Romeo and Cinderella - Chapter 6

Young Anya laid in her bed, tossing and turning, as she dreamt about the night her brother died. The moonlight shone through her window and onto her petite figure, covered by the thin silk blanket. It had been less than a few hours since Anya had decided upon the wedding dress in which she would wear if the King wished for them to marry. Her sleeveless white gown that went down to her knees, stuck to her body slightly due to the sweat now forming from the unpleasant dream. The maiden even huffed and puffed helpless, her chest rising and falling dramatically.
The orc slashed its infected blade across her brother's stomach, blood pouring out endlessly. Anya hid in fear like she did all those centuries ago. This time, the orc did not leave. He found Anastasia. The ugly beast snarled at the younger one, hiking over to her with its heavy boots. It grabbed her by the scruff of her hair and roared in her face. In hopes to pathetically defend herself, she hid behind her hands, not wanting to let it see her fear. The orc should no mercy towards her and it plunged its blade into her stomach, multiple times. No screams were heard for she was too busy grunting from the blade cutting through her.
Anastasia shot up from her bed, waking up with a huge gasp of terror. Anya had to look at her surroundings to try and remember where she was, also checking if it was reality. Thankfully for her, it was indeed. She sighed, trying to regain her breath also. She placed her hand over her forehead, feeling the cold sweat there. Anya had never felt so frightened from a dream in a very long time. As a child should would usually have the same nightmare and had done until she attended Thranduil's ball. Since then, she had been dreaming about the King. Anya turned her body so she was sitting on the edge of her bed, her small feet on the wooden floor. She thought about Thranduil and the dreams she had with him in.
They were not pleasant to begin with. This was when the King held Anastasia captive. The dreams would contain scenes where he would scold her for every little thing she would do wrong. He would punish her brutally, making her sleep in the cells, giving her leftover food and making her stand in the rain. There would even be times in those dreams where he would raise his hand to hit her, but in reality; he never did do that to her.
Her dreams got better. Ever since he begun to be less selfish. Her dreams turned to bliss, where he would always have his back turned to her but just before the dream would end, he would turn his head to face her and have a look contained with such love. How she wished he would really look at her with love.
Thinking about the King made her want to visit him, but Anya knew it was so late. The moon was past midnight point in the sky, thus proving it was past midnight. He would most likely be asleep in her opinion. But she felt scared also, having the anxiety one gets when they have a bad dream. She did not wish to be in her room any longer, for there were shadows surrounding her, everywhere. Right away, Anastasia stood up, making her way over to her door and exiting. She closed the door behind her and was about to make her way to Thranduil's chamber when she stopped. She wondered if he were to get mad at her for being up so late. Anya imagined what he would do if she were to disturb his slumber. 'He may get angry... I do not wish for that'
Creak.
Anya turned around to look at the closed door of her room, knowing the sound came from in there. She then walked away quickly, smiling nervously to herself. 'But there's no harm in seeking safety in the King' After passing through any corridors, Anya made her way to King Thranduil's chamber. This was the only room she knew the location of due to the fact that the palace was so large and she had been to Thranduil's chamber enough times also. It was not long before she arrived outside his room, only to see two guards outside it. They looked at her with one eyebrow, each, raised. They both held spears in their hands too. Anya spoke up nervously.
“I-I'm here to see the King” They looked at one another, not sure if the King would want to see visitors so late at night. Anastasia noticed the looks they were giving each other and she spoke again. “I just wanted his company... b-but if it's too late, I'll go” She said, about to turn around, however one already entered the King's chamber to seek his approval. Anastasia was silent, waiting for him to come back. After a few seconds, the guard came back, keeping the door open whilst gesturing with his head for Anya to go inside. She bowed her head quickly to both guards and trotted inside, the door shutting behind her. The young maiden looked around, noticing that the King was not within his actual chamber but was actually outside on the large balcony where he was looking out into the woodland of Mirkwood.
His expression was thoughtful, eyes being distant with perhaps tiredness or too much focus. Reluctantly, Anya walked outside slowly to join the King's side. She turned her head up to him. Now that she was beside him, she could clearly see that Thranduil was a tall man with very broad shoulders, his chest strong looking and arms that seemed they could lift five regular men with ease. Her own eyes went soft and full of wonder, seeing how beautiful and rare his eyes were thanks to the moonlight. They were the brightest blue she had ever seen, more precious than a diamond in a forgotten desert. He did not look at her, but continued looking out into the dark and dank woodland.
