THE FORGOTTEN
Helch Rhîw
Winter Cold
Author's note: The chapter in which – Legolas has an unpleasant duty to attend to, and Lothril tends to him. …Oh – uh… hunting again in this chapter. And an execution… Daaaaang this chapter got DARK! *checks notes* This was supposed to be a lighthearted chapter… How on earth did this derail like this?! what the heck?! *glares at the elves living rent free in my head* I blame you. Oh, and in a change of pace – thoughts in italics during a particular conversation! I reckoned that was the better choice in this chapter.
Legolas and Lothril were in the drawing room having a lute lesson when Galion entered with a slight bow.
"My lord, pardon the interruption but I have been instructed to give you this immediately," Galion said, handing Legolas a letter bearing the seal of the council.
He broke it and quickly read the letter with a slight frown. "Tell them I will at my earliest convenience," Legolas said, handing the letter back to Galion.
Galion nodded, bowed, and left.
"What was that about?" Lothril asked.
"Official business, melethel. Nothing you need trouble yourself over," he replied.
"I thought your father pushed back your return to duty until ethuil (spring)," Lothril said with knit brows.
"I am mostly off duty. I have been keeping up on reports and things since I returned," Legolas explained. "And that was merely a request I see to a trifling little matter. I doubt it shall take me even an hour."
She nodded. "I see. So what is this trifling little matter?" she asked.
"Nothing you need trouble yourself over," Legolas answered again with a grin. "Especially as you have some dreadful fingering issues we really must sort out now or else you shall never be able to play this instrument correctly."
She raised a brow, but let it drop. She supposed this just came with the territory of being attached to the crowned prince; that there would be certain things he simply wouldn't or couldn't share with her for various reasons. As he was generally very forthcoming and open with her about things, she reckoned if he was being cagey and evasive about it, it was because he needed to be.
They worked on her fingering on the trickier part of the song for about half an hour more and once she seemed to have it as she played through it slowly, Legolas assigned her to play it through a few times, gradually working up to the proper tempo while he went to attend to his 'trifling little matter'.
He gave her a quick little kiss on the head as she set to playing and left to go change into something a little more formal as this was official business, and then he headed down to the dungeons, his face set into a neutral mask. The absolute last thing he wanted to do was talk to that horrible elleth that tried to drive off, harm, and kill his betrothed; but as it was her last request he felt a certain amount of duty to oblige despite his own feelings.
The head jailor led him to her cell and then stood a little ways off to the side.
"You came!"Thuringwen cried in surprise, her face lighting up a little as she came up to the bars.
"What do you want?"Legolas asked sharply, standing some little ways back from the bars. There was no way on earth he was going to get close enough for her to reach through the bars and touch him.
"I want to explain myself to you so you understand," she said, waiting for a sign she could continue speaking and upon seeing a brisk nod from him, she continued. "My cousin Lady Gormes had long hoped you would take interest in her daughter Nûrhel and I had hoped if you did not find her desirable you would perhaps consider me…"
'Consider you?!' Legolas thought to himself. 'I barely know you!'
"…but when word spread that you had found an elf-maid of Imladris and related to Lord Elrond, I was happy enough to concede my desires to her if she was worthy of you..."
Legolas' face remained neutral as he thought, 'IF she was worthy? IF?! Who are you to judge who is worthy of my heart?!'
"…Then as events around Lady Lothril unfolded, it became apparent to me she was a detriment to the court and the kingdom. Her provocation of former lord Acharon…"
Legolas was nearly seething. 'Provocation?! How could she think that?! Was she not a member of the court?! It was not as if that whole affair did not occur in front of the throne room and that the court did not hear about it immediately after. Even if she was not there, surely the story that found her could not have been that wide of the mark. Especially as at no point did Acharon contradict the stories of the guards or Lothril.'
"… was troubling to me and I cannot help but wonder if his guilty pleas were merely a bid for mercy on his part."
It was all Legolas could do to keep himself in check. 'A bid for mercy? Nay – Acharon knew his life was forfeit.'
"… I was friends with his daughter for years and I found him to be a worthy noble and it seemed unlike him to fly into such a rage."
At that Legolas almost laughed. 'Unlike him? Have you met him?! You are delusional. That is the only explanation.'
"… I cannot help but think he must have been provoked. I am glad though that the crown in its wisdom saw fit to grant him mercy with sentencing. From that time onward, I watched her more closely. Her behavior and the elves she gravitated towards at her introduction and during the hunt troubled me a little."
