The King took a step back, deflated. "Then I don't think we have much more to discuss Ava. You should go."
"Fine!" Ava stormed away. Thranduil stood unmoving and alone in the rose garden for a long time, trying to come to terms with how a promising afternoon had ended in such disappointment.
The Princess dismissed the ladies in waiting present in her guest room upon arriving. She paced restlessly alone, replaying what had just happened. Thranduil had laid out his feelings for her. She, in turn, had answered with an uncoordinated and confusing response. She knew she was falling in love with him, yet she could not cope with those feelings and did not admit them to him.
Ava's heart sank. She realized she'd hurt Thranduil. She deserved to be dismissed, she thought miserably. For the next several days, Ava looked and failed for any opportunity to speak to the King. During mealtimes, he would be conversing with one of his advisors. The rest of the day was a seemingly endless parade of meetings with his advisors, ministers, foreign dignitaries. It seemed the King hardly had any rest. Realizing how hard Thranduil worked, how devoted he was to his people made Ava feel worse.
"Cheer up, Ava. You've been moping for the last 3 days, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Eren prompted. The two were spending Eren's afternoon off duty enjoying a picnic. Presently, with their stomachs full and the afternoon sun bearing down on them, the friends were wading barefoot in a shallow creek in the heart of the forest.
"It's nothing" Ava said dully.
"Right, and I'm the King of Mirkwood" Eren responded. Ava's head snapped up at the mention of the elf at the center of her thoughts. This did not slip her friend's notice. "So it has something to do with the King? The palace is flying with rumors that he is fond of you."
"He said he had feelings for me. And I said I didn't want to court him. And we argued…" Ava trailed off softly.
Eren seemed relieved, the furrowed lines on his face softened immediately. "You have every right to reject him."
"I've hurt him. The worst part is, I rejected him for being King, the one thing he cannot change" Ava said.
"If you don't love him…" Eren began.
"But I do love him!" Ava piped up, then her cheeks flushed.
"Oh, I see." Eren responded tersely, before abruptly turning away.
Puzzled, Ava reached out to her friend. "Eren? Did I say something wrong?"
The soldier's shoulders tensed, he took a deep breath and turning around slowly. "Have you never considered me Ava? For I have loved you most of my life."
Whatever answer Ava expecting, it was not what Eren had just offered. The elleth was shocked into silence. "Eren, I had no idea" she breathed when she finally found her voice.
"I know you are royalty and well above my station, but my feelings for you could not be more true" Eren said softly, reaching for Ava's cheek.
"Eren, you know I love you and I could not care less about stations. But-" Ava began. Her friend's face fell, knowing what was coming next.
"But you don't love me in that way" Eren finished for her, nodding in pained acceptance.
"Eren, you're so important to me. I can't imagine my life without you in it. Please don't let this ruin our friendship" Ava pleaded.
"I could never Ava. I'll always be your friend, be here for you" Eren replied, planting a gentle kiss on the Princess' brow. "If you love the King, you should go to him" he added, in a slightly strained voice.
"I know."
Ava left Eren by the creek and ran back to the palace. She was directed to the King's study, where he was working away at the day's stack of papers. Ava quietly opened the ornate oak door guarding the entrance to the study. Carefully, she stepped inside. Thranduil was hunched over at his desk, holding a report in one hand and scribbling on a parchment in the other. His large desk was littered with remnants of a long day's work: quills, parchment, a plate of half eaten food. Ava was moved by the King's devotion to his duty.
"What is it?" Thranduil muttered, not bothering to look up, assuming it was yet another advisor with something requiring his attention.
"I was hoping we could talk" Ava said, slowly approaching the desk.
Thranduil's quill stopped moving. For a moment, he seemed frozen before he looked up slowly. Ava breathed in sharply as she saw the pain in his eyes; she worried her presence was unwelcome.
"I can leave if you want" she muttered.
The King laid down his paper and pen. "No Ava, I don't want you to leave. But I cannot change who I am. I was born to be King. To serve and protect my people. I was not given that choice, but I am honored to have that privilege. I had hoped that you would want to help me carry that burden, but you have made it clear you do not want any part of it" he said wearily.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have made you feel like your duty was – undesirable. I'm truly sorry" Ava choked, her eyes filling with tears
Thranduil found his way to her. He dabbed her wet cheeks with his sleeve. "Don't cry. Ava please, I cannot bear it."
"I love you!" Ava sobbed.
"You do?" Thranduil asked hopefully, both of his hands now cupping her face. She nodded. The King broke into a wide smile.
"I love you too, more than anything. More than life" He admitted, before bringing his lips to hers. The kiss was soft, hesitant at first. When Ava accepted his embrace, the kiss deepened. It would be some time before Ava felt it, but Thranduil was aware that their spirits were now intertwining and the linkages of their bond were forming.
"I don't think I'll be very good at royal duties" Ava admitted shyly.
