Chapter 19

Thranduil POV

Thranduil couldn't remember the last time he had such gut-wrenching fear cascade through him, but that was exactly how he had felt when he'd arrived at the riverbank in time to see her head go under – and fail to come back up.

The only thought he'd had before jumping in was not her.

For the over 3000 year old elven warrior King, the rushing water was nothing. He shifted the rock with ease and pulled the red headed woman into his arms.

A few moments more and they too were on the riverbank.

Panic filled him when he saw her chest failing to rise.

Kneeling beside her, he pried her lips open, took a deep breath of air and pressed his lips to hers and breathed out.

Once. Twice.

He opened his eyes when he heard her take a gasping breath and relief made his shoulders drop and inch.

A pair of feminine hands pushed against his chest with surprising strength and he obeyed the order.

He watched the wet form curl up to the be on her right side and hurl up water and he raised his hand to rub soothing circles on her back.

He let go when the red head let herself fall back, suddenly drained.

"Naur emel, open your eyes. Look at me."

Happiness drummed into him when he saw the green eyes blink open and her lips curled up in a sweet smile.

Her hand lifted to cup his face and he smiled at her when she whispered "angel mine."

Watching her green eyes close once more, the Elvenking swept the woman into his arms, warming her shivering body with his.

"Naneth!"

His blue gaze turned to land on his distraught son.

"She will be ok. Off to the healing halls with you. Be good for Gwenth."

He didn't wait to see his son nod at this command, just made his way around the group gathered and ran back toward his halls, praying all the way to the Valar.

In the end, healer Melui met him at his suite of rooms. She had told him to lay her in the warm water of the bath and then promptly ordered him out.

"I don't care if you were the King of Middle Earth. Out!"

He had huffed but obeyed her, leaving the room to find a bathing room for himself.

A few hours later found the Elvenking pacing outside his chamber door, worry etched on his face.

He looked up when the door opened.

He let out a breath when Melui appeared, her face calm.

"She's ok?"

"She will be. She needs rest. I must attend elsewhere. Will you sit with her?"

The healer gave him a teasing grin and he ignored it, just nodded once in affirmation.

Knowing that would be his answer, the healer stepped out of the way with a smile.

He watched Melui walk down the corridor for a moment, took a breath and then entered his room, his blue eyes looking to the large bed in the centre.

Her red curls were a mess around her head, stretching out like a halo of flame.

He noticed the pale skin peeking through the white nightgown but was glad to see her chest moving up and down in a steady rhythm.

He moved silently to sit on the edge of the bed and gently took her limp hand in his.

"What are we going to do with you?" he murmured to the sleeping woman.

"I don't know if my heart can stand this."

For the Elvenking could feel a warm connection between them where their hands touched and it would be foolish to deny it any longer.

His facial features softened as he gazed down at the woman that had unexpectedly stolen his heart.

Yes, he cared for her more deeply than he thought possible and the thought of losing her was simply unacceptable.

He smiled as he recalled the words spoken by the red head and his heart lept in hope that she too, felt the same.

He raised her slender hand to his lips and gave it a kiss, light as a feather on her skin.

Thranduil looked back up at the woman's face and was surprised to find her skin glowing softly.

Evie POV

When Evie woke, she found herself in an unfamiliar bed, in a completely different room to hers.

It was a large suite, much larger than her own, distinctly masculine in it's décor and paraphernalia carefully placed around the room.

She took a deep breath and an earthy pine scent made her freeze. She knew the smell and It's owner had been in a viciously bad mood last time she saw him.

Her eyes wandered around the room, taking it all in, while her brain tried to remember the events of the previous day.

Shivering, she pulled the dark green bed cover more firmly around her.

Slightly worried about what the Elvenking would say if he found her in his bed, she decided to push the covers off and move her legs out and over the edge.

Her feet had just touched the floor when she heard a deep voice behind her.

"What are you doing out of bed?"

Eyes wide, she turned, slowly.

"ahhh."

The platinum haired elf raised an eyebrow at her.

She scratched the back of her neck willing herself to think of a good excuse.

"I…am…ummm…looking for something to read?"

Blue eyes looked at her in disbelief.

"I'll just… hop back in."

And she did.

"very wise." Came the dry response.

She watched as the King made his way around the bed and seated himself in the chair next to her side of the bed.

"You look well."

"You don't."

"What kind of person says that to someone?" She was angry now.

"The kind when said person risks their life by jumping frivolously into rapids." His tone was calm and it made her anger grow.

"It was not a frivolous act."

"No, I thank you again for saving my son's life, which is becoming too much a habit for my liking, but you could have waited for me."

Her anger melted at the mention of the Prince.

"He's alright?"

"He will be fine."

"Good."

"I think he learnt his lesson. Nearly losing you gave him quite a scare."

"He didn't mean to cause any harm."

"No, but his actions had consequences nonetheless."

She nodded, this was something she couldn't argue with.

"How did I get here?"

"I carried you."

"and…"

"Why are you currently occupying my bed?"

