When Anastasia awoke, everyone else was already awake. Her eyes were grouchy as she limped over to the bathroom and stripped out of the paper gown Bruce had changed her into. Her back ached as she climbed into the shower and began to wash away the dirt and grime from her body. Leaning against the polished stone wall, she felt the ache in her back.
Tears of frustration and anger fell from her eyes as she let out all her emotions from the past eight months. It had been so difficult being alone and without any support. She just wanted to run to her family and have their love, but she was not allowed to contact anyone.
After getting out, she took the time to comb her long red curls and let them dry naturally. Anastasia took in her haggard appearance and sighed as she reached for the facial kit she kept.
When she finally emerged from the room, Clint and Natasha saw her. She looked more like herself as they smiled, and she came over to curl into Clint's lap. Thranduil was sitting across from them, talking when he saw her. She glanced over at him, smiling as Clint kissed her wild red mop of hair.
"What is this, taking the lazy route, Dutchess?" he teased, making her pout. "Don't tease her, be nice," Natasha smiled as she felt him kiss the top of her head. "I'm not…I missed you too, baby girl." He told her.
"She is your daughter?" Thranduil asked, making them nod. "She is…" How are you feeling this morning?" Natasha asked, making her look at her.
"Remember when I wiped out at nationals?" she asked, making him look at her strangely. "Yes," her mom said. "That's my pain level." she said, making her frown.
"I gave you the strong stuff," Bruce said, making her look at him. "I'm a freaking ginger and retired gymnast…you're gonna have to get stronger stuff for me." She told him, making him frown. "Come here and let me see your back at least…did you make sure to dry it?" He asked. "Yes…I know the protocol for stitches." Anastasia sighed. "You're grumpy." Bruce observed. "Pain does that…so, how did he get here?" Anastasia asked, making him glance at the king. "Tony screwing with the tesseract again." He told her, making her look at the billionaire. "For real…you're dense." She told Tony.
Thranduil smirked as Thor smiled, coming over with a white cup in his hand. She saw the steam and the label on it, smiling at him. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek and smiled.
"Welcome home, little one." He said, making her smile. "I'm glad to be home...it's been hell." she told him. "I know...I would have come if you called." he told her, making her nod. "I know...it was something I had to do on my own." she replied, making him nod. "A warrior has to at times." he smiled.
"What was your mission?" Thranduil asked, making her look at him. "Observe and report. No contact outside of my partner. We were in a country I hate being in." She told them. "Where?" Clint asked. "Romania…bad memories of being there." She said, making him chuckle. "Still not letting that one go?" He teased, making her flip him off. "Not cool." She pouted, "So Thor, if the tesseract brought him here, can't you take him home via the bifrost?"
"Not easily," Thor said, his voice filled with emotion. "My father used a lot of dark energy to bring me back here." He continued, causing her to nod in understanding. "Gotcha…" she replied.
Fury said, making her look at him. "Good, you're awake." He said, making her look at him. "I haven't had my coffee yet...I am not working with Rumlow under any circumstances, so make the prick go wait in the car." She said, seeing him.
"Good to see you too, Anya." He winked, making her nose curl. "Not my type," she retorted, making him laugh.
"You're babysitting him." Fury said, making her look at the blonde. "Fine…but I pick my back up and I do not want him anywhere near me." Anastasia replied. "Deal…You're going to a place Stark has in Frenchtown, Montana." Fury said, making her look at him.
Tony said, making her eyes soften, "Honestly, Scarlett needs to take a break and disappear with him. I have Jarvis already wired in."
Fury nodded as she nodded her thanks. The Elvenking could see her eyes as she nodded. He knew then she was the one he was meant to find. She was longing to be loved and cherished. She had hidden well the pain she felt as she looked at him.
"Are you okay with that, your majesty?" she asked softly. "I am," he said, smiling softly. "He says you're one of his best, and I trust that." Thranduil added, making her smile softly. "I highly doubt I'm one of the best," she replied, making him smile.
Later that day, Thranduil knocked on her door, and the AI alerted her of his presence. She heard the soft voice telling him to enter, and she smiled.
"Hey, what can I do for you?" She asked, sitting on her suitcase. "I came to see you. If I am going to spend the foreseeable future with you, I want to get to know you." Thranduil said, making her smile. "What do you want to know?" Anastasia replied. "Anything…would you like help?" He asked, seeing her struggle to push on the bag. "Sure…pull that." She told him.
He tugged it along as she smiled triumphantly. Thranduil chuckled as she sat up, releasing the bag. It was full of most of her things. Tony had promised that he would have clothes there for him.
