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emmyspov · 1 year

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Prioritise yourself (Thranduil x Reader)

author's note: happy easter to everyone who celebrates it and a happy weekend to all either way🪻this is honestly one of the most scary things i've posted because it's something so personal that i relate to a lot, but i thought maybe someone else might need it, too🥺 please always remember that nothing will ever be more important than your health and well-being 🩷

warnings: symptoms of burnout, lack of sleep, exhaustion, negative self-talk, skipping meals, mentions of food, nudity (for taking a bath together) - please please please let me know if I forgot something! 🩷

word count: 1.9k

edit is mine, all pics are from pinterest :)

It had seemed like a smart idea when you offered Thranduil to help him with all the paperwork.

His days were filled with meetings and more often than not he only returned to your chambers once it was dark already.

So, for the past few months, you had been - more or less secretly - helping him with whatever you could: sending out invitations to other royals, filing away documents, re-writing contracts so all that would be left to do was sign them.

You were the king's partner after all and you wanted to help him as much as possible. This was your kingdom, your home, as much as it was his, as he regularly reminded you.

Thranduil noticed, obviously. The hours in his study were reduced since most things were taken care of in a perfect way already - he could return to your private rooms right after dinner and spend time with you instead which the Elvenking appreciated immensely.

However, over the past few weeks, things have taken a turn. And Thranduil noticed that, too.

How, on some days, you would get up earlier than him, how you would skip lunch and dinner with him - although it was one of your favorite things since you got to spend it with one another during your otherwise busy schedules - and instead eat by yourself, hunched over some papers. He noticed your tired eyes and dull skin and- lack happiness, to cut it short.

Worry didn't even remotely describe what he was feeling. He felt sick to his stomach when he thought about you being unhappy.

Today was no different.

You had gotten up before sunrise, leaving your husband a little love letter, before entering your own study to take care of all official things.

There was a lot to do. Other elves as much as people from Laketown and even dwarves were sending letters, hoping to schedule a meeting with the king himself to talk over whatever was bothering them.

You made it your mission to answer every single one of them, noting down appointments and also sending out excuses if Thranduil wasn't the right one to talk to when it came to certain matters.

By the end of the day, your head was pounding. You let out a yawn and rubbed your eyes, hoping to relieve some of the pressure behind them, but to no use.

Closing them for only a minute wouldn't hurt. You could still look for your husband afterwards.

A line had been crossed for the Elvenking.

It was the second day in a row that you skipped your shared meals and from what he just learned, you weren't eating them at all.

He needed to talk to you. He wouldn’t - and couldn’t - let you destroy yourself over some work. Your happiness and well being came first and he would make you realise that, no matter the cost.

After reaching your study and receiving no answer to his knocks, he let himself in with determined steps, only to stop abruptly as soon as he saw your sleeping figure. His eyes softened immediately.

"Oh, meleth."

With two big steps, he was by your side, crouching down until he was on eye level with you. Even in your sleep, you looked stressed, your eyebrows scrunched up, reminding him of the times you woke up from a bad dream.

"What are you doing to yourself, hm?"

Gentle, as if you would break like glass if he touched you with too much force, he picked you up and carried you out of the room and into your shared bed chamber where he set you down on the soft mattress and covered you with a fluffy blanket.

Thranduil left the room again for only a few moments so he could blow out the candle in your study and put everything where it belonged. He himself hated to work at a messy desk and didn't want you to deal with the same thing once you would return to work, although he didn't want to think about that yet. For now, you needed rest and all the love and care you could get.

He returned to your bedroom after he spoke to some of his subordinates to let them know neither he nor you would be available in the next three days.

You were still fast asleep, curled up into the blanket. The king walked over to you and slowly began to remove all your uncomfortable clothing before he himself put on a night gown.

Only then did he lay down next to you, carefully maneuvering your body into his arms, your head on his chest. Even in your sleep you wrapped your arm around his waist and entangled your legs, letting out a small sigh.

