Chapter 7

Waking up, you take in the familiar surroundings of your chambers. As your eyes flutter open, you see Elora standing by the fireplace in front of your bed. Your head throbs as you lift up your hand to feel the tender bump just to the right of your temple. Attempting to sit upright, a pain shoots up from around your ribs, causing you to groan in distress.

"My Lady, you're awake! Now now, you must not move; healers orders."

She rushes over to you and settles you back down slowly, the pain immediately subsiding. Perching on the chair beside your bed, she leans in to take a better look at you, her face shows concern as she feels your temperature.

"Mmm, slightly better. We were getting worried about you, m'lady. You'd lost a lot of blood, it was- actually, can you remember much?"

"Uh…well, I can't really remember what happened after…"

"..After the attack?"

You pause, realising that everyone must know, which also means that they know you were in the King's chambers…in your underwear. Foolishly you'd thought that Tarron wouldn't tell anyone what had happened to you, trying to spare your dignity. But now, a wave of embarrassment washes over you for the billionth time since you'd arrived here.

"After Tarron and Tauriel had found you, you were very weak, so Tarron had to carry you to the healers. They weren't sure you'd survive the night! Aaah, he's such a hero…anyway, whilst you were being treated, the King found out and came thundering in to see you. The healing maids told me that something then went off between his highness and Tarron which caused the King to send him to the dungeons! It's been very odd around here since you were attacked."

Your mouth hangs open in disbelief.

"Wooaah, wait-what?! Tarron's been imprisoned? And 'since'? How long have I been unconscious?"

"Take it easy, m'lady, nobody knows the reason for his captivity, the healers have been told not to say anything on the matter and as for how long you've been here, I think it's about two days or so."

"Two days?!"

"Yes, m'lady"

"Well, we have to get Tarron out! I'm sure Tauriel would help and Legolas, maybe even N-"

"Oh no, my Lady! That would not be at all wise. Not when….ah, you must rest."

The fire crackles as a silence falls in the room.

"Um, am I missing something here?"

"I suppose you'll find out sooner or later….it's the King. He hasn't allowed anyone to see him since your attack."

She averts your gaze and you sense her awkwardness.

"Oh…I, er…not even Legolas?"

"No, my Lady."

She gets up out of the chair and walks over to the bathroom as you mull over what information you've just been told. Why would Thranduil be hiding away? Maybe he feels guilty? Yeah right, it's more like he's scared of getting a bad reputation with the elf officials and doesn't want them to know that their host lets his guests be subjected to attacks by crazy stalker elves.

Snapping out of your thoughts, the smell of vanilla wafts into your room and you hear running water as Elora calls out to you,

"You'll feel much better after you've bathed, m'lady. Then I'll send for some food, we don't want you moving too much. I'll help you up in a second..."

"Ok."

As you fidget about trying to resume a comfortable position, you hear footsteps outside the chamber door. Two heads pop out from behind the door as Tauriel and Legolas glance around your room to check if you're alone.

"Legolas!"

"Sssh!"

They creep in quietly, whilst Elora busies herself in the adjoining room,

"…Ariella," He whispers. "I'm so glad you're up."

"Have you heard about Tarron?"

"Yes, we're on our way to free him, he saved you Ariella and whatever he said to the King, I'm sure he didn't mean it."

Tauriel surprises you, this is the first time she's spoken to you and you quickly remember it was she who also saved you.

"Can I come with you?"

"No, you are still recovering, we can't take any risks. We must drift like the tide and be nimble as-"

He stops upon hearing both of you giggling at his choice of words.

"Come on, Legolas. She'll be fine, she's his best friend. You would want to come if it were me."

They share a look similar to the one you've before. Breaking away from her smile, he huffs,

"Fine. But stay with Tauriel and keep your head down."

You nod as they help you up out of the bed. Much to your delight, as you stand up the pain from your side feels far better and although your head still aches, Tarron is your main focus.

Exiting your chambers with Legolas leading, you soon fall behind unaware. Panting, you lean against a wooden pillar to catch your breath, easing the slight pain that reappears in your ribs.

"Sorry guys, I just need a minute…"

But looking up, you find yourself talking to an empty hallway.

"Great."

You realise that Legolas must have 'drifted like the tide' to the dungeons without you. As your breathing pattern begins to regulate, you carry on until you're faced with two possible pathways. Having no clue where you are, you choose at random. Coming to the end of the long stretch you've just walked, a door awaits.

"This doesn't look much like the dungeons…"

Talking to yourself you gently push open the door, mindful of your injuries. Upon entering into what appears to be a- well you can't really make out what it is. It's so dark, that you don't dare tread any further for fear of stepping on something, or in your case, falling over.

Squinting to see past the shadows, you hear a sudden loud bang that makes your heart thud against your chest. Whipping around, you face the closed doors.