"Well, I am a retired athlete…I spent most of my life up until the last five years contorting and bending my body in the most insane ways." She told him, making him smile. "Can you still?" Thranduil asked. "Maybe if I didn't have the stitches," she told him. "Fair enough…you're an archer," he said, seeing her bow. "I am…do you shoot?" She asked, handing him the bow. "I do…though mine doesn't feel like this," Thranduil said, pulling her string back easily. "Each archer's bow is different," she mused, making him nod. "Agreed…have you shot a long bow before?" He asked. "I have and I hate it. I've hit myself several times with one…it hurts," she replied. "As have I…You're guarded, why?" Thranduil asked, making her smile as he sat on the bed. "More like I don't want to get hurt. I have put most of my time into this job. I am only wanted because I can give some men their fantasies of having a girl who can put her legs behind her head," she told him, making him look at her. "You do not deserve them then," Thranduil told her. "Well, thank you," she smiled, making him nod.
Anastasia wished she had someone like him. He was warm and easy to talk to. His eyes hid the pain well as he smiled; she could see he was lonely, too. She wished he would share his story with her.
Two days later, they were driving in from the airfield. Anastasia got her 150 brought on the jet and told Fury that he could find them with that. He agreed and placed the tracker inside the truck. Thranduil looked around at the stunning landscape as the copper and gold leaves covered the sky.
He said. "It's stunning here." He looked at her and smiled. "Hmm, it is," she said. "So, just a heads up. If anyone asks, we're married." She told him. "Are they likely to?" he asked. "No, we're secluded but some people are nosey." she added, making him chuckle. "Fair point," he replied.
When they pulled up, Anastasa saw her friend's car in the driveway. Tripp was the only one she would allow to stay close. He saw the pair as the truck pulled up.
"Damn, that's a nice truck," he said. "It's mine, so don't get any ideas." She told him, making him chuckle. "Wouldn't dream of it...so this is the guy that has Fury's panties in a twist?" he asked. "It is..." she paused for a moment before continuing, "Thranduil, this is Anton Triplett, he is my partner and a brother to me. He keeps me straight when I'm doing stupid things."
"She's spoken highly of you." Thranduil said as they shook hands. "Thank you…so, I'll be by a few times a week. I'm staying down the street with Daisy and Mack. Coulson and May are airborne…just holler if you need me, baby." He smiled, kissing her cheek.
"Thanks…is it stocked or do we have to go to town?" Anastasia asked. "Completely stocked, down to the booze you drink." He winked, making her smile. "Thanks…shit, that's cold." She gasped, feeling the breeze. "Oh yeah, its supposed to snow in the next couple days." He grinned, making her scowl. "Great." She pouted.
Thranduil and she went inside and found the house was ready for them. They would bring in the firewood they would need to keep the house warm should they lose power. Tony had a generator already connected to the house and would turn it on should it go out.
"Okay...so, do you eat meat at all or no?" Anastasia asked, looking at him. "I do, but I'm not a huge fan," Thranduil said. "I was thinking of making pumpkin soup. I like putting cajun sausage in mine." She told him. "I believe I could be persuaded." Thranduil told her, making her smile. "Okay...I'll make a big pot of that for when it snows and we can have a simple veggie stew tonight." She told him, making him nod. "Would you like some help?" He asked, making her smile. "Sure, if you want to." She replied.
The pair fell into an easy rhythm as he cut up the vegetables she would be using. Thranduil saw her at ease as she cooked and set the soup to simmer. He then watched her go to the freezer and pull out a loaf of bread before cutting it in half.
"What are you making?" Thranduil asked. "Garlic bread," Anastasia said. "Figured it would go nicely with dinner and a nice white wine too." Anastasia said. "Do you cook like this at home?" Thranduil asked, making her look at him. "Well, I haven't had a meal like this with my family in a long time." She admitted, making him look at her softly. "Because of your choices?" He asked. "Yeah, and now that I'm an adult, they can take longer breaks, go longer without contact because I can take care of myself. They love me fiercely and would die for me…but this is their life too." Anastasia replied. "They have raised a valiant warrior. They are proud." He said, making her smile. "Thank you…what about you…do you have a family back home?" She asked, making him smile. "I have a son…he is the human equivalent of seven." Thranduil told her, making her smile. "A fun age…do you have anyone else at home?" She asked, making him smile. "No…my son's mother died many years ago…she died protecting him from the foul beasts of our world." Thranduil said, making her look at him. "She was murdered, protecting her baby?" She asked, shocked. "Yes…She too was a warrior. Couldn't tell her she wasn't allowed to fight." He smiled, making her laugh. "Sounds like she kept you on your toes." She mused. "She did…I always promised her I would find another one day…she wanted me to be happy." Thranduil said, making her smile. "Have you lived up to that promise?" She asked, seeing his eyes. "Working on it." He replied, making her heart flutter.
The seasons came and went, and the pair grew closer. Both desired one another. Thranduil would be the gentleman and allow her to make the first move, no matter how badly he wanted to make love to her and shower her in his affections.
When the snow fell once more, Anastasia felt the aches of years of gymnastic training acting up in her joints. She forced herself out of bed and into something warm. Thranduil was reading when he saw her enter the room. His face registered concern, seeing the pain on her face. He stood up as she took another step and her knee gave out.
"Anya?" He frowned, setting down his book. "I'm fine." She breathed, making him frown as she limped. "What's wrong with your foot?" He asked. "It's not my foot, it's my knee," she breathed.