'No, no… mercy came from Lothril and from her hand alone. And you surely disapprove of her friends because you are a proud and arrogant lesser courtier related to the even more proud, arrogant, and self-absorbed manipulative wife of one of the lords. I should have been more troubled if I found out you approved of Lothril's choice in friends.'
"… Then when I found out she drove a wedge between Gormes and Nûrhel and Lord Himben… it broke my heart."
Legolas' only reaction was to blink slowly as he thought, 'You are delusional. Simply delusional. Gormes brought all of it on her own head since the day she forbid Tulussil from pursuing Nethor; if not from the day her daughter was born and insisted on that awful name of Nûrhel.'
"…Then at the hunter's feast when she contrived to take credit for your brave recovery and that of the king… words fail me to express my feelings. How dare she take credit!"
Legolas' eyes flashed fire and it took every last inch of his self-restraint to check himself and keep silent and still. 'How dare? How DARE?! She dare because she is the sole reason I am alive and standing here listening to you! It is a fact and one well witnessed! How is it you can stand there spouting such utter delusional, hateful, foolishness when there were nearly two dozen witnesses whose word and reputation are impeccable that all say the same thing – Lothril saved my life!'
"… I had hoped with my efforts I would reveal her true character to you before it was too late…"
'Oh, but you did! You revealed her character to be even better and more patient and long suffering than I had guessed.'
"… but I fear her enchantments may run too deep."
'Deeper than you shall ever know and gladly do I succumb to them!'
"…My only hope is that one day you see the truth of things and think better of me and realize all my actions were born out of love and devotion for the good of the kingdom and my own feelings of admiration and love for you."
"Is there anything else you would like to say?"Legolas asked tersely. 'Love and devotion for the good of the kingdom? No, I think it more likely they were born out of you being penind (insane. Lit.: without thought).'
"No. That is all,"Thuringwen answered quietly, staring at him with something akin to devotion.
Without a word, Legolas turned around and walked away, the jailor following behind.
"Shall you attend tomorrow?"she called after his retreating form.
The door to that wing of the dungeon clanged shut behind the jailor and she received no answer.
As Legolas and the jailor headed out towards the entrance of the dungeons the jailor said, "Your highness, may I say something?"
"You may," Legolas said absentmindedly. He could NOT believe the delusions that elleth was under…
"I admire your restraint with the prisoner. I and Acharon both have nearly lost our composure with her as she spouts off such nonsense. That you were able to remain calm speaks volumes to your discipline and self-restraint and I truly admire you for it," the jailor said.
Legolas balked a little at his words. "You and Acharon?"
"He cleans the hallway in front of her cell as part of his punishment and even he has told her that her view of things is absurdly wrong, but she has argued with him that he is wrong about his own experience."
Legolas actually felt a little impressed. Perhaps there was hope for Acharon after all… "Thank you for telling me that."
"Out of curiosity, are you going to attend her execution tomorrow, your highness?" the jailor asked.
"I do not know,"Legolas answered and then left.
He had been thinking he would just to see the whole horrible business finished and done, but after this he thought it might make her too happy to see him. As he walked back towards his chambers his mind became settled. No, he would certainly not be there tomorrow. Mandos take her and keep her!
He reached his rooms and began to change back into his outfit from earlier with the intention of going back to Lothril but he found himself entirely too angry and upset. He needed air. He changed outfits again and headed outside with knives at his side and bow and quiver on his back. For once, he almost missed the spiders. More than once he had vented his frustrations on them and right now he felt like he could have cleared a whole nest by himself if any were to be found. Alas… he would need to find other quarry. He headed to the stables and took out his horse Pilin (Arrow) and rode out into the forest.
He had gone a ways when he finally dismounted and threw a blanket over his horse before stalking further into the forest on foot looking for signs of any game that may have passed recently. Curse the gulls… as the quietness of the forest engulfed him all he could hear was the rhythmic pounding of waves upon the shore on Lakes Michigan and Superior. That was as close as he had ever gotten to hearing sea waves and the sound had haunted him ever since. His mood grew more foul and frustrated as he went and he found himself muttering curses in every language he knew aimed at Thuringwen, gulls, and the seemingly empty forest. Eventually he checked himself and took a deep breath before climbing up into one of the beeches.
