To Sow a Barren Land

Disclaimer: Nope, not mine.

AN: Definitely fluff here. :D Thank you all for your support. I really appreciate it.

Chapter 3

Thorin stood on the balcony, overlooking the steep descent of the slope where bare rocks eventually wrapped along with green vegetation. His mind was uneasy and his heart unsettled.

The situation had gotten worse. Yes, the elves' search grew colder and colder as no traces of the jewel or whereabouts of the offenders could be found. Yes, they were safe and well above suspicion on account of their misgiving with Mirkwood. Still, nothing could be hidden forever and Thorin knew perfectly well that more one tried to cover up his tracks, more obvious he'd become.

Then there was the growing concern of dark powers and that rumoured mysterious ring. A rumour so far but a strong one nonetheless.

Then, the void he felt...

He sighed and let out the disturbance he had been pending up within him. Time had stretched since he had last lain eyes of his 'One'. He missed him so terribly. They had a chance of getting together...

He gripped the railing hard when fragments of that day's events flashed in his minds. They could, if only Thranduil hadn't betrayed him thus.

He hung his head and waited for the anger to pass. Suddenly, the smell of chamomile and juniper filled his nostrils and he jerked up and turned around, grimacing a little when he found he was not alone.

It was a lady. An aristocrat by the looks of her. She ignored Thorin's unwelcomed expression and gently glided beside the dwarf prince, peering out the balcony as the cool breeze waved her honey-blonde curls.

"You must really be troubled," she said in a sweet voice, which faltered Thorin's grimace. "And it is not for the matter of the state."

"And how can you come to such conclusions?" Thorin asked, facing away from the lady and down onto the slopes.

The lady smiled and replied, "You are not attending court where they argue their points."

"Maybe I am fed up of ridiculous arguments," Thorin retorted back.

"When danger looms? Unlikely for the prince."

"An audacious assumption," Thorin raised a brow, referring to both his title and the happenings of court.

The woman guessed what he was thinking and decided to clear his confusion up, "I do attend court, you know. I am not ignorant of the events or the personalities."

Thorin rolled his eyes and said, not tearing away from the scenery, "Then you'd not be ignorant to perceive how cumbersome they become and how one desperately needs to clear his head."

"Or his heart," she at which Thorin jerked his head and faced the other.

He felt a jilt of spark in his heart as he knew what was said was possibly right. Still, he didn't give away his thoughts and instead, frowned at the other, "Again, an audacious assumption."

The woman slowly turned towards him and for a while, regarded him. Her gaze became soft and somewhat sullen as a warm smile spread across her lips. At that, Thorin drew in his breath and even though he tried matching her gaze level by level, he found his strength melting away and he began feeling weak all of a sudden. Weak and exposed.

He gave in at last and let his eyes drop to the ground and then to the scenery as he drew in a deep breath.

Surprisingly, the woman didn't rub it in his face. Instead, she resorted to stay by his side and remained still—as if giving him his own little space to feel whatever he was feeling.

"I can't pretend to understand your pain," she finally said, drawing Thorin's focus upon her. "It must be hurting a lot to let go of the one you love. Why else would you be so withdrawn?"

As she spoke, Thorin felt agreeing with her more and more and somehow, he felt relieved that someone else was able to read him...especially when he needed to be read the most.

"And surely none can compete with the one who holds your heart." She paused, now turning to face Thorin with a calmness surrounding her, "But surely one can hope to provide you with support and friendship while you try and heal your pain."

"And is it you?" Thorin asked trying to be condescending but failing miserably at it as his voice cradled hope.

The woman smiled and nodded, "If you let me."

At that moment, Thorin felt lighter. He wasn't relieved of the pain he felt, surely, but the pain now seemed to have a soothing balm lapped over it in the form of her words.

The woman smiled and took her leave. When she was a few steps ahead, Thorin called out to her and she turned.

"And will I not be allowed to know who my friend is?"

Her smile grew and her eyes basked in softness as she replied, "Esja."

