Thranduil / Reader (12) - Part 3
- (Y/N), I need you to get back to the office. Thranduil said and after a brief silence, he added “Now” with a demanding tone. It was obvious that he was not kidding and the matter was very urgent. You were baffled, thinking “What now?” but unable to form any thoughts into polite sentences and therefore you could only sigh “Oh.”
- We have misplaced the contracts and they must be signed again. he said with a serious, assertive tone that left no room for questions, or normally it wouldn’t have. Normally you wouldn’t have even thought about questioning the necessity of such urgency but now was not a normal situation. Oh no, you were in your casual home-clothes, no makeup, messy hair and basically getting ready for bed and on top of that, you had already worked overtime today!
- Come again? you asked with a unprofessionally confused tone. You were not sure if you had heard correct or just imagined it because what Thranduil had just told you made absolutely no sense. He had lost his copy of the contract? How?
- The contracts are missing. Thranduil repeated with the same serious tone. Sure, it was a serious matter if he had lost the contract but come on! You were starving and so tired!
- How is that possible? you exclaimed and turned off the stove. “I just handed it to you. In the black folder” you stated and then asked “Did you check the folder?” Normally would have never talked to a business client in such unsophisticated and frustrated manner but it was getting late and you were unable to get your game-face on properly. This was you off-time! You didn’t get paid enough to be on-duty around the clock. It would have been fine if Thranduil had called you to ask something or if he had called you due to personal matters but no, he was demanding you to leave home and get back to the office.
- Yes, of course. Thranduil mumbled and then added firmly “Yet, they are not there. They are missing.”
- Well… you sighed, thought for a moment and then came up with an excellent plan that did not involve you leaving home this late. You smiled relieved and chuckled silently as you wondered why the hell had you not thought about this earlier. “…We’ll just scan our copy and send it to you via email” you stated victoriously. Even if Thranduil had lost his copy, there was still Haldir’s copy and during the time you had worked for Haldir he had never lost an important document, not even once. He was very precise about storing papers and surely this time had not been an exception.
- Impossible. Thranduil stated firmly.
- Why so? you asked, your tone clearly stating that you were getting annoyed and increasingly frustrated.
- Both copies are missing. Thranduil replied, his voice demanding you to take action. He sounded even irritated because you dared to question his orders. He wasn’t your boss, he was well aware of that but then again his company was a very important client of yours and that kind of made him your boss. He wasn’t the person whom you should piss off, especially now that your relationship with him wasn’t warm and friendly anymore.
- Both of them? you scoffed and took the phone off from your ear so Thranduil wouldn’t hear you basically screaming at him, well, screaming into your hand as you tried to muffle the sound by covering your mouth firmly with your palm. Thranduil said something but you couldn’t hear it. Then you took a deep breath, placed the phone back to your ear and forced yourself to smile. “You got to be kidding me” you said and started to laugh manically.
- No, unfortunately I am not. he replied with an overly calm voice.
You kept laughing, unable to stop because you were just so done with the situation. You had hoped to eat some dinner, take a long warm relaxing bath and then get to bed. You had earned it, damn it! But oh-no, the idiotic men had managed to lose the contracts, the valuable documents that should have been scanned immediately after signing. Yeah, you could have avoided this if you had just taken few extra minutes and scanned the damn documents before giving them to your “bosses”. If you had, you would be currently having dinner, not a particularly fancy dinner but food nevertheless, but instead of that, you were now having this ridiculous conversation with the man who seemed to hate you. It was just too funny, tragicomic. Thranduil listened to your laughter in silence, not daring to say anything; it was clear that you were not happy about this. Not happy at all. You kept laughing until you suddenly heard a strange buzzing sound, coming from the background.
- What is that sound? you asked while still laughing manically.
- What… sound? Thranduil asked, sounding confused. The buzzing sound continued.
- That. you said, now finally able to talk without even chuckling. You listened to the background noises for a moment and then asked with a tone that was curious but also had an undertone of irritation “Are you still at the office?”
- No, I am on my way to the guesthouse. Thranduil replied, his tone mixture of all sorts of things that you couldn’t decipher. You were silent for a moment, Thranduil was silent too. There was nothing but silence.
- It doesn’t sound like that. you stated since there were no sounds of traffic or engine.
- Like what? Thranduil asked.
- Like you were in a moving car. you said suspiciously.
