Connected (a fanfic starring Thranduil from the Hobbit)

7 caught out

Today, I have to think about him a lot, today is November the 22 nd. It's now been exactly a month since he's been. I'm getting increasingly restless. If these encounters carry on then I am off to his place any time now. I make sure I look good at all times. I wouldn't want to turn up looking scruffy. 

After I've been out with my rollerblades, I shower and then just because I have been thinking about him so much I put on my elven outfit. The blue, gray and turquoise of the dress match my eyes well. After I put on the jewelry and brush out my hair I study myself in the mirror. I do look like an elf. I'm actually really pleased with my look.  

After a while, I notice my shortcomings, tho. My hair is rather thin, my shoulders a little too broad, my tummy is a little bigger than ideal.... I step away from the mirror. It's detrimental to point at my bad parts and I'm actually the kind of person who likes to focus on the good parts.

I am still playing about with the makeup for the perfect finish. I don't notice the fog rising until it starts to cloud the mirror. OH no, I will be going in this outfit. How embarrassing!! But it is too late to do something about it.

I find myself in the same room that I appeared the very first time. I recognize it immediately but why would I end up in his bedroom? Whilst I'm still wondering what might happen to me this time, I hear lustful groaning and grunting. Male and female and the male one is definitive Thranduil! My heart freezes. What is going on here?

I turn towards his bed, which is raised about a meter off the ground. I can see the back of a woman's head, a little of her naked body and then him! He is completely naked, his eyes are closed and he is wearing a lust ridden expression! My from horror widened eyes wander down again, over his extremely well-built torso further until...I believe I stop breathing altogether! I feel like I'm going to be sick.

I stare at them for a moment longer trying to get any clear thought. Suddenly I can hear the groans and the grunting again but now it sounds so loud I believe my head is going to burst any minute, I stumble towards the door, unfortunately, I bump into a dresser and a jug falls down. With a loud crash, it falls to the ground. I Iook back at Thranduil in dismay. He opens his eyes and on seeing me looks shocked. "Sophie," he calls out, I manage to turn and run out of the room and down the passage. Thank goodness the door had been open this time. 

I run as fast as I can but the passage ends in front of a locked door. I try a couple of other doors but either I'm stuck in the passage or in another room. I'm busy checking the third room when he catches up with me. I was just on my way to the door when he steps in. He is now wearing a sort of bathrobe. Elven style of cause. I turn so I won't have to face him. 

"Sophie," he says, "You're back!" He sounds delighted. Seriously!!! I just caught him right out! Does he not feel any sort of remorse! I can feel the tears threatening. Now I'm definitive not going to turn around. "Sophie," he sounds surprised. "Surely you're glad to see me?" He sounds unsure now. 

I turn and angrily glare at him: "I'm sorry I interrupted you and your wife! Unfortunately, I can not choose where I appear." 

Now he looks amused. "Oh no that was not my wife, my wife died many years ago, no that was one of my concubines." He doesn't seem to find this at all disturbing.

"ONE OF THEM!" I almost shout at him, I am positively fuming. Slowly his face darkens. 

"I am the king." He states just like that. 

"Oh yes, I almost forgot," my deep bow is highly exaggerated, "My king!" I stay down because the tears are yet again threatening to come. 

He is quiet for a while. Then he says: "I seem to have offended you, Sophie, it was not my intention and I'm truly sorry if I did." Still I don't look at him. "Is it not your custom to have concubines?" he asks.

Now I look up: "No in my world a man has only one partner and one only!" Except for some cultures...but not mine...this bit of information I keep to myself. As I'm saying this I'm becoming aware of the fact that we are not officially a couple. Only in my fantasies really, perhaps he doesn't share my feelings at all. Practically speaking, in that sense, he has done nothing wrong. 

I have to think back to the situation I have just now witnessed. Suddenly I feel tired and worn. "I sure would like to be left alone," I say quietly.

But he doesn't leave. "I do not care for these women," he sounds tired, empty, "I've simply been doing what I've been doing for hundreds of years. I'm tired Sophie, tired of life. I am the king, yes I am the king," now his voice sounds bitter, "but who am I really and who would dare to look beyond the great king facade. When I'm with you I am forced to be something more than 'the king' I am a man with limitations, the humiliations I had to endure whilst I'm with you have shown me a side of myself that longs to be recognized, a soft, weak side. If you can forgive me I would still like to maintain our friendship." 

I look up at him. He is so darn handsome and his look of dismay has my heart ache. I can not magic that which I have seen away but his words are precious to me.  

In walks a handsome young man. Perhaps Thranduil's brother they do look very alike. "Ada, blablabla...he talks elvish of cause. I'm actually good with languages and I would really like to learn this language, because not being able to understand sucks. Thranduil says something back. Then he introduces me. 

"Sophie meet my son, Legolas," I stare at the young man for a minute. He comes over and bows down, he takes my hand and places a kiss upon it. "Pleasure to meet you fair maiden Sophie. You look splendid." I'm a little overwhelmed, I curtsey smiling at him. Then I look back at Thranduil, "Your son? How old are you then?" 

"I am over six thousand years old," my eyes widen. I turn back to Legolas: "and he is?" 

"Nearing three thousand," Legolas answers amused that this should puzzle me so much. I stare at them. Wow, no wonder he is tired of life! "And this is normal for you elves?" Thranduil nods. I think I am willing to forgive him I feel really sorry for him having to live soooooo very long. Life must be very boring and these encounters to my world must be something that provides a welcome change. 

Legolas having made sure that his father was alright, excuses himself  and leaves us alone once more. Thranduil is looking me over, "You do look very beautiful," at first I think he might be teasing me but he is actually serious. He walks over to me, taking my hand. "Did you dress like this for me?"he asks hopefully, he is beaming. I can only nod. "It pleases me greatly," he says his voice full of emotion, drawing closer. 

HOLD ON, a short while ago he was doing it, with another woman, he is not going to come anywhere near me!!! No, I can not completely forgive him yet and I can resist his charm. So I move my hand away and generally back up. He looks confused. 

"Friends?" I intended it to be a question but also I'm making sure that our boundaries are clear. He takes a step back, surveying me: "So it shall be, friends!" Before I came here I wanted more from him, much more but now I'm gone need time to recover from the tear in my heart! While the fog gathers our eyes lock and I drown in their depth. "I'm sorry Sophie," he whispers and I can see he is not happy. I' m not happy either my heart hurts terribly! As soon as he can no longer see me, I start with the crying!