Smaug's daughter

Al who?

THRANDUIL

My little flame was snoring in my bed as if she had every right to to sleep in a King's bed. She had passed out after our last mating, and so I had carried her to it, enveloping her in the fresh linens. She fascinated me to no end, with her big messy crimson curls, bold personality and nonsensical courage. She had dared to raise a hand to me. Others would have been killed for less, had been killed for less. And all it had done was make me want her again. Not that the want, or need, had ever gone away since I'd laid my eyes upon her.

Her name was Arien. She had been named after the Guardian of the Sun, the Lady of fire herself. It was said that her eyes were too bright even for our kind. A fitting name. Arien had carried herself like a queen as she was brought up to my throne room for questioning, even though she had been dressed in rags, and it had only taken me one look into her golden eyes to realize that she was mine. I left my chambers, needing some distance from her beguiling form so I could contemplate the implications of it.

She had not told me much of herself. Only that she traveled with the dwarves because she wished to help them. I did not understand it. What did she have to gain from such an impossible mission? Did she not understand how doomed it was? They stood no chance against the dragon. One question only led to more. Where was she from? Who were her parents? Where had she been my entire life?

An image of her lust-filled eyes as I was taking her in the bath came to mind as I paced without a care for my direction. I was surprised that the mere memory was enough to make me hard again. Again? I had taken her three times and night had not yet fallen. I was too experienced, had seen too many centuries pass to act like an untried Elfling.

I thought I would never experience such feelings again. Several lifetimes had passed since my wife, Calathiel, had sailed west after almost being murdered by orcs. She had used, what we thought at the time was, her last dying breath to proclaim her love for me and our children. I had always considered her as the love of my life. My sunshine. Legolas claimed I had never been the same since her passing. I did not think him wrong. But now... Could one be so fortunate as to have two great loves? Did I deserve that?

I do not know how many of my soldiers, subjects and servants I passed on my walk. I do not know how much time passed either as I was wholly engrossed in my own thoughts. I could still smell her on me. An intoxicating smell.

Stopping by a chamber with some wine, I realized someone was following me. Tauriel. Coming to give me her rapport. I was absentminded in our conversation, but I could tell she was frustrated. Tauriel wanted too much, and had little understanding of the cost. She had not yet been burned by life. Could not understand that we could not protect everyone beyond our borders. They were our borders for a reason. There were other kingdoms beyond them and they could deal with their issues on their own, if they could not, they did not deserve to hold such areas.

She held her tongue. Tauriel was a good captain with a big heart, but she was also clever and knew when to close her mouth, unlike the fiery elf currently snoring in my bed. The thought clutched at my groin. I would go back to her after this talk. Even if she was still snoring, I would be content to simply behold her. And when she awoke, I could find out who she was. Who were her parents? She had claimed to be adopted, as had Calathiel been, but who had raised Arien? These were answers I needed.

When Tauriel was about to leave, another memory tugged at me. Legolas boasting about her fighting. I brought it up to gauge her reaction. Would she blush? Did she want his attentions? She stopped dead in her tracks and turned slowly around. I added onto Legolas' words. I knew he liked her, but he was also young, had not seen much of the world. Tauriel at least wanted to see more of the world. Legolas was too content in Mirkwood, but I did not have the heart to send him into the world just yet. He was my youngest boy. Tauriel denied my suspicion. Then she questioned whether I would allow such an alliance at all?