- The car is stagnant, at traffic lights. he stated and quickly asked with a demanding tone “Now, are you on your way already?” You had been extremely focused on the background sounds, or the lack of them actually, perhaps trying to find proof that Thranduil was lying to you for some whatever-reason, but this arrogant question woke you up from your thoughts and you snapped back to the reality.
“Are you on your way already?” you mumbled silently, yet mockingly. You were kind of mimicking Thranduil but because you did not dare to piss him off, you did not let him hear your imitation of him and his stupid question. Actually, it was not really a question. It was a demand, an order from a man who had once loved you but clearly his feelings had turned sour and now there was nothing left but bitterness, disgust and regret. Was he regretting that he had gotten a divorce? Or did he regret that he had fallen in love with you in the first place? The thought made you sad and your defiance changed into deep sorrow and exhaustion.
- I am home, in my pajama. you sighed, no longer sounding so truculent. “Can’t this wait until Monday morning?” you asked, your tone fragile, like you had been pleading for a break.
- No. I need the contract and I need it now. Thranduil said calmly.
- Are you sure that they are completely lost? you asked, just to make sure. This time, however, you tried to sound as polite and conciliating. “Even Haldir’s copy? He is usually very precise about these things” you stated cautiously.
- So am I. Thranduil commented, now sounding slightly upset since you had doubted his capability of keeping important things safe. You were hinting, between the lines, that he misplaced his things often, that this was normal to him. If that was what you were implying, you were not only being rude but also very wrong, terribly mistaken.
- What happened to them? you asked. You knew that perhaps you were dragging on this conversation needlessly but then again if you managed to get more details, you would be able to find out if you really-really had to leave home.
- How should I know? I had nothing to do with it. Thranduil stated, his tone once again mixture of many nuances and therefore you couldn’t read him at all. Perhaps he sounded even amused, or maybe, well most likely, you were just imagining it. You were exhausted after all and your mind was surely playing tricks on you. You even heard someone laughing in the background. Clearly you were losing it!
- Is Haldir there? you asked because the laughter had sounded like Haldir. “Can you put him on?” you asked as politely as you could.
- No, but he told me to call you, he was very specific about that. Thranduil replied assertively.
- He is not there or you will not put him on? you asked with a confused tone, although you sounded more suspicious than confused. You rolled your eyes and rubbed your forehead because you were getting a headache. You made sure that the stove was off and then walked into the bathroom to get a painkiller. Surely Athelas would kill the pain in no time… hopefully.
- Yes. Thranduil answered after a long silence, sounding very smug, like he had been smirking at the phone. You were baffled, completely lost again. You took the painkiller and washed it down with water. You stared at your reflection; you looked so tired and lifeless, you were cold and your limbs felt so heavy. Perhaps washing your face with cold water would help, you wondered and put the phone away for a moment as you splashed cool water on your face.
- Are you on your way? you heard Thranduil asking. “I need the signed contract tonight” he stated, leaving no room for objections. Finally you realized that there was no way out from this and if you kept dragging on, you would just make it harder for you; the sooner you left the sooner you would get back. You inhaled and filled your lungs with air, exhaled and nodded as a sign of acceptance.
- Right. you commented after grabbing the phone again. You forced your business-attitude on once more and said “Alright, I have it on my laptop.” Then you quickly planned your game-plan, problem solving was one of your key skills anyway, and spoke with a calm, professional manner “I just need to print it, get a signature from Haldir and bring it to you to the guesthouse.” You paused and then asked with a formal tone “Would that be alright?”
- Perfect. Thranduil said, it was apparent that he was smirking now, so smug and proud of his victory. What had happened to the man you had once known? Thranduil you knew was a reasonable man who would never have pushed his friends like this but it was getting more than obvious that Thranduil was no longer the same, sadly so.
- Very well. Just, give me five minutes to get changed. you spoke while trying to find something decent to wear. You weren’t exactly wearing a pajama like you had stated but something very similar; loose pants that hung from your hips and a sleeveless top that had been bought ages ago but since it was made of very soft and cozy material, you had not wanted to throw it away even though it had no shape anymore, plus few small holes here and there.
- No. I demand you’ll leave immediately. Thranduil stated and added “Haldir has already sent a car to pick you up.”
- You said that Haldir is not there. you commented while turning your closet upside down.
- He is not and I am just arriving to the guesthouse. Thranduil said casually. You stopped to think for a moment. This did not add up.
- Wait, what? you asked but you were immediately interrupted.
- Hurry up, (Y/N), the future of this deal is in your hands. Do not let me down. Thranduil stated and hung up.
