Authors note: PLEASE READ THIS! Hi guys, this story may seem rushed at the beginning but trust me, this isn't a short story; I'm going for a fairy tale feeling at the beginning so it may seem wishy washy but Elves can fall in love at first sight so that is the base for the beginning of this story. Also this story is NOT IN CANNON WITH THE BOOKS OR FILMS, THIS STORY BEGINS AROUND A THOUSAND YEARS BEFORE THE HOBBIT, so don't hate me, it will go into the books and films later on. Thranduil starts of kind of reserved but soppy towards a certain Ellith, but later on I assure you he will be the cold temperamental Elven King we all love. I'm sorry if you all like cannon stories, but for where I'm going with this, it's out of cannon and I'm going to mess with things a bit; I'm a creative person and I want to do something different. Okay rant over, reviews and stuff are welcome but be polite. Anyway, enjoy my story...
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In the lands of Rivendell, the Lord Elrond lived with his only child his daughter Laurena. Together they lived in the Elven lands, in a huge Elven manor fit for only Elves of high status. The Manor was surrounded by towering green trees and a gently flowing waterfall. Inside the Manor it was fine Elven carved woods and fine tapestries that the Lord Elrond had acquired over the years.
Lord Elrond was an Elf that was now slowly showing his years. He had dark blue eyes and as tall as a lithe oak tree, with dark flowing tresses. Lord Elrond had been without his wife for many years now, his daughter was his only company and she was something that he held dear with high value. Value indeed. Being his only child, Lord Elrond refused any suitors that would ask for his daughters hand, he was holding out for the best suitor he could find and nothing less than his expectations would do, if he had to let her go; his daughter was amazingly beautiful (in his opinion and so no one ever argued) so he had no worries about suitors flocking for her.
Lady Laurena was a young strong willed elf. She was tall, slender but with delicate curves, her skin was like porcelain, she had a roundish face but with cheekbones that were visible, her eyes were a bright sky blue and above them were the longest natural eyelashes , her eyebrows were rounded and elegant, she had a feminine nose and a small full mouth; her makeup highlighted those features. Laurena also had very long beautiful natural red hair that would flow down her back in waves and parted in the middle to shape her face; it also just hit the small of her back and her Elven ears were small and curved into a delicate tip. Though she loved her father she knew that he kept a price on her head, she knew it was because he wanted what was best for her but she was worried that one day that would be her down fall and she would be in a marriage with someone she felt nothing for but when the time comes she had been promised a say in the matter and her adar was a man of his word; after all she was old enough to make her own choices (if she were human her age would be around 25).
Due to his numerous refusals of marriage for his daughter, Lord Elrond was beginning to build resentment towards their family and that made her worry that her father's actions would mean that no one would want to marry her. At the present moment though, she couldn't care less about being married, she was young and didn't need a husband telling her how to behave and giving him little Elflings but Elrond constantly told her, that matters of the heart can change quickly.
...
At least for now, her father was pre-occupied with welcoming the King of Mirkwood to their home. He was arriving soon with a small party for a visit on his journey back to Mirkwood. Lord Elrond was bossing all the servants about, making sure that all the finery he owned was out and everything was cleaned and shined to perfection; he wanted the Elven king to be impressed. Laurena didn't know much about the King, other than that he was married very young and his wife died not long after, giving birth to their son.
He was going to be arriving soon, so Lord Elrond was making sure that the servants he had in the yard to greet his highness were looking respectable and that Laurena was present and dressed in finery. Laurena was dressed in a deep green dress that was tight fitting and had golden embroidery on the bodice, her hair was wavy down her back, apart from two thick strands she wore down the front so that her ears were visable and she wore a small gold circlet on her head.
Laurena looked at her father stood beside her, he was standing proud and dressed in his finest silk robes; he was going to stop at nothing to impress the King. Elrond caught his daughters gaze and gave her a nod before leaning across to speak with her.
''I want you on your best behaviour.'' Elrond whispered.
Laurena smiled a little ''I'm always on my best behaviour Adar.''
She heard her father sigh and was about to speak again before he could hear the sound of horse hooves quickly approaching so instead went to standing tall.
