Chapter Text
~=Eitho nin=~
~Aid Me~
Someone
*Tolkien/Jackson
-Thranduil, Legolas, Tauriel
*Marvel
-Lady Loki
The slumber of the young queen seemed to have remained a peaceful one. Thranduil had awakened a few hours after falling asleep but he lingered long where he was, content to simply allow the closeness. It was a connection, unusual and interesting. From the first he could sense her magia, using it to partially track her, but their individual signatures had almost... gotten to know one another over time, creating a familiarity that surpassed words.
Perhaps it was what lead him to her that day in the forests, he really had no idea. He hesitated to call it a bond, even of their particular magical skills, but it was a... connection. He had no idea what to term it, strictly speaking. This was nothing he had ever come across before so he had few way to put a name to it.
Regardless, being with Loki was calming to his senses. Perhaps it was a sense of kinship. He had never gotten along overly well with any other ruling parties such as his cousin. History prevented him for the sort of friendship that could allow him to be free with any of them, and it was possible that was the bond they shared. They were each royalty, working to protect kingdoms in danger, so they understood one another. Such things could make friends of diverse peoples.
He supposed it did not matter in the end. They were tentatively friends, if that was what it could be named. It was, he reasoned, natural enough to be comfortable with her for those reasons. There was nothing overtly strange about enjoying companionship even if she was in an induced sleep. It left him free to be silent rather than worry over his words.
Neither one of them had moved from the time he fell asleep to the time he woke. After some time he managed to ease himself out from under her without displacing her terribly but he had yet to feel he could leave her so he went quickly to gather some work and a bit of research and returned.
After he tugged a table over to her side, he settled in with her head in his lap and began his tasks. It was an easy way to spend his time and he found himself unintentionally occupying his free hand with her curls. She had very soft hair and it was decidedly eyes to forget himself when so much of it was open to his hands.
He still wondered, abundantly, who embroidered his seal pattern into her skirt. The stitches were subtle but large, eye-catching with light silver string. Even as fast as he knew most of his people were with a needle, he though it would have taken at least an hour for them. Longer if they were less proficient. Loki must have won over someone on staff for them to subtly announce to all that the Aesir was under his protection. He would not ask.
She never woke, lulled from the world by Alandaer's herbal mixtures, enabling her to devote her energy to healing. Once again he found himself intensely thankful the healer was on the side of good, most particularly his side. Like Loki, such intellect could be very dangerous and he was simply pleased he could call upon it rather than be on the receiving end.
Thranduil wanted her to sleep, sleep until she was out of danger. The look in her eyes the last two times he gazed into them had frightened him. It was like watching someone drowning, slowly slipping under the waves without being able, or knowing how to stop it. He wanted to call her back, and Alandaer seemed to think he could, but he had no such faith in himself. If she could not find her own way back he did not know that he was strong enough, wise enough to guide her back. It was an ill, disquieting feeling. If he had to he would catch hold of whatever part of her he could and let her drag him into the darkness that was eating her away, and perhaps then she would be able to use him to climb out.
All he really knew was that he could not let her go, could not let her slip away into the place he had seen in her eyes, and if she fell, he would not allow her to fall alone. Could not allow her to, not anymore. When they first met he would not have batted an eye, but now such was not the case. Perhaps it was because of their magia, that link, he could not say.
She simply had to recover.
But what was he worried over? Alandaer knew how to help her. Everything would work out once she was healed from the attack. She would be back to herself again and they could move ahead, stronger and more sure of things. There was nothing to fear, of course, he just had to remind himself of that. He found himself holding her a bit closer, subconsciously acting on his will to keep her tethered to a place he could reach.
"Great Eru," he found himself whispering reverently, calling on a name of the most power that ever existed, "please help her find her way. Let her find the path to peace... this side of existence."
He bent over her, pressing a reverent kiss to her brow, willing her to understand. It was not that he needed her power, though he did, but he was attached to her now. Alandaer was right, he cared about her, though he was not skilled at such admittance. He would never admit it openly, only in the closed corners of his mind, but he knew it was true. To the world she would be his warrior, his chosen champion, to himself she would be his friend. He wanted her to live, to be happy. If he could not find happiness he hoped against hope that she could. In his opinion, she deserved it more than most.
The quiet click from the door had him straightening up swiftly, spiffing his eyes to the ledger in his hand, his other hand unwinding itself from her hair efficiently, though there was no time to discretely shift get head from his lap.
