A/N: New week and new chapter! I'm sorry this one took so long, but life has been a little crazy! I also got a little stuck on this chapter, damn writer's block, but all good now! I've just moved to the capital of my country and there's a lot to sort out with settling in, especially during this pandemic. I'm going to keep trying to update it twice-weekly if I can/have the energy.

Thank you SO MUCH for all the new reviews and follows! You guys make my day and I'm so happy people are enjoying this fic!

Also! I need your help again! Christmas traditions in Middle-Earth! What are some fun things that can happen in Erebor on boxing day? One of my friends suggested an elves vs dwarves vs humans biathlon type thing. Like maybe skiing and some other winter-y sport?

Chapter Fifteen

Jealousy

It was a Wednesday morning just after breakfast when I finally had an opportunity to speak with Millicent. We had barely been able to see each other over the past couple of days due to all the Yuletide preparations. I was no stranger to dwarrow traditions, it had just been a long time since I had attended them. Once upon a time, dwarrows and Sylvan elves used to host great parties together and I had to admit that I was rather looking forward to resuming some of those traditions. Millicent had been spending time with Maggie and Natalie, helping out with some of the planning as well as learning how to dance. The latter rather surprised me because I simply assumed that Millicent could dance. Perhaps it was a case of Middle-Earth tradition being vastly different from those she was used to.

After our last….falling out, if you could call it that, it was my intention to clear the air between us as soon as possible. Upon reflection, I knew my own reactions had been a bit rash and understandably offensive to Millicent. It wasn't that I was embarrassed to have a woman in my bed, but I did not want people to think it was for the wrong reasons. I was well aware of the words I had spoken to her. That I never would because she was human and I had seen the hurt in her eyes. Only an utter idiot would say such an awful thing. If anything, during the time Millicent had been in Middle-Earth, it had become more than clear that she was a remarkable human. Any man who wanted to pursue her, would be lucky to have her if she deemed them worthy of her heart. I suspected that very few people had been that lucky. In my heart, I knew that Millicent was a woman who did not need a man to protect her honour - she was more than capable of doing that herself.

I don't know why I said those things. It certainly wasn't out of malice or because I genuinely believed them. Embarrassment was the answer, even if it did not forgive myself for it.

I only hoped that she would.

"Millicent, may I steal a moment of your time?" I asked as both Millicent and Maggie approached the doorway. "Could we perhaps go for a walk?"

"Yes," Millicent nodded "That would be nice."

Maggie excused herself and as she did, I caught her eye - a reminder that we still had to discuss Millicent's Yuletide gift. I couldn't remember the last time I had exchanged gifts with someone, let alone someone whom I cared for. I wanted the gift to be meaningful and something that showed Millicent that despite my flaws and lack of tact, I did have her best interest at heart. It was important to me that Middle-Earth felt like home for her, for as long as she stayed - whether by choice or otherwise. Lately, I couldn't help but wonder how long she would stay here, especially if Gandalf continued to be absent. A part of me, as selfish as it may be, did not wish for his return. Ridiculous, I know, because how could I possibly place some sort of claim on Millicent? She owed me nothing.

"I hear you are taking dancing lessons ahead of the Yuletide Ball?" I said, "How is that coming along?"

Outside, a cloudless and opaque winter sky stretched out above us. A crisp northern wind tousled Millicent's hair and now more than ever, it became clear that winter had arrived. I wondered what winter was like in Millicent's world? Over dinner, I'd heard her speak about something called electricity which was used to provide some sort of indoor heating. Magic was nothing new to me, but there seemed to be things in this world of hers that was beyond anything I'd heard of.

"Well, I now know for a fact that dancing is very much a talent you're born with and not a skill that you can learn." Millicent explained "I appreciate Theo's patience with me, it can't be easy. Master Óin is having a whale of a time with it though."

"I admire your perseverance," I admitted "Truly. I am not sure I would have the same patience as you possess."

"It's not every day you get to learn traditional dances of Middle-Earth, is it?"

A brief silence.

As we continued our stroll up the hill and towards the orchards, I heard Millicent's own heartbeat increase. Even though her facial expression remained unchanged, I wondered if she was perhaps a little nervous.

"Why did you want to speak with me, Thranduil?" Millicent asked, straight to the point as always "You rarely do anything without purpose."

It amazed me how well she had gotten to know me, even though it was only recently we began to spend time together. Millicent was undoubtedly one of the sharpest women I had ever met.

