Look Farther Than You Can See
mischiefofdurin:
There Thranduil was. Fili had watched the Elvenking while walking to the festive halls, stolen short little glances. Thranduil was as ethereal as ever, as far away as the distant stars and yet closer to the earth than any other elf Fili had even met. A river of silver in the forest.
Fili hadn’t quite expected him to loom like this. Approach with a little more care, perhaps, something that felt less intimidating. But Fili knew that this too was a test. A game of power which Fili had learned the rules for.
He raised his golden goblet and sipped at the wine before he looked up at Thranduil, a wordless welcome in his eyes.
If the other king wanted to fight, Fili would try to disarm him.
"Well met, King Thranduil. I wish I could have welcomed you into our halls before the coronation but I missed my opportunity. Now I finally bid you welcome, Star of the Forest realm. Long has it been since you have entered here but I hope you shall not find our hospitality lacking."
Quiet conversation, Fili reminded himself. He had words to exchange with Thranduil but Fili wanted to see if they were welcome first.
{ clever—a challenge, a duel, an unspoken match of wills and testimonies, and Thranduil’s blood sang in his veins }
”Mountainhalls seem to have sprung up from the grandeur of past generations—a magnificence which clings to the air of your very kingdom. Trust I that have I only experienced the best of which your kin has to offer.”
Confidence which clung to the Dwarvenking, a robe which adorned him so—the straight of his spine, the pride of his voice, the earnest gleam of distanced solitude and awareness in his eyes, an impressive aura—
—Thorin Oakenshield chose his heir well.
{ a kingdom reborn, a new era, the beginning of an entire revolution of services and ordeals, a brilliant sun rising far above the horizon of the world }
”Extend I the grace from the Woodland Realms, hail I here to pay you homage during such a sanctuous night as this.”
—a flourish, a slight bow, azure orbs light and regal, a stern hardening of the jaw, a swift movement of slender fingers—
”—I expect much from you, Dwarvenking, may so there be light ever in your favor—as well as to the relations of our people.”
Thranduil's words were honeyed gold running through the mountain like sap from a tree. Pretty, even gorgeous to look at but only as valuable as the beholder deemed them. Thrnaduil had played this game for far longer than Fili had, for far longer than Fili ever would. For wasn't this what seemed to made the elves so ethereal? Knowledge and power and the silver light of the stars, the lights of their makers.
Fili dipped his chin a little to acknowledge the compliments. While Fili tucked them away as formal flattery, he also knew that his ancestors had worked hard on turning the halls of Erebor into those of full splendor. Perhaps they even would have loved the compliments, if they hadn't come from an elf.
"Thank you for passing the gap between our lands, oh King. I accept the grace of the Woodland Realms and extend the same to you-- Erebor wishes you well, as do I. May you find security within these walls as long as they are mine."
It wasn't a threat or a promise. Fili merely knew that Thranduil would live to see the King who would reign after Fili and while Fili hoped to have some influence on his heir, it would ultimately not Fili's decision of Thranduil would be welcome in Erebor's halls after his demise.
The smile Fili showed Thranduil was small but made his cheeks dimple. He knew a challenge when he heard one and he had to ensure that Thranduil wouldn't trample all over him but Fili also needed to convey that he genuinely wanted to better the relationship between their people.
"If you expect much from me, Elvenking, then I expect nothing less from you in return. I have seen your lands and met your people." In jail cells and in a town surrounded by water. Fili had witnessed both sides.
"And I shall endeavor to work past old hostilities. But building relations has always been a joint effort."
