Chapter 10

Enchanted

She paced the halls of the Woodland Realm steadily. How she hated when Thranduil left and took their son out into the forest. If it were still the days of old, she wouldn't have minded it too much. Now, however, there were many dangers that lurked in the trees and it made her uneasy to think they were out there without the guards. Elowyn let out a nervous sigh and continued to pace. 'They're alright.' she told herself. 'They're just taking their time.'

She stayed in the main hall a few more minutes before began to make her way down to the little nook she and Thranduil usually spoke in.

"Legolas!" she exclaimed, happy to see he was home.

"Naneth." Legolas bowed his head to her before he continued to walk towards her. Elowyn smiled and greeted her son with a warm embrace.

"When did you get back?" she questioned.

"We haven't been back long." the now adult elf told her as they walked the pathways. "We came in through river path. Ada asks that you join him in the stables. We...found something in the woods."

"What was it?" Elowyn asked, curious to what he meant.

"Come with me." Legolas said with a smile. Elowyn continued to ask her son questions but he continued to be subtle. The king had insisted this gift be a surprise and Legolas would keep his father's secret for a short while more. Soon they were in the stables and Elowyn's eyes met Thranduil's. He smiled at her and greeted her with a smile. It was then Elowyn saw something small and brown moving within Thranduil's arms.

Elowyn's eyes widened as her husband gently set the fawn down and watched as his wife knelt down and reached out for it. The fawn was small and scrawny.

"Where did you find him?" she questioned as she looked up to her husband.

"He was wandering by the river." Thranduil began. "We found his mother dead, not too far into the trees. I thought maybe he could ease the heartache you've felt since ..." his voice trailed off a bit. Elowyn put her hand on his arm appreciatively. Neither had spoken much about their second child, who was born a stillborn a few years earlier. Both had wept over the tragedy, stillbirths were almost unheard of in regards to the elves, but Thranduil knew Elowyn's heart was still deeply wounded from their recent loss.

"You have a kind heart." she whispered to him. Their lips touched in a small kiss. Legolas looked down, his lips curled into a smile. He hoped he could one day find a love like theirs. It was then a small movement caught his eye. He turned to his left and saw a young red-haired elleth with a bucket of oats in her hand. He had seen her before. She trained with the guard, as he did. She was quite lovely. It was strange he hadn't noticed her before. Tauriel glanced over to the royal family and her eyes met Legolas. She nodded to him and returned to her duties in the stable. Legolas continued to watch her a moment before he turned back to his parents.

The kiss between Thranduil and Elowyn ended as the fawn took a small nip at the king's robes. The two looked down at the animal and smiled. The king softly padded the fawn's head.

"He will great companion for you as he grows bigger and stronger." Elowyn said in a prophetic-like tone. She gently scratched the fawn under the chin. She looked back to Thranduil. His arms were crossed but a soft smile rested on his lips. "Should you ever need to ride off to war."

"Let us hope that day never comes again."

...

The memories were fresh in Thranduil's mind as he made his way down to the stable. Elowyn was correct, the scrawny little fawn he had brought home grew to be the strongest animal in the elves' stable. The king remained in his thoughts until he heard a soft voice. Thranduil watched from the stairs as Atalie spoke gently to his elk. The elk paid her no attention but still Atalie continued to speak with it. He watched as she grew more hopeful and brave and she attempted to sit on the small fence Thranduil shook his head, let out a small chuckle and walked the rest of the way down the stairs.

"Everyday you come down here, you work and you speak with him as if he were an old friend." Thranduil began. "Every day he turns away from you yet you continue to pursue him. Tell me, why is that?" He then held out his hand to help Atalie to her feet. However, she just brushed his hand aside and pulled herself up. She did not need or want his help.

"Pride I guess." Atalie answered while she brushed off the dust on her pants and shirt. She then looked back to Thranduil who watched her with interest. He wanted to study her. Learn her interests, likes and dislikes.

