Chapter 35
In the early hours of the morning, the servants knocked on Leanna's room and waited. They knocked again and waited, hearing no answer they entered cautious, calling out her name in the event she had not heard them. They entered to find an empty room with a tray of half eaten breakfast on the side of her bed. Sighing they began to clean up her room.
Leanna had left the palace halls, she needed air and some time to herself. The memory of the previous night still fresh in her mind, she scoffed with a reddened face as she walked into the enclave. She wished she knew how to get to the gardens housing the new born foals but then she could not ask the one whom she was currently trying to avoid.
She smiled as Tallahir emerged from the trees to greet her, bowing his head low on meeting her. The giant animal snorted endearingly as Leanna stroked his snout. Laughing at his almost humanlike antics, Leanna sighed as she looked around. She paused, suddenly having a curious thought.
"You know, I came out here to get away from the noise in there but...it would lighten my heart alot more if I got to see some of your little ones and I was hoping you could take me to them?" She asked sweetly, her eyes pleading her cause with all her might.
Tallahir kneeled on the ground, snorting at her. The action startled Leanna, her eyes widened in surprise at the invitation to ride the great elk.
"You want me to climb on?" Leanna asked, still very surprised. She looked around and turned back to Tallahir who was waiting for her to get on. Feeling giddy deep within, she beamed and held the nape of his head, sitting with both legs on one side. The great elk rose to his hooves and began trotting through the dense and fairly lit forest.
As was his usual habit, he searched out her whereabouts. He told himself it was to make certain she was out of trouble, an excuse that was as pathetic as his yearning for her. He missed her presence, her flushed face in reaction to him...he missed her touch. If anything he was the one doing more of the touching, he would admit that.
He stilled and closed his eyes, he breathed in deeply to prevent the sigh escaping his lips. His company was not the kind to miss on the smallest details regarding him. It was a sweet and addictive feeling coursing through his body, he could feel her joy in small bursts of emotions.
He starred out his study window and wondered if he'd be able to see where she was. A spark of jealousy ignited in him and he wondered who could have been the reason for these reactions from her. Reactions that only he ought to be privy to.
Gwuineth had come to give reports regarding the planning of the festival of Mereth nuin Gilliath the year had come round again and she had to make certain all the elements of the week long festival would proceed smoothly.
"Some of our kin from Lorien have sent word that they will be arriving to celebrate the festival with us, as well as-"
"Tell the seamstresses to make more dresses, I want precious stones woven into a headpiece before the start of the festival" Thranduil cut in. His mind had been preoccupied with the actions happening outside his window.
"Shall I send the royal dressmaker and jeweler to your chambers today?" Gwuineth asked to be sure, but deep down she already knew the answer to this request.
"I am not so vain to need more jewels on my brow Gwuineth, my crown will suffice" Thranduil slid a glare to the elleth and sat down, his mind still dwelling on the woman out on the forest.
Gwuineth sighed and watched Thranduil, contemplating her next words as she remained silent. She decided beating around the bush would only give Thranduil the opportunity to deflect.
"Rumours are spreading"
"Rumours..." Thranduil hummed as he tilted his head the side, his expressions feigning surprise at her words. Gwuineth understood quickly enough what it meant, he was never one to care for court gossip except it wasn't just court gossip.
"Not just at court, but throughout the entire kingdom. As much as Lady Leanna possesses endearing qualities my lord, questions are rising. What are your intentions for the girl?" Gwuineth asked outright.
"I merely, as you so have insisted in past, shown my guest courtesy and kindness, in light of the circumstances that brought her here" Thranduil responded calmly. Gwuineth felt irritation rise at his stubbornness and nodded.
"And her stay here in Mirkwood? Is it to be permanent?" Gwuineth dared to speak further, desiring a reaction that would give her an insight of his thoughts towards Leanna.
"That is not a matter of concern as of yet" Thranduil said coldly. Gwuineth knew she was on the right path and prodded deeper.
