Hi guys! So, here's another chapter for you. This is probably the longest in the story because I felt Thranduil and Bilbo had a lot of making up to do (and a bit of making out to do as well) Hope you enjoy it and thank you, again, for all your countless support. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you guys.
If you want some daily dose of late-night thoughts and a few short stories, please visit my blog, if you have the time. It's called The Wandering Fool. It's a blog in Wordpress.
Any comments, criticism, and reactions will be very much appreciated.
Write On, people!
T.W.F
Chapter Ten
Bilbo felt the pulse of his heart quicken as the lock of the door clicked once more. Of course he has a key. He's the bloody King for Valar's sake! Bilbo thought as the door slowly opened. The doer silently regarding him.
Thranduil has never felt ashen than he did now.
He did not know how but he just knew from that second gasp and from the heat of his mark that the creature hiding in the shadows was Bilbo; his beloved and second-half.
How on Middle Earth the Hobbit got away from his guard and managed to sneak up on him and his son baffled him. Making him think that his Hobbit was not being a truthful as he seems to be. Yet, right now, looking at the tense back of Bilbo who had a sword strapped on his side made him realize that he was no better.
Thranduil entered the room and closed the door with a soft click of the lock. Angry or not, he will not allow Bilbo to leave. The King of Mirkwood silently walked to his beloved until he was but a few inches away from him. He wanted to speak. He wanted to explain to Bilbo his reasoning and Oakenshield's stupidity but guilt was overwhelming him and filling his lungs instead of air. Bilbo was the one who choose to break the suffocating silence.
"How could you?" he whispered and a new batch of tears leaked from his eyes down his face. "I trusted you and you were going to lock me up here like a newborn babe while Thorin and the others battle for their home." Thranduil felt his anger reach a level he thought never existed as Bilbo's voice cracked every patience he ever mastered. All because of those Dwarves and their supposed King under the mountain.
"Your quest was destined to fail, Bilbo." He whispered; its tone so low and seething.
Apparently, that was enough for Bilbo to turn around and look at him with anger filled eyes but what broke Thranduil was the desperate tears escaping those brown orbs of his used to be cheerful Hobbit.
"Fail? Have you any evidence of that statement? Can you see the future?" Bilbo stepped towards Thranduil until their bodies were touching and even though the King was so much taller than the Hobbit, Thranduil felt utterly small.
"Can you look me in the eye and tell me with outmost certainty that we will fail?" Thranduil snapped then; staring at those eyes and hearing those resentful but pleading words unraveled his ages worth of patience. Thranduil kneeled down so surprisingly that Bilbo took a step back as the King of Mirkwood clasped his large, pale hands on Bilbo's small arms. The halves stared at each other; brown and blue and Bilbo realized that Thranduil's eyes were filling with tears.
"No, Bilbo. I cannot see the future thus I cannot tell you with certainty of how your quest will end." He whispered and Thranduil tried to swallow as his voice started to quiver and his chest started to tighten; his Soul Mark which was hurting him was now just a dull throb that he knew it was somber. "But if you fail, do you honestly think I can bare loosing another beloved? Can you not foresee me going back to the dark depths of despair? Do you believe that I would be able to live my life and read in the library and look at the garden without seeing your lovely eyes and hearing your adorable laugh."
Thranduil buried his face in the crook of Bilbo's neck when the Elvin King realized his tears were flowing freely now. He forgot the last time he cried like this; cried because of love.
"I cannot go through that again, Bilbo. I will not allow myself to hold another beloved's cold and lifeless body. So, if I have to trick you into staying here and risk you hating me for the rest of our days then so be it."
Bilbo stood; agape and suddenly weary as Thranduil cried softly on his shoulder. His hands started to caress Thranduil's golden hair while Bilbo started to give silent kisses to the side of Thranduil's face. Words, he knows, will not offer any comfort in this situation. How selfish was he? To think that Thranduil locked him in his room for the King's own reasons when in fact it was Bilbo who did not think of the King's feelings. Thranduil had been nothing but kind and thoughtful and loving and here he was ungratefully accusing him of betrayal.
"I'm sorry." Bilbo whispered as he continued to shower Thranduil's face and hair with small and somewhat shy caresses. The Hobbit apologized over and over again until Thranduil could take no more of his beloved's guilty laced voice. He wanted to hear him laugh and talk to him like the setting sun and a growling stomach did not matter. Thranduil raised his head from Bilbo's shoulder and he seemed to forget how close they were until he felt his nose touch Bilbo's small one. Thranduil knew his eyes were now tinted with red and he was not in his most elegant form yet he did not care as he started to memorize every detail of Bilbo's face; the outline of his cheeks, the curve of his jaw and the sculpt of his nose. The Elvin King raised a finger to trail the middle of Bilbo's nose down to his upper lips; causing Bilbo to sharpen a breath. The King did not need to see any more for the moment Bilbo slightly parted his lips he knew observing was over.
