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Soul Wandering by Silver-crowned Valkyrie

Hobbit & Game of Thrones Xover Rated: M, English, Romance & Fantasy, Elvenking Thranduil, Daenerys T., Words: 206k+, Favs: 258, Follows: 278, Published: Jan 27, 2018 Updated: Jun 14

116Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Thranduil spent many days thinking about his conversation with Daenerys. She had been innocent in her look and honest in her tone, and he wished to believe her words for true with all his heart. The least he wanted now was another major burden upon his shoulders, what with the war brewing in the south and the rumors that the One Ring had been found. Thranduil had never cared much about the dealings of the world outside his Kingdom, but the recent developments had forced him to stir from his seat and strengthen the defenses along the borders. The orcs had become bolder, and the spiders had multiplied. The spies of the Shadow hid everywhere, under rock and stone and behind tree and shrub. The last thing he needed now was an enemy in disguise inside his own Halls. Daenerys' sudden appearance had been strange enough, and inexplicable as of yet. But, though much he pondered and doubted, he could not bring himself to believe those purple eyes hid some evil intent. She had sounded sincere when she spoke to him of her world. So perhaps she did, in fact, have no idea as to how she came to be here…

Much as he gave thought to the matter, he could reach no firm conclusion. If what she claims is true, it will be proved in time. Such is the nature of evil. In time, all foul things come forth, he kept telling himself, and bode his time, watching her and waiting. Till now, no suspicious moves she had attempted, and her only inquiry would be about her dragons. He had promised her to take her to visit them more often, and he had a mind to do so one of these days.

As he kept thinking of her, his mind involuntarily conceived her image, as he had beheld her when he first saw her, crouched, naked and afraid. How small and fragile she had looked then… And yet, her otherworldly violet eyes burned with a secret fire, which perhaps waited to be kindled. He would be a liar to deny that he was strangely drawn to her and her mysteries; she posed for him a riddle to solve.

She said she is the blood of the dragon. She said she came through the flames unharmed. Can it ever be true? How can I believe something so outrageous? And yet, I saw soot and ashes covering her fair skin and hair with my own eyes… What manner of creature is she? For a mere human she is not. A human, to possess the power of the fire… unheard of! And what if she is an evil witch? What if she pretends to be good, only to wait for the dragons to grow, so as then to unleash them upon us? No, I cannot risk that. I cannot allow the enemy to acquire such a weapon of destruction. Much as I wish for her to be good as she seems, I must be vigilant; I must not be fooled.

With such thoughts he stood from his desk and called his servant, a decision already having taken form in his head. "Please, inform the lady Daenerys that she is to dine with me tonight", he instructed him, and the ellon left to do as he had been asked.

Daenerys was truly enjoying the change of her lodgings. Gone were the days of the dark and dank cell. Now she had a beautiful chamber of her own, and one that had a marvelous view of the forest at that. It was located at the end of a long corridor, and one had to climb quite a few stairs to get there. She suspected that a room high enough would pose a hindrance to any thoughts of escaping she might harbor, but she minded it not. For where could she go, if she escaped? And what would be the meaning of escaping, if it was without her dragons?

She decided to make the best of her situation. I must never look back, she reminded herself. If I look back, all is lost. The elves are treating me well; and the King's suspicions are understandable. How can he trust a person from another world? Whatever I tell him probably sounds to him as strange as his pointed ears and immortal life are to me… I tell him of Valyria, and dragons, and my House, and he speaks of a Dark Lord and Rings of Power… We are so different. How can we ever hope to understand each other? And yet he is patient, and kind. Someone else in his stead might have already executed me alongside my dragons. I should consider myself lucky that I happened upon his path, fortunate in my misfortune.

And he looks so otherworldly… All elves look ethereal; they would never compare to us clumsy humans. But he is the fairest of them all, the most gracious, the wisest. And those eyes of his… Deep and glimmering, as if a thousand stars shine through them. Magical creatures, these elves. I have to be patient, and in time I will convince them of my innocence. The King will see I have no ill purpose in mind… And perhaps one day he decides to release my children. I only pray that day will not be too distant.

