Fun chapter! Oh, and the translation is at the bottom. Enjoy!
"So are we going swimming again Thranduil?" Novathin asked as the approached the spot where they ate lunch the day before. "I don't know about you, but I feel quite toasty right now."
"It is unusually hot today," Balamaethor agreed.
"Why not?" Thranduil said, feeling the sun on his back as it peaked through the colorful autumn leaves. "No need to rush back to Harlond."
"Excellent," Novathin said with a smile. "Are you two going to join us this time?"
"I don't think so," Raina said, shaking her head. "I am quite content to sit on the edge and put my feet in, but I will not be jumping in that pond."
"Suit yourself. How about you Lissi?"
"I don't know, Novathin. I like sailing, but I don't do much swimming."
"Come on, you'll enjoy it!"
"I'll think about it," Ellissiel said with a smile.
When they reached the pond, Ellissiel and Raina sat down on the shore, taking their boots off and sticking their feet in the cool water while the elves behind them unpacked the horses to let them rest.
"Was it worth the trip all the way out here?" Raina said with a content sigh as she slid her bare feet into the water.
"Definitely. I can't say when I've had more fun. Spending time with all of you, riding through the woods for hours, sitting here next to this pond…I am absolutely content."
"You looked pretty content last night, too," Raina said with a smug grin, glancing behind them to make sure the other four were occupied. "You and Thranduil were quite cozy."
"I was afraid it was going to get colder out once the fire died down," Ellissiel said softly, her cheeks darkening once again. "That's all."
"Mmhmm," Raina replied skeptically. "Well I am glad to see you are happy at any rate."
"Why wouldn't I be?" Ellissiel asked, confused. She didn't get an answer, however, as she felt herself leaving the shore and suddenly flying through the air. She let out a short scream before she hit the water with an enormous splash.
She stood up spluttering, wiping her hair out of her face as she heard laughter from the bank. She glared angrily at the four elves standing there laughing as she threw her wet hair over her shoulder.
"That wasn't funny, Thranduil!" she said, giving him the meanest look she could muster. He just grinned wider, his arms folded across his bare chest as he looked down at her.
"I thought it was funny. And I thought your passive side was letting me do what I want today."
"That doesn't mean throwing me into the pond!" she said, slogging towards the bank. "Why did I have to go in and not Raina?"
"Don't bring me into this!" Raina said, quickly pulling her feet out of the water, looking like she was ready to dash away. "Don't you dare touch me, Balamaethor." He had just been eyeing her like he was thinking about throwing her in as well, but he seemed to think better of it and just shrugged, diving into the water. Novathin and Lithiavas followed as Thranduil, still grinning widely, held out his hand to pull Ellissiel out of the water. She took it grudgingly, letting him pull her up, the frown still on her face.
"Stop pouting, you'll dry off," Thranduil said as she took off her outer tunic to let it dry faster. "Besides, the water's great. You know you wanted to get in it. Admit it."
"Hmph," Ellissiel replied, hanging her tunic over a tree branch.
"Come on, have some fun," Thranduil said, gesturing towards the water. Ellissiel looked at the pond for a moment, before she looked up at Thranduil with a smile on her face.
"Okay," she said happily. He didn't realize until it was too late what she was thinking about. Ellissiel was close enough to him that all it took was one firm push to make him loose his footing on the edge of the pond and fall ungracefully backwards into the water.
When he resurfaced and brushed his hair out of his face, he looked up at Ellissiel who was laughing loudly as she looked down at him.
"You're right. That is fun," she said, bending over with her hands on her knees she was laughing so hard.
"You had it coming Thranduil," Novathin said, he and the others laughing as well.
"Yeah, well you don't know what you've started, missy," he said, smirking up at Ellissiel. He grabbed her arm and pulled her into the pond, making her scream and sputter again.
"Thranduil! You are so going to pay for that!" she said as she stood up again, whipping her hair out of her face.
