The Arranged Marriage

Chapter 1

Yavanna's POV

A few weeks after the wedding I spent most of my time in the castle's library. The only place where I felt safe and happy, the only time I can get away from him. As usual, I walked through the stacks and columns of books before getting to my secluded table, stacked high with books. If you didn't take a second glance at it, you'd think it was just another table of books waiting to be read. I smiled at the stack of books, proud of the amount of books I've been able to read. I scanned my "to read" pile before picking up a romance novel. As I settled down to read, I tucked my legs under me. When I'm reading, time just flies by without my noticing. The only time I noticed something aside from the book in my lap was when the king coughed, announcing he had been waiting for me to look up. "M-my king!" I quickly stood up and bowed. He chuckled and that made me look up at him. In my rush to stand, my book toppled out of my lap and to the floor, face down but still open. I sighed and picked up the book, setting it on the table and marking my page. I looked back up at Thranduil to see a quick smile cross his face.

"Please dear, enough with the formalities now, we are family after all!" He gazed down at me. I tensed up greatly at the word "family", and he took notice. He looked at me, making me shrink and have small tears appear in the inner corner of my eyes. His gaze grew worry and made his way towards me. "Dear child, what is wrong?" As soon as he said that I started to cry. All the emotions that I've held back over the past few weeks came flooding out in my pitiful sobs. I know that it was improper to cry in front of my now father in law, but I couldn't keep my emotions bottled up anymore. I just let my emotion flow, smearing the makeup that is now ever present on my face.

"I-I-I'm sorry.....my ki-, Thranduil, I'm just.......not happy" I managed to cry out. Between my sobs I managed to see a look of confusion and hurt cross his face.

"Why aren't you happy dear? What happened to make you this upset?" I looked at him in the eyes and said

"Your son."

Legolas's Pov

I've been wondering around the castle halls looking for Yavanna, I need to explain my actions to her. I never meant to hate her, I just hated the thought of being married to someone whom I've never met, I guess I just took out my anger out at the wrong person. I kept searching until I came to a stop at the library.......do I hear....crying!? I quickly made my way inside when I saw Yavanna crying in my father's arms. As soon as I entered she took notice and ran away. I went to chase after her, but my father held me back, "I don't think it's a good idea for you to go after her right now" My father said. I stared at him in shock , "And why not!?". He looked at me but quickly walked away saying "Because you made her this way". My breathe caught my throat, I did this? I quickly ran around to find her. She couldn't have gone far, she doesn't know this castle very well, I checked every hall, room, and still I can't find her! She's not in the gardens either, oh Valar I hope she hasn't gone through the woods, I quickly went to grab my bow and daggers hoping to find her. Then I made my way into the woods.

Yavanna's POV

I ran and I ran, I don't know where I am. Oh Valar please have mercy on me, I soon figured out that I ran in a circle and made my way back into the castle. I soon made my way to the garden and started to cry again. Goodness I am such a cry baby, but who can help it, when the one they are married to hates them with their being. I fell down on my knees and let out a blood curdling cry. "What did I do wrong!? Why must I be here!?" I screamed at the sky hoping for an answer to appear out of nowhere. Soon I heard footsteps running towards me and I lifted my head to see Thranduil running towards me. "Yavanna what happened!?" He quickly made his way towards me and pulled me to his chest. "I-I can't be here anymore....I can't stand knowing that I live in a castle where I am hated!!" I screamed out, I knew I was being selfish but I can't deal with the pain anymore. Thranduil held me close and rocked me back and forth gently as if I was a piece of glass that will break at the slightest touch. "Yavanna you are not hated here, I don't hate you and neither do the others" he said calmly. I looked at him in the eyes and sniffled. "But why does it hurt to stay here?" I said. He looked down at me and said "My son has many reasons to hate someone, but I know he doesn't hate you, he doesn't express feelings very well" His voice was fading as I saw black spots appearing in my view. My vision started wavering, his face fading in and out of focus until I felt the world slip from beneath my feet and everything go to black.

