Title: TH Elvenking's Visitors
Chapter 12: Path
Spoiler Alert: The Hobbit, LOTR(books, maps and movies)
Warnings: Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Humor, AU (means not all canon)
Pairing: Thranduil/OC
Summary: Ship - Thranduil lost his wife years ago to war. After the death of the dragon, there is a group of humans who are causing problems. One sparks Thranduil's interest.
A/N: To reviewers and those who send me messages – Thank you. I appreciate that you take the time to let me know what you think. The comment about Elvish prompted some of the last chapter. I tried to use Alyssa waking up to find blood and going after Legolas to check on him and Thranduil breaking the door down to attack the healers as foreshadowing before the meeting - Thranduil is losing his control because of her. And, what happens when an Elvenking thousands of years old loses his tight grip on his control? My answer is…anything. Heheheheheheheeeee I liked the idea that men of power lose control and devour you. Book Rec: Anne Bishop's book Dreams Made Flesh.
Gandalf leaned back from Galadriel's looking mirror. "Oh my. It would appear the great Elvenking of Mirkwood has a new Elvenqueen, but does not know it. He has not even noticed she has started to turn into Elvenkind. And they misunderstand each other at every turn. He thought she was playing at some game only to discover after she left that she was innocent and hurt by his careless words. I don't think she will believe anything he says now. This is worse than I first feared. They could split ways."
"Yes, but they pledged a strong bond that will hold. Her transformation is a sign of that and so is his possessiveness toward her." Galadriel folded her hands together. "It took debates for years till they let Legolas attend meetings, but he so easily let her into the gathering. It shows his acceptance of her even though he spoke crudely. He may be confused by his reactions, but hasn't killed anyone because of her. It may not be as bad as you fear."
Gandalf took a deep breath. "You saw how strong his reactions are to her especially when Legolas touched her even though there was need of it. You know better than I when an Elven Lord or King bonds by pledging themselves that the couple is left alone for a few decades to allow for jealous tendencies to subside. I believe we have need to worry because his jealously will only grow with time. Legolas is on shaky ground."
"Thranduil has always been more intense with his emotions. True. They change direction as frequently as a breeze, but I do not think he will harm his heir."
"Are you so sure? Surely my Lady remembers his last kingdom was left in ruin. No one thought at the time that he would destroy his kingdom over the love of one woman."
"I heard rumors that it was nothing but earthquakes. He could not have shook the ground and opened it up to swallow half his kingdom."
"Yes my Lady, he did. They were caused by his anger and the aftermath is what sent them seeking land in Mirkwood. He has more powers than he usually makes known. You may have a look if you wish." Gandalf glanced into the mirror waiting for her. As he did, he wondered if Thranduil's power would come in handy later on when they have to fight Mordor.
Galadriel waved a hand over the mirror, and it reformed to show Gandalf's memories.
Gandalf turned from a tower where Thranduil's arms were outstretched emitting blue waves of terror. Gandalf then spoke to an Elven guard. "He has lost control of his mind in some sickness. Where is Lenore? She is the only one who can tame him."
The bloodied guard struggled to keep his footing as the tremendously large structure shook. "She has been gone these past few days. They argued and she left. He became inconsolable with bond sickness then killed any man who had touched her. The kingdom is falling apart and most have fled. That is all I know."
Galadriel pulled back her power from the mirror. "You are right Gandalf. We have need to worry."
"Perhaps I should go to them and see what may be done to keep her alive and from leaving Mirkwood."
Galadriel raised an eyebrow. "I think the addition of yet another man hovering would only add to his anger."
Gandalf watched her.
Galadriel paced. "I will send thoughts to Celeborn telling him to stop fretting about the Valar and to orchestrate a removal of the male guards. It could lessen the tension. They also need to keep wine away from her."
Gandalf pursed his lips. "And apparently Celeborn needs to have a word with Legolas because asking him why he risks a beheading was not enough of a warning. He should not follow her around like a Hobbit after honey-cake."
"Agreed, but I will go and speak with him myself."
Gandalf stepped closer to her trying to think of what to say. "Tell me My Lady, how do you believe Lord Celeborn will appreciate my cowardice in letting you go in my place?"
"As you probably remember, Lord Celeborn left me to venture by myself into Moria because of his dislike of Dwarves, so I doubt he would object to you conceding this path to me."
"Yes, but my Lady…"
"I will have Tauriel assist me."
"Yes, but…"
Galadriel smiled with radiance that brightened the tranquil garden as if lighting were turned on. "Olorin," She paused thinking of when they were children in Valinor. "Are you worried about me? I am not the little girl who once ran to you for help with a Pelóri Mountain Spriggan. Do not be afraid for me."
Gandalf lowered his head then glanced up with all pretense of polite formality gone. "Thranduil destroyed his last kingdom when he lost his mind to the bonding sickness. I would not have you in harm's way outside the borders of your realm. Most stories have embellishment, but this was much worse than this simple memory you saw. I will go and keep her in his kingdom till he notices that she is his Elvenqueen and calms."
