Chapter 2 done! I was actually blushing while writing this haha but hope you enjoy it!
I jolted out of my room and after bumping into my father, followed him outside to greet the mystery guest. I held a small smile of excitement of my face when I saw a very handsome elf approach on horseback. He looked very familiar but his facial features were soft and he looked to be a very trustworthy person. He transitioned off his horse and greeted Lord Elrond.
"Very nice to see you again Legolas."
Legolas smiled and then looked at me. I smiled at him and he slightly bowed his head. I could get used to having more guests around. For some reason we did not head inside but instead waited. After standing there for a few more minutes another rider came. He sat very straight and tall on his horse. I wondered if I was mistaken but I could've sworn he was Thranduil, but that was unlikely. He got down from his horse and as he walked closer I felt like I was going to throw up. The sound of his leather boots made me feel dizzy. It seemed like the world hated me for me to always have encounters with him. Thranduil gave his greetings and we finally left the outside heat and went into the shade of the indoors.
Thranduil, Lord Elrond and my father discussed matters privately and I was left to awkward silence with Legolas.
"So your name is Legolas?" I asked him.
He seemed very spaced out. I was very curious about him.
"Nanye Aranel."
There was still no answer.
Then after a moment he spoke.
"Aranel, don't you get tired of the same thing over and over again?"
"Yes, but sometimes it is comforting," I answered.
"What about the rest of the world?" He asked.
"I don't know. I'm sure you know more than I do."
He chuckled to himself.
"I am just as clueless as you," He said.
I looked at him and could tell he was telling the truth. It was very shocking to hear a prince such as himself had not been exposed to the outside world. In a sense it felt nice to think that we were in the same situation.
After a while the door opened and everyone stepped out. Thranduil had angry look on his face, which caused me to feel bad for Legolas. Thranduil caught sight of me then his face seemed to shift. It looked like a light bulb went off in his head, which made me feel very uneasy.
"Please, stay for dinner your highness," My father said to Thranduil after Lord Elrond left to attend to other matters.
"Yes, since you probably put in a lot of work to please me," Thranduil answered.
Legolas stood by his side and I watched as they walked away. I didn't feel that hungry, so I thought it would be best if I just skipped dinner. I didn't want to be surrounded by small talk and loads of greens.
"Ah look who is trying to get out of her responsibilities."
I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see Thranduil smile with a manipulative look on his face.
"Please forgive me your highness. I was not aware that you sought my presence so desperately."
"You flatter yourself. Now listen to what I have to say," He said getting closer to me.
Before I knew it I was in the same position as when we first met, against the wall with my neck in pain. I didn't look into his eyes. I didn't want to be stuck in those holes of darkness, so I just looked at the brooch on his cloak. It reminded me of a spider, with branches stemming out like hairy legs.
"It seems that you may be of some use to me."
I flashed a look at him while sucking my teeth. This king was off his rocker and he had something up his sleeve. He backed away from me and faced the other way while continuing to talk.
"I heard you do not have a husband yet. Of course no proper elf would want to marry you."
"What are you implying? Last time I checked you are just as alone as I am," I replied without thinking.
Thranduil turned around to face me. His expression did not change but I could tell he seemed to be thinking of his past.
"Which is why I would like to make a deal with you," He said.
I stood there with my arms crossed in disbelief. Were we actually having this conversation?
"What kind of deal?"
"Marry me," He said suddenly.
I began to cry uncontrollably because I could not stop myself from laughing. I had not laughed that hard in my life. He didn't make it obvious but I could tell he was desperate. Maybe he had to get married to keep his throne or something. It didn't matter to me but I felt pity for the cold king.
"I'm sorry," I said after collecting myself. "I intend to marry someone that I actually love."
"And you haven't found someone yet? Shame and I figured you would like to get your father off your back..."
How did he know that? He was sneakier than I thought. I actually considered it for a moment. This would be my chance to finally get out of here and maybe see some of what I've been blind to. There was only one problem…I would be stuck with him. I tried weighing the pros and cons.
"Don't worry," He said stroking my cheek. "I'll play nice."
He left and just as he turned the corner I fell to the floor. I didn't understand why all our conversations had to be so intense but he had a way of getting to me. I felt my cheek and began to burn up thinking of him that close. Would it be wise to take his offer? Wouldn't that just make me a slave?
I wasn't able to get out of dinner that night because it would be "rude" to avoid guests. I just sat there quietly eating small bites of my salad. After torturously making it through dinner I went to bed. As I laid there different visions flashed through my mind. I could picture orcs coming closer and closer. Sometimes my own thoughts scared me, so I tried to think of something else. If I marry Thranduil maybe I could do something. I mean I'm sure being queen has its perks. Before I closed my eyes I decided what I was going to do.
Legolas jumped on his horse and Thranduil came up to me.
"Made a decision?" He whispered in my ear.
"Unfortunately…" I replied.
"As I thought. No one can resist the elven king," He said with a cocky smile.
I tried to smile back. I could feel a hand on my shoulder and saw my father standing next to me.
"I will be back in a few weeks time Lord Elrond," Thranduil said.
Lord Elrond looked confused as to why he was going to be coming back, but I bit my tongue. At least I would have time to prepare myself, but now the next big question was how was I going to tell father?
And chapter 2 is done! So what do you think? Should Aranel tell her father or just wait and see how things go?! Tell me what you think of the story so far:) Thanks!
Translation: Nanye Aranel: I am Aranel