The intruder glided in, clearly not expecting to find what he had, lips already forming words before his eyes landed on the highly uncharacteristic scene at hand. Shock registered palpably over his young features and for a moment all that came to mind was a prayer of thanks that it had not been Legolas to walk in.
Thranduil was determined to look blasé and unperturbed, though he was also thankful he had the foresight to pick up a book rather than simply watch her sleep.
The slack jaw of Cíldaer was enough to nearly make him smirk in spite of himself as he watched the acting Captain of the Guard draw up his shattered composure, shrugging into it like one might a coat.
"Was there something you needed?" Thranduil asked cordially.
The pregnant pause told him there was, but shock had brought about sudden loss of memory, "Ah, yes, my lord." Another beat of silence, then paper crinkle in his fingers, snapping the ellon back to himself, "There was a message delivered." To his credit, the hand was not shaking when he held it up to be seen, "From lord Elrond."
It was a near thing, but Thranduil resisted the growl bubbling in his throat. It simply had to be Mithrandir! That meddling wizard sent a message and of course Elrond would jump to assist. A few choice terms a king was too dignified to offer jumped to his mind in regards to his cousin. After all, one should not openly insult the heritage of ones relative.
They did work swiftly though. The wizard must have had a message on the wings of Gwaihir. Or, since he was such a friend to the dwarfs, he thought acerbically, even Roäc, but even Smaug had not chased that ancient raven from his nest, so maybe even the wizard wouldn't budge it. Gwaihir and Landroval were friends of Rivendell, so he could imagine that, even if the eagles did fear Mirkwood's arrows.
Not, he supposed, that it mattered, but he would be sure to tell his scouts to be quick to shoot at the sound of wings from now on.
The coolness of his voice did not go unnoticed by the other but overall he kept his tone reasonable, "What does it say?"
"It is a request." There was heavy hesitation before Cíldaer continued, "Lord Elrond wishes to visit you, bringing with him Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen... for Tarnin Austa."
Thranduil wondered if his jaw might crack if he clenched it any harder. He also wondered how far the ledger would fly if he threw it. He tested neither quarry, instead taking a steady breath before sliding out from under Loki.
She felt it the minute Thranduil excited the small room. His distinct, warm glow of magic faded steadily as the distance grew between them.
Someone else had been in the room, she knew that. They must have called him away for royal business. A king was always busy, oh so busy. The thought made her a little melancholy for some reason. She of all people, born in a royal house, understood the demands of a throne. Norns knew she was called upon to help Odin with his many dealings enough to know just how many things a king balanced at once.
Royalty was a terrible thing. The mindless, general populace glorified it even though it was more beast than luxury. There were perks, deciding who lived and who died, ultimate power, riches, exacting your will above others... but it was hardly worth the cost. Like magic, royalty paid a price, there was a cost against power; the price was everything, most especially happiness.
Images flashed behind her eyelids and she pushed them from her mind, not casting to deal in dreams yet.
Her green eyes blinked open as she eased herself into a sitting position, the blanket pooling in her lap. Her hair was a little muddled but she brushed her fingers through it to calm it. She felt stronger, more like her old self, like she had begun to feel before the necklace. There was seidr curling and winding gracefully through her body, free once again to roam at it's will. She was unfettered and she would be quite well in a few days time, less if she took great care with herself.
Alandaer was not in sight and she did not sense him near so she slid from under the cover. She remembered a bit of how she behaved when last she saw him. Odin's voice huffed in her ear; disgraceful display of childish weakness.
She suddenly felt the need to escape the room. It was too small, and too quiet, and too closed in. It might not be the wisest of choices but she had never been noted for wisdom. Cunning, yes, but not wisdom. She was too strong willed to let wisdom have its way a majority of the time though she was at least practical a large part of the time. She was a realist rather than an idealist and thus she was seldom disappointed.
Gliding to the door she decided to indulge in something childish. She was going to sneak away, far away from prying eyes that wanted too study her. All she needed was too find a room with some windows, something to make her feel less trapped and confined. It would give her a bit of time to think. After so long in slumber she needed that to sorry herself out once again and she did her best thinking in solitude.
There was a surprising lack of a guard at the door. She hadn't prepared a good story, hadn't spun a good lie to tell one anyway, though she would have come up with something.
