Light and Shadows (Thranduil's story post BOTFA)

Legolas

Somehow the atmosphere of the feast in this chapter reminds me of this jazzy song by Nightwish. "Only the weak are not lonely...". 

The day of the Autumn Equinox came fast and the kingdom kept to the elvish tradition of celebrating through an annual feast to mark this important transition in nature when the darkness of the night would slowly take over the light of the day. Beautiful golden and red autumn leaves and seasonal floral decorations were all around the Woodland Realm halls. Elves were carrying barrels of wine for the feast that evening and music was already being heard. 

Thranduil was not in a good mood. Something between sadness, disappointment and anger was brewing inside him thinking that his son did not return home before the equinox, as he had promised. He had allowed his subjects to enjoy the festivity preparations while he stayed locked up in his chamber for most of the day, hearing their merry voices resonating in his halls. He had to put himself together and not let it transpire that there was any major problem between him and Legolas or that there had been scarcely any communication at all between them for more than half a year. 

It was late afternoon when he heard the sounds of the harps, violins and flutes that were announcing the start of the celebration. He came out of his chambers dressed in long royal robes made of silvery velvet with refined embroidery and wearing long elegant leather boots. His hair seemingly made of starlight was outshining the silver threads of his robe and he looked just as enchanting as he looked ethereal. The woodland elves greeted their King with utmost respect and admiration, bowing their heads and making way for him to walk towards the main celebration halls. 

Thranduil was glad to notice that none of them seemed to be aware that there was something on his heart keeping him from fully enjoying the feast with them. None...except for one, perhaps. As he sat on his beautifully sculpted chair at the great feast table, he noticed Tauriel's eyes fixated on him from the distance, no smile on her face, seemingly studying him with a cool mask, contrasting with the merry, carefree faces of the other elves around her. Their eyes met for only a few seconds, then she turned away her gaze and disappeared into the crowd. 

He had not seen her too much in private after their last kiss, perhaps he was a bit of a coward for avoiding her, he thought to himself. He had seen her for reports, talks about the realm and one time for a short training session but he kept it short and distant every single time. If there was any hurt or disappointment in her regarding their connection, then she was probably keeping it just as hidden as his feelings, as she was only showing him a cool mask of duty. 

'My lord, we would like to dedicate these songs to you', said one of the Silvan elves, master of ceremonies, and pulled Thranduil out of his thoughts. 

'In the honour of our King', one of his generals said raising his glass and all other elves raised their glass towards Thranduil while a group of Silvans started a beautifully enchanting choral song. 

One could truly feel the beauty of the elves through their crystalline voices and melodies, their magical presence, the enchanted fires and lights decorating the halls. It was on such occasions that Silvans would present their King with seasonal woodland crowns made by them, especially elven maids. A few elven maidens came in front of the King that evening, offering him as homage their handmade crowns of golden leaves and autumn flowers. Then the elves started dancing in fluid movements at first, then moving their feet more rapidly and merrily to the sounds of the flutes and Thranduil watched them with his glass of wine in his hand, his heart miles away from there. 

He left the feast table, trying to walk a bit further away from the main celebration with a glass of Dorwinion, when someone boldly crossed his path. It was Tauriel. Her red hair was braided differently in a way that made her features look sweeter and less sharp. Her white neck and collarbones were revealed from her light green silk dress. She looked more ethereal than usual, still, her eyes had an earthy, piercing fire inside them. The sight of her milky skin revealed and her silk dress contouring her form delicately, such as he had rarely seen before, made Thranduil feel mesmerized for a moment.