"Alarya, will you marry me?"
The words left his mouth so easily he could barely believe it. The entire Hall had gone silent, but he had not noticed. All he could do was look at her. But then again, that was all he had been able to do the entire night: Look at her. Her large emerald eyes, the color of the green fresh leaves on summer, shimmered with the sparkle of tears. No jewel on Arda could ever shine more than her eyes. She had one of her hands pressed to her mouth, her small body trembling as seconds stretched, and for a second fear crept up over his body. Valar, she was not going to answer. She could not not answer.
"Yes." The word was slow, barely audible.
What? He only hoped he had been able to hide his shock from showing on his face. Had she said yes? Had he heard right? No that could not be right. Was she really going to marry him? No, certainly he had heard wrong. He could not possibly be that lucky, could he?
"Yes." She said again, this time a little louder, the hand falling from her mouth as her lips curved up in the most beautiful of smiles, so full with light. "Yes, I will marry you."
His heart stopped, his smile now matching hers and for a moment everything else inside the room disappeared, everything else but her glittering emerald eyes. Oh, Valar, how much he loved her. He rose to his feet just in time as she flung her delicate arms around him, his own arms instantly wrapping around her tightly, her lisp meeting his before he could even realize it, the kiss speaking more than worlds ever could.
Cheers exploded in the Halls and only then did he remember where he was, and that the Winters Solstice's celebration was still going on around them, every single pair of eyes in the large space focused on them. Of course, this was not the first marriage proposal to ever take place during this particular celebration, and would most certainly not be the last, but that had not stop every single elf in the room to spy on this particular proposal. And yet, he could not have cared less at that moment.
A light laugh escaped his lips, unable to hide his smile or compose his face. The clapping and cheering had not yet ceased and Alarya's face pressed tight against his chest as a combination of silent sobs and chuckles escaped her tiny, trembling body, her smile only widening. His own arms wrapped around her in return, unable to hold back another light laugh at her reaction.
His eyes quickly found Doronor, only some short distance away, dark blue eyes looking at him beneath a raised, teasing eyebrow. Of course his advisor and closest friend had already known he would be proposing to Alarya tonight, but that did not seem to stop the mocking grin from appearing on his face as he approached, and just for this night, Thranduil did not feel the urge to glare at him. Alarya had let go of him, turning to meet her own parents, Lord Lasgaer and Lady Laessel, who were already quickly approaching. Her delicate hand slid down to find his and Thranduil's slender fingers immediately intertwined with hers.
"Congratulations, my Lord." The Advisor said with a respectful bow of his head as he reached the Elvenking's side, and yet the mirth in his grin was that of a friend.
Alarya was currently prey of the tight embrace of her mother, her delicate hand still gripping his, as if she would never let go, but he would not let go either. May more elves had already risen to their feet, walking in their direction, no doubt to personally offer their congratulations as well, and those elves who had decided to wait a little longer before approaching had reassumed the celebration with more vigor that before. Music was once playing, couples dancing and conversations and laughter travelling around the room as if the Winters Solstice's celebration had just started once again.
"I honestly was beginning to think that the Greenwood would never have a Queen." His advisor's deep voice teased him openly, making him chuckle in disbelief at his tone. Yes, Doronor seemed to know that he would not be able to get a glare from him for the length of the night. But to Mordor with that, he was enjoying his friend's mocking comments.
"So did I, my friend." He replied, unable to make his grin disappear form his face and receiving a gentle pat on the back.
"And now, the Greenwood has a new ruler." His friend's dark blue eyes sparkle with a smirk he usually only ever wore when they were in private.
"Let me remind you that I am still King of the Greenwood. I am still the ruler here." The Elvenking narrowed his eyes, even though eh failed in his attempt to throw a poisonous look at his advisor, his now permanent grin making it impossible for him to look threatening tonight, and Doronor was taking advantage of the situation. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Alarya now being crushed by one of her cousins in the tightest of embraces, the other two speaking to her so quickly that he could not catch a single word.
