p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"He watched her with piercing eyes, brilliantly blue and calculating. The room was still, and despite his earlier invitation for her to be at ease, the Elf's guest would not look at him directly. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"From where he rested several feet away from the human woman, Thranduil- King of the Woodland Realm- addressed her, his voice as smooth and deep as a midnight pool. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""What troubles you, Lady (F/n)? You have not been yourself this evening tide." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"The woman slowly lifted her (e/c) eyes, though she still didn't meet his undeviating gaze. "Just thinking, sire." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""What of?" The question was simple, but his tone left no room for dismissal. He wanted the full truth, and he made it well known by the slight quirking at the side of his otherwise still mouth. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""The past," she said after a sort time. "And what possibilities my future might hold." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""And these musings provoke unease in you?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"(F/n) nodded, before once more looking at the floor. "For too long I have relied upon caution as my boon companion and shield . . . But it seems to have done me more harm than good, and I now feel crippled by it." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"In the moment that the woman wasn't looking at the Elf King, a hint of a smile crept up, threatening to break free on his handsome face- and his tone softened ever so slightly as he answered her. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Caution is the first step to great wisdom, little one." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"(F/n) lifted her head. "I am not emwise/em, Majesty, nor have I ever been brave. . . And I have no place staying within your presence when I have neither of those great qualities." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Did I not grant you the title of emElf Friend /emwhen you protected me from harm in the Battle of the Five Armies?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"(F/n)'s brow crinkled. It was true that she had played a hand in protecting Thranduil, but she had in no way done a great deed or shown great prowess as a warrior. She had merely been at the right place, at the exact time, with a club that she had swung in a fit of anger. But somehow that special club swing had incapacitated the Orc that was about to shoot a poisoned-tipped arrow into the Elven King's back, and the woman had made a name for herself. All in all, it was a bit embarrassing- though she had been treated extremely well ever since. br /br /"You did, my lord, but-"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Thranduil raised a hand to demand silence, stopping her before she could say more. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""If I did such a thing, then you have emevery /emright to stand at my side and are emwelcome/em in the Greenwood." Though his face remained smooth, the beautiful eyes showed a warmth that (F/n) had never seen from him before. "You must practice patience emMellonamin/em; you have a whole life to live. The wisdom you seek shall present itself when you are ready to embrace it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"A hopeful smile found purchase on (F/n)'s pretty face. "I hope so, my lord." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Do you doubt, your King?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Despite the solemn expression accompanying the inquiry, (F/n)'s smile grew, and it reached up to touch her eyes, making the expression genuine and quite becoming. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""No, sire." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Then it shall come." It was a small upturning of the lips, which Thranduil flashed in her direction, but it meant the world to her all the same. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Thank you, my King, for your words. . . Though my heart still wanders, I know I have found a home. . . Your confidence aids me, and I shall be forever grateful." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""You needn't thank me for stating the truth, Lady (F/n)." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""But I do all the same," she replied bowing in respect. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Thranduil stared at her for a long moment before nodding to her once; though he didn't offer another word as he turned his intent blue eyes back to the ancient text he had been studying before they had spoken. The conversation was over- an obvious conclusion drawn from the Elf's body language and now seeming lack of interest- and the human woman, not offended in the least, once more returned to her own reading, feeling better than she had mere moments before. . . Though even after they had returned to the earlier silence, (F/n) could have sworn that a pair of Elven eyes were watching her./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"From where he rested several feet away from the human woman, Thranduil- King of the Woodland Realm- addressed her, his voice as smooth and deep as a midnight pool. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""What troubles you, Lady (F/n)? You have not been yourself this evening tide." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"The woman slowly lifted her (e/c) eyes, though she still didn't meet his undeviating gaze. "Just thinking, sire." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""What of?" The question was simple, but his tone left no room for dismissal. He wanted the full truth, and he made it well known by the slight quirking at the side of his otherwise still mouth. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""The past," she said after a sort time. "And what possibilities my future might hold." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""And these musings provoke unease in you?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"(F/n) nodded, before once more looking at the floor. "For too long I have relied upon caution as my boon companion and shield . . . But it seems to have done me more harm than good, and I now feel crippled by it." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"In the moment that the woman wasn't looking at the Elf King, a hint of a smile crept up, threatening to break free on his handsome face- and his tone softened ever so slightly as he answered her. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Caution is the first step to great wisdom, little one." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"(F/n) lifted her head. "I am not emwise/em, Majesty, nor have I ever been brave. . . And I have no place staying within your presence when I have neither of those great qualities." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Did I not grant you the title of emElf Friend /emwhen you protected me from harm in the Battle of the Five Armies?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"(F/n)'s brow crinkled. It was true that she had played a hand in protecting Thranduil, but she had in no way done a great deed or shown great prowess as a warrior. She had merely been at the right place, at the exact time, with a club that she had swung in a fit of anger. But somehow that special club swing had incapacitated the Orc that was about to shoot a poisoned-tipped arrow into the Elven King's back, and the woman had made a name for herself. All in all, it was a bit embarrassing- though she had been treated extremely well ever since. br /br /"You did, my lord, but-"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Thranduil raised a hand to demand silence, stopping her before she could say more. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""If I did such a thing, then you have emevery /emright to stand at my side and are emwelcome/em in the Greenwood." Though his face remained smooth, the beautiful eyes showed a warmth that (F/n) had never seen from him before. "You must practice patience emMellonamin/em; you have a whole life to live. The wisdom you seek shall present itself when you are ready to embrace it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"A hopeful smile found purchase on (F/n)'s pretty face. "I hope so, my lord." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Do you doubt, your King?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Despite the solemn expression accompanying the inquiry, (F/n)'s smile grew, and it reached up to touch her eyes, making the expression genuine and quite becoming. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""No, sire." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Then it shall come." It was a small upturning of the lips, which Thranduil flashed in her direction, but it meant the world to her all the same. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Thank you, my King, for your words. . . Though my heart still wanders, I know I have found a home. . . Your confidence aids me, and I shall be forever grateful." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""You needn't thank me for stating the truth, Lady (F/n)." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""But I do all the same," she replied bowing in respect. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Thranduil stared at her for a long moment before nodding to her once; though he didn't offer another word as he turned his intent blue eyes back to the ancient text he had been studying before they had spoken. The conversation was over- an obvious conclusion drawn from the Elf's body language and now seeming lack of interest- and the human woman, not offended in the least, once more returned to her own reading, feeling better than she had mere moments before. . . Though even after they had returned to the earlier silence, (F/n) could have sworn that a pair of Elven eyes were watching her./p