King Thranduil knew exactly why Thorin Oakenshield was trespassing into his lands.
"You seek that which would bestow upon you the right to rule. A King's jewel. The Arkenstone. It is precious to you beyond measure, I understand that. How do you plan on doing it ? I offer my assistance."
The rest of his company had been locked in the dungeons, among them his nephews, Kili and Fili. The Elvenking would hold them hostages if it ever came to that, if Thorin refused to cooperate to his own personal plans.
But first, the dwarf had to admit why he was there. His answer angered the Elvenking, for he saw it was an honest one:
" We are travelling for an audience with the Dragon Queen Daenerys Targaryen."
At this, Thranduil fell silent, his face a mask of anger and resentment.
It had been almost ten years since the people of Laketown had offered Daenerys a crown. She had defeated the Orc Army with her three Dragons and the city decided she was their best hope for protection in the future. The old city of Dale, that had been abandoned since Smaug took Erebor, was restored and the farmlands in the surrounding areas were invaded by people from all over Middle Earth, looking for land and hope. In no time, they were producing more grains than they were able to eat it, selling the surplus to other kingdoms.
Daenerys established the " Kingdom of lake and Dale", and insisted its citizens to elect representants and to sign a Pact of Rulership that gave her many powers, but also responsibilities. She granted Bard, who claimed descent from Kings, the title of Lord of Dale, entrusting him with the management of the city and he acted as her primary advisor in all things.
With the help of her dragons and long lost knowledge from her world, Daenerys erected a Castle on a hill she called Dragonstone, from where she rules. It stood between both cities and she used dragon fire to model the stones and shape them into unimaginable forms, a wonder
Daenerys Targaryen, Saviour of Laketown, Lady of the Lake, Rebuilder of Dale, Rider of the Dragon Drogon, Protector of all Realms of Men...the titles went on. Her fame spread around Middle Earth. A simple woman, an Omega at that, had come out of nowhere and managed to do the impossible: bind dragons to her will.
Thranduil, King of the Woodland Realm, refused to recognize his wife´s rule. It was Legolas who took charge of all trade dealings between both Kingdoms. His father´s famous bad temper returned with full swing after his Omega left him.
Legolas despaired; Tauriel, his closest friend would listen to his contant complaints, not knowing what to say or do, as Thranduil was indeed beyond reason: " I cannot possibly endure this much longer, Tauriel; it is worst than ever was."
Indeed, it was, not all that dorwinion wine would take the place Daenerys left at Thranduil's Halls. But still, the Elvenking had a wife and children with her; even in the depths of his bitterness, he knew they had to reach a middle ground and it was only through the intervention of the other elven rulers that both Thranduil and Daenerys managed to go on with their lives, while still raising Aegon and Visenya as separated parents.
Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond negotiated the physical separation agreement between the two Monarchs. Daenerys would fly with Visenya and Aegon every three months and spend her heats with her husband- the only thing both were ready to agree to.
However, since Thranduil refused to allow Daenerys to claim the title of Queen Consort of Mirkwood, the fact that they were married to each other was seldom remembered when people spoke about her or him.
Thranduil was personally insulted that Thorin refused his offer and was planning in seeking Daenerys: "The Dragon Queen? Do you think you can strike a bargain with her? She will swindle you out of your Kingdom, Thorin Oakenshield. Her alliance is to the dragons, not dwarves, you should remember that. "
"Many from Erebor took refuge in her lands. I know from their own mouths that the Kingdom of Lake and Dale treats dwarrows with nothing but respect and that its ruler actually cares for her subjects and neighbors, unlike a certain Elvenking…"
Thranduil lost the little patience he had and ordered his guards to take Thorin Oakenshield to the dungeons. The Elvenking was ready to let the heir of Durin´s line rot in his Halls for a hundred years, all but the blink of an eye in a Elf´s life.
Daenerys decided to receive her unexpected visitor at her Throne Room, as it would befit any ruler on Official business. She sat at her Throne carved in stone, the three headed dragon sigil behind her, and greeted Thorin's company formally and warmly :
"Thorin, son of Thráin, son of Thróir, King of Durin's Folk, Dale and Lake welcome you and your delegation."
