16. Crossroads
…
Reiya looked at the king with a puzzled expression when he finally revealed the main purpose for his visit that night, and with good reason.
First, he had openly questioned some of her measures as a monarch, and now he was inviting her to advise him on an official basis to better tackle the war?
Thranduil's actions seemed highly contradictory in that regard. Furthermore, he was not the Elven ruler she would have expected to extend an invitation of such nature, given the circumstances.
That was the second time the Elvenking had surprised her that night, and she was at a loss for words as she was trying to make sense of it all.
Making notice of Reiya's perplexed reaction, Thranduil proceeded to discuss his plan further.
"In the suggested role, you'd be sharing intel about Loitar's forces so we can better anticipate and prepare for his attacks, defend our realms more efficiently, and defeat this evil by any means necessary." He explained.
The queen looked at the floor for a brief moment as she pondered the plan in question. Something about the idea sounded somewhat familiar for some reason.
Reiya widened her eyes in realization as she remembered why that was the case.
Galadriel.
The senior ruler had asked what she would do if the Elvenking was ever in need of her presence throughout the course of the war.
Did the Lady of Light foresee her encounter with Thranduil prior to that moment?
Reiya continued to be amazed by the extent of Galadriel's power. In any case, the queen figured she now had an important decision to make, which would impact not only the fate of the Elven realms but Middle-earth as a whole.
Thus, she would have to learn more about Thranduil's proposition before making her choice on the matter.
"Go on." Reiya stated, encouraging the king to speak further.
And thus, Thranduil complied.
"The intel that you'd share with me in the prospective role would also be divulged amongst the other Elven rulers via Galadriel's exchange of thought, or the wizards' powers. They would be the ones deciding the most effective means of communication between the Elven realms for such a purpose. As it stands, my kingdom is the best equipped to function as a center of warfare operations against this evil. It is also the one location where your intel would be the most valuable." The king explained.
"I see." Reiya remarked. "I believe I understand the core basis for such an endeavor, your highness. However, I have questions concerning thispropositionof yours, if I may." She pointed out.
"Understood. Ask away, my lady." Thranduil responded, having anticipated inquiries from the queen throughout their assessments.
Reiya folded her arms and paced the area in a contemplative manner as she began her questioning.
"How long would I have to stay at the Woodland Realm in order to fulfill the advisorship role that you speak of?" She inquired, shifting her attention to the king.
"That would be dependent on the outcomes linked to war and our course of action to counter Loitar's tactics. There is no way of accurately predicting the amount of time required to accomplish that aim in particular." Thranduil pointed out.
"So are you basically stating that I would have to remain in your kingdomindefinitely?" The queen inquired with a raised eyebrow.
Thranduil contemplated her question tactfully before providing an answer. "Yes." He responded.
"Hm…" Reiya murmured to herself as she looked at the floor with a wary expression.
Thranduil was well aware that the queen did not like that revelation in particular, but there was no other way around it.
He couldn't downplay any of the expectations and potential consequences of her involvement in their joint efforts. This was a very serious matter that they were discussing, so all the crucial details had to be laid out on the table.
Reiya turned around and paced towards the other side of the room as she continued her questioning.
"If you were to intercept enemy attacks with the intelligence that I'd be sharing, would my troops and I have to join the fight as well?" She inquired.
Thranduil pondered the question for a brief moment.
It made sense that Reiya would ask such things, being the warrior queen that she was. Hence, she was probably used to discussing military strategy with her own troops on a frequent basis due to the war.
He proceeded to answer her question with that in mind.
"You wouldn't be obligated to fight alongside us, but you'd be welcome to. The more experienced combatants we can have supporting the ranks, the better." Thranduil pointed out. "As long as you do not put my soldiers in danger with thoseostentatiousfire spells of yours, you and your troops could join the fight, I suppose." He remarked.
Reiya looked at the king with a sardonic expression following his statement.
Thranduil smiled at her smugly, seemingly satisfied by her reaction to the pun embedded in his words.
The Lady of Fire had remained unfaced by his confrontational tone throughout their exchange, but she was not completely immune to his teasing, it seemed.
"Right..." Reiya left it at that, opting to ignore his little jest.
Thus, she resumed her inquiries.
