Author's comment: im done! college is done and dusted! oh the joy of never having to study for another wretched exam! and now im back! on to chapter 9! It really would take nothing to review you know, have a heart people, show some love by reviewing! thank you!

Disclaimer: it pains me everytime to do this but LOTR characters are not mine!

Chapter 9

The following weeks to come spelled even more confusion for Aya as she tried to seek answers to the situation she was in but with a King acting so strangely around her, she could not concentrate. Wherever she went it seemed the king would appear, sometimes she suspected he acted this way on purpose.

Aya sighed, at the moment she was in the gardens within the castle, how the flowers grew here without real sunlight was a mystery, lightly brushing the soft petal of a flower as she sat on a wooden bench, gazing up, she realized few rays of moonlight had beamed into garden and greatly appreciated it, for she could not leave the palace grounds and therefore could not even see the night sky. A twig on ground snapped as boots crunched intentionally loud while they approached, startling Aya into turning around to find no other but The King before her, standing up quickly she bowed and spoke "Your majesty, i did not know you were here, i beg your pardon, i shall depart immediately" as she made to leave hastily, Thranduil halted her in her steps "stay" "your majesty?" Aya turned to look at him, his striking ice blue eyes glowing in the dim lit garden. Thranduil waved his hand to bench indicating she sit with him, with nerves unravelling, Aya struggled to regain composure, why was she behaving so foolishly? he was only a man just like the others, surely she need not be worried. But this was no mere man nor just an elf but The King himself, she had just cause to feel this way.

She sat quietly while giving a little distance from The King, Thranduil who patiently noted this and did not speak on the matter, made an attempt to ease her "the gardens were built for pleasure of all within, all are welcome to its beauty, however i find myself curious as why you are here by so late an hour when it is expected that you would be resting" "your majesty-" "Thranduil" Aya looked at him confused "What?" The King turned fully to look at her "my name" Aya shook her head in refusal "your majesty i shouldn't address you so lightly, you are King and as such i cannot-" Aya stopped her little rant as she felt a hand on hers, gasping she snatched her hand as though it had be burned and looked at The king who was watching her, "we are alone and i would prefer that you use my name lirimaer" there was that word again, why was he calling her that and what did it even mean? "your majesty i-" "Thranduil, say it, as my command" At this she understood she could not refuse "T-Thranduil you must understand i-" "Say it again" Thranduil couldn't help the feel of pleasure as he watched his name roll of her tongue and escape her lips, Aya oblivious to his actions responded "Thranduil...please Sire i should no longer burden you with my presence, i will retire for the night" Thranduil smirked though Aya could not see his face so clearly, he recognized her ploy as a means to escape from him "you did not answer my question" Aya did not like that she was in such a situation at all, her heart was beating so loudly that she was sure The King heard it, why was his presence causing her to feel this way? "sleep eludes me for i cannot seem to still my mind" "pray tell what is it that causes you distress lirimaer" Aya hesistated before answering "This bond you spoke of, it causes me to hear voices and when i wake i find no one in my room, only a lingering presence that is no longer present" Why she confided in him, she did not know but she wanted comfort even if it could come from him. Thranduil knew what she spoke of, but such matters could only be resolved untill after the war. "you worry for naught" Thranduil rose up and bid her to follow "come, i shall see you to your chambers" and with that led her to room, which made her wonder, how did he know where she stayed? pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind she followed quietly.

Thranduil opened the door and waited for her to go inside before following her into the room, Aya turned to find The king and with a slightly audible gasp she backed away. Thranduil turned to face away from her "you may change into something more comfortable to sleep in" Aya was hesistant, never had a man been in a room while she dressed or undressed even, not even her father "But you're still here" Thranduil sighed "i will not look, you need not worry" Aya quickly changed and let out a shaky breath, the air here was tensed, within the confines of her chambers she believed she was inaccessible but now with The King's overwhelming presence here she was not certain of that anymore. "you may turn around now" Thranduil turned and looked at her, Aya cast her eyes down, her shaking hands tightly wrapping her sleep wear around her. 'She truly is beautiful' Thranduil thought and as much he was tempted to act on his slowly blooming desire he had something more important to deal with tonight "lay on your bed" Alarm shot through Aya and she hastily moved to the other end of the room, but it did not do much good this much she knew, "why? what will you do?" Thranduil stepped closer "i only want to help ease your nightmares" Finally conceding, Aya laid on her bed and waited.

Thranduil placed his palm on her forehead and chanted quietly and waited for the spell to take effect and watched as she fell into a dreamless sleep then left to retire for the night. Tomorrow would prove a trying day.

The next morning Gilwen entered her chamber to find an already awakened Aya pacing about her room, "good morning my lady, i trust you slept well?" Aya continued pacing not seeming to notice any presence in the room "my lady?" Aya murmured barely to even her own hearing, "Aya!" Gilwen snapped and Aya turned looking surprised to see her standing there "Gilwen, goodmorning when did you arrive?" Gilwen sighed shaking her head "ive been here for a good long while my lady" Aya sat on the bed exasperated and Gilwen sensing something afoot sat alongside her "something troubles you this morning, what is it?" Aya looked away and began fiddling with her fingers, Gilwen frowned at the action "It's The King again isn't it?" Aya turned to face her "why do you presume it to be him?" The elleth scoffed "you fidget every time he is involved, what has he done to cause you distress again?" Aya rose up again, confusion clearly on her face "he...he's begun to behave strangely, i do not know what to make of it" Aya sighed as Gilwen tried to coax her into saying more "in what way does he behave strangely?" "he's kinder, he-he behaves as though...as though he cares for me, the night before he personally escorted me to my chambers" she conveniently left out the part about him putting her to sleep. Gilwen was silent at this, it was no news that The King developed a sudden fixation with their foreign guest, most believed her to be some sort of amusement to ease the boredom of their king. King Thranduil had taken mistresses before long after the death of his wife but all who knew him, knew him to be hard at heart, yes he ensured every elleth whom he took to his bed was well settled but no one could come close enough to garner any special treatment from him.