"How do you mean?" he questioned. He moved closer to her. Atalie looked up at him but quickly looked away. Her heart fluttered a little faster despite her attempt to stop it.

"I guess I'm just not used to animals not liking me." she shrugged. "I guess it's just strange to me."

"I didn't see you as the type to care what others thought of you." Thranduil commented, his brows furrowed a bit.

"I don't care if people like me or not." she told him. A small fire was in her eyes. "I do care if the animals don't. I've been around animals my whole life. They are my friends."

"He doesn't think so."

"I've noticed." Atalie admitted before she looked back to the elk. 'Just listen to father's words.' she reassured herself. 'He knows what he's talking about. The elk will like me or I will die trying to make the elk like me.'

"How long will you continue to pursue him?" Thranduil brought her out of her thoughts. "You know he will never trust you."

"I won't stop." she turned to him. A determined look in her eyes. "I will tame him." Thranduil smirked as he slowly circled her til he reached the elk. The ElvenKing looked to his friend, extended his hand and almost instantly the elk leaned into his master's touch.

"Show off." Atalie rolled her eyes at his arrogance. The smirk on Thranduil's lips widened, a small laugh left his lips and he looked back to her. Their eyes met and her heart stopped for a moment. Thranduil felt it too and it continued to confuse him. 'Nothing.' he told himself. 'This is nothing, she is nothing.'

"You should spend your time on more productive tasks." he told her as he ignored such emotion. "From the time I found him as an orphaned fawn, I was one of two he trusted. Even the stable hands have always had a hard time keeping him under control."

"You raised him?" Atalie questioned. She never expected him to care for an animals enough to raise it. "Who was the other person he trusted?"

"My wife." Thranduil answered with a soft smile. Atalie looked down and for a moment as she tried to shake the flutter of her heart off. Why did the sound of his voice, weaken her knees. Why did she care what he thought or even take interest in what he was saying? Still, this gave Atalie a clue to how to handle it, the creature was not so different from her. They were both orphaned and raised by someone with a kind and gentle hand. Well, as kind as Thranduil could be at least.

"The guards are training now." he interrupted her thoughts. "If you still wish to learn from them, I suggest you go now." Atalie's eyes brightened.

"Yes, I would like that." she told him. "Bye." She waved her hand to him and quickly made her way up the stairs and out of the stables.

"Odd, isn't she?" Thranduil commented to the elk. The elk leaned into him in agreement.

Meanwhile Atalie made her up the stairs and through the pathways to the training area. Her eyes scanned the guard for a moment before she found her friends, speaking quietly to each other. Atalie, suddenly found herself quite nervous. She treated them quite poorly the last week, what if they no longer desired to help her? What if they no longer wished to be her friend? Still she decided to take the chance and walked up to them.

"Atalie?" Tauriel questioned, once she saw the adeneth.

"Hello." Atalie nervously greeted them. The elf and elleth looked up to her with interest. "I know I haven't been much myself lately. I should not have treated you both so coldly. Please, forgive me?" Smiled appeared on her friends' lips.

"It is good to see you acting like yourself." Tauriel said before she embraced the woman as a sister. After their hug was over Elros put a hand on her shoulder as a sign of friendship.

"Are you both still willing to teach me?" Atalie asked hesitantly.

"Of course." Elros nodded.

"Go get a bow." Tauriel instructed. The adeneth thanked the two of them and soon she had a bow in her hand. A couple of hours went by and Atalie was still no closer to hitting her target. Even, with the king's helpful suggestion, she was a terrible shot.

"I don't think I'm ever going to hit it." Atalie told them as she shook her head.

"Keep trying." Elros told her.

"Give it time, you will hit your target." Tauriel encouraged. Atalie sighed and picked up another arrow. This time she aimed it a little higher, in hopes of actually hitting the target.

"Atalie!" Elros stated as he realized where her arrow was aimed. She turned to him and the string on her bow slipped through her fingers causing the arrow to fly.

...