"Who would assume the role of lead commander on the battlefield if we were to join forces, then? You or me?" She asked, looking at the king attentively.
Thranduil raised an eyebrow in wonder.
That was an interesting one.
He was not expecting the queen to ponder matters of command so early on in their contemplations. However, the answer to that one question was obvious per his reasoning, so he proceeded to respond accordingly.
"The Woodland Realm ismy domain, and I am the ruler with the most battle experience out of the two of us, my lady. That would makemethe logical choice to take the lead in that regard, naturally." He pointed out in an objective manner.
"Right. And in the event that you'd decide to unexpectedly retreat from the fight, get badly injured, or die in battle, who would command the troops then, my lord?" Reiya rephrased her question, emphasizing the point that she was attempting to make.
Thranduil chuckled at her worst-case scenario dilemma.
"We just met, and you already want me out of the picture so badly, your majesty? That is quite cold coming from you, even by my own standards." He remarked with a sarcastic tone.
"That is not my intent." Reiya clarified. "However, it isexperiencethat I speak from, precisely." She pointed out in a serious manner.
The king raised an eyebrow at her statement.
"I am quite aware that you have fought more battles than I, your highness. But I have foughtplentyin my lifetime, I assure you." The queen argued. "I have seen many commanders amongst elves, men, and dwarves bravely lead their troops into the battlefield, but then most of them would get discouraged or flee the scene at the first sight of imminent peril." She pointed out. "Thus, how am I to know that you will be up for the task and your resolve will not falter if the circumstances were to turn dire, Elvenking?"
Reiya was mindful of her stern line of questioning at that moment, but the role of lead commander was way too important in the current war for it to be taken lightly. Moreover, she had not personally been to battle with the Elvenking, despite his acclaimed reputation in that regard.
Thus, his answer was just as important in assessing his commitment to such a responsibility.
Thranduil frowned at the female monarch, looking visibly upset by her remarks. He had been heavily criticized for many things throughout his long reign. Buthis ability to lead?
Not even the most stubborn of dwarves had dared accuse him of such a fault. And yet, this queen had the audacity to double-guess his experience in that area?
He never sought praise for his deeds as lead commander. However, Reiya's lack of confidence in his leadership hit harder than expected.
It seemed like the Lady of Fire needed a little reminder ofwhoshe was dealing with at that moment. Luckily for her, he was in the mood to give her one.
Thranduil collected himself as he proceeded to speak.
"I have been facing evils in this world since the time before you wereborn, my lady." The king pointed out with his deep-toned voice as he slowly began walking towards the elleth in a commanding manner. "Many believed that my kingdom would not endure the countless wars, and yet, the Woodland Realm still prevailed." He remarked. "Many have stood against my sword, and yet none have withstood it."
Reiya raised an eyebrow at the king's sudden gimmicks as he was halfway on his walk towards her.
"I am no useless dwarf or man, and I do not falter like most elves, as you have already witnessed." Thranduil remarked. "Your intelligence on the enemy holds value at this time, Red Queen, but do not forget that I still stand as your senior in matters ofwar." The king emphasized as he stood in front of female monarch at an even closer proximity than before.
Reiya widened her gaze slightly at Thranduil's imposing presence, as he continued speaking to her in such a commanding manner.
"I could demonstrate it for you, if you'd like—my abilityto lead, that is." The king remarked. "Right here and now, I could show you my resolve this instant, if that is what you wish." He concluded with a husky voice as he intently looked at her with his intense gaze.
Reiya held her breath slightly as she realized just how close the king was at that moment.
His proximity felt somewhat out of comfort for her liking, to be honest, but she did not dare back away from him as she chose not to empower his presence any further.
Reiya pondered Thranduil's statement on his presumeddemonstration. What did he mean by it?
Was the king challenging her to a duel of sorts?
He did not unsheathe his sword, though, so that didn't seem to be the case. What was it, then?
A smirk formed on Thranduil's face as he contemplated the queen's puzzled expression.
Reiya was clearly trying to figure out the meaning behind his words. She had no idea what he was talking about, did she?
That was too bad, because he knewexactlywhat he meant by those words. She would have to decipher the meaning on her own, though. If she wished to keep him guessing with riddles,so could he.
Deeming the task of deciphering the king's statement a pointless one at that moment, Reiya walked to the side, putting some distance between her and the fellow monarch.
