Chapter 11

Over the next few days you barely see Thranduil, except for mornings and evenings. You had spent your time learning to read elvish, touring the halls with Nym and hiding in your new found favourite place: the library.

Sprawled on the floor, reading (well, attempting to read) a book on elven myths, you become increasingly frustrated after getting stuck on the same words. Exhaling loudly, you close the book and slouch back against the wooden frame of the elegant bookcases that encase the entire room. You lean back to gaze up, marvelling at the sheer amount of books that are stacked up high.

"I thought I'd find you here."

"What th- Christ Nym, couldn't you have knocked?!"

"Actually, Ariella, I am a firm believer that the library is a place of freedom – where there are no rules about knocking etiquette."

"Well then, as it is such a free place…I'm going."

"Not on my behalf, I hope?"

"You aren't that irritating. I just want to see Elora about something."

"Fine, then I shall escort you."

"You don't have to, I highly doubt I'll get stabbed for a second time."

He offers out his arm to you whilst you clamber up, placing your book back on its shelf.

"I know…in all honesty, I'm surprised the King doesn't keep you with him at all times."

"I'm sorry?"

"Well, due to the attack. He did seem terribly alarmed, Ariella, and come to think of it, didn't he order you to be placed in his chambers?"

"…maybe..."

"Ariella! Are you disobeying King Thranduil…again?"

Letting your arm fall, he parades around the room, arching one eyebrow as he pretends to be King.

"My, my…you are a disobedient human."

Winking at you, he then flicks his hand in mock dismissal. This causes you to flop forward, clutching your stomach as you laugh uncontrollably, but his antics are soon interrupted by a stressed Legolas who stands at the doorway, leaning against the frame.

"My good friend, what in all of Mirkwood has happened? You look as though your father is making you wed a dwarf!"

"That is precisely what is happening."

As the two of you approach him, Legolas huffs and begins to stroke his forehead nervously.

"I have just spoken to my father and he has decided to hold a banquet this evening, to which he tells me the both of you must also attend, but- he has invited every single elven lady of noble birth in these lands! The worst part of this is that…well, he's invited Talia."

Nym and Legolas exchange a serious look.

"That's it? You're worried about a woman?"

"She is no woman. She's a manipulative, daughter of-"

"What Legolas is trying to say, is that Princess Talia is rather deceptive. Although the King has long favoured her as a match for Legolas, she only appears interested in the status that comes with marrying him. She also likes male attention a little too much, if you follow my meaning.."

"I see…"

"So much so, that I lost one of my closest friends because of her. That vile creature couldn't keep herself away from him and when her father found out, he urged my father to punish him, so he sent him to the dungeons, but after he was released, Talia's brothers went after him…we found him dead several days later."

"Remind me why Thranduil actually wants you to marry her?"

"Her family is very well respected and according to him, she is fit to one day rule this realm."

Nym shakes his head in disgust as Legolas spits out the last words.

"Ah…but why do I have to come too?"

"I do not know Ariella, but I am confident that you'll have much more fun than I."

He leaves swiftly with Nym following, mumbling something in elvish that you assume is some sort of elven swear. You poke your head around the door and shout down the corridor to Nym.

"Hey! What about escorting me back?"

He turns around and smiles.

"I have the Prince's lady problems to deal with, Ariella. Now is not the time for escorting."

Soon enough, the night closes in and you are on your way to meet Legolas and Nym, outside the grand hall. As soon they see you, their faces drop. Both dressed in very similar attire, their tunics are a deep blue, making them look remarkably handsome.

Nym approaches you first, bowing at your feet; his eyes roll from your hair to your dress.

"You look truly beautiful…where did you get that dress?!"

"It's all Elora's work really, she did my hair and made the dress."

Elora really did make the best dresses you had ever seen. The one she had made for you tonight was a light purple, strapless empire dress that sparkled in the light with small diamond shaped gems that shaped the neckline. Hugging your figure, it made you feel feminine and confident.

"It suits you so well, it's just a shame you have to put up with such bad company."

"Are you referring to the princesses or yourself?"

He smiles, "Neither..." tilting his head towards the door as Thranduil enters.

Dressed like a true King in his black knee-high boots, his tunic a shimmering shade of silver, whilst his ruby cloak fits tightly around his huge arms – it's a struggle not to be drawn into his radiant aura.