"Of course, my King." Doronor chuckled. "You rule the Greenwood. But Lady Alarya rules you."
His eyes widened in bewilderment, both of his eyebrows shooting up as yet another disbelieved laughter left his lips.
"You are dismissed." He said in between chuckles, Doronor not looking the slightest ashamed for his words, his eyes still teasing him openly, laughing along with him.
"Dismissed from the Feast, my Lord?" The Advisor asked, seeming to know very well that his King was not at all angry with him. Doronor's voice sounded as polite as ever, and yet even as he addressed him formally, the tone in his voice remained that of a friend.
"Dismissed from around me." He said, narrowing his ice blue eyes at the sheepishly looking elf who bowed his head in an overly exaggerated polite motion. Thranduil fought the urge to roll his eyes, softly shoving Doronor in the shoulder. "Be of use and order for my best wine to be brought up and served to every table."
The blond Advisor shook his head as his laughter echoed through the crowded Halls, happily walking away to carry on with his new order, and Thranduil got the feeling that his friend was still not done teasing him. Alarya had remained next to him the entire time, her fingers still laced with him, her hand so tiny, so precious we was scared to hold it too tightly for fear that it might break. Her entire family was still clustered around her, everyone speaking at the same time as he turned his attention to them.
"…really happy for you, Alarya…" He could hear her youngest cousin, Anethor saying, but did not catch anything else as Agoron cut his brother off, adding something that he did not understand. At the moment, he was too busy turning around and politely accepting congratulations and good wishes from a couple of members of the court.
"Are you not going to show me the ring, my daughter?" He heard Lady Laessel asking Alarya, her hands gently placed on her daughters shoulders, smiling widely.
The ri-? The ring! Valar, how could he have forgotten about that tiny detail! Alarya had instinctively looked down at her hand, only for a confused expression to cross her face as she found it empty, her smiling, puzzled emerald eyes turning to look at him. The little velvet box was still securely held in his hand, the stunning ring laying forgotten upon the tiny cushion.
"I have it." He said, making Alarya's sweet laughter to fill hears, the sound like a thousand of tiny silver bells singing in the wind. And then, as her forest green eyes met his, everything else seemed to disappear once more, the light in her eyes outshining everything else.
He watched as her smile widened, that smile, ever so warm and welcoming. Her left hand lifted in the air, just enough for him to be able to take in his, his fingers gently sliding the ring on her third finger. For a moment, he could not keep his eyes from it, the ring, ever so delicate, so pure and precious, like her, was a physical proof of their engagement, was the treasurable thing that showed the world that she was his. He could not look away from her as she turned to face her mother, showing the ring newly placed on her finger, could not look away as her cousins teased her for what seemed like the thousandth time that night.
He did not know for how long they stood there, receiving wishes of happiness with what seemed to be every elf in Mirkwood. All around the infinitely expanding halls, the feast continued with a newfound enthusiasm. Wine – the best of his Dorwinion- had been served to every table without exclusions. And yet, his eyes could not part from Alarya's figure. She had lodged herself so deeply into his heart, little did she know how much power she already had over him. Her small body was pressed to his side as she graciously accepted all the words and wishes from very single member of the court, council and his advisors. He could feel her nervousness at the sudden intensified attention she was receiving and he gently placed an arm lightly around her waist, pressing her tighter to him, his move unnoticed by the rest of the elves around them who kept complimenting her. And yet, never once did she loose that air of confidence and elegance that always seemed to surround her.
"Let us dance." His eyes flew down to meet her large emerald orbs looking up at him, her words a whispered only he had heard.
"Of course." He complied almost immediately, quickly turning to address the elves currently clustered around them. "If you would excuse us." He said in his perfectly serene voice, watching as the elves bowed their heads respectfully before leading Alarya away and towards the crowd of waltzing couples.
