Chapter 9

As you both arrive back at the halls, a guard immediately greets Thranduil.

"My King, the prisoner has escaped."

He rolls his eyes and exhales deeply. After practically dragging you back, he looks surprisingly composed, but as he turns around to face you his eyes darken.

"I'll deal with you later."

He turns back to the guard and instructs him sternly.

"Take her to my chambers. I want guards on both sides of the doors. Let no-one in or out."

Two more guards appear and seize you by the arms. They begin to take you away but you aren't done. Despite the fact that you knew you shouldn't have slapped him, you still felt angry that he had used you. How could he expect you to want to stay after hearing that? True, he didn't know you were listening in, but when you had confronted him about it before Legolas had burst in, he'd denied it. Damn it, he even got caught trying to get it on with you and he still couldn't admit that he at least likes you.

"You have no right keeping me here against my will. If this is how you treat all of your 'guests', I'm not surprised that you have such a bad reputation...you aren't fit to be a King."

He turns on his heels and walks over to you, roughly lifting up your face to meet his cold gaze.

"Haven't learnt your lesson, I see?"

Your bad temper was indeed one of your main faults, as Tarron had often reminded you, but you believed that in this instance, you were completely blameless. In no way were you overreacting, this was entirely his fault. Yet despite being livid, looking into his eyes, you can't deny you still feel attracted to him.

He leans in further so that you are now inches away from his face. The top of his tunic shows off his bare neck and you're almost tempted to steal a glance to his Addams apple, but you keep your focus on his eyes.

"I would stay quiet if I were you. Due to your little scheme to free your friend, you have now wasted more than enough of my time and I am not known for being tolerant."

Taking his hand away, he walks off down the opposite hall. If he was ugly, it would make things a lot easier. His perfect blond hair swaying as you raise your voice to him.

"It wasn't me who freed him. You might want to speak to your son."

Hearing the last word you say, he freezes. You feel like smirking. Maybe now he will know what it feels like when someone you care for deceives you. He calls for another guard and instructs him to do something, but you can't make out what and as you're pulled away to Thranduil's chambers, you are suddenly hit with the realisation that you have just dropped Legolas right in it.

Whilst the King had discovered the news of your disappearance from a watch-guard, Legolas had returned to join Tarron and Tauriel. Nym arrived shortly after in hope that he could help, despite the awkward reception Tarron gave him, he still felt slightly guilty from the night at the Ball.

They knew it wouldn't be long before the King would catch on about Tarron's escape. After discussing various attempts at how they could get out of this situation, it doesn't take long for attentions to start turning towards whose fault it all is.

As Tarron steps forward to voice his idea, Nym flinches.

"Why not put the blame on someone else?"

"Like who?"

"I don't know..."

"Wonderful input, oh Tarron the wise." Legolas snipes.

"I'm sorry, but I don't see you coming up with anything either."

"We would not have to be doing this, if it wasn't for you. We have risked my father's trust by helping you; it was Tauriel who persuaded me. If she were not here, I wouldn't have even bothered to help you out. All of this was caused by your foolish actions-"

"So saving a person's life is classed as being foolish? I'm glad I don't live by your standards."

Tauriel feels the tension begin to arise between the two elves and tries to think of something to soften the mood, but Nym beats her to it, making a surprise contribution to the conversation.

"What about a dungeon guard? The King is well aware of their tendencies to have a bit too much wine…"

"Yes! That could work, but we would need to check which guards were on duty. I'll go t-"

"Wait."

Tarron and Tauriel both sigh at Legolas' stubbornness.

"What now?"

"I just don't feel comfortable allowing our kin to take all the blame. I think he shoul-"

"Legolas, what choice do we have? We were the ones who let him go, therefore we must figure this out. If you can think of anything better, then please tell me. But for now, that's all we have. Ok?"

"Fine. But I don't think he'll buy it."

"Why don't you stop being so pessimistic all the time and try…"

As Tarron stops mid-sentence, all eyes turn to the door.

"My Prince…"

A messenger bows low. He rises to look at Legolas.

"…his highness wishes to see you."

Legolas looks over to Tauriel, who looks to the floor. No one is quite sure what will happen. The King surely knows, but what can he say? There's no doubt he'll see through their plan.

"Tell the King I shall be there shortly."

"I am sorry, my Prince…but he wishes to speak with all of you, including the prisoner."

As Tauriel and Tarron traipse in, Nym lurks behind looking fearful, followed by the young prince. Standing across the other side, you manage a weak smile aimed at Tarron, who you haven't seen since the incident. Thinking about it, you haven't actually spoken to him since he shouted at you for making Tauriel leave. In turn, they all bow to the King before shuffling back, trying to escape the awkwardness brought on by the lasting silence.

