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: The artwork is presented - the opinions are split.
CHAPTER 6
Thranduil had already prepared for the night when he heard a tentative knock on his door.
"I am already sleeping!" he yelled.
The door opened, and in came Nonfindel. This Elf was definitely the last one Thranduil wished to see right now, and a frown showed on his brow.
"If you were already sleeping, you would not have answered," Nonfindel said, closing the door behind him.
"What do you want? You have but one moment before I order my guards to remove you from my chambers."
Nonfindel had to collect his thoughts first. He had stood outside of Thranduil's door for at least half an hour, rehearsing the little speech he had prepared. But now, at the sight of the king wearing nothing but a thin pair of sleeping pants, all the beautiful, well-chosen words seemed to have disappeared.
"I came to bid my farewells. I shall leave for Imladris in the morning."
Thranduil took a step back, and for a moment, his face showed genuine surprise. But then his impassive mask was back in place.
"I knew you were not made for life in Mirkwood. You had better go back to the soft beds and plush sofas."
Nonfindel sighed.
"I wish to apologise for ruining your picture. Though there was not much to ruin. It was awful, and I think the artist was not too fond of your father. But maybe you can cover it with a tapestry."
"You will not leave."
Nonfindel looked at Thranduil as if he had sprouted a second head.
"Pardon me? Of course I will. Who should hold me back?"
Thranduil tilted his chin arrogantly.
"This is not a request. You will stay here and return the picture to its original state."
The artist chuckled.
"With greatest pleasure. If you give me a hammer, I will start right now."
Thranduil growled and glared at Nonfindel, who suddenly had a revelation.
"I see," he grinned, "you do not want me to leave, is that it? You wish me to stay and keep you company!"
The king wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"Nonsense. Why should I wish for your company?"
Nonfindel took a step closer, a predatory expression on his face.
"Because I am charming, witty, share your love of the fine arts and am very pleasing to the eye. Come, admit it, Thranduil - you are fond of me."
Thranduil folded his arms over his chest and clenched his jaws.
"No-one could be less fond of you than I am, Lórindol. The only characteristic surpassing your arrogance is your vanity."
Nonfindel shrugged.
"Fine, then do not admit it. It does not change the facts, though."
With that, he unlaced his tunic and then, much to Thranduil's horror, pulled it over his head.
"What are you doing?" he yelped.
"I would have thought that was obvious: I am undressing," Nonfindel replied while he hopped on one foot to take off his boots.
"You will not undress in my chambers!"
The trousers followed the boots, and Thranduil interrupted his protests for a moment to stare at the naked Elf opposite him.
"You would not want me in your bed with my boots on, now would you?"
"My bed? Why... what..." Thranduil stuttered. This would have been the moment to grab Nonfindel by the scruff of the neck and kick him out of his bedroom, but the Elf had already gone over to the large bed and slipped under the covers. He patted the space beside him invitingly and wiggled his eyebrows at Thranduil.
"Will you join me now, Thranduil, or stand there all night?"
* * *
TBC