Beauty and the Beast | Thranduil x Reader

Chapter 22

Laughing, you tore across the garden, the snow making it more difficult than it otherwise would have been. Your heart hammered in your chest at the knowledge you were being pursued, Thranduil undoubtedly not far behind you. You thought that he would have been upon you by now and you smirked as you glanced over your shoulder and realised that he was drawing it out, making the game last longer. A thrill ran through you as you spun yourself around and rushed to the opposite end, ducking behind a pillar.

A rumble of laughter followed you across the garden courtyard as Thranduil paced lazily across the snow, gaze fixed upon the pillar you had just disappeared behind. "Careful, little human." He called, smirking to himself. "I will catch you."

You chuckled as you peeked from behind the pillar and watched him. Your thoughts drifted back to the first day he had called you little human and told you that your manners were lacking. You did not much mind the term falling from his lips this time. It sounded more like an endearment and it made you feel warm despite the cold biting at your skin.

Another laugh escaped you and you heard a soft chuckle from his direction too as he paced ever closer. Thranduil would have caught you by now if he had wanted to. The game would have been over but he was enjoying your excitement. He wanted you to be happy here, wanted to show you that you could be... regardless of how you had come to be here and regardless of how badly the both of you had gotten off on the wrong foot.

Movement over by the doors drew his attention momentarily and you took your chance, having crouched behind the pillar and gathered up a handful of snow. Compacting it gently in your hands, you stood again, noticing that Thranduil's attention was elsewhere. Biting your lip, you brought your arm back and then swung it forward again, letting the snowball go spinning across the garden. Thranduil turned back to you just as it smacked off the front of his tunic, exploding against his chest. He stood stunned for a moment, having not expected it, before he narrowed his eyes at you. "Oh, you had better run now." He practically growled, but his eyes were sparkling.

Giggling, you turned and fled once more, looking for another hiding spot. You expected Thranduil to grab you almost immediately but instead you felt an unexpected pressure push you from behind, sending you crashing down into the snow with a surprised yelp. A roaring laugh sounded from behind you and you sat up, turning to scowl at Thranduil, who had attacked you with a large snowball of his own in retaliation and was now laughing out loud. He walked towards you, unable to stay his amusement, as he extended his arm towards you.

"Perhaps you should have moved in a zigzag formation." He told you, chuckling still, his eyes dancing with mirth at your unamused expression.

You hadn't been expecting it so you'd been taken by surprise and despite the fact that you had started it, and how much you enjoyed how relaxed he looked when he smiled, you found you wanted a little revenge of your own. You reached out to take the offered hand, giving him a look, and with all the strength you could muster, you pulled him down to the ground beside you.

Thranduil had not been anticipating it, simply amused by the way he had gotten one over on you in this game. He had no reason to be so on guard right there, in the garden with you, offering to help you to your feet. So when you yanked at him, he went down as you so obviously intended.

Stunned, he lay beside you in the snow, while this time your laughter rang out over the courtyard. Turning to look at you, he surprised himself by letting out a fresh laugh of his own. Reaching out he gave a gentle push to your upper arm, chuckling as you returned the gesture.

"What must our little watchers think of you so easily toppling their king, hm?" He asked, amusement flashing across his face at your confused look. He tilted his head, gesturing towards the large window somewhere above them. You lifted your chin and looked up, catching sight of Legolas, Tauriel, Galion, Elros, and Myleth all ducking out of view.