I Am My Own (Reader x Thranduil)

Chapter 17

"...she's...a few times...but it shouldn't be....worry about," a female voice spoke.

I was laying on something soft. Grass maybe? No, wait, it's a matress and it was sheets that surrounded my body. Even though my eyes were shut, I could feel the sun trying to make its way into my sight.

"So you think she will recover?"

That voice sounded familiar. It was definitely my mother. I could identify her smooth and mature tone anytime, whether I was recovering from a concussion or not.

I flickered my eyes open a couple of times before I searched the room.

My mother was talking with another female elleth, most likely a healer, with her back turned to me. She was wringing her hands as she spoke.

"No doubt," said the healer, "In fact, nearly all of the bruises should be gone by nightfall. You have a very strong daughter, My Lady."

"Naneth?"

My voice was unrecognizeable to my ears and I decided to blame it on my groggy state of mind.

My mother spun around on her heels and raced to the edge of the bed. The healer took this as her cue to leave and I watched her exit before turning my attention back to my mother.

"(Y\N), how are you feeling," she asked while placing her hand on my cheek.

"Just a little heavy headed," I said, "What time is it?"

"Only a little past noon."

"Have I really been out that long?"

She shifted in her chair placed by the bed and continued to look me over for any sign of discomfort as she spoke.

"I'm afraid so. When they brought you back, you were fading in and out of consciousness. You were mumbling things and we were beginning to worry that your mental state might have been permanently damaged," she shook her head and started to tear up, "Don't you ever do that again. Your Ada and I thought we lost you."

I smiled to try and comfort her.

"I'm sorry, Naneth. It won't happen again."

My curiosity was starting to get the best of me so I asked, "What kind of things was I mumbling."

"Oh," she uttered, "You just kept saying you were sorry and when they tried to retrieve you from Prince Thranduil you clung to him and declared you had to stay with him."

My face heated as the embarrassment hit me. I huffed and leaned back into the pillow propping me up.

"You should have seen him, (Y\N)," she continued with wide eyes, "He was a nervous wreck. He started pacing the halls and everytime he'd try to get a peek in here, his mother would shoo him away."

"Where is he now?"

"His father called him away for a talk and it lasted all morning! King Oropher has been furious and I'm afraid poor Prince Thranduil got the short end of the stick," she chuckled lightly, "I tried to tell Oropher that this couldn't all be his son's doing because I know how stubborn my daughter can be."

I chuckled too but quickly stopped once pain shot up through my side.

"Can I see him now," I asked.

My mother smiled, "Of course. Let me go and send for him."

When she left the room I took the time I had alone to survey the damage. My arms were yellow and purple from bruises and my eyes felt heavy so I knew I had to have a couple bruises on my face as well. I did my best to straighten up my hair and sleeping gown before Thranduil walked in so I didn't look like a complete mess.

After a few minutes or so, I heard the door creak open. From behind it, peeking around the corner, stood not an emotionless commander nor an arrogant prince but instead a young elf with worry pulling at his eyes. He was still wearing his patrolling gear and looked as if he had just seen a battle unfold before him.

I tried to smile my best smile so that he would see it was okay to come in.

He walked over to the chair where my mother had been sitting and took a seat, folding his hands in his lap. He wouldn't look me in the eye and kept his face turned to the ground. Since it seemed as if he wasn't going to say anything I went ahead and said the first thing that came to my mind.

"I know you've heard it many times already but I'm sorry."

"No," he said shaking his head and finally looking up at me, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry (Y\N). Oh Iluvatar, if only you could know how sorry I am."

"Oh Thranduil, don't-"

He took my hand in his and shook his head.

"Please, just listen. Look at what I've done to you," he persisted, "This should never have happened. You could have died and it's all my fault. I can't bear to see you like this-"

"Thranduil, stop," I said sternly as I clutched his hand, "This is not your fault. Don't think for one second that this is your fault. If anyone is to blame, it should be me."

"But-"

"I know how you feel about Valori. And that's okay. I don't even blame you for kissing Valori after what I did. I shouldn't have walked off with Glorfindel just to make you mad and I definitely shouldn't have run away like I did. That was selfish of me. I understand you don't love me now but maybe-"

"I love you, (Y\N)."

He silenced me for good this time. What could I say to that?

He loves me?

"At least I think this is love. I didn't kiss Valori, she kissed me. And when Saevel said you were gone, I saw a future I never knew I wanted begin to collapse before me. There was nothing more in this world that I wanted than to be near you and know you were safe. I want to marry you, (Y\N)," he confessed, searching my eyes, "That is, if you'll still have me?"

Hearing his heart being poured out to me nearly brought me to tears all over again.

"I want to marry you, Thranduil," I managed to get out.

I lifted my hand to his cheek and pulled his forehead to my lips. When I seperated from him I noticed a dark circle formed around his eye.

"Was that from the goblins," I asked pointing at it.

"Oh," he chuckled under his breath, "No. It was a much deserved right hook from Glorfindel."