The Gathering Storm. Chapter 8: Fake Acceptance.
They spent a couple of hours just hanging out in silence by the beautiful water garden. Surprisingly Taryn's father or the guards never did find them.
"They probably don't know we even have gardens," Thorin said after Taryn mentioned them not being caught.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't. It is not like my father would spend time learning about another kingdom. He doesn't even like to go to Rivendell or Lothlórien." Taryn added.
"When we go visit my grandparents in Lothlórien or uncle in Rivendell he always stays in Mirkwood. Only my mother, myself, Vanya, and sometimes Legolas will go." Taryn said as she continued to talk about her father.
Thorin just nodded his head as she talked. "It is beginning to get late. We better head back before my father sends guards looking for me when I don't show up for dinner," Thorin said and laughed.
Taryn nodded her head as she stood up from the bench. Thorin stood up and took her hand into his own. He held her as they walked back into the mountain.
Just as they entered the mountain Dís and Frerin came running up to them. The young dwarf princess smiled at Taryn as she noticed her.
"Where have you two been?" Dís asked them both.
"I showed Taryn the gardens," Thorin said to his little sister.
"And you didn't invite us brother? You know how much I love our gardens," she said to him and made a pout face.
Taryn couldn't help but think how cute Dís looked when she made a pout face.
"You can come with us next time," Taryn said to Dís.
That made Dís smile, "oh good. Are you going to join us for dinner tonight Taryn?"
Taryn nodded her head to Thorin's sister, "I will if my father lets me."
"Oh I already saw your father with our grandfather. They were talking in his study. Maybe he is joining us for dinner tonight also," Dís said to Taryn.
Their brother Frerin just rolled his eyes at his little sister, "sister you need to stop spying on grandfather. You know he does not like when you do that." He said to the Dwarf princess.
Dís made a face like she was angry at her older brother, "I wasn't spying on him. I was just walking by and saw them together." She said as she crossed her arms over in a mad manner.
"Did you ditch your tutor again?" Thorin asked her.
"No of course not. I used the bathroom and just never went back," she said with a big smile.
"Oh I think I like you," Taryn said with a smile as she grabbed the Dwarf's hand as they walked to the dinning hall.
"I ditched my guards today," Taryn said in a whisper to Dís which made Dís giggle.
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Thranduil's POV:
Thranduil was upset with his guards for not being able to find his daughter. He didn't understand how four grown Elves could not find her or the Dwarf Prince. But he tried to hide how annoyed he was as he went to dinner with the King and his family
Of course he wasn't surprised to see his daughter walk into the dinning hall. He would have to get the chance to talk to her after dinner. He didn't care how old she was, that was not the way to act.
Last time they had dinner with the King and his family is daughter had sat by him. This time she was sitting by Thorin and Thorin's younger sister. There was something different about his daughter's appearance, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
He ate his dinner in silence, only speaking when the King of Erebor talked to him. But every once in while he would give his daughter and Thorin angry glares.
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Taryn's POV:
After dinner Thorin walked with Taryn back to her guest chambers. She knew that her father would be waiting for her. For he had left the dinning hall before they did.
They rounded the corner and Taryn sighed out loud, "he is going to be waiting for me in my room. I can just sense it," said to him as she looked over to him.
"Shh it will be okay," Thorin said as they stopped at her door. "Tomorrow I shall show you the library. Let's just hope your father will let you for you don't have to ditch your guards again." He said to her which made her chuckle.
He then turned to face her and placed his hands on both sides of her face. "Don't worry we will figure this all out," he said to her and then lightly kissed her lips.
"Goodnight Taryn," he said to her after pulling back from the kiss.
"Goodnight Thorin," she said with a sad smile. She wasn't sure if her father would allow for her to see him and how mad he would be for ditching the guards.
"I'll come by tomorrow after I finish my princely duties," he said and give her one last quick kiss.
Taryn then watched as he walked down the hall towards his on bed chambers. She sighed as she slowly opened the door to her chambers
Just like she thought her father was sitting on a chair in her siting room.
