My stupid internet crashed and logged me out before I hit save...ugh so I forget exactly what wrote but it went something like this;
I am soooo so happy for all the speedy reviews, followers and favourites...this update has to be an all time record for me! lol
Thank you to;
IPut a-SpellOnYou15, Teddy bear 007, PureAngleEyes, , Teapot of Transformation, meshalok, Lady Silverfrost, Baby Shinji, Cheylock Holmes and Eve88...and also to;
Rousedower; Marly sounds beautiful and I used to ride a bay mare name Nickers...crazy name...crazy horse but I loved her anyway. I embrace your awesome reviews and love your nerdiness...it is most welcome here! Did you say LIFE SIZE YODA...my friend you are awesome I salute you! Clanduil...or Clarduil or Thranara...these are incredible lol I love this...I can't pick I shall let you vote since you are the reviewer?! Thank you so so much for your fun reviews they literally brighten my day and I look forward to hearing from you soon :D
Idunn: Thank you for taking the time to review...and yes they are talking and we all know what that leads to...more talking hehe I'm just kidding but seriously there will be more chatting :)
Bine: Thank you as always! You are so sweet and awesome for reviewing :)
Bob magee: I love that you loved the last chapter and thank you so much XD
Guest: Hi thank you for taking the time to review and yes I am drawing the relationship out. I don't want to rush the inevitable about I don't want to bore you to tears either so hopefully I can achieve this :)
In the words of my fave Robot WALL.e "Ta Da!" ... say it in his voice and it sounds funny lol :P
Chapter seven
"Clara! Wait!"
I spin on my heel and laugh as Oliel races towards me, the hems of her terracotta coloured dress hitched to her hip, as she practically vaults over any obstacles in her way. I struggle to hold an impatient Legolas, as he strains forward and frowns at the thought of having to wait any longer.
"I am sorry I had to retrieve a list from Master Adan; he wishes me to pick some ingredients for him while we are at the market," Oliel apologises breathlessly when she reaches my side and waves a piece of parchment under my nose.
Adan is like the royal chef, in charge of all the kitchens in the King's halls and directly responsible for feeding the royal family themselves, because god forbid Thranduil ever have to cut himself a slice of bread! Adan is actually very scatter brained and disorganised, if it was not for Oliel's efficient and verging on OCD organisational skills, he would have been sacked long ago. In fact I would wager that if not for Oliel a great many things would fall apart, she never stops, she is constantly whizzing around ensuring absolutely everything runs smoothly and to the letter, so his majesty never has to worry unnecessarily about silly mundane things. It is not often she gets a few hours to herself but today she has, and she has promised to show me the wonders of the elven markets, but of course Legolas must come too. It took some persuasion and the promise of the purchase of toy to get him to be in the least bit enthusiastic about the trip, after all shopping is shopping in any reality, and it appears the presence of the male chromosome is still programmed to genetically loathe the idea of it.
"Can we go now?" Legolas whines and tugs on my hand.
"Yes but if you keep up that ridiculously rhyming you won't be getting any toy," I warn and he instantly stops his struggling, and transforms into a little lamb that skips by my side without complaint.
"They do have toys at the market?" I mouth at Oliel and she giggles and nods, linking my free arm with her own.
"So where is your Ada today little one?" she chirpily asks Legolas, he shrugs and looks to me.
"I think the prince is stepping up his rehabilitation," I reply but before I can say anymore Legolas bounces in.
"What is reha-lib-ation?" he enquires getting tongue tied over the words making both Oliel and I giggle in unison.
"Rehabilitation," I confirm and he attempts to say the word again but gets stuck so I decide not to push him. "I think it means he is training in a way that is designed to make him better."
Legolas smiles brightly, "That is good, Ada likes to fight, before he got sick he used to let me watch him! He is brilliant I want to be just like him when I am older!"
"He let you watch?" I query a little concerned, I don't think that is the best parenting technique, violence should not be promoted.
Legolas nods and continues to act out how to sword fight, mostly it is just over active elfling imagination but it worries me. I know he is a little boy and toughness should be encouraged, but my heart actually hurts at the idea of him fighting or wanting to go to war. I am like a mother hen constantly clucking over him and wanting to retain his innocence, I don't want him to use swords even in pretend!
