The Black Queen of The North (A Thranduil Story)

Chapter Fourteen: Siblings.

Thranduil's POV

It was early morning when I made my way to the main gate. I had been informed of an apparent domestic dispute that had begun taking place amongst Karrinos's party who were scheduled to depart this morning.

As I near the gates I begin to pick up on what is going on and as the gates open I can see Katterina and Karrinos standing facing one another as they bicker whilst the rest of the party remain seated, uncomfortably, on their horses. "I am fit to ride Karrinos! Do not speak to me as if I am a child. Do you not wish to see your queen return home? After all these long years." Katterina is dressed in one of her usual exquisite gowns, her hair hangs loose in slight soft curls and for the first time in days she is wearing her crown. I am surprised to see her out of her room just two days after I had last visited her. Her wound couldn't possibly have healed completely in such a short period of time.

"You are not fit to ride Katterina and I will not present you to our father in pieces. What will the people think of me if something were to happen to you on the journey ? It is a long journey Katterina." Karrinos stated firmly.
"Is that all you ever consider brother? What others will think of you? You must hear how utterly self absorbed you sound." Katterina snorted. "Yes forgive me your grace I forget how little you care for the opinions of your people." I see Katterina physically stiffen.
"Low Karrions. Very low. Especially for the one who will make the claim to our fathers thrown." Her eyes are a cold and harsh grey.
"Do not test my patience Katterina!" Karrinos bellowed as he raises a hand. My hands balled into fists as I approach them. How dare he raise his hand at a woman.

"Go on then. Finish what you started brother." Katterina's voice is emotionless. "Look at you. You're just like father, so go on then." She steps forward so that she is standing only inches from him. "You are more like him than you care to admit Karrinos. I hope you don't make the same mistakes." With this she turns away from him and sets of in the direction of the palace. "Katterina." I call to her before she passes me. "Not now Thranduil." She states coldly. I want to ask her why she had been fighting with Karrinos and why the situation had escalated so quickly but I know that for now I will have to see to Karrinos and his party.

"Forgive me Prince Karrinos but I must insist that you keep these ... disputes concerning the personal well being of your sister or yourself slightly more private. You must understand my concern? I cannot allow this kind of behavior in such a public place." I wanted to add that raising a hand at a woman, a queen never the less, was inappropriate no matter the place and that I could never respect a man who would stoop as low as to raise a hand at any woman. "Forgive me my lord. I simply lost my temper." He quickly moved to steady his shaking hand. "Thranduil I must ask a favor of you." His eyes pleaded for me to reason with him. "What is it that I may do for you as a final favor before your departure?" I could not bring myself to allow any form of emotion to enter my voice. "If you could please allow Katterina to stay here, in the palace, until she is fully healed and able to journey home?" Is he simply going to leave her here?

"If that is what you feel is best for her." I can not argue with him, she is not fit for such a grueling journey. "She would not survive the journey. I am truly grateful for the continuation of your hospitality, I am sure that my father will appreciate this act of kindness greatly." With this Karrinos mounts his horse. "I hope we meet again King Thranduil." I simply bow my head in response and watch as Karrinos and Aaros lead the party towards the elven path that will lead them to the edge of my kingdom and allow them to begin their journey home. Relief washes over me as their figured become fleeting shadows as they enter deeper and deeper into the forest. I have never, and I believe I will never, enjoy diplomatic visits. I prefer life within my walls to continue as it always has and the doings of the outside world to continue on without disturbing my kingdom but unfortunately that is simply a ridiculous notion.

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My father once told me that a day may begin badly but ultimately you decided how it ends. It is how you choose to react to the situation that will determine its outcome. This morning started out rather problematically and the rest of the day continued in this fashion despite my many attempts to change the course of its outcome. After all my duties had been completed I decided that the only thing that could alter the final outcome of this day was spending some time with my son. Somedays I would sit and watch him for hours, I always wondered how he maintained such a positive outlook on everything when he had been wronged on so many occasions. He was so young and deserved so much more.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." A voice from behind me spoke. I had been watching Legolas play in the gardens and I hadn't even realized that Katterina was standing right behind me. "I didn't mean to startle you." She stated simply. "I see too much. I allow myself to see to much." Her eyes are fixed on Legolas and the familiar brilliant shade of blue has returned to them. "What do you mean?" I ask, rather confused. "His optimistic nature. He inherited it from you. Only the years have turned you bitter, but do not worry they seem to do that to us all." She hasn't once looked at me. "How?" Was all I managed. "I see more than what I am supposed to. You must forgive me, I sense these things and I can not help myself." Her voice is quiet and sounds almost far away. "There is no need to apologize when you are with me." She turns her head to face me and I am immediately consumed by her gaze. "May I ?" She gestures to the grass beside me. "Of course dear." I offer her a small smile and she returns it. She carefully sits down beside me, it is a slow process and I can only imagine that it is slightly painful with the wound that she has sustained. "Are you well?" I question, the concern evident in my voice. "Yes of course. I am simply a little sensitive from the injury." Her face may show no sign of pain but I can see it in her eyes. I choose not to push the topic, she has been through enough today she does not need me nagging her about her injury.
"I wish to apologize." I do not really know how to react, I didn't think I would live to see the day that Katterina offers a genuine apology. "I only continue to burden you by prolonging my stay here in your home and for this I apologize Thranduil." I reach for her hand and take it in mine. "You are not a burden Katterina. You could never be a burden, I just want you to heal and remain safe." The most beautiful smile graced her lips and I could swear that for just a moment time stood still. "You should do that more often." Her brow furrows. "Do what more often?" The confusion is evident in her voice. "You should smile more often."
"I do not really have many reasons to smile." She states somberly.

"Katterina!" Legolas squeals as he rushes towards us. "Why hello little leaf." He falls to his knees and embraces her. "Careful Legolas. You don't want to hurt her, remember she is not well." I warn quietly. "Oh no! I forgot, I am so sorry." Legolas cries as he pulls away from her, his eyes glazed over in horror that he may have hurt Katterina. "Nonsense darling, you need not worry about me. Come here, I have missed you very much." She reaches for Legolas and he quickly crawls into the small space that separates Katterina from me. "Tell me mi cara, how have you been? What have you busied yourself with these past few days?" Katterina slowly runs her hand through Legolas's hair as he snuggles closer to her. "I have spent lots of time with Ada. He says I do not focus enough on my studies but I have been working very hard and Lady Adanessa says that I have improved." He beams and I can not help but smile. "I am very impressed little leaf, you have been very busy! I am sure your father is very proud of you achievement." Legolas turns to face me with a hopeful expression. "Of course I am." Legolas's whole face lights up and I only wish that I could capture him as he jumps onto me and practically attaches himself to me. "Really Ada really?" He questions in his sing-song voice. "Yes little leaf." I turn to look at Katterina, she seems to be as absorbed by the moment as I am because her pale blue eyes are fixed on the two of us and her lips have curled up into an effortless smile. This smile is not for show nor is it cold and meaningless, this smile is honest and filled with meaning.

Katterina never really smiled much. In the short few months that I had come to know her I had very rarely seen her smile. Happiness and Katterina were not two things one could often associate with one another. I have come to adore her smile, if I am in any way able to cause its appearance then, if I may be so bold, I believe that I might just be one step closer to living in an existence where I am truly content.

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I know it's a short chapter but I thought it would be really adorable. The next chapter will be much, much longer and will hopefully be up shortly- I really am trying my hardest to update as much as I can. I hope that you are all still enjoying this story, thank you so much to everyone reading, voting and commenting your support means so much! Suggestions are always welcome!