The smoothed stone was cold against the skin of her feet. The calluses from long hours walking and fighting rasped just a little when she walked though she was essentially silent. The fine, smooth silk of the dress made no sound at all, fluttering like air. She felt herself an elf for a moment and it was a wistful thing indeed. If she stayed long enough with them it might come true. She had become a different race before.
It took a little time and a few moments of dodging, but she found stairs that lead upward, so she followed them in their long loops that took her high, letting her look out over all that was below. The hewn rock of winning, twisting perfection was quite the sight. The palace was detailed, open and vast. The handing lights glimmered like trapped fae, warm and cool at once, soothing yet ominous.
Once again, she could hear music playing in the distance and she wondered if it might actually be the magic of the structure rather than actual music. One of the books she encountered started that Eldar magia was largely rooted in lyrical, music based spell. Even if they spoke on words, their magic was song itself. Quite the romantic idea.
At last she found a room, quietly sequestered, seemingly at from most others, and she took her chances entering it. There were windows in this part of the castle where they were above ground, above much of the lower levels. Again she supposed she could vanish within the cavernous space.
But she was wrong once again.
Loki's steps hitched when she spotted the figure perched along the windowsill, knees pulled gracefully up to keep her lithe body on such a small seat. Her posture jerked into its inscrutable rigidity that she wore around an enemy, a stance of strength and invulnerability. Turning aside would be weakness.
Tauriel turned her eyes lazily to meet the Aesir when she persisted in walking into the room rather than turning aside as she nearly had. There was no hostility to be found in the earth tone eyes watching, only a tired sort of resignation.
"Do not worry, I will be gone again shortly." The elleth spoke evenly, answering the unasked question, but with equal amounts of that same weariness. "Some of my squad was injured and in need of mending, as you were. Once they are released from the healing rooms we will return to our patrol."
Loki did not bother to answer as she strolled to a real chair and placed herself into it. There was little to see out the windows but it was something to look out of all the same. Looking past the elf, she took note of what she was holding and frowned at it. Dark, round eyes stared out at her from red, white, and black fur in a long, unruly mess. The black face was broken up by the white strip up its nose. The round, thin, fleshy red ears seemed much too large for the body, as did the long and thin toes draped over the elf's arm where it rested. It was smaller than a cat but not terribly so.
"Why do you have a rodent in your lap? If I might ask?"
Tauriel's lips perked into a very slight smile, "It is not exactly a rodent, but it was once very common in these woods, native to the land. They thrived in the Greenwood." The little beast stretched, extending front and back legs with a wide, toothy yawn before it settled again. "But now they are difficult to find." It resettled as she stroked a finger over its round nose.
"It looks soft... but those teeth seem a sight more unfriendly." Loki watched it as it continued to stare at her. It was a bit adorable even if she would never say as much; cute enough to soften a Captain of the Guard it seemed.
"They can defend themselves decently if they must, but they are very gentle by nature. When the woods became more dangerous they began to seek safer places or simply hide themselves deeper within the ground. Unfortunately, they are an easy kill for spiders. And yes, they are soft." Her eyes turned up again slowly, the smile still playing at her lips. "I have others if you wish to hold one. They enjoy company and a warm lap."
"You collect them?" Loki arched a brow, surprised by the offer, "They are in danger, so you have given them a home?"
"I and many others here take in the ones we find still living." Her sharp eyes lowered and she whispered very quietly, not meaning for Loki to hear, "Someone has to help them."
They spoke no further, striking something of a truce between them. It was not compatible, but the silence was comfortable.
It was pleasant to simply be allowed to be out of her room. No one had come to demand her swift return to confinement and the former captain seemed to have no objection.
It made her wonder what more had happened in the forest for the elleth to have come around so drastically. The hostility had drained away from the redhead, like there was something more like resigned trust typically found when two unfriendly nations found themselves faced with a threat they must handle together or perish.
"What made you decide you could endure my presence in your kingdom?" Loki didn't realize she asked aloud until Tauriel looked up.
"You mean other than threat of banishment?" And the did tilt of her chin along with slight rueful smile let free the secret that it was more of a tease than a barb. "I suppose it is because you fought so hard... not many can stand against Nazgûl, the necromancer, or whatever he may be."
"So all I had to do to win you over was too get into a fight? The spiders weren't enough for you?" Loki asked, incredulous.
