p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""It's rather cold for Narquelie, isn't it?" You observed, not really expecting an answer. Thranduil had been especially quiet since you'd begun your "walk". All you'd really been doing was drifting along the tree line and past the docks, being eyed oddly by guards who were clearly unused to seeing their king outside his throne room. At least you'd gotten him to take off his…emflamboyant/em crown before freely trotting around the castle to draw away a little less staring./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""emTa il-oio ringwe iire lle neva./em" He said with a straight face as he walked alongside you. ((Description for translations))/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You looked up at him with a brow raised, contemplating whether he was serious or not. Before you could awkwardly ask, he took your elbow in his hand and steered the two of you to the right to lead into a small pathway in the woods. He ignored your continually confused expression and still led you forward, not letting go of your elbow./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Okay, I have to ask." You stated, trying to peer ahead of you through the foliage to see where this path may lead, "I've only been in the Halls for a few years now, but I'm positive I've never seen this path."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""It's kept hidden to the eyes of those whose blood is not that of royalty. Essentially it's a secret escape route for kings." He glanced at you only to check that your expression was still more or less confused, which it was./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You looked around the pathway, trying to notice the essence of any spells but finding none, "Then why can I see it?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Thranduil used his free hand to gesture to his other hand on your elbow. "Oh" you murmured, feeling a little stupid. He shook his head in what you guessed was amusement and squinted to the end of the path, "Ah, there it is."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Squinting at whatever was up ahead, you saw something come into view. A beautiful stone statue stood nearly as tall as the trees of an elven warrior holding a bow and arrow in a battle stance. He was adorned with small fragments of sapphire and ruby throughout his intricate robe, causing small beams of colored light to bounce off of his exterior. As you approached him in awe you barely noticed the labyrinthine stone bench placed in front of him, shadowed by his enormity./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""…whoa."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""How poetic of you, [Name]." Thranduil pulled you down to sit on the bench with him, causing you to take in the scene around you./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You had to admit, you adored the way the sparkling shafts of red and blue light hit the trees and the moss-laden foliage. The sunlight just barely shone through open patches of leaves on the trees, causing you to wonder how incredibly dark it would be in this place at night. You then turned to Thranduil who was picking a piece of lint from your sleeve./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""What happens if you let go of me?" You wondered aloud./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"He seemed to think for a moment before he answered, "I'm not sure. Possibly death."br /Your eyes widened, "You brought me to a place where if you stop touching me I emdie/em?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Probably." He stated nonchalantly, finally getting the lint off of you./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Immediately you latched onto him, wrapping your arms tightly around his torso as if how much you squeezed him mattered. How was this a good idea? Sure it was pretty, but not something you'd die for./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Thranduil was surprised by your sudden movement but still put his arm around your shoulders. There was a smile in his voice as he spoke which eased some of your anguish, "Don't worry, I won't let go."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"After yet another stretch of silence with the king, you let up slightly on your grip of him, but still refused to let go, "What's Thorin like?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"He didn't hesitate to answer your random question, "Obnoxious, loud, rude, impatient, annoying—"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You regretted asking immediately, "Never mind, I'll ask Legolas."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You sat there in another moment of silence until he sighed, "[Name], may I ask you something?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You furrowed your brow but still nodded, "Anything."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"He took a deep breath before he spoke, "Do you think I need a queen?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"The silence that followed his question was different from before. Now it was uncomfortable and drawn out, causing you to wonder if he'd really just asked that question or if your mind thought it was being hilarious and playing jokes on you. You pulled away from his torso to look at his face, careful to not let go of the arm that had been around your shoulders, and examined him. He was looking at you with concern and what was probably pity for himself in his eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"It was the first time you had honestly contemplated the idea of Thranduil with a queen, and for some reason it made you uneasy. emI'm not…I'm not jealous, am I? She doesn't even theoretically exist yet! /emYou looked him over again, feeling frustrated, "Er…I mean, who did you have in mind?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"A small smile crept on his lips which caused you even greater confusion, "How many elven women do I spend my time around?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Your brain instantly went through every memory you could find of Thranduil speaking with a woman. You began a list of all the possible choices, trying to remember names and faces of the guards, cooks, healers, warriors…/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""And there are even fewer of those women whom I actually prefer to spend time with." He seemed to be thoroughly amused by your brain wracking./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You listed the possibilities again, less this time: emHealers, warriors, possibly guards…/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""And even fewer who aren't intimidated by me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Your head was desperately searching for the answer. emWarriors…?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""…And even fewer who throw open my curtains in the morning and insist that I do my job."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You blinked. Then you blinked again. Then you looked at him like he was crazy, "Thranduil, are you feeling alright?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"He lost all traces of his smile and sighed, using his free hand to gently lift your chin and look deeply into yours eyes, "You've never considered it, [Name]? You've honestly never considered emus/em?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You couldn't help the sudden pink that rose to your cheeks. Why was he suddenly so interested in there being an emus/em? Why was he suddenly so interested in the idea of having a emqueen/em?/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""I…I don't think that I've…" You trailed off as he shook his head./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"His hand moved from your chin to your cheek, the same way it had that same morning, only now it was genuine, "Don't lie, [Name]," he practically cooed, leaning himself closer to you and towering over you as he did so. You were panicking internally and still clutching his arm, making it much harder for you to lean back. It was even harder to admit to yourself that part of you didn't want to lean back./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You were still in shock as he leaned even closer, close enough that his warm breath was hovering over your lips and his long strands of hair were falling from his broad shoulders and gently landing on your own. His thumb lovingly caressed your cheek as his eyes drifted closed, just barely allowing his lips to touch yours—/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Oh whoops. Uh.."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"You both quickly sat back up and regained your composure, your own cheeks still hot and your hands still gripping Thranduil's arm. Legolas held an arrow in one hand and his bow in the other, looking between the two of you in surprise./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""This isn't what it—"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""Yeah! We weren't—"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"The prince held his hands up defensively and stopped the two of you from trying to explain, "It's okay, sorry for…interrupting." He cleared his throat, "Uh, dinner is probably going to be soon, I'm going back…inside…" He quickly turned and left without a goodbye, leaving the two of you alone once again./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"Thranduil looked much more annoyed than embarrassed. You tried to ignore the obvious blush on your face as you stood, pulling him up with you, and suggested you leave to the castle. The king sighed and mentally kicked himself but still walked back along the path with you./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"And of course, as soon as you emerged from the trees the sight of a boat just reaching the docks greeted you. Thranduil muttered a few obscenities and made for the docks, growling to himself along the way. You trailed behind, prepping yourself to meet a king, and then caught up to emyour/em king who stood at the end of the dock, at least done muttering under his breath./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;""At least empretend /emto be excited." You whispered to him, standing at his side with your arms behind your back./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"He frowned still, "That's what I'm emdoing/em, elear."/p