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yandere-delulu · 2 years

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Eyes Like Rubies

Yandere! Platonic! Thranduil x Albino! Teen! Reader x Yandere! Platonic! Legolas

Summary: Legolas finally meets Y/N, and Thranduil says something he can’t take back

Warning: crying idk, at this point Y/N crying is kinda a given

A/N: This chapter is a little shorter than the others because where it ended was a good cut off point before going into the next chapter.

Chapter 3: Exchanged Words

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Finding the location his father had hidden Y/N away in had turned out to be a little harder than he was expecting, but Legolas was going to find her. He had to be careful not to arouse his father’s suspicion but part of him knew his father already guessed he would be looking for her room.

‘He’ll have her room guarded, but it won’t be any normal guard. My father would only be satisfied if royal guards were stationed.’ Legolas pondered, walking through the halls, eyes glancing down corridors as he passed looking for anything that looked out of place.

It wasn’t tell he had gone down several stairwells and a maze of hallways when he arrived at the old wing. One he had not ventured to since the realm had ceased having visitors, the old wing used to be where nobles and royalty would stay, yet now lays almost abandoned only ever used as extra bed when the healers have run out. Yet in this old wing near the end of the farthest hallway stood two royal guards, standing alert and flanking a door. It had to be where his father had kept Y/N.

Standing tall, Legolas approached with all the poise that had been drilled into his head over the decades of etiquette lessons. He had to approach this right or they would turn him away, and judging by the way they were looking at him they were already planning on how. Striding up to the guards, only stopping when they blocked his way with their spears.

“Forgive us my prince, but King Thranduil ordered for no one to be let in except for him and the healer.” One of them spoke.

“My father has given me permission to enter.” Legolas cooly spoke, eyes trained on theirs, he has to make it believable.

“If that were the case, King Thranduil would have informed us.” The other chimed in.

“My father is informing you now, do you expect the king to take time out of his busy day to come down here and tell you that I, the prince, can be let into this room?” Legolas harshley questioned, watching as their resolve start to crumble, “or should I go inform my father that you disobeyed an order?” he added, raising an eyebrow. The guards only lowered their heads, moving their pears to the side, allowing the blonde entry.

Slipping in, he quickly shut the door behind them, thanking the stars there was a lock which he slotted into place. The healer was nowhere in sight, which means it’s only a matter of time before they come back and bust his ruse. Glancing around the room had been cleaned, spotless compared to the dust covered rooms that filled this section of the old wing.

Turning around, blue eyes met with startled red ones. She was awake and looking right at him from where she sat on the bed.

“W-who are you?” She whispered, backing up on the bed slightly. “Where’s Linann?” She asked, eyes shifting around hurriedly, he could see a mist fill them, he needed to calm her down. Her crying might alert the guards and they might realize he locked the door and put two and two together.

“My name is Legolas.” He spoke, trying to approach her, but it only seemed to drive her away. “Linann had to take care of a few people, so she sent me to look after you instead.” He lied, and Y/N seemed to buy it somewhat, relaxing alittle and scooting ever so slightly forward.

“Are you an elf like Linann?” She curiously asked, eyes scanning him, before leaning, trying to see his ears.

Turning his head, his ears in full view, he heard the child crawl closer. “Yes I’m an elf, everyone within the walls of the woodland realm are elves.” He spoke.

“Except for me” Y/N added, now at the end of the bed, red eyes beaming with curiosity, hesitance still lingering on her brow. “Your eyes,” She paused, and Legolas looked at her with confusion, “They are the same as the ones of the man-i mean elf who found me.” she wondered, looking to him for answers.

Taking a seat on the bed, trying to not feel offended when Y/N shrunk back, she was still weerie of him, Legolas repeated in his head. “We have the same eyes because he’s my father.” That seemed to catch the girl's interest, as she moved a little closer, now they were only sitting a few feet away. Legolas took this moment to actually look at Y/N, she looked so young, far too young to be wandering the forest alone, but what entranced him were her eyes, ruby red eyes that sparkled brighter than any stone, once that stared at his with the same curiosity. “Which parent do you share eyes with?” He asked, a smile on his face, expecting her to brightly tell him but he watched as bright rubies turned to dull rocks downcasting towards hands that idly played with the sheets on the bed.