She adopted her royal posture as she proceeded to answer him.
"There is no need for you to prove yourself to me at this time, King Thranduil." The Lady of Fire stated. "I will see your resolvefor myselfwhen the time comes, as actions will speak louder than words on the battlefield." She remarked with an assertive tone. "The trials ahead will reveal what your resolve is truly made of."
Thanduil looked at her with a baffled expression.
Soshewould be the one to decide if he was fit for the role of lead commander, even though he already had multiple accomplishments to his name in that regard?
Thranduil held a chuckle at the thought as he chose not to argue the statement further. Thatvexatiouselleth and her quaint ideas.
He shifted his attention back to the conversation as the queen explained herself further.
"That is, if I were toacceptyour proposition in the first place and our troops would rally together, of course." Reiya clarified. "I have not done that yet, your highness. I am just pondering potential case scenarios that might arise throughout this endeavor." The queen remarked.
"Potential case scenarios in which you fight me for control and lure me into giving you everything that you desire, my lady?" Thranduil responded in a sardonic manner, as he made his way to the same spot where she was and stood behind her.
Reiya chuckled at his statement, and she turned around to face him.
"You donotwield the power to grant my greatest desire, Elvenking." She remarked in an assertive manner. "So believe me, there is nothing for you to be concerned about in that regard." The queen pointed out before she paced away from him yet again.
Thranduil did not immediately follow her with his gaze as he pursed his lips at the statement.
Eru… that elleth surely knew how to throw off an ellon's pride with her words.
In spite of the nagging feeling bothering him, Thranduil was able to get some satisfaction out of the taunting statement as he twisted the queen's words against her.
"Perhaps." He responded nonchalantly. "However, I deem myself quite qualified to fulfill otherdesiresfor you. You'd be surprised by some of the things that I can do." The king stated with a teasing voice as he directed his gaze at her.
Reiya turned around to look at him with a reproving expression, and her lips parted in disbelief. Was he for real?
Thranduil smirked at the Lady of Fire in the midst of her little disapproving gestures. He was steadily figuring out how to push her buttons, whether for his own enjoyment or a more intricate purpose.
In an attempt to avoid giving the king any further motives for amusement, Reiya collected herself and voiced her response to him.
"Noted, but ultimatelyunnecessary."She stated with a neutral tone verging on one of sarcasm, then continued pacing.
Thranduil chuckled to himself following the queen's response, but he refocused on the matter at hand when Reiya kept making questions.
"I believe I understand most of the commitments required for the role that you are proposing, your highness. However, I would still have to fulfill my royal duties and continue overseeing the affairs of my own kingdom, even if I were to assume the position. Can you ensure the provisions for that?" Reiya inquired in an objective manner, directing his attention towards the king.
"Yes, that is manageable." Thranduil responded. "Lord Elrond runs his estate in a very efficient manner, and his hospitality is noteworthy. However, I command a whole kingdom with more room to attend to your needs. Thus, I can provide the same accommodations that he has kindly offered to you, and much more." Thranduil pointed out in a prideful manner, his ego clearly showing at the end of his statement.
Reiya raised an eyebrow at the last part but disregarded the notice as she continued speaking.
"Very well. I believe I have voiced all the questions that I had up until now. Is there anything else that I should know in regards to this proposition, King Thranduil?" She inquired.
"Not at the moment. I have already laid out all the points intended for discussion at this time as well. Your decision on whether to accept or decline the suggested role is all that remains." The king pointed out in an objective manner.
Reiya narrowed her gaze slightly at Thranduil, following his remark.
He had addressed all her questions, surely. However, something about his proposition still felt somewhat vague in her contemplations.
Her gut was telling her that the king had deliberately withheld information from her or decided to keep some details to himself for some reason.
In any case, she disregarded the notion and proceeded to conclude the conversation.
"Right." Reiya nodded in understanding. "I will consider your proposition and shall give you an answer on the morrow. Meet me here at daytime. We will talk then." She instructed.
"Understood." Thranduil responded, nodding to her. "Your time and willingness to contemplate this invitation are highly appreciated, my lady." He stated in a formal manner. "I'll take my leave now and follow up as intended."
The Elvenking gestured his farewell and proceeded to walk towards the exit.
