Idril's complexion paled notably under Thranduil's newly attentive gaze, but she was quick to regain her bearings, smiling politely at the beautiful Elf-maiden, "Aeronwen. Idril Aeronwen, my Lady. It is very nice to finally meet your acquaintance. I have been hoping to speak with you for some time now." Privately, she added in her head.
Galadriel paused for a moment, Idril watching her anxiously, before nodding her head once indiscreetly, smiling kindly at her, "It is a pleasure to meet you as well; Elrond has told me many fond things of you. Although, he did not tell me of your musical talents; your voice is simply exquisite. Isn't that right?" She turned her gaze to the two male Elves who both nodded.
Elrond smiled, "Had I known you possessed such talents I would have made use of them while I could; you have a lovely voice. You sounded absolutely delightful."
Thranduil's gaze weighed heavily on Idril as he stood beside her, "Enrapturing."
Idril looked up at Thranduil in surprise, seeing an indescribable emotion in his blue gaze that she did not recognize, nor could she describe. Elrond watched the two carefully before smiling in content, thinking the two had hit it off quite well in his absence, "Gandalf should be here any moment, I'm sure."
Thranduil broke his gaze from Idril's instantly upon being addressed, "Splendid. His presence will surely make the evening more spirited."
But his thoughts were preoccupied with the slender figure that stood beside him. He had knowledge of her heavenly voice already, but he had not expected to be fully charmed by her musical talents and seduced no less by her newly groomed elegance.
He instantly blamed the wine for his lustful impulses, his curiosity about the human girl only flaring. He craved to know more about her and selfishly desired to see more of her amusingly rare expressions. It seemed, as of late, that he lived to catch her unawares, in hopes to catch a new emotion upon her features.
Despite this strong desire, his instinct told him there was something off about her, something different and unworldly that he could not yet explain, continuously reminding him that he needed to gather more information about her and learn her secrets. He saw that much in her face when Galadriel addressed her in such a strange way. He needed her to trust him completely and utterly in order to do so.
Idril, on the other hand, was trying to sort her racing thoughts, most of them streaming in the form of swear words, both Elvish and English. She needed to find a way to speak with Galadriel alone, without the ever so eager-to-snoop King watching her every move. Gandalf was coming as well! Maybe between the two of them, they could figure out why she was here... It was a shot in the dark but it was worth a try. But how to speak with them alone... Of course Galadriel had the telepathy thing, but that could only get them so far... they needed to talk properly...
Unfortunately, Thranduil barely left her side, so much so that her irritation was beginning to show in small signs: a brief frown, a twitch of the eyebrow, the occasional sharp look, and the likes. Her smile was notably becoming more and more fake by the moment, every time she would make a small excuse to leave, Thranduil would stop her short. At one point, when she could think of nowhere else to turn, she suggested she return to her maid duties, in which she was given the clipped reply that she was relinquished of her duties for the evening.
Having sensed her distress, Galadriel came to Idril's rescue, gently gliding her away to a vacant balcony with nothing but a smile and a few charming words towards Thranduil. Once alone, her smile disappeared, though her look was still a gentle one, "You are not of this world, are you child?"
Idril shook her head, a lump rising in her throat, "No, my Lady." It was such a relief to finally tell someone her secret, she hadn't realized the full weight of the burden until it was lifted a fraction from her shoulders. She felt like crying.
Galadriel's tone turned urgent as she glanced back at the ongoing ball, "We must speak with Gandalf of this. Does the Elven King know?"
Idril was only able to shake her head, not trusting herself to speak.
Galadriel's expression turned grim, "It may be wise to inform him soon, he is relentless when it comes to information he wants; he will not stop until he has a hold of it. What is your story thus far? How long have you been in this world—"
"Idril."
Galadriel hushed immediately when they heard the low voice of the Elven King. She must have known he was on his way for she had been speaking quickly in a hushed tone, so that even his elvish ears could not pick up their conversation.
Idril reluctantly turned to him, pretending that nothing was awry as she pondered at him curiously, "Yes, my King?"