Thorin was left with wonder and embarrassment as her face was completely forgotten by him. He felt his cheeks heating up when he realized he had been purposefully avoiding this woman after two or three meetings. The woman who was her fiancé. The woman who was willing to be his friend.

Then she walked away. Thorin stood behind, feeling a glimmer of hope after many days of torment.

"I'd like to go outside." Thranduil declared, sitting up from his bed with a cringe. He faced Rainion and stared insistently. The other elf visibly sighed and shook his head as he walked over to the blonde, clearly administering his descent.

Thranduil frowned and cleared his throat, making Rainion pause in his stride which he resumed soon after.

"I want to go outside. Now," he stressed, scrunching up his face when the other swooped behind him and fluffed up his pillows. "You hear me perfectly well, Rainion. I need not require to mind you how atrocious it is for you to ignore me."

"The atrocity hasn't slipped my mind, Your Highness. You need not remind me of it," Rainion responded lightly, facing Thranduil, a small chuckle bordering his lips.

Thranduil saw it and scrunched up his face even more. Having seen that, Rainion's smile widened and he stood up straight and said, a hint of mirth behind his now more amiable voice, "But your father, the King, has strictly ordered me to keep you out of trouble. I do not intend to be atrocious towards him."

Thranduil bristled at that, his pride and haughtiness returning to him as much as the colour on his cheeks with his developing pregnancy. His eyes flared when he was talked down to and he shot the other a dangerous look. Rainion tilted his head almost rolling his eyes, before he raised both his brows to give a condescending look, at which Thranduil's eyes flashed even more with arrogance.

"My father runs the kingdom from his throne room and barely sets foot in my chambers and therefore, barely has direct contact with you." He responded in the same manner as he would to the non co-operating delegates. "Most of your time is spent here under my employ and as your employer and the rightful heir of Greenwood, I demand to be taken outside."

He heard a snort. Thranduil's expression turned from arrogance to pure bewilderment and embarrassment when instead of reverence, all Rainion did was throw his head back and let out a hearty laugh.

For a few moments, Thranduil struggled with how to school his features. Finally, when the bewilderment was too much, he gave up and almost childishly stated, "I do not believe I made a joke."

Rainion's laughter increased and he hunched forward, grasping his sides as his face gradually grew red.

Thranduil's face also reddened—not only because of anger but also because the unexpected amusement made at his expense.

"Stop laughing!" He jostled but Rainion was nowhere near following his command. As laughter tore through the Silvan and brightly echoed throughout the room, Thranduil took a deep breath, reached out behind his back and grabbed a pillow.

"I said stop laughing."

He threw the pillow towards Rainion, who stopped immediately as it hit him and stared at his prince with surprised eyes. Not expecting to get such a serious reaction from the other, Thranduil too was staring back with plenty of awkwardness.

"I apologize," he started, taking his eyes off the other. "My action was rude and impr—"

He was stopped when the same pillow hit his face and plopped down on his grown belly. Thranduil gasped and looked disdainfully at the Silvan who raised his hands in the air and shrugged, not at all taking Thranduil seriously.

Thranduil turned his head halfway in the opposite direction, eyes remaining fixed on the brown haired elf, which held a look that promised Rainion eons of hardship. Rainion's face froze and very slowly, his feet twitched and were just about to take steps back when he was hit right at his nose by another pillow.

A smirk crossed Thranduil's lips as the other let out an unceremonious grunt and looked with disapproval back at him as his mouth hung ajar.

Thranduil gave off a cheeky smirk, his lush eyebrows raised to challenge the other from repeating that again. They were raised even higher, wanting to cross the limit of his forehead as did his eyes and he ducked to his right as the pillow whooshed past him.

A chuckled escaped his lips and it was caught by Rainion as a light of playfulness twinkled in his eyes. Weeks had passed and he and Thranduil began to feel more comfortable around each other and more frank. Some would say they even margined along the term 'friend'. They'd say, they crossed the margin and became good friends.

