#eldor elranduil nimlos fealuin
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
Photo
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
22 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Chapter XXV: (EXT) Battle in the North (Pt. II)
âI entered my study filled with my council and my commanders stoically waiting for me. As they bowed, FĂ«aluin took his place at my side by my table with the princes of the realm. I took my seat and motioned to EldĂŽr.
âHis Majesty will lead small few warriors against the orcs at the borders, but the rest will leave before the sun rises toward Dol Guldur and await the elven forces from LothlĂłrien.â
âWho will lead them,â Nimlos asked.
âTarthĂŽn,â I said. âAnd with him will go ArdĂŽr, OrĂsil, Aruilos and ElendĂŽr.â
TarthĂŽn looked at me and nodded.
âOnce our fight is done, we will join you,â EldĂŽr continued.
âAnd who will protect the palace then,â ElendĂŽr asked.
âThe guard, of course,â FĂ«aluin answered. âThere is no need to engage them unless there is a direct threat.â
âMy brother and I will see to that,â Elenadar said. âDo not worry for your family. Concern yourself with your return. You will stand against an evil like no other. Save your strength and your thoughts on that.â
The doors of the study opened and closed and voices were heard speaking in whispers. I stood up as for elves walked out of the shadows and stood before me. I looked at FĂ«aluinâhis face fell into his hands.
âOh no,â he whispered.
Before us stood SĂźrandor, SĂźrandĂr and their twin cousins SĂlrandor and SĂ»lrandĂr.
âMy sons,â Elenatar and Elenadar said approaching their children.
âYour Majesty,â SĂlrandor began. âWe have returned to fight. The words of war are on the lips of everyone.â
âEven in Mithlond,â SĂ»lrandĂr said.
âDoes your mother know you have returned,â Elenadar asked.
âYes, Ada,â SĂźrandĂr answered. âShe and ElenlĂșin have long since sailed.â
âWe did not come alone,â SĂźrandor said.
âWe came together, SĂźrandor,â SĂlrandor said.
âYou know what he means, Brother,â SĂ»lrandĂr answered.
âPlease, do not stand so close to one another,â FĂ«aluin said. âAny one of you.â
âSorry, Ada,â Elenatar said as the stepped away aside. From behind them Ălenuil stepped forward and bowed reverently.
âĂlenuil,â ArdĂŽr said.
âYes, Ada,â he said. âI have returned to fight beside my brother and my king.â
Elranduil looked at meâa smile slowly crossing his face as he attempted to conceal it from everyone. I came from my place and stood before Ălenuil. I looked at him and thought of his children sleeping in their room not far from mine. I was proud of him but could not find the words.
âThen you will ride with your brother,â I said.
He smiled and bowed and went to his father and brother happily.
I motioned for TathĂĄron to come. He came quickly.
âYou know what I will ask of you,â I whispered. âDo it quickly.â
He bowed and left quickly.
âWhere have you sent TathĂĄron,â Â FĂ«aluin asked quietly.
âTo fetch something for Ălenuil,â I said. âHe will need it far more than I will.â
I looked around the room the elves in my presence. I knew them all since my youth and others since I became king. As they spoke among themselves, I thought about things my father had told me. I had seen so muchâthrough part of one age and nearly all of another. I knew then I would return home again one last time from the field of battle.
âLet us not tarry any longer,â I said. âAs I speak an army of orcs march toward our gates. They are not the first but they will be the last. TarthĂŽn, I would like a word with you. Everyone else to your place.â
As the room emptied, TarthĂŽn stood before me.
âYes, Ada,â he asked. âWhat did you wish to say to me?â
âI wished to say that you will see me again,â I said. âWhen I ride to you toward Dol Guldur.â
âI know,â he said. âAnd I will fight beside you as my father before me. I look forward to that moment.â
âI look forward to the moment you return home to your family,â I said. âShould I not return, it is you that should welcome your brother home in my place.â
âNo,â he said.
âDo as I ask, TarthĂŽn,â I said.
âNo,â he said. âI will not do what you will be able to do on your own. You will return home. You always have and you always will. When we return, we can both be here to welcome Legolas home.â
I embraced him tighter than I had before as I felt tears come to my eyes. I had no words that could express the pride I felt for TarthĂŽn in that moment. I remembered the first time I held him as an infant and every moment thereafter but none as powerful as that moment. I did not want to let him go, but I did slowly.
âI will see you soon,â he said as he bowed. âUntil then, NamĂĄriĂ«.â
He turned and left quickly. I stood alone waiting for my servants to bring my armor. When the door opened again it was Ălenuil.
âYes, Ălenuil,â I said.
âHow are my children,â he asked softly. âI wanted to know before I went into battle.â
âYou know where they sleep,â I said. âWhy not go to them. I am sure they would want to see you. I know you want to see them.â
âLet them sleep,â he said. âI just want to know how they are.â
âThey are very well,â I said. âThey are growing quickly as children will.â
âShould I live, I will return to Mithlond, Thranduil,â he began. âI still carry her memory in my mind and I am afraid my children will make it worse.â
âYou wish me to pretend I never saw you this day or any other,â I asked. âYou do not want your children to know you fought valiantly for them and this kingdom?â
âNo,â he said. âI know you, Thranduil. You will speak of it to them no matter what I ask. It is not in your nature to keep anything from anyone.â
âI keep many things to myself,â I answered. âIt is just never the truth.â
âI ask this because I know I will see them again,â he said. âBut not in this world. This world has taken from me many things I do not care to remember.â
âIt has for me as well, Ălenuil,â I answered. âMany things I have lost and do not care to remember. But I do remember. I have to remember because should I forget, I will not know what I am fighting to keep. This world has taken my father, my friends and more of my people than I can count. But it also has given me my father, my friends and my people. I lived with them and loved them and they gave me strength to live long after they were gone. You have everything to lose for your fear of remembering what you lost rather than what you have left.â
âI am not as strong as you,â he said. âYou are the great Thranduil. They speak of you beyond these borders with such fervor. There is no one quite like you in all of Arda. Not among elven nor men nor dwarves. There will never be a star that will rise or fall brighter than you. Not even the Everstar. All I ask is you not tell NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ« I was not here so that they can remember the father that left them never to return.â
âYou told them you would never return, did you not,â I asked.
âYes,â he said.
âI will not tell them that I saw you or even said your name,â I began. âBut if I grant you that request, then you will grant me one as well.â
âAnything,â he said.
âYou will not leave this world without your children.â
He stared at meâhis eyes filled with tears that did not fall until that moment. I knew he could not refuse my requestânot one given by his king.
âWhen the time comes, I will send them to Mithlond and then you will sail with them into Aman. Do I have your word?â
He nodded slowly as the doors opened again with my servants carrying my armor.
