3rd Person PoV

--

Mantheniel was relieved when she saw the outlines of the palace. They had been delayed for quite a while due to unexpected circumstances. One of them being ambushed along the way, by a pack of orcs that seemed to be on a hunt for something. Fortunately, no one had gotten injured. Except for their queen, although Mantheniel kept it hidden well. She did not need them to worry and the wound was practically already healing itself. It was a careless accident on her part. She had tried to evade the blow but it simply made the sword sink deeper into her skin. She quickly concealed it before any of the royal guards found out. She did not want to them to fuss over her and she wanted very much to not worry Thranduil. She was sure he would lash out on the royal guards, even though none of it was their fault.

She wondered then if Thranduil was alright. She had been gone for almost three weeks. They rode on through the elven path and neared the Palace where the door was opened upon their arrival. She dismounted her horse and noticed a fine looking carriage in the stables. She eyed it curiously. It was obviously not theirs for it looked too grand, and gliterry.

"Welcome back, my lady." The stablehand bows before taking her horse from her. Upon entering the palace, maids quickly ran to her, almost shocking her as their abled hands helped her remove her gloves, wool cloak and shoes. Mantheniel tried to stop them but they were quite determined, eventually, she gave up.

"I have readied a bath for you, my lady." One of the older maids, who had dark hair, bowed to her. She was one of the maids that had been kind to her since she had become queen, all the rest seemed to either dislike her or feared her. She frowned at the thought as she walked through the halls, with a group of chattering maids following her. She stopped and they all halted, their eyes turning to her, awaiting a command. She smiled softly then before waving them off.

"Please, I have no need of this," she explains as the maids turned to each other, confused looks on their faces. "Go, I shall call upon you when I am needing assistance. For now, would any of you be able to tell me where I may find the King?" She asked and the girls expressions turned into a sort of panic as they seemed to argue amongst themselves.

"He- he is in the council room, my lady." One of them spurts out as the others seemed to grow suddenly nervous, making Mantheniel raise a curious brow.

"Which one?" Mantheniel asked, sternly. She had not meant to sound so but something about their reactions troubled her deeply. The elven maid that spoke up suddenly looked down on her feet as the rest averted their eyes.

"Are you sure you do not want a bath, my lady?" Her name was Meira, Mantheniel suddenly remembered and turned to her with a smile.

"Thank you, but I would really like to see my husband." She says, she is about to ask again when they were joined by Falasdir, who had also just gotten back days prior from their patrol.

"Mantheniel! It has been long, I am glad you are back," he exclaims, flashing her a grin as the maids seemed to grow more worried. Mantheniel gave them a curious glance as she turned to Falasdir.

"Falasdir, perfect timing. Do you know where I may find Thranduil?" She asked, she noticed the amused look he had on his face as he glanced over at the tittering elleths behind her.

"Yes, I shall take you to him. Right this way, my lady." He smirks as he turns around and Mantheniel follows him, dismissing the maids that were hesitantly following her.

"Has something happened? Why is everyone so nervous?" She asked when they were alone, Falasdir kept walking, sparing only a glance at her direction.

"Has it something to do with the carriage at the stables?" She inquired, hoping to fish out some answers. She knew Falasdir knew something, all she needed to do was make him tell her.

"Yes, a family has visited. They have been here for three days." He explained as they turned corners and the door of one of the council rooms came into view. It was the grandest room and Thranduil only usually held council there if it was something important and required more than five people. Mantheniel narrowed her eyes at Falasdir who turns to her with a mischievous smile.

"When did you come back?" She asked, changing the subject entirely. He stopped then and turned to her.

"Three days ago," he answers. Mantheniel wondered about Lindethiel and as if he read her mind, he answered before she could even ask, " she's in there." He gestures towards the door and Mantheniel looks at him curiously. He turns away then, his smile broadening as they neared the room.

