When the bath was run Tauriel went in first sitting at the edge of the water and slowly dipping a toe into the steaming hot water. Ever so carefully she eased her pale body into the water, savouring the feeling. The warmth of the water relaxed her aching muscles and the aroma of the salts eased her wary mind. Her feet brushed the bottom of the pool when she stood. Resting her head against the edge of the bath she closed her eyes and let the lapping water ease her into a drowsy state. She heard footsteps behind her and knew Thranduil was joining her. She felt his body move next to hers and opened her eyes to see his broad chest just above the water. She had to admit that she was attracted to the king and his Elven beauty, it was almost impossible to draw her eyes away from his gorgeous broad shoulders and sculpted chest. His mouth kissed her cheek softly before tracing a line down her soft neck and collarbone. Tauriel gasped at the sensation and felt his mouth form into a smile against her skin. His hand had found its place in her copper hair caressing it lightly whilst his mouth still worked on the small space where her neck and collarbone met. Tauriel let her head roll back allowing him more entry to her neck. "Le bain (You're beautiful)." he murmured into her skin. She took her hands and entangled them in his hair keeping him close to her body. His soft hands moved down her hair soon they were sliding over her skin caressing her gently. Tauriel closed her eyes and leaned against his head, his touch sending tingles all over her body. She kept her eyes closed. His hands moved lower and suddenly Tauriel gasped her eyes flying open in a flash. Realising what was going to happen, she pulled his hand away from her body. "Oh no hir nîn (my lord) I can't, I love Kíli." "I'm sorry Tauriel, I don't know what came over me... would you like me to wash your hair?" Tauriel nodded in response and turned to allow Thranduil to unbraid her hair. Lying her head back she let him pour warm water over her hair. His soft hands worked their way through her scalp massaging the shampoo into her tangled hair. Tauriel enjoyed the feeling and let a soft moan slip through her lips. Every touch made her feel warmer inside. Thranduil realised what he was doing to her so continued to massage her scalp until her whole body was pressed up against his. Tauriel's beauty was driving him insane he knew he had to control himself before he did something rash. She lost all sense of time relaxing into her kings arms, slowly she let her head roll back onto his shoulder with a low moan of pleasure. Then suddenly she noticed he'd stopped touching her. She was confused for a second before he began washing the lather of bubbles out of her hair. When he was done Tauriel turned and looked up into his eyes; they were dark and burning with lust and she was sure hers showed the same. "My turn now hir nîn (my lord)." she whispered barely audible. She sat on a ledge in the bath so she could reach Thranduil's hair whilst he stood between her legs. She poured a jug of water over his head and ran her fingers through his silvery blonde hair, it was so silky Tauriel was shocked, she wasn't expecting it to be so soft even if he was the king. "How do you keep your hair so soft and clean, Thranduil?" Tauriel whispered in his ear. Thranduil was aware of her body pressed up against his back, he could feel her breasts pressing into his shoulders as she whispered. And oh how she said his name he felt as though he would fall apart then and there. He wanted so desperately to turn around and admire Tauriel in her full naked form. To hold each breast and kiss every inch of her body. But she had stopped him already, denied his touch. She began to massage the shampoo into his hair, her touch sent his body into a frenzy. He wanted and needed more. Her hands kept straying away from his hair and down his back, tracing the planes and dips of his muscles. Unlike Tauriel he bit his lip holding back his moans of pleasure enjoying her touch. She rinsed his hair out but instead of letting him go she wrapped her arms around him and began touching all over his body caressing him gently slowly getting lower and lower. With a groan Thranduil stopped her hand as it moved below his navel and held it in his own before turning around. "Please Tauriel you need to stop you don't realise how much I want you. Need you." "I need you too-" she gasped before Thranduil slid his hot palms around her hips and pushed her up against the edge of the bath and claimed her mouth. She could feel his hardened length brushing hot against her as their bodies were pressed flush together. She parted her mouth letting his tongue roll across her bottom lip before entwining with her own tongue. A low growl left him. "Puiegen milui athan 'lî (Your lips are sweet beyond honey)." he said with a gasp. With one hand in her hair and the other at her hip a moan escaped her and his hands moved away, shifting up and down her body. Stopping at her breasts, he cupped his hands around them marvelling at her sheer beauty. Her hands ran