It was true that Daenerys was fascinated by the elves. She admired their celestial beauty, their unmatched grace and their polite manners. But she also noticed that they were not too warm in their expression of feeling, and were rather formal in their everyday behavior. And most of all their King. But for his kindness and generosity, he seemed remote, as if his mind always traveled to places distant. She found she could never guess his thoughts, and those cerulean eyes of his were windows to a hidden world she could not peer at. And she was much intrigued to do so. For he had learned of her past, but she knew nothing of the King, who held her captive.

Such were the thoughts in her head, as she was perched on the comfortable sofa in front of the fireplace, and her gaze was lost in the flickering flames that hungrily ate at the wood, turning it into ash and cinder. Much like Drogo's pyre, she thought. She was unable to look at the burning logs and not think of her late husband. I hope you are now riding freely in the Night Lands, my sun-and-stars. If only you knew how much I have missed you… But I am trying to be strong, as you taught me to be.

A soft knock on her doors interrupted her musings. "Yes?" she answered it.

Luineth entered then, and she bowed her head before Daenerys. "My lady Daenerys", she greeted her. "I bring word of the King."

Daenerys stood from the sofa and faced her. "What is it?"

"He wishes that you dine with him tonight. For that reason, and for you to use as you please, I have brought you a selection of gowns. They are tailored especially for you; I saw to that", she told her with a bright smile. "A Princess should have proper clothing, not the rags of a beggar."

Daenerys realized then that the details of her person had become known to Thranduil's elves. Surely, her sudden removal from the dungeons had instigated questions and curiosity among them. It came to her as no surprise that Luineth had called her a Princess.

"Thank you, Luineth. Among my people I was a Princess, while my father was King and my brother lived. To my husband the Khal, I was Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea. But with all of them dead, what am I now?"

Luineth looked at her thoroughly. "You, Daenerys, are a Queen."

The mother of dragons raised an eyebrow, for she had not expected to hear such a reply. "A Queen? Some here would say I am a witch."

"No, my lady. You are no witch. You are a Queen in your own right", the elleth insisted.

"Why would you say so?" Daenerys asked, testing her.

"I look deep into your eyes, and your eyes do not lie. You have the heart of a ruler. You are strong. You are just, caring, but not weak. And you have done things unimaginable", Luineth responded.

"You refer to my dragons." The elf nodded. "And do you not think them evil?"

"Why should they be evil, if you are not? Your heart is honest, my lady. I see no evil in it", Luineth stated with certainty.

"I wish the King could see that as well", Daenerys sighed, and turned to face the flames. The fire had died down a bit; it needed more wood to be added.

"He will, in time. He is bound by his position to be cautious; he cannot allow you freedom, unless even the slightest suspicion is lifted", the elleth explained.

"I care more for the freedom of my dragons", Daenerys countered.

"That will not come too easily…"

"I know. But you do not seem to despise them as much as he does", Daenerys remarked.

"I have never seen a dragon before, my lady. But the King…" Luineth paused, biting her lower lip. "He has every reason to abhor them. But his story is not mine to tell."

"I see…" Daenerys stood thoughtful for a while, and then turned her eyes to the elf. "Thank you, Luineth. You may inform the King I will do as he wishes."

"Very well. I will return later to take you to his chambers. Farewell for now, Daenerys."

When the elleth left, Daenerys walked to her bed, on the edge of which Luineth had placed the gowns. There were five of them, neatly folded and accompanied by matching shoes and cloaks. One was deep crimson, and another a pale shade of pink. The third was light blue, the fourth purple, and the fifth silver-grey. All of them were adorned with embroidering, trimmings and gems, and were made of fine silk. She run her fingers lightly upon them, feeling the fine texture of the cloth. Such skillful weaving and tailoring, such mastery… I doubt human hands would ever be so nimble as to create marvels such as these. The patterns, the needlecraft, the threads…

She pulled out the rose one, thinking to don this tonight. She held it in front of her and looked at the flowers stitched along the long sleeves, the neckline and the hem. Silver details decorated the shoulders and the top of the gown, and also the cinched waistline, and run down like starlight along the length of the skirt. It was a lovely dress to look at, and Daenerys thought it would bring out the creamy white of her skin and the violet of her eyes.

Satisfied with her decision, she put the gown aside and walked to the mirror. She carefully began undoing her loose braids, and then took the brush in her hand. She would comb her hair until it glistened silver, as it should. And then she would braid part of them neatly on the crown of her head. For some reason, she inwardly wished to impress the King.

