Blessed by the Stars (Thranduil X OC Story)

Chapter 22: The Proposal

Thranduil exited his study, dinner tray in hand he looked to the guards stationed outside. "Which way did she go?"

"Towards the training grounds My King." One of them supplied

"Thank you."

Thranduil should have guessed, Caerwyn always seemed to make her way down to the training grounds whenever she was upset about something, she tended to work out her emotions quite aggressively.
Her main source of frustration stemming from her lost memory.

Thranduil made his way to the training grounds.
His mind a mixture of emotions. He knew for a fact he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Caerwyn but he couldn't help the nerves wriggling around in stomach as a cloud of doubt descended upon him.

What if Caerwyn didn't want to marry him? Was it too soon, a year was barely even a blink in the life of an elf? What if she got angry and wanted to leave? What if she didn't love him?
What if...

"Thranduil?"

He started slightly at the sound of his name being called. He was so absorbed in his own thoughts he hadn't even realized he had made his way down to the training grounds.

He blinked in surprise as Caerwyn stood before him, her swords hung loosely in her hands. A slit cut in her dress to allow more movement. He couldn't help but smile at the image in his head of Mistress Briala's frustration that Caerwyn's had ruined
Yet another dress.

"Thranduil?" Caerwyn asked again.

"I..uh..yes." Thranduil held up the dinner tray "We never got to eat our dinner and I thought maybe we could have a starlight picnic."

A smile lighted her face and she leaned in to give Thranduil a peck on the cheek. "That sounds wonderful, I wasn't looking forward to trying to raid the kitchens later."

She started walking towards the forest. He knew exactly where she was going.
They frequented the clearing that Caerwyn had created when she had fallen into Mirkwood. It was the perfect place to view the stars. Many nights they had spent here just laying in the soft grass staring at the heavens. Just talking till the sun rose.
They both had trouble sleeping, nightmares haunted them both. But in each other's company they found solace.

Thranduil planned to have a small stone cottage built for them in their clearing, he wanted it to be their private oasis for when they needed to escape. It would be his wedding present to her. If she agreed to marry him.

They both sat on the grass and Thranduil laid the tray of food between them. "I'm afraid our meal might have gone cold."

Caerwyn smirked and conjured fire to dance upon her fingers she applied heat to the plates , reheating the contents.

Thranduil smiled at her ," Looks like we found another use for your uncanny abilities. Maybe I should have given you an occupation in the kitchens instead."

Caerwyn threw back her head laughing, "I wouldn't last a day in the kitchens, I'm afraid every dish would become a blackened mess."

Thranduil joined in her laughter. He wanted to laugh with her for the rest of his life.
This wonderful, magical elleth had brought so much joy into his life. Even though the work of restoring his kingdom was exhausting she always seemed to give him energy.

His food still sat untouched, he didn't even think he could eat for the nerves in his stomach.
He was content to watch her.

Caerwyn finished eating and starred at him. "Are you not hungry? I swear I didn't burn it."

Thranduil smirked , " No, it's not that."

Caerwyn reached out to hold his hand, gods, how he loved the feel of her hand in his. The calluses on her hands matching his own. "Then, tell me what troubles you, Thranduil."

He couldn't help but smile, he loved hearing her say his name. She was only one of three people in Mirkwood allowed use it.

Nerves twisted his stomach in knots. He took a shaky breath. He was a king Damnit!! He had stared down the hoards of Sauron and won!
Yet the concept of asking Caerwyn to marry him turned him into a coward.

He yanked his hand from Caerwyn's grasp not failing to note the flicker of hurt in her eyes and reached into his pocket.

It was now or never.

Thranduil opened his mouth "Caerwyn, I.."

And Meldiron burst through the trees into the clearing. "My King! A party of Orcs have been spotted along our boarders. "

Meldiron's eyes flicked quickly between the box in Thranduil's hands and Caerwyn's bare finger. The tips of his ears grew red, "Which, I...uh..will dispatch the sentries to take care of. "

Meldiron turned quickly on his heel and dashed back through the forest. Caerwyn stood to follow Meldiron.

"Where do you think you are going?"
Thranduil's voice rumbled.

Caerwyn raised an eyebrow in annoyance. "Going to fulfill my duties that YOU granted me when I became a sentinel."
She turned, to dash into the forest. Little sparks of anger danced upon her skin.

Thranduil couldn't leave it like this. " I was trying to ask you to marry me!!!" He yelled at her back.

He saw her stiffen and she slowly turned back toward him, her mouth hanging open. He took a step towards her, and opened the small box , " Caerwyn Telcontar, I've been trying all night to ask you to be my wife. But my blasted fool of a captain , keeps messing it up."

Caerwyn smiled brightly, the star-like glow around her body showing how happy she was. "Yes." Was the only word she breathed.

Thranduil smiled brightly and slipped the sapphire ring onto her finger. And kissed her deeply.

The stars above the only witness to their joy.

A/N: Did you guys enjoy seeing this different, softer side of Thranduil? Cause it was fun to write. Look forward to more squishy Thranduil in the future.

Also just a btw the other two people allowed to address Thranduil by his name and not his title are Celediel (cause she's his aunt) and Meldiron (cause well it's Meldiron)