Chapter 1: The Blossoming of Love

59 4 3
                                    

A Love Found Among the Greenleaves

Chapter 1: The Blossoming of Love

_______________________________________________

It had been some time since the Silvan elves accepted Oropher as their King of Greenwood the Great, having established what would be known as the Woodland realm. The Wood elves were starting to progress thanks to the influence and help of their new kin, both teaching the other new things about their own from languages to culture.

Ethiriel's parents were assigned to work under King Oropher's council to help him better understand the lifestyle of the Silvan as a representative. In turn, their daughter was entrusted to be a friend to and help Prince Thranduil in return since they were around the same age.

However, he didn't see her arrive at Amon Lanc with her parents. "Where is your daughter?"

At this, Ethiriel's mother, Elbereth, bowed. "I'm sorry about our daughter, my Prince. She was supposed to come with today, but... you will find her hiding in the deep part of the forest."

Ethiriel had argued with her parents about the new found responsibility they sprung upon her, which made it feel like she would have to babysit the Sindar prince when instead she wanted to just be free in the Greenwood and have nothing to do with politics.

With that, the prince made his way to the place he could find her, spotting the stubborn brown-haired elleth sitting up in a tree, speaking in a language he didn't fully understand, but could only guess to be Silvan. He wasn't fluent in it yet, but it was a work in progress just as with the Silvan elves learning the Sindarian language.

He was about to speak when she beat him to it. "Of course you found me." She chuckled, jumping down from the tree root right in front of him. "Let me guess; my parents told you where I would be?"

"You would skip out on your Prince when we were supposed to meet today for our first lessons?" Thranduil reminded her firmly.

Jumping down from the tree roots, Ethiriel stood in front of him, giving him a small smile. "I'm sorry, my Prince. I came to speak with the trees."

Thranduil raised an eyebrow. "Speak with the trees?" He repeated.

This caused her to giggle. "This is where we learn our first lesson. My parents say that as Silvan elves, it is important for us to be one with nature. Our ancestors have taught the trees to speak to us, but only if you listen and take the first step in reaching out towards them."

The Prince watched as she raised her hand against the tree's bark, speaking in Silvan once again. He felt the wind blow through his golden hair and heard the tree's moan, as if having a conversation with her. "What did you say to them?" he asked.

She chuckled. "I told them that we are learning lessons today and asked them what would be the best way to approach." And if she could find a new place to hide next time where she could escape these responsibilities.

"And what did they say in reply?"

A conflicted look briefly passed across her face. "They say we must endure, something good is sure to develop from the company."

However, Thranduil could tell from the brief look she had on her face that she didn't feel quite right about spending time in his company. This made him question it. "Have I offended you in some way?"

Ethiriel shook her head. "No, my Prince."

There were still barriers for them to cross so they could understand each other, not just as Silvan's and Sindar elves, but as individuals. Thranduil knew his father and her parents had assigned to be a friend and guide, just as he would be towards her, but for some reason, it wasn't going off to a great start for Ethiriel.

A Love Among the Greenleaves [Tolkien] || Thranduil x His Wife (OC)- PART 1Where stories live. Discover now