Later in the day, Daenerys found herself outside the Elvenking's chambers. Luineth had taken her there, and she said, "He is expecting you, Daenerys. You should walk inside. And be not afraid. You look astounding", she reassured her.

Daenerys thanked her with a small smile and a nod, and then the elf left. Holding her breath, she made to knock on the door, but it gave way under her fist, and she realized it was unlocked. She pushed it gently and it opened, revealing to her Thranduil's airy antechamber. There was a desk with a chair and piles of documents upon it, and a large window to the side, which allowed plenty of light to enter the room during daytime. Now, it was lit by lanterns, braziers and candles. To the back was an arched entrance, doorless and wide. Only a thin veil served as a barrier between the antechamber and the King's bedroom. The pillars of the arch were of blue-veined marble, and carved after the elven fashion in patterns of trees, branches and leaves. Pushing the light curtain aside, she slowly walked forth, looking around her in wonderment. She felt as if she was walking into an enchanted forest, for the dome of the chambers resembled the canopy of trees, and pillars supported the room, made in the likeness of tree-trunks. Boughs were carved out of them, and they reached high and entwined in complex ways, and from them hung lanterns and candle-holders. The King's bed was large and made of dark, oaken wood. A large fireplace was on the other side of the room, and a dining table stood in front of it, while plush armchairs and a sofa occupied the corner of the room, covered by luxurious draping and equipped with several cushions. The dancing flames of the burning logs combined with the soft glow of the candles and lanterns lent a warm, golden atmosphere to the place. What a beautiful room, Daenerys thought. But where is the King?

She looked around her again, and then she noticed another doorway in the western wall. She made towards it, and saw that there were a few stairs beginning there, leading somewhere below. A faint light was coming from the lower level, and she decided to climb down the staircase. She was halfway down, when she heard a splashing sound, and stopped at her step at once. Looking over, she saw a small pool, and on the near side of it stood a figure, mostly obscured by the shadows, as the light of the room was scant. Still, it reflected on wet, silver-blonde hair, and as the figure moved, the light revealed the stern and fine lines of a profile, which belonged to none other than the King. The corners of his lips turned upwards then in a grin, and he closed his eyes.

"Daenerys. Forgive me for being late for our dinner. I think I enjoyed my bath a tad too much", he apologized nonchalantly, and unhurriedly gathered his robe from the floor and put it on.

But Daenerys could not peel her eyes from that lithe body, which was partially revealed to her through the wicked play of shadows and candlelight. She had seen those broad shoulders, the gentle curve of his back, his long thighs, and the water droplets that trailed from his hair down his spine only to disappear between his buttocks. If for an instant, she had seen him, before he disappeared beneath the soft material of his robes. The voice was caught in her throat, and she felt she was blushing like a maid, and she chided herself for that. Gather your senses! It is not as if you have never seen a naked man before. There is nothing to gawk at!

Then Thranduil opened his eyes and looked directly into hers, and smirked conceitedly. The damn elf! He knows I have seen him. And, what is worse, he is enjoying it. She inwardly huffed, annoyed with herself and her reaction.

"My lord", she found her voice again. "Forgive my intrusion. I did not find you upstairs, and then I saw this door…"

"You are not intruding, Daenerys. You are my guest. The fault lies with me, for I am unduly late for our dinner. So let us be up, and I will call the servants at once", he responded, gliding back into his usual formal manner.

She did not wait for another prompt, but immediately turned on her heel and ascended the stairs. She walked to the fireplace, and he came into the room soon after her.

"You look exquisite tonight", he told her in a deep voice.

She turned to look at him, and took a deep breath, for she had not gotten over her previous shock yet. "Thank you", she uttered. His skin and hair was still wet, and his robe clung to his body at all the right places. Frustrated, she averted her gaze, and the smirk returned to his face. Curse him! He is aware of the effect he has on me. Which he should not have in the first place. Daenerys, what are you thinking?

"Let us move closer to the fire. I would rather be dry soon", he suggested, and then rang a bell that hung from a cord on the wall.

