15. Monarchs
…
- At Rivendell –
A new sunset veiled the sky of Imladris as another day was coming to an end at the house of Elrond.
Reiya was contemplating the courtyard scene from her apartment balcony whilst her mind wondered.
The queen was still wearing her royal dress, but she removed her crown circlet and some of her jewelry accessories when she got back to her chambers.
Toby was taking a nap on his puppy bed, which was laid out in her bedroom.
Most of the elves at the manor were culminating their tasks after a long day's work. However, Reiya was not ready to retreat to her dormitory just yet, as her mind was somewhat restless.
Her initial conversations with Galadriel and Elrond had gone fairly well considering the fact that she had been a mere stranger to them a few days ago. However, the senior rulers had yet to provide an update regarding their intended course of action in the rising conflict.
Reiya was conscious of the fact that all of them had the right to proceed according to their nations' best interests, and she intended to respect their wishes no matter what.
Nevertheless, she had only agreed to stay at Elrond's home for a week, and another attack had already been attempted the previous night when she had to fight the hornet monster.
A single day may have been a mere breeze in the life of an elf, but Loitar did not care for such perceptions at all when it came to his plans.
Each passing moment provided the elf-warlock with multiple opportunities to continue scheming and causing further destruction in his wake.
Moreover, each day that she remained at the manor without being proactive in the war was also putting multiple lives at risk in Middle-earth.
Reiya had nothing but the utmost respect for the members of the White Council and commended their wisdom to a high standing. Nevertheless, all she hoped was that lives wouldn't be further threatened or lost by the time they'd finally reached a decision.
Knowing she did not have any other alternative but to wait for the unforeseeable outcome, the queen walked back to her living room and opted to light some candles in order to ease her mind a bit.
She took a box of floating candles from one of the shelves and placed it over her desk. She then took a single candle from the box and walked towards the water pond bowl attached to the wall, which stood at waist height.
Reiya created a small flame with her index finger as her eyes turned shimmering scarlet.
She lit the candle with the flame and placed it inside the pond bowl.
Her eyes shifted back to their natural green color when the small flame dissipated from her finger. Thus, she contemplated the floating candle for a brief moment as it moved freely over the water.
Reiya was on her way to light another candle from the box, but Zila suddenly made her way into the room before she reached the desk.
"My queen." The taller elleth bowed to her.
"Zila." Reiya acknowledged her with a light smile.
She adopted a regal posture and addressed her guardian in a formal manner.
"Is there another threat on the lookout, commander?" Reiya asked with a serious expression.
"There is none to report at this time, my lady." Zila assured her. "I merely came here to announce a visitor. King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm wishes to see you. He is currently at the entrance door as we speak. Should we grant him passage, your majesty?" She inquired.
Reiya raised an eyebrow in confusion and wonder.
The Elvenking? Coming all the way there to see her?
Thranduil had kept his distance since the night of the attack at Mirkwood, and she could not think of any particular reason for him to seek her out at the time. Why did he wish to engage with her all of a sudden?
Reiya was well aware that she would have to face the stern king sooner or later, but he was the last person she expected to see at that moment.
The queen shifted her demeanor as protocol and reason dictated her actions once again.
"You may let him pass. I will meet him." Reiya instructed.
"Understood, my lady. He will be here shortly." Zila responded and bowed to her, before seeing herself out.
Reiya walked back to her balcony as she pondered the sudden turn of events.
Thranduil was the only Elven ruler she had not spoken with since the hearing took place. Thus, he was already there, so she might as well take advantage of the situation to make formal introductions.
That was not the time nor the place she would have picked for an encounter of such significance, but life had a tendency to twist fate at the least foreseeable moments.
The queen contemplated the sunset sky as she waited for the fellow monarch to make his appearance.
…
Thranduil stepped into Reiya's office, and the Xandorian royal guards closed the door behind him.