Bilbo closed his eyes and gasped as Thranduil crashed his lips on his. His hands which were gentle now weaved itself inside Thranduil's hair as he tried to support himself with such lustful ferocity. Bilbo expected he was the gentle kind of lover and that he wants nothing less from his beloved. Yet, Thranduil's feverish kiss was sending jolts of pleasure down his spine and below his nether regions. The Hobbit's knees buckled as he moaned and Thranduil laid his hands on Bilbo's waist to keep him from falling to the floor. When their lungs needed air, however, the two halves broke away from each other and Thranduil could see Bilbo's face was as red as any fruit up to the tip of his pointy ears.
"I apologize." He murmured and Bilbo immediately shook his head; a shy smile made its way to his lips as his small hand touched Thranduil's cheeks.
"It was amazing."
Thranduil felt love pass through his entire being before turning his head to softly kiss that small palm and before Bilbo even blinked the King lifted him off the floor and silenced him with another kiss. Bilbo was shocked that he was now in mid-air with the hands of his beloved on his waist yet the gentle and sweet kiss that he and Thranduil shared silenced all his confusion; his anger and his worries.
The Elvin King maneuvered himself towards the end of Bilbo's bed and gently laid his Hobbit down on the white sheets.
He knew that a part of this was wrong. That sensually kissing Bilbo with his body covering his smaller frame while his beloved released moans and shyly kissed back will, no doubt, lead to a night of regret. That if this continues, ages tradition will be broken and he will be the first royal blood to. Yet he could not help himself any longer as Thranduil released Bilbo's lips to kiss and nip on his neck. How long has it been since he felt this tingle? When did his heart leap with every sound his beloved was making?
Bilbo moan and one hand instinctively went to his mouth to try to cover the embarrassing sounds. The Elvin King continued the exploration of Bilbo's neck while his hands massaged Bilbo's sides.
But when Thranduil reached the hem of Bilbo's pants, the Hobbit panicked.
"Thra-Thranduil. Stop." Bilbo can handle kissing but the things that go beyond that safe territory is something he's not prepared for yet. A sudden pain on his chest made Thranduil look up as those words rang in his ears and he cursed himself silently for making Bilbo uncomfortable. He distanced his hands away from Bilbo's pants and murmured apologies to Bilbo's ears; gently kissing his forehead. Bilbo sighed in content; his panic subsiding.
"It's fine. I-I overreacted." The Elvin King shook his head and laid down next to Bilbo; tucking one arm beneath his back while the other circled around Bilbo's front.
"I told you one time I will only take what you are comfortable to give. I, myself, should have had better control as tradition dictates." Bilbo snuggled closer to Thranduil's; wanting to question this other tradition of the Elves yet finding himself tired. The day's events finally catching up to him. But even though his shoulders became lax and his eyes began to drift, he forced himself to look up at his Elvin beloved with a gaze of determination.
"I'm going." Thranduil's arms reflexively tensed as he heard those words. "And you can't stop me."
The Elvin King wanted to shout and curse and break something so he may show Bilbo his rage and let him see how such stupidity will get him killed. How on Middle Earth can a Hobbit defeat a dragon that almost wiped out an entire race? A race that Thranduil begrudgingly admits are born and bred warriors.
"I made a promise." Thranduil blinked out of his thoughts as Bilbo stared at him with a look of someone travelling in past memories before closing his eyes. "I promised them I would find them a home. How unfair it would be if I found my other home, no, my truehome while they trudge along forests paths in hope they will once again walk the halls of Erebor."
"They may find another mountain."
Bilbo sighed and shook his head at Thranduil's suggestion. In his mind, the Elvin King was just being childishly stubborn.
"Greenwood doesn't come close to any other forests, doesn't it?" Thranduil felt his throat dry and his chest ache more painfully than before as Bilbo made such an implication; even using the past name of his kingdom. The name which he holds so dear to his heart. Bilbo had a way with words and a small thought of him becoming an excellent diplomat made Thranduil's lips slightly twitch yet the thought of Bilbo facing dragon fire made him shudder.
"Thranduil." Bilbo whispered as the Elvin King hugged him as tightly as he can without crushing his small frame. His Hobbit wanted to stay; Thranduil was sure of it but loyalty is something he cannot fault.
"In two days time. Once my men are ready for battle, we will leave."
Bilbo was alone.
Granted, he was not very alone that was what he felt, anyway.
The Hobbit was currently sitting on a wooden chair placed inside the lavish dining hall for breakfast and already a day has passed since his unsuccessful escape from Mirkwood. Since then Bilbo has neither seen nor heard from Thranduil at all for the moment he awoke that fateful morning after his supposed escape, the Elvin King was already gone. And the Hobbit didn't know if he could take this sort-of arrangement any longer.
