Chapter 25
Daenerys found Rhaegal and Viserion greatly distressed when she returned to the Halls. Their three-day confinement had taken its toll on them, and they batted their wings and swung their tales impatiently, while puffs of smoke came out of their nostrils every now and then, indicative of their discontent. She had chosen to enter their chamber alone, and advised Thranduil not to follow her there, for she had anticipated that her dragons would be in unrest and she did not wish to risk his safety.
"The dragons have robbed us of our sleep while you were away, my lady", a guard had told her in a low and sad voice, when he passed her the keys to the chambers. "Screaming and crying and roaring, we thought they would tear the place apart, unless you returned soon."
Daenerys remembered that elf. He had been the one to put her baby dragons in a sack, when she was first found by Thranduil and his retinue. Esgaron was his name, if she recalled correctly. To hear him now speak fearfully of the dragons amused her to some extent, though she would hate to admit to such a contemptible emotion. But for the most part his words had made her thoughtful, and the frowns and glowers of the councilors had not filled her heart with hope either. The Halls are not a place for my dragons anymore. Perhaps it is time they dwelled outside of it, as Thranduil had suggested, she thought. And so she led the two dragons from their chamber and out of the palace, and took them to join their brother upon the hill, where he had perched in a secluded cove and refused to move. But Drogon raised his head and cried in what would be interpreted as joy when he saw his brothers, and they craned their necks and flapped their wings at him, greeting one another with harmless little bites and playful swings of their tails.
"Be free now, my children", Daenerys said to them, as she watched them. "You are never to be caged again."
The dragons turned their glowing eyes to their mother, and lowered their noses to her hands. She touched them, one after the other, and they blinked at her. She smiled inadvertently, remembering how small and vulnerable they had been but a year ago, and how large and strong they were now. And they will grow larger still.
"Fly free, wherever you wish. But harm no elf or man or child, for they are my friends", she spoke to them, looking into the eyes of each of them in turn. They moved their heads and snorted, and Daenerys felt they understood her.
Then she glanced about the place. It was a craggy slope of the hill, and there were many caverns and rocks for the dragons to nestle. They should be well-protected and hidden here, she thought. They may hunt at any time, and they should start growing faster. And their roars will not rob the elves of their sleep anymore, she mused with a wry smile.
Then Viserion splayed his cream-and-golden wings, and his scales glistened beautifully under the cold, winter sun. Of the three dragons, he seemed to be the one to mind the cold less, while Drogon was the one to love heat best, and his was the hottest fire. The pale dragon jumped off the cliff and took to flight. Daenerys watched him as he soared like a morning star in the sky, and then he disappeared into the distance. Drogon returned to his perch, apparently rather tired from his endeavors the previous days. But his brothers were restless, and soon Rhaegal followed Viserion, eager to fly and hunt.
Daenerys left her children to their own and returned to the Halls. It was past midday, and she was set to share dinner with Thranduil in his chambers. We have not had a proper dinner in days now, what with his duties and him gone for long periods of time, she realized. And she would not count the cider they shared in Mallumorn as proper dinner either.
To that purpose, she changed her tunic, leather vest and pants in favor of a warm, wintry gown, made of velvet and deep blue in color. It was the one Luineth had given to her as a present while she was still living in exile, and this gown she loved best of all, due to its sentimental significance. She took a look at her reflection in the mirror once she was dressed, and she smiled at how the silver embroidery of the dress played with the light. She chose to do her long hair up in a neat braid that curled around the crown of her head, allowing only a few stray locks to frame her face. Of jewelry she wished for nothing but the dragon-crown the Elvenking had gifted her. She set it about her temples, and the flaring dragon wings together with the three regal gems on her forehead made her look truly majestic. Now I look like a proper Queen, she thought in amusement. A fur-trimmed cloak of silver-grey was the final touch to her attire, and then she was ready to head for the King's chambers.
Daenerys found Thranduil waiting for her, and the great oaken doors of his chambers were ajar when she reached them. He was gazing out of the large window when she walked inside, and standing next to a fully set table. Her soft steps made him turn his eyes to her from over his shoulder. "Daenerys…" he breathed her name.
He was wearing long, shimmering robes in the hue of the olive leaves, the daylight dancing upon deep green and silver. A luxurious warm cloak covered his shoulders, and it was of the same color as his robes, but its lining was rich and crimson. A broach with a single, square-cut ruby was clasped at the base of his throat, where the two lapels of his high collar met, but he wore no crown. His hair was long and straight and unadorned, as he usually preferred it. And when he turned his eyes to her, she admired his chiseled face, the profile accentuated by the white wintry light and made luminous. Otherworldly. Breathtaking.
