Chapter 6 When hope fades away

Awilia stayed at the balcony thinking about the night, wondered what she was suppose to do. She knew she had to go home eventually but she felt intrigued to stay, she felt herself grow fond of this place.

A soft voice interrupted her thoughts and her eyes met brown ones.

"What are you doing still up?" Hallothel asked as she approached her. She stopped at Awilias side and leaned down on the railing.

"I couldn't find my peace, and my body might be tired but my mind is wide awake." Awilia answered and smiled at Hallothel.

"You want to share your thoughts with me?" Hallothel asked quietly as she spared her a glance.

Awilia was looking out at the rising sun and closed her eyes at the feeling of the first sunlight on her skin.

"I need to go home, but some part of me feel sadden to leave." Awilia spoke silently as she stroked her fingers over her hand were Thranduil had kissed her earlier and she felt a tingle by the thought.

Hallothel studied and wondered what see had missed during the feast. She felt saddened to hear that Awilia had to leave, she was sure she had found a friend in the human girl next to her.

"Then stay, or if the King will allow it you can return to us." She said with a hopeful smile on her lips.

Awilia opened her eyes and studied Hallothel and appreciated her light spirit and her gentle face. She smiled at her and nodded.

"I can't stay Hallothel, I need to go home. But if the King would invite me back I would be here in a heartbeat. But I'm selfish for staying here, my family is probably worried sick and I can't live with that." She said the last part with shame and sadness.

Hallothel face fell as she saw Awilias conflicted face.

"When do you have to leave?" She asked as she turned herself around Awilia to make her meet her eyes.

"I should leave today, but I would love too spend a last day here." She said and smiled at Hallothels action and she saw her smiling widely.

"Then you will spend your day with me, I will show you everything I can." She said smiling and Awilia laughed at her excited expression.

"I accept your offer and I expect you to do a great job. Because today is my birthday." Awilia answered still laughing.

Hallothels eyes expanded and her smile got even wider.

"I promise you that today will be the best day of your life Lady Awilia." Hallothel answered taking Awilias hand in hers.

"But now you need some rest, I will wake you up in five hours." Hallothel said as she dragged Awilia threw the great hall and towards Awilias chamber.

Awilia was surprised to see elves still up and dancing, and some of the were singing. She had no time to stop and look more closely before Hallothel tugged on her arm to start walking faster.

They said their good byes and Awilia found herself tired at last and her bed looked welcoming. She took the jewelry and dress off as she lowered herself onto the bed. She fell asleep at once and she had no time for dreams, she was awaken by a knock on her door. Awilia wondered if she had slept anything at all and she moved to the chair to put on pants and a shirt.

She opened the door to be met by Hallothels smiling face.

"Your hair look awful, we have to do something about that before we take off." Hallothel said as she pushed herself past Awilia.

Awilia went to sit down at the chair in front of the mirror and watched Hallothel starting to work on her hair.

When Hallothel was ready they left they left her chamber and Awilia listened as Hallothel told her everything about the different rooms they passed. It looked like trees but it was not wood everything was carved with skill from stone. It could look like a stone forest inside, and the light came from holes in the mountain. It made the place dance in a beautiful light, the chandeliers around the palace made it feel warmer.

Awilia was amazed how big the palace was. They walked into a library and Awilia stopped and graced on of the books.

"Would you teach me elvish?" She asked Hallothel still looking at the book.

Hallothel turned around when she heard Awilia interrupt her. She looked at her curiously.

"I would be honored to. But not now, we are going out riding." She answered.

Awilias head flew up and she smiled, she had missed her horse. So she walked up to Hallothels side and they started to walk to the stables. Hallothel picked up two bows and some arrows and handed Awilia one. She admired the bow and its inscriptions, it was a beautiful handcraft.

Hallothel walked up to a silver mare and talked to it with a low voice. The horse answered her and she smiled back to Awilia.

"This is Esteleth, it means Hope in human tongue. She will take care of you no matter what." Hallothel said as she stroked Esteleths mane.

Awilia walked up to the horse and offered the horse her hand. Esteleths warm breathe on her hand and softly petted her.

