The Black Queen of The North (A Thranduil Story)

Chapter Two: Palace Halls.

Thranduil's POV

It has been three days since the arrival of my guests. The meetings have been endless, Kerrinos is a very thorough man. He made sure that every detail was reviewed before he agreed to something. It was honorable but it was also tiring.

"The next arrangement that my father has requested to be discussed is something new that has been brought to his attention." Kerrinos spoke not looking up from the scroll in his hand. "What exactly is this arrangement?" I asked both poised and curious. "Our army is in need of someone to supply them with weaponry. Many consider there to be no better a blade than an Elvish blade and our father is willing to offer you far more extensive access to our trade routes in the east if you are willing to offer our realm access to your forges." His tone seemed almost unsure, but out of the corner of my eye I noticed Katterina smirk and her posture stiffen.

"What is it my lady? Do you not agree to these terms?" I questioned sternly. "Well my lord, I find it rather amusing that my brother, who has never served a day in the guard or our army can draw such conclusions." She said amusement plastered upon her face. "And you do not believe that our forges would produce the finest blades available to your armies?" I questioned rather offended. "My lord" She... giggled? "I do not question the quality of your weapons but I fear that,truth be told, I have never wielded a blade crafted finer than that of my people." She answered, her face poise but her lips curled into a smirk, a smirk that almost literally caused my blood to boil.

"Well then it is obvious you have not wielded an Elvish blade." She had a way to work on my temper the way no one else could. "Prove me wrong then." She stated coldly locking eyes with me. "My blade was forged by a high priest of our temple many life times before mine. I do not believe that there is any blade that has ever been forged that could best it." She stood from her seat in one liquid movement, challenging me. "Very well then." I snapped earning yet another smirk from her.

I stood and walked angrily to the door of the meeting chamber and pulled it open. I strode out followed closely by graceful Katterina. "I will go easy on you your grace, considering that you are a lady nevertheless." I stated when she reached my side. "No need my lord. I have waged many wars. I am trained well enough to fight someone of your size." She said, raking her eyes over my body. I did not expect that, that look that poured over her face, even if it was only momentary. She had carefully analyzed my body, and she had found something that had satisfied her.

I must have held her gaze much longer than I had intended because she frowned at me and shook her head. We had reached the training grounds. "Here we are, the royal training arena of the Woodland Relm." I spoke proudly. "Good." She removed her crown and her fur cloak that she had been wearing. She stood before me in a dark grey dress that hugged her ever curve up to her hips where it loosened and flowed fairly freely over her long legs, the grey material was slightly transparent so the outline of her lean legs could been seen. The neckline of her dress was fairly low and made mostly of fine lace, I had to stop myself from staring.

"What are we waiting for?" She asked impatiently. I too removed my crown and cloak. "Very well then." I stepped into the arena followed closely by Katterina. We stood facing one another in the middle of the arena. She was waiting me out, so I would surprise her. I continued to look at her, taking in her build. She had a very small frame, she was at least five inches shorter then myself and truly did not look like much of a warrior.

Then she surprised me. She struck first catching me off guard. I struck back but she countered it without any effort. No matter how I struck or with how much force I struck she countered it as if she knew what I was going to do before I did it. Then she advanced, tripping me. I stumbled back and she lunged causing me to fall onto my back. She then jumped forward pinning me down holding her blade to my throat. "It has been a while since I've held a kings life in my hands." She spoke placing her face closer to mine so that only I could hear. "What a pity it would be if my 'second rate' blade were to slip." That unbearable smirk painted across her face again. I felt the rage well up inside of me as I tried to push her off of me but she carefully shifted her weight rolling to my left and I once again found her sword closer to my throat then I felt comfortable with. She dropped her blade from my throat and walked towards the edge of the arena. "Some things are not as they seem King Thranduil." That is what she left me with before she disappeared around a corner.