And finally, the person who came in first place....

bibli0thecary

Congratulations on coming in first! You did an amazing job and we absolutely loved your story. You have won one of the hobbit themed teas of your choice; Hobbiton Meadow Mint Tea - Gandalf the Grey Tea (Camomile and something else) - Bilbo Baggins Breakfast Blend (Cinnamon/Orange/Black tea). Also you have won 'Tree by Niggle' by Tolkien. And you've won a 'The Hobbit Moleskine Notebook'!

If you can send me your adress in the pm's or over e-mail, then I can send you your prizes :) I'll have to order the tea first so it may take some time before it gets to you. But we'll stay in touch about that.

Feedback from the jury:

"We absoluty adored your story. Thranduil as a character felt very natural and elf like. Also we feel like you did his character justice. The way you wrote him felt like the character we saw in the movies. Very well done.

The problem, and the reason as to why you came in second, is the word count. You weren't allowed to use more than 2000 words. Sadly, when we used a word counter it said that your story was 3268 words long. The reason why we still put you in first, is because we decided to only judge you on the first 2000 words.

We understand if people think that this is unfair, or that your story should have been disqualified. But the reason as to why we chose to do this, is because we thought that your story was the best. Also, you were the only person who entered when the competition was still set until the 31st of January.

We did put you in second place at first, but it felt wrong. So we do understand if people will critize us for this decision. But it is the one we stand by. We hope you will understand. Maybe we were wrong for doing this, and we understand those reasons. Still this is the story that we think should win the competition.

In our opinion we think you rocked it. The ending especially send us into tears and was a wonderful touch and ending to the story itself. We loved the development, the characters and the over all meaning of the story. You are in first place with an amazing story that you should be proud of!"

The story:

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His Greatest Miracle — Thranduil x Reader

Thranduil watched from his balcony as you walked in the garden. Your eyes sparkled in excitement as your delicate fingers touched the tip of every flowers. Thranduil couldn't help but noticed how your plump lips curled into a radiant smile, melting his cold heart. Thranduil smiled faintly, he wondered how a human like you, managed to look so alluring in his eyes.

However, his smile disappeared and he kept a straight face when you looked up and noticed him. You waved at him and grinned. Thranduil wanted to return your smile, but he just gave you a nod instead.

Thranduil's mind was battling against his lonely heart. He knew he was falling for you, his translator, a human at that. Elves rarely got a chance for a second love, but he guessed he was lucky when you walked into Mirkwood and made your way into his heart.

While everyone thought that he was nothing more than a cold hearted king, you thought so much more of him. He realised that you had never been seen without a smile on your lovely face. That was one of many things that he adored about you.

You always tried to talk to him, comfort him with your efficacious words and smiled at him whenever he was feeling down. Thranduil couldn't deny his feeling any longer.

He was in love with you.

But there was one thing that stopped him from loving you. No, not because of you were a human. Thranduil admired you for being a human, yet you were like a goddess to him.

It was because he didn't deserve you.

He was cold, while you were warm. You were his light, but he was afraid if he touched you, you might be affected by his darkness. He was worried if one day he might end up hurting your fragile heart. He never wanted to hurt you.

So Thranduil kept pushing his love away for you. But it seemed like you never wanted to be away from him. You always came back to him, always. And it was hard for him to isolate his feeling while you were always by his side. Love was tormenting the elven king.

Just like today.

Your table was located across the king's in his study room, and if you look up from your work now you would see him watching you with adoration. But you were too focused on translating the letters, and you were determined to finish them before the sun sets.

"Y/N."

"Yes, Thranduil?"

You didn't even look up from the letters, and it brought a smirk upon Thranduil's face. You were the only one who he allowed to call him by his name, you always wondered why. He stood up and walked towards you, and yet you were too busy to notice him.

"You dare not to look at your king while talking to him?"

He asked, a smirk was dancing on his lips. You stopped working and looked at him who was standing in front of you now. You chuckled softly and shook your head.

"Forgive me, my king. But I want to finish these letters before evening."

