'You are mine, all mine!' replayed inside her head as the morning light danced upon her still closed eyelids. What did that mean exactly? Was she his? Did she even want to be?
For the second time now Sonja woke up in the King's bed, between the silken sheets, surounded by her mixed up feelings. She felt mostly guilt for needing him, longing for his touch. But with him, she could feel her heart, beating again.
Thranduil was sleeping, his arm resting heavy on her waist. Sonja could not have escaped like last time, during the night, even is she wanted to. She realized just how foolish she had been, attempting to slap him and risk his anger. But he didn't react in the slightest the way she tought he would. Despite her better judgement, her plan to stay away from him was failing miserably, yet right there, in his protective embrace, it just didn't seem to matter anymore.
The King smiled inward. He was lying still, listening to the rythm of her breaths, pretending to be asleep. He felt like a young elf again. Even if his looks did not betray his age, the passing centuries had left their mark on him in the most painfull of ways. He couldn't remember the last time that he overslept like this and he knew that he was already late for his daily duties.
Sonja drifted back to sleep next to him. He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed the round curve of her ear, taking in the scent of her skin, before finally deciding it was time to start his day. Even so, he had to really will himself out of bed.
The elf bathed and dressed in his fine silver robe, placing the crown atop his head. He brushed away the hair from the sides of his face and secured it in a simple braid.
When the servant came in to bring him breakfast, Thranduil waved him away with a gesture of his hand.
-'I shall have the food delivered in my study. Lady Sonja is not to be disturbed from her dreams. '
-'Yes, my lord. '
The servant was surprised to find the mortal in the King's bed, but struggled to keep his oppinions to himself. He bowed and left and Thranduil followed him shortly out of the room, leaving the human to recover from her exhaustion.
He stopped briefly in the door frame to steal another glance at her and drink in her sweetness. He knew he was not going to see her again for at least a while.
It was already past noon when she woke next. The room was silent and it felt empty without him there. The scent of his spice still lingered on the pillows. Sonja stared at the wooden ceiling for a while, day-dreaming about his beautiful eyes and the clean lines of his perfectly sculpted body, his kisses on her skin and the passions they were arising inside her.
The pain in her stomach reminded her she was famished. She looked about the room to recover her clothes and then snuk out into the corridor.
A tall elven woman greeted her just outside the door. She wore a green dress and her dark hair was braided all along her back and reached close to her waist.
-'You must be hungry, my lady. I have set the table for you back in your chamber. I hope you will find everything to your likeing. '
-'Thank you! Please call me Sonja. '
-'My name is Merfinnil. It is a delight to meet you my... Sonja', she said without being able to contain her smile. 'King Thranduil asked me to make sure you will have everything you need during his abscence. '
-'He is away? '
-'He left this morning for Dale. There are pressing matters that require his presence there. Please let me know if there is anything that I can assist you with. '
-'You are too kind, Merfinnil, but I must respectfully decline. I would feel too unconfortable having a servant attending to my needs. Where I come from, we are all equal and share in the responsibilities of our daily lives. '
-'A friend then? ' the elf asked.
-'Yes. I would gladly welcome a friend. This palace can be at times a very lonely place. '
Late in the evening, her footsteps carried her to the underground part of Thranduil's halls. It seemed like an entirely different world, waiting to be discovered below. There were many suspended walkways and bridges across the underground river and the sound made by the waterfall was echoing loudly fom the cliffs.
The symbol of a large tree was carved into a pair of massive double doors that instantly caught her eye. Sonja traced part of the carving with her fingers, feeling the wooden fibres and contemplating the art behind it all. She pushed one door aside and stumbled upon the throne room.
She had never been there before and was awestruck by the soft light filtered through the many skylights. The hall itself was suported by pillars carved into the living rock and the ceilling seemed higher than in any other part of the palace. Lanterns made of shimmering silver and pure white gems hung from above, reminding her of Thranduil's fascination with the stars.
Set in the center of the room, the Elvenking's throne stood tall, with stairs carved into the stone leading up to it. Grand elk antlers and branches representing the very essence of Greenwood were adorning it and she could feel the fresh scent of deep forest air all around her. From this seat of power, Thranduil greated his most important guests, ordered his armies to march to war and even planned his great banquets.
Now the chair was empty, but it still made her shudder just by looking at it.
Moving past the pillars she was met with a pair of familiar light blue eyes. For a few seconds she could have sworn that it was him waiting to meet her there.
-'Somehow I doubt I am the one you were hoping to find', Legolas spoke when he realised she was staring at him.
-'You have you father's eyes', Sonja replied, a little embarrassed. 'Forgive me, I didn't mean to intrude. '
-'You didn't. I sometimes come here for clearer thought. It's quiet and grand and cold. It inspires eternity. I can see why my father chose this room for his throne. '
-'I thought you left with him. He had barely just recovered from his wounds... '
-'You worry for him? '
-'You do not? ' Sonja asked, evading to answer the elf.
-'My father is wild and free just like his forest. Ever too often he can be arrogant and stubborn. He will heed no council or change his mind for others. There was no stopping this journey the moment he decided on it. '
Legolas studied her as she came to realize the truth behind his words. yet there was something still bothering her and she was taking great care to mask it. The elf did not press. Unlike his father, Legolas valued the privacy of others and he very rarely intruded on their secret thoughts. All he knew was that she needed something to take her mind off her troubles.
-'May I offer you a tour of the palace? ' he asked, extending his arm. 'There are many beautiful rooms within these walls. Perhaps you would enjoy to see our greenhouse, or maybe the library. '
-'I would like that very much. Thank you', she said with a smile and placed her arm on top of his, welcoming the distraction.
She could hear it louder now. The song was beautiful, almost otherworldly. Tall canopies that loomed overhead in an archway were swaying in the breeze of summer as she continued to pace barefoot along the path, following the white deer into the night. The darkness did not frighten her. The tune was gentle, soothing and she felt tranquil, she felt at peace.
Sonja couldn't remember how she got there exactly. Amidst the moon and the stars, amidst the trees which bordered on the sky, she found herself completly lost.