He was wearing a set consisting of a silver tunic with a blue velvet robe, and his sword remained strapped to the waist. He did not have his head circlet on, however, as he had deemed his upcoming audience with the Lady of Fire an informal one, despite its significance.
He peered around, noticing the striking differences that set Reiya's workspace apart from his own.
The queen's décor emanated a highly feminine touch, and everything in her quarters was neatly organized.
Thranduil kept contemplating his surroundings, but he stood still when a scent of sorts invaded his senses. He closed his eyes for a brief moment and took a deep breath, as he attempted to decipher it.
The scent was subtle but fresh. Where was it coming from? A fruit of sorts? Or a flower, perhaps?
Something in the queen's office was exuding the aroma, but he disregarded the notion and refocused on the task at hand.
The king continued scanning the area, but his gaze suddenly stopped on the apartment's balcony when something, or rather, someone, caught his attention.
Thranduil widened his eyes slightly at the sight.
There she was, standing on the balcony with her back to him, as the wind grazed her vivid red hair and the sunset lights shone upon her frame.
He was observing her from a distance, just like in all those other instances the previous day. However, for the very first time since the attack at the hearing had taken place, she looked back at him.
Reiya turned around and glanced at the fellow monarch in a collected manner.
Thranduil's expression became guarded when his piercing blue eyes were met by her bright green ones.
And thus, an intricate dance of stares between the two monarchs had begun once again.
Reiya proceeded to walk towards the king as he continued to observe her.
She held a neutral expression, like a blank page from a book, waiting for the events to unfold. Her steps were gentle but assertive, just like the first time he had seen her walking amongst her people in her royal garments.
His intense gaze never left her frame for a single second as she got closer to him with each stride.
Reiya stood in front of the Elvenking, while she was making observations of her own.
Now that she had the opportunity to see him up close at a moment of stillness, she realized just how tall Thranduil actually was.
He stood about a head and a couple of inches above her, which made for a prominent height difference. That certainly added to his grand presence, which set him apart from other lords and ladies of station.
Meanwhile, Thranduil looked at the Red Queen attentively, as he was also discerning her gestures.
Even though he did not show it openly, he was relishing the fact that her attention was on him and him alone.
His decision to meet the Lady of Fire in her office had certainly paid off. Only the two of them were present. Thus, there wouldn't be any subordinates, hopeless suitors, or nobles standing in the way of his endeavors.
The queen could have summoned her royal guards to accompany her at that moment, but luckily for him, she didn't.
Deciding they had scrutinized each other long enough, Reiya proceeded to speak.
"King Thranduil?" She addressed him.
"Queen Reiya." Thranduil responded in his deep-toned voice. "I believe we have not been properly introduced." He stated, placing his hand on the shoulder and greeting her in Elven fashion.
"Indeed." Reiya replied, performing her royal salute for him.
Properly had certainly been a good choice of word on the king's part, considering that they almost teared each other apart at Mirkwood.
"To what do I owe this unexpected visit, my lord?" Reiya inquired in a courtly manner, being genuine about her lack of knowledge on his intentions.
"I just wish to have a word, if you are willing enough to allow for one, that is." The king responded in a frigid manner.
Reiya narrowed her gaze slightly, making note of the fact that the fellow monarch did not reveal the matter that he wished to discuss.
"You would like to talk then... Very well." She replied.
Reiya then turned around and walked to her desk in a composed manner.
The Lord of Mirkwood did not seem to be as agreeable and social as the other Elven rulers. Thus, she decided to initiate the conversation herself and let things flow from there.
Perhaps that would aid her in deciphering his undisclosed motives.
Meanwhile, Thranduil had no idea why Reiya was walking to her desk all of a sudden, but he couldn't help but gaze at her frame when she did so.
Just like before, he got slightly distracted by her signature traits and movements.
A part of him was still coping with the fact that this refined elf-queen was also the fierce Krisha who had taken all those monsters out throughout the attacks that transpired.