"I want to say something to her in elvish so she understands me." Awilias said as she met Hallothels eyes.

"What would you like to say?" Hallothel answered.

"I want to say that I'm happy to meet her." Awilia said looking at the horse.

Hallothel whispered in Awilias ear,

"Saesa omentien Ille." (pleasure meeting you).

Awilia looked back to the horse and graced Esteleths neck.

"Saesa imentien Ille, Esteleth." Awilia spoke softly.

The horse bumped her head against Awilias hand with approving of her greeting.

Hallothel chuckled and complimented Awilia, she was impressed how quickly Awilia was learning. They sat up in to their saddles and took of into the woods.

"We will ride on the elven road, that is more safe." She said as she rode faster.

Awilia appreciated to be out of the palace, but her fear was still lingering in her gut. She knew the danger in these woods and she had no interest in bumping in to any orcs even if she had Hallothel as company. She didn't think the small elf would be able to do any harm.

After being riding fast for a long while they left the woods behind them and Awilia was happy to be out of Mirkwood. The air was not as thick out in the open and she felt the air in her hair.

Hallothel jumped down and started to walk over the field and Awilia followed her. Hallothel took up her bow and an arrow.

"You wanted to practice on your skill with bow. Now you have your chance." She said as she shot the first shot, hitting the tree perfectly.

Awilia was impressed over the strength and skill Hallothel had.

"You're a warrior?" She asked with big eyes.

"I'm no warrior Awilia, my father is in the Kings guard. He have learned me how to managed bow and sword incase of a fight." She laughed.

"Oh, well my father learned me too but I'm not nearly as good as you." Awilia answered.

"I would love you to teach me." Awilia smiled.

They practice for a long time and Awilia found her focus finally and took the target with perfection and she jumped up and down from her victory. Hallothel laughed and laid her bow down picking up her sword and Awilia did the same.

Hallothel showed Awilia different moves and tactics before they started and Hallothel was impressed by Awilias speed and tactic. She learned fast and she wielded the sword with grace.

Awilia had good stamina but she felt herself grow tired and sweat run down her back. She slipped and Hallothel cut some of her hair off and she gasped.

"I'm so sorry Awilia, it was not my intention." She apologized as walked up to Awilia studying her hair.

"It's okay Hallothel, I have plenty so I don't think anyone will notice." Awilia answered as she sat down on the grass resting. Hallothel sat down next to her looking down at her hands.

"Are you having a good birthday so far?" Hallothel asked quietly as she spared a glance in Awilias way.

"It's absolutely perfect, I'm glad you remember my wish to practice how to defend myself better. I could not wish for a better birthday." She insured Hallothel smiling.

"But your birthday isn't over, I have more planned." Hallothel said surprising Awilia.

Awilia looked curiously at Hallothel wondering what the elf had in mind. She laid down resting on her back watching the clouds.

"I have a gift for you." Hallothel spoke and Awilia looked up to her and smiled.

Awilia sat up and Hallothel held out gift, it was beautiful wrapped in a green fabric and silver strains. She started to unfold the gift feeling curious what was inside.

When she opened it and inside she found two beautiful daggers and she gasped as she held one up admiring it. It had a skin cover and when she took it out her mouth fell open. The handle had golden marks in the wood and half of the blade was in gold with silver patterns and it went out as a branch of the tip that was in steal. She was stunned and she didn't know how to accept such a beautiful gift.

"I can't accept this gift Hallothel, it's to much." She said as her fingers stroke the patterns.

"Of course you can, they are mine to give. It was my first daggers I got when I was old enough to learn. They have served me good and they are ready for a new owner." Hallothel answered with a smile.

Awilia studied Hallothel to see if she was joking or serious, she saw the seriousness in her eyes. She looked down at the daggers again and a small smile was showing on her face. She had never got such a beautiful gift.

Awilia surprised Hallothel by crashing into her hugging her closely. Hallothel hugged her back and felt happy they were friends.

"I'm glad you're my friend Hallothel. I will miss you." Awilia said and her smile fell to a frown as she looked over the field.

"You could always come back." She said and bumped into her playfully.

"I want to Hallothel but I'm going to get married when I go back home." She said with a sad voice.

