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Chapter XXVI: (EXT)Â The Fall of Dol Guldur (Pt. I)
âNot long after that night, I found myself wandering alone through the halls of my palace. I found myself standing before a window beyond my throne looking outward into glistening waterfalls lit by rays of the sun. Though I felt little pain, I still wore a bandage wrapped securely around my torso.
âWhat is on your mind, Thranduil,â I heard FĂ«aluin ask as he approached me.
âJust thinking,â I said. âNothing in particular.â
He looked at me without saying a word. His face was stoic, but his eyes seemed animated.
âWell, then,â he said. âShould this war end, our time will come to leave this world for another.â
âAnd if there is no end to war, FĂ«aluin,â I asked. What then? I should remain here waiting for peace and hoping I see my son again?â
âWhat of your children,â he asked. âThey would not let you go the way of despair.â
âI know,â I sighed. âEspecially the little ones. But I will send them to safety no matter what they say.â
âI hardly imagine Legolas or TarthĂŽn will leave you to your own, either."
âI have lived my life, FĂ«aluin,â I said. âI have seen a great many troubles. Eternity would only remind me of them.â
âAnd what of ĂlĂșriel,â he asked. âYou wish her to choose between you and those that have sailed and wait to see her again?â
âNo,â I said. âI would never force her to choose. I know which she would choose and I could not bear the guilt. Yet, I have not conquered death.â
âAnd you never will,â he said. âYou will change your mind--I know you will. For now, you thoughts are needed elsewhere.â
âIs there word from Celeborn,â I asked.Â
âNo,â he said. âFrom Dale. King DĂĄin of Erebor has fallen and at his side King Brand of Dale.â
I was crestfallenâremembering my friend DĂĄin fighting valiantly during the first battle in Dale not long ago.
âFrom whom was this message sent,â I asked quietly.
âFrom his kinsmen,â he said. âYou have met him twice before. Dwalin, son of Funduin. His brother disappeared after coming through our kingdom a second time on his way to KhazĂąd-dĂ»m.â
âI remember. Balin,â I said. âI dare not think of the fate that befell him and his company though I am sure Aiwendil knows well of it. And who shall rise in their places?â
âDĂĄinâs son Thorin, of course,â he began. âTo Dale will sit Bard, son Brand.â I knew it would be some time before their coronations but I knew I had to pay my respects.
âI am sure they wish to lay them to rest swiftly,â I said. âThe war has not yet ended and what will come remains unpredictable."
âWho do you wish to accompany you,â FĂ«aluin asked.
âYou, of course,â I answered. âNimlos and Elranduil. EldĂŽr should remain behind should word come from Emyn Duir.â
âI wish to go with you as well,â I heard ĂlĂșriel say. I turned to see her smiling at me.
âVery well,â he answered. âWe leave at first light.â
FĂ«aluin bowed and left.
âWho will remain behind with the children,â I asked.
âWho do you think, Thranduil,â she asked. âIsĂlriel, of course.âÂ
âOf course,â I said.
âI will prepare,â she said. âPlease rest some more.â
âI am fine, ĂlĂșriel,â I said. âStop worrrying so much.â
âThen you have not lived long enough,â he said.
She smiled and left while I took the winding stairs down to the main hall and went into my study where Elranduil waited in my chair.
âWe are going to Dale,â he said.
âHow would you know of it,â I asked.
âThe caverns have ears as well as voices, cousin,â he said. âHow could I not have known?â
âThe only ears and voices in this palace belong to your wife and her ladies.â
âThat is not true,â he said. âAlways. I happen to have been with FĂ«aluin when one of our Marchwardens from the East came with the message from Dale.â
âI have had my fill of death for one life time,â I said. âI suppose men and dwarves see it once and nevermore.â
âNot if they live to see it again,â he said. âThen they leave death for their children to see. It is a cycle that is never-ending. No matter what the old tales say. It is our misfortune to see such things for centuries. I gather we will leave at first light?â
âYes,â I said. âIt will be you, Nimlos, FĂ«aluin and ĂlĂșriel, of course.â
He rose from my chair and walked over to me.
âWe have seen better times,â he began. âIt will be far better at the end of them, will it not?â
âPerhaps, but the end will not come soon enough, I am afraid.â
He nodded and left my alone. I sat down at my table thought about many thingsâso long, I had not realized darkness had begun to fall.
**** **** **** ****
Before the sun rose, I went to see about NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ«. They slept soundly in their chambers as I watched themâtheir innocence I protected and coveted. Time had kept from me memories of my youth. I could barely remember when I was their age.
âAda,â TĂĄrimĂ« said softly as she sat up. âAre you going away again?â
âYes,â I answered as I sat beside her. âWith Nana, but not for long.â
âI do not like it when you go away,â she said.
âNor do I, TĂĄrimĂ«,â I said holding her. âDo you think I like being away from you, your sister and brother?â
âNo,â she answered. âBut when you are gone, NenduĂźl teases me all the time.â
âI do not,â NenduĂźl said as he walked over. âYou tease me all the time.â
âEĂ€rluin teases us both,â TĂĄrimĂ« said frowning.