"I know you are still upset with me for the other day and I do not blame you." I began "I spoke out of term because I was concerned about how Elrond would perceive me. Will you please accept my sincere apologies, for a second time? I do not wish for this to become a habit between us."

For a brief moment, I thought she might dismiss my apology altogether. During the few seconds where she considered my words, her expression changed several times. Her eyebrows furrowed and her glance fell to the ground, while I also saw her fidgeting with her hands. Then, her nerves seemed to settle and her posture relaxed.

"Of course I forgive you," she said "I also reacted a bit rashly, my mother always said it's a bit of a family trait. I don't want there to be any tension between us, there's been enough of that I think. I'd like to start over, whatever that means, if that's alright with you?"

"Yes, I should like that." I replied "I should like that very much indeed."

Almost instantly, the air between us seemed to clear and the anxious weight off my shoulders lifted. I know - what do elvenkings possibly have to be anxious about? I wish I could explain it myself, but alas there was no such luck. We took a turn at the top of the orchard and made our way back to the entrance. If Millicent was practicing dancing, that meant she was planning on attending the ball and I wondered if she had any company. Perhaps it was foolish of me to assume she would attend with me, but it could be good for our growing friendship. Besides, it had been some time since I had danced.

"There was something else, well, I mean….no doubt Maggie has informed you about the traditions regarding Yule and the ball?" I said, stumbling upon my words "What I mean to say is, as the dance is in a couple of days, I wanted to ask if you would perhaps do me the honour of accompanying me to the ball."

Millicent's face turned red, almost out of embarrassment, which was an emotion that I had yet seen in her. I felt almost giddy at the thought of my question causing an emotion like that within someone else.

"Actually, about that." Millicent said and her voice changed "I was going to tell you later, but seeing as you've asked…. I've agreed to accompany Elrond to the Yuletide Ball. He asked mea couple of days ago."

Of course he did, I thought. Curse that half-elf!

It took only a few seconds before jealousy stirred inside me and it took considerable effort to compress my instinctive reaction. Millicent was a grown woman and well within her right to attend the festivities with whomever she chose. I could still give her a meaningful gift and have a good time. I wasn't going to let Elrond get the satisfaction of being a smug fool.

"Oh, I see." I said and exhaled a heavy sigh "Well, in that case you will no doubt enjoy yourself. Besides, Elrond is rather an excellent dancer."

"This doesn't bother you?" Millicent asked, her surprise very clear

Of course it bothered me, I thought, but I would not allow Millicent to see that.

"Not at all," I lied "You will be in great hands."

The worst part of it all was that she truly would be in great hands.

XXXX

I was no fool.

I knew exactly what Elrond was doing and it wasn't bothering me in the slightest. Millicent was a grown woman who was able to make her own choices about who to spend time with. If she wanted to attend the Yuletide Ball with Elrond, that was her prerogative. My opinions on the subject mattered little and I certainly wouldn't voice them to her. I did not want something as ridiculous as my own jealousy cause yet another rift between us. It seemed as though I had finally

It did mean that my gift for Millicent had to be something more memorable and personal than anything that dark-haired Rivendell moron could conjure.

Of course, I could confront him about it, but if I did that almost meant I admitted defeat. Maggie was right about one thing and that was that Elrond could be incredibly smug when he wanted. In our youth, we often shared in many an argument over similar situations and apparently some things have not changed.

I needed a different tactic. Elrond and no doubt everyone else, would probably assumed I would retort with impulsive anger. Perhaps a few months ago, I would have agreed with them, but now I wanted things to be different. Above all, I wasn't going to allow my own jealousy - if you could call it that - to get in the way of Millicent's first Yuletide Ball. I could still find a meaningful Yuletide gift for her and enjoy the festivities. Once upon a time, my father hosted great parties in Mirkwood and I fond memories of similar celebrations taking place within our own halls. Perhaps, I could return the kindness that Fili and Maggie had extended to me by hosting a different festive celebrations - perhaps midsummer? I'd have to give it some thought, of course but the idea of opening up our doors brought a different kind of joy to my heart that I had not felt in a long time.

All because of Millicent.

To be continued…..

OH MY GOSH! I am SO SORRY this chapter took so long to update! I've had a crazy couple of weeks with moving into a new house, with new people halfway across my country. I've been exhausted, but I'm back on track. Next chapter: Yuletide, Part I! What did you guys think of this one!