I Am My Own (Reader x Thranduil)

Chapter 6

Um....No, I thought. But Queen Daealla was insisting and the last thing I wanted to do was to start off on bad terms with my mother-in-law, so instead I said, "Of course! I would love to meet them!"

As noon drew near, the Queen had come to my quarters with "splendid" news. She informed me that a group of elleths close to my age were gathering in the garden to partake in the discussion of current events, changes in daily routines, oncoming trends, or whatever else elleths here like to talk about. She thought it would be good opportunity for me to meet them so that I might make some new friends and get better acquainted with the people here.

Honestly, it was a very thoughtful gesture and I was very grateful for the offer but I really didn't want to socialize at the moment. More specifically, I really didn't want to socialize with Valori, whom I new would be a part of the group.

However, I still got properly dressed topping off my light purple dress with a circlet of silver. Saevel escorted me to the location group and stood at a comfortable distance, so that she could be there if I were to need anything. As approached the table the servant in the vicinity bowed. A male servant pulled out a chair for me to take a seat with a group of five other elleths at round table, decorated with sweets and refreshments. The five of them stood and slightly tilted their heads downward, waiting for me to take my place at the table before they too sat back down.

"(Y/N)!"

I immediately recognized her voice. It was Valori, sitting directly across from me.

I smiled the best cheerful smile I could and listened as she continued.

"It is an absolute pleasure to see you again! I wondered if I would be able to speak with you soon. I'm glad we have this time to spend together since our meeting last night seemed so short," she smiled widely.

...Okay...

I nodded and allowed the conversations that were being held before I arrived to continue. Most of what I heard was exactly what I expected. Every once in a while though, the group would mention a book that they were enjoying, which I gladly gave my input on. Other than that, I didn't speak much since most of the names in the gossip were completely unfamiliar to me.

"And did you hear about Cellica," said the elleth sitting next to me who I learned was named Lyra.

"Has she finally decided to wear a different color other than the mossy green that poorly suits her," Valori said with a slight giggle.

That was a little rude.

"No," Lyra said with wide eyes, "She's missing."

Audible gasps drew from all of the elleths.

Lyra continued.

"I heard she ran away with one of the palace guards to be married in Rivendell."

I understood this was high quality gossip but my interest was short and I resorted to a bit of daydreaming, every once in a while taking a sip from my wine.

"Perhaps you could ask Thranduil. He is the Prince, and he commands the the guards under the King's orders."

At the mention of his name, I was immediately pulled back into the conversation. At first I thought they were talking to me, but instead all of them had their attention directed to Valori, who I noticed was blushing slightly, causing me to be slightly irritated.

"I don't believe he would know," she said, drawing her eyes to the sky, "He's so busy with other matters, I doubt he has time for something as trivial as this."

Someone is actually missing and she calls it trivial. What if this Cellica was actually in trouble? My tolerance for Valori was beginning to diminish even further.