'Tomorrow we will ride for Laketown.' He thought as he started rolling his food around the pearl-white plates. He wanted these two days (He tries, for the life of him, not to think of it as his last days. He can only shudder at the thought.) to be spent with Tauriel, Legolas, and, of course, his beloved, Thranduil. Yet instead he had spent yesterday doing little things that barely made any sense even to him
"You should eat, Bilbo." Tauriel was sitting in front of him; her own plate half-finished while his was barely touched.
Bilbo was thankful that he and Tauriel were the only ones in the dining hall for he wouldn't be able to handle over bearing Elves questioning him if he would want something else to eat.
"You will need your energy." Tauriel tried again and Bilbo smiled slightly as he stuck a piece of bread on his fork and nibbled slightly.
Tauriel almost sighed at such a depressed state her friend was in. The air the Hobbit had ever since she met him was cheery and light but since the day before yesterday his smile was forced and his laughter barely came out except for slight airy chuckles. The Silvan Elf knew, of course, why Bilbo was acting the way he was for she attended the tactical meetings and stared at The King's emotionless face and heard his dead voice.
She knows the feeling of allowing a beloved slip through your grasp but she cannot imagine what Thranduil must be going through for his experience was much different and much worse. Tauriel's other half was still alive but Thranduil's? His first was already enjoying life in the sky with the stars for company, she's sure yet his second one… was now going to face the dreaded Smaug.
"Are you going to attend another meeting?" Tauriel shook her head as she fixed the white napkin on her lap. Bilbo's face slightly lit-up for he hasn't spent much time with Tauriel ever since Thranduil announced the Elves were going to help him with the quest.
"I am going to prepare the troops. I still need to make sure all armors and weapons are ready." Tauriel felt guilt as Bilbo's face fell; his eyes dropping even lower and his lips fixed into a frown before changing into that fabricated smile she oh so hates.
"I apologize, Bilbo."
The Hobbit waved his free hand as his other one laid the fork on the table and started to clean his barely-crumbed covered mouth. "It's fine. I'm sure I can find other ways to entertain myself." Bilbo felt his mark sting at such an obvious lie. Elves have watched the Hobbit walk aimlessly through the halls of Mirkwood yet avoiding the inside garden and the library. Tauriel has heard of this and it seems obvious to anyone why Bilbo was so plainly avoiding those places.
"I will come and join you as soon as I am done."
Bilbo smiled a slight smile as he pushed his chair away from the dining table and slipping quietly out.
"Take your time, Tauriel. No need to bother yourself with this Hobbit." Before Tauriel can even protest and say how wrong he was, Bilbo already left with a slight bow. Tauriel could hear his fast steps and the click of the double doors as she looked at his plate full of food.
It seems she needs to talk to the King before the sun sets.
Thranduil mentally sighed as Elves upon Elves came towards him to give their brief reports in their chosen tasks for this upcoming battle. Supplies, medicine, tents, horses, and other necessities that Thranduil knows he will need if this quest of Bilbo will ever succeed. (He refuses to say it is Thorin's quest for as far he knows that Dwarf lacked common sense. This blasted quest was proof.) The Elvin King has been doing nothing but prepare for the onslaught of blood and grief; a part of him knowing that if the dragon woke from its slumber the village of Laketown will be the first to suffer its wrath. (Thorin, no doubt, did not think of that.) As much as Thranduil only cares for his kind, he is not so cold as to allow a village of innocent men, women, and children to die a fire death from the dragon's mouth.
'Besides, the world doesn't need a dragon.' He thought and Thranduil will surely kill the beast if it will ever do anything to his beloved Bilbo.
The Elvin King finally allowed himself a breath of relief as the last Elf turned away from him yet his hand went up to lay on his chest where he knew the pained Soul Mark was placed. He has not seen Bilbo in almost a day and it was slowly driving him both mad and dejected. When he woke up with Bilbo quietly breathing by his side, with his curls slightly hiding his face while his lips somewhat parted, Thranduil felt he joined the stars of the sky. Yet the conversation of the night before crushed him with the weight of the dread it carried. Now, here he was preparing for battle; to fight for both Bilbo's life and his love.
"My Lord." Thranduil raised his head and stared at Tauriel's stiff form in front of him; noting that her eyes spoke of silent anger.
"Tauriel, what news of the armory and troops?"
"It is ready, my Lord. We will be able to leave as early as the day sky starts to awaken."
Thranduil nodded and stood, a bit weary yet ever so graceful, towards his table of wine and chalices. He felt, more than saw, the penetrating gaze of his Captain of the Guard yet his fingers did not stumble and his body remained poised as he poured himself a cup of wine.
"If you want to speak, speak." Tauriel straightened her form and steadied her breathing as the words she practiced before coming here, vanished.
Yet solemn brown eyes and a broken smile entered her mind and slightly damaged her heart.
"Bilbo is in pain, my Lord."
The grip Thranduil had on the chalice was solid until he felt the jewels that decorated its exterior weigh on his skin. He did not face Tauriel and the spoken words were like taboo to his ears. Pain? Of course, he was in pain for the Elvin King was also in pain. He was suffering from images of war and cold bodies and lifeless eyes and dragon fire. Last night, he dreamt of Bilbo's charred body in his arms while sobbed like a child and his Soul Mark ceased.