"Sleep, meleth, you've been working too hard", your husband whispered and brought his delicate fingertips up to brush some hair out of your face before letting them trail down to your back, rubbing some calming circles into your shoulder. "I'll watch over you, I promise."

And Thranduil kept his word.

He stayed up to make sure you slept through the night, occasionally pressing a kiss to your temple or the top of your head while his fingers were always touching you in some way.

It was nearly lunch time when you woke up the next day.

After noticing you were still cuddled up with your husband although the sun was already shining into the room, you immediately sat up.

"I- I overslept, oh Varda, there is so much to do. Why didn’t you wake me, my love?"

With a gentle force, Thranduil pressed you back onto the mattress.

"You've been overworking yourself for weeks and your health and happiness are suffering in return. I told everyone we wouldn't be available for the next few days. For the foreseeable future, we'll only take care of you."

You didn't want to cry. And you tried really hard to keep the tears at bay, but when the Elvenking looked at you with so much love in his eyes, you couldn’t stop them.

"I'm sorry for failing you, my king."

The elf wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close. "Oh meleth, no. No, you didn't fail me, you never have. And you never will."

"I can't even take care of myself", you hiccuped, burying your face in the crook of his neck. "It's like the work and the pressure never stop and I'll never be good enough and now I am sitting here, crying to you, a literal king who has way more responsibility than me. I am so sorry to burden you with this."

Thranduil's heart was breaking. He couldn't believe this was how you saw yourself when, to him, you were the most beautiful being in all of Middle Earth.

"You are never a burden to me. Do you hear me? Never. We can fix this. You have to learn how to prioritise yourself. I can teach you. I will teach you. And we will start right now. You must be hungry, what do you want to eat?"

You fumbled around with your hands before looking up at the Elvenking. "Could I have some pancakes?"

Thranduil leaned forward to press a kiss against your nose. "Whatever you want, meleth nîn."

With one swift motion, he got up, put on one of his majestic robes and made his way to the kitchen to order your beloved pancakes and some additional treats as well as some hot and cold beverages.

He returned to your chambers with a first tray of food, watching your face lit up with delight at the sweet smell.

"Here you go, my love. Eat as much as you want and take all the time you need. There are no other things that need to get done today or the next few days."

You nodded and grabbed a plate, happily munching on the food the servants were bringing in over time.

The king was watching you carefully while he himself ate something. It was more than obvious that all the food was good for your mind, body and soul.

You let yourself fall back against the sheets when you were done, letting out a satisfied sigh. "That was good."

"It is about to get better. What do you think of a bath?"

Your eyes lit up. "Right now?"

The elf couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. "Is that what you want?"

You sat up, enthusiastically bouncing on the mattress and nodding your head. "Yes, please!"

Thranduil stood up again and walked into the bathroom, filling the tub with hot water and your favourite bath salts and flower petals before coming back to you.

With ease, he wrapped his arms around you and lifted you off the bed, carrying you into the bathroom.

"Arms up", he ordered gently and removed your clothing, doing the same to himself afterwards.

"You're so handsome", you breathed out as you softly pressed your hand against his chest, right above his heart. "I'm so lucky to have you."

Thranduil's heart started to beat faster under your touch and praise and you smiled, feeling butterflies in your stomach at the fact that you still had this effect on him.

He lifted you into the tub, setting you down and lowering himself behind you, pulling your body flush against his chest.

"I'm the lucky one."

You shook your head before letting it fall back against his shoulder. "You take care of me when I can't do it myself."

The king's deft fingers brushed through your hair, letting them trail down your arm. "We take care of each other. You are the one who decreased my work load so I'd have more time."

You intertwined your hands. "Well, of course. I want you to be well."

A kiss was pressed against the top of your head. "Do you see my point?"

You nodded. "I think I do."

