I Am My Own (Reader x Thranduil)

Chapter 4

Plates were gathered and a final round of wine was dolled out so that the dinner guests could continue their conversations.

I had been caught in a lively discussion with the Captain of the Guard for thirty minutes now. He told tales of fighting off spiders and battling orcs in far off lands and when I had tried to nonchalantly slip away from him, he would start up again. His voice was so loud it caused my ears to ring and I finally had to assume that the elven wine had gotten to him.

"The disgusting evil of orcs will never truly be extinguished," he practically yelled. Anger flushed through his face. "We can't stop fighting though, otherwise those horrible creatures would take over our lands. The unthinkable things that they could do to a young elleth such as you. But I do promise to you My Lady, as long as the Greenwood forces don't back down, this will not happen."

"Indeed not," said a deep voice coming up from behind, causing me to cling onto my wine glass a little tighter. "Especially considering the fact an orc would have to personally face me before he was to lay a hand upon my bride."

Thranduil towered over me with a height difference that was quite staggering at first.

"Captain, I believe speaking of such vile things should not be done in the company of my fiance. It does not make for pleasant conversation."

The captain nodded in agreement.

"Might I steal Princess (Y\N) away from you for a few moments," asked Thranduil though I knew it was more of an order instead of a question.

The elf bowed in respect of his prince before I watched him stumble off to rage over another conflict with an unassuming adviser of King Oropher. At this moment though, I wished for the company of any elf other than Thranduil, whom I had been avoiding. It was senseless but I was just so nervous to officially meet him.

"He can be a bit excessive at times," Thranduil said to the back of my head.

It wasn't like I could just avoid him for the rest of our lives so I finally turned to face him.

"I appreciate your concern, but I am very capable of handling myself."

That came out sounding way more arrogant than I wanted it to. What I meant to say was 'That was very kind of you, thank you.' I wouldn't be surprised if he would want to send me away immediately, now. But I wasn't something you can own. I'm an elleth with my own concerns and I can decide what conversations I can listen to on my own.

"You are exceedingly brash, especially since your power does not equal the likes of my own." I looked up at him with eyes of disbelief. He was grinning mischievously. "At least not yet anyway."

I knew my comment was harsh but it wasn't near as offensive as his. He degraded my status. It was a blessing an elleth about my age walked up to us just before I could open my mouth again and let words I would later regret slip out.

"Am I interrupting," she asked, her smile as bright as her white hair.

Thranduil, sensing I was near to a hateful comment, spoke for the both of us.

"Of course not Valori. What could we do for you?"

What could you do for her, I mentally scolded him. If he was going to speak for me on a regular basis then I would gladly remind him of the fact that I am my own individual. But instead of provoking an argument in public, I remained quiet and quickly put on a fake smile.

"I just wanted to come by and meet the poor elleth who will soon be marrying the Arrogant Prince."

I was immediately taken aback by her comment and anticipated the arrival of  a troupe of soldiers to come haul her away for speaking so ill of Thranduil. That, however, did not happen. Instead my fiance threw his head back and laughed at her offense.