âShe teases everyone,â his sister said. âBut boys are just awful.â
âAda is boy,â he said. âYou think he is awful as well?â
âNo,â she said. âJust you and Aranduil.â
âCome now,â I started. âBe nice. I do not want to leave thinking you are not getting along.â
âWe get on alright,â NenduĂźl said. âWhen TĂĄrimĂ«, EĂ€rluin and AurĂel are elsewhere.â
âNenduĂźl.â
âWhat,â he asked. âI like my sisters. Sometimes.â
âYou wish me to leave and worry about you while I am gone,â I asked.
âNo,â they said.
NenduĂźl sat beside me as his sister climbed on my lap.
âSo I have your word you will be good for EldĂŽr and IsĂlriel?â
âIsĂlriel,â TĂĄrimĂ« asked. âI love IsĂlriel. EldĂŽr tells us lots of stories. Just like great grandfather.â
âIs it true you ran around without anything on when you were little,â NenduĂźl asked.
âI did no such thing,â I said. âNow back to bed both of you.â
âYou did do that,â TĂĄrimĂ« said giggling.
I kissed her forehead and tucked her in as she continued to giggle. I picked up NenduĂźl and carried him to his bed and tucked him in.
âBehave,â I said, kissing his forehead. âI will return.â
âYes, Ada,â he said. As I left the room, I could here them both giggling.
When the doors were shut I made my way down the hall where I met FĂ«aluin, Nimlos and Elranduil.
âThe Queen awaits us,â FĂ«aluin said.
âLet us leave now,â I said. âPray we return before the call comes from LothlĂłrien.â
We made our way out of the gates where our horses were prepared. ĂlĂșriel was already mounted and waiting patiently.
âElranduil,â I asked. âWhere would NenduĂźl get the idea I ran around without anything on when I was little?â
He laughed as he and the others mounted their horses.
âDo not look at me, cousin,â he said. âIt must have been Father. I did not say a word. I hardly remember, it was so long ago.â
âI heard it from your mother,â ĂlĂșriel said to Elranduil.
âYou mean to say it is true,â Nimlos asked. âI thought you were lying.â
I mounted my horse and rode past them without saying a word as they tried to hide their laughter.
âI will deal with you later, cousin,â I said beneath my breath.
We headed down the familiar path of Forest River leading toward Dale. As the sun rose, the cityâgrander than the ruins we had left long ago with Erebor rising high above nearly touching the sky as it lit up with the coming of a new day. The closer we came to the city, the more figures I could seeâmen and dwarves alike. The flags of Erebor and Dale flew side by side. Once inside the square, we were met by a man and a dwarf followed by others.
âI knew you would come,â the elder of the dwarves said as I dismounted. Â
Nimlos helped ĂlĂșriel down as several servants took our horses one way and possessions another.
âOf course, I would come, Dwalin,â I said. âHow could I not come? I do believe it has been some time since you have seen my wife, ĂlĂșriel.â
âIt has,â Dwalin said. âStill as lovely a lass I have ever laid my eye upon.â
âYou are too kind," ĂlĂșriel said kissing his forehead.
âDale welcomes you all,â the young man said. âI am Bard, son of Brand.â
The younger of the dwarves stepped forward cautiouslyâa youth at his side.
âI am Thorin, son of DĂĄin,â he said. âThis is my son, Durin. We welcome Your Majesties, King and Queen of Mirkwood and your company.â
âThank you,â I answered. âI wish it were for a happier occasion.â
âOf course,â Dwalin said. âCome, there is food and drink prepared for you in Daleâs great hall.â
We followed the group toward the grand gates along cobbled streets leading to the of the palace above.
âIt has been some time since I saw you last,â said a dwarf with hair and beard red as fire. âYou might not remember me. I am GlĂłin, son of GrĂłin. I came into your kingdom with a company of others.â
âYes,â I said quietly. I was still ashamed of my actions.
âI had the pleasure of meeting your son in Rivendell,â he said. âLegolas, I believe is his name.â
I felt a warm feeling run through me that someone had seen Legolas. I could feel my face smiling.
âYes,â I said proudly. âLegolas is my son.â
âHe is out there fighting alongside my son, Gimli,â he said. âI hope both return to us in one piece.â
âHow else would they come back,â Durin asked.
âNot good,â said a little boy that had come along side Durin. âNot good at all.â
âBain,â Bard said. âQuiet.â
âYes, father,â he said.
I looked around and felt a sense of familiarity again. Bard, though younger than his ancestor, looked liked himâbrown hair with soft green eyesâand Thorin looked a great deal like Thorin Oakenshieldâhis long brown hair and beard surrounding eyes of blue.
We reached two great doors opened by several guards. Before us stood a beautiful maiden with golden hair and sharp brown eyes.
âThis is my wife, AurĂ«wyn,â Bard said, taking her hand.
âIt is an honor to finally meet you both,â she said bowing.
âFinally,â I asked as everyone was shown to our places.
âYes,â she said taking her seat. âI have heard many things about your kingdom from my father. His fatherâs uncle had been there once. I wish they were here now. They both died in the war.â
âI am sorry to hear it,â I said. âWhat was his name, if I may ask?â
âHaldĂșir, Your Majesty,â she said. âHe was a very old but dear man. He fell at the gates of Erebor beside King Brand and King DĂĄin. It was foolish of me, but I think he wished to die. He had not been the same since his beloved wife died. ArĂmĂ« was her name. I do not remember her. She died a long time ago.â
My heart sank in that moment. I could not help but see ArĂmĂ«âs face in my mind. ĂlĂșrielâs expression seemed stoic hearing the name of her cousin. I looked across to see Elranduilâs expressionâit was the same as my own I was sure.