He gazed down at her intently, searching her gaze, "The night is almost out and we have yet to dance. I would be honored if you should join me."
Idril blinked in obvious surprise; her? Dance with him? What?
She could see his carefully feigned patience slipping as he 'smiled' down at her. She quickly took his outstretched hand and followed him, bowing a brief and polite goodbye to Galadriel as he led her to the dance floor, placing one hand on her him and the other in her palm, pulling her closer to his own much taller form.
Idril frowned nervously, "My King, I must admit to you that I am not the most gracious of dancers..."
"I have no doubt you'll be a fast learner in order to avoid embarrassment." His voice was calm and firm before he bent down to whisper in her ear, "Though if you end up stepping on my toes I will have no choice but to punish you..."
Idril's eyes widened in shock as she stared up at him, his expression undeniably amused. She couldn't help the pink tint of embarrassment that colored her cheeks as she averted her gaze down to her feet, praying to some unknown power to keep her footing properly. She could hear her other worldly best friend Kaitlyn whisper perverted thoughts into her head, making it much harder to keep her composure.
She kept glancing down at her feet nervously, wanting to get the steps right as he gracefully led her across the dance floor. She flinched when he stopped suddenly, making her stumble into his chest before he quickly snatched her chin in his grip, his eyes burning intensely into hers, "Look at me, not your feet. I want to see your eyes as we dance."
Oh no. Her composure slipped for a few seconds as she stared openly at him, her heartbeat staggering twice as clumsily as her feet. NO! She mentally slammed down a thick metal wall between them. She needed to focus on getting back to her own world, not on the pretty patterns in this gorgeous Elven King's blue eyes. When she remembered to breathe, she nodded firmly, "Yes, My King. I apologize."
Thranduil stared down at her for a moment, contemplating the emotions he just witnessed, his mind torn between lustful thoughts and logical determination. He definitely drank too much wine. He knew this, but the longer he stared into the brown depths of Idril's eyes, his cares and priorities slowly slipped away.
Hours later, Idril almost sighed as she assisted Thranduil to his bed chamber, "Please rest easy, my King, you've drunk too much. I'll have you in bed in no time so please don't exert yourself."
As soon as she had him in his chamber, she sat him on the bed and began undressing him so she could change him into his sleeping garb like she had become so accustomed to. Once she had finished dressing him she stood back, "I shall be in my room if you need me."
Before she could turn to leave, he grabbed her wrist unexpectedly, "Don't go. Stay here with me."
Idril gave him a confused look before gently removing his hand from her wrist, "My King, you are intoxicated. You must sleep. I will bring you some tea."
He unexpectedly reached up and took a strand of her hair in his slender fingers, bringing it to his nose, breathing out softly, "Such a lovely scent..."
Her eyes widened as a light blush dusted her features, completely taken off guard by the burning desire she so plainly saw in his clouded blue eyes, "M-my King—"
He looked up at her with a lustful gaze and cut her off, "I very well know my limit, and I have surpassed it."
She looked at him in confusion, "What—?"
He swiftly cut her off by pressing his lips to hers in a passionate kiss, pulling her close so she was nestled tight against his body.
A surprised squeak left her throat as she stiffened, unsure of what to do, torn between sinking into the warm embrace or pushing him away. Before she had time to make a proper decision, she was suddenly trapped beneath him and the soft cushions of the bed with a dizzying speed.
Thranduil finally released her lips from his own and gazed down at her, "You look absolutely stunning..."
The next thing Idril knew, she was trapped under the heavy embrace of a sleeping Elven King. She blinked in confusion, everything having happened so fast, she felt as though she had whiplash. She stared at his peaceful sleeping expression, absorbing every part of his beautifully fair features.
She couldn't help the soft smile that formed on her lips and she reveled in her inner forbidden fangirl and allowed herself to place a soft kiss on his forehead before slipping out from his grip, finishing her job of dressing him, and tucking him under the covers gently.
She slipped out of the Elven King's bedchamber, closing the door softly behind her, "Goodnight, My Elven King."