I Am My Own (Reader x Thranduil)

Chapter 33

My steady walk became a near jog. I didn't care that I was nearly tearing the hem of my dress everytime I accidentally stepped on it, I just needed to get to Glorfindel.

Everything's fine. Thranduil is fine.

When I reached the entryway of the palace he wasn't there. The only elves I could find were two guards that stood tall at their posts.

"Glorfindel, where is he," I asked the one closest to me.

He gave slight bow and then said, "The King's study, My Lady."

And then I was off again, taking turn after turn in the near empty halls until I came to a stop in front of the familiar doors of Oropher's study. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should knock first but that moment of doubt was gone in a second and I pushed open the doors to find Daealla and Glorfindel in the room.

They were already deep in conversation, Glorfindel resting his hand on a sword that was set on his side and Daealla holding a roll of paper in her arms. Neither of them looked distraught so I allowed myself to relax a bit.

Glorfindel turned first and smiled.

"You continue to be astonishingly breathtaking everytime we meet, My Lady," he said and gave a nod of recognition.

"Is he alright," I asked him, forgetting all social decencies, "Are they alright?"

"He's just fine," Glorfindel comforted, "And everyone else is, too. I am merely dropping by to bring a message before being on my way. The King and his company will be here in a week's time."

I stopped twisting my ring before I even realized I was doing it. They were safe and on their way home. That was all that mattered.

"Thank you, Glorfindel," I sighed.

I had not expected and early homecoming from them so the idea of Thranduil being home soon made my stomach turn in excitement.

"My pleasure," he said and turned to Daealla, "Well, if you will excuse me, I should be on my way."

"But you only just got here," I baffled.

"I could not intrude, My Lady."

"You would never be intruding here. You know that, Glorfindel," Daella said scoldingly, "Please, have dinner with us and use the night to rest and regain some energy before setting off again. I will have the servants put together a room for you."

Before answering, Glorfindel looked at me grinned and then looked back to Daealla.

"I guess it would be rude of me to refuse now."

***

Glorfindel sat next to me for dinner while Daealla took Oropher's usual place at the head of the table. Though it was still too quiet in the dining hall, it was nice to have company since Thranduil and Oropher had been gone so long.

"Are preparations for the oncoming winter going smoothly," Glorfindel asked Daealla.

"Yes, they are. We still have all of the autumn season to go through, so I'm not worried for the moment."

A brief wave of guilt washed over me. I hadn't realized Daealla had been preparing for winter already and I cursed myself for not being of more assistance to her. I know how demanding of a task it is to organize food, shelter, and contingency plans for an entire kingdom.

"I had not realized it was already that time of year," I said after taking a sip of my water, "Please, the next time you begin to work on such plans, let me know. I would very much like to help."