It was a nightmare that he fears may become a reality.
Tauriel was playing with fire, she knows. The King has not even turned yet she saw the stiffing of his shoulders and slight shaking from his arms. She wanted to help them. Thranduil for he became the father she lost and Bilbo for he was the first true friend she's had in so long.
"Will you not go to him, my Lord?" she spoke those words like a prayer and if it were not for his sensitive ears Thranduil may not have heard it and he might not have turned to her with such a seething look in his eyes; the metal of the chalice bending from the force of his grip.
"I will go to him when I see fit. May I remind you that you are foremost the Captain of the Guard and it is your duty to protect our people and our borders. Other businesses that are not your concerns should be left alone." The Elvin King had an inkling that his words may have been too harsh yet he could take it back no more for the hurt in Tauriel's eyes were already prominent and Thranduil felt guilt.
"He is your beloved, my Lord that is true, thus, he is also part of our people and I am protecting him as such my vows dictates." Tauriel may feel hurt by the King's words but she will not allow such things to stop her so easily. Thranduil's head felt the start of a migraine as he turned his back to her. Tauriel has courage, he will admit that but pride and anger will continue to dim Thranduil's judgment.
"Go and do not ever speak of this to me again."
Animosity towards the Elvin King took root inside the Silvan Elf yet she fortified her defenses and bowed; knowing when she's fighting a losing battle. "I apologize for overstepping my boundaries then." The emotionless tone of her voice hurt Thranduil than he would have liked.
Tauriel turned swiftly and walked with slight rigidness yet her chin held high even though the hurt of being sent away and annoyance began to fill her. Before she could walk out of hearing, however, she paused and said. "You cannot lose him, Thranduil. Not like this."
Needless to say, the Elvin King has not been in the best of modes ever since Tauriel spoke those words with such remorse. What does she know? He asks himself as he sat on his throne, the room barely lit. Tauriel has not even found her beloved half yet she speaks as if she has. Thranduil scoffed at the thought; suddenly finding himself in the strange position of hate directed at his Captain of the Guard. He has not remembered a time that happened since he took her in his household.
"Father?" the soft-spoken question did not rouse Thranduil from his thoughts and only when Legolas walked out of the shadows did Thranduil look up to stare at his son's face. "The borders are all secured and the kingdom is well supplied. The people we'll be able to fend for themselves as we travel." Thranduil nodded and Legolas stood patiently as his father brooded once more. The Elvin King raised an elegant eyebrow as Legolas barely moved from his spot; expecting his son to move along.
The Prince of Mirkwood had his reasons, however, for standing there like a guard instead of returning to his duties for before coming here he had ran into someone… a softly crying Bilbo inside the library.
Legolas never passed the hallways of the library for he remembered tedious moments of learning languages and literature and history as an Elvin child. Yet something compelled him take that route and as he walked the empty hallway, his sharp-ears did not miss the soft hiccups and wheezes from behind the double doors. Legolas stared at the lifeless mahogany and thought to himself that maybe the awaiting battle was tainting his mind and senses. Yet, his ears twitch as another sniffle echoed and the Prince laid his palms on the soft wood and pushed ever so slowly.
What meet his eyes made him walk swift but quiet as he laid a secure hand on Bilbo's quivering shoulder. The Hobbit tensed and sharply looked up and Legolas felt his chest tightened at this lone sight. His friend sat on one of the wooden chairs while an open book laid out before him. Legolas could see his usual brilliant eyes were red and damaged and his cheeks were wet down to his chin. Bilbo, seeing that it was the Prince of Mirkwood, tried to hastily rub off the pour of tears still travelling his face; laughing it off and apologizing.
"You are in pain, Bilbo. That is no laughing matter."
"I'm fine, Legolas. Just have something in the eyes that's all. Dust and all that." Bilbo has prided himself in thinking of good excuses that can get him out of any situation. (He had a lot of practice in the Shire, after all.) Yet staring at those blue eyes that reminded the Hobbit so much of the Elf he was crying about made Bilbo falter. Legolas knew, of course, such a plain lie and squeezed the join beneath his palm.
"My father is to blame for this, isn't he?" He whispered and Bilbo saw his vision blurry as a new batch of tears accumulated on the ends of his orbs. Yet he answered with a shaky smile and laid one of his small hands on Legolas' shoulder; speaking in a voice that made Legolas think of the wise, old Elves that used to teach him in this very room.
"You can't blame him. He's angry at me and I can understand why. I can understand."
"My father does not deserve you."
Yet if even with his father's sensitivity Legolas will do everything he can do to see his father's happiness even if he is causing Bilbo pain.
"You seem to be blind to what's in front of you, father." Thranduil narrowed his eyes and stood with his body tense. Legolas cannot remember the last time his father looked so imposingly at him. Yet, the Prince stood his ground and unblinkingly stared at mirror eyes.