"I am so going to enjoy this," he mutters as he knocked on the door briefly. Mantheniel was beyond curious now and before the guards could announce who was coming in, she had already pushed her way through the door, her chin lifted. She did not want to be kept out of the loop.

"I can very well announce my own arrival, thank you very much." She grumbles as she pushes through the guard that was about to announce her arrival. Her eyes find two figures seated by table with Thranduil. Lindethiel was leaning against one of the pillars, her eyes on the elleth seated on the table, before flickering over to Mantheniel. Mantheniel stopped in her tracks as her eyes landed on Thranduil but that is not what caught her attention, it was the arm that was placed on his. The elleth seated by the table had one arm draped across his and she was leaning towards him quite too much. Mantheniel was quite surprised at her loss for words as her eyes turned to her husband.

Thranduil was surprised upon seeing his wife. He felt his heart lift at the sight of her, although something about the fire that was blazing in her eyes told him she felt the exact opposite upon seeing him. She lifted her chin as the fires seemed to burn even more, her eyes traveling to everyone in the room. He quickly stood up as she shot him a glare.

"Mantheniel-" he starts but was cut off with the warning in her eyes. He was utterly confused. Had he done something wrong?

"You are in so much trouble," Lindethiel murmured as she passed by him, walking over to Mantheniel. He noticed Falasdir smiling behind her with a slight shake of his head.

"Mellon nin, it has been long." Lindethiel calls and for a moment, it breaks Mantheniel's heated stare as she smiled warmly at her friend, causing Thranduil's brows to furrow. As if just realizing it, the elleth and the far more older ellon stood quickly with a bow towards Mantheniel.

"My lady, it is an honor meeting you," the older ellon says. Mantheniel had to stop herself from narrowing her eyes at him. She did not understand the blinding rage that was burning inside her. The image of that elleth's hand on Thranduil's kept appearing inside her head. How dare she touch him so openly? And how dare he let her. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at her husband.

"I would say the same to you but unfortunately, I have no idea who you are as I was gone for quite a long time."

Thranduil noticed the edge in her voice and how she kept glancing over the elleth by the table.

"Allow me to introduce myself," the ellon proceeds with another bow and a flashing grin in her direction, " I am Adamar of Myrin." He then gestures to the elleth who bows but her smile does not reach her eyes, "this is my daughter, Arlayna."

"She has done nothing but openly flirt towards your dear husband," Lindethiel mutters under her breath, loud enough for only the both of them to hear. Mantheniel gritted her teeth in reflex. She knew something was unnerving about that elleth. With her rosy cheeks and big cerulean eyes. She fought the urge to lose her composure. Mantheniel does not speak but simply nods to them in acknowledgement. Snapping something into two seemed like quite a good idea right now. She turned to Thranduil with another look, her lips a straight line before smiling kindly at the two guests.

"I am afraid I shall need to make myself appropriate first, if you will excuse me," she says as she noticed that she looked rather 'unkept' and 'dirty' in front of their guest, and for the fact that she felt like blowing up. Thranduil strode quickly towards her but stopped again when she turned to smile at him. That smile somehow made his blood run cold.

"Please, stay dear husband. I would not want to take you away from such an important meeting." She turned away then, much to Thranduil's confusion and briskly walked out the door. Lindethiel looks at Thranduil expectantly, her eyebrow raised as he seemed like he was just punched in the stomach. He made a move to follow Mantheniel when Arlayna's voice cut through the tension in the room.

"Will you be leaving us, my lord?" She asked, her voice a little too high pitched, making Lindethiel twitch. Thranduil turned to them then, an argument building up in his head. It would be disrespectful of him to leave his guest, but somehow he found himself not caring as the image of Mantheniel came into his mind.

"I shall take care of them, for the mean time." Lindethiel offers, giving Thranduil a look.

"Go, your wife just got home. I think you deserve some time alone with her," she continues and opens the door for Thranduil. Thranduil turns towards his guests, the look on Arlayna's father told him he was not pleased with Mantheniel's behavior.