"And when will it be? Or have you forgotten the fact that she is to age? Would she not wish for a life to settle into, a place to truly call home?"
"She has all that she needs, and even so it will be given to her regardless" Thranduil responded, unknown to him the fierceness in his heart was bleeding into the crystal blue pupils of his eyes.
"And marriage? Will you deign to give her children of her own? A family of her own?" At this Thranduil slowly lowered his gaze in deep thought, as the image of Leanna holding a small babe in her arms filtered into his mind. A little baby on her bosom, with pale blonde hair and small pointy ears. He felt his heart swell with yearning at the thought.
"Or would you let her be free to have these things elsewhere...with another man" Gwuineth asked.
"Never!" Thranduil seethed through clenched teeth, jolting from his seat as his desk shook from the sudden movement. The full glare of anger and fierce jealousy blazing from his eyes as he all but snarled at his old nursemaid.
Gwuineth breathed deeply, the truth coming to light as she stared at the angered ellon before her. Thranduil could care less about the lovers he took in the past, in fact once he was satisfied with them, he moved on to whatever else caught his interest but never in the 9000 years of her long lived life had she seen this much reaction from him.
"Does she know?" Gwuineth asked again. She was to thread carefully near him, knowing well anymore implications about Leanna's separation from him would spark a far more dangerous reaction from him.
"Does she know that your fea has chosen her?" Gwuineth whispered, her voice shaking as it spoke out the reality of what she knew to be true. Thranduil shuddered, clenching his jaw as he struggled to reign in his anger, part of his mind went blank from the idea of some filthy mortal laying hands on his woman.
"She will know soon enough as will everyone else, when I deem it right" Thranduil said calmly, his anger still glowing from his eyes as he cocked his head, daring her to refute his decision. Gwuineth pursed her lips.
"And keep her in dark till old age claims her? Thranduil, it is no secret your growing affection for her, so much that she is already rumoured to be a mistress you've taken on the side"
"Time matters no more in this matter for I cannot hold off any longer" Thranduil admitted in anguish. He looked up to Gwuineth conveying his real intention. She would be the only one who knew the truth besides himself and Galadriel.
Gwuineth remained silent, allowing the words Thranduil had spoken to sink in. Thranduil watched her silently, he knew words of their discussion would not leave this room, not when Gwuineth valued discretion above all else. He dismissed her desiring to be by himself for the time being, Gwuineth paused at the door way speaking her last words to him before leaving.
"If you truly wish to gain her attention then you'll have to do more than fancy dresses and shiny trinkets my lord, she is not to be bought but wooed"
"I will keep that in mind" Thranduil said. He sighed out, resting on the arm of his chair as Gwuineth left him to his silence. His next course of action would be a far cry from unbelievable, so much that he was sure the one he would burden them with the most, would contemplate resignation. However, if he was to reach any headway with his desires, he had no choice.
!
!
Leanna had been laughing at the foals playing around her as Tallahir stood aside, picking off fresh green shrubbery cropping from the ground. She stood up, leaving the small field to take a short walk. Hearing the sound of rushing water, she knew the waterfall flowing from the side of the mountain was near and moved towards it, until she reached the edge.
Turning to face the silent forest, she scanned the dark trees. They had blended so well into the trees that it was practically impossible to see them and while this was normal for the patrol units to guard the forests within Mirkwoods domain, something was definitely amiss.
"I'll count to five, if you do not reveal yourself before the last count of one, my feet will slip and I'll fall to what may be my death" she cried out to the silent forest. Hearing no reply back, she crept to edge of the cliff loudly, indicating her seriousness.
"Five...four...three...two..."Leanna continuously scanned the forest trees for the slightest of movements as she counted.
"One" on reaching the last count, she slid her foot behind her and prepared to fall when a hand reached out and caught hold of her arm.