Thranduil's eyes scanned the floor beneath him as members of his guard trained. Once he finished with the elk in the stables, he met with two of his advisers to watch the guard train. Legolas remained to the right of him while the nobles were to the left.

"Your army is strong, my lord." the blonde haired elf told the king. "They are well prepared in case any battle shall come."

"Why is the mortal here?" the brown hair, questioned. Legolas listened closely to the conversation. He had notice something was different with his father and he intended to find out what it was.

"Her father is hunting Azog, the Defiler." Thranduil answered. "He has assured me he will return for her before the month is over."

"It may not have been a wise decision, my king." the blonde haired noble commented. "If she's anything like the skin changer, she may prove to be quite dangerous."

"Atalie isn't as skilled in battle as those here." Thranduil defended her, as he caught sight of her. She looked concentrated but she still did not hit her mark. "Her father would be a threat if he's angered but his daughter is quite harmless." Just then an arrow swooshed passed the king and the nobles and hit a tree. The trio looked at the arrow and then down into the training area.

"Sorry!" Atalie called out. Her eyes were wide in both fear and shock, telling the king she did not mean to aim so high. Thranduil and his nobles glared at her a moment. The ElvenKing, however, just motioned for her to return to training. She had meant no harm. The king looked back to his nobles.

"Harmless?" the blonde noble asked.

"She's fine. She's needs a few more lessons, I grant you but otherwise, she cannot hurt anyone here." Thranduil turned and began to walk away from his son and two nobles. A small smirk rested on his lips. While he didn't appreciate the thought of his nobles and advisers being killed by a clumsy fool with a bow, he had to admit it amused him to see the look of shock on their faces. Then the horrified look on Atalie's face was quite priceless.

"Legolas. I believe it is time to patrol." Thranduil told his son. Legolas nodded, bowed slightly and then made his way to elves below. Thranduil then dismissed the two nobles. Once the guard had left on patrol and his advisers had gone Thranduil made his way down the winding staircase. He couldn't explain it but he wanted to be around her. He wanted to speak with her and help her. When he reached the bottom he watched Atalie for a moment as she continued to train. She was better but still had a long way to go before she would be a skilled fighter.

"Your aim is still off." Thranduil commented. Atalie turned to see the ElvenKing pick an arrow up from the ground. Thranduil stood straight as he made his way to her. His eyes never left hers.

"I am so sorry. I did not want to hurt anyone." Atalie told him in a hurried voice. "I've tried what you suggested. I...what are you doing?" Thranduil didn't speak but her heart started to pound. She felt the blood move quickly through her veins. Her skin let out a small shiver as his arm went around her and he placed his hand on top of hers on the bow. His other hand properly placed the arrow in it's place before it touched Atalie's hand.

"Giving you a private lesson." Thranduil told her. "I can't have you killing my nobles due to your lack of skill."

"Tauriel and Elros are fine teachers. I'm sure I can learn from them." Atalie insisted.

"They are both fine warriors and have great skill. However, I think you need a more experienced warrior to help you." He looked down to her. Their faces were a mere few inches away from each other and caused them both to stop for a moment. Although she slightly offended by his words. Atalie nodded. She didn't want to hurt anyone here and the fact she could have killed someone made her ill. She needed the help, so she nodded and looked away from him.

Thranduil drew closer to her as he gave instructions. However, Atalie found it hard to concentrate on his words. Thranduil arms held the bow and arrow in their place as he talked her though the proper way to hold, aim and shoot the arrow. He helped her shoot a few arrows before he removed his arms from around her and stepped away.

"Show me what you've learned and we'll work from there." he told her. Atalie nodded and fumbled with an arrow for a moment before she placed on the bow and aimed.

"Like this?" she questioned as she tried to make sure everything was where it was suppose to be.

"Lower it just a little." he said. She did as he instructed and fired the arrow. To her amazement the arrow hit the target. Not right in the middle where she wanted it but it actually hit the target. Thranduil's heart skipped a bit as Atalie gave him an excited smile.

