Come to me in dreams

Pairing: Thranduil/Lindir
Beta: Tena
Author's Notes: I just love King Thranduil, and for a very long time I have wanted to write about him. This plot itched in my mind so long, that I finally gave up and started to write it down.
Thank you so much for your excellent betaing, Tena! Without you, I was lost.
Feedback: I would be so happy if you tell me what you think.


COME TO ME IN DREAMS

Night was clear and serene. There wasn’t one single cloud in the sky that would shade Ithil’s silvery light. Not even lightest breeze disturbed this complete peace.

As many nights before, Thranduil stood silently in the woods, staring bewitched at the clearing. Or rather, at the incredible being who danced and sang middle of the clearing, and his pure voice rang into silent night. Thranduil couldn’t move. He couldn’t think. He could only stare and feast with his eyes at the young elf and his sensual movements. He could only listen at melodious voice, tears of emotion in his eyes.

Never had he heard a voice more beautiful, nor had he seen anything so breathtaking as this creature before his very eyes. The elf was completely naked and his bare skin glowed in Ithil’s light. His silvery, almost white hair floated around him as he danced. His willowy body swayed in complete rhythm, his whole being radiated joy of living.

Thranduil cried silently. He cried because he knew that this was just dream. Only a dream… doomed to disappear, to be forgotten when Anar would rise again…

He took few steps closer and as always, his love turned and smiled at him invitingly. Thranduil trembled. This elf was so beautiful, so tempting and he would give his life to have him.

“Why? Why this is happening to me? Are you real?”

“I am. Come to me, meleth nín (my love). I have waited for you… I have waited for you to love me… to make me yours.”

The Elf opened his arms, his eyes darkened with desire.

Thranduil closed the distance between them and hesitantly leaned closer, almost fearing to touch his meleth (love). How he wanted this elf… needed him, more than the life itself. He saw a loving smile upon his beloved’s face as his hands reached only emptiness…like so many times before.

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Thranduil’s senses focused slowly, as he woke. He found his pillow damp with his tears, as so many mornings before. He pressed his face in his hands, his heart aching.

“Why? Why am I dreaming of him? Why is my whole being full of longing when I know that this can never be? Never, even if I knew who he was. How can I ever fulfill my oath, when I’m pining after someone I don’t even know? If he is even real…”

The door opened slowly and Thranduil smiled wearily at the elf that came in. Sadron (Loyal) was his valet but also his closest friend and confidant.

“You saw that dream again, didn’t you, my king?”

Thranduil nodded silently. He didn’t try to deny the truth. Sadron always saw when he tried to hide something.

“This will not do, my king. You have to stop this before you fade. Look at yourself; you are but a pale shadow from your former self. Saes, tell me what ails you, I will do everything in my powers to help you.”

“Ai Sadron… I’m happy to hear that but there is nothing you can do. Nobody can help me. I have discussed this with the healers and if they can’t help, how could you?” Thranduil said hopelessly. He had to admit that he was beginning to worry. It was true that he was sad and weary and his whole life felt so empty and cold. But, what he could do to change the situation? He had to do something; he was the King and his people needed a strong ruler, not some lovesick fool who faded only because of a mere dream. The time was still unsettled, even if the Last Alliance had defeated Sauron twenty years ago.

Thranduil had finally won his people’s respect and loyalty after King Oropher’s sudden death, despite many suspicions. He had been young; many had thought that he was too young to rule the realm but after his hard and dedicated work, he finally had succeeded.

He had sworn an oath to his dying father. He had to find a wife and have children. He couldn’t dream of an ellon, no matter how beautiful. They never could marry and he would never fulfill his oath if he continued his useless pining. Something must be done, but what?

Thranduil stirred his musings when Sardon suddenly spoke.

“You have talked to healers but have you forgotten that there is someone who is a much more powerful healer than ours? Maybe he would help you?” Sardon said hesitantly.

“You mean… Elrond.” Thranduil stated calmly.

“Aye, my king. If there were someone who could ease your pain, it would be Lord Elrond.”

Thranduil considered it for a long time.

“Maybe you are right, Sadron. I must admit that I don’t know if I can continue this way anymore. I would give anything to get rid of this cursed nightmare. It threatens to ruin my life completely.”

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Thranduil didn’t waste time when he finally had made his mind. He would travel to Imladris and ask Elrond’s help. The Peredhel was his only hope, he mused dejectedly when he saw himself in the mirror. Was that weary, sad creature really he?

On the road, he started to feel a little better. Being a wood-elf, Thranduil had always enjoyed spending time in open, though he had had too little time for it after he had become king. There were also nights when he didn’t see the dream at all, but to his great surprise, he found himself waiting to see his elf again. Lately the dream has changed, not much, but in a way which embarrassed him. Thranduil didn’t wake anymore when he tried to pull his love in his arms but he succeeded to kiss him, touch and caress him until they made love under the stars. Every morning he found that he had spilled his seed.

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When Thranduil finally reached his destination, Elrond welcomed him warmly. He noticed that Imladris was beautiful and he felt his heart lifting a little. He was sure that here, if anywhere, he would find a cure.

Thranduil courteously declined Elrond’s invitation to come to Great Hall. He felt too tired to attend any celebration. Elrond had dined with him in his private chambers and they had had a nice time together, though Thranduil didn’t dare tell him about his dreams, not yet. He wanted to know Elrond a little better before he could open his heart to him but tonight was a good start.

When he was finally alone in his chamber, he became restless and for the first time in his life he had to admit that he was scared. He did not fear for himself, but for his people. He didn’t want to betray them because his weakness and he didn’t dare to sleep. What if Elrond couldn’t help him? What if this nightmare wouldn’t disappear and continued until he finally fades away, and traveled to Mandos’ Halls?

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Thranduil silently watched the beautiful view from his balcony and suddenly felt a strong urge inside him. Tonight the forest called him in a way he never had felt before. Without thinking, Thranduil climbed down the balcony and ran towards trees. He didn’t care that he wore only loose sleeping- pants and no shoes. For the first time in a long time, he felt alive. His blood hummed in his veins as he ran and he laughed happily. A gentle breeze caressed his bare skin and he felt magnificent power of existence pulsing everywhere around him… within him… making him alive again.

When he finally halted, he looked around and froze.

This forest seemed faintly familiar to him. He wondered why, because this was his first visit at the Last Homely House. He continued his way, now walking silently, listening for voices around him. With every passing moment he grew more cautious, even if he didn’t knew why. Finally, Thranduil had ceased his wondering and forgot everything. He just let his senses and feelings lead his path, feeling some strange rightness inside him. Something was going to happen, something that would change his life forever. He felt it in his very core.

Suddenly Thranduil noticed that he was completely alone and far away from everything. He didn’t hear a single bird singing.

The night was clear and serene. There wasn’t one single cloud in the sky that would shade Ithil’s silvery light. Not even lightest breeze of wind disturbed this complete peace. Finally, he stood silently in the woods, staring at the clearing that was painfully familiar to him. Suddenly, he heard a beautiful voice ringing in the air and he scanned the area, searching his fate.

Once again, he saw his elf dancing, singing to him and as always, the elf was completely naked, his bare skin glowed in Ithil’s light. His silvery, almost white hair floated around him as he danced. His willowy body swayed in complete rhythm, his whole being radiated joy of living.

Without thinking, Thranduil stepped closer to the incredible being, rapidly closing distance between them. This time he didn’t hesitate before pulling his love into his arms and kissing him.

This time it was real.