But if she had looked more closely, she might have seen that there was slight tension upon his brow. "Hîr nín, how are you today?" she began politely and smiled at him, her eyes bright and glowing.
He abandoned his post by the window and walked to her, taking her hands in his. "I am well, but for my longing for you", he replied.
She chuckled, and lifted a hand to his cheek. He leaned into her touch and closed his eyes, and then pressed a gentle kiss into her palm. "You look exquisite", he told her.
"Thank you. This gown has been a gift of Luineth's, and I cherish it."
He nodded. "And you wear the circlet…"
"I thought it was time I did. And I also thought it would please you", she said.
"It does." He bent his head and kissed her. "My Dragonqueen", he murmured against her lips. "I wish I could see you upon your Iron Throne one day."
She cradled his face and looked at him with sorrow. "Thranduil… we best not speak of things that will not come to pass."
He sighed. "Yes… But come, dinner is ready and served, and waiting for us", he said, wishing to turn their minds from dismal thoughts.
He led her to the table beneath the great arched window. The heavy brocade curtains were drawn to the side, and ample light entered the room, its cold white hue mingling with the orange glow of the lit fireplace. Daenerys took her seat upon the plush chair, and glanced at the dishes on display. The dinnerware was made of fine porcelain, and the cutlery was silver. And the meal itself was composed of rare delicacies; roast venison in plum sauce with mashed potatoes and spiced with rosemary, fragrant mushroom-and-onion soup, an assortment of cheeses, as well as fresh bread, butter, and a large salad of various vegetables and nuts. Wine was not absent, of course, as Thranduil had picked the best of the Dorwinion in his cellar, and now served it in ornate goblets.
"Whatever is all this extravagance for?" she asked with a smile.
"Extravagance? No…" he disagreed. "It is no less than what a Queen should dine on."
"You will spoil me, Thranduil", she laughed.
"Perhaps this is precisely what I intend", he said with a grin.
They clinked their goblets together and sipped from the wine. Daenerys found it spicy and strong, and rich and with the aftertaste of raspberries; so strong, in fact, that she felt she could easily be intoxicated after just one or two glasses. Thranduil, on the other side, did not seem to have much trouble draining his cup.
"Are all elves so resistant to wine intoxication?" she absently asked, her gaze focused on the swirling crimson liquid in her goblet.
Thranduil laughed softly. "Not really. Some of my cellar guards are notorious for falling asleep after their consumption of just a few cups of wine…" he said, and his mind trailed off to a time long ago, when Thorin Oakenshield and his company escaped from his dungeons thanks to a sneaky hobbit and because of his drunken and sleeping guards.
"You keep guards for your cellars?" Daenerys asked incredulously, as she took her first bite of the venison. It tasted delicious.
"Of course. That wine is expensive, and available to us through copious trade along water-ways", he explained, joining her in the consumption of their dinner. "And you have noticed how fond I am of it. I would hate to have it stolen", he added with a side-smirk.
She looked into his eyes and smiled. Then she reached with her hand and touched his, where he held his goblet upon the table. His smirk faded, as a shiver ran through him, and his countenance turned into one of love and longing. "We should dine like this every day", he murmured.
"As befits a King and his Queen?" she teased him, rubbing her thumb against his knuckles.
"Are we not so? A King and a Queen in their own right?"
She shrugged. "I am a Queen in naught but name."
He sighed, and retreated in his chair, leaning against its back and drawing his hand from hers. His gaze traveled to the forest beyond the window, and his face turned thoughtful. "You will be Queen of your people one day, Daenerys. That I promise you", he spoke in a calm, steady voice.
"Thranduil…" she began, her voice carrying doubt and denial.
"You will be", he repeated, returning his eyes to her.
Perhaps he believes we shall discover another way of traveling between worlds, one that does not require the sacrifice of a friend's life. But can another way truly exist? I doubt it… It was blood magic that brought me here, and it stands to reason that blood magic must take me back, too. But she chose to speak nothing of her thoughts. Instead, she reached across the table for his hand again. "I appreciate you devotion to my dream. But I have quite accepted the fact that it shall never be, Thranduil. And I am content with my life here. It is far better than anything I could have ever hoped for."
He grasped her hand and there was tension in his eyes. "Be my Queen then."
She raised an eyebrow, and her lips slightly parted, while an uneasy smile played upon them. "What?"
"Be my Queen. Rightfully, by my side, as my equal", he said to her, his eyes trained hard on hers.
Daenerys gasped. "Is that a marriage proposal?"
Thranduil smiled. "Yes. Will you marry me, Daenerys, and be my Queen?"
So that was what all this luxury and fanciful dinner was about! I could have never thought… "I…" she stuttered, trying to put her thoughts in order.