"I hit it!" She squealed with excitement. Then, without warning or thinking, she dropped the bow, wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug. Thranduil paused, surprised by her touch. But she quickly realized what she had done and backed away. "I'm so sorry. I was just excited that I actually hit the target."

"It's fine." Thranduil held up his hand and stopped her apology. He stared at her a moment, he then reach out and touched her arm with his finger tips. His hand slowly made it's way up to her shoulder and then to her cheek. "You've done well." he whispered as he thumb rubbed her cheek. Atalie gave him a small nervous smile. She then snapped out of her trance and took a step back.

"I think I need to get back to the stable." she told him. His actions both confused and excited her and she needed to get away from him. She needed to think about the emotions he stirred within her. Thranduil felt that spark stir deep within him. The look in her eyes told him she felt it too.

"Of course." Thranduil forced himself back into 'king mode'. "You are dismissed." Atalie nodded, thanked him for the lesson and quickly left. Her feelings were growing stronger and fonder for him. 'No,' she shook her head, 'This cannot be.'

...

'This has to stop.' Thranduil thought in regards to Atalie. He was now in his private little nook, away from everyone and anyone who may come to call on him. These feelings she had stirred within him were childish. Being in her presence should not cause such emotion from him. He closed his eyes and tried to erase her from his mind. Her voice, her touch, her eyes and her smile...the king shook his head. That wasn't working. Such thoughts did not help this current plight. He opened his eyes and turned his gaze to the painting of Elowyn. Quietly he walked over to her and placed a loving hand on her cheek.

"I wish you were here." he whispered to her. "You must know my love is yours and always will be." He was quiet for a moment, his eyes did not leave hers.

"I don't know why this adeneth causes these feelings to stir within me. She's nothing special. She's a commoner, a stable hand. She does not posses your beauty and grace." Again he became quiet for a moment. All those were true but there was a different kind of beauty to Atalie. He looked away from the painting. "What is it about her eyes that gives me hope? Why does her smile fill my heart with the joy you once did?" he questioned. He glanced back up to Elowyn's crystal clear eyes. "How I wish you could answer me." Silence filled the air as the king gathered his cluttered thoughts. It was strange, he usually knew exactly what to do and how to do it. However, in regards to Atalie, he found that wasn't the case. Things were so clear and simiple when he fell in love with Elowyn. With Atalie, things were far more complex.

'Perhaps it's time you found someone else to love.' he swore he heard his wife's silky voice say. However, he just shook his head. Such things were not possible and was likely only his own imagination. He turned from Elowyn and made his way over to the table. He poured some wine into his glass and continued to think. Even if he did embrace this new love, Atalie's father would soon come for her and they would be parted. He shook his head. He would not allow this fire to burn, he would not love her. Little did he know, Atalie was making a very similar promise to herself. It was a promise they both would break.

...

"I don't dance." Atalie told Elros and Tauriel. A few days had passed since her last lesson with the king and while she still needed practice, Atalie found that she was hitting her target more and more. Her friends were pleased with her progress thought they did not realize such progress came by help of their king. The trio sat on some stairs as they ate their lunch. A grand party was coming up in the next few days and Elros and Tauriel saw fit to invite her. Atalie on the other hand had little interest in the party. She'd much rather hide away in the stable with her animal friends.

"I think you would enjoy it. I will help you find a suitable dress to wear since it is a formal occasion." the red haired elleth told her.

"I don't wear dresses, Tauriel." she insisted. "I would look and feel ridiculous." However, Elros and Tauriel continued to persuade her to go.

"You work and train most of the day. Atalie, give yourself a break. I truly think you would have fun if you would come." Elros encouraged.

"Will the king be there?" she found herself asking. While she was grateful for the extra help he provided, she didn't want to be near him. She had managed to avoid him for a few days which she was glad for. She lightly shook her head and looked back to her friends. She would not think about the ElvenKing.

"It is his party." Elros told her. "However, you should still attend. There will be a grand feasts, the minstrels will sing, stories of old will be told. Even if you don't want to dance, there is still a good time to be had."