âI will see you at Dol Guldur,â I said. âGo see TathĂĄron. He has something for you.â
He bowed and left as FĂ«aluin, EldĂŽr, Elranduil and Nimlos returned while I was being dressed. EldĂŽr was in his armor as he always had been before a battle. âI know better than to ask why Ălenuil left in fear for his life,â Elranduil said. âHe will tell ArdĂșin and I will hear it eventually.â
âSĂźrandor, SĂźrandĂr, SĂlrandor and SĂ»lrandĂr will join the palace guard and will stay behind with me,â FĂ«aluin said as he rolled scrolls together quickly. âPlease return quickly. I love my grandsons very much but I can only be around them for so long before I will lose what sanity I have left.â
âI will return for you as soon as I can then,â I answered. âI cannot have the head of my council lose what sanity he has left.â
âOr what he was born with,â Elranduil said to himself.
âElranduil,â EldĂŽr said.
Nimlos laughed as he stood before me.
âSo here we are again,â he said. âOff to fight another battle. I must say, I never thought I would enjoy fighting beside you but that was before I got to know you.â
âYou mean before you got to know Elranduil,â I said.
âThranduil,â EldĂŽr said looking over a scroll.
âAt least I can hit a moving target with an arrow,â Elranduil said as servants began to dress him and Nimlos.
âThe trees never fared well with Thranduil around,â FĂ«aluin said handing off a scroll to a guard.
âFĂ«aluin,â EldĂŽr began. âThis is why I returned. None of you have changed since you were children.â
âThranduil has,â Elranduil said. âHe has gotten taller.â
Nimlos and FĂ«aluin laughed as ElmĂźr entered.
âYes, ElmĂźr,â I said as servants began to leave one by one after finishing their task.
âAradin has taken the north side of the river,â he said. âFather and I will remain with you from here to Dol Guldur. AramĂr, Aramoth, FindĂŽl, and SildĂŽr will take North, South, East and West. NĂźnuir has accompanied TarthĂŽn and the others to Dol Guldur. EldĂșir will stay to defend the palace.  ĂrelĂ« sent word of a force of Easterlings seen moving toward Dale from the south. Better cover ourselves on all sides.â
âThank you, ElmĂźr,â I said.
We stood in silence as the last of the servants left and we stood dressed in our armor looking at one another. I took a deep breath.
âLook after my children until I return, FĂ«aluin,â I said. âLook after ĂlĂșriel.â
âYes, Thranduil,â he said.
âOnce more,â I said. âLet us fight once more.â
EldĂŽr, Elranduil, Nimlos and ElmĂźr followed me out of my study and into the hall toward the main gates. As they opened for us, I could see that dawn had not yet come. We walked into the darknessâthe air still crisp and cool and not yet filled with the rancid stench of orcs but the sound of their feet had begun to shake the earth beneath our feet. We would take them face-to-face and ride later to Dol Guldur. Armored elven warriors stood prepared to fight again.Â
We took our positions at the furthest distance west of the bridge and waited for darkness to fade into the light of day. We waited patiently for our first battle during the War of the Ring to begin.
The dawn seemed to come slowly but the anticipation had risen before with the sounds of orcs marching through the forestâtheir monstrous feet crushing the earth beneath them. Â I nodded and Elranduil and EldĂŽr to take position. We planned to surround them and kill all that dared to march upon Mirkwood. I could hear the faint sound of the archers pulling their bowstrings from across the Forest River.
As the sunâs first light, the glamhoth broke through the trees. Arrows flew through the air as our two armies began fighting fiercely. No sooner had I put down one, another appeared in his place. For hours there was nothing but the sound of metal clashing and battle cries until silence had fallen. I stood wading in the corpses of orcsânot one elf did I see. I began to worry that I was the last to survive.
âIt is done,â I heard a distant voice say. âDecidedly so, Father.â
I looked to see Elranduil and EldĂŽr approachingâtheir armor covered in orc blood.
âDo not think this is over,â EldĂŽr said.
ïżœïżœïżœNimlos,â I cried. âWhere are you?â
I looked in every direction and saw only figures shrouded in the mists of dusk. I began to fear the worst as I fell to my knees and started pushing the dead aside in a futile search.
âThranduil,â a voice said. âWhat are you doing?â It was Elranduil standing with ElmĂźr.
âI am looking for Nimlos,â I said frantically.
âWhy would I be down there,â Nimlos asked.
I quickly turned to see him standing at my right beside SildĂșr. I sighed deeply as I rose to my feet.
âI thought you had fallen,â I said.
âWhen that day comes, I will tell you,â Nimlos said smiling.
âHow did we fare, Father,â ElmĂźr asked.
âVery well,â SildĂșr answered. âThere are wounded but none shall die.â
I sheathed my sword and wearily headed for the palace. At the end of the bridge, I saw the gates openâthe last thing I remember before I fainted.
**** **** **** ****
It was night when I returned to consciousness. I was laying on my bed my chest in pain, dressed tightly around me.
âHow are you feeling,â I heard FĂ«aluin say from across the room.
âHe will live,â ĂlĂșriel said as she stroked my hair.
âWhat happened,â I asked.
âYou were victorious,â he said. âAs to be expected. I noticed you were missing a piece of your armor. That would explain your wound. It was not deep but you lost enough blood to faint.â
âI gave my mithril to Ălenuil,â I said slowly sitting upright. âHe needed it far more than me.â
He walked to the foot of the bed and stood looking at meâhis face lost in thought.
âI thought you did something of the sort,â he said. âYou are just like Oropher.â
âHow do you mean, FĂ«aluin,â I asked. âHow am I like my father?â
âHe gave his to you so long ago,â he said. âThe difference is you survived to see another day but even Oropher would not have been surprised. You are a worthy warrior.â
âI almost died,â I said, my thoughts trapped in the past. âI could have died.â
âYou did not die and you will not die, I am sure of it.â
âHe will never die,â ĂlĂșriel said. âHe is too stubborn.â
He walked to the door and paused for a moment.
âDo you feel well enough to receive company,â he asked.
âYes,â I answered. âWho calls for me?â
He smiled and tapped the doors. One cracked open enough for Nendußl, Tårimë and EÀrluin to slip inside.
âYou are alive,â TĂĄrimĂ« said happily as she and brother ran to embrace me.
I winced in pain as FĂ«aluin smiled and left us with the children.
âYes, I am, TĂĄrimĂ«,â I said. âBut do be careful.â
âVery careful, children,â ĂlĂșriel said. âHe is wounded.â
âYou came back as you said,â NenduĂźl said, climbing on the bed with his sister. âI knew you would return.â
âYou did not,â TĂĄrimĂ« said. âYou spent the day crying like a little child. I told you he would return but you did not believe me.â
âI did not cry,â he said quietly. âThat was Aranduil.â
âWas not,â she said.
âYou are not died,â EĂ€rluin said, poking me.
âIt does not matter now,â I said trying hard not to laugh. âI am here now and it is late. Time for bed.â
âCan we stay with you, Ada,â TĂĄrimĂ« asked sweetly. âWe can look after you.â
âYour Ada needs his rest,â ĂlĂșriel said. âYou may see him tomorrow.âÂ
âYes, Nanaâ they said sadly, hanging their little heads as they climbed down from the bed and walked slowly to the door.
âThey can stay for a little while,â I whispered to ĂlĂșriel.
