A/N The whole idea for Legolas's injury actually came from a dream I had about Thranduil, Legolas and Tauriel in a battle where Legolas got hurt and Thranduil was crying his name and being all protective and fatherly. So this basically gave me the inspiration for this chapter where Thranduil shows a more emotional side. Hope you enjoy! And as ever, thank you to all my wonderful readers and reviewers - J x
My head pounds painfully as my adrenaline turns to exhaustion. He's okay. He's going to be okay. I have to keep reminding myself that, but the image of his wound still haunts my mind's eye and I keep imagining the scene where it happened.
"Tauriel?" A low voice, tinged with concern pierces my thoughts and I sigh internally; this is not how I wanted to be found – hunched against a wall with my head between my knees and palms pressed to my temples. On the verge of a breakdown, or collapse. I look up to the owner of the voice and see Thranduil once more, gazing down at me with pity and extending his hand to help me up. I take it, half grateful, half embarrassed and he smiles weakly at me. "It's bad, isn't it?" He says quietly, his blue eyes seeming to cloud over. I nod and the King sighs. "Shall we walk?" I have no choice but to accept, so we make our way slowly down the hall, united in our worry and our love for the injured man.
"My lord, how...how did it happen?" I brave softly, "I know about the warg, but I don't understand why they were here,"
"Tauriel, I have looked after you all these years, let us not dally with the formalities; please, call me Thranduil," He chuckles slightly, a rare glimmer of happiness before his face turns cold again. "I was there with him, when it happened." His eyes turn to glass as he relives his memory. "We had the call, of an attack on the Kingdom, Legolas led the guard of course, but I followed. I had a terrible feeling about the attack; I knew that it was not a stray rabble or orcs, but something more. They ventured right up to the gates, not just the forest's perimeter; and they rode upon great wargs. The fight was going in our favour, the guard slew many of the beasts as had I, when I saw Legolas there alone. It was as if time stopped, I no longer cared for any injury to myself, nor even for the other elves, terrible though it sounds, I feared only for my son. I couldn't reach him in time, not before the beast had struck him..." Thranduil trails off, his voice low and airy, his expression sad. I know how he feels, the way he described it; no longer caring for yourself, seeing only them, not being able to reach them...the experience is all too horribly familiar to me. "If you ever have children Tauriel, you will know. I pray they befall no such harm, but even foolish things seem worrisome once you are a parent." The King laughs softly, "I know, I know. How strange it must seem to you; this display of affection from your King, he is usually so stony and cold. I do not know why I confide in you now, when all my long years as King I have hidden away from everyone, even my own son...I think perhaps, it is because I know that you, and maybe you alone, love Legolas as much as I do,"
I don't know how to follow Thranduil's confession so I merely nod, watching him as he smiles to himself, seemingly lost in memories.
"What is this?" He suddenly asks, his gaze directed at my hand as I brush it through my hair. I freeze, realising that he refers to the ring. These men are so perceptive! When have they ever noticed my jewellery before?
"Oh, it is a, uh, ring," I stammer, looking at my hand and brushing the metal with my fingers as I think of the man who crafted it.
"I know it is a ring," Thranduil smirks, "It is beautiful, who made it?"His eyebrows raise, daring me to say what he already knows to be the truth.
"My..." I hesitate, before deciding to take the plunge; after all, I am not ashamed. "My fiancé, Kili, Prince under the Mountain," My voice somehow manages to sound strong despite my nervousness of the King's reaction. He breathes out loudly, his expression thoughtful.
"I see, and when, might I ask, is the wedding?"
"It is not yet arranged," I reply, surprised by his question.
"Do you think I might warrant an invitation?" He surprises me further, smiling as he asks.
"Of course, my lord Thranduil," He laughs at my shock, stopping our walk to place his hand on my shoulder.
"You may think I am cruel and emotionless, I know many do, but there are a few people in this world I care about." His eyes twinkle in a way that reminds me so of his son. Before I can reply he has dismissed himself, leaving me alone, confused and very tired.