He was no stranger to noble ladies engaging in combat training or learning some form of self-defense. In fact, the measure was often recommended, considering how unpredictable enemy attacks could be in Middle-earth.
Nevertheless, the way Reiya embodied such a duality was somewhat unique, as the contrast between her noble and warrior personas was quite distinct.
"Does it displease you?" The elleth inquired.
Thranduil was brought back to his senses when the queen asked the question, even though her back was still turned to him.
He looked slightly confused, as he did not know what she was talking about.
"The scent of my floating candles... does it displease you, my lord?" Reiya clarified, turning her head slightly to gaze at him.
'Floating candles?' Thranduil wondered.
He looked around as he searched the room.
The object of the queen's inquiry was fully realized when his gaze was fixed on one of the side walls. The floating candles in that pond bowl... They were scented.
Thranduil raised an eyebrow in realization.
Those candles were the source of the aroma that he'd picked up when he first walked into Reiya's apartment.
He was not bothered by the scent at all. In fact, he had found it quite pleasing to his taste.
Nevertheless, he was not entirely sure why the queen had made that one question to begin with or how the subject would be relevant in the scope of things. Therefore, he did not provide an answer.
Making a note of Thranduil's unwillingness to respond, Reiya resumed her actions.
She stood by her desk and took the unlit candle that she had placed on the table prior to the king's arrival.
"These candles are made out of a special mix that contains gardenia, a wild flower that grows in my lands—those that currently belong to my kingdom, that is." She remarked, looking at the candle in her hand. "I assume you have not ventured that far from your borders, which leads me to believe this is your first time being exposed to such an essence?" She inquired, shifting her attention to the king.
Thranduil kept a neutral expression, but his eyes glinted slightly at the statement. The queen's presumptions were correct; however, he kept listening to her quietly, wondering where she was going with such remarks.
Reiya, on the other hand, looked at the king in an inquisitive manner, realizing he was not going to answer that other question either.
The Lord of Mirkwood could be quite reserved when he set his mind to it, but that was alright. She would work her way around his withheld thoughts.
"I will take your silence as a yes." Reiya stated, smiling at him in a relaxed manner.
Thranduil narrowed his eyes slightly at her guess.
"Tell me, your majesty... " She proceeded. "Should I blow out these candles and clear the air from this essence that is new to you? Or, should I let them burn and allow such an essence to roam free?" She inquired. "After all, if I, Queen of Xandor, am to have a word with the Great Elvenking, I wouldn't want him to be troubled by a scent that is rather too exotic and unfamiliar to him, would I?" She concluded with a gentle tone, standing in front of him once again.
Thranduil looked deep into those bright green eyes of hers as his mind wondered.
There was that nagging feeling again... The one he experienced when Reiya spoke to their thoughts at the first White Council meeting. It may have looked like she was just making a casual conversation, when in fact she was probing; testing for something.
He was not entirely sure what the queen's intentions were in discussing such a trivial subject, but she had been going long enough with that monologue of hers.
Thus, it was time for him to make the ongoing exchange an actual conversation and engage with her properly.
And so, the king proceeded to speak.
"With all due respect, Lady Reiya, there is no need for you to concern yourself with such things in my presence." Thranduil stated in his deep-toned voice as he took a step forward, closing the distance gap between them slightly. "It will take more than scented candles and flowers from distant lands to displease me." He stated with a conceited smile as he held her gaze.
Reiya raised an eyebrow slightly at the gesture.
"You may do as you wish with your candles." The king concluded.
Reiya remained silent for a few seconds before she proceeded to provide a response of her own.
"Very well. I shall let them burn then." She remarked.
Following her statement, the queen's eyes turned shimmering scarlet as a flame materialized on her index finger. She then proceeded to light the candle in the same manner as before.
Thranduil widened his eyes slightly at her sudden transformation.