With a sigh he settled down with his back against the trunk and pulled off his glove so he could lay his hand against the bark. The tree was resting, of course. It was winter. Everything about the tree had slowed down to such a slow and thoughtful pace that it almost seemed as if they dreamed slow, patient dreams. This calmed him a little. It usually did. The crashing of the waves and the cry of the gulls dimmed a bit and he was able to focus on the sounds of a winter forest. The light creak and groan of branches as they shed snow either by gravity or thanks to a squirrel, the thin, quiet sigh of the light wind in the bare branches, the distant sound of the river half muffled beneath the ice that was forming near the banks… he closed his eyes and listened. The forest was never dead nor completely at rest. Squirrels would still hunt around for late fallen nuts, deer would still dig through snow and search for old foliage or look for winter greens… no, the forest was very much alive in winter and still very active, even on the quietest of days.
…He heard it draw closer, but it had no idea he was there. He looked down. It was a deer, and a very handsome buck at that. Nice even rack too. Looked like an eight pointer. Silently he stood and pulled out his bow and nocked an arrow and waited until he had a clean shot. As soon as the deer looked like it was moving to give him a perfect target, he pulled back and loosed and his arrow found its mark. The deer dropped without taking more than a step. Perfect! He lightly jumped down out of the tree and debated if he wanted to dress it there or wait until he got back. He decided he was a touch too close to the palace to want to draw predatory creatures that way and that the hunting hounds might appreciate his donation so instead dragged it back to his horse who gave him a dirty look and a shake of his head.
"None of that now," Legolas teased slightly before hefting the deer over the back of his horse. "You and I both know you can carry twice this and me."
Pilin turned his head to look at the prince and snorted at him then waited patiently for Legolas to secure the deer and mount.
He rode at an easy pace and went to the butcher who had a whole outdoor set up for hunters who wanted to clean and skin their deer but were happy to let him butcher it. Legolas hung up his deer and set to work after sending his horse back to the stable. This might have been the thousand-somethingth deer he had done this to, but focus was still required and just enough to sufficiently distract him from his visit to Thuringwen. He finished his work, made sure to tag the deer and what he wanted done with it, then took the hide over to the tanners, which was a short walk away. For a moment he had thought about doing that himself too but changed his mind. The fresh air and the whole hunting and cleaning process had worked to clear his mind and calm him down a bit.
Dusk was settling in as he reached the palace and began heading back to his room. He was just about to his rooms when Lothril came out of her room and saw him.
She stopped but didn't say a word.
"I did not leave you to go hunting, if that is what you are thinking," Legolas said just a touch defensively.
She walked towards him and said, "I knew when I fell for you that there would be things you would have to do that will not and cannot involve me. That is fine. And I am not so clingy and possessive that I cannot stand the thought of you going out and having fun without me. I do not mind if you want to go venturing out into the great outdoors and doing things without me. Truly." She gave him a kiss on the lips and added, "That's what I thought. If you need to go blow off steam because you are upset or frustrated that is quite fine by me. And it is up to you whether or not you tell me why you are frustrated and whatever it was you had to do. All I ask is that you leave a note or something so I know what to tell people when they start asking me where you are."
He stared at her silently for a second, torn between wanting to tell her all his frustrations and sparing her from the conversation with Thuringwen.
"Come, let us get you cleaned up and presentable for dinner," Lothril said quietly taking his hand. He tried to withdraw it as he had only managed to clean it up a little with snow and a rag, but she didn't care and held his hand more firmly as she dragged him towards his room.
"Lothril please, my rooms are-" he began to protest.
"Oh, that's right. You are remodeling or whatever. And I thank you in advance. I am sure I shall love it, though I have never seen the original, you know, just the anteroom. But if it shall make you feel better, we can go to my rooms," she replied, turning towards her door.
Apparently fresh air and hunting hadn't completely cured his mood as he felt torn between snippy and impressed that she seemed to be very perceptive today, if a little blunt. Vaguely he wondered how many other things she had sorted out and just did not let on she knew…
As she re-entered her rooms she called for Estelneth and asked her to have Alphon bring over a fresh outfit for Legolas. Estelneth hurried off to do so and Lothril took Legolas into the bathroom.
"Lothril, you do not have to do this," he protested.
"Of course I do not have to, but I want to," she said in a calm voice as she began unbuttoning his coat and peeling off layers. Once she got down to a layer that was still relatively clean and that she could roll up the sleeves on it, she did so and grabbed a small scrub brush on the sink and began washing his hands for him, methodically scrubbing and washing until all the traces of blood were gone. Then she dried his hands and set to work massaging his hands for him, and not entirely unlike the time she did so absentmindedly in Lothlórien after she awoke.
