Chapter 15
Tharanduil POV
The clashing of steel could be heard in the quiet of the morning a week later at the training ring.
No other sole in sight, bar from the two male elves, stripped to the waist as they continued to spar.
The Captain of the guard feinted left, but swiftly moved his long sword to his opponent's right side, but was stopped by twin swords and a leg that swept his legs out under him, causing him to fall.
He looked up at a sword pointing to this throat, annoyance that he lost.
The sword disappeared and a hand replaced it, offering help for Feren to rise.
The owner of the hand had a satisfied smirk on his handsome face, not a single platinum hair out of place, laughed.
"on your ass again, Feren, I think I may have to replace you."
"don't get used to it."
"You've used that technique before."
"I find it very effective…usually."
Another laugh.
Both males moved to pick up their discarded clothing.
"yes, the new recruits wouldn't know your style yet."
"laugh it up. I'll get you next week."
"sure you will. I have a task for you."
"forget it, I am not training Vanya ever again."
The Elvenking laughed at the image of his Captain from a year prior, limping into his office, having explained that the courtier he was training had actually struck her sword into his foot, without looking.
"you are quite safe. No, I need you to train Lady Evangeline."
Two eyebrows rose in surprise, but refrained from commenting.
"she requested it when her…vulnerabilities were pointed out."
"But you suspected that she is powerful."
"yes, I believe her gift to be considerable, however, combat is not her strength."
A moment before the captain spoke.
"you wish for this too." It was not a question.
"She spends a lot of time in the company of the Prince."
He did not need to add the implied, to be protected at all costs.
"very well. Shall I talk to her?"
"No, I will. She will be joining me for Mithrandir's arrival later."
A nod as they both walked along the halls.
The King hesitated as he went to turn to the right towards his private chambers.
"Train everyday. I want her to have the best chance."
"She intrigues you."
The platinum haired elf, did not deny the observation, just turned and walked away.
In his head, the King's thoughts turned to the pretty, red haired woman and the way she felt pressed up against him, like she had the week previously.
Evie POV
"Ahhh Amos, don't they smell amazing."
"yes, My Lady, they look delicious."
"no! hands off."
Evie smacked the head Chef's hand with the oven mit she was holding, to stop him from pinching her cookies.
"Evie, please?"
"no, they are for Legolas."
"Your treats are always for the Prince and none for us!"
It was said with mock hurt, that the red headed woman noted but did not respond to.
Evie was dressed in a dark navy dress, long sleeved dress, with a v neck, fitted waist and a skirt that fell to her ankles.
A white frilly apron was tied around her middle with a bow.
Her red hair had been braided that morning by Gwenth, but tendrils had escaped as the day had progressed.
White flour was dusted here and there on her dress, but the most obvious stain was on the side of her right cheek.
She stood in front of a spare part of the bench, moving the hot treats from the oven tray to a cooling rack, humming as she worked.
The Elvenking's head chef moved to the opposite side of the bench, laid his crossed arms down, then his head and stared at her with his blue grey eyes, currently full of mischief.
Evie did not stop what she was doing, but raised an eyebrow at the dramatics.
"Evie."
"Evie."
"Evie, I shall banish you from my kitchens!"
That made her stop, eyes wide. He knew how much she loved being in the kitchen.
And the kitchen staff loved having her there too, singing and making the place brighter.
"you wouldn't!"
His faced had changed to be dead serious.
"I would."
A huff in annoyance.
'Here."
She grabbed a cookie and tossed it towards him.
"but wait a minute, because its…"
"ow. Ahh"
"hot."
A giggle escaped.
"don't laugh, I just burnt my tongue."
"lesson learned I think."
"hmmpppfff."
Evie turned back to the chocolate chip cookies cooling on the tray, happily humming again.
Yes, the Prince would be pleased with today's prize.
"Lady Evie!"
She heard Gwenth's hurried tone and looked at her in puzzlement when she entered the kitchens.
"don't you have somewhere to be, lady Evie?"
Green eyes went wide in understanding.
"oh shit."
She abandoned the treats on the bench, trying and failing to undo the bow on the back of the apron, only tightening in the knot in her haste.
She felt a fair of feminine fingers reach out and slap her hands away, before expertly untying the mess and taking the apron from her person.
Evie tried to contain the mess of curls that was her hair with both hands.
"You don't have time to change."
"He's going to be so mad."
"yes."
Inwardly, Evie was groaning at the idea of having to face the King in her state, and late to boot.
"can't you be a little sympathetic?"
Gwenth just laughed at her, before giving her a pat on the bum.
"off you go."
"bye Amos, thanks for today!"
She hurried left the kitchens and focussed on finding her way to the throne room.
"damn the kitchens being on the bottom level." Evie muttered to herself as she breathlessly carried on
Thranduil POV
Long, male fingers tapped the arm of his elaborate throne in impatience while they waited.
The scowl on the fair face only grew when the doors to the throne room crashed open.
He raised his blue eyes, filled with annoyance, to see the red headed woman running towards the stairs that led to the dais.
He shook his head, by the valar, she was running.
We need to work on her protocol training, he thought.
And then she was there, breathless, her chest heaving, skin flushed.
The Elvenking's roamed her form, taking note of the flour on her cheek.
She'd been in the kitchens again, he thought with amusement.
But that amusement was not reflected on the handsome face that looked on the scene.
He watched as she dipped into a deep curtsey.
"My apologies, Your Majesty"
He waved a dismissing hand. I'll talk to her about it later, he thought. Although that thought alone surprised him, for he usually didn't hesitate to correct others in public or otherwise.
