Thranduil sat precisely where he always did but some of his friends had
come to give him company. This he was grateful for, he was so lucky to be
blessed with such great friends.
Thranduil look up at the crowd as he was taking a sip of wine, watching the hall continuously fill and his parents running up to greet whoever entered. Suddenly, time slowed to almost a stop. Beauty was just given a whole new meaning. A young Elven Maiden walked through the crowd dressed in a long, flowing white dress decorated with diamonds and lace. Her long, golden, slightly wavy hair flowed gently in the breeze that entered the hall. Her skin was like soft porcelain, pale and flawless, her walk so light and graceful. He suddenly realised she was looking directly back at him.
Thranduil came back out of his trance, he found he forgot to breathe, he was grasping for air and he almost had dropped his goblet of wine. He had always heard the impression "to take one's breath away" but he didn't know if it was possible, until now.
He looked up again and there she was, still looking at him, studying him almost. Nervously he looked away, he knew staring was rude but he couldn't help it. Who was this amazing beauty?
Thranduil took another quick glance and found her involved in talking to a group of young Elven maidens. When she spotted him looking she quickly looked away.
"Who is she?" Thranduil thought and smiled to himself.
Darnor, Thranduil's best friend, distracted him from his thoughts by telling them all of one of his tales from his journeys across the seas. Thranduil was distracted but kept looking over Darnor's shoulder where she was standing in the group, every few minutes looking up and seeing the beautiful Maiden looking back at him.
*****************
"Never have my eyes seen such a handsome elf, but who is he?" She sighed and whispered to herself as he was distracting her from the conversation.
She looked at him from the group again and looked at him though the crowd, listening and talking to his friend. She admired him so much. He was tall, slender with angular features. His violet eyes so youthful and his blonde hair fell straight down his back, held away from his face by a leather band. His green tunic was worn well with travel, as was his brown cloak. Even from this far she could tell he was filled with hidden kindness and wisdom.
"Laurea?!" A familiar voice called her.
"Yes, father?" She quickly spun around from behind the statue and was met by the warm smile of her father as he held out his hand.
"May of have this dance, my daughter?"
"Of course!" Laurea took her father's and he led her out into the middle of the hall where they could dance.
A traditional old Elvish song began. Laurea gracefully began to dance with her father, she closed her eyes and let the music take her wherever it wished her to. Without her knowing, many people had stopped in the room to watch them dance. Laurea was amazing, so light and soft on her feet. The song soon was coming to an end.
Without her yet opening her eyes, she cupped her father's face with her hands and whispered him, "You complain you're old but you're still a wonderful dancer, father." and she kissed his cheek then opened her eyes. Surprised violet eyes looked into her deep blue eyes. She had just kissed Thranduil. Laurea covered her mouth with her hands and stepped back in shock and embarrassment.
"I am terribly sorry!" She managed to choke out. "I'm sorry, I thought you were my father, I never meant to do that, please forgive me!"
Laurea looked around. The music in the hall had stopped and everyone stood and stared at her. Was it that bad? She had just accidentally kissed someone, why was the whole room in shock? She even managed to look where the King and Queen were standing with their jaws dropped.
Thranduil's surprised lips curved up into a smile. "Do not worry, I understand it was only a mistake. I'm sorry for giving you such a fright."
Laurea found her breath again. "Is there any way I can make it up to you for my mistake?"
Thranduil thought for a second. "Yes, I will only forgive you if you have this dance with me." He held out his hand and Laurea shyly took it.
The music struck up once again as Thranduil slide one arm behind her back and laced his fingers with those of Laurea's in the other hand.
Together they danced slowly, looking into each other's eyes throughout the whole dance. There was something they could both feel when they touched, it felt like fire and lightening rolled into one, it was so powerful and warm. Both of them wanted to get to know this feeling more but this was hardly the time or place, and they hardly knew each other.
Thranduil noticed they were dancing very close to the large stained glass doors that lead into the Palace Gardens. Quickly he grabbed her hand and led her to run out with him through the doors.
