Chapter 12

"I trust that the King is treating you well?"

Hmm…I wonder how Thranduil would cope if rumours were to circulate that he was treating his guest badly? Time for some revenge I think.

"Actually, well…I didn't want to cause a fuss…but- ah it's nothing really..."

Haldir steps closer to you, his expression growing concerned.

"My Lady, if you are at all unhappy I-"

"It's just that, I wouldn't want the King to get in trouble…"

"Ariella, I can assure you, that whatever you divulge to me, I will not betray your trust."

Well, only if you insist – if he's anything like the other elves, his loyalty to the King will have him spreading the gossip like fire, outraged at the almighty Thranduil's actions. Perfect.

"To be completely honest with you,"

You lower your head, leaning slightly into him.

"..I haven't been fed for days and this is the first time I've ever been allowed out of the dungeons."

"What!? This is truly unacceptable, Ariella. The dungeons! On what premise where you put there?"

"Thranduil never gave me any reason."

You do your best pout and begin to sniff to make it all the more convincing.

"And you have told no-one else of this…neglect?!"

"No, I guess I didn't want to alarm anyone."

Haldir takes your hand in his and strokes it soothingly.

"You must understand that I cannot allow this disregard for your health to be continued. Do not fear, leave it to me and I shall resolve this matter."

"Thank you Haldir, I'm so grateful for your help."

"You need not thank me Ariella, Thranduil should address this immediately. Do not worry, I shan't tell him, but if I were to have you in my hospitality, I would not be so careless with,"

His round eyes lock with yours as he begins to lose his words.

"..such a stunning… delicate-"

"Um yes, well thank you, but I must find my friend…he said he was going to try and smuggle in something for me to eat. Goodbye…"

You quickly turn away, leaving Haldir to watch you delve back into the colourful sea of elves to find exactly whereabouts Legolas had got to. As much as he was good-looking, you didn't exactly need another complicated romantic entanglement. Also, it wasn't as if your entire existence was to be tied to a man. Thus, unable to locate Legolas after trying for far too long, you wander off to find Nym in order to have some fun of your own.

Although the majority of the hall was full with gorgeous noble lady elves, who were wearing the prettiest dresses made from silk and lace, there were a few men who had accompanied them on their journey or were relatives and due to this, it was easy to spot him; even more so from the loudness of his voice and the space between him and the lady elves.

"Ayy, Ariella!"

As you approach him he sways from side to side, almost falling over his own feet.

"Are you sure you should be having this much wine?"

"It's the t-troll, she's here! Look, look!"

"What?"

Nym laughs and points, rather too obviously for your liking, over to a lady you have never seen before. Legolas is stood beside her, frowning and red in the face. To say he looks angry is an understatement. But she on the other hand, looks calm, smirking and batting her eyelashes at him.

Talia. This must have been who he saw earlier.

You stay with Nym to keep him occupied to stop him from downing any more of the wine and as the hours go by, it becomes increasingly clear that your plan has worked. Many of the male elves begin to throw you pitying looks, whilst the women gasp and stare, whispering to each other. Although the King appears to have been telling the truth about revealing all to Legolas, he still threw out your best friend. And for this, he needed payback. You knew how much Thranduil liked to be the centre of attention and this would give him exactly what he wanted - more or less.

As Nym introduces you to some of the random women that also appear to find his drunkenness amusing, you begin to see a pattern. Most of them are your age with long blond hair and slim figures; whilst you were more the curvy type with darker hair. Whilst talking with the less arrogant ones, they offer you sympathy after hearing how Thranduil treats you. One woman in particular approaches you. She is tall (as usual) and older than most of the others, her dark blue eyes appear to be riddled with worry.

"Are you Ariella?"

"Ah, yes."

"Well, I just wish to say that I am utterly appalled to here of the King's behaviour towards you. I know that you are a human – but that is no excuse. I thought that out of all the people who would have kept you well-looked after, it would be Thranduil; especially after what his own kin have been through."

"Thank you, but I really don't want to cause any hassle."

Oh no, that would be terrible…

"Nonsense. It shall be rectified soon enough, my child. The council will see to that."

Council? Oh dear…he will be mad. What a shame.

As she floats back over to a crowd of anxious looking women, you can't help but admire your own scheming. Everything is going to plan. Suddenly, you feel yourself being pulled by the arm backward and look behind you to see Nym who appears out of nowhere. Taking you with him, he stalks over towards Talia, who is now without Legolas.