“I-i don’t know, i’ve never met my parents.” Her voice cracked, “I guess they were scared of them like most people and left me…” she trailed off, a small sniffle filling the thick air, white hair covering her downcast face.

‘Was this why she was abandoned in the forest?’ Legolas wondarded, but quickly squandered his thoughts, turning towards the downtrodden girl. “Well I do not know what your parents were thinking, but I find your eyes quite beautiful.” He spoke with sincerity, looking down at the girl as shy shy turned to face him again. “Your eyes put the most stunning rubies to shame.” He continued, voice filled with honesty and sincerity. It was true, he found Y/N eyes beautiful, so unlike anything he had seen, yet when he gazes at them he feels a sense of peace.

Sniffing, she rubbed her eyes, “You’re just saying that cause I'm crying right now.”

“I will happily shout it across the realm for all to hear!” He jested, earning a giggle from the white haired girl, one that sounded like the prettiest bells to the elf.

“Please don’t do that, it would be far too embarrassing.” She giggled, a small smile playing on her lips, matching the warm one on his.

“I will do it if you speak ill of your eyes again, and you can hold me to my word.” He swore, smile widening as he earned another round of soft giggles from Y/N who now only sat a foot away.

“I’ll have to keep that in mind.” She chuckled, tears long dried up. “So how old are you Legolas?” She softly spoke, looking at him with a bright smile.

“I’m 2870 years old.” He spoke matter of factly.

“Is that like an elf joke?” She quietly asked, giving an uncomfortable laugh.

“No it is no joke, elves live very long lives compared to men.” He spoke cautiously, beginning to wonder how much this child knows, even more so how old she is.

Y/N looked into his eyes and only saw the truth, with everything going on right now she is just gonna have to start rolling with the punches at this point she mused.

“That makes you super old compared to me.” Y/N laughed, covering her mouth trying to cover up her fit of giggles.

“Really I’m old, then my father must be ancient because he is well over 4000 years old.” Legolas defended, a laugh following, Y/N’s giggles were far too contagious, leading to them both falling over in a giggling mess, Y/N much more so than her companion.

It felt nice to be this free and open, Legolas cannot remember the last time he just talked with someone like this, joked around and had fun. It was not too common for elves, unless they were far too drunk to remember how to be dignified. “Then if you are having so much fun laughing at my age Y/N, how about sharing yours?” He snottly said in jest.

“Haha, okay, just don’t be too mean, I'm 13.” She giggled.

“You make fun of not only my age but my father’s age when you are only a baby!” He laughed, watching as her ruby eyes sparkled with tears, happy tears as she fell into another fit of giggles.

The two continued to talk back and forth, asking various things about each other, Legolas occasionally throwing a quip in about his dad, Y/N giggling away as she spoke to him, both having the time of their life.

Unaware of the ears that listened in on their joyus conversation.

Rushing through the ever winding hallways, Linann made quick steps. Y/N had just woken up and she must report it to King Thranduil immediately, lest she face the fate she so fears. Saying quick apologies as she brushes past the guards carrying armfulls of papers and books, weaving her way through the busy hallway and shoving through the door into her king’s study.

“My King, I’ve come to report that Y/N has woken up again and has remained conscious.” She spoke hastily, watching as he quickly rose from his chair and strided out the door, worry etching into her face as he grabbed his sword. Following after him, elves parted as he walked, not daring to impede their king, she walked a few steps behind. The journey was quiet, and she feared what may happen as she stared at the sword on his hip.

Finally coming upon the door, it felt like an eternity of silence, but what only amounted to 15 minutes to the old wing. Royal guard still stood at attention, standing far straighter in the presence of their king. Approaching the door they froze, Thranduil casting a suspicious gaze at the door, they could hear laughing coming from within.

“Y/N is to be alone, who is in there?” He questioned the guards, who began to worry, realizing that they had been played by the prince and now must face the wrath of their king.

“T-the prince, My King.” One spoke, trying to keep his voice steady.

“And why is he in there when my orders were to not allow anyone besides the healer or I inside?” Thranduil questions, icy blue iris digging into the guard.

“The Prince lied to us, The Prince said he received permission from My King to enter this room.” The other spoke, voice just as shaky as the others.

