Another Darkness

Chapter 3: Dangerous

The small group arrived at the very border of the great woods. Gandalf seemed altogether uncertain. He did not know how Thranduil would take two humans on his land, much less did he know what the elf king's reaction would be to Ithil.
"It won't be long before we're found by the guard. Until then, try not to upset the forrest," Gandalf advised. The group moved into the forest cautiously. It was all so beautiful to Ithil. An array of bright, luscious greens, cooled under the shade of the trees. Just as Gandalf said however, the party was son surrounded by woodland elves armed with bows pointed at them.
"Gandalf?" a voice spoke. Ithil turned to face the speaker. It was an elf with the lightest blue eyes and white blonde hair. Ithil had to stop her jaw from dropping. She had never before seen such a beautiful man.
"Legolas Greenleaf, It is good to see you again."
"You know better than to wander into these woods unannounced, you know father will not take kindly to this intrusion." His eyes fell on Ithil and he seemed shocked before he turned back to Gandalf.
"Why is it you are here?"
"Another adventure."
"Why is it you seem to be the source of all these adventures?" Legolas asked with a smile.
"Drop your guard," Legolas told his group, "I'm afraid we'll have to take you in, Gandalf."
"That is fine, we need to see Thranduil, anyway," Gandalf said in a merry voice.

They were marched to a kingdom, it was beautiful underground fortress. Marching through the halls they came to the throne room, where sat the most beautiful man Ithil had ever laid eyes on, even surpassing Legolas. He was adorned in robes of silver with a crown of wood and red leaves. He had white blonde hair that came to mid chest, startling blue eyes and heavy black brows that set his face to perfection. The elven king stood upon their entrance, surprised to see Gandalf again after all these years.
"Gandalf, how many times do we have to arrest you before you stop making the same mistake."
"You'll receive a note when that happens," Gandalf replied.
"What is it you want from me this time?" Ithil cringed at his arrogant tone.
"I want nothing from you, I came to ask Legolas to join us." Thranduil looked at the rest of the party unimpressed until his eyes landed on Ithil.
"Then ask it of him and leave," Thranduil said in a dismissive tone, about to turn away.
"However, Ithil would like to speak with you," Gandalf spoke.
Thranduil frowned, "Ithil?" His eyes landed on the dark haired woman beside the wizard. Her name translated to Beauty in Elvish tongue, and it certainly matched.
"She wishes to ask you questions regarding her own personal quest." Thranduil mulled over this prospect. He was not particularly fond of the idea, yet he was intrigued by this woman.
"Then speak, child," Thranduil said, addressing Ithil. She broke out of her trance and narrowed her eyes.
"I am no child, elf." Possibly a bad choice of first words, she mentally face palmed herself. Thranduil's jaw twitched.
"I am being lenient not throwing you in a cell, now speak." Ithil lowered her eyes nervously. The party with her looked at her an gaped. Never had she shown such reservation.
"Actually, I was wondering if we could speak in private." Thranduil looked at the girl, annoyed that she did not look him in the eye. He had not yet seen her eye colour. He wasn't sure why this was important to him either.
"Granted. Gandalf, go speak with my son, I shall answer this girl's questions in the mean time."

Gandalf was wary about leaving Ithil with Thranduil alone, but it was for the best. He took Voron and Orma with him and left to go find Legolas again. Ithil was left with Thranduil and a few guards.
"You are dismissed," he told them, before coming down his steps and walking up to Ithil. Her eyes still down cast. He stopped not far from her, within reach. She finally looked up at him and Thranduil did all he could to not show his surprise. Her eyes were a magnificent blend of orange and pink. Everything about her was ethereal.
"What is it you want to ask of me?" He said in a tone much colder than he intended. Ithil cocked her head, she seemed to be examining him as he did her.
"Do you know what I am?" Her voice was soft, with a lyrical quality, but the desperate tone behind her voice was unmistakable. Thranduil raised an eyebrow, only just realizing she was not elf, nor man.
"I know nothing about you, child, how could I?" Ithil frowned.
"I am not a child. What do you need to know, so you can tell me?"
"Why ask me? Surely you would have found someone else?"
"I needed to ask someone old. I'm not sure if whatever I am even exists anymore." Thranduil nodded.
"Are you not simply a blend of human and elf?" He asked, looking her up an down. He noticed her curved beneath her leather armour. Suddenly her eyes began to glow and her skin shone too. Thranduil stepped in closer, he could feel power radiating off of her, it was familiar. Thranduil smirked.
"Oh, yes." His voice sounded greedy to Ithil. His blue eyes were looking at her with fascination. He was uncomfortably close as if he was trying to soak in her power, without actually touching her.
"What am I?" she asked softly. Thranduil took in the uncertainty in her eyes.
"I cannot be certain. If my guesses are correct you are going to need help."
"Can you tell me?"
"Not until I know for sure. I will have to keep you here and keep an eye on you. If my assumptions are correct, you're going to need my help anyway."
"I have a quest to do."
"I'm sure we can work something out."

