The Royal Artist

Chapter 10

Y/N waited until she was sure that Thranduil was fast asleep, his breathing deep and even before she quietly got out of the bed. She pulled on her riding clothes and a thick black cloak, wrote a parting letter to the elf she thought she would spend the rest of her life with, left it on her pillow so that he would find it when he woke up, then crept all the way down to the stables.

She found Sandstorm in a stall near the doors and swiftly saddled her. Just as she was about to mount, Tauriel walked around the corner. "Where are you going? It is not even daybreak yet..." she asked. "It's my fault that they got hurt, I have to fix this Tauriel, I would never forgive myself if..." she swallows hard, "I have to do this, please let me go mellon."

Before the auburn-haired elf could say anything else, y/n had swung herself onto the horse and galloped out of the stables, leaving only a light breeze in her wake.

Riding hard and fast, stopping only when necessary and pushing both herself and her horse to their limits, she made it to the shore between Mirkwood and Laketown just as the moon started its ascent into the night sky.

She slipped from the horse's back and let her drink some water, listening for any sound of approach. She had only been there for 10 minutes when she heard the crunch of sand under boots. "I wasn't sure if you would show, you always were such an unpredictable girl." a voice says behind her, sending chills up and down her spine.

"If you ever knew me at all, Aaron, then you would know that I would do anything to keep the people I care for safe, even if that means talking to you." her voice is icy and calm as she turns around to face him.

"Do you know what I will never understand? Why you do not love me, I can give you everything you want and need, yet you ran away from me...Yet now you drape yourself all over some elf king like a cheap harlot." he laughs bitterly as he advances on her.

He grabs hold of her hair and pulls it harshly backward, slamming his mouth over hers, forcing his tongue into her mouth as his hands start ripping at her clothes while she struggles against him uselessly, tears streaking down her cheeks. He forces her down onto the sand, hovering over her as if deciding what ideas in his mind would cause her the most pain.

Just as he is about to act, a hunting horn is heard in the distance. He looks up in surprise, only to have multiple arrows pierce through him. He slumps to the ground, half on top of her.

She cannot hold it any longer and lets out a wail of pain, tears still running like rivers from her eyes. There are multiple hands lifting his body from her, helping her to sit up. Legolas' face swims into view as he wraps his cloak around her.

"He is gone, you are safe" he whispers as he pulls her into his arms. They sat that way for a long time until she had calmed down enough to talk. "How did you know? How did you find me?" is the first things out of her mouth.

"We found your note, you let his note fall in the stables, and after you left, Tauriel came to see me. She told me what the letter said and that you had left. My father wanted to come himself, but I managed to convince him to stay at the palace. He is worried sick about you. Why did you leave?" there is no judgment in his voice, only concern, and relief.

"I thought that it was the only way to keep everyone safe...I only wanted to keep the people I love and care for safe..." she sobs quietly.

"Let's get you back home, I think that you and my father have a lot to talk about." he gives her a soft smile before helping her stand and climb onto a horse.

The trip back to the palace is quiet, she was still in shock and only wanted to see Thranduil again. Soon the spiraling towers of the palace came into view, and almost as if the horse could sense her impatience, sped up to a gallop.

Thranduil was pacing in the entrance hall when he heard the clip-clop of hooves. He looked up just in time to see a green blur hurtling towards him before she crashed into his arms. His y/n was home.

They stood in each other's embrace for a long time, just basking in the other's presence, uncaring for the eyes of the guards watching them. At last, she became aware of the many aches in her body and the dried blood on her scalp where Aaron had ripped out some of her hair, and she slumped against Thranduil's strong frame.

He easily picked her up and carried her to his chambers before sending for a healer. He sat by her side as they worked on her injuries. After they had left her to rest he sat caressing her cheek, murmuring to her.

"Please don't leave me, min emel, I love you, I cannot imagine my life without you. Please..." a few tears escaped his eyes and rolled down his cheeks.

"Thranduil..." she groaned as her eyes fluttered open. "I'm sorry...I never got the chance to tell you...I should have but I was too afraid...Thranduil...im mel cin..." she whispered before pulling him closer to kiss him softly.