A Shadow of Hope

Chapter XXI

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Author's Note ~ Melinyel does mean 'I love you' in Quenya! =) I think there were two of you who did get it right! He's not proposing to her quite yet! ;) But it will happen. Honestly, I think Thranduil would only tell her he loves her in Elvish because that's the way he is. He could say it in Westron (the common tongue, or English) but I think he'd prefer to tell Ylva in Elvish. I feel like for him it would be more endearing to tell her that in his own language. What do you guys think? =)

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'Melinyel, meleth-nín,' Thranduil said softly.

Ylva's heart fluttered in her chest as he kissed her again. Her knees weakened as his hands trailed gently down to her waist. He rested his forehead on hers.

"I don't know why you insist on speaking Elvish to me. I only know a few words…"

Thranduil gave her one of his rare smiles and released a small, low chuckle. He took hold of her hand and kissed her palm. I love you, Ylva…

Ylva's heart fluttered in her chest as his whispered words entered her thoughts.

"I had not intended to, but I do," he said, leaning into kiss her.

He planted soft, gentle kisses down her jaw and brought his hand to the side of her face. His hand caressed her smooth cheek – now flushed red. Ylva settled her hand on his chest lightly and sighed. She had never been with anyone so personally and it unnerved her a little but Ylva found the intimacy between them quite pleasant as well.

"I do not think either of us had any intention of falling in love with one another." Ylva said, with a small smile.

"Yet it appears we have," Thranduil responded. "I would like to know why you returned."

He shifted and turned to walk down the corridor. Ylva sighed and stood beside him as they strolled down the dimly lit corridors.

"I needed to come back. I finally felt like I belonged somewhere…that this was my home." Ylva answered, staring at her feet as they walked. "I know I always have a place to stay with my uncle and my cousins but it feels more like home here."

"I am thankful you returned, Ylva." Thranduil said.

"I should never had said those things to you — I,"

"It is in the past. We need not dwell on it now, meleth-nín."

"That still does not make it right. As your servant, I ask your forgiveness."

"There is nothing to forgive, Ylva. You came back."

"My lord, there is one thing I would like to ask you…" Ylva paused and looked at her feet.

"What is your request?"

"I wish to see my uncle Bard. It has been more than a month now since I have seen him. Would you allow me to return to Laketown to visit my family…only for a little while?"

If she were to return to Laketown it is possible that Yric and the Master would force her to stay. Would he dare to put that possibility to risk? No…he could not let her become a wife to that ogre.

"Ylva, I would not allow you to return for any reason to Laketown, considering the threats your father and the Master of Laketown has made against you."

"I need to see my family, my lord. What if I were to ask Teren or Tauriel to go with me?"

"Tauriel is needed here as she is the Captain of the Guard."

"Why won't you allow me just a few days to visit my family?" Ylva asked, her voice rising.

"You are behaving like a child, Ylva. It is because for your own protection I will not allow you to leave. Or do you not remember the threats Yric made against you?"

"I remember them perfectly," Ylva said, bitterly.

Once again, Thranduil retained his stoic expression as he watched her. Ylva had to admit that he was worse than a statue at times.

"I will not endanger you in such a way."

"Fine," Ylva snapped, turning to walk up the corridor. "I think I will retire early tonight. Excuse me, my lord,"

"Ylva,"

"Good night, my lord." Ylva stopped briefly and turned around as she spoke to him.

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Ylva had not come out of her chambers in a few days. Bellethiel often brought messages to Thranduil as it had been his request to know what Ylva was doing. After she had locked herself in her chambers, Thranduil sent a letter out with his raven to Bard. He had not planned to ask Bard here but it would be the only way to make amends with Ylva. Thranduil wanted her to be happy and perhaps keeping her here instead of allowing her to travel had not the wisest thing to do. He realized she was not to be tamed…and he would not want to tame Ylva.

"Ada, where is Ylva?" Legolas asked, breaking the silence.

"She is being headstrong and locking herself away in her chambers. I refused to let her see her family in Laketown and now she is refusing to speak to me. Though she is not aware, I wrote her uncle three nights ago. I believe he will soon be our guest for a few days or so."

"And you have not told her?"

"No, and neither will you."

"You told her of your sentiment for her, didn't you?" Legolas asked.

"Perhaps I did, perhaps I did not. That is none of your concern, my son. Has Tauriel vanquished the last of the spiders?"

"She has, Ada, she and the others returned last night from their scouts. I should join them on their next venture into the forest."

"Very well,"

Thranduil turned his back on his son and looked out towards the trees. The forest was getting darker…it had not been as green as it used to be.

"Are you thinking of making Ylva your wife?" Legolas inquired, after a moment of silence.

The Elvenking raised his head, glancing at his son – his face like stone.

"I have not given much thought to marrying again – not in thousands of years. It is almost unheard of to marry again. Why do you ask?"

"Ylva has changed you, Ada, you may not notice it. The other elves have…as have I."

Thranduil released a small hum and folded his hands together. He took a small turn about the solar and glanced at Legolas again.

"And would you approve if I did choose to marry her? I have not had a single thought of marriage with anyone since your mother sailed to the Undying Lands." Thranduil responded coolly.

If someone would have asked Legolas that a month ago, he would have told them his father would never consider marrying a half-mortal woman – let alone someone who had been conceived out of wedlock. Now he was quite certain his father was in love with Ylva and though Legolas would not confess aloud, he grew to like Ylva.

"I would approve of your marrying Ylva." Legolas said.

"Good," said Thranduil, "because I am considering asking her after her uncle's visit to Mirkwood and after I ask his for consent as well."

"Why do you need consent to marry?" his son asked.

"It is the honourable thing to do, even if I am a king."

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Review! =) I hope this was a good ending, I am terrible at endings! Wow, I can't believe how many reviews I got last chapter – although, I still hope you read chapter 19 before reading chapter 20 ;) =)

Also, if you haven't checked it out already, the alternate version of the feast of starlight is now up!