Author's Note: QUESTION FOR MY READERS: Would you like to see more descriptive sex scenes? I know Thranduil and Ariel's first time together was not that in depth, but moving forward, since she is now his mistress, it would allow for more fully developed scenes. Is that something you guys would like to see or keep them more censored?

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to The Lord of the Rings. I own my own original characters and ideas... but I am just playing with Tolkien's genius.

Chapter Four

A small smile tugged at my lips when he finally moved his head back, gazing down at me with same softer eyes he had the previous night. This was a side of the King that I knew was for my eyes only.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Thranduil asked, resting his forehead against mine.

"I have only ever wanted you," I found myself saying even as my cheeks flushed at the admission.

He growled low in his throat before he pulled away from our embrace. He settled me down in one of the chairs before his desk, leaning down so his lips just barely grazed the tip of my ear making me shutter.

His whisper was so low that even with my elven hearing, I could barely hear him. "I would take you again, right here on my desk if I knew that Veryan wasn't on the other side of my door."

He moved away to the other side of his desk.

His words shook me to my core. My father was separated from us by only the solid wood door. I felt myself flush an even deeper shade of red as my heart pounded against my ribcage. My palms were sweating and I suddenly felt quite lightheaded. I really hadn't just…

The thought stopped when I caught sight of the small wooden box Thranduil now held in his hand, presenting to me to take. With shaking hands, I accept it and slowly lifted the lid.

A soft gasp escaped my lips as I stared numbly down at the necklace nestled within. Thranduil pulled it out, holding it for a moment before sliding behind me and securing it into place. The fine silver chair felt like nothing compared to the large leaf pendant, made of sparking emerald green jewels that now rested heavily against my chest.

"I cannot accept such a gift," I whispered even he dropped his head to press a kiss to the top of one shoulder.

"Yes, you can," he replied. "Continue to please me and it will be the first of many such gifts."

I knew the King had a fondness for beautiful and sparkling things. The rumors of the vastness of his treasure hadn't escaped my ears nor his love of it. It was said that the only thing the King cared for more than his son was his jewels. So, for him to hand out such precious pieces spoke volumes of his regard for me.

I peered down at the shimmering leaf, taking it into my hand to feel its hefty weight.

"You don't like it." It was not a question.

I snapped my eyes up to meet his, where he now stood before me frowning.

"No, Thranduil. I love it. I'm just…" I stopped swallowing hard on a lump that built in my throat.

He knelt down before me, taking my hands in his much larger ones. "Do not be afraid to speak your mind."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm overwhelmed. Two days ago, I was happy enough just to see you across the ballroom. Never in my wildest imagination did I ever think you would notice me, let alone ask me to dance. And then last night and now this. It's all happened so quickly."

"Forgive me for my haste then. I wouldn't wait and run the risk of having you snatched up by someone else."

I snorted despite myself. "I just might need some time to process all of this."

"Of course." Thranduil stood, pulling me to my feet as well. "I will have Saeldur show you to your new chambers, if it will please you. You may change whatever you please, to make it more comfortable and I will have a lady's maid assigned to you as well. Supper will be sent up for you, unless you wish to dine with your family. In the morning, however, I would like for us to break our fast together and so that you may meet Legolas properly."

That was it. My stomach turned and I had to keep myself from throwing up all over the King. I had met Prince Legolas, at least formally, at his celebration only two nights before. And then again, he had scowled at me when he saw me outside his father's chambers. I didn't even want to begin to imagine what he would say.

"Yes, sire."

Thranduil then called Saeldur and my father back into the room. I stood unmoving against a far well as the King gave out several orders. First, he sent Saeldur to prepare my rooms. And then he turned to my father, thanking him for his many years of dedicated service to the realm and to the crown. How Father stood there with a straight face as Thranduil all but thanked him for handing me over to him, I will never know.

I suddenly left like a possession given by my father to the King. As if I was no more than a favorite horse that could be bought and sold. But I knew Father's loyalty to Greenwood ran deeper than anything else in his life, except his family. He had no more room to deny Thranduil than I did. And the pendant around my neck, suddenly feeling heavier. A gift from a king that marked me as his.

Thranduil was saying something about a promotion, but I didn't hear him. I suddenly felt very lighthearted and swayed on my feet. Father caught me before I could hit the ground.

"Ari!" He lightly tapped my cheek.

I blinked slowly as his concerned face came into focus.

"Ada?"

I vaguely remember him pressing me tightly against his chest.

I could barely recall the next several minutes a she righted me on my feet and led me from the King's office. We arrived a short time later to a set of chambers which were definitely not the ones I shared with my family. Father ushered me inside and through the small sitting room in the front to the bedchamber in the back, and urged me to lay down. I nodded dumbly as I stretched out on the massive mattress. No sooner did my head hit the pillow, I had fallen asleep.

The second time that day, I was woken from my nap rather rudely by a pounding knock on my door. I shouted that I would be there momentarily as I pushed myself out of bed. I ran my fingers through my hair as I slipped from the bedroom to the sitting room and finally to the door.

No sooner was it cracked open that a rather red faced Caldawen rushing through a tray in her hands. She shoved passed me as she unceremoniously dropped the tray on a small side table, the dishes and silverware jumping.

"Are you quite done ruining my life as well as your own for one day, Ari?" she demanded, whipping around with her hands on her hips.

I rubbed a hand over my face, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Cal," I groaned as I skirted around her to sink down on the sofa.

"I mean it, Ari."

"I don't even know where I am, Cal, much less what you are doing here all the sudden."

Caldawen raised a delicate brow as she flipped her long blonde hair over one shoulder.

