Chapter 14: Dominion
Tauriel gave her best attempt to deter Thranduil from his decision to ride out to confront the current king under the mountain on their reclaimed lands so soon after the battle. She had approached him on more than one occasion, braving his ill-famed moods as well as the disapproving eyes of her fellow guards when she addressed the king without being prompted or rode too close. The redhead expressed her worries over a confrontation with the dwarves and also let him know that even if they achieve what they came for, she might not be more open to his proposal right away, but Thranduil held on to the notion that the sooner she sees that grave, the sooner they could get on with the next step. Tauriel further appealed to the stubborn king warning him about his health, though it seemed that while he still needed her tonics and an evening rub to be able to relax enough to sleep, having something to do and focus on had a positive effect on his bodily symptoms, providing further proof that his ailment was strongly connected to his emotional state. The only thing she was able to convince him of was asking the king of Dale to join them on their way to Erebor given that Bard have had a positive and appeasing effect on him in the past as the voice of reason.
The dragonslayer seemed somewhat taken aback by their appearance as he climbed down the roof he had been in the middle of patching up in Dale, new capital of the kingdom he founded with the men of the surrounding areas who forthwith accepted him as their protector. "My Lord, you are full of surprises," he greeted his counterpart in welcome.
"As are you," Thranduil insisted as he dismounted, showing willing to be at the same level with the hunter. "You have achieved amany in a short while," he smiled appreciatively. "Are your neighbours giving you any bother?" His serious eyes drifted towards the Lonely Mountain for a moment.
"We have managed to reach an agreement. King Dain does not mind us standing a first line of defence against any kind of invader in return for being left in peace."
"If there was anyone who could attain a treaty with that slimy tunnel rat, it is you. Which is why I appeal to your expertise for a pursuance tomorrow."
"Come, my Lord," Bard indicated a nearby dwelling looking more in shape than the others, "I hope my modest abode will suffice for a private meeting."
Tauriel started after them but Thranduil came to a momentary halt, "just King Bard and I," he arranged, commanding voice like thunder, but then mellowed it with a "thank you" and a nod, realising who he was talking to.
There was not much she could do against such a direct order, so decided to let her horse graze and look for a well for fresh water they could refill with. Children eyed them with curiosity now that they could survey the elves freely without the mortal threat they were under the last time. A young woman abandoned the chickens she had been feeding and kindly came over to help with pulling the bucket up, her young daughter following behind. The little girl curiously pulled at Tauriel's cape, its material being a lot finer, lighter and cleaner than any of their kind's garments. Tauriel smiled at the child, contemplating giving her one of her ribbons when Bard appeared charging towards her, "your King wants you!" He shouted over and did a one eighty back into the house he came from.
Tauriel straightened up wearily. Hasn't she been sent away only moments ago. She followed the bowman wearily into the building only to be intercepted by the man right behind the door. "I thought it best not making a scene but Thranduil appears to be ill," he supplied confidentially. "How does an elf get sick anyway."
The elleth pushed behind him in haste to find her master bent over and holding his belly, having just vomited onto the wooden flooring. "Is there somewhere he can lie down?" Tauriel asked Bard while taking to supporting Thranduil by the arm.
Bard promptly opened a door to the side of the larger room the two kings were supposed to be conversing in, "my elder daughter's room, she wouldn't mind. I will let her know not to disturb," he offered, as well as a suggestive nod at her to see if she wanted his help on supporting Thranduil at the other side.
Tauriel gave a small shake of the head, not sure of her king's possible reaction if Bard touched him. The room held not much clue to it belonging to someone who had recently become a princess in name, but it was comfortable looking enough with many fur covers and a lot of lamps that could be lit if necessary, with ashes still warm in the fireplace. Past the collection of nuts and herbs on the table, Tauriel manoeuvred Thranduil round and grabbed a couple of books out the way so he could lie down atop of the blankets on the bed, notwithstanding his long legs hanging off a bit at the end, then sat beside him to tend to him. "He will be better soon," she assured their host. She placed a hand on Thranduil's belly, mentally already starting her spell for the ameliorating of his discomfort through the garments for now as she did not want to undress the king in front of strangers.
"I will be alright," Thranduil echoed, giving Bard a pointed look, "thank you for your discretion."
"Is there anything else I can help with?" The good man extended further kindness.
"To ride with me to Erebor tomorrow as discussed," the ellon persevered.
"Are you sure you don't need more rest?" Bard challenged. "I did not want to take the first fully rebuilt house but the people insisted it's what they wanted for their leader," he excused his behaviour, still not really used to calling himself a king or the treatment such title triggered. "But that means it is at your disposal and the closest we have suitable for the cause."
"It will do well for Tauriel and I," Thranduil assured, reigning in his irritation over being questioned as Bard did not deserve the cold shoulder. "The rest of my company can be stationed outside, thank you King Bard. I assume I can rely on your discretion further."
"Of course, my Lord. However, you must consider that the dwarves will not react the same shall you fall unwell in their presence."
"That should not concern you," the Elvenking asserted. Bard only nodded while retreating, accepting the state of play as his counterpart promised.
"I assume you wouldn't want similar warnings from me, not to mention reproach for not minding your health," Tauriel used the privacy to immediately undo his belt and slide a hand under his shirt.
Thranduil gave her a dissuasive look, but it was mild, "you worry too much for me dear, and as sweet as your worries are, I am not used to it." Then he closed his already heavy lidded eyes instead to enjoy her ministrations.
Tbc