"Relax Clara," Oliel squeezes my arm and smiles, "Elfling ellyn are expected to show these traits, particularly Legolas, it is how our world works."
Oliel has grasped that my faked memory loss means everything is a shock to me; she constantly takes it upon herself to advise me and gently ease me into my strange new world. Something I am deeply thankful for.
"Yes I assume so, but he is so young," I say with a worried tone. I appreciate that this is expected but it doesn't make the thought any less unsettling, I causally wonder does Thranduil get upset over the idea that his little boy will be expected to fight in wars or does he actively encourage this? It is a strange predicament and not something that sits well with me.
"In a decade or so he will be expected to start training too with his peers," she replies solemnly, "It is something we put emphasis on in our culture Clara. We are not renowned for our wisdom or beauty we woodland elves, we are known for our cunning and our stealth."
"I see," I murmur, "I guess I am just feeling a little protective over him."
Oliel laughs gently and nods, "Yes all mothers do at some point with their children."
"I am not his mother," I say quite forcefully and shocked that Oliel would even put me into that category. I have only been caring for Legolas for a few short months, and I am only his caretaker.
"No I know that," she nods, "but you are the closest thing he has to maternal affection, so I think it is natural for you to be protective over him, do you not think so?"
"I guess so," I smile shyly, "but I do think Thranduil or even Oropher will not appreciate you saying such things."
"Oh I think Thranduil appreciates your efforts," she gives me a knowing look and shakes her head, "but there is no impressing the King I will agree with you there."
The two of us start giggling at the statement; it is true though, as much as the King is gracious and kind to all of us, he is without doubt a grouch. I assume the crown does that, I don't think I have ever read about or learned about a happy King or Queen. Legolas stops bounding about for a moment and gives me an impatient look;
"Hurry up you two!" He shouts, "We will never get to the market if you keep talking."
"Mind your manners remember no toys for badly behaved little boys," I scold and he sighs dramatically before trudging back to my side.
"Do not worry little one I will make sure Clara gets you a toy," Oliel teases and Legolas grins at me triumphantly.
"Ollie better watch out or she will not be getting any treats either," I reply haughtily and rise the cloth bag that is draped over my shoulders; "I have lunch remember."
"You would not withhold food from us?" Oliel gasps and turns to Legolas with a pained expression.
"Hmm I might?" I grin and start skipping forwards, "Guess you'll have to catch me first!"
"After her!" Legolas roars with delight, and Oliel joins in the war cry before the two of them start charging after me.
This is how we reach the market, at a flat out sprint; by the time I get there I am out of puff and ready to drop. Legolas collides with me and wraps his arms tightly around my waist restricting my ability to move and breathe even more;
"Surrender the goods bandit!" he cried and tugs at the bag around my shoulders.
"Argh alright alright!" I wheeze and hand him the bag to which he cheers triumphantly and rushes to present Oliel with their ill gained goods, who cheers and praises his swiftness.
Oliel dishes out a simple meal of buttered bread to munch on as we enter the market, I have a few berries and nuts stuck in the bag too but if Legolas finds them he'll eat them all in one sitting, and that is just not good for him. We learnt the hard way after he devoured a large bowl of nuts and berries all by himself, his poor little digestive system suffered for days after that, but I think it was more traumatising for me. Since then I have been very particular over what he eats and I do my utmost to ensure he is eating a very balanced diet, for the love of all that is holy just listen to me, I am a big clucking hen. Oliel is right I am morphing into this maternal creature, I better be careful or I will be all broody next and seeking out the first poor, unsuspecting, suitable male candidate to start reproducing with. Yea because they are flocking in their droves to propose to me, you know I am quite annoyed, I get this vastly improved elvish body and still no one pays me the blind bit of notice, or if they do it is just to peer strangely at me, bloody typical!