Alphon and Estelneth in tandem had come and gone several times like ghosts, leaving fresh clothes, taking away the dirty ones, leaving fresh towels in case he wanted to bathe, bringing in certain scented oils should they be wanted, and all of this went by unnoticed by Legolas and barely noticed by Lothril who only turned and mouthed a sincere but silent 'thank you' to them as they darted in and out.
Legolas was too busy focusing on the elleth before him who had sat him down on a chair as she tended him and was quietly and peacefully tending him and calming his spirit. There she was clad in her cranberry red velvet dress with a silvery robe and white gems glittering in her hair and looking like the princess of winter tending him with all the quiet and patience of a mother and the humility of a servant.
"My apologies, melethril nin. I have been a little short with you," he said quietly, breaking the long silence she had been working under.
"I understand, Mellothon. Can you tell me what has troubled you all day?"
"I wish to spare you," he replied.
"I appreciate that, but clearly this has upset you. You can tell me, or at the very least, speak with your father about it after supper. Either way, it is clear to me whatever called you away has upset you greatly," she said. She paused for a moment then asked, "Was it something to do with Thuringwen?"
"It was," he confessed with a sigh. "She requested an audience with me and I felt duty and honor bound to grant it."
Lothril didn't say anything but nodded and waited to see if he would say more or not.
"It was infuriating. She is delusional, mad, and completely convinced that not only was her cause just, but she seemed to think I ought to be pleased with her efforts. It was all I could do to keep my composure," he vented.
"You have done your duty and now you are done with her," Lothril said. "Do not let her dwell in your thoughts. Stay with me tonight and we will forget about her together… unless of course you plan on attending her execution?"
"No! Decidedly not!" he snapped.
Lothril looked up at him even as she rubbed his hand and gave a small little inviting smile and said, "Then stay with me. Mind and body, stay with me."
"So I shall. But hold – how do you know when her execution is? We have not told you."
"A guess. I am doubtful you would have been so quick to see to her request if she had days, weeks, or months left to her," Lothril replied.
"You are quite the clever elleth," Legolas complimented. He would never get over how attractive her intelligence and confidence could be.
"I have my moments," she replied with a coy little smile.
He took hold of her hands with his free one and drew her up onto his lap. "Every moment of every day."
"Legolas Greenleaf, are you flirting with me?" she teased.
"What do you think, my clever elleth?" he teased back before giving her a kiss. Mercy did he need that kiss… she slid her arms around his neck and kissed him slowly, inviting him to take his time.
At length she sat up a little straighter and said, "Let us eat supper in here tonight. You take your time bathing and relax and I will wait for you and then we shall eat and spend the night together alone. Stay and I will arrange everything."
"Let us do as you have said," Legolas answered.
He gave her another kiss before she stood and left the bathroom to find Alphon and Estelneth waiting to be summoned and casually chatting about how they supposed they would split various responsibilities once the prince and the lady were married. As soon as they saw her however they stood and bowed.
"Legolas and I are going to eat in my chambers tonight but first he is going to take a bath. If you could attend to him please, Alphon, and Estelneth if you could please see to dinner that would be appreciated, and please see we get a bottle of elderberry wine and a tea kettle and tea pot with a nice herbal tea. Something calming. Thank you both," Lothril said.
Both servants immediately bowed and set off to their tasks. Lothril in the meantime went into her antechamber and picked up her lute from the stand and was just starting to play an easier song than the one she had been practicing earlier that day when there was a knock on her door. She set the lute back down on its stand and answered her door to find Thranduil.
"Good evening, Thranduil, come in!" Lothril greeted, standing aside.
"Good evening, pen mell. Have you heard yet from Legolas?" he asked, coming into the room.
She shut the door behind him. "As a matter of fact, I ran into him in the hallway."
"Ah, then shall I expect you both to be joining us for supper?" Thranduil asked.
Lothril shook her head. "No, we are going to eat in here tonight. He is washing up and is a bit… well… apparently Thuringwen as a last request asked to speak with him and he obliged because he is him and afterwards he was so angry and frustrated that he went out and killed something. Judging by the fur I found on him, I would say a deer."
Thranduil nodded. "It is not unusual for him to go out hunting if he is angry and frustrated. Being outdoors calms him and hunting gives him something else to focus on. When the forest was dark he would go hunting spiders." He paused then asked, "Shall I assume you are both going to be remain up here for the rest of the evening?"
Lothril nodded and added a little sheepishly, "And quite possibly through breakfast."
"I would recommend it," Thranduil said. "And possibly till lunch. There is very little reason for either of you to be out and about before then tomorrow. I take it you have already ordered your supper to be sent up here?"
