Connected (a fanfic starring Thranduil from the Hobbit)

20 evils army

We've been sitting for quite a while on the riverbank, with me jabbering on. I believe Thranduil finally had enough because he puts his finger over my mouth. "Sophie," he says, "all is well now." Yes, all is well now, I finally relax. 

"Sorry, the talking is my way of processing what I have experienced." 

 "So I have noticed," he says teasingly. I cuff him. Then he becomes all serious again, solemnly he says. "The ring, did you bring the ring?" 

Hastily I fumble around under my t-shirt. It is still there the familiar bulge. Beaming I present it. He too retrieves from his robe a small bag which contains his jewellery box. I pass to him his key. We stare at each other and for a moment, none of us moves. What is going to happen?

Eventually, he unlocks and I follow suit. As soon as we have opened the boxes both ring-halves start glowing. They rise into the air and there they slowly come together. Now the ring is just floating in the air shining brightly. Nothing as such happens otherwise. Thranduil touches the ring. It loses its shine and falls into the palm of his hand. The ring looks as if it will fit Thranduil better than me. 

"I believe the ring will fit you better than me you wear it!" I suggest, taking the ring and placing it on his finger. He looks at me surprised. "I am experiencing a very peculiar sensation." Suddenly he turns and touches the air right behind him, now I see it too, there is a flickering as if the air is moving. His hand disappears. Woah! Is this how it's going to be?  I hurry over to his side. He throws me a very peculiar look and offers me his hand and then as if he is leading me onto a dance floor we step forward and through the air and into my bedroom! 

I can't describe what I'm feeling, too many emotions at once! Thranduil is standing as if frozen, then he turns towards me very slowly taking in the interior of my bedroom. "If I'm not mistaken then this may mean that we can move between our worlds," he whispers. 

"Let's try if we can get back to yours," I suggest eagerly. We turn towards the flickering air. Again he takes my hand. I think he is worried that if we don't go together that it won't work, I know I am. Again we step through the air and back into Middle Earth. Thranduil is positively beaming.

I know it is a big risk but I have to know if it works even if only one of us goes. If it doesn't work then we might be separated again for a month still I have to try. Before he can stop me, I step through. Shaking I turn to see whether the flickering has gone but to my utter delight, it is still there. IT WORKS! NO MORE HAVING TO BE APART! Hastily I return. 

"We shall not be parted now, Sophie!" Thranduil pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly. Only now I realize the full extent of what has happened and I can't help it I have to cry. I really love him and this constant being apart really hurt. I look up at him happy, happy that we may be together now and yet we can still go and see our folks. There are tears on his cheeks too. I marvel at them, wow this is Elven King here who is shedding a few tears of joy because I am to stay with him. "I love you Thranduil!" I say. 

"Thank you, Sophie, for rescuing my soul!"he has to say to that! I feel like bursting with joy, I send off a silent thank you. 

But unfortunately, we can not relish in our newly found togetherness-freedom for the time beeing. There are orc sounds, lots of orc sounds faintly and yet very clear. Immediately Thranduil takes on his mighty king posture. But now I don't find it arrogant, I believe it to be admirable and I'm proud of him and perhaps a little worried. He carries a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.

"I shall remove the ring for the time being," he suggests, "will you keep it safe on that chain you wear around your neck," I nod and add the ring to the two little golden keys. It looks a little on the 'too much' side but I don't mind it.

"I have to see for myself what possible evil these orc's are planning," Thranduil gets up and moves into the direction from where the sounds are coming. 

"May I come along," I call out. I know he has this thing about me having to stay put and safe. He studies me for a while. I don't think there is another way really because it could be even more dangerous for me to stay here on my own. I really don't fancy another encounter with one of the many evil, freaky things of this world.

 "Yes, do come along this way I will be able to protect you!" Oh, yes do protect me... gorgeous hunk of a man I am astonished to call mine.

Thranduil's elk appears as if he knew Thranduil needed him. Perhaps there is another way these two communicate, perhaps telepathically, I mean nothing would surprise me these days. 

It seems to me that we're riding into the face of danger... the orcy sounds are becoming more apparent and I'm starting to think there must be a whole nest of them.  Eventually, Thranduil comes to a stop. He climbs down from his elk. "Sophie I deem it too dangerous for you to carry on, I will make my way by foot. Stay on Gavan, should danger approach you leave!" He comes close and lifts up my chin, looking into my eyes he says: "Sophie you hear me, you will leave! I will stay hidden and am safe that way, you will go if danger approaches!" I don't want to because naturally, I would want to wait for him to return but I nod. I will leave because I want to respect his wishes, to please him really.

And then I wait! long insufferable minutes, with these terrifying and beastly sounds surrounding me. When I finally see Thranduil return, I am physically shaking, I have been sitting all tensed up until now. Thranduil is wearing a very grim expression. While he climbs onto Gavan's back he says: "The situation is very grave. I believe Sauron has gathered an army of evil. The Question is where are they heading first, I have to call in a council." 

Gavan truly is a remarkable animal. I can definitive see why Thranduil chooses to ride this elk rather than a horse. I believe that I have never seen a horse as fast as this elk is and that despite the fact that he has to carry two. In no time, we arrive in Mirkwood. This is a little disconcerting, mind because this not only means that Gavan is very fast it also means that the orcy army is not too far away. I wonder who Sauron is, I mustn't forget to ask.

On arriving at the castle Thranduil hastily dismounts: "Sophie, I have to attend very urgent matters now, I will send Fellin to attend to you!"

A very beautiful elegant female elf approaches Thranduil. She seems to be very familiar with him. "My king," she coos, " I very much enjoyed our conversation last night." She even touches him tenderly. 

"Not now, Helia," Thranduil nearly growls at her, which sort of makes me feel better. This Elf is making me feel very uncomfortable. Thranduil move's on now, leaving the female elf standing and disappears into an adorning building.

She gazes into the direction he left for a few moments than she turns and approaches me to my dismay. "Sophie, we meet at last. Thranduil has told me so much about you," Her voice is soft and sweet and she actually leans forward and kisses me on my cheek. She speaks 'Human' as they call it here, so she must be a more sophisticated, more important elf, for only those with a certain education have learned 'human'. I got all that information from Tauriel really. 

Why do I feel as if something is not right  in the presence of this elf? She seems nice enough.

"Come I will bring you to Fellin, she has been a mother figure to all of us children growing up in the palace. She will attend to you." That is actually very sweet. She must be Thranduil's sister. Although he has never mentioned a sister. According to what he has told me so far, Legolas is his only family left, really. I'm a little confused. 

"Nice to meet you," I say, I'm definitive a little on the shy side right now. She is so very beautiful and elegant. I feel like a tatty stray and ruffled weirdo next to her, I am wearing a torn rollerblading outfit, am totally sweaty, covered in smudge of some sort most likely and I'm on socks! "May you be Thranduil's sister?" I ask hopefully but not very convinced. She laughs a tinkling, unreal laugh. 

"So it may seem, we practically grew up together." Inwardly I groan. Oh no, I have seen many movies that went just like this!!!!  I bet she fancies Thranduil and I'm a thorn in her eyes but then again perhaps I am mistaken and she turns out to be nice!