Chapter 28 ended with:
She sat in front of him while he kept drinking without saying a word. He seemed to be dreading her words, bracing himself by drinking some more.
It was hard to believe that this flawless face was an illusion. That beneath this skin, perfect visually and to her touch, lay a destroyed visage. It explained so much of his character. And one could only be impressed with his courage, his resilience. She was still shocked, but she knew she loved him still. More if that was possible. She had to break the ice. He was extremely worried, she could tell, with his future happiness in her hands.
Chapter 29 - Understanding
Valerie had never been one to beat around the bush when starting a difficult conversation. "Does it hurt?"
For a rare moment, she was able to read his thoughts on his face. This was not the opening he had been anticipating. He had been expecting a declaration that she was leaving him, too horrified by his true appearance and darkness. Especially after the two days of silence he had had to endure.
He put the bottle down. "Over the centuries, it has become a dull ache. Perhaps my tolerance to pain has increased. However… I do not feel it when I am with you."
"You have been keeping this terrible secret from me. But I understand why you did it. I admit, I am not certain that I would have bound myself to you if I had known from the beginning. You must forgive my weakness."
"Weakness? You are not weak. You did not run away as I had expected when I showed you my real self."
"No, I did not. But I needed time to think about your revelations, to organize all my thoughts about them. There is much I need to tell you."
He leaned forward on his chair. "Valerie, do not make me wait any longer. Just let me know if you can remain here, in Greenwood. You are my wife, my queen. I will leave you alone and never impose my presence to you, but I beg you to consider staying here. I need to see you, even if I cannot be with you."
Thranduil really thought she would leave him? True, it had taken her days to realize he was the same ellon she had fallen in love with. But he truly was. With a layer of heroism she had not known existed in him. He was exceptional. She would be a very unremarkable elleth if she could not overcome her initial aversion.
She slowly stood and walked up to him. He leaned back against his seat when he saw her movement, clearly shocked that she was actually sitting on his lap. He did not put his arms around her waist like he usually did. She gently touched his left cheek, feeling his skin as if it was truly there.
"How long did it take you to master the enchantment?"
"Not long. It was urgent that I learned to hide myself."
"I admire you, Thranduil. I admire you, and I love you. But things will have to change between us."
"I realize that," he sighed, defeated.
"Are there any other secrets that you are keeping from me?"
"I have none that come to mind," he said after a while, "but I have lived a long life and may be forgetful at the moment. I will make sure to let you know if I ever think of one."
"I am tired of you hiding your feelings from me. You can be as cold and aloof as you like with everyone, but with me, you must be more open. You must share your thoughts with me." She put her arms around his neck, leaning her face closer to his. "When we make love, I want to hear you."
She very slowly put her lips on his, wondering if she would feel a difference. She did not. She had kissed him countless times since they had met, and this time felt like all the others, except that he was not participating. She leaned back to look at him.
"Thranduil, will you not kiss me back?"
"You want me to kiss you?"
"I want you to do more than just kiss me. I want you to bind yourself to me. Truly. Without holding back."
"No!"
"Yes! I will accept no less."
"You are a pure soul, my love, I cannot do this to you!" He caressed her face with devotion. He had overcome his surprise, understanding that there may be a chance that he would not lose her.
"It is quite the opposite, I need this so that we will be on equal footing. In order to truly be a couple, we must share the joys but also the burdens. I can help you by taking a portion of that evil, I am stronger than you think."
"I realize how strong you are."
"Then let me help you. This will also help me be more attuned to you, more able to resist you when you turn unpleasant." She kissed him again, and this time, he kissed her back. "I will not accept anything less, Thranduil," she repeated.
"I do not deserve you."
"You probably do not," she chuckled. "One more thing. We must tell Mithrandir."
"Why?"
"It is only a question of time before Saruman starts trying to manipulate us, I expect as soon as everyone hears that we are pregnant."
Thranduil's hands moved to her still flat stomach, marveling that they had created a life together simply by loving each other so much.
"Mithrandir is our ally," she insisted.
"He is your ally," he corrected.
"And when we are fully bound, he will be your ally too."
"Valerie… I love you," he said for the first time, his face hidden against her neck.
She moved away and took his face between her hands. "There, there. It was not so hard to say, now, was it? Tell me again."
"I love you," he repeated, his eyes burning.
A/N: a short chapter, the next one should be published soon with an epic reconciliation following…
stubs1101: thank you! From now on, they will be on the same page most times.
Riddicks-gurl1988: He is very pleased that he will be a father again, now, there is only the small problem of Saruman's reaction to that…
princessnera: yes, she asked him that question as she had wondered when she was be comforted by Legolas. Her condition is mainly that they bind again, for real this time. He is afraid of how that would change her…
glassary: yes, Saruman will try to blackmail them, but now they are two to face him and Thranduil is no longer afraid that Valerie will hear about his darkness through someone else!
Lyryenn: he truly was convinced that she was leaving him, and at best, he was hoping that she would accept to remain in Greenwood even if they were not together as a couple anymore… He is really pleased at the moment, so much that he is willing to tell her he loves her!
AHealingRenaissance: Yes, she will be fully bound to him very very soon. Wow, I am very happy for you. Congratulations for the future baby and your toddler! Do not worry about reviews, I will dedicate a chapter to you when the time for your C-Section arrives. Good luck!
