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It was cold and dark in the land of Mirkwood. You pulled your fur coat, closer to you, not wanting to catch a chill. You knew the King would be upset if he knew you were out in the woods alone, especially with the Orcs closing in on Mirkwood's borders, but you just couldn't help yourself.
You looked up at the stars and smiled, feeling peace for the first time in a long time. This was something that you and Thranduil would do almost every night. You both would walk through the woods, hand in hand, looking up at the bright stars, and talk about the day's events. It wasn't anything extravagant, but it was something that you both longed for at the end of the day.
"Milady, I think it's best that we go now." Ceria, your maid servant, said, breaking the silence. "The King will be most unhappy if he were to discover you here." Her voice was hinted with much worry, for she was well aware of the King's rage.
"I'm afraid you're right..." You sighed, wanting to stay longer, but you knew it was getting late and that you needed to return to the palace before Thranduil realized that you hadn't returned.
"Thank you for going with me tonight, Ceria. I truly do appreciate it." You smiled softly.
"You are most welcome, Milday. I could not let you go into the woods alone. Especially with the Orcs so close..." She answered, shuttering with fear.
"Do not worry, Ceria." You replied, placing your hand on her arm. "Everything will be fine. My husband will make sure that the border is secure and that the Orcs never reach the palace. I promise you that."
"Thank you, my Queen." Ceria answered, feeling somewhat relieved.
But it wasn't enough to erase all the fear, for you both knew that it wasn't a good enough answer. The whole kingdom lived in fear, second by second, day by day, just waiting for the Orcs to break through the boundaries and destroy everything the people of Mirkwood had ever known. And it was all starting to take its toll on Thranduil.
No plan, no map, no route of escape, no amount of guards seemed to be good enough to protect the people of Mirkwood. Thranduil spent hardly any time in his chambers with you and when he did, he was constantly trying to come up with a diversion good enough to save his kingdom. He would stay up all hours of the night, hoping that something, anything would work, but nothing seemed to do him justice. And if he wasn't in his chambers, he was in meetings all day long, discussing idea after idea, in hopes of ending this war before it even started.
Once back at the palace, you smiled to yourself and let out a soft sigh. The walk had been much needed, but it felt good to be back home. Inside the hallways were lined with bright candles, allowing you to navigate your way to the throne room, not that you needed any help getting there.
"Y/n!" Tauriel called out. "There you are! I was looking for you and was concerned when I couldn't find you."
"No need to worry, Tauriel." You smiled. "I am perfectly fine."
"Good, but please be more careful. You should thank the skies above that the king was with council otherwise things would have been so much worse."
"Don't worry, Tauriel. I can defend myself."
"I know that, but if something were to happen to you, it would destroy the king."
Before you could reply, Thranduil came into view with a tired smile on his face.
"There you are my love." He smiled tenderly. "How I have missed you." He whispered as his arms wrapped around you tightly.
"I have missed you too, my darling. Shall we return to our chambers?"
"Yes, we shall. Goodnight, Tauriel."
"Goodnight, Milady."
"How was your day, my love?" Thranduil asked as he removed a few strands of hair from your face.
"It was very good. I spent most of the day, helping get ready for the Festival of Starlight. Then, after everything was in order and finished, I took a walk in the woods to-"
"You what?" Thranduil asked, his voice cold with a growing anger.
"I went for a walk...in the woods..." You replied sheepishly, knowing what was to come.
"What is wrong with you?" Thranduil yelled, loud enough for all the palace to hear. "Where you trying to get yourself killed? Don't you know how dangerous and idiotic that was?"
"Thranduil, I-"
"Shut up stupid woman! I don't want to hear your pathetic excuses as to why you went out into the woods! You deliberately disobeyed me!"
"Thranduil, they'll hear you..." You answered, embarrassed and ashamed, doing your best to fight back the tears that blurred your vision.
"Please let's have this conversation in our chambers."
"Do not tell me what to do!" Thranduil shouted even louder. "After what you done tonight, you deserve to be attacked and killed by those vicious creatures!"
"How dare you talk to me like that!" You responded in anger. "Just because-"
But before the rest of the words could leave your mouth, the stinging sensation on your cheek silenced you. In that moment, everything became frozen as you tried to process what had just happened.
Thranduil had done the one thing he swore to you that he would never do. Hurt you.
"Y/n...I-I..." Thranduil stammered, but the words wouldn't come out.
"I'm sorry...I-I shouldn't have done that...I knew better."
"No, Y/n..." Thranduil replied, mortified. "Please, let me-"
"No...please don't touch me."
Your words cut Thranduil to the core, causing tears that he never knew he was holding back to slide down his face.
"Darling, please...I don't know what came over me. I had no right to do that to you." He said, his voice now trembling.
"Please, just go." You answered, barely above a whisper. "Leave me be."
"No, Y/n, I will not do that."
"Go." You replied with more force. "I need to be alone tonight."
"Y/n...please don't do this..."
"Thranduil..."
"Alright." Thranduil replied, knowing it would do no good to argue. "If you need me-"
"I know...but I will be just fine on my own tonight." You answered, wiping the tears away. "Maybe the Orcs will find me and do us both a favor."
Before Thranduil had a chance to respond, you turned to leave, not once looking back to see the tears streaming down Thranduil's face and ignoring his cries, begging for you to stay.