"I apologize," he starts with a soft bow, "Lindethiel, one of my best guards will entertain you for the time being. I believe I need to speak with my wife, I have been parted from her too long." With that, he strode quickly out the room. Arlayna hides the scowl in her face as she catches Lindethiel narrowing her eyes at her with a smirk.

"Please, sit down." Lindethiel says, her voice strangely soft making Falasdir fear her a little. Somehow, the kind Lindethiel was scarier than the one that keeps hitting him.

"I do believe the king is going to take a long time to return." She says, her voice hinting something, "Perhaps I can tempt you with the king's wine?" She then offers, signaling for one of the servants to fetch a pitcher. Aradan seemed pleased but Lindethiel could not say the same for Arlayna who now had her eyes on Falasdir, who was quite occupied with staring at some point on the wall, totally unaware and ignoring the young beauty. Lindethiel held back a snort as the servant reappeared and poured wines on their cups. Lindethiel plops herself on the King's chair, successfully gaining Falasdir's attention. He looked at her with an eyebrow raised and saw that her eyes had that mischievous spark in them. He did not know which situation was worse, Arlayna's or Thranduil's, still, he found the corners of his lips twitch upward as Lindethiel eyes him from where she sat. Leaning forward, Lindethiel studied the elleth.

"So, tell me more about yourself, Lady Arlayna." She smiled sweetly convincing Falasdir that Arlayna was in a much worse situation.

--

Tharnduil followed his runaway queen across the halls of the palace. She seemed to be aware of him following as she quickened her pace, determination carrying her feet.

"Mantheniel," he calls but she ignored him as she turned corners every now and then Thranduil was convinced she had no idea whatsoever where she was going. He smiled at the thought, even in situations like this her pride would not be wounded.

They passed by servants and maids and even noble's that lived in the palace. They all turned to stare at the King and Queen who seemed to be playing a slow game of chase. Some of them fought the urge to smile or giggle, afraid of what such reaction would cause them but still a few smiles and giggles escaped as Thranduil grew rather impatient with his wife's silliness.

Mantheniel was lost. She cursed the halls of the palace for being so complicated. She could not even escape her own husband! Nor hide from him. She passed by curious faces, watching her do something that was not to be expected from a queen. Although, judging from her cross expression, their king must have done something wrong. Some of the elleth's knew, of course, that it had something to do with that elleth from Myrin. One that had not left Thranduil's side since arriving. They all knew how dense their king would be, but they somehow found it rather enjoyable to see the king and queen act like children every now and then.

The older elves that have lived longer within the palace walls had rising spirits to see their king smiling as he followed the new queen. They were one of the few that loved Mantheniel, for they could see and they noticed the changes she had brought not only in the palace but to the king as well.

Mantheniel spared a glance at him in which he raised an eyebrow at her, making her draw out a frustrated breath. Mantheniel spotted a very familiar looking elven maid.

"Meira!" She practically shocks the spirit out of her as Meira turned towards the queen, her eyes glancing at the king behind her.

"I do believe I want that bath now. Would you lead the way?" Mantheniel was growing panicky as she felt Thranduil come near her. Meira seemed to be in distress.

"Try the library my lady, he probably wont follow you in there." Meira answered quickly as she bobbed her head to the right direction of the library. Mantheniel wasted no time as she quickly evaded Thranduil's grasp and practically ran towards the library. She was not going to let him convince her he had done nothing wrong and she was quite sure that if he touched her, her decisions would waver.

Thranduil stared after her as she strode quickly before he could reach her. His eyes turn towards the elven maid she had spoken with, who stared up at him with innocent eyes. The maid shrugs as she continued to 'pretend' to sweep the floor. Thranduil narrowed his eyes. His queen was going towards the library, he knew the way by heart. Now would be the perfect time to visit the library again, he thought as he strode after her. Meira seemed alerted at the King's action. Mantheniel was changing him in every way possible. Meira did not know what to feel, happy that the king had finally let go of the past or sad that she had just most probably sent Mantheniel to her own trap.

