Chapter 23

The elves had gathered by the bank of the Celduin to meet their King, as they had been expecting his arrival. And with cheers of joy and applause he was greeted, as he rode in on his elk, followed by Daenerys and his host. He dismounted, trusting the reins to his squire, and marched forth to meet Celegon, who was first among the villagers and a keen archer in the Elvenking's army.

"Ai, hîr vuin Thranduil. Le nathlam na Duimbar!" Celegon announced merrily, and bowed low before his King.

"Hannon le, Celegon. Mae l'ovannen", Thranduil replied, inclining his head slightly.

"Tolo, govano ven, aran nín", said the dark-haired ellon as he led his King towards the elves, who were eager to meet him.

Daenerys followed with the rest of the host, and took a time to observe Celegon and the place around her. He was a quite tall and slim elf, with hair a deep chestnut brown, and smiling hazel eyes. He wore his hair in a long braid, with two smaller ones framing his face. Though perhaps he was not a very handsome elf, he was not unsightly either, as all elves possessed natural grace and fine features. His garb was of earthen hues, and his cloak was green and a little tattered. The elves around him were a merry folk, dark-haired mostly and dressed in similar colors as their leader. They looked unsophisticated in their manner, and nothing like the Sindarin elf lords of Thranduil's court. They were even simpler than their Silvan kin that dwelled in the Elvenking's Halls, and were in close contact with the Sindar daily. Daenerys watched Thranduil as he walked amongst them, and in her eyes he shone like a lone star, with his silver hair, grand stature and flowing, grey cloak.

The wood-elves had prepared a feast by the riverside to welcome their King. There were tents and long tables filled with food and beverages, but luxury was absent. As the King was shown to his designated seat, Celegon felt the need to speak. "I apologize, my lord, for the poor welcome. Would that it was that I had more to offer you but nuts and apples and turnips… But the times are harsh, and we do what we can to survive. Forgive our meagre feast, my lord."

But Thranduil waved his hand and shook his head. "You need not apologize, Celegon. I am not here to seek delicacies, for in my Halls I have had plenty. I am here to see to your troubles and offer you what help I can. My people have brought you provisions. See that they are put to good use", he said.

"Thank you, my lord. You are most generous", said Celegon, and after bowing once more, he took his seat next to the King. Then, he gestured for the minstrels to play their flutes and harps and the singers to sing, and soon the air was filled with the music of the wood-elves, who sang of the beauty of nature and the distant light of the stars, of maidens lost in the forest and their lovelorn knights, of the blooming of flowers and the passing of seasons.

Thranduil beckoned for Daenerys to sit beside him. She noticed Celegon's curious gaze as she walked to the table, but he was clever enough not to speak before his King.

"I would like you to meet Daenerys", the Elvenking began. "She is our ally."

"Daenerys? Such an unusual name…" he mused. "Welcome to our humble town, my lady", he said to her, and she nodded her thanks with a smile. "May I ask, where do you hail from?"

She looked at Thranduil briefly, and he gestured for her to speak. "It is difficult to explain, my lord. I come from another world."

The dark-haired elf was astounded to listen to her story for the next hour. At first he could not believe how what she narrated could ever be possible, but after his King vouched for the truth of Daenerys' words, he relented, and began to understand what she said. However, when she reached the part about the dragons, things were not that easy.

"Dragons, you say? And they are not evil?"

"No, my lord. My dragons are as wild as any beast, but they are not evil."

"Celegon", Thranduil interjected, "those dragons she speaks of have aided us already. They have saved our lives… And they will be our greatest defense against Sauron, when he strikes. You must trust me when I say this to you."

The elf looked at his King with disbelief, but soon his doubts melted away, as the Sinda maintained his serious look, and insisted on the benign nature of the dragons. And then a loud roar was heard in the sky, and all music and laughter ceased, as Drogon flew above the village and came and landed on the opposite side of the river.

Celegon and the other wood-elves jumped from their seats and rushed to see the dragon. But the King rose unhurriedly and went to them, and behind him followed Daenerys. "My good people, of this I just spoke to your leader. This woman, Daenerys Targaryen, is an outlander, but our ally in the war. And she has three dragons, which will aid us in our cause. Fear them not, for they are not evil." He then looked at Daenerys, and she took that as a prompt to speak.

"I come from another world, not that much unlike your own. And in my world there is magic, and dragons. But under unusual circumstances I found myself in Middle-Earth, for more than a year now. And I have my three dragons with me. It is as your King said: the dragons are not evil. You may remember the dragons of old of this world, who were the spawn of Ancalagon and servants of Morgoth. But my dragons are different. They will not seek to harm you, unless you seek to harm them. They are mine; they respect me, they listen to me, they obey me. I am their mother, for through searing flames I hatched them into the world. And your King has shown me much kindness and generosity, when he found me in the woods, alone and scared. And I intend to repay that kindness. I have pledged my help in the war against the Shadow. Take my words for true and spread them to your kin, everywhere in the forest. And whenever you see a dragon flying overhead, fear not, but be joyful, for together we shall defeat the darkness!"

