The Elven King's Princess

CH. 4 - AN INVITATION

2 Weeks later...

WAR is a messy business, and a tragic one. Thranduil finds himself almost drowning in all of his duties in the weeks following the battle. Hundred of his men were perished in the fight, along with most of Willomere's army, including of course, king Edric, his wife and their son, Aeverie's family.

He cannot stop thinking of those he had lost, not just his men and the people of Willowmere but mostly, a friend, king Edric the Swordsman. The mortal being that had been a friend and a confidant to him for the past years. He sighed deeply, trying to calm the burst of emotions threatening to emerge from inside him. He had never liked the feeling of dealing with loss and grief.

It has been a long day of sorting out funerary details for those lost and he is somehow grateful to have a moment's peace. While his soldiers have already been laid to rest, there is work going into erecting a monument in their honor as well as for the Everharts in Willowmere.

He lounges in his council room, closed his eyes and imagines slipping away for a ride in the moonlight. The image doesn't last long as he hear the footsteps echoing down the stairs.

'Yes?' his voice, cool and weary.

'My Lord, I am sorry to trouble you.' One of his aides begins.

He sighs and opens his eyes, staring at the handsome elf before him.

'What is it Lorien?'

Somewhat flustered at hearing his name spoken so dismissively, the elf guard rushes to speak.

'It is about the princess, my lord. I did not wish to burden you, but her maid informs me she has not been eating since her return to the palace. All of her food were left untouched, except for---the wines.' He explains. 'We-didn't know what to do..'

Thranduil's head cocks to the side and his expression grows cold.

'She has not eaten for two weeks and you're just now bringing me this information?'

'I-I'm sorry, my lord. We didn't-didn't think---'

'You definitely did not.'

He rose from his seat with such urgency and strides past the elven guard.

'I will handle the situation from here. Send Aeverie's maid to her chambers at once.'

The elven guard rushes out to do what he was told.
===

=THRANDUIL=

PRIDING myself for knowing my castle inside and out, I head straight to the room I gave to Aeverie. Several servants stumble and bow, quite surprised to see me in this part of the palace.

There is a guard standing outside her door, just as i'd instructed. While no doubt surprised to see me, the guard hides his surprise well and comes to attention at my approach. The guard immediately opens the door as soon as I got close enough.
===

WHEN I enter, I crinkle my nose. The air is thick with the smell of sweat and sickness. The curtains and windows are closed, and there is no light in the room.

I purposefully march across the room and tear the blinds open, filling the room with the light of the setting sun.

There is a groan from the bed and and the clinking of bottles assaulted my ears as the mattress shifts. I turned around to face the bed and a voice mumbles from under the mound of blankets.

'Please just keep them closed..'

'Aeverie..' I called out her name with a firm diction, approaching the edge of her bed.

She pops straight up in bed, her hair wild and matted, lips dried, skin paler, and looking almost like an emaciated corpse. She tried to focus her eyes on me in the unfamiliar light.

'T-Thranduil?' she stammers, flinging the blankets back. I grimaced at the sound of her hoarse voice. Still not sure why I am tolerating her, calling me only by my name. But then again, she is king Edric's daughter, perhaps, tolerating her is fine. For now.

She tosses her legs over the side of the bed and sends two wine bottles crashing to the floor. I eyed them with distaste. When Aeverie tries to stand, she must've grown dizzy for she toppled forward, catching herself by grabbing onto my arms. I caught her in time and she felt like a dried up hollow wood in my arms, she was so light and fragile, I was afraid i'd break her.

She lets go and jumps back like a scalded animal and tries her best to right herself, swaying dangerously.

I eyed her curiously. She is clearly very drunk and I didn't expect her to be in this condition. I studied her, taking in her haggard appearance. It's clear she has not bathed since our return from Willowmere, the day we buried her family. And her starvation is becoming evident as well. Her cheekbones are more pronounced and her eyes are bloodshot and sunken. A sudden feeling of pain and guilt shot through my heart. King Edric wouldn't want to see her daughter in this sorry state. No he won't.

'I have come to check on you Aeverie. And I would like to invite you to dine with me this evening.' I said, still being cautious, making sure she will not fall again.

I saw her blink her eyes in a rush, as if trying to form a coherent response to my invitation.

'I-Well---Yes..' she stammers.

I stared at her for a little while before I nod my head and turn on my heels, striding out of the room, passing Aeverie's maid on my way out.

'Make sure she is bathed and appropriately dressed.' I tell the elven maid and continued on my way.

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