I Am My Own (Reader x Thranduil)

Chapter 37

I couldn't help it.

"To the Prince and Princess of Greenwood!"

My eyes wouldn't pull away.

"And to their child we anticipate to welcome into this world!"

Her eyes and face... hollow... ghostly.

"May the line of King Oropher and Queen Daealla be prosperous and unbroken!"

Look away. Look away. Look away.

Cheers erupted around us and I broke my gaze on Valori to look up at Thranduil. He was smiling proudly at the crowd that was gathered in the streets of the city outside the palace. It was obvious that his happiness was genuine, or it was at least very good acting.

I marveled at how he could be so polished in appearance and attitude. I, on the other hand, was desperate and struggling to remain calm with the same empty smile I had put on the moment we stepped upon the elevated platform for the announcement. I tried to scan the crowd of smiling faces to keep me distracted, but it was useless. My attention kept going right back to her.

Despite her shattered and dejected life caving in on her, Valori still came to the celebration. She came despite the anguish she had gone through just a short time ago. She didn't just attend either. She had found a spot at the front of the cheering crowd with her chin held high and a posture that would make a king kneel in respect. Saevel was next to her, standing so closely that I was sure she thought Valori might collapse at any moment.

A glint of water fell from Valori's eye. The sun caught it, causing it to glimmer the whole way down her perfect cheek. She didn't wipe it away.

My breathing picked up as the still cheering crowd turned into a deafening noise that attempted to swallow me whole.

Thranduil had been quick to pick up on my uneasiness.

"(Y/N), are you alright?"

I couldn't speak because I knew if I did there would be no holding back the emotion that was already threatening to boil over.

Keeping one hand pressed firmly on my back, he raised the other to the crowd and gave another warm smile, then escorted me carefully off the platform and into his mother's care.

"What is the matter," she asked holding me tightly around the arms.

"Take her somewhere private and quiet," he said without giving her an explanation and rushing back to the frontlines of the celebration.

Daealla, asking no more questions, understood immediately and began leading me from the bustling part of the city with the escort of several guards around us.

Eventually we found our way to the the portico of the palace and I took a moment to regain a steady breathing pattern. The air was much cooler now seeing as though the autumn season was in full swing. It wouldn't be long until many of the trees begin loosing their beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow leaves.

"Find some water," Daealla said to the nearest guard who immediately bowed and disappeared behind the doors of the palace.

After regaining most of my composure and having a few sips of cold water, Daealla gave me her blessing to return to the celebration, though she did remain close to me with a firm hand placed on my elbow and guided me back to the lively part of the city.

Everyone's sole attention was no longer focused on the platform. Instead, elves were excitedly conversing with each other and picking off of the banquet tables that had been set up well in advance of the announcement.

Thranduil found me long before I could even start searching for him.

"Are you alright," he asked immediately with his crystal eyes scanning my face.