Thranduil let his thumb brush over the back of your hand. "Tomorrow, we can take a walk in the garden and look at all the blossoming flowers. Or we can do whatever else will make you happy."

A smile graced your lips. "Just being with you makes me happy."

Gently, the ellon grabbed your chin and turned your head around so he could kiss you. You melted into his embrace, smiling against his lips.

"Gi melin", he whispered after you two had parted for air and you replied with the same sentiment.

Once you two had soaked in the water for a while, the Elvenking grabbed your shampoo and lathered up his hands before bringing them up to your scalp to work in the product.

The more time you spend like this with your husband - in your little bubble of happiness and safety - the lighter your heart felt.

And it only got better when Thranduil's hands wandered down your head to your neck and shoulders, massaging your tense muscles to help you relax even further.

You shuddered and the king grinned to himself. He was just as pleased as you were earlier that his touch could, still, make you weak in the knees.

"Rest, meleth", he whispered as he continued to work on your upper back. "There will be time to talk about long-term adjustments and solutions, but for now, you can let yourself fall. I'll be there to catch you."

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#thranduil #thranduil x reader #thranduil x you #thranduil x y/n #thranduil imagine #elvenking #king of the woodland realm #the hobbit #the hobbit imagine #tolkien #elves #mirkwood #reader insert #please don't hate me for writing him ooc #and for making grammar and spelling mistakes #god why am i so nervous to post this #i'll probably throw my phone away after clicking post now

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sotwk · 5 months

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The Regencies of the Princes of the Woodland Realm

Original Map credit to The Encyclopedia of Arda. Edits by @sotwk.

King Thranduil Establishes the Rule of Princes

Thranduil's ascension faced opposition by a handful of powerful Sinda nobles (Oropher's councilors), who schemed to usurp the throne. They sought to turn the Silvans against Thranduil by disparaging his wife, Maereth, as a daughter of Noldor kinslayers. Fortunately, the people's love for Thranduil prevailed, and they embraced Princess Maereth as their Queen. She was eventually crowned almost a century after her husband took the throne.

Some years after the birth of their fifth and last son Legolas, Thranduil passed a royal decree called the "Thain-na-Conin" or "Rule of Princes", which modified the kingdom's feudal system of governance.

This law bestowed governing power on each one of Thranduil's children, granting them lordship over key provinces in the realm. Upon reaching the age of 250, the princes assumed responsibility for the protection and welfare of the citizens dwelling within their assigned lands or "regencies", while still answering to the sovereign authority of their father and King.

This was done not to increase the royal family's power, but to protect the common folk from negligence or abuses of their ruling lords. As the population grew rapidly and hundreds of new communities sprouted all over the vast Greenwood, Thranduil wanted to ensure that all Silvans received the same amount of care and attention from the Crown, no matter how remote their location.

Political Timeline of the Woodland Realm:

SECOND AGE

SA 2054 - King Oropher moves his household out of Amon Lanc and migrates northward, setting up a new domain and capital in the western glens of Emyn Duir.

SA 2022 - Prince Thranduil commences the construction of a new palace separate from his father's, which he intends to make the home of his family. (Despite Maereth rejecting his marriage proposal.) This causes great strife between him and his father, because Thranduil declares he will not pursue anyone else but Maereth for his wife.

SA 2107 - Thranduil's palace is completed and he begins to assemble his household. The palace is named Bar Lasgalen, and is the grandest structure to ever be raised in Greenwood's history.

SA 2110 - Maereth visits Bar Lasgalen for the first time. Thranduil proposes again, but once more she turns him down.

SA 3142 - Thranduil and Oropher reconcile. Oropher finally grants his blessing for Thranduil to marry Maereth.

SA 3262 - Thranduil and Maereth are betrothed at the celebration of the Mereth Nuin Giliath in Greenwood.

SA 3265 - Thranduil weds Maereth and she comes to live at Bar Lasgalen.