“I see.” Thranduil sneered, “Leave us, I’ll deal with your insubordination later.” The guards didn’t have to be told twice, hurrying down the hall, away from Thranduil’s wrath.

Gripping the door handle, ready to swing it open, a laugh made the cold king pause, a laugh that had not graced these halls in many years.

His son’s laugh.

It had been so long since he had heard his son’s laugh that he had almost forgotten the sound. Another laugh was mixed in with Legolas’, a gentle one that rang like the softest bells, their harmonious chorus playing through the corridor.

His son sounded so free, not marred down by the trauma of the past or burdened by duty, he sounded so….happy. It made Thranduil stand there and just listen, listen to the mindless conversation the two were having, not caring of the details, only listening to chuckles and giggles that flowed through the door.

And Thranduil began to wonder, what if he just stops looking for Y/N village and just accepts the most absurd answer as the right one, and keeps her within these walls. She’ll be safe, well fed, she can be educated in the world she now resides in, but most of all she can bring back the happiness that has faded from his son, one that she has brought back just like she brought back flowers to the forest.

She just needs to stay here, because for the first time since his late wife’s death his son is happy, and if she is bringing such happiness, he cannot let that happiness slip through his fingers.

“Wait-Wait you’re telling me that there are spiders here the size of this bed?!” Y/N Shouted in surprise, hands cupping her face, looking down right horrified.

“Do you not have giant spiders where you live?” LEgolas questioned in equal shock.

“NO! Ours are like maybe this big, at least this is the biggest i have ever seen.” Y/N made a circle with her fingers the size of a half dollar.

“Yours are so tiny they do not eat people do they?” Legolas questioned.

Y/N froze, looking at her new friend in horror, “No. no. no. That is not okay, Your spiders eat people!” She screeched, looking mortified. Legolas couldn't help but laugh at her expression, finding her face funny yet down right adorable.

“And yours do not?” Legolas asked just to get a reaction, and he got what he hoped for.

“NO! Ours eat bugs and other spiders, but not like people. They’ll bite us if we get near them, but most are venomous.” She exclaimed, looking appalled he would even ask, her only response was a chuckle from the blonde who had far too much fun riling her up.

“You know next time I go on a hunt I can bring you with me and you can see one for yourself~.” He teased, wiggling his eyebrows, only to get a face of disgust as a response and a loud NO shouted at him.

A rattle of the door cut their fun short.

Y/N quickly shrinking back, Legolas resting a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Do not worry, it is nothing to be afraid of. It is most likely Linann returning.” He spoke calmly, watching the nervous girl relax again, giving him a small smile. “I’m going to open the door okay?” He spoke, Y/N giving him a gentle nod.

“Open the door Legolas.” His father’s voice sounded from the other side.

“That doesn’t sound like Linann…Legolas I’m scared” Y/N whimpered, curling up on the bed.

“Hey-Hey now it will be okay, it is my dad, you know the one that’s ancient.” Legolas jokes, trying to calm Y/N down, seeing her relax once again, but still on edge. “I’m going to let him in okay.”

“I hope he’s as nice as you.” Y/N whispered. LEgolas can only hope his father is in a good mood.

Flipping the latch up, he opened the door, apologetic eyes meeting stern ones. Quickly moving aside as his father shoves in. “Tell me Legolas why is it I find you in all the places I tell you not to go.”

“Well father, you did not tell me I could not come here.” The cold look shot his way told him his father was not too pleased with his answer.

Striding to the foot of the bed, Thranduil towered over the child who could only cowar, “Your name is Y/N?” A quick nod, “You seem at a loss for words now, yet only a moment ago you and my son seemed to talk like there would be no sunrise.” He spoke callously, analyzing the child whose ruby eyes struggled to meet his own. “Well do you have nothing to say?” He scoffed.

“Father, are you trying to intimidate her? she is just a child, can you not speak a little softer.” Legolas defended Y/N, who now could only look at her hands.

“A child? Then tell me how old you are? You surely must be old with that white hair.” Thranduil belittled, he needed to see if the child of man was wretched like the rest. If her heart was poisoned by the toxins they seemed so happy to fill their kins heads with. He will not allow this thing to get close only to hurt his son and break him more than what has already been done. So even if it seems cruel and hateful he must be, he’ll make this child show their true colors.

Tears.