âWell, tomorrow we shall lay the dead to rest,â Thorin said. âWe shall honor them for their deeds foolish or otherwise.â
There was an unsettling silence as we dined together. When we were finished, we were shown our quarters for the night. Lit by lanterns, the stone walls were covered with fine tapestries. ĂlĂșriel prepared for the evening as I watched day fall to night and the moonrise casting a gentle light throughout the valley.
I felt shame again. I wish I had let ArĂmĂ« see her grandchildren again. I believed it must have taken her life never to see NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ« again. As I thought, I heard a knock at the door.
âEnter,â I said. It was FĂ«aluin. âWhat is it?â
âI know what you are thinking, Thranduil,â he said. âI always do.â
âYou are worse than EldĂŽr,â I said.
âThen might I suggest you think more quietly,â he said.
I could hear a soft laugh as ĂlĂșriel walked into an adjoining chamber.
âI wonder if AurĂ«wyn knew her fatherâs fatherâs uncle was married to one that was once one of us,â I said. âPerhaps that is why she told us her story.â
âNo, she does not,â he said coming to me. âBard said as much.â
âI do not understand,â I said.
âMen may die never to return, but they leave many tales behind from one generation to the next. His father told him and his father before him and his father before him.â
âBard knew of this?â
âOf course he did,â FĂ«aluin said. âWhether he knew of her relation to ĂlĂșriel I do not know.â
âI feel horrible,â I said. âArĂmĂ« must have died of a broken heart.â
âYour conscience is clear,â he said. âShe died from whatever took her daughter.â
âIs there any place left in this world where death does not linger,â I asked.
âI am afraid not, Thranduil,â he said. âIt will always linger for it has nothing but time to do so.â
We spoke no more that night. After a while, he left me alone with my thoughts. ĂlĂșriel watched me from across the room. Looking into the shadow of Erebor, all I wished to do was return home.âââTKWR:BII The Saga of Thranduil (EXT. VER.) by J. Marie Miller 12-20-17
Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved.
#tkwr trilogy#the kingdom of the woodland realm trilogy#the extended version of book ii#the saga of thranduil#thranduil and eluriel#nenduil and tarime#bard son of brand#bain (i) son of bard (ii)#thorin son of dain#durin son of thorin#dwalin#gloin#halduir and arime#aurewyn and bard#nimlos fealuin#city of dale#the funeral of dain ii ironfoot#funeral of brand son of bain#tolkien fan fiction#in honor of tolkien#in honor of jrr tolkien#writing high fantasy#fan fiction#writing fan fiction
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Chapter V: The Fall of Dol Guldur (Pt. IV)
âOnce the children were taken away, two guards approached me and bowed as I rose. I knew what they had come. I nodded and followed them away to a spacious garden where lantern lit paths led to monuments to the past. In front of a stone figure stood AurĂ«wyn waiting for me.
âYour Majesty,â she said. âYou wished to speak with me.â
âSo it is true,â I said. âYou know the language of the elves.â
âYes,â she said. âMy grandfather learned it from his brotherâs wife.â
âArĂmĂ«,â I said. âShe was the cousin of my late wife ĂlĂșriel.â
âI know,â she said. âMy grandfather spoke of it often. He was proud to have an Elda in the family. He died when I was very young.â
âYou have my sympathy,â I said softly, looking at the stone figure.
âYou knew my husbandâs ancestor,â she said. âHis namesake.â
âI did.â
âWhat is it like to have lived for so long,â she asked.
âAs any other creature,â I answered. âOnly longer.â
She smiled and began walking down a path into a lower area. Curiously, I followed her. Beneath ornate stone arches covered in vine, I realized tombs surrounded us. She stood before one that had ArĂmĂ« GildĂșriel carved into the marble.
âI know you wanted to come,â she said. âTo see her one last time before you leave tomorrow. If she were still here I am sure she would have wanted to see you again. Good night, Your Majesty.â
She smile once more and disappeared into the darkness of the palace. I stood alone for a moment looking at the face of the stone in thoughtâthinking of NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ«. I wish she could see how much they had grown. I had lived longer than I wanted and seen far more than I needed. I touched the stone. It was colder than the night but not without its own eternal beauty.
âI knew I would find you here,â I heard FĂ«aluin say from behind.
âOf course you would, FĂ«aluin,â I answered. âI am sure you convinced AurĂ«wyn to bring me here.â
âHow else would you have found your way,â he asked. âDale is different than it once was centuries ago.â
âAll things are different than they once were,â I said. âTomorrow will be different than today. What will never change is us.â
âYou have changed greatly,â he said. âFor the better, I must say. No longer the pampered son of a king. Now you are a father and a king.â
âI was never pampered. You have me confused with Elranduil.â
âNo,â he said. âIf I am not mistaken, you were quite a handful. That is what mother told me and FĂnduin after spending a day with you.â . I looked at the tomb once more.
