24. Sonata (Part 2)
…
- At Mirkwood -
The gala's culmination was nearing, and the events of the night had unfolded without major setbacks.
A group of nobles had just finished speaking with Thranduil when the musicians began playing a tune that the king was highly familiar with.
Taking their cue, all the elves on the main floor retreated from the center area.
Thranduil was on his way to serve himself more wine, but he stopped in the middle of his tracks when he heard two ladies whispering to one another nearby.
"Oh look! The Red Queen is going to join the dance."
"Indeed. Quite unexpected and odd, if you'd ask me."
"My thoughts exactly!"
Thranduil turned around almost immediately, and his eyes widened at the sight of Reiya being escorted into the center area by another ellon.
The young lord was holding her hand in noble fashion and directed an enticing smile at her.
To the king's dismay, Reiya returned the gesture with a polite smile of her own before she and her dancing companion reached their positions on the floor.
The Mirkwood court dances consisted of waltz-based choreographies where the pairs positioned themselves in two lines—the lords on the left and the ladies on the right.
Thus, the lines would often cross one another, merge together in the center, and split as the couples performed mirrored movements without ever making physical contact.
Following that lead, the gala reel dance began, and Reiya proceeded to perform her steps accordingly, as she kept exchanging smiles with her dancing partner.
Thranduil—who was too startled to act at that moment—remained in place while the ladies' remarks kept reaching his keen Elven ears.
"What is the name of that ellon again? The noble she is dancing with?"
"That would be Lord Cevan—owner of the largest farming fields in the realm. His father retired several centuries ago, and he is doing quite well for himself, it seems."
"Oh yes! I remember him now. Is the young lord on the hunt for a partner, as far as you know? He seems quite mesmerized by the Red Queen, doesn't he?"
Thranduil's hands tensed abruptly at the statement.
"He does! I've heard Lady Reiya doesn't want to marry again, though."
The king's surprised expression turned to one of annoyance as he glared at the oblivious dancing couple.
Without further ado, Thranduil ignored the two ellith's endless blather and walked towards the center floor at a firm pace.
…
The ladies participating in the Gala dance walked back to their line at one point, and performed a set of movements with their backs to their companions.
Thus, Thranduil took advantage of that moment to take a spot of his own in the center area.
He stepped in front of Reiya's dancing partner without making eye contact and raised his hand slightly, gesturing the ellon to step way.
Cevan and the other lords on the line were surprised by the king's sudden appearance, but he took his cue to leave without putting any resistance.
Thus, he bowed to the king and quietly retreated from the floor.
Thranduil's gesture was met with much mumbling from the surrounding crowds, but he paid no mind to them as his attention remained solely on the female monarch.
Urien, who had been observing the king's actions closely from the side, smiled to herself and looked at the floor in a knowingly manner.
Once the ladies turned around, Reiya was slightly surprised to find that her dancing companion was no longer the Mirkwood young lord but the Elvenking himself.
Her expression turned to one of questioning when the lords and ladies walked towards the center. Nonetheless, Thranduil's face remained impassive as he kept his attention on her.
The king murmured something loud enough for her to hear when the lords and ladies crossed one another.
"What are you doing?"
Reiya's eyes widened at the inquiry as she kept her cool as best as she could.
Seriously? Did he wish to engage in conversation in the middle of a dance, just like that?
She had no idea what Thranduil was up to at that moment, but she recomposed herself rather quickly and raised to the occasion.
Thus, Reiya voiced her answer for the king when the lords and ladies crossed one another once again.
"I am mingling." She responded in a matching tone.
Thranduil raised an eyebrow at the statement.
…
The lords and ladies met at the center and turned in the same direction as they proceeded to perform waltz-like steps beside one another.
Hence, Thranduil took the opportunity to continue questioning the female monarch.
"Is this how you intended to gain favor amongst my councilors? Dancing with the Mirkwood bachelors and the sort?" He inquired in a sarcastic manner as he kept his voice low.
"No," Reiya responded. "But I thought showing appreciation for the customs of your realm, such as this one, would give me a good head start." She remarked in an objective manner.
"Right." Thranduil responded.