They took their seats opposite one another. Daenerys wore a frown now, and cast her gaze to the flames. In their company she could always find solace. Thranduil observed her in silence for some minutes, admiring the way the light played in her peculiar eyes, and how it made her plump lips glisten. But she looked sad now, and that saddened him as well, for reasons he could not explain. He felt overwhelmed by the urge to make her smile again.

"I shall take you to see your dragons tomorrow", he told her in a quiet tone.

That caught her attention. "Will you?"

"Yes. I have promised you I will take you to visit them frequently, and I intend to keep my promise. Consider it an act of good will from my side. I expect you to do the same", he replied, stressing the last words.

"I will show you that my dragons are not evil", Daenerys said. "And I am thankful for the chance you are giving me", she quickly added, not wanting to sound ungrateful.

Thranduil shook his head. "You have earned it. You have not given me cause for grief so far. But tell me, how are you liking your chambers?" he asked, deciding to change the subject of the conversation.

"They are wonderful, a lot more than I could have asked for. Le hannon, hîr vuin. Sleep comes more easily to me at night now", she answered, her gaze turning thoughtful in the end.

"I am sorry for the hurts you suffered", he told her with genuine care in his voice, and leaned slightly closer.

"I have been through worse", Daenerys said in an even tone.

The doors opened then and servants came in, carrying trays of food and flasks of wine. They placed them down on the table and served the King and his guest. And then, quietly as they had entered, they left.

"I hope you will find the dishes to your liking", the Elvenking spoke with a small smile.

"Meat", she observed in surprise.

"Venison with plums in chestnut sauce."

"How… unexpected", she commented, the aromas of the dish assaulting her senses and making her mouth water.

"We went hunting the other day. A King needs his sport", Thranduil said in jest, his lips curving in a grin. "And I also thought that you, as a human, would like a change from the predominant greenery of our diet."

She looked at him and smiled back, noticing how his eyes shone. "I would not complain", she told him somewhat playfully, and saw that his grin widened.

"You are quick of wit, Daenerys. I admire that."

"Too quick, sometimes", she said, and smiled as she drank from her cup.

Her comment elicited soft laughter from him, and it was a sound musical to her ears. Those elves, everything about them touches upon perfection, she thought.

"You are a wondrous folk… The elves, I mean", she remarked.

"I understand why we look so to you. You must be awed by our wisdom, our skills, our immortality…" he presumed, waiting for her confirmation.

"I am."

He toyed with his goblet, and his gaze darkened by a fraction. "Yet our time on this earth is limited. Many elves have already departed for Valinor. Soon we will all be gone. And those who remain will fade into nothingness; they will become naught but ghosts in the wind… Our realms will crumble, our works will fall into ruin, and we will become memory. The time of the elves is almost over", he lamented, and in his downcast eyes Daenerys could now see the sorrow of countless eons past.

"My lord", she began, wishing to attract his attention, and he looked at her. "You have asked me about my past, my family, my story. But I know so little of yours…"

"Would you like to know more, Daenerys?" he asked, locking eyes with hers.

"I would", she replied, holding his gaze.

He sat back in his chair. "I am old… Very old indeed. Do not let any elf's looks fool you, for we might seem ageless to mortals, but in truth we age in spirit and mind. And my eyes have seen so many ages of this world, so much death, so many wars, victories and defeats…" he sighed and shook his head. "But I got carried away, forgive me... I was born in Doriath some six thousand years ago. Or is it seven?" he wondered, narrowing his eyes in contemplation. "It has been so long that fair Doriath seems only a distant dream to me now." At that Daenerys' eyebrows shot up in disbelief, and a half-smile formed on his lips. "Yes, I am that old. Does it seem unbelievable to you?"

"It seems… strange. No creature in my world may live for so long. Not even the dragons", she answered.

Thranduil nodded. "A life so long is a blessing and a curse… for we cannot part from memories and sorrow; forever thery are etched in our hearts. And we cannot hope for death to deliver us", he mused, and fell silent for a while. His eyes were lost, and Daenerys was certain that he was reminiscing, and she did not wish to disturb him. But finally he woke from his reverie, and spoke again. "Doriath was destroyed long ago, in a terrible war I will never forget, no matter how many centuries go by. We came to Lindon at first, and there dwelled for some time. But my father eventually chose to cross the Hithaeglir, and we came to Eryn Galen… And here we have lived ever since."

"But you are King now", Daenerys noted. "What happened to your father?"