"I know it is not what you wanted. But I will do everything to make it easier on you, my love. Whatever it takes. I would not hold you to any protocol you don't want. I am just happy to have you by my side" Thranduil promised, though he would soon find out that would not be easy to fulfill. Ava smiled, reassured that Thranduil would give her wide latitude.
In the following days, the pair spent every moment Thranduil had available together. They would fondly recall it years later as a special time in their relationship. Dining together each night, private strolls in the palace grounds, riding their horses through the woods allowed the couple to develop their deepening bond. Thranduil was careful to ensure Ava's privacy – their time together was always alone. She was not yet ready to make the relationship public. Thranduil gave strict orders to the palace staff that not a word of their courtship was to be uttered. He would not risk losing her. The free spirited and energetic princess of Imladris had imprinted in his heart and her presence in his life was now indelible.
Naturally, the whole palace and most of the realm soon knew of their relationship. Such was the robustness of the palace gossip mill. Ava first noticed it when elleths would suddenly stop conversing when she walked by. Their eyes would curiously follow her, eager to catch a glimpse. Ava received so many invitations to tea that the envelopes were creating their own mountain on her side table. The Princess was weary of these new offers of company. She was an intensely private person. Having grown up in Rivendell, where everyone knew her life story, she craved a low key, private existence. The onslaught of attention was oppressive.
"My love, what is bothering you?" Thranduil inquired. He had sensed something was off for several days now. He could no longer feel the warmth of Ava's spirit next to his, could not feel her emotions. With Ava being physically well, there was only one reason for that: she had cut him off. They were currently in his study. He trying to review some paperwork, she plopped on a nearby chaise looking over last minute details of Leyla's wedding. The King was trying to review paperwork, but his efforts were unsuccessful as the elleth in front of him was currently occupying his thoughts.
"Nothing" came the one word reply, which really stated the opposite.
Thranduil's eyebrows raised a fraction. "Nothing, really? Is that why you have blocked our bond?"
"Am I not allowed a shred of privacy?" Ava snapped. "Can't I have some thoughts to myself?"
Thranduil was taken aback, but willed himself to stay calm. "Yes, you can have thoughts to yourself. But, it something is bothering you, I only want to help."
Ava took a deep breath. "Have you told anyone about us?" She asked him directly.
"Ava, the only people who know about our relationship are the ones who are helping me keep it private. Lord Wyrran and Calendil know, they have to as they arrange my schedule. You've made it clear you are not ready to share our relationship and I have done everything to respect your wishes" the King patiently explained.
"Then why does every elleth in this palace whisper about me? Why do I have a pile of invitations to tea? Why did someone ask me when our first public engagement would be?" Ava demanded, quickly losing her temper.
"Ava, I cannot control the gossip mill. You cannot have everything you want. You're being childish. I am King, and my people are interested in what I am doing. They want a Queen and someday, heirs. I thought you understood that" Thranduil responded, now betraying his emotions. In the last week, Ava had gone out of her way to show that there were no feelings between Thranduil and her. She had overtly snubbed him a few times by walking straight passed him without acknowledging his presence, refused to be seen in conversation with him in pubic, and declined to sit next to him at her family's welcome banquet.
Elrond and his other children had arrived the week prior. Ava had happily and warmly embraced her father and siblings. When the Lord of Rivendell asked his daughter how she had found the King's hospitality, the Princess had coolly offered a few lukewarm praises. No doubt, Ava did not want to be seen as overly warm towards Thranduil. But her actions had offended the royal household, requiring Thranduil to uncharacteristically step in and praise his staff. He knew Ava would never be the most diplomatic elleth, nor would she be interested in playing the coy games of courtiers, but he had hoped she would mature with time.
"You make me so happy. When we are together, we are complete" Ava began, her adorable eyes staring at Thranduil – a look that always melted him. He responded by nodding his agreement. "And it's wonderful spending time with you. And I wish it could be just the two of us, without everything else. It's so hard to have everyone look at you all the time, talk about you all the time"
Thranduil sighed. "I cannot change who and what I am. I know it is a lot to ask of you Ava, but I hope you can love all that I am."
She stared at him. "I need some time to think" she finally said. Without waiting for his answer, she quickly left the room. The Princess hurried along the corridors. She wanted to reach her room before the tears fell. It would only lead to more rumors and talk about her. Suddenly, she collided with someone and nearly fell over.
"Ava, watch where you're going-" Arwen stopped short of telling off her younger sister when she saw the upset in her face. Silently, she put an arm around her sister and led her towards her destination. As soon as Arwen closed the door, Ava's tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Ava, what's happened?" Arwen asked gently, dabbing her sister's tears away with a hankerchief.
"Thranduil thinks I'm being childish. I can't help it, I hate it when everyone in this palace is always looking at me, talking about me" Ava blubbered.
Arwen looked at her sister sympathetically. When Ava had told her family about her relationship with the King, they had been overjoyed for her – Thranduil was a worthy bond mate. But they have also privately worried. Knowing her personality, it was not a stretch to see how Ava's independent spirit and desire for privacy would clash with palace life.
