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The Librarian and the Elvenking – Part 4(5): The Elvenking

With new books to keep you company, time passed much faster in your confinement. In the morning, when you were deeply engrossed in the Sindarin history book, you were surprised to see Galion walking up to your cell. You had not seen the ginger guard since you were brought here three days ago.

"I have orders to take you to the king."

You nodded. The request was not wholly unexpected.

When entering the throne room a while later, you instantly recognized it from the art book. The artist had not quite made it justice; it was magnificent, every surface smooth and gleaming, and the sheer size was intimidating.

Your eyes were drawn to the throne and the ellon who sat there, and you were not surprised when you saw who it was. Ú-eneth really did have a name, and that name was Thranduil, King of the Woodland Realm.

He wore much finer clothes now; an elegant robe woven in silver threads, and on his fingers were all the extravagant rings you had seen that first time in Dale. An uncomfortable looking crown rested on his pale hair, constructed of thorny branches and autumn leaves. Underneath it, his face was stern, and he made no sign of recognizing you.

So this was the game he was playing. You decided to play along, for now – but king or no, you wouldn't let him bully you. King Thranduil had kept you locked up for no reason at all, and since he obviously had had time to come speak with you incognito, he could have summoned you officially much earlier than this. For some reason he had wanted to delay that – and you thought you knew why, too, and could even pardon it – but before you did, you wanted an apology.

Galion brought you to the foot of the steps leading up to the throne. You bowed politely, and then met the king's cool gaze. You had to stretch your neck to do so.

"My guards tell me you have trespassed on my land, and even interrupted my people's feast."

"I have, My Lord, but accidentally, and with no ill intent." Again you described how the warg had chased you into the forest, forcing you to abandon your library.

As you spoke, the king assumed a thoughtful face. "I see." He turned to a group of well-dressed elves on his right side; courtiers or advisors presumably. "It seems the librarian is truthful. Can someone bring the items we found when tracking the warg?"

One of them bowed and left. Meanwhile, the king's penetrating eyes landed on you again. "Even so, you have trespassed, and the law is firm in such matters. There must be consequences."

Despite knowing his other, softer side, you felt a twinge of unease. He wouldn't really punish you, would he?

The courtier returned, carrying a large tray. You couldn't hold back an excited squeal when you saw what was on it: a stack of your books! They looked no worse for wear.

"I couldn't carry all of them, but here is a sample," the courtier said.

You gave the king a wide, happy smile. "You rescued my books! Oh, thank you, Ú-... Uh, My Lord."

Thranduil's face remained neutral, but his eyes sparkled. You realized he must have ordered his people to salvage your books as soon as you first told him you had lost them. Every last ounce of intimidation left you then; this was still the ellon you knew, though he had to put up a show for his court.

And perhaps part of his majesty act was to let you see another side of him – in an answer to your request yesterday. Was he afraid it would turn you against him? If so, he hid it well.

"This is my decision: in punishment for your trespassing, you shall copy these books for me, so I can add them to the royal library."

Whispers spread among the assembled. Clearly, the king's words had surprised them, and you remembered he had said the library had been closed since the queen died. How long ago was that?

"And aye, this means the library will be reopened," he added.

This produced an excited buzz from the audience, and you were glad of the distraction. Your mind was working hard. As soon as you heard the so-called punishment, you knew Thranduil had racked his brain to come up with something that would appease his court, but not be unpleasant to you. He knew you liked copying books, and in addition it would keep you here a while longer, giving him the opportunity to make amends.

The problem was, you didn't want to start a friendship with Thranduil on these terms, as a convicted criminal, working off your debt.

You waited until the bystanders had silenced before speaking. "What if I find your sentence unjust, and refuse it? You know my trespassing was an accident."

All eyes turned to you, and the murmurs changed into sounds of annoyance. How dare this Noldorin librarian question the Woodland Law?

"Refuse?" He raised one of his formidable eyebrows.

You nodded, regarding him closely.

"Then I would deem your books forfeit and banish you." His face betrayed no emotions, but his shoulders had grown tense.

"I see. Well, I shall have to think about this. Can someone take me back to my cell?"

The angry murmurs around you grew louder, and the king's cheeks colored slightly. You didn't want to upset him, but you also couldn't silently accept injustice. If you decided to take his punishment, you would at least make it clear it was not done lightly.

