*MUST READ* Greetings mellyn! Just wanted to inform you all that for every chapter, there will be an author's note, and it is VERY important that you read them if you are intentive to detail and a hardcore Tolkien fan.
So, after six and a half months...it is finally finished. I was honestly planning on finishing this WAY sooner, but I wanted to make this fanfic as perfect and accurate as I can. Obviously some others have written their own versions of Thranduil and his wife, so I hope I'm not stealing too much.
Before you continue reading, keep this in mind: This fanfic is equally based both on the films of the Hobbit AND Tolkien's work, BUT, because I am hardcore Tolkien geek, there is a butt-load of references and facts in here that only true Tolkien fans like myself will get. Also, being one of those rare hardcore Tolkien followers who actually enjoyed the Hobbit films, let's just say I had a lot of problems with one specific aspect: The forest of Greenwood/Mirkwood subplot. Don't get it? Let's just say it would take forever to explain why. The way the films play out the whole 'necromancer' plot is certainly played out differently than the books when it comes to timelines. Honestly this plot element messed me up so badly that it's actually one of the biggest reasons why it took me so long to finish this story. I had no idea if I should of kept the forest as Greenwood the whole time until the events of the Hobbit and not go by the books, or do it the way it was actually done in the books. I decided to go with my second choice because it makes most sense.
Also, it did not help the pacing when I had SOOO many alterations to the beginning of this fanfic it's insane, but this is the one I decided to go with. I have a reason why I did the beginning as I did in terms of timelines mostly concerning when Legolas would have been born and so forth, but to explain why would simply take too long.
One more thing, when I have the elves rest in this story, I constantly say that their eyes are half open most of the time, and that's because it is the way Tolkien describes elves when they rest in his work. I can't find the exact quote right now, but there a passage in the Two Towers book where he describes the way Legolas is resting. It is said that elves don't sleep much like other races of Middle-Earth, but when they do, supposingly it is said to be meditating with their bodies still.
Just a simple fun fact to keep in mind: Taurant means "gift of the forest" or "forest gift" in Sindarin, and Laerhwá means "summer breeze."
Taur (forest) + Ant (gift)
Laer (summer) + Hwá (breeze)
Mereth Eryn Galen (E/T: Feast of Greenwood the Great) was when Lord Thranduil's eyes first looked upon her, though also when he saw her swoosh by like a swift vast of wind. On this day, Mereth Eryn Galen was celebrated by the elves of the Woodland realm for their gratitude of their residence being a harmonious and undisturbed location—thanks to the lack of foul things lurking about—but twas as well a celebration of its founding and beloved king, Lord Oropher.
Proud of his accomplishment of repairing the forest of green leaves to what it was meant to be for him and his kin—both Sindar elves and Silvan—Oropher declared a feast of this accomplishment, and his kin happily accepted. They had also accepted that this celebration would remain the same month and day for the following years. They gathered together in the middle of the forest, and they brought seats, musical instruments, bottles of red wine, and baskets filled with fresh bread, cheese, vegetables, and fruits.
Lord Oropher was seated upon the largest seat carved of wood, and next to him was his son, Lord Thranduil.
As the two lord occasionnally had a taste from their food and a sip of their wine, they observed a fair amount of their people gracefully dancing around the fire iluminating from the logs along with the rhythm of the sound of harps and flutes being played. All of the elves appeared to be joyeous; they had smiles upon their faces and they occasionally exchanged laughter.
Oropher and Thranduil were filled with pride, and they very much enjoyed the sound of the music being played. Suddenly, Thranduil's pointed ears perked up when he could hear a sound imminating from behind him. Unlike his father, Thranduil's hearing was beyond superb.
The sound was a heavy rustling from the bushes. He turned his head around and right before his eyes was a rather large though very premature fawn . Thranduil gazed at the animal whom was gazing back at him in wonder; he had always been fasinated by creatures of the forest. The fawn then became