Feran had returned from the long weeks of patrol around the borders. It was a day he had looked forward to dearly and yearned for after nights of living on makeshift talans on the trees. He moved into the study chambers of the king hoping to give his uneventful report and retire for the day when he saw the thoughtful look on Thranduil's face and immediately a feeling of foreboding entered him.
"I have another task for you, a little less...conspicuous" Thranduil said, his gaze of pinned on his captain of the guard.
And such was his disheartened mood when he found himself shadowing the young woman who had taken up residence in the palace of Mirkwood. He had thought himself significantly hidden from sight and therefore did not imagine she would notice his concealed presence.
He caught her just in time and watched her face morph into a victorious smirk. At that moment, Feran did not know whom to curse, himself or Thranduil. Pulling her away from the edge, he let her find her footing before speaking.
"I have never seen a mortal think in such madness as you do"
"I had to get you out one way or another, I figured risking my life would be a good enough bait" Leanna heaved as she felt the adrenaline ebb away. She smirked again at the displeased frown on her revealed observer.
"You are truly a strange woman, Lady Leanna"
"maybe, but I do not think myself too odd to require your surveillance Feran. Why have you been following me?" Leanna asked, her tone demanding answers for his actions. Feran sighed and responded.
"Why did you refuse the protection King Thranduil offered you?" Feran asked.
"So this was his doing then" Leanna narrowed her gaze at Feran who remained unaffected by her displeasure.
"It does not answer the question, your refusal does not leave his mind at ease certainly not after the last incident you were involved in" Feran said as they walked back to the small field.
"An incident that will not repeat itself besides I have never needed protection, I can protect myself just fine" Leanna responded glancing at the ellon briefly before focusing on the scene before her. Feran let a wry smile creep up as he kept her company, unsurprised by the sheer stubbornness the two of them shared.
"As is expected of one so skilled"
"But?" Leanna stopped, turning the ellon beside her. Feran raised an eyebrow at her question and she wondered if were a common expression amongst elves.
"But nothing..." Feran cocked his head, walking passed her in silence.
"No? It sounded like you had more to say" She insisted, falling into step with him.
"Maybe but I feel it is not my place"
"Then I give you permission to make it so" Leanna's eyes sparkled with mischief, her smile playful yet insistent. Feran sighed and finally stopped at the enclave where Tallahir had stood watch over the roaming young foals.
"The king cares deeply for you and only wishes above all else to keep you safe" Leanna blushed and looked away.
"I doubt that, there isn't a moment where we aren't at each others throat and the times we aren't, it's mostly out of civility" she mumbled quietly. Feran scoffed in disbelief.
"I think it is because you deny what grows between you two that causes this friction" Feran stopped before her, his discerning eyes making a point by narrowing their gaze on her.
"I'm only going to be here for a short while so it makes no sense to encourage anything further" Leanna said blankly.
"There is very little you could do to discourage it..." Feran stated factually. "...if anything my lady, it would only make him more determined" the words of the captain sounded more like a warning that made her heart flutter with excitement.
They returned to the castle when evening had set in, Leanna had moved to the dining hall with gusto to face another evening of murmuring around her as she ate but was quickly accosted by a servant who smiled and informed her of the change in her dinner plans.
!
!
He had waited for her to come to him, doing his best to restrain himself from coming to her but to so would make things much worse for him. The rumours bouncing off the halls of his kingdom were already irritating enough, mostly because some of it was true.
He faced the fireplace of his chambers and waited as he listened to her steps lead her to the doors of his chambers. They opened immediately, almost impatiently and he sighed irritably at his own green horned actions. Schooling his emotions into a calm facade, he listened to her movements as she entered
Leanna had startled slightly at the impromptu movement of the doors but took that as a permission to enter. Her eyes immediately met with tall build of Thranduil whose silhouette stood by the fireplace.
"I imagine you have yet to eat dinner, what with your little adventures in the forest today" he turned slightly as he spoke, nodding his head to table where a variety of different dishes had been kept. Leanna instantly forgot her manners as the heavy aroma of her favourite dish filled her nostrils. Lemon cakes.