The markets are a hive of activity, brightly lit, loud and bustling. Musicians play common tunes for common people, with drums, horns and tambourines. There is singing and chattering, all sorts of voices, all beautiful and strange. I am undoubtedly overwhelmed by the sounds, the smells and sensations, but in the best way. Even Legolas is a little in awe as he clutches my hand and gawps curiously at the brightly coloured and decorated stalls. Oliel is babbling away beside me, explaining the layout; where to find the best traders of materials, the best stalls for essential items and maybe even some stalls for the not so essential items, like jewellery and fancy things. I really don't care, I just want to see everything, to find the origin of the appetising smells and eat said origins. I want to dance to the tunes of the musicians, I want to know what they are singing in their strange but glorious language, I just want to have fun!"
"Ollie?" I cry and she stops her incessantly talking for a moment, she always does when I call her 'Ollie,' instead of Oliel.
"Shut up!" I sigh dramatically and grip her arm to tug her forward.
"Where are you going?" She squeaks, I think a little scared by the wild look in my eyes.
"Everywhere!" I shriek and Legolas cheers at my side. "Come on let's go!"
xXx
A few hours later I am knee deep in a stall that sells the most glorious tapestries I have ever seen, they are just complete works of art and I want them all but I don't earn money, and I don't think elves trade in cash. Every now and again I pop my head up like a scouting meerkat, just to check Legolas is within my eyeline. He has actually made friends with a few elflings, and they are admittedly causing a bit of havoc with their energetic game of tag. It has not been the first time in the past twenty minutes that I've warned him to be careful, he has successfully tripped up a few unsuspecting merchants. Yet he always apologises and manages to win the affections of the adult elves with his heart melting smile, but some do appear to register who he is; his clothing and his mannerisms set him apart from the other kids, he is obviously nobility.
"Do you see anything you like child?" A very kindly looking elleth with deep red hair and bright green eyes asks. I drop the tapestry I am holding and give a guilty look.
"Yes I do they are all beautiful but I don't think I can afford them," I say sadly and lovingly stroke the material.
"Of course you can," she laughs, "My dear what do you have that I can trade with?"
"Not much, some fresh loaves from the royal kitchens if that works for you," I joke but she smiles brightly.
"Wonderful I shall have one loaf if you can spare it to me, and in return you may pick a small piece from my collection," she replies and I feel my jaw slacken. I get a beautiful tapestry for one lousy loaf, elves are awesome!
"Okay, yea sure here," I dip my hand into the cloth bag and present her with a large honey loaf.
"Oh it smells divine!" She exclaims, "Tell me do you work in kitchens for the King?"
"No actually I am the young prince's nursemaid…nanny…caretaker person," I really need to clarify my actual job title before I confuse every single person I meet.
"Ai! I knew it!" She cries and smiles adoringly at the little blonde head that's whipping back and forth the pavilion. "I knew that was the little princeling, is he not the most beautiful little ellon you have seen."
"He is indeed," I confirm with an equally adoring smile, and select my desired tapestry; a beautiful green and gold design of a tree, I mentally decided to make this into a cushion cover, since Oliel is teaching me how to sew properly.
"Pity about his father though," she murmurs and takes the item from me to fold and wrap in cloth. "I hear he has a terrible temper, that boy is lucky to have a lady as lovely as you watching over him, no doubt he receives no tender love from his father."
"Excuse me?" I hear the accusing tone in my voice and the elleth looks at me in surprise. "I believe the Prince to be very loving towards his son."
"My apologies," she replies and hands me my purchase, "I did not mean any offense, I am but a common silvan elf and I know very little of the workings of the royal family, only that which I am told."
"And what were you told?" I demand a little indignantly.
"That the Prince is a hard elf with little love in his heart for anything but his own blood, he sent his wife away after she had the little one, I heard it was because she out grew her usefulness."
The elleth answers honestly and I feel my chest constrict, I want to tell her she is wrong but for all I know this could be the truth. After all the Thranduil I met initially was quite nasty and cutting and maybe if it was a marriage of convenience then he had no reason to be pleasant with his wife. Maybe she was terrified of him and maybe I am jumping to conclusions and being terribly judgmental, I was warned about such rumours but every lie has its source in the truth and I guess this is just another piece to the puzzle.