You decided to use his title, making he smiled. He looked at the letters that you were translating on your table, then his gaze landed on you.

"Do you have any plans this evening? Why are you in such a rush?"

He frowned slightly. You smiled shyly at him and for a moment, Thranduil was worried. What if someone had asked you out this evening and you accepted? Thranduil couldn't bear the thought of you being in another's arms.

"I want to visit the library today. I haven't been there for almost a week, and you know how much I love books."

You told him eagerly. The gleam in your eyes sent butterflies fluttering in his stomach. And oh, how he loved this feeling! He hated to admit, but you managed to make him feels things that he had never felt before. Not even with his beloved late wife.

"May I.. May I come with you?"

He asked, hesitation filled his eyes when you looked at him. You arched an eyebrow, surprised with your king's words. He let out a sigh, thinking that you might want to go alone. But then your smile alarmed him that you were more than delighted.

"Of course, Thranduil. It's your library, after all."

You laughed and it was music to the king's pointed ears. His heart fluttered, knowing that he was the one who made you laugh. Thranduil was aware that if he spend time with you more than he should, he would only be falling for you even harder. But he did it, because he already fell head over heels for you anyway.

So after you finished translating the letters with zest and intelligence, you and Thranduil went to the library together. And to be honest, you really appreciated his presence there.

"Thank you, Thranduil. You're the best!"

You thanked him when he helped you to take the book that you wanted because you couldn't reach for it. The elven king smirked and shook his head.

"You're short for a human, are you aware of that?"

Thranduil knew how much you it angered you when someone talked about your height. But when you just smiled, he felt something was wrong.

"Y/N, why are you not mad at me? You're usually mad when people talk like that to you."

Thranduil tilted his head a bit and pressed his lips into a thin line. You chuckled under your breathe and tried to ignore his question but he won't let you get away.

"Because I can't be mad at you, Thranduil."

You were being honest. You couldn't be mad at someone that you loved so dearly. He would never know, that his translator was helplessly in love with him.

"Why--- Why are you so kind towards me?"

Thranduil asked, suddenly feeling vulnerable around you. He didn't deserve this, he didn't deserve you. While the others treated him nicely just because he was a king, you treated him genuinely with respect. What did he do until he gain your undeniable kindness and loyalty?

"Because you deserve it, Thranduil."

You said, not knowing how much it meant to the king. Thranduil's eyes brimmed with tears and he wanted nothing more than to hold you in his arms. But he didn't.

"Thank you, Y/N."

He breathed out, his heart was screaming for him to tell you how much he loved you. You nodded and without thinking twice, you wrapped your arms around him. Thranduil stiffened, his breathe hitched as his eyes landed on you.

It felt so right when you held him, but he couldn't stay. Thranduil pulled away from you, his tears threatened to spill from his eyes. You were expecting this, so it didn't hurt you when he did that.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Y/N."

He said, before leaving the library. A sad smile decorated your face. You knew you were trapped in a devastating fate when you fell in love with Thranduil. The elven king had his love, his late wife was his first and last. Your undying love for him would meant nothing but still--- you believed in love. Even if it meant that it would hurt you endlessly to know that your love was unrequited, you were ready. As long as you could give Thranduil a little bit of comfort that you know he needed.

That night, Thranduil kept thinking about you. He tried to get you out of his mind but he couldn't. He wanted to go to your chambers and be in your arms, but he knew that was highly improper and you might not feel the same.

After his wife, Thranduil was alone. He fell into despair when his son, his only heir, Legolas left, never to come back. He lost his hopes and darkness consumed his heart. But when you arrived, everything had changed.

Thranduil walked into his balcony, his eyes were searching for you. He knew you would be in the garden, your path was showed by the moonlight. And he wasn't wrong.

You were sitting on the grass, with two boys and a girl that he believed were his advisers's children that you were getting fond with. You laughed while watching the children played.

"So innocent, so beautiful and fragile.."

Thranduil whispered under his breathe, describing you. He shook his head weakly and walked back into his chambers. A wistful sigh escaped his lips and he knew he didn't deserve you.

You deserved more than what he got to offer.

