The Elven King's Princess

CH. 28 - BOUNDARIES

The next day...

THRANDUIL found himself trying to clear his mind of memories of Aeverie from last night. In hindsight, he wasn't sure what had compelled him to accept Aeverie's brave honesty towards him. Was it the tiniest grain of hope she had instilled in him the past few emotionally charged days? He had glimpsed her look of longing for him a couple of times. The dismay on her soft features prominent and heavily felt. He had reacted not as one would expect from someone like him, by actually accepting her token of---appreciation? She did say the crown she made for him was a thank you for everything he has done for her. That was it... but how would he explain...

'I've missed you Thranduil...I don't know how to explain this but---not seeing you pained me.'

Thranduil swallowed, closing his eyes. Those words---those words struck his heart deeply. Hearing princess Aeverie say those words to him, tugged at his heart deeply.

But no, he couldn't---wouldn't have allowed her to express such emotions to him. But then again, Aeverie wasn't an elleth who could so readily disguise the feelings she carried, whether they were good or ill. She is a mortal human, more vulnerable, more naive. And perhaps, expressing what she felt was natural for her, she need not lie or hide it to him. If she missed him, she can bravely tell it to his face despite her nervousness. Because that's just how she is... she is not scared of showing how she feels. Perhaps, she is braver than him. She might be naive but her innocent honesty is a quality he will never possess even if he tried. He was used to hiding everything, pushing it deep down so he wouldn't have to deal with his emotions. He was used to that. What he is not used to is affection. Specially from someone who is as innocent and as fragile as princess Aeverie. He knows her—he knew her. He knew her father, her family. And letting himself feel the way he is feeling now is somehow---startling him. It is something so unexpected and the rush of emotions is quite overwhelming.

He did not want to think anything of it. Specially when it comes to Aeverie. She might as well be projecting him as her guardian or someone who will take care of her in the absence of her father. She just sees him as just that, a guardian and that is all.

But her eyes convey something else, something he might even be scared of, but at the same time, longed for. It's both a necessity and an inconvenience on his part. He needs to clear his mind of any distractions because he doesn't have a need for it now or he won't, ever.

Thranduil smiled to himself sadly. Once again, he needs to bury whatever it is that is trying to resurrect from deep within his heart. He needs to clear his mind and his heart from all of it, even if it meant a lot to him. This time, he needs to set some boundaries. Specially when it comes to princess Aeverie.
===