Her voice had been ringing with passion, her eyes shone with their inner fire and her chest rose and fell with her breath of anxiety. Would she convince them of the truth? Would those elves listen to her or would they accuse her of falsity?

"My lord", a beautiful elleth said, as she stepped forth from the crowd. "Is it all as she says? Can it all be true? For it is a tale too hard to understand and accept."

"My noble Lhinniel, it is all as Daenerys says. I owe my life to her and her dragons. I know it sounds preposterous, but it is true. You have my word as your King. Will it not be enough for you?" Thranduil responded.

The elleth glanced at Celegon, and he shook his head. "Of course it will, my lord. It is not our place to question you. If you say the dragons are good, then they are." He had spoken those words as convincingly as he could, but still he could not tear his eyes from the black dragon on the other bank, who was now stooping and drinking water from the river. He observed the massive jaws and the folded wings and the hard scales, and he wondered how it could be that such a terrible beast was not evil. The dragon then lifted his head and looked at Celegon, and he recoiled.

"Daenerys has proved her loyalty to me many a time. You have my word that her dragons will not do you harm. Drogon, the back one is called. He is the only dragon that accompanied us on our journey. Respect him and leave him be, and all shall be well", said the Elvenking.

He returned then with Daenerys to his seat, and Celegon followed and sat alongside them. "Such a marvel you have brought us, my lord, except for provisions", he said, as he took a generous gulp of wine, in order to calm his nerves.

"Yes… It might take you some time to get used to the idea, but the dragon will not be staying here long, as we are to depart the day after tomorrow. I advise you to go about your business as you did before, and leave the beast alone", said the King, as he bit on a prune.

"You should not approach Drogon when I am not present, my lord", Daenerys told Celegon. "He might not know you for a friend…"

"I understand, my lady. It is sufficient for me to look at him from afar", Celegon muttered.

"Warn your people as well. Some might be more curious than you are", she went on.

"Of course, of course. I will have it known that nobody is to approach the dragon. Why, such a marvel you have brought us indeed!" he repeated, letting out the breath he was holding.

But Drogon himself allowed little space for inspection, as he soon took off to hunt for his dinner, and was lost from the eyes of the wood-elves. The King spent the hours of the afternoon conversing with Celegon and a few other elves that were responsible for the smooth running of things in Duimbar, and he listened to their problems and complaints and provided them with solutions. He oversaw the construction of watchtowers along the Celduin, and suggested that the eastern border should be better fortified, for the Easterlings had sided with Sauron, and that front might be open to attack in the coming months. For Thranduil expected more than random orc raiding parties and spider nests henceforth. He expected orcs riding on wargs, evil men, terrible beasts and an assortment of nameless roving threats, and he wanted his people to be ready for such assaults. He knew very well that his realm was the first and last frontier between the lands of darkness and the free north. If they fell, then soon the whole north would follow.

And when the night fell, he was feeling weary from his toil, and wished to rest. The Silvan elves showed him and his host to flets upon the trees. Climbing on them was no issue for the elves, but for Daenerys it was another matter entirely. So Thranduil came to her and helped her ascend the ladder to her flet, and held her hand all the way to the top, assuring her that she would not fall.

"Does this height scare you, beloved?" he asked her gently.

"I am not used to it", she replied, and clutched his hand tightly.

"You will be flying on a dragon's back one day", he pointed out.

She side-glanced at him. "It is not the same."

"I bet that will be much scarier."

She was ready for a retort, but his warm smile made her forget her words.

The tree upon which they climbed was the largest Daenerys had ever seen. Its trunk was several meters wide, and its branches as thick as the trunks of other trees. Tall it grew into the sky, and upon its boughs several flets were built, and were closed around with wooden walls like little rooms, here and there. Slender bridges of wood and rope spanned from one flet to another, and ladders connected the lower ones to those up high. The central flet, upon which they came as soon as the spiral staircase ended, was made in the likeness of a tavern, and several tables and chairs were there. Into a thick branch a bar was carved, and there was a maiden with an apron. "Greetings, my lord and my friends", she said joyfully. "This is the inn of Duimbar. Mallumorn we call it. Would you care for some refreshment, or would you rather retire to your rooms?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips.

Daenerys watched her as she spoke. Her hair was auburn in color and the unruly locks were tied into a thick braid on the crown of her head, while more tresses cascaded down her shoulders. She was tall and slim, as all elves were, but she looked strong and sturdy, and not as fragile as the ladies of the court. Her face was ruddy and her green eyes sparkled.

