Chapter 13

"Will everyone please make their way to the banquet hall."

An announcer breaks the awkward silence, as the whole hall, still in shock, renounces all ability to move. After all, a human and an elf had never been seen together, especially in public. In fact, even the King himself claimed to shun the mix. Yet here you were; eyes downcast to avoid the stares of onlookers, sticking to Thranduil's side. As the crowd begins to slowly saunter off towards the adjoining hall, the two of you are left standing alone. You move forward, ready to follow them, but he pulls you back into him whilst chuckling.

"What?"

"I'm not done with you yet."

"Do you think I can just forget about everything? Why did you even-"

"To prove it."

"A kiss, my King, proves nothing."

You smirk, pushing away from him. He grabs your hand and spins you back around with the intention of repeating his previous show, only to be stopped by the presence of his personal messenger.

"Apologies, my King. Lord Ralnor wishes to speak with you."

Exhaling, Thranduil keeps you in hold as he rises to his full height before speaking to Elbereth.

"Very well. Inform Ralnor that I shall speak with him shortly…"

"Yes, my King."

"..And the next time I am occupied with such a beauty, do not disturb me. Understood?"

"Yes...your highness."

Elbereth bows, leaving in a hurry with enflamed cheeks. The King smirks, enjoying the sound of his own voice and links your arm with his as he directs you towards the dining hall. You shake your head upon seeing his delight in making the messenger feel uncomfortable.

"Is there something wrong, darling?"

"You made him feel embarrassed."

"And? I am sure he can handle-"

"Fine, but please just stop smirking."

"And why would I do that? Although… I do rather enjoy it when you make demands."

You roll your eyes at him as the two of you enter into the banquet hall.

He gestures to the chair next to his.

"Sit with me."

The long table is once again fully seated, only this time, the majority are women, now all wishing they were you. They stare at you with hateful eyes and you assume it's out of jealousy. If you could handle the pervy old elf who attacked you, then you could handle this lot. As you look further down the table, you see a small group of elven women flock around one person in particular. Their heads bob up and down so it's difficult to tell who is-

Legolas.

Betrayed by his blond locks as a giggling lady moves to the side, you see an irritated looking young prince. His blue eyes seem unusually dull as he throws you a helpless look. It's then that you recognise Talia sat by his side, looking far too content for her own good. As she leans in closer to him, he pulls back, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Surely you can't be afraid of me, Legolas? After all, we've known each other for – well, almost as long as you've known Tauriel, wouldn't you agree?"

Legolas picks up his glass, the wine almost spilling over. He takes a huge gulp and drinks it all in one.

"…ah, the female warrior, such a hidden beauty…it would be a shame if something were to happen-"

He slams his glass down hard.

"Don't you dare threaten me, Talia. Touch Tauriel and I will personally serve your head to the Orcs."

"Now, now, princeling. I wouldn't speak to your future wife like that.." she remarks with a smirk.

"Do you really think I would marry you? I'd sooner wed a dwarf, and an ugly one at that."

Placing a hand on his arm, she can't help but wind him up.

"Oh Legolas, didn't your father ever teach you not to hold grudges?"

"I'm afraid not, instead he taught me not to get involved with common whores like you."

"But my sweet prince…you're already involved."

All of a sudden her lips are on his, yet as you watch them from the head of the table, surprised by her actions, everyone else seems oblivious. As he quickly retracts from the kiss, Legolas proceeds in grabbing her left arm, twisting it around her back whilst he throws her down to the floor.

With Legolas hovering over her, she chuckles.

"Still strong, princeling."

"Try that again and I'll put an arrow through your skull."

"Legolas!? What are you doing? Unhand my daughter at once!"

"Gladly."

As Talia pulls herself upright, she smiles sweetly at her father, then to you, then back at Legolas.

"Your father should take his own advice... it appears I'm not the only 'common whore' at this table."

Legolas grabs her arm, digging his nails into her skin as she lets out a hiss.

"Watch your tongue, Talia. One word to him about this and he'll have you thrown in the dungeons – and don't think he won't."