"Well I can confirm any dealings I have with his highness are always very pleasant," I say as calmly and indifferently as I can manage, "but I am new to this kingdom and I know very little of his past indiscretions, nor do I want too."
"Indeed it is probably best kept that way," the elleth smiles and bobs her head in respect to me; "It is an honour meeting a high lady of the King's court I pray we meet again."
"Oh I am sure of it," I reply breezily and saunter out of the stall, a very childish part of me does not want to go back to her stall, but the more mature part reminds me she is just repeating gossip besides her tapestries are stunning.
Once out in the crowds again I start looking for my little charge, I hear the children playing and absently start calling for him as I wrestle to place my purchase in my bag. When he doesn't answer initially I sigh and snap my head up, he is definitely not getting a toy now;
"Legolas you have three seconds to-" I stop suddenly and realise that none of the children still racing about the courtyard are him, my mouth goes dry and the most horrible feeling washes over me. Where is he? Oh No! Oh god I can't breathe!
"Legolas!" I cry again and start randomly shoving people out of my way in my panic. You hear horror stories of children being snatched in plain sight, but this is an elven stronghold surely to god no-one would kidnap a child. But what if they did? I would never forgive myself and Thranduil would be destroyed, he would rip me apart and I would not blame him. This is my fault, this is my entire fault! The one thing I was charged with, caring for the little prince and I cannot even do that, I am pathetic and…wait…
"PUT HIM DOWN!" I shriek at the blonde haired elf man that has Legolas in his arms. He stops and turns to regard me with an expression that can only be described as amusement.
"Are you deaf you big lug," I scream as I stomp wildly towards him, "Put that boy down or I'll…I'll beat you to an inch of your life!"
"Really?" Is the elf's disbelieving answer, "and why would you do that?"
I stride right up to him, my breath coming so sharply I almost sound like I am snarling. I only register now this elf is dressed in clothing that would indicate he is some kind of guard or solider. Yet I don't care, I'll scratch his eyeballs out if he makes one wrong move! It is Legolas' little giggle that snaps me out of my furious trance, I blink at him and feel my brows pull together;
"Clara you are so silly," he sniggers and pats the elf on the shoulder playfully "This is Aradan he is Ada's friend, and mine too."
"Oh!" is my only reply and I do the only thing I'm good at, and blush as bright as a berry.
The golden haired elf laughs at my embarrassment and easily rests Legolas on his hip so as to outstretch his hand to me, for once I stare at it confusion;
"You are supposed to shake it," he adds, I jump and quickly grip is hand in a firm handshake.
"You should really keep me updated on your many friends Legolas," I quip and he just grins at me completely unperturbed.
"You must be Lady Clara, Legolas' young guardian," Aradan smiles broadly and I blush further, he is really rather attractive, in the obvious drop dead gorgeous kind of way.
"Um H-h-hi," I stammer, "apologies about the angry outburst I thought you were trying to kidnap him."
Aradan laughs loudly again and shakes his head, so his long golden hair lands about his shoulders in silky tendrils. He straightens up and twists his body to the left to call over his shoulder at someone;
"You did not tell me she was so beautiful Thranduil, are you not the luckiest noble elf to have such beauties wondering around your home?" he speaks with that silky elven voice that makes me sway on my feet, wait did he just say Thranduil?
"Ada!" Comes the high pitched keen that confirms that Aradan did indeed say Thranduil.
I watch with glee as Legolas wriggles from the elf's arms and bounds the short distance to a cloaked and hooded figure about several feet away. The figure crouches down on one knee and extends his arms just in time to receive Legolas, like a well-practised routine. The force of Legolas' embrace knocks his hood back, revealing the very familiar visage of the prince. Though I am slightly confused as to why he is so wrapped up, I mean it is the summer; there is absolutely no need for the cloak, the hood and the scarf covering his mouth and nose. Unless of course you are insecure about the horrendous scars tattooing your entire body, hmm it is surprising how I don't notice them anymore.
"Ge Suilon Ionneg!" Thranduil exclaims and hoists his boy into his arms, Legolas frowns and tugs at the dark green scarf covering his mouth nose but doesn't ask why, he is quite the intuitive child and I'm sure he has some inclination as to why his father is using it.