through his hair as she sighed into him. "Bed." Tauriel gasped, lust pumping through her veins as she broke away for air from their kiss. Thranduil climbed out of the bath and carried Tauriel to his bed bridal style. Beads of water rolled down his defined chest and Tauriel traced the trail they made all the way down to his hardened cock. "Towel" Tauriel said before they left the bathroom, she was shocked at how desperate she was for him. "Why?" Thranduil questioned. "We have to sleep there." "Who says we're going to sleep?" he said with a wink before grabbing a plush white towel and wrapping it around the both of them. He placed her onto the bed with her between his legs and let her stroke him idly. Her touch was mesmerising and he could feel himself becoming lost in the moment. Suddenly her fingers wrapped around him and began sliding up and down his length. A low growl erupted from his chest at each stroke and he thrust his hips into her hand at each pump. Tauriel could feel her passion building just watching Thranduil respond to her actions and movements. Tauriel wriggled her body down so she could suck on him tentatively. Her breath fanned across his body before her lips wrapped around his length. "Oh Eru!" he shuddered. Tauriel smiled as she let her tongue move down his length tracing the vein on the underside of his cock, Thranduil sat up suddenly groaning and throwing his head back as she circled and flicked her tongue around his prick. He could feel his body trembling under her touch as she took him deeper into her mouth, he let her carry on like this until his pleasure began to build up too much to hold back. He wasn't going to let her have all the fun; taking her hands he rolled her onto her back and pinned them above her head with one hand, then leaning over her body he planted kisses over her exposed skin. He kissed her hip, slowly following the trail inwards. With his other hand he parted her legs and skimmed over her lightly with his gentlest touch before he began stroking her clit in circles enjoying the soft moans she made. Then he entered one finger into her and then another still rubbing her clit. Tauriel bucked her hips against his hand in response to the pleasure sparking through her body as he started moving in and out. He curled his fingers slightly inside her and she cried out in pleasure grabbing his hair as her muscles tightened around him. She was so close to the edge of release. Suddenly he pulled his fingers out of her and circled her entrance. She bucked her hips in frustration trying to get him inside of her again. She moaned in displeasure but Thranduil placed a finger to her lips to shush her which she obediently followed. He began kissing her from her lips down taking care to focus on her sensitive spots such as the base of her neck. Her stomach trembled and her breathing quickened. As his mouth got lower she shut her eyes then suddenly his mouth was everywhere she wanted it to be; his tongue flicked and sucked in all the right places lapping up her juices and moving inside her. His tongue left no parts untouched and she clenched her hands into the sheets balling them up in her tight fists. He teasingly sucked at her slick folds making her cry out in pleasure before his tongue began sucking on her clit. Her muscles clenched and she felt herself coming under his touch, every flick of his tongue had her seeing stars. Her muscles were tensing under her skin and the throbbing between her hips intensified. Then all of a sudden he stopped yet again. "No." Tauriel cried "Stop being a bloody tease." "I'm sorry I was just making sure you were ready for the best part." he said moving so his body was above her. He dragged his throbbing cock over her pausing at her entrance before pushing himself into her ever so slowly. Her breath caught and then Tauriel moaned in delight as he stretched her slowly to accommodate him. Her fingers slid up and over his shoulders moving down his back as he groaned softly into her hair. He gripped her hips tightly holding her close to him as he gently thrust into her. His tight grip was sure to leave bruises but that made her passion burn hotter within her. He pulled out slowly with a grown and a whimper from Tauriel as she moved to try and keep him inside of her, before he sunk back in. Their pace started off slow as Thranduil adjusted into the rhythm then Tauriel wrapped her legs around his hips and began to meet his thrusts. Tauriel so desperately wanted her orgasm to claim her but at the same time she didn't want this to end. As she tightened around him he shuddered in response. His thrusts became longer and harder as he moved on top of her. She squeezed her eyes tight shut and gasped as waves of pleasure pulsated through her body sending her tumbling into release. His mouth claimed hers stopping her from crying out as pleasure exploded throughout her body. His body shook above her and his thrusts slowed. Then finally Thranduil collapsed on top of her panting heavily as he too found his release, their bodies a combination of sweat. Tauriel could feel his hot breath