SA 3430 - Crown Prince Mirion is born. After himself being persuaded by Maereth, Thranduil convinces his father to join The Last Alliance of Elves and Men.

SA 3434 - Oropher is slain at the Siege of Barad-dûr.

SA 3441 - The war ends. Thranduil’s reign as Woodland King begins, and Bar Lasgalen becomes the realm's new capital.

THIRD AGE

TA 37 - Turhir is born.

TA 88 - Maereth is crowned Queen of the Woodland Realm.

TA 89 - Arvellas is born.

TA 221 - Gelir is born.

TA 242 - Legolas is born.

TA 250 - Thranduil passes the "Rule of Princes".

TA 252 - Mirion assumes his regency over Bar Himlaeg (his late grandfather's domicile) and the communities of Emyn Duir.

TA 278 - Mirion marries Itarildë. The Crown Prince's controversial marriage to another "outsider" instead of a Silvan stirs up discontent among Thranduil's political opponents once more.

TA 287 - Turhir assumes his regency over the newly established city of Thangail.

TA 307 - Lord Councilor Silevion is exposed as the leader of a coup attempt against the royal family. He is deposed and stripped of his titles, and exiled from the Woodland Realm.

TA 339 - Arvellas assumes his regency over Cemamath, taking over Silevion's lands.

TA 471 - Gelir assumes his regency over Dant-en-Aras.

TA 492 - Legolas assumes his regency over Galadal.

The Regencies of the Thranduilions

King Oropher's departure from Amon Lanc initiated the gradual migration of the Silvan Elves from the southern parts of Greenwood to the northern half of the great forest. By the start of Thranduil's rule, more than half of the realm's population resided above the Old Forest Road. However, the southern parts of the realm experienced a period of reinvigoration in the early Third Age due to the successful regencies of Prince Gelir and Prince Legolas.

The Woodland Realm enjoyed its most prosperous years between TA 500-1000, with the Thranduilions all working to further their parents' vision for a strong, united kingdom. The five regencies of the princes are:

BAR HIMLAEG, ruled by Crown Prince Mirion. A center for healing (esp. herbal medicine), the best source of Elvish medicine east of the Misty Mountains.

THANGAIL, ruled by Prince Turhir. Main base and training facility of the realm's military forces.

CEMAMATH, ruled by Prince Arvellas. Center of trade and commerce with the Dwarves and Men in the east.

DANT-EN-ARAS, ruled by Prince Gelir. Outpost and headquarters of the realm's best hunters and scouts.

GALADAL, ruled by Prince Legolas. Home of the largest concentration of farmers, who worked the fertile plains and maintained herds in the lands east of the forest borders. (Note: the Bight shown on the map did not exist until TA 1200, after Thranduil's people already left the southern forests.)

Unfortunately, in TA 1050, the Necromancer (Sauron) captured Amon Lanc, and began to poison the southern woods, with toxins and monsters that caused deaths at an alarming rate. Despite Thranduil and his family's valiant efforts to combat the Darkness, it continued to spread northward over the course of several centuries. Finally, the Elvenking made the difficult decision to prioritize the safety of his people and abandon the lands south of the Emyn Duir. He led his people north-east and reestablished their smaller kingdom in the underground halls.

The strength and prosperity of the Woodland Realm was one of the reasons Sauron chose it as a target for his corruptive influence. He both feared and envied the power of Thranduil and his family and wanted to destroy it, if not deceive or force it into his service.

Up until their last breaths (literally, for some of them), the Princes continued to fight for the defense of their beloved homeland until Dol Guldur was finally cast down at the end of the War of the Ring.

SotWK Fancast (L-R): Sam Heughan as Turhir, Sam Claflin as Gelir, Henry Cavill as Mirion, Rupert Friend as Arvellas, Orlando Bloom as Legolas

For more Thranduil/Mirkwood headcanons: SotWK HC Masterlist

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