All she wanted was to leave the Greenwood.
And now she was getting her wish.
Raelee tied the final plait in place as she prepared to leave for Erebor.
The reflection in the mirror showed an elf ready for battle.
But on the inside, she felt like she could collapse at any moment.
She had not visited him last night as they had to be up at dawn to make the journey.
The king begrudgingly allowed her to sleep in the guard's chair while he slept in his big comfy bed.
Generous as always.
It was the first time in two weeks that she slept soundly throughout the night.
She had arrived at the stables early to ready Starlight.
It appeared that she wasn't the only one in the stables.
"Good morning, Raelee." Daron called as he finished adjusting the saddle on his horse.
"Good morning." She turned to place the saddle on Starlight. Once she had everything in place, she felt hands on her waist.
"You look wonderful today." Daron whispered in her ear.
He turned her around, so she was facing him.
Daron looked positively jovial. His eyes gleamed at her.
"I had a good night's sleep." She smiled at him.
It was the truth. Never had sleeping in a chair felt so damn good.
Before she saw it coming, he kissed her. His lips warmed up her cold ones.
His hands settled on her hips.
She moaned in discomfort.
He was very close to her bruises. She moved his hands up her waist.
He took that as an invitation to deepen the kiss.
It felt nice to be kissed again. Her hands settled on his shoulders.
His teeth bit into her bottom lip.
She tried to push him back slightly. She was worried that they would get caught.
Again.
His tongue flicked hers.
Daron was a good kisser.
It felt nice.
She had missed kissing.
Just when she was starting to kiss him back, a throat clearing broke them apart.
Oh shit.
The king's steely gaze roved over them.
"It seems that you two are making a habit of this." The king scolded.
"I apologise, my king." Daron spoke sheepishly.
"Saying farewell to your betrothed?" He smirked at Daron as he made his way over to his elk. The glorious creature stood to attention when Thranduil came into his stall. "Must be difficult to leave behind such a fair maiden, like Raelee." He smirked at her.
Raelee began to fidget.
Her palms were sweating.
"Actually, I am joining the escort to Erebor." Daron said nervously.
The king paused in his step and looked sharply over at the couple. Obviously, her father never notified the king.
"Is that so?" His eyes darted over to Raelee.
"Councillor Bragi notified me last night. It was an honour to be selected."
She would never say that she truly knew the king, but she knew him well enough to know that he was incensed by the news.
"Very well. Do not disappoint me." He gracefully climbed upon his elk and made to depart the stables, leaving Daron and Raelee to exchange a quick look before scrambling to follow him.
Raelee knew that last part was meant for her.
The council members and the other guards arrived to see the king, Daron and Raelee heading towards the gates.
Raelee could see Fandriel and Calel frantically scurrying about trying to ready themselves.
The King's patience was wearing thin.
The council members were the last to leave the stables.
Thranduil nodded at the gate keepers to open the doors.
Once they left the halls and were in the forest, the group sped up to match the King's speed.
It was customary for the king to ride in the front. Due to the nature of their departure, Daron and Raelee were on his left and right flank.
He had a tense line in his shoulders.
Daron gave her a worried look as they rode slightly behind the king.
Maybe his hostility wasn't as subtle as she thought.
Her stomach was in such tight knots that she couldn't even enjoy her first taste of freedom in weeks.
To be finally outside of the gates.
They rode for what seemed like hours. The sun was due to set soon, and they were still half a day away from Erebor.
Her thighs were burning from the saddle and her bruises.
"My king, we will make camp along the riverbank." Fandriel called.
It was hard to hear him as he was at the rear of the group.
"Very well." The king slowed his elk and the rest of the group followed.
It took a while to set up the tents since the council members and the king did not help. The king had his own tent and the two councillors shared one of a similar style. The four guards were left their own, smaller shelter.
Her sleeping mat was set against the left entrance of the tent. Daron immediately took the spot opposite her.
He winked at her as they left the tent.
She blushed at his attentions.
They took their meals by the fire and soon everyone was getting ready to sleep.
She was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to rest, but alas that wasn't to be.
"Raelee, you are to take the first watch." Calel yawned as he entered their tent.
She looked at the schedule and sure enough, there was her name.
She nodded in defeat and grabbed her bow and arrows to take her position.
Xxx
The fire kept her warm but was making her sleepy.
Moonlight illuminated the surrounding ferns. She could hear the sounds of the forest all around her.
The dark shadows called to her.
Maybe she should just make a run for it.
Just make a break for freedom.
Leaving Daron and the king behind. Forget about the Greenwood and move on with her life.
