Ada: father
Author's Note: Here's another Chapter! I've been pretty excited with the course that this story is taking, and writing a lot. I hope you guys enjoy it!
-EuropeanCupcake
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Chapter 4: Growing Affections
Mala sighed in pleasure as she let her barren body sink into the hot water of the bath. One of the Elven maids had been kind enough to draw the bath for her, and had filled it with several different ingredients that would nourish her exhausted body, and spirit.
Mala's hazel eyes watched as the various flowers floated on top of the water, and could feel the oil against her sun kissed skin.
She let her head sink back against the edge of the bath, her long curly raven hair spilling over the side. She closed her eyes and let herself relax into the quiet serenity of this moment of peace.
It had probably been months that she had felt so serene, and she had full intention of taking advantage of this.
Her world had shattered into millions of pieces over the course of a few hours. Despite the fact that the assault on her village occurred months ago, the scars were still fresh. The wounds that had been engraved into her heart, and mind, would be permanent. The sickening scream of her mother would be permanently etched into her memory.
Mala winced at the memory and sat up, facing toward one of the walls. Her movement echoed throughout the large bathroom, and bounced off the walls. Mala sat on her knees in the bath, crossing her arms on the edge of the tub. Her hazel eyes looked around the room aimlessly, attempting to distract herself.
The room was as beautiful as any other in the seemingly endless halls of the Mirkwood caves. The walls were in scripted with beautiful shapes that resembled delicate flowers scattered upon a light summer breeze.
Had Mala been in a better state of mind, she could have almost wept. The young woman from Harad had never even dared to dream of being in such a beautiful place. Let along meeting Elves...or Elven royalty.
Her thoughts immediately returned back to Thranduil, King of the Wooden Realm. His large statue practically screamed of regality, and demanded respect. His icy disposition had left Mala feeling slightly cold, and yet curious. She wondered if there was more to that stoic gaze than he let on.
He hadn't been particularly rude to her however, maybe even slightly welcoming. The King had even allowed her to settle into this otherworldly Kingdom, putting her health to the forefront of their discussions.
He had uttered the words that she was "not human." The realization sank deep within Mala's chest.
She had never imagined herself to be particularly important. Of course as a young child she had felt different, but didn't everyone?
She had always felt the pulling of some unknown force beyond her small village. A sweet voice that had whispered seductive words of adventures yet to come...she had never imagined that voice to be even a slight possibility.
She had always thought of it as some over imaginative aspect of herself attempting to dream of things that would never be.
Yet here she was...in Mirkwood. The Realm of the King of the Woods would be her refuge, even if just for a short interval.
Mala wondered if she would ever be able to truly thing of this ethereal place as a home, or whether she would always feel like an outsider. Even if by some impossible odds she wasn't human, she would never be close to the graceful beings that the Elves were.
She had caught glimpses of their elegant movements. They practically floated with each regal step. Their skin was as pale as moonlight, and just as soft and smooth. They seemed like beings of an entirely different world.
A world that was filled with none of the violent aspects of War, or famine. A world that was filled with the sounds of mystical music, and enchanting spells.
Mala thought back to how Thranduil had moved forward towards her. His closeness had brought a unknown side of longing that she had never felt before, and Mala immediately felt her face heat up. The Elf had to be at least a few hundred years old, and here she was...some lustful eighteen year old woman thinking of him inappropriately.
She wondered how many Elven woman thought of him the same way. She was curious as to why the Woodland King hadn't chosen a new companion after Legolas' mothers passing...but then again if he was truly in love, he couldn't move on so easily.
Thoughts of Mala's father and mother entered her mind, and she knew her statement to be true. She would never be the same after her horrible encounter with the servants of Mordor, and her mother's death would stay with her forever.
She hoped her father was ok, but she knew that to be most likely untrue. If he hadn't been killed by an Orc, he would be enslaved by Mordor.
Mala couldn't fathom the thought of her father committing any atrocities against any living creatures. She hoped that he hadn't bought into any lies that those monsters had told him. Mala would almost rather her father be imprisoned than lose some of his humanity.