Tears flowed like untouched streams from cryline ruby eyes, lips trembled, but even still the child forced herself to speak, “I’m 13 years old, sir.” She hiccuped, using her sleeve to rub away the tears, only for the steam to flow again.

“Adar!” His son shouted, enraged, shoving past him to the girl that desperately tried to hold back her sobs. Crawling onto the bed, wrapping her in a gentle embrace, Y/N crying into his shoulder, while Legolas stares at his father with a wrathful expression. “Mútha (go away).” Legolas hisses through clenched teeth.

“Iôn (son)…” Thranduil breathed, he had pushed it too far. Y/N was only a child, no she was a baby, yet he took the rage he felt towards men out on a mere infant, and in the same breath had only driven a bigger wedge between his son and him. Yet his son only looked away when their eyes met, casting them down to the child in his arms, the child that he made cry. The child that had brought his son so much joy mere moments ago he had reduced to tears in a matter of words. Yet now he had no words, only left with the choice to leave as Legolas comforted Y/N.

Closing the door behind him, Linann quickly sensed her king wanted to be alone and made haste to leave.

Thranduil stood his back against the door, putting his head into his hands. Unable to block out the whimpers and cries of the ruby eyed child, he stayed there wondering how he was going to fix the mistakes he made.

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yandere-delulu · 2 years

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Eyes Like Rubies

Yandere! Platonic! Thranduil x Albino! Teen! Reader x Yandere! Platonic! Legolas

Summary: Y/N wakes up for a little. Thranduil would prefer for certain things to remain hidden.

Warning: Fear of death

A/N: this one took a lot longer, ended up scraping the first draft, and rewriting the whole thing

Chapter 2: Elves are……real?

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Red eyes open to an unfamiliar room, eyes catching on the back of a lady with cascading brown hair, who stands feet away from the bed Y/N lies on, delicate hands mixing various liquids into a large wooden bassen. Shifting of the sheets as Y/N sits up alerts the woman to her awakening, quickly setting the various bottles down, lithe hands wiping on her apron as the lady turns to face the girl.

‘Oh lord, is everyone here unfairly pretty?!’ Y/N complains in her head, eyes scanning the woman’s face, not a blemish in sight.

“Hello little one, It seems you have finally awoken.” She spoke, taking elegant strides, a long dress dancing around her feet, stopping at the foot of the bed. Tall, she was tall like the others, yet the kind expression she held was not nearly as intimidating as the two in the forest.

‘Wait if I was asleep….!!’ Y/N hands quickly shot to the covers, yanking them up. Her uniform. She was still in her school uniform, a sigh of relief leaving her, they hadn’t changed her clothes. But looking at her tights clad feet she was missing her shoes, a questioning gaze thrown the lady’s way seemed to queue her to fill in the answers Y/N was solely lacking. Dropping the covers when the brown haired lady cleared her throat, craning her neck up, ruby red meeting soft green.

Smiling, the brunette asked, “May I take a seat?” a small nod was her answer, choosing to sit near the foot of the bed so as not to intimidate the skittish child she continued, “Do not worry, we did not change your clothes to remove any, and your shoes are at the foot of the bed. You need not to be afraid you are safe within these walls.” She spoke soft and concisely, eyes casting a gentle gaze, “My name is Linann, may I ask what yours is?”

Y/N quickly shook her head no, she didn’t trust them, not yet. She knew it was common courtesy but what if this was a trick, she doesn’t know anything about this world she can’t be blindly walking around and answering whatever is asked of her.

A small sigh was the rebuttal Y/N received, the lady turning her head to the bassen in her lap, thick green liquid slopping around. Long fingers reaching to pick up a cloth, as Linann did her brunette hair moved and shifted, annoying the woman, who promptly tucked it behind her ears.

A gasp filled the quiet room.

Linann froze, mind spiraling. She was ordered to keep her ears covered, hidden away from the child, orders that had come from her king directly, and she had just messed up. Blatantly showed her elven ears to a child that she was ordered to keep in the dark, she did not know why, but it was not her job to ask why, only to follow what the king ordered.

Turning hesitantly to face the child, worried she would face mortification, horror, anger, or even hatred, yet when she met ruby eyes they were clear as water, dusted with the morning frost of curiosity. Red eyes scanning her ears like a new book, head tilting to the side ever so slightly, it was as if she had never seen an elf before. And then it clicked when the child spoke for the first time.

