Chapter 25
Galadriel and Elrond entered the healing chambers with Thranduil following from behind.
"The ceremony didn't work" Leanna said gravely at Galadriel who looked her over to make sure she was alright.
"Then let us see if it truly failed" Galadriel lifted her hand tentatively, unsure of whether she would get the same reaction like the last time.
She placed her fingertips on Leanna's forehead. All were silent as they waited for something to happen, especially Leanna.
Galadriel withdrew her hand from Leanna and sighed. Opening her eyes she smiled, mirth feeling her eyes as she spoke.
"There is no need for concern Lady Leanna, the ceremony was a success"
"But if it did then why do I...how can I still use magic?"
"Perhaps the Valar deems it acceptable to keep them" Elrond smiled as he looked at Galadriel and Thranduil, relieved there would be no further dangers to deal with.
Thranduil watched the scene in silence until he caught Galadriel's eye. She smiled at him with a knowing glint in her eye which he merely returned with a stony look. The ceremony was done as successful as he could well manage. Any other matter was of no concern to her.
Leanna felt his eyes from across the room and returned his gaze with a look of her. It would suffice to say she owed him her gratitude. Though the cold smirk he gave her almost cast the thought from her mind.
"We may yet see the need for this, however we must honour King Thranduil for his skills, for without them, this would not have been possible" Galadriel said as both she and Elrond bowed to Thranduil who only gave a smug smirk in return.
"So what happens now?" Leanna still feeling anxious, the headaches had seized completely for which she was grateful but then she had to be sure such a thing wouldn't happen again.
"All that is needed now, is a little rest and you will be fine" Galadriel smiled.
The elven lords and lady vacated the room to give Leanna some moments of peace to herself. As soon as the door closed with a gentled thud, Leanna flopped into her bed with a loud sigh of relief.
Looking at the stony ceiling with arches meeting at different points, she thought about the people she'd left back home and wondered if they were alright. Home... Leanna smiled at the thought, yes she had missed them dearly. All of them. Her eyes fluttered closed as she drifted off to sleep.
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!
Days had gone by and Leanna had finally been permitted to move about as she pleased, satisfied to have her duties lessened due to Lady Galadriel's influence.
The one person she had yet to come in contact with, ever since she left the healing chambers, was Thranduil. Not that she minded his 'absence', she merely found it...odd, not bumping into the insufferable elf in one of these innumerous hallways.
With an improved Sindarin which still needed plenty of work, she barely managed to communicate with a servant, enough to locate the weapons store room.
Leanna opened the large doors, pushing through them as they groaned with movement. It was a large spacious room, with different weapons stationed in different positions and places, in all shapes and sizes.
She ran her fingertips over a sword hung on the wall. Leanna lifted the sword from the wall and breathed out in awe as she held the hilt firmly, admiring the craftsmanship of the weapon.
In one turn, she sliced through the air, testing the grip and edges of the sword. It was the right fit for her. Satisfied with the weapon she had chosen, she sliced her sword through the air with a confident smirk. She may not have had her full strength restored but she could manage well.
Quickly and as quietly as her feet would let her, she made her way to the forest grounds. There, she was assured of her privacy as she was sure the training grounds would be occupied and no doubt noisy. The guards let her through, having been accustomed to her duties usually carried out in forest.
When she was sure she was alone, Leanna breathed in, and then exhaled. It was easy, she told herself as she closed her eyes to concentrate. She begun to move, letting the sword flow to her wish as her body twisted with each strike.
The thrill it brought to her, the feeling of freedom flowing into her body as she moved with precision and power. It had been too long since she felt this way. She stopped briefly, resting on the root of a tree nearby. Leanna felt herself returning to the woman she could recognize, even if it was just a piece of her.
She let her mind wander back to Dale, hoping that all was well in her absence. She had heard nothing of the dealings of the outside world. Taking to her feet again, she looked at the dusty and vague path leading deeper into the forest.
She could feel it, the magic was thick within. She clutched the pendant round her neck and took a step forward, tempted. What if she ran? all the way out of the forest, would she make it?
Knowing well enough that before she reached the borders, the warriors of the Mirkwood would intercept her before she could make her daring escape. She blew out a hot breath and shook her head clear of such thoughts. It was just two weeks, that was all it was, two more weeks and she would leave this place for good.
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!
Night had fallen and Leanna still decided to remain in the forest, hesitant to return back to the palace. She was certain dinner had already passed, but what did it matter to her? when out here she had peace of mind.
Hearing a crunch behind her, she turned sharply, her sword at the ready as she faced the intruder who had snuck up on her.