Once the candle was properly lit, Reiya dissipated the flame from her finger, and her eyes shifted back to their natural bright green color. She smiled politely at him, then walked towards the pond bowl to place the floating candle on the water.
The king followed her with his gaze as he pondered his impressions on the little spectacle.
A part of him wondered if Reiya had deliberately performed her transformation in such a manner as a display of strength for him. Even if that were to be the case, he highly doubted she would ever admit to it.
Having finished the task, the elleth walked back to the spot where he was and stood in front of him at a distance once again.
She clasped her hands on her waist and adopted her royal posture as she continued to speak.
"Very well." The queen stated. "Since that's already settled, perhaps you can now state the matter that brought you here in the first place? What is it that you wish to speak about, Lord Thranduil?" She asked with an objective tone, seemingly ready to discuss business with him.
He looked at her for a brief moment before he replied.
"I am just seeking mere answers to a certain question, if you are courteous enough to provide a response, that is." Thranduil stated with an aloof expression.
Reiya narrowed her gaze at him slightly, realizing that the king did not reveal the subject of his inquiry yet again.
Why was he being so secretive and evasive about the whole ordeal when he was the one who sought her out to talk in the first place?
The Lady of Fire tempered her growing edginess as she spoke.
"Well, that shall depend on the nature of your question, your majesty." Reiya emphasized with a hint of urgency in her voice. "What is it that you wish to know, Elvenking?" She inquired, wanting for him to get to the point for once.
Thranduil kept looking at her as a smug smile gradually formed on his face.
It seemed like the Red Queen was a bit impatient after all, just like he had concluded before. He would definitely use that to his advantage moving forward.
Setting his mind to one of the tasks he wished to fulfill at that moment, Thranduil folded his arms behind his back in Elvenking fashion and proceeded to speak.
"You have made quite the impression, Queen Reiya." He pointed out as he began circling her in a contemplative manner.
Reiya looked slightly puzzled by the king's sudden gimmick, but her expression remained calm as she kept her sight forward.
"On one hand, you assisted my company on the night of the attack at Mirkwood; you saved the captain of my Patrol Guard; and you warned us about the enemy that is presently threatening us." Thranduil stated in an impassive manner as he reached the spot behind her, and his gaze remained distant.
Then, all of a sudden, he directed his full attention to her, and his expression hardened.
"On the other hand, you trespassed my lands without giving notice; you almost caught me in one of those erratic fire spells of yours, and if I wouldn't know any better, I'd say that you are trying to steal the captain of my Guard to have her join your ranks." The king remarked in a cynical manner as he continued pacing around her.
He was well aware that Tauriel had renewed her vows to him and the Woodland Realm the day before, but that wouldn't stop him from questioning the queen's motives towards his captain, as they had yet to be unfolded.
Reiya turned her head towards the king and raised an eyebrow at him, looking slightly thrown off by his sudden change in tone and demeanor. Did he just openly criticize some of her actions as a monarch?
Thranduil's expression, on the other hand, remained visibly serious as he stood in front of her once again.
"As you can see, your majesty, you are quite a contradiction, and a highly unpredictable one at that. So tell me... How do you intend to act moving forward, my lady?" Thranduil remarked, lowering his face a bit closer to hers as he intently held her gaze. "Are you going to be an asset or a problem in all of this?" The king inquired with a firm tone.
And so, Thranduil did the one thing that the other Elven rulers had not dared to do up until that moment, he presumed; he had openly confronted the Red Queen.
He was letting Reiya know early on that he did not fear speaking out his mind around her, even if she was both a Krisha and a ruler in her own right.
Moreover, he wouldn't have any problem disagreeing with her when he deemed it fit, and he was not going to fall for her charms like most people around her did.
Reiya sharpened her gaze at the king and pursed her lips slightly as she pondered thoughts of her own.
So this was him—the rigid elf-ruler from the rumors she had heard so much about. He was starting to show his true colors, at last.
