My first attempt to write a LOTR/Hobbit fanfic. I'll mix both, book and movie canon, so if you don't like additions/changes in what was given to us by J.R.R. Tolkien, this may not be the kind of story you should read. Also English is not my mother tongue, so there might be errors in spelling and grammar. If there is anyone out there wanting to be my beta for this story, feel free to message me. I'll be very thankful for your help.
This story wanders through my head since I learnt that the necklace Thranduil wants was a necklace made for his wife. I was happy that BOTFA gave a little bit more backstory for Legolas' parents, but there are still many things that have been left open. This is my try to stick together what we know. I will start at the battle of the last alliance and on some point I'll change what happened in BOTFA (and maybe also DOS) to give Thranduil and Legolas some more father-son-moments.
For the German version of this story, take a look at my profile page.
Incredulous, he let his gaze wander over the plain. There were no trees that could block his view of the mighty army that marched incessantly upon them. War was not entirely unknown to him. Even thought he was young compared to most other elfs, he had fought many battles at Oropher, his fathers side. But this was different. This was the Last Alliance. The last, desperate attempt to defeat the darkness that threatened Middle-earth.
Orcs, Wargs, Trolls, and other dark creatures were the ones he saw in the distance getting closer, and it was fear that germinated in his mind. It seemed to crawl over the battlefield like toxic haze and let sprout a bad feeling inside him – one that he better should have listened to.
"Get ready, son", he heard Oropher's powerful voice and turned to his direction. He stood there like a strong tree, full of confidence and strength, a crown surrounding his forehead and golden hair. Behind him stood his army of Elves of Mirkwood, waiting for his command.
Thranduil cast a worried look across the other armies of the Alliance. The men under the leadership of Elendil and Gil-Galad's Elves, among them those of Imladris, which was commonly known as Rivendell, led by Elrond.
"But ... father, Gil-Galad-," Thranduil began, but was interrupted by King Oropher.
"Listen son, never let anyone tell you what you have to do, certainly not when it comes to the lives of your people," with these words he turned to Amdir, who brought his small army from the woods of Lothlorien with him. After he replied with a nod, they gave the command to rush forward.
Thranduil neither heard the horror of the other armies, nor the warnings of their commanders. He followed his father blindly into battle, as he always did. He had already separated countless heads from bodies and carried away many wounds, when he saw his father fall to the ground a few meters away. He did not know who or what wounded him so badly. All that mattered now, was to reach Oropher, but when he took his fathers hand in his own, all life from his eyes was already extinguished. The King of Greenwood the Great was dead, and with him half of his army.
With trembling limbs and tears on his cheeks, he knelt beside his father, as he felt two hands on his shoulders, trying to drag him away. Instinctively, he braced himself against it.
"Thranduil!", urged Elrond.
"I can not leave him!", he shouted at him, but the Lord of Rivendell did not let himself disabuse of his intention.
"You must! Half of your army is still alive. If you fall, you leave not only them headless, but also your people in Greenwood the Great!"
Reluctantly, but physically and mentally to weak to fight against it, he let himself drag out of the center of the battlefield. Two wood elves, which where not that badly injured, took care of him.
"Give him a safe conduct to Imladris," Elrond ordered the two elves, who carefully let their lord sit down on the dusty earth. "My people their will take care of your wounded before you return to your homeland. Some of my fighters will accompany you. "
"No," replied Thranduil and took Elrond's arm with his last strength. "You need everyone here."
A slight smile crossed Elrond's face, which was also drawn by battle. "And Mirkwood needs his king."
That smile was the last thing Thranduil's eyes saw before he slipped into darkness ...
Please don't forget to review, as I'll only write further if I know that there is an audience for this! :)