The ElvenKing [A thranduil fanfiction]

Chapter 36

Greenwood T.H 2058

It was dark when I opened my eyes once again. Sleep was still heavy within me as I stretched underneath the sheets, positioning my arms above my head. Curls fell into my face, and I had to brush them away before opening my eyes. I took in a deep breath before realizing I was no longer alone in the room. A subtle scent of herbs lingered in the air remaining me of Ûtridien. But that couldn't be. I blinked the remainder of my sleep out of my eyes before turning my head to the left where I knew the rocking chair was.

It had creaked slightly as if someone was seated in it. At first, I had expected it to be Thranduil, but it was not him I saw. The long black hair was the first thing I noticed, instantly recognizing him to be Ûtridien. He sat in the chair like Thranduil usually did, one leg swung over the other, arms resting in his lap. There was a deep crease between his brows as his grey eyes starred at nothing, they were open which meant he wasn't sleeping despite the late hour.

The shadow that had fallen over his eyes was serious, and he didn't hear me at first. I remained still for a few more minutes before he finally realized I was awake. "What is this surprise. Have you come to tend to me?" I asked with a soft smile, trying not to sound too mischievous because I knew he could read me. There was a brief silence before he snorted closely followed by a soft chuckle.

"Yes, I have." Ûtridien laughed, the smile eradicating most traces of the previous worry there had been. He shook his head disapprovingly before finding his feet again. He moved to the bed and sat down at my side. He tried not to seem worried as he pressed the back of his hand against my forehead. It was strangely cold as if he had been traveling a great distance. I moaned because it felt heavenly against my burning skin. Ûtridien sighed but his hand lingered for a few seconds more before shifting his hand to the side of my head, gently cupping my cheek. "You still have a slight fever." He sighed.

When my eyes shifted back to him, I noticed how his hair had been in a new state of disarray. He had apparently traveled in a hurry. I reached a hand up, fingers brushing through his hair, feeling some of the knots. Ûtridien jumped when I did before his hand jerked to mine, untwining my fingers from his hair. "Why are you here?" I asked when he lowered my hand. His silence had begun to scare me. There was definitely something he didn't tell me. He had always been bad at lying, let alone keep secrets. I had quickly become quite adapt at reading his ques because he couldn't hide it like others could.

Ûtridien swallowed nervously and took a steadying breath. "Elrond sent me here." He admitted while pulling the sheets away from me. "I need to examine you—Elrond has seen something I need to confirm." He whispered but I grabbed his hands, stopping him before he could start to examine me. I sent him a glare but forgot he couldn't see it, though he registered it because his brows furrowed when I tightened my hold on his hands. "I have to do this—" He sighed and tried to take his hands back, but I didn't relent my hold on them, and kept them hovering just a few inches above my stomach, already fearing what it was he had come to check.