To Sow a Barren Land
Disclaimer: I only own the OMC. Nothing else.
AN: I was done writing this chapter. So why not update, right? In this chapter, I have tried to show the dimensions of Rainion's character. He is not a cameo and will be playing a major role in this fic. Now, I know that lembas is quite filling and all that but in terms of nutrition, it's nowhere near meat which is an essential protein building component. I could be wrong. In that case, we can always pretend. ^^;
To those who've reviewed/faved/followed- thanks a tonne!
Chapter 10
"The second sample shows no sign of growing, my king." Oropher was informed disdainfully, making the king stifle a long held sigh that battled its way out of his mouth.
He had not recalled seeing this particular elf in his patch of land. But the regular overseer now busy with accounting for the items stocked thus far, this youngster had stepped in, temporarily filling his shoes. He was young. And in spite of coming with satisfactory perception—that too from Thranduil himself—Oropher was still weary of his capabilities.
"Even the fertilizer doesn't work?" He asked in a futile attempt to glimmer of some form hope However, it dimmed away as soon as he saw the informant shake his head and look down at his feet.
"What about the pantries? How are they stocked?"
"Quite well. I personally am overseeing the matter." The other elf spoke, pausing just a little bit, as if he debated whether to come clean before his king.
That subtle attempt didn't go amiss from Oropher's keen gaze. He raised a brow and regarded the other expectantly.
Seeing the king's expression allowing no room for unnecessary patience, he drew in a deep breath and said, "Though, the people are fearful, my lord."
Oropher felt his eyes narrowing at the sudden revelation. "Fearful?" His voice didn't try and conceal the worry and surprise as his face contorted to the delicate mix of emotions ramming in his mind.
The young elf stiffened when he was faced with the king's rhetoric. He knew full well that he was expected to elaborate. However, nervousness caressing his ashen face, when he tried his best to avoid the other's gaze and resorted to biting his lips again, Oropher finally let out the sigh he had been holding and prodded, "What are they fearful of?"
It took a long while for the informing elf to gather his courage. It took him longer still to finally will himself to lift his gaze up and meet the other's piercing orbs of forest green. When he did, he seemed a little startled before he went on, "My lord...last year, we— the lembas— they fear if this year also we are to depend only on lembas breads, then we will have just enough to get by. It won't do. We are already weak from last year and we require nutrition desperately."
The informant finished off, his eyes shining with boldness unaware to him. They immediately widened seconds later as traces of reverence flashed in them and quickly fell on the ground after he hastily bowed and added, "My king."
Even if it wasn't the proper place or time, amusement lighted up Oropher's face as with analytic eyes, he measured the other up. The young elf visibly squirmed and shifted being the object of the king's sole interest and pressed his lips tightly to avoid trembling in fear.
Just when it seemed like him passing out from the sheer tension, Oropher stepped back a little and smirked, letting out an impressed sound.
Confusion marred the other's features as he frowned and hesitantly looked up. His perplexed features quickly melted into one of total cluelessness when he saw a subtle smile crossing the king's lips—a source for Oropher's further amusement.
"What is your name?" The Sinda king finally asked, quite impressed with the tact with which he was addressed. He had ruled Greenwood for quite some time now and although the Silvans were quite strong and resilient, it had been much too long for his subjects to be clear, precise and not docile.
With the king's approval, the other straightened as his face regained some of the colour he had lost. His eyes were still fearful but now they gleamed with a gentle strength that was only possible for someone who had potential leadership qualities.
He inhaled with purpose and spoke, "Rainion, Your majesty." His jaws were set further as a slowly building confidence started crawling in inside him. "I work with the prince."
Pleased, Oropher nodded.
It was evident that their situation needed a great deal of improvement. Still, he felt more relieved knowing that the people of Greenwood would not stay starved. That they were in good hands.
In his quarters, Thranduil keeled over on the floor. His eyes and lips were drawn to a thin line and his face was that of utter concentration, as if he was willing something to keep itself from showing up.
Beads of sweat accumulated all over his forehead. His pattern of breathing was anything than relaxed. They came out in short and shallow puffs, interrupted by a stifling moan which died down as soon as they tried escaping through Thranduil's throat.
Suddenly, a jagged gasp echoed in the room as Thranduil shot his head up. His eyes flew open and flashed in extreme pain as he clutched his hands around his stomach even tightly, keeling down again on the ground as his whole form began to shake.
His stomach felt like being stabbed with a thousand daggers and as each moment passed, the pain increased, twisting and churning his insides, making him writhe and moan in pure agony.
His eyes flashed red as another agonizing gasp made its way through his mouth. The pain in his lower abdomen pulsed and throbbed with much more ferocity. It was so guttural and so excruciating that seemed to fade the deepest of injuries in comparison.
Lunging forward, Thranduil clenched his jaws even further trying to hold the scream he felt building up inside of him. His head spun from the heavy cramps, radiating from his core to all over his body, which threatened to split his skull open.
Not able to withstand any further, he opened his mouth, exhaling sharply before snapping his mouth shut and rolling over on to the floor.
Even in his disoriented state, Thranduil knew that this pain was not new to him. Months before, he had felt the same torture, hot and razor-sharp in nature, apparently driving its cruel knife into his womb and smirking down upon him while it brought forth unbearable suffering.
A soft whimper came out from his lips curled in distress as he leaned his head to the opposite direction. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open and an imminent terror quickly filled them.
The floor felt wet.
He moved his legs a little stilled immediately before hunching more to a foetal position. The more he rolled in anguish, the more his leggings felt wet, leaving behind the same stickiness he now increasingly felt in between his thighs.