âNamĂĄriĂ«, ArĂmĂ« GildĂșriel,â I whispered. âPedathon i narn an NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ«.â
I turned away and walked with FĂ«aluin through the gardens and to our quarters in the palace.
**** **** **** ****
At dawn, the whole of Erebor and Dale had come to see us off. Thorin, Dwalin and Glóin stood before us beside Bard and Aurëwyn.
âIt has been an honored with your visit,â Bard began. âThough I wish it had been under better circumstances, Your Majesty.â
âIt is I that is honored,â I said. âYou and Thorin have been the most gracious of hosts.â
Before another word was said, Bain and Durin ran to me.
âMust you leave now,â Bain asked.
âI am afraid so,â I said.
âHere,â Durin said handing me something. âThis is for you.â
It was small dragon carved out of wood. For its size, it was rather detailed in its features.
âThank you, Durin,â I said smiling. âI will treasure it always.â
âI know I will hear from you again, Your Majesty,â Dwalin said.
âI am sure of it,â GlĂłin said. âIf I know my Gimli.â
âThen Legolas is in good company,â I said.
I mounted my horse and rode away beside Elranduil with FĂ«aluin and Nimlos close behind. As we rode out of the city gates there was much fanfare from men and dwarves alike. I looked forward to my return home, but for the first time, I was leaving a place I wanted to stay longer.
âI am going to miss them,â I said.
âWho are you,â Elranduil asked. âWhere is my cousin? I have never known you to miss man or dwarf in you lifetime.â
âI missed AĂ»rvar,â I said. âHe was pleasant from what I remember. Though few men I have missed, I was rather fond of Bard of Esgaroth.â
âI look forward to the day when we are at peace,â Nimlos said. âThat has yet to come to fruition. Until that day, my concerns lie with our people in the south.â
âNever mind those once more facing the gates of Barad-DĂ»r,â FĂ«aluin said. âThere is still darkness in that must be destroyed.â
âIt will be,â I said. âI believe it will be this time.â
We rode the rest of the way in silence. Before long we had arrived at the gates of my palace. We dismounted and our horses taken away in time for Nendußl and Tårimë to come running to me.
âAda,â they said embracing me.
âYou are home,â TĂĄrimĂ« said.
âYes, I am,â I said. âWere you good?â
âI was,â NenduĂźl said.
âSo was I,â TĂĄrimĂ« said.
Looking at EldĂŽrâs expression, I was tempted to think otherwise.
âUncle,â I said. âAre you well?"
âNext time, I am going with you. No matter where it is,â he said.
Elranduil laughed as he embraced his father. Nimlos led Nendußl and Tårimë into the palace with Fëaluin.
âAny word while we were gone,â I asked.
âNo,â he said. âIt is starting to worry me.â
âI would think no word would be a good thing,â Elranduil said. âPerhaps there will be little need for another battle.â
âThat will not happen,â EldĂŽr said. âOf all the glamhoth we killed, one was seen to have survived and made his way to Dol Guldur. If they were none left, he would have not gone back the way he came and maiming a few of our own. None mortally, thankfully.â
âThen we wait,â I said. âWe will be prepared for anything.â
We walked into the palace together. In my hand, I held Durinâs little dragon tightlyâmy mind on what I knew was about to come.â--Excerpt from TKWR Book III: To Eryn Lasgalen by J.M.Miller 01-22-17
Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved.
#amwriting#writing#writing fan fiction#writing high fantasy#tolkien fan fiction#in honor of jrr tolkien#the saga of thranduil#continues#aurewyn and thranduil#thranduil returns home#nenduil and tarime#eldor elranduil nimlos fealuin#bain and durin#thorin ii#bard ii#erebor#dale#gift from durin#war of the ring#dol guldur
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Chapter V: The Fall of Dol Guldur (Pt. II)
âBefore the sun rose, I went to see about NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ«. They slept soundly in their chambers as I watched themâtheir innocence I protected and coveted. Time had kept from me memories of my youth. I could barely remember when I was their age.
âAda,â TĂĄrimĂ« said softly as she sat up. âAre you going away again?â
âYes,â I answered as I sat beside her. âBut not for long.â
âI do not like it when you go away,â she said.
âNor do I, TĂĄrimĂ«,â I said holding her. âDo you think I like being away from you and your brother?â
âNo,â she answered. âBut when you are gone, NenduĂźl teases me all the time.â
âI do not,â NenduĂźl said as he walked over. âYou tease me all the time.â
âThat is because you are just awful,â his sister said. âBoys are just awful.â
âAda is boy,â he said. âYou think he is awful as well?â
âNo,â she said. âJust you and Aranduil.â
âCome now,â I started. âBe nice. I do not want to leave thinking you are not getting along.â
âWe get on alright,â NenduĂźl said. âWhen TĂĄrimĂ« is elsewhere.â
âNenduĂźl.â
âWhat,â he asked. âI like my sister. Sometimes.â
âYou wish me to leave and worry about you while I am gone,â I asked.
âNo,â they said.
NenduĂźl sat beside me as his sister climbed on my lap.