Thranduil's POV

I quietly sighed and picked up Yavanna. All the running and crying must have worn her out. As soon as I placed her down on her bed and quietly shut the door, I went to the throne room and told a maid to find my son and tell him that I wish to speak to him. That boy is in so much trouble, causing an innocent elf like Yavanna to be in so much despair. Poor Yavanna, she's so broken by his actions. Soon Legolas came rushing in through the door. "Father have you found her?!" he asked in a rush. I glared at him and nodded slowly. "Yes I have, but there is one thing" He looked scared, he should be "I don't want you to be around her anymore" I said in a low voice making him look up at me in shock. "What?! Why!?" he screamed. Now this got me angry. "Why!? Are you seriously asking me why!? You are the reason why she hates living here! She is brainwashed that you hate her! What drove you to despise her so much when you haven't even got to even try and get to know her!?" I stood from my throne heading towards him, I was shaking in angry at how can he be so blind to her pain! I didn't twice when I slapped him. He stood there in shock and not moving. "Unless you change your ways, I don't want you to near Yavanna at all" I threatened and left the throne room to check on Yavanna.

Legolas's POV

Shock and pain filled me. I hung my head to my chest, my arms limp at my sides. I did this? I made her so upset she can't stand to be near me? I turned and left the library, heading slowly down the hall. I didn't move out of anyone's way, then again, they never stepped in front of me. I didn't need to quicken or slow down my pace, as I really had nowhere to go. "I'm a terrible person...I shouldn't have taken it out on her. She probably hated the idea too!" I screamed to the empty hall, sliding my back down against the wall sitting on the floor. I put my head in my hands, hating myself for breaking down such an innocent girl. Oh Valar why did I do this!? I stood up and punched the wall in anger. I heard a few cracks but I didn't care, nothing mattered to me at the moment. I broke her, I broke her pure heart just because I didn't bother to get to know her! I started to cry. Is that how she felt? Is this the pain that she felt on a daily basis? I started to shake, I couldn't control it. I heard footsteps come my way. I looked up to see my father heading towards me, his face stone cold like the day mother died. The day that the kingdom turned dark and cold. His face slowly shifted into a softer tone, as if seeing the pain and anger on mine. I shrunk back to avoid his gaze, like a small child who broke his mother's vase and expecting a punishment. I could feel him kneel down and stare at me as I coward away. I felt his cold but somehow comforting hands lift my face to stare at him. I can see the shock in his eyes as he saw my blood-shot eyes and puffy cheeks. He lifted my hand and it was bruised and red, I can tell that I broke it in 3 places and in all honesty I don't care anymore. This pain in my heart has made me numb to the physical pain that is rushing through my hand. "Am I interrupting something, Legolas?" Thranduil said, a sad kindness in his eyes. I tried to open my mouth to speak but all that came out was a strangled sob. My father pulled me into a tight embrace, something I hadn't felt since my mother passed away. I choked back a sob as I hugged my father, silent tears falling down my face.

"What..what did I do to her?" I asked, trying to keep my sobs in my throat. I pulled back enough from my father's embrace to look him in the face, his own eyes welled up with tears. He just sadly shook his head, patting my back before pulling out of the hug and back to his knees.

"I think, for the best of her, that you stay away for a little while." Thranduil said, resting his hand on his knee. "Her mind and heart have both been heavily wounded, and she needs time to become comfortable with her surroundings before you should approach her." He said, picking up my hand. I winced at the pain to my hand and heart, flinching when he turned my hand over to inspect my wrist. He just shook his head sadly, wrapping a small cloth around it to keep it in place. "You should head to the infirmary, I'll take care of Yavanna." All I could do was numbly nod my head, thoughts of how I hurt her so bad filling my head. He helped me to my feet, nodding and wiping at his eye with the back of his hand before walking back towards the library. I numbly walked with my head down to the infirmary.

Thranduil's POV

I came to check on Yavanna, as I entered her room I saw her sleeping face. Her face looks as delicate as a Ranunculus in early spring, her pale face looks like the soft petals , pale and light. But hidden within her beauty lies a broken soul with in need of healing, she needs a strong figure in her life to guide her, to show her the light in her sorrows. I slowly tucked her in, since the weather hasn't been kind to us either, it's beginning to get cold outside, matching the feeling in this lonely castle. I made sure that she was warm enough and I quietly left the room, making sure that no sudden noise will awaken her. I left her room and told a guard to keep watch on her room in case something happens to her. I went to the infirmary to check on Legolas.