Aduialel

It was a bad idea.

Of course it was.

But you were tired of letting your cherished woods being eaten away by dark creatures. You didn’t want to abandon Mirkwood to them; you wanted to fight.

Thranduil told you numerous time that your guards were more than capable of dealing with them. But you were a warrior queen and there was no way you were going to leave all the fun to your soldiers.

Especially when you knew there was something more. The creatures seemed to get stronger lately, and you wanted to understand why.

Thranduil tried to forbid you to go after them, but at the moment your husband turned his back to go to a meeting in Rivendell, you went after the darkness.

You saw the shadows eating your forest alive. You understood how powerful it was and how to destroy it.

You planned and you attacked.

But not everything went as you wished and because of your foolishness, one of your soldiers was going to die.

You wouldn't have beared the guilt of it so you saved him before you could be stopped. You killed the beast, but not before the monstrosity sank its teeth in your leg. Its poison instantly burnt you and you cried out in pain.

Your last thought was about Thranduil and Legolas. Were you never going to see them again? Were they going to lose you to the darkness?

Everything went black after that.

You stayed in a world of fire and pain for a while. You didn’t know for how long. More than once, you thought about giving up. It would be so much easier. So much softer.

However you were a warrior.

A queen.

A wife.

A mother.

Giving up was not an option.

After weeks, you opened your eyes. You were resting in a bright room.

Too bright.

You winced in pain because of it and then because of the liquid fire engulfing your body. You heard voices around you, something about not moving. It sounded a lot like Thranduil.

The darkness engulfed you again, but this time you went away with the clear feeling of your husband's hand in yours.

It was comforting and it seemed to keep the fire at bay.

"Are you burning my forest?" You croaked out, the iron taste of blood covering your tongue

When you opened your eyes again, it was dark outside, not even the moon was there to greet you.

But you felt better. No more unbearable pain.

Legolas was pacing out in the room while Thranduil was still holding your hand, watching through the window. You noticed flames outside, and it worried you.

"Mother!"

"Beloved"

Both your men instantly leaned toward you, Thranduil bringing your hand to his lips and Legolas sitting on the bed next to you. You could see the relief washing over their gorgeous features.

"So, the fires?" You asked again

"We're burning the creatures." Thranduil explained with fatigue.

He stood up, kissed your forehead before looking for a healer.

"I thought Father was losing his mind when I arrived. The doctors were pretty pessimistic about you." Legolas whispered

"I'm a warrior and a queen." You shrugged, as if it explained your resilience

"You are, mother. But I now know where my recklessness comes from." Your son smirked

You quietly laughed.

"You might be right about it. Even waited for your father to not be around to find troubles." You paused "Is he angry at me, you think?"

"Concerned and exhausted only." Legolas replied "You have been unconscious for over two weeks and father refused to leave your side, no matter how much everyone told him he needed some rest."

You groaned. "Great, I'll get an overprotective husband for some times now." You rolled your eyes.

At this instant, your healer came in and checked on you. Thranduil's eyes never strayed away from your face. You could see the dark circles under them. You noticed how restless your lover seemed to be; his fingers playing with his rings nonstop.

"So?" He finally asked the healer

"The Queen needs rest and to keep her bandage on her legs clean. Otherwise, she'll be fine." She said

"Good. Are you done?" Thranduil asked and when the healer nodded, he added: "Then you can leave."

You gave him a look of disapproval. You whispered a gentle thanks to the healer as she left. She turned around to bow to you before silently closing the door.

Thranduil was by your side in an instant, his right hand tenderly cupping your jaw.

"Legolas, how about you get some fresh water to your mother?" Thranduil asked without turning to his son, a simple pretext to be left alone with you.

Legolas understood and disappeared after having kissed your cheek.

Thranduil waited for your son to close the door to talk again.

"You're the smartest person I know and yet you've been particularly stupid. And you waited for me to be away to be foolish." Thranduil told you

"You were neglecting me. I thought if I almost died it would force you to look after me." You teased with a little smile.

Thranduil plunged his intense look in yours, making sure there was no truth behind your words. He didn’t seem satisfy and sat by your side.

"The star of my life." He murmured

"I'm only joking, husband. We both know you never neglect me. And I need no excuse to look for troubles." You quickly added

"Come on, my love, don't say such awful things." You replied, bringing his palm to your lips to kiss. "Lay down with me, please." You asked

"I'll still take a better care of what is mine. I had a glimpse of an immortal life without you, and only madness, bitterness and loneliness were awaiting for me." He stroked your cheek "What would Mirkwood become without its light?"

Thranduil was quick to throw his coat away as well as his boots. He entered the bed and quickly brought you to him. You snuggled into his chest and kissed his neck.

"I love you. Please don't be mad at me, I'll wait for you next time I want to find troubles." You cutely murmured to him.

He sighed and hugged you impossibly closer "I love you too and I don't know how to be mad at you." He paused "But yes, do wait for me. Why didn't you tell me about it? Am I truly neglecting and upsetting you?" He sadly asked

You quickly shook your head "You're good to me. Don't make me feel guilty for a not so funny teasing. I just knew you'd try and prevent me from going out and fight the monsters." You peppered his chest with kisses as a silent apology

"I prefer to fight by your side, than worrying myself to death."

"It does sound better indeed, my love."