"Hey!"

Pushing onto them, they refuse to budge. You bang your fists on the door and yell,

"Is anyone there? Helloooo…let me out!"

You sigh and give up. Sliding onto the floor, your head is pounding as you grumble,

"Goddamn Legolas and his stupid 'nimble-ness'…"

Rubbing your forehead, you look around and begin to make out certain dark features, but without any candle light, you don't want to risk it.

"…why do these things always happen to me!? I almost get killed by orcs, fall into a freezing cold river of death only, get whisked away into captivity, then I get attacked by a freaky elf, get rendered unconscious, find out Tarron is in prison and now Thranduil is-"

"Oh my dear….I do hope you aren't going insult me after my healers saved you?"

The room lights up and you see him smirking down at you from his throne. You inwardly groan, realising what the dark features must have been. Startled, you scramble up onto your feet and brush the dust from your dress. Suddenly remembering that it was he who left you alone, you make a witty reply,

"Actually, it was Tarron who saved me."

You see his grin fade.

"But where is he now? Ah yes, in the dungeons…"

He makes his way down the stairs as you head towards the doors to the left of the throne.

"….but I'm glad that you have made a full recovery. Although, there's no use is wasting all your energy to try and open them, elvish magic."

Ignoring his words, you try to force them open, but your side aches.

"Open them!" You whine.

He laughs at your pathetic attempt and stands with his arms folded watching you.

"This is all your fault. You left me, for that…that vile creature to attack me and now you're just hiding in here because you can't stand the fact that Tarron was the one to save me and not you."

The atmosphere turns tense as you realise you may have overstepped the mark. But you both know that what you say is true. He opens his mouth to speak, but falters. His eyes leave yours as he looks away from you. This is the first time you've rendered him speechless and it's proving to be rather uncomfortable.

You almost want to beg him to say something as the silence between you becomes unbearable. Thankfully, he moves. Offering his hand out to you, his eyes are on the throne.

You shake your head.

His facetious nature makes you slightly anxious and you're unsure of how he may act.

"N...No.."

Disapproving of your answer, lunges towards you and seizes your hand. He begins to lead you back up to his throne but you manage to wiggle out of his grasp.

"I don't want to be your human p... plaything."

Pushing against him, you turn to make your way down again, but he lifts you up and throws you over his shoulder like a ragdoll.

"Put me down!"

You protest and slam your fists against his back, even though you know he won't feel it. It hurts your side, and you can feel a sharp pain returning. But to your relief, you are plopped down, only to be seated in his throne. He goes down onto one knee so that he is face level with you, but you turn your face away from his.

"Ariella…look at me."

Hearing him say your name makes you feel weak but you refuse to face him. Instead, he places a finger under your chin and turns your head to his.

"You. Are. Not…my plaything."

You want to believe him – but you still don't quite get why an elf King would be so interested in you; a human.

"B..But even if I'm not…why did you arrest Tarron? And why won't you see anyone?"

He sighs.

"I never meant for you to get hurt, Ariella. You must know this. As for Tarron, he is a fool, but do not worry, he is safe. But he must be taught a lesson."

You look away from him again, knowing that he is avoiding your questions.

"I meant what I said before. Ariella, I thought you were going to die…and although I have known you for fewer days than I would hope to…"

He takes your hand in his and kisses it. The sensation of his lips on the back of your hand reminds you of what you are missing. Just his touch sets you on fire.

As Thranduil releases your hand, he leans in to you, whispering softly,

"…I cannot stop thinking of you."

Your lips are so close and despite that you know he wants you to give in, you couldn't care less. His very presence makes you feel safe and the anxiety you felt before dissipates.

Your breathing quickens and your eyes close as you exhale into his kiss. His lips are soft and warm, but you soon feel yourself being lifted once more out of his throne as he picks you up, legs wrapped around his waist. Deepening the kiss, his tongue tastes every inch of your mouth and as you cling to his tall body, you can feel the muscles beneath his clothes tense.

Sitting back down with you still wrapped around him, you're now in his lap as he leans back against his throne. You remove your hands from around his strong shoulders and venture to touch the hair at the back of his neck. As you do so, he lets out a low groan that makes you quiver.

He pulls you closer to him, as his hands wander across your body, feeling all of your curves, deciding what to do next. He breaks away from your lips and dips down to your ear,

"Ariella…"

Thranduil half moans your name in desperation,

"…do not tease your King…I know you want me…"

You throw your head back as he trails kisses along your collarbone. Whining in frustration at his light touch, he smirks, knowing that you want more.

"Oh my darling…no amount of whining can change what I'm going to do to you."

And with that he lifts up your dress, his hand glides down to find your underwear. But upon hearing a cough that belongs to neither of you, he stops.

"Father. I wish to speak with you….alone."