"Then let me tell you that after you disappeared with Ada, I was going to fetch lunch for Lady
Tuarwen as is my custom since she usually doesn't prefer her company until later in the day. When I arrived, I was non-too-politely told that my services were no longer needed and that the King himself had a new post for me. And do you have any idea what post that is?"

My elder sister's theatrics didn't quite phase me anymore since I had grown quite accustomed to her outbursts. So, I shrugged as I removed the cover from my food.

"I'm sure you'll tell me anyway," I remarked as I tore off a piece of bread and popped it into my mouth.

"I'm to be your lady's maid, on order from the King!" she exclaimed, her voice growing shrill.

"My what?" The chunk of cheese falling from my fingers. I vaguely remember Thranduil saying something about a maid, but never would I have thought it would be my own sister.

"You heard me! I'm supposed to serve you. My own sister who has decided to play the slut to the King."

"How dare you?" I jumped to my feet to stand toe to toe with her. She had a few inches on me so I had to tilt my head back to look into her eyes. "Do you think I wanted this?"

Caldawen sneered. "If you didn't want it than you shouldn't have climbed into his bed! And I'm not stupid you know, I know you've had eyes for him."

"Eyes maybe, but Cal, I never knew he would ever…" I stopped swallowing hard on the lump in my throat. "He's not what everyone believes him to be. Thranduil is… kind."

Her brows shot up that they almost disappearing into her hair. "Thranduil is he now? If I were to believe you for one second that what you say is true, Ari. What would you have me do?"

"Stay with me. Please." I reached out and seized her hands, holding them tightly in my own even when she tried to pull away. "You are my sister. And while, you and I have never particularly gotten along, I still love you. Stay. You know far more about being a lady than I do and if I'm supposed to be by his side, than I need to learn and there is no one better than you. I don't want for you to feel like your serving me because I don't want that. I want my sister, my friend beside me to help me. Please, Cal. If you hold even the littlest of affection for me."

Caldawen's expression soften. "Well, someone has to make sure you don't embarrass yourself in front of the entire Greenwood population. Now, you definitely have to introduce me to Prince Legolas!"

I let out a heavy breath, glad that I could convince her to stay. With a chuckle, I pulled her down on the sofa next to me as I went back to my plate of refreshments.

"I'm supposed to join them both for breakfast tomorrow, you might just have to escort me," I teased.

Caldawen grinned, draping an arm over my shoulders. "We will make it work, Ari."

"I know you and I don't always get along, but I don't know what I would do without you."

"You know Naneth is going to freak out you know."

"Oh no! I hadn't even thought about what she would say or do. You have to tell her!"

"I don't think so," Caldawen said as she nudged my shoulder. "You get the pleasure of that."

I groaned as I thought about the conversation I was going to have to have with my mother. Caldawen was right, when she found out… I didn't even want to think about it.

There was a quick knock at the door before it flew open and in strode Mother without so much as a hello. Caldawen and I shared a look of disbelief. Sometimes I felt like she knew when I was talking about her.

"Lostariel! You will explain yourself this instant, young lady!"

"Hi Naneth," I muttered.

"Don't you dare, 'hi, Naneth' me! What is this nonsense your father is spouting?"

"It depends on what you heard," Caldawen interjected on my behalf trying to calm down our nearly hysterical mother.

"Your ada insists that you agreed to be the King's mistress!" she spat. "I won't believe it until I hear it from your mouth. Tell me it's not true."

"Oh, it's true," Caldawen murmured.

I punched her hard in the arm as it looked like Mother's eyes might take up her whole face.

"I did, Naneth."

She stood there gapping at me, her mouth practically hanging open before she rushed forward and wrapped me tightly in her arms. I could feel her tears against the side of my neck.

"My little girl," she sobbed.

I bit back a chuckle. "I'm well over four hundred years old, Naneth."

She took a step back, taking my face in her hands. "I know, Ari. I just never imagined… I thought you would marry a scholar, have a couple of elflings. I know I was excited that you caught the eye of the King, but to think that he took that much of a liking to you…"

"I know, Naneth."

She used her sleeve to wipe the tears from her face. "I have been commissioned to make you several new gowns, at the King's request. If you are going to be by his side, I will make sure you shine. Make the other ladies of the Court jealous."

"I don't know if I want that much attention."

Mother rolled her eyes. "Then you shouldn't have been to be his companion. Besides, this has also earned your father received a promotion, he has been made a first Captain and given a larger patrol."

"Well, it seems the King has been quite generous with our entire family," Caldawen remarked.

"It would seem so," I replied as I went to sit back down on the sofa. I didn't think I could stand anymore.

I was glad my mother was any more upset. I had honestly thought, she might try to disown me or something of that regard. But she seemed pleased as did my father. Maybe this new situation of mine wouldn't be all that bad.

"Where are we?" I finally asked when Mother and Caldawen joined me.

Mother tilted her head to one side. "Your new chambers."

"I know that. I just meant, where in the palace are we?"

Caldawen frowned as she shared a look with Mother. She turned her attention to me. "In the royal aisle. The King's chambers are just next door. These were actually the former Queen's old rooms."

I choked. "How do you know that?"

She shrugged. "When I was given your lunch, I was told where to take them, of course."

"Why would he put me in the Queen's rooms?"

"They are the closest to his own," Mother offered.

I was going to have to ask him when next I saw him. Something didn't feel quite right about being in the Queen's rooms. I never knew her or even ever saw her. She passed long before I was born, when Prince Legolas was still even an elfling.

Why in the world would Thranduil have given his new mistress his dead wife's old rooms?

TO BE CONTINUED….