"Yes, I have," Lothril answered.
"And breakfast?" he asked.
"Not yet."
"I will see to it for you," Thranduil said.
"Thank you, but I can if you-" she started.
"I insist," Thranduil said.
"Very well," she said slowly, suspicious that Thranduil had ulterior motives and sneaky plans.
Judging by the smirk he gave in reply…
"Enjoy yourselves," he said and gave her a kiss on her forehead and left the room.
She watched him leave and stared at the closed door for a moment. How on earth he managed to simultaneously keep his nose out of their romantic business and simultaneously play wingman to both of them and Cupid himself was beyond her. He never asked a detail; he gave them all the space in the world, and then would casually send or give them little things at opportune moments that would prove nearly perfect later. If nothing else, him ordering breakfast to be sent to them would keep them from needing to interrupt themselves. Speaking of which… she carefully thought through the rest of the evening and anything they might need so she could ask for it as soon as Estelneth returned. Oh! She was supposed to meet with Filegon after supper… She frowned. Well… perhaps he wouldn't mind meeting tomorrow afternoon instead…
Estelneth returned a few minutes later and Lothril asked her to go see if Filegon would mind moving their appointment and off she hurried to see. As it was, Filegon was more than happy to move the appointment to after lunch tomorrow. He had a dress that was ordered by Lord Gwilithon's wife for a party they were throwing day after tomorrow and he needed to finish up the beadwork that night or else it wouldn't be ready in time. Estelneth relayed all this to Lothril who was glad it worked out so well for all, and then with a last, "Is there anything you need, milady?" Lothril said no and told her to go have a nice evening and not bother showing up until it was time for her meeting with Filegon tomorrow.
Estelneth left and not five minutes later Legolas came into the anteroom wearing a fresh outfit that was still fairly casual, his hair clearly only towel dried but neatly combed back and braided.
"Do you feel any better?" Lothril asked, standing to meet him and holding out her hand to him.
"A bit, thank you meleth nin," he said with a smile, taking her hand and both of them sitting on the couch.
"Supper should be brought up in a little bit and everything is arranged so we needn't go anywhere until lunch," Lothril said. "And after that I am to go meet with Filegon."
"Oh? What for?"
"We are going to discuss my haib irui and perhaps wedding clothes," Lothril answered.
Legolas' smile widened. "Oh? Would you be opposed to me joining you?"
"Not for the discussion of wedding clothes, but I will kick you out for the other as I have some ideas and I want you surprised," she answered.
He almost looked excited at that pronouncement. "Truly? Then I shall certainly leave for that discussion, and know that I am greatly looking forward to seeing those surprises."
She blushed a little and smiled but before she could reply, servants came in with supper and swiftly laid it out on the table and left. "Shall we eat?"
"Yes, I have quite the appetite after this evening," he answered.
Supper was nice and peaceful, their conversation naturally staying very far away from the unpleasant subject of Thuringwen and drifting more towards subjects like the ice fishing festival on Lake Long that was set to take place in a week and Legolas saying they could go if she so wished, and she saying she thought it sounded like fun, and then a couple more events that they could attend between then and the new year. At the mention of the new year, Lothril thrilled a little remembering they would be wed in that coming year… and that that very night she would be sleeping beside him… innocently enough, all things considered, but still… sometimes the very realization of how close together they would be when they slept still made her heart skip a beat. Perhaps it was silly given the line of where they would stop that evening and marrying was still very far apart, but just being near him… close to him… vulnerable and open but without a single fear to plague her… it made her blush.
"You are blushing again," Legolas said.
"Well it is your fault," she replied before taking a drink.
"My fault? I merely mentioned that new year is coming," Legolas replied, sounding just a little amused.
"Yes, but we are getting married next year and my thoughts started wandering that direction," she said with a barely contained smile.
"Oh? And where exactly did your thoughts wander in that direction?" he asked flirtatiously.
"To be perfectly honest – I remembered we would wed next year and then my thoughts turned to tonight and our nights together that we have had and the ones we will have between now and then. I know we… well, you know… but I love how close we are when we are together. It is innocent enough, but it is close and intimate and I love it; I crave it," she answered, her blush deepening a little.
He reached for her hand and held it in hers as he replied, "So do I."
She smiled and asked, "Are you done?"
"Only with dessert," he answered.
"Good, for I have other plans for you tonight," she said.
"Oh?" asked Legolas
"We are going to relax tonight and I have some more verses to give you," Lothril said.
