The Mountain of Light

Disclaimer: I still don't own 'em. It's sad, actually.

AN: I won't say much here but there's a little treat for you guys. ;) Watch out. It's very subtle. Those who've been following 'The Investment', you guys can probably guess what and...well...let's just see, it's me relaxing.

To those who've reviewed/faved/followed- I really appreciate it. Thank you! :)

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Chapter 8

Thranduil became extremely alarmed when he felt a strong arm grab his wrist. He was about to depose of that threat but barely had a chance to as he was pressed against a tree and was urged to slide down.

He did exactly that and didn't even try and hide the mirth shinning in his eyes as his attacker crashed their lips together.

Thranduil responded well to the kiss and was left thoroughly disappointed when Thorin decided to pull away in the nick of time.

Blue eyes showered displeasure, his slightly swollen lips forming a pout as he regarded the other's smug form.

As if to answer his silent question, Thorin smirked and said, "For not waking me up."

At that, Thranduil's glare melted away to make way for pure haughtiness and pride—two qualities he knew Thorin found irresistible in him—as he slowly replied in a not-so-humble tone, "For not leaving me sore."

He smirked at Thorin for seemingly huffing at that kind of response.

"For threatening me in the middle of my moment." The dwarf king retorted back, glaring sharply at the other who now couldn't control the laughter spilling out of him.

Thranduil's smile widened as he gently teased Thorin's beard with his fingers before he drew closer to the other and whispered with utmost sensuality, "For taking me by surprise."

He smirked as he felt Thorin shudder at the touch of his breath. It was his own turn to suppress a pleasurable moan as Thorin's large hands began rubbing his inner thigh.

"For doing this to me." The dwarf prince said, placing himself on Thranduil's lap, nipping the elf's ears.

Thranduil's eyes clouded with lust yet again as he drew in a sharp breath and stretched his legs. He tugged at Thorin's hair and said in a raspy voice, "For teasing me!"

Thorin smirked and let his nips be showered down Thranduil's neck and collar before claiming his lips.

Thranduil let an arm fall beside him and clenched a fistful of grass as enticement rippled throughout his body.

Thorin let his fingers trace the other's soft lips as he caressed the lovely creature beneath him. He tipped Thranduil's chin and almost let out a gasp as those blue orbs fluttered in pleasure before gazing deeply into his own.

"I love you." Thorin finally whispered, not missing the elation that shone so brightly in Thranduil's eyes and face. "I don't care what happened between you and my grandfather. I love you."

Thranduil closed his eyes slowly and placed soft kisses on Thorin's lips, drawing the dwarf close.

The feast had been grand. Fresh roasted meat, the bon fire the cool breezy afternoon—everything had resorted to an ambiance of pure bliss and comfort.

Even though Thorin hadn't forgotten what he instructed Kíli just that morning, he found it appreciatively lethargic to stick to the plan, especially as his glance shifted to the elven king every now and then.

What little resolution he had within him about the plan, he felt it washing away every time he saw Thranduil staring back at him with the most sensual of all the gazes.

He was lucky to spend time with the person he had come to love so much. But he was extremely fortunate that he wasn't enquired about his intentions of roaming in that area the first place.

Either Thranduil was hoping Thorin would elaborate himself or he was waiting for the right chance to ask. Whatever it was, Thranduil surely hadn't overlooked that matter and Thorin knew how tactful Thranduil was as a king.

After the feast, Thranduil had excused himself and Thorin saw it a perfect opportunity to ask for his ponies. They'd be leaving soon and it also provided him a chance to say goodbye. A little later, he rose up from his ground and nodded at Kíli, signalling him to prepare himself as he retraced the elven king's footsteps.

The disadvantage of being a dwarf was that dwarves had short strides. No matter how fast they walked, they could never come closer to the pace set by those perfect creatures with their perfect long limbs—or that perfect creature with his perfect long limbs.

When finally he had reached Thranduil's tent, he waited for a second, contemplating if he should announce his presence. However, he soon thought otherwise and entered confidently, with a smug smirk in place.

The smirk quickly faded away as did his confidence when he took in the sight before him with a gaping mouth and eyes that dared to pop off from his skull. The colour in his face doubled immediately and Thorin wished he had at least knocked.

Thranduil was undressing himself. No, he was done undressing himself and was now standing stark naked with his back facing the other and his robes lying in a pool near his feet.

He was startled for a split second at the intrusion but as he glanced at the other, his startle melted away to pure adoration and arrogance as he haughtily regarded the other's bewildered expression.

He smiled and turned away, picking up fresh clothes and taking his time as he dressed himself.