"Oh, don't think you've won me over." But she was smiling in a nearly sleepy sort of way, relaxed, and that said she was lying.
"What more than that? I believe I was not exactly victorious in that fight, so what made me more worthy, my dear Captain?"
Tauriel sobered a little, "Perhaps it is because you said you would rather die than be one of his servants. It made me think I judged you too soon, perhaps. He is not your natural enemy as he is ours but you..." The elf shrugged almost helplessly, letting the sentence fall.
Loki frowned. One of his... oh. It struck her suddenly.
I would rather die than be his monster!
It was a vague memory, but she remembered saying it. They must have assumed she was referring to the necromancer. They had no idea what she had really meant but perhaps it was better that way. Let them think what they wished.
It was true enough. She would never work with that monster, she planned to slay him.
Tauriel stood and left without preamble but Loki didn't exactly mind. She came to the room to find a space with windows and too be alone. The redhead would never be her friend and she had no plans at all to suddenly spill all her dark secrets. The girl was the kings ward but... they had little else in common. The she- elf at least knew she was not his child, was not raised in a lie.
It surprised Loki when the elleth return suddenly and with an extra something in her arm. There original rodent was perched on her bony shoulder, but a second was subsequently dumped into Loki's lap before the elf reclaimed her place on the window.
The new rodent was different in appearance fun the first. Soft, shiny white fur, smooth and orderly unlike the unruly hair for the former. These big eyes blinking up at her were pink with a red pupils. The fanned ears were pink as contrast to the fur.
"Albino." Tauriel explained, "Rare to find and they also don't stand a chance in the woods." The clinical look turned playful, "I call her Galadriel to make Legolas laugh but feel free to call her what you like. I never really named her officially."
Loki found herself smiling even though she knew she did not fully understand the joke, she did understand that there was no love lost between Galadreil and Thranduil. Naming a rodent after her must have been a slight. "I see no reason to chance the name. I'm sure it's fitting."
Just like that, Tauriel was laughing, like they hadn't ever being after each other's heads short time before. It struck her that the woman was an odd mixture of Sif's loyalty, Fandral's levity and freedom, as well as Hogun's stoicism. Strange creature.
"She can keep you company in the healing room." Tauriel told her simply. "I know how dull a stay there can be."
What might it take to regain her hatred?
A question for another time, one she supposed she might one day push far enough to find the answer to, knowing herself as she did.
The little bundle curled up against Loki's stomach and shut her eyes. "They seem particularly lazy."
"Only when they have a full stomach. They are surprisingly fast for their size."
"I will keep that in mind if I need to send messages about In your castle." Loki said dryly.
"Be prepared for the message to take several detours to the kitchens before it finds it way where it was intended."
It was Loki's turn to laugh, "So they are the Volstagg of your world, I see!"
The elf arched a brow, "Is that some sort of animal?"
Loki sobered, realizing her joke was lost on this world and realizing her reference left something gnawing at her insides, "No, a warrior from my home land. One of the warriors three, closest friends of my brother." She tried to regain the levity that had fallen, forcing a smile, "It is a long standing joke... for he can and will consume anything placed before him. He can eat more than ten other men. Thor usually convinced him to battle in other lands by speaking of foreign delicacies to be had. It's just... a common joke whenever food is brought up... I suppose I forgot for a moment that you would not know of it."
Tauriel said nothing only nodded and returned to looking out the window, but after what must have been ten minutes, she said; "I am sorry for your loss. It cannot be easy to be separated from all you knew. Your brother... you must hate him."
Loki impulsively ran the white fur in her fingers, "I loved him once, but he changed and one day I no longer knew him. Then things happened and whatever bond was left was snapped in twain. Perhaps he would say the same."
"Perhaps there is still love, just clouded by circumstance." The elf ventured, eyeing Loki too closely.
Rather than continue the conversation, Loki decided on a tactile retreat, scoping the white creature into her arms, "Doubtful. But I find myself growing tired so I think I shall retire for a rest before the evening meal."
The redhead nodded and watched her leave, but rather than returning to her room, she wandered aimlessly, grounded only by the little... whatever it was, in her arms.
On this occasion she did not bother to stay out of the way of others, she simply walked past them. They naturally cleared a path for her, watching in absolute discretion as she slid through their midst.
Eventually someone would stop her progress, either politely or not, but someone would. There were already twelve responses to both eventualities in her mind so she cared very little.