"You'll have to catch me first!" he replied gleefully, diving underwater and swimming away from her.
Ellissiel chased Thranduil around the pond for a good ten minutes before she finally gave up and sat in the shallows, defeated.
"Giving up already?" Thranduil said, carefully treading water just outside her reach.
"Oh, ego, milbo orch," Ellissiel said sourly, glaring at him again. This just made him grin wider.
"Such foul language from a lady," he retorted. "What would your mother say?"
"She'd say you deserve it."
"I don't think so."
"Well, you do."
"Come on, you're having fun. Admit it."
"Hey Novathin?"
"Yes?" Novathin said from where he sat on the bank, watching the entertaining scene in front of him.
"Would you do me a favor?"
"What is that?"
"Could you catch Thranduil and dunk him for me?"
"Hey now! That isn't fair!" Thranduil complained as Novathin stood up with a grin. Lithiavas did as well, looking like he was going to enter the fray.
"All is fair in love and war," Ellissiel said, smiling sweetly. She didn't know it, but her choice of words hit Thranduil hard. Unfortunately for him, it gave Novathin and Lithiavas the chance they needed to dive in and corner Thranduil.
"Alright, alright, you win!" Thranduil said, climbing out of the pond after a thorough dunking from his friends. "But you cheated."
"We all have our talents," Ellissiel replied as he sat down next to her. "Mine just happens to be communicating with others."
"Ha, yeah right. You just smile sweetly and get your way."
"Whatever works," she said pleasantly, putting her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "You have yours survival skills and I have mine."
"I'd like to see you try and sweet talk a Warg into not eating you," Thranduil said, glancing around at her as she rested her chin on his shoulder. "That would be a trick."
"Well if I ever get the chance I'll try it."
"I sincerely hope that never happens," Thranduil said, kissing her forehead before standing up. "Come on. I don't know about you, but I'm starving."
Feeling lazy after a nice lunch, the elves sprawled out on the bank of the pond, enjoying the warm weather. Raina and Balamaethor were sitting side by side, leaning against a tree trunk while chatting with the others. Novathin and Lithiavas were sitting back, propped up on their elbows as Ellissiel lay on her back with her knees bent towards the sky, Thranduil's head resting on her stomach.
"I don't know about the rest of you," Lithiavas said with a content sigh. "But I wouldn't mind staying here for a few days, just relaxing by the pond." The rest of the elves all agreed, happy not to have anything pressing to worry about at the moment.
"I wish I didn't have to go back and sit in the library all week again," Thranduil said. He was particularly pleased at the moment, as he could feel Ellissiel's chest move up and down as she breathed softly, her fingers playing with his hair as it fell across her abdomen.
"Wouldn't it be nice if Lord Celeborn gave us a week off?" Balamaethor asked wistfully, his eyes closed as he leaned back against the tree. "Not that it will ever happen."
"I'll be glad to be back," Ellissiel said, making Thranduil look around at her. "I miss Arahil." This made Thranduil smile.
"I am sure he missed you, too."
The group fell silent for a while, enjoying the pleasant surroundings. But it didn't last. Several minutes later, Ellissiel started in surprise.
"What's wrong?" Thranduil asked as he sat up, looking at Ellissiel as she too sat up.
"It's starting to rain," she said, looking up at the sky and wiping a raindrop off her cheek.
"Guess that means we better pack up," Novathin said, sitting up to put his boots on. The others followed suit, putting all their riding gear on again. Ellissiel grabbed her outer tunic, which was still fairly wet.
"Here, don't put that on yet. Mine as well start off dry," Thranduil said, taking her tunic and rolling it up and handing over her cloak. Ellissiel took it gratefully, looking towards the sky again as a rumble of thunder was heard off in the distance.
"We've still got several hours of riding, and it will be slow going once the heavy rains start," Balamaethor said, climbing up into his saddle behind Raina. The rain and the wind were picking up, indicating that the storm was not going to pass over quickly. It was going to be a rough few hours for the travelers.