The feast continued for endless hours. Elves danced and sang, and wine continued to be served along with more food and exquisite pastries and deserts. He danced with Alarya for what felt like a mere second, the hours passing by unnoticed as he twirled her around, every single one of her moves so graceful, so regal. His eyes carefully scanned the large space around them, happily finding out that finally the attention was no longer strictly focused on them. The elegantly dressed elves in the Halls too immersed in their own conversations and merry celebration.
"Let us get out here." He whispered in her ear as he led her through the crowd of waltzing couples, his lips brushing her ear lightly. Her bright emerald eyes turned to meet his, a sheepish smile lighting up her flawless face.
She nodded her head, and he did not think it twice before silently leading her out of the room, slipping through the door entirely unnoticed. The celebration could do without them for a couple of hours. Outside the main halls, the Palace was deserted, the majestic silent walls the only witnesses to their rushed steps. He let to through the vast empty terraces and out into the moonlit gardens. The music and light from the Palace grew fainter and fainter until finally disappearing as they walked through the softly swaying trees, her hand held securely in his and her long golden hair shimmering in sparkles of gold and silver underneath the light of the stars above.
"Where are we going?" She asked him as they walked, using one of her pale hands to lift the front of her dragging dress in an attempt to not step on it.
"I have no idea." He confessed, watching as the frail moonlight kissed her pale porcelain skin underneath the thick canopy of the trees.
A musical chorus of giggles escaped her mouth, floating in the wind like fluttering butterflies. She stopped walking, her arms suddenly lacing around his neck, and he immediately looked down at her, nearly an entirely head taller. Slowly, he leaned in, unable to stop himself as he pressed his lips to hers in a warm passionate kiss, his hands instantly lacing around her waist as he felt her own delicate fingers tangling on his hair. When they finally broke apart he placed a light kiss on the tip of her nose, then on her forehead before resting his forehead against hers, his hands never untangling from around her waist. Valar, how much he loved her.
And then, for the first time in long long years, he lost it. He, the Elvenking Thranduil, the image of perfectly practiced serenity and cold elegance, lost his composure. Before he could even realize it, his hands had picked her up from the waist, lifting her into the air as he pressed her tight against him. A cry of surprise and mirth left her gorgeous lips as he twirled her around, his arms crushing her as tight as he dared without harming her as her own thin arms wrapped tightly around his neck nearly chocking him from surprise. For the first time in long, very long years, he felt like an elfling, protocols, formalities and propriety suddenly meaningless and unimportant. All he could do was hold her tight, delighting in the sound of her continues cries and laughter as he spun her around.
"Put me down!" She squealed in joy, her legs kicking around and tangling in her swirling long dress as she tried in vain to free herself from his crushing embrace.
Laughing lightly, he complied, his heart swelling as the palm of her hand came to rest on his cheek before her lips met his once again in a loving kiss.
Once they broke apart he watched her walk to the base of a think tree trunk, gracefully lowering herself to the grass and eh followed, lowering himself next to him and allowing her to accommodate herself against his chest. She held up her hand, examining the engagement ring on her lift hand's third finger.
"Do you like it?" He asked, gently placing his lips to the top of her head as his eyes admired the delicate jewel. Valar, he had given the jeweler so much trouble for that ring. In fact he was actually scared that the jeweler would refuse to make any other article of jewelry for him in the coming years.
Her large emerald eyes turned to meet his, as warm and fresh as the forest around them, her hand dropping to her lap. "It is perfect."
He could not contain himself from stealing yet another kiss from her sweet lips. Elbereth, she had agreed to marry him. It felt like yesterday that she had walked away from him, set on her choice of not wanting anything to do with him for fear of becoming Queen. And now here she was, nestled against his chest, engaged to him, with no one but the calmly singing forest around them.
"I love you." He said, the words once again leaving his mouth with an ease he could never begin to understand, as if those where the only words that we wanted to say to her for the rest of eternity. Her delicate finger traced the length of one of his eyebrows, all the way to the end of his eye before sliding down his cheek, emerald eyes consuming him.
