Chapter 36

It was yet another dress that had been sent to her and it was just as beautiful, maybe even moreso than the others. It was a rumination of silver silk and sparkling blue embroidery, the color of her eyes. Her heart fluttered at the sight, it must have cost a tidy fortune.

"King Thranduil offers you this gift in celebration of Mereth nuin Giliath" Gwuineth said as she unfolded a thick cloth to reveal jeweled earrings and a single stringed headdress with a blue diamond a it's centre. Leanna swallowed at the sight and turned to Gwuineth.

"I don't know if it's right to accept this..."

"It would please him greatly if you accepted it regardless"

"It is not so simple lady Gwuineth, accepting any more from him would mean..." Leanna paused as the implications of her actions truly sunk in. Gwuineth smiled as the young woman had begun to catch on.

"His majesty only sees it fitting to match your beauty, my lady. It would bring dishonour to himself that you be plainly garbed at your first ever elven festival" Leanna blushed at the words, she turned away deep in thought as Gwuineth proceeded to prepare for the start of the festival.

It was a difficult reality to reconcile with, this was Thranduil after all, he was not one to give any hints to his thoughts or intentions and now he does this.

There was another matter that needed to be dealt with, regardless of Thranduil's wishes and desires it did not remove the fact that she was still mortal. She would die and that would mean he in turn may fade. Did he not know this? Or was he so uncaring to the pain he would cause?

After wearing the dress she sat before the mirror and watched silently as her hair was styled with loose curls down her back and the headdress placed carefully on her brow.

Her breath hitched at her reflection and still could not shake the concern she felt. The longer she dwelt on the matter, the deeper her doubts went. It was not just her mortality alone, the image before her struck her with another reality that she had not even considered. Would her acceptance of him mean she would be Queen once more?

!

!

In the tradition of the Greenwood elves, all festivals were very merry and the festival of stars was no different as its celebration would last for three days and three nights. All for which the king and nobles would be present.

Thranduil sat on his seat regally, his silver circlet gleaming against the bright lights within the castle halls. His demeanor was calm enough however, deep down he felt a burst of anxiety trying to take hold of him. He lifted his cup to which a servant filled and he drank it to quell the foreign feeling at the pit of his stomach. For some reason, he found it difficult to hold his patience this night and would watch the entrance of the grand palace halls.

Leanna walked into the hall and smiled as Gwuineth took leave of her, she looked around the beautiful hall and noted the celebration had already begun. It was already too late for her to slink in quietly as she had managed to catch the attention of many guests present tonight.

"May I offer you a drink my lady?" She looked beside her and smiled.

"Hael" she said bowing in greeting, she took the cup from his hand and brought it to her lips.

"It is good to see you again Leanna" Haelros said as he looked over her. "You look very beautiful tonight" Tonight he was not in the armour she was accustomed to seeing him in, instead, he donned a dark orange tunic with golden threads stitched into it. It was a frightening thing, that creatures blessed with beauty and grace could be even more beautiful.

"The compliment is not mine alone to receive, his majesty has been generous enough to me" Leanna glanced at the direction Thranduil was seated and caught his gaze pinned on her. She immediately turned back to Haelros who had a blank look on his face.

"So I've heard, such generosity is...unusual for one such as King Thranduil"

"I would imagine so, how was your time away at the borders?" Leanna quickly changed the subject, the topic of Thranduil's attention to her was starting to get uncomfortable.

"Things are much at ease now that Dol Guldur is emptied and the spiders gone but every now and then trouble stirs up though it is nothing we cannot handle"

"Better no trouble than a swarm of spiders and orcs on your door" Leanna said smirking wryly.

"Yes but it gets boring when there is nothing to do all day but stand watch" Haelros held his hand up for her to take and lead her through the throng of elves on the floor. Leanna scoffed at his words.

"You think your life boring? Wait until you hear all the adventures I've experienced in the corners of the library"

"From what I hear, there is more life in the palace than anywhere else these days" Haelros lifted an eyebrow to send home his point.

"You pay too much attention to court gossip" Leanna let go of his arm and placed the half empty cup of wine on the table.

"If I didn't, I would hear no news of you" Haelros spoke softly and brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. Leanna surprised by the action, smiled and looked at the elves moving as they began to get noisy with the music playing.

Thranduil had been watching their interactions from his seat and looked to Feran was equally watching the scene unfold. The warrior was perhaps too emboldened by the wine it seemed to maintain composure, he had thought sending him to the borders for some weeks would cool his head off but it appears he was mistaken. This time, he would make certain the next time he saw the castle gates, it would be for the coronation of a new dwarf king under the mountain.

His anger propelled him to his feet and without a care for the greetings murmured around him, he made his way to his target. Galion watching Thranduil's movement sighed, if he hadn't already announced to the whole kingdom his interest in the young woman, he certainly made sure everyone knew of it now.