At least that's what she would do...Mala could never hurt the innocent.
With a sigh the young woman cleaned herself and stepped out of the bath, utilizing one of the soft towels to dry herself off. She caught sight of the beautiful gown that was laid upon a wooden chair for her.
Her hands slid across the soft fabric of the green fabric. The fabric was silken and smooth across her fingers, and Mala wondered how much so a beautiful gown was worth. There were several detailed stitches along the two sides of the top of the dress, that formed into beautiful silver braid like patterns.
The bottom of the dress was adorned with small silver beads that were laid out in a pattern that made it look like small clusters of silver flowers spread out in a lush green valley. Was she truly allowed to slip into a garb of such fashion?
If it was a gift, Mala would be rude to refuse it, and a fool. Mala slipped into the beautiful dress. The sleeves were long at the end, and came down to almost the end of the dress.
There was a soft knock on the door, and Mala jumped slightly. "Come in" she muttered softly, and Mala was relieved when it was Legolas. The Woodland Prince stopped at the door for a moment, taking in Mala's form.
Mala glanced at him curiously, one of her eyebrows raising. "Is everything alright your majesty?" Legolas nodded softly.
His slightly past shoulder length golden hair moved softly, and a smile adorned his lips.
"You look beautiful Mala. The servants did well in picking out the color, it practically illuminates your complexion."
Mala blushed slightly at the kind compliment, and she moved a strand of her curly black hair behind her ear.
"Don't call me 'your majesty' Mala, I am still just Legolas." Mala smiled softly "Thank you for the heartfelt compliment Legolas, I have never felt more beautiful than now. Nor have I ever worn a dress such as this. I am very...thankful."
Mala's voice was soft with appreciation, and Legolas smiled even brighter.
"Would you like help with your hair? I've always kept my hair a bit past shoulder length but I've grown quite skilled in the art of braiding." Mala laughed softly at the image of Legolas glancing in the mirror, as he braided his own hair.
"I'd love that, thank you." Mala look a seat in front of the beautiful vanity that was on the right side of the room, and watched as Legolas moved behind her. He ran his hands trough her long curly raven hair at first, and then began combing it from the bottom up.
"I'm amazed at your experience dealing with stubborn hair such as mine. I haven't noticed one Elf with curly hair, where did you learn such skill?" Legolas chuckled softly, glancing into the mirror. His blue eyes met Mala's hazel ones, and he sent her a soft smile.
"Mala I am not only experienced in the world of Elves. I've dealt with a few ruthless human children with insisted on playing with me as well. The act of their games may or may not have included doing each other's hair."
Mala laughed loudly, her musical laugh echoing throughout the room. She felt a weight almost lift of her shoulders at the gesture, and felt truly happy for the first time in the past few months.
Mala imagined the scene of Legolas the Woodland Prince, braiding a young girls hair.
"You truly are magnificent Legolas. I doubt there is anything you haven't done in your years upon this Earth."
Legolas began putting Mala's hair into a beautiful French braid, his pale, long fingers working skillfully. "Even in my many years upon this Earth, I still have not experienced all of the pleasures of life. Especially many of the more enjoyable things in life I have not experienced. I have spent much of my lifetime confined to these halls, pre-occupied with tedious princely duties."
Mala glanced at the Prince curiously, watching as he worked quickly. "May I ask how old you are?"
Legolas stopped for a second, meeting her eyes once again. "My dear Mala it isn't very ladylike to ask an Elf of their age."
Mala gasped, afraid she had offended him. Legolas simply laughed shaking his head, and continuing his task. "I was only joking. I am over two thousand years old. I am 2866 exactly."
Legolas chuckled at Mala's surprised gasp, "You're practically a grandpa" she laughed. Legolas let out a fake offended gasp, clutching his chest as if his pride had been wounded. "How you wound me so Mala, I am not my father." Both of their musical laughter filled the bathroom chamber, and Legolas finished the braid.
Legolas handed Mala a hand mirror, "take a look at my splendid masterpiece."