"I love you too." She said, her tiny body pressed against his and he felt the urge to hold her tighter, to never let her go, to keep her safe in his strong arms, where nothing and no one could ever touch her, could ever damage her. Soflty, he leaned back, lying flat on the grass as he pulled her down with him, her head resting on top of his chest. Her lips captured his once more, and this time he found himself lifting his head in an attempt to stretch the kiss as he felt her pulling apart. Then, she propped up on his chest, her folded arms carrying her weight as her fingers absently traced patterns on the neckline of his silver robes.
"You are going to stain your robes." She said, biting her lower lip as she usually did when too many emotions wracked her body and she could not rally think of anything to say. He could not care less about his robes at the moment.
"It does not matter." He tenderly placed a strand of her long golden hair that had fallen free from her braid behind her pointed ear. A gorgeous smile crossed her face, and she once again lowered her head to rest on his chest, her hand just below his collarbone as she nuzzled closer to him. His arms responded almost instinctively, wrapping around her securely, his silver robes blanketing over her slim figure.
"Blue suits you better." She said as her fingers continued to trace over the embroidery of his robes.
"You do not like these?" He asked, motioning to his silver robes as his other hand now absently running up and down her back. A light chuckle left her lips as she tilted her head to look at his eyes.
"I do like those." She said with a playful smile. "I am just saying that I like you better in blue, Thran."
Oh, there is was again, the shortened name that could make her get anything she wanted out of him, and as if she knew exactly what to expect –well of course she knew exactly what to expect- she leaned in, waiting for the kiss that she had earned. And he kissed her.
"My parents are going to loose their heads for the next year now that there is a wedding to plan." Her voice was so enchanting, so warm and soothing and he could not hold back a chuckle as he thought of Lasgaer. The renowned warrior was not known for his patience when it came to these kinds of events.
"It will be fine." He told her, placing the lightest of kisses on the top of her head.
"You know, my father gets particularly ill tempered when under stress. That got me many a lecture when I was en elfling." She had propped herself up on her forearms once again, her seemingly inexistent weight falling on his chest.
"Why do I have the feeling that you were not a perfectly well behaved elfling either?" He said in return, watching her eyes widen. "Perhaps that is what got you many a lecture?"
"For your information, my Lord," She began, her voice dripping with fake indignation as she leaned closer to him, making him have to fight his urge to close the tight gap between their lips. "I was a perfectly well behaved elfling. I never disobeyed a single order I was given."
"That, Arya, I do not believe." He said, his lips brushing hers.
"I believed that part of being engaged meant that you trusted me. Do you not trust me to be telling the truth?" Her voice was filled with overly exaggerated offense as her sparkling forest colored eyes look straight at his, so open, so steady, shimmering with a light brighter that that of the stars. He had to laugh at her words.
"I still do not believe that you never disobeyed a single order." He repeated, placing a quick kiss on the tip of her nose.
"I told you I'm speaking the truth."
"Fine." He said as he propped himself up on his elbows, Alarya sitting up straight. "I never disobeyed a single order either."
And then, she burst into laughter, her chuckles floating on the soothing breeze of the night and carried away by the song of the forest.
"Impossible." She said finally, emerald eyes looking at him underneath a raised delicate eyebrow.
"And how would you know?" Once of his eyebrows shot up to match hers as he watch her carefully studying him seeming to be doubting for a second whether or not he has indeed speaking the truth.
"Because, your Majesty," She emphasized his tittle, as she always did whenever she used it. "I know you all to well to believe that you would not be temped to disobey a single order in your life. And I said that I never disobeyed an order, but I did indeed work around them." She confessed.
Now it was his turn to laugh. Of course Alarya would find a way to get around everything.
"All right" he said at last, laying once again flat on his back as she leaned her weight one more over his chest. "I did disobey orders in my youth, although only once did I ever deliberately disobey one from my father, and I learned my lesson."
