Lorinand Memoirs: The Bough Breaks

Chapter - 14

"That was almost too easy!" Ninthálôr nearly giggled, his soft gray eyes dancing with mischief as they quickly disappeared into the kitchen. "I was beginning to think he was Seronimÿa!" (Notes) He added in a hushed tone.

"Oh no!" Galion exclaimed, shaking his head as he covered his mouth to mask his voice a little. "I see the way he looks at her when he thinks no one is watching." He added, almost whispering as he glanced toward the archway leading back into the public sitting room.

"So what's the problem?" Ninthálôr asked quietly, arching a brow as they leaned against the counter.

"To put it quite frankly his fathers' customs have made him a prude, especially in how he views elleth's." (Female elves) Galion groaned, his shoulders slumping notably as a deep frown creased his brow. "Her position as Amdírs' sister makes it all the more difficult." He sighed, shaking his head.

"Are you serious?" Ninthálôr stated more than asked, his eyes widening in utter amazement.

"Oh you have no idea!" Galion complained, pausing to sip his tea. "It's been a dreadful ordeal just trying to talk to him about her." He shook his head in frustration.

"You can come closer you know." Gilaiwë said quietly, smiling softly as she used her foot to push the foot bench only slightly toward him. "We can just talk if you want, I'm not going to bite you."

"That is not what I am afraid of." Thranduil thought, nearly panicking as he felt his skin prickle from the wave of heat that washed over him. Centuries of lessons on courtly customs, etiquette and his duties suddenly flooded his mind. "Really, hiril vuin (my lady), I am not fit company, I smell like a horse!" He chuckled albeit nervously, his gaze flickered over her face and the foot bench, noting it was still so very close to her.

Frowning inwardly, Gilaiwë watched him in silence for a few moments. Tentatively reaching out to him with her gift of empathy, she sensed the myriad of chaotic emotions running though him. Almost as skittish as a doe with a new fawn, he looked as if he would bolt from the room if she made any sudden movement.

"Maybe I like the smell of horses." She laughed, tilting her head slightly as she looked directly into those beautiful sapphire eyes. "Relax Thranduil." She told him silently, refusing to drop her gaze.

Shaken by her audacity, Thranduil reacted with a burst of laughter as he struggled for something clever to say. The prickly feeling that had danced across his skin now intensified as he felt his desire presenting itself against the tightening fabric of his leggings.

"I like horses but I certainly do not care to smell like one!" He laughed, trying to adjust the hem of his tunic over himself without being obvious.

"Humor me." Gilaiwë chuckled as she leaned forward. "Come, sit down, please." She said quietly, patting the soft leather covering on the foot bench.

"Clearly you have me at a disadvantage, hiril vuin." (My lady) Thranduil said quietly, a cautious smile touched his lips as he stepped forward. Resisting the urge to pull the foot bench a little bit farther away from her as it would only draw more attention to his nervousness, he tugged on the hem of his tunic as he lowered himself onto it. "You are obviously enjoying this." He added, his eyes narrowing as he tilted his head curiously.

"Whatever do you mean?" She asked coyly, her own eyes narrowing slightly as she lifted her teacup to her lips.

"If I did not know better I would think you were flirting with me." Thranduil laughed, his tone deepening as he shifted a little uncomfortably on the foot bench.

Although his gaze never left her deep blue eyes, he was more than aware of the feminine aura emanating from her small body. Framing her strong yet beautiful face, her long silver tresses cascaded over her shoulders, spilling into a pile at her hips. Tailored perfectly for her body, the modestly cut tunic revealed nothing, yet he watched the slight rise and fall of her breasts with each breath she took. The playful smile that danced across her dusky lips stirred his arousal even more.