"I thought you said no carrying him," I say playfully and watch the guilty smile play on his lips.
"Just this once," he mutters sheepishly in reply resting his head on Legolas' for the briefest moment. Seriously how could anyone come to the conclusion that he was incapable of showing love, stupid misinformed gossip mongers!
"Enjoying the markets Clara?" Aradan asks pleasantly whilst Thranduil and his son have an entirely elvish conversation.
"Yes it is my first time visiting," I say but strain around him in an attempt to follow the hushed dialogue between father and child, it looks serious, I do not like that it makes me worry. Aradan is still talking and I am politely nodding away but I'm not that interested. Legolas sighs dramatically and Thranduil lets him down on the ground, so he can begrudgingly shuffle towards me.
"I am sorry Clara for not staying close by like you asked," he mumbles with his eyes downcast and kicks the dirt with his suede boot.
"That is okay darlin' just don't scare me like that again," I reply and he nods solemnly through tear rimmed eyes.
"Can I still have a toy?" he asks innocently and I chuckle.
"Legolas," Thranduil speaks his name like a warning, and I ascertain the apology was brought on by the stern words from their little conversation.
"It's fine, and for apologizing of course you can." I confirm and the tears suddenly vanish. "When Ollie gets here we'll go pick something okay?"
He nods and points dramatically behind me; "There she is can I tell her, can I ask her to take me to the stall with the wooden swords? Please Clara?"
I turn my head and sigh as Oliel is waving at us from the distance laden with her purchases, I admit she could do with the help; "Alright but you must help Ollie carry the baskets."
Legolas excitedly hops from foot to foot and makes his father promise to not disappear until he returns with his toy, Thranduil agrees and I catch a hint of impatience in Aradan's eyes; clearly he had plans for the afternoon. I watch him scamper off to Oliel and assist her with her excessive baggage, clearly the cook wasn't kidding about needing a few things from the market.
"Who is Ollie?" Thranduil asks with a humour filled voice.
"I struggled to say her name and the alternative stuck!" I reply with confidence, I will not accept being made fun of for trying to come to terms with this headache of a language. Aradan snorts back an amused chuckle, but surprisingly Thranduil just nods in understanding.
"I thought you were training today my lord," I ask with mild interest, it is not my place to question how he spends his free time. He goes to speak but Aradan cuts him off.
"He is or was; only it seems he has got distracted," he turns and playfully shoves the prince, who is just a tad too slow to escape the gentle blow; "Look at you Thranduil you qre all over the place, I am not near tough enough on you."
"You will regret that comment when I can see through both eyes again," Thranduil seethes through gritted teeth.
"Ha! It is only a bravado Clara pay, him no heed, he just likes to think he is a great warrior," Aradan laughs uproariously and causally throws an arm around me.
"I do not think I am great warrior, I know I am," The prince teases and sohots me an exasperated look; "He is taking advantage of a wounded solider Clara is shows you the height of his integrity."
I chuckle and wink at him; this seems to appease his bruised ego; that I should believe him over this fancy newcomer. Aradan narrows his eyes at his royal friend and shakes his head;
"Oh yes I forgot you fought a dragon that makes you the better warrior," Aradan continues to banter but I watch Thranduil pale suddenly, and I mean he literally goes the most horrendous colour of grey; "You know we will never hear the end of this, I am surprised that he has not divulged all the over dramatized details already, has he told you Clara? Oh I bet he has, he has a habit of charming young ellith was his tales of bravery."
"No actually he hasn't," I shrug away from Aradan and scowl at him, does he have no tact whatsoever.
Thranduil looks sick, and I am not entirely sure if he has the capacity to keep the contents of his stomach down. His eyes are filled with that same hard to place fear that I have seen only a handful of times before, he is not listening to us, he is not present in this situation. His hands are shaking and he look about ten seconds away from having a mental breakdown, in the very public domain of the outskirts of a marketplace with too many people to stand and draw judgement. I gingerly step closer to the prince and put a firm but comforting hand on his forearm, applying just enough pressure to draw him back to his surroundings. He flinches away from me but at least he is reacting to me, and he doesn't seem to be lost in a recurring nightmare.