She chuckled lightly, lying her head down flatly on his chest as she nuzzled closer to him, accommodating herself against him. "Was he very strict?"
Her soft, innocent question reached his ears, and for a moment he did not know how to answer. No one, not a single elf, had asked him about his father since his death, as if it was a subject that was not be brought up around him. It felt strange. Her question felt strange, not painful in any way, simply strange, his mind automatically drifting down a path that had been pushed aside for so many years.
Alarya seemed to have perceived his hesitation for her head tilted upwards to look at him, a sudden regretful expression crossing her flawless face, her eyes looking mortified. "I am sorry."
"What for?" His eyes narrowed slightly in confusion, offering her a small smile. "There is nothing wrong with asking." The faintest of smiles crossed her face, but she remained quiet and he lifted his eyes to the blackened sky above, taking a deep breath.
"He…he was strict, yes." He started, his voice calmed, feeling her lifting her head to look at him but his eyes remained fixed on the swaying leaves high above. "That does not mean he did not have a soft side, but on the greater part he was very strict…very serious."
What was he doing? Why was he suddenly telling her all of this? It felt overly strange, the sensation one he could not name. Never since his father's passing had he even mentioned his name. Nothing. Everything, very single memory simply cast aside. And for what? Why was he saying this now? And to his surprise, it was not pain or grief what he felt at the moment. Time had already healed those wounds, even though the memories still weighed heavily on him.
"You know…" He said as he lowered his eyes to look into her vast green eyes, a very faint smile on his face. "He kept this absolutely beautiful pair of knives in his chambers, in a wooden box by his desk. I had been told many times not to play with them, but of course I ignored it…"
The particular memory crossed his mind so vividly, every single detail still perfectly engraved in his memory, and yet, once again, the feeling that came along with it was not grief or pain. No. It was a different feeling. Something almost like nostalgia.
"…I was very young. An elfling. Not yet old enough to start training with arms. He was there that day, sitting in his desk going over some papers, as he usually did, and I was playing quietly in a corner of the room. Of course I was not usually allowed to be with him while he was working, but that day had been an exception. The thing is, I was bored, and that particular wooden box kept calling to me because I knew what was inside, and the more my father told me not to touch his knives, the more I wanted to hold them."
Alarya had remained perfectly quiet, simply listening, so he continued.
"He looked so busy that I thought I could get a hold of them without him noticing. So, as silently as I could, I walked to the edge of his desk and opened the box. And there they were, the beautiful knives, too fascinated to be true. And so, I stretched my hands and took them, right there under his nose. He saw me do it. I saw him watching me taking them, but he did not say anything, and all I could think about was the pair of knives now in my hands. He simply looked at me carefully for a moment before saying in a warning tone that meant that I was in trouble 'I have told you to not play with those'."
He smiled as the memory flashed freshly on his head, his father's voice so clear, even the room around him and the weight of the knives on his little weak hands feeling overly real. And it felt good to remember, to prove that he had not forgotten everything.
"I did not listen to him, and after a short while he warned me again. He said, 'Do not play with those knives, they are sharp and you will cut yourself'. He was being overly patient with me for some reason, and I of course was taking all the advantage I could out of it. Besides, I was sure I was not going to cut myself. But he warned me again saying, 'You will cut yourself, Thranduil. Do not play with those'. And once again, I did not listen. I was sure I was not going to cut myself. Why would my father ever know better? And then, after some minutes, he said, 'If you cut yourself, I will pour salt over the cut, because I have warned you three times and you do not listen'."
He turned his eyes to look down at her, only to find that gorgeous smile he loved so much illuminating her face. "And do you know what happened?"
"Let me guess." She said, shifting so that she was once again propped up on his chest, looking down at him. "You cut yourself."
"Yes." He admitted, letting out a slight chuckle as he placed a light kiss on the edge of her mouth. "One of the knives slipped from my hands, and I cut myself. Right here…" With his fingers he traced a small line on the outer side of his forearm, close to his wrist."