As she took another step, her knee buckled. She crumpled to the ground, whimpering in pain. He rose and quickly picked her back up. She had been miserable for the past few days due to the sudden drop in temperature.
"What can I do?" Thranduil asked, placing her in his seat. "Get my brace…And maybe cuddles, making him smile. "I have been waiting for you to ask…Perhaps we should talk." Thranduil said, making her look at him.
He leaned in close and captured her lips in a soft yet demanding kiss. Anastasia's eyes fluttered closed as she forgot her pain for a moment. Thranduil deepened the kiss as he pinned her to the back of the sofa. She moaned as he started to pull away.
"Guess that solidifies how you feel about me." She breathed out as he smiled. "Yes...I've been attracted to you since I laid eyes on you. I've tried to deny it, but I need you." Thranduil smiled, making her look at him. "Let me be your safe place." She whispered, making him smile. "Thank God...I've thought it was just me." She said, making him smile. "No, my love...it isn't." He told her.
After retrieving her brace and helping her into it, Thranduil held her to his chest as she fell asleep in his arms. He smiled as his fingers ran through her crimson hair. She looked at peace, despite the pain. He heard the door open and Tripp come in.
"Anton," Thranduil greeted. "Hey...damn it's cold...what's wrong with her knee?" He frowned, seeing her brace. "She woke up in pain this morning. As she started to walk into the kitchen, her knee gave out." Thranduil told him. "Damn...just so you know, there is an arsenal in the hall. I can leave a pin for you to get in." Tripp told him. "Expecting trouble?" Thranduil frowned. "No...just wanting to be prepared if she is down." He sighed.
"I can still kick someone's ass if needed," Anastasia muttered. "Alright, Xena…I just wanted to check in on my partner." He smirked. "I'm good…" She yawned, snuggling into his shoulder. "I can see that…don't make me an uncle," he teased as she flipped him off.
Once he was gone, Thranduil looked down at her. She looked sore, so he set down his book and lifted her up. Anastasia stirred as her blue eyes opened. He smiled at her as he set her on the large bed.
"What are you doing?" she yawned. "Running a bath," he replied. "It will help your leg feel better. You deserve to be pampered a bit." Thranduil said, looking at her softly. "You don't have to do this," she told him. "But I want to...you've never had this before, have you?" he asked, smiling. "You've never lain with a man, have you?" he continued, making her look at him. "No...never had the time before now." she admitted, making him smile even wider. "Im anír- na mel cin, nin rís." he said. "What did you say?" she asked, making him smile. "Let me show you...from this moment on, you are mine and I am yours." Thranduil said, making her eyes shimmer. "I am not an elf here." she told him. "But in Middle Earth, you will be...You will be my queen." he told her, making her look at him with a smile. "What did I do to deserve such a love as yours?" she asked, cupping his face. "You are worthy of this and more." he replied, kissing her gently.
Much to her amusement, he did not join her. Instead, Thranduil took his time, washing and combing the wild knots out of her curls. He smiled as she sighed, and then he chuckled, leaning down to kiss her. She smiled up at him, and he looked down at her.
However, his ear picked up on something outside the house. Anastasia frowned as she reached for a towel and got out. She heard it took as she quickly changed into tactical gear. Thranduil saw her pull out a gun from a hidden slot in the wall.
"What is it?" He asked as she saw a figure coming out from the woods. "Tact…Jarvis, call Tony and get Thor's ass here." She said, making the AI nod.
"Of course…there are four snipers along the woods," Jarvis said as she pulled her bow out and tossed the spare to Thranduil. "Got it…Get Tripp up here too…" she replied as he responded. "Right away," Jarvis replied.
They saw the strike team approaching and easily took them out. She also heard the tires of Tripp's vehicle flying up the driveway. Thranduil easily took out the sniper closest to the house. Lightning struck, taking out the remaining agents. A tall blonde man appeared in the snow as she sighed. He kissed her before turning toward the house.
"Come on, let's go see what is going on." Anastasia sighed. "Agreed." Thranduil replied, making her nod. "Damn Strike…ruined date night." She pouted, making him smile. "I'll make it up to you." Thranduil promised.
He did not miss the closeness between the pair as he approached them. Thranduil kissed the top of her head as he smiled at him. However, Thorin looked sad as she frowned. Something was off.
"You both have to leave…now," Thor said. "Why…what's going on?" she asked. "Hydra knows you two are together. Your father has given his blessing…when it is safe for you both to return, you can do a ceremony here…treat her right." Thor said, making Thranduil nod.
"You have my word," Thranduil said. "Do they know we are to return?" he asked. "I am not sure," Thor replied, placing a sword in his hand. "Thank you, Mellon," Thranduil said. "Tell the gatekeeper we are ready."
Anastasia hugged Thor tightly, and he did the same. She looked tearfully at him. Stepping back into his arms, she gazed at her friend as the rainbow bridge opened up. She watched Thor disappear from view.