The small group of the Kings party road into the court yard, in fine velvet tunics before Laurena caught sight of one Elf, who appeared to be the King, as he was dressed in fine grey leathers with silver embroidery and held himself with power. The elf road further forwards when his group had stopped, his long golden blonde hair flowing and there seemed to be a royal silver circlet resting on his head.
He stopped sideways in front of the Lord and his daughter. Inclining his head briefly before speaking ''I am King Thranduil of Mirkwood and it is an honour to be held guest at your beautiful home.'' He had a low velvety voice that was sending the female servants into a swoon.
Lord Elrond inclined his head ''It is an honour that you accepted our invitation my King, I hope your journey was pleasant and that our home makes you welcome.''
''I imagine it will, Lord Elrond.'' He said before dismounting his horse and standing before them; he was amazingly tall, Laurena's head would only have reached his shoulder. In the distance the rest of his party dismounted and the King's horse and the others were lead away to the stables.
''Your highness, this is my daughter Laurena.'' Elrond said, nudging his daughter forwards a little.
Thranduil inclined his head towards Laurena ''My lady, it is an honour.'' He spoke, taking her left hand and placing a kiss upon it. He seemed to take his time, doing the act slowly, letting his lips linger over her fingers, once the kiss was finished he let his piercing blue eyes rest on hers before letting her have her hand back. Laurena curtsied a little to show her thanks and lowered her head, only to look back up again and see his piercing gaze still upon her.
Lord Elrond, lead the King inside, Laurena following before leaving to go to her room, as father would wish to speak with the King alone.
...
Elrond lead Thranduil around the manor, showing him it's wealth and beauty. Thranduil could see that the Lord took pride in his home and their history and wished for it to be as welcoming for Thranduil. Elrond lead Thranduil to his study and offered him a seat before joining him.
''You have a beautiful home.'' Thranduil spoke.
''Thank you my King but I am sure it doesn't compare to the palace in Mirkwood.''
Thranduil's lips twitched into a hardly noticeable smile ''Your daughter is quite beautiful my Lord, I imagine you highly wish to keep her safe before letting her go to her suitor.''
Elrond nodded ''I do sire but no suitor that has asked for her hand is worthy of it and for some I know that she would be too much of a handful.''
Thranduil's face broke into a smile ''How so?''
Elrond sighed ''My daughter is quite free spirited...and not to mention stubborn.''
Thranduil chuckled ''She sounds delightful, if I may, I would like to speak to her.''
Lord Elrond's eyes widened slightly ''Yes, yes of course.''
Lord Elrond had some servants fetch Laurena, from outside his study he could hear Laurena speaking about how she wasn't going to act like a perfect 'Lady' that keeps quiet, causing Thranduil to smile. When she entered the room, she curtsied for the King before sitting down next to her father.
''Lady Laurena, your father tells me that you are quite free spirited; is it so?'' Thranduil asked.
Laurena nodded her head ''Yes your highness, I don't like to be told to act as a suppressed Lady.'' Her father glared at her but he was only met by her own fiery glare.
Thranduil smiled ''Suppressed? How would you be suppressed?''
''To only speak when told, to do as men say as they think they are superior, why should I be anything less than myself?'' She spoke.
Lord Elrond glared again at his daughter ''Laurena, behave yourself!'' He whispered sternly.
She looked at her father for a moment before turning back to meet Thranduil's gaze with a light smile dancing on her lips ''I prove my point, your highness.''
Thranduil chuckled ''You are quite something my Lady.''
Laurena raised a playful eyebrow ''Yes but what is that something, sire?''
Thranduil smiled widely ''Something quite...memorable.''
''Thank you, your highness.'' She added.
Not much more was said between them as her father began to talk, to which Thranduil only half listened; he was much more interested in the exquisite creature that sat opposite. Elrond carried on talking, oblivious to it all. Laurena wasn't really focusing on her father's speaking, she was in a world of her own thinking about other things. When Thranduil shifted in his chair, so that his long limbs were stretched sideways. He had strong lithe legs and the further her gaze travelled it ended up resting on his neck, where the collar of his leathers reached the dip in his collar bone; the lithe muscles moving in his neck as he spoke were quite hypnotising. The king seemed to notice, as his piercing icy blue eyes held her flustered gaze, a hardly noticeable smile gracing his lips.