Lord Bard was inspecting the boats and waiting for the barrels to come from Mirkwood when he just " happened upon" the Head of House of Durin. He took them to Dragonstone where they were given rooms and received medical assistance. Balin, probably the most reasonable of the bunch, had explained Bard they were imprisoned by King Thranduil and had escaped to seek Daenerys Targaryen´s assistance in restoring Erebor.
It was Balin who convinced Thorin to wait until the Queen was to summon them and to accept her hospitality:
" We cannot arrive before Her Grace like this, Thorin, looking like beggars!"
Begrundingly, Thorin was fed, bathed and given new clothes while his were being washed.
Thorin had heard tales of Daenerys Targaryen beauty and youth and expected them to be greatly exaggerated. Instead, he found out that, for once, it was all true. Her hair was long and braided in a incredibly attractive pattern for a dwarrow, adorned with pearls as white as her own skin. The mouth was red, plump and sensual. Hers was not the ethereal beauty of elves, but rather, something Thorin had seldom saw in his whole existence. She was small- just some centimeters taller than him- but her presence was powerful.
Thorin was impressed.
"Your Grace, I thank you for your hospitality and for what you already done to our people. You are very kind."
Queen Daenerys descended from her Throne and stood before Thorin, to address him as an equal:
"Thank you, my Lord. Everybody is welcomed into my Kingdom. We judge people here by their actions, not by their race. I am sorry to hear that one of your nephews is still in recovery, but the healers assured me that now all he needs is to rest. Please, let's all move to the Dinning Hall. I took the liberty of inviting some of your people to join us tonight as I assume you would like to inquire after their well being."
They entered the Dinner Halls, another large room decorated with flowers and carpets. There was the Sigil of her House- a three headed dragon- carved on the wooden tables. Thorin Oakenshield screened the room and saw two families of Dwarves bowing to the Queen. He observed how their clothes were made of a better cut and cloth than the ones he himself had.
They should be among the richest .
"My name is Farin, son of Dáin and this is my wife, Nirya, at your service, my Lord!"
Daenerys excused herself and went to speak with Lord Bard, leaving Thorin some time to speak with his people: " I am Thorin, son of Thráin, at your service. How does life fare in Dale and Lake?"
"Dale was abandoned and there is a lot to rebuild and repair. We decided to move four years ago, not only because we heard of the tolerance laws, but also because the Lady of the Lake offers tax reduction for new businesses."
Thorin could see that there was no lack of work for good craftsmen and dwarrows were the best; everywhere he looked, he could see the touch of his people, from the furniture to the jewelry Her Grace was wearing.
Farin went on to speak about his life and of those of their community, with great pride, he said: " I am now part of Her Grace´s Council, my Lord and I can only say we are happy here."
Thorin and Filí continued to speak with the dwarves of Dale while refreshments were being served; when time came to take their places at the High Table, Daenerys gave her arm to Thorin and they walked together.
The remaining members of Thorin's company, Daenerys household and their guests sat at the lower tables as it was custom and dinner started being served.
Thorin was at Daenerys right, the place of honour. When she turned to talk to him, he could see her eyes, as violet as two amethysts:
"Lord Bard told me you were less than welcomed by King Thranduil. What exactly happened, my Lord?"
Thorin would rather forget about the Elvenking, but he replied his hostess, giving a summarized version of his conflict with Thranduil and how they managed to escape from his dungeons.
"We never meant to trespass on his lands, but it was the only way, my Lady, as we were advised by Gandalf, the grey to seek your assistance."
The first course had been served when a commotion was overheard outside the doors. Thorin looked at Daenerys for an answer, but she was behaving as if nothing was happening and continued to speak with Filí about their travels, when suddenly, the doors finally opened , revealing the source of the problem: no other than the Elvenking and his Guards had arrived and were demanding an audience.