âAre you not afraid to wake up and have their husbands and wife between us,â she whispered back. âYou may stay for a little while.â
The children turned around and excitedly returned and curled up around me.
âWake us up should you need to,â NenduĂźl said in a commanding tone. âAnd we will ring the servants for you.âÂ
They had made up their minds and started to nestle on either side of me. I couldnât help but smile as I watched them fall asleep. I closed my eyes for moment thinking about all that had happened. I looked at ĂlĂșriel sitting on the bed next to TĂĄrimĂ«, smiling at me.
âĂlĂșriel, I love you,â I whispered.
âI love you more, Thranduil,â she said.
âThat is not possible,â I said.
She leaned over and kissed me again.
âWelcome home,â she said.
âIt is good to be home,â I said. âVery good.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#mirkwood#the battle in the north#thranduil and eluriel#nenduil tarime earluin#nimlos elmir elranduil#eldor and fealuin#elenuil everstar#the twins came back#sulrandir and silrandor#sirandir and sirandor#elenadar and elenatar#writing high fantasy#amwriting#writers on tumblr#tolkien fan fiction#in honor of tolkien#in honor of jrr tolkien#tolkien epic fan fiction
20 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Chapter VI: From Mirkwood to Eryn Lasgalen: Legolasâ Return (Pt. V)
âIt was dawn when I stood with my court on the bridge to bid farewell to Celeborn, Galathil and Galadriel. Beside me stood Elranduil and ĂarmĂźr, who earlier had a private moment with Galathil and Celeborn before becoming a member of my court. I was curious as to why he was required to stay, however, the time to inquire would come.
âYour Majesty,â Haldir began. âIt has truly been a pleasure. My brothers and I have never felt more at home outside LothlĂłrien in a long time.â
âThink nothing of it,â I said. âYou are welcome always in my kingdom.â
âWe shall see you again,â Galadriel began, giving me a gentle kiss on my cheek. âBeyond these borders you will one day find your way. Do not tarry.â
I smiled at her; perplexed by her words. Celeborn and Galathil smiled as IsĂlion and TĂĄrion approached.
âThe warriors are ready to return to LothlĂłrien, My Lords and Lady,â IsĂlion said. âAll has been prepared.â
âSee your way home,â Celeborn said to me.
He embraced me one last time and took Galadrielâs hand and went the length of the bridge to their horses. Galathil followed close behind. When everyone was upon their steeds, the elves of LothlĂłrien left Eryn Lasgalen.
âSo, ĂarmĂźr,â I began. âWhat task has been given you that you are left in my charge as a new member of my court?â
âYou will know soon enough, Your Majesty,â he said softly. âFor now, you should take pleasure in your new kingdom and its expanded borders.â
âSo I shall,â I said. âAnd I shall have FĂ«aluin find you a place in council.â We entered the palace and the days that came thereafter would be filled with wonders.
**** **** **** ****
Months went by with little fanfareâas the entire kingdom began to become accustomed to a peaceful existence. So many years had gone by where we stood guard and waited for evil to come upon us, even the twitter of birds frightened us whenever one would snap a twig under foot.
One day, I decided to go for a ride with NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ«. The care of the royal children was given to ĂarmĂźr by FĂ«aluin and he was quite adept at caring for them much to the consternation of NenduĂźl and Aranduil. ĂarmĂźr began to find his place and a friend in TĂĄrimĂ« who adored hearing stories from the court of Lady Galadriel. She had started to grow into young lady wanting to become as elegant and graceful as all the elven maidens of the past.
As I was looking forward to spending the day away from court, Elranduil and Eldor approached me with TarthĂŽn and Nimlos as I emerged from my chambers.
âCome quickly,â EldĂŽr said. âFealuin is at the front gate.â
âWhy,â I asked. âSomething amiss?â
âA rider approaches,â Elranduil said. âCome quickly.â
We hurried ourselves toward the front gates and into the crisp morning. I could see from a distance lone rider making his way toward us.
âWho is it, Ada,â I heard NenduĂźl ask as he ran to my side with his sister and cousin.
I could see who it was and I felt a smile cross my face with eager anticipation.
âLegolas,â I said to myself. âIt is Legolas.â
When his horse stopped at the foot of the bridge, he dismounted as servants helped his companionâa dwarf warriorâdown to the ground. Legolas slowly approached me I made my way to him. When were standing in front of one another, we both seemed lost in the sight of one another.
âAda,â he finally said. âI told you I would return to you.â
I could not contain my joy and embraced him tightly.
âMy son,â I whispered to him. âMy son. Welcome home.â
I did not want to let him go. My sonâmy heirâwas home at last. When I finally released him, beside us stood the dwarf that arrived with him. He bowed eloquently as any prince would to a king. In his face, I recognized another.
âAda, this is Gimli, son of GlĂłin,â Legolas said. âHe is a friend and one of the Fellowship.â
âSo I have heard,â I said. âI was fortunate to have met his father not long before in Dale when I attended the burial of King DĂĄin of Erebor. It is an honor to meet you Gimli, son of GlĂłin.â
âAnd I you, Your Majesty,â Gimli said smiling through his wooly beard cheerfully. âYou are not as fearsome as they said.â
âI am glad to hear it,â I said. I could hear Elranduil and Nimlos hiding their laughter behind me as TarthĂŽn approached.
âWelcome home, brother,â he said to Legolas, embracing him. âGood to have you home once more.â
âIt is good to be home,â Legolas answered. âI told Gimli all about you.â
âI feel as I have known you all my life,â Gimli said. âWait until you hear about me.â
Everyone broke into laughter.
âAre you a real dwarf,â I heard NenduĂźl ask as he and Aranduil looked him over curiously.
âI hope so,â he answered. âIf I am not, my father will be quite disappointed.â
âNenduĂźl, Aranduil,â ĂarmĂźr scolded. He had arrived in time to save me from my thoughts as I recalled Durin asking me if I were a real elf.
They looked at him and then at me.
âHe is a real dwarf,â I answered. âHe is welcomed to stay with us as long as he would like. He is a friend of Legolas. You will behave, will you not?â
âOf course, Ada,â NenduĂźl said. âWe will.â
âVery well, then,â I said. âFealuin, show our guest a place to rest. He must be weary from his travels. I wish to speak to my sons alone for a moment, if I may.â
"As you wish,â Fealuin answered as he motioned to Gimli to follow him and everyone inside.
âIt is good to have my sons with me again,â I said. âTogether. I am very proud of both of you and all you have done for this world and your kingdom. I do not think there is father in all of Arda as glad as me.â
âAda has become more sentimental since I have been away,â Legolas said smiling.
âWorse,â TarthĂŽn said. âFar worse.â
I embraced my sons and then we made our way into palace. Everything was once again as it should be.âââExcerpt from TKWR Book III: To Eryn Lasgalen by J.M.Miller 05-14-17.
Images: ©2001, 2002, 2003. Warner Brothers Pictures. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. All Rights Reserved.