On the next day, you woke up early as usual. There could be nothing more satisfying than the feeling of dawn. Nature was at its best and was the glorious hour. The brilliant beams of the sun gave a splendid shading to the mists and knolls, mountains and valleys. It was the time when the day throws away the shroud of night.

But your fire to start your day quickly died when you didn't see your favourite ruler of Mirkwood during breakfast. When you arrived in his study room, he wasn't there either. You wondered if your action yesterday was affecting or offending him.

You asked his advisers, and they only let you know that on today, you better not disturb the King of Mirkwood. You didn't ask why, but you just agreed to it.

You never know that Thranduil locked himself in his chambers. Today was the same date and day when his wife was taken away from him, forever. He stayed in his chambers, his heart was mourning but his eyes didn't cry anymore. He was healing.

You were worried for him. You didn't know the cause of his sorrow, but you wanted to help. You asked the maids and they told you that Thranduil refused to have food sent to him in his chambers. You were worried sick when you knew that he didn't eat for a day.

It was almost midnight when you finally saw him. You just came back from the library and was on your way to your chambers when you saw the elven king came out of his chambers. You quickly approached him and concern filled your eyes when you noticed his fatigue expression.

"My king, are you alright?"

You gave him a small smile, but he didn't return it. He was going to walk away but you grabbed his wrist to stop him from doing so.

"Thranduil, tell me what's wrong. I just want to help."

Thranduil glared at you, his jaw clenched. You let go of his wrist and you didn't understand why he was acting like that towards you.

"Do you want to eat? I'm worried about you. You didn't eat your breakfast or lunch and---"

"Why do you care so much?"

He hissed through his gritted teeth. You stopped talking and your shoulders slumped. You were stunned, but you still tried to smile at him.

"I.. I'm worried about you. Whatever it is, I assure you that it will gets better. It might be stormy now, but it never rains forever."

You gave him a comforting smile. Thranduil's heart was adjusting to your warm words but then he scoffed.

"Stop, Y/N."

"What?"

You frowned. Thranduil looked away from you and you knew what he was going to say was hurtful.

"Stop being nice to me."

You were going to say something but he shot you a glare, shutting your mouth.

"Stop smiling and laughing like everything is alright when it is not! Do you think if you're being optimistic all the time you will never get hurt? Life is not all about happiness! Sometimes in someone's life it might be raining forever, without a rainbow afterwards. It is me who deserves no happiness in this tormenting life of mine."

Your smile dropped and for the first time, Thranduil saw you without a smile on your beautiful face. Hurt was evident in your eyes when his wounding words sunk in.

"Yes, you're not wrong, my king. Life is not all about happiness. But we have to find our happiness. We need to work for it. No one should live unhappy, neither should you. I hope you can see that I am here to make you happy."

Your voice cracked as a lone tear rolled down your face. Thranduil's heart was breaking when he saw you crying because of him. He was a fool for making his love cried. He didn't mean it. He never meant to hurt you.

"I wish.. I wish you could see that I'm always here for you."

You didn't want to say it, but it broke your heart to know that Thranduil couldn't see your affection and tenderness towards him and only him.

"Why can't you see that I love you?"

You said almost in a whisper, but loud enough for Thranduil to hear you. His eyes grew wide and his heart thumped against his chest like a drum. You loved him?

"I know it is unrequited and to be honest, I do not mind. As long as you let me comfort and help you. I might only be a human translator to you. But to me, you are my world."

It hurt you so much to know that the elven king would never returned your love, as much as you did. Thranduil wished he could tell you how much he loved you, but he was flabbergasted. And he didn't know where to start.

"Good night, King Thranduil."

You left before he saw tears streamed down upon your cheeks. Thranduil was taken aback, and he stood there watching you left. He couldn't deny his love for you. If you wanted to make him happy, he wanted to make you happy too. He was going to make it up to you on the next morning.

Thranduil's heart was crushed when he couldn't find you anywhere on the next morning. His anguished mind quickly directed him to ask the servants.

"I saw her walking to the stables, my lord. She was dejected, I could tell by her red and swollen eyes."

