Soon after, Thranduil sent me away to Imladris. I did not understand this game he was playing, but I enjoyed travelling once more in solitude, and I was excited to see Celebrían. This was despite the fact that I was to be in council with Elrond for nearly a month. Thranduil hated politics, and I supposed that perhaps my spur of his advances, twice now, made him send me in his stead.
It was a pleasant journey. It had been one year since our return trip from the victory at Barad-dúr, and the spring airs once again filled me with new life, and a new hope.
I did not recognize the dark haired, solemn child that hid behind Celebrían while she embraced me, but I was unhesitant to pick up the small girl.
"What is your name, lirimaer?" I asked. She only looked at me with wide eyes. "Glory, Celebrían!" I exclaimed. "You'd have thought she'd never seen a stranger!"
"She has a sweet temperament," Celebrían replied. "Merely shy and unused to the unfamiliar."
"Can you tell me your name?" I coerced the child softly.
"Arwen," she whispered, still wary of me. Her sweet innocence made me ache for a child of my own.
Regrettably, I had to give Arwen back to her mother to meet with Elrond, who was was reading reports from the south when I arrived at his study.
"I am taking your daughter with me back to Greenwood," I announced.
Elrond raised his eyebrows and he looked up at me. "I did not have you pegged as a thief," he said. "What would Thranduil say if you returned with a small child?"
I laughed with the image of the king's expression in my mind. "He would have my hide. He plans for many years of service from me yet."
"Perhaps he would wonder which dark-haired elf caught your fancy."
"Thranduil should not care of such things," I said.
Elrond did not comment.
"Well," I said, setting myself down in a lush armchair, pulling out reports that Thranduil had tucked into my satchel. "I am here, let us council together.
I returned to Amon Lanc near midsummer.
"Elrond is worried of the rouge orcs, and of their burgeoning assault on Moria," I reported to the council. "However, he also holds to the principle of isolation-" Here I glared at Thranduil, who was looking at me with a grin on his face. "And has declined to send fighters to root the orcs out of their foul holes in both Gundaband and Mordor."
"Thank you for your report," Thranduil said as I collapsed and folded my arms across my chest. "Malandi - please."
The old elf droned on about the reparations of Gondor and the current king's request for aid in rebuilding. I grew bored - I knew that Thranduil would not send help, and so this meeting had been counterproductive. My gaze shifted to the king. He seemed impassive, and his face had grown into that of a man. When had that occurred and how did I miss it? He was very pleasing to look at!
"Thank you Malandi," Thranduil spoke, breaking my reprieve. I had not noticed the report had concluded. "Are there any other concerns that need to be addressed?"
"If I might speak," an elf that I only knew by sight stood. "I wonder if the king has considered my proposal."
I did not know what was being referred to - this was my first council since I had returned.
"I have considered it," Thranduil said. His eyes flitted over me. "I accept."
The council was soon dismissed, and I stayed behind to speak to Thranduil.
"Was your journey smooth?" he asked, leaning in his high backed chair.
"Yes - and Celebrían and Elrond now have a daughter," I said. "What is this proposal? I have no knowledge of it."
"A daughter? A blessing for all of Elvendom. Great blood runs in the veins of Eärendil."
"Yes," I said impatiently. "What of the proposal?"
Thranduil looked guilty. "Ah, yes, that," he cleared his throat. "The council has deemed it of utmost importance that I marry to produce an heir. The proposal is a ball at the height of each season that I might be presented with women - and that I will find the one that I should love for eternity."
I stared at him. "A ball? What?"
He shrugged. "Truly, it is not such a bad idea. They, of course, do not know that I have already given my heart away." I looked down, shame-faced. He continued, almost sadly, "But the kingdom must have a queen. My mother never ruled here - and I believe that the forest would prosper with a woman - my wife - ruling alongside me."
"Do you plan on choosing a wife at the midsummer ball, then?" I asked. A hard lump had formed in my abdomen and heated flushes were spreading across my neck and face.
Thranduil looked at me earnestly. "Aye - no use postponing the fact. Unless, of course, the woman I love will consent to be my queen."
"Never!" I said, standing abruptly so I could look down at him. "Fine way to show your love - by marrying another! Enjoy your balls and bosoms! Good day, your majesty."
I swept from the room, feeling very frazzled and very irritate with the king – his arrogance had grown, something I never thought possible with his recent attentions and kindness! I ran to the weaponry building, wanting to release my anger. At the sight of my stormy face paired with a wooden practice sword, most of the practicing elves had departed the training field in a hurry. I did not care, taking a stance and beginning to go through the flow of positions. I began very controlled, but as my frustration built my actions became choppy, over-shot, and wild. I grunted at each move, swinging the sword with abandon. I had nearly reached the fence that surrounded the field when a long hand caught a hold of my sword and yanked it deftly from my hand. I turned to stare down my attacker.
"You should not show such aggression," Thranduil growled. "Cease your thundering!"
I pursed my lips, still fuming.
"Caradel – I want you to understand. I agreed to the balls because I have little hope of your returning my affection. That is not evil – no matter how it seems to you. Perhaps you wish for me to wait a thousand years, but as king, I cannot. You have no right to be acting like this," he gave me a stern look. I glared back, feeling like a child.
"Amin feuya ten' lle, utinu en lokirim," I snarled.
Thranduil grabbed my hand and placed the handle of the sword back in it, looking down at me with detached condescension. "Choices so bold cannot easily be broken," he warned, and he left the field.
The ball was to be the following day, and I would be damned if I missed it. I still smoldered with anger at Thranduil. I had pulled several seams from the bodice of the pale golden dress I was wearing, shamelessly baring my breasts to an improper degree. He would not have me – and he would regret taking a wife from a crowd of title-chasers.
At the party, I flirted ferociously, drank wine excessively, laughed too loudly and danced wildly. I knew Thranduil was watching me with dark eyes from the arms of pretty ladies, but I only lifted my chin and laughed harder. It would make him angry, and I wanted him to understand how I felt. A moderately handsome male had backed me into a dark corner and was about to steal a kiss, which I was going to allow, when a hot hand clamped around my arm and pulled me away. I was swung around the nearest corner, onto a balcony overlooking nearby houses, and nearly thrown against the wall.
"What do you think you're doing? You bring me embarrassment!" Thranduil growled at me, holding me pinned against the wall.
"Oh, don't be a spoilsport," I waved off his words. "You are not the only one in need of a mate."
"Marriage was not on the minds of those elves you danced with!"
"Why is that a concern to you?" I looked at him with level eyes.
"Because I want to marry you – and since I cannot, I will not allow you to marry a weakling!" Thranduil thundered.
"Not your choice," I pointed out. "And besides, you promised not to be so overbearing. Is not the promise of a king worth keeping?"
His lips crushed to mine – I stiffed at the sudden onslaught, but my arms clasped him to me almost against my will. He had relinquished his hold on my arms in favor of pulling my face to his.
"You tempt me far too much," he whispered in my ear, nipping it. "It is even worse that you enjoy my kisses – I want you too desperately."
I detached myself from him. "Save those words for your bride, king – you will not have me." I had succeeded in driving him mad, and I pranced back into the hall as I heard him slamming a fist against the stone wall. I retired to my rooms immediately following, and fell into my waking dreams smiling.
A loud knock broke my reverie, and I saw that the sun was not yet shining. The pounding continued, and I hurried into a robe before opening my door. Thranduil no longer appeared angry, although he was still in his fine clothes, as if he had not yet slept.
"Come back for more?"
His face was masked. "It's Celebrían. Elrond has just sent word – she has been captured by orcs on her way to Lórien. She cannot be found."