#the return of legolas#gimli returns#tkwr trilogy#book ii#the saga of thranduil#tolkien fan fiction#tolkien fandoms#real tolkien fandoms#writing#amwriting#in honor of jrr tolkien#writing high fantasy#tarthon#nenduil and tarime#little aranduil#legolas lasgalen thranduilion#gimli son of gloin#galadriel and celeborn#galathil#isilion and tarion#haldir
28 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Where to start: Thranduil speaks with Ălenuil who leaves for the Undying Lands alone without his children. Thranduil learns from NenduĂźl that he calls ĂlĂșriel ânanaâ. Thranduil upset his wife and on his way to apologize, runs into EĂ€rluin who wants âAdaâ to tuck her in. Feeling played, he has a moment with his wife. Not long after, Thranduil is told of rumblings coming from KhazĂąd-dĂ»m (Moria). Told to his Marchwardens by Aiwendil (Radagast), it is suspected to be a Valarauko (Balrog). They speak of Curunïżœïżœr (Saruman) laying waste to Angrenost (The Ring of Isengard) and talk about Gorthaur (Sauron) and Morgoth (Melkor). Guards enter with the wounded by Easterlings in the south on their way to Erebor and Dale (The Second Battle of Dale that will happen soon) and minor confusion occurs when FĂ«aluin has to deal with his two sets of identical twin grandsons by his twin sons Elenadar and Elenatar: SĂźrandĂr and SĂźrandor, sons of Elenadar and SĂșlrandĂr and SĂlrandor, sons of Elenatar. Great time to check out that Appendix if you have it. If you donât, one is coming. âșïž
Chapter XXIII: (EXT) Ălenuil Everstar (Pt. I)
Beneath the waning sky of coming night
Far away shines a distant light
One whose rise tells of days gone by
Of all of elven memories lie.
âWhen dawn had risen, I was in my study watching the falls and listening to the roar of the waters. I knew that ArĂmĂ« and HaldĂșir had already left for Dale as I prepared for the day.
âThranduil,â I heard my name called. âMay I have a word.â
âYes, Ălenuil,â I answered. âSpeak.â
âThey have departed,â he said. âSĂșlelenthâs parents.â
âAnd you saw them away,â I asked.
âYes. So did NenduĂźl, TĂĄrimĂ« and EĂ€rluin. They seemed sad to see them leave. They had just begun to know them. Perhaps they should see them again some time.â
âNo,â I answered, turning around. âNever will they see them again. I will never see them again.â
âNor will I,â he said softly. âI wish to leave for Mithlond at the end of the day.â âWith whom will you travel,â I asked. âYour father? Your brother?â
âAlone.â
âYou would leave your children with me then travel so far a distance alone, Ălenuil? Do you know the dangers you could face?â
âI know,â he said. âBut I travel alone as far as Rivendell.â
I looked at him curiously, but did not inquire about what he meant.
âHave you spoken to your children,â I asked.
âI have,â he said. âI am afraid NenduĂźl is angry with me. He does not believe that I love him. TĂĄrimĂ« seems wise beyond her years and said not a word. EĂ€rluin does not understand.â
âShe is young,â I said. âNenduĂźl will recover in time. TĂĄrimĂ« is much like ĂlĂșriel. She sees a great many things. Perhaps she knows your heart better than you.â
âJust like her mother,â he said. âYou believe me when I say I will miss them, Thranduil?â
âYes, I do,â I answered. âI know why you leave. I wish I could have left after I lost my father but I did not have the choice you have. I was heir to the throne. No one but me could sit on that throne. Not even your grandfather. I was the son of Oropher, King of Eryn Galen. I was born to rule this kingdom. He was its first king and I will be its last. I have ruled this kingdom for nearly three thousand years. Should I leave, I will leave as the last elven king in all of Arda, for there will never again rule another elven king in this world. I find solace in this because I have lived through many perils and though I often lost hope, I never lost my strength. In that strength, hope did arise. Whether I see you again, I do not know, but you will see your children again. I want them alone to see my mother and tell her that her son remains on the throne of his father.â
He bowed and left me alone once more. I thought about my own words for a moment. How far I had come in my life and how much I had lost and gained over time that passed so quickly for elves yet for other creatures, many generations since I came to the throne had passed and all that I known to be true was legend to them. To me, it had started to become something of a myth. My life was the only relic that was left as evidence of the truth.
**** **** **** ****
When dusk had begun to fall, I stood with the court and the Princes of the Woodland Realm to see Ălenuil on his way. At my side stood ĂlĂșriel and his children with the rest of our family. As he rode westward, the violet hues of the coming night began to uncover the stars above. Though the Misty Mountains obscured much of the sky, the unmistakable evening star in the west shone brightly as another was rising in the East with the moon.
Watching Ălenuil riding away took me back to the day I watched my mother leave our kingdom forever. I wondered when I would take my final journey to Mithlond and sail away to the Undying Lands. Many elves had begun taking their final journey since the flames of Mordor had risen again. My kingdom once again looked as a desolate wastelandâhollow and void of color. Autumn had come as cold as winter and the world felt the chill of evil looming.
Once inside my study, I began to read many things left to me by my father. I searched for anything that might bring some light to darkness. As long as I had lived, never had I known such evilâfar stronger than what I had fought at Dagorlad. I thought of Legolas going into the world to fight what men, elves and dwarves once tried to destroy. To lose my son would put me in the ground beside my father. I found a dreadful peace in that thought and it frightened me. If thoughts of death were more inviting than life, then the world was far darker than it ever had been.
As I sat alone reading into the night, the door opened and NenduĂźl came in. It was unusual to see him without his sisterâthey were extraordinarily close and had grown closer since their mother died.
âWhy are you out of your chambers so late,â I asked barely looking away from my reading.
âI could not sleep,â he said. âI miss Nana.â
âYou do not miss your father,â I asked.
âI cannot say for certain,â he answered stopping in the light of the candles on my table. âI am afraid I do not know him well at all.â
I put down my papers and looked at NenduĂźlâhis young face serious in thought like an old man remembering the past.
âYou have known him since birth,â I answered curiously. âHow can you not know him well?â
âWell, I meant to say, not as well as you,â he said. âAnd not as well I should have.â
âCome here,â I said. He walked to me and placed him on my lap. âYour father loves you very much, NenduĂźl. He is very sad without your mother. That is why he went away.â
âI know,â he said. âHe said he loved us, but I do not understand why he left us if that were true.â
âI wish I could tell you why,â I said. âI cannot know what was in his mind, but I am quite sure you, your sisters and your mother are in his heart.â
âYou will not leave us, will you,â he asked.
âNo,â I answered. âI will not leave you, TĂĄrimĂ« or EĂ€rluin. Neither will ĂlĂșriel. We are waiting for Legolas to return home. Then we will all be together again.â
âHe will come back,â he said. âI know he will.â
âHow are you so sure, NenduĂźl,â I asked. âDid he tell you this?â
âNo,â he said. âNana told me.â
âYour Nana told you,â I asked.
âNo,â he answered. âHis Nana. She said she was our Nana, too.â
âThe queen said this,â I asked.