As if sensing his son's brewing rage, the King intercepts.

"Come, Legolas. Lord Ralnor wishes to talk with you."

Thranduil leans over to Ralnor, who sits opposite you, and whispers into his ear – you try to listen in, but he's clearly had too long to perfect this skill.

"Do not concern yourself with their foolery, my friend. I can assure you that my son and your daughter will make the perfect match."

After the banquet is over, Thranduil takes you back to his chambers; wanting to spend more time with you after he hardly said a word to you at the table, instead, giving all his attention to this Ralnor guy.

"What did Lord Ralnor want with Legolas?"

"Hmm?"

"The one sat next to you? What they talk about?"

"…Just council matters, nothing of interest to the ears of women."

"And how would you know? I might find these 'matters' very interesting."

He laughs, as you raise an eyebrow at him. As you sit on the edge of his bed, dangling your legs off the side, you try to block out your thoughts of what happened the last time you were in this room.

"Well then, the next time my councillors are in session, I shall let you know."

You look over to the door, events relaying in your mind. You can almost hear his voice, his laugh, the way his hands clawed against your skin, leaving red marks and tender bruises. Thranduil looks over to you, observing, as you stare at the door, becoming all the more distant.

"Ariella?"

"Oh, I- ah was..um.."

"I should have been here…if I can't even protect you from a single-…"

His back is facing you as he stands over the writing table in front of him. He becomes agitated, knocking the wine glass on the table to the floor. You jump slightly, unsuspecting, and as it shatters, you are reminded of the necklace that he sent to you on the night of your first ball; it too had been sent crashing to the ground. You watch as the crimson liquid spills across the floor, giving you chills.

Thranduil composes himself and turns to face you.

"Ariella, I am truly sorry."

"…You weren't to blame…and I'm fine now. Let's just forget about it."

"And Tarron?"

His name felt like a stab in the stomach. You hadn't thought of him in days. The guilt came surging back and you weren't sure how to answer him. At least you knew Tarron was safe and well, back in the village and he did actually want to leave beforehand…but that didn't help rid the guilt.

"What about him?"

"Am I still going to get scolded about taking him back?"

You can't take him seriously with that smirk and his tall, muscular build, just waiting to be-

"No…as long as he's safe, I suppose you're free from my wrath."

He smiles – and it seems genuine, far more real than the ones he pulls when talking to officials.

"Good. Although…I'm afraid I can't say the same for you..."

He walks over to you and picks you up, placing you back down underneath him in the centre of his bed. Looking up at him, your heartbeat begins to race in anticipation.

"I don't ever intend for you to be free from my wrath…"

He trails his finger down the side of your face, stopping underneath your chin to lift up your head.

"Ever."

You let out a small gasp before he takes advantage of your partially parted lips, his tongue exploring your mouth greedily whilst holding down your hands. Without breaking the kiss, he pushes up your dress to expose your thighs, gently sliding two fingers in-between your legs. You moan into his mouth as he begins to move them in and out at an unbearably slow pace. Feeling how soaking wet you are, he smirks, knowing that you won't be able to last much longer and as your muscles begin to tense around his fingers, he lets out a deep groan, imagining it happening to his cock.

As your chest heaves with pleasure, your breathing is now ragged as your moans start to get louder and with the pressure building, you begin to groan in desperation. But as you do so, he removes his fingers and stops kissing you. This only adds to your frustration and you take to whining as he looks down at you, grinning arrogantly.

"Oh Ariella…you can whine all you want: It's my way, or not at all."

He instantly rips away the bodice of your dress, leaving you completely exposed and vulnerable; just how he likes it. Looking you over, he lightly glides his hand over your chest and stops at your breasts. His hands are cold and the contact makes you squeal at the sensitivity, causing him to harden even more as you feel his erection press against your lower stomach.

"All these little noises you make, the gasps, the moans…they drive me insane."

He circles your nipple with his finger, making your heartbeat race.

