The Earth's Creation- A Thranduil fan fiction

A Sad Farewell

Thranduil stared at Naur in shock, his mouth slightly agape. His stomach sunk and he suddenly felt sick.

"Leaving tomorrow?" Thranduil said, not wanting to believe it. "But why?" he asked, his brows furrowing and his eyes widening. Naur could hardly bare to see sadness on his face.

"I never stay in one place for more than two weeks," Naur said looking away from the king. "Tomorrow marks two weeks since I entered the borders of your realm."

"That is why you want to leave? Some silly self inflicted rule?" Thranduil said, suddenly angry. How could she simply up and leave him like this? Thranduil was shocked with himself for how this news was effecting him.

"I am sorry your grace but I," Naur sighed "I cannot stay in one place for more than two weeks."

"But why?" Thranduil asked again, desperation clear. At this moment he was no king. Right now, he was acting like a love sick elleth. He was ashamed with himself.

"I...I-," Naur shook her head. She wanted to tell him why she could not stay. She wanted to tell him nothing would bring her more joy then to remain in his kingdom, to continue to form a friendship, and maybe one day even more.

Thranduil took Naur's hands in his own, her warm and dark skin contrasting with his cold pale hands.

"Is someone chasing you?" he asked.

Naur could not stand it any longer. So, she told him a half truth.

"Yes. Someone beyond evil. If I do not keep moving they will find me and I shall face a fate worse than death," she said, tears forming in her ruby eyes at the very thought. Thranduil squeezed her hands.

"I will protect you. I swear it, stay here and my forces and I we will protect you-"

"No!" Naur yelled, standing up and turning her back to the king. "No," she said, softly this time. "Nothing can stop this force. If I stay, they will rape your forest, slaughter your people, destroy your kingdom." Naur sighed and crossed her arms. "I must go." 

Thranduil rose from the stone bench and gently turned the fire mage to face him. He placed his hands on her cheeks. He had never been more vulnerable than in this moment. 

"Naur," he said. She looked at him in shock. It was the first time he had ever used her name. "Please, I ask you not as a king, but as a friend. Please, stay in my kingdom. Stay here with me."

They gazed at each other. Naur's fingertips brushed Thranduil's chest and he grazed her high cheek bones with his thumb. Slowly, he pressed his lips to hers. Naur pressed one of her hands flat against the king's chest, and moved the other to rest on his cheek. Thranduil wrapped one arm around her back, pulling her closer to him, while he left his other hand on her dark cheek. 

So there they stood, the dark lady and the pale king, in a sweet embrace under an enormous silver tree. The air smelled of honey and the sun was warm on their faces as they kissed each other. His silver locks seemed to glow in the light while her near black hair shone red. 

When Thranduil finally removed his lips from hers, Naur was close to tears. She had never been so happy and so sad at once in her short life. Thranduil rested his forehead against hers. 

"Stay," he whispered. "I-I believe you are someone I could come to love," he said. 

A single tear rolled down Naur's dark cheek. 

"Why do you cry?" Thranduil asked, brushing away her crystal tear with his thumb. 

"Because I believe I could grow to love you as well. I believe I have already begun to do so," she answered, more tears falling. 

"Then these are tears of joy?" Thranduil asked, becoming hopeful. With a shake of her head Naur crushed his hopes. 

"No, these are tears of great sadness for I still must leave. And leaving you has just become the hardest thing I have ever had to do." 

"Naur please," he said, hugging her. She placed her hands on his chest and lightly pushed her beloved king away. 

"Thranduil, I cannot stay."

With that, Naur left Thranduil under their silver tree, both equally in pain. 

-

The next morning was cold and the air smelled of a storm. The sky was grey and the vibrant Autumn leaves appeared stripped of their color. The trees cried in farewell as the wind shook their boughs. The forest grieved as Naur mounted her horse to depart from the Woodland realm.  

Her costume was folded safely in one of the leather saddle bags. Instead, she was dressed in tan pants and a crimson tunic of the elven cut. A flowing garnet cloak was wrapped around her. The hood shielded her bowed head. She would not remove the hood until the palace was no longer in sight. She sat on her horse and stared, dazed, at the woodland palace. Around her members of the Southern guard were mounting up. 

Virion, the very elf who had brought her into the palace, was escorting her out. Even though Thranduil was angry out of the hurt Naur caused him, he would make sure she was safe. As long as she was in his kingdom he would protect her. 

"My lady," Virion said, bringing his horse to stand by hers. "It is time we depart."

"I am no lady," she said, still gazing at the palace. 

"My apologies Miss," Virion said. "But still, it is time we go."

Naur sighed and looked at the Guard Captain. Like all elves he was pale and beautiful. But his beauty could not compare to that of her elven king's. Never had she laid her eyes on a fairer being than the man she was leaving behind. 

"Yes, I suppose it is time we depart," Naur said, turning her horse away from the palace.

And so Naur left the woodlend realm.