Thranduil took no time to rush to the stables. As he arrived, you almost mounted on your horse but stopped when he called out your name desperately. Tears gathered in your eyes when Thranduil wrapped his strong arms around your small frame, the sound of wailing and suffering escaped the king's mouth.

"Y/N.. Please do not leave me.."

A great tremor overtook you once he said those words. You buried your face into his chest and sobbed uncontrollably. Your gut-wrenching sobs tore through his chest and he realised he loved you too much to let you go. It pained him to know that you were hurt because of him.

"Edraith enni, Y/N. I'm drowning without you and you know it. You're my world as I am yours."

He spoke softly, his lips quivered as tears fell freely on his face. You wrapped your arms around his waist, you could feel his sorrow and agony bursted through his words.

"Odulen an edraith anlen, Thranduil."

A sigh of content escaped the elven king's lips as you looked up at him with your luminous eyes. Thranduil pulled you closer and your heart fluttered when he pressed his lips with yours. The kiss was everything you could ever asked for. Thranduil smiled in the kiss, knowing that you would always be there with him.

"I love you, Y/N. But I was in doubt whether I deserve your love or not until I didn't realise that you were slipping through my fingers. My heart is yours, meleth nin."

Thranduil smiled genuinely at you. You nodded and stood on your tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek where his scar was hidden.

"Le meluvan úne ar alye lúmessen tenna nurucilie."

He promised, sealing it with another kiss on your kissable lips. You shut your eyes and felt yourself getting lost in the kiss, letting him guide you like a king should.

Thranduil was aware of misery and dejection that would befallen upon him after your death, that you were a mortal. But he would risk it all, as long as he got to love you for your lifetime.

Love that he got for you was stronger than he had ever felt for anyone else. You were a miracle that happened to him.

...

Thranduil sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose when his advisers came into his throne room, bringing another problem on his mind. They were telling him about it when he raised his hand and stopped them.

"That is enough. Leave me."

They nodded and walked out of the throne room. Thranduil's burden quickly lifted up of his shoulders when he saw you, walking towards him with a smile on your face. Being a mortal, you grew old, but still you were the most beautiful creature he had ever met.

"Oh, my love. Where have you been all day? I've missed you, Y/N."

He walked towards you, a tired smile found its way on his face. You chuckled softly at him and his heart bloomed at the sound of it. He was looking forward to see you on the end of the day, everyday, you were the only reason why he was still standing proudly as the King of Mirkwood.

But his moment with you was disturbed when the Captain of the Guard came to him with an uneasy look on his face. Thranduil's face hardened at the guard.

"What do you want?"

The Captain of the Guard feared him, but he also respected and admired his king so he had to say this or else the ruler of Mirkwood just couldn't stay sane. It was breaking his people's heart to know that their king was losing his mind.

"My king, she is not here with us."

The Captain of the Guard told the elven king. The queen had passed away a few months ago because of old age, and Thranduil couldn't get her out of his mind.

"Queen Y/N is gone."

Thranduil stiffened and tears pooled in his eyes as he was reminded that his second wife was gone. He looked around and realised that he was hallucinating about you again. It happened for a few times now.

"You're dismissed."

Thranduil said, before straightened his back and nodding at the Captain of the Guard. The anguished king went back to his chambers and broke down in tears.

He took your favourite dress in his hands and he still could see how beautiful you were in it. A great sob escaped him followed by his fist meeting the wall. Losing you was the hardest thing he had ever faced in his life and he knew he couldn't survive this agonising pain.

Tears boiled in his eyes and his shoulders tensed when he realised that there was nothing left for him here, now he knew. He went to gather his belongings and was ready to leave.

"Farewell, Y/N. Guren níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham."

It was time. He was ready to sail into the west. With you, being in his heart and memories. His greatest love of all.

Elvish Translations:

Edraith enni - Save me.
Odulen an edraith anlen - I'm here to save you
Le meluvan úne ar alye lúmessen tenna nurucilie - I will love you for better for worse till death us do part
Guren níniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham - my heart shall weep until i see you again