Chapter 8

You immediately rush out of the doors, the heat growing in your cheeks at the embarrassment of being seen with the King by his son. Although you know you shouldn't hang around, you can't help but put your ear to the door and listen in to their conversation.

"Why are you being like this? If you're not storming about the place or rushing off in the middle of important meetings, you lock yourself away and refuse to speak with anyone!"

Thranduil remains seated in his throne, whilst his son paces around the floor.

"I do not have to explain myself to you, Legolas."

"Perhaps not, but what about the others? What about your people? Do you not care-"

"Have you come to lecture your father, whom may I remind you is King, about the welfare of his people, those he has protected all these years?"

Legolas lowers his eyes, knowing he speaks the truth.

"I merely wanted to tell you what they are thinking. Those who attended the conference went home believing that you, ah…weren't exactly yourself. If they don't think we are serious about the safety of this realm they will not help us. They also say it's to do with a woman…more specifically, Ariella."

The King freezes upon hearing you name, and you lean further in, desperately trying to hear his response.

"She is none of your business. She is a guest here and will remain so, until I say otherwise."

"Yes, but Father, you have to admit how erratic your moods have been since she has arrived. Ariella is my friend and even though I have not known her long, I do not wish for her to get caught up in your… affairs. If it's true, if you do like her-"

"ENOUGH!"

Thranduil refuses to take any more of his nonsensical babblings.

"…I do not like her…"

Your heart sinks. Stepping away from the door, you feel sick. It seems that Tarron was right after all. He had lied; you were his plaything. Your eyes begin to fill up with tears as the hurt and shame surfaces. You want to run. And that's exactly what you do.

Upon reaching your chambers Elora is making your bed. As you stand there watching her, you realise just how much you miss everyone, your family, the village. You feel homesick. Making a split decision, you slowly back out of the room, hoping she hasn't heard you enter. Rushing back down the halls, you see a group of elven maids, giggling to themselves, their eyes look you up and down in disgust. You're so angry at Thranduil, you feel like crying.

As you near the huge doors that lead out to the forest, you check for guards. You hide behind a wooden pillar as you spot two of them either side of the door. Stuck for ideas, you take off your cream footwear and throw them in the opposite direction. They make a clapping sound as they hit the floor and the guards' attention is immediately diverted. Seizing your chance, you head for the door. Heaving them open you feel weak and drained of all your strength. But you're out, away from the dirty looks and humiliation caused by Thranduil and more importantly, you're free.

Yet, unbeknown to you, the King's conversation with his son had continued...

"…I am completely and utterly in love with her."

Thranduil's shock revelation causes Legolas' mouth to hang wide open.

"B…But-you..I"

"I understand that this may come as a surprise to you as I haven't known her for that long, but I cannot deny my feelings for Ariella. She has stirred something within me that I thought was long dead and perhaps I have been not quite myself, but I only hope that now you will understand why."

Legolas contemplates his father's words and forms a smile.

"I am happy for you, ada. Truly…"

"Why is it that I am sensing a 'but'? My son, if there is something you wish to sa-"

"It's nothing. Ariella and I have become friends…I just worry that this may put her in further danger, as now she is not just a human in these lands, she's your human."

Thranduil acknowledges that elves are protective, and like him, they do not take kindly to strangers. The female elves are particularly defensive over him and can become violently jealous by the mere mention of your name, but the King waves off these thoughts.

"Your concern is appreciated Legolas, but from now on, she remains in my chambers and attends all meetings with me. At no time should she be unsupervised, I will make sure that no more harm comes to her."

Before interrupting you and the King, Legolas and Tauriel had managed to free Tarron, only noticing your absence when in the dungeons. Tauriel had taken him back to her chambers, and ordered him to stay put, under no instructions was he to leave. But to this, he did protest.

"Tauriel come on, I need to see if she's ok."

"No! If you get caught, it's not just you that gets punished!"

He huffs.

"Look, I'll stay here with you for a bit, Legolas had to talk to his father-"

"Fine. But I can't stay in here forever, what about when he finds out I'm not in the dungeons anymore!?"