Mala glanced in the mirror and smiled brightly, her hazel eyes lighting up. "It's beautiful Legolas, thank you so much."
She wanted to hug the prince, but knew it wouldn't be appropriate. Instead she settled with smiling brightly at him, and he returned the gesture. "You are very welcome Mala. Now that you are cleaned up, how about we get dinner?" Mala nodded enthusiastically, getting up from the chair. She slipped into the shoes that were provided to her, which added a little height to her short statue.
"I guess the servants thought I needed to be a bit taller" she laughed, and Legolas chuckled softly.
"I think they just picked what shoes matched well with the dress."
The two of them made their way to the dining hall, laughing softly. Their good mood practically illuminating the now dimly lit halls of the cavern. The two of them entered the dinning hall, and Mala let her eyes sway from Legolas to take a look around.
Her hazel colored eyes met a pair of icy blue ones, and Mala immediately stiffened. She bowed quickly, and Legolas mirrored her movement. Thranduil looked at his son curiously, wondering as to why he was in such a good mood.
His blue eyes then wandered to Mala, taking in her form.
She was wearing a beautiful green dress that made her sun kissed skin illuminate, a beautiful contrast. Her raven looks were pulled back into a long braid, a few curls framing her face.
His servants had done a fine job picking out the elegant garment. Her green-brown eyes stood out even more against her deeper skin tone, with the help of the beautifully colored gown.
The gown clung to her body perfectly, and Thranduil noticed the curve from her small delicate waste, to her hips. Thranduil could feel the energy radiating off of her form, and he was practically drawn in.
Thranduil looked away quickly, realizing he had stared for entirely longer than appropriate, especially for a Elven King.
"Good evening Ada," Legolas said softly. "Good evening your majesty," Mala said as well, her voice flowing out of her full lips entirely too melodic than Thranduil thought possible.
The short few hours she had been within the Woodland Realm Thranduil could sense how much more energetic and happy not just his subjects were, but also his son. The young woman seemed to illuminate the halls with each step, and heighten everyone's mood so easily.
Thranduil felt a small pang of jealousy at the easy friendship she had developed with Legolas. 'Ridiculous notion,' he thought quickly, and dismissed the strange thought.
"I assume that the two of you were settling down for dinner, would you mind joining me?"
Legolas smiled softly at his father, glancing over at Mala. The young woman smiled softly and nodded.
"That would be lovely your majesty, thank you for the invitation."
The three of them settled at the table. Mala took a seat beside Legolas, and Thranduil gestured for a servant. He requested dinner, and in a few short moments a feast was spread out in front of them. Mala stared amazed at the varations of food. Most of it was vegetables, but there was also a delicious smelling roast in the middle of the table. Never in her life had Mala even dreamed of having this much food at once, let alone in the company of only two other people.
Thranduil and Legolas began putting food on their plates. Thranduil glanced at Mala as she looked around, a unreadable expression on her face.
"Is something not of your liking Mala? You must not be used to elvish food."
Mala's hazel eyes met Thranduil's blue ones, and Thranduil felt his chest tighten again. Her eyes did not reflect digust but instead they reflected uttered happiness. Her full lips parted into a beautiful genuine smile.
"It's not that at all your majesty. I have never seen this much food. In Harad I would have never dreamed of ever having this much variation. I am not displeased by any means your majesty, quite the opposite. I am utterly thankful and humbled to be able to share in this experience, and to share it with the both of you."
Thranduil felt a warm feeling tug at his chest for the first time in almost a thousand years, and he found himself speechless. He watched as Mala began putting things on to her plate with careful movements, and relished in the soft pleased noises she made as she tasted the food for the first time.
The three of them ate quietly, and Mala thanked all of the servants for the food. Thranduil watched as the Elves smiled softly at her, surprise but thankful for her compliments. Mala retired to her room after the dinner, still exhausted from the journey.
Thranduil was almost sad when he watched the beautiful woman retire to her room, her green gown moving behind her form. Thranduil watched as she disappeared down one of the halls, one of his servants accompanying her. The dinning hall felt less illuminated than before, and Thranduil felt himself longing for her company once again.