Clank!
"Thranduil" She whispered out of shock as she drew back. She had failed to notice him stiffen at the sound of his name, due to the cover of dark and tried to compose herself.
"What do you think you are doing?" Thranduil said icily as he stepped into the stream of light that pierced through the foliage. He put his sword away, as he approached her.
"Im not trying to run if that's what you think" Leanna responded just as coldly.
"No, you could not...even if you tried" Thranduil said, standing before her.
"What do you want my Lord?" Leanna asked, sighing under her breath. She had no interest in dealing with anyone this night, let alone this particular person.
"What is the purpose of your presence here this evening? Thranduil asked. Leanna blinked in surprise at the simple question.
"I wished to be alone, or is that no longer acceptable in your halls? Leanna said bluntly. She did not know he was playing at now and she did not wish to know at all. It was as she said, she just wanted to be alone.
"Nothing concerning you is ever that simple Lady Leanna of Dale" He said positioning himself in a stance.
"No I suppose not" Leanna taking on a stance of her own. It was strange, him being this cordial with her. It felt odd, it felt dare she say... nice but it was strange all the same.
What possessed him to seek her out on such an evening, he did not know, maybe he was truly bored and needed something amusing. Or maybe he wished to test Galadriel's theory. The answer did not truly matter as he sparred with her, what mattered was in the here, the now, the moment.
They spun around each other, clashing and parrying swords as they moved through the forest. It was unreal, inconceivable maybe Leanna thought, that she was actually enjoying this. Thranduil was highly skilled, this much was evident but this was a first for her, being pushed back on the defensive as they danced to the tune of their blades.
"I was curious"
"And why would you be my Lord?" Leanna asked as she struck down on Thranduil from a higher vantage point. Thranduil smirked from under her as he blocked her attack. Holding his position, he responded.
"I wished to see who this woman was, the one they say bested one of my captains in a sparring match" At this statement Leanna grew wide eyed and blushed quite visibly in the dim lit forest. She stepped back and felt herself tumbling down.
Reaching out for something to ease her fall, Her hand clasped onto the nearest thing within her grasp and found herself falling still.
Thranduil caught off guard by the action, felt himself being dragged down to the ground. The impact with the ground knocked the air out her lungs and she turned her head to side, eyes shut as she waited for Thranduil to crash into her.
When she felt nothing, Leanna opened her eyes to find a curtain of blonde hair pooling around her face. Breathing deeply, her mind registered what had happened and she looked up at Thranduil who had not moved from his position.
"Are you alright?" He asked gently. Leanna frowned at his tone, unaccustomed to the softness in it. Blinking softly she answered in kind.
"Yes...I-I'm sorry, my foot slipped" Leanna whispered, trying to explain as she took in his handsome features on closer inspection.
"Yes, that was quite a fall..." This was the part where he was meant to move away, but his body refused to listen. He felt himself drowning in the sparkling blue diamonds that were her eyes.
He was close, too close. She had never fathomed the possibility of this scenario ever coming to life. She looked at him, wondering why he had not stood up from his position and opened her mouth to speak.
Plop!
The first drop hit the ground and wasn't so evident until more drop fell through. Rain, it was raining. The downpour happened almost instantaneously as Thranduil rose up and looked up at the sky. He looked back down to find Leanna already on her feet and turning around, possibly looking for the nearest shelter. They were still aways from the palace, having sparred deep into the forest.
"This way" Thranduil said as he called behind him. Leanna followed from behind, the rain making it even harder to see in the dark. She tripped on an overturned root again, almost falling to the ground this time.
Thranduil tired of her antics, rolled his eyes and turned to her. He took her by the arm and led her swiftly to a large hollowed tree. In there, they took shelter and waited out the rain.
They were close again, their bodies still in close contact and despite the heavy rain, their clothes hardly got wet. A wonder that fascinated Leanna deeply. So taken by the phenomenon that she did not realize she had an audience. She turned in excitement to speak on her discovery when she stilled at the proximity of his face.
Thranduil smirked as he watched her cheeks bloom red for the second time that evening. It was a ludicrous idea to see someone as brave and powerful as her react this way to him. He wondered if this was a general reaction or was he the only one who had such power over her.
He looked out into the forest, the rain would not stop anytime soon, he surmised.
He looked back to her, her wet face watching the rain fall quietly. Her face was back to its blank demeanor and Thranduil found himself displeased with the sight of it. It told nothing of her thoughts. He felt the sudden urge to change that.