"Hasn't Thranduil gone through great lengths to ensure your privacy? He hasn't once asked you to appear with him together in public, this is unheard of for a king courting an elleth" Arwen reasoned. "You will also have to give a little. That is what love is."
Ava sniffled. "I know! But it's so intrusive."
"Ava, I do not know how to say this gently but you must hear it. If you do not want the life of a Queen, then you must end it with Thranduil. It is unfair to him to occupy his affections if you do not intend to have a life with him. You cannot keep on complaining." Arwen said sensibly.
"I love him, I want to be with him" Ava said decidedly.
"Then you must accept all that comes along with being with him" Arwen added.
"But-"
"But nothing" Arwen cut her sister off.
Ava grudgingly nodded. Thranduil was the only person who completed her, and she had come to realize he was her bond mate. That meant being with him through the good and the bad.
The royal rose garden was the perfect backdrop for a wedding. Thranduil watched wistfully as Leyla and her husband exchanged vows and then wedding rings. He had felt his heart flutter when Ava walked down the aisle as a bridesmaid. She was on Eren's arm, and the bridesmaid and groomsman had exchanged a happy glance. She meant a great deal to Eren, it was clear. Thranduil's heart had constricted painfully at the thought he could lose Ava to another. They had not spoken since she stormed out of his study the week prior. She had been occupied by last minute preparations for Leyla's wedding since.
Thranduil rose and clapped along with the other wedding guests at the pronouncement that the couple were wedded. He had been invited to the wedding likely out of courtesy, as it was taking place in his gardens. He would normally have politely declined, but Leyla was Ava's best friend and so he had attended to show that what was important to Ava was important to him. He chose a seat near the back, so as not to be a distraction from the bride and groom. He had ensured the ceremony and the reception afterwards would have the best the palace could offer.
At the lively reception that followed, the wine flowed freely. Thranduil had opened his private wine stores for the occasion. This had initially raised some eyebrows, with many questioning what a simple seamstress and her soldier husband had done to deserve such an honor. Then the knowledge that the bride was Princess Ava's best friend swept through the attendees, leading to many knowing smiles. Thranduil did not care. Leyla was a good friend to Ava, and he wanted to make them both happy.
Thranduil's heart was heavy as he watched Leyla dance with her brother. He had allow himself to hope to marry Ava one day, now that seemed so uncertain.
"You are brooding my friend" Elrond noted, as he sat in the seat beside the King.
"I do not know if I will ever enjoy the love of a bond mate, the joy of being a father" Thranduil answered, uncharacteristically openly.
"Ava is very much like her naneth, head strong and stubborn. Whoever she binds to will require great patience" Elrond said seriously, eyeing the King.
"I would give her anything that is in my power to give, Elrond. You know this. But she has blocked our bond" Thranduil said sadly.
"Even so, do you still love her?" Elrond asked. He wanted to know that his daughter would be well taken care of, before giving his blessing.
"My heart is taken Elrond. I will have no other. Even if she will not have me, I will have no other" Thranduil answered without hesitation.
Elrond considered this for a moment. Then, he relayed the message he had come to deliver. "She is waiting for you by the clearing."
Thranduil found his other half at a secluded clearing in the woods not far from the reception. The music from the reception could still be heard faintly in the background. Ava was sitting on a bolder, admiring the stars.
"Thranduil" she said upon hearing his footsteps. "Would you like to dance?"
The King offered his hand to the Princess and before long they were gently swaying to the music. Ava rested her cheek on his chest, and Thranduil reflexively held her close.
"I would do anything to make you happy Ava" Thranduil whispered.
"I know" she murmured in response.
Several evenings later, Thranduil hosted a farewell feast for the guests from Rivendell who would be leaving the next morning. Ava would not be amongst them. With her father's blessing, she had decided to stay in Mirkwood. She would embrace it as her new home. Thranduil eyed the guests anxiously. They were past the starting time and yet Ava was still missing. The guests had noticed this absence as well, with quiet murmurs about Ava beginning to rise in conversations in the banquet hall.
Then, the doors opened and Ava entered. It seemed she was well aware that all eyes were on her. In fact, Thranduil realized she planned to be late for this exact reason. He was confused as to why she would seek out the attention. As usual, Thranduil found her ravishing. This night, he was quite confused by her actions. That was, until he realized where she was heading. Ava could hear the whispers about her as she gracefully made her way through the myriad of tables in the banquet hall. She headed directly for the head table, the King's table. Lord Wyrran greeted her and pulled out the chair. She looked at Thranduil's shocked expression and smiled nervously.
"Thranduil, is this my seat?" she asked, indicating to the chair beside his, reserved for the queen.
The King quickly snapped to attention and stood up. Taking her hand, he bowed to her as she sat down. The message could not be more clear: Ava would be Mirkwood's new Queen. Thranduil had declared the intention in public, and she had accepted.
Hope you're enjoying this little bit of romance! Next chapter, I will be introducing another main character and probably getting into the real plot line of this story. let me know what you think!
-edith
