ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪɢʜᴛ [ᴀ ᴛʜʀᴀɴᴅᴜɪʟ x ᴏᴄ]

Chapter 8- Time Together

After a few weeks, I was back to full health with no aches or pains well not physical at least. The past weeks had been strange for a few other elves had begun to talk to me. Not for a long stretch but they were actually polite which surprised me. Laeanna said it was likely to with my saving of her. Perhaps I had managed to prove to some that I wasn't as evil as they thought I was.
I woke early in the morning and gathered my weapons. Today was the day I spared with Thranduil as the last proving of strength and skill. The was barely in the sky when I stepped outside into the cool breeze of the morning.
"Ready?" Thranduil questioned with a smile.
"Always, "
"Before we begin I have a good for you, "
"You spoil me, " I smiled.
Thranduil held up a sword in a beautifully patterned sheath. I took the sword from Thranduil and unsheathed it. It was a broad silver blade and had black engravings on the hilt that faded into white engravings on the blade.
"It's beautiful. Thank you, "
We walked over to the sparing area and got ready to fight.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Thranduil asked.
"Oh definitely, " I replied with a smirk. "Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked as we circled each other.
Thranduil answered by lunging forward swinging his sword. I jumped back and blocked.
"Sneaky, " I remarked before launching an attack of my own.
The sounds of our sword clanging off each other rattled through the air for what seemed like ages. Neither of us seemed to tire that much as we fought. Thankfully no one had come to see what we were doing so we had the whole training ground to ourselves. Eventually, Thranduil landed a blow that I only just managed to block which sent my stumbling backwards giving him the upper hand. Thranduil advanced swinging his sword at me from the left. I ducked under the blade and rolled to the left. He turned to face me but by the time he did I had already kicked his legs out from under him. He fell to the floor with a light thump. I was on him immediately with my new sword at his throat.
"So. Have I proved myself?" I asked not fully aware of the proximity of our faces.
"I think so, " he smiled.
When I finally realised the awkward position we were in I felt my face redden slightly. I hopped off of him quickly sheathing my sword in the sheath I had strapped to my waist.
"You blushing," Thranduil smirked as he got off the floor.
"I am not?" I said crossing my arms.
Thranduil stepped closer and lifted my chin up so I was looking him in the eye. He examined my face intently which only heightened my embarrassment.
"You're definitely blushing and I believe it may be my doing, " his smirk widened.
"Don't flatter yourself, "I dismissed. " You're just trying to get away from the fact that I beat you," I said pointing at him with my sword.
"Nice fighting," A familiar voice commented from behind. I could practically hear the smirk in her voice.
"Thank you Laeanna," I said still looking at Thranduil who looked a little frustrated. "So can I go to Lothlorien now or perhaps Rivendel for I doubt they would let me anywhere near their borders, "
"Yes you may go, " he said.
"And, " I pushed.
"And you may have your place on the guard, " he added.
"Thank you Thranduil, " I said before turning to Laeanna.
"Care to join me on my journey to Rivendel?" I asked.
"Of course,"
"I have one more request Araniel, " Thranduil called.
Laeanna and I stopped.
"And what would that be, "
"Spend the day with me," he said simply. But that statement made the blood rush to my cheeks.
"And then I can leave tomorrow?" I asked.
"Yes, you can, "
"Very well, " I said to Thranduil before turning my attention back to Laeanna. " I'll meet you by the gate at sunrise tomorrow then, "
"You can count on it, "
"Laeanna. Speak to Astra about your journey. I believe she was supposed to leave for Rivendel tomorrow as well," Thranduil said.
Laeanna left and once again Thranduil and I were alone.
"So what first?"
Thranduil offered me his arm.
"Walk with me, " he said.
I linked my arm with his and we walked in silence for a while until a question I had been meaning to ask for a while popped into my head.
"Am I pretty to you?" I asked feeling a little self-conscious as today I had not worn my cloak meaning for once my whole face was exposed and only slightly covered by my hair.
Thranduil stopped walking and turned to me.
"Of course. Why would I not?"
"Because no one else does. Like that girl who brought me the food after I was bitten. She couldn't help but stare like everyone else usually does, "
"Am I everyone else?" Thranduil questioned.
"No...I suppose you're not,"
"Then don't expect me to act like they do and think what they think, "
"I won't make that mistake again, " I smiled. "Thank you," I added.
We continued our walk and we started to talk all about the culture of elves seeing as I had never been told that much about them. Well, the light Elves at least. Thranduil told me about all the things I didn't know. The final thing he told me about was love.
"Wait so light Elves can only fall in love once and once only?"
"Yes, that is correct,"
"Have you been in love yet?" I asked and I felt my heart race as I hoped the answer would be no.
"I have not. Have you?"
"No. I've never been close enough to anyone to be in a position to love them," I said "Well until now I suppose," I blurted out after but hoped Thranduil had not heard. The smile that crossed his face, however, told me that he had in fact heard.
"Good, " he said before we continued our walk.
He showed me part of the place I had never seen. I enjoyed all the time I spent with him. I felt like a different person. I felt normal for once. There was no one else around I think partly due to Thranduil making sure to avoid any other people. He treated me like a lady which was a whole new thing to me but I didn't dislike it.