I Am My Own (Reader x Thranduil)

Chapter 2

Four days and four nights nonstop to Greenwood really took a toll on me. It gave me a lot of time to think about all of the changes that were happening so fast. What was Thranduil really like? Would he even like me? What about his parents? What if they don't like me? Those and many more questions kept making rounds in my head, over and over. My head hurt with stress and the bumpy paths we took didn't help.

Physically and mentally exhausted, I began to see the edge of the Greenwood forest and at the very edge of the entrance of it there stood two royal guards.

Here we go.

"Princess (Y/N) will be escorted the rest of the way by us, under the orders of King Oropher."

Great, this is exactly what I had imagined. In their eyes, I'm simply just a piece of property that is being traded off. My eyes burned and my chest clamped down on itself. Everyone from here on out would be strangers.

The trunk and cart were switched over to the Greenwood guards. I gave a final nod of appreciation to the four guards who had guided me this far, watching them shrink into the distance and longing for them to come back to take me home.

"Please follow us, Princess," said one of the guards a little harshly.

The journey through the forest to the kingdom was not as long as I expected and thank goodness for that because the never-ending stretch of silence between me and my escorts was beginning to grow annoyingly awkward. There were guards in pairs of two posted at certain points to help escort me.

"By order of King Oropher, no measure of security should be overlooked in the arrival of the bride of Prince Thranduil," said a blonde elven guard matter-of-factly when I asked why so many guards were necessary. I didn't ask any more questions after that in fear of being a nuisance.

By the time we arrived to the streets of the city, there were eight guards surrounding me; three to each of my sides, one behind me and one in front. I'm not reluctant to say that Greenwood puts my previous home to shame. The architecture is indescribable, weaving in and out of the trees with elegance. Sunlight leaked through the tops of the canopies creating a magnificent painting of true beauty up against the soft colors of the buildings and clothing of citizens. They poked their heads around corners and stood to watch my arrival, being very careful to not get too close.

It wasn't exactly the greeting I had wished for. Not that I expected them to be overjoyed but they weren't turning away from me either. They merely seemed fascinated, murmuring to each other when I got close. Their eyes pressed down on my skin and I suddenly felt the urge to pull the hood of my cloak over my head. I felt as if I were being studied under a magnifying glass.

I was being directed towards the largest structure I had ever seen. The home of King Oropher was overwhelmingly grand, drawing an an audible gasp from my lips. It was hard to believe this was where I was to live now.

Our company came to a halt at the steps of the castle. Another two guards were posted at each side of the towering doors.

One of the elves, I suspect who was an authority figure, stepped forward to speak. "Inform King Oropher of Princess (Y\N)'s arrival."

One of the elves standing at the door immediately went in and we sat on our horses for another ten minutes or so before a group of elleths came rushing out towards me. I was grateful to finally declare an end to the journey but immediately became nervous at the thought of new acquaintances.

They ushered me in through magnificent halls and brought me to a washroom filled with delicate bottles of perfumes and powders. Without much warning they had begun to remove my clothing and directed me to a tub filled with water. My cheeks burned with embarrassment and I resisted the longing to cover up.

They washed my body so thoroughly that I never knew it was possible to dedicate hours to just grooming. By the time they were finished my hair had been treated with vials of liquid I had never seen before, there was not a speck of dirt anywhere on me, I smelled of a flower garden in May, and in my eyes it was clear to see that I was worn.

Since they had stripped me of my previous garments a new dress had been found for me. It was a simple light blue and was wrapped around the waist with thin silver bands. I changed into it and all of the elleths left. Only one stayed.

"When will I meet Prince Thanduil," I asked the remaining handmaiden.

She was making final adjustments to my dress and avoided eye contact as much as possible, just as everyone I have met so far had done.

"I am not sure, your highness," she said being completely focused on a piece of fabric that seemed out of place on my gown. "He is out on patrol now I believe."

"Oh...," I said a little disappointed, "What's he like?"

"I'm don't believe I know what you mean My Lady," she furrowed her eyebrows.

"Is he kind?"

"I don't believe I can answer that question. I've never said more than two words to the Prince before."

I nodded and curiosity finally got the best of me to ask the question that had been burning in my head ever since I had heard of Thranduil.

"Is he really as dashing as everyone says?"

The elleth's cheeks flushed a bright red and she paused a moment in her work to contemplate her answer.

"Uhm..."

Realizing I had made her uncomfortable I quickly tried to clarify myself.

"Please," I said, "Answer however you want. My perception of you would not change no matter what you think of the Prince."

She finished adjusting my wardrobe before answering.

"If I may be so bold to say," she started, "Prince Thranduil is unlike any elf I have ever seen."

I could feel my heart thump a little faster at the thought of marrying an elf so highly perceived as attractive.

I nodded in acceptance of her answer.

"What is your name?"

She was more startled by this question than the last.

"...Saevel."

"It's very nice to officially meet you, Saevel."

She bowed her head and made a weak smile before heading for the door.

"If you will follow me, I'll show you to your chambers where you can spend some time resting from your journey."

I returned her smile and did as she said. We weaved in out of over towering pillars and up flights of stairs to finally some to a stop in front of a door at the end of one of the halls. She opened it into a small room where there were multiple areas for sitting and laying to meditate on. Since elves don't sleep very often, there was no bed. I'd be moving into Thranduil's room within a week so it was nearly pointless.

"This will be where you stay until after the wedding. I am your official handmaiden if you are to need anything."

"Thank you, Saevel," I said stepping into the room taking in my surroundings.

There was an awkward silence before Saevel finally spoke.

"Am I dismissed, My Lady?"

"Oh! Yes Saevel, you are dismissed."

She smiled once again and bowed before shutting the door behind her.

I retired to a seat in the window to survey the views outside. It was a magnificent place to call home and I only hoped the people who occupied it would be at least as pleasant as Saevel was.