âYes,â he said. âShe said she was our Nana now.â
âWhen did she say this,â I asked curiously.
âWhen TĂĄrimĂ« asked her,â he said. âShe said we could call her Nana. Does that mean you are our Ada now?â
Before I could say another word, ĂlĂșriel entered the room.
âThere you are, NenduĂźl,â she said. âBack to bed before your sister knows you have left.â
He looked at me and embraced me.
âWill I see you tomorrow,â he asked.
âYes, NenduĂźl. You will see me tomorrow.â
He climbed down and ran out of my study.
âWhat is this look you have, Thranduil,â ĂlĂșriel asked. âIs something the matter?â
âNenduĂźl says you are his Nana now,â I said slowly. âDid you tell them they could call you Nana?â
âTĂĄrimĂ« asked it of me,â she began. âShe heard EĂ€rluin call me âNanaâ.â Â
âHe wants to know if I am his Ada now,â I muttered.
âThranduil,â she began. âDo not be angry.â
âYou wish that we replace their parents,â I said, my voice growing louder.
âOf course not,â she said. âThat would be impossible.â
âThat would be implausible,â I said. âThey should not be allowed to forget to whom they belong.â
âThey do not wish to forget, Thranduil,â she began. âThey want to feel they belong to a family again.â
âIs it not enough for you that EĂ€rluin calls you âNanaâ,â I asked angrily. âDid it ever occur to you that I do not wish to be an âAdaâ again?â
I knew I should not have said that. I rose from my chair but it was too lateâĂlĂșriel was in tears as she ran from my study in anguish. Before I could go after her, FĂ«aluin entered.
âWhat did you say this time,â he asked.
âYou do not want to know,â I said. âIt was wrong of me to say.â
âI can hardly imagine you saying anything wrong,â he said.
âI might have said I did not wish to be an âAdaâ again.â
He stood there with a disapproving look that made me uncomfortable.
âI did not mean it, FĂ«aluin,â I said softly. âI should go after her.â
âUnless you wish to spend your nights in your study alone until the queen wants to see you again.â
I looked at him for a moment; my mind frozen in thought. Suddenly, I ran swiftly into the hall and into EldĂŽr.
âHello, uncle,â I said. âPardon me.â
âShe is in your chambers,â he said.
âThank you,â I said and started in that direction. When I approached our doors, I noticed EĂ€rluin sitting alone in the hallâher face contorted as if she were about to cry.
âWhy are you alone in the hall,â I asked her as I picked her up. âIt is late, EĂ€rluin, far too late for you to be out of bed.â
âNo,â she said. âI was looking for you, Ada.â
âWhy were you looking for me,â I asked.
âTo tuck me in, please,â she said playing with a lock of my hair.
âDid Linurial tuck you in already tonight,â I asked.
âYes,â she said as she started to cry. âBut I want you to do it, Ada.â
âDo not cry, EĂ€rluin,â is said, walking toward the room she shared with AurĂel. âI will tuck you in. Ada will tuck you in.â
When their doors opened, I entered quietly. AurĂel was fast asleep; tightly holding on to her doll. Once I put EĂ€rluin in her bed and tucked her in. She smiled.
âEverything is fine now,â I whispered. âNow EĂ€rluin can go to sleep.â
âYes,â she said. âSo can Ada and Nana.â
She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me cheek. As she curled up and went to sleep, I walked into the hall.
âYou are unrelenting, ĂlĂșriel,â I said.
âBefore you say another word,â she said walking to me from across the hall. âI had nothing to do with it. Linurial told me EĂ€rluin had gone missing and we went looking for her.â
I gave ĂlĂșriel my best look of skepticism.
âYou do not believe me,â she asked.
âEĂ€rluin said she can sleep now,â I began mockingly. âSo can Ada and Nana.â
She laughed softly.
âDid she,â she asked.
âShe did,â I said, as I leaned in and kissed her. âYou had nothing to do with it?â
âNo,â she whispered. âNothing.â
We kissed againâforgetting the world around us.
âYou, my dear, are a terrible liar,â I whispered.
âI am not,â she said smiling.
I smiled at her and made my way down the hall toward our room.
**** **** **** ****
Days had passed since I had spoken to ĂlĂșriel and I had begun to put it out of my mind. The world had become unnaturally quietâit was nearly too peaceful. My thoughts again turned to Legolas far away from home. I wondered if he was safeâaway from all the dangers the world knew would come. Darkness had risen from Dol Guldur once moreâfar darker than before biding its time to strike.
SildĂŽr, FindĂŽl, AramĂr and Aramoth commanded Marchwardens to guard all corners of the kingdom from all directions. FindĂŽl and SildĂŽr, returned to council with TĂąruil, son of FindĂŽl to join as a younger generation of elves had replaced the elder guard. I kept all that I had known all my life close to me. Perhaps in fear of the unknown or because of what I knew, it brought some familiarity where I thought it lost to me.
I stood in my throne room alone looking over several maps of the Rhovanion, wondering when or where evil may come again when FindĂŽl came to me with his brother and son. TĂąruil had grown into a striking elf, with long golden red hair deep blue eyes.
âWhere is the queen,â FindĂŽl asked.
âShe is with IsĂlriel and the children,â I said. âWhat word do you bring to me from the borders?â
âNothing,â FindĂŽl said. âAll is quiet. Save for a few creatures wandering about.â âIn the east it always quiet,â SildĂŽr answered. âNot since the Battle of Dale have your guard had to worry. The western borders are a different matter altogether.â
âWhat is the matter,â I asked. âHave you heard from Beorn?â
âNo, Your Majesty,â TĂąruil said softly. Not at all. But there were rumors passing of rumblings from the Misty Mountains coming forth from the direction of KhazĂąd-dĂ»m.â
âWhat sort of rumblings,â I asked curiously. âWhy would there be rumblings?â
âI could not say for sure,â he said. âBut RandĂșmĂźr says that something lives there. As it was told to him by Aiwendil.â
âFrom Aiwendil,â I asked. âHow fortunate we are to have Aiwendil hear something more than the twittering of birds. Enlighten me, please.â
âHe suspects there may be any number of horrible creatures dwelling there,â FĂ«aluin said walking toward us with EldĂŽr and Elranduil. âI suspect orcs or trolls or something. But from what I gather, the quaking is far too great for even a horde of them.â
âIt might be a Valarauko,â EldĂŽr said calmly. âLeft behind after the Great Battle. They still linger, though not in great number. Aiwendil would know quite well if that what rumbles through the darkness. They were once the same.â
âYou have to wonder if that led ThrĂĄin to Erebor,â Elranduil said. âPerhaps it is why the others were never seen again.â
âBalin,â FĂ«aluin said, peering at one of the maps. âYes, I recall several dwarves passing this way not long after King DĂĄin had resettled Erebor. He was from the House of Durin, I believe. Cousin to Thorin Oakenshield. I am quite sure the did not fare well at all if such things reside within the mountains.â
âWhatever is there does not make Dol Guldur look any less frightening,â I said. âThough what remains from what left returned to Mordor.â
âNot every evil comes from Mordor,â FĂ«aluin said looking solemn. âSomething makes waste of Angrenost and has for some time.â
âCurunĂr,â EldĂŽr whispered. âOf all to follow Gorthaur under the spell of Morgoth. This is a shadow not to be reckoned with nor an evil to underestimate.â
âHow far below the earth can we dwell,â I asked. âWe can go no further to save ourselves. We will have to fight as everyone in Arda. There is no haven left to hide.â
âWe are safe for now,â FĂ«aluin said. âThis is the quiet before the storm and we should be glad for it as war will find us soon enough.â
âI wish to send ArdĂșin away, but she refused to leave me,â Elranduil said.