Mantheniel pushed the door open and quickly tried to conceal herself in the aisles. She had never been inside the library of Mirkwood. Everything was spotless and arranged saved for the books scattered and untouched by the table. She heard the door open and she held her breath. Had Meira lied to her?

"Do you not think we are too old to be playing hide and seek, my queen?" His voice echoed and bounced off the grand walls of the library. It was huge, with big open windows high above the ceiling letting the natural light of the sun illuminate the vast collection of books. Mantheniel wondered if Thranduil had read each book here. Probably not. She made sure her feet did not make a sound as she navigated herself through the aisles while making sure she was not seen. She heard him let out a chuckle.

"Come out, come out my little dragon flame," his voice rang in her ears and she stopped for a moment, realizing the silliness of their situations. Why could she not just tell him what was bothering her so? Because she was not going to just admit to jealousy. She frowned upon the thought and realized the library had grown eerily quiet. She peeked through the small gaps of the shelves and found no one standing by the door, which was closed. She drew in a sharp breath as arms wrapped around her waist, hitting the back of her head on his solid chest.

"Found you," he murmured by her ear and she fought the shiver that ran down. Curse the gods for making her weak! She broke from his grip, only stepping out when she was abruptly turned and pinned against the shelf, causing some of the books to fall down. Her eyes grew wide as she stared at him with disbelief.

"What is the matter?" He asked her, his voice dripping with concern. He held her captive, between his arms as she struggled to push him away, making him step closer that she was practically glued on the wooden shelf. Mantheniel avoided his eyes, aware of the heat that rose to her cheeks.

"Nothing, let me go." She says through gritted teeth, "Why do you not just go back to your guests? Since you seem to be pretty close and enjoying each others company."

Thranduil stared at her with narrowed eyes, convinced something was bothering and she refused to talk about it.

"Mantheniel..." He starts as his brain somehow finally stitched everything together, "are you jealous?"

She could hear the smile from his words as her eyes snap up to meet his glinting ones. Insufferable fool!

"Do not flatter yourself." She retorts, attempting to push him off her again but to no avail.

"Mantheniel." A smile was breaking through his features. He could not stop it even if he wanted to, she was just too darn adorable. She was quite determined to keep her pride intact. Mantheniel felt the tips of his fingers under her chin as he lifted her face up to force her to meet his eyes, she continued to glare on the floor with a pout that Thranduil found irresitable.

"I am sorry," he half whispers to her as she continued to frown on the ground, he fought the urge to laugh at her, running a hand down her arm instead. She shrugs him off, her glare finally finding their way to him. Thranduil was smirking! Of all the things he could do, he just infuriated her further. Her glare did not break as he leaned towards her, his forehead resting on hers as he closed his eyes.

"Please, meleth nin, forgive me."

Mantheniel kept her lips in a straight line, the image of that elleth burning inside her head. She did not know anything about her but the fact that she did not want her near her husband. Or any ellon for that matter! His eyes open and warm blue eyes met hers and she felt her anger subside a little.

"I have missed you," her heart was somehow scolding her mind, telling her stubborn head to forgive him already. She frowned and averted her gaze.

"I missed you too," she grumbled reluctantly and heard a rumble in his chest as he leaned closer and caught her lips with a chaste kiss. She sighed against his lips before he breaks apart.

"Who are they, anyway?" She asked, evading another kiss from him. Thranduil lets out a sigh, thinking of how he would explain the situation to her.

"Aradan is a noble elf from Myrin, a kingdom east of here," he starts,making sure to use his words correctly. He pulled away from her and began pacing along the library, stopping to pick up and examine a book on one of the long wooden tables. Mantheniel followed him quietly, already feeling that she was not going to like the rest of his tale.

"My father and him had a sort of agreement of an Alliance between our kingdoms," he drops the book, facing Mantheniel with his hands clasped behind his back. She was leaning against one of the shelves in her dirty tunic, the leather breast plate and trousers. Thranduil did not find her more attractive than that moment then.

