Don't show your irritation. Don't show your irritation!
A distraction?! Are you serious? I stared up into his crystal gaze that seemed to frantically search for the crack in my defense. I stared back placidly, without expressing anything.
You want a distraction from your work eh? I might have a few ideas for that….
This time though, I couldn't hide the mischievous smile stretching my lips. His eyes narrowed slightly in response, and I could see him become wearier of me by the minute. Hm hm hm hm! How right you are! I stepped around him in one smooth motion, going towards his desk, never breaking the eye contact, until I judged it enough, and looked away playfully. The entire palace had just become my playground, and HE, my opponent. Or playmate… All right. This is going to be fun!
"A distraction from your work, eh?" I asked, sliding my fingers across his desk. I fingered the papers, eyed a few and looked back up to him. "Yeah…this does seem excruciatingly boring."
His gaze was stern, and he seemed…unsure of how to respond. I mentally sighed. I hope he didn't get the wrong idea.
Nope! But you did! I ignored that….distracting comment, and focused on the moment.
I walked very slowly back to him, gazing into his sparkling ice-blue eyes. "So….His highness would like to have some fun?" I tempted innocently. My own heart was beating wildly, anticipating my next actions. His eyes widened with shock, wonder, bewilderment, and dare I say curiosity? I pinched my lips, trying to hide the growing smile. I got as close to him as he got to me earlier, looking up into his waiting face. Let's just go with the flow, I answered my hesitation.
I got up on tip toes and got closer to his face, without touching him. His delicate smell came to tickle my nose in a distracting way. I whispered then:
"What makes you think I'll play the part of the little distraction willingly? What makes you think I won't just flat-out refuse and spend the day sitting down, doing nothing? You want the little distraction to play? Then let's play."
I ended that last sentence getting far too close to the side of his neck, blowing my breath smoothly along its length. I didn't know, then, that he was repressing a shiver from that.
As soon as I finished, I backed up with a wide smile and eyes sparkling with excitement. I then spun about, and bolted for the balcony. As the railing got closer, I jumped over it, and into the thick vegetation. Despite the rich environment, I was still in the palace. I glanced about nervously, determined not to get caught too quickly. Adrenalin was running high in my veins, and all my senses were on full alert. I swiftly moved about the vegetation, making as little noise as possible. Hardly a few minutes went by before I heard the typical "Find her! She has to be around here somewhere!"
How kind of them to use their vocal chords NOW so I can spot them easier! I smirked to myself. I looked up to the balcony to see if the Woodland King would deem this worthy of his attention or not. All I caught was the back of his head moving away.
That irked me somewhat. I didn't go through all this mess just so that mister high-and-mighty could just ignore it and go do something else.
I climbed up the trees that faced the balcony, and hopped onto it again. His great back faced me in all its pride and glory. Hearing me return, he angled his head to the side to look at me. I walked back up to him, stomping loudly from my annoyance. "Since you won't even give the attention you were going to give me initially" I started, only to then snatch the crown from his head and jump back off the balcony. Now thathas to get him moving! I thought as I landed on the mossy ground. I then looked back up to see if I would get another reaction.
In mid-air, right above me, was Thranduil with his coat fanning about him in the air, and his eyes blazing in anger. His face was set in a frightening scowl. I blanched. Oh dear… I bolted for the vegetation, NOT hearing him land behind me. Was this fear crushing my gut in its grip?
I knew that in a straight race, he would win, so I had to try and dodge about… Which would be very hard to keep up on a long term basis. Branches sped at me from apparently all sides. A massive tree came up right in front. I slithered around it, going for a full 360° turn. The frightening part was, not hearing him move about with such speed. As I came to the end of my little round-about, I caught a glimpse of his deep green coat floating by around the tree. I stopped there, halting my breathing so as to make no more sounds. I tried a glimpse around the tree, only to see Thranduil, about 15 meters away, standing tall and throwing glances about the place.
Theoretically speaking, as long as I kept in the tree's axis, I wouldn't be seen by the Woodland King. I have to get away from him. Keeping in that straight line, I crawled away, thinking of a place I could hide away peacefully. I quickly reached other vegetation that could hide me away. This might be easier than I thought…Suddenly, an idea popped in my head. The very room where I was ordered to. I accidentally let out a "pfft" of laughter as I imagined Thranduil going about his palace looking for me, when I was simply in the very room he initially wanted me to be. The idea appealed to me. All right then, let's go! I reached the front of the balcony without trouble. There was no sign of guards, but I could hear them further off. I quickly climbed the tree again, and was in the room before you could say "macaroni-and-cheese" (or "woodland-king" for instance…).