"I would never refuse your fabled cider, Rosswen. But if my people wish to retire, I will not object", Thranduil said, as he perched upon a wooden stool, his cloak draped all over it and reaching to the floor like a grey waterfall.

Some of the elves then were led to their rooms by the servants who came to help them, while others remained on the main flet with their King. Daenerys also chose to stay, intrigued by the unique sight around her, and also her curiosity for Rosswen's fabled cider. She went and took a seat opposite Thranduil, while the winter wind blew through the boughs. But, to her surprise, the flet was stable, and did not seem to sway.

"This is such a wonderful sight", she murmured, as she took in her surroundings. She was seated high atop a tree, upon which a small elven inn was built, and was about to taste some great liquor. There are no such things in Westeros, she mused. Who would live upon trees but the elves, who love nature so well?

Soon Rosswen came with two pints of cider, and she lay them before them alongside a platter of assorted nuts. "It is the best we had produced in years, I promise you, my lord", she said proudly.

Thranduil took a sip, and shook his head in approval. "Indeed, Rosswen. Your cider grows better with each passing year", he told her.

Her smile widened. Then she turned to Daenerys. "And you, my lady? How do you find it? Do you have such sweet cider in your land?"

Daenerys tried it, and she found that she liked it a lot. "It is excellent my lady Rosswen. In my world we have a lot of beverages and beers and wines, but such a good one I have not yet tried", she said.

Pleased with the praise she had received, Rosswen bowed to her King and returned to her bar, as the other elves waited to be served. Thranduil looked at Daenerys and asked, "What do you think of the elves of Duimbar, Daenerys?"

She smiled. "They are an amiable folk. They lack, perhaps, the luster of the people in your Halls, but they are endearing in their own way, as are the people of the villages. I like their openness and generosity, and their readiness to share. And I like their innocence, even though they might be less wise and learned", she replied. "And this place, it is lovely. Who would ever think to construct little houses on huge trees? My eyes are filled with marvelous sights, and my heart is content."

The Elvenking nodded. "Yes, the village is nice. But if you think these crude flets are wonderful, I should one day take you to Lothlórien, where Galadriel and Celeborn rule. There you will behold the exquisite telain of the Galadhrim, which put to shame all other elven dwellings. Oh, Daenerys, the beauty of Lórien is unmatched, and it is a land unstained by evil. When the spring comes, I shall take you there to see the golden trees of the most beautiful elven realm there is", he decided.

"I would love that… I would love to travel, and see more of this world", she said.

"I know. I remember how you wish to travel. My duties might bind me to my Halls in the face of the oncoming war, but I may be able to take a small leave of absence, if all is well in the next months. We shall go to Lothlórien, Daenerys… But I fear you will never wish to leave, once you behold its majesty, and the grandeur of its Lady", he said in a sweet but slightly sorrowful tone.

Daenerys recalled having read much about Galadriel and her story. She was an enigmatic figure, who started out quite rebellious, but became wise as the years progressed. Even her beauty was legendary, for it was said that in her hair the light of Telperion and Laurelin was captured and reflected. Certainly a meeting with the ancient elven lady intrigued her, for she had seen the light of the Two Trees, and she would have extraordinary tales to tell.

She looked into his eyes then and smiled. "Would you allow it, if I indeed never wished to leave Lothlórien, as you say?"

He hesitated for a moment, but then said, "I would wish to have you by my side… But if that was your wish, I would not object… much."

His wording made her laugh. "Not much?"

"Your heart and life are yours to command, not mine. And I would never impose anything on you against your will. But, I would try to persuade you to come back with me, to my dark and murky forest, and to my deep, cavernous Halls… Though with what words I would manage to persuade you of this folly, I know not", he jested.

"You need not. My heart cares not for golden trees. Though I appreciate the beauty of nature, I am not an elf. I am a woman, and I would follow my heart's desire. Which would be to be with you. Do you think I would ever let go of you in favor of some golden leaves? You fool…" she said tenderly, and her hand on the table was a mere inch from his. Her heart cried for her fingertips to touch his, but she refrained from doing so. Public display of affection would be disapproved of, and it would upset her lover.

"My sweet Daenerys, how much I love you", he whispered to her, using her own tongue.

Pleasantly surprised, she looked at him under raised eyebrows. "Your High Valyrian has improved", she remarked.

"The lessons of late have not gone to waste", he continued in her tongue. "I wish… I wish I could visit your world one day."

"But that is not possible, Thranduil… The scroll of Sauron spoke of a blood sacrifice. This can never be", she firmly stated.

He nodded. "I know. But if there was another way…"

"We have discovered none other so far. So many ancient books I have read in your library, and they mention nothing."

"We shall search in other libraries… Imladris, Lórien, even Gondor. There may be something hidden there", he told her.