"Tauriel spoke to you."
But that was an answer Legolas did not expect and for a few moments his stare faltered and his eyes narrowed in confusion yet Thranduil thought he was correct.
"She, no doubt, told you about my demeanor towards Bilbo and the pain I am causing him." Thranduil turned and missed the look of surprise on Legolas' face as his hands started clenching the material of his robe.
"She speaks as if she knows what I am going through yet she does not know the love of a beloved yet. She cannot understand."
"But she does."
The Elvin King stopped and turned slightly to once again raise a thick eyebrow. Legolas paused, thinking if telling his father the truth would be wise. After all, Tauriel's position would cause questions and murmurs to pass through the Elvin Halls. 'But father is not one to judge.' He thought. 'And he is bound to a Hobbit.'
"Tauriel has already found her beloved, father."
Thranduil scoffed for he could not believe that his Captain of Guard had already found her other half. Yet seeing his son's eyes with resolve and tainted with, Thranduil realized, hurt, he knew what he spoke of was the truth. For how could Legolas jest about love?
"I am not surprise that you failed to notice for you, yourself, had also found a second love but she has."
"Who?"
Legolas' ears twitched for a single moment as he closed his eyes and sighed making Thranduil think how old he's son is looking. When the Prince stared back, however, Thranduil could see the makings of a bitter smile paired with mocking eyes.
"The young Dwarf Prince, Kili, I believe." The King of Mirkwood's presence changed into one of surprise and disbelief as memories of Tauriel acting outlandish. Her pained expression as she told him of the Dwarven prisoners. The happiness that seemed to be radiating out of her as she retired from guarding the cells and importantly the moments of anguish in the Silvan's elf face as she watched the Dwarves be carried by the river waves and out their borders.
A Dwarf, Thranduil thought.
Not only that but the Dwarf Prince, Thorin's youngest nephew.
If Thranduil was not so taken aback by this news he would have enjoyed the thought of Thorin's surprise Dwarf face but he had other things to worry about other than mocking the supposed King under the Mountain.
"And she told you about this?" Thranduil had a hard time believing that Tauriel would cause his son pain, purposely or otherwise. That bitter smile strengthened and Thranduil almost regretted his question.
"With eyes wide open, one does not need words to know the truth."
Thranduil wavered as Legolas' enlightened thought. For the first time in centuries, he was reminded that his son was not a child any longer and that his years of living was not the only thing that aged.
The Elvin King sighed as he walked towards his throne. Legolas saw how his shoulder slackened and his head hung low; such a contrast to the usual poised and prim King. Thranduil took a seat on the wooden chair and felt caged as it enveloped him in a taunting embrace. Yet the hardness of the surface and the soft texture of the wood gave him familiarity amidst this confusing times.
"Call Tauriel. I will speak to her about this."
Legolas, shocked and fearful of his friend's circumstances stepped forward to defend her and her unorthodox situation yet Thranduil raised his hand and silenced the words Legolas did not even say. The Prince gazed at his father and his emotionless face and established that his worries may be for naught as his head slowly nodded. But there is still one thing that they have not talked about; one thing that his father seemed to be evading.
"And what of Bilbo, father?"
Thranduil quieted for a few moments; his Soul Mark giving him suffering heat as his mind filled him of joyful memories of curly hair, blushing cheeks, and a contagious laugh. The King was so quiet in thought that Legolas wondered if his efforts were wasted on his stubborn parent yet a few words floated his troubles.
"I will dine with him tonight."
A soft knock echoed inside his temporary room and Bilbo felt his ear twitch at the sound.
Yet he did not make any motion to move and continued to bury his face on a pillow. He could barely breathe or was it because his chest was actually tired of the motion for all he did today was cry like a child? But nevertheless, the Hobbit just wanted his conscious to succumb to the depths of slumber and clear darkness. To his slight annoyance, however, the knocking persisted and refused to give him the silence that was a requirement in sleep.
'Go away.' Bilbo thought as he hugged the pillow closer to his chest and face. 'I just want this to end.' His Soul Mark vibrated heat both warming and painful as those words hit him like a sword found its competitor.
A voice, low and fair, vibrated from the Elvin Hallways and into to his quarters. "I know you're in there, Bilbo. The guards have informed me you have been resting here all afternoon." Bilbo let a sigh escape his lips and the sound was muffled by the cushion yet Bilbo knew that Tauriel will stand there all night long if need be. A part of him, he was sure, was joyed at hearing his friend but right now that part of him has been eaten by another more dreadful. Yet the Hobbit removed the pillow from his face and willed himself to stand upright. He can't remember his room being so cold as goose bumps invaded his arms even with the Elvin clothes sticking to him.
'Maybe it has always been this cold. Maybe you just had him to warm it up.' the bitter thought made Bilbo stumble a bit as his feet hit the floor and a harsh chuckle escaped him. He was acting like a Hobbit teen when in reality he was already fifty. He should be better than this! Yet even when his mind scolded him his heart and mark could take no more as his hand enclosed on the metal knob. Tauriel, from the other side, waited patiently as the door parted slowly before it opened completely.