Her mouth watered heavily at the decadent treat neatly stacked upon themselves and flickered an inquisitive glance to the elf in her presence, her eyebrow arching in question especially since lemon cakes were not on the menu of this evenings dinner. She would know, she asked.
"I was told by the kitchen staff of your fondness for lemon cakes and asked that it be prepared only for you" Thranduil said smoothly, moving to draw a chair out for her by the table. The simple gesture did not go unnoticed as Leanna quietly sat down, processing the sudden change in behaviour in stunned silence.
"Yes...it appears I have grown to like them so" Leanna responded in confusion. Beyond the tray of lemon cakes which was set out as the centre of attention, there were other dishes Leanna was familiar with and some she was dearly surprised to see.
"Some of dishes are from Dale..." She looked up to him in question, frowning in even more confusion as she spoke her mind.
"There is no doubt you yearn for the company of your friends, your family, however this is the best I can offer you in the time being" Thranduil answered in an aloof manner, drinking his wine whilst he sat across from her.
"Oh...of course, how very generous" Leanna looked down at the food, examining the contents of her dish. She doubted they would get the taste right seeing as that elves did not eat beef and potato broth, not like how Bertha made it on cold evenings.
"You are displeased" Thranduil said, watching her face fall into a frown.
"What? No... It's been a while since I had this" Leanna said with a feeling of loneliness blooming in her chest. She missed them, she missed everyone dearly. Her eyes grew watery and she immediately rose up, the thick savory broth half eaten as she remembered the evenings round the long table in the household she had grown to call her own. She couldn't stop the tears from flowing as she moved to the door, tripping in the process.
Thranduil caught her instantly, holding her against his body as he staggered to balance them both. Leanna struggled at the sudden contact and tried to free herself from his grasp.
"Let me go" she cried out, the tears falling unrestrained and down her flushed cheeks. Thranduil held her closer, feeling the weakness of her rejection.
"I know this has not been easy for you but you must understand, within these halls you are safe, away from the many dangers of the outside world. But I know that it does not help the pain you feel " Thranduil spoke softly. At this she sobbed, clutching his tunic as she cried into his chest.
The sight of her in this manner caused him immense pain and above all else, he wished to end her pain. He tilted her chip up to his gaze and Leanna looked away, sniffing the last set of tears away. He brushed the tears away from her hot cheeks and held her still.
"You need not despair, I will look after you and in time, you will see your family again but for now, you must stay here, where I can protect you" Thranduil gazed down on her tear stained face.
"Why? Why do you insist on my wellbeing? You owe me nothing"
"Does it matter that I wish to do so?"
"It's not something I'm accustomed to, having someone do things like this for me"
"And is that such a bad thing?"
"No..." Leanna looked up at the ellon who had done nothing but stare at her all evening.
"I am not cruel or evil Leanna, my ways may not always be agreeable but because I am king, I must do all I can to protect my kingdom" Thranduil never saw the need to give explanations for his actions but it was important for her to know that rumours about him whatever they were, were unjustified. Leanna nodded in response to which Thranduil sighed.
"Come, the hour is late and you are worn out, it is time you get some rest" Thranduil said. He led towards her chambers and stopped Infront of her door.
Opening the door in silence, Leanna looked back at the ellon who still stood by the doorway. She wondered whether he'd agree to her invitation. Not wishing to tempt his self control, she smiled softly and opted to bid him goodnight.
"Sleep well my Lady" Thranduil said softly, standing there as the door began closing.
In the spur of the moment, he stopped the door in it's place and looked into her eyes. Not wishing to give her a moment to act, he moved to her lips, pouring all the longing he felt from within and felt his heart swell as she kissed back. Breaking the kiss finally, they watched eachother breathless until the door closed.
Alone in her chambers, Leanna took out her pendant and watched it glow softly. She smiled at the object in her hand and wondered if it's light meant she was happy. Tucking it back in, Leanna laid down and let sleep finally claim her.