“Are everybody's ears pointed in this world?” Y/N spoke softly, mostly to herself as she marveled at the woman’s ears. The woman turned to look at the little girl, yet she saw no animosity in her face nor tone, only the blooming flower of discovery. The elven woman found it quite adorable. Watching with a small chuckle, ruby iris snapping to look at hers before casting down, small hands playing with her skirt bashfully, soft petals of pink coloring her checks. “I-i- didn’t mean to stare….”

Soft smiles crossing the elf’s lips, she adjusted the bassen in her lap, free hand soaking the cloth into the medicated liquid, “It is alright little one, is this your first time seeing an elf?” A simple question, she expected a yes or no. What she didn’t expect was for the small child to jump up, falling out of the bed, hitting the floor before scrabbeling up, not stopping tell their back was against the nearest wall, red eyes shaky, she looked like she had seen a ghost. “Little one you cannot move like that, we do not know if you are injured!” Linann hurriedly spoke, trying not to yell, quickly setting the bassen on a nearby table.

A whisper. A shaky whisper came out but it was far too quiet for Linann to hear. “Little one, what did you say? Your voice was so quiet I did not quite catch that.” Linann was trying to keep her voice level, she realized how jarring this must be for a child, but she did not expect a reaction like this. Taking a small step forward, only to swiftly take it back when the child pushed herself farther into the wall.

Y/N bottom lip quivered, unable to form the words lodged in her throat. An Elf. An Elf was standing across from her right now, and she is just now realizing how different this world was from her own, god were there even any humans in this world, she cried in her head. Hands clenching lightly, knuckles white, she didn’t know what to do, how does one even go about these situations.

While Y/N was panicking, internal turmoil spinning like a tornado, Linann could only watch on, trying to figure out how to approach the child the king had left in her care. She had been chosen after much deliberation from the king, she could speak the language of men, she was female and had children roughly the same age as the one in front of her.

Yet she felt so lost as she watched this child come apart at the seams. Linann could see it all cross the child’s face like a fresh storm, fear, worry, dread, all mixing together into a deluge of unfathomable emotions, especially for one so young. So Linann did what all her mother instincts were telling her to do from the beginning, approach her like your own child, not a patient.

Gently clearing her throat to gain the child’s attention, Linann smoothed down her skirt, before bending to her knees, folding her flowing skirt underneath her as she sat against her heels, going slow every step of the way and keeping both hands in view of the child’s shaky yet unwavering gaze. Holding her hands forwards, palms up to show she had nothing, no knives, no weapons, no tricks. Linann gave the albino child the most motherly smile she could muster, speaking calmly as she watched stress leave their shoulders, hands unfurling, “How about we restart our introductions, what do you think?” A small nod answered her question. “Do you want to join me on the floor so we can see eachother better?” She followed up with a soft, gentle gaze cast at the swimming rubies.

Another nod answers her, slow movements followed as the child made her way to Linann, taking a seat on the floor in front of the elf. Red eyes shyly dragging up to meet her own, shifting to every movement Linann made. She could not make a mistake now, she had the child’s trust again to a much lesser degree, she must be careful of any movements she should make. Moving her hands to her lap, all under the vigilante view of the child in front of her, placing one on top of the other, before quickly separating them, resting each on a knee after a small wisp of fear crossed the child’s face.

“Alright, let us restart our introductions now, my name is Linann, I am an elf of the woodland realm and work as a healer. I am a mother and have two kids, a boy and a girl.” More information than most elves would give upon first introductions, but this child is not an elf, nor is this a normal first meeting. “And what is your name, little one?”

She could see hesitation, ruby eyes flickering around, then to her hands that had grappled to her skirt, or maybe it’s a shirt, knee length seems far too short to be a skirt, maybe it is a human thing, seems a little indecent for a child. But nevertheless, after a deep breath, the child finally made eye contact, eyes filled with determination, “Y-Y/N.” She whispered, a small voice, yet not in an accent she had ever heard from any species of man. “M-my name is Y/N.” She spoke, much louder.

“Y/N? That is a lovely name, little one. Or maybe now that I know your name I should be calling you Y/N.” Linann spoke jovially, only receiving a light hum, but the corners of Y/N lips had turned up just slightly. “Then Y/N, where do you hail from?”