Ever a master of predictions, Loki did not bother with self congratulations when someone accidentally came upon her.
"Why, my lady, how good it is to see you again." His head dipped low and a fist was placed to the center of his chest but she felt it should have been over the heart if it was sincere.
He had auburn hair, not as fiery as Tauriel, but somehow unique. He was good looking enough, pretty or handsome as the case was, but she judged him ordinary in comparison to the king or even the healer. There was nothing about his face that jumped out at her with character. He looked at her with dull interest and she knew he did not relish seeing her as he said. Diplomatic though, used to court niceties.
Loki decided against putting forth the effort to inquire whether or not they had even met, deciding that indeed they had not, but she nodded and offered the slightest of smiles, a queenly smile of decorum and superior indulgence.
She realized she was holding the animal to tight when it kicked her in an obvious show of irritation. She relaxed her arms and it settled with a yawn.
"I see you found one of our Eaniug residents." He smiled but it was only surface and polite.
At least she knew what it was now, "Tauriel introduced me to them." She was not above name dropping, even if it was a moderately disgraced name.
"Ah, of course, they have always been a favorite of hers."
Loki tilted her head, narrowing her eyes as if to focus, "Remind me, again, if you will? I have forgotten your name." It always irritated people of she indicated subtly that they were forgettable. Even though they had never met it would still rub just slightly the wrong way, but it was too polite a request for any to show irritation.
"Galion, my lady." He dip his head like a well trained dog. Still my lady, though, offering that small slight of his own to prove she was not his queen and would not be addressed a such.
Loki moved in at his side, deciding on a whim that she would make him pay in her own way. Too be diplomatic, if she asked, he would have to be her guide. She would kill him with polite conversation and backhanded compliments after that. She smiled sweetly and linked her hand into the crook of his arm.
"Well, it is most fortunate that you happened upon me, for I got myself a bit turned around. Everyone else seemed to be quite busy in their work so I hesitated to pull them away, but you seem free enough. You will help me won't you, Galion?"
"Of course, my lady! It would be my greatest pleasure. Where were you seeking to go?" He looked ready to crawl out of his own skin at her touch, like falling through portals might be contagious and he expected a void might open any moment.
This would be fun! It might be just what she needed to break away from her dampened spirit.
"Well, upon waking, I thought perhaps to see your skilled healer, but I supposed he was off on business, tending to your wounded." She paused, taking a gamble, "Were you terribly injured from the attack as well? So many of your fine guard were, I've been told."
"Ah, no, my lady, I was not there and thus in perfect health."
Loki nearly purred to herself, "Oh, yes, of course. You are a little older than many of the guards I've seen, no reason you would have been there. I had forgot what it was You did. You surely had business within the palace, I should have realized." Men did so hate the insinuation that they had been put out to pasture in their age.
He did not offer reaction.
"Anyway, it's good that you were here. But as I was saying, I supposed Alandaer was about his medical business, so I thought instead that I should find the king. I had not been quite well enough previously to give him a full report on your necromancer, so I supposed I should go to see if now might be appropriate for me to give him the information I gather from the encounter. Additionally, I rather supposed it might be a good opportunity to speak again on the alliance of my kingdoms and yours." Yes, she intended to rub it all in. "Particularly since I will need more information about your enemies so that I might slay them efficiently, or in as much, once I find a way to bring my warriors here, so that we may vanquish your... Smaug... was it? Sauron?"
He looked suddenly a little overwhelmed. "You wish to see the king, then?"
"Oh, yes, unless he is too busy." She smiled again, showing teeth, "I know how consuming ruling can be of course. The work is never done. But in the event that he is occupied, I suppose you could simply escort me for a time. It would give me time to pick apart your brain to learn all about your world."
The controlled look of horror on his face was gratifying.
"I'm sure you are well informed about everything that happens within these walls, Galion. I see you walking about often." She didn't, she never remembered seeing him, they all looked moderately the same, but that was not the point.
"Yes, I attempt to remain abreast of events."
Loki was not about to stop now, so she let her fingers brush his wrist and palm, "Oh, goodness, you have such soft hands! You must not do very much riding," she fluttered her fingers, "gives you calluses, you know. But so many things do, even handling a sword. It's so difficult to maintain soft skin, you must be quite careful about your hands, I suppose."
"Indeed, majesty." She could tell he said it automatically, not even thinking of the words until they were free.
