Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognisable characters in this story, and make no money from them. This story is purely a work of fanfiction and written for fun. However, I do own the OC's, and I ask that you don't use them in your own writing without consulting me first.

I've finally finished my uni degree! hip-hip-hurray! To celebrate, here is another story from my Tales from Mirkwood series for you to enjoy.

To continue celebrating my new found freedom, I have also posted an Avengers universe two-shot. So, if you are into that fandom, please go and check it out as well!

This story takes place not long after the Battle of Dagorlad, and the events covered in my earlier one-shot Battlefield. If you are new to this universe, then I suggest you read that one first. Just to give some context.

Enjoy!

Tales from Mirkwood: Aftermath

Chapter 1

The crown was a heavy weight on his head, as the still newly-crowned King Thranduil made his way through the palace. The place was silent, every single

staff member having been given time off to grieve over the loss of life that had occurred at Dagorlad. Even if they hadn't lost anyone close to them, Thranduil had still announced a period of mourning for everyone in honour of those who'd fallen. Everyone had gladly obeyed, and a sombre mood had permeated the forest ever since, occasionally broken with the sound of singing and chants. Tathardis had told him that there was no one way to mourn lost lives among the wood elves, but that every family or clan had their own traditions.

Her family, for an example, she had explained, would each spend time alone in the forest, singing their sorrow to the trees for three moon-rises straight. Then they would bath at dawn in a natural body of water, take a light meal, and sleep for a whole moon/sun phase. After that, the formal funeral would take place, and they would all say their goodbyes to the loved one.

It was a quite involved process, like all the wood elf customs, Thranduil thought. He was still mourning his own father, but the Sindar had no special traditions to follow, or rites to perform. That being the case, he did his uttermost to help those who were grieving. He offered free aid to anyone whose life was affected by the loss of a loved one. This included caring for widows and orphans in the palace if they couldn't make it by themselves, providing help for families who had lost sons and daughters, and freely distributing both money and supplies as needed. Thranduil, while Oropher had always been a law unto himself, couldn't help but feel there must have been something he could have done to prevent this loss. Even though he'd analysed the scene hundreds of time and come up empty handed, he was having a hard time accepting what had happened.

They all were.

And, no matter how hard they'd tried, some just couldn't accept it.

"Ada!"

Thranduil looked up in time to see a flash as a small dark-haired elfling run into his legs, and hugged them hard.

"Ada, are you still sad about Ada Adaenin going to Mandos?"

Thranduil knelt to be at Garavon's level before he answered.

"Yes, I am. I loved him, and the fact he is gone now is making me sad."

The little elfling looked very worried.

"You are going to be okay, aren't you Ada? You are not leaving us?"

Wondering what had prompted that question from his youngest, Thranduil hugged him reassuringly as he answered seriously.

"No, ion nîn, I am not leaving you. What made you think I was?"

Garavon hugged Thranduil hard as tears leaked from his eyes unbidden.

"Braigneth's mother is so torn up with grief over her husband's death, that she is fading. Braigneth says when that happens, she won't have any family left, and she is littler than me. Please don't leave us like Braigneth's mother did, Ada."

The pain in Thranduil's heart grew even heavier at hearing that. He feared this woman wasn't the only one who would succumb to grief. Still, to fade from grief while you still had a child dependant on you was uncalled for, Thranduil felt. No matter how sad you were, so long as there was a reason to stay strong, he did not see the need to put his loved ones through even more trauma.

"I will never leave you like that, ion nîn. I promise you, if I ever go to Mandos's Halls, it will be because I do not have a choice in the matter. Even then, I will most likely fight it. Where is Braigneth's mother now?"

"She dropped Braigneth off to Naneth, before disappearing back out into the forest. Braigneth said her mother has gone somewhere lonely to die."

Thranduil had to swallow a lump in his throat upon hearing that. He knew it was futile to try and help the woman now; even if they could find her, she would be too far gone. Especially if her daughter wasn't even enough to keep her alive.

"Okay. Where is Braigneth?"

"With Naneth in the garden. She sent me to get you."

Thranduil picked up his son and hurried towards the garden. He may have failed in saving his father, but he could maybe help keep this elfling from joining so many others in the Halls.

Tathardis looked up as her husband entered the garden. She was relieved to see him. While she hadn't lost any close family members in the battle, watching the effects on those who had was hard on her spirit. It was especially hard to see the effect it had on children. Tathardis looked down at the crying russet-haired elfling she was hugging, and her heart ached for her. Braigneth was an orphan now, her father having been killed at Dagorlad, and her mother having succumbed to her grief. But that didn't mean she was alone. They might not be related, but Tathardis did not intend to let the little girl grow up without a mother figure.

But first, they had to make sure the girl didn't fade needlessly.

Garavon wriggled out of his father's arms as soon as they arrived, and run over to his mother. Putting a hand on Braigneth's shoulder, the elfling spoke calmly.

"It's okay Braigneth. My Ada will help you feel better."

Braigneth hiccupped and looked at him.

"Ada and Naneth are gone. How can anyone make it better?"

"I don't know, but Ada always makes things better."

Desperately hoping he could live up to Garavon's high expectations of him, Thranduil knelt on the ground and spoke gently.

"Braigneth, could you look at me please?"

It took a while, but eventually the elfling did. Once those teary hazel eyes were focussed on him, Thranduil spoke gently.

"I know how you feel, but fading in your Naneth's wake is not necessary. I am truly sorry for what you've gone through. No one, especially if they're your age, should have to go through that. But you are not alone, Braigneth. It may feel that way, but you have us. I know we can't replace what you've lost, but we can still be those special people in your life, if you want us."

The hope that shone in the elfling's hazel eyes was physically painful to see, but Thranduil held her gaze and waited patiently. Finally, she nodded slowly and looked at Tathardis.

"I would like that, if Tathardis wants me?"

The green-eyed elf kissed the elfling gently on her forehead.

"Of course I want you, my dear. I don't want to take the place of your mother, but I can be your aunty if you would like."

The elfling hugged Tathardis hard.

"Yes, I would like that. Aunty."

Thranduil cleared his throat meaningfully. Once he had their attention, he smiled.

"I guess you can call me Thranduil. Your name is Braigneth, right?"

The elfling nodded.

"Yes. My Ada named me."

Thranduil smiled.

"It is a beautiful name."

"Thank you."

"Did you bring anything with you Braigneth? I'm thinking we might go and find you a room, if you would like that?"

Braigneth nodded, before she suddenly flung herself at Thranduil with enough force that he was knocked flat on his ass, and hugged him hard. Tathardis's eyes were full of mirth at her husbands undignified display, while Garavon's eyes were just big.

"Thank you. Thranduil."

Thranduil smiled, and let a little of his healing ability out to help settle Braigneth down. His healing wasn't limited to physical ailments after all, and Braigneth could use the comfort. Though the resilience of children would never cease to amaze him.

"You are welcome, little one."

I hope no one came across as too OOC. The Plot Bunnies grabbed this one and bolted with it. There was no way I could catch them. I hope it turned out okay. :/

If you enjoyed this, please review! Reviews make Plot Bunnies happy, and when they are happy, we get more stories from them! It's a win-win for everyone.

Part 2 will be up within the next few days. Lots of reviews, and it will be up even sooner. *hint, hint*