She sighed in defeat.
No.
She couldn't do that.
She wanted to prove she was a capable warrior and that meant keeping her fellow elves safe.
Hours seemed to pass before she was roused by a branch snapping behind her.
She had an arrow aimed at the noise within a split second.
"What are you planning to do with that?" The king asked raising an eyebrow at her actions.
The arrow was aimed right between his eyes.
"Why are you sneaking up on me?" She asked. Of course, she wouldn't have shot him. No matter how tempting it was.
"I have no time for your inquiries. Get inside." He held open the flap of the tent.
Raelee lowered the arrow.
She wanted to scoff at him. Of course, she wouldn't get a break from their bargain. Last night was an anomaly.
"Who will keep guard?" She didn't want to go in there. He could only want one thing.
"No one. But if anything does happen, you will be held responsible." He stated.
A sigh of contempt left her before she could compose herself.
A raised brow dared her to complain.
She followed him and once the tent flap was closed, he was untying his sleeping trousers and gave her a look that bid she do the same.
"Can we talk?" She backed away.
"I was anticipating another verb." He had unsheathed his hard cock and was waiting for her while he stroked himself in anticipation.
She took a steading breath.
"The others could wake up at any moment."
"So, keep quiet. Be a good whore for your king." He walked up to her to start undoing the binds of her uniform.
She didn't stop him.
Once he had her naked, he gestured for her to lie down on the padded mat he slept on.
She laid back and he settled between her quaking legs.
He began rubbing her slit. Trying to elicit any arousal from her tired body.
She closed her eyes and tried to conjure up anything to help speed this along.
His hands, they were big and strong. His eyes were dark and brooding.
His lips. They were sinful.
Daron had nice lips.
Their kiss today was lovely.
Soon, her body responded, and he lined up and pushed inside.
She bit back a yelp and he began a brutal pace.
He hid his face against her neck as he quietly grunted. She held onto his arms but didn't wrap her legs around him.
He panted in her ear as she held back her groans.
Occasionally, he would hit something inside that would make her cringe.
After what felt like hours, he finally came. He collapsed on top of her with a strained moan.
He didn't let her up right away nor did he pull out.
She waited, not wanting to speak in fear that nothing would come out.
"Did you bring him because you thought he would protect you from me?" His cold voice broke her out of her musings. "I do not like to be blindsided."
"I did not ask Daron to come; my father did." She whispered.
"You appeared pleased this morning. He seems to be quite taken with you. His virginal bride." He sneered down at her. "What a good little actress you are becoming."
She narrowed her eyes at his callous words.
He raised a brow.
"Something the matter?"
Raelee wanted nothing more than to shove him off her and slap the annoying look off his face.
"Nothing." She sighed, pushing down her anger.
"Is there something bothering you?"
"And if there is?"
"I would hope it does not interfere with our arrangement." He smirked down at her. "You were doing so well. It would be a shame to have to end it now."
There he was again. Threatening their bargain.
"I'm just… tired." She couldn't tell him that it bothered her that she hadn't come and that he didn't kiss her anymore.
It's not like he would care about her feelings.
She wasn't even sure why it bothered her so much.
"Then you should sleep more." He chided.
She laid back and waited for him to let her up.
Once he slipped out, she put her clothes on as fast as she could.
He laid back on the padded mat to watch her.
"Make sure you rest, the Lonely Mountain is very cold, I will expect you to keep me warm at night." She nodded dejectedly as she left and resumed her post by the fire.
It seemed like minutes before she woke up Fandriel to take over.
She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the ground.
Xxx
Her body woke out of routine at sunrise.
The other guards were still asleep. Daron was softly snoring on his pallet. It would still be another few hours before they left for the rest of their journey. She carefully made her way out of the tent and sat by the fire to make tea.
It warmed her up considerably.
Her mind went back to her night with the king. He was just as cruel and indifferent outside of his rooms.
Part of her wished that she had made a break for the trees. She could simply run away.
Like she did the night of the festivities.
Only now, she wasn't inhibited by the Greenwood's wines and knew that somehow, she would be found in the end.
The king had promised her a way out, but so far, she didn't even know if he had a plan.
She had to remain hopeful.
It seemed like no time passed before the rest of their small group was awake and moving towards the lonely mountain.
Today she made sure that herself and Daron took up the rear of the group.
When they arrived at the Lonely Mountain, she couldn't contain her amazement. She had only ever seen the Greenwood and Rivendell. It was nice to be away from her home.
