Chapter 10: A Vote of Confidence

Brinya sighed and laid the quill down beside the blank page. She had retreated to her chamber with the intention of changing clothes and going to find Thranduil, but she found herself procrastinating by trying to write a letter to her parents instead. She had no idea how she was going to explain this to them, or anyone else for that matter. She hadn't even told her sister yet. What was she going to say?

Dear Father,

I'm writing to tell you that King Thranduil asked me to marry him last night. Rather than waiting for your consent, I decided to jump straight into bed with someone I hardly know. Don't worry, it's not permanent. We have a year to decide if we like each other. I hope having a son-in-law who's older than your grandfather won't bother you. Just think of all the wonderful gossip the match will cause at court. The bastard no one thought would amount to anything is now the most important queen in the realm. Please give my love to my stepmother and I hope that you are both well.

Love,

Brinya

Yep, that sounded about right. What was she going to do?

She nearly knocked over the ink when Anoria came in. "Have you seen my sewing needle?" she asked. Brinya shook her head. She didn't trust herself to speak. "I can't imagine where it's gone. I could have sworn I put it right next to the thread." Brinya could only shrug. Once Anoria had gone out of the room she put her head in her hands. This was going to be a disaster. What could she have been thinking? Actually, she knew what she had been thinking. He was so pretty. What else could she possibly have been thinking? She was only human. When a gorgeous man lays himself and his kingdom at a poor girl's feet, what is she supposed to do? She didn't have the strength to refuse him. But what had he been thinking? Surely he hadn't only wanted to bed her. He had offered her so much more than that. Why? Why did he want her? She was nobody and she came from nothing. She couldn't wrap her mind around it. Sooner or later she was going to have to explain to people what had happened and what would she say if she couldn't understand it herself?

Sitting alone here in her chamber it would be easy to believe that last night had all been a dream. Perhaps she had never left this room and it had all been in her mind. Perhaps she had thought of Thranduil so long and so ardently that she had dreamed of him, dreamed that he did things to her that made her shiver. It couldn't have been real. Why would the king of the woodland realm have wanted to make her his bride? Suddenly she felt like she couldn't breathe. She needed to get out of this room. The walls were closing in. She needed some fresh air, but not in the garden. Hot tears welled up in her eyes as she stood. She needed to go somewhere to be alone. She didn't know what had come over last night, but now as she sat alone in her room she was filled with shame and dread. Shame for what she had done and dread for what was now to come. What would he think of her now? She had yielded to him so easily last night. He must see her as the worst kind of woman.

Were Beltane weddings even real? What if he had simply made them up to get into her into bed. She had been so stupid. She could find answers in the library, if she could remember where it was. The longer she was in this palace the more she was certain the doors and hallways moved. Sometimes she would swear she came one way only to have to find another way back. The palace unnerved her. It felt supernatural, like its master. She would go to the library and find what she could on Eldar marriage customs. She hoped not all of the volumes were in Elven.

Thranduil drummed his fingers on the arm of his throne as he listened to the emissary from… where was this old fool from again? It didn't matter. Thranduil wasn't listening to a word the old man was saying. He was thinking about last night with Brinya. He thought of the way her skin had glistened in the moonlight and they way her lips had parted when he kissed her. Even now it caused him to stir. He wanted her again. He longed to make her his tonight and every night. She belonged to him. He had been uncertain about how to proceed this morning. He didn't know if she would feel comfortable making a big announcement. He thought he would give her time to tell her inner circle first and then they could make the announcement publicly. It was almost midday now. Surely she must have told them by now.

He realized that the old man had stopped speaking and was waiting for a response. Thranduil rose to his feet, "Thank you, Sir. That was very… enlightening. Now, I have an important announcement for the whole kingdom. Halthar, would you please gather everyone in the great hall?"

"Yes, your majesty," Halthar sped off to spread the word and assemble everyone as quickly as possible.

The heavy tome Brinya was reading slammed shut sending a cloud of dust into the cool air. Brinya sneezed loudly and looked around the deserted library. She had expected the place to be full. Elves seemed like such learned creatures that she had wondered if many of them spent their free time in reading and study. Apparently no more than at home. Once she had learned to read, the palace library had become one of her favorite haunts. It was never crowded and no one ever seemed to notice her presence there. She felt perfectly at ease and perfectly invisible. It was the same with the library here. Apparently, Beltane weddings had once been a regular custom, although they had fallen out of fashion. At least she had that going for her. Now all that was left to do was figure out how to tell her sister and her friends that while they were asleep she had become royalty. A sound behind her made Brinya turn around sharply.

"C-Captain Tauriel," she stammered, "I didn't know you were here."