At least on Thranduil's part. As for Rainion—ever since he had declared of his feelings, he felt lighter and happier. The burden of avoidance which weighed him down was gone. Even if Thranduil didn't reciprocate, he certainly didn't turn him away. Instead, they both reached out for each other and grew to liking each other's company.

After a few rounds, Thranduil's face became sombre and upon noticing, Rainion lowered the pillow and walked over to the other.

"I wish you could step outside too," he said gently, at which Thranduil slowly brought his gaze up and settled it on the other's sympathetic face. "But you know what is at stake."

"My dignity," Thranduil scoffed and leaned against the soft pillows. He brought his hand up and absently stroke his now much prominent stomach where his child was growing healthily with the Valar's grace. "Or rather the king's dignity."

Rainion stooped down and barely touched the end of the bed. Thranduil scooted over, making room for him after which, Rainion sat and regarded the other with utmost sincerity.

"That is not true," he spoke trying to reassure Thranduil which he already knew wasn't the actual fact. Rainion understood that he had been caught and he blinked a few times before sighing, "Well that is not entirely true. The king fears for your safety."

"My safety will not be ensured by keeping me in here!" Thranduil retorted back but checked himself quickly as Rainion's face resonated nothing but calmness.

"My prince—"

"Thranduil. I asked you not to use my title."

"Thranduil," Rainion exhales quietly, "You have not been outside too long. You do not know what has come to pass. The woods...they are not the same anymore. They are not as vibrant as they used to be."

"Then perhaps I must see it for myself!" Thranduil reasoned but held back a frustrating sigh when Rainion shook his head.

"They do not speak of it much before me. But it is not the lull of winter. It feels...different. It feels wrong."

"All the more reason for me to see what goes on in my realm!" His interest perked, Thranduil sat up and ignoring the groan escaping from Rainion's throat, he locked his eyes with the other at which Rainion immediately became serious.

"I haven't set foot out of this wing for weeks now. I suffocate, Rainion. I must see the trees and the stars. Else I shall go mad from this blasted confinement." His tone was edged with pent up frustration but it quickly became polished with the power of authority Thranduil was responsible for. "And I must see what danger lurks. If any."

His eyes shone with determination and burned with a passion which would not be doused by any form of discouragement. Rainion became silent and he too stared back at the other. His own features moulded into the same infectious sincerity. Thranduil's gaze remained unwavered. It was clear that he had no intention of budging.

After a few more moments, Rainion finally sighed in defeat and stood up. As Thranduil was helped to his feet by a pair of strong arms, he couldn't help but smile in excitement.

The rumours were true. The trees indeed lost their shade of green and even as they endorsed the chillness of early winter, there was a tinge of grey covering the forest. Thranduil quickly recalled all those days ago when he had noticed a similar thing from the balcony. He had chalked it up to his imagination after a while of thinking but now, he was not as sure.

But his relief outweighed his concern for the time being. The forest was gorgeous. The sun had set a while ago and the sky was draped with beautiful fabrics of evening blue. The moon was yet to come out and already, a few number of stars decorated the clear sky.

Thranduil paused in his walk and took a deep breath. His lungs were filled by the much needed fresh air. The scent of pines, spruce and wild flowers infiltrated his nostrils and heightened each of his senses as they came down on him like a cool, soothing shower washing away his frustration. The slightly cold air hit his face and freshened him up from weariness. His silken manes of gold danced and swayed in the light evening breeze. It was so blissful.

He felt a gentle touch on his left shoulder and with a long exhale, he turned towards the other side. Rainion's face came into view and it was so gentle and tranquil that Thranduil felt inexplicably drawn towards it.

"It is growing late," he said, guiding Thranduil towards the palace, "We must head back inside."

Thranduil shook his head and smiled with all of his innocence. "Let us sit here for a while longer. Please Rainion. It has been so long. I want to cherish the free forest for a bit more."

He bit his lips and awaited the other's consent. When Rainion nodded, his smile brightened up and he led the other to one of the trees which had a nice girth and an umbrella like cover of leaves.