"My lord" Haelros catching sight of him, bowed in greeting. Leanna turned sharply to find the tall elf staring down at her.

"Your majesty" she bowed equally, unable to meet his gaze.

"A fine evening for a dance" Thranduil said coolly, reigning in his anger at the sight of the ellon so close to his woman.

"Yes it is" Leanna looked to Haelros briefly before taking the elf king's hand. Haelros watched as Leanna was whisked away to crowded floor and clenched his fists in frustration, at every given moment he found himself next to Leanna, the king made it his affair to intervene. He had pleaded with Feran, opting to work round shifts for two weeks so he could return to the castles grounds, hoping to see her again.

He filled his cup once more and watched them dance as he drank. He had heard the rumours, too much to let him sleep peacefully at night. They say the king was greatly fond of Leanna and had taken her a mistress, others say he merely offered her a home here as a gesture of goodwill to Dale as proof of their peaceful relationship. Whichever one it was, it did nothing to soothe his worry.

The song was calmer and Leanna had chosen to remain silent as she followed Thranduil's lead. The elf dancing with her in question had said nothing the moment they began dancing.

"You received my gifts well" Thranduil spoke out of the blue.

"They are beautiful, thank you" Leanna said, having no other words but the belated gratitude she should've awarded him. However it appeared that Thranduil had more to say.

"It appears you and the warrior are quite friendly, too friendly" Thranduil remarked as they twirled around.

"Haelros is a good ellon and a skilled warrior, I consider him good company"

"Such good company he must be, to shadow your steps at every turn, his gaze filled with nothing but desire and longing what he cannot have" Thranduil said with a slither in his voice, his jealousy had reached its peak as he moved with her, his eyes meeting the young warrior who dared to set his sights on what was his.

"Desire? What are you-Ah!" Leanna cried out in pain, she had lost concentration in the middle of their long dance and ended up twisting her foot in the process. She grabbed Thranduil's arm for support and clenched her teeth to withstand the throbbing pain. Haelros rushed to their side, his face full of worry as he looked at her foot.

"Are you alright Leanna? Sire I will take her to the healing chambers immediately" Haelros said in urgency as he turned to Thranduil for permission. Thranduil however swept Leanna off her feet and looked to the shocked ellon.

"No, I will take care of this. You and the others may continue with tonight's festivities" Thranduil responded coldy. He carried a red face Leanna and walked out of the hall into the pathway.

The hall went abuzz in wake of the events this evening. If they were not certain of the king's interest in Leanna these past months then tonight had all but confirmed it's truth, but above it all it appeared there was much more beneath the surface.

Galion groaned and sighed as he felt a headache spring up, no amount of wine will brace him for the interrogation he was certain Thranduil would leave him to face the next morning. However, beyond the incoming theatrics set for tomorrow and the coming days, he had to know what Thranduil intended to do with the woman.

!

!

Thranduil set her down on the foot of the bed, despite her protests and empty threats he had thoroughly insisted in carrying her all the way to his chambers. He knelt before her and Leanna felt something stir in her at the sight.

"Your foot" It was a not request, his hard gaze made it clear but Leanna would not allow him his way easily.

"I'm fine, I'll rest and go to the healers in the morning" Leanna stubbornly insisted.

" Or I could decide to do things my way and save us both the trouble" Thranduil responded in kind, raising his eyebrow up.

"No" Leanna heaved, she began wiggling farther into the bed until Thranduil caught her injured foot and looked at her.

"I am not in the habit of asking more than once Leanna" his voice grew deeper, the look on his face telling her not to cross him. She swallowed and felt excitement rise from the pit of her stomach which she pushed down.

"It's just a sprain, Thranduil you need not do this!" she cried out trying to yank her foot out of his grasps but his vice like grip kept her in place.

In one sudden movement, he dragged her closer and knelt between her legs. She watched in a hitched breath as his darkened face against the soft light glowing the room watched her in return.

She leaned back slowly as he came closer to her, his hand creeping under her dress, pushing it up to her thighs and lifting the sprained leg up.

Leanna blushed down to her neck, breathing slowly as she watched him gently peel off her leggings and lift her foot to his lips. Entranced, she listened to his incantation and knew he was reciting healing magic.

The pain ebbed away little by little but Leanna paid no attention for all she could feel was the hot breath from his lips and the predatory gleam in his eyes, she swallowed again, feeling her throat run dry.

His incantation had come to an end but Thranduil had remained where he was, watching her still as another thought formed in his mind.

Without missing a beat, he took a toe into his mouth, his loins reacted immediately to the sharp cry that escaped from her. He wanted more, so he took the rest of her foot into his mouth, all the while watching her fight to keep silent.

Leanna felt herself unravelling at his touch and tried to free herself from his grasp, but Thranduil would not relent with his ministrations. Something in his eyes and in the way he touched her told her, he would not stop this time like he had always done and something in her did not want him to...

