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...
Tired yet exalted in the rescue of the Lady Tauriel, the elven forces return to their fortress home in the northeastern part of the forest. Still there are dark concerns that weigh heavy on the heart and mind of the king as he ponders what needs to be done to restore peace and order to the largest elven kingdom in Middle-Earth.
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Struggling to maintain his normally stoic expression, Aldalómë pursed his lips tightly as he glanced toward Eluandúnië only to see that he was doing the same. Shaking his head as they reined their mounts to a slightly slower pace, falling back from their positions as the kings' escorts at the head of the long line of elven soldiers.
"He has finally found someone with a will to match his own." Eluandúnië chuckled quietly, his soft green eyes dancing with humor as the Chief March Warden guided his mount closer to him.
"Ayë." (Yes) Aldalómë replied, his blue eyes sparkling a bit. "I think she will be good for him." He admitted, only somewhat surprised at himself as his thoughts turned to the first few moons after their return from Lórinand.
Thranduil was not his first lover, but he was his first real love and had remained such since then. The death of King Oropher at Dagorlad during the Battle of the Last Alliance changed all their lives forever. In the nearly three millennia since, Aldalómë had stepped back, content for the most part to love him from afar. It had been difficult to watch as Thranduil struggled through his brief marriage before Athëálÿssíä finally gave in to the longings within her own heart and fled the kingdom, abandoning him and their son. In his own way Aldalómë had also made peace with his unique relationship with Galion, the servant had been good for him over the many long years. In spite of or perhaps because of their intimacy, there was a bond between them and he became the stable father figure Thranduil so desperately needed.
Now many leagues north of the dangers within the foothills of the Mirkwood Mountains, they remained vigilant, surveying their surroundings as they passed over grassy knolls and through meadows awash with the golden glow of the late afternoon sun. Gentle breezes carried the mingled scents of the many fragrant florae that now covered much of the forest floor. Squirrels playfully chased each other around the trunks of the various nut trees, even a doe and her fawn paused briefly to watch curiously as they passed.
"Tauriel!" Thranduil hissed through clenched teeth as he leaned closer to her ear. "I will not discuss this now." He stated, pulling her firmly against him as he tightened his arm around her waist.
"You will not?!" She hissed back at him as she twisted in the saddle to meet his narrow angry gaze.
"Now is not the time." Thranduil told her quietly, steeling himself against the determination in the depths of her darkening eyes.
"Now is the perfect time." Tauriel stated, lifting her chin slightly. "We are doing nothing..."
"You need..."
"I am fine." She insisted, interrupting him angrily. "Don't treat me..."
"Damn it!" Thranduil exclaimed more at himself in frustration as he leaned down, silencing her with a deep searching kiss.