He held his lower belly and with the support of the trunk to his side and Rainion from behind, Thranduil lowered himself on the forest floor, extending his hand up for the other elf to come and join him. The Silvan smiled and took a seat beside Thranduil and both sat in a comfortable silence, enjoying the essence of the woods.

"I used to come here as a child," Rainion said, lost in reminiscence. A light smile ghosted his lips and his tone was so soft and quiet that it reached Thranduil's heart and breezed through it. "It was my own little corner where I could sit and relax. I would talk to the trees and would tell them how I loathed weapons' training."

Thranduil's eyes sparkled with a calm joy as he listened to the other. Unbeknownst to him, his own lips curled to a smile and all of his attention was drawn solely on the elf beside him.

"I hated how they destroyed. I promised the trees that I would never take up weapons, unless I had no other choice. Which is why I devoted my energy to more scholarly streams. Something that wouldn't involve forged metal." He paused and faced the other as he said with a wry smile, "You must think I am a coward."

"Not at all," responded Thranduil. His starry eyes were gleaming with an indescribable light as his insides felt fluttery and warm. He felt infected by the gentility that came from Rainion. The more the elf talked, more Thranduil found himself drowning in the care with which each word was spoken. He found unable to look away.

"You are not a coward." His own tone was breezy and the flutter in his chest all but increased as he felt his face tighten with a rush of feelings.

"I hate weapons," Rainion countered. His eyes were warm and were swimming with emotions that Thranduil was no longer able to ignore.

He breathed in and lowered his eyes, looking at his lap as a dull and pleasurable throb settled in his core.

"You protect," his words came as murmurs and his voice was drowned by the heat rising up from his heart to his throat, face and ears.

Rainion's breath sounded hitched and Thranduil's fingers twitched as his gaze fell on to the hand resting beside his own. Very slowly, he raised his eyes, which were full of content and shining with joy as they danced between the warm orbs of the other.

His breath came out smooth and heaved. His chest rose and fell heavily but with a gentle transition. Thranduil's cheeks warmed and his eyes gleamed ever brighter like the stars above as he found Rainion's eyes holding him with adoration.

The wet sound of his lips parting distracted no one. The dull throb in his chest gradually turned to rapid beats of his heart as multitudes of emotions flooded him.

Thranduil brought his hands up slowly and ghosted them beside Rainion's face. Slender fingers moved a little, contemplating if they should go forward with what they intended to do.

Rainion's hands were too brought up and with much deliberation of their own, settled onThranduil's biceps before quickly fluttering away like a butterfly and settling again with their own pace.

Thranduil exhaled gently, lips mouth parting just a little more, revealing his pearly teeth and glossy inner lips. Gradually he brought his palms closer and lightly touched Rainion's smooth face.

They caressed his cheeks with their soft tips and at the delicate touch, Rainion's eyes fluttered and drooped down, settling on the soft pink flesh, gleaming like the morning dew.

Eventually, the tips of his fingers pressed against the other's skin, followed by their length and then the soft flesh of his palms as Thranduil cradled Rainion's cheeks.

He heard the other let out a shuddered sigh and the cool air hitting his own face, he brought it closer and closer, touching the tips of their noses together and brushing the other's lips with his own, keeping the agonizing inch between them as he felt Rainion's mouth moving by a miniscule amount in a kissing manner.

Rainion's lips skirted near his cheeks and stroke the corner of Thranduil's mouth before he retraced them along the borders of his upper lip, touching it nimbly as their noses caressed again.

Thranduil arms slowly encircled the back of Rainion's head, grazing against his hair before coming down along his nape and settling there, stroking it gently. As the Silvan's sweet breath hit against his skin, Thranduil's eyes fluttered shut and he gasped calmly when the palms on the his arms stroke lavishly across them, reaching down his back and wrapping them around his waist as he was pulled closer.

Thranduil's breath came out in shudders as the warmth in his heart increased in intensity. He sensed lips ghosting very near to his own, and as it caressed and teased his lips and face, Thranduil felt a beautiful chill descending down his spine and climbing back up again.

