CONTENT WARNING: Rated M for Strong language.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything created by Tolkein and Middle-Earth. This is for entertainment only.
A/N: So last chapter was fun, right? Who doesn't love a good prophecy? I hope you guys enjoy this next chapter, I had fun writing this one!
XOXO - P
Song for the Chapter: "I Hope That I Don't Fall in Love With You" by Tom Waits
Chapter 20 - Facing Fears
We're a mess, you and I.
But the truth is,
You captivate me in ways
No soul ever will.
- Perry Poetry
"I don't understand..." Aurora sat cross-legged on Augustus's bed, her hands clenched in her lap.
Her brother had sat up and was looking at his sister with a furrowed brow. After showing the King his memory, they had agreed that both Legolas and Aurora should be made aware of the situation. The Elvenking now sat quietly in a chair next to Augustus's bed and watched the twins silently his eyes drifting to Aurora's pained expression. It hurt him to see her upset and all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and tell her it would all be alright. But he couldn't do that, he didn't know if things would be alright. All he knew is he would do whatever it took to keep them safe. To keep her safe.
"I thought," Aurora whispered, "I thought Lady Galadriel said that no one could pass through the gate if they weren't connected by our bloodline. Do we have other relatives here that would kill us?"
Thranduil sighed but kept his voice calm and flat, "Unfortunately, these are questions that we will need to be answered by Mithrandir. I have already contacted him and he should be arriving within the next few days. All we can do is wait."
"That seems to be a running theme..." Aurora mumbled.
"Auri," Augustus took his sister's hand in his, "I'm sorry. I didn't tell you about the strange marks back then because I didn't think they were anything."
"I know it's just..." Aurora trailed off, "it's ironic."
"Ironic?" Augustus arched an eyebrow, "What are you talking about Auri."
Aurora sighed and looked at her brother with tears beginning to well in her eyes, "I forget you've been asleep... It's July 15th, Augs."
Augustus leaned back and took a shuttered breath and held his sister's hand tighter. Tears quickly beginning to form in the corners of his eyes.
"What is the significance of today?" Legolas, who had been standing behind his father, asked.
Aurora gripped her brother's hand and then looked up to meet the Prince's gaze, tears beginning to stream down her face, "It's five years to the day since our parents' death."
Thranduil closed his eyes for a moment, not wanting to imagine the pain the twins must be feeling at this moment. "I am truly sorry," he whispered, "if anything can be done to ease your pain..."
Augustus cleared his throat and looked to the King, "Thank you, Majesty. But there isn't anything. Some things we just need to... Endure."
A heavy silence fell over the room. Legolas watched as the twins silently cried their hands clenched together in a silent assurance of comfort. His eyes drifted to where his father sat and found his eyes locked on Aurora, his brow slightly furrowed. He must truly care for her. Legolas thought to himself, he hadn't seen such an expression on his father since his mother announced that she would sail to the Undying Lands.
"Perhaps," Legolas spoke gently, "The two of you should take some time and rest today."
"A wise suggestion," Thranduil spoke as he rose from his chair and walked over to the end of Augustus's bed. The twins nodded in agreement and Aurora slid off the bed and onto the bed next to her brother.
"No, absolutely not." Augustus spoke up in protest, "You are going to go to your guest chambers or whatever they're called and get a good nap."
Aurora shot her brother a dark look, "I don't even know where that room would be because A) This palace is gigantic and I will need a map to find my way around and B) I'm not leaving you."
"Auri," Augustus stood up and walked over to his sister, "You need to take care of yourself, too. Go and find your guest chamber, take a long nap. Take a hot bath, because you smell horrible. If anything happens, I'm sure Kasterren will send someone to get you. Just get out of here for a few hours. Plus you snore like a freight train and I'm supposed to be relaxing right now."
Aurora smacked her brother's arm playfully and stood up. "Have it your way then. But if I get lost in this palace and you never see me again, that should weigh heavily on your conscience."
"It won't because that has secretly been my plan this whole time." Augustus winked at his sister and pulled her into a tight hug, "I'll be fine. Go and get some rest, Loser."
"I love you, Stupid." Aurora hugged her brother back and helped him back to his bed. "I'll give Kasterren permission to kick your ass if you don't listen to her."
"Oh you won't need to permit that, " Legolas smiled, "Kasterren does not allow her orders to be disobeyed."
"Wonderful, then I will leave you in her hands." Aurora smiled and gave her brother another quick hug.
She walked from the healing hall and into the corridor and paused, looking in both directions and bit her lip. Just as she was about to decide on what direction to go she heard a soft chuckle behind her. She turned to see amused blue eyes looking down at her, a smile at the corner of the King's lips.
