Writer's Note: So Flashbacks aren't going to be any particular order…it's kind of hard to string them together in order when I get new ideas for how Annadel and Thranduil came together…so I'm sorry for the confusion in advance. Also, weaving in back and forth to Annadel's present and her past can be confusing too. So I apologize if the flow of this series isn't quiet steady. Also, the time period written in doesn't quite match up to the movie or books. I am sorry about that as well.
Flashback
It was late morning when Annadel had awoken. Her eyes fluttered open, not to be rudely (or more so enjoyably) woken from her partner. She sat up, turning her head to look over at the creek, eyes softening. Then Annadel looked beside her to see Thranduil still asleep. His back was facing her, seeing the slight burns from when he faced dragon fire. Her hand came up to trail a finger gently over his burned shoulder to glide down his arm. She pressed her body against his entire back, feeling the warmth from his body heat her up quickly. Annadel hummed happily as she nuzzled into the back of his neck, inhaling his scent. Her eyes closed as her hand fell on top of his large one. The pad of her thumb brushed over the back of his hand affectionately. Annadel's lips kissed along his shoulder blade.
"Your lips feel so soft." Thranduil said groggily, stirring from his slumber. His voice was deep and rumbling in the depths of his throat. He didn't turn around as her face came to rest in between his neck and shoulder, lying closely behind him. Annadel smiled as Thranduil's fingers spread apart to let her fingers slip through with ease. She laid another kiss along his scars, but suddenly they were covered in perfectly pale skin as if he never went through the battles in the north. Annadel frowned, laying her chin on his shoulder in a small pout.
"I like kissing your scars." She pulled on his arms gently. "Let me see them again?"
"Will you kiss me even if I do not show you them?"
Annadel lingered for a moment, causing him to turn and flip on his other side to look at her. His eyes were wide in curiosity, innocence filling his face which caused her to smile. She brought their hands together to kiss his knuckles. "I will kiss with any moment I am able to, skin or scars." Annadel leaned to kiss his lips, pressing lightly against his. She felt a morphing of his soft lips to feeling the return of the charred lips she kissed happily last night. A large smile pressed against their kiss as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders as she crooned her face into his neck. She pressed another kiss just under his ear as she hummed.
"I don't wish to leave this bed." Annadel blinked as she looked up to peek into his eyes. Thranduil glanced down and pet her hair slowly.
"Then do not leave." He leaned to kiss her forehead.
She sighed as she propped herself up. "But the Elflings!" Annadel's eyes widened as her hair fell in front of her face messily. "I forgot about my lesson with the Elflings!"
Thranduil chuckled as his hand dragged up and down her arm. When she tried to move, she felt sore all over her body. Annadel groaned in protest as she tried to crawl over the Elven King but he pulled her on top of him.
"I am to show them my way with trees, Thranduil." She looked down into his bright blue eyes as he smiled. His hand came to brush the hair away from her face, showing her olive eyes completely. "Don't become a distraction."
His brow rose in high amusement as he grinned. "I, a distraction?" He wrapped his arms around her to pull her down to face him closely. "I never meant to be one, my lady."
Annadel scowled playfully as she tried to wiggle free from him. "Those Elflings mean a great deal to me and if you do not let me go this instant-!" She squealed as he crashed his lips over hers, silencing her from her antics. Her muffled shouts continued for a moment longer until Thranduil brushed his hand up and down her back slowly in comfort. Annadel loosened her hold against him as she melted on top of him. He pulled away from their kiss as she slowly opened her eyes appearing drunk.
"Distraction." She said dreamily.
"I can be more than just a distraction." He whispered into her ear as he began to nibble it gently.
"No~ I can't." Annadel sighed happily. "I need to teach them."
"Denying the king…you could end up in worse situations than the one you are in, Annadel the Grey." He purred.
She chuckled. "I must try to upset the king so he may release me of his bonds. What do you think?"
"I think…" Thranduil paused. "That the Elflings are to learn from a Maiar." His hand slid over her thigh that sent shivers up Annadel's spine. She hit him playfully, allowing her a moment to slip away from him, standing from the bed to quickly slip her robes back on. Thranduil watched her casually as she brushed her hair back with her hand. With a final glance in the mirror, she turned around to look at her king that laid there utterly and completely naked underneath that silken sheet. The temptation returned to her to just fall back into the bed to be ravished again, but once she attempted to walk forward to him, there was a sore pain in her pelvic region and her muscles ached all over her body. Annadel gasped for a moment as she turned towards the door.
"When am I to see you again, She-Maiar?" He called out from behind. She grinned, turning her head half way. "Tonight is the last night of autumn. You are bound to see me anywhere near the barrels of wine."
With that final comment, she left the Elven King's chambers.