“Hail?” Y/N questioned, head tilting, face scrunched with confusion. Linann couldn’t help but think if they can’t find Y/N parents she might take the little cutie for herself, though she has a feeling the king would not appreciate that.

“Yes, Hail. It means ‘from where you come from’.” Linann gently explains, realizing quickly that the child might have not known the word. ‘She might be younger than she looks.’ Linann thinks, ‘that or despite her appearance she might not hail from a wealthy family like we assumed.’

“You could have just said that, don’t have to use fancy words…” Y/N muttered, puffing out her flushed cheeks, embarrassed that she was about to ask why the weather mattered. Chuckling, Linann watched on with a fond smile. Flipping her head up, Y/N remembering she hadn’t answered the question, “Oh, um your question…. Well I come from (hometown),” confusion washing over Linann, never had she even heard of a town with a name even close to that, but let Y/N continue, “and uh.. I come from not here.”

“Oh little one I know that, you are from a human village.”

“No I mean where I come from there are no elves…”

“Oh my, you are quite far from home, you must be from the other side of the mountains”

“No, that’s not it…I-”

“Y/N you have had a long journey, most likely a very stressful one. It is best to rest at this point and then we can discuss your village.” Yet Linann’s answer only seemed to enrage the child.

“You’re not listening to me!” Y/N shouts, standing up in a huff. “I’m not from this world! There are no elves or any other species besides humans in my world! We are the only ones, and this world is so different, and I-I-I don’t know what to do!” Y/N broke down into a fit of tears, falling to her knees, hands covering her face as she weeped. Linann quickly pulled the sobbing child into her warm embrace. “I’m so scared, everything is different and-and I-I-I-” Y/N voice cutting off ending in garbled wails, clutching onto the elven woman like a newborn child.

Taking the weeping child under her chin, pulling Y/N into her lap, shushing while rocking back and forth. “It’s okay little one I know you are scared, you have been so strong and brave.” Brushing fingers through the snowy locks, lips brushing against Y/N crown as Linann softly whispered, “It’s okay to let it all out now, you do not have to be brave anymore, you are safe within that wall of the woodland realm.”

Linann does not know how long she sat there, whispering words of comfort into the ears of the distraught child, but she would sit here however long it took for this child to calm down.

Sobs slowly turned to soft whimpers as Y/N lulled to sleep, body going lax after crying out all her stress and anxiety. Sad green eyes watched as droopy eyelids covered sparkling rubies, feeling Y/N’s small body go lax within her hold. It was only tell Linann was sure the child was deep asleep did she stand, lifting Y/N with her, before laying her under the soft covers of the bed. Tucking Y/N in, brushing disheveled white tresses from her face, Linann smiled down, a sad smile, ‘this poor child’ was all she could think. Picking up the forgotten cloth, ringing excess medicated water, she whipped Y/N’s face clear of tear tracks, giving one last worried glance at the child as she discarded the cloth into the bassen and left.

Freezing half way out the door, before quietly pulling it closed.

Icy blue eyes bore down into her own, quickly casting her own down as she bowed, “My king, I did not expect to see you here.”

Ignoring the brunette, Thranduil stepped forward, approaching the door she had just exited, only to be blocked by the same woman. “Wait, my king!” She hurriedly whispered, trying to remain respectful. If her king were to go in now and shake Y/N from her sleep any progress she had made would go up in flames, it could take days, weeks or even months to regain the child’s trust.

“And why do you block my way?” It wasn’t a question. Even as she remained bowing, she could feel holes drill into her head.

“My king, will all due respect, the child has just been put asleep, she wa-”

“They have been asleep for 3 days, yet you say you have put them back to sleep afterI have patiently waited for their awakening, did i not implicitly order you to inform me the moment the child wakes.” She could only nod. “Speak wisely, as a cold cell may be your new home.” Even without a sword, she could still feel the cold blade press against her neck, coiling like a vicious snake, waiting for one wrong move to strike.

“You are right my king, that was my first most intention, but when Y/N awo-”

“Y/N” Tranduil spoke slowly, rolling the name on his tongue.

“Yes my king, her name is Y/N.”

“Continue.”