He enjoyed this. He enjoyed Thorin gaping at his smooth, slender form and was making sure to give Thorin a tough time.

"You know, I'd say you're acting like a dwarfling staring like that." Thranduil said, his complacent voice snapping Thorin back to his senses.

The dwarf prince cleared his throat and tried to ignore the fact that the person of his affection was a pure marble sculpture, standing like that with his ling golden traces falling over his smooth skin.

"I'd say you're acting like a savage undressing like that." Thorin replied, cursing himself when his tone conveyed none but amazement.

Thranduil smirked and continued dressing himself. When he finished, he walked up to the other and stared at him hypnotically, delighted to see Thorin react by turning a deeper shade of crimson.

"It just occurred to me melleth," he said, "You never did mention what you two were doing here."

It was that which made Thorin aware of the situation and his objective. He didn't show any of the worry he felt deep within and calmly replied, playing with Thranduil's locks, "We had gone camping."

Thranduil leaned in to the touch but kept his gaze fixed at Thorin's eyes as he moistened his lips.

"Rather a coincidence that we camped at almost the same spot."

Thorin's eyes darted to the soft lips but he slowly brought his eyes up to meet with the other's as he leaned forward to place a kiss at the corner of Thranduil's mouth.

"Rather a coincidence that we took a wrong turn and ended up here."

Thranduil hummed and teased Thorin with feather-soft kisses, "And how you ended up in the rockslide."

"And how there happened to be a cave that my nephew found irresistible to explore." Thorin kept his voice as it was but he felt the constricting feeling he had in his chest.

"At night?"

"Young blood and their foolish decisions."

Thranduil was enquiring. The elven king hoped to catch Thorin at his weakness and repulsive as though it was, Thorin couldn't help but wonder exactly how much Thranduil knew...or if he knew at all.

All of a sudden, an extremely frantic sound was heard just outside and it didn't even take a second for Thorin to realise who it was.

He shoved Thranduil away and ignoring the look he received from the other, he marched outside, stopping dreadfully as he found two guards restraining his nephew.

"KÍLI!"

Thranduil too joined them seconds after and coolly took in the scene before him.

Kíli on the other hand was fighting and making it hard for the guards to keep him still. He glared at them and practically shouted, "Let me go! You have no reason to treat me like this."

Thorin turned to face his lover and demanded, "Why are they holding him? Let him go!"

Thranduil frowned and looked back up at the guards. As a cue one of them spoke, his professional gaze directed at his king while lifting up the very pouch that Thorin had taken care to bury just the other night, "He had this."

The guard opened the pouch and as he revealed the content, Thorin and Kíli lost all colours from their faces.

Thranduil on the other hand looked intrigued and let his cool eyes fall on Thorin, silently gazing at him with a smouldering fire demanding an explanation he deserved.

"That's not true! Kíli never had it!" He defended the other but somehow he sounded extremely off as it seemed that it was futile to convince Thranduil.

It seemed that Thranduil knew.

"Then how do you explain it hidden in the same spot where I had found you last night?" Thranduil spoke, his gaze boring deep inside Thorin's very being. "How do you explain freshly disturbed earth?"

"I know the sound made by woods, Thorin." He went on, his voice cold and eerie as his gaze, "I know when someone lies to me."

It was then that Thorin's eyes felt a spark. His mind swiftly made all the connections from last night and as it did, he felt the upsurge of anger circling within him.

That was why Thranduil left...if that was the case, was it all a lie?

Scandalous, he threw his silent question at the other, desperately seeking anything—anything at all—that'd prove what they had felt and did was sincere!

Thranduil's eyes however exuded no emotion by that point. He was a king now and the king was only interested in the jewel at that moment.

The anger intensified as it churned Thorin's insides. He begged Mahal for it to be true. For everything to be sincere. He couldn't withstand the thought that his 'One' had fooled him so shamelessly.

"You weren't out hunting." Thorin whispered and looked up at the other with extremem shock and disbelief. "Oh you wretched—"

He drew in a shuddering breath and fought hard to keep himself from lashing out.

"Don't tell me it was all an act." He finally said with desperation laced in his voice.

At that, Thranduil's eyes flickered for a split second before he turned and began walking away.

"Thranduil! Tell me it was REAL!" Thorin yelled while his insides shattered completely by that point. But Thranduil didn't even flinch. "You son of a—YOU PLAYED ME! You're no different than HIM!"

Thranduil paused at that but resumed walking towards the camp. He didn't even look back.

"We'll go to Erebor." The elven king commanded to his guards, "The search is over."

AN: Definitely would love to know your opinion on this. I look forward to your feedback and suggestions. :D