The party entered the throne room again to see a glowing Ithil and an Elven King standing very close to each other. Only the elf had a haughty look and Ithil look crest fallen. Gandalf frowned. He knew it was a bad idea to bring her here.
"Gandalf," The elf said, not looking away from the dark haired woman, " I hate to put a hindrance in your plans but she needs to stay here."
"Nonsence, she has to come with me." Thranduil looked at him finally with a set expression.
"I can't allow that. I need to observe this woman if she wants to know what she is. Surely you can continue without her?" Ithil stepped away, now too uncomfortable to stand so close to an angry man. Gandalf frowned.
"You don't know what she is?"
"I cannot be certain yet, though I have my suspicions."
"I...I can travel north to recruit the dwarves without her, but when I return, I am going to need her back," Gandalf agreed reluctantly. Ithil looked up in alarm. Stay here? Really? "
"Is this wi-"
"Shush," Thranduil interrupted. Ithil glared.
"No, excuse you, but you do not get to tell me what to do, king or not. I am a free woman from beyond these lands and you will not hold me captive. If I agree, and I do mean it is my choice, it will be so without your arrogance." The entire room fell silent as they watched for Thranduil's reaction to such insolence. The king simply stared.
"Then chose now. But know this, if you choose to leave now, I will not tell you what you are." The room waited in baited breath.
"Fine. I will stay. But you will not treat me as lesser."

Legolas stared at the two of them and felt an unwanted pang of jealousy. Why? He did not know this woman. Yet, he was angry that he agreed to go on this adventure before finding out Ithil would be staying. He wanted to be in her presence. This was something to ponder for the elf prince.

Ithil watched as her party left the halls of the elf kingdom. She had been with them a short while, but it was enough to bond with them. Now she was stuck in a place she did not know, in a land different from her own with an Elf king that looked at her like dinner. She turned back to see Thranduil's thoughtful gaze.
"I will see to it you get your own chambers, though I think it would be wise if you did not wander by yourself." It seems he left a million things unsaid in that one sentence.

A guard ushered her to her new chambers, and she had to admit, it was one of the best places she had ever stayed. The chambers held a bedroom and a living room, separated by sheer silk curtains. Giving each room the illusion of privacy. She looked around hoping to find the bathroom, but was surprised to find there was none. She exited her rooms and found a guard close by. The guard stiffened as she neared.
"Excuse me, there is no bathroom in my chambers. Where are they?" The elf shifted uncomfortably, trying not to look at her.
"There are some down the halls, My Lady." Ithil followed his directions after making a stop to grab some fresh clothes to change into. The bathroom was a giant room filled with spas of hot water like hot springs underground. Ithil disrobed and stepped into the water, allowing her muscles to relax.

Thranduil paced in his own chambers, if what he thought about Ithil was true, then they were both going to have trouble. He knew it was not exactly safe to leave her by herself, not if what he suspected was true. Yet, it could backfire on him if he kept the woman around. He berated himself for his childish behaviour and decided to go find her. No. It would not be safe for her alone.

"When I said don't wander off alone, this is precisely what I meant," Thranduil's smooth, deep voice startled her. She tilter her head back to see Thranduil standing not far from the entrance to the bath rooms. Ithil sunk lower into the water to hide herself.
"And it is entirely rude to walk in on a lady bathing!" Ithil reprimanded. The elf smirked at her.
"Nudity doesn't phase me, woman. I've been alive longer than you could count." Ithil shrugged at his reasoning and defiantly stood with her back to him and picked up her clothing. Thranduil felt snide comments seize in his throat as he took in her risqué form. It was so unlike the flatness of elves. Never had he seen a woman like this naked. How odd, given his time on this earth. Ithil dressed, still with her back to the king. When she was done she faced him.
"What is it?" She asked him, wanting to know why he had disturbed her.
"I came to say you are not to go anywhere without me. It is very dangerous for you to be left alone here."
"For that reason, whatever it may be, is it dangerous to be alone with you?"

Thranduil knew the answer was yes, but he was unwilling to have it any other way, so he shook his head. He knew they were just as dangerous to each other.
"Why is it so dangerous?"
"Because not all have my self control." And with that, he swept out to the bath chambers.