In the aftermath of the Battle of the Five Armies, Thranduil finds the world within his Halls empty. He struggles to come to terms with the absence of his only child and the loss of the one he raised as if she were his own daughter. He begins to r...
Thranduils' love for Tauriel grows deeper as he discovers more of her secrets. While unbeknownst to him, the ladies of his council and court are not only protecting him, they are playing match-maker as well. Yet the darkness still looms far closer to home as Ráerû learns the identity of the tall dark elf in Lake Town.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Long after he son had left his chambers, Thranduil continued to stare unseeing into the glowing embers of the hearth. His thoughts took him back to another place and time when he too was a different person, with no desire to sit on the throne. Even then he had sensed the subtle shifting and somehow knew that he would be forced live to see the world change around him. Perhaps he had been far too lenient with his son, overly indulging him as some of his advisors liked to point out to him from time to time. Yet he had no regrets as dark memories of his father intruded unbidden upon his thoughts.
"Our experiences do influence how we think, but they do not define who we are meant to be." Elronds' words from long ago filtered through the painful memories of his own youth.
Although he refused to accept it, in his heart Thranduil had known for a long time that Legolas would never sit on the throne. Impetuous like his grandfather, he was too quick to react yet far too much like his mother, with a gentle fäë (soul) that could be easily manipulated by those who would seek to control the crown. Over the years he had seen through the different plots and schemes to undermine him, to sway him from his goals. He had rebuilt this kingdom after the death of his father and he would continue to see it through, with or without his son.
A soft smile curled his lips as his thoughts now turned to more pleasurable things. The visible signs of his desire had abated, he felt the stirrings returning as he pushed himself up from the chair. He sensed that Legolas knew something was amiss between him and Tauriel, it was only the combined handiwork of Laurefindë and Gilaiwë that continued to muddy the rumors to shield him from any outright suspicion at this point.
Entering his private sitting room, he went straight to the wood framed tapestry on the far wall. Lifting the tiny lever, the door swung open silently on well-oiled hinges. Pulling it closed behind him, he listened for the faint click that told him it was secure before making his way through the narrow passage upward to Tauriels' rooms. Slipping silently into the small parlor he paused to listen for signs of a possible visitor before stepping out into the larger expanse of her public sitting room.
His smile broadened as he caught sight of her, curled up asleep in one of the chairs before the hearth. A small leather bound book lay open on its pages where it had fallen from her grasp. Kneeling before her, he picked it up, frowning slightly as a small slip of parchment and a dried flower fell from between the pages. Picking up the folded piece of parchment, he recognized his handwriting, his gaze immediately dropped to the Länciföliûm.
"You kept them." He thought in amazement as he looked up at her sleeping face, he felt his heart swell almost painfully.
Carefully placing them between the pages of the book, he closed it and laid it on the small table beside her. He had forced her to agree that there would be no secrets between them but this was different, these were her private things and he would not take them from her. For long moments he knelt there, admiring her, seeing her not only for her beauty. He knew it had been as much her strong willed and determined nature that had drawn him to her long ago.