She reduced him to habit, probably because she was driving him to distraction. Further, she had gotten her status drilled far enough into his head that the word clearly slipped out accidentally if the sour pucker of his lips was a judge. Perhaps he was used to agreeing with the king that way to placate him. Amusing regardless.
Torture of this nature was entirely too enjoyable and quite easy. She always had a skill for finding the right words to irritate an individual very soon after meeting them. On occasion she had enraged men, reducing them to sputtering and cursing in less than fifteen minutes. Odin had done very well on that deal considering the man had so gravely insulted the princess in open court and everyone had seen that she had been nothing but polite through the entire conversation.
She had yet to even be honestly mean to him. Not once had she likened him to her now deceased grandfather on any counts.
"I will escort you to the kings chambers." He turned them around and down a new hallway.
Yes, she thought he might decide that was the best course of action.
The first attempt at a reply had been less than diplomatically worded and contained a few cursed. The second attempt had been a succinct negative. The third was far more appropriate and contained a compromise he dearly hoped Elrond would not accept, for it suggested the lesser of two evils; they could come early and stay for a few days rather than the multiple weeks the event would consist of.
He could not endure company for that long, particularly considering what was happening during this event. It would hardly be a simple task to explain why he was reinstating his ward into her old position. Excuses that sounded legitimate had been the most challenging aspect but he did manage to construct the letter and have it sent on a bird of his own though he so rarely used anything other than elven messengers.
Sitting in his chair and watching the first two letters burn, the vanilla of the paper charring to black and curling at the edges afforded him no comfort. If anything he was more worried with the letter sent than be had been while writing it. A sent letter would mean a reply and he was not ready to hear what Elrond might respond.
It would not be long at all before he succumbed to insanity under these conditions. Not long at all. In fact, he could feel it already. Eldar were not made to endure this manner of torment, he thought.
Thranduil dearly wanted to down himself in a bottle of wine. Enough that he sent for some and was holding a cup in his hand but he had yet to drink from it. He should really be at the height of his senses at a time like this, I times like he had been within for the last stretch of entirely too long.
With a flutter of his eyes, he took a sip, letting the liquid sloth onto his tongue and slither down his throat. He felt the pleasant tingle that usually followed the first taste. This was not what he served at the table. This burned and felt particularly good to anyone with a leaning toward masochism.
Elrond could always reduce him to this drink. It was why they never shared any sort of space. There could be only one tent left on a battlefield but they would both sleep outside rather than share the room and be forced to converse.
Why did Mithrandir hate him so? In what inebriated state had anyone been in to agree that a family visit was anything but war in the making? Did the wizard not realize the lengths both elves went to in avoidance?
Legolas would be pleased, no doubt. That evil child. He generally had no dislike of the Lord of Imladris, content to be in the company of the enemy. How had he failed so as a father?
Not to mention the children. The kingdom would not survive all three Peredhel offspring.
Perhaps he could go along with his own guard on the next purging of a nest and intentionally injure himself. Knowing his benevolent cousin, he would offer to heal him rather than gracefully accept the desperate excuse.
Well, to his credit, the ellon had helped him on the battlefield a few times, healing wounds that could have been the end of some of his people when there was no time to make it to a healing tent.
They had been friends once, he supposed, when they were younger. Things had been different then.
Honestly, he simply did not care, he just did not want to see Elrond again. It had been bad enough to have a wizard underfoot.
When the tap on the door came he granted entry before he even thought to wonder if he wanted any to enter.
It shocked him in no small measure to see a pleased looking Loki on the arm of a dour looking Galion. He never would have expected to see those two together.
And what did she have in her arms?
"If it pleases you, the lady seeks an audience with you, my king." Gallon was utterly proper and it was hard to say if it had to do with their argument or their guest.
Thranduil slid into a standing position, perplexed on too many topics, "You are awake? Should you not be resting, Loki? I believe you are yet to be fully recovered."
"I was sufficiently bored and thought I might do myself good with a bit of air. Alandaer was off doing what he does so finding you seemed an equally good idea. Your man was kind enough to help me along my way."
That explained why Galion was with her but little else. "In that case, please come in, your company will do me honor."
With a wide grin, Loki let go of the other ellon. Once released he was surprisingly swift in his exit which only seemed to further amuse Loki. At least she had some life back in her eyes which was a good sign.