He was the red head turn her attention to the grey robed figure to her right, taking in his tall frame and grey pointed hat.
"You must be the Grey Wizard."
A chucked from the newcomer, who had been watching the events play out with amused interest.
"You must be the Elemental."
She beamed at him and his friendly tone.
"You can call me Evie."
She held out her hand.
The Elvenking saw the wizard glance at him, before taking the woman's hand and answering.
"A pleasure to meet you Lady Evie, I am Mithrandir."
"Can you really do magic too?"
Another chuckle at the way her eyes had lit up in fascination.
"I think perhaps we can continue our discussion in the gardens with some tea? The King has many important things to attend to."
Evie then seemed to notice that the King was still there, her mind had been racing with questions for the wizard.
She turned her focus to the blue eyes staring at her so intently.
He lifted a hand in an inviting gesture.
"by all means."
He was taken aback by the beaming smile that she directed at him in response and found he liked that he could make her smile in such a way.
He vowed to make it happen again.
"come, my dear, let us walk."
The wizard took her hand and threaded it through his arm and began to lead her back to descend the steps.
They had just stepped off the dais, when the Elevenking spoke again, his toner softer than before.
"Join us for dinner, Lady Evangeline?"
Evie stopped to look back over her shoulder at the tall, male elf that was looking at her earnestly.
He saw her eyes flicker over his face, before looking with his bright blue.
He was rewarded with another breathtaking smile and a dip of her head.
"As you wish, Majesty."
Thranduil, so focussed on the woman before him, that he missed the raised brow on the wizard's wrinkled face.
And then the pair were gone.
Taking a deep breath, he smiled as he could still smell the lingering scent of her. Lavender and the sweetness of sugar.
The smile faded instantly when he took note of the silent footsteps of his adviser.
"Galion."
A bow.
"My King."
He turned to see the dark haired elf's attention on the main entrance of the room, where the curious pair had just exited.
"She is…something else. Do you not agree?"
Blue eyes turned hard, noting the slightly awed tone.
"Indeed."
Feeling slightly possessive over a female that wasn't his, the King wanted to shift the conversation along.
"Mithrandir will be staying for a week or two."
"very good. His usual room has been arranged for him"
"You will dine with us this evening Galion."
The King was not entirely pleased that protocol enforced the presence of his chief adviser at the dinner.
"How many do I instruct the kitchens to prepare for?"
"six"
His tone was clipped, for he did not wish to elaborate.
And then stood and made his way down the steps of the dais and out the side entrance.
He was glad to note that Galion did not follow him.
Evie POV
The red headed woman was mesmerised by the tales from the grey wizard as they drank tea.
The were seated at white table big enough for two under a trellis filled with vines of honeysuckle.
"and then what happened?"
Grey eyes twinkled I delight at his captivated audience.
"they lit up the night sky!"
He moved he hands in a big motion, emphasising his point.
"how magical."
"yes, my dear, but not nearly as magical as I believe you to be. Show me what you can do?"
The request was a soft one.
Evie sat up and lifted her hand without a moment's hesitation. The familiar golden wines of magic flew out of her hand and up towards the growing plat above them.
The vines turned a deeper shade of green and the flowers opened more brightly, showering them In a sweet scent.
One particular vine grew and grew as it extended down and made its was in between the two seated beings.
It moved silently towards the wizard, twisting its way around the grey pointed hat and pulled.
Evie giggled when she saw the grey eyes bright.
"ahhh."
Evie waved her hand and the hat was placed back on the wizard's head.
The vine moved tap Evie's freckled nose and then retreated back up.
The golden magic disappeared soon after.
"You have a talent."
She smiled at him.
"I sometimes wonder."
"why me?" he finished her sentence.
"how did you know?"
"because, I too, have often wondered."
She waited for him to continue on.
"You have a bright heart, Evie, and I think you were brought here to help heal."
"heal what though?"
"I think you've already begun."
Her brow creased.
"I don't understand."
"in time, you will. But for now, I think it's time we got ready for dinner. The King would not be pleased if you were late again."
The last bit had been said with a teasing tone.
She laughed.
"wise words, Mr Wizard."
He offered his arm to her and she took it as they left the gardens, bathed in the glow of twilight.
Thranduil POV
"well?"
They both knew what he wanted to know.
The grey wizard and the Elvenking were seated opposite each other in the King's private sitting room, each had a glass full of ruby liquid – the King's coveted dorwinian wine.
"She is gifted."
The raised his hand in an impatient gesture to go on, having known this piece of information already.
"It had been an age since an Elemental was seen in Middle Earth. It means that something big is on the horizon for all of us."
"you have seen something."
"bits and pieces. Nothing concrete, but now that I have met our young friend, I may have more luck. She has more magic than she realises, I think."
"she is untrained?"
"no, quite the opposite. Her control is impressive, but I felt like there was something more under the surface, waiting to be unlocked."
The King was contemplative at this.
"I see the connection between you."
Blue eyes whipped to focus on the wizard.
"do not deny it, Thranduil, you know it is there."
Yes, he had felt something the first time they touched.
He rose from his seat, taking large swig of his glass.
"we should go in, they will be joining us shortly."
The grey wizard also stood, but did not move a step.
"Do not deny yourself that which brings you happiness."
The king haltered before the closed door, his hand on the handle.
'I am undeserving."
"you will find that the only one standing in your way, is you. Do not be a fool."
The King did not reply, but opened the door and exited without a backward look to see If the wizard was following.