"Thranduil?" Aradan asks and then looks worriedly to me; "I think we shall end our training for today."
"I am fine," Thranduil snaps and pulls his hood over his head again, "We have not finished this run."
"I say we have," Aradan replies firmly, "And Lord Elrond has given me direct authority over how far you should push yourself, we can try again the day after next."
"Lord Elrond does not hold authority over you, you are my captain and I say we are not finished," Thranduil answers coldly, and I frown at him, his stubbornness will be his ruin I swear it! He catches my eye and gives me a less than impressed look but I don't care he is being ridiculous, and I'll tell him exactly that if he asks.
"No but it is by his hand that you are still with us," Aradan interjects and gives me an apologetic look, "Thranduil Geheno nin! Im Pe channas!"
"No! Dol gin lost!" Thranduil replies haughtily and crosses his arms about his chest.
All three of us stand in an awkward silence and I feel like I should excuse myself to go find Legolas, after all that is my job, but the prince still looks like he is about to vomit and I feel I should stay just in case he does. Mercifully I hear the approach of two sets of familiar footsteps and I turn to greet Oliel and Legolas, who is brandishing a small wooden sword and shield. I roll my eyes and Oliel mouths her apologies at her poor choice of toy. Though I make a fuss nonetheless, and proclaim him to be the bravest knight in the woods. This delights him to no end and he quickly scurries to show his father his fascinating new weaponry. Thranduil acts in pretty much the same way I did, but takes a greater interest in the weapons and the two discuss the merits of the sword in their own tongue.
"Right well we better get going," I eventually mutter and help Oliel shoulder her heavily laden baskets of goods. "Come on great warrior you need to bathe before supper."
"Tolo Ada, govano nin!" Legolas chirps and holds out his hand to his father in a beckoning motion, so I assume he wants Thranduil to come with him.
Thranduil sighs and nods at his son, but gives Aradan a warning look, the Captain smirks and falls into line behind his prince. Legolas unaware of the earlier tensions chatters on at a rate of knots, mostly in elvish so I have not a notion what he is jabbering on about, but his father seems to be following more or less. Our small gaggle make our way back to the private halls of the King without much fuss, Legolas keeping all of us entertained the whole way back, dissolving any ill feelings with his musical chatter and infectious energy. I even note that Thranduil's colour vastly improves as he forces all his attention and focus on his son, his little saving grace. Oliel leaves us to go stock up the kitchens and see to whatever else has accumulated in her absence, whilst I cart Legolas off to his bath, and the Prince and his Captain retire to his private chambers for no doubt a fascinating military conversation.
Thankfully Legolas is dead on his feet after his day of adventures, and after his bath can barely stay awake to eat his supper. I carry him into bed and wrap him up warm; our little routine is for me to lie with him until he falls asleep, and even in his half zombie like state, he still manages to mumble coherent protests for me to stay. But it doesn't take long, after one chorus 'Tura lura lura,' he is out cold and I give him a quick squeeze and peck goodnight. I tip toe to his doorway and smile peacefully at his slumbering form, he is just so perfect and when he is unconscious he appears like a pure little angelic being, and not the complete tearaway that he is! With a soft sigh I pull the door closed and attempt to creep away to my own bed, which is practically calling to me, I have not slept at all in a few nights and well even elvish bodies suffer sleep deprivation eventually.
"That was a beautiful lullaby."
"ARGH! What the hell!" My heart stops beating and my words come out like a strangled whisper. When I regain a pulse and register there is no need to fight for my life, I glare at the Prince who is practically doubled in two at my expense.
"You should have seen your expression Clara," he laughs as quietly as he can. "Oh it was priceless."
"Oh sod off!" I snap and brush past him, "You know your behaviour could be considered stalker like, skulking about dark corridors at night spying on helpless she elves."
"Only this is my home and I am perfectly entitled to check on my child," he sniggers and predictably follows after me.
"Irrelevant," I reply haughtily, "I still say you're stalking me."