"You have no idea where to go do you?"
"I..." Aurora stammered, "do not."
Thranduil smiled wider as Legolas came to a stop by his father's side, "Legolas and I will show you the way. The guest chambers are situated outside the Royal residence corridor."
Aurora followed behind the two elves as they led her to her chambers. Aurora recognized the path they took like the same path Thranduil had led her through on her first night in the palace. She looked around, taking in the beauty of the palace the warm sunlight shining in and giving everything an ethereal glow. They turned down a corridor that had two large wooden doors that were closed, she recognized the corridor as the one Thranduil had led her down. The two elves stopped at an elegant door that was closest to the ones that cut the corridor in half.
"These will be your chambers for as long as you desire them," Thranduil explained as he opened the door and stepped inside, "Beyond those closed doors is the Royal residence which you are not permitted to enter without express permission from Legolas or myself."
Aurora followed Thranduil and Legolas into the room. The first room appeared to be a parlor with a small chair and couch positioned in front of a small fireplace. A small desk sat in the corner with paper, quill, and ink bottle. Aurora walked over to two large doors and pushed them open to reveal an elegant bedroom. There was a large four-poster canopy bed against the far wall. Next to the bed, there was a small nightstand against another wall was a small dresser. She walked over to a door next to the nightstand, opening it to show a walk-in closet, some of her tunics and leggings had been brought in here at some point. There was a full-length mirror on the far side. Next to the mirror was another door that led into a beautiful bathroom.
As she walked back out of the closet she saw that Thranduil and Legolas had remained in the parlor, "This is more beautiful than any apartment I've ever lived in."
"I am glad you like it," Thranduil offered a smile as the pair locked eyes, both of them remembering the last time he had spoken those words.
Legolas saw a moment pass between the two and thought it best to excuse himself, "Well, I have training plans to discuss with Tauriel." With a final bow of his head, he left the room closing the door behind him.
The pair stood in awkward silence for several minutes looking around the room, "What he just did... Was extremely obvious." Aurora laughed.
"Yes, subtlety has never been a strong suit for him." Thranduil moved closer to Aurora but did not put his arms around her like he wanted, "But it was a nice thought."
"So... So does that mean that he knows? About the other night?"
Aurora folded her arms across her chest and stepped back from him and began pacing the room slowly, not wanting to make eye contact with him. Thranduil watched her closely, her body was tense and her eyes were glued to the floor. Was she embarrassed by what had happened? Maybe he had misunderstood her advances as nothing more than a lapse in judgment during a moment of deep turmoil.
"No. What happened in the garden will only be between us," Thranduil spoke with a flat tone but could feel his confidence wavering as he watched her continue to pace, "I have; however spoken to him about you."
Aurora finally looked at him but continued to walk, "About what?"
Thranduil sighed and sat down in the large armchair. "About certain... Feelings that I seem to have developed for you since our meeting in Rivendell." Aurora stopped pacing as she watched him lower his head and close his eyes. She had never seen him like this before; he was nervous. She suddenly felt a tug in her chest. She wanted to walk over to him and wrap her arms around him and pull him close to her. Aurora quietly moved to the large couch and sat down, listening closely as he continued, "You must understand, Aurora, elves feel things differently. We feel things on a much deeper level than other races. Regardless of what the emotion may be, an elf will feel it tenfold compared to others."
"Well, that makes me feel better about all my friends accusing me of being too emotional all the time..." Aurora mused. She looked at Thranduil again. He had opened his eyes and was staring straight forward, "So simply beginning to like someone romantically could be akin to another race falling in love?"
Falling in love. He knew it was an innocent question, but hearing her speak the words caused his heart to beat faster. He took a deep breath to keep his voice steady, "Correct."
"So..." Aurora tried to choose her next words carefully but knew that there was no easy way to say it. She clutched her hands together tightly trying to calm her racing heart, "Two elves being attracted to one another is a big deal then?"
Thranduil exhaled a breath he didn't realize he had been holding in; he took several more deep breaths and looked over at her. She was sitting on the couch her gaze fixed on the rug. She had her legs crossed and her hands clutched in front of her and Thranduil could see her knuckles turning white. He quietly stood up and moved over to where she sat, he stood looking down at her for a long moment.
"That depends," he took one of her hands in his and sat down next to her, lacing his fingers between hers, "on if those two elves choose to act on their emotions." They sat in silence for several minutes before he spoke again, "Tell me of the fears you have, Ilma nin (my Starlight)."
