The Return
Disclaimer: All belongs to Tolkien except for my characters Roslyn and Maethor – they are my own creations and are not meant to resemble anyone else's OCs in any way.
A/N: I'm sorry it took me so long to update! I've been super busy lately so I hope you all can forgive me!
Chapter 8: We Feast Again
Roslyn was happy. She hadn't felt like this in a long time. It had been two weeks since the running incident and something had shifted between them. They moved around each other fluidly, like mirror images. And even though those words had yet to be spoken between them, something seemed to have clicked.
She lay there now on Tauriel's bed, snacking on fruit and gossiping. Tonight was the Feast of Starlight and she couldn't wait. It meant that come tomorrow, Reina would be gone. She smiled to herself.
"What are you thinking about?"
Roslyn turned her head to look at her friend.
"Oh nothing. Just…thinking."
"Then what was that smile for?"
"I'm just happy," she let out a little content sigh.
"I haven't felt this way in a while."
"So things are finally going well between you two?"
"It would seem so."
"Have you spent the night with him yet?"
Roslyn hesitated, "Not exactly."
"What? Why not? What's stopping you?"
"I don't know."
She paused for several long moments.
"It just feels like I'm hanging on to my last thread of self control. To be totally honest, I'm afraid of what it'll mean. We haven't exactly talked about anything, you know?"
Tauriel mulled the information over for a few minutes.
"Maybe you should bring it up."
"Are you telling me that I should have the 'where is this relationship going' conversation with Thranduil?!" Roslyn laughed.
"Well when you put it that way…"
They grew quiet again, each one lost in her own thoughts.
"I do feel like we've grown a lot closer lately," Roslyn finally broke the silence.
"But it's just all so new. It feels like any wrong move or slight twitch and it'll all just break and fall apart."
"Maethor has been acting really weird lately too…I'm afraid he's cheating on me."
Roslyn shot up.
"WHAT?!"
Tauriel frowned, turning her head to face Roslyn.
"I don't know. I'm probably completely blowing it out of proportion. But something has been off the past few days. He's just been acting so odd."
"Well…what has he done?"
"There isn't anything in particular, it's just a feeling. I'm probably being silly."
"I mean, I wouldn't jump to conclusions. But maybe you should just ask him."
"Ask him if he's cheating on me?"
"Maybe not exactly that, but you should ask him what's been going on."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe tonight…or after the feast," she laughed.
Roslyn laid back down on the bed, lost in thought once more.
…
Thranduil fidgeted with his black and gold royal robes. He stared at himself in the mirror as he adjusted, and then readjusted them. He felt nervous and he didn't know why. This was not like him. Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath to relax himself.
I wonder what she'll be wearing tonight…
He had asked Roslyn if she needed a new dress for the feast but she had declined him, stating that she had brought something from her own world. Maybe that's why he was nervous – he didn't know what to expect. His gaze drifted to the doors, wondering if it was too early to leave to meet her.
Shirking off his anxious feeling, he took one more glance in the mirror. Finally happy with his appearance he sauntered out of his chambers and down the hall. His pace was leisurely and his eyes were trained on the end of the corridor, waiting for her to show with baited breath. A moment later, she turned the corner and there she was.
Stunning. So absolutely stunning.
She paused for a moment at the end of the hall. The black gauzy skirt of her Reem Acra dress skimming the floor gently. She felt her heart pounding in her chest as she looked back at him. Somehow, inadvertently, they ended up matching. His steel grey orbs slowly crept up her body. He took in the soft skirt that ended at her waist. Then his eyes went to the elaborately beaded golden bodice with a plunging neckline and sleeves that went down to her elbows. The nude lining gave the illusion that she might be indecently dressed and something about that was incredibly sexy to Thranduil.
He finally met her gaze as a sly smile curled his lips. He took a few steps forward and watched as Roslyn did the same. Slowly they met in the middle. Thranduil reached out for her wordlessly. His palms skimmed up her arms and he brushed back some hair off her shoulder. Slowly, he bent down and let his nose brush up the side of her neck, taking in her scent. He reached her cheek and placed a chaste kiss on it, his lips warm and soft against her skin.
"You're beautiful," he whispered in her ear.
Roslyn beamed up at him and watched as his eyes fell on the opal jewel around her neck. A soft smile graced his lips. He turned and offered her his arm.
"Shall we, my lady?"
The butterflies filled her stomach as her delicate fingers wrapped around his arm.