Her large emerald eyes followed his finger, lingering on his arm for a second before they found his again, stretching a silent moment before she spoke. "And….? …..Did your father…?"
Oh, that curiosity in her eyes, in her voice. He knew she would ask, and could not hold back his smiled from widening at her expectant look.
"No, he did not." He confessed, watching her face relax once again as her head fell once more over his chest. He shifted to his side so that her back was pressed to his chest. "But he did take me down to the kitchens and took out the salt. He did manage to scare me. I cried and screamed the entire way there. But he did not do it, and never again did I ignore any of his warnings or disobeyed his orders. And then of course he gave me some honeycakes and carried me back upstairs."
Her musical laughter floated in the wind, dancing to the rhythm of the swaying trees. He remained silent, his mind still wondering through the path of forgotten memories, those that he had pushed back into the deepest part of his mind, and there they had stayed imprisoned. His father would have liked Alarya. He would have never told her personally, but he would have liked her.
"Thranduil?" Her whispered voice brought him back form his wondering thoughts, the change in her voice perceivable, suddenly worried, slightly scared. She turned around in his arms to face him. "I do not know how to be Queen."
A small smile broke through his lips, his hand easily finding her left one, his fingers toying with the newly placed ring there. "Nobody ever knows, Arya."
That seemed to help her for she smiled in return, relaxing once again in his arm. He wished he had a better answer for her, but truth was, he did not. In this matter, he was as clueless as her. Then, her eyes lifted once more to meet his, her golden hair framing her face in a starlit halo, the many tiny jewels incrusting in her braids shimmering under the pale moonlight.
"You do know, Thran, that our engagement means that you will be attending my parents Summer Solstice's celebration next year as well, do you not?" The playful and mocking sparkle in her mischievous grin made him narrow his eyes lightly at her. Oh, Valar, she had to bring that up.
"I cannot possibly go worse than this year's celebration." He managed to say, leaning in once more to give her the kiss she knew she had earned.
"You would be surprises." She said as they broke apart. "Should we head back inside?"
He sat up straighter. "Do you want to return to the feast?" He asked, ready to lead her back inside.
"Not really, no." She said as she sat up as well. "I was just wondering since you are King if you should not be present at the feast."
He laughed, considering his options before answering.
"I should be present at the feast. However, I do not think anyone will miss me tonight. You see, the wine they are serving is a very, very, very strong wine, so I doubt many elves have noticed our disappearance. I would bet most of them still believe we are there."
It was her turn to laugh, sitting comfortably against chest. "Good, because I want to stay here. And I want to dance."
He shook his head lightly, rising to his feet and gently pulling her up with him before offering her his hand. "My Lady."
Her smile shone brightly on her face as she accepted his hand, her pearl colored dress swirling around her graceful body as he led her on the grass, twirling her around the enchanting rhythm of an inexistent music. And they danced through the trees, and they walked through the gardens until he lost track of the hours. The feast, with the merrily dancing and singing elves must have ended hours ago, elves retiring to their houses for the night, and yet, they stayed in the gardens. The night seemed to drag infinitely until they collapsed once more on the soft grass, underneath the heavy canopy and he could feel her head resting on his chest, falling more and more heavily as sleep started to take hold of her. He did not dare move, waiting, holding her gently as she slowly drifted off in exhaustion, the first golden rays of the morning sun filtering through the thick branches and robust leaves.
As carefully as he could, he scooped her up in his arms, intent on not walking. Her small body felt weightless as he slowly carried her back to the Palace and through the deserted corridors that led to her family's chambers. Lord Lasgaer opened the door before he had even reached it, the warrior dressed up in clean clothes and ready for the waking day. The Lord's green eyes fell on his sleeping daughter, before falling on him, and for a second he thought he saw a faint smile cross his lips, so faint that he was not entirely sure he saw it.