They walked through Daenerys Halls as though they owned the place; Thorin had to admit that Thranduil, dressed in his splendid armour, was an imposing presence, but could not believe his ears for what came next.
Daenerys seemed not to be intimidated at all; rather, she looked...amused by Thranduil´s entrance and calmly said to the ellon before her : "Welcome to my Halls, hervenn . I believe you never came to visit me here before. Would you care to join us, beloved husband?"
"Please, make room to our neighbors from the Woodland Realm. I believe we have enough food and wine for everybody." Daenerys asked the steward for a chair to be placed between her and Filí, where obviously Thranduil would now sit.
" Would you please take your seat, hervenn ?"
Thorin did not know what to think or even how to act. For once in his life, he was speechless. Daenerys had treated him with nothing but utmost respect and he had, for a brief period, believed his luck had finally changed, just to find himself in a sort of domestic dispute.
Thranduil was not only her husband, but worse, he was her Alpha - the bite mark on her neck was clearly his doing- and thus, Daenerys was bound to obey her superior in all things, as Omegas were supposed to.
Thranduil sat down and Daenerys herself poured her husband wine, while speaking to Thorin :
"You are under my protection, as my honoured guest, my Lord. That my husband saw fit to treat you as a prisoner in his Realm will have no impact in our dealings. I assure you that my status as an Omega will not impair my decisions; you see, before I came to Middle Earth, I was not an Omega; so I do not behave like one should, for what I have been told."
Thranduil heard what Daenerys had said and could not have agreed more. My Omega, one of the last Omegas, behaves more like an Alpha than any other Female Alpha I know…
"Thorin Oakenshield trespassed in my lands and it was my prerogative as a ruler to hold him for questioning." Thranduil said with no emotion, his eyes going from Thorin to Daenerys. " I learned not to expect much from you, Daenerys. I already warned Thorin Oakenshield about your wicked ways, but he chose to come anyway."
"You wound me, Thranduil. Frankly, I expected you to at least pretend not being bitter about the state of our marriage. My guest does not deserve the ignominy of witnessing another petty argument between a fighting couple." She then turned to Thorin once again. " I apologise for not disclosing my personal association with Thranduil, but you see, sometimes I forget I have a husband."
Daenerys placed her hand on Thranduil´s and smiled: "And the times we are reunited, there is not much talking involved, you see..."
The comical remark seemed to have melted some of the Elvenking´s iciness; he caressed Daenerys´s hand with obvious delight : " When are you cycling, Dany?"
"Soon, my love. Please, stay, Thranduil. Aegon and Visenya will benefit from your visit, it would be good for them to see you around here. They are starting to understand more now…"
Thorin, Lord Bard and Daenerys met after dinner; Thranduil refused to sit and negotiate with a " fugitive", but demanded his guards to stay and chaperone his Omega wife, to which she agreed. They all knew that the Elvenking would eventually be informed about the result of their negotiations, him being the father of the heir to the Kingdom of Lake and Dale had to give him at least some political cloud at his wife´s court.
Daenerys asked for Thorin to explain the reason of his visit and his intentions: " Gandalf the Grey sought me and spoke highly of you. We are here to reclaim Erebor and you are the greatest authority in dragons we have on Middle Earth. Gandalf said you could help us in our quest. "
Gandalf had become, if not a friend, someone Daenerys respected. Her initial discomfort gave way to the understanding that Gandalf had always the best of intentions.
Thorin´s plight was also something that struck a chord with Daenerys :
"I was once in your position long time ago, a Queen without a Throne. You might not have heard this, but I grow up in poverty, running from city from city. When time came for me to take what was mine, many refused to help. I will not refuse to help you, Thorin Oakenshield. Your people deserve their homes back. But I fail to see how exactly Gandalf expects my knowledge of dragons to be of any assistance to you. Smaug, for what I heard, is very different from my winged children."
"We need someone to bring Smaug out of the Mountain, where he hoards our gold. Master Bilbo Baggins will enter the Mountain and allow us in."
Bard thought the plan was too simple to work: " What happens after Smaug leaves? He can attack us. The Dragon wears an armour, it is impossible to bring him down, unless Her Grace´s dragons finish Smaug."
