PAINTING THE WOODS RED
Overall rating: (very mild) orange (see rating explanation below)
Category: slash (two male Elves in love).
Pairing: Thranduil/Lórindol (called "Nonfindel")
Status: complete
Warnings: none
Beta: Eveiya the Ever Efficient
Summary: Nonfindel tries to charm the king of Mirkwood - alas, Thranduil is not overly cooperative...
Author's note: sequel to "Finding Námo" - but works well as a stand-alone. And yes, Miss Eveiya, I also think the name of the advisor is truly prattish. As a matter of fact, I gave him the name of an individual who tried to cut my hair off in kindergarten when I was four. I know how to hold a grudge... ;-)
CHAPTER 1
Thranduil was an Elf who stuck to his daily routine. Every day, he got up at the same time, had breakfast, went for a short walk and then attended to his duties. He was rather predictable in this, though nobody would have told him so. Thranduil took pride in his reputation for being irritable, unpredictable and difficult, and those around him did not have the heart to destroy this illusion.
It was a lovely spring morning, and Thranduil sat at the table in front of the large window in his study. He loved this spot, as he could look out upon the small flower garden his gardeners had managed to cultivate. It was difficult to make anything grow in Mirkwood, as the sunlight often did not reach the ground, blocked by the thick roof of the trees, but here, all kinds of flowers grew, and Thranduil enjoyed the sight. On very rare occasions he used to sit on the grass and read, sometimes accompanied by Legolas or another of his children, but unfortunately, none of them shared his love for study, and so they usually occupied themselves with carving arrows or stringing bows, while he lost himself in poetry.
Thranduil knew that many, especially among the Elves of Lothlórien, looked upon the "cave king" and his realm with pity, but he did not mind. He did not trust the airiness of the Mallorn trees. How could a couple of interwoven branches be a home? And as for Elrond's Last Homely House: it seemed rather frivolous and pompous in its glory, and Thranduil never felt quite secure behind the intricately carved doors.
For him, a home had to be a castle as well, a fortress, fit to keep those who lived inside safe. No, Thranduil liked his cave just fine. And what could be better than to sit here on this beautiful morning, sipping a cup of tea, overlooking the garden? Enjoying the singing of the birds and the sight of a naked Elf who took a sunbath outside?
Thranduil put down the cup with such force that the saucer rattled.
"Lionel!" he barked, "Come here immediately!"
His chief advisor, who had been busy preparing for their morning meeting in the background, hurried to his king's side, worried by the irritated tone in his voice.
"Is anything wrong, Sire?" he asked.
"Indeed there is! Look out of the window!"
Lionel came to stand beside Thranduil, who had left his table and was now staring out of the window. The advisor did the same, then frowned.
"There is a naked Elf lying on the grass," he stated.
"I know this, do you think me blind? The question is: why is there a naked Elf sunbathing in my garden? Has Mirkwood turned into Imladris and nobody told me? Have this impertinent Elf removed immediately! There could be Elflings or females close by!"
Lionel shuffled his feet.
"Sire, that is Lord Lórindol. I do not know how we could remove him..."
Thranduil groaned and threw his arms in the air.
"You do not? What do I have an army for if not to remove naked Elves from my garden? Let some of my guards carry him away! Use horses to drag him off! It cannot be that difficult to remove a single Elf from my premises, now can it?"
The advisor ducked.
"No, my king, but he is the brother of Lord Glorfindel, and..."
"And if he was Glorfindel himself I would not want to see him in my garden! Naked or clothed!" Thranduil exploded. When he saw that Lionel would not be much help in this matter, he shoved the advisor aside and stormed towards the door.
"Sire, what are you going to do?" Lionel called after him. Thranduil, already halfway out of the door, growled.
"Remove a disturbance from my garden! Somebody has to maintain law and order here, after all!"
Lionel shook his head. He was very fond of Thranduil, and was not looking forward to seeing his king lose a battle.
* * *
TBC