"He died in the War of the Last Alliance. That was a great war in the end of the Second Age, when Sauron was defeated, and the One Ring taken from him. I gathered the remnants of our army and returned home", he narrated, and his voice carried a mournful sound, for remembrance of these events always grieved him.

Daenerys saw his distress, and felt for him. "I am sorry", she whispered.

The Elvenking nodded. "Even today it disturbs me to look to that direction, for memory is ever vivid. We elves feel everything too keenly, and do not forget."

"It must be a burdensome trait."

"More than you can imagine", he spoke, looking into her eyes.

"And what of your mother? Is she alive, perhaps?" Daenerys inquired.

"She sailed to Valinor soon after my father was killed."

"Valinor?"

Thranduil nodded. "It is where the Valar live, a place of eternal peace and beauty. There we sail when we heed the call of the sea, and upon its shores we are reunited with our loved ones", he explained.

"Something like an afterlife?"

"Perhaps you could call it so."

"Is there someone you wish to meet there? Apart from your parents, I mean…" She asked this question with hesitation, for it was edging upon private matters, and she did not know how he would perceive it. She did not wish to sound curious or intrusive upon his personal life.

Thranduil turned his eyes to her once more, but now she could see that his gaze was liquid. He was being emotional, and he cared not to hide it from her. Her heart fluttered in her chest then, for she had not anticipated such openness from him.

"Alas, she is lost to my forever", he murmured grimly.

"Your Queen?"

"My Queen, my wife, my starlight… My Gilwen", he sighed, his voice falling to a whisper as he pronounced her name. He averted his eyes from Daenerys, and hastily wiped away a tear. She watched him in sorrow, wishing to comfort him, but she did not know how.

"I am sorry", she only murmured. "What happened to her?"

"Hers is a sad story…" he began, recomposing himself. "We met in Lindon. She was a Sinda, like me, but had Ñoldorin blood as well through distant ancestry." Daenerys' questioning gaze made him realize she knew not of the races of the elves. "Ah, the elven races… It would take long to describe to you the Sundering, and a book would serve this purpose better." At that he stood and walked over to a shelf. From there he drew an ancient tome, and laid it upon the table, pushing the plates gently aside, so as to have enough space. He opened it and found the pages where the genealogy trees were depicted, and proceeded to explain in short and plain words how the elven lines had divided and intermingled over the ages. Daenerys studied the diagrams in fascination, absorbing all pieces of new information offered to her. "So, you see, there is a distinction between the elves who saw the light of the Two Trees, and those who did not. The Sindar, the race I belong to, stayed in Beleriand. The Ñoldor went to Valinor", he concluded.

"Would you have liked to see the light of the Two Trees?" she wondered, while her imagination formed vibrant images of glorious trees that shone so much, that it was enough to light the world.

The Elvenking smiled softly. "Yes, I suppose I would."

"You said your wife had Ñoldorin blood… Had she seen their light, then?" Daenerys asked.

"No, she was born centuries after the Trees had been destroyed. But her ancestry showed in the color of her hair, which was dark as night, Daenerys. Long strands of black silk… And eyes grey as the pale winter dawn. She was the most beautiful elven maid I had ever beheld, and my heart was hers instantly", he narrated, and his eyes glimmered with fond memories. "I was lucky enough to win her affection, and before long we were married. Then, as I told you, my father took our people over the Misty Mountains, and we came to Eryn Galen. There we dwelled in peace for a time, until the shadow grew over our forest. Wars were fought, and lives were lost… And at last I came to be King, and my wife Queen beside me. We birthed a son, at the beginning of the Third Age of the Sun… But soon afterwards the orcs of Gundabad came against us, and we waged war once more. I lost my wife there, Daenerys", he said and his voice broke, and he lowered his gaze. "She was taken captive and killed by the orcs… And they flaunted her dead body in front of my eyes, and set fire to it as I watched, wrathful but helpless in my distress, for no orc death would bring my Gilwen back… They burned her body to ashes and nothing remained of her for me to bury. There is no grave, no memory… save only a necklace of white gems, the one I gifted her on our wedding day. But that was stolen by the dwarves, and I have nothing", he muttered, clenching his fist and his brow furrowing.