âSo I have your word you will be good for EldĂŽr?â
âYes, Adaâ TĂĄrimĂ« said. We like him. He tells us lots of stories. Just like great grandfather.â
âIs it true you ran around without anything on when you were little,â NenduĂźl asked.
âI did no such thing,â I said. âNow back to bed both of you.â
âYou did do that,â TĂĄrimĂ« said giggling.
I kissed her forehead and tucked her in as she continued to giggle. I picked up NenduĂźl and carried him to his bed and tucked him in.
âBehave,â I said, kissing his forehead. âI will return.â
âYes, Ada,â he said. As I left the room, I could here them both giggling.
When the doors were shut I made my way down the hall where I met FĂ«aluin, Nimlos and Elranduil.
âLet us leave now,â I said. âPray we return before the call comes from LothlĂłrien.â
We made our way out of the gates where our horses were prepared.
âElranduil,â I asked. âWhere would NenduĂźl get the idea I ran around without anything on when I was little?â
He laughed as he and the others mounted their horses.
âDo not look at me, cousin,â he said. âIt must have been Father. I did not say a word. I hardly remember, it was so long ago.â
âYou mean to say it is true,â Nimlos asked. âI thought you were lying.â
I mounted my horse and rode past them without saying a word as they tried to hide their laughter.
âI will deal with you later, cousin,â I said beneath my breath.
We headed down the familiar path of Forest River leading toward Dale. As the sun rose, the cityâgrander than the ruins we had left long ago with Erebor rising high above nearly touching the sky as it lit up with the coming of a new day. The closer we came to the city, the more figures I could seeâmen and dwarves alike. The flags of Erebor and Dale flew side by side. Once inside the square, we were met by a man and a dwarf followed by others.
âI knew you would come,â the elder of the dwarves said as I dismounted.
âOf course, I would come, Dwalin,â I said. âHow could I not come?â
âDale welcomes you,â the young man said. âI am Bard, son of Brand.â
The younger of the dwarves stepped forward cautiouslyâa youth at his side.
âI am Thorin, son of DĂĄin,â he said. âThis is my son, Durin. We welcome His Majesty, King of Mirkwood.â
âThank you,â I answered. âI wish it were for a happier occasion.â
âOf course,â Dwalin said. âCome, there is food and drink prepared for you in Daleâs great hall.â
Several men took our horses and we followed the group toward the grand gates of the palace above.
âIt has been some time since I saw you last,â said a dwarf with hair and beard red as fire. âYou might not remember me. I am GlĂłin, son of GrĂłin. I came into your kingdom with a company of others.â
âYes,â I said quietly. I was still ashamed of my actions.
âI had the pleasure of meeting your son in Rivendell,â he said. âLegolas, I believe is his name.â
I felt a warm feeling run through me that someone had seen Legolas. I could feel my face smiling.
âYes,â I said proudly. âLegolas is my son.â
âHe is out there fighting alongside my son, Gimli,â he said. âI hope both return to us in one piece.â
âHow else would they come back,â Durin asked
âNot good,â said a little boy that had come along side Durin. âNot good at all.â
âBain,â Bard said. âQuiet.â
âYes, father,â he said.
I looked around and felt a sense of familiarity again. Bard, though younger than his ancestor, looked liked himâbrown hair with soft green eyesâand Thorin looked a great deal like Thorin Oakenshieldâhis long brown hair and beard surrounding eyes of blue.
We reached two great doors opened by several guards. Before us stood a beautiful maiden with golden hair and sharp brown eyes.
âThis is my wife, AurĂ«wyn,â Bard said, taking her hand.
âIt is an honor to finally meet you,â she said bowing.
âFinally,â I asked as everyone was shown to our places.
âYes,â she said taking her seat. âI have heard many things about your kingdom from my father. His fatherâs uncle had been there once. I wish they were here now. They both died in the war.â
âI am sorry to hear it,â I said. âWhat was the name of your fatherâs fatherâs uncle, if I may ask?â
âHaldĂșir, Your Majesty,â she said. âHe was a very old but dear man. He fell at the gates of Erebor beside King Brand and King DĂĄin. It was foolish but I think he wished to die. He had not been the same since his beloved wife died. ArĂmĂ« was her name. I do not remember her. She died a long time ago.â
My heart sank in that moment. I could not help but see ArĂmĂ«âs face in my mind. The cousin of my beloved ĂlĂșriel. I looked across to see Elranduilâs expressionâit was the same as my own I was sure.
âWell, tomorrow we shall lay the dead to rest,â Thorin said. âWe shall honor them for their deeds foolish or otherwise.â
There was an unsettling silence as we dined together. When we were finished, we were shown our quarters for the night. Lit by lanterns, the stone walls were covered with fine tapestries. I watched as the day fell to night and the moonrise casting a gentle light throughout the valley.
I felt shame again. I wish I had let ArĂmĂ« see her grandchildren again. I believed it must have taken her life never to see NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ« again. As I thought, I heard a knock at my door.
âEnter,â I said. It was FĂ«aluin. âWhat is it?â
âI know what you are thinking, Thranduil,â he said. âI always do.â
âYou are worse than EldĂŽr,â I said.
âThen might I suggest you think more quietly,â he said.