He lifted her quickly onto his laps as he plunked himself down a chair and held her waist down as he looked at her. Leanna tried to rise up but the grip on her waist kept her prisoner. Breathing hard, she gasped as she felt a trail behind her back and arched in surprise, the action forcing her to push against his bulging crotch.

The movement sent a jolt through him and he quickly reached for the back of her dress and ripped it open. He stripped the ruined dress down her bust and watched with satisfaction as plump breasts came into view.

Grabbing her lips, he kissed her and she returned it feverishly which surprised him. He smirked against her lips and lifted her half naked body, carrying her to the bed.

"I have reached my limit, I can restrain myself no longer meleth-nin" Thranduil whispered huskily to her. She looked at him and responded by leaning in to kiss him. Once they broke the kiss, Thranduil stood up and began undressing, peeling off each layer of clothing until he was naked.

Leanna had turned away the moment he began to undress, unable to look at his naked body even though she was curious, however her anxiety had overwhelmed every other emotion within her as this would be the first time in both worlds that she would give herself to a man let alone an elf.

Feeling his body over her, she turned to look at the ellon above her and immediately covered her chest in shame, her face flushed over his very naked body so close to her.

"No, don't hide from me, let me see you, let me see all of you" Thranduil spoke lowly, his voice deep and filled with desire. He wrenched what was left of her dress off of her and shuddered at the sight of her body. On sighting the necklace she never took off, he brushed his fingers over it and glided down the valley between her breasts, to her navel and finally found their mark in the heat between her legs.

"Wait! Wait I need a moment" Leanna stuttered out, gripping Thranduil's from going any further.

"What is the matter?" Thranduil remained still, concern etching into his face.

"I have never...this is my first" Leanna looked away , not wishing to know what look was on his face.

"I know" at his words, she looked at him in shock.

"Your body is very vocal with your secrets...and very sensitive" Thranduil said and plunged a finger into her warmth.

"Ha!" She grabbed his shoulders and arched her back in reaction to his touch.

"I will try to be gentle meleth, but I cannot promise to hold back" he said whispered in her ears. He plunged another finger in, burying his face in the crevice of her neck. He thrust his digits in, making sure to find her most sensitive spot and rubbed it feverishly.

Leanna moaned loudly, her voice rising as her body no longer seemed her own. Every touch, every action from him sent a jolt of pleasure from her core to her toes and she felt her mind turning to mush.

He felt her clench tight around his fingers and knew she was close, so he increased his speed and as just as she was to come, he pulled away and smirked at the look of shock on her face. She made a noise of protest at the loss of warmth and drew his hand back to her.

"I have waited too long for this and I can wait no longer" Thranduil shuddered as he spoke. He knelt in between her legs and looked down on her, his hair disheveled and tousled over a part of his face.

In the low lit room, his sharp blue eyes glowed with heat, promising her an experience she would never forget. He gripped her knees and spoke out huskily.

"Open your legs" heaving from the intensity of his ministrations, she did as she was told, wondering in excitement what he would do next. "This will hurt a bit" his words brought some alarm to her and she blinked in confusion.

"What? Hurt?" Thranduil did not give her time to think any further and plunged his thick girth into her. Leanna gasped out loud as pain rippled through her body, her eyes tearing at the sensation of pain she had never felt before.

Thranduil did not move , he clenched his teeth in restraint and waited for her to get accustomed to his size. He brushed the hair away from her face and kissed her lips. Noting her breathing had returned to normalcy, he began to move.

"Ha!" The pain was ebbing away and a new sensation began to flow in with each thrust.

"Ahn! Thranduil!"

"Yes meleth, scream my name" Thranduil growled, lifting her leg up for more entrance and thrusting deeper. He was going at a slow pace, trying not overwhelm her but his control was slipping still. If this was what it meant to bind with his fated one then he understood now how truly futile it was to resist it.

"Meleth, forgive me but I cannot hold back any longer" Thranduil shuddered out and suckled on her neck. Without any further warning, his thrusts increased, so intense and full of ecstasy were they that the walls of the chambers echoed with their moans of pleasure.

Still thrusting, Thranduil took a breast in his mouth and sucked, his tongue wrapping around her pink and pert nipple. Leanna felt her eyes roll to the back of her at the feeling shooting through her, barely comprehensive and devoid of all reason, all she could only cry out in pleasure as Thranduil contained his onslaught.

"It is time meleth, you must come with me" Thranduil grunted as he thrusted faster and harder. He felt her clenching around him and knew she would come soon. Lifting her hips up, he bucked into her, throwing his head back as pleasure overtook him completely.

Feeling her clamp on him, he shuddered as he found his release and gasped out, watching her cry out with what little strength she had.

He fell to the bed beside her and held her in his arms. For the first time in such a long time, he had finally felt satisfaction and peace. He watched her fall asleep and smirked...he would let her rest before they continued.