The Hobbit/LOTR Imagines (Requests Closed)

(Thranduil x Reader) Imagine Returning Home ~ Part 1

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(You are an elf who, after many years, decides to return home to Mirkwood to send a warning, preparing yourself for the wrath of the Elven King)
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~ A long way home ~

The sky still harboured the glimmer of stars although it was the early hours of the morning. You closed your eyes, taking in the cool air that came along with the crispness of a new autumn. Just a few more days and I will be home, you whispered to yourself, sighing with relief but also a hint of anxiety which you forced yourself to ignore, pushing it aside.

Home was Mirkwood. Grand, elegant and...safe. Too safe. Too guarded and too controlled. To be honest, you were not quite sure how you'd managed to gain such freedom, but the new path you had carved for yourself was one you were beginning to become content with as it gave you a peace you had never had before. Besides, you knew it wouldn't be too long before you would pay the price for it.

And the rumours you'd heard on your travels through distant villages of tension amongst Middle Earth factions was gnawing at your interest. A dwarf had been mentioned. Maybe several? So had the dragon beneath the mountain, Smaug. But you'd learnt by now that idle rumours weren't always the best thing to pay attention to.

A sudden rustle from a near by tree made you snap your eyes open, trying hard not to move too suddenly against the tree you were sat by. Attracting attention was the last thing you needed.

And then it was silent. You stiffened. Something was lurking and you knew it. Standing slowly, you set an arrow to your bow, drawing it slightly beneath you, preparing your self.

The sudden rustle came again and you directed your aim to an oak tree directly in front of you, pausing your release when you saw a hooded figure emerge.

"Eyrelin?" You spoke cautiously, not lowering your bow in case you were greatly mistaken.

"It's been far too long, Ayvire." A deep voice said as the figure drew his hood down. Eyrelin wore the simple make of ranger armour but it seemed to shroud him more with its thick material.

"I'm returning tomorrow." You said. "So you're timing is impeccable." You smiled slightly, disarming your bow and stepping into the moonlight so you could see your companions face.

"So it is. I figured it would be best if I found you before then, I don't think walking into Elven territory is a great idea at the moment." He sighed.

You chuckled slightly. "I think I would have to agree. The King may be in for a suprise but I don't think it would help to be in his presence when he sees the one who helped me." You pursued your lips awkwardly, trying to show that in some way you were apologising.

Eyrelin had been a great friend to you on your journey, meeting him in a Tavern in one of the villages, when you began to talk. He'd offered his aid in return for your knowledge of ancient magic which he had been collecting to help train the rangers he aided back home. As well as adventure of course. But it was time to part ways. You knew you would meet again but for now, it was time for you both to return with your new knowledge and face reality.

"Listen," you said. "I have to thank you Eyrelin. You have assisted me greatly. I wish you the best safe returns."

"Safe returns" he replied with a smile. "But if I get too tired of being back with know-it-all rangers again I might just face the Elven King and risk death myself." He said, beginning to rub his hands together against the cold. "It is a shame that I could visit a place so full of vast knowledge while remaining with a friend."

"Ah yes, the lonely life of a Ranger, if only I could compare." You mocked. He rolled his eyes and chuckled. You knew his struggles, truly. And you didn't find them funny. But joking was the only thing that had gotten you both through the first stages of seperation from your own kind.

"Any way," he sighed, his breath visible in the air, "I must leave you if I wish to return by tomorrow night. Good look my friend, and safe returns." He bowed.

You rolled your eyes in response to his gesture, "Safe returns." You smiled. And you both turned back into solitude.

~•~

The journey back to Mirkwood had tired you, and although expected, you were not happy about it. Right now, you needed to be alert and awake. You needed to be prepared.

Breathe. You caught yourself reminding yourself for the tenth time since you had passed through Mirkwood forest territory.

But, no matter how many times you badgered yourself, your breathing quickened again when the front gates were in view. You knew it was inevitable you would have to face the elves of your homeland. Otherwise why set out to come back ? But you wished that you didn't have to have the slow, dragging development of exposing yourself back to the world. Why couldn't you just walk in, say hi and everything go back to normal, supper on the table by noon?

One last breath, and you walked out of the shelter of the forest and in plain view of the guarded gates.

The two guards tensed as you approached. Not certain who the traveler behind the hood was.

Once you neared you began to slow down.

"Halt." The female guard ordered. "State your name and reason for presence."

You didn't need to once you pulled your hood away from your face. Their gaping mouths told you that you were to be allowed through.

Your'e fine Ayvire. You told yourself. No matter what, you are alive. The world has been good to you. Now, be brave. You have nothing to lose. You believed it for the most part. But you could sense the slight hint of an uneasy lie behind your own words.

The guards escorted you through the ancient Elven halls, giving you cautious glances. They had instantly sent one forward to summon the King and you had placed your hood back on as soon as you stepped through the gates, concealing your face from onlookers.

You started to feel a deep fear in your stomach but for some reason it seemed to wither once you entered the main corridor, the wooden, warm structure reminding you that you had arrived home.

The doors to the throne room opened. And your stomach sank again, aching a little this time. Even as the entrance revealed a familiar stern face gracefully seated on a tall throne, you couldn't ignore the throbbing of your heart in your head.

"Move forward." He demanded as you had not realised you had hesitated by the doors, the guards behind you not wanting to push you closer. You took a couple of steps to the centre of the bridge where the King sat on his throne only a few steps away.

"Apparently your presence is of some urgent matter yet no one could seem to tell me why without being unable to speak." His voice bellowed through the halls but his face remained expressionless.
"Reveal yourself, traveller."

You were stunned to silence.

You had forgotten what that voice sounded like, what these halls felt like. You were going to speak, but you feared your voice would give you away.
So instead, you simply removed your hood and watched as the ElvenKing's face showed a rare contortion of sickness.

"It can't be." He gasped.

You took a step forward, never leaving his eyes.

"I have missed you, Father."