âShe is stubborn,â Aradin said walking over with ElmĂźr, NĂźnuir, EldĂșir and SildĂșr. âJust like her mother.â
âAnd her sister,â FĂ«aluin said smiling.
âMother is like her sisters,â TĂąruil laughed. âBut perhaps they can be persuaded.
âI do not think that is possible,â I said. âThey have fallen in love, I am afraid.â Â
âOf course,â Elranduil said. âThere is not a lady in court that does not love NenduĂźl, TĂĄrimĂ« and EĂ€rluin. Even I find them somewhat tolerable.â
EldĂŽr poked Elranduil in the arm and glared at him.
âWe must protect all of our children now,â I said. âI only my household to protect as Legolas is gone to save us all. Where is TarthĂŽn?â
âHere, Ada,â I heard him say walking toward me with OrĂsil, ArdĂŽr and Aruilos. âI apologize for being absent.â
âIt is fine,â I said. âSo long as you are safe.â
âNot all of us,â ArdĂŽr said. âOne has fallen.â
âAruilos,â FĂ«aluin asked in fear. âIs it your father?â
âNo,â he answered. âHe comes along with your sons.â
No sooner had he spoke did Nimlos come inside with Elenadar and Elenatar caring badly wounded RandĂșmĂźr. Behind them were SĂźrandĂr and SĂźrandor, the twin sons of Elenadar. Both had the long brown hair and silver blue eyes.
âCall for ArnĂźn,â Nimlos said.
âWill he survive,â ElmĂźr asked. âMy niece will fall into despair if he were to die.â
âHe will live,â Nimlos said. âBut he may have lost some of his Marchwardens.â âWhat happened,â I asked as ArnĂźn came running to her husband with Linurial and NimlĂșin.
âThey were attacked,â SĂźrandĂr answered.
âOrcs, again,â I asked.
âNo,â SĂźrandor quickly answered. âEasterlings. They were not many, but they were formidable.â
âWere you there,â I asked.
âYes,â SĂźrandĂr answered. âThey were moving eastward from the direction of Dol Guldur. Why they were this far North, I do not know.â
âCall for my sons,â Elenadar said to SĂźrandor. âI do not want them out there any longer.â
âYes, Uncle,â he said and made his way out of the main gate.
âTake RandĂșmĂźr to his chambers,â FĂ«aluin said. âNo need to have the court to see.â
Through the main gates came AramĂr and Aramoth with SĂźrandor followed by SĂ»lrandĂr and his twin brother, SĂlrandor, the sons of Elenatar. SĂźrandĂr ran to meet them. It was hard to tell between the twoâeven more so whenever they were with their twin cousinsâtheir long golden brown hair and eyes as the color of mists of dusk their only discernible feature.
âIt is over,â Aramoth said. âThey have gone from our borders.â
âWe did not lose anyone, Thranduil,â AramĂr said. âBut they are wounded badly. The rest are with TathĂĄron. If you will excuse me, I must see about daughterâs husband.â
I nodded as he and his brother made their way in the direction they carried RandĂșmĂźr. Nimlos stayed to speak with Aruilos.
âHow long they will stay away,â SĂ»lrandĂr asked. âYou think they will return, brother?â
âNo,â SĂlrandor answered. âThey have Dale in their sights. But there are plenty of orcs.â
âWere you harmed,â SĂźrandĂr asked. âYou seem well.â
âAs we are, brother,â SĂźrandor said. âYou look unharmed, SĂ»lrandĂr.â
âI am fine, SĂźrandor,â he answered. Though SĂlrandor had a rough time of it, did you not, brother?â
âI did not, SĂ»lrandĂr,â he scoffed. âThat was you and SĂźrandĂr having a rough time of it.â
âPlease,â FĂ«aluin said to them. âDo not stand so close to one another. You know I cannot tell any of you apart.â
The four cousins stepped away from each other slowly.
âSorry, Grandfather,â they said together.
âYou are to blame, FĂ«aluinâ I whispered. âYou had to have twin sons that had twin sons.â
He glared at me and muttered something under his breath. I knew war was coming and evil would rise again, but in that moment I found myself trying desperately not to laugh.âââTKWR:BII The Saga of Thranduil (EXT. VER.) by J. Marie Miller 12-17-17
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#elenuil everstar#nenduil tarime earluin#thranduil and earluin#sirandir and sirandor#sulrandir and silrandor#elenadar and elenatar#tolkien twins#arnin#fealuin#eldor#elmir#elranduil#taruil#findol#ardor#randumir#aruilos#aramir and aramoth#tolkien fan fiction#in honor of tolkien#in honor of jrr tolkien#confused yet#orisil#nimlos
11 notes
·
View notes
Photo
Actual battle. Thranduil gives his mithril to Ălenuil who returned to fight for his king and his kingdom and beside his brother ElendĂŽr. He brought with him the nightmare cousins: SĂlrandor and SĂșlrandĂr and their cousins SĂźrandor and SĂźrandĂr. Yeah, I wonât go into it. Thranduil is wounded but lives and learns his father gave him his own mithril to save his life at Dagorlad. Heâs happily reunited with his littlest children and ĂlĂșriel.
Chapter XXV: (EXT) Battle in the North (Pt. II)
âI entered my study filled with my council and my commanders stoically waiting for me. As they bowed, FĂ«aluin took his place at my side by my table with the princes of the realm. I took my seat and motioned to EldĂŽr.
âHis Majesty will lead small few warriors against the orcs at the borders, but the rest will leave before the sun rises toward Dol Guldur and await the elven forces from LothlĂłrien.â
âWho will lead them,â Nimlos asked.
âTarthĂŽn,â I said. âAnd with him will go ArdĂŽr, OrĂsil, Aruilos and ElendĂŽr.â
TarthĂŽn looked at me and nodded.
âOnce our fight is done, we will join you,â EldĂŽr continued.
âAnd who will protect the palace then,â ElendĂŽr asked.
âThe guard, of course,â FĂ«aluin answered. âThere is no need to engage them unless there is a direct threat.â
âMy brother and I will see to that,â Elenadar said. âDo not worry for your family. Concern yourself with your return. You will stand against an evil like no other. Save your strength and your thoughts on that.â
The doors of the study opened and closed and voices were heard speaking in whispers. I stood up as for elves walked out of the shadows and stood before me. I looked at FĂ«aluinâhis face fell into his hands.