The guards immediately grab Tarron by the shoulders whilst another one orders you to stand in line next to Legolas and Tauriel. As you are guided in-between them you feel his gaze burning into you, following your every move. Once you are all in place facing the throne, Thranduil assesses each of you and as soon as his gaze passes to you, you turn your head to the floor. Noticing this, he stands upright, smirking proudly. Despite your outbursts and angry temper, when it comes down to it, he knows he who has the power here and so do you.

"It has come to my attention that all four of you assisted the prisoner's escape. Would anyone care to tell me why you thought this necessary?"

Legolas speaks first.

"I know that it would appear this way, father, but it was not us who released Tarron."

"Is that so?"

Thranduil folds his arms and you can't help but notice his biceps strain underneath the tight fabric of his dark tunic. He tilts his head as his eyes narrow on Legolas; it's obvious he isn't buying into whatever excuse they must have thought up, why didn't he just tell him the truth? You figure it must be an elven trait and furrow your brows as you try to focus on something else in the room.

"Yes, Tauriel and I were merely checking the dungeons when we saw one of the guards free him."

"Well….it appears my own son mistakes me for a fool."

"Father? It is the truth, Nym wasn't even involved and Ariella was-"

"I have witnesses, who would claim otherwise. They tell me that you and Tauriel set Tarron free. I also have the knowledge that a certain Lady was involved in the planning of this and that Nym assisted in distracting the guards."

All eyes are downcast as no-one dares admit that he's right.

"Therefore, I will ask again. Why did you all think this necessary?"

"There was no reason for him to be imprisoned in the first place."

Everyone's head turns to you. Thranduil's eyes catch yours and you know this won't go down well, but how else were they going to justify this? It was all up to you now.

"Tell me, my Lady…" his voice dripping with sarcasm,

"…do you know what warranted his imprisonment?"

Sheepishly, you shake your head, wishing that you had never spoken up.

"Then how can you possibly-"

"My King, I-we are unreservedly sorry for testing your judgement. I can assure you that it will not happen again and we will do whatever we can to gain back your trust, your Highness."

Tauriel always had a way with words, but this time you weren't so sure you agreed. She clearly doesn't believe the words she is saying, seeing as though it was her who wanted to rescue Tarron almost as much as you did.

You lean back a little to peer at Tarron from behind Legolas' head. Attempting to register his emotions, you see nothing but anguish, all the while, the King is watching you.

"Ariella and the prisoner shall stay. The rest of you may leave us."

His hurried tone and blatant disregard of Tauriel's apology causes you to look to Nym and Legolas in confusion. They both seem as unsure of his words as you are. You glance back as they leave the room. Tauriel exits giving you a forgiving look, behind her, Nym's face is riddled with fear.

The door closes with only you and Tarron left to face the King.

"Well, well…" he croons, sitting down on this throne, he flicks one leg over the other.

"I don't know how I managed to miss this…it's been so obvious…you're in love with him."

"What!?"

"Do not deceive me, Ariella. I have seen the looks you exchange with that abandoned ill-bred elf."

"He's my best friend, I don't think of him in that-"

"Of course, it makes perfect sense now, why you spoke out so strongly against me in the healing room…"

He ignores your defence and locks eyes with Tarron.

"Ariella is my friend, nothing more." he states.

As Tarron stares angrily at Thranduil, refusing to break eye contact, it makes you think back to the time you first got into trouble with the King. The Tarron back then shivered with fear and cowered away, but now, it was evident that he wasn't backing down.

"I find that very hard to believe."

"Why? Just because you can't keep your hands off her, doesn't mean-"

"ENOUGH."

You jump a little at the volume of his shout.

"…I will not hear another word from you…I have come to the decision that you shall be taken back to your village, never to return here again. You are lucky I have let you off so lightly, others would not be so lenient…impudence to royalty is punishable by death."

His words hit you hard and panic sets in. You aren't ready to lose Tarron just yet.

"No…you can't!" you yell, as Thranduil edges forward on his throne, grinning.

"Oh…but I can."

"Please! He didn't mean to upset you! I'm begging you-"

"Despite the fact that I do enjoy seeing you like this Ariella, no matter how much you beg me, I won't be changing my mind."

"But Thranduil, please!"

"Yet, I do love it when you moan my name…"

He grins, adding to your frustration.

"How can you do this?!"

"Oh, quite easily, my darling…"

Thranduil addresses the guards standing beside Tarron.

"…I suppose we should ensure that he arrives back safely…we wouldn't want Ariella getting even more upset now, would we?"

The smirk on his face is still apparent and you feel like slapping him for a second time, as tears begin to fall from your eyes, you can't let Tarron leave, not like this. You run to the other side of the room, desperately trying to reach Tarron as the guards haul him away, but you are stopped from doing so by a huge figure that blocks your way. Realising Thranduil's hold on you, it's clear that there's nothing you can do.

"…Please..." you whisper, trying to pull away from him, but it's too late.

"Ariella, my word is final. He is gone…"

He ducks his head below your ear and places a light kiss on your neck that makes you shiver.

"…and you, my sweet…are to remain with me."