"As I hope that the last light of Durin shines brightly for Thorin's company to see." She whispered to herself as she flew down the hallway in haste. "I hope I am not too late before Smaug is awoken." She thought carefully as she thought about Thranduil. He was easily conflicted in fear, selfishness consuming him to protect his people rather than to join the fight and help reclaim Erebor to its rightful king. When she spent time with him this morning, she saw the true light of the King of the Woodland Realm. There were no shadows in his eyes. The mountain that once belonged to Thorin lingered in her mind, replaying the tale of when Thranduil did not aid those who were victim of Smaug. That was long ago…and Annadel feared that he has not changed. He exchanged for Thorin to retrieve jewels or the Arkenstone itself for releasing Thorin and his company. His eyes have not changed for riches, but his fear of great winged serpents held him back to cower and let his forest cover in Sauron's evil. Annadel wondered that now, if she were to leave, would Thranduil kill her for choosing to help take over Erebor for the true King under the Mountain than to stay in his kingdom to witness his own throne crumble in darkness.
After properly cleaning herself up in her own room, Annadel was now properly dressed in a silver tunic, given by one of the female Elves that tended to the laundry. It was long sleeved and easy to move around in as her tights were silver as well, wearing black slippers. Her hair was pulled back in a half back elven braid. Her staff was in hand as she continued to find her little Elflings.
The Elflings were waiting by the little pool where the creek flowed into. They appeared to have been waiting for a long period of time because they were drawing figures in the dirt with their fingers, goofing off. Annadel grinned as she tip toed up to them as she commanded a root to prepare to splash them. She creeped up behind a large boulder as a familiar voice called her out.
"The Witch is here!" Lorien shrieked as he pointed at Annadel. The tree root splashed the Elflings just barely as they scattered quickly to come around and ambush her with hugs. She hugged them all with one arm as her other clung onto her staff, stomping it onto the ground. About five roots came to pick up the Elven children by the back of their collars and pulled them away from her. All five Elflings giggled as they were set down gently back onto the shore by the creek.
"Now." She rumbled in her throat. "I am sorry for keeping you."
"Miss Annadel!" Lorion complained. "We began to think that you had left Mirkwood to go after the Dwarves and the Halfling."
A girl elven girl stepped forward shyly, her hands behind her back as her eyes looked up at Annadel then away once she made contact. "We thought we wouldn't see you again."
"Oh, no no no!" Annadel smiled. "A Witch never leaves without finishing her business." She nodded. "First rule you should learn about me."
Lorion wrapped an arm around another boy elf playfully. "And what is rule number two, Miss Annadel?"
"Rule number two?" Annadel tilted her head curiously. "I haven't really thought that far." She lingered for a moment as a root came behind them once again quietly. "Rule number two is…to always watch your back!" The roots grabbed the children which sent them in another fits of laughter. The roots moved and held them protectively.
"Some would find it unnatural to manipulate the trees." A soft, feminine but strong voice came from behind Annadel. Annadel turned around slowly, meeting Tauriel's gaze. She bowed towards her as Tauriel returned the gesture.
"Do you find it unnatural, Tauriel?"
The Captain of Mirkwood lingered, watching the Elflings giggling as they stroked the roots to calm them. "No, I do not." She turned to look over Annadel. "I have heard of you, Annadel the Grey. You walk in the shadows and are a master of nature, treating it kindly. I see or feel no darkness in you."
"It is a relief hearing from you, Captain." Annadel smiled.
Tauriel smiled in return. "I would not have allowed malice in my kingdom."
"And I am glad you would not." Annadel agreed. "There are many things out in your woods that creep and poison the forest." She said gravely. "The spiders are one of many that I worry."
"You were bitten." Tauriel nodded towards her leg.
Annadel held up her hand, smiling. "I am quite fine now. If I would have lingered on any longer, I would have died. I thank you for picking me up so quickly."
"It would be my head if I had left a Maiar to die." Tauriel said softly. "I wouldn't have left you."
The She-Maiar walked in front of Tauriel, reaching for her hand.
"I know you are willing to fight." Annadel started. "I know you wish to protect your home and this forest. I have heard you speak of the spiders that grow and become bolder. So fight." Her hand grasped Tauriel's harder. "For there are others who will fight alongside you." Annadel hinted that Legolas would follow his Captain.
"A band of orcs have left for the Dwarves and that Halfling." Tauriel nodded. "I am to leave after I have finished talking with you."
"Then do not waste time, Tauriel. I will be behind you in time." Their eyes molded in burning determination together. Tauriel nodded as she pulled away to turn, but stopped abruptly.
"Do not dwell in this dark kingdom for long or else you too shall be poisoned…as is our beloved king."
Tauriel ran swiftly, bouncing on the tip of her toes as she climbed the stairs.
"I see the darkness in his eyes that lingers." Annadel whispered. "I see it waiting to overcome him in each passing moment. And I do not know if I have fallen for the darkness or the light."