Lord of the Rings x-Reader // Legolas, Thranduil, Boromir, Aragorn

3. The Librarian and the Elvenking (Thranduil) - Part 3

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The Librarian and the Elvenking – Part 3(5): Prisoner

Your cell was not a dark, damp hole as you had feared; on the contrary, it was rather cosy with a narrow but comfortable bed, a stand with a washing bowl and a screened off privy. In addition, a warden brought you food and wine which you hungrily devoured, sitting cross-legged on the bed.

When you had eaten, however, it soon became very dull. Your active mind craved stimulation, and lying idly on a bed for hour upon hour grew torturous after a while. If only you had a book! Or two, or five... Or a blank sheet so you at least could scribble something down yourself.

It was so lonely too. There were no other prisoners here, and the warden's office was in another room. Whenever he brought you food, you tried to strike up a conversation, but the ellon apparently was of the strong, silent type, for he never replied.

On the second day you began pacing your cell; back and forth, back and forth, almost like a trapped animal in a cage. While walking, you recited old songs and tales under your breath.

"Must you murmur so annoyingly?" The jailer spoke for the first time.

"Aye." You scowled at him. "Tell your king to let me out. I have done nothing wrong."

"Trespassing is wrong." He dropped your brakfast tray in front of you and stomped out.

When he brought your lunch a few hours later, you noticed he had put wads of wool in his ears. Feeling annoyed and unusually prickly, you raised your voice until you were almost shouting your recitation. The warden slammed the door after him.

When it was supper time, another ellon came with your tray. You hurried to the metal bars shutting you in, grabbing them excitedly. "Ú-eneth... Sweet Elbereth be praised! Am I glad to see you!"

"Fancy finding a librarian down here." He flashed you a smile; the first you had ever seen on his always so carefully neutral face. It brightened his features, enhancing his beauty even further – which should not be possible for one already so handsome. And had he had those dimples all along?

A flutter of emotions blossomed in your chest, but you sternly smothered them; he was married, for Eru's sake! You told yourself you were just happy to see a friendly face in this horrible place.

Ú-eneth opened the hatch to put your tray inside. You accepted it, but before he could withdraw his hands you caught one of them. "Don't go."

To your surprise, he didn't try to pull himself free. Instead he pressed your hand comfortingly. "I am sorry this happened to you. It must be frightening." Still with your hand in his, he stretched out his long legs and sat beside the hatch, leaning his back against the bars.

You mimicked his actions, trying to find a comfortable position on the cold stone floor. "I'm not afraid. Not as such. More... angry."

"Angry?"