in her ear breathing deeply. "I haven't slept with anyone since my wife and probably won't ever again." "I forgive you from earlier. I know this is silly but I can't help but feel guilty about Kíli, I should have given myself to him." "Don't worry Tauriel darling. When I take you to the Grey Havens you'll see him and forget about the events of today. This was meaningless, just pure lust and desire. I led you on so it's my fault not yours." Tauriel looked up to see her kings face looking sadder than earlier. She reached a hand up and stroked his burnt cheek. "Aran nîn (My king) that's not what I meant I love you and pledged myself to serve you many years ago, my heart is just torn between what to do. I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused for you..." "Hush now Tauriel be peaceful now, the past is the past. You should rest ready for the new adventures that await you tomorrow. Losto vaer melethenin. (Goodnight my love.)" "Losto vaer hir nîn. (Good night my lord)" And with that they fell asleep in each others arms holding hands and slept peaceful dreams despite the horrors of the earlier day. When dawn arrived, they were locked in an embrace. Thranduil's arms hugged her close to his chest so that he could feel her every breath fanning out against his chest. Her breathing was slow and calm while she slept. Thranduil wasn't normally an early morning person but he wanted to enjoy every last moment with Tauriel if she was going to leave today. He stroked her hair letting it flow freely through his fingers; Tauriel stirred under his touch. She looked beautiful and he couldn't help placing a kiss onto her forehead. She opened her eyes looking confused then she saw her King. "Good morning, melethenin (my love). Did you have a nice sleep?" "Yes, len hannon aran nîn. A len? (thank you my King. And you?)" "I have not slept so peacefully in years... do you still want to go to the undying lands?" "No hir nîn (my lord). Last night I pondered on what I want to do and although I loved Kíli I may not even be able to live with him in the undying lands. I have decided I shall stay in the palace under your ruling. After the events of yesterday I honestly don't think I could leave your side." "Is that truly what you wish. I wouldn't want to stop you from living your dream." "Yes I have thought long and hard and I have decided what I want besides I am quite content here in your arms, I could lay here like this for days." she said gazing into his icy blue eyes that seemed to soften when upon her. "Me too, darithon adh gin an i and anîrog. (I will stay with you for as long as you want)." Suddenly a knock sounded at the door distracting Thranduil from what he was going to say and the pair were startled away from each other. "Come in." Thranduil ordered climbing out of bed and grabbing a silk robe before moving towards the door. His maid entered bowing low. "Aran nîn (My King), I brought you your breakfast." Her eyes moved over to Tauriel who was trying to seem inconspicuous by hiding behind the sheets. The maid blushed and quickly looked away, "Should I bring up another tray for the Captain of the guard?" "N-" Tauriel was cut off by Thranduil, "Yes please Lostariel. That should be all, len hannon (thank you)." "Yes aran nîn (my King)." she said bowing before leaving. When the door was shut Thranduil turned to Tauriel with a smirk, "I wonder how long it will take for a rumour to be spread through the realm. She is my most trusted servant but I can wager she has a gossip with the other servants." The look of shock that spread over Tauriel's features and the blush that covered her cheeks was enough to make Thranduil laugh, "û-safo niphred (have no fear) Tauriel I know exactly how to resolve this problem. Leave it to me ci beriathon (I'll protect you). Come and eat to take your mind off of it." he said changing the topic and gesturing for Tauriel to sit at the table. Tauriel slowly got up, wrapping the cotton sheet around her slender body and moved towards the table. She sat in front of the food but didn't touch it, nerves rushing through her body. Thranduil placed his larger hand over hers in a friendly gesture, "I said not to worry. You need to eat, we have a message for the entire kingdom if you are to return to your post as captain of the guard." reluctantly Tauriel began to eat watching Thranduil's face as he stared at her. When he was content that she had ate enough he told her to leave for her own bed chambers to get ready for the announcement before the kingdom. Instead of getting ready when she got back to her room Tauriel flopped down on her bed and smiled to herself. She couldn't believe what had just happened to her. Legolas had told her the king had always favoured her and she knew by the way he treated her, but she didn't realise it was in this way. Tauriel ha to admit she felt smug that he had chosen her over the many other maidens in the kingdom who were much more beautiful and probably more suited for him. But something nagged at the back of her mind what if he didn't love her the way she liked him. What if