Why does he have to look so…ugh. Ok, I can handle this. Just remember what he did to Tarron. Yes.

Whilst Nym and Legolas bow, you try to hide behind them, but he sees you anyway.

"Oh Ariella…."

You roll your eyes, as he reaches in between them and takes your hand, swirling you around to get a better look at you. His eyes are wide with delight as they wander across every part of your body.

"My, you are quite a sight my darling…any princess would be envious of your beauty."

Nym and Legolas shuffle awkwardly closer to the door, desperately wanting to enter the hall. You look to the side and say nothing back. Becoming increasingly frustrated, Thranduil takes hold of your other hand and pulls you quickly towards him.

"Enter with me."

You don't have time to respond whilst he strides off with you stumbling behind, irritated.

"You could have at least said 'please'."

"I thought you weren't speaking to me?"

Arsehole. Why can't he- you have got to be kidding. Not another goddamn ball.

"Legolas said that this wa-"

"If you knew, would you have come?"

"I didn't think it was optional."

He chuckles at your petulance. Strolling off, he leaves you in the middle of hundreds of elven women, just as stunning as you'd imagined them to be. You manage to watch him head over to a group of gushing ladies. They must have been at least half his age. As you stand there, slightly open mouthed as they all clamour round him, he turns to one of them, moving her long blond hair (not dissimilar to his) away from her shoulder he whispers into her ear. All the while, his eyes are on you.

Oh, please. What's that supposed to do, make me jealous?

Turning away, you meander around the elves to find a table set out with bottles of scarlet wine. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Legolas making his way over to you. Quickly pouring a glass of the purple liquid before anyone can stop you, it takes you seconds to finish it in the hope that if you get drunk, it will at least make this evening more tolerable.

Glancing back over to where the King stands, you can just see the top of his crown, but you can guess he's still with them, drooling all over him.

"I thought you were supposed to be the one flirting with the ladies? Not your father."

Legolas grins, far more used to his father's charming ways than you were.

"From what I've heard, shouldn't it be you flirting with him? And they aren't really to my liking."

"What do you mean?"

"Ah, well…I suppose I mean that I prefer more independent, confident-"

"No, no. What have you heard?"

"My father told me about his love for you and ho- wait, did you not know?"

"Umm, sort of. Actually, I thought…never mind."

Shocked at the fact that Thranduil did actually tell the truth, you feel a tad guilty. But then again, he did still banish Tarron…Ugh. To lighten the mood, Nym saunters over to you and Legolas and it is soon apparent that he has had a little too much wine to drink.

"…You two..are my wisest..kindest f-friends in the whole realm, I hope you b-both know that.."

"Great. The night has barely begun and the wine is already affecting him."

"Fear not Prince-ling, I'll keep a keen eye out for t-that dwarf-faced, stench of an orc, princess..."

You chuckle at his reference to Talia as Legolas folds his arms, watching Nym stagger off. You go to pour another glass, but Legolas grabs your hand as if to stop you, but as you look back to him, his eyes are focused elsewhere. He appears alarmed although says nothing and you are about to ask him what's wrong, when a booming velvet voice radiates from behind you.

"Here she is,"

Thranduil is standing in front of you, not yet noticing his son's distress, accompanied by another male elf, who surprisingly, also has platinum blonde hair. Although shorter than the King, his eyes are soft and kind and his smile appears genuine.

"…Haldir, this is Ariella."

He bows to you before holding out his hand in return for yours. As he rises you look at him and blush a little, it seems all elves have the same intense eye contact.

"It certainly is a pleasure, Lady Ariella."

Startled, you give a shy smile but no reply. You look up to Thranduil for a sign of how to respond, as you have no idea who this 'Haldir' is and what the King's intentions are for you meeting him. You look back over to where Legolas was stood; only he isn't there. Glancing back to Thranduil, he gives you no hints other than his usual smirk as he angles his head, signalling for you to reply.

"Um, thank you…"

As Haldir gazes at you fondly, Thranduil turns to him, seeming not to mind.

"I shall speak with you later, I have to introduce my son to someone - I'll leave the two of you to get acquainted."

Don't you dar-

"Until later, my king."

Haldir bows as Thranduil walks off. He flicks his hair behind him and winks back at you as he goes.

Well. If that's how he wants to play. Fine.