The Moth & The Flame

Chapter 05 - Trouble in Paradise

Thranduil keeps his word to Galion about speaking the truth to Tauriel, yet he does not name who his other partners are. His best laid plans have now created a wide divide between them as Tauriel retreats from him. Will he be able to win her back? Will he try?

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Standing back, Thranduil surveyed the sitting area before the enormous hearth in his public room. He wanted everything to be perfect for what he knew could possibly be the first and the last time he shared private moments with Tauriel. He had only made a few changes. The long multicolored braided rug that normally lay in front of the hearth had been replaced with thick furs to make it more comfortable for sitting. He had also brought out a few large pillows that were soft yet sturdy enough to lean against. Satisfied that it would suit his purposes for the evening, he made his way into his bath chamber to get ready.

Smiling to himself as he stripped down and climbed into the long deep copper tub, he let his thoughts wander to his outing with Tauriel that morning. Although the forest was undeniably more beautiful in the warmer months, he enjoyed the privacy his winter cloak had provided for his roaming hands. Slathering himself with the scented soap, his smile turned mischievous as he thought of the possibility of future outings where he could be a little bolder with his roaming fingers.

Even as he daydreamed of such things, there was the ever present knot in his stomach that she may reject him. While she seemed more than enamored with him at the moment, elleth's (elf maiden) were more often less willing to accept or excuse certain indiscretions. The bond between himself and Galion was strong, he had been his friend, confidante and lover for over two millennia and he was not willing to give him up.

He knew too that she still had feelings for Legolas and while it was true, he had been cruel to tell her that she was not the only elleth (elf maiden) that had appreciated the intimate comforts from his son. These were things she would need to work out on her own and in her own way. He felt a deep sadness for her at the loss of the dwarf. Yet in some ways he felt the finality of his death would be easier for her find a place in her heart to keep his memory than it will be with her feelings for his son.

Lifting himself from the still steaming water, he quickly toweled himself dry before heading into his bed chamber. Throwing open the doors of the tall oaken wardrobes that lined the far wall, he stood back mostly to survey the colors. Long flowing robes were too formal for the ambiance he wanted to create for the evening. He favored the deep forest green yet it would not do for what he wanted tonight. Rummaging through his hip length tunics, he found a long sleeved pale green silk that he thought would be best. It was one that buttoned up the front without the customary band collar as most of his tunics. Slipping it on as he walked to his bureau, he sorted through the drawers until he found the soft black silk leggings he wanted.

Dressing quickly, he examined himself in the tall silvered glass on the wall as he brushed out his long tresses. Laying the brush back on his dressing table, he decided the tunic would look better tucked into the leggings, accenting his sender hips and broad shoulders. Pulling on the soft boots he preferred when he was in his personal chambers, he inspected himself one last time in the silvered glass. Smiling, he reached up and unbuttoned the top three buttons, exposing a little more of his chest.

"It is what it is." He said to himself as he turned toward his dressing table, pausing for a moment he decided against the tiara.

Satisfied with himself, he walked out of the bed chamber and went straight to the wine cupboard in the far corner of his pubic sitting room. Choosing a small goblet, he filled it and took a long drink to steady himself. Refilling the goblet, he collected a second goblet and carried them to the low table between the tall wing backed chairs in front of the hearth.