"Do you do it on purpose, to taunt me? Hmmm?"

You shake your head, your body aching for his touch.

"Now….perhaps we should try something else..."

Before you can respond, his head is between your thighs. You cry out as he licks and sucks you desperately, his tongue darting in and out of you as his hands hold onto your hips possessively. You arch your back wanting more of him as you moan loudly; you're sure everyone will be able to here you, but you don't care anymore. As he changes his pattern, circling your most sensitive spot, you call out his name and he hums in response, creating vibrations that send you mad. But just as you feel yourself about to let go, he stops again, rising back over you with a wicked grin on his face.

The bastard.

Sliding his tongue over his lips, his eyes lock with yours.

"…You taste divine…"

You whimper at his words, all the while the heat still growing between your legs. You reach out to touch him, but he grabs your hand, placing it on his chest, indicating for you to remove his clothes. As you do so, his breathing grows louder, quickening as you sit upright, practically in his lap, whilst you strip off each item of clothing. Thranduil's eyes follow your hands as you take off his boots and slide down his trousers, freeing his straining manhood. Still in his lap, it's your turn to tease, as you trace your hands across his muscular torso, all the way down to his cock, grabbing it firmly. A low rumble forms in his chest and with a mischievous glint in your eye, you smirk, slowly pumping your hand up and down his hardening member, all the while you shuffle closer into his lap, enticing him. As he continues to groan, you bite down on your lip, trying hard to not sigh, but once he catches you, his mouth is on yours, sucking and biting on your bottom lip, encouraging you to moan. But you restrain yourself. Instead, you pump him faster, squeezing his cock harder as he growls into your mouth, bringing him closer to his release, causing him to give in first.

Snarling, he pushes you back down, spreading your thighs wide open, teasing you with the head of his cock at your entrance. You mewl submissively in response as you wiggle your hips, trying to get closer to him and with the pressure building once again, you begin to sob, wishing he would finally relieve you.

"…and I thought I was impatient…" he croons.

Unable to respond coherently, you mumble in frustration. Leaning down, he dips his head into the curve of your neck, whispering against your skin.

"You'll have to do better than that…."

"Th-…please, please…"

You feel like crying, doubting how it's even possible for him to stay hard for so long.

Elves.

"Oh darling…"

Without warning he slides deep into you, filling you inch by inch, making you scream out at the sudden mixture of pleasure and pain. He's so big, it takes a while to adjust to his size and as he quickens the pace, you find yourself lost, your legs wrapping around him instinctively, making you as close to him as you can be. He growls whilst continuing to pound into you, craving the feeling of your tight walls clenching around him.

"You have… no idea what you do to me…" he whispers between powerful thrusts.

He continues to make you come over and over again as his huge body moves against yours; although you're well aware that he isn't using his full strength, ensuring that he doesn't hurt you.

"Thranduil…." you moan, as he slams into you, groaning loudly.

Changing your position, he pulls your knees up closer to him. This new angle allows him to go even deeper within you, his cock sliding in and out of you at a relentless pace as he pins down your hands whilst you whimper, his eyes never leaving yours as he dominates you. Somehow, he still looks graceful, even with his long, blond hair falling across his torso, tickling your stomach as he moves. You suddenly scream out again at the insatiable friction, the two of you blissfully blind to the commotion that's occurring only metres away...

Loud footsteps march through the halls, fastly approaching the young Prince's chambers. Murmurs are heard all around the corridors as a group of commanding guards reach his doors. Without pausing to knock, they burst into his room, promptly informing Legolas of the news.

"Your highness, more orcs have entered the forest."

Legolas sighs, flicking through a book hopelessly; his irritable mood had been worsened by the talk with Talia's father, not to mention the girl herself.

"Then command your patrol to deal with them, isn't that your job?!"

"But my Pri-"

"Are you deaf as well as blind? I'm busy. Now would you kindly, leave."

A senior guard steps forward, he's an old friend of the prince – but also a relation to Talia.

"I apologise, Legolas… but we believe they're holding Tauriel captive."