However, Reiya decided to follow the gut feeling that she had earlier and retook the conversation in an attempt to clear her lingering doubts. Thus, she called upon the Lord of Mirkwood before he reached the door.
"King Thranduil?" Reiya addressed him.
He turned around at the call of his name.
"Apologies for interrupting your leave, my lord, but something else came to mind regarding this proposition of yours. I wish to address it before you you make your way out." Reiya explained in a contemplative manner.
Thranduil raised an eyebrow, wondering what she was talking about.
"I am dangerous, you know?" Reiya stated with a serious expression. "Verydangerous." She emphasized, as her tone turned slightly graver.
The queen then stood in front of the pond bowl, as she observed her floating candles on the water.
Almost as if pulled by an invisible magnetic force, Thranduil walked towards her quietly.
"You have seen some of the things that I can do, andyet,you are inviting me to your kingdom-" She turned around only to find the king's chest brooch piece right in front of her face as he stood before her. "…willingly." She concluded her sentence.
Reiya contemplated the intricate piece for a few seconds, before lifting her face to meet his intense gaze.
Thranduil had made his way to her rather quickly, and she did not hear his steps at all.
Nonetheless, the queen continued making her point.
"I will always be hunted down by the enemy because I am a Krisha." Reiya reminded him. "Wherever I go, they will follow, and if they intend to attack, Iwillfight back." She stated with a hint of warning in her voice while looking the king attentively.
Thranduil narrowed his gaze at her.
"So tell me, King Thranduil..." Reiya stated in a more relaxed manner, as she placed her hand over the pond bowl's edge and rested her hip against it. "Are you absolutely certain this is truly whatyouwant? A Krisha letting loose at your realm?" She inquired. "Or,is there something else at play here that would justify such a risk? A detail that you have yet to discuss, perhaps?"
Thranduil gazed at the queen as he pondered thoughts of his own.
This shift in their conversation had been completely unexpected, especially since their exchange had already ended.
Did she suspect a hidden motive of sorts behind his proposition? Because hedidhave one. Furthermore, he had chosen not to tell the other Elven rulers about it, as it concernedherprecisely.
How was she even able to get a read on that?
Eru… Reiya could be highly perceptive as a ruler when she committed to the task. That could pose a problem for his plans if he was not careful around her.
Thranduil took a brief moment to contemplate the queen's features before providing an answer.
Her lips had curled into a sneering smile that was barely visible, and her eyes were glinting with anticipation, almost as if she was intently waiting for something to happen.
"Hmm…" The king murmured to himself in realization.
Sothatwas her ploy all along.
Reiya was attempting to incite a reaction out of him with her words. She wanted to make himtalkat a moment of provocation,so he would reveal that which he chose not to disclose.
Thranduil withheld a chuckle as he pondered Reiya's schemes. Did she actually believe she would make him slip that easily?
That cunning elleth.
He had seen right through her at that moment.
Thranduil's expression became distant once again as he proceeded to speak.
"If they'd dare to attack you in my realm, then let them come." The king stated in a nonchalant manner.
He then placed his own hand on the pond bowl's edge and lowered his face fairly close to hers in order to meet her gaze head-on.
"I can handle theflames." Thranduil remarked with a low, growling voice as his eyes pierced into her very core.
Reiya partially widened her gaze at his gesture. That was not the response she was hoping to get out of the king, as reflected in her expression.
Thranduil stood straight and folded his arms behind his back while looking at her in a tamer manner.
"Can I take my leave now, Queen Reiya? Or are there any otherconcernsthat need addressing?" He inquired. "I can stay here until all your queries have been properly satisfied, your majesty." The king remarked with a smug smile.
"No, there are none left to discuss at this time. You can go now." Reiya instructed in a neutral manner.
"Very well. I look forward to your answer." Thranduil concluded before he turned away from her and finally made his way out of her apartment.
Reiya looked in his direction as her mind wondered.
She had not been successful in making the Elvenking reveal that which he was concealing at the time, but that was alright.
He'd crumble soon enough.
...
A/N: The first conversation between our two monarchs has been delivered!
Thranduil's proposition was laid out on the table. Thus, the outcomes to follow are up to Reiya now!
So much going on beneath the surface here lol
I would absolutely love to know your impressions of this encounter! :)