“When Y/N awoke she was fine at first, but after she realized that I was an elf, that we were elves, she became fearful.” A Real sword now rests at her throat, its cool blade contrasting with the hot rush of blood that fills her as panic begins to swell.

“And how did she learn that?” His voice was as cold as the steel against her throat.

Trembling, she forced her voice out, “It was a mistake, an honest one. I was preparing something to clean her wounds as we had yet to disrobe her upon your orders as there was no sign of bleeding or trauma to her body. My hair kept falling in my face, w-without thinking I brushed it behind my ear and she saw them.” Any closer and he would break skin, he could cut off her head with a whip of his hand and no one here would bat an eye. She needed to plead her case, if only to keep her head where it belongs. “My king, I-i wanted to add she wasn’t afraid of the ears at first, she was actually quite enthralled by them, it was only when she learned that we were elves was she afraid.”

“And why would that be?” A spoke through gritted teeth.

“I do not know my king, but after finding out she jumped from the bed and tried to get as far away from me as she could, but I want to make it clear, it was not out of animosity or hatred, it’s like she had never seen an elf before, she might not even know what an elf is.” Linann quickly clarified, she wanted this child to bear no ill-will for the choices her kin has made, she wanted to make it clear that the child was afraid of an unfamiliar situation and not because of any preconceived notions of elves.

Cold metal backed from her throat, swiftly falling into the sheath that hangs on her king’s hip. Linann took this as a signal that she can stand from her bow.

“There is more” He stated, eyes boring into her own.

“Yes, after that I took a different approach, I stopped treating her like a patient, and treated her like my own child,” a dark cloud circled within her king’s gaze, one she could not make out, but she one chose to ignore, it was probably the torches on the walls flickering. “I sat on the floor and offered to restart our introductions, and she agreed and sat on the floor in front of me. I told her my name and she told me hers, that’s when I learned her name was Y/N. I asked where she hailed from, she did not understand what that meant, which leads me to think she is quite young. That question started all the trouble, I did not understand her answers, I still do not.”

“What did she say?” Thranduil questioned, eyes trained on the door, yet staring through.

“She said she was not from here, and said a town I had never heard of.”

“What was the name?”

“(hometown).” A hum was the only thing she received, so she continued on, “At first I thought maybe she had somehow come across the mountains, but for a child that is simply not possible, and she was so clean when you brought her to me. I asked her that, about if she came from across the mountains, Y/N became distraught after this, crying that I was not listening. But my king I was, I just, i have never heard of such a town, and children often spin many tales. Yet when she confessed that the place, the world she had come from, had no other species besides man, her voice was as if she was speaking the truth.”

“And after she said that.”

“She became inconsolable, she was so scared, afraid of this world because it is so different from her own, her words became jumbled cries, so I did what any mother would and consoled her as best as I could. Y/N cried for quite a while before drifting back to sleep. I only laid her down a moment ago. ” Linann finished.

Pausing, the brunette added “My king, if I may speak my opinion,” when no response came, she spoke on, “as a mother and a healer, I can see it in Y/N eyes that something haunts that child. Something has happened to her, I do not know what, but whatever it was has sunk its claws into that child and will not let go.”

Stepping forward, Thranduil cast a harsh gaze at the elven woman who had so blatantly disregarded his orders, before opening the door to the room he had prepared for their unexpected guest. Y/N, the name he still rolled in his mind, yet even as he repeated it like a mantra it had yet to spark recognition. No child of men he had encountered had ever had such a name, nor in his centuries of living ever heard whispers of a village called (hometown). All he can do is stare down at the sleeping child that had lit the once desolate forest with beauty and life. Puffy eyelids and rosey cheeks were all that met his gaze, yet he hoped maybe he would get to speak to the vibrant soul that lives behind sparkling rubies. But it looks like his patients will be tested for this.

Turning away, he left the room, stopping in front of the healer that had failed him, “Since you have built such a bond with Y/N,” why does this make him angry, “You will be her primary care, and when she wakes up this time you WILL report it to me immediately. This is your last chance.” Thranduil spat coldly, eyes tearing into the woman who only nodded before rushing back into the room, sofly closing the door.

“And you two,” He gestured to the guards he had brought, ones that had smartly stayed quiet through the whole ordeal,” will stand guard, no one is to enter or exit this room other than me or the healer, do you understand.” and they were smart to remain silent, quickly taking their place beside the door, flanking both sides.

