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Chapter 10: Stalker
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She stood next to her brother in front of the council hall waiting on the king. Galion had informed her that the king wanted to speak with her after the council meeting.
So she did as she was told, she felt a little more comfortable being able to move within the palace. Even though the stares and whispers followed behind her but with the tournament beginning today, the elves were just to be busy.
Zalar had both of her hands behind her back as she played with the back of her dress. Zalar seemed unware most likely because she was in the king's chamber for the past few days, but she had finally noticed how many mortal men were present in the kingdom.
The world of men, the ellth was very familiar with and hated anyone that was the opposite sex of her that were from the mortals.
She had felt enough pain and misery from the race of men.
As the doors opened to reveal the elven king with his golden robe and crown. He was truly a majestic and beyond handsome creature, Zalar had ever laid her eyes upon.
"Lady Zalar" Thranduil approached her with the tone he used with everyone else in public, a voice of authority but slightly softer than his usual harsh voice.
"Your majesty" the ellth took the ends of her royal blue dress as she extended it and curtsied, greeting the king.
"Lord Aaron, please help the others with the tournament, I shall keep your sister company from now." His majesty declared as he extended his hand for Zalar to accept.
"Yes, your majesty"
Zalar watched as her brother left her and walked in the directions of where the tournament would be kept.
As the king wrapped her arm around his as they started walking down the path towards the king's chambers.
"Did you sleep well, my lady" Thranduil asked as he kept his face straight forward.
"Yes, your majesty" She smiled as they passed the king's chambers
She was confused, had king not wanted to be alone with her.
Zalar watched as Galion, and a younger ellth stood in front of another door located at the end of hall from the king's private chambers.
"Your majesty, lady Zalar" Galion greeted as he and the young ellth opened the door to a different chambers.
As the king and her entered into the room with the other two servants right behind them.
The chambers was absolutely majestic in the eyes of Zalar, a chamber that would belong to a queen. The chambers was not that different from the king's own chambers but it had a bit more of a feminine feel to it.
"These chambers belonged the past queens of Greenwood" Thranduil said as his eyes fell upon her own.
"It is beautiful, your majesty" Zalar complimented, she was unsure of what to do other than to compliment the room.
"This room will now belong to you, as long as you live in the palace."
The air from her lungs had stopped its circulation as she had hard time breathing.
Staying in the queen's chambers?
"But your majesty…" She tried to begin
"The ellth behind us, is lady Elvina. A new member of the ladies of my court." The king declared and as the brunette elleth curtsied towards Zalar and the king. "She will be your lady in waiting, to help you prepare in the day and to assist you in anything you need lady Zalar"
"It is a pleasure to meet you, lady Zalar" She smiled kindly towards her, a greeting that the past two handmaids did not give her.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, lady Elvina" She looked at the ellth and then towards the king hoping he would understand her look to be alone.
"For now that is all, you may leave us" the king ordered and with the command the other two elves left the couple closing the doors as they exited the queen's chambers.
She remained silent for a moment. She watched as the king walked towards the table having wine and two goblets on it. Pouring himself and Zalar a goblet of wine.
"Thranduil" She started knowing now that they were in private, he had given her permission to call him by his name both in public in private as long as he was beside her.
She felt more comfortable saying his name in private.
"Do you not wish for me to be in your chambers?" She asked as she stood next to Thranduil taking the goblet filled with wine.
"I always want you in my chambers, but you also need your own space. I wish for you to be comfortable in my palace." Thranduil said as he moved a strand of her hair away from her shoulder to behind her back.
"Then may I receive another room"
"Any other room is too far from my own chambers."
She sighed taking a sip of the wine, looking at the wine her own reflection looking back at her. Thranduil lifted her chin to look at him as he placed a light kiss upon her lips.
"You are the only ellth I would ever have in these chambers." He placed another light kiss on her lips pulling on her bottom lip.
