To Sow a Barren Land
Disclaimer: As much as I wish to, I don't own 'The Hobbit'.
AN: A bit more glimpse of what is yet to come. A bigger bite into Rainion's character. ;)
Thanks to everyone who've motivated me. You are awesome!
A note of apology for taking it so long. My new schedule is just...well...uncertain. I'll try my best but I think the uploads will be slower. :( Sorry!
'This' means dream sequence. 'This' means normal events.
Chapter 12
Thorin rode as fast and hard as he could. His men followed him closely. The small band of dwarves had ridden for days. They hadn't stopped for rest. Their bodies alert in every possible way, they hadn't felt the need to stop...nor did they have any intentions of doing so.
Not one pair of eyes went by without sleep; not one single mind could do away with the chain of events freshly imprinted on to them. Their faces hard and tensed, anxiety-laden fear overwhelmed by a thrill of win clouded over their orbs. They had done what they didn't set out to do. And none felt remorse.
None except their proud leader, who rode ahead, his face unreadable but his heart and mind thickened with the worry. Worry of what would follow their act. Worry over the consequences of what had been done.
Riding for a few more hours, Thorin finally slowed his steed and raised a hand signalling for the others to stop. He climbed down and very cautiously scanned the area.
It didn't have the luxury of setting a proper camp and certainly, it was not in a clearing where the men could finally relax.
Though, that wasn't his priority.
The area was thick with trees. Trees reaching for the sun; trees shielding them away from prying eyes, enough for them to feel safe and catch their breaths.
Truthfully, the situation they were in, even catching a breath seemed like an ample luxury.
Rainion looked with concern at the prince, who was riding a little ahead of him. As days progressed back in Greenwood, Thranduil seemed paler and weaker and had little interest in their encounters. And during their journey, Thranduil's interest inintercourse had completely diminished. He would seem weak for a few hours but with time, he'd seem fine.
It wasn't that he stopped more nor that he wanted to. But there would be times when he could absolutely look worse. However, what was curious enough was the fact that quite soon into their journey, Thranduil bean regaining some of his colour. Unless Rainion was mistaken, he could swear that the prince glowed.
It wasn't much but it was there. Something different about him was not going unnoticed.
"Your Highness," he addressed the other in a humble tone, "It is almost evening. Would you like us to set camp?"
At that, Thranduil turned ever so slightly and looked at the other with a coldness and a sense of pride, making Rainion to lower his gaze and be reminded of his status.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught Thranduil regarding the state of his company before he was brought back to attention at the sound of a commanding voice, "Head for a clearing. We shall rest there."
Thranduil spoke with a bit more volume, allowing for the others to hear. With a wave of his hand, he signalled the company to follow him, quite apparent that he remembered the path since the last time he came from Doriath.
Having spoken no other words, the company of elves started to move as their prince rode ahead not sparing a second glance at Rainion.
Ignored yet again, the Silvan thought bitterly as he commanded his horse to catch up with the prince. As he rode along side, he often stole numerous glances at the blond beauty riding proudly and elegantly. Each time he looked, he felt the expectation in his heart rising. He had hoped that Thranduil would at least acknowledge him. Call him by his name. Look at him!
However each time his hope got shattered, piercing his heart in the cruellest of ways.
His eyes darted curiously when peripherals caught a motion of Thranduil slipping his hand in his cloak. A frown crossed his temples when he vaguely caught the shape of some sort of a bottle.
He found himself wondering numerous probabilities of its content when slender fingers discreetly opened it and raised it to Thranduil's lips as the Sinda took calculated sips of what appeared to be a red coloured liquid.
He felt his eyes narrowing inquisitively when Thranduil put it back inside with extreme carefulness.
He had not seen the prince taking anything during the times they spent. It was only during their travel did he actually managed to catch a glimpse of the other fiddling with the queer looking bottle. What was really curious was that, when Thranduil became aware of prying eyes towards it, he swiftly hid it away and acted as if he had nothing in his hands to begin with!
Brown orbs widened all of a sudden as he was hit with a sudden realization. His mouth had gone slack and before he was extremely obvious, Rainion snapped it shut and practically glared at the road ahead.
Of course! How could he be so blunt?
His mind churned while it tied all the loose threads forming a tapestry of what he believed to be the appropriate explanation.
The sudden paleness and then the radiance after, the way he carefully took swigs of that bottle of whatever it was...everything— everything— pointed out to one possibility.
As his mind connected all the dots, his heart suddenly felt so hot and painful, twisting in a wretched mess as it filled Rainion with a great tightness all over him.
He struggled to exhale controllably all the while his mind spun with torrents of disappointment.
Am I so unworthy?
He felt his eyes sting as his focus increased ahead of the track.
Am I of no meaning to you? Do you find me so repulsive that you cannot bear the thought of me while you are sober?
His heart wrenched with a sudden agony—one too indescribable and too unbearable.
Never once do you come to me for my affections. Never once have you asked me how I feel to this whole arrangement. Do you think of me to be nothing more than a servant catering to your whim? Don't I have any desire of my own?
He found himself unable to look at the prince. He didn't dare to. He was fearful of the apathy and disgust that could be reflected from those enchanting orbs. He feared the hurt and anger reflected off from his own.
You use me and leave me to be. You wish for no attachment. You care for no other's feelings. You don't want to see those of my own! Why? What have I done wrong?
His vision grew bleary and his chest felt like being constricted with an upsurge of unmentionable emotions.
His chest hurt. It became painful to breathe. Each time he inhaled, needles pierced his lungs. The more he blinked, the hazier his sight became.