"Perhaps all he seeks to do is make amends, all will reveal itself in time" Gilwen would be certain to watch over her friend if not to protect her as best as she could from any harm.

The day went by as Aya moved around, she wondered where her personal guard and friend had been called to, he had come one morning few weeks before to give her news of his departure to the borders, The King had ordered most of the warrior in the Kingdom to arms should any threat come upon the Kingdom. She prayed for his well being, Cenedir had been kind to her when she first came her and had become her trusted friend eventually. "Well well, if it isn't the mortal whore, did my king decide you were done with your services for the day? or are you prancing about looking for another one of our ellyn to couple with" Aya had hoped the day would go peaceful but alas that would not be so today.

Bereneth, she learned was of noble birth, who enjoyed people worshipping the ground she walked on. "Hello Bereneth" Aya remained calm, having been used to worse insults, she remained unfazed as Bereneth continued to sneer at her "look at her, who would want to welcome anything with such ugly dark skin" the other ladies that usually followed her wherever she went spoke "like an orc" at this they laughed, Bereneth stepped forward "I recall telling you to leave, you aren't welcome here!" Aya remained quiet as she watched Bereneth rant "Mirkwood already has enough filth, leave our realm to peace" "I'm afraid that authority does not lie with you lady Bereneth, she is my guest and is to be treated as such" Thranduil emerged from a corner, having heard enough of what transpired, Aya blanked as she remained rooted her spot whilst the ellith bowed hastily and paled in horror. Thranduil's eyes narrowed in icy slits as he looked at Bereneth "and as my guest she is to have your utmost respect, am I understood?" the elith bowed and muttered "yes Aran nin" "good, dishonour my guest again and not even your father's position can protect you, leave us at once" The elith scurried off immediately but Aya could not yet breathe relief for the one who came to her rescue was the one she least expected, truthfully she wasn't surprised, Thranduil as he insisted on her calling him when in private, often found her whereever she was. "are you alright my lady?" Aya startled and bowed immediately "yes, your majesty" Thranduil nodded "walk with me" Aya walked quietly beside The King, using personal passage ways only reserved for the king, "where were you headed?" Thranduil inquired as they walked "I was on my way to the library your majesty" Aya looked at him from the corner of her eye, wondering what was going on in his mind.

Thranduil had known of the hostility shown to her in the Kingdom. He had tried to ensure her comfort here in the palace by giving orders against poor treatment of his guest but it seems some still defied his rule though he understood the reason for Bereneths strong dislike for Aya. Dwelling no more on such thoughts Thranduil proceeded to lead the way to her destination and as they stopped before the tall doors of the library, Aya bowed and dismissed herself immediately "Good day to you your majesty" Thranduil silently watched as she quietly entered and closed the doors behind her. Thranduil stood there briefly before quietly leaving to his study.

The figurine crashed against the wall as Bereneth raged in her room. 'how dare she?!' She had face humiliation at the hands of a worthless filthy mortal! Her breath ran ragged as the scene of her confrontation gone sour replayed over and over in her mind, fueling her rage even further, that mortal would pay and she knew just how she would do it.

Aya stayed in the library even after dinner had passed, she did not have the stomach for food or confrontations of any sort whether with The King or troublesome eliths. Turning the page she was on, she realised her mind had wondered off again. Sighing she rose, and exited the library to make way to her room as quietly as she could, no doubt Gilwen along with Galion would be upset at her not eating dinner this night but she couldnt be bothered with how they felt at the moment.

The wing in which her chambers was situated was awefully quiet, not that it was usually noisy though. Opening her door, Aya took in the sight before her then let out a frightening scream.

With brisk strides he moved towards the sound that he, along with then entire palace if he was to be frank, had heard. Thranduil in terse silence intruded upon the scene of the current subject on his thoughts sobbing while being cradled by a solemn Gilwen and quiet Galion who both acknowledged his presence. He glanced around the room, taking in the wreckage of furniture which could easily be replace, what boiled his blood with fury, was the attire which she had been found in initially mended and clean, shredded and drenched in red paint. A message had been sent, whoever did this deed clearly did not approve of her being her. But what truly made him sick was the fact that said person was an elf.

"Aran nin, perhaps it would be wise to reassign her a personal guard" Galion moved to speak with him but Thranduil remained still. Finally turning to face Galion "move her to the chambers in the west wing, she will reside there while this is being sorted out" both Gilwen and Galion started at this, "but Aran nin, the west wing is-" Thranduil shut him down with a cold look "when i give an order, senior advisor, i expect obedience not objection, or does a night in the dungeons prove my point?" Galion bowed "yes my king" Galion could feel the sweat forming on his brow, whoever had done this would feel both his and the king's wrath but after looking at Thranduil's face this eve, he almost felt pity for the culprit. In all his years by his king's side never had anyone caused a reaction in Thranduil such as done this night.

Having one last glance at a distraught and grieving Aya, he left to find a suitable guard trustworthy enough for his ward, he had a feeling though that their relationship would change, very soon. It seems his ward did not know what power she held over their King.

Author's note: i never imagined the story developing this way, and just when she was settling into Mirkwood's lifestyle too, it either gets worse from here or better. It seems with each passing chapter Thranduil reveals even more emotions, well maybe to Aya but thats a good sign of progress right? Anyway we"ll see as the story goes.