She was quiet for a long moment before she spoke, "I've loved before and it almost killed me," Aurora kept looking forward. Thranduil watched her jade eyes grow distant, a single tear rolling down her cheek, "I can't do that again, Thranduil. I won't— I'm not strong enough to endure that again."
"Aurora," Thranduil whispered as he gently cupped her face in his hand and wiped her tear away and turned her face to meet his eyes, "You are stronger than you believe you are," He emphasized his next words carefully, "Sometimes being afraid will help us to be brave."
Aurora's brow furrowed at the sound of her own words being used, "You were there?" She asked incredulously, "That night on the balcony in Rivendell."
Thranduil nodded slightly, "I had been watching over the elfling when you arrived. I didn't want to detract from your moment with her so I chose to remain hidden." He watched Aurora as her eyes softened slightly and then he added, "I promise before the Valar that I will never hurt you the way he did."
Aurora looked into his fathomless blue eyes and knew he was telling the truth. She lifted her hand and stroked his face, smiling as he closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. "I do like you, Thranduil… More than I think I even realize yet."
Thranduil smiled and pressed a soft kiss into her palm, "I mil lin vir vin faer nin."
Aurora smiled, "Tell me what it means."
Thranduil gave her a sly smile and considered her request for a moment. Then he leaned towards her, their cheeks lightly touching, shooting lightning between them, his lips hovered close to her ear as he whispered, "Your affection is a treasure in my soul."
He leaned back enough to see a soft pink shade begin to dance across her cheeks, he liked seeing her blush. He pressed his forehead to hers as his finger drew light circles along her cheek. His fingers cupped the side of her cheek as he tilted her head upwards and brought his mouth down to hers.
Her lips seemed even softer than he remembered, the sweet hint of raspberries on them tasted sweeter than anything he could imagine. She returned the kiss, running her hand up the back of his neck and into his hair and gently pulled him closer to her. The kiss deepened and her tongue grazed his lips causing Thranduil to moan softly. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer until her chest was pressed firmly against him; causing her to wrap her arms tight around his neck as her fingers ran along his scalp. He could feel her rapid breathing as their lips danced in rhythm, he lightly ran his tongue along her lips. He wanted to taste more of her but knew that he couldn't rush things too quickly so he kept his self-control in place.
When they finally broke apart both were breathing heavily. Thranduil looked at her again with reverent eyes, "Lin caw elvain (You taste wonderful)."
Aurora blushed without even knowing what he had truly said, "What does that mean?"
Thranduil narrowed his eyes and playfully shook his head, leaning back on the couch, "You can't expect me to tell you what I say in elvish every time you ask, do you Ilma nin (my Starlight)?"
"You are the worst," Aurora feigned offense and playfully smacked his arm, "One of these days, I'm going to know what you are saying and it will surprise you."
"Indeed it will," Thranduil smiled, "I do believe, however; that I am supposed to see that you get proper rest." He stood up and took her hand, pulling her to her feet and leading her into her bedroom. Aurora removed her boots and outer tunic, leaving her in only her tank top and leggings. Thranduil pulled the covers back and Aurora crawled under the soft and full blankets. He pulled the covers over here and leaned down to place a soft kiss on her forehead. When he turned to walk away he felt delicate fingers wrap around his wrist and he turned to see Aurora's jade eyes looking up at him.
"Stay with me," Aurora whispered, "I don't want to be alone."
There was much that he needed to address now that he had returned to the Kingdom, but the look in her eyes convinced him that everything outside of this room could wait. Thranduil smiled again and walked around to the other side of the bed and in a swift motion, he removed his outer robe and boots and climbed under the covers with her, propping himself up against several of the extra pillows. She rolled over and snuggled up to him, her head resting on his chest and she could hear his steady heartbeat. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer and rested his head against the headboard. He looked down and watched as her breathing steadied and she drifted to sleep.
When he was sure that she was sleeping, he took one of her hands in his and brought it to his lips. He placed a soft kiss on it and set it on his chest, "You will never be alone… Sleep in peace and dream well, meleth nin (my love)."
His boots echoed down the dark tunnel as he walked. He felt more relaxed than he had since her arrival. He had seen her, he had finally seen her. It had felt as if he had waited for ages for this moment to arrive. She had taken his breath away as she rode her horse around the training arena; the light was evident as it emanated off of her fair skin but that would be stopped soon. He had several plans in motion to ensure darkness continued to find her until he could have her as his own.
"Dak nulgum esh-sha arurza, dab Burz Gothlob. (We will be together soon, my Dark Queen.)" He whispered as he continued down the tunnel.