"You have a fiancé? Why haven't you told me before? How is he? Tell me everything." She squealed excited, not noticing Awilias sad face.

"Yes I have a fiancé, and I haven't told you because my parents are making me marry him. I have only met him once and he neither handsome or nice. But his family is wealthy and highly respected. So my parents thought he would be a good fit for me and accepted when he asked for my hand." She said angrily and brooke of a twig she picked up.

Hallothel gasped and sadness was showing on her eyes when she heard what Awilia had reviled. She felt pity for Awilia and she didn't know how to comfort her.

Awilia felt tears bursting from her eyes and she was angry she let her emotions get in control over her actions. And when she felt Hallothel take her in her embrace she felt herself let go. She cried at her shoulder making her hair all wet.

When she had calmed down she sat up parting from Hallothels embrace. Hallothel took Awilias hand in hers and quietly caressed it and Awilia felt herself calm even more by her touch.

"You will always find a friend in these woods waiting for you, if you feel the urge of leaving." Hallothel spoke as she kept caressing Awilias hand.

"I can't explain how much it means hearing that." Awilia said as she looked into Hallothels eyes.

They sat there for a while, then Hallothel stood up pulling Awilia up too. They went to the horses in silence, because no words were needed. They felt comfortable in their company.

They rode away from the field and Awilia felt at peace after she's been pouring out all of her feelings.

They arrived at a waterfall and they went in for a swim, Awilia appreciated the cold water on her skin to clean of the sweat from their fighting. They played in the water laughing for a while. When they got up from the water Hallothel told her she thought it was about time they went back before the darkness would fall.

They rode quickly threw the woods and they left the horses in the stable when they arrived. Awilia was happy nothing had happened when they were out. What she didn't knew was that Thranduil had seen them leave and asked a group of guards watch over them as they were gone.

Thranduil had a hard time concentrating that day, the council meeting was taking a long time and he felt bored. He was wondering what Awilia was doing riding off with the young elleth. He was thinking back to the night before when she had embraced him in a hug, the feeling of having her so close made his wall fall down and he felt happiness fill him. When he had kissed her hand he felt a strange feeling. He couldn't put his finger on the feeling.

He was interrupted in his thoughts when Húron coughed.

"My King excuse me if I interrupting your thoughts but what are your thoughts on the matter?" He said studying Thranduil closely.

Thranduil was annoyed for being interrupted by Húron and he waved his hand in the air.

"The girl will be leaving soon so we have nothing to worry about." Thranduil said.

"You know that they are sending Gollum here and it would be better if the girl left sooner than later. The dark is rising in south, we must take action soon My Lord." Húron spoke as he studied Thranduils expression.

"Don't tell me things I already know Húron. I believe we are done here, or maybe you would like to inform me on something els I already know." Thranduil spoke coldly to Húron.

Before Húron could speak, Thranduil stood from his seat and left the room. Thranduil knew Húron was right and he had to look past his selfish desire to have Awilia close. He knew the dark was spreading and he feared for what was about to come.

He was walking towards his chamber when he glanced down and saw Awilia enter the hall with Hallothel and he felt reviled she was safe. He then saw the bow and daggers on her back and his brow furrowed. He made his way down to meet them.

"I see you're back." Thranduil spoke when he approached them.

Hallothel bowed to the King and after turned around to leave. Awilia stood still looking at Thranduil trying to read if he was angry or normal. She couldn't say happy because she wasn't sure if she ever had seen him happy. So she went with normal because that was when he didn't yell or glared at her.

"You will stay here Hallothel." Thranduil called after her.

Awilia looked back to Hallothel and saw the fear in her eyes as she walked back to stand beside Awilia. She gentle stroked her hand against Hallothel to calm her down. She didn't know why Hallothel looked so scared.

"Would you care to explain why she is carrying weapons, Hallothel." He spoke coldly as his eyes glared at her.

"Amin dele ten'he, Amin hiraetha, Hîr vuin." (I'm worried for her, I'm sorry My Lord) Hallothel answered in elvish as she looked down the floor.

Thranduil kept glaring down at her frowning at the sight of the elleth and he looked over to Awilia who looked confused. He turned to her and took the bow from her hands and the daggers who hung on her back.

