"Did you kill them?" Legolas asked, horrified.
"No, the guards are merely asleep. The effects of the sleeping spell will wear off in time. Now, will your father listen to what I have to say?" Avallac'h asked.
"Come, we will discuss this in my chambers," Thranduil said, his mouth set in an unhappy line. He put his arm around Ciri possessively as he lead them to his chambers.
...
"I will be waiting for you in bed," Ciri said. She kissed Thandruil.
"Don't fall asleep without me," he said, smiling. Thranduil turned his attention back to Avallac'h. "Speak, I don't have much patience."
"She is Ciri, the daughter of Geralt and Yennefer. They are highly distressed over her absence which is why I am here to bring her back," Avallac'h said.
"You don't expect me to believe that, do you? I've seen Ciri's power, nothing can hold her back. If Ciri wanted to, she could return to her family any time she liked," Thranduil said suspiciously. "What is Ciri's significance to you?"
"I already told you, Ciri is his-" Legolas started but fell silent when Thranduil made a slashing motion with one hand.
"I asked Avallac'h, not you," Thranduil said in cold and measured words. Legolas' cheeks flushed at his father's rebuke.
"Ciri's power comes from the Elder Blood. This is because she is a descendant of Lara Dorren, the bearer of Elder Blood," Avallac'h said. "You have to understand, the Elder Blood is a rare and important part of my elven heritage. You have seen the great extent of its power."
"Be that as it may, this Lara Dorren, she is special to you. She means more to you than her powers," Thranduil said, insinuating his statement.
"Lara was my betrothed but she chose a human instead," Avallac'h said. "Otherwise, Ciri would have been related to me by blood."
"Your... betrothed? I can see it in your face; you loved her, didn't you?" Thranduil asked. Avallac'h's uncomfortable silence spoke volumes. "Is there anything else that Ciri inherited other than her powers?"
"Yes. Her eyes. She has Lara's eyes," Avallac'h said, his voice a bare whisper.
"You see, Legolas? He has a personal interest in Ciri," Thranduil said smugly with a triumphant smile on his face.
"Not so fast. Though I have only met Avallac'h for a short while, he seems honorable. If I were in the same position, would you like it if someone held me in a state of ignorance, not allowing me to return?" Legolas asked.
"I would crush anyone who dares to do such a thing to my son. I will not rest until you return," Thranduil said.
"And yet you would not hesitate to do that to Ciri? She does not belong here. I will not have her deluded into thinking she is my mother," Legolas said with a note of finality.
Thranduil shook his head with a gesture of defeat, and then, with a short laugh said, "My son has shown me my error. I am forced to concede."
"Truly?" Legolas said, not daring to believe it could be this easy to convince his father.
This time the reply was a dismissive wave of a hand. "Your room has been prepared for you. Sleep well, Legolas," Thranduil said.
Legolas turned to leave. Avallac'h bowed and was about to do the same when Thranduil stopped him.
"I did not say you may leave, Avallac'h," Thranduil said.
"Father?" Legolas said uncertainly.
"Go on, I wish to speak further with Avallac'h," Thranduil said.
Avallac'h nodded at Legolas reassuringly.
...
Avallac'h was left in the room.
"Ciri, my love, are you still awake?" Thandruil called to her.
"Yes, Thranduil?" Ciri said, coming towards them.
He pulled her to his lap, studying Avallac'h's reaction. Avallac'h had turned his face away, he could not bear to look.
Thranduil started to kiss her breasts without caring about Avallac'h's presence. Ciri moaned, her hands cradling Thranduil's head.
"Hear how she moans for me, Avallac'h," Thranduil said.
"That is enough," Avallac'h said, unable to supress a tear which dripped from the corner of his eye. Thranduil merely laughed.
"Your kind is immortal. Surely you know that you will outlive her?" Avallac'h said.
"Watch your words," Thranduil hissed. "Yes, I am well aware of that fact. I wish for her to spend the rest of her short life here, as my queen. It will be better for her than the life she left behind."
"That is utterly selfish of you. Who are you to decide what is best for her?" Avallac'h said.
"Don't pretend as if you are doing this out of the goodness of your heart. Given the chance, you would probably do the same. I didn't bring her here, she found me," Thranduil said.
Ciri yawned, resting her head on Thranduil's shoulder.
"I have nothing further to speak to you. Oh and one more thing... don't you dare pull a trick like what you did to my guards earlier. You do that again, I will kill you regardless of what my son says," Thranduil said. "Now get out of my sight."
Thranduil had already spent many nights on foreplay, planning to take his time before consummating his relationship with Ciri. After all, Thranduil had the whole of eternity to explore various pleasures with his consort.
Avallac'h's presence, however, made him reconsider his plan. Thranduil now felt the need to hurry, to mark Ciri as his. He felt threatened by Avallac'h, he was afraid of losing Ciri.
"Ciri," Thranduil murmured. "Tonight, I want to try something new."
They took their robes off and climbed into bed. He pressed kisses to her neck, her breasts. At her moan of pleasure, he grew bolder still, running moist kisses across her stomach.
There was a man, a time before, just like this. Memories flooded Ciri's mind, of a silver haired elven king with a slender body, who unlike Thranduil did not wear a crown, but wore a golden necklace instead.
The necklace she wore was becoming uncomfortably warm. Ciri was certain that Avallac'h was with her when she met this elven king, but she struggled to remember his name.
"My love?" Thranduil asked, seeing that Ciri was not paying attention.
"Auberon!" She gasped, partly from the pain and partly from the triumph of remembering.
Ciri had called on another's name. The bitterness that Thranduil felt was like bile mixed with the wine of love.
"Auberon, king of the Aen Elle elves," Ciri said. "I was in his bed."
Thranduil abruptly left and she was alone, just like with Auberon.
...
"You said that Ciri is acting that way because of the gems she wears, but we're unable to take them off," Legolas said. "You have any ideas how to help her?"
"We need to bring her to your mother's tomb," Avallac'h said.
"My mother was not entombed, she had a highly peculiar burial," Legolas said.