"It was a long time ago but it never came for the only way to have said alliance was to marry off their children," he continues, hesitating if he should go on. He leaned on the edge of the table, sitting on it slightly as he crossed his arms across his chest. His robe was in the color of dark silver. He was not wearing his crown and Mantheniel wondered where it was. He had not been wearing it at the council room.

"Unfortunately, they both had sons." He stated simply, noticing Mantheniel's eyes reveal how her mind was already trying to figure out where he was going with this. She remains quiet even though Thranduil was quite convinced she already had an idea what this was about.

"Now, they finally visited. Asking if the agreement still stands, presenting his daughter." He finished and waited for her reaction. He noticed her jaw tighten as a fire started burning in her eyes.

"They must have not expected you to be unmarried?" She asked, crossing the room towards him with her hands on her hips. Thranduil raised an eyebrow at her, he was aware of the hidden insult in her question. An insult regarding his age. He pulled her towards him, trapping her in his arms as she squirmed away. He was not in the mood to have another fight with her. He would rather they would use their energy for something far more productive and enjoyable.

"No, of course not." He starts as he attempts to kiss her again, she dodges it, her face stern. "Although, if you remember, I was for a time." He teases, causing her to frown further but she could not hide the warmth that invaded her cheeks in a red hue.

"Why are they still here then?"

She was making it rather difficult to seduce her, Thranduil thought reluctantly as she continued to pull away from him.

"Because they know of Legolas," he stated simply and already anticipated her reaction. Her eyes grow wide as he tried to keep her clasped inside his arms.

"You cannot!" She argued and Thranduil gave her a few nods.

"My love, Legolas would not be back for quite a while," he explains, feeling her struggle against his grip, " they would probably not wait that long and if my wish is answered he would return with the one he wishes to marry."

Mantheniel stopped squirming as her eyes turned soft towards him and a smile appeared on her face, an eyebrow raised in amusement.

"You thought of this well." She commented as he pulled her towards him, his nose grazing her skin. He breathed in the scent of her, mixed with the smell of earth and pine. He claimed her lips, this time with the determination of showing her just how much he had missed her. He pulled away and was contented with the effect as her eyes grew dark.

"I could not possibly have all the fun of marrying whom I choose to spend the rest of eternity with." He smirked as he promptly lifted her off the ground, making laughter escape her lips. With one swift motion with his arm, he shoved all the books off the table and placed his laughing queen on the hard wood. Her laughter rang in his ears and everything else is forgotten as he kissed her again.

"What about your guests, my king?" She asked, attempting to block away his hands as they tried to remove her breast plate. He raised an eyebrow at her, before retracting his hands.

"I think they would be fine for a few more minutes," he argued with a pout making Mantheniel hold back her laughter. How she loved teasing him. She pretended to get off the table but stopped when his eyes fell on her. She bit back a laugh that would reveal her true intentions. Her eyes grew wide, innocently as he muttered something under his breath before pushing her back down with a smirk.

"It is a library, Thranduil!" She argued, trying to get a hold of her senses as his body leaned over her, robbing her of her breath. She heard him chuckle as his deft hands removed the leather plate, his face inching closer towards hers. She felt his hands run down her waist before she felt his fingers undo the buttons of her tunic, with deliberate slowness all the while those eyes, with undisguised desire, were fixed heatedly on her.

"It is. Fortunately, it is exclusive for the royal family only." He murmured and caught the surprise in her mouth with a feverish kiss. He leaned back and his eyes feel on something just above her hip bone.

"You are injured." He stated, already feeling his anger rising. Mantheniel knew exactly what would happen and therefor she quickly grabbed hold of him, his cloak crumpled beneath her palms.

"I am alright, it is practically healed." She argues, trying to reign control of his flaring anger. Thranduil caught her eyes and reluctantly tried to calm down. He would talk to the royal guards later.