"What are you doing? That is my gift and you have no right taking them." Awilia yelled out as she stepped forward to take the daggers from his hands.

Thranduils eyes what shooting lightnings as he saw her approaching him trying to take the daggers from his hands.

"You're a child, you should not be carrying weapons you can't handle." He said with a cold voice.

"What would you know about my skills?" She asked boldly as she held her head high and bit down her teeth in frustration.

"I believe I have to inform you again that we have saved you two times from orcs." He said with a smirk and her face fell.

"I had no chance prove myself these times." She said with a frown.

Thranduil looked at her with amusement, he was annoyed at her but he enjoyed bickering with her. She had a heated temper as he did and he liked the way she stood up to him, he wasn't use to it.

"Well I guess you will prove it to me tomorrow morning then." He said as he walked away, leaving her standing there with her finger up in the air to protest. But she had no chance so she lowered her hand and looked over to Hallothel.

"I apologize that my gift caused you trouble with the King." Hallothel spoke as she met Awilias eyes.

"I believe it should be the King who should apologize for his manners and not you apologizing for giving me a gift on my birthday." Awilia answered upset.

Hallothel waved her hand and hushed her.

"You should not speak so loudly Lady Awilia. These walls have ears and you should be careful of what you may speak of. Especially when it may be about the King." She said in a low voice.

Awilia huffed as she started to walk to her chamber, she stopped and waited for Hallothel to follow her. They walked in silence and said their good byes as Awilia walked into her chamber.

She thought back to the time she had spent with Hallothel earlier that day and she let the happiness wash her anger away. She took a long shower and changed into her nightgown and braided her hair. She was about to lay down on the bed when she heard a knock on her door. She went to get her robe and she put it on before she opened the door. She opened and found herself looking right into Thranduils shoulders.

"May I come in?" He asked as Awilia looked up to meet his eyes.

"It depend on if you will behave or steal my gifts again?" She answered with a harsh look on her face.

Thranduils eyes darkened and a he pushed his brows together which made him look grim and she took a step back in response. He walked in past her and she didn't dare to turn around but she felt him push the door close and turned her around.

"I did not steal your gift Awilia, I have them in my care until I see that you're capable to use them correctly." He said with a stern voice, still holding her arms.

She huffed and pushed herself away from him, she sat down on the chair looking into her own eyes in the mirror.

"Why are you here?" She asked with her voice filled with annoyance.

She kept looking into the mirror, she felt insecure in his company. She watched the redness on her chin for being out in the sun all day. She saw that some of her hair had left the braid as Thranduil had turned her around. The locks was falling against her face, and she took one of the locks and starting to fold it around her finger. She tried to make her occupied to not feel nervous, but nothing helped.

"I have a gift for you, and I wanted to give it to you before your birthday is over." He said surprising her.

Awilia did not expect that and she was stunned to watch the great Elven King before her with a wrapped gift in his hands. He didn't meet her eyes and her frown turned into a embarrassed smile. She didn't know how he had the power to change her mood so fast. She was confused how easy he could manipulate her to forget her anger towards him but her curiosity took over as she stood up.

Thranduil didn't know why he had made her a gift, they didn't celebrate birthdays but he knew humans lives are short and they worship their lives in a different way. He knew the sadness he saw in her face last night when she talked about her parents and her birthday. He wanted nothing more than to see a smile on her face and he felt shame every time he made her frown or sadden by his actions.

He felt her coming closer and his body reacted to her being close to him as he turned his eyes too meet hers. She was close enough that he could touch her chin if he held out his arm. She took one step closer and he fought the urge of touching her.

He held out the gift for her to take and their eyes were locked in that moment. She smiled to him and he saw her eyes sparkle, he felt his heart beat faster at her lingering eyes. He offered her a smile and nodded at her to open.

Awilia saw Thranduil nod to her and she started to open the present. She struggled with the wrapping and she hissed when she cut herself on her finger. She had no time to look at it before Thranduils hand was over hers.