…
The dancing couples split from the center lines and began circling one another with a partially raised hand as the royals' conversation continued.
"And how did you come to learn the steps to this dance in particular, may I ask? I am pretty sure this form of reel is not performed beyond the boundaries of my court." Thranduil inquired in a discreet manner.
"I happened to come across your seneschal, Lady Nedril, in one of my walks throughout the city grounds."
Thranduil raised an eyebrow at the fact.
"Lovely lady." Reiya remarked with a smile. "We engaged in conversation, and I asked her what sort of court dances would be likely to play at this gathering. Thus, she was kind enough to show me the steps to some of those herself in the days prior to the gala." The queen stated in a satisfied manner as her smile remained changed.
Thranduil was baffled by Reiya's recounts.
He had let the Red Queen roam free throughout the city for a couple of days, and somehow she had managed a conversation with one of his long-trusted subjects.
To top it all, Nedril was not only his seneschal at the time, but she had also been one of his most prolific etiquette mentors on his youth days.
Had his former mentor said anything unflattering about him in front of Red Queen? He hoped not…
"Lady Nedril stated that you were never fond of this sort of dances, I should add. Hence, you can imagine my surprise when I saw you joining in?" Reiya pointed out in a questioning manner.
Thranduil rolled his eyes and shook his head slightly. It seemed like he was not able to escape the 'unflattering' part after all.
"It is not that I dislike the dances themselves, but I dreaded being forced into them when I was a prince." He argued. "Now that I am king, however, I bear the freedom to engage in such activities whenever I please, which is quite the refreshing change, I should add." The monarch stated with a proud voice.
"Oh, I bet." Reiya responded in a sardonic manner. "So why have you chosen to join this one dance in particular, may I ask?" She inquired.
"I am merely fulfilling royal courtesies as your host." Thranduil stated.
"Right." Reiya responded, figuring that was not the only purpose driving his intent.
…
The lords and ladies moved a couple of steps away from one another, then walked back to their dancing partners as they proceeded to make the circling motion in the opposite direction.
Reiya, however, added a bit of a twist when she performed several spins along the music before she stood in front of the king once again.
Thranduil raised an eyebrow at the female monarch before he led her into the rounding steps once again.
"I had not performed this reel in a long time, but I am pretty sure that was not a part of the steps." The king remarked with an impassive expression.
"I like doing my own thing from time to time." Reiya stated with a light smile. "A queen can also exercise liberties and powers of her own, as you know." She pointed out.
"And yet, the king always outranks the queen." Thranduil responded as he stood behind her and tilted his arms at the sides of her body.
"You wouldn't at my realm, since I am a Krisha descendant." Reiya stated matter-of-factly, mirroring his arm movements before she turned around to face him.
"But we are not at your realm, aren't we? And whose fault is that, as I recall?" Thranduil pointed out, as the two of them proceeded to perform another set of waltz-like steps.
Reiya let out a low chuckle before she responded to him.
"You are still bitter about me withholding my realm's location, I see."
"Not really. I am merely content letting things unfold as they should."
"Are you, now?"
"Yes. Time itself will not change the likely outcome." The king stated. "I will find out where your realm is located sooner or later, whether you tell me or not." He remarked in an assertive manner.
"You still sound as confident as ever on that notion." Reiya stated with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
The word that she had intended to use was delusional, but she refrained from it for the dance's sake.
"That is because I am, Red Queen." Thranduil responded with a smug smile as he looked at her attentively.
Reiya rolled her eyes slightly at the ellon's preposterous ego.
…
The dancing couples separated further, and the lords and ladies stood side by side as they proceeded to perform back and forth steps once again.
Reiya took a brief look at the king's leather belt before she spoke.
"Do you always carry your sword to this sort of activities?" She asked.
"I am the Elvenking, my lady. I am always prepared to defend my keep at any given moment, especially now that we are at war." Thanduil stated in an objective manner.
"I see that." Reiya responded.
"Krisha abilities aside, I am actually surprised you are not armed yourself, considering who you are and what your stance is in all of this." He remarked in a questioning manner.
"Interesting." The queen stated. "You assume I am not armed, then?"