- What the hell?! you exclaimed and stared at the screen with a puzzled expression. You recoiled from your thoughts when you heard a car honking outside your apartment. Thranduil was not kidding; he really wanted you to leave home, to get to the office and print the contracts again. Fortunately at this time of the evening there wasn’t that much traffic and you only few kilometers from the office so getting there quickly was not a problem especially if you did not have to take the bus. The car honked again. “Oh shit!” you exclaimed, grabbed your purse and quickly turned off the lamps, put on your shoes as well as your coat and left the apartment.
You rushed out, through your small garden and waved at the familiar driver who had gotten out from the car to wait for you. He opened the door, closed it after you had hopped in to the backseat and then got to the driver’s seat. He started the car and as the vehicle began to move, you got deep into your thoughts again. You tried to add up the entire phone call and make some sense of it but you just ended up having more questions; how was it possible that both copies had been misplaced? Why Thranduil said that he was in the car but Haldir was not there with him? The plan was that the driver would drop Thranduil off to the guesthouse and then take Haldir home, so before arriving to the guesthouse, they should have been in the same place at the same time. Unless they had gotten into a fight, ripped the contracts and taken separate rides. “Oh shit!” you sighed. Perhaps they had actually gotten into a disagreement and the contracts had been ripped apart in the heat of the moment. This was bad! Your bonus, five extra days of paid holiday, was depending on this contract. You scolded yourself for trying to object and kept repeating the word “Stupid” many times with a barely audible tone as you sat in the moving car.
The car stopped and you snapped out from your thoughts. You instructed the driver to wait for you and then you got out, ran to the main entrance of the office building, dropped your keys a couple of times before managing to open the lock and then stormed in. You did not bother to put on any lights because you were able to see well in darkness due your elven senses anyway, ran into your office, turned on your laptop and sent the file to the printer. The printer woke up and started to take in the paper but soon a “Paper jam –error” –message appeared on the screen.
- You got to be kidding me! you exclaimed and turned on the light to see what the issue was. The paper had gotten stuck in the printer and after few attempts to get the sheet out without it getting torn apart and possibly damaging the fragile sensors inside the printer, you abandoned the impossible task and sent the document to the printer that was located in Haldir’s office. You rushed there, turned on the lights and immediately noticed the two glasses on Haldir’s desk with the bottle you had bought for them to celebrate the deal after signing. There were also a couple of drink-stains on the wooden surface of the fine, old desk, although most of the liquid had been absorbed into the printed invoices on Haldir’s desk. “Ugh, men!” you sighed, grabbed the glasses as well as the bottle and carried them into the kitchen. You put them into the sink and filled them with water so if would be easier for the contracted office cleaners to wash them on Monday morning. You put the empty bottle into the glass recycling basket and returned to Haldir’s office.
“Empty toner, change cyan” –message had appeared on the screen after the printer had woken up from the standby. You hated the fact that Haldir never changed the toner, you actually were not sure if Haldir knew how to do it. He always started to use the printer in your office instead of changing the toner or asking his assistant to do it for him. You took a deep breath, rushed to the supplies-room and hoped that Haldir had at least ordered new toners for his printer, because if he had not, you would be fucked; in that case you should basically write the contract by hand because there were three printers at the office, one in your room but it had the paper jam and therefore couldn’t be used, one in the general office, however it was currently broken and the repairman was scheduled to come and fix it on next Tuesday, and then there was Haldir’s printer that was currently out of cyan toner. You kept searching for the spare toner and after turning the entire storage room upside down, you finally found it.
- Thank Valar! you exclaimed, grabbed the toner and ran back to Haldir’s printer, changed the empty color to a new one and then sighed relieved when the printer started to print the documents immediately after initiating the new toner. You grabbed a pen, signed the contracts again, but accidentally signed a wrong line so you had to run into your office, send the documents again to the printer and this time focused your attention better so you wouldn’t mess up once more. It made you upset and irritated that you had a bad habit of making stupid mistakes when you were exhausted, both mentally and physically, annoyed and frustrated, under plenty of pressure and in a hurry. Usually you coped very well with obstacles and hindrances like these, actually you were able to deal with many of them at the same time… but… not all of them, therefore this was like a perfect storm, a crippling combination that was seriously fucking you over and making you stumble.