He said nothing he simply held her hand in his looking at the blood escaping the cut. He took out a handkerchief and folded it around her finger, Awilia felt like he held her hand for hours. She wanted feel him close to her at all times, and she lifted her eyes to see his eyes soften as he looked down on her hands. She smiled to him and she dropped the gift on the bed as she lifted her other hand and stroked her hand on the side of face gently. She saw his eyes close and she felt the desire to feel his lips on hers. But the moment only lasted for seconds before he opened his eyes and lifted the handkerchief from her hand studying her cut. It wasn't bleeding anymore, and Awilia let her hand fall.

"Thank you." She whispered and smiled to Thranduil.

He said nothing as she lifted the gift from the bed and started to open it again. When the wrapper was unfold she found a box in oak, it was beautiful with patterns of branches and flowers.

"It's beautiful, thank you Thranduil." She said as she admired the box.

"The gift is inside the box." Thranduil answered.

She looked up to meet his eyes and she blushed lightly as her hands was feeling the patterns of the box. She opened it slowly and she gasped when she saw a necklace inside. It was a thin silver chain with a simple white gem hanging from it. She held it up and studied it, the gem was formed as a snowdrop and she saw writings on the back and turned it so she could take a better look.

"Gellon ned i gelir i chent gîn ned i lelig." Thranduil spoke and Awilia looked up to meet his eyes.

"What does it mean?" She asked with a smile.

He didn't answer he simply studied her were she stood and with the necklace in her hands. He watched her lift it up to shift it in the air, the gem sparkled in the light and it was reflected in her eyes.

He admired her youthful face and his eyes traveled down her body and appreciated her female forms, she was tall but not as tall as him. Her forehead reached his jaw. She had long slender legs and her hips was wider than the elleths in his palace. She had a thin waist and her breast had a perfect form. He liked the way her showing collarbone made her neck look slender. Thranduil let his eyes rest on her smiling face before he answered.

"It means, I'm delight when your eyes shine when you laugh." Thranduil answered as his eyes soften when she smiled even more. He hinted a blush on her chins and he smiled at the sight of her.

"I have never got such a precious gift before and I don't know how to thank you." She said as she looked down not knowing what she should do.

Thranduil looked down at her and wanted no more than to walk closer to her. He knew it would inappropriate of him, he was the King and she was a ordinary human. He should not allow himself to feel what he felt for her, and he was embarrassed by his feelings for her. At the same time he was angered that he should be embarrassed, because he couldn't rule over his heart and feelings.

So he decided to take a step closer so she was only a inch away from him. He looked down at her were she still looked down on her feet, he simply took her chin in his hand and lifted her face.

Awilia felt his hand on her chin lifting her head, she didn't fight back. She simply lifted her head meeting his eyes. She saw how conflicted his expression was and she wondered what he was fighting. She blushed under his stare and she cursed herself under her breath for acting this way. She tried to move away but he held her face in place and before she knew it she felt him draw her closer and she lifted her head. She felt his lips caress hers softly. At the first touch she thought she would faint and she closed her eyes surrender to his will.

Thranduil felt her freeze when his lips graced hers and he decided to not kiss her completely, but when he saw her close her eyes and relax in his hold. He couldn't hold back his emotions of the sight before him and his lips crashed into hers. He felt desire he never thought he would feel again. Her soft lips tasted better than he would ever imagine and her scent made him even more desperate to feel more of her. But he knew he would never violate her and he stopped by kissing her lips softly before he took a step back. But he grazed his lips against her ear before he departed from her completely and whispered.

"Lle naa vanima" (You're beautiful.)

Awilia was lost in another world when Thranduil left her lips. She was experience feelings she never thought she would feel. Her whole body was shaking with lust and she wanted him to keep kissing her. She opened her eyes feeling her body tingle and when she met his eyes she felt her heart beat harder against her chest. She smiled and she saw the conflicted feelings displayed on Thranduils face, but as fast as they came they were gone.

He started to leave her chamber when she noticed him stopping before he opened the door. He looked back at her looking like he wanting to say something, but then turned around and left.

Was tired when I wrote this chapter so if I made some mistakes tell me. I try to bring the difficulties of feelings between an elf and a human. That's why their moods shift so often and their actions will be reviled later in the story.