That was likely the tone that the king adopted with his subordinates, she'd presume. One that exerted dominance, intimidation, and even fear to some degree.
Very well… If this was the way he wished to go about things, so be it. He had formally made his first stand in this dynamic. Now it was time for her to follow with hers.
Reiya's features relaxed considerably as she proceeded to give her answer to the fellow monarch.
"Time will tell." She responded in a nonchalant manner, as the sides of her lips curled into a subtle smile.
Reiya then walked past the king on her way to the desk.
Thranduil did not turn around to look at her right away, as his mind was still registering what had just happened. His expression was visibly startled when he realized his statement and tone did not have any effect on the queen at all.
That was not the sort of reaction he was expecting, in all honesty.
"You intend to keep me guessing, then?" Thranduil remarked with a baffled tone as he turned around and followed the queen in a swift manner.
He caught up to the elleth with his longer strides and stood in front of her before she got to the desk.
"Are you sure that is wise, Red Queen?" He inquired lowly, conveying a sense of warning with his tone.
"I will do what I must to fulfill my duties as queen and my mission as Krisha. That is all there is to it." Reiya stated in a composed manner.
Thranduil followed her with his gaze as she walked away from him.
"Regarding your other concerns, there is no need for you to worry, your highness. I will not dissuade Captain Tauriel from her service to your kingdom." Reiya assured him as she carefully took her box with floating candles from the desk and put it back on the shelves.
The king raised an eyebrow at her statement.
"However, she'd be more than welcome to visit my realm if she wishes, as that is both her choice and birthright. We are her kin, after all." Reiya pointed out while looking at him attentively.
"And do you believe she would willingly leave her current home, which happens to be my kingdom, to follow you into oblivion?" Thranduil inquired as he walked towards her. "A queen whose identity was just made known to her a few days ago?" He added.
"You mean the same queen who assisted your captain at a moment of great need, and whose troops aided your own against the attackers?" Reiya stated, smiling at him with a hint of taunt.
"Yes. The one who rules the invisible kingdom and is presently attempting to contradict me at every turn, it seems." He remarked in a sarcastic manner as he stood in front of her at a closer distance than before.
Reiya let out a small chuckle at his attempts at questioning, despite the fact that Thranduil had cornered her at that moment.
Her tender laugh was like a gentle song that graced his keen ears.
"Was that a way of persuading me into revealing my realm's location, King Thranduil?" Reiya inquired with irony, alluding to his comment on her 'invisible kingdom'.
"Maybe." He responded with a husky voice as he looked at her attentively.
"And what difference would that make for you, exactly?" Reiya asked. "I thought other lands were not your concern?" She pointed out, citing one of his rumored quotes.
"They became my concern when a Krisha sneaked into my domain and brought a war along with her." He responded in a sardonic manner.
"And yet, you have yet to explain why my realm's location holds such an interest to you." Reiya pointed out with irony.
"Who knows. Perhaps the revelation would cease all doubt surrounding your nation's existence?" Thranduil responded in a nonchalant manner. "Couldn't you give us a quick peek into it? Your kingdom, I mean?" He asked with a casual tone.
Reiya let out another chuckle and shook her head slightly at his remark.
Thranduil's words may have seemed juvenile on the surface, but he was in fact attempting to get information out of the queen in the most subtle of ways.
He followed her with his gaze as she walked out the spot he had cornered her in.
Thranduil was quickly noticing another difference in the way the two of them engaged in debate.
The Elvenking was always direct, up-close, and confrontational with those questioning his ideas. Moreover, he used his distinct physical presence to stand his ground, oftentimes remaining in close proximity to those disagreeing with him.
The Red Queen, on the other hand, preferred a gentler approach with her counterparts, and she opted to speak to them from a more polite distance, like a tease from afar.
Playing into that tendency of hers, Reiya put a wider gap between herself and the king as she continued to speak.
"I assure you, my lord, the Elven realm of Xandor is real." She pointed out. "I have a throne, lands to my name, and an army ready to march at my command." The queen stated proudly.