You checked the contracts many times to make sure that they were perfect, that your signatures were on the right lines and then tested the pen on a piece of a paper for the last time, just to make sure that the pen worked properly. You grabbed the soaked invoices as well as the screwed up contracts and put them into the document shredder, which was already turned on and also jammed, there was a nearly entirely shredded piece of paper inside the shredder and apparently, whoever had shredded the document, had forgot to remove the paperclip which had then jammed the machine. You turned off the shredder, removed the piece of fine paper and managed to fish the paperclip out with a pen. Then you shredded the ruined documents, cursed that the contracts had been now printed on plain paper, not the especially fine one, and then put the paperclip to both copies to hold the pages of the contract together. You shifted your gaze from the documents to the desk again and this time you noticed the black folders. You immediately grabbed them, opened them and they indeed were empty.
- Whatever. you mumbled and put the contracts into them, one three-paged-contract for Haldir and one three-paged-contract for Thranduil, both signed, correctly, by you. You turned off the appliances as well as the lights and then left the office with your things and the folders. You rushed to the front door and opened it, went out and then pulled it once to make sure that it was locked; the door opened immediately, making you nearly fall backwards since you had not expected it to be open. The door had been locked when you had come in, right? You had opened the door but you had not left the lock to the “open” –position and when you had come out, you had opened the lock from the inside, again, without actually jamming the latch in so the door would stay open so… the door should have been… locked.
- Oh whatever! you exclaimed, locked the door and ran to the car. It had started to rain a bit and you had no time to think about it any longer. Perhaps the gentlemen had gotten so drunk that they had forgotten to lock the door. That most likely was the reason. “So, it was a drunken quarrel” you mumbled and wiped the raindrops away from the folders. You asked the driver to take you to Haldir’s place because you needed to get his signature to the contracts. The driver nodded and drove you to the other side of the city where Haldir lived. You got out from the car, ran through his garden in the pouring rain while trying to shelter the contracts with your jacket and then knocked on your boss’s door, nearly soaking wet. What a glorious mess you were; your hair all messed up and wet, your clothes, hardly any business attire, also wet and no makeup. You looked like you had just woken up and taken a shower with your clothes on.
- Good evening, Haldir. you said when Haldir opened the door. He looked at you with an amused look on his face, his hair also wet from the rain. “I am sorry for barging in like this but I need you to sign these contracts again” you said and handed the folders with the pen to Haldir.
- What is this about? he asked curiously, while he glanced through the papers. “We already signed these” he mumbled and then asked “(Y/N), what is going on?”
- I got a call from Thranduil that the original contracts are missing. you explained, now shivering from the cold. Haldir had a big garden in front of his house, like many successful and wealthy elves did and there was no actual driveway from the road to his front door, just a paved walkway through the garden. On top of that it had started to rain much-much more during the drive from the office to the neighborhood where Haldir lived. Yes, when you had left from the office the rain had been just a light sprinkle, now it was pouring.
- Missing? Haldir asked and raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean…” he asked and added “…Missing?”
- Don’t ask me. you mumbled, took a deep breath and continued as calmly as you possibly could “I handed the contracts to you and Mister Greenleaf in the black folders.” Haldir scanned your expression as it shifted from self-confident to somewhat uncertain. “You saw me putting them into the folders, right?” you asked with a tone that made it clear that you were now doubting yourself.
- I am not sure, (Y/N). Haldir stated, while trying to appear calm and collected.
- What? you sighed in disbelief. You went through the events of the evening quickly in your head and then stated “I am completely sure about it!” Haldir just shrugged his shoulders as a response. “And then I handed the folders to you and Mister Greenleaf” you stated and folded your arms.
- Well, it does not really matter if they are now missing. Haldir commented and added “And we have new ones right here. No harm done.” You stared at him with a dumbfounded look on your face, your eyes wide open and mouth ajar. “No harm?” you thought silently but did not dare to voice your thoughts because Haldir was your boss and being a smart-ass towards your boss was generally never a good idea.
- I just… I don’t… uhm… understand. It makes… n-no sense! you stammered and rubbed your forehead. The Athelas-painkiller that you had taken before was keeping the headache away but still you felt very uncomfortable, like your head had been about to explode.
- Thranduil’s instructions must be obeyed. Haldir commented and a smirk appeared on his face. The situation amused him although he tried his very best not to show it too openly since you were not having a good evening.
- But, he said that you ordered me to… you muttered while the look on Haldir’s face turned even more amused. “You are hiding something” you stated with a firm tone that was filled with newly found confidence. You knew in your bones that something was up and you wanted to know what it was.