All I have done is pour my love over you. Why can't you see that? Why won't you see that?
The torment in his heart soon subsided, making way for a calmness which swept all over him. It was so cold and so harsh that Rainion was afraid to dissect it. He was afraid of what he might find.
All that rang in his mind was the revolting idea that he didn't deserve such fate. He shouldn't have to be treated so! He was tired of being treated as a whim!
His eyes hardened as did his jaws. Casting one strong gaze at the blonde elf's back, he let his sight linger there before narrowing his eyes and looking away.
He was tired of being a toy.
Thranduil leaned back on his makeshift bed, savouring the quietness of his tent. He took out the bottle he had been carrying with him and took his evening dosage—exactly as the healer had recommended.
Taking another intended portion of the drought, he sighed and placed it back to its proper place.
It was always tucked deep under his cloak for he didn't want others to know about his condition. It was nothing to flaunt and certainly, he didn't have a knack for sympathy.
His eyes slowly became unfocused. As the day's burden caught up to him, he let his mind float in a calming sea of thoughts as he was caressed gently by a much welcomed sleep.
Cool water lapped around his feet as Thranduil sat along the bank of a small brook. A light smile appeared on his lips as lightly he moved his legs, playing with the stream and enjoying the feel of water stroking them with extreme gentleness.
A chuckle escaped his lips as a warm pair of lips was pressed against his nape. In response, Thranduil leaned his head, enough for the other to trail his kisses along the side of his neck, down to his collar bone before settling at the nice spot adjacent to his shoulder blade.
"My my! You're in a gracious mood today." He said, gliding his eyes to the other.
"It is not very often that I enjoy the sunset with such divinity." Thorin replied, his voice restful and hushed, before he lead a train of kisses along Thranduil's jaw line.
The elf laughed heartily. His eyes shining with love and mirth, he turned to face the other, letting out a gasp when Thorin's lips landed on his supple cheeks.
He placed a palm over the other's chest and began massaging it gently. Thorin imitated the action with his thumb, gently brushing Thranduil's lower lips as he sucked the corner of his mouth.
"You give me too much credit." Thranduil rasped out, elegant hands circling around the other's neck and drawing him close while he played with Thorin's hair.
He arched his neck when his heart became full with warmth and giddiness as Thorin's lips brushed over Thranduil's top one.
Hesitantly, Thranduil parted his lips slightly, enjoying the feel of how the tip of Thorin's nose ghosted against his own, brushing gently while his hot breath tickled every nerve in the elf's body. He twitched his lips a little and engaged in a delicate dance of skirting and almost avoiding as both of their pair of lips ghosted about one another, enjoying the pulsating warm breaths hitting their already flushed face.
Thorin's hands found their way around Thranduil's waist. Rubbing slow circles, they gradually moved forward and slipped under the fine tunic, caressing Thranduil's flesh as they travelled back and forth in a vagabond manner.
Thranduil's own hands went up and down Thorin's hair, coming in front to caress his cheeks before disappearing back into the thick mane.
Sensations of ecstasy rippled through his whole body and his heart leapt with an anticipation which only increased as more and more time passed with those delicious lips towering over his own.
Gradually, they came closer and closer, placing a chaste kiss before pulling away and brushing against his cheeks and nose.
Thranduil's lips moved slightly, clearly expecting more of what was promised in that quick pressing of lips.
His cheeks burned and a slow fire rose from his neck and spread to the tip of his ear. His heart was fluttering wildly as if thousands of butterflies wanted to be set free. The cool touch of water at his feet brought amazing sensations in which he was rapidly becoming involved.
Thorin's lips brushed past once again. Once more did Thranduil's heart leap in hopes of satisfying the growing need that he felt for the other.
A tongue glided along the outskirts of his lower lip and as Thranduil parted his mouth a little more, he felt his lips being folded in a safe cocoon as Thorin pressed his lips against his own.
Slowly, he kissed Thranduil's upper and lower ones in an alternating fashion, eliciting a slight tremble from the other who wrapped his arms tightly against the dwarf, moving his lips lightly in pace, returning the gesture of love.
Their kiss deepened. Gradually, Thorin claimed Thranduil's lips in fullness, tilting his head as he used his tongue to prod his way in.
Thranduil let out a little moan of pleasure as he stroke the other's tongue with his own, feeling Thorin shudder at the mere contact which made him to delve further and explore every bit of Thranduil's mouth.
The elven being parted his mouth a little more, enjoying the feel of lips moving against lips, little sucks and nibbles placed on them as Thorin's tongue caressed each of the walls of his mouth, sending jolts of pleasure down his spine.
Thranduil's eyes fluttered close. One of his legs brushed against the other, sending waves of thrill up and down his body. Thorin's hands were warm and roaming all over his flushed skin. His lips skilfully moved with a precise rhythm. As his tongue explored deeper into Thranduil's sweet mouth, the elf's mind became overwhelmed with emotions and pleasure, exploding like crackers in the midst of a celebration.
For it was one. It was a celebration. One that sealed the full union of two hearts. One that filled them with love and promises of days to come.
In his sleep, the smallest of all smiles appeared on Thranduil's lips. Nuzzling into his pillow, Thranduil let out the softest of moans. His heart lightened up as he dreamt of that precious piece of memory and all of a sudden, he was filled with hope and optimism. Hope of their promises being fulfilled. Hope of their love being completed.
And this time, the hope was anything but unrealistic; it was anything but hollow.
AN: I bet you can guess what will happen next! :D Please review and lemme know what you think of this so far~