Assessing their form one last time, Thranduil turned on his heel marching straight for his private study. He would find out if (hometown) existed or not, and he would find out today. If there was no (hometown) then there was no home for Y/N to return to, there was no family looking for them, and there was nowhere for them to go. And with nowhere for them to go then why not stay within the safe wall of the woodland realm, it’s not like anywhere else will take her in for free.

And if a day comes that she wants to leave and thinks she can live among the humans he might just have to show her how cruel humans can be.

Legolas could only watch in confusion as chanslours and guards ran in and out of his father’s study, each carrying stacks of books or bundles of scrolls. The rumble of his father’s exasperated voice could be heard echoing down the hallway leading to his study.

“What’s happening?” He asked a guard as they rushed by.

“Forgive me my prince, but I must take these maps back to the library and bring the next batch.” The guard bowed, before disappearing down the hallway, others flying by him.

‘Maps, why does my father need all these maps?’ Legolas wondered as he approached the door, dodging to the side as it slammed open, a chanclour with their arms full past their head speeding out.

“Bring me the next batch!” His father bellowed, eyes catching his sons as Legolas made his way into the room. The once spotless study is now covered in sprawled out maps and open books. Some maps date back long before his father’s time, why would he have all these out was all Legolas could wonder as he milled about.

“Are you going to tell me why you have barged into my study, or continue to wonder about?” His father asked, never turning up from the map he stayed hunched over, eyes tracing over trying to find something on the map.

Making his way to his father’s desk, Legolas glanced down at the map his father seemed so enamored with, only to jump back slightly when his father harshly solved it to the side, only whispering “It’s not there.” before grabbing another from the stack and throwing it over the desk, resuming his position. “Legolas, whatever silent game you intend to play today I have no time for it. Either speak or leave.” Thranduil chidded, fingers tracing over the map with haste.

“What is all this?” Legolas finally asked, gesturing to the wide array of maps scattered around the study.

“Maps.” His father answered.

God he hated his father sometimes, giving him an answer that he knew will only anger his son. Taking in a deep breath, trying to reign in the frustration, “I am well aware of what a map is father, I am asking why you seem to be looking over every map in the realm.”

“Because Legolas I am trying to find something.” Without even seeing his father’s face he could tell that he was smirking, getting a kick out of annoying his only son.

Legolas could feel the frustration building, “Father I can see that you are trying to find something, as that is what maps are used for. But what are you looking for?”He tried to keep his voice level, ‘Please just give me an answer this time’, Legolas pleaded in his head.

“A village.”

“I see.” Legolas seethed. “And what is so important about this village, that you must check every map, ones that were made over a millennium ago.”

Thranduil finally raises from his map, icy blue eyes meeting. “That child,” He spoke.

“The one from the woods?” Legolas questioned, he knew they had taken the child, but his father had hidden them away within the winding halls, even he, his own son did not know where the child had gone.

“Yes, Y/N woke up today after being asleep for three days, and when the healer asked about her home she said a town I’ve never heard even the faintest whispers of.” He spoke, eyes gazing into the maps that surround him, looking for answers to where this child had come from, but yet none have appeared. Thranduil hates steeping in the unknown, if no town exists that matches the child description then he has to face the reality that this child is not from this world. And even though that explanation would answer much of her odd behavior; a town that doesn’t exist, strange clothes and unaware of other beings besides men, to take on the reality of it is not something he is ready to comprehend. But something he has to prepare for.

“Y/N” Legolas questioned, a name unlike anything he had ever heard. It seemed to roll off his tongue so easily, he could only wonder what it meant, though he often heard humans named their children based on how it sounded and cared not for meaning, he could only wonder Y/N was the same. “When will I get to meet her?” He questioned, feeling an odd excitement fill him, Y/N may be young but if she is from somewhere far away she could tell him about the world, or what she’s seen of it. She could tell him all about the world that’s beyond the forest.

His father did not respond, only staring at the maps, yet his mind was far away.

The two stood in the room in quiet compilation, yet they couldn’t be having any wildly different outlooks on the child that lays sound asleep.

One feared for the reality that may change.

The other was beyond excited to learn of a world he had only heard about.

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