“The hour is late and you are awake. What has caused this?” Anya looked away, her eyes falling to the stone floor.
“I...” She trailed off, not wanting to recall her nightmare for it was too horrific for her to handle. The King breathed in through his nose, whilst he remained holding his hands behind his back. His chest came out a little as he breathed.
“Do not shy away from me. I am not one to bite you for your reasoning” She bit the inside of her lip, her eyebrows furrowing up slightly in her discomfort. She felt as if she was about to cry but of course, no tears came to her eyes. She fumbled around with her hands, squeezing them a bit in panic. From the corner of his eye, Thranduil saw this discomfort. He turned his head completely to her, his voice being quiet for comfort. “I shall only listen”
The King had not ordered her to look at him. She raised her head, their eyes hitting each other with smooth compassion. 'He's changed so much' Her heart jolted, wanting her to go on for the sake of their love that was ripening.
“I had dreamt of my brother's death” Her head lowered, looking at her hands which were holding each other tightly. “but this time, I paid the price for hiding. Punished for not helping him whilst he called out in terror” Normally, the King would speak however, he was a King of his word. He remained silent to listen as the young maiden put her hands onto the stone plates that formed the railing in a semi-circle. “I know you speak of how he wished for my safety, but there was one thing I hid from you when I informed you about my brother's death...” Her breath rattled from her physical body shaking, her hands slowly clenching into fists. She did all she could to hold her tears back. “My brother called out my name whilst he was being murdered. He wanted my help” Transparent tears fell onto the stone plates. Thranduil's expression did not change whilst he continued to listen. He allowed her to weep for now, so she could finish her confession. Her breathing went heavier than before. “He yelled my name... over and over again... he screamed for my help. I was so scared. Blood leaked all over the floors... I didn't want to die” Her sobs were now controlling her, she could no longer speak for the lump in her throat was unbearable. She choked, her heart aching in extreme agony.
The King, being beside her, place his fair hand upon her back. Very slowly, he stroked her back, making it slide down and then he would put it back to the top of her back, gliding it down repeatedly in order to sooth her. Anya's shoulders continued to shake up and down, whilst weeping. She knew the King was giving her comfort but she was too distraught to react.
“Foolish girl” This caught Anya's attention, making her stop her loud sobs. Turning her head to the King, he placed his hand upon her cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb.  “you weep over something that has caused fate to join our paths together?” Anya sniffed, replying to him.
“What do you mean?”
“If a fragile creature such as you were to fight against an orc, your end would be within seconds. Changing your brother's fate by helping him would have been pointless. The result would be both your deaths. If you had met your end all those years ago... you would not be here beside me, enlightening me with your presence” His words captured her heart, her eyes wide from not being able to comprehend what he had just said to her. She was shocked that he still beseeched such enchanting things to her. He wiped away the last tear that left her emerald green eye. “the tears which you shed...” he frowned ever so slightly. “I despise them” Anya smiled, sniffing once more. She bowed her head a little.
“I'm sorry”
“You find humour in my words?” She shook her head.
“No, of course not, my King. I swear. It's just...” She looked at him, his eyes focused on her to read her eyes, making sure that she was being honest. “you have changed since first we met” He said nothing, his eyes looking to her as if he was not impressed. Because she thought he was going to get angry at her, she began to apologise to him, trying to explain what she meant. “W-what I meant was that, you've changed towards me! N-not in everything. Y-you're still a very wise and powerful ruler-”
“You are to blame for that” Her eyebrows furrowed upwards, not understanding what he meant. She felt sadness as he removed his hand from her cheek. 'He blames me for making him change for the good?' He tilted his head upwards, looking up at the dark night sky. “It's a blame... that you should be proud of” He looked back at Anya, a very faint smile on his lips. “for I am happy”
Seeing the King smile, made Anastasia smile also. Thranduil's heart was warm, no longer icy like it used to be. This maiden had changed him in a way that could make him happy for many more years to come. He even let out the smallest of chuckles, seeing her white teeth that formed her smile. “You smile so brightly which could make even the sun envy you” Anastasia found her cheeks heating up but she bashfully looked down, smiling with glee. With his lips still in a small tug of a smile, he suggested to her. “If you wish, I shall watch over you tonight” She raised her head, blinking innocently.