What was wrong with him?
Thranduil beckoned his son to join him for a walk after dinner, for they had much to discuss from his journey. The two of them took a stroll trough the moonlit forest, their golden figures moving gracefully across the forest floor. Thranduil had refused for his guard to accompany the two of them, he wanted to spend alone time with Legolas.
"I see you have taken quite a liking to Mala, I am glad you have found a friend in her."
Legolas couldn't help but smile softly at his father, and nodded. "She has such a way about her. Our halls haven't been this alive since moth-" Legolas stopped in his tracks, immediately regretting his slip up.
Thranduil stopped as if he had been shot with an arrow, his entire body seizing movement. Memories of his beautiful wife rushed into his mind, and of her demise. Her demise at the hands of Orc, that dragged her to Mount Gundabad. Dragged her in those damned caverns and killed her. Killed her as if she hadn't been the love of Thranduil's life, the mother of his child...
Thranduil sighed shakily, attempting to gather his thoughts once again. His wife had been dead for over nine hundred years, and still the pain radiated within him like a never healing wound.
"I apologize father, I shouldn't have" Legolas said softly, his voice filled with regret.
Thranduil shook his head softly, raising his hand. "She has been dead for 941 years Legolas, I need to attempt to stop mourning over her death so intensely. I am very glad that you have come to peace with her passing, and I should look to you as an example."
"You are correct however, Mala most certainly has a way about her. I see the way that all the Elves seem to have increased spirits about her. I don't know what it is but..."
"She's amazing," Legolas said softly, and Thranduil nodded.
Amazing, he supposed that was a way to go about it. "Now about we shift our topic to what exactly you were thinking when you disobeyed my orders Legolas. Despite your status in this Realm, I am still your King. What were you thinking chasing around so close to Mordor, what if you had been killed?"
Legolas sighed softly, all the happiness leaving his form immediately. "I know father...it was my wrongdoing. I apologize, I just...I wanted to look whether my suspicions were right, and they were. There is something stirring within Mordor again father, shouldn't we get ahead of it? We didn't get too close, and look what came from all of it. We stopped Mordor from utilizing a possibly powerful asset."
Thranduil sighed softly, "That is not the point Legolas. I commanded you to make sure you don't get too close, and you disobeyed me. You are not setting a good example for our people, or as a prince."
Legolas immediately felt a pang of pain at his words, and grew cold once again. "I apologize that I'm not as good of a royal example as you father. I do take into consideration the safety of my people however. Can I be excused?"
Legolas' voice was icy, and Thranduil sensed his anger.
"I did not mean to offend you Legolas, I am simply attempting to look after your safety. You must understand that we've already lost your mother. If I lost you Legolas, I would not be able to live on." Thranduil's words rang true, as he utilized his right hand to cup his son's cheek, his blue eyes glancing at him apologetically.
Legolas nodded softly, some of his anger melting away. "I promise it will not happen again father, I am sorry as well." The two of them continued on for a little while longer, reminiscing in the memory of the woman they had both lost, as well as the new one they had gained.
Mala spent the next three months in Mirkwood, learning about the culture she was surrounded in. Legolas began teaching her words, and to both of their surprise she caught on rather quickly. Besides their language lessons Legolas also took it upon himself to teach Mala self defense.
The young woman had never needed to defend herself before, but after the earlier events, she realized that she needed to learn. She learned quickly as well, and Legolas found a suitable opponent in sparring. Mala also utilized a lot of free time in order to drown herself in the knowledge that was located in Mirkwood's library, and tried her best to learn about Elvish history. She found it to be a must, especially if she was supposed to be a useful part of Mirkwood's society.
Thranduil found himself amazed at the enthusiasm that the young woman had. Even though she had grown up in Harad, she tried her best to learn about his world. He found himself seeking her company more and more, and he even participated in a few of Legolas' and Mala's lessons.
Thranduil also found himself increasingly drawn to her, and he relished in the time he spent with her. Thranduil tried his best to conceal his increasing affection for the young woman, but felt his kingly façade slipping by each passing day.