His lips were claimed—lightly at first, as the other carefully pressed his lips against Thranduil's soft pair, kissing each one alternating with a steady manner. As a response, Thranduil inhaled deeply and moved his lips against Rainion's—matching pace by pace, rhythm by rhythm—as if they were one orchestra, harmonized by an unseen master.

Thranduil brought one of his palms in front, never losing the touch and settled it on Rainion's chest, stroking it up and down in a very slow pace. He arched his back and leaned closer when his sides were caressed with just as much delicateness.

With time, their kiss deepened. Rainion sucked on Thranduil's lips, tasting the sweet nectar coating them and Thranduil tipped his head, parting his lips even more, inviting the other in. He quivered with pleasure as the insides of his mouth were brushed by the tip of Rainion's cool tongue, making him moan in the kiss and gasp slightly.

As he opened his mouth further, he felt Rainion's tongue lapping against his own, touching tips and caressing them before sweeping the walls of his mouth. Thranduil let the other take hold of him and moved his tongue and lips complimentary to Rainion's subtly demanding manner.

His mind was by that point devoid of any thoughts. It was overwhelmed in its attempt to understand each and every sensation which exploded in his head, eventually giving up and letting the emotions rush through as Thranduil was swept by the wave of them.

He felt warm all over and it was the same kind of feeling he once held once he was touched before, kissed before and loved before. His limbs felt so weak all of a sudden and he wanted nothing more than to melt in the other's arms.

When their lungs burnt of air, they broke, gradually trailing kisses as they lessened the closeness between them. They were at arms' length from each other and yet the touch lingered on their bodies, as did their wonderful taste.

They didn't speak.

Thranduil's eyes were huge and they were shining with feelings he had long been denied. They held a new revelation as he admired the being in front of him.

Rainion's gaze was filled with admiration and the love he had forced inside of him. His brown orbs were twinkling with joy and a divinity as he took in the creature he worshipped then and had never stopped worshipping.

Suddenly, Thranduil's cheeks burned and he looked down to the ground. His eyes flickered to and fro as if he was studying the forest floor intently and the shade of crimson on his cheeks grew darker, spreading quickly to the rest of his face and neck.

Rainion himself was faring no better. Once he was snapped out of his enchantment, he felt panic rising in him and desperately searched his mind for any appropriate excuse he might have.

Had Thranduil noticed, he would surely laugh at the disoriented state of the other elf. However, he himself was too flabbergasted to think of anything else.

The rush of emotions he felt dimmed momentarily before crashing against him yet again like a powerful tidal wave.

Hesitantly, he gulped and looked up at the other. His cheeks burned all the more when he found Rainion staring right at him.

The poor elf looked miserable— as if he had committed a great sin—before he quickly drew his arms away and rested them awkwardly against his sides, bringing them to his chest and crossing one over the other.

It was then that Thranduil noticed where his own arms been. He darted his eyes on Rainion's nape and back on the other's face.

Instead of drawing away, he curled his fingers and laced them tightly against each other, not missing the look of surprise on Rainion's face before he lowered his gaze.

The Silvan opened his mouth and he let out a gasp as his eyes revealed the pure shock of Thranduil's actions. His cheeks were glowing red—much like Thranduil himself—and he began breathing heavily as if his chest was constricted by the tightest of all ropes.

Biting his lips, Thranduil let his faltered eyes be brought up again and as he let them fall on Rainion's face, they shimmered with mirth and shyness.

It was so unexpected and so unthought-of. He pined for Rainion as a company. He sought out his forgiveness and extended his hand to a much needed friend.

His face grew even hotter and his heart was rampaged by a warm flood which he never thought he would feel again.

And when his lips cracked with a slowly developing smile, and when Rainion smiled back, Thranduil just knew how his friend came to mean much more.

So much more.

AN: The drama is not gone. But this is a new chapter for every one of them. Hm, yeah. It's not Thorinduil...but...it would be kinda unrealistic at this point, right? Please review and tell me what you think so far~