"I fear I frightened him. I'm sorry." She did not sound sorry at all, the opposite of anything.
"Feel free. He could use it now and then. He is far to opinionated for his own health."
Loki laughed, frayed at the edges, but still a laugh, "You should not tempt me."
Thranduil felt tired, too much so to worry about Galion, "I'm of a mind to let you have your head with him. It is nothing less than deserves on his part. You might improve his humor."
"If you insist, I shall do my best." She told him with a smile.
"You seem to be feeling better. I'm glad to see you with a bit more energy again." He sank back into his chair, feeling worn and spent.
Loki eased closer, "Perhaps I have improved but you seem to have worsened."
He chuckled, somewhat amused by her keen eye, "My mood is a bit circumstantial and in no way correlates to me health." Unless it was metal health.
He was a bit surprised when she perched on the edge of his chair and took his hand into her own, linking their fingers. The need to pull away from the touch did not rise so he equally did not protest, if anything, he held her hand in return. Small comforts should be taken when possible. Speaking of small comfort.
"If you like there is wine on the table." He really should have offered to get her some himself but he found little in the way of will to rise from the chair again.
"In a moment, after you tell me what has upset you." She started evenly, rubbing her thumb over his knuckles.
It was wrong of him to let her see him so morose when she was in far worse condition for a far more legitimate reason. He was merely sullen over a potential family visit. The two were not equal reasons to be considered but the trouble was, he suppose her wanted her to be by his side. For a time, it would be pleasant to share trivial matters with another person rather than brooding alone. It might mean he would not drink himself into a muddled head before the evening meal.
"I received a message from Rivendell detailing a request for the lord and his children to visit." He confided.
"Turn him away." Loki urged without hesitation.
"Would that it were so simple... I know there is an agenda behind the sudden request. Refusal would be tantamount to admitting I have something to hide, which would mean they would simply send someone I had no choice but to admit. Like another wizard, though I hazard a guess that Elrond will be no less troublesome than any of the Maiar. I cannot simply turn them aside if I wish to remain in any form of good standing with the White Council... to intentionally insult any of its members is highly unwise in a time of chaos." Just for a moment he allowed himself to voice his bitterness, "Elrond is essentially more powerful than I with his place among the council. He is revered quite highly and I am powerless to change that so instead I must be diplomatic in my dislike of him. Mirkwood is closest to danger but we have never been consulted on matters, not even while my father lived, it is only Rivendell they seek."
They did not give Oropher a ring of power even though it would have made sense to, considering the danger their people were in, thus dooming Greenwood the Great to an existence as Mirkwood... and in essence it was all because his people could not abide association with their relatives. Too much bad blood and betrayal, but if Oropher or himself had done half the things their relatives had, they would never have been forgiven. It was all about the tipped balance of power, and it was not tipped in their favor. They were all of the Eldar but they were far from united and neither side trusted the other.
There would never come a time when he would be comfortable in the same room as Elrond or Galadriel, never a time when he would not feel the sharp sting of betrayal when he thought of them, and he would never be able to trust them. Oropher broke away from Lindon and its abundance of Noldorin populace along with Gil-galad, Galadriel and Elrond for a reason. Still, if things had gone differently, if Amdír and Oropher had not broken so fully with them... if they had been trusted with a ring then perhaps he would have the power to protect his lands as Lórien and Imladris were protected. It was just another item to ponder but backward thinking changed nothing but none the less it was a reason to feel bitter.
Though, honestly, he always felt it ironic that Galadriel would likely have been rejected even though she forsook Eregion for the association with Gwaith-i-Mírdain was too great; she would have been rejected if not for Celeborn. True love at work, he supposed. Noldo blood purified in the eye of many for the Sindarin prince that loved her, the son of Elmo no less. It would be comical had it not been successful. He wondered at times if all the great lady's deceit ever perturbed her husband, if he ever truly forgave her some of her more public betrayals. How much did the ellon trust his queen after the wars?
"If they do indeed visit, you must vow not to form alliance with the twins to unleash mischief on my unsuspecting halls! I remember your stories and I feel the palace is not yet ready to endure a culmination of such magnitude." Thranduil told her lightly.