"Not this way." Daenerys firmly said. " It is too dangerous. Dale is being rebuilt. We just attract enough people here under my dragon´s protection, we cannot risky ourselves this way. "
Besides , I will not allow any dragon to be killed.
"Believe me, nobody wants a dragon to die mid air near a city; once it falls, its fire consumes everything, for they are fire made flesh. Lord Thorin's plan might be simple, but sound. I will come with my dragons and attract Smaug out. Your company will infiltrate the Mountain. "
Bard was still not convinced: " Smaug would be back, he would not leave his hoard for much long; how would you defeat a dragon in its own lair?"
Thorin did not need to answer; Daenerys had always trusted her instincts, and in this case, it was telling her that Smaug should not be killed, that somehow, the last known wild and great dragon of Middle Earth would want something that only the Mother of Dragons could offer.
But what really could I offer to Smaug?
Daenerys knew her cycle was upon her; Thranduil arrival had just but accelerate the whole thing. How she despised needing him, but she had long accepted that Thranduil was her weakness; everybody had one, why would she not? Lord Bard was a good looking man, and he would be more than willing to warm her bed, but the bond she had with her husband was strong and she craved his body, if not his love.
"Thorin, your nephew has to recover and we need to prepare; my cycle...usually it takes longer than the usual three days. You and your company are my guests here. I will assist you with your quest, but I suggest we decide on a plan and the terms after I am fit, in four, five days times...is that amenable to you?"
He agreed Kili needed recovery, but four days was quite long time in his estimation; however, Thorin knew they would have to strike at Durin's day, which would be in a week hence, so there was nothing he could really do.
"I agree, my Lady. "
"Ada! You are here!" Visenya came running towards Thranduil with such a beautiful smile that made the elvenking feel slightly guilty for not visiting her more often. But so it was agreed and I am nothing if not respectful of such agreements.
"My beautiful starlight princess! Ada missed you so!" The Elvenking had always wanted to have a girl and the emotion he felt when he held Visenya was the purest joy he had ever experienced. He loved Legolas and Aegon as much, but to have such a beautiful princess in his life, was a gift he had all but given hope.
Aegon took his father's hand and dragged Thranduil to see his new toys: " Uncle Bard made me this dragon, Ada...mother says I am too young to ride one. Could you tell her I am big enough?"
Thranduil arched his eyebrow. Dragons were part of his children life and they were Princes of the Woodland Realm, with a claim but also a responsibility towards their Father´s Kingdom. As much as Thranduil personally disliked dragons, in the absence of a Ring of Power, he had come to believe such creatures would defend his woods in the future, but still… the notion of his Aegon on dragonback by himself was disturbing to say the least.
"I must agree you are not yet ready, ion nin...but you will be soon."
They spent another hour happily playing, visenya braiding her father´s hair while Aegon would show him how he would fly Rhaegal and burn all the Orcs when the door opened and Daenerys came to collect her husband to attend to his Alpha Duties.
Thranduil's guards were instructed to keep vigil over Daenerys chambers and to not allow Thorin out of their sights for the remainder of her heat.
At this point, everybody at Thranduil's Halls had understood the rules; the Royal Couple was to be left undisturbed; the King would emerge for brief period of time to answer brief questions and deal with most pressing matters. For the days after Daenerys heat, the bitterness in Thranduil would disappear, only to re emerge twice as strong, by the time she departed.
But now, all that he felt was the intoxicating scent of her arousal. Daenerys started to rub herself im Thranduil by the time they closed the doors, the Omega in her emerging. His body responded to her base urges in the same manner, and Thranduil´s cock became hard almost immediately.
Still, Thranduil was an Alpha and an ellon; he was a master of his emotions and enjoyed to see Daenerys at his mercy. He was not, however, cruel; his hand was already massaging her folds:
"You should have come to me, Dany...you are soaked, so swollen already...all for me."