She sighed as she walked over to where he was sitting, "aduial vaer Ada."
Thranduil placed the book down that he was reading and turned to look at his daughter.
"So did you have a fun day Iellig?" He asked her.
"Yes Ada I did. Are you mad at me for ditching Feredir?" She asked him as she sat down on the chair next to his.
Thranduil nodded, "I did think it was quite childish of you Taryn."
"Naethen Ada, but you wouldn't let me see him." She said as she looked down at her hands.
Thranduil sighed as he looked over at his daughter. Tears were forming in the corners of her eyes. She liked Thorin a lot and she wasn't going to let her father stop her from seeing him.
"He asked if he may court me and I said yes. I like him a lot Ada and know you don't like him, but it is my choice." She said as she looked at him. She was trying her best to be brave.
She loved her father and she never wanted to disappoint him,but she had to follow her heart.
"Goheno nin Ada, but I have to follow my heart. Even if he is not an Elf."
Taryn thought that her father was being too silent during this whole conversation and she did not like it.
"Please say something, Ada." She said to him wanting to know what he was thinking. Even if it was bad, it would be better then silence.
Thranduil looked at his daughter again and sighed, "you already know how I feel on this matter. But it is obvious that you don't care want I think. Like you said you already accepted his courtship." He said to her and pointed at her braids.
"And even if you wouldn't have told me you did, I would have known because of your braids. I know us Elves do not wear beads like that and I know all about Dwarven hair braiding," he added.
Taryn was shocked. She truly did not think her father knew anything about Dwarven culture.
Thranduil sighed and rolled his eyes at his daughter, "do you really think I am that ignorant that I wouldn't know anything of Dwarven culture? After all it was I who wanted to come here," he said to his daughter.
"Naethen Ada. I always just thought you didn't like Dwarves and their ways. So I figured you wouldn't take the time to learn of their culture." She said to him and looked down in shame.
"Your right I don't like the Dwarves, but I want to make good with them for we don't ever go to war and when we need allies we will have them. So I like to learn of their ways to look good, it doesn't mean I like the way they do things," he said to her.
So she was right it was just all an act. He didn't really care about the Dwarves at all. She suddenly wished that someone else was her father. Someone who actually cared about other races and their cultures.
"I know you don't like them Ada, but I do and you can't change my mind. I am hoping to have your blessing in him courting me, but if not it will not stop me." She said trying her best to sound confident.
Thranduil sighed, there was no way he was going to win this battle so he had to give in. But he knew in the end he would win this war. Because eventually and soon they would be going home. Then he could cut off all forms of contact between the two lovers.
"Fine, you win. Be iest lín Iellig." He said to Taryn with a smile that had a secret meaning.
Taryn smiled as she stood up, "so you will let me court him?" She asked her father.
"Yes, Iellig." He said to her. 'For now I will' he thought to himself.
"Oh Le hannon Ada," she said as she leaned in and gave her father a real hug. Not one of those touch your heart with your hand Elven hugs.
Thranduil sighed, but he hugged her back. He liked the Elven hugs better. He then broke the hug for he could stand up.
"Fuin vaer. Hodo vae, Iellig." Thranduil said as he walked towards her chamber's door.
"Fuin vaer, Ada." She said back to him as she watched him leave her room and head to his own.
After Thranduil left her room she couldn't help but jump up and down and spin herself around. She had no clue that her happiness would be short lived though.
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Sindarin Translation:
aduial vaer -- Good evening.
Ada -- Daddy.
Iellig -- my daughter.
Naethen -- I'm sorry. (Literal meaning: my sorrow).
Goheno nin -- Forgive me.
Be iest lín -- As you wish.
Le hannon -- Thank you.
Fuin vaer -- Good night.
Hodo vae -- Rest well.
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Thranduil really is a sneaky bastard isn't he lol.
If you are reading this on here and/or Wattpad this is chapter 8. But if you are reading this on AO3 it is chapter 9, because the prologue is considered chapter 1 on AO3. So no chapters are missing.