- What? Me? Haldir asked, trying to keep his face on neutral. “No” he said and shook his head, but he drew out the vowel which made it sound even more suspicious.
- I think I have a right to know, Haldir. Please. you pleaded and sighed. You both were silent for a moment and then you asked hesitantly “Did you and Thranduil have a quarrel and you ripped the contracts?” You sounded defeated and the sight of you made Haldir feel sorry for you. He was quiet for a moment and then replied “Yes.” “I knew it!” you chuckled and sighed. “What was it about?” you asked, your tone exhausted and barely audible.
- Thranduil wanted to add one condition. I refused. Haldir stated.
- A condition? you asked and shifted your gaze from the floor back to Haldir.
- He wants you to move to Mirkwood. he explained and then added “I said no.”
- I see. you commented, although it was like a silent sigh, not a real comment at all.
- So we had already been drinking and got into a battle of wills and wits. Haldir described and after a short pause added “And in the heat of the moment Thranduil ripped the contracts.”
- A-ha. you mumbled and continued by asking “But… is it alright now?”
- Yes. We just must add the added term into the contract. Haldir spoke, opened the pen and wrote something to a blank spot on the contract. He did the same for the second copy as well. You leaned forward to see what he wrote and read it aloud “(Y/N) must move to Mirkwood to handle the account on the premises.”
- But my life is here. you spoke, your tone sounding both defeated and confused.
- You have moved to Mirkwood for work once before… Haldir said, finished writing and then signed the contracts. “…Surely you can do it again” he said as he handed the signed contracts, neatly placed into the black folders, back to you. You were speechless and felt somewhat helpless; it was like you had been watching your life flash before your eyes, a bystander who was not really in control of anything, just watching a plot of a twisted play unfolding. Any other day you would have been excited to return to Mirkwood but not today. Not now because you knew that Thranduil despised you and working alongside him would be torture for sure. However, there it was, the new condition in written on a paper that you had signed and therefore you just sighed “Alright” and tucked the folders under your coat again. You nodded with a weak smile and turned away to walk out from the entrance hall.
- Have a nice weekend, (Y/N). Haldir said with a cautious yet soft and sympathetic tone.
- You too. Farewell. you replied, opened the door and walked into the rain. You heard Haldir closing the door after you and then you ran via the walkway as fast as you could to the car that was waiting for you, parked to the side of the road. You got in and asked the driver to take you to the guesthouse where Thranduil was staying, in the historic city center that was located by the river, the most beautiful and magical part of the elven city. It was getting very late and therefore there was no traffic which made moving in the city very effortless, so it took only twenty minutes or so to reach the guesthouse. You got out from the car and ran to the main entrance of the hotel, stormed in and took off the soaked coat immediately to prevent any flu, although the elves very rarely got sick.
- Oh, Mrs. (Y/N), nice to see you again! the hotel manager said when she saw you. “Did you forget something?” she asked politely. She looked worried because you looked like a mess and she immediately ordered her coworker to get you some warm tea.
- A long story. you replied and continued politely “Please call Mister Greenleaf’s room and inform him about my arrival.” You sniffled once and added “I have some important documents for him to sign.”
- Very well. the manager said, took the phone and started dialing the room number. “Please, wait in the common sitting room. It is empty at the moment” she spoke with a friendly tone and added that the tea would be served soon. You thanked the lady and walked through the lobby to the direction where the manager had pointed at. The sitting room was indeed empty and for your relief there was a fireplace that provided you with some much needed warmth. After few minutes the coworker brought you the tea with lemon and honey. “I hope you’ll feel warmer soon” she said and left you alone.
- Thank you. you sighed and smiled at her, still squeezing the folders against your chest and holding the mug with your both hands as an attempt to warm up your numb fingers. You breathed in the steam and sipped the hot tea little by little as you stared into the flames and got lost into your own thoughts.
- Guess what I heard today. Thranduil said when he walked into the room. You snapped out from your thoughts immediately and put the tea mug to the coffee table that was between the fireplace and the cozy armchairs.
- Mister Greenleaf. Good evening. you said and bowed a little. “I have the contracts for you to sign” you continued and after opening the folders and placing them on the coffee table, you offered the pen to the tall, majestic man standing right next to the armchairs. You noticed that also Thranduil’s hair was soaked but you decided not to point it out. “Please” you said and kept extending your hand towards him and offering him the pen with a polite smile on your face, but he just kept his eyes fixed on you without taking the pen.