"Always the big brother." Galadriel brushed some of his hair back knowing they were only distant cousins, but he always treated her like a sibling. "I have to admit you look ridiculous as an old man. They should have at least let you keep your brown hair."
"The appearance is supposed to make me appear wise."
"And it does, but I am still going. You may wish to help from a distance, but only from a distance." Galadriel vanished. "I will collect a few things then travel there before the end of the day."
Gandalf picked up his staff. "Horses, eagles…I so miss being able to travel with thought. Very well, this is my path."
Tauriel ran full out down corridors and sprinted up stairs. Her only thoughts were of Galadriel's telepathic warning.
She heard foot falls up ahead and skid to a stop pressing a hand to a wall at the entry of a great chamber where many walkways connected. Her head turned to the right to see the Elvenking stride in dragging one of her guard behind him.
"Where?" Thranduil demanded.
"Here. Here, my Elvenking," The guard spoke as his boots dragged on the floor still trying to get under his body to support his weight.
Tauriel watched as the guard was dropped.
Thranduil stalked around staring at the floor as if he would find her hidden in the cracks.
Tauriel held her breath as she recognized the expression on his face was the one that was usually reserved for battle.
"Where is she now?" Thranduil's icy voice reverberated off the walls in an echo down the corridors.
Tauriel could have sworn she felt the ground vibrate as another guard extended his arm.
Thranduil shoved the guard against a wall and glanced over his face. "Is she alive?"
"Ye…" The word was strangled off.
"Why did she go that way? Why was she not taken to my chamber?" Thranduil removed his hand allowing for an answer.
"My Elvenking, she wanted to check on her people. He carried her that way."
Thranduil lifted the guard into the air by his neck shaking him. "Carried her?"
Tauriel strode forward knowing he would refocus his attention. She was use to him torturing and killing, but it was rare he directed those types of activities at his own people. "My Elvenking, Lady Galadriel will arrive shortly and wishes to speak with you."
Thranduil released the guard and turned to her. His voice boomed out, "There will be no more meetings today. One was quite enough."
Thranduil left in the direction the guard had pointed out.
Tauriel chanted over the wounds on the guard's neck and was thankful he was not dead. When she was done, several guards surrounded her.
"All of the male guards inside the mountain need to be switched out with females. Spread the word." Tauriel stood to her feet.
Her second in command bowed his head a moment. "What is happening? What witchery is at work?"
Tauriel knew there was no hiding it now especially after everything that had happened. Their only salvation of braving the storm that was Thranduil was to understand that he had completely lost his ability to think rationally. "He has pledged himself and even now has a bond. It appears we have a new Elvenqueen."
Gasps surrounded her.
He continued. "Who?"
Taruiel straightened even more. She thought about the fact that Thranduil told her not to long ago that she was not to give Legolas hope that they could have a relationship. She still felt the ache that she was not acceptable because she was not the right kind of Elf. It only twisted cutting deeper because he, the Elvenking, had now feel for someone most consider lower than her station. "The human…Lady Alyssa."
"Not for long."
Tauriel jerked to the side. "Explain youself, Amdirnas. Is she truly going to die?"
One of the healers who had been saved the day before by Alyssa stepped closer. "No. We gave her a potion to calm her heart to counter the effects of the Aemie beans Legolas fed her. In humans and some Elves, it causes rushes of energy. She called it a triple shot of espresso green beans. I told her to avoid any Elven foods that are red in the future. Emotion mixed with the increased energy and wine overtaxed her body. She is comfortable now."
"Then she was taken to the other humans?"
"Yes." Amdirnas responded.
"Then what did you mean about not for long?"
"She may not be human before long." Amdirnas watched the confusion on her face. "When an Elven ruler pledges themselves to a non-Elf, the bond from the ruler causes the other to transform into Elvenkind. It is something that has not happened since before Thranduil was born. It was a very old spell that was cast on his family, so that they would not be deprived of their bond because of the fragility and short lives of other beings."
Another guard spoke up. "That is just a myth."
Amdirnas shook his head. "No, it is just a very old truth that has not been witnessed in any of our lifetimes."
The guard that had been strangled earlier when he pointed out where Alyssa was taken spoke up. "Yes. Her skin was much too smooth for a human. No blemishes. No flaws."
Yet another chimed in. "Her hair. It had lighter areas than first I saw her. Longer too. Perfectly straight."
"Very well." Tauriel clasped her hands behind her back as a decision was made to relay something Galadriel told her. "I heard it said that last time Thranduil took an Elvenqueen that he killed males who touched her. So hands off and less talk more action. Leave the mountain and protect the kingdom."
Tauriel watched them leave then took off running after Thranduil hoping she didn't come across any dead bodies in the halls.
A/N: Deep breath. OK how was that? *ponders what will happen when he catches up to her and the man who is carrying her.*