"yes."

"It was to give you space to recover without unnecessary interruptions."

"oh."

She looked into the blue eyes surveying her and flushed.

"Where did you..ah..sleep?"

He laughed at her.

"Your virtue is safe, I slept over there."

He gestured towards the red velvet chase near the fireplace.

"it's not my virtue I'm worried about." She gave him a pointed look and muttered under her breath "since its non-existent anyway."

He laughed at her expression.

"The court are aware of the events that transpired by now and I couldn't care less of what they think of what I do in my private chambers."

"right. Glad we sorted that out."

"you have a visitor, if you feel up to it?"

She smiled brightly at him in response to this.

"absolutely."

Abruptly, she found the King's hands on either side of her and his face a millimetre away from hers.

She held in the gasp that threated to come out at the close contact and stared into his blue eyes, unable to look away.

She felt his breath on her lips and her heartbeat rose in anticipation.

A hand came up to move a curl off her face and brush it behind her ear.

His voice came out rather low and sultry.

"I rather liked the vision of you in my bed, angel mine."

Her cheeks heated in embarrassment as she remembered the words she'd said to him in her delirium.

And then his weight was gone, chuckling as he made his way to the door.

He opened the door and looked back over his shoulder at the red head and winked.

The door closed with a soft snap.

"Fuck."

Much later Evie had a visit from her favourite little elfling.

The could be seen cuddling together under the blankets of the big bed with Legoals' head resting on Evie's chest.

She was humming softly to him.

"Naneth?"

"Yes, Honey?"

"you scared me."

"oh?"

"I almost lost you." It came out as an almost whisper.

"you can never lose me, honey, remember?"

"yes, but."

She gave his head a little kiss.

"I love you too."

And her heart felt full.

A few nights later, Evie was in the private garden laid out on the grass, staring up at the stars.

Her hand was raised, moving slowing as her golden magic was dancing in the air around her.

She let out a large sigh and spoke softly without moving.

"It's impolite to hover you know…even for a King."

A deep chuckle came from her right and then she heard tells of a body lowering themselves to the grass next to her.

She felt his gaze on her, but she kept looking up.

"You don't mind?"

She shook her head, deep in thought.

There was a comforting silence between the two for a bit.

"Do you believe the stars are magic?"

A bit surprised by her question, the blonde-haired elf raised his eyebrows.

"the magic is in the belief, is it not?"

She didn't answer immediately, but let this sink in.

"It is said that the stars watch over us and use their magic to guide lost souls."

She didn't wait for him to respond, just kept on with her thoughts.

"I find it comforting to think that you are never truly alone in the world, no matter how bleak it gets."

"hhhhmmmmm."

"I often used to look up to the stars and wish."

"Did you wishes come true?"

Green eyes looked her right meet his bright blue.

"not yet…maybe someday."

Breaking the connection, the woman moved her head back to look up at the twinkling sky and began to hum softly to herself.

A few moments passed and a dark thought crept up into Evie's mind.

"Why?"

Blue looked at her curiously.

"Why what?"

"Why didn't I use my magic? I just…froze."

"oh. I see."

Anger laced her next words. "No, you don't. No one can understand."

The curls bounced off her back as she abruptly sat up, hugging her knees to her chest.

The Elvenking said nothing as he sat up.

Tears made their way down Evie's cheeks.

"I failed him."

She felt a warm large hand on her arm and looked up into blue orbs, full of concern.

"Never say that."

"But its true…I couldn't….i didn't even think to."

"Shhhhh."

And then her body was pulled gently into a masculine embrace smelling of the earth and pine and her head rested on a hard chest.

He held her as she cried it out.

She felt useless, that the whole situation could have been avoided if only she had used her magic.

Feeling better, but a bit silly for her struggle, Evie began to pull away, but the hand that cupped her face stopped her

A broad thumb wiped away the residual tears from her cheek.

His bright blue eyes were swirling with emotions she didn't understand.

His voice was soft, but full of confidence when he spoke.

"You are an incredible woman, Evie. Never forget it."

Her lips dropped into a little 'o' shape in shock.

The male elf chuckled at her response.

"You know what the answer is?"

"mmmmmmm?"

"Train yourself so it never happens again."

"oh…yes."

But the woman's thoughts had turned to the feel of the warm body beneath hers.

She wondered what his large smooth hands would feel like on other parts of her skin.

She bit her lower lip. Would his lips be as soft to touch as they looked?

Her voice was barely audible.

"You called me Evie, Majesty."

She saw his eyes flick down to her lips and swallow.

"Thranduil."

Flicking between his mouth and his blue eyes, Evie slowly began to move her head forward.

Inch by inch until they were a hairbreadth apart.

One move from either of them would make the connection.

Evie was shocked back into reality when she left a cold drop of water on her cheek. And again.

She looked skyward as the drop began to fall.

She giggled at the King's annoyed look at being interrupted.

She got up quickly, took the King's hand in hers and tugged him back towards the palace.

"come on!"