The King's Hope

Chapter 14

Thranduil

Too long. It has been too long since she was put under. Elrond walked out of the room hours ago, nodding that there were no surprises, so why am I so worried? Everything is fine...

Legolas is playing with Tauriel on the library balcony while Annoneth watches. I can hear their wooden sword clacking together as they party and strike. The trade papers in front of me are beginning to blur together. I set the quill back in the inkwell and walk out to sit with Annoneth and watch our children.

"My lord, you need to calm down; you're shaking," she observes. I glance down at my hands. I hadn't even realized that they have been shaking since I stood up from my desk, maybe even longer. "She will be fine, I trust the abilities of lord Elrond."

"It is not that I lack faith in him, it is that she has been through so much and I am not sure she will want to continue. The pain she has endured would be more than most can handle."

"My lord, I think you are not giving her enough credit. Tarawen and Elrond are the best, you must have faith," Annoneth says quietly, resting her hand gently on my shoulder.

"Thank you, my friend. I think I need to take a quick walk to clear my head. Come find me if anything should change." She nods as I shed the thick cloak from my shoulders. The summer has brought its usual heat wave, one that wilts flowers and droops branches with dehydration. I would rather stay cool and avoid the profuse sweating.

I strap my swords around my waist and head out the river door, away from the main gates. I don't want to deal with walking through this vast cavern with every elf I pass ask where I could be going at this time of day.

The once lively forest has become duller since the orc attacks, but is beginning to teen again with the songs of the thrush and the chirping of crickets. The forest has always been a place of solace for me, even before I became king. The vastness and tranquility reminds me that there are bigger things than I, and that there is always a way to escape. When my wife was killed along the path, I stopped using it and simply wandered through the trees. I have since worn my own path, though it is not as grand as the one built centuries ago.

As I meander along the deepened earth, I try to keep my mind away from Rhovanel. Unfortunately, in my attempts to ignore her, she only grows more prevalent. I cannot ease this tremendous tightness that resides in my chest- what is that beautiful sound?

It is coming from deeper in the trees and higher. There are some hills to the east; the singing must be from there. I step away from my trail and towards the east and the entrappingly melodic song. It draw me ever closer to the hills, each step becoming less and less conscious.

At the crest of the hill, I can finally see the source of the bewitching tune. An elleth with dark hair and bronzed skin is sitting on the ravine bank, dangling her feet over the perilous edge. My eyes feel heavy when she turns to face me, still singing. As I step closer and closer, I can see the darkness of her eyes and the elegance of her facial structure. If I didn't know better, I would say she was my past wife. She is beautiful...

"Le aodollen, nin Aran, (you are late, my king)" the elleth smiles, ceasing her song for a moment. My mind does not bother asking why she was expecting me or how she knows who I am or what I am late for, my mind is purely devoted to taking in all other beauty.

"Amin hiraetha (I'm sorry)." What? I do not know this elleth, I do not want-

"Aphada nin (follow me)," she beckons, waving towards a cave just on the other side of the hill. And I follow her, more eagerly than I should.

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Sorry this tool so long for such a short chapter. I know I've been slowing down a lot lately. The only time I've had to write has been weekends. School is slowing down a bit so hopefully the next few chapters will get out a little faster. Again, so sorry for not updating.