âI wonder if AurĂ«wyn knew her fatherâs fatherâs uncle was married to one that was once one of us,â I said. âPerhaps that is she told us her story.â
âNo, she doesnât,â he said coming to me. âBard said as much.â
âI do not understand,â I said.
âMen may die never to return, but they leave many tales behind from one generation to the next. His father told him and his father before him and his father before him.â
âBard knew of this?â
âOf course he did,â FĂ«aluin said. âWhether he knew of her relation to ĂlĂșriel I do not know.â
âI feel horrible,â I said. âArĂmĂ« must have died of a broken heart.â
âYour conscience is clear,â he said. âShe died from whatever took her daughter.â
âIs there any place left in this world where death does not linger,â I asked.
âI am afraid not, Thranduil,â he said. âIt will always linger for it has nothing but time to do so.â
We spoke no more that night. After a while, he left me alone with my thoughts. Looking into the shadow of Erebor, all I wished to do was return home.â--Excerpt from TKWR Book III: To Eryn Lasgalen by J.M.Miller 01-04-17
Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved.
#in honor jrr tolkien#in honor of tolkien#tolkien fanfiction#introducing bain son of bard ii#introducing thorin III son of dain#introducing durin son of thorin iii#the return of dwalin#the return of gloin#thranduil#nenduil and tarime#thranduil and elranduil#nimlos and fealuin#introducing aurewyn#introducing bard ii son of brand#book iii#the kingdom of the woodland realm trilogy#tkwr trilogy
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As Thranduil recouperates, he is called to Dale by Dwalin (remember him from the Hobbit). King DĂĄin II Ironfoot was killed in the Second Battle of Dale beside King Brand (son of Bain) fighting Easterlings under the control of Sauron. Now DĂĄinâs son Thorin III will take his place and Bard II will take his father Brandâs place. Thranduil meets AurĂ«wyn, wife of Bard and their son Bain. He also meets Durin, young son of Thorin. Thranduil learns GlĂłin had met Legolas in Rivendell and that his son Gimli was part of the Fellowship of the Ring. Thranduil and ĂlĂșriel learn that AurĂ«wyn was related to HaldĂșir, husband of ArĂmĂ«. They also learn he died in the battle for Erebor and had given up living prior to the battle over the death of ArĂmĂ«. Thranduil has overwhelming feelings of past mistakes. đ
Chapter XXVI: (EXT)Â The Fall of Dol Guldur (Pt. I)
âNot long after that night, I found myself wandering alone through the halls of my palace. I found myself standing before a window beyond my throne looking outward into glistening waterfalls lit by rays of the sun. Though I felt little pain, I still wore a bandage wrapped securely around my torso.
âWhat is on your mind, Thranduil,â I heard FĂ«aluin ask as he approached me.
âJust thinking,â I said. âNothing in particular.â
He looked at me without saying a word. His face was stoic, but his eyes seemed animated.
âWell, then,â he said. âShould this war end, our time will come to leave this world for another.â
âAnd if there is no end to war, FĂ«aluin,â I asked. What then? I should remain here waiting for peace and hoping I see my son again?â
âWhat of your children,â he asked. âThey would not let you go the way of despair.â
âI know,â I sighed. âEspecially the little ones. But I will send them to safety no matter what they say.â
âI hardly imagine Legolas or TarthĂŽn will leave you to your own, either.â
âI have lived my life, FĂ«aluin,â I said. âI have seen a great many troubles. Eternity would only remind me of them.â
âAnd what of ĂlĂșriel,â he asked. âYou wish her to choose between you and those that have sailed and wait to see her again?â
âNo,â I said. âI would never force her to choose. I know which she would choose and I could not bear the guilt. Yet, I have not conquered death.â
âAnd you never will,â he said. âYou will change your mindâI know you will. For now, you thoughts are needed elsewhere.â
âIs there word from Celeborn,â I asked.Â
âNo,â he said. âFrom Dale. King DĂĄin of Erebor has fallen and at his side King Brand of Dale.â
I was crestfallenâremembering my friend DĂĄin fighting valiantly during the first battle in Dale not long ago.
âFrom whom was this message sent,â I asked quietly.
âFrom his kinsmen,â he said. âYou have met him twice before. Dwalin, son of Funduin. His brother disappeared after coming through our kingdom a second time on his way to KhazĂąd-dĂ»m.â
âI remember. Balin,â I said. âI dare not think of the fate that befell him and his company though I am sure Aiwendil knows well of it. And who shall rise in their places?â
âDĂĄinâs son Thorin, of course,â he began. âTo Dale will sit Bard, son Brand.â I knew it would be some time before their coronations but I knew I had to pay my respects.
âI am sure they wish to lay them to rest swiftly,â I said. âThe war has not yet ended and what will come remains unpredictable.â
âWho do you wish to accompany you,â FĂ«aluin asked.
âYou, of course,â I answered. âNimlos and Elranduil. EldĂŽr should remain behind should word come from Emyn Duir.â
âI wish to go with you as well,â I heard ĂlĂșriel say. I turned to see her smiling at me.
âVery well,â he answered. âWe leave at first light.â
FĂ«aluin bowed and left.
âWho will remain behind with the children,â I asked.
âWho do you think, Thranduil,â she asked. âIsĂlriel, of course.âÂ
âOf course,â I said.
