Connected (a fanfic starring Thranduil from the Hobbit)

33 weekend away

But we don't go immediately after all. He is very responsible actually definitive more than me. I'm glad because IF we 're going to spend the rest of our lives together and SHOULD have kids, then it is probably good to have at least one responsible party... I'm of course anxious and full of anticipation to find out what will happen when he drinks the insights of that vial? But that will have to wait, hopefully not too long.

We return to the halls of Mirkwood. Here we prepare for Thranduil to go public with all his announcements and he spend's a lot of time with Legolas. After a while, it starts to feel as if them two spending time together, is healing our situation a little, even between Legolas and myself. Thranduil has promised to be around for the first time of Legolas's rule. That's a good thing it means there is not such a sudden cut for both of them.

After a week or so Thranduil goes public. Whoa, the uproar is at first great but Legolas, bless him, steps up and does this really great and inspiring speech, about a well deserved time of retirement (sound a bit like Thranduil is an old man...well he is I guess, ancient in human eyes) and that he is willing and prepared to serve and lead his people with all his heart. He did earn himself a great welcoming notion after that. The people do love him. He is most of the time so charming and fun I can not blame them AND one should not forget that Thranduil had a longish time when he was not such a good king anymore and he was actually not that popular then either. He has changed back, so they say and has become more like the king he once was but I guess the time before that may have left a sour taste. Fellin also told me that Legolas used to mediate a lot between Thranduil and the people because he used to be the only one that could get to Thranduil heart. In any case, that went well. The coronation day is set for the next full moon, which is not long off.

One curious thing happens that gives me a lighter heart, I have to admit, I meet Helia shortly after the announcements and guess what, she informs me that she has found herself dreaming about Legolas lately and she wonders if her heart doesn't maybe belong to the son rather than to the old king. Well, well I guess she is more after the title and the fame than after the actual guy. She actually goes as far as to ask for my forgiveness for being so mean and she wants to be friends. I don't deny her, although I really don't like such shallowness. I do feel sorry for her I know for sure she won't stand a chance with Legolas because he is a 'deep' personality and he is very smart so I'm sure he won't have her.

I went back to my world in between too, actually, I've been to and throe.. I have to work, after all, I do like my job and I don't want to lose it and I have yet to take my family to Middle Earth. My mom will be all right but my dad? He is a logical person, he doesn't believe in magic or magical beings? It will be quite a shock but I have to take them, So I arrange for them to go over a weekend. I tell them that we're going on a trip but I don't tell them where we're going. My mom is almost cross with me because I'm making such a secret out of it. She'll see why! Thranduil gets things ready on the other side...he is almost nervous which is simply adorable. He has the whole trip planned and they are getting a very posh guest room, with their own bathroom, with their own hot spring.

They have of course been asking what's happening with that 'royal' boyfriend of mine...I've told them that it is all very complicated but that we're basically still together and that it is going well. Thranduil is going to ask my dad if he may marry me!

We have set a time when Thranduil opens 'the gate'. I have decided to take them to a part of the forest that I know and that is close to the entrance of Thranduil's home. We will leave from a point where the change of scenery is very intense and the whole change of world thing is really obvious.

So one Friday evening we drive to the big parking lot in front of 'famila' the biggest shopping center close by. It's empty now except for a few stray cars and as I had hoped no people around. Good!

"What's all of this about,"my dad is puzzled. He is a sweet chap though and really content most of the time. My mom and sis are less patient. They are rather quirly and so am I. I think they are expecting a bus to come to take us some place or maybe even a private jet? They know Thranduil is royal.... They're in for the surprise of their lives.

The air starts flickering and I ask them to step forward AND then we are in Middle Earth! They're very quiet. It's my sister who talks first. "Where are we?" She asks. My dad is very pale in the face.

"Sorry guys, there was no other way of telling you this. It was a shock for me too at first, actually the first couple of times but it's so normal now." I can just imagine what goes around in their minds now. "Welcome to Middle Earth, it is an alternate world existing alongside ours. We, Thranduil and I used to alternate appearing in each other's worlds until we found a way to control this. Now we can come and go whenever we want." They look at me with blank expressions.

"I know this is a lot to take in and I'm sorry for having to shake up your beliefs like that and I'm afraid there is more...." They look weary. No wonder.

"Thranduil is an elf," my father glares at me. At this point, Thranduil steps out from behind the trees. He is wearing some of his most elaborate cloaks and his crown. He looks impressive, splendid and very elvish. I presume completely mind boggling for my fam. He is not the only elf, he has brought along Legolas, Felin and a few others. They come to stand behind Thranduil. All of them bow in front of my family. Who in return just stare. Rude much. It's my mom who comes to grips with her good manners first. She gives an inkling of a curtsy. "How do you do?" Her voice sounds shaken, the others follow suit.

Thranduil walks up to them and shakes their hands. Then he comes to me and puts his arm around me. "Welcome to Middle Earth! We hope to make you feel welcome and that you will come to understand and marvel at the wonder of this at the moment, I'm sure, still  overwhelming reality. This way if you would please."

As the weekend unfolds I feed them more and more information about Middle Earth and about my journey so far(no giant spiders or mermaids or orc stuff, mentioned, not yet) I think the warm welcome and the amazing treatment they get helps them to adjust slowly. Also, I stay by their side most of the time. Thranduil joins us every so often and he makes an effort to get to know them better and as already experienced at Christmas, they like him, despite all the wired stuff.

At the end of their stay, Thranduil asks my dad if he may marry me. My dad is a little overwhelmed and surprised, he didn't know we had come that far already but according to his facial expression, he is not against it. I know my dad well enough....Quickly, Thranduil explains that he will be human, in our world as well, good move... but then after all of Thranduil's speeches, my dad says that it's really my decision and that he trust my decision. Thranduil is surprised, I guess in his world it is the father that gives the ultimate 'yes' or 'no'...he has to learn a lot about my world still, for example about independence and equality we women enjoy in my world at least in a country such as Germany.

We're now back at the parking lot, Thranduil stayed behind so I can be alone with my fam. My dad is the one to speak first. "I'm still not sure whether I just dreamed all of this up!"

"It is real," I say, "and I know it is hard to believe but I promise you that it will get easier. I would like to take you again sometime." They seem happy with that.

"I knew you wouldn't settle for 'normal'," my mom grins as she hugs me goodbye,"an alternate world, an elf..." She giggles, shaking her head, "typical Sophie, completely mad!" But she means it in a nice way, they always loved my uniqueness, I guess I'm not that ordinary after all....

I'm back now in Middle Earth, alone with Thranduil, it's nice to be alone again, as much as I enjoyed having them around.... He is anxious to hear what they thought. I reassure him that they are content with the situation and enjoyed the experience and that they're definitive fond of him.

Next big thing will be Legolas's coronation.