TOLKIEN; imagines

10: Stormy Nights - Thranduil

Imagine: Thranduil being kind of perplexed when he notices how much you are afraid of thunderstorms. He wouldn't quite know what to do in order to make you feel better, but the view of you being completely scared would break his heart.

A/N: I tried not to cry, but, ah, that was a failed attempt. Just saying!

Warnings: Thunderstorm. And feels, I think...

Translations: Nae:Alas
Meleth nin: My love
Gi melin: I love you

A clap of thunder boomed from above, almost making me scream. Thunderstorms had always scared me, ever since I was a small elleth. I had never gotten over my cowardice of the fulmination or the horrid noise that followed, even now that I was King Thranduil's wife and queen of Mirkwood.

Mirkwood had not seen a storm, like the one raging on above me, for centuries. I had always managed to hide my fear whenever Thranduil was around, but since the day had been filled with stressful meetings and unwanted stares, making me feel self-conscious and uncomfortable, my mind was scattered and frantic. I continued to make my way to Thranduil and my chambers as fast as I possibly could, attempting to keep my head high while avoiding others' gazes.

As soon as I reached the wooden door, I stopped and inhaled silently, trying to calm my nerves, before knocking quietly and entering. Thranduil was sprawled on the bed, a book in his hand and a small smile on his face as his gorgeous eyes flitted from the pages of his book to me.

"Nae, meleth nin. I have been waiting for you," Thranduil mused with a soft smile tugging at his perfect lips, causing my heart to flutter in my chest.

"I am here now, my love," I returned, as I crossed to the opposite side of the room to change into my night attire. The soft fabrics slid over my body as I changed from my robes and into my other set of clothes. My footsteps made soft pattering sounds as I padded my way to my side of the bed and sat down.

Another flash of lighting and an earsplitting rumble echoed across all of middle earth almost instantly after, its volume loud enough to wake the dead, and causing me to jump and bury my face in my arms.

"Meleth, are you okay?' Thranduil asked, his voice full of sentiment and concern.

The weight of the stressful meetings and their topics combined with my currently erratic mental condition was enough to make tears stream down my face.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. It's just something unimportant," I sobbed.

Thranduil touched my arm cautiously and murmured "If it makes you sob in such a way, it is significant enough for me."

"No, I don't want you to think less of me," I sniveled.

"Y/N,  tell me what is wrong. I assure you, whatever it is, it isn't silly. It hurts me seeing you this way, meleth," Thranduil pleaded as he pulled me into his lap, holding my shaking body against his chest and stroking my hair.

I didn't want to give to tell him of my childish fear, for a greater fear of losing Thranduil triumphed over the other. But Thranduil's comforting touch made me drop every facade I had up and allowing more tears to flood my eyes. "The thunder, it-it scares me, T-Thranduil," I whimpered.

"You have never been scared of them before, meleth. What makes your courage waver now?" Thranduil asked worriedly, thin fingers running soothingly over my back.

"I have always been fearful of the storms, but I have tried to hide it for a greater fear of losing you," I mumbled.

"Y/N, why didn't you tell me sooner. I would never leave you, ever. Meleth, there is nothing to be afraid of, and for as long as I shall live, I will always protect from evil," Thranduil assured me, leaning out of the comforting hug to look me in the eyes, his voice soft as silk and rich with kindness. "That will never change, especially over a small fear."

I buried my face in his chest once more and his arms held me soundly to him, his fingers returning to caressing my back, chin resting gently on my head.

"Perhaps sleep would ease your fears?" Thranduil asked after a few moments, as he rocked me back and forth slowly in his lap.

"Yes, very much," I whispered.

And with that, Thranduil grabbed the edge of the blankets and climbed under them, me still in his arms, clinging to him for the life of me. Thranduil pulled the blankets over the both of us before holding me to his chest, fondling my forehead with his lips before tucking my head under his chin once more.

"Thank you, Thranduil," I whispered. "Gi melin, meleth nin."

"As long as you are happy, I am happy," Thranduil returned. "Now get some sleep, Y/N, my stars, and don't let the rain wake you."

And soon I had drifted off into a blissful sleep, Thranduil holding me close, throughout the night.