Tauriel gave her what Brinya hoped was a friendly smile and said, "I've been asked to bring you to the throne room. Everyone has assembled at the king's request."

Brinya actually heard herself squeak before she covered her mouth with her hand. Tauriel seemed to find this amusing, but she refrained from commenting on it. She did, however, comment on Brinya's reading material. "I see that you are familiarizing yourself with our people's marriage customs. That is good. A queen should learn as much as she can about the people she rules."

Brinya tried to swallow a lump in her throat, "A queen?"

"Our king told me of last night's events."

"He told you?"

Tauriel laughed, "He left out the details. I cannot speak for others, but I was very glad to hear it. He has been lonely a long time. I thought I sensed the ice around his heart melt a little the first time he saw you."

Brinya found herself at a loss for words. "Thank you, Captain Tauriel. I have been questioning my judgment. Last night I was so caught up in the moment that I'm not sure I thought properly about my ability to be a good queen. Thranduil is a good man and I see how much he loves his people. I would like to believe that I can be a comfort to him and help him carry his heavy burden, but I'm not sure that I know how."

"I think you already offer more help than you realize. Those of us who are closest to Thranduil sense the changes in him." Brinya felt a little uneasy. She had never given Captain Tauriel much thought, but she saw now how beautiful she was and she obviously cared about Thranduil. "He raised me, you know, after my parents died," Tauriel said.

Brinya shook her head, "I had no idea."

Tauriel smiled a pained smile and said, "After Orcs burned our village I was found by a scouting party wandering the woods alone. They brought me here to Thranduil and he brought me up. I know that buried under all that coldness he has a generous heart and I think that part of him is closer to the surface when you are near. It is not my place to say so, but I think he needs you."

Brinya wanted to hug Tauriel, but she wasn't sure if the captain would appreciate that gesture. She decided not to risk it and simply said, "Thank you, Captain. I hope that in the future if there's anything I can do to help you or your people, you'll let me know."

Tauriel nodded and said, "We must get you to the great hall. They'll wonder where we are."

Brinya could feel all the eyes of Mirkwood on her as she entered the hall. The clanging of her shoes echoed in the silent chamber. Brinya mentally cursed elves and their quiet feet. Tauriel, of course, didn't make a sound. She balked as they entered the room and Tauriel gave her a little shove. Sweat trickled down her back as she made her way to the front of the crowd. Anoria gave her an anxious puzzled look as she walked by. Brinya tried to smile reassuringly. When she reached the steps in front of the throne, she dared to meet Thranduil's eyes. She started to kneel, but he gestured for her to stop and she froze. She was like a lamb who had been caught in the wolf's gaze. She knew that there was no escape now.

Thranduil stood and descended the steps to where she stood. She could hear the whispers coming from the crowd. Thranduil held up his hands for silence. "My people," he began, "Today is an important day for Mirkwood and a happy day for me. Today I introduce you all to my bride." He took Brinya's hand and held it up for everyone to see, "Queen Brinya and I have married according to the ancient customs of this land. I am confident that once you know her better, you will love her as I do. Now I give all of you leave to rejoice. There will be no more work this day. We invite you all to celebrate our marriage with us and to enjoy the best that we have to offer."

Steaming trays with food were brought out and wine flowed freely. Soon the sound of laughter and music filled the hall. Thranduil scooped Brinya into his arms and carried her up the stairs to his throne. She found herself seated on his lap, looking out over dozens of tables of merrymaking. She tried to find Anoria, but couldn't make her out in the crowd.

Thranduil pressed his mouth against her ear, "Are you angry with me for putting you on display for so many people?"

Brinya blushed, "Perhaps a little embarrassed, but not angry. I'm not used to having so many eyes on me. I am quite invisible at home."

"This is your home now and you will be the belle of every ball and the envy of every woman from here to the misty mountains, so you must get used to it."

Brinya laughed and shook her head, "I do not think I shall ever get used to it. What will I tell my parents when I write to them? They'll never believe something like this."

"Would you like me to write to them?"

"Would you?! They would have to believe it if it came from you."

"You make it sound as if they think you're a liar."

"It's not that, but this is too unreal. I wasn't even sure if Anoria would believe me."

"Did she?"

"I don't know. I meant to talk to her this morning, really I did, but I couldn't think of what to say. Now I think she may be awfully angry with me."

"Then you must go and speak to her immediately. We can't have you starting your reign with a family squabble."

"Is that a command, your majesty?"

"Yes, I royally command you to abandon me while you socialize with your family and friends. On your way, practice giving random and ridiculous orders to people. It takes some getting used to."

Brinya felt her terror receding. This was going to be alright. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. It was a girlish gesture of affection and not at all passionate, but it drew cheers from the crowd nonetheless. Brinya blushed and went to find her sister.