Zalar raised an eyebrow at the king, unintentionally with a low comment, "Your wife resided here"
"Do you think I cannot hear you?" Thranduil came back with a winning smirk
"I am aware, that you have very good hearing."
"Are you jealous?"
"No" Zalar declared with stern voice, "You have lived a long life, your queen is someone I respect, I do not wish to taint her memories."
Thranduil came to notice, that tradition and respect was something Zalar held high and tried to respect in every way. Thranduil found it was a very honorable and an elf trait she had in her.
"It would please me, if you accepted my gift."
"As you wish, Thranduil" She tipped on her toes as Thranduil leaned down to make contact with her lips, a smile adorning her face as she felt his majesties own smile against her lips.
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Zalar had just finished taking a bath and now was being dressed by her hand maid, lady Elvina. The ellth had choosen a light pinkish gown for Zalar to wear to the tournament. The gown itself was simple but had embroidery around the neck line and only covered half of her back. She did not know how lady Elvina called the dress simple.
As the ellth tied the dress from the back, she moved Zalar to sit on stool to brush and fix her hair.
"Your hair is so beautiful, my lady" Elvina smiled as she brushed Zalar's hair.
"Thank you, lady Elvina"
"The king will surely will not be able to take his eyes off of you tonight, as your beauty shines." She complimented Zalar again as she made two small braid and tied it in the back making a halo around her head.
Zalar once again thanked her for the lovely compliment.
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Elvina sat in the back behind her lady, lady Zalar sat beside the king. The first part of the tournament would be beginning after the king's blessings.
All three of the leaders and kings were on a higher level than the rest of the elves as they cheered the participating individuals on.
After the Elven King was lord Elrond than his daughter, Arwen, and then the King of Gondor.
She had noticed that Zalar had greeted everyone but was very hesitant towards the King of Gondor.
She would silently watch from the perfect seat, she would know exactly what Zalar would be doing every hour of the day and night. She just needed the perfect chances to plant the captain in the right time to give him time to spend with Zalar.
She just needed a few weeks or months, a blink of an eye for an elf. She just needed to be a little more patient and as long as she has waited already a little more would not break her.
All of the ladies were trying to give the men in the tournament a ribbon, a symbol meaning they were interested in them.
She watched as one of the men walked up to a young ellth asking for her ribbon in hand, she smiled brightly and gave the ellon the ribbon wishing him a good luck.
Elvina narrowed her eyes in disgust, love was for fools.
Her attention moved as the king leaned closer to Zalar to whisper something in her ear followed by a smile on her face.
The king was going to say something again but was interrupted.
"Lady Zalar" Elladan said as he rode up to the lady, with a bow on his back and holding the reigns of the horse in his hands.
"Lord Elladan" Zalar greeted him with a downward incline of her head.
"May I have your ribbon as good luck?" Elladan made a quick glance to the king and then back to the lady.
Zalar looked at the king,
"If you have her ribbon, Elladan you will surely win" Thranduil smirked at his nephew.
"That is why I wish to have it, lady Zalar cannot be anything except for good luck" Elladan smirked towards his uncle and gave Zalar a warmer and charming smile.
She approached Elladan giving him the pink ribbon in her hand.
"May Valar bless you, lord Elladan" She smiled warmly as he took the pink ribbon from her tying it around his wrist.
Lord Elladan smiled and rode to his place.
How interesting
The son of lord Elrond would benefit her more than just using him for information. No, he was interested in lady Zalar, which meant having two ellons fighting and getting between the Elven King and Zalar would be a lot more fun.
Elvina's lips twitched lightly into a smirk as her eyes narrowed a bit looking at the back of Zalar's chair.
The Elven King stood up raising a goblet filled with wine in his hand.
"Let the games begin!"
The crowd cheered and clapped as the sound of horns filled the air as the first arrow was shot.
Yes, let the games begin.
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I know things seem a bit mushy but with all the drama coming soon I want you all to have some sweet scenes between Zalar and Thranduil.
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