"Verses? As in more than one?" Legolas asked looking excited at the prospect.
"Two, to be exact but they're long. Well... I suppose technically it is two poems with multiple verses..." She answered, trailing off.
Legolas smiled and said, "Either way I am excited to hear them."
"Then let us go into the bedroom where we shall not be disturbed. These are not the sort of verses I would be fine with the servants overhearing," she said.
"Oh? Now I am even more excited and eager to hear them!" Legolas said, immediately standing and heading towards the bedroom door.
-⸙ - ⸙-
The method chosen was poison. Quick and painless as long as the concentrations were correct. Too much and it would painful and violent. Not enough and it would make her lethargic or even comatose but would not kill her. Thranduil had withdrawn from the process of choosing the method of her demise, but he was still informed of it. They would give the poison time to work, then just to be sure she was thoroughly dead and they were not burying her alive, she would be stabbed through the heart. Official cause of death - execution by poisoning. Body immediately taken to be readied for burial and if wanted, given to the family or else buried in an unmarked grave outside the palace grounds.
Thranduil was fine with this.
He awoke before the sun and was dressed and ready before Galion came in.
"Everything is set your majesty. The prisoner is in place and we await only the representatives," Galion said.
"Any family or friends in attendance?" Thranduil asked his voice cold and neutral.
"No, my king. Her family has declared they are not coming out of shame but they will claim the body to spare the crown further trouble on account of her," Galion said.
Thranduil gave but the barest nod. "I will head down now. Have my breakfast sent up to my study. Is the paperwork on my desk?"
"It is, my king."
"Excellent. I will sign it when I return and have my secretary fetch the other signatures for the records. Tell him to be ready and waiting for me when I return. I want this whole business to be done before my tea gets cold," Thranduil said.
"It shall be done," Galion said. "Is anything else you want me to see to before breakfast?"
"There is, I nearly forgot," Thranduil said with the barest hint of a smile as he reached for a small box on the small silver tray in front of the mirror on the vanity. He handed it to Galion and said, "See that this gets sent to Lady Lothril's room this morning."
Galion nodded and was dismissed. Thranduil checked his crown and the belt from which hung the dagger at his side and headed down to the dungeons. He did not greet the guards this morning when they joined him. He had insisted on this ridiculously early hour for the execution so he would not see or risk needing to talk to anyone prior. He was glad Legolas spent the night with Lothril and that if he was awake; he hoped he was greatly preoccupied and distracted by the elleth in bed beside him. Anything but thinking of Thuringwen.
His face grew harder and colder as he descended the steps into the dungeon and the large cell that was going to act as her execution chamber. It had to be in the large cell so the representatives of the crown, court, and council could all fit along with the condemned and a guard and the executioner who was administering the poison.
She was already there, strapped down to a bed that was brought in, wearing a plain black shift dress that marked her as condemned to death. The other pertinent representatives were there and waiting. As soon as the king entered, the court scribe began to read the charges, the penalty, and then said, "we are here to witness the fulfillment of justice and the execution of Thuringwen, the disgraced by poison which shall be given now."
The poison was given and the scribe informed her she could speak until she couldn't and her final words would be recorded.
Thuringwen nodded and began what seemed like a prepared speech. "My cause was just and for the good of the kingdom. In time you all will see, my cause was ordained by the Valar and I will be rewarded thusly. I forgive you all for this as you are all clearly bewitched and will hopefully one day come to your senses. I... I... She grew drowsy it seemed and for the next couple minutes slurred a handful of disjointed words like, "forgive... Legolas... Where... Just... Usurper..."
She grew silent and still, the time was up.
"I think she is gone," Lord Gwilithon said.
"Certainly looks so to me," the court scribe replied. "Shall we have the executioner see to it she is dead?" The court scribe asked.
"I shall do it," Thranduil said coldly.
"Your highness, I do not think you ought-" Gwilithon started but the court scribe cut him off.
"Nay Lord Gwilithon, it is his right to do so. She is being executed by the crown; he is the representative present for the crown and therefore has the right to see it done. He is also a blood relation to one of her victims and the protector of the other and so has the right by that as well. To say nothing of the fact he is the king. Though for what it is worth, this part could legally be done by anyone as it is merely a precaution as she is already gone."
Thranduil knew it was his right but at the moment, he didn't particularly care about that. He approached the still form and pulled out his dagger and lined it up to her heart, making sure it would slide between her ribs. To his surprise, she stirred. Behind him the scribe and Gwilithon were discussing an obscure law relating to remains and winter burials. They had no idea she was still alive, if only just, and the guard and the executioner seemed preoccupied with discussion about removing the body and were similarly ignorant.