…
They entered the beautiful banquet hall together. Roslyn looked around, taking everything in. She smiled to herself at how much it was all the same, yet everything had changed from last time. Thranduil led her through the half open room with the pride and confidence that only a king could possess.
Everyone is watching us.
Her stomach churned at the realization.
"Some wine?" he asked her.
"Please!"
He arched a brow at her and poured her a goblet full. She took the offered libation and gulped down half of it quickly, trying to steady her nerves.
"Are you alright?"
"Everyone keeps staring at me!" she whispered harshly.
He gently grabbed her chin and turned her face towards his.
"That is because they are jealous of how exquisite you are," he whispered back.
Roslyn took in a deep breath, letting his words calm her as a light flush tainted her cheeks. She let her eyes drift upwards, locking with his. She couldn't help the smile that formed as she took in the sparkle that ghosted in his eyes.
"Dance with me."
It was more of a statement than a question, but she happily accepted his proffered hand.
…
Roslyn sat alone at a table, trying to get some food into her stomach before she became too inebriated. She watched the dancing crowd as Tauriel came to join her. She sat down by her friend, resting her chin in her hands. Roslyn turned her attention to the elleth.
"Well you look happy. I guess you sorted things out with Maethor?"
"I mean…" she paused, "I didn't really ask him about anything. But he seems back to normal today. He's been so sweet. He brought me flowers earlier and he's just being so caring and attentive. Maybe it really was nothing."
"I guess."
"Oh don't ruin it. I want to be happy."
Roslyn sighed, "I know. I just don't want you to get hurt."
Tauriel frowned back, "I'm willing to take the risk."
"How can you just be so sure like that?"
"Because I love him. And so I have to trust him. And deep down, my gut tells me he could never really cheat on me. I think I just let my imagination run away with me."
"Are you certain that's what it is? You don't think that maybe that was your gut telling you something was wrong earlier?"
Tauriel's frown deepened, "You know, you don't always have to expect the worst to happen…not everyone is going to disappoint you. Maybe for once you should stop thinking so much and doubting yourself. Go with your heart and take a leap of faith."
With that, the elleth stood up and turned to leave.
"I thought we were talking about you here?!" Roslyn called after her.
She huffed and watched her retreating back. Her stomach twisted with anxiety at Tauriel's words. She let her gaze drift back out over the dancing crowd as she took a large swig of her wine.
…
Thranduil stood there speaking with one of his advisors. He took a long draught of his wine, desperately wanting to be freed of the boring discussion.
"Do you mind if I borrow our dear king?" came a melodious voice behind him, like an angel answering his prayer.
"Of course, my lady!"
Arwen laughed lightly as she looped her arm through Thranduil's and guided him away.
"You looked as if you needed rescuing!"
"You read my mind," he chuckled back.
She picked up a wine glass and sipped at it with a delicacy that only an elven lady could possess.
"So who is she, really?" her eyes trained on Roslyn.
Thranduil followed her gaze. He observed Roslyn as she sat talking with Tauriel. He sighed deeply, not quite sure how to answer the loaded question.
"My lord, I've been looking for you!"
Thranduil turned his head to his left, for once slightly happy to see Reina.
"It would seem that I've danced with just about everyone tonight…except you," she gazed up at him through her lashes like she often did.
"I'm sure there are plenty of better dance partners for you than I," he replied.
Arwen laughed at his side.
"Somehow I doubt that," she all but whispered.
His gaze narrowed slightly, head cocking to the side as he observed her.
"Come now," she said coyly, "don't you want to show me how it should be done?"
Her voice was laced with innuendo, but Arwen did not seem to pick up on it.
"Oh Thranduil, grant the poor elleth her wish. Dance with her!" She pushed him lightly towards Reina.
Thranduil frowned slightly, not seeing a way out of this without being completely rude to his guests. He stretched his hand out reluctantly. Reina smirked up at him, her eyes still smoldering as she placed her small hand in his. He led her out onto the floor.
"One dance," he told her quietly.
"That's all I ask for," was her impudent reply.
She pressed up against him more closely than was necessary as he whirled her around the dance floor.
"You are trouble," he growled in her ear.
"So I've been told," she was unfazed.
"You're much too young to be behaving like this. You don't know what you're asking for."
"I'm not as young as you think. Nor as innocent."
The music finally came to a close. Thranduil pushed away, practically shoving her from him. His eyes ran over to Roslyn's table. Empty. His attention snapped back to Reina as she came up close to him again, her fingers brushing against his.
"I know you're just as attracted to me as I am to you. You don't need to deny it. And you don't need to worry about turning it into something it's not. It's just one night…I'll be gone tomorrow after all," she whispered up at him.