"Alarya." He whispered to her, trying to wake her gently so she could go to her bed.
"Do not wake her, my Lord. Such a task is nearly impossible." Lord Lasgaer's voice was as steady as always, and he nodded his head, watching as the Lord stepped aside to allow him into the elegant Sitting Room. "Here."
He followed the warrior as he led him to Alarya's bedchamber, opening the door and allowing him inside. Silently, he carried the sleeping lady to the bed, a maid had been waiting inside the room already pulling down the sheets as he approached. Alarya did not wake as she was gently laid on the comfortable bed, the maid already pinning out all the jewels and hairpieces form her hair, and with a polite nod of his head he stepped out of the piece and into the elegant Sitting Room, Lord Lasgaer following closely behind.
"Thank you for bringing her, my Lord." The warrior said. Always that polite tone, as if he did not know how to address the Elvenking any longer. Thranduil simply nodded his head in return.
"You are up early." Was all he found himself able to say, not knowing how to address the warrior either. It was always the same thing, always the same issue. He was the warrior's King and superior, but the Lord was Alarya's father.
"I never sleep for long." The warrior answered as Thranduil slowly walked to the door, a small smile on the Lord's face. "You should sleep too, my Lord."
The warrior's voice was gentler, holding the door as Thranduil stepped into the corridor outside. A half-smile broke through the King's lips. Sleep? He almost wanted to laugh. The day was already starting, and with it his duties lay already waiting for his presence.
"I have a meeting in one hour." He managed to say, and so his surprise the faintest of laughs escaped the serious warrior's lips.
"Well, then, have a good day, My Lord." For the first time, the warrior's voice did not carry a formal tone, even though he still addressed him in the formal way, but that was enough for him. Without another word, Thranduil simply nodded his head before turning around and making his way down the long deserted corridor and towards his own chambers.
The way back to his quarters was nearly deserted, only a few elves crossing his path every now and then, and he absently acknowledged the greetings and bows he received as he walked. Once in the comfort of his overly large chambers, everything was as it usually greeted him every morning, the day just another one. His guards bowed respectfully before opening the large pairs of door for him to enter and inside the silver tray with his breakfast had already been delivered to the small table in the overly spacious antechamber. Galion, his butler, was dutifully standing quietly in a corner of the room, hands folded in front of him, as usual.
"Good morning, Your Majesty." The butler greeted, and he nodded his head in acknowledgement. "A bath has already been prepared for you."
"Thank you." Was all he said, his tone once again that of a King, perfectly serene and composed as he walked straight towards the bathing room, carefully depositing his Crown on a small table on the way.
His eyes drifted to the bed as he walked past it. As customary, his robes had already been laid out for him, the rich olive colored fabric contrasting beautifully against the wine red colored covers. He stopped for a second, his eyes seeming to consider the elegant garment for a short moment before reassuming his march towards the bathing chambers, his hand motioning almost lazily to the fine formal robes, seemingly cold and careless.
"Make them blue."
Here is chapter 13! I hope the wait was not too long! And please let me know what you think, I love all of your comments and they really inspire when writing the chapters!
Again, thank you so so much to those of you who reviewed my latest chapter, I am overly happy to find that you enjoyed reading it, because that is what I write it for, so if it was able to give you a good time then it was worth writing it! Cellobratelife, The Lead Mare, LadySilverfrost, Paperlanterns86, .Apples, SofiatheMinx888, Nowa1, UnlimitedShadow, Loki lbn-La'Ahad, Martine9295, Floweringbirdies, gossipghurl, Jibril-Kadamon, AmazingWriter123, Wtiger5, and my anonymous and guest reviewers!
I know I have not personally responded to your reviews just yet, I am incredibly behind with replies for both of my stories, so my greatest apologies and I will try my best to get back to you as soon as I can, but still for now I wanted to let you know that your comments meant a lot to me and I thank you infinitely for leaving a review! And this chapter is dedicated to all of you!
Love,
Elena