Another World

Chapter 6

Galadriel? Charlotte thought. The Golden Goddess and perfect specimen of a lady elf? But why would she send Thranduil here to Earth of all places? And did Thranduil land on Charlotte's lawn by chance, or was it all preordained?

Silence stretched heavily as Charlotte and Thranduil became deeply lost in their thoughts at this startling revelation.

"Wh...why would Galadriel send you here, Thranduil?" Charlotte stuttered as violent shivers started coursing through her body, and she was sure her lips were turning blue. Her fingers were currently throbbing painfully from the icy chill that was gnawing away at her digits, even ensconced under her armpits. Why had she not thought to wear gloves? Probably because looks were deceiving, and with there only being a light dusting of snow on the ground it hadn't seemed too cold outside. But the wind chill had certainly amped up the cold factor dramatically, and Charlotte cursed herself for not having the foresight to dress a bit more appropriately.

Thranduil's head snapped up at her words and he frowned slightly when he noted the little human shivering and turning an alarming shade of blue as she stood rooted to the spot. Charlotte must be freezing, yet she stubbornly refused to budge and leave him alone. Thranduil didn't know whether to admire this trait or think her foolish. Charlotte really was an oddity to him.

Thranduil strode forwards with long strides and took her by the elbow, gently coaxing Charlotte back into the warmth of the house. As they entered, Thranduil noted that the interior certainly was drafty, but at least it offered protection from the outside elements.

Charlotte immediately made a beeline for the living room, and after shucking off his boots, Thranduil followed suit. He found her hunched over the space heat frantically rubbing her chilled hands together in attempt to warm them up.

Thranduil stood there for a moment, simply gazing at this fragile human. Yes, humans were fragile in his mind. They were so quick to wither and die as age claimed them, and they easily succumbed to sickness and ailments. They didn't bounce back from injuries as quickly as his own kind did and they weren't as impervious to the outer elements.

Thranduil didn't dwell too much on the lives of humans, the main reason being was that their lives were over in a blink of an eye for him. Some of them he remembered with fondness, and others he could barely recall. And some he could barely muster up the energy to care.

But as he stared at Charlotte, Thranduil knew in his heart that he would remember this one, even long after she was merely a pile of dust and bones in the ground. Even though Charlotte was inept, she really was trying to help him. She had no reason to, and yet she was. Thranduil couldn't help but feel fondness for her.

Thranduil unclasped his cloak and strode towards her, draping it over her hunched shoulders with more care than was necessary. Charlotte blinked up at him in surprise and hesitantly stuttered her thanks. She instantly stilled when Thranduil took her icy hands in his own, and deep down he found that he disliked that she was still cautious of him. Or maybe it was physical contact that she was weary of. Either way, he wanted Charlotte to trust him.

His larger hands encased her own and he slowly raised them to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers. He puzzled when he noted the deep blush that was now coloring her face and he realised that this must seem like an intimate act for her. How peculiar...

Charlotte's eyes widened as Thranduil blew into his cupped hands in an effort to warm her own within. Then he rubbed her hands between his own and then blew his heated breath again, though he was careful to avoid eye contact now. He really didn't want to give Charlotte the wrong impression. He was merely concerned about her wellbeing, that's all.