She shrugged. "Even so, the war comes first. I cannot journey far away now in search of answers. My dragons grow and they need to be better trained, if they are to be used in the war. All other matters must wait for after the war is over, if we survive it."

"Yes… you speak wisely." He emptied his goblet then, and made to stand. "I shall retire now. Do you wish to stay more, or are you tired?"

She rose as well. "I will follow you. It is cold up here, and I am tired indeed."

The Elvenking then walked to the bar and paid Rosswen in golden coin, which made her gape in awe and mutter a hundred thanks. The servants came then and led the pair to their respective rooms. Thranduil was given the largest room of the peculiar inn, and Daenerys' room was right below it. As soon as the elves were gone, he whispered to her, "I believe my own room is large enough for the both of us…"

She glanced around them. Everything looked dark and quiet. "Well… Go in now, and I may come to you in a while."

"Very well."

He stepped inside then and disposed of his cloak on the coat rack. There was a bed in the middle of the room, and it looked quite comfortable. He abandoned his sack of belongings on the small table and sat down on a chair to remove his boots. There was a tub in one corner of the room, and it was filled with hot water. Kind Rosswen has seen to everything, he thought and smiled to himself. The room was warm, as hot water ran into pipes that went across the walls, and heat radiated from them. Thranduil proceeded to remove his clothes and then submerged into the welcoming embrace of the water. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift off, and he would have surely fallen asleep there, had it not been for a soft knock on his door.

"Yes?" he called.

"It is me", Daenerys whispered.

"Come in."

The room was dark and warm, and the air was fragrant with flowers and herbs. She found him in the tub, arms sprawled around the rim, and knees protruding from the surface. His head was tilted backwards, reclining against the tub, his hair was glistening wet, and his eyes were closed. But his face looked mellow, and a faint smile played upon his lips as he heard her step inside.

"Undress and join me", he invited her.

Soon her clothes became a pile on a chair, and she climbed into the hot water, her limbs meeting his. He re-adjusted his position a little, so as to make room for her, and she settled in his arms, her back against his chest. "It is nice in here, warm and welcoming", she murmured.

His fingers played with her hair lazily. "I would hate to have this luxury solely for myself."

She laughed softly, and then turned and dropped a feathery kiss on his lips. His eyes were still closed. "Are you sleepy, my lord?" she teased him, and her fingertips touched his chin, prompting him to look at her.

He did, and gazed at her through hooded eyes. "Only relaxed", he answered, as his arm snaked around her middle, pulling her to him. His touch caused goose bumps on her skin, and her nipples became instantly hard. That reaction did not pass unnoticed by him, and his fingers now grazed the underside of her breasts. Daenerys sighed softly, and rested her head against his shoulder. He bent and kissed the side of her neck then, the touch of his lips hot and wet as the water they bathed in. Her hand reached up and cradled the side of his head, and his silver hair cascaded like a waterfall on her arm, slick and shimmering like satin. He trailed his kisses along her jawline and her ear, and then back to her neck, while his hands crept upwards and cupped the supple flesh of her breasts. She moaned softly, relishing his ministrations, and felt him growing hard against her back. Her hand slid between their bodies then to touch him, and he gasped and trembled as she did. But his own hand descended between her legs and paid her in kind, and soon he had her withering and panting in her arms with torrid desire.

"Now… please…" she breathlessly begged of him, and he moved beneath her, guiding himself to her entrance. In one smooth motion they were joined, and he held her tightly against him. When he took up a slow rhythm, confined by his position beneath her and the narrowness of the tub, she found that it was not enough for her. She bent forward then and braced herself on the rim of the tub, and began moving atop him in the pace she had chosen, and her pants and gasps broke the silence of the room. Thranduil watched her ecstatically as she danced, her silver locks swaying and caressing her shoulders every time she met his pelvis. His fingers traced the curve of her spine, now tense with erotic anticipation, and he sat up to reach and fondle her breasts once more. That served to drive Daenerys over the edge, and she shattered around him violently, water splashing and her knuckles white from their hard grip on the rim. He kissed her temple as she rode of the waves of her pleasure, and then moved inside her again. She was soft and pliant now, and he gently turned her a bit to the side, so that she propped herself against the tub, and he had some little space to thrust in and out of her. His efforts and her heated state caused her to climax once more, before finally he did as well, tensing against her like a bowstring.

And afterwards they rested in each other's embrace, but only until they began kissing and touching each other again. Several times they were joined in their passion that night, and when at last they decided to move out of the bathtub and into the bed, the hot water had turned tepid.

Translations

Ai, hîr vuin Thranduil. Le nathlam na Duimbar = Hail, beloved lord Thranduil. We welcome you to Duimbar (Sindarin)

Tolo, govano ven, aran nín = Come, join us, my king (Sindarin)