âOh no,â he whispered.
Before us stood SĂźrandor, SĂźrandĂr and their twin cousins SĂlrandor and SĂ»lrandĂr.
âMy sons,â Elenatar and Elenadar said approaching their children.
âYour Majesty,â SĂlrandor began. âWe have returned to fight. The words of war are on the lips of everyone.â
âEven in Mithlond,â SĂ»lrandĂr said.
âDoes your mother know you have returned,â Elenadar asked.
âYes, Ada,â SĂźrandĂr answered. âShe and ElenlĂșin have long since sailed.â
âWe did not come alone,â SĂźrandor said.
âWe came together, SĂźrandor,â SĂlrandor said.
âYou know what he means, Brother,â SĂ»lrandĂr answered.
âPlease, do not stand so close to one another,â FĂ«aluin said. âAny one of you.â
âSorry, Ada,â Elenatar said as the stepped away aside. From behind them Ălenuil stepped forward and bowed reverently.
âĂlenuil,â ArdĂŽr said.
âYes, Ada,â he said. âI have returned to fight beside my brother and my king.â
Elranduil looked at meâa smile slowly crossing his face as he attempted to conceal it from everyone. I came from my place and stood before Ălenuil. I looked at him and thought of his children sleeping in their room not far from mine. I was proud of him but could not find the words.
âThen you will ride with your brother,â I said.
He smiled and bowed and went to his father and brother happily.
I motioned for TathĂĄron to come. He came quickly.
âYou know what I will ask of you,â I whispered. âDo it quickly.â
He bowed and left quickly.
âWhere have you sent TathĂĄron,â Â FĂ«aluin asked quietly.
âTo fetch something for Ălenuil,â I said. âHe will need it far more than I will.â
I looked around the room the elves in my presence. I knew them all since my youth and others since I became king. As they spoke among themselves, I thought about things my father had told me. I had seen so muchâthrough part of one age and nearly all of another. I knew then I would return home again one last time from the field of battle.
âLet us not tarry any longer,â I said. âAs I speak an army of orcs march toward our gates. They are not the first but they will be the last. TarthĂŽn, I would like a word with you. Everyone else to your place.â
As the room emptied, TarthĂŽn stood before me.
âYes, Ada,â he asked. âWhat did you wish to say to me?â
âI wished to say that you will see me again,â I said. âWhen I ride to you toward Dol Guldur.â
âI know,â he said. âAnd I will fight beside you as my father before me. I look forward to that moment.â
âI look forward to the moment you return home to your family,â I said. âShould I not return, it is you that should welcome your brother home in my place.â
âNo,â he said.
âDo as I ask, TarthĂŽn,â I said.
âNo,â he said. âI will not do what you will be able to do on your own. You will return home. You always have and you always will. When we return, we can both be here to welcome Legolas home.â
I embraced him tighter than I had before as I felt tears come to my eyes. I had no words that could express the pride I felt for TarthĂŽn in that moment. I remembered the first time I held him as an infant and every moment thereafter but none as powerful as that moment. I did not want to let him go, but I did slowly.
âI will see you soon,â he said as he bowed. âUntil then, NamĂĄriĂ«.â
He turned and left quickly. I stood alone waiting for my servants to bring my armor. When the door opened again it was Ălenuil.
âYes, Ălenuil,â I said.
âHow are my children,â he asked softly. âI wanted to know before I went into battle.â
âYou know where they sleep,â I said. âWhy not go to them. I am sure they would want to see you. I know you want to see them.â
âLet them sleep,â he said. âI just want to know how they are.â
âThey are very well,â I said. âThey are growing quickly as children will.â
âShould I live, I will return to Mithlond, Thranduil,â he began. âI still carry her memory in my mind and I am afraid my children will make it worse.â
âYou wish me to pretend I never saw you this day or any other,â I asked. âYou do not want your children to know you fought valiantly for them and this kingdom?â
âNo,â he said. âI know you, Thranduil. You will speak of it to them no matter what I ask. It is not in your nature to keep anything from anyone.â
âI keep many things to myself,â I answered. âIt is just never the truth.â
âI ask this because I know I will see them again,â he said. âBut not in this world. This world has taken from me many things I do not care to remember.â
âIt has for me as well, Ălenuil,â I answered. âMany things I have lost and do not care to remember. But I do remember. I have to remember because should I forget, I will not know what I am fighting to keep. This world has taken my father, my friends and more of my people than I can count. But it also has given me my father, my friends and my people. I lived with them and loved them and they gave me strength to live long after they were gone. You have everything to lose for your fear of remembering what you lost rather than what you have left.â
âI am not as strong as you,â he said. âYou are the great Thranduil. They speak of you beyond these borders with such fervor. There is no one quite like you in all of Arda. Not among elven nor men nor dwarves. There will never be a star that will rise or fall brighter than you. Not even the Everstar. All I ask is you not tell NenduĂźl and TĂĄrimĂ« I was not here so that they can remember the father that left them never to return.â
âYou told them you would never return, did you not,â I asked.
âYes,â he said.
âI will not tell them that I saw you or even said your name,â I began. âBut if I grant you that request, then you will grant me one as well.â
âAnything,â he said.
âYou will not leave this world without your children.â
He stared at meâhis eyes filled with tears that did not fall until that moment. I knew he could not refuse my requestânot one given by his king.
âWhen the time comes, I will send them to Mithlond and then you will sail with them into Aman. Do I have your word?â
He nodded slowly as the doors opened again with my servants carrying my armor.
âI will see you at Dol Guldur,â I said. âGo see TathĂĄron. He has something for you.â
He bowed and left as FĂ«aluin, EldĂŽr, Elranduil and Nimlos returned while I was being dressed. EldĂŽr was in his armor as he always had been before a battle. âI know better than to ask why Ălenuil left in fear for his life,â Elranduil said. âHe will tell ArdĂșin and I will hear it eventually.â
âSĂźrandor, SĂźrandĂr, SĂlrandor and SĂ»lrandĂr will join the palace guard and will stay behind with me,â FĂ«aluin said as he rolled scrolls together quickly. âPlease return quickly. I love my grandsons very much but I can only be around them for so long before I will lose what sanity I have left.â
âI will return for you as soon as I can then,â I answered. âI cannot have the head of my council lose what sanity he has left.â
âOr what he was born with,â Elranduil said to himself.
âElranduil,â EldĂŽr said.
Nimlos laughed as he stood before me.
âSo here we are again,â he said. âOff to fight another battle. I must say, I never thought I would enjoy fighting beside you but that was before I got to know you.â
âYou mean before you got to know Elranduil,â I said.
âThranduil,â EldĂŽr said looking over a scroll.
âAt least I can hit a moving target with an arrow,â Elranduil said as servants began to dress him and Nimlos.
âThe trees never fared well with Thranduil around,â FĂ«aluin said handing off a scroll to a guard.