She had already undressed herself, revealing all the glory of her Omega body; the round and generous breasts, with rosy and meaty nipples that begged to be sucked; the roundness of her hips, perfect for childbearing and the beautfillly shaped arse hat hid her secret pinky role, already partially lubricated and ready to be fucked by her Alpha.
But what always fascinated Thranduil was the oversized clitoris, the part of Daenerys anatomy that gave them both immense and perfect pleasure. As Thranduil started to unlace his robes, his wife went to the center of her massive bed, on her fours. He stopped to see this vision one last time before he was to enter her with the full force of his huge cock.
"Please...Alpha...please."
Oh, how Thranduil savoured such moments, not because of her pleading tone and the sweet melody of her voice promising him her submission, but because them, together, like this, Alpha and Omega is how they were supposed to be: the beautiful balance of their feas, the strong union of their bodies, but the petty struggles of their minds.
"Yes, meleth nin...I am here. I will be always here, with you." The elvenking positioned himself behind his wife, his hands firmly holding her hips as he entered her; she gasped and took a deep breath, she was already used to his elfhood by now, but the first moments always took her by surprise, which endeared Thranduil.
"You are so good...so tight...so sweet."
Their rhythm was steady, as they danced to an unsung song of their sexes, the noises of their lovemaking and breathing combined in a music that only the both of them could understand.
"My Alpha...oh...you are so big...oh, oh, "
As her walls massaged him, Thranduil closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of his knot inside of her, the warm and thick fluid of his passion filling Daenerys...and yet, his seed would not take root this time, for Thranduil was an elf and had control of such things.
But even an Alpha Elf as powerful as the Elvenking would need a couple of hours of sleep after spending the best part of the day immersed in the Dragonqueen´s heat.
Daenerys woke up on the fourth day to find her husband by her side.
Since their separation, Thranduil would always leave her bed as soon as he sensed her heat had waned. Before, he would stay and comfort her still; they would spend some time in each others arms, in complete bliss of what had happened.
Ten years of Thranduil just doing his Duty and then, turning his back on Daenerys had left a toll in her spirit. A part of her expected the Elvenking to come to his senses with time; they had a family after all and her dragons would be able to defend the Woodland Realm if needed be.
Instead, he behaved as if Daenerys was of no importance, her heats notwithstanding.
So, for the first time in years, Thranduil was there.
They talked.
About Thorin…about what Thranduil wanted from Thorin
"There are gems in the mountain that I too desire. White gems of pure starlight."
Oh, his wife´s necklace…
Daenerys had never used sex as a weapon; men did fall in love with her and did strange things to gain her favours, but to engage in such bedtime games, to ask favours after the sex, when one is at its most vulnerable...no, she had never done it.
Is Thranduil trying to use me?
Why would he not? She had heard from his own lips when he spoke to Legolas; Thranduil true love was his first wife.
In this world, she was expected to be submissive...Omegas were considered breeders, vessels. Daenerys had always strived to be more. She would not allow an elf to play with her emotions anymore.
Those gems would be her freedom.
"Then you shall have them, Thranduil. I will see to that." Daenerys announced as she stood from the bed. " No I must meet with Thorin Oakenshield and discuss plans. If you excuse me, I must ...clean myself."
The Queen had asked Thorin and his company, Bard and the Chief of her Guard, a Silvan elf called Amdir for a meeting.
"I know of a way to permanently have Smaug leave the Mountain peacefully. You can sneak in and claim Erebor at no human cost. However, you must NOT interfere in the way I will engage with Smaug; you must all keep your distance. You should trust me in this. If you follow my advice, no lives will be endangered; the mountain will be yours and we all I ask is that we establish a mutually satisfying trade agreement between our Realms."
Thorin realized that Daenerys was a woman like no other and, while he trusted her, he could not see how possibly she would liberate Erebor in such fashion, without any need of fight, and not asking for a greater share of the treasures.
Lord Bard was the one who brought out the cost of their assistance: " Your Grace, if we are ready to risk our lives for Erebor, it would be only fair that they shared with us part of their boom."