“You mean...?” He turned around, walking back into his chamber, Anya following behind him.
“If fear of yourself falling into the nightmare of your brother's death haunts you, you may stay within my chamber for the night”
“I would hate to invade your pri-”
“I am offering you protection for the night. Are you going to refuse your King?” He almost sternly said, making Anya nervously smile. She felt as if she was obliged to accept, but of course, she would never complain. Bowing her head, Anastasia responded to him.
“I shall accept, my King. Thank you” Being completely oblivious for what she was actually up for, she made her way innocently over to his grand elvish bed and sat on the edge of it. She slipped her legs under the blanket and went to lie down when she realised; Thranduil was watching her, still standing. Her eyes went red, her cheeks going red, only now understanding that he would be watching her sleep in such little clothing. As if Thranduil knew exactly what she was thinking about, a smirk plastered across the older male's face.
“Anastasia. If we are to marry, I shall be seeing less of your clothing upon your body when you lay upon my bed. If you blush in the cheeks now, with clothes on, I dread to think what you will be like as my wife... night after night...” He spoke, lust laced within his words. Anya turned her head away from him, her whole face now more red than a rose.
“I-I'm not nervous or anything! I was just caught off guard for a moment, s-so...”
“Your excuses amuse me” Anya went quiet, lying on her side with her back facing the King. She felt embarrassed, however; he was right. If they were to marry, she would have to get used to the King being so close to her when she wore perhaps nothing. Her embarrassment died down and it was then replaced with the feeling of protection. Her King was watching over her so no horrible dream could ever make its way to her, his future wife.

A couple of hours had passed by and this was when Anastasia opened her eyes a little. She felt a presence beside her, causing her to lift her head a bit to see who it was. She was lying on her stomach so there was no need for her to turn her body. Her eyes connected to the place where the presence had come from, only to see her King, Thranduil lying on his back with his eyes closed. 'He looks so peaceful' Of course, she did not expect her King to suddenly lie on the floor for the night so him being on the bed beside her was no surprise. She gazed upon him with such admiration. He looked so tranquil whilst he slept and harmless. Never before has Anya been in this situation which explained why she was so fascinated. Something caught her eye; on the King's chest, where his fair skin was which was not covered by his silver clothing, was a scar. It wasn't too big nor too small. Just a white gash mark.
Her head tilted ever so slightly to the side in seeing this. He was King who had seen and perhaps been in many battles. Even the greatest of Kings escape with scars. When elves require wounds, they are able to conceal them and sometimes even able to heal them completely. The fact that a scar still remained meant that the wound must have been deep. It was over where his heart would be. 'Such a close fatal wound' Thranduil had been close to death. That's what the scar told.
Anastasia raised her hand and lightly traced the scar with the tips of her fingers. It was smooth, just like the rest of his skin. She couldn't help but feel sorry for Thranduil however. He had been so close to death, and even someone like him must have felt scared. Before she could trace her fingertips over it any longer, Thranduil caught her hand with his, holding it tightly to begin with but his grip loosened. Anya's eyesight went over to his face, seeing his eyes were open but he looked up at the ceiling and not her.
“I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-” She whispered but he cut her off, gently.
“No... it is fine” Her hand relaxed in his and for a moment, he even brushed his thumb over her hand as he held it. “I had once been in a battle with a dragon. The battle left behind wounds. Wounds that will never go away, no matter how much I try to conceal them” The young elf then replied with something that the King did not expect her to say. Her voice was that of sympathy. Her hand clutched onto his.
“You must have been so afraid” Thranduil looked at Anya, saying nothing but looking at her with his usual cold yet fair face. Her eyes looked away from his and down at the bed. “Facing something so powerful, trying to end something so huge... it must have been frightening”
“... I may have felt fear, but that would never have stopped me from protecting my people” Anastasia smiled a little, resting her head down on Thranduil's chest which made him look down at her in slight surprise. She closed her eyes.
“I'm sorry for the way I had acted when we saw each other on the second day... Legolas was right. You're... a wonderful man” She close to falling off into her sleep again. The King looked back up at the ceiling, his fingers now very lightly running through her fuchsia hair. His voice was quiet but remained deep.
“Cease your constant apologies. I have no interest in them” In truth, hearing such a thing leave his maiden's lips made him feel content, proud to have faced his battles.