Embrace(Thranduil fanfic)

Chapter 9

I'm sorry to say this is my second to last chapter:( I want to write another story immediately after this one, so please leave some suggestions! I hope you all have enjoyed this journey because I loved writing it for you. Thank you for following and supporting my work! It means a lot! Make sure to follow so you will be notified when the last chapter is released (next week).

I was so tired and I could tell my horse was too. I pet her gently.

"Thanks for carrying me all this way," I said to her.

Of course she didn't respond.

My clothes were dirty and torn. I had no idea where I was. Lord Elrond was not very helpful. All he did was point into the woods and said "Go that way". Great. I missed Legolas and at this point I wasn't going to deny it, but I missed Thranduil. He was my husband. My ungrateful, cocky, aggressive, pushy, sweet, thoughtful Elven King. I wanted to go back home but that would mean giving up and an "I told you so" lecture from him. My horse slowed down and I wondered why. I looked around and saw a group of people sitting in front of a lake. I titled my head. It was either they were going to help me or kill me. I had to take the risk.

"Hello?" I asked, moving forward.

They all got up and I heard the zing of their swords. They're going to kill me. As I got closer I instantly got calmer. I saw a grey beard.

"Gandalf!" I shouted.

His head shot up.

"Aranel! You should not be here!" He shouted running towards me.

"Yeah, yeah but I had to find you."

I could see everyone else was looking on in confusion.

A dwarf suddenly asked in disgust "Who is this...elf?"

"Ahh you have a problem with elves I see," I said smiling as Gandalf picked me up off my horse.

He set me down on a rock. I bowed my head.

"I am Queen Aranel of Mirkwood."

The dwarf clicked his tongue. I smiled at the hobbits. They seemed so innocent and tired. I looked to their right and saw a familiar face.

"Aragon!"

I wanted to get up and run but soon remembered my condition. He smiled brightly and came over to my side. He bowed and gave his respects.

"Legolas misses your company," I told him.

"Yes," He simply said.

I wondered if this was the fellowship I heard talk about.

"Gandalf I need your help with my daughter. Galadriel..."

"Yes...Galadriel has taken her. She should not have done so but her reasons..."

"Are you defending her?" I asked.

He sighed.

"Aranel before you become defensive hear me out. You seem to be just as aggressive as Thranduil when you're angry." He smiled. "It's intimidating."

I laughed.

"There are a lot of things going on at this moment. Thranduil must not have told you but you must not get upset. Although all his actions seem wrong have you ever thought of the reason?" He asked.

"Yes...but that does not justify that I should be informed. How can I support him if he does not tell me anything?"

Gandalf pulled out his pipe.

"He is afraid. It may be easy for him to show his love for you but fear, now that's something men do not want to show."

I soaked in his words.

"Gandalf?" I asked.

He looked up at me.

"What is going on? With the darkness? What is the exact role my daughter plays in this?"

"I cannot answer that Aranel. You should go back to your husband I can tell you miss him," He answered lifting me back onto my horse.

I was disappointed. It seemed like I sought him out for nothing! I sat on my horse and thought again about what he said. After thanking him and wishing the fellowship luck I rode back to Mirkwood, back to Thranduil.

**

(Thranduil's p.o.v)

I was so nervous. Everything was coming at once.

"Guards! Let Legolas out!" I shouted.

It was about time I talked instead of throwing people in the dungeon. I looked over and saw her empty chair. She always sat next to me. I could see her bright smile and glistening eyes. I felt like she thought I was a monster, the same monster who made her marry me. I thought I changed but in the end I lost my wife, daughter and son.

I heard commotion coming from the front gates. I immediately ran over, afraid we were under some kind of attack. I looked at the door and saw Aranel there. I was so overwhelmed with emotions. I even wanted to cry. I stood there, frozen. She smiled at me and I ran up to her. I ran my fingers through her hair making sure she was really there and I hadn't lost my sanity. I made sure to hold her extra tight this time.

"Thranduil..." She whispered.

"Yes?" I asked.

"You're suffocating me..."

I immediately loosened my grip. She breathed a sigh of relief. I looked at her with a big smile. She smiled back and I could tell we were both just happy to see each other.

(Aranel's p.o.v)

I felt so relieved. I was back in his arms. I put my hands to his cheeks and brought his face to mine. Before he could say anything I kissed him with all the feelings of missing him.

"Mom?"

"Legolas!"

Legolas ran to me and I hugged him tight.

"I missed you so much Legolas! Has your father been taking care of you?" I asked knowing Thranduil probably took out most of his anger on Legolas.

"More or less," He replied.

My gaze turned to Thranduil.

"We'll talk about that later! Right now before we get too carried away we need to talk seriously."

Legolas bowed and walked away.

"I like how assertive you are being my queen," Thranduil said coming closer, running his hand from my cheek down my neck.

"Thranduil!" I said pushing him away.

I looked at him with a serious face. He sighed and began telling me about everything: Mordor, the fellowship and the deal he made with Galadriel.