"And what if I am?"
I stop and swivel to peer questioningly at him, "Then I say you have a problem, and that I can scream really really really loud, so watch yourself Prince!"
He laughs gently and shakes his head, and I notice that when he actually genuinely smiles his eyes glint mischievously, how very peculiar I have never noticed that before.
"Oh I am scared," he challenges and steps in front of me blocking my exit, I stretch up on my tip toes so I can just about reach his eye line.
"You should be," I warn and he literally snorts in my face, rude much; "You're laughing now but I mean it, one bellow from these lungs and you'll be permanently deaf!"
"Add it to the list of mounting disabilities that I have," he teases and rolls his eyes. "but at least I can say I made you scream."
"What!" I gasp and push him away from me, "That was bold, that was an inappropriate innuendo right there."
Over the past few weeks the relationship between Thranduil and I has improved greatly, and though I am ashamed to admit, sometimes it teeters dangerously on the side of flirtation. I think nothing of it though, it is harmless and he is naturally a charismatic elf. I am sure he has this sort of attitude with all ellith, but I have warmed to him and I know that if someone like him existed in my world we would have been friends there too.
"I apologize," Thranduil replies and grins; "but you do have the tendency to bring out the worst in me Clara."
"Then keep your distance," I scold playfully though I really hope he has no intention of doing that; "I am not the one stalking me around dark corners."
"You do not mean that," he leans against a pillar and raises an eyebrow at me.
I sigh and cross my arms about my chest; "Alright you win, you've got my attention what is it you want?"
"I want the pleasure of your company."
"Well I ain't going anywhere!"
"No not now."
"Then when? You're forgetting my full time role is to care for your son, that doesn't exactly free me up!"
He chuckles and gives me that lopsided smile that wins me over, it doesn't matter what he asks me to do now, I will probably agree to it. Seriously I feel completely manipulated by both father and son!
"I can arrange for Oliel to look after Legolas for a few hours," Thranduil shrugs as if my statement is irrelevant to him, "You deserve a break Clara and I promised I would help you."
I narrow my eyes and mutter; "Alright I'm intrigued keep talking."
"Meet me before dawn at the marketplace and I shall show you," he replies confidently.
"Oh come on I need a better reason than that to get up before dawn!" I scoff and roll my eyes at the mere suggestion.
"It will be just me there, no entourage; you will have my full and undivided attention. What more of a reason do you need?" He smirks when my eyes pop at his attitude.
"You are so full of yourself! You're a right cocky bas-"
"I prefer to use the terms self-assured and confident when referring to myself," he cuts in and gives me a meaningful look, I have gathered elves are not fond of swearing.
"Oh alright then, but there better be breakfast in this for me!" I demand and jab my finger at him in warning, he bats it away and chuckles.
"I promise there will be food," he confirms and turns to leave, "See you soon mellon nin."
"Too soon," I grouch and I am almost certain I catch his snigger as he makes his way back in the direction of his chambers.
Right well I better go and attempt to catch a few winks before I am forced to take part in whatever fun filled day of events Thranduil has in store for me. Oh please don't let this be a sword fighting tutorial, not at that time in the morning, or for that matter anything physical. I am not exactly in the best shape to be engaging in elven acrobatic style self-defense lessons. With a loud groan I scuttle in the direction of my bed and mentally try and decide what in the hell I am going to wear. See this is why girls need specific instructions as to what a day's activities will involve; men never think of this they just roll out of bed and are ready to rock. Especially elven men, I am convinced Thranduil doesn't even have to fix a hair when he gets out of bed, Clara dear why are you thinking of the prince in bed? Well this new!
Ge Suilon Ionneg- means "I welcome you my son." sort of said like an exclamation of happiness at the presence of someone.
Thranduil Geheno nin! Im Pe channas! - means roughly "Thranduil forgive me! I am an idiot."
No! Dol gin lost - means "Yes! Your head is empty/you are foolish."
Tolo Ada, govano nin! - means "Come Papa, join us."
Sooo what do you think? Was it enjoyable? Am I doing okay? Did I update to quick? Please lemme know :)
