Surviving The Storm (Evergreen #3)

It Looks Like Rain

You found Thorin eating and waited for him to finish.

"Leave us." You requested everyone when he was done. You weren't queen but everyone treated you like you were from fear of upsetting the king.

When you were alone, you turned to him and said, "why did you send your men to Mordor in the first place?"

"Orcs had been out in the open more, trolls have been coming out further from the mountains. Something just felt off so my father sent out men. They picked up a trail and it led them to Mordor." He said, a dark look in his eyes.

"Do you think..." you trailed off not even wanting to say the name.

"I don't know what else to think." Thorin says understanding what you didn't say.

"Where is King Thranduil?" He asks.

"He is putting more security at the gates." You answered.

"Times will certainly grow dark very fast. The air is already growing heavy." Thorin said, shaking his head.
"And you are far to young to be dealing with any of this, even if you are wise well beyond your years."

"I haven't been young in quite a while and I'm more than capable of dealing with this." You said, rather offended.

"I am sure that you are. I mean no disrespect. I just mean that you should not have to deal with it. None of us should really. These dark times should have been long passed." Thorin said, looking out of the window.

You glanced out as well and noticed that the sky was still grim.

"It looks like rain, though it does not smell of it." You say aloud, even though you only meant it to be a thought.

"Darkness is a curious thing. It spreads faster than wildfire." Thorin said, voice full of disgust.

"Did you make the journey here by yourself?" you ask.

"No, my two nephews are with me. I wasn't sure if I would be welcomed so I asked them to wait by the ponies." Thorin said.

"Well with your permission I will send a guard to fetch them. We can tie up your ponies as well and give them food." You offer.

"Certainly." Thorin nodded.

"Excuse me." You say, leaving the room to inform a guard to go find them.

"They won't try to kill my guard will they?" you ask, peaking your head back into the dining room.

"I had better go with the guard." Thorin said quickly, and he and the guard left.

"Is he leaving already?" Thranduil asks, appearing in front of the dining room entrance.

"No, he is going to get his nephews. I hope it is okay for them to rest here." You say sweetly hoping he would agree.

"Of course, my love." Thranduil nodded, he still wasn't fully there.

"Are you okay?" you ask him, concerned.

"No. I fear for your safety, and the safety of my people." Thranduil answered.

"We can do everything possible to defend them. What happened last year, will not be repeated." You say firmly.

"You must promise me that you will not leave the gates of Mirkwood." Thranduil said, looking to you urgently. "I would feel much more at ease if I knew you were in here."

You nodded, agreeing. you would do whatever it took to make him feel even a little better.

"I will alert everyone at once, to let them know that leaving Mirkwood without my permission is no longer an option." Thranduil said.

"Yes, my lord." You say, wrapping your arms around him and hugging him tightly.

The only place you could feel safe was with him.

"With this lock down in place, everyone will be on high alert. They will be looking to you, as well as me for guidance. You cannot seem panicked or frightened in front of anyone." He ordered.

"I know." You stated. You knew what told you would be taking on when you agreed to be with Thranduil.

"Let us go back to my chambers and have a private moment." He said to you.

"You there." He pointed at a servant.
"Get the dwarves nice rooms and see that they are well taken care of. And prepare a feast for the five of us for tonight." Thranduil said, and the servant nodded.

Thranduil led you back to his chambers, hands linked the entire way, and not a word was spoken.

When you entered his room, he remain quiet, and just sat on the bed.
You sat next to him and he pulled you close, holding you tightly.

For a long while, neither of you spoke only needing the comfort of each others presence.

"We can't hide in here forever, though I would enjoy it very much." You finally say.

"I know." Thranduil sighed. "I know."