'The things I would do to that Ellith' Thranduil thought as his eyes drifted over her a few more times, he didn't want Elrond becoming too suspicious, if he were to stare.
...
After the meeting was over, Elrond went about his manor and left the King to any business he needed to attend to. Laurena had nothing to do but sit on one of the balconies on a comfy pillowed bench. She sat there day dreaming, staring out over the trees and waterfalls; thinking. She had an ability to go into a deep trance like state while day dreaming, she was oblivious to all things around her both noise and sight. One of the reasons she didn't hear the approaching footsteps coming towards her.
Thranduil looked at her, staring off into the distance, he didn't say a word to her, not that she would hear him if he did. He placed himself on the bench next to her, reclining back and watching her stare off into the distance. She eventually sighed and came back to reality, she turned her head and jumped a little when she saw Thranduil sitting so relaxed next to her.
''I'm sorry I scared you.'' Thranduil said smiling.
''It's fine, your highness.'' Laurena replied, looking away.
Thranduil sat up and moved closer to her ''I would prefer it if you called me Thranduil.'' He said eyeing the side of her face.
She turned to look at him again ''Yes Thranduil.''
His eyes gleamed when she spoke his name and a wide smile graced his lips ''I can see why you sit out here, the view is wonderful.'' Thranduil said, looking out over the scenery.
Laurena smiled a little ''I sit out here a lot, I like just sitting and thinking.''
''What do you think about?'' Thranduil asked, eyeing the way the fading sun was making her features glow.
She met his gaze ''Everything, I think about lots of things.''
''Do you like mind puzzles?'' Thranduil asked.
''Like riddles?'' Laurena questioned.
Thranduil tilted his head a little ''More the way our minds view things, for example is the goblet half full or half empty.''
Laurena smiled ''Yes, please share one with me.''
Thranduil gave a nod ''If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?''
Laurena thought about it, Thranduil studying her features before she gave her answer ''No, it doesn't. The whole concept of sound is to be heard, if no one is there, how can it be heard.''
Thranduil chuckled ''It is nice to finally see someone who doesn't say that it does and actually gives a reason to why it doesn't. You are the only person besides myself to ever come to that conclusion.''
''Did your answer cause upset?'' Laurena smiled.
''No it did not but then I am the King and not many will dare question me.'' Thranduil smiled and watched her, planning his next move.
He cleared his throat ''Laurena, would you do me the honour of sitting with me at dinner?''
Laurena smiled ''Isn't my adar supposed to sit with you?''
Thranduil gave a curt nod ''Yes but you are not only excellent conversation but radiate beauty and I would much rather have your company.''
Laurena raised an eyebrow ''Are you trying to gain my affections?''
Thranduil chuckled ''That depends. Is it working?''
She shrugged ''No.''
Thranduil frowned ''Then I offer you my apologies Laurena.'' He paused before he smiled lightly ''I will try much harder in the future.''
''Hmm, good.'' She spoke before getting up from the bench. He watched her with curiousity before standing before her, statuesque and beautiful. She looked up a little to meet his gaze and a slight smile tugged at his lips before he gently took one of her hands and brought it to his lips; keeping his icy blue eyes locked to hers. His kiss was feather light and lingered in all the right ways, after what felt like an eternity he gave her hand back to her and she released a breath she didn't know she was holding.
''I will be expecting you at dinner.'' Thranduil spoke.
Laurena smiled lightly before pulling away from Thranduil and beginning to walk away ''I will accompany you...'' She said as she carried on walking before she paused and turned her head to the side but refusing to turn all the way and meet his gaze ''Thranduil.'' Laurena spoke softly with a sultry tone then carried on walking back into the manor.
That tone made Thranduil growl under his breath, he watched the gentle sway of her narrow hips as she walked inside; this Ellith was going to drive him crazy, in all the ways he wanted.
...
Elvish translations: Adar = father