As if sensing someone was near she forced her eyes open but a sliver and blurrily saw the king looking down at her and she barely breathed out, "Mivan i Legolas? (Where is Legolas?)"
Thranduil looked down at her face and said in a voice low enough that the others would not hear, "Nan Lothril vi i haust în. (With Lothril in her bed.)"
Thranduil pulled out the blade and began cleaning it off with a rag as he turned and left the cell.
She was Mandos' problem now.
-⸙ - ⸙-
Meanwhile upstairs Legolas smiled as he heard a sleepy Lothril give a quiet giggle as he wrapped an arm around her and drew her close.
"Man i lû? (What is the time?)" Lothril mumbled.
"Eb minuial, (before morning twilight)" he answered.
"Ugh... You wake up too early," she muttered as she rolled over to face him. She snaked her hand up his chest until it was resting over his heart.
He gave a content hum and smiled. "I can hardly help it. All night I dreamed of those fair verses you gave me and I confess it has made me eager to resume. 'Give to me your sweetest kisses/ Let me feel your softest touch/ Let is fulfill all our wishes/ Before the rising sun's first blush' How could I sleep in?"
She gave a playful frown. "I suppose I did all but ask to be awoken early. Though I was thinking more staying up late."
"And so we did and now we wake early and do it again," he quipped.
"Overachiever," she grumbled.
"Indeed I am," he replied before taking her hand from his chest and kissing her fingers. "Overachieving, detailed, and thorough." he kissed her fingers again and then started working his way up her arm until the sleeve would not let him go further. He rolled onto his side and smiled to see not only did she not retie the laces on her tunic, she had removed them and they were sitting in a pile on her nightstand. "Open invitation?"
"Thought it would save time," she answered with a flirty little grin.
"It does at that, but I do enjoy the odd challenge," he replied as he let his fingers trace the line of her collar bone.
"I will bear that in mind," she said, a particular smile he was starting to love graced her face. It was a smile he didn't start seeing until after their conversation in the pool.
"You are exceedingly fair and lovely, do you know that?" He said softly before placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
"Mmm... So I have been told," she answered, her voice low and relaxed.
"But do you heniog (Understand)?"
"Teach me," she answered, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him down to kiss her again.
He smiled wide before kissing her again. "With or without words?"
Her face lit up and looked mischievous. "Without, Prince I-enjoy-a-challenge."
He leaned down and kissed her briefly.
"Oh ha-ha," Lothril said flatly. "That does not count."
Legolas laughed. "Then let me try again."
"No, no! You have lost your chance, Prince Mellothon. It is my turn now."
"Prince Mellothon?" He repeated with a raised brow and a grin as he stared down at her. "Well, Lady Lothril what if as your prince I commanded you to let me try again?"
"Hmm, I think I would have to change your mind," she said with the singularly cockiest look he had seen from her yet.
"Oh? Do you think you could? Because I am not convinced of it," said the elf that was already more than ready and willing to change his own mind just from that seductively confident smile that was driving him absolutely mad... Oh but he would steel himself to make her prove it. Even if only just.
Somehow her smile grew even more confident as she ran her hands up his upper arms and shoulders to his neck. Her touch was so soft and light and amazing it left him shuddering as his breath hitched.
Oh goodness...
She buried her hands in his loose hair and began massaging his neck and the back of his head. He didn't know his neck was tense until she started massaging it.
"O Lothril! Avo dharo! Manen carog echuiog rhaw adh ero pladog nin vi san lem? Ai ma! (Do not stop! How do you awaken my body by only feeling me that way? Oh excellent!)"
She changed what she was doing and giggled as she watched his eyes roll back in his head and he fell into a soft moan. She was more than half convinced he was going to collapse on top of her if she kept going... And she was definitely going to keep going.
Gently she moved her hands down to his shoulders and pushed him onto his back, rolling with the movement herself. She gave him a quick kiss and moved her hands back to his hair and watched with nothing shy of glee as he looked like he was melting into a puddle in her hands all the while muttering her praises until she did something to make him fall into a wordless moan.
"I think you are enjoying this," Legolas said on one of the occasions where she slowed down.
"Immensely." There was a single knock at the door to the antechamber and Lothril froze and stared at it, her brows knitting together when nothing else happened. "There was a knock at the door, right?"
"Yes there was. It was the servants letting us know they have left breakfast for us out in the antechamber," Legolas replied.