- I heard that… he said and paused as he took in the sight; you in your home-clothes, messy and soaked hair and no makeup. This was the first time he saw you like this, so fragile and vulnerable, so… cuddly and sweet. “You’re not married” he continued, keeping his tone calm and neutral. “Yet, you’re wearing a ring” he stated mysteriously. The flames of the fireplace made his eyes sparkle as he stared deep into yours, studying your exhausted face and eyes that were filled with melancholy.
***
- Shall we celebrate a little? Haldir asked Thranduil after you had left the office. Haldir gestured Thranduil to follow him into the “boss-office” and after putting his black folder to the table, he squatted behind his desk, opened the cupboard and took out two glasses and a bottle. He placed them to the table, to the wooden surface of the well-crafted old desk that he loved so much. It was his pride and joy and yes, it was a very fine desk with handcrafted engravings. “Please, sit down” he said and poured a generous amount of the drink into the glasses.
- Oh, yes please. Thranduil commented with a smirk. “This is my favorite drink, how did you know?” he asked.
- I didn’t. Haldir commented casually. “(Y/N) is the one who arranged everything” he added and pushed the filled glass across the table to Thranduil.
- Interesting. Thranduil said, lifted the glass up and admired the deep color before breathing the scent in. “Very interesting indeed” he mumbled and took a small sip.
- Naturally we did not know who the owner of Mirkwood Export & Import Solutions is. Haldir said and followed Thranduil’s lead. He had not tasted this drink before, although he was a great admirer of finer things in life, wines and liqueurs being one of these things.
- Naturally. Thranduil commented and smirked at the glass.
- We did try to search for information online but couldn’t find any. Haldir explained. “We usually start from the company’s web pages but…” he said and paused, took another sip and put the glass back on the table since the drink was a bit stronger than he had expected. It was very delicious, smooth and mellow, but also very strong. Then he added “…There were none-“
- Yes, it has been founded just two weeks ago. Thranduil commented. “We haven’t gotten that far, yet” he said.
- I see. Haldir commented and shrugged his shoulders. “Anyway, I trusted her to get the arrangements for this meeting right” Haldir stated and then continued by speaking proudly while maintaining eye contact with Thranduil “I think it is safe to say that this meeting has been a success, mostly due to (Y/N)’s efforts.”
- She’s a gem. Thranduil commented casually, constantly monitoring Haldir’s expressions and body language, even when it seemed that he was completely focused on his favorite drink – wrong! He wasn’t, he was always on alert.
- Yes, she is. Haldir admitted and chuckled.
- Speaking of gems. Thranduil said, put the glass back to the table and leaned backwards in the comfortable armchair. “I noticed a ring in (Y/N)’s finger” he stated and after a pause, asked “When did she get married?”
- Oh, she is not… Haldir said immediately, suddenly realizing that he was not sure if you wanted Thranduil to know or was it supposed to be a secret. That was the reason why his voice turned into inaudible mumble midsentence.
- Excuse me? Thranduil asked with a surprised tone. Haldir cleared his throat and decided that he knew you well enough to know that you would want Thranduil to know that you were not actually married or even engaged.
- Yes, you’re not the first one to make that same assumption. Haldir commented, grabbed the glass and took a sip. “I suppose she’s wearing the ring because her heart is engaged to…” he explained and then added “…Someone.” He had been staring into the glass, admiring the craftsmanship and how the crystal shattered light into a prism, but when he said the word “someone” he immediately focused his eyes back to Thranduil; a subtle sign to make the businessman sitting on the other side of the desk to understand whom he was talking about.
- Oh, in that case… Thranduil said and smirked. He raised the glass, took a long sip and chuckled victoriously into the glass. The men continued chatting about matters of no significant importance while slowly emptying the bottle with small sips, accompanied with laughter and great atmosphere.
***
- It is just a ring. you stated casually and took a quick look at the gem. “It has no profound meaning, I just like it” you explained and shrugged your shoulders. You were still offering the pen to Thranduil who still was not taking it.
- Well, I’m relieved to hear that. the tall elf commented and a tiny smirk appeared on his face that otherwise was like a blank canvas; you couldn’t read it at all.
- Can you please sign the documents? you asked and sighed. “As you can see, I am literally in my pajama” you mumbled, rubbed the spot between your eyes and continued “I just want to get home as soon as possible. Please.”
- Are you… in a relationship? Thranduil asked, still not taking the pen from your extended hand.