"Good evening, Tauriel."
Bilbo looked at her with blackness starting to show under his eyes while his hair was in such disarray it made Tauriel wonder how she never noticed its length yet the Silvan Elf kept her face sympathetic; not wanting to give anything away.
"It is time for dinner, Master Baggins."
Bilbo's smile fell and his Soul Mark once again cried out in despairing heat. Dinner. Will it be another lonely dinner? He thought. If that were the case….
"I'm sorry, Tauriel. I'm not feeling up to it. I will join you for breakfast, however." Though Bilbo wonders if that were possible for no doubt Tauriel, as the Captain of the Guard, will have many duties for the upcoming travel to Laketown at dawn tomorrow.
"Oh, but you must come to dinner, Bilbo. Tomorrow-" Tauriel thought for a moment of the words she might say. She did not know if her friend needed words of comfort or encouragement but the small smile Bilbo sent her way made her know that he knew the thoughts travelling inside her mind.
"I truly am sorry, Tauriel but I just am not up to it. I'll have a something to eat tomorrow and I am sure my body can handle a night without food." Many another surprising words that have left Bilbo's lips ever since he entered Mirkwood. The Bilbo in the past, all snug in his armchair with his books on the side and his garden growing at the back, that Bilbo would have laughed and shook his head in disbelief at the thought of a Hobbit surviving a night without food in their Hobbit stomach. But this Bilbo, who outwitted Trolls and a Golem, who fought Orcs and spiders, who… found something he thought he would never find, would believe in much more surprising things than a Hobbit with an empty stomach.
Bilbo was about to close the door for he felt a new stinging in his eyes but Tauriel acted and moved her foot to stop the wood.
"If you would not join me for dinner then please allow me to show you something else." The desperation in Tauriel's voice made Bilbo raised a slight eyebrow as the stinging was forgotten. Tauriel looked pleading with such wide eyes and a hopeful face that made Bilbo reconsider his actions. While the Silvan Elf was praying to the Gods that the Hobbit may accept her proposal.
"All right. I'm sure it won't take long." Seeing the look of relief and joy on her face made Bilbo both happy with himself yet curious as to what his friend was up to.
The pair walked the same hallways to Bilbo's room but the Hobbit could see they were going deeper into the palace. They passed a few doors Bilbo did not even know existed yet he should have thought about it for a palace always did have more rooms than necessary. But one door already caught his eye before they paused in front of it.
It was a silver double door and Bilbo saw a lot of double doors in this palace but never one in this shade so he knew by that alone its significance. The intricate designs of trees, leaves, flowers, and stars only heightened its value. Tauriel knocked on its wood and Bilbo raised an eyebrow of confusion. Was someone in there? He wondered. But before he could voice his confusion, the Silvan Elf opened the entrance and the Hobbit felt himself being pushed forward into the open room.
He caught himself, or at least, that was what he thought happened. Yet once Bilbo regained his senses he realized that someone else caught him. Literally. The Hobbit looked up and blinked and he did not even noticed the change of heat in his Soul Mark for he was much too busy staring at Thranduil's face. His smooth skin, long blond hair that was fanning out in their sides and stunning blue eyes that left him breathless.
Thranduil felt his nerves were jumping to say the least.
Once Tauriel admitted his situation to him, albeit reluctantly, he asked her to convince Bilbo to have dinner and lead him to his own personal quarters. That request left Tauriel smiling and beaming at her King. The Elvin King made sure everything was perfect for his little Hobbit for he has a lot to apologize for. Only the best cuisine was allowed to touch the silk, white cloth of his round table and only the softest of cushions sat on Bilbo's chair; waiting for him. Yet he knew that getting Bilbo to eat dinner was no easy task and Tauriel will have to resort to desperate measures. Though flinging him inside was a bit too much for Thranduil was quite worried for his injuries.
But now, looking down at Bilbo's face. His eyes and his hair Thranduil was left with no speech and even breath.
Bilbo, realizing that it was Thranduil who had caught him, moved away from him hastily and that caused his and Thranduil's mark to sting.
"Yo-you're here." He whispered; believing that his mind was playing tricks on him and giving him false hope. Thranduil smiled slightly; anger for his stupidity again filling his mind and knowing that if he were not blinded then Bilbo would have happily stayed in his arms.
'We can fix that.' He thought and took a tentative step forward his beloved.
"Indeed. I apologize that Tauriel had to assault you into getting here. No doubt, she had to abide by reckless measures." The Elvin King kneeled in front of the small Hobbit and traced his cheeks; searching those brown eyes for any sign of physical pain.
"Are you hurt?" Bilbo shook his head and felt his breathing come in short heaves; his eyes starting to sting with that oh so familiar tears. He raised his arm, however, to wipe them away lest Thranduil sees them. But the King took Bilbo's arm in his hand and instead of using any fingers, he used his lips to kiss away those fallen droplets.