He did not sound angry, exactly, but his voice was too smooth, too even, too contrite for it to be out of anything other than great effort. The sound of that frightened her on some bone deep level that she could not understand; or perhaps it was not fear, but a feeling of dissonance and wrongness that simply bothered her. In all her experience with kings, and with Odin particularly, seeing anger or upset in them was a thing to be avoided at all cost, but it was not that sick sort of feeling she had when it was Odin. It did not make her want to step away or hide under the nearest object available, it was not that kind of feeling, it made her want to move closer to sooth whatever it was. There was nothing about it she could explain but she wanted the anger to go away and wanted things to be rectified.
The long pauses he took were clear indication that he was thinking rather hard over the matter. Loki had no grasp of their history, no way to fully understand the issues at hand, but family struggles were only too well known to her. Family, blood relatives or adopted, were potentially the most problematic, painful and infuriating issue ever to be broached. Some people would be well off to be rid of their blood or familial ties. It seemed she and the king shared that.
"I give you my solemn vow that I will cause your halls no issue..." Impulsively, she rested her cheek on the top of his head, "The other rooms might be in peril on occasion, but your halls will be perfectly safe. There might be issue with a few doors as well, but I will ensure that it is kept to that alone."
Thranduil chuckled low in his chest, she felt the vibration in their hands and in her cheek, "That is of great comfort. I will need a clean place to walk so that I may observe the pandemonium at length, of course." His fingers tightened slightly on hers, "But please, do me the service of doing the majority of the damage to anything belonging to Elrond! I set you the goal that he leave this place with not a single thing he brought in the same condition as when he arrived."
"Oh, I accept your challenge with all my honor. He might even encounter vinegar in his wine on multiple occasions."
The chirping whirl caught both their attention as Galadriel's namesake waddled over Thranduil's foot in her progress across the room, "I see you encountered the hobby many of my people have undertaken."
Loki smirked but did not move, "Yes, I find it as charming a hobby as any. They are decidedly more charming than some of the pets kept at my own palace. I believe I told you about the goats at one point."
Thranduil hummed his amusement, "Indeed... the parable of doom with goats at a banquet."
"Yes, that would be the one." She affirmed, leaning just a little closer.
"He will be hard pressed to understand his turn of luck. If you are careful I suspect you can blame the occurrences on the twins." The Elvenking seemed in mildly better spirits.
It surprised her that he had never moved away, not yet politely shifted from her hold on her contact. Perhaps he felt comforted by it as she did. Things had changed between them since the forest though she had yet to know what exactly it was. They shared something now that had not been there previously. Time would tell, be it something to do with bonds born of trauma or of it had to do with their growing magical familiarity; she had not forgotten the way her markings on the staff lit at his touch; but eventually things would become clear. For her own missing, she thought she might finally have found someone of a more kindred spirit than she had encountered in her life.
This man she could follow. Him, she could fight for,win for. She never wanted to rule but there was never a fitting candidate she felt she would ever be willing to submit to, or rather... allow to direct. Thranduil saw things much as she did, however. They were alike on a deep sort of level that could never be explained. For him, she would face a dragon alone. She felt as close to happy while she was with him as she remembered being in many a year, many a century.
Loki might not be entirely sane, she might not even manage a semblance of normalcy, but she was happy...happier. She could be happy, maybe. After her indulgent excursion into tormenting one of the elves she felt a little more sane, more in control. Sitting beside him now, perched on the arm of the chair, she felt calm and something she might call contentment. This place could be her home if she did not manage to destroy her chances as she commonly did. Alandaer was right, it was a beginning,a start of something different in a new world where no one knew her.
The Trickster and the goddess of chaos were not her titles here. They were only in her memory and they had no power over her in a different realm not ruled by the Norns. These were the Valar and she might have a chance to appease these entities...so long as she had Thranduil to ground her. Having him near was a sort of sanity,a form of balance. Thor had always been the light to her dark, her antithesis, but at last she had found someone that was her middle ground, one to stand on the line between thetwo that could keep her from tiping to far over.
"I will do anything for you." She told him with an airy tone to her voice but she meant it with all her being.
She had dreamed during her time sleep and though not all of it was clear she remembered Thranduil perfectly. It was his touch that chased the blue from her skin and the red from her eyes. The meaning of the rest was unsteady and she had never had visions the way Frigga did, but she knew enough to accept what she had seen as a sign. At present she did not fully know what to do with those images and it frightened her to a degree but so long as she had the king she felt she would be alright in the end. So long a she had him things might be different. Asgard be damned.