"Well….ah, we haven't really thought that far…but I'm sure Legolas can persuade the King to see-"

"Great. This is fantastic. We have no plan here and unless he is a skilled emotional manipulator, I doubt that the blond princess will be able to convince his unstable, idiot of a father. Damn it, I can't stand that elf!"

"….Ok, wow….erm, what actually happened between you two? I mean, why did he imprison you anyway?"

"Because he's a fool, why else?"

"Tarron! The King may not be the wisest, but he has kept us safe and provided for us all these years. I'm sure that the decisions he makes are for the best."

"Oh please, do you actually believe that? Tell me then, why did he allow for Ariella to fall victim to a savage beast of an elf? Why was I punished for speaking the truth and sticking up for my best friend? Yeah, sounds like some pretty wonderful decisions he's made."

"Let's just talk about something else…what about your home? I was going to ask you about it at the Ball, but it didn't seem like a good time. I know you're not from around here and yet you are an elf? If you do not mind me asking, how can this be?"

"I was abandoned as an elf-ling, Ariella's mother was going to take me in, but she couldn't cope. Instead, her sister adopted and raised me."

"Oh…what's she like?"

"My mother? Oh, she's amazing…"

As he continues, Tarron never knew he could talk to anyone except Ariella about his life back in the village. It feels weirdly good, but it also reminds him of what he misses: his family and you.

"You would disobey me, again?"

Thinking you were alone, you stop dead in your tracks. The wood is dark and the path is unclear, yet upon first entering, the anger you felt made you almost oblivious to the possible dangers…but this enemy, you knew.

You turn to your left. His tone is harsh and you are reminded why you used to fear him. But you're just too angry and upset to care. He stands there with his sword sheathed by his side, as he stares at you sternly, his tall figure stepping forward from the shadows onto the path in front of you. Even in the dark he looks good. The elegant bastard.

"What's it to you? I can leave if I want to."

You barge past him feeling slightly satisfied with yourself until you're promptly spun around as he grabs you by the upper arm.

"Do not toy with my emotions, Ariella. I can assure you, those who do, live to regret it."

If he had said this at any other time, you would have melted into his arms. Somehow, his dominant nature made you feel protected…and rather turned on. But how could he deny any emotional attachment to you in front of his son!? You could only think of one possible explanation for it: you are an embarrassment. He wouldn't want everyone knowing about his human whore. After all, he's much too dignified for that. Attempting to pull away from his grasp, you form the idea that he thinks you're playing the 'hard to get' role.

"Let me go!"

You wiggle against his hold, but it only seems to make his grip grow firmer; making you all the more frustrated. You want to scream and cry at the same time for letting him make you feel this way. As angry tears threaten to spill, Thranduil's face contorts in confusion as he watches you unfold.

"How could you! I knew, I knew all along th-that this would h..happen…"

You can barely get your words out in between gasping for air as all of your energy is taken up from crying.

"Ariella…wh-"

Managing to slip away from his iron hold, your free arm is now out of his reach as you make a swift turn in an attempt to run away. Thranduil refuses to let you go and uses little effort is yanking you back to face him. His eyes lock with yours and they are pleading, full of concern at seeing you in this state. But his words to Legolas circle round your head. Seething, you slap him across his stupidly perfect cheek.

Your hand instantly covers your mouth as you gasp at your own actions. His grasp on you is no more as he turns his face slowly back to yours. Although you know he is not violent, as he takes in a deep breath and draws himself up to his full height, you feel small and awfully intimidated. Taking small steps back, you whimper.

"Thr…I…Pl-Please, I'm so sorry…I-"

"That, my darling, was a big mistake."

Shivering, you can't risk waiting to see your punishment so you run as fast as your tired legs can go. You bare feet are sore and your heart is pounding so hard, it's ready to burst. To make things worse, you fall over a protruding root and collapse into an exhausted, muddy heap. Scrambling to sit up, you soon see that it wasn't a root, but someone's boot. Typical.

You open your mouth to speak, but you're cut off.

"You are coming back with me. Whether you want to or not."