A/N: Chapter 9 is up! Some fluff here and there. Forgive me for my late updates, everyone. I was busy with work. But I'll try to update more often.
Chapter 9
Rendesvouz
Minerva sat stiff as she rode side-saddle on the elks back, right in front of Thranduil. She suddenly remembered the time when she rode side-saddle with the King of Dale. It was awkward, and she couldn't stop blushing for the first few minutes. However, after a while, the man's kindness made her relax. But for Thranduil's case, it was different, there was tension.
"We're here..." Thranduil said as he stopped his mount.
Her mouth hung agape as she saw the view before her. From afar all the way west, was the long stretch of mountains and the gleaming Anduin river. The pale moon and the stars bathed the dark landscape with light, making it look ethereal. They shone brightly, and their light, reflected on the stretch of water, making it look like a painting of the galaxy. It suddenly reminded her of Yavanna's woods, every time she stood on top of a high hill and watched the moon set.
A tear rolled down her cheek upon seeing the magnificent view. It was a better view of the river, compared to the side where Rhosgobel stood, where the darkness of Dol Guldur invaded the beautiful view. Though her life was much better compared to what it was before, she still had dark days, especially when her task gets heavy.
"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, taking in the view. She smiled at the fact that Lady Varda could see her right now. After all, she was the lady of the stars.
"I know..." Thranduil said softly, looking at her. He wasn't referring to the view, but to her.
"How do you know of this place?" she asked innocently.
He smiled, as the answer to the question was so obvious. This was Thranduil's realm, and he knows each and every corner of it.
"Oh... I forgot you are the King after all..." she said, looking away in embarrassment.
His mouth curved into a grin as he leant against a tree that stood nearby. "I've been wanting to ask you something? he began.
"What is it?" she turned to look at him. His blue eyes looked like they were glowing in the darkness.
"The festival is coming soon..." he began, referring to the celebrations that are held in Mirkwood. "I want you to come..." he added.
"Oh..." she hesitated for a while, as attending might mean that she needs to go back to the confines of the palace. "I can't... you see-"
"If you're worried that I will lock you up in the palace once more, don't be..." he assured.
She looked away, realising that he had read what was on her mind. It wasn't the first time that she had run into Thranduil in the forest and he tried to invite her to tea or dinner, only to reject him afterwards.
"Well it's not only that my lord... you see, I have a duty... and I cannot and wish not to remove this armour I'm wearing." she said, referring to the armour created by the Valar, that she wore on top of her dark coloured hunting dress.
" she said, referring to the armour created by the Valar, that she wore on top of her dark coloured hunting dress
"Your point, my lady?"
"The festival is a formal occasion, I do not have a dress that will go well with my armour, and wear it to the festival." she reasoned out. It sounded a little shallow, but It was compulsory to look your best in front of the king's presence. Therefore, she knew that Thranduil didn't want to see her looking as if she's going for a 'hunt' during the festival.
"That could be arranged..." he chuckled.
"That is not necessary... I plan to guard the borders during the eve of the festival... It is my duty, my lord." she tried to reason out again.
He turned to face her, a sly grin appearing on his handsome face. "You're afraid..." he said as he sauntered towards her.
"A-afraid? a-a-fraid of what?" she asked confused.
"The great huntswoman of the Valar, Lady Minerva is afraid..." he taunted, as he continued towards her direction. She, on the other hand, stepped back.
"Afraid of what?!" she asked, not really liking his tone. She continued to back away, as he attempted to close the distance between them.
"Afraid of me..." he whispered, and the hum of his deep voice, reverberated throughout her body.
"I am not afraid of you..." she declared, quickly moving away from him. "You can keep on trying to hold me within the confines of the palace, but I will escape again and again."
"That is not what I was talking about my lady..." he said, as she hit a tree, stopping her from moving away further. Finally closing the distance between them. His long limbs caged her.
She gulped, as he leant in closer, bringing his face near hers, and reached out to tenderly cup her chin in his hand, softly brushing his thumb against her lips. Closing her eyes shut, she expected a kiss from him. It was inevitable, she could not stop him as he is stronger than she is.
Although she was the Valar's great huntswoman, she won't fare so much against a warrior who had been battle tested for thousands of years. Thranduil was still stronger and she wouldn't be able to do anything if he kisses her.
Much to her surprise, he didn't kiss her. Instead, he smiled, and caressed her cheek before walking away.
He gallantly turned and headed to his elk. " I'll see you when I see you..." he said as he mounted his elk and rode off to the pale moonlight.
Minerva could not believe that he did not even take 'advantage' of her. She certainly did not expect him to be this way and found herself impressed with his behaviour. The king was full of surprises and she could not help but wonder what else does he have up his sleeves.
A/N: I might do some soft editing because I might have made some grammatical errors.
-Forgive for the long update, I was busy with work, but I'll try my best to update often.
- Some action might be back on the next parts!
