He inclined his head again in acknowledgement of the curtsey, a little smile still playing about his lips.

"That would be more true were it not cast across the forest. It is only through constant effort that we keep it from deepening in the corner we claim as our own. For, you see, one must always combat the spread of darkness, lest it take hold entire."