Daenerys listened as both parties discussed what would be a fair share, but she had already made up her mind.
"Thorin Oakenshield, if no man under my command, no citizen of Dale and Lake lose its life to liberate Erebor... if I indeed manage to convince Smaug not to return to the Lonely Mountain...I swear to you, the only thing I ask is a pact of friendship and trade between our peoples. If we suffer damages and losses, then yes, I agree that Lord Bard has the right measure of it and you should offer us and the families of those who lost their lives, generous compensations. "
Both the company's scribe, Ori, and Daenerys personal notar sat to draw the contracts; the papers would be reviewed by the members of both parties and only then, signed by both rulers.
As this work was important and would take some time until all was prepared, the Queen asked Thorin to join her in a walk in the gardens.
"When we are in private, I would like us to address each other informally. We are to be neighbors and become business partners after all, so let´s start building bonds of friendship and trust ." Daenerys said as they sat in a bench, under a tree.
Thorin had to agree: Daenerys was intent in protecting her subjects lives while still helping the line of Durim as best as she could. This woman, he reasoned, was nothing like her odious husband.
"I agree...Daenerys." Thorin was not harbouring romantic feelings towards Daenerys, but could not see how she had fallen for Thranduil when she herself was obviously of a caring nature, unlike the cold hearted King. Why such lovely creature married that devious elf? " May I ask about your braids? You must know something about the importance we give to braids in our culture. I am curious to know why you style your hair in such a fashion."
Daenerys smiled, memories from her days as a Khaleesi suddenly invading her mind:
" My first husband was a Dothraki, a nomadic people from my world known for their bravery in battle and love for horses. Drogo was, even among such people, a legend, the fiercest Khal. For each victory, a braid was made and more bells added to the hair of the commander. I was never defeated in battle, so I never had to cut my braids, Thorin."
Thorin asked to count her braids; he was fascinated by such custom. "You have twelve braids; this means you have aced twelve battles and won twelve times. "
"Yes, I did, with Fire and Blood." Daenerys said with a hint of sadness in her voice. "My third husband was the love of my previous life, the one my heart chose. Yes, I was married three times, to very different men. Drogo...the truth was, my own brother sold me. I had to learn how to love my husband, otherwise I would have killed myself. There was a noble from a land I ruled once... with him, it was a political move, a marriage of convenience, nothing relevant.
But Jon...Jon was my everything. We had two children together; they are now adults, with their own families. I see them in my dreams and it gives me comfort. He was an amazing general and outstanding soldie; there was no greater man with a sword than Jon Snow…
One day, I mentioned that we all enjoy what we are good at. " No, not me. " he said. After all these years, I found that he was indeed right. I am good at war, but I do not enjoy it. There is the rush and the intensity of it, yes...but there is also suffering. "
Thrin was moved by her words : "Your bravery should be rewarded; I appreciate that you are not asking for more, but I do offer you a gift. I will take you to our treasures and you are to choose as many jewels as you want."
There was only one thing that Daenerys wanted: her freedom.
"Thorin, I must confess I would have asked you for one thing. It is very private and it concerns my husband. In my world...there are no dynamics. When I came here, it was announced that I was an Omega. I do feel the strange urges taking hold of me four times a year, but it is...very unnatural. For a time, Thorin, I believed my marriage was one of true love and companionship. I did not know the ways of the elves; theirs is a society geared towards eternity and, while their customs were foreign to me, I tried to adapt.
But I am a woman, used to the idea of being loved and cherished; I cannot have any less than total devotion from the one I love. Thranduil...he was married once. It is not his fault, but he is still in love with her. While he has the benefit of eternity, I do not."
Daenerys then looked into Thorin's eyes and asked him for the gems of Lasgalen :" It belonged to her; Thranduil wants it back. I want him to have it,Thorin. I need him to have her gems because they will grant me my freedom.
I will ask Thranduil to release me of our vows in exchange for the gems. He will always be the father of my children, but I cannot have him use me as his whore anymore.
This is all I ask of you, Thorin; to help me server the shackels that tie me to the Elvenking."