Beauty and the Beast | Thranduil x Reader

Chapter 36

"Slow down!" You laughed, tugging Thranduil's hand as he pulled you along behind him. "I keep treading on my dress!"

Thranduil chuckled. "Is my bride so drunk on wine that she can no longer walk properly?" He teased.

You shot him a withering look, though your heart quickened at the loving expression on his face as he looked at you. He looked quite drunk himself but you knew it was not the wine that did it.

The two of you had slipped out of the banquet hall early, making your escape so you could be alone. You had not complained as Thranduil had dragged you from the room and up the stairs to the Queen's chambers. You would always think of this as the queen's rooms, though you knew that you were technically King Thranduil's 'new Queen' (especially to those outside the realm). However, you did not wish that role upon yourself in any other way than by some vague reference and he did not seem to care. She was the queen and you had no desire to take her place in any way.

You smiled as he pulled you out into the garden. Nobody would bother you here, you knew, though you were sure nobody would have dared tonight anyway, no matter where he had taken you. Still, you found this garden comforting so you did not mind staying out here for a while yet, under the moonlight with him. It was full in the sky tonight, you noticed, and you were as glad as ever for the little pockets of outdoors within the Woodland Realm.

"Look." You said, gesturing to where the Starfire Roses lived. The flowers were sleeping, tucked away into little buds. They did not stir when you came near, so deep was their slumber. You smiled fondly at them and did not disturb them, turning back to Thranduil as he sat beside you.

"I am not sure what they are so tired for." Thranduil sniffed, eyeing the roses almost suspiciously.

"Well, maybe they have had a busy day!" You nudged him, and he laughed.

You thought you saw one of the roses twitch just a little at the sound of his laugh. It was nearly imperceptible and, a moment later, you decided that you had imagined it.

The feeling of Thranduil's hand, his thumb brushing over the back of your own, made you turn back to him with a soft smile.

"I cannot believe we ended up here." You murmured, gazing into his eyes. They looked so alive. So full of love and life... joy. You could recall the cold way he had once regarded you, none of which remained as he sat with you now.

"It is a wonder to me as well." He said, smirking slightly. "That you could ever have fallen for my beastly charms."

You smiled, leaning in to kiss him briefly before you rested your head on his shoulder and closed your eyes, breathing the moment in as you felt his head come to rest upon your own. "There was never anything beastly about you, Thranduil, not really."

You both fell silent for a while, enjoying each others company. It had been such a perfect day, you did not want it to end, though you couldn't tell if it was because it was so lovely you wanted to live in it, or whether every days ending would bring you a little sorrow now - as it would bring you closer to leaving him in inevitable heartbreak. Perhaps it was a little of both.

Then Thranduil moved and placed a finger under your chin, tilting your head so you were looking at him again. He looked a little more serious, though his eyes were still dancing. He cleared his throat, glancing down at the new ring on his finger, before he looked back at you. "I never did thank you."

You frowned softly at him and tilted your head, reaching for his hand. "Thank me? For what?"

His gaze was tender and full of emotion as he regarded you for only a brief second before he spoke again. "For bringing me back to life."