"You have your son", Daenerys pointed out, and Thranduil's eyes darted back at hers. "I wish I had mine. Then my grief would be lesser, perhaps."

He observed her face, how she strove to contain her feelings now, and he could see that she understood his pain and loss.

"I see now why your dragons are so important to you", he spoke quietly.

"We are vastly different, and so are our stories, but we have both known death. I have my dragons, my children, to cling to. They are everything to me now. And you have your son."

"Legolas left many years ago. He is disappointed in me… After his mother's death, I grew cold and distant. Only too late I realized my mistake; but the damage, once inflicted, is irreparable. He left to find his own destiny, and I pray one day he returns", the Elvenking sighed, and his gaze became gloomy. He took a generous gulp of his wine then, as if he wished to drown his sorrows in it.

Daenerys watched him, and thought that the elves were far from perfect, after all. They made mistakes, felt remorse, and could become estranged even from their loved ones, not unlike humans. And by looking at Thranduil's grim and sad face, she realized he was such a lonely creature. He had lived so long, fought so many battles, he knew so many things and lived in great halls carved out of stone, and was surrounded by his people and a vast forest that was his Kingdom, but inside him he felt all alone.

"I wish you to find what your heart desires", she whispered to him, and her eyes shone with compassion when he looked at her.

He gazed at her for a long moment, and then he sat back in his chair and lifted his chin, while a small smile played on his lips. "Perhaps you are not an evil witch, after all."

Daenerys laughed at his unexpected comment. She is beautiful, Thranduil thought. When have I last thought anyone beautiful? He mused.

"Come, eat your food before it gets too cold", he gently prompted her.

She nodded with the echo of her laughter still upon face, and picked up her fork. The venison tasted delicious, and she savored every bit of her meal. The King watched her and smiled, for her image was so endearing to him now, that it warmed his heart.

Daenerys raised her eyes to his then. "My lord, I thank you for this. But I can survive without meat. My dragons cannot", she stated, careful not to sound too demanding though.

He shook his head. "I believe there is still some meat left in the kitchens."

She smiled brightly. "Le hannon."

"Tomorrow I will take you to them, and you can feed them yourself. I wish to witness the bond you share with them… And you promised to show me how your dragons are benign", he reminded her.

"I will."

Thranduil nodded, and picked up his fork as well. He tried only little of the meat, but chose to consume the plums and the salad instead. He refilled their cups with wine, and he drank to his heart's content. Daenerys drank her share too, and she felt relaxed for the first time since she had found herself in this strange world they called Middle-Earth. And when the evening was well in its course and would soon give its place to night, the King called his servants and they took away the plates.

Daenerys stood from her chair then, and straightened the wrinkles of her gown. "It was a most enjoyable evening, my lord. Thank you", she told him.

He stood opposite her, tying his hands behind his back. He bowed slightly before her then, his hair cascading like a silver waterfall, and Daenerys caught a brief glimpse of his chest, as his robe had come a little loose, and revealed a small part of his skin beneath his throat.

"The pleasure has been mine", he responded. "You must have understood by now that I have chosen to trust you", he told her, and his eyes held an unprecedented intensity in their depths.

"I will not betray your trust", she declared, looking straight into his eyes, matching him in intensity and resolve.

He smiled then, and allowed his gaze to ghost over her figure. Much as he had resisted, he could not but notice her enticing curves, how her dress accentuated her bosom and hips, and how different from the elf-maids she looked. But he brought his eyes back to hers before they wandered too far, and he restrained his derailed thoughts. It is the effect of the wine, he told himself. I had too much.

"I must bid you goodnight now, my King", Daenerys said, very aware of his hazy and dancing gaze.

"Yes. Goodnight, Daenerys. Loro vae", he wished her.

He led her out of his chambers then, and Luineth came to pick her up and show her back to her rooms. He closed the door and turned the key in the lock, and then walked to his bed and lay down on it. The crackling of the firewood was the only noise now, and the Elvenking found he missed Daenerys' laughter, which still ringed clear in his ears. Sleepiness came to him, and he drew the covers up, while her image was still vivid in his mind. It must be the wine, he thought again, and then fell asleep.

Translations

Loro vae = Sleep well (Sindarin)

A/N: A great many thanks to all who have read, favorited and reviewed the story so far! Your support keeps me going!

Chapter 930 - 3