Laurea looked all around her in awe. Red, white, yellow, pink and orange roses bloomed everywhere she looked in the lush green bushes. The grass was a perfect velvet carpet of green, tall trees grew surrounding the garden and in the middle stood a large fountain spraying out and displaying a beautiful pattern of water.
Laurea slowly walked up to the fountain and sat on the edge of the small yet very deep moat surrounding it. She dipped her hand into the cool water and wet her neck, smiling as the droplets ran down her skin.
She turned to look at Thranduil who was approaching to sit next to her.
"My, this is so beautiful", she whispered to him.
"Indeed it is, I've only seen one more thing more beautiful than this," he whispered back as he sat next to her.
"Oh? And what was that?" She asked in interest.
He looked to Laurea. "You".
Laurea felt her face turning red. She looked down shyly then felt Thranduil's palm lift her chin so she looked back up at him. They looked at each other longingly before Thranduil leaned forward and placed a soft, sweet kiss on Laurea's lips.
Laurea closed her eyes, savoring the kiss as she felt Thranduil's hands rest on her waist, in return she wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing their kiss even deeper.
Thranduil reluctantly pulled away and looked down. "I'm sorry, I should have asked before I. We don't even know."
Laurea didn't let him finish before pressing her lips with his again in a whirlwind of passion. Their tongues bashfully touched, as their mouths opened wanting to taste more of each other. Neither of them could get enough.
Thranduil pulled Laurea closer to him but with the extra weight he felt himself losing balance and both of them fell into the water of the small moat around the fountain with a loud splash.
Both of them surfaced from the water coughing, spluttering and laughing.
"You did that on purpose, its freezing!" Laurea laughed.
"Sorry, I lost my balance, you alright? Did you hurt yourself?" Thranduil asked trying to hold back laughter.
"Yes, I'm fine, only cold."
Thranduil looked up at Laurea kneeling before him. He studied every inch of her. Her dress clung to her body, short locks of her hair stuck to her face dripped with water, her cheeks were flushed red and she had the most stunning smile and a wonderful, happy laugh.
He noticed she was starting to shake a little and he took her into his arms in hope his body warmth would help.
"I'm sorry, looks like I may have ruined your dress." Thranduil whispered, smiling.
'I don't mind," Laurea replied. "Though, my mother might." She burst into shards of laughter again.
Thranduil laughed with her before Laurea cupped his face gently and pulled his lips to hers again. Thranduil came to realise he loved kissing Laurea, she tasted so sweet and her soft golden hair smelt like vanilla.
Laurea placed her hands on Thranduil's chest and deepened their kiss. Laurea wanted to stay like this forever. She wondered what this feeling of warmth and desire was. She'd never felt it before, with anyone, but she knew she wanted more. She hardly knew this elf but she felt so deeply attracted, even if she didn't know his name or anything else about him.
"Laurea!" A familiar voice called out.
"My father!" Laurea exclaimed as sure tore away from the kiss.
Thranduil looked at Laurea with pleading eyes "Don't leave me, stay here with me."
"I want to, you have no idea how badly I want to. But we don't even know each other, this is so." Laurea answered before she was interrupted.
"Laurea! It's time to go home my dear." Her father called again.
Thranduil helped Laurea climb out from the water and back onto the grass. Laurea squeezed her wet hair to get the water out and tried her best to fix up her wet and creased dress. She couldn't help but look at Thranduil and laugh at him in his sopping wet clothes.
Thranduil playfully wrapped his arms around Laurea and kissed her neck till she turned her head to the side so her lips could meet with his.
"Laurea, my young lady! Where are you? You have till the count of 10 to come here." Laurea's father called again.
She looked at Thranduil. "I have to go."
"Wait!" Thranduil exclaimed. "I know this is strange. I've never done anything like this before but I don't want this to be one of those foolish one-night things my friends always have. I have to see you again. What's you name?"
"Laurea." She replied. "And you?"
"Thranduil." He replied.
Laurea looked at Thranduil for a second "That name sounds awfully familiar." She then shrugged. "Maybe I've just heard a name that's very similar."