"I want to offer you all you deserve, and more. You are a Queen by right, and even if you cannot be Queen in your world now, you can at least be the Queen of the Woodland Realm by my side. I never again wish to steal your kisses in secret, or to have to suffer the suspicions of my nobles. I love you, truly and deeply; how much plainer can it be? I will declare it publicly for all my realm to know. Marry me, Daenerys. You are all I want in my life. My heart and my life is yours", he spoke to her fervently, and his words were vibrant and heartfelt, and Daenerys not once stood to doubt his sincerity.
She clasped his hand with both her own, and a warm smile lit her beautiful face. "When I married Drogo, nobody asked me what I wanted. Nobody cared what my dreams and wishes were, or even if I ever thought of marrying. I was a means to an end, a pawn in the hands of those in power. Nobody spoke to me then of true love or gave themselves to me unconditionally. I was bargained, sold away…" She made a small pause and shook her head. "To now hear your words makes my heart flutter in triumph, for I am so in love with you, Thranduil, that I think of little else during my day, and even my night. So yes, I accept your proposal of marriage, and I promise to stand a worthy Queen by your side, my King, and fight your wars with you, for now they are mine as well", she gave him her answer.
Newly-formed tears glimmered in the corners of the Elvenking's eyes, and he took her hands and kissed her knuckles, wetting them with his tears of joy and emotion. "My Dragonqueen…" he whispered.
"My Elvenking", she responded, smiling brightly.
He rose then from his chair, and pulled her up too. "You have made me infinitely happy", he told her, and kissed her lips. She kissed him back, weaving her arms around his shoulders. He laid one hand on the small of her back and with the other cupped her cheek as he deepened the kiss, wishing to taste more of her. His tongue played with hers, and they savored each other, until at last they broke the kiss for breath. "Much we have shared, and yet more we shall. You have shown me your love and your loyalty time and time again. And you have mine. You have all that is mine, and I wish to share with you all the time that is granted us by the Valar", he said.
"Oh, Thranduil…" she sighed, and kissed his hand. "If only I could share with you an eternity… and also give you a child. But, I cannot…"
He drew her to him and placed a gentle finger beneath her chin. "Do not trouble yourself with such thoughts, beloved. I understand and accept our circumstances as they are, and I bear no regrets. Do not let your heart be saddened now, please." And he softly kissed her brow.
The mother of dragons took a breath and nodded, but in truth it was difficult for her to banish those sorrowful thoughts from her head. If only I could give him a son, or a daughter… If only we could hold our child in our arms…
But his mirthful voice, when he spoke, interrupted her reflection. "I believe now the ring is in order", he said, and whirled away from her, pacing gingerly towards the desk.
"The ring?"
"Of course." He came back with a small parcel wrapped in fine purple velvet cloth, and passed it to her. "The ring of our betrothal."
She looked surprised. "You had it made in advance?"
Thranduil smiled and nodded. "For some time now. Ever since I knew my heart beat for you, and I began hoping that you might love me, too. But open it, tell me if you like it", he prompted her.
Daenerys unfolded the cloth and beheld a silvery ring, with a single diamond set on it. The band was intricately carved in the shape of fine twining branches, and long, slender leaves held and encircled the diamond on both sides. "It is magnificent…" she uttered.
He stood close and took her hand, gently slipping the ring on her finger. "It is made of mithril, our most precious metal. And this is a clear diamond, the King amongst the gems of my treasury", he explained.
"It is invaluable", she commented, as she observed how it caught and reflected the light as she moved her finger.
"No. It is just a shiny trinket. You are the one who is invaluable, and most precious to me", he told her pointedly.
Without words, she hid into his embrace once more. "I love you", she whispered against his heart.
He kissed the top of her head, and held her for some time, content in their shared feelings. "I will announce our betrothal tomorrow", he said.
"Tomorrow? So soon…"
"Why delay it? I see no point in that", he countered.
"It will come as a surprise to some", she said.
"Indeed. But let them be surprised. Nothing and no one can stop me from marrying you. And even if some object, they had better remember that even the great Finwë remarried, after his first wife, Míriel, died", the Elvenking declared.
Daenerys nodded. "I have read the tale of Finwë and I remember it. He was left on his own, but it was not by his choice… and so he remarried. Is it not the same for you?"
"It is. And I have chosen to give my heart to another freely. A curse upon anyone who might frown upon my happiness! Too long I have tread the dark paths of loneliness and desolation. I would have my heart be healed again", he said with determination.
"Yes, Thranduil. We will both have our hearts healed. For only love can truly heal a broken heart… And we were both so cruelly robbed of our spouses, who died long before their time. We are given a second chance in happiness, and we must not let it go to waste", she agreed.
"Most of my people will see this. They will understand. However, some practical issues concerning marriage have to be observed…" he said thoughtfully.
