The Black Queen of The North (A Thranduil Story)

Chapter Four: Honesty.

Thranduil's POV:

The crackling of the fire within my chamber was the only company I had as I sat down in front of my dresser. I removed all of my rings and jewelry before setting my crown down on its usual perch on top of the dresser. I looked over my shoulder, for many years since the death of my wife my room felt empty. We married for political reasons, my father needed more allies at the time of the Last Alliance so he promised an elf lord, who was a good friend of lord Elrond's father, a marriage between his daughter, who was the born of the high elves of the north, as was he, my hand in marriage.

She was a fair maiden, she had blonde hair and doe brown eyes but I was never truly in love with her and she was never really in love with me. I cared for her but as nothing more then a resident and friend in my home.
We had made one good mistake though, after the Yule Festival one night we had both had a little to much to drink and a year later she gave birth to our son Legolas. Unfortunately she died shortly after he was born she did not even get to spend a year with him.

"Ada?" A small voice spoke from the door of my room. It was young Legolas, he was now 23 years old and looked much like a mortal child would at the age of 5. "Yes Legolas?" I asked softly. "I could not sleep so I went to the library to look for you, but you were not there. There is a lady sleeping in one of the arm chairs. I do not know who she is, so I came here to look for you. Will you tell me a story ada?" Legolas asked me with great caution evident in his voice. "First I believe we must ensure that the lady you speak of is all right then I will read you a story Legolas."

I walked towards the door to meet my son, he looked up at me raising his hand to mine. I could tell that he was anxious to see how I would react to his gesture. I simply gave his hand a small squeeze and continued to walk forward down the hallway towards the library.
When we reached the doors of the library I turned my attention to Legolas "We must not be loud as to ensure that we do not startle our sleeping guest." I spoke quietly to my son who nodded his head in understanding. I pulled open the doors and moved swiftly in the direction that Legolas had pointed out to me. I then noticed the small figure slumped over the arm chair. It was Queen Katterina. She looked fairly warn out as her skin did no glow as much as it usually did. She had a scroll tucked away safely in her hand and she lay motionless with the right side of her body resting against the side of the chair.

I stopped to admire her. She truly was breath-taking, her dark red almost black hair cascaded over her shoulders down to her waist where the ends lay gracefully in her lap; her sharp jawline, immaculately arched eyebrows and high cheekbones complimented her large, full, red lips and small finely sculpted nose perfectly. I reached a hand out touching the bare skin of her small shoulder. Her skin was so smooth and flawless, it was enough to drive any man mad. Her eyes fluttered open, they were as grey and cold as iron, two endless pools captured in perfect almond cages barred with thick black lashes. "My lord?" She questioned. "You fell asleep my lady, it is quite late and I do not believe that chair would make for the best nights sleep." I responded kindly. "Lyevoite yondo? (you have a son?)" Katterina asked inquisitively. "You can speak Elvish?" I asked astonished, the surprise was evident on my face I was sure of it. "Of course I do." She answered plainly. "I can speak five major languages fluently. I am very fond of your kind. You have a very rich culture and your hospitality is truly remarkable, I believe due to this I have over stayed my welcome in lord Elrond's home on more than one occasion. See, this is where I put my Elvish into practice." She said standing from her seat.

Legolas stepped forward, "My name is Legolas my lady." He said bowing his head after he had spoken just as I had taught him. "Legolas. The green leaves of spring. What a beautiful name." Katterina cooed smiling at me. "Thank you my lady." Legolas answered politely at the same time I did. "Oh, there are no titles needed when you address me little prince, you may call me Katterina." She said smiling radiantly down at my son. "I am not sure that my father will..." Legolas was cut off by Katterina. "Your father will have me to deal with if he objects to my wishes." She said in a falsely stern manner chuckling softly at the grin that had now plastered itself across his face. "Thank you Katterina, may I ask you a question?" Legolas questioned intently. "Of course." Katterina answered.

"If you are not an elf then are you a mortal?" Legolas asked cautiously. "I am not mortal, I just as you am immortal but I am a Sirisse." She answered warmly. "In what ways do you differ from an elf then?" Legolas had taken an interest in her kind. That was good. "There truly is only one difference. You have pointed ears which I do not have and I have wings. My people have been given the gift of flight." Katterina said smiling at my young son. "But where are your wings?" I too had wondered the same thing. "Right here." With that a marvelous pair of ebony wings appeared upon Katterina's back, they were large, stretching from well above her shoulders right down to her ankles. "They're beautiful." A very dumbfounded Legolas managed as he continued to stare. "They truly are magnificent your grace." I too managed.

"Thank you my lord." Katterina responded, bowing her head gracefully. "May I... Touch them?" Legolas knew I would object to his actions but Katterina answered before I could say anything. "You may little leaf." The pet-name she had called him by reviled something about her that I had never seen before. She had a kind heart, something she had obviously tried to hide. One cannot go to war with a heart full of love and kindness. This was something I too had to hide, it would always lay concealed behind my cruel outward nature. "Do not pester the queen Legolas." I said sternly, with that he returned to my side. "Forgive me Katterina." Legolas said apologetically. Katterina locked eyes with me, her gaze was cold and harsh. "Be careful not to instill fear in those in which you could rather instill love. It may just determine where one's loyalties lie. Eternity is a hard burden to bare alone, I have felt the weight of it myself, but as long as you have your son you are not alone. Cherish that. It is rare and priceless." Her words dripped with resent, she had made it clear that that was my one and only warning when it came to certain actions that she would witness.

She walked past me bowing her head as to bid me farewell. She smiled a small smile in Legolas's direction and then she disappeared through the door which we had used to enter. "But what if you weren't alone?" I said only loud enough for my ears. What if?