"Please, do not blame them." Mantheniel pleads already pushing herself up on the table, hastily wrapping her tunic around her. "They do not know, I hid it from them."

Thranduil frowned before drawing out a heavy breath and a shake of his head before wrapping his arms around her warmth again. Mantheniel was a tad bit disappointed at his sudden lack of enthusiasm as she rested her forehead on his chest, her hands smoothing out the crumple on his cloak.

"Do not think for a moment you would escape from this," she felt the rumble in his chest as he spoke and found herself smiling. She leaned back to look up at him, with a smile on his face before she shook her head and quickly unclasped the brooch that held his cloak. He watched her for a moment as his cloak fell over him and landed with an echoing sound on the floor of the silent room. Her eyes glinted as she grabbed on his tunic and pulled the both of them down the table, her breathless laughter was stopped with a crash of his lips.

Outside the room, the queens personal elven maids stood near the door. Their loyalty to their queen, even though she was rather odd, was strong and they were worried  about the king if he thought of lashing out on her. One of them jumps as they heard a few things drop to the ground. Although they could hear female laughter from the room. Meira, being the oldest and the wisest, knew exactly what was happening behind those doors and her fears dispersed as a smile spread across her lips. With a few waves of her hand she had shooed the elven maids away explaining how the queen would not be needing anything as of the moment. Except maybe a new set of clothing, she mumble under her breath remembering one of the few times she would find her queen's new clothes ripped in such an aggressive manner. She shook her head at the thought, their king was quite something. She left the door, knowing fully well no one would bother them since no one really went in the royal library anymore.

She met Falasdir and Lindethiel along the halls, looking for the King and Queen.

"Oh, they are quite determined to show how much they missed each other at the moment." She chirps as her cheeks grow warm, Falasdir and Lindethiel share a look before the maid scurries on. They change direction and proceed to go back to the council room.

"Whatever shall we tell them?" Lindethiel asked as they walked side by side, both of them not bothering to hide the smiles on their faces.

"We could tell them the truth," Falasdir suggests making Lindethiel chuckle.

"You do know I do not have any arguments about that."

"Which is why, I should do the talking for now." He flashes her a grin as the doors open towards the living room. Lindethiel grabs hold of his sleeves before they walk in.

"So, elves lose their urges right?" She asked in which Falasdir looks at her curiously but nods all the same, " how does it come back? I mean, Thranduil was practically a stone statue and now it is like he cannot even control himself!"

Falasdir could not help but laugh at her and stopped only when he saw the seriousness in her eyes. He shrugged, giving her a mysterious smile before heading inside the room where Arlayna and Lord Aradan waited. Lindethiel stood still for a moment before she quickly strode towards Falasdir.

"How do you not know?" She whispered as they slowly neared the table. Falasdir suddenly felt a little warm which goes unnoticed. Lindethiel stares at him for a moment when realization hits her.

"You are not a..." Virgin. Was she wanted to ask but she could not let the word come out of her mouth. She stared at him for a moment as a shadow of a smile appears on his lips. He leans towards her ear, "would you like to find out?" He whispered, and Lindethiel felt her face heat up as she slapped him hard on the shoulder. He laughs as he walks away from her, speaking to their guests again. With a scowl, she follows him.

---

Authors note: Hello! Did you guys miss Manthy and Thrandy? Because I had fun writing this chapter. :) just a longish breather or filler to fill in the gaps towards the whole plot.

What about Lindy and Falasdir? Hahaha I am thinking about making a spin off story on them. Would you guys be interested in that? :) it was an idea swimming in my brain but thanks to kaitkatbar , (thank you by the way, and do check your inbox. XD) who gave me that push (since I was doubting) I will be putting up a spin off story on them.

I am also planning on like a lee pace fan fic... XD

And alsoo! The picture on the media box is a cover made by Pinkars  :) one of my lovely loveliest supporters here on wattpad.

Also, the nickname 'Little Dragon Flame' was princesswithashotgun 's idea. Pretty cute and perfect, right? Hihi