The Black Queen of The North (A Thranduil Story)

Chapter Twelve: Wounded

Just before I start with this chapter I would like to, first off apologize for the very late update (I've just been really busy lately) and secondly I would just like to clarify something that I feel is very important in context to how I view and write about love and being in love, being in love simply means that you are smitten with someone, you and said person simply adore one another but that isn't love, that doesn't mean that said person loves the other it simply means they share a mutual romantic connection. When two people love one another they feel a deeper connection and that's kinda the "I love you." situation which is very different from being in love. Now that that's clarified, I really hope you enjoy this chapter! Please vote and comment, I would love to hear what you guys think so far!

Thranduil's POV

As we reached the small clearing on the outskirts of my boarders I dismounted Eruantien. The party that had accompanied me did the same and began preparing for the night, as I lead Eruantien to a small stream to drink water.

I noticed how comfortable Katterina's interactions with her soldiers were. When they spoke to her you could hear the respect and admiration in their voices, even sense a hit of fear, but they all seemed to be able to speak to her freely and without any hesitance. Throughout the journey I could hear them chattering away behind me, Katterina enquired about some of the soldiers spouses and reassured those who had not yet found love that they would soon meet their soulmates. Many of them questioned her on spiritual matters, seeking advice and guidance, it had only in those brief moments dawned on me that Katterina had spent many years, if not centuries, serving as a high priestess- it amazed me that I could have overlooked something such as this. She did possess many gifts that could not only be the result of natural talent or perfected magic but of a deeper spiritual awareness. That is why Karon was drawn to her, she can communicate with him in ways that no other being could, by means of a strong, ancient spiritual connection. As Eruantien and I ambled back to the camp site that had formed in the clearing I couldn't help but scan through the crowd in search of Katterina. She stood close to a large tent, Karon stood by her side as she removed all his tack and ran her thin fingers through his thick, dark mane. She looked so content, I almost didn't want to disturb her because in that single moment it seemed like time stood still for her, nothing could touch my angel in that moment... Those two words... My angel. I cannot help my impulsive nature. I want her. I want her all to myself, I want to care for her and love her fiercely and without end. I want to be the one she could be weak with, I wanted to be selfish with her- the woman that stood before me was something I had, in my long life time, never encountered before and my curiosity had lead me down a dangerous road. She drove me mad, with one simple gesture she could cause my temper to flare and then with just one of her mesmerizing smiles she could bring my storm of emotions to a complete calm. I should have known from the first moment that I lay eyes upon her that I would fall victim to the enchanting spell that seemed to surround her, that caused everything and everyone to gravitate towards her. I had fallen hopelessly in love with this woman and for the first time I allowed myself to admit how I truly felt, I would  not longer tip toe around my true feelings. I am in love with her and I would no longer deny myself that, the simplicity of just admitting to myself that I am in fact in love, completely infatuated and captured by the beautiful creature that stood only meters away from me. As I hand Eruantien off to one of my guards I begin walking towards her. "Are you not afraid that he might wander off?" I query curiously as she allows Karon to roam freely, close by the large tent she has been fiddling with. She chuckles without looking away from her task, "Karon and I are like two magnets, we are simply always drawn to one another. He can never get to far without finding his way back to me. It is a blessing and a curse." She muses as she finishes off the knot she had been tying. "Oh but everything is drawn to you, I do not believe it is only Karon." I smirk to try and cover the slight crimson color that I can feel infiltrating my cheeks as the words slipped from my mouth. "Is that so? Well I would very much like to know exactly what it is that I have missed, what are these objects of affection that I have drawn in?" Her voice is rather low and I do not believe that the word 'seductive' does her tone any justice. "Well for one, you have dawn me in and as for the rest, well I do not really care for what the rest may be." I almost whisper, my words a mixture of lust and adoration. Katterina's expression changed and her brow furrowed, "You feel drawn to... me?" She questions with a rather puzzled expression painted across her flawless features. "Well yes... yes... I mean, of course I am." I almost stutter managing to gather my thoughts before I look like a babbling  idiot. "I just, I can't quite fathom that, men have always been attracted to me, I mean of course they have! It is just I have never quite met a man that was drawn to me, well in such a manner of speaking. I am quite honestly just a little surprised." She mumbles looking at me curiously. "Well why else would I invest in spending my valuable time with you if I was not drawn to you?" I question rather accusingly. "I can be a rather eventful pass time Thranduil. That is why most men seek my company, in hopes of spending their time in a satisfactory manner. I know this is not generally a custom amongst your kin but it is in most other cultures. I am just use to this kind of attention. Not that I engage in such encounters, in truth I have actually very rarely indulged such behavior." She states rather diplomatically. "How could you possibly think that that was the only thing I regarded you as? You are not a piece of meat, or some mountain I wish to conquer." I spat. "We all have it in us Thranduil, a basic animal instinct, I am sorry it is just something I have grown accustom to. Men pay me no attention unless I command a legion, have a crown placed upon my head or I am threatening their life and not to mention if they feel that they might just be able to coax me into their bed." She says coldly. "Well those are not my intentions." I mutter rather sternly. "So you wouldn't want to have me in your bed then?" She purrs looking straight into my eyes as the corners of her lips curl up into a smirk. "No that is not... I mean that, I would but... This... This is simply improper." I snort trying not to seem as flustered by her insinuations as I actually am. "I am only joking Thranduil do not look so shocked." She chuckles and I relax a little. "But it is rather flattering that you would want me in such a way." She says, stepping closer. "It is almost as if you are testing my self control. It is very..." She pauses. "Very tempting." She whispers into my ear. At this moment I notice just how isolated we are, we are completely out of earshot and I am quite sure that no one can see us. "I am glad that I could flatter you in such a manner." I smirk, "but that is truly not my purpose in seeking your company. I was telling you the honest truth when I asked for your permission to court you." I close my eyes, taking in her sent as I run my hand up the small of her back. She rests her head against my chest and sighs. "Oh Thranduil why must you do this to me ? Why must you make me feel this way." She groans into my tunic as her hand comes to rest on my chest. I am about to ask her what she meant when I hear her name being called in the distance and I know it is Verowne who is in need of her assistance and she could not ignore him. As she slowly moves away from my chest she looks up at me with her pale blue eyes and rises onto the balls of her feet so that she can peck my lips. As she moves to leave me she flashes me a grin and her eyes darken into their usual grey.
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