I entered the palace kitchen as I sought for Aurae, and I smelled vegetables and fruits, as well as a wine smell that stung into my nose.

"Thayel, come here!"

Everyone instantly stared at me when Aurae called my name.

"Who is she?"
"Is she a princess?"
"But from where?"
"A princess doesn't want to come here."

I listened to all servants in the kitchen started to whisper and look at me quite cynically.

"I assume people are talking about me, Aurae."

"No they are not, but I think everyone is looking at your big gown, Thayel. They were assuming that you're a princess. But do not mind them, let's just say they were ghosts!"

Aurae stared at me from head to toe.

"What is wrong with my gown?"

"Wow, that gown was maybe too sumptuous for a servant, don't you think?"

"I assume this gown still looks simple like the other servant gowns, doesn't it?"

"Servant do not use gown like this one! Now you have to serve this to the King, quickly! Before he eats you like a thirsty dragon!" Aurae gave me a tray full of berries salad and bread, and I smiled as I looked at the tray.

"It appeared the King has the same taste as I do."

I entered the dining room, and I saw Thranduil seated already, and everyone in the dining room was loudly talking to one another. All the voices started to echo from the dining room, but not for Thranduil's; he sips his wine slowly and inaudibly without talking like the other elves did.

I thought he rather liked a peaceful place, at least more than a loud and crowded place. I placed the plate in front of him, and he ate it right away without looking at me at all. I was a ghost to him or maybe he needed to avoid and stay away from me.

My stomach trembled so hard as my face began to pale, for I hadn't eaten at all since I came to my bedroom, even my feet started to hurt and swell.

I stood beside Thranduil's seat, and whenever he ran out of his wine, he waved his hand, signaling that I had to refill his wine. It was a painful event standing all night long, hearing the sound of people chewing their food and sipping wine, while I haven't eaten yet and basically starved.

Everyone has left the dining room happily, and of course, with their stomachs full of food. I bet all servants has already eaten too when they finished serving all the food. Thranduil stood and left the dining table immediately, accurately as he finished gulping his last sip of wine. He began to leave the dining table, and I breathed in relief as I walked slow and sure with no sound.

Suddenly my footsteps stopped as Thranduil sound became audible in my ear, and he did not turn is head to glance at me.

"Where do you think you're moving, servant?"

"I was head up to the kitchen, my King."

"Don't you understand that you are my servant, and that means you should linger alongside me every time I require you."

"But my King, I am of my own mind that now it's too late and too dark."

"Now I doubt you of your ability to become my servant."

"Forgive me, my King."

Thranduil walked while I followed him from behind. The guard opened the big double door that was made of wood. At first, I thought it was a bedroom, but it was more like a chamber. I was mesmerized by his chamber, it has a tall pillar, with a huge chandelier and a big mattress with a wood branch on the top and around the bed.

He signaled the guard to leave his chamber. "Close the curtains." He said. I nodded while I immediately closed all curtains in his chamber, I made a bed for him so he can sleep restfully. 

He came out from his bathroom as he changed his clothes with his long robe. But still, he looked fascinating and strangely attractive with what he wore that night.

He took off his branch crown, poured a glass of wine and sipped it.

He turned his face to me while he held his wine glass, "You're allowed to drink the wine if you want."

"Unfortunately, I don't drink wine, my King."

"It's too bad, I admire wine."

"Sit down, I know you're tired, I'm not a cruel king like what you've said yesterday, am I?"
He said, pointing at the sofa. I didn't want to say anything, so I immediately sat on the sofa.

"Yeah, but unfortunately you don't know that I, your servant, was so hungry!" I thought.

Thranduil

I laid on my mattress and read a book. It was continuously tough for me to close my eyes and slept, therefore, I just read a book I desired, until I fell asleep. However tonight, it felt different.

I felt so debilitated, I decided to sleep a little earlier than usual.

I ended the book and put it back to the bookshelves. I turned my head as I observed her, fallen asleep on my sofa.

I approached her slept so peacefully, and I did not hear any noise come out from her mouth or nose. It was a slight unusual at the beginning. until I saw how deeply she slept, I discovered a piece of peacefulness inside me. It was exhilarating and I sensed like I drowned and became part in her dream.

She frowned a bit, perhaps it was the breeze of the wind in my chamber.

I instantly grabbed a blanket from my mattress and wrapped her body. She smiled, yet she still closed her eyes.

"Thanks, Ada." she groggily muttered.

Her hand held mine so delicately, she thought I was her father.

I knew she missed her father and she wanted to return to his arms. But the thought crossed my brain that she should be fulfilling her duty as my servant to make up for all her mistakes.

Thayel

I woke up. Slowly, I retrieved all little things that happened last night until I remembered accompanying Thranduil and sitting on his sofa. I was surprised, feeling as if I had been struck by lightning.

"I slept in the King's chamber! I must've been so drained, I fell asleep, how stupid of me!" I thought.
But I grew more bewildered when I found my body was covered by a blanket.

"Did Thranduil covered me with his blanket? No, I don't think so, why would he let his servant sleep well and warm, while he slept without any blankets?"
I decided to thought about it later and cleaned Thranduil's bedroom.

After I cleaned Thranduil's bedroom, I reached out from his bedroom quietly, I don't want anyone to notice that I fell asleep in the King's chamber. 

I tidy up my gown that was rumpled as I was shocked when Aurae ran to me and called my name.

"Thayel! I've been searched you all over the palace! Where have you been?"

"I'm just looking for fresh air in the garden."

"Well, this could be one of your lucky day, Thayel!"

"And why this is probably could be my 'one of my lucky day', Aurae?"

"There's no breakfast in the dining room today, it could be resumed until dinner. And I believed you may like this news, since of yesterday, Thayel. I knew you were suffered, you stood all night long beside that cruel King. I was absolutely one hundred percent sure there was no servant who would do that task."

"Wait, you said there was no breakfast in the dining room until dinner, and how come?"

"There was a major report spread in the kingdom that informed us. The spider and orcs began to sneak into the forest. The King, Prince Legolas, and their armies have begun to oversee the forest, just in case something happens."

I responded, attempting to seek for something in my mind, and I spotted something I wanted to say to Aurae.

"Aurae, can we go to my bedroom? I have something to tell you."

What do you think about this chapter girls and guys! Did Thayel started to fall in love with Thranduil in the next chapter ??? Leave a comment!