âI will prepare,â she said. âPlease rest some more.â
âI am fine, ĂlĂșriel,â I said. âStop worrrying so much.â
âThen you have not lived long enough,â he said.
She smiled and left while I took the winding stairs down to the main hall and went into my study where Elranduil waited in my chair.
âWe are going to Dale,â he said.
âHow would you know of it,â I asked.
âThe caverns have ears as well as voices, cousin,â he said. âHow could I not have known?â
âThe only ears and voices in this palace belong to your wife and her ladies.â
âThat is not true,â he said. âAlways. I happen to have been with FĂ«aluin when one of our Marchwardens from the East came with the message from Dale.â
âI have had my fill of death for one life time,â I said. âI suppose men and dwarves see it once and nevermore.â
âNot if they live to see it again,â he said. âThen they leave death for their children to see. It is a cycle that is never-ending. No matter what the old tales say. It is our misfortune to see such things for centuries. I gather we will leave at first light?â
âYes,â I said. âIt will be you, Nimlos, FĂ«aluin and ĂlĂșriel, of course.â
He rose from my chair and walked over to me.
âWe have seen better times,â he began. âIt will be far better at the end of them, will it not?â
âPerhaps, but the end will not come soon enough, I am afraid.â
He nodded and left my alone. I sat down at my table thought about many thingsâso long, I had not realized darkness had begun to fall.
**** **** **** ****
Before the sun rose, I went to see about NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ«. They slept soundly in their chambers as I watched themâtheir innocence I protected and coveted. Time had kept from me memories of my youth. I could barely remember when I was their age.
âAda,â TĂĄrimĂ« said softly as she sat up. âAre you going away again?â
âYes,â I answered as I sat beside her. âWith Nana, but not for long.â
âI do not like it when you go away,â she said.
âNor do I, TĂĄrimĂ«,â I said holding her. âDo you think I like being away from you, your sister and brother?â
âNo,â she answered. âBut when you are gone, NenduĂźl teases me all the time.â
âI do not,â NenduĂźl said as he walked over. âYou tease me all the time.â
âEĂ€rluin teases us both,â TĂĄrimĂ« said frowning.
âShe teases everyone,â his sister said. âBut boys are just awful.â
âAda is boy,â he said. âYou think he is awful as well?â
âNo,â she said. âJust you and Aranduil.â
âCome now,â I started. âBe nice. I do not want to leave thinking you are not getting along.â
âWe get on alright,â NenduĂźl said. âWhen TĂĄrimĂ«, EĂ€rluin and AurĂel are elsewhere.â
âNenduĂźl.â
âWhat,â he asked. âI like my sisters. Sometimes.â
âYou wish me to leave and worry about you while I am gone,â I asked.
âNo,â they said.
NenduĂźl sat beside me as his sister climbed on my lap.
âSo I have your word you will be good for EldĂŽr and IsĂlriel?â
âIsĂlriel,â TĂĄrimĂ« asked. âI love IsĂlriel. EldĂŽr tells us lots of stories. Just like great grandfather.â
âIs it true you ran around without anything on when you were little,â NenduĂźl asked.
ïżœïżœI did no such thing,â I said. âNow back to bed both of you.â
âYou did do that,â TĂĄrimĂ« said giggling.
I kissed her forehead and tucked her in as she continued to giggle. I picked up NenduĂźl and carried him to his bed and tucked him in.
âBehave,â I said, kissing his forehead. âI will return.â
âYes, Ada,â he said. As I left the room, I could here them both giggling.
When the doors were shut I made my way down the hall where I met FĂ«aluin, Nimlos and Elranduil.
âThe Queen awaits us,â FĂ«aluin said.
âLet us leave now,â I said. âPray we return before the call comes from LothlĂłrien.â
We made our way out of the gates where our horses were prepared. ĂlĂșriel was already mounted and waiting patiently.
âElranduil,â I asked. âWhere would NenduĂźl get the idea I ran around without anything on when I was little?â
He laughed as he and the others mounted their horses.
âDo not look at me, cousin,â he said. âIt must have been Father. I did not say a word. I hardly remember, it was so long ago.â
âI heard it from your mother,â ĂlĂșriel said to Elranduil.
âYou mean to say it is true,â Nimlos asked. âI thought you were lying.â
I mounted my horse and rode past them without saying a word as they tried to hide their laughter.
âI will deal with you later, cousin,â I said beneath my breath.
We headed down the familiar path of Forest River leading toward Dale. As the sun rose, the cityâgrander than the ruins we had left long ago with Erebor rising high above nearly touching the sky as it lit up with the coming of a new day. The closer we came to the city, the more figures I could seeâmen and dwarves alike. The flags of Erebor and Dale flew side by side. Once inside the square, we were met by a man and a dwarf followed by others.
âI knew you would come,â the elder of the dwarves said as I dismounted. Â
Nimlos helped ĂlĂșriel down as several servants took our horses one way and possessions another.
âOf course, I would come, Dwalin,â I said. âHow could I not come? I do believe it has been some time since you have seen my wife, ĂlĂșriel.â
âIt has,â Dwalin said. âStill as lovely a lass I have ever laid my eye upon.â
âYou are too kind,â ĂlĂșriel said kissing his forehead.