"I'm sorry." He whispered.
"For my foolishness. For my pride. I told you that you are more important to me than titles yet I failed to show you that." Thranduil took both of Bilbo's small hand and started to pepper it with his pecks.
"Allow me another chance and I will not fail you. I will never turn my back on you anymore." Bilbo's tears came in falls yet the Hobbit did not notice for looking at those blue eyes he missed so much he knew he will always forgive Thranduil. Always.
"Promise me that." But he needs to know. He needs the reassurance that he will not eat alone and sleep while his mind is full of anger and grief.
Thranduil nodded and whispered. "I promise." Before, moving forward to slowly kiss Bilbo on the mouth. The Hobbit's arms, by instinct alone, encircled itself around Thranduil's kneck as his lips started to answer to Thranduil's song. He missed this. He missed the Elvin King's heat and frame enveloping his own.
It was minutes before both reluctantly parted for air and Thranduil thought Bilbo never looked so delectable before. With swollen lips and flushed cheeks and glazed eyes. He wanted to swoop down for another yet the growling sound of a stomach made itself known to the two halves. Bilbo's blush became more prominent but not because of the heat in his stomach or the content hum of his Soul Mark but because of the embarrassment of ruining such a moment. Thranduil narrowed his eyes and considered Bilbo quite closely.
"You're far too hungry for a Hobbit." It was a statement that made Bilbo wince for he knew he could not lie about his loss of appetite.
"I still eat." He whispered and Thranduil scoffed and stood before leading his beloved to the full course meal that sat content on its place on the table. Thranduil helped the Hobbit to his chair and Bilbo was pleasantly surprised that the cushion beneath his bum was quite soft. He gazed, both curious and famished, at the food laid out before them. Fried fish and seasoned vegetables. Two steaming cups of soup and the Elvin bread that Bilbo remembered he took during his espionage days in the Mirkwood palace. He couldn't stop himself to take an entire piece for hunger really was getting to him as Thranduil poured both of them red wine.
"This bring back memories." He said wistfully as he stared at the raisin bread fondly. Thranduil raised his eyebrow and smirked.
"So, the mystery of the disappearing Elvin bread has finally come to light." Bilbo choked on the soft wheat and Thranduil offered him his cup. The Hobbit sipped on it slowly and sighed in relief as the bread finally made the travel down his throat.
"You know about that?" Bilbo never told Thranduil about that. He preferred to keep as one of his more secretive moments in this grand adventure.
Thranduil chuckled at Bilbo's guilt but amused expression.
"The Elvin cooks have had centuries of time in the kitchen and never have they misplaced anything especially if it is the favorite bread of the King and Prince."
Bilbo blinked and his smile turned sheepish as the meaning of those words sunk inside him. "If I knew that I wouldn't have taken it."
Thranduil shook his head and took one whole Elvin bread and placed on Bilbo's still clean plate. "I am just glad you survived. Now, eat. You will leave this room until you are adequately sated as a Hobbit should be."
Bilbo honestly could not believe in a more satisfying dinner than that night. Not because of the food or the fluffy cushion he sat on. Nor the warmth that now seemed to invade his body or the stars that glittered beyond the furnished balcony. Yes, some of those things made it quite a memorable night but Thranduil's teasing quips and joyous laugh were so much more than all things in the physical world.
The tangible, he now sees, will never reach the heights of adoration.
Thranduil stared as he heard a contended sigh from the being in front of him. Compared to the deathly pale Hobbit his arms caught, he looked much better now. The Elvin King felt his heart flutter as he took a tentative sip out of his wine cup. His other free hand were playing with the edge of the chairs arms. He knew that this was the perfect time. Bilbo was about to finish dinner and stars are shining brightly than all his centuries in Middle-Earth. He chuckled; maybe it was only because Bilbo was sitting near him.
"Is something funny?"
Thranduil pulled the gold cup away from his lips and gently laid the container on the white table cloth. "Just a flying thought."
"Mind sharing it with a Halfling such as myself?"
Thranduil smiled and Bilbo was skeptical as the Elvin King rose from his seat; moving towards him and taking his hand. The fork that sat so nestled inside Bilbo's fingers were taken away and the Hobbit felt himself being tugged forward.
"What use for words when I can show you so much more?"
He never knew that the heart could gallop at such a speed but right now, with Thranduil leading him near his huge bed (Made for a King, no doubt about it.) Bilbo was certainly hearing the thumps of this organ. The pair stopped on the beds side and the Hobbit could now see from the corner of his eye a protruding object hidden beneath a velvet red cloth. Thranduil kneeled in front of Bilbo and using his thumbs lightly traced the upward skin of his hand.
"I never did complete my Giving of Stars ritual." He solemnly whispered.
And Bilbo felt understanding dawn on him as guilt started to accumulate in Thranduil's eyes. If Bilbo felt some slight disappointment about Thranduil's true intentions, he did not show it.