"Maybe." He answered. "I have to see you again, please."
Laurea thought. "Meet me at the Mirkwood Waterfall the day after tomorrow at noon, if you can make it."
"I will be there, I promise you." Thranduil kissed her again quickly. "You'd better get to your father."
Laurea nodded and started to walk off hurriedly only to run back and kiss Thranduil again one last time. She still couldn't put into words what she felt for this handsome elf, no matter how little she knew him. The last thing she wanted to do was leave him, yet, she knew it would not be long till she'd see him again.
Laurea ran back inside to the hall dripping wet and stopped next to her father. "Here I am!"
"Laurea? You're dripping wet! What happened?" Her father asked in surprise.
"I was out the back in the gardens looking at the water fountain, so I went closer to have a look and water sprayed all over me." She answered trying to hold back a huge smile.
"Come my girl, you'll catch your death!" Laurea followed her father out of the hall. He stopped several times to say quick goodbye and thank you to friends. A lot of people looked at Laurea in suspicion wondering why she was wet.
Before exiting the great hall through the large double entrance doors she peered over her shoulder and saw Thranduil, still sopping wet, at the doors that lead into the garden watching her leave.
Thranduil's heart fluttered like crazy when she gave him one last glance and that amazing smile again. He was already missing her; already he was counting down the minutes till he would see her again.
Laurea and her father walked over to the far wall to collect their horses to ride home. Laurea already felt so lost without Thranduil. As she rode home along side her father she continuously replayed the events in her head that had happened that night.
Thranduil slowly walked back over to the table where all this friends were still seated. Somehow, they had a clue what had happened and Thranduil was met with multiple wolf whistles and thumbs up as he sat back down with them, giving them all a playful "get lost, I'm not telling you anything" look.
*******************
Thranduil spent the next two nights lying up in bed trying to put together why the first moment he say Laurea he knew he had to have her. Her beauty overpowered all his feelings and for one, both his mind and heart were saying the same thing "she's the one". Thranduil knew Laurea for less than half an hour and he was already falling for her.
Thranduil look up at the crowd as he was taking a sip of wine, watching the hall continuously fill and his parents running up to greet whoever entered. Suddenly, time slowed to almost a stop. Beauty was just given a whole new meaning. A young Elven Maiden walked through the crowd dressed in a long, flowing white dress decorated with diamonds and lace. Her long, golden, slightly wavy hair flowed gently in the breeze that entered the hall. Her skin was like soft porcelain, pale and flawless, her walk so light and graceful. He suddenly realised she was looking directly back at him.
Thranduil came back out of his trance, he found he forgot to breathe, he was grasping for air and he almost had dropped his goblet of wine. He had always heard the impression "to take one's breath away" but he didn't know if it was possible, until now.
He looked up again and there she was, still looking at him, studying him almost. Nervously he looked away, he knew staring was rude but he couldn't help it. Who was this amazing beauty?
Thranduil took another quick glance and found her involved in talking to a group of young Elven maidens. When she spotted him looking she quickly looked away.
"Who is she?" Thranduil thought and smiled to himself.
Darnor, Thranduil's best friend, distracted him from his thoughts by telling them all of one of his tales from his journeys across the seas. Thranduil was distracted but kept looking over Darnor's shoulder where she was standing in the group, every few minutes looking up and seeing the beautiful Maiden looking back at him.
*****************
"Never have my eyes seen such a handsome elf, but who is he?" She sighed and whispered to herself as he was distracting her from the conversation.
She looked at him from the group again and looked at him though the crowd, listening and talking to his friend. She admired him so much. He was tall, slender with angular features. His violet eyes so youthful and his blonde hair fell straight down his back, held away from his face by a leather band. His green tunic was worn well with travel, as was his brown cloak. Even from this far she could tell he was filled with hidden kindness and wisdom.
"Laurea?!" A familiar voice called her.
"Yes, father?" She quickly spun around from behind the statue and was met by the warm smile of her father as he held out his hand.
"May of have this dance, my daughter?"
