There and Back Again: A Queen's Tale
Written by: Anime Girl Kim
Disclaimer: I own nothing, Tolkien does, the only things I own is my own OC's
Short A/N: Sorry for the delay, not quite pleased with this chapter, but it's okay.
Chapter 1
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Time: At the beginning of the Second Age…
Location: Palace of Greenwood
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Thranduil was feeling quite pissed off. His father was getting an apprentice - that was the phrase King Oropher had used. It frustrated him, even disgusted him, as he tried to ponder the reason that would spur his own father to demand for an apprentice; was he not enough? His own son? This would mean that the other elves, Men, and dwarves, would think that he was weak and useless to his father. And Thranduil would not have that.
He had yet to meet his father's new accomplice, but Thranduil didn't want to, no oh no. To think his own father, the King, needed another elf to help him! Nope, that was absolutely unacceptable. He would take matters in his own hands, yes; the apprentice would be banished, and he was going to have a little talk with his father afterwards.
"Prince Thranduil," Thranduil looked up. It was one of the elven messengers. "Your father demands for you. He says to meet him in his study as soon as possible."
"Oh, for Valar's sake, very well," the Prince grumbled. "Inform my Adar that I will be there shortly. "
The messenger bowed low, retreating from the room with his expression still impassive. Thranduil felt like breaking something, but anything he destroyed would just be replaced by the servants in the palace. Frustrated, he kicked at the wall ferociously. "Nîdh!" The once mighty Prince was now reduced to an injured Prince, hopping up and down clutching at his stubbed toe. His boots didn't help a bit from defending his feet, it was basically made of soft thin leather. Like slippers, knee-length slippers to be exact.
He wasn't sure why he was so angry at his father for purchasing a new collaborator, he really wasn't sure. He could easily prove the fact that the reason his father needed another elf helper wasn't because of Thranduil himself. But still, something about the fact bothered him. But he didn't care… possibly.
Raina Aldaríon was an elf from Rivendell, sister to Lindir to be exact. But, unlike her kind-hearted, summery, cheerful young brother, Raina was brittle, unsmiling, some would even describe her as a 'cold-hearted witch'. Truth be told, Raina was nothing close to being harsh and spiteful - well, maybe sometimes - but at most moments she was quite affectionate in the inside, very courteous in fact. The beautiful elleth was like a fire, both dangerous and warming at the same time.
Never, in her whole existence, would Raina ever admit that she was one of those She-Elves that were constantly hanging around the gardens of Rivendell exchanging gossip and giggling. No, she was one of those elleths that were constantly training, doing their best not to be like those hee-hawing, very girl-ish and immature elleths.
And now, standing right in front of the King of Mirkwood, she felt quite glad she wasn't at all giggly-ish. King Oropher was a tall, well-built man; she could make out that much through the heavy outer cloak he had draped across his shoulders. The locks of his hair were long and well-kempt, the color a sharp shade of white-blonde platinum. Nothing about the ellon was war, all was cold, brittle and sharp as ice. Exactly like a mirror image of herself.
"Raina of Rivendell," the King started to say, his tone frigid. Raina straightened her shoulders, and bowed her head in respect; there would be no crossing lines in this new realm she would be starting a new life in. "You were the one that answered my call for an accomplice, is that correct?
"Yes, my King." Raina answered politely, her stomach doing some flip-flops in the process. She wasn't used to being polite. This is not Rivendell, therefore have to be careful. Things are run differently here, you must understand that, Raina, she chided to herself inwardly. "Um, may I ask one single question?" As soon as the last sentence left her mouth, she immediately regretted it. Her egotism was showing again. If the King should refuse her…
"Proceed,"
Oh, thank Valar. Raina almost gave a sigh of relief, but still, she forced it back down into her. "Why were you in demand of a bodyguard? Are there problems in the palace, my King?"
Oropher gave a half-smile. "Ah, you are a clever elleth, aren't you, my dear? I, myself, am not in moral danger, if you suspected that. What I really need, is someone to keep my kin in line. They are growing restless; the power of the Necromancer is growing. Our troops are unorganized and are lacking training and battle skills."
The elleth gave a slight curtsy, although she was wearing nothing near a dress; only a simple belted tunic and her usual thick boots, but all the same, she had to show respect, even though she felt uncomfortable with it. "I will do anything in my ability to help you, your majesty." Raina mustered a smile, despite the fact that it felt quite unnatural to do so, since she hardly ever smiled.
"Wonderful," the King took his seat behind the mahogany wooden desk, leaving the elleth soldier standing awkwardly in front of him. "Now, I believe it's time for you to meet my son, whom you will be working with while training the army. Thranduil? Thranduil! Mas ce, Ionneg nin?!"