Thranduil scowled in distaste. He grabbed her arms roughly, creating distance between them.
"You need to know your place," he growled forcefully.
Pushing her away, he stormed out, desperate to find Roslyn.
…
Her eyes were glued to them as they moved fluidly across the dance floor. Reina's black hair swayed slightly against her deep blue gown with every turn.
They look so good together – like proper Elven royalty.
Roslyn tried to quash the storm of jealousy bubbling up inside of her.
He said there was nothing going on between them. You need to trust him. Like Tauriel said, stop over analyzing everything!
They were so close now, their bodies practically molding into each other. She couldn't stand it anymore. Getting up swiftly, she left the feast and made her way to their spot in the little garden. She stood at the edge of the water and watched the moon reflecting off the falls. Distanced from the party now, she felt silly and embarrassed by her reaction.
He should be able to dance with another girl without you freaking out!
(Down on Life – Elliphant)
"Ugh!" she cried out in frustration.
But deep down, she knew it was because she still felt insecure in their relationship. Taking a calming breath, she felt a newfound resolution.
You can do this. Take a leap of faith. Let yourself love him…it's ok to love him.
Roslyn whirled around at the rustle of bushes. Thranduil stood there gazing at her, bathed in the moonlight.
"Roslyn."
They stepped up to each other, mere inches apart.
"Roslyn, please understand…That wasn't…"
She cut him off as she stepped up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips.
"I know," she whispered.
Pulling back she looked up at him.
"I got jealous, and it was silly. I know I don't have anything to be jealous about."
"No, you don't. She's nothing. Absolutely nothing to me."
His palms drifted up her back as he ran his nose along her jawline. He smiled as he felt her shudder lightly.
"Come back with me," he whispered softly as he placed a feather light kiss at the base of her jaw.
"Come back to my chambers…and stay the night."
He trailed his lips down her neck, making her shiver as she clutched the fabric of his robes.
"Please," he coaxed her.
"Thranduil," came out her breathy reply.
His fingers continued to run up and down her back as his lips made their way down her chest. He followed the plunging neckline of her dress as he kissed in between her breasts.
"Stay with me," he tempted her again.
Roslyn felt like she was slowly losing her mind as his lips worked on her. She felt relaxed and free from the wine. Tauriel's words echoed in her head.
Take a leap of faith…stay the night.
Why not? You know you want to…
Slowly, she opened her lust-hazed eyes and nodded at him. She watched as his eyes darkened with desire and a smug half smile tugged at his mouth.
…
They were in the middle of his bed, their clothing long since forgotten on the floor. She sat in his lap, facing him. Roslyn moaned loudly and threw her head back, her hair splayed out behind her like a waterfall as she leaned back slightly, giving him better access to her clavicle. Their hips moved against each other, slowly, tantalizingly, driving each other crazy.
She opened her eyes and examined him. His biceps rippled from the strain of supporting her. The sight of his strong arms only turned her on all the more. She bucked against him as he growled and nipped her neck.
Their seated position didn't allow for a lot of movement, but it was intimate and forced them to slow down, to take their time. She leaned forward again, holding him close to her as their lips met. The kiss was slow and passionate. They panted as the tension began to build.
Roslyn whimpered into his mouth, growing desperate for release. He wrapped his arms around her and helped her move up and down, hitting her G-spot with each thrust. The sensation was so intense that she felt as if her eyes might roll into the back of her head.
"Roslyn, look at me," he asked.
Mustering as much will power as she could, she pried her eyelids apart. Thranduil's gaze was intense, a fire burned in his eyes as he watched her nearly fall apart in his arms.
"Stay the night with me," he pleaded.
Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment.
Why the hell not…
She opened her eyes again and nodded slowly. He pressed into her deeply, causing them both to gasp.
"Promise me," he whispered breathily, "I want to hear you say it."
She gazed at him, examining his face as some indescribable emotion etched itself onto his features. He was so open in that moment, laying everything out before her. She smiled slightly to herself as a realization dawned on her. She hadn't done it on purpose, but somehow, she had managed to bring the mighty Elven king to his knees.
"I promise," she breathed against his lips.
A/N: Sooooo…what do you think!? Also, if you all were interested in seeing Roslyn's dress, I really tried to put in a link but it just didn't work. Look up the Reem Acra Pre-Fall 2015 collection. It's one of the last dresses in the collection and you can probably figure out which one from my description, though the skirt is actually white instead of black (Gold top, white skirt).