"The rain looks to be clearing up soon, we should-" Leanna stilled when she turned to Thranduil who had somehow found a way to draw closer to her. The words in her throat died as she felt his breath on her nose.
"We should...what?" Thranduil beckonned her to continue, his voice deep and husky.
"W-We um...we should return" Leanna looked away, her cheeks growing hot again. She shouldn't read too much into anything, she told herself, it was just Thranduil, The cold and calculating elf who dragged away from her home, standing right next to her. That was all.
"Yes though I doubt you could make it back to the palace with a sight as blessed as yours" Leanna looked up in irritation, partially forgetting their position.
"Well forgive me for not having the grace of elves my lord, some of us must make due where we can"
"As I'm sure" Thranduil words rolled off his tongue. Leanna watched his lips move as he spoke.
"It doesn't matter anyway, once I'm finished with my duties here, I'll return home... immediately" She added the last part in emphasis
"Or I could decide my efforts to save you deserve a reward in its own right" At his words Leanna looked into his eyes in disbelief.
"How like you to-"
Her words were stiffled as Thranduil lunged for her lips. His hand held on to her head to keep it in place while the other wrapped around her waist. Her response was almost immediately, reacting on instinct as Thranduil kissed her passionately.
Her eyes flew open as she realized what was happening. She was kissing Thranduil! She placed her hands on his chest and tried to push him away. Thranduil sensing her resistance broke the kiss and looked at her, his eyes taking on a darker more intense hue.
Chest heaving, cheeks flushed, blue eyes big and innocent. Thranduil took her face in his hands once more and crushed his lips on hers. Leanna fighting a losing battle, bit into his lips in a desperate attempt to get away.
Surprised at the sensation of pain, Thranduil yanked his head away and touched his lips. Blood, at the sight of the red liquid on the tip of his fingers, he looked up at Leanna who was still very much flushed, trying to catch her breath.
"What do you think you are doing?!" Leanna said breathless and in shock. She watched Thranduil lick the blood off his lips and grin, the action igniting heat in-between her legs. His icy blue eyes roving up and down her form as he spoke.
"Merely accepting an invitation"
"I gave you no such thing!" Leanna cried out in denial, certain she was as cordial and appropriate in behaviour.
"Oh...but you did" He responded by looking down. At the gesture, Leanna looked at her body and gasped as she wrapped her arms around her body. Her dress was soaked and now transparent.
"It seems the rain has stopped my Lord, I'll be returning to my chambers at once" Leanna said icily, unwilling to stay anywhere near the elf who near violated her honour in a dead tree. She marched through the wet and dark forest, using trees as a stumbling blocks to navigate through the forest.
She almost tripped until an arm wrapped round her waist and drew her up. On instinct she struggled against the vice like grip.
"Keep moving like that and a kiss will be the least honourable thing I do this night" Thranduil whispered in her ears and smirked as she stilled.
"Then let go of me" She bit out in anger.
"I would but then you would be lost and that's not a headache I intend to deal with tonight" Thranduil said as he took her arm and led her through the forest.
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The lights could be seen in the distance, signalling the end of their journey through the forest. How had they gotten in so deep?
"My Lord" Galion met them at the gate. He took in the sight of the wet pair before him and bowed before Thranduil, making certain his face gave nothing away.
"Have the servants prepare my bath and send some food to Lady Leanna's chambers. It has been quite an evening" Thranduil smirked as he looked at Galion.
"You're bleeding..." Galion said, stating the obvious. To which Thranduil touched his lips, remembering the cause of the injury on his lips.
"Indeed, a reward for a deed well done, now if you are done with your interrogation, will you do as I asked? Or must I repeat myself? Thranduil said cocking his head.
"Of course not Aran nin, as you wish" Galion said before casting a curious gaze towards Leanna once more.
Leanna watched the scene before her, her hands still wrapped around her body, trying to get her chambers in peace. A shadow fell on her body and she looked up to find Thranduil staring coldly at her. Not one to be cowed by the look, she raised her head up in defiance.
Thranduil smirked at the gesture for moment before his face went cold. He took off his robe and draped it across her shoulders. The action witnessed by Galion and attendants present drew shock but no one dared to speak out for risk of the King's anger.
Thranduil said nothing as he turned away and left towards his chambers, relishing the memory of her lips. He had noted the eyes of his warriors and high councillor lingering too long on her and felt a twinge of displeasure at the sight.
Leanna shuddered, not from cold. Her mind spun round in circles, searching the reasons for his actions this evening. Her hand drew up to her lips in a daze as she suddenly remembered the most degenerate detail of all.
That bastard Elf king had stolen her first kiss.