âDale welcomes you all,â the young man said. âI am Bard, son of Brand.â
The younger of the dwarves stepped forward cautiouslyâa youth at his side.
âI am Thorin, son of DĂĄin,â he said. âThis is my son, Durin. We welcome Your Majesties, King and Queen of Mirkwood and your company.â
âThank you,â I answered. âI wish it were for a happier occasion.â
âOf course,â Dwalin said. âCome, there is food and drink prepared for you in Daleâs great hall.â
We followed the group toward the grand gates along cobbled streets leading to the of the palace above.
âIt has been some time since I saw you last,â said a dwarf with hair and beard red as fire. âYou might not remember me. I am GlĂłin, son of GrĂłin. I came into your kingdom with a company of others.â
âYes,â I said quietly. I was still ashamed of my actions.
âI had the pleasure of meeting your son in Rivendell,â he said. âLegolas, I believe is his name.â
I felt a warm feeling run through me that someone had seen Legolas. I could feel my face smiling.
âYes,â I said proudly. âLegolas is my son.â
âHe is out there fighting alongside my son, Gimli,â he said. âI hope both return to us in one piece.â
âHow else would they come back,â Durin asked.
âNot good,â said a little boy that had come along side Durin. âNot good at all.â
âBain,â Bard said. âQuiet.â
âYes, father,â he said.
I looked around and felt a sense of familiarity again. Bard, though younger than his ancestor, looked liked himâbrown hair with soft green eyesâand Thorin looked a great deal like Thorin Oakenshieldâhis long brown hair and beard surrounding eyes of blue.
We reached two great doors opened by several guards. Before us stood a beautiful maiden with golden hair and sharp brown eyes.
âThis is my wife, AurĂ«wyn,â Bard said, taking her hand.
âIt is an honor to finally meet you both,â she said bowing.
âFinally,â I asked as everyone was shown to our places.
âYes,â she said taking her seat. âI have heard many things about your kingdom from my father. His fatherâs uncle had been there once. I wish they were here now. They both died in the war.â
âI am sorry to hear it,â I said. âWhat was his name, if I may ask?â
âHaldĂșir, Your Majesty,â she said. âHe was a very old but dear man. He fell at the gates of Erebor beside King Brand and King DĂĄin. It was foolish of me, but I think he wished to die. He had not been the same since his beloved wife died. ArĂmĂ« was her name. I do not remember her. She died a long time ago.â
My heart sank in that moment. I could not help but see ArĂmĂ«âs face in my mind. ĂlĂșrielâs expression seemed stoic hearing the name of her cousin. I looked across to see Elranduilâs expressionâit was the same as my own I was sure.
âWell, tomorrow we shall lay the dead to rest,â Thorin said. âWe shall honor them for their deeds foolish or otherwise.â
There was an unsettling silence as we dined together. When we were finished, we were shown our quarters for the night. Lit by lanterns, the stone walls were covered with fine tapestries. ĂlĂșriel prepared for the evening as I watched day fall to night and the moonrise casting a gentle light throughout the valley.
I felt shame again. I wish I had let ArĂmĂ« see her grandchildren again. I believed it must have taken her life never to see NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ« again. As I thought, I heard a knock at the door.
âEnter,â I said. It was FĂ«aluin. âWhat is it?â
âI know what you are thinking, Thranduil,â he said. âI always do.â
âYou are worse than EldĂŽr,â I said.
âThen might I suggest you think more quietly,â he said.
I could hear a soft laugh as ĂlĂșriel walked into an adjoining chamber.
âI wonder if AurĂ«wyn knew her fatherâs fatherâs uncle was married to one that was once one of us,â I said. âPerhaps that is why she told us her story.â
âNo, she does not,â he said coming to me. âBard said as much.â
âI do not understand,â I said.
âMen may die never to return, but they leave many tales behind from one generation to the next. His father told him and his father before him and his father before him.â
âBard knew of this?â
âOf course he did,â FĂ«aluin said. âWhether he knew of her relation to ĂlĂșriel I do not know.â
âI feel horrible,â I said. âArĂmĂ« must have died of a broken heart.â
âYour conscience is clear,â he said. âShe died from whatever took her daughter.â
âIs there any place left in this world where death does not linger,â I asked.
âI am afraid not, Thranduil,â he said. âIt will always linger for it has nothing but time to do so.â
We spoke no more that night. After a while, he left me alone with my thoughts. ĂlĂșriel watched me from across the room. Looking into the shadow of Erebor, all I wished to do was return home.âââTKWR:BII The Saga of Thranduil (EXT. VER.) by J. Marie Miller 12-20-17
Images: ©2012, 2013, 2014. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies. All Rights Reserved.
#tkwr trilogy#the kingdom of the woodland realm trilogy#the extended version of book ii#the saga of thranduil#thranduil and eluriel#nenduil and tarime#bard son of brand#bain (i) son of bard (ii)#thorin son of dain#durin son of thorin#gloin#halduir and arime#aurewyn and bard#dwalin#nimlos fealuin#city of dale#the funeral of dain ii ironfoot#funeral of brand son of bain#tolkien fan fiction#in honor of tolkien#in honor of jrr tolkien#writing high fantasy#fan fiction#writing fan fiction
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