"Of course!" Laurea took her father's and he led her out into the middle of the hall where they could dance.
A traditional old Elvish song began. Laurea gracefully began to dance with her father, she closed her eyes and let the music take her wherever it wished her to. Without her knowing, many people had stopped in the room to watch them dance. Laurea was amazing, so light and soft on her feet. The song soon was coming to an end.
Without her yet opening her eyes, she cupped her father's face with her hands and whispered him, "You complain you're old but you're still a wonderful dancer, father." and she kissed his cheek then opened her eyes. Surprised violet eyes looked into her deep blue eyes. She had just kissed Thranduil. Laurea covered her mouth with her hands and stepped back in shock and embarrassment.
"I am terribly sorry!" She managed to choke out. "I'm sorry, I thought you were my father, I never meant to do that, please forgive me!"
Laurea looked around. The music in the hall had stopped and everyone stood and stared at her. Was it that bad? She had just accidentally kissed someone, why was the whole room in shock? She even managed to look where the King and Queen were standing with their jaws dropped.
Thranduil's surprised lips curved up into a smile. "Do not worry, I understand it was only a mistake. I'm sorry for giving you such a fright."
Laurea found her breath again. "Is there any way I can make it up to you for my mistake?"
Thranduil thought for a second. "Yes, I will only forgive you if you have this dance with me." He held out his hand and Laurea shyly took it.
The music struck up once again as Thranduil slide one arm behind her back and laced his fingers with those of Laurea's in the other hand.
Together they danced slowly, looking into each other's eyes throughout the whole dance. There was something they could both feel when they touched, it felt like fire and lightening rolled into one, it was so powerful and warm. Both of them wanted to get to know this feeling more but this was hardly the time or place, and they hardly knew each other.
Thranduil noticed they were dancing very close to the large stained glass doors that lead into the Palace Gardens. Quickly he grabbed her hand and led her to run out with him through the doors.
Laurea looked all around her in awe. Red, white, yellow, pink and orange roses bloomed everywhere she looked in the lush green bushes. The grass was a perfect velvet carpet of green, tall trees grew surrounding the garden and in the middle stood a large fountain spraying out and displaying a beautiful pattern of water.
Laurea slowly walked up to the fountain and sat on the edge of the small yet very deep moat surrounding it. She dipped her hand into the cool water and wet her neck, smiling as the droplets ran down her skin.
She turned to look at Thranduil who was approaching to sit next to her.
"My, this is so beautiful", she whispered to him.
"Indeed it is, I've only seen one more thing more beautiful than this," he whispered back as he sat next to her.
"Oh? And what was that?" She asked in interest.
He looked to Laurea. "You".
Laurea felt her face turning red. She looked down shyly then felt Thranduil's palm lift her chin so she looked back up at him. They looked at each other longingly before Thranduil leaned forward and placed a soft, sweet kiss on Laurea's lips.
Laurea closed her eyes, savoring the kiss as she felt Thranduil's hands rest on her waist, in return she wrapped her arms around his neck, pushing their kiss even deeper.
Thranduil reluctantly pulled away and looked down. "I'm sorry, I should have asked before I. We don't even know."
Laurea didn't let him finish before pressing her lips with his again in a whirlwind of passion. Their tongues bashfully touched, as their mouths opened wanting to taste more of each other. Neither of them could get enough.
Thranduil pulled Laurea closer to him but with the extra weight he felt himself losing balance and both of them fell into the water of the small moat around the fountain with a loud splash.
Both of them surfaced from the water coughing, spluttering and laughing.
"You did that on purpose, its freezing!" Laurea laughed.
"Sorry, I lost my balance, you alright? Did you hurt yourself?" Thranduil asked trying to hold back laughter.
"Yes, I'm fine, only cold."
Thranduil looked up at Laurea kneeling before him. He studied every inch of her. Her dress clung to her body, short locks of her hair stuck to her face dripped with water, her cheeks were flushed red and she had the most stunning smile and a wonderful, happy laugh.