"For an Elf not to finish it is such a disgrace for it is our most sacred tradition. But for the beloved it is such a poignant thing." He has heard whispered stories of Elves failing in their Tel Anta en' êl and even though their beloved had accepted it with a forgiving heart, a small seed of bitterness had still taken root and with passing centuries it grew into horrible fights and arguments.
Thranduil knows that with the Soul Mark two halves will never separate yet anger can make a person weary and loss light. He does not want that to happen to the two of them. For how many times now, Thranduil cursed his stupidity and, to an extent, Bilbo's loyal nature.
The Elvin King felt small fingers take a hold of his chin, however; tugging him to stare at the brown eyes of its owner. Bilbo had such a smile on his face that Thranduil's guilt only doubled at the look of such compassion.
"Well, this beloved is more than happy to continue where we left off. As they say in the Shire, the fish is better overcooked than burnt."
He would have laughed at such an innocent comparison to his people's Elvin rituals yet it seemed so right coming out of Bilbo's lips and shining eyes. Thranduil let go of the small hands and gently cupped the object wrapped in velvet in his palms. Making sure to handle it like he would with a babe. He paused to hold it near Bilbo's face and the Hobbit grew curious at its content. Wondering what was inside that made Thranduil hold it in such a way.
The Elvin King grew nervous as he tried to balance the object on one hand; his fingers beneath the objects edges while the fingers of his other hand clasped on the red cloth and pulled it slowly upward; little by little revealing its good.
The Hobbit stayed in trance as the crimson color of the cloth made way to the pure gold of what looked to be branches woven together to form a circular object. His eyes traced every twist and spin the branches took and paused at the small, red, round objects that were like drops of water joined on some of its parts.
'It's a crown.' Bilbo thought and suddenly he is reminded again that his beloved was not your average Elf.
Thranduil traced the delicately made jewel and presented it to his stunned Hobbit.
"It is costume made." He said. "Only the finest of our jewel masters can make such an object. Do you not like it?" The expression of utter bewilderment made Thranduil double think that maybe it was much too soon or much too grand for his beloved was such a simple and humble being yet this does come with being tied to a king.
Bilbo blinked multiple times before opening his mouth and closing it once more. Not really sure what to say. Finally, he said. "Just caught off guard, that's all. I, I never really received a crown before. In fact, usually Hobbits give me plants and weed to smoke. But do not doubt its beauty for it is quite so." And that was the truth for the richness of the gold and the transparency of the round jewels was an art in itself. But Bilbo had doubts for a crown must have a ruler and if this is his crown then logic will follow that he is that ruler. The Hobbit felt his hands sweat at the thought of ruling a race that he was quite sure did not like him; let alone trust him to make decisions.
"You think of yourself far too low, my love." Thranduil did not need spoken words from his beloved to know the thought going inside his curly head. Centuries of observation and a little heat from his Soul Mark made him know the feelings running through his Hobbit's veins.
Bilbo's head slipped down to stare at the smooth flooring; sudden self-pity rushing towards him in waves. "I believe many Elves do not like me." He whispered and the Elvin King felt anger at such a statement yet he cannot, unfortunately, deny it for some Elves find him wrong and strange.
For the first time in centuries, he cursed the hard headedness of Woodland Elves. "My people are petty that way, Bilbo. But do not think that they are right for they do not know the Hobbit I talked with. They do not hear your wise words or know yet of your kind heart." Thranduil raised Bilbo's chin like the Hobbit did for him. Using the clear blue of his eyes to transmit every emotion his words may lack.
"They have not yet learned of the consort that will bring a new era to Greenwood."
The words laid heavy inside Bilbo but not because of fear and assumption but trust. Knowing that Thranduil trusted him to the point where he will let Bilbo rule by his side made him feel worthy to be the beloved of a King.
"Then I must not fail you." He whispered; touching the fingers that held his chin and kissing it gently.
Thranduil felt immense joy in those words and the heat that followed Bilbo's feather-like kisses almost made his body weak in response. He wanted to close the distance between him and his Hobbit and show him the passion that has been bottled up inside him since the day he laid eyes on his curly hair and wonderful smile. But the crown that sat on their middle was serving as his barrier and even though Thranduil could just put the pesky thing on the bed he cannot for the crown is not just a barrier but it is also a reminder that he is King and the King, of all people, must follow tradition. He already broke one; he will not break one again.
Thranduil tug his fingers away from those lips and Bilbo sent him a slight disappointing look. Yet he paid it no mind as he hid the crown from the view of the world and placed it once again on his bed. When Erebor is once again reclaimed by the Dwarves and they had traveled back to Mirkwood, that crown will sit on top of his beloved's head like it should.
"This is my gift of loyalty to you. Though you must know that jewels or gold will never begin to show my faith for if there ever comes a time where I must give up my life, I will. You are my consort, my beloved, my other half, and my love; the same as I am yours."