last night was just a one off thing. Would he pretend it never happened? Would she return back to her post and be ignored by him? Tauriel couldn't even think of what she would do in that situation. To distract herself she thought of the last thing he had said to her 'wear a dress later and look as beautiful as usual'. If he had said that she was beautiful he must like her or was he just saying that to make her feel better about herself. Tauriel was feeling more and more confused as she thought so she went up to her wardrobe to look for something to wear. She pulled out a dress from the back of her wardrobe, she wasn't sure if it would be suitable but it was the only one she owned. Tauriel wasn't really a dress person, the last time she wore a dress was at Legolas' birthday ball and that was only after he insisted and blackmailed her into it. A pair of leggings and her guard's uniform was enough for her to be happy and comfortable. The dress was a deep shade of blue like the night sky, what is more when the light hit the dress at a certain angle the fabric seemed to shimmer and twinkle like the stars she was so fond of. It had a deep neckline and long flowing sleeves, it was straight in shape hiding her curves with silver embroidery along the hem and a silver belt that hung loosely from her hips. She plaited her hair into her usual style and when she was happy with how she looked she went back to the King's chambers. Tauriel knocked on his door and waited for him to let her in. When he opened the door to greet her Thranduil gasped in shock, "Come in Tauriel. Le bain (You look beautiful)." "Len hannon aran nîn (Thank you my king). And might I say you are looking very handsome yourself." Tauriel said. He was wearing a long silver robe embroidered in patterns of the forest with black leggings and leather boots. He wasn't wearing his crown instead it sat on his table, his hair hung loosely around his shoulders framing his face. Thranduil took Tauriel's face in his hands and stared into her eyes. Leaning down he went to kiss her but stopped midway. Tauriel could feel his breath on her face and closed her eyes feeling dizzy with bliss. Thranduil didn't seem to close the gap so she stood on her toes and held his chin placing a light kiss onto his mouth. When she broke away Thranduil placed his forehead on top of hers and they stayed that way for a while longer. "Tauriel there is something I need to ask you." he said playing with his hands in what seemed like nervous anticipation, then he went down onto one knee, "Tauriel im bestathog? (will you marry me?)" Tears brimmed her eyes threatening to spill, "Thranduil, I- I- uh I don't know what to say..." she stuttered completely unprepared for this scenario, "Y-Yes of course I will." the tears falling freely now. Thranduil placed the ring that he had taken from his own hand upon her finger and kissed it as it sat on her hand before standing and embracing her in a tight hug. "The ring was my wife's but I want you to have it." Tauriel looked down at it, the ring was fairly simple but yet beautiful, it was silver and worn around the edges from the years of use. It was shaped into intertwining branches reminding her of the forest "My lord I have seen you wear this often before." "Please Tauriel if you are to be my wife I'd rather you called me Thranduil and yes I have worn it ever since my wife's death, it was hers. The matching one is also here" he said holding his hand out to her. She took his hand and inspected her ring's twin. It was similar to her own but had more branches. "Oh it's beautiful." she exclaimed reaching up to kiss him again, she couldn't stop smiling between their kisses when they broke away. "Gi melin. (I love you.)" "Take my arm melethenin (my love) we have a kingdom to share our joyous news with." Tauriel smiled up at him before looping her arm around his. "As some of you may know Captain Tauriel was stripped of her role as guard and banished from the kingdom. I have realised my mistake and now offer her her place as Captain back." Thranduil said looking out over the watching crowd "And despite all the sadness of the past days and the growing darkness I am proud to bare you happy tidings..." some murmuring broke out but Thranduil hushed the voices with a raise of his hand "I have thought it is about time for there to be a new queen and luckily I have found love again though it is unexpected it is real and true. There is to be a royal wedding. I am engaged to the Captain of the guard, Lady Tauriel." clapping and voices filled the room on the arrival of the news. Though the news was unexpected and caught everyone by surprise a chorus of cheers echoed around the room. "See I told you not to worry about anything." Thranduil smirked taking her hand and interlocking his fingers with hers. "I should have listened and trusted you." she smiled "You have a lot to learn Tauriel but as soon as you're my wife we'll have forever, and I'm looking forward to that moment. How about tomorrow?" a look of confusion spread over Tauriel's features, "Why don't we get married tomorrow?"