"I am here, Adar."
Thranduil was doing all he could to be late. He knew very well how it would antagonize his father if he arrived delayed, especially in front of a special guest. He almost snorted at that. Never the less, he prepared himself nicely for the meeting, wanting to make a perfect first impression. It would do good for the new elf to know their place.
The winding paths in the Mirkwood Palace were quite dangerous, without any railings and nothing to stop an instant death if one fell off the paths. But, all the same, the Prince moved with grace and speed, making his way towards his father's chambers.
Distinctively, Thranduil could hear two voices chattering inside the study, as he pressed his pointed ear against the cold wooden door.
"Mas ce, Ionneg nin?!"
Ah, time to make his entrance. The Prince firmly set his shoulders, and pushed open the door. "I am here, Adar."
The first thing - or elf - he saw, was the apprentice. And when his eyes came in contact with theirs, he came to an abrupt halt. The apprentice was an elleth.
His frustration started building. Was this a joke? Was Oropher doing this on purpose? He was not liking this new elleth. And a blonde as well. His lips curled in disdain, surveying the elleth's expression. Cold, prideful, cocky; everything about the elf was not good, easily a threat.
"Where were you?" Oropher snapped, sending the utmost death glare at his son, his tall form unfolding itself from his royal chair. "How dare you be late? Downright un-respectful!"
Thranduil pursed his lips, breaking his gaze from the slightly sniggering elleth. "Goheno nin, Adar."
Oropher sighed. "Very well." He cleared his throat. "May I introduce my new apprentice," he gestured at the elleth. "Raina Aldaríon of Rivendell. She will be starting a new life here in Mirkwood, as my right-hand warrior in battle and my apprentice. She shall work alongside with you while training our troops, understood?"
"But Adar-"
"Do not test my patience, Thranduil." Oropher snapped. Thranduil glanced at the so-called Raina from the corner of his eye. She was looking quite amused, giving him the eye-roll. "You will not harm her in any ways, Ionneg. She is here to help."
"More like destroy everything," Thranduil muttered under his breath.
Oropher pretended that he had heard nothing. "If you will be generous enough to show her to her quarters. Young Raina will be staying with Amoniel."
"What?!" The Prince shrieked. "Those are private chambers for royal families! She isn't-"
"Thranduil!" Oropher roared, standing up to his full height and glowering down at his son. "Stop this nonsense right now! Raina will be living here from now on, you will respect her as you respect me! Understood?"
The King's tone made it clear that there would be no arguing with him about her. But Thranduil had already made up his mind, and not even his father will stop him. "Fine!" He snapped, seething with rage. "Tolo hi a aphado nin." The words directed at the elleth came out harsh, and Thranduil didn't mind a bit.
But once out of the study, his whole patience snapped. With one hand, he forced Raina up against the nearest wall, pressing his forearm hard against her throat. "You," he growled. "Have no idea what you have just gotten yourself into."
… To be continued
Translations:
Nîdh: Ouch
Mas ce, Ionneg nin: Where are you, my son
Adar: Father
Goheno nin, Adar: Forgive me, father
Tolo hi a aphado nin: Come here and follow me
Whoopsie, looks like Thranduil's in a bad mood right now. I did my best to dish out something interesting, but, well… it turned out completely negative. This chapter was basically a filler chapter on how Raina turned up at Greenwood; and since I LOVE Lindir - but not as much as 'o Thranduil - I decided to make Raina his sister.
And yes, the name Raina has been chosen as the main female character in this story. The second-highest name: Amoniel, will also be used, but in a different place.
So, how do y'all think 'bout this chapter? Was it good enough?
Thank you to - Rousdower, Wunderkind4006, ehluvr3, tgphb, Duka and kanna-yamamoto - for following and favorite-ing this story!
And to my reviewers -
grandprincessanastasiaromanov5: Wow! Your username is a mouthful! Hope I spelled it correctly! Thanks for thinking my story's good!
Rousdower: Thanks, I sure will keep up my pace! Yup, I really think there isn't much told about Thranduil, so I don't think I will make get him to be OOC, and I think I'll put the reason why he hates the dwarves in my story! And also, I love your stories! You're such a humorous person!
Wunderkind4006: Thanks for your compliments! I did my best to use different phrases so certain ones don't overlap too much. And I'll definitely remember to keep Thranduil occasionally grumpy - okay, he's gonna be really grumpy in this story - it's basically in his nature! I'll do my best with the elvish, and thank you for reviewing! Absolutely love your story To Live Again! Hope you will update soon!
Well, I kinda did my best to make this chapter longer. So please tell me what you think, and don't hesitate to review/favorite/follow!
~Kim