"You do, huh?"
"Yes." She answered with an assertive tone, indicating that she was dead serious about her remarks.
Thranduil couldn't help but smirk deliberately at Reiya in the face of her unyielding spirit.
Her attempts at a debate with him had been amusing at times, but a part of him was actually enjoying seeing the elf-queen standing up to him.
He wondered what she might look like sitting on that throne of hers, as thrones were often believed to be an extension of a monarch's power and character. The statement certainly held true in his case.
Thranduil was brought back to his senses when the queen continued to speak.
"I am quite aware that Captain Tauriel stands as an exception to this notion because she is one of us. In any case, this is all you ought to know regarding my realm's location, your highness." Reiya pointed out. "A revelation of such significance is not one granted to newcomers on the basis of titles and station alone, but rather one earned through merits weighed at my own discretion." The queen remarked matter-of-factly, as she folded her arms and looked at him attentively.
Thranduil chuckled slightly at her statement.
"Is that the case, then?" He stated with a taunting voice.
The king then stepped forward, getting even closer to her as he spoke.
"Rest assured. That privilege will be earned, Red Queen. It is only a matter of time." Thranduil remarked, smiling smugly at her.
Reiya rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly at the king's niggling arrogance. Nevertheless, she adopted her royal posture soon after and commented on his statement.
"Very well. If the idea of such an unlikely outcome gives you peace of mind in that regard, so be it." She remarked in a nonchalant manner.
"I do not believe the outcome in question is as unlikely as you make it sound, my lady." Thranduil replied with a hint of irony, not wishing to give up his ground on the subject.
Reiya raised an eyebrow at him in both disbelief and disagreement. However, she collected herself and resumed her pacing, choosing to drop the matter altogether.
She could have argued Thranduil's statement if she'd wished for it. Nevertheless, she chose to disregard the king's comment instead, fearing that her responses would only fuel his adamant attitude.
Thranduil gazed at the queen as she paced at a distance, wondering what was on her mind at that moment.
Almost as if sensing his questioning, Reiya opted to address the one thought that had been on her mind since their interaction began.
Thus, she stopped her pacing and looked at him as she spoke again.
"This conversation has been enlightening, King Thranduil. However, I have a feeling you did not come here just to talk about the captain of your Patrol Guard, or my kingdom, for that matter?" She remarked.
Thranduil's expression turned blank following her statement.
Reiya's conjectures have been accurate again. She could certainly be perceptive and cunning when she set her mind to things.
In any case, he had probed the vexatious elleth long enough. Thus, it was time for him to address the main purpose of his visit.
"Your assumptions are correct, Queen Reiya. I just wished to engage in small talk before discussing affairs of war, you see?" Thranduil stated with a satisfied expression.
"Affairs of war?"
"Yes."
The topic captured the queen's attention rather quickly.
"Very well. What are these affairs that you speak of?" Reiya inquired with a serious expression.
"The other Elven rulers and I met to discuss your warnings about Loitar's schemes and steps to better tackle the lurking threat. With that in mind, I would like to make you a proposition that is already endorsed by them, to some extent." He explained.
"Hmm… Intriguing.'" Reiya replied. "What is it that you'd like to propose?" She inquired with a hint of curiosity.
"I wish to extend you an invitation to host you at the Woodland Realm as my royal guest and advisor for a few days." The king remarked as he finally revealed his scheme in a formal manner.
Reiya widened her eyes slightly at the statement.
"To what end?" She inquired with a suspicious expression as logic overtook her mind.
"Warfare intelligence." Thranduil responded with a commanding tone.
...
A/N: Oh boy lol
The dynamic between these two! XD There are a couple of things that could be said about that, but I'll let you guys do the talking in the comments :)
And yes, I did spare you the torture of having to wait for the continuation of this banter lol. The next chapter is already posted as you are reading this.
Enjoy!