Finding my way Home

A queen returned

Melora focused on Thranduil's heartbeat as he asked and found herself lulled into sleep.
She was running, something heavy in her arms. The forest was closing around her, but she could hear something coming. It was crashing through the branches. She looked frantically before her. Her heart knew she still had too far to go and that they wouldn't make it. Glancing down in her arms, a child with a head full of blonde hair still in a perfect braid. They had to make it; she pushed herself harder. She didn't see the tree root; she tripped and felt her ankle pop. She rolled to avoid falling on the little one in her arms.
Melora woke up with a gasp, her heart pounding. A soft voice was in her ear, "It is alright, Meleth Nin," and she felt the sway of the horse beneath her. She was safe; Thranduil had her, and they were going to his home in Mirkwood. She placed her hand over the top of the one he had wrapped around her waist.

"Sorry for falling asleep," She whispered, her breaths still coming out in gasps.

"Your body needs rest, Meleth Nin. Do not apologize for that. I will keep you safe." Thranduil told her, "But I am glad you are awake as we are getting ready to cross the bridge into our halls."

Melora looked around her. It was dark and hard to see the details, but she saw the bridge and a large stone door. The horse carrying them crossed the bridge and stopped at the stone doors. Thranduil slid from the horse's back and then extended his arms out to help Melora from its back. The doors opened for him, and he left the horse there, walking with her inside the doors. "It's a cave," she said in awe as she looked around at the torches lining the walls.

"When the shadow began to fall, our people moved north where we could better protect them. We had just made the journey when not long after you left us." Thranduil confessed. "Most of our people still live in the forest surrounding these halls, but in times of war and shadow, the halls can support our people."

"Your people are lucky to have you," Melora told him earnestly as she gazed around the space.

"They will be overjoyed at your return." Thranduil smiled as he took her hand. "Let me take you to the royal chambers, where you can bathe, eat something other than lembas, and wear an outfit that is befitting your beauty, Nin Mel." Thranduil started to lead her away but turned to look over his shoulder at Feren. "We shall meet in my throne room, Feren, once I have Y/N settled."

"Yes, My King," Feren agreed as he started down another passageway.

Melora took in the winds and twists of the cave system. She was in awe at the beauty of the carvings on the walls and the moonlight that passed through from well-placed skylights. She thought being in a cave would be cold, dark, and dank. The passages here were warm and, to her, felt inviting. They came to another set of doors, and Thranduil opened them and shut them quietly before leading her to another door. "This is our room, my love." He opened it, and she saw a large bed covered with furs and silks, a fireplace on the far wall, and two large wardrobes. She also saw a chaise lounge with a small table beside it. The room was regal, and she couldn't help but think it reflected Thranduil perfectly. "It's beautiful," She whispered, hoping something would look familiar, but she was disappointed.

"Through that door is a washroom with a hot spring. That is why we picked this portion for our rooms. You loved that you would no longer have to heat water when you wished for a warm bath," Thranduil told her as he opened the bathroom door. He walked inside and turned to her, holding out his hand, "Come let me help you find what you need, and while you bathe, I shall find you something to change into and something warm to eat."

Melora followed Thranduil and let out a gasp as she entered the bathroom. A spring was in the middle of the room, a wash basin and a toilet in the corner. "The spring at the deepest is waist high on me; there is a bench carved through into the side so that you may sit," Thranduil informed her as he moved to the shelf that seemed to be carved into the stone. He took down a couple of things and returned to the side of the spring, sitting them down. "For your hair," He said gently, indicating the bottles, "and your body." A small cake of soap was placed beside the spring. Thranduil also retrieved a washcloth and two towels and put them within reach. "I will step out so that you may wash, but I will return with something for you to wear and a meal. Leave your dress on the floor, and one of the maids will dispose of it. Thranduil looked at the dress, torn shoulder, and holes from the battle.