The pure horror that was held in his orbs now began deflating quickly and in its stead, they were filled with comprehension and utter sadness as Thranduil began realizing the full extent of what was happening.
His eyes slid close and he writhed and moaned, throwing his head side to side when the excruciating ache exploded within him. Tears began rolling down his cheeks as his body began shaking violently, exhausting itself from the event that was unfolding and the restraint Thranduil exercised for not wanting to scream out.
Pain ruptured his whole being and just when it seemed like death was a viable option, a dull sensation rippled its way inside his body.
Soon every other sense began numbing down as his mind welcomed the comforting blankness. Darkness began descending down his vision and gradually, the pain began dying down. His arms loosened their clasp on his stomach just as his legs began losing their rigidity.
Slowly, Thranduil uncurled himself from the tight little ball he had been in. His head and chest began feeling lighter and lighter as the darkness in his vision grew more and more in intensity.
The pain in his stomach was now barely perceptible. His breathing became more and more relaxed. His mind was now devoid of any feelings, any thoughts. The stiffness in his body began deflating and just as his vision registered nothing but pitch black, his mind gave up all control as it nuzzled the comfort of a void feeling.
His arms soon fell limp by his sides and before he lost his entire consciousness, Thranduil's lips trembled as it let out a choked whimper while he came to terms with a harsh reality.
He had lost another child.
Rainion's eyes remained fixed at his ceiling. He didn't know for how long he had been lying on his bed but in spite of the toil taking hold of his body, he found it extremely difficult to get an ounce of sleep.
He was not at peace. Partly because of the concern for his people but mostly because the thoughts of a single elf plagued his mind.
For weeks, he had been visited by the prince late at night. For weeks had they been engaging in a forlorn practice. One that was extremely dangerous and frowned upon for mere consideration of their respective status.
Dark eyes narrowed as a sudden sense of difficulty and injustice filled his heart.
During their nights, he had seen the lust glinting in Thranduil's eyes. He had seen the want burning deep within those orbs of piercing blue and each time they landed upon Rainion himself, they suddenly seemed to go darker.
He flinched slightly upon feeling a sharp pang hitting his chest when a new form of revelation was unwrapped before him.
The prince's eyes were lush...but beyond the veil of need, there was something else which Rainion had picked up. It wasn't the coveted form of wanton. No, it was far darker and dangerous which threatened to consume Thranduil up as nights progressed.
Obsession.
Rainion had come to identify it. Rainion had come to fear it.
It seemed that Thranduil had an imminent need of proving something; of gaining something. He had not showed any signs of slowing down and Rainion doubted that he would unless he had obtained what he obsessed for.
And yet, Thranduil was so distant...
The pang in his heart grew more and more as hurt bubbled within his chest.
Each time they conjoined, despite of being with Rainion, Thranduil's mind seemed to be present elsewhere.
He drew in a sharp breath that shuddered towards the end as he realized that never once did Thranduil actually call out his name. Thranduil didn't actually see him.
His face twisted in sadness and he turned to his side, clenching his eyes shut as his heart began throbbing when the ache of comprehension hit him.
How could Thranduil be so insensitive? Could he not see what he was doing to Rainion? Was Thranduil so obsessed in gaining whatever he could not that he disregarded all that was sacred? Was he desperate enough to overlook Rainion's feelings? Was he nothing more than a mere pleasure for the prince?
His eyes began stinging as a heavy feeling sat on his chest, suddenly making it difficult for him to breathe.
After each night, Thranduil would leave. He'd never cast a glance towards the miserable elf who was forcefully reminded what he never was. Each time Thranduil left his chambers, he'd be left glancing at his retreating back. He'd be forcefully reminded what he could never be.
He opened his eyes and glared at the wall opposite to him. Flashes of anger flickered in them as an overbearing feeling of prejudice clouded his heart.
If he only had refused the prince that first night; if he only had refused the prince the following nights, then neither of them would be put to such a predicament.
He quivered with fear as a sudden trail of thought dawned on him. It was a miracle that no one had found out about their little tryst. So far the Valar had graced them mercy but Rainion knew that the mercy would soon be snatched away from them if they went on further along this treacherous path.
Their act was immoral. And the fact that they had been doing so under Oropher's roof made it unforgivable.
Rainion betrayed his king's trust. He betrayed his own principles. If King Oropher ever found out, he dared not think of what fate would await him.
Suddenly, a strong feeling reflected from his eyes before hardening with a steely determination.
Passion and lust burned in them as the prince's delicate features poked the darkest corners of his mind. His heart tugged with longing as arousal spread over his insides. When his mind reeled back to the feel of Thranduil's lips and touches all over his body, the ache in his chest all but increased. Each time he saw Thranduil's bright eyes shining into his own gaze, his luscious blond hair splaying seductively upon his moon-kissed form, he felt himself being thrilled and consumed by the fire of his passion.
The more he tried to bury such thoughts in a secret chamber of his head, the more he found himself becoming addicted to the intoxication which was Thranduil.
Soon, the flicker of ambers died down in his eyes. Instead, dark orbs darkened even further as they cradled a certain uncanny zeal. One that matched the same look of distance and desire the ethereal prince had in his eyes when he let Rainion explore his body.
What they were doing was forbidden. The path they were treading on was dangerous. No good would come out of it.
And yet, Rainion found himself unable to stop. He found himself desiring more.
AN: So...well, they all have issues. Rainion isn't a dark guy. He isn't going to rape Thranduil or anything and I hope it isn't spoiling anything. But, he is so vital. More than Thorin, I feel. Umm...so...yeah, Thranduil and this guy have a long way to go.
But meanwhile, do let me know what you think so far. Please give me feedback 'cause they are an awesome form of motivation. :)