There was no sound. No activity. It was perfectly calm and not unusually quiet like when something is amiss. I got to the far corner of the room, grabbed a chair, and laid it against the wall, in a way where I could see both the balcony and the door. I slumped down with a smile on my face, and chuckled softly.
I fingered the crown in my hands and marveled at its delicate structure and lightness. Damn! I want one too!
You sound like a spoiled child.
It was meant to….
Now that I had to simply wait, I didn't want to put the crown down on the table or on my lap where it could fall or be taken away without my noticing. So, I slowly and very self-consciously, laid it atop my head. A thrill ran up and down my spine. Oh my god! This is so cool! I'm going to be killed for this but… Oh my god!
The after-noon then went by rather slowly… I jumped at every sound that came too close to the room. Soon enough though, they stopped. My eyelids became heavy, and my head started nodding away. I crossed my arms on my chest, and rested my head forward too. Before I could think "I can't fall asleep!" I was off to other realms…
I woke up slowly, and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes with a small yawn. It was slightly dark. It was twilight, Twix-time between night, and day. I looked around, not recognizing where I was at first.
It's only when my eyes fell upon a pair of ice-blue ones that I started back into action. My heart suddenly burst and my limbs clenched in anticipation. Guessing my next move, Thranduil bolted towards me from the curtains of the balcony. Adrenalin and a touch of fear kicked in then. I jumped up as he neared, and hit the wall with my feet, trying to go above him. He watched my perfect arc until I landed. But that was only so he could catch me afterwards. His powerful hand grabbed at my arm, and swung me about so I hit the wall. During that slight moment of dizziness, he caught my hands and held them above my head. I quickly came back to, and looked up into his eyes searchingly.
His gaze was unwavering, stern, powerful and intimidating. Was this where my life would end?
"So you want to play?" he demanded, tilting his head to the side.
"Only since his Highness seemed to need it" I tried to explain.
His eyes pierced me to the core. Then his gaze traveled upwards, towards the crown, still sitting on my head. I gulped, slightly fearing my imminent death. But those ice pics burned their way back down to my eyes, only to keep traveling southwards along my cheek, cheekbone, neck, and finally the hollow of the clavicle. A chill danced in my back sadistically. He got closer, until his lips grazed my cheekbone. He inhaled slowly and my breathing stopped in panic. "That was a….interesting little game….my little distraction…" he started, moving downwards along my neck. My breath hitched shyly, and I tried to twist away. "Shhhhhh" he soothed at the junction between my neck and shoulder. He never truly touched, and never truly disappeared. This was torture. He was probably pissed for having been manipulated in such a way, and was taking his revenge for it now.
"Wasn't such a bad idea to keep you here after all…" he whispered into my neck absent-mindedly.
A knock from the door made me jump, and he simply glanced up at me quickly. With that unearthly smoothness that he possesses, he let go of me and straightened to his full height, and moved away towards his desk. "Come in" he ordered.
The door eased open and a very light blond elf stepped through.
"Father, it's about the prisoner…" he started, then interrupted himself as he saw me standing there obediently.
"What of her?" he demanded, without so much as glancing at me. Legolas seemed at a loss and wasn't sure how to handle this situation. Thranduil was waiting patiently, and I wasn't about to volunteer on staying here too long…
"Perhaps…it is time for me to head back to my quarters…" I tempted at the King. He graciously angled his head in my direction, trapping my gaze in his, and answered smoothly "Indeed. You shall be summoned again in the future."
I gave a small nod, and started walking towards the door. "Legolas will escort you back to your cell" he added. Before I could step out of the room, the Woodland King cleared his throat at me. I looked back at him, seeing the pointed stare to what laid atop my head. I blushed slightly, and walked back to him, taking the delicate crown off my head, I offered it back. He took his time eyeing me, then delicately plucked it from my waiting hands. I gave him a final glance, and walked out the door with the blond elf on my heels.
I was starting to get this in my hands. The elven kingdom of Mirkwood was slowly unraveling itself to me, and the King…I would have to teach him how to fully live again.
A/N: Helloo everyone!
Terribly sorry for the delay! I very much hope you will all like the new chapter!
Please don't hesitate to leave comments! It's always very encouraging! (Guests as well are very welcome)
See you around!