"No, Nym. We ca-"

"Sssshh! We must creep up secretly behind her and listen in…she may be conspiring against us!"

"I don't think she is. Surely she wouldn't do that here?"

"You are wrong, so, so wrong, very ver-"

"Nym? Are you- sweet Christ."

Collapsed on the floor, Nym attracts all the attention as heads turn to mock him. One elf comes over to you after watching your attempts to help him up, but his height makes this task rather tricky.

"Just leave him, he'll be alright. He should be used to this by now."

He chuckles and walks off. As you stand there, unsure if you should leave him or not, you notice that over to the far right of the hall there begins to form a small circle of what looks like superior elves; possibly Lords or other royalty. Straining your neck up to see over the heads of elves, you make out Thranduil, who is stood in the centre of them.

The council.

Upon seeing you, he notices that you're watching and catches your eye with a fierce glare. You guess he must have found out and as the group dissipates, he is left standing there, simmering, brooding, glaring at you.

Yeah, bitch. Now you know how anger feels.

You have to admit that he looks even more glorious when he's angry – intimidating, but by god, glorious. To annoy Thranduil even more, you smirk at him then turn your back weaving off through the crowd, until he calls out your name.

"Ariella. Come here, now."

You smile at hearing the irritation in his voice. Turning back round, you walk slowly over to where he is standing, legs wide apart, his arms folded and his head raised high. He looked less than pleased; much less.

"Is there something wrong, my King?"

You try to contain your amusement.

"Oh I think you know exactly what is wrong, my darling."

"I'm afraid you will have to elaborate…"

"I intend to do more than elaborate, Ariella. If it's a scene you want, then that is what you shall get."

He grabs you roughly and turns you so that both of you are facing everyone in the hall.

"HOW DARE YOU RAISE YOUR HAND TO ROYALTY! This is what I get for allowing you out of the dungeons? After I gave you a chance not to return to your violent ways? And you wonder why I keep you locked up!"

Heat rushing to your cheeks, you feel completely embarrassed. Out of all the things he could have done, this was the last thing you expected. Everyone is now staring at the two of you; what could you say back?

Leaning down to you, he snarls into your ear.

"What did you expect when you play games with a King?"

"What did you expect me to do when you threw out my best friend?" you say through gritted teeth.

His hold on your arms is tight, as if to restrain you. He whispers back, smirking.

"You cannot fool me, darling. I know you are enjoying this."

"I most definitely am not."

I totally am.

"You've made your point, now let me go."

You wriggle, trying to move his arms away from you.

"Oh I don't think so, my little flower. I'm not quite done with you yet..."

He releases his hold on your arms and instead takes your hand lightly, drawing you closer to him.

"I meant what I said to you Ariella. I intend to prove it, regardless of what you do."

"What makes you think I want you to prove it? How do you expect me to love someone who does not care about my feelings? You made it clear by banis-"

"Ariella."

"Yes, my King?"

Your words are still tinted with playful sarcasm, knowing full well he loves it just as much as you do.

"Kiss me."

"What!?"

"You heard what I said. Do not play coy with me woman, you have tested me for long enough."

Obeying his command, you reach up on your tip-toes and kiss him softly on his smooth lips, making the entire room hush. The whispers and chattering that had risen from Thranduil shouting at you seemed far more pleasant than the now apparent silence that had broken across the room.

"That's not what I mean. Do it properly, Ariella. Or would you rather I make another scene?"

"Isn't that what you're doing already?"

"Very well, I'll do it myself."

Taking you by the waist, Thranduil curls his strong arms around you and pulls you flat against him. He instantly devours your mouth and you feel his tongue take dominance over yours. As he continues to deepen the kiss without letting you breathe, you release a quiet moan into his mouth as a wave of desire washes over you and your whole body tingles wanting more.

When he eventually breaks the kiss, you feel slightly faint but his arms keep you tight against him. Looking up into his eyes, they are dark and full of lust. He begins to smirk as he notices your expression change when you suddenly remember that you are in front of hundreds of elves, now looking at you with astonished faces, mouths hanging wide open.

Shit.

Thranduil, still keeping you close to him, turns to address the stunned crowd.

"Ariella is mine. Anyone who harms her shall answer to their King."