- No. you said and shook your head. It was getting frigging ridiculous and even though the warmth radiating from the fireplace had made you feel much better, you still wanted to get this over with. “The papers. Please, sign them” you stated and when Thranduil took the pen, you mumbled “I can’t believe that the original copies got lost.” You did not want him to know that you were aware of the pathetic little quarrel the grownup men had had but you felt that you had to make some kind of comment concerning the “missing papers”. Thranduil checked out the papers and chuckled when he saw the added, handwritten sentence “(Y/N) must move to Mirkwood to handle the account on the premises.”
- Oh yes, lost, misplaced, destroyed. he chuckled and smirked at you. “Most unfortunate accident” he said and continued mischievously “I’m… torn apart… because of it.”
***
- Wouldn’t it be most unfortunate accident if these contracts got… Thranduil said suddenly as he opened his folder and took the contract out. “…Destroyed?” he added with a mischievous smirk.
- What do you mean? Haldir asked and shared the remaining liquid equally into two glasses. The bottle was now empty and they both felt the impact of the strong drink, making them feel less formal. “Why would they get destroyed?” Haldir asked with a confused tone. The thought was so ridiculous that it made him chuckle.
- Things… Thranduil said and paused. “…Happen” he added and put the papers, kept together by a paperclip, back to the table. “Accidents, misfortunes” Thranduil listed and smirked at Haldir.
- Isn’t that a bit far-fetched? Haldir asked and put his hand over his black folder, almost like he had been keeping his copy of the three-paged-contract safe, just in case. Thranduil was clearly tipsy and there was no way of knowing what kind of ridiculous stunt he would pull out if Haldir was not paying attention.
- Perhaps. Who knows! Thranduil exclaimed and started to laugh.
- Hm, a good point, though. Haldir mumbled, stood up and took his folder while he spoke, his tone just a tiny bit slurred “I shall scan it immediately so it will be safe-“
- No! Stop! Thranduil said, the order making Haldir freeze still completely. Haldir returned to sit by the desk and focused his attention to Thranduil who clearly was plotting a scheme of some sort. “So many things could happen to a fragile piece of paper” Thranduil said casually, smirked again and continued “A glass of wine could fall over it… It could catch fire…”
- Messy and… dangerous. Haldir commented. “You might burn down our office” he stated and asked curiously “What’s your point, Mister Greenleaf?”
-…Then (Y/N) should return to the office… Thranduil described aloud as he formed the plan in his head. He tapped the wooden surface with his fingertip and said “…To print out the contracts again-“
- Not if you burn down the office. Haldir commented and rolled his eyes.
-… Get your signature… Thranduil continued and then his eyes lighted up. “…And finally… mine” he stated proudly.
- I have a feeling that you just want to see (Y/N) again. Haldir stated suspiciously. “Am I right?” he asked with a smirk.
- Maybe. Thranduil replied, his eyes filled with slightly-drunken determination.
- You could just call her. Haldir commented, just throwing it out there.
- Where’s the fun in that? Thranduil asked and started to laugh out loud. Haldir leaned back in his boss-chair and made a “Hmm” –sound. He thought about the situation for a moment and then sighed “Ah!” Thranduil shifted his focus from the papers to Haldir and waited for him to say what he had just realized, at least it had sounded like one of those “eureka –moments”.
- Well, I do have a document shredder. Haldir said, stood up and pointed at the white, slightly rounded box that looked like a fancy wastepaper basket, it was under the side table, which Haldir’s printer was on.
- Perfect! Thranduil exclaimed, took out his phone and stated “I’ll just call her right now before she’ll turn off her phone and go to bed.”
Thranduil handed the contract papers to Haldir and searched your number from his saved contacts. He had never deleted your private number, not even though you had left Mirkwood and your friendship had kind of died and changed into something strictly business-related. In fact, after you had moved back to Lothlorien you had started to communicate with Thranduil’s assistant instead with the boss himself. Therefore you had had no reason to keep his private number saved in your phone. Also the main reason for deleting the number was that you did not want to take a risk of calling him while under the influence of alcohol, some lonely evening when you missed him the most.
- Both copies are missing. Thranduil said to you, struggling to keep his tone on the neutral side. He knew that if he started to laugh, you would guess that something was up. Hell, you seemed to suspect something already and therefore Thranduil knew that it was absolutely vital to maintain a firm, demanding tone during the phone call.