Once Tauriel and Elros left with the rest of the guard to hunt and patrol their boarders Atalie made her way back down to the stable.

She gently rubbed the mane of her father's horse as she thought about the dance. It couldn't be that hard could it? So she stepped away from the horse and made sure she gave herself enough room to move around.

"Don't laugh." she warned her father's horse. How she hated the idea of a a dance. The drinking, song and feast didn't sound that bad but the dancing? That was a quick deal breaker for her. Still, she lifted her hands up and tried to figure out how to even dance. She slowly made her way around the the stable though she had no idea what she was doing. She was so absorbed in trying to teach herself, she didn't hear the soft footsteps come down the stone stairs.

"What are you doing?" Thranduil questioned, after he watched her a moment. Atalie jumped slightly, let out a gasp and quickly turned around to see him. A gleam was in his eyes.

"My Lord, I apologize. I did not see you there" Atalie stated, her eyes were still wide with embarrassment. She could feel her cheeks start to turn red. Of anyone that could have walked in on her, why did it have to be him?

"Your apology is unnecessary and you haven't answered my question. What were you doing?" Thranduil asked once again, an amused smirk rested on his lips. Never had he seen Atalie so flustered and he liked that he was the cause of it.

"Nothing." Atalie lied, though she knew Thranduil would press her further.

"It didn't look like nothing." he commented. His eyes continued to study her. She sighed and shrugged after a minute.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Atalie asked the king. Thranduil nodded, interested in what she had to say.

"Elros and Tauriel are insistent I go to this ball your hosting is a few days. I do not know how to dance nor do I like dresses. Can't I just wear what I always wear?" she asked him.

"It is a formal party Atalie." he told her. His hand gently moved a string of hair that had left her side ponytail off her face. His skin tingled from the touch of her skin. "I'm afraid what you normally wear would not be appropriate." He motioned down to her tunic and trousers.

"Ugh, as long as I'm clothed, it shouldn't matter what I wear." Atalie rolled her eyes, turned from him and crossed her arms. She wanted to avoid his gaze, it made her feel...uncomfortable. Meanwhile Thranduil smirked at her spunk. He found it quite amusing when she didn't use it to disobey or taunt him.

"Come here." he motioned her to him.

"What?" she questioned as she turned back to him. She was slightly confused to what his intentions were.

"You said you didn't know how to dance." Thranduil spoke. "Come here and I'll give you short lesson." Atalie gazed at him a moment. She remembered the way his arms around her made her feel and she was both excited and afraid to feel that way again. She slowly walked over to him. His hand reached out for hers and he showed her where to place her other hand. His right hand rested firmly on her waist while his left held her hand. Slowly he started to lead her across the floor.

Thranduil watched Atalie while she gazed down at her feet as she tried to follow his lead. She stumbled a bit but managed to keep up.

"Sorry." she said after she stepped on his feet a couple times.

"You don't need to be so nervous." the king said. "Look up at me and allow our movement to flow as naturally as a calm stream." She did was she was told and looked up to him but quickly looked away. She didn't want him to know how she felt when he was around her. She didn't want him to know what he stirred within her. After a few minutes, Atalie's lips curled into a smile as she realized she was dancing without too much difficulty. Her eyes were bright as her eyes met his in joy.

"I'm doing it." A small laugh erupted from her lips. A small smile formed on Thranduil's lips. He didn't know why he took delight in her happiness. Still, he found her laugh made his heart flutter.

"I'm going to spin you now." Thranduil told her. He was confident she could handle this new step but Atalie's eyes widened. She stopped and she stepped out of his arms.

"What?" She asked, the joy was gone and the nervousness began to refill her.

"I said I was going to spin you. It's not that hard." he insisted.

"I think I'd rather stop for the day. Thank you for the lesson." she said before she began to walk away.