"Oh. I suppose we should go eat before it gets cold."
"It is likely a cold breakfast as they have brought it up this early," he said, slowly coming down off the high she had induced in him. Good Elbereth, that elleth… how on earth she managed to take playing with his hair and massaging his neck from pleasurable to nearly erotic baffled him to no end… and he loved it! He loved it! He loved it!
"It has been a while since I've had a cold breakfast," Lothril said as she started for the edge of the bed.
"Nay, you stay right here and I will fetch it," Legolas said as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back. He kissed her neck a few times before wandering to her lips and then he quietly added, "Wait here."
A couple minutes later he returned carrying a very large tray which he set down on the low table in front of the fireplace.
"What do we have?" Lothril asked as she got out of bed and threw on her robe.
"All sorts of lovely things, and this," Legolas answered, holding out a small box to her. "That was separate from the food."
Lothril opened it. "Tea?"
Legolas nodded. "By the smell of it, one of Ada's custom blends. I am not sure which though."
"Nice," she said with a grin as she sat down and began inspecting the tray. "Smoked fish, presumably boiled eggs, ah! Bread and a toaster! How nice! Butter, jam, apples… You know, at first I was not sure how I would like this sort of cold stuff for breakfast, but it has really grown on me."
Legolas smiled. "I am continually surprised at how well you have adjusted to this life. Especially after seeing your old one," he said as he stoked up the fire.
"Everyone being so patient and explaining things to me has helped immensely," she answered as she began to peel one of the eggs.
They made the tea and something about the flavor and how she felt made her check the tea pot. It wasn't quite a medicinal tea... But it was awfully darn close... And it was definitely responsible for her starting to feel that had-too-much-mead relaxed feeling. She was also fairly certain she had had this blend before and didn't really notice... No... She had felt better afterwards...
That sneak. Then again... He sent it that morning, not with dinner last night... Thuringwen was being executed that day... Two plus two equals Thranduil making sure his son doesn't think about Thuringwen who is being executed that morning.
"Why such a thoughtful face?" Legolas asked.
Lothril smiled and said, "Is it?"
"It is. You looked entirely too serious," Legolas replied.
"Well I am sure I didn't mean to," she said and rapidly changed the subject. "What should we do between now and lunch? The sun is barely up and we have all sorts of time."
"Hmm... As I recall before we were interrupted by breakfast you were being insubordinate to your prince," Legolas answered with a raised brow.
"Insubordinate? Is that what you call your queen making you melt like a spring thaw?" Lothril challenged.
"Ah-ha! So you finally admit you are my queen! Then there is no escaping it now! You must allow me to show you proper adoration and obeisance, my queen. And with your leave I shall begin now," he said, setting aside his tea cup before wrapping her in his arms and laying her back against arm of the couch, plying her with kisses and sweet, heady compliments as he let his fingers slip just under the edge of her tunic.
-⸙ -⸙ -
Lunch rolled around and found Legolas and Lothril at lunch with Thranduil and a handful of family members. Thranduil was all ease and smiles and seemed to be in a good mood. Such a good mood that Lothril began to wonder if her guesses were all wrong. Surely watching someone be executed would make one be a little more sober, even if you didn't like them at all...
Estelneth appeared as they finished lunch and Legolas asked Lothril if she would mind if he spoke with his father first before joining her. She said she didn't, and so left with Estelneth.
"What would you like to speak with me about?" Thranduil asked as Lothril left.
"Can we speak somewhere privately?" Legolas asked.
"Let us go to the drawing room. It is closest," he answered.
They went to the drawing room and as soon as he shut the door behind them Legolas asked, "Was she still spouting delusional nonsense this morning or did her pending execution sober her and bring her to her senses? What was the final decision on method? Did anyone claim the body?"
"She is dead. That is all that matters," Thranduil said coolly, moving to the liquor cabinet.
"I think I have a right to know," Legolas said with some heat.
"As your father I am telling you to leave this be. She is dead, Lothril lives. Turn your focus to Lothril and put this business behind you," Thranduil replied. "Would you like something to drink?"
"No, thank you," Legolas replied, feeling very frustrated.
Thranduil could see it and so he said, "Legolas, I deeply appreciate your feelings and I share many of them. However, you are running a distinct danger of allowing this to poison your happiness with Lothril. Go be with her now and put these last weeks out of your mind. Look forward. Be with Lothril and be glad. And please tell me you were not thinking about this all last night and this morning."
Legolas' countenance softened slightly. "No. I was not."