- Both of them? You got to be kidding me. you asked, clearly sounding both suspicious and also annoyed in Thranduil’s opinion. He smirked at Haldir who was listening to the call next to the document shredder. “Put the call to speaker” he whispered because he wanted to know what you were saying. This was just too hilarious to miss. Thranduil put his phone to the speaker and placed it on the desk. The men listened to you, laughing manically for a rather long time, well, considering that you were in the middle of a phone call conversation.
- No, unfortunately I am not. he stated and gestured Haldir to destroy the papers now. Haldir removed the paperclip from his copies and put the documents into the shredder. A low buzzing sound filled the room.
- What is that sound? you asked, still laughing manically. Your laughter nearly making Haldir laugh as well.
- What… sound? Thranduil asked and gestured Haldir to stop the shredder. Haldir however mistook the gesture as green light for destroying also Thranduil’s copy of the contract and therefore he pushed the documents into the shredder. The buzzing sound filled the room again.
- That. you said without even chuckling. “Are you still at the office?” you asked, now sounding irritated and perhaps curious, or suspicious. Thranduil couldn’t tell. Suddenly the shredder stopped shredding the papers and Thranduil heard Haldir cursing half aloud, saying something about a “bloody paperclip”. Thranduil took the phone from the table and turned the speaker off as he continued the conversation with you in the hallway.
- What happened to them? you asked after the conversation had been going on for some time.
- How should I know? I had nothing to do with it. Thranduil answered, this time almost losing his shit and bursting into laughter, however he managed to keep his tone somewhat neutral, although he sounded at least amused, especially because Haldir was now laughing at the broken shredder in the office.
- Is Haldir there? Can you put him on? you asked as politely as you could.
- No, but he told me to call you, he was very specific about that. Thraduil responded as assertively as he possibly could.
- He is not there or you will not put him on? you asked with a somewhat suspicious or perhaps irritated tone, to which Thranduil answered with a simple “Yes” after a long silent pause.
- Are you on your way? Thranduil asked and then stated firmly “I need the signed contract tonight.”
- Right… you replied and started to plan how you would do this, now that it was clear that there was no way you could escape the necessity to leave home.
After the phone call was over Haldir called the driver and ordered him to pick you up from your apartment as soon as possible. He explained the situation, leaving details unspecified, and gave him some instructions while Thranduil tried to fix the shredder, unsuccessfully, leaving it on but completely jammed. Then Haldir called a taxi to drive him home, although first it was necessary drop Thranduil off at the guesthouse, in the old city center. The company’s private chauffeur had been quite nearby your apartment and therefore you had arrived to the office building much sooner than the men had expected.
Thranduil rushed to turn off the lights when he heard the front door being opened, the elves had a perfect hearing after all and your steps echoed in the corridor as you stomped up the stairs, groaning in deepening frustration. Haldir, in a slight state of “oh shit –panic” accidentally whisked his not-completely-empty glass over, the drink forming a small pool on the wooden surface and nearing dangerously the pile of printed invoices… but there was not any time to clean the mess so the men just sneaked out with their things through the backdoor, hence the front door being left unlocked. For the rest of the time Haldir and Thranduil waited for the taxi, standing in the rain that fortunately had not yet changed from light sprinkle into a pouring shower. However that was about to change soon.
***
- Are you seeing someone? Thranduil asked with a soft, curious tone that was filled with hope and longing, holding the pen in his hand but still not signing the contracts.
- No. It's Just me. you commented. “Still in love with you, in case you’re wondering” you commented with a sigh.
- I wasn’t. Thranduil commented casually, shifting his eyes from the papers to you.
- Oh, well… in that case I should… go. you stammered, clearly bitterly disappointed. “Please sign” you demanded. This time Thranduil signed the papers, put the contracts into the folders and handed you the pen with Haldir’s folder. You took them and squeezed the folder tightly against your chest because you did not want to take a risk that you would have to repeat the evening. Oh, what an evening it had been!
- I am not wondering because I know, like I knew from the very first moment. Thranduil stated with a calm, deep voice. “You love me… like I love you” he added, took the folder from you and put them back to the table. After this he walked to you, spread his arms wide open and welcomed you into a loving embrace. You dropped the pen to the floor because you couldn’t care less about that anymore, nothing else mattered anymore, pressed your cheek against Thranduil’s chest and closed your eyes as you breathed in the wonderful scent, a mixture of expensive cologne and the man you loved very deeply. Thranduil wrapped his arms tightly around you and buried his face into your hair. He breathed you in and whispered into your ear “Come upstairs, my love, the driver is not waiting.”