The King's Jewel (Thranduil Fanfiction)

Chapter 8

Hello all you fabulous people! You really are amazing you know that right?  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! for all the votes, comments, and general support.  Everytime I get a notification I just want to run and hug someone :) Here's Chapter 8 already!  It's kind of a fun one.  Lots of emotional stuff. I could have made it longer but I really wanted to get something out to you and I just love the ending sentence. Let me know what you think!

Emily

Quick Recap cause it's been awhile

Alina is taken to Thranduil who leads her to the stables. There she meets the elk whom she names Alexander. There's a cute moment between the two and then Thranduil decides it's time to go. Alina just informed him that she doesn't know how to ride.

"Alright, but Thranduil?" he looked at her warily, "I can't ride."

Thranduil's hand stilled as it petted Alexander. He stared at her in disbelief. "You mean to tell me that a human does not know how to ride a horse? How do you transport yourself? Surely you don't walk everywhere?"

Now it was Alina's turn to look at him in disbelief. "Horses were used for transportation maybe a century ago. We drive cars everywhere now. They're much faster." At Thranduil's look of confusion, Alina let out a huff of frustration. Of course Thranduil had no idea what a car was. Such a monstrosity would be so out of place here where everything seemed to be in harmony with nature. Realizing she had nothing to even compare automobiles to, Alina decided it was best to avoid the subject altogether. "Look, I come from a very different land with many strange customs and practices. Very few people ride horses so I never learned. I didn't think I would need to and I obviously was wrong."

"Obviously," Thranduil quipped while glaring at her. They glared at each other for a few moments each refusing to look away first. Only when a stable hand brought Alina's mount did they break eye contact. The elf had brought a beautiful white horse, its mane crimped and mounted with a black saddle. Thranduil waved his hand in a dismissing gesture and the elf promptly turned away leading the horse with him. Alina turned to Thranduil, her eyebrow raised in question.

"Well, since you don't know how to ride and I don't have time to teach you, you will just have to ride with me," Thranduil said with a grimace as if the idea repulsed him. Alina looked at him in surprise and slight horror. There was no way she could handle being in such close proximity to the mighty king especially when he looked like he would rather be anywhere else than with her at the moment. She could feel her heart racing as she pictured sitting in front of him, his arms around her waist. Shaking her head she tried to clear her mind of such thoughts and instead focused on Alexander who had started licking her face again. She smiled at the elk's reassuring gesture and gave him a pat on the head before walking to Thranduil.

"If that is the only way, I guess we had better be going," she said with a sigh trying to stay calm. Thranduil studied her face trying to determine what emotions were portrayed there. She promptly turned away and walked to where the saddle was on Alexander's back. There was no way they would both fit. No sooner had she thought this than the stable hand urged Alexander to his feet and started removing the saddle. A blanket-like fabric was then placed on his back and hooked under his belly. Alina contemplated how she would get onto Alexander's back when all of a sudden firm hands wrapped around her waist and set her atop the animal. Tingles shot through her at the contact and she turned to Thranduil with a sharp look. "Was that really necessary?" she demanded. Thranduil just raised an eyebrow and hopped up on the blanket in front of her. This surprised Alina as she had expected to be sitting in front of him. Now she would have to hold him, a thought that both excited and terrified her. He turned his head to glance at her and said in a low voice, "I suggest you hang on, Caladwen." Alina's face flushed and she tentatively put her arms around his rock hard torso trying to keep as much space between them as possible.

Alexander took off in a slow trot out the stable and through the gate. Though Thranduil, being much larger than her, blocked Alina's view of most everything she could still make out the faces of the people they passed. More than one person bowed their head towards their king. She could see the respect and admiration that shone in their eyes as they rode past and Alina wondered at how hard he must have worked to gain that trust and respect. They had just left the gates when she was shaken from her thoughts as Thranduil leaned forward and dug his heels into Alexander's flank. The elk lurched forward in a swift trot and Alina instinctively leaned farther into Thranduil her arms tightening around his waist. She quickly realized their close proximity but if she didn't hold onto him she'd probably fall off. They rode like that for a few minutes before she became more comfortable in her position and hesitantly leaned her head on his back. Thranduil stiffened before relaxing once more, saying nothing. It felt strange to Alina how quickly she became accustomed to being near him. She never had been comfortable with people touching her, her "personal bubble" a bit larger than most.

Not wanting to ruin the tranquil moment, she decided to just enjoy the comfort and watch the beautiful forest pass by. They were on the road where she had passed out. She briefly wondered if she would remember where the cave was. A thought occurred to her and she sat bolt upright, startling Thranduil who pulled Alexander to a halt and quickly turned to her. His eyes scanned her body looking for any signs of injury or harm. Her heart warmed at the thought but once he saw she was fine, his gaze turned irritated. "What is the matter?" he questioned. She fumbled to find the words when she herself wasn't sure what she wanted. "I-I," she stuttered. Thranduil let out an exasperated sigh realizing she wouldn't or couldn't tell him and turned back around seeming to pick up on her inner battle. She tried to relax again as Alexander set off at a trot, but her mind was whirring at full speed and she couldn't stop thinking about the cave and what it meant. If they found the cave today, would that mean she would go back? And why did the thought frighten and sadden her? She should be jumping for joy and practically running to get there. Instead, she found herself wanting to stay in this strange place where the people - or rather elves - lived a simple and peaceful life. For once in her life, she felt like she belonged and she realized with a start, she didn't really want to go back. The only family she had left was her Aunt Heather, but she was no longer her guardian, more a distant friend. 

Once she came to this realization in her head, she wondered if she would be welcome to stay longer. They had practically treated her like royalty as it was and she didn't want to overstay her welcome. Perhaps she could find a way to earn her keep. She would have to talk to Thranduil once they made it back to the halls. Her mind made up, she was able to relax against Thranduil once again. Alexander had started to walk slower as the trees encroached farther onto the path. They were getting close. 

Finally!! It took Alina long enough to admit it to herself!! Now that we're all on the same page we can get to the good stuff.  I'm so excited!!!! There's some really cool stuff planned in the next few chapters and I can't wait to share it with you.

As always, vote, comment, you know the drill