They were greeted by the Dwarf King's guards who brought the company to the guest halls where they would be staying for the visit.
"The king thanks you for gracing Erebor with your presence. I am sure you and your company are tired and would like to rest before the feast tonight."
"We will, thank you." The king was gracious to their hosts.
"There is a wonderful bathhouse on this floor, none shall disturb your company during your visit."
She could feel Daron's eyes on her at that remark. She shivered at the thought.
"Thank you." The King turned and gave her an almost imperceptible, stern look. She knew without hearing his thoughts that he didn't want a repeat of her escapades with Daron.
Before she could nod to reassure him, he turned to enter his assigned rooms with the council members to go over the schedule for the visit.
Starting with a feast tonight.
The guards were required to be in attendance but were not to partake in the feast.
They made their way into their assigned rooms.
Their quarters were stocked with all manner of food and drink. Just not the food of elves.
"Do they eat nothing but meat?" Calel asked in disgust.
"Do we have any food left?" Daron asked as they unpacked their saddlebags.
"We will need it for the journey home." Fandriel pointed out.
"I suppose the potatoes aren't too bad." Raelee tried one. It was overly salty but edible, nonetheless.
Slowly the group picked through the food and skipped the beer, drinking the water instead.
"We still have time to freshen up before the feast. Anyone up to visit this bathhouse?" Daron asked.
"That sounds fantastic." Calel groaned.
The three ellons collected their robes and turned to Raelee.
"Raelee, are you going to join us?"
She stood there like a dwarf being offered a salad for dinner.
"Umm... I think I shall try to have a quick nap, maybe tomorrow I will join you." She laid down on her simple bed and pretended to rest.
"We'll be back soon."
The others left and Raelee knew that she only had possibly an hour of peace before they returned.
The feast was scheduled to start at sundown.
At least she wouldn't have to visit the King until much later. At least she hoped she wouldn't have to.
She sighed when she remembered his actions towards her as of late. One of the reasons why she declined the invitations to the baths was because she couldn't hide her bruises. Her hips held distinctive handprints from the king's aggression. The inside of her thighs also held the evidence of his passions.
For that past two weeks, he had taken her almost to the point where she had trouble sitting. The saddle was exceedingly excruciating during the fast-paced portion of their journey.
She got up from the bed and took off her sweaty uniform and stood in front of the mirror to examine her body.
The king had admired her body when he first saw it, but now, it seemed his goal was to turn her pale skin purple. It took a lot to make an elf bruise, but with the angry Elven King, it only took three weeks of constant, intense sex.
No. Not sex.
Fucking.
She was beginning to like sex when the bargain began. It was tiring and intense, but there were times when she found it very enjoyable.
She liked the closeness.
When the king was on top of her the first time, she was terrified. He was the king, and she was literally beneath him. But during the more pleasurable moments in his arms, she felt safe. Like the world outside didn't exist.
She shivered when she remembered the first time he touched her. He had forced arousal on her. She was thankful for it at the time.
One of her hands trailed from her neck to between her breasts.
She shivered at the touch.
Raelee had never pleasured herself. Never felt the need. But now that he saw fit to deny her, well, what harm would it do?
She laid back on her bed and tried to calm her breathing.
Now what?
She started with her breasts. Slowly bringing her hands from her neck to cups the mounds of flesh.
She gasped when she slowly began twisting one stiff peak in one hand while the other travelled down to her centre. She spread her legs and shivered when she felt the cold air on her wet mound. Upon reaching her aching slit, she moaned aloud trying to produce some semblance of the pleasure that she knew could occur.
What was it he would do next? Imagining a different king, imagining her hands were his she entered a single finger inside the wet canal.
A second hand joined and began to circle her clit.
She gasped and groaned.
Loud cries bounced off the walls, but she didn't care. She needed some relief.
She imagined the king smirking down at her as he brought her close. His steely eyes, unblinking so he wouldn't miss a second of her pleasure.
She rubbed small circles on her clit.
The cries got louder, but she didn't care. It was there. The feeling of a coil tightening behind her navel.
She sped up her ministrations on her clit and removed her fingers and began twisting one of her nipples.
Just a few more seconds and she would reach her peak.
It was like there was a piece of rope tightening inside her.
Getting tighter and tighter.
She came with a resounding cry. Her back arched off the bed as stars burst behind her eyes.
A soft smile graced her lips. She did it. Two weeks of frustration had finally accumulated into that small session of pleasure.
Her breaths evened out, she wanted to lay in peace. But that moment was short-lived.
Raelee needed to get ready before the others came back and saw her in such an indecent state.