He noticed she was starting to shake a little and he took her into his arms in hope his body warmth would help.
"I'm sorry, looks like I may have ruined your dress." Thranduil whispered, smiling.
'I don't mind," Laurea replied. "Though, my mother might." She burst into shards of laughter again.
Thranduil laughed with her before Laurea cupped his face gently and pulled his lips to hers again. Thranduil came to realise he loved kissing Laurea, she tasted so sweet and her soft golden hair smelt like vanilla.
Laurea placed her hands on Thranduil's chest and deepened their kiss. Laurea wanted to stay like this forever. She wondered what this feeling of warmth and desire was. She'd never felt it before, with anyone, but she knew she wanted more. She hardly knew this elf but she felt so deeply attracted, even if she didn't know his name or anything else about him.
"Laurea!" A familiar voice called out.
"My father!" Laurea exclaimed as sure tore away from the kiss.
Thranduil looked at Laurea with pleading eyes "Don't leave me, stay here with me."
"I want to, you have no idea how badly I want to. But we don't even know each other, this is so." Laurea answered before she was interrupted.
"Laurea! It's time to go home my dear." Her father called again.
Thranduil helped Laurea climb out from the water and back onto the grass. Laurea squeezed her wet hair to get the water out and tried her best to fix up her wet and creased dress. She couldn't help but look at Thranduil and laugh at him in his sopping wet clothes.
Thranduil playfully wrapped his arms around Laurea and kissed her neck till she turned her head to the side so her lips could meet with his.
"Laurea, my young lady! Where are you? You have till the count of 10 to come here." Laurea's father called again.
She looked at Thranduil. "I have to go."
"Wait!" Thranduil exclaimed. "I know this is strange. I've never done anything like this before but I don't want this to be one of those foolish one-night things my friends always have. I have to see you again. What's you name?"
"Laurea." She replied. "And you?"
"Thranduil." He replied.
Laurea looked at Thranduil for a second "That name sounds awfully familiar." She then shrugged. "Maybe I've just heard a name that's very similar."
"Maybe." He answered. "I have to see you again, please."
Laurea thought. "Meet me at the Mirkwood Waterfall the day after tomorrow at noon, if you can make it."
"I will be there, I promise you." Thranduil kissed her again quickly. "You'd better get to your father."
Laurea nodded and started to walk off hurriedly only to run back and kiss Thranduil again one last time. She still couldn't put into words what she felt for this handsome elf, no matter how little she knew him. The last thing she wanted to do was leave him, yet, she knew it would not be long till she'd see him again.
Laurea ran back inside to the hall dripping wet and stopped next to her father. "Here I am!"
"Laurea? You're dripping wet! What happened?" Her father asked in surprise.
"I was out the back in the gardens looking at the water fountain, so I went closer to have a look and water sprayed all over me." She answered trying to hold back a huge smile.
"Come my girl, you'll catch your death!" Laurea followed her father out of the hall. He stopped several times to say quick goodbye and thank you to friends. A lot of people looked at Laurea in suspicion wondering why she was wet.
Before exiting the great hall through the large double entrance doors she peered over her shoulder and saw Thranduil, still sopping wet, at the doors that lead into the garden watching her leave.
Thranduil's heart fluttered like crazy when she gave him one last glance and that amazing smile again. He was already missing her; already he was counting down the minutes till he would see her again.
Laurea and her father walked over to the far wall to collect their horses to ride home. Laurea already felt so lost without Thranduil. As she rode home along side her father she continuously replayed the events in her head that had happened that night.
Thranduil slowly walked back over to the table where all this friends were still seated. Somehow, they had a clue what had happened and Thranduil was met with multiple wolf whistles and thumbs up as he sat back down with them, giving them all a playful "get lost, I'm not telling you anything" look.
*******************
Thranduil spent the next two nights lying up in bed trying to put together why the first moment he say Laurea he knew he had to have her. Her beauty overpowered all his feelings and for one, both his mind and heart were saying the same thing "she's the one". Thranduil knew Laurea for less than half an hour and he was already falling for her.