"For someone who is incredibly headstrong, I never expected you to give up over something so simple." he called after her. A smirk formed on his lips. He knew she wouldn't just leave after he said that. Atalie paused and looked back to him.

"I do not give up." she told him. A blaze was in her eyes but not out of anger.

"The come dance with me." The king held out his hand, though it was against his better judgement. However, he wanted to feel that happiness again. He wanted to see her joy again and rarely did he ever deny himself something he wanted. She glanced down at his extended hand. "I promise I am an excellent teacher." he insisted.

"I do not doubt your teaching abilities." she said. "From experience, it seems you are quite an excellent teacher." The smirk on Thranduil's lips grew and he took a step towards her. She stood there a second more before she gently placed her hand in his. He pulled her closer to him. His hand rested on her waist once again and he gently led her across the stable. Her eyes remained down for a moment.

"Atalie." Thranduil whispered as the smirk fell into soft smile. She returned his smile as her heart began to race even more. 'Stop it'. She told her heart. 'Don't you dare fall in love with him.' But it was too late, his eyes had captured hers and she was enchanted by his touch. Why did she have to feel this for him? Of all the elves in the Woodland Realm, why was it him that made her heart dance at such a fast pace?

"Closer." his voice remained in a whisper as he pulled her slightly closer to him. The hand on her waist pulled her closer to him. Her skin trembled at his touch. Never had she felt such strong emotions. Their chests were a mere two inches apart. It had been many years since the ElvenKing felt so happy. He brought her even closer to him and stopped dancing. 'Stop, this.' he told himself but he didn't want to. For one moment he would allow himself to indulge in his desire.

He gently touched her cheek with his finger and his thumb while Atalie watched him closely. His eyes looked away from her cheek and back to her brown ones. There was a strange look in his eyes; one she had seen him give one other before. There was kindness, gentleness and dare she think, love? Thranduil proceeded to cup her cheek in his hand and slowly his face inched towards her. Their hearts raced and their breathes quickened. Atalie followed the king's lead and slowly moved towards him. They could feel the others breath against their lips and their eyes fluttered closed. Their lips met in a soft kiss and the small spark, they both fought against, was now a blaze.

~Author's Note~

Hi everyone! I know this chapter is long overdue. I apologize, school has started back up so I've been busy with that. Anyway, yay we're finally into the romance part of the story! I hope you all enjoyed it. Hopefully Thranduil wasn't too OOC. It's a little tricky to write grieving widower/new found love/arrogance. Thanks to those who follow/favorite the story! A special thanks to all those who review:

Dhalmi93: Thanks for your review! And thank you for all the compliments! It's been such a fun story to write and I'm so glad you are enjoying it! Thanks again! :)

Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967: Thanks for your review! I'm so glad you loved it and I hope you will enjoy this chapter as well! Thanks again! :)

IKhandoZatman: haha, thanks for your review! I hope you especially liked this chapter (well at least the end) then! Thanks again! :)

Nuredhel: Thank you for your review! I'm quite relieved to have the documents back. And thank you so much for your compliments. This story has been so much fun to write. I hope you will continue to enjoy it! Thanks again! :)

Chell: Thanks for your review! I'm so glad that you're enjoying it and I hope you have enjoyed this chapter as well. Thanks again! :)

DeLacus: Thanks so much for your review! Yep, Lindir is gone. I'm so sad. I probably will rewrite it but it probably won't be for a while. I want to finish this story, then I have a few others in the works, I'm hoping to publish soon. Including your Elros one! :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks again!

Aelwenn: Thanks so much for the great review! I'm so glad that you're enjoying so many aspects of my story. It's been so fun to write. I hope you will continue to enjoy my story and that you have enjoyed this chapter. Thanks again! :)

I think that's everyone. Thanks again for all the reviews! It's always great to hear from my readers. I'm so glad to be getting into the romantic part of the story. I hope you'll all join me for the next chapter. It should be a fun one! Anyway, feel free to leave a review if you have a moment and are so inclined. Constructive criticism is always welcomed! Thanks again!-Lin