"Like what?"
"Normally a betrothal between two elves lasts at least a year, and then marriage follows. Still, since you are not an elf, I do not see why we should wait that long. A few months might be appropriate", he said.
"When do you think we should marry, then?"
"By Midsummer, at the earliest… and by next Yule, at the latest. Perhaps Mereth-nuin-Giliath in autumn would be nice as well…" he mused.
"Yes, I agree with the autumn date. Your forest looks majestic then, and your people seem to love the Feast of Starlight. We should decide upon that date, I think", Daenerys offered her opinion.
"Our forest – our people", he corrected her, smiling softly at her.
She gave him a small grin. "It might take me some time to get used to that."
"But eventually you will. I want you to learn how to rule beside me, to gain experience, to take up initiative, as well as responsibility… I want you to be a true Queen, so that one day, when you go back to your world, you will be ready", he insisted.
"You said that before… Do you truly believe it will happen one day?" she wondered.
"I do. But we shall have time to consider that later. Now, we have other pressing matters. I was informed you removed the dragons from the chamber…" he began.
"Yes. Confinement does not suit them, and they have grown large and restless. They are better off outside, Thranduil. Already your people, eh, I mean our people, were agitated by their roars while we were away, visiting Duimbar. I would hate to have a repetition of events here. One misfortune was more than enough. If the dragons are free to fly and hunt, I believe they will be pacified, and they will be less dangerous and aggressive", she said
"I understand. You did well to take them outside. The dark Halls do not befit them."
"I hope they will have time to grow larger still, before the tides of war reach us", she wished.
Thranduil nodded. "Sauron searches for the One Ring actively, but as long as he does not hold it, we may still be quite safe. But that creature, Gollum, I hold in my dungeons, was interrogated in Mordor, and revealed to him some information, which I can only hope will not prove disastrous", he said thoughtfully, moving to stand by the fireplace.
"What kind of creature is he, Thranduil? I only glimpsed at him a couple of times, and he was so strange, and dirty…"
"He looks to have been a hobbit once, but the power and his lust for the ring corrupted him, and reduced him to the degenerate state you have seen him in. It is lost to him now, but still he cries for it and calls it his precious… There is no hope for him, but he must be kept a prisoner, lest he ally himself with the Dark Lord, and tell him more of the whereabouts of the ring", the King answered.
"Such a pitiful life, to be held under the spell of a powerful object", Daenerys mused.
"Indeed." He then turned to her again, and extended his arm towards her, calling her to his side. "But I shall talk no more of Gollum on the day of my betrothal. Come, join me by the fire, my love."
She went to him and they sank in the sofa, huddling close by the fire, for the night had almost fallen, and the outside cold threatened to penetrate the walls and enter their room. Daenerys watched the brilliant, orange flames dance in the hearth, and she relaxed, her mind drifting off to thoughts pertaining to her betrothal and forthcoming wedding. "You said you will announce our betrothal tomorrow…" she murmured.
"Yes…"
"Do you not think you should let your son know first?"
Thranduil remained silent for a short while, until, he said, "Yes, you are right. In my joyous haste I did not regard that aspect. I shall have to speak to him first, before the rest of the realm is informed."
She shifted a little so as to look at him. "Do you think he will mislike our union?"
"I cannot tell for sure. He will certainly be surprised, and he might object to it at first, but I know my child. He is kind-hearted, and knows of the sorrows of my past, and his mother's tragic passing. My eternal sorrow is not what he wishes. I believe he will in time come to terms with my choice to marry you", he answered.
"I hope he does. I like Legolas, and I do not wish to make an enemy of him, or have him dislike me. All the more, I would detest a rift between you two because of me", she said, her voice lined with worry.
"We are wiser than that, I suppose…" he said with a small smile. "You might think that several-thousand-year-old elves would have grown out of the petty matters of life, and yet sometimes we are no different from immature humans", he chuckled.
"No… you are not that different from humans", she agreed. "Taller perhaps and much fairer, and immortal, but not all that different."
He bent to her and with closed eyes dropped a kiss on her lips. She chastely kissed him back, and then nuzzled sleepily against his chest. He held her, and drew his heavy cloak around them both. His warmth encompassed her, and his steady breathing calmed her. "Let us sleep here tonight, like that… I never want to leave your arms", she whispered.
His arm wound around her middle and found hers. "Then so we shall." And he kissed her temple.
Then they both fell into silence, and only the crackling of the wood in the fireplace could be heard. The languid dance of the flames mesmerized and lulled Daenerys, and she slowly let her thought be free of rein, to wander where it would, and find peace. The last thing she recorded in her memory before falling asleep was the shape of a dragon in the flickering flames.