"Hopefully it will ease up a little once we get out of the mountains," Thranduil said, though he was not optimistic. He swung himself up in his saddle before pulling Ellissiel up after him. She huddled close to him, wrapping her cloak tightly as a gust of wind whipped up. Without her riding tunic, she was exposed to the elements. Thranduil shifted in his seat, wrapping his own cloak around her for extra protection. They started off again, forgetting that just a few minutes ago, they had all been eager to stay. Now they all just wanted to get back to the city, where they could get out of the storm that was quickly bearing down on them.
There wasn't much talking over the next few hours, the elves more concerned with staying dry than engaging in conversation. It was with relief that they finally reached the edge of the city. Thranduil was a little sad to see the stables appear through the rain ahead of them. Ellissiel had fallen asleep about an hour ago, her body tightly cocooned in his cloak as she slept against his shoulder.
"Thranduil," Novathin said softly, gaining his attention. As he looked towards the barn, he saw a figure standing huddled just inside the door, wrapped tightly in a cloak. Knowing instantly that it was Althrin, though the elf's face was covered, Thranduil turned and started galloping away. The weekend had gone too well for it to be ruined now. The change in pace woke Ellissiel, who shifted in the saddle as they rode away from the stables.
"Where are we going?" Ellissiel asked, realizing where they were.
"To your house. There is no reason for you to walk all the way home in the rain."
"But what about Arahil?"
"I'll make sure he's alright when I drop of Arandil. You've had a long weekend and should just go to bed." He smiled as Ellissiel yawned, proving his point for him.
"Alright," she said, defeated. "I'll go see him in the morning."
Arandil stopped outside Ellissiel's house a few minutes later. Thranduil swung off the horse, untying Ellissiel's bags as she slid off, wrapping her cloak tightly around her as she walked quickly towards her door, waiting under the overhang for Thranduil. She opened the door as he reached her, stepping inside to find her parents both sitting in the living room.
"Lissi! Thranduil! My goodness, you rode all this way in the rain? Look at you both."
"Sorry, naneth. We'll try not to drip on your rug."
"Never mind the rug. I figured you would have stopped somewhere to wait out the storm. You are drenched. Lissi, go change. Thranduil, I'll get you a towel. Please, come in and dry off."
"I'm sorry, my lady, but I can't stay. Arandil is outside and he will not be happy if he has to stand in the rain for much longer."
"Very well. Thank you for bringing Lissi back."
"Of course," Thranduil said with a smile as Minuial hurried out of the room to find towels for daughter. Thranduil turned his attention to Ellissiel as she took off her cloak and hung it up. "I really do need to be going, Lissi. Thank you for coming with me this weekend. I hope you enjoyed yourself, even with the rain."
"I can't say when I've had more fun," Ellissiel said with a smile up at him. "Thank you so much for taking me up into the mountains. We need to have trips like that more often."
"You will not hear any complaints from me," he replied, kissing her forehead. "I will see you tomorrow Lissi."
"Goodnight Thranduil," she said, giving him one last hug and a kiss on the cheek before he disappeared out the door. As soon as the door clicked behind him, Minuial returned, carrying several large towels.
"Before you drip all over the house, try and dry off a little bit. You're not as bad as I thought, but take off your boots before you track mud through the house."
"Yes naneth," Ellissiel said with a smile, taking off her boots and accepting a towel. "I am going to go take a bath and head to bed. I ate a little on the way home, so I don't need dinner."
"Alright dear. Goodnight."
"Goodnight naneth, ada."
"Goodnight Ellissiel," Dintieron said, looking up from his book at his daughter as she disappeared into the other room. He looked up at his wife, but before he could say anything, there was a knock on the door.
"Althrin? What are you doing out in this weather?"
"I wanted to see that Ellissiel got home alright. May I speak to her?"
"I am sorry, Althrin, but she just went to take a bath. Why don't you come back in the morning? She had a long weekend and wanted to go straight to bed."