Thranduil gave a curt nod to Galion, who led you out of the room.

"I'm trying to figure out whether you are very brave, or very stupid," he said when the tall doors closed behind you. His voice was full of mirth.

"Probably both." You sighed.

"It will work out, I am sure. He likes you."

"I know," you conceded. "That's not where the problem lies."

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Back in your cell, you picked up the artbook and distractedly turned its pages while waiting for the visitor you knew would come.

It took longer than you had estimated; your friend was obviously quite as stubborn as yourself, but finally, late in the afternoon he entered the jail. He was alone as usual, but unlike before, he wore all his finery except for the crown. It suited him.

"What is it you want me to do?" Thranduil sounded tired.

You put down the book and met him at the barred cell door. "I don't know."

"I thought you would like to copy books," he said a bit sullenly.

"I would. And I appreciate the effort. It's just... Not this way." You tried to catch his gaze. "Thranduil... Why didn't you tell me who you were from the beginning?"

His eyes flicked to yours before he turned them down. "I always go incognito to Dale. Ever since I fired my butler, I have had to do my wine purchases in person. Remember what I told you about the importance of choosing right? I couldn't find anyone else I trusted with the task."

"I bet you didn't search too hard. You enjoy going out, don't you?"

"Perhaps." He smiled briefly. "Aye."

"Look. I get that you didn't want to drop your cover in Dale," you said. "But when I came here, there was no reason to keep up the pretense."

"I know." He colored slightly. "I have treated you unjustly."

"You have."

His blush deepened. "I am sorry. I have no excuses at all. It was... purely selfish."

Your chest filled with a flood of warmth. This. This was what you had needed to hear. Taking one of his hands and pressing it earnestly, you said: "I understand. Apology accepted."

Finally he met your gaze, obviously a bit surprised to have been let off so easily, but then he squeezed your hand back. "Thank you."

Looking down at his large hand between yours, you traced his rings with your fingertip. They were beautiful, yet masculine, resembling branches and roots, and one of them was shaped like a rolled up snake.

"You didn't seem surprised to discover who I was," he said, leaning his forehead against the cell bars.

A faint scent of herbs from his soap reached your nostrils. It felt strangely intimate to stand this close, despite the iron separating you.

"I had guessed," you replied. "Your hints made it rather obvious after a while."

"I wanted to tell you sooner. It was just... I..."

"You don't have to explain; I really do understand. You wanted to keep what we had... An uncomplicated friendship."

"Am I that transparent?"

"I can read you like an open book," you teased.

He snorted. "You never cease to surprise me, that is for sure." Then he turned serious again and sighed. "Whatever shall I do about you? I don't want to banish you."

"Then don't." You shrugged. "You could change the law, couldn't you? You're the king, after all. There has to be some perks."

"I would become a laughing stock." He shook his head, but you could see he was really considering it.

"Maybe pretend the clever librarian charmed you into losing your good sense?" You grinned.

"I would not have to pretend that." His eyes met yours. This close, they drew you in, making you drown in their blue depths.

"Sorry to have caused your loss of good sense," you murmured.

"Don't be." He reached through the bars and softly cupped your cheek.

You gave in. Leaning forward, you let your lips meet his.

It was a light, tentative kiss, and when you broke it shortly afterwards you wondered how wise it had been. Had you lost your good sense too?

"I am going to release you," he said. "Let my people laugh all they want."

But you had another idea. "Nay. Get me my guard. I want to be taken to the king!"

"What?"

"I have made my decision. Take me to the throne room."

His eyes narrowed. "Don't do anything stupid now."

"Never. Trust me!"

After a brief hesitation, he gave your knuckles a quick peck. "I trust you."

You grinned happily, and when he returned it with one of his rare, dimpled smiles, your chest filled with a cloud of butterflies and your knees went weak.

"Has anyone told you what an incredibly attractive smile you have?"

He actually laughed at that, a rich, contagious laugh that warmed you inside out. "Not in a long time," he admitted. "I shall see you soon, then."

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A/N:

Dimples are my guilty pleasure too! How can something that small and insignificant be so attractive? :D

Thanks for all the comments and votes. ♡ The final chapter will be up on Wednesday!