âFĂ«aluin,â EldĂŽr began. âThis is why I returned. None of you have changed since you were children.â
âThranduil has,â Elranduil said. âHe has gotten taller.â
Nimlos and FĂ«aluin laughed as ElmĂźr entered.
âYes, ElmĂźr,â I said as servants began to leave one by one after finishing their task.
âAradin has taken the north side of the river,â he said. âFather and I will remain with you from here to Dol Guldur. AramĂr, Aramoth, FindĂŽl, and SildĂŽr will take North, South, East and West. NĂźnuir has accompanied TarthĂŽn and the others to Dol Guldur. EldĂșir will stay to defend the palace.  ĂrelĂ« sent word of a force of Easterlings seen moving toward Dale from the south. Better cover ourselves on all sides.â
âThank you, ElmĂźr,â I said.
We stood in silence as the last of the servants left and we stood dressed in our armor looking at one another. I took a deep breath.
âLook after my children until I return, FĂ«aluin,â I said. âLook after ĂlĂșriel.â
âYes, Thranduil,â he said.
âOnce more,â I said. âLet us fight once more.â
EldĂŽr, Elranduil, Nimlos and ElmĂźr followed me out of my study and into the hall toward the main gates. As they opened for us, I could see that dawn had not yet come. We walked into the darknessâthe air still crisp and cool and not yet filled with the rancid stench of orcs but the sound of their feet had begun to shake the earth beneath our feet. We would take them face-to-face and ride later to Dol Guldur. Armored elven warriors stood prepared to fight again.Â
We took our positions at the furthest distance west of the bridge and waited for darkness to fade into the light of day. We waited patiently for our first battle during the War of the Ring to begin.
The dawn seemed to come slowly but the anticipation had risen before with the sounds of orcs marching through the forestâtheir monstrous feet crushing the earth beneath them. Â I nodded and Elranduil and EldĂŽr to take position. We planned to surround them and kill all that dared to march upon Mirkwood. I could hear the faint sound of the archers pulling their bowstrings from across the Forest River.
As the sunâs first light, the glamhoth broke through the trees. Arrows flew through the air as our two armies began fighting fiercely. No sooner had I put down one, another appeared in his place. For hours there was nothing but the sound of metal clashing and battle cries until silence had fallen. I stood wading in the corpses of orcsânot one elf did I see. I began to worry that I was the last to survive.
âIt is done,â I heard a distant voice say. âDecidedly so, Father.â
I looked to see Elranduil and EldĂŽr approachingâtheir armor covered in orc blood.
âDo not think this is over,â EldĂŽr said.
âNimlos,â I cried. âWhere are you?â
I looked in every direction and saw only figures shrouded in the mists of dusk. I began to fear the worst as I fell to my knees and started pushing the dead aside in a futile search.
âThranduil,â a voice said. âWhat are you doing?â It was Elranduil standing with ElmĂźr.
âI am looking for Nimlos,â I said frantically.
âWhy would I be down there,â Nimlos asked.
I quickly turned to see him standing at my right beside SildĂșr. I sighed deeply as I rose to my feet.
âI thought you had fallen,â I said.
âWhen that day comes, I will tell you,â Nimlos said smiling.
âHow did we fare, Father,â ElmĂźr asked.
âVery well,â SildĂșr answered. âThere are wounded but none shall die.â
I sheathed my sword and wearily headed for the palace. At the end of the bridge, I saw the gates openâthe last thing I remember before I fainted.
**** **** **** ****
It was night when I returned to consciousness. I was laying on my bed my chest in pain, dressed tightly around me.
âHow are you feeling,â I heard FĂ«aluin say from across the room.
âHe will live,â ĂlĂșriel said as she stroked my hair.
âWhat happened,â I asked.
âYou were victorious,â he said. âAs to be expected. I noticed you were missing a piece of your armor. That would explain your wound. It was not deep but you lost enough blood to faint.â
âI gave my mithril to Ălenuil,â I said slowly sitting upright. âHe needed it far more than me.â
He walked to the foot of the bed and stood looking at meâhis face lost in thought.
âI thought you did something of the sort,â he said. âYou are just like Oropher.â
âHow do you mean, FĂ«aluin,â I asked. âHow am I like my father?â
âHe gave his to you so long ago,â he said. âThe difference is you survived to see another day but even Oropher would not have been surprised. You are a worthy warrior.â
âI almost died,â I said, my thoughts trapped in the past. âI could have died.â
âYou did not die and you will not die, I am sure of it.â
âHe will never die,â ĂlĂșriel said. âHe is too stubborn.â
He walked to the door and paused for a moment.
âDo you feel well enough to receive company,â he asked.
âYes,â I answered. âWho calls for me?â
He smiled and tapped the doors. One cracked open enough for Nendußl, Tårimë and EÀrluin to slip inside.
âYou are alive,â TĂĄrimĂ« said happily as she and brother ran to embrace me.
I winced in pain as FĂ«aluin smiled and left us with the children.
âYes, I am, TĂĄrimĂ«,â I said. âBut do be careful.â
âVery careful, children,â ĂlĂșriel said. âHe is wounded.â
âYou came back as you said,â NenduĂźl said, climbing on the bed with his sister. âI knew you would return.â
âYou did not,â TĂĄrimĂ« said. âYou spent the day crying like a little child. I told you he would return but you did not believe me.â
âI did not cry,â he said quietly. âThat was Aranduil.â
âWas not,â she said.
âYou are not died,â EĂ€rluin said, poking me.
âIt does not matter now,â I said trying hard not to laugh. âI am here now and it is late. Time for bed.â
âCan we stay with you, Ada,â TĂĄrimĂ« asked sweetly. âWe can look after you.â
âYour Ada needs his rest,â ĂlĂșriel said. âYou may see him tomorrow.âÂ
âYes, Nanaâ they said sadly, hanging their little heads as they climbed down from the bed and walked slowly to the door.
âThey can stay for a little while,â I whispered to ĂlĂșriel.
âAre you not afraid to wake up and have their husbands and wife between us,â she whispered back. âYou may stay for a little while.â
The children turned around and excitedly returned and curled up around me.
âWake us up should you need to,â NenduĂźl said in a commanding tone. âAnd we will ring the servants for you.âÂ
They had made up their minds and started to nestle on either side of me. I couldnât help but smile as I watched them fall asleep. I closed my eyes for moment thinking about all that had happened. I looked at ĂlĂșriel sitting on the bed next to TĂĄrimĂ«, smiling at me.
âĂlĂșriel, I love you,â I whispered.
âI love you more, Thranduil,â she said.
âThat is not possible,â I said.
She leaned over and kissed me again.
âWelcome home,â she said.
âIt is good to be home,â I said. âVery good.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#mirkwood#the battle in the north#thranduil and eluriel#nenduil tarime earluin#nimlos elmir elranduil#eldor and fealuin#elenuil everstar#the twins came back#sulrandir and silrandor#sirandir and sirandor#elenadar and elenatar#writing high fantasy#amwriting#writers on tumblr#tolkien fan fiction#in honor of tolkien#in honor of jrr tolkien#tolkien epic fan fiction
20 notes
·
View notes