"Oh, alright," Althrin said, clearly not happy, but he didn't want to argue with Minuial. "Can you tell her I came to see her?"
"Certainly," Minuial said with a smile. "Goodnight Althrin."
"Goodnight my lady," he said, turning and heading back out into the rain. Minuial watched him go for a moment, feeling a sense of pity for him, before shutting the door against the rain.
"You could have let him in," Dintieron said, looking up at his wife.
"I know, but this was Thranduil's weekend with Lissi. He can see her tomorrow."
"It certainly was Thranduil's weekend," Dintieron said thoughtfully. "You missed their goodbye."
"Oh?" said Minuial, curious.
"Let me put it this way. Have you ever seen Ellissiel kiss Althrin?" Minuial thought about it for a minute before answering.
"No, I don't think I have," she said. "She kissed Thranduil again, then?"
"Oh yes. And he kissed her forehead. Whatever happened this weekend, I think Ellissiel has made her choice."
"You think so?" Minuial asked thoughtfully. "What makes you so sure?"
"I know what love looks like, my dear," he said with a half smile. "I am also fairly certain Ellissiel doesn't. I don't think she knows her own feelings yet."
"I pity Althrin, but I feel bad for Thranduil as well. He tries so hard, but still Lissi is oblivious. I admire his patience."
"Hopefully she will realize the truth soon," Dintieron agreed.
Thranduil left Ellissiel's house feeling particularly pleased with himself. But as he mounted Arandil, he noticed someone was hurrying towards him.
"Althrin," he said flatly as the elf looked up at him, scowling.
"Prince Thranduil," Althrin replied just as flatly. Neither said another word as Thranduil galloped away through the rain. He wasn't going to let this brief encounter bother him. This had been a remarkably successful weekend. Ellissiel may still not know Thranduil loved her, but he felt that they were now closer than ever, and he was determined not to let anything Althrin did get in the way of that.
After cleaning Arandil and drying him off, Thranduil went to check on Arahil. The colt was asleep in the corner of his stall when Thranduil looked in, so the elf left him alone, pulling his cloak tighter around himself as he made for his quarters. He was hoping to change out of his dry clothes and relax before going to bed, but he didn't get the chance. As soon as he opened the door, he found Balamaethor, Raina, Novathin, and Lithiavas waiting for him in his sitting room.
"What are you all doing here?" he asked, not really needing an answer.
"We want to know what happened last night," Balamaethor said, grinning.
"Can I at least change first?" Thranduil asked, taking off his drenched cloak and hanging it next to the door. He disappeared into his room for a few minutes before returning, dressed in a clean tunic and leggings.
"So? What happened?" Lithiavas asked eagerly.
With a sigh, Thranduil sat in an armchair and began retelling his story of what happened the night before. When he finished, there was a chorus of groans.
"Come on, Thranduil," Novathin said, rolling his eyes. "That is no excuse for not telling her how you feel."
"If today was any indication, she loves you as well, so you should just tell her and stop torturing yourself."
"You can't be sure of that," Thranduil said defiantly. "I am not going to risk losing her when we are getting so close."
"I understand your concern Thranduil," Raina said softly. "But I think you need to consider what will happen if you continue to hide your feelings. Althrin was pretty short with us when he heard that you took Lissi straight home. What if he tells her he loves her and she chooses him because you didn't say anything?"
Thranduil had considered this, but didn't really have an answer for Raina.
"I don't know, honestly. But if that does happen, I will think of something."
"I hope you know what you are doing," Balamaethor said, standing up as he and the others prepared to leave. "This plan could end in disaster if you aren't careful."
"I know," Thranduil said softly as his friends left, leaving him to reflect on his thoughts.
Ego, milbo orch-Go kiss an orc. (not my translation, don't yell at me if it is wrong.)
Btw, for fans of this story and my other story, I Keep Looking For Something More, I wrote the first chapter for the sequel. So many ideas buzzing around in my head...