"Well, are you?" Thranduil stated with his deep-toned voice as he broke choreography and stood behind the queen in close proximity when the music stopped.
Reiya turned around to face him in a collected manner before she spoke.
"What do you think?" She stated as she looked at him attentively.
Thranduil narrowed his stare in response.
The two monarchs held each other's gazes for a never-ending moment. However, they were soon taken out of their daze by sounds of clapping.
Thranduil and Reiya looked at their surroundings as they realized what was going on.
The royals had been so immersed in their private exchange that they didn't register the dance's culmination a couple of seconds ago. Moreover, they had become the center of attention somewhere along the public display, it seemed.
Playing his part accordingly, Thranduil shifted his focus back to the queen and bowed to her in noble fashion, gesturing gratitude for the dance.
Reiya followed suit and bowed back to him as she gently grabbed the sides of her dress skirt and flexed her legs slightly.
The two monarchs retreated from the center floor, and the clapping eventually ceased as all the elves resumed their activities.
…
Thranduil followed Reiya into a more covert spot at the end of the hall, then she turned around to face him.
"Well, I believe we have entertained your councilors long enough." The female monarch stated in an objective manner. "It is time for me to retreat to my guest chambers."
"Already?" Thranduil asked, looking visibly surprised by the queen's sudden wish to leave.
"Yes." Reiya reconfirmed.
The king glanced at her in a questioning manner.
The Gala would end up fairly soon to tell the truth, but he was hoping to discuss the event outcomes with Reiya by the time the other nobles would leave.
Strange as it was, time has transpired faster than expected in the company of the queen.
Sensing his wondering thoughts, Reiya explained herself further.
"I have multiple royal duties lined up for the upcoming week, and tasks will get considerably hectic. I should get sufficient rest this time around." The queen explained.
Thranduil glanced at her in a thoughtful manner, then he put on the impassive mask back before he spoke.
"Very well." He merely responded.
The king looked at his surroundings while Reiya adjusted her dress slightly, but his contemplations were interrupted when the female monarch spoke once again.
"Answering your question, I have five on me right now."
Thranduil shifted his attention back to her, looking visibly confused by the statement.
"That is the number of weapons that I am carrying at this very moment." Reiya clarified.
The king raised an eyebrow at the female monarch.
Was she bluffing?
Reiya was not bearing anything that resembled a weapon as far as the eye could see.
"I cannot tell you where I am keeping them, for obvious reasons." The queen stated as she finished adjusting her garments and smiled at him with a hint of taunt.
Thranduil suddenly came to a moment of realization when he probed the meaning behind her words further.
Wait…
Was she keeping those weapons under her dress?
His eyes widened at the notion, and he averted his gaze away from the queen's frame rather quickly when he realized his imagination had taken him to a place he did not intend to go by any means.
"Well, I will make my way out then. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Elvenking." Reiya stated with an assertive smile.
The Lady of Fire bowed to him in queenly fashion, then made her way to one of the stairways. She was soon joined by Urien and the rest of her party as she gestured a cue to retreat.
Thranduil followed her with a narrowed gaze when his mind was finally free from the suggestive image.
That elleth…
Provoking his thoughts in such a manner. How dare she.
Thranduil's mind shifted to a different matter when he realized something.
Reiya was seemingly at a place of comfort where she could express herself more freely around him.
Hence, perhaps the time had come for him to ask the Red Queen about the little thorns he'd found during his many investigations prior to her arrival.
A part of him was certainly looking forward to hearing what she had to say on such matters.
Thranduil's thoughts were interrupted when he was approached by Lasben, Tawon, and Methel—the three Mirkwood councilors who had engaged with Reiya the most.
Unsurprisingly, his council members waited until the female monarch was out of sight so they could speak to him more privately and share their 'honest' thoughts on her right away.
Their comments were not without some hints of criticism here and there, but they stated positive things about the Xandorian queen for the most part.
It seemed like Reiya had pulled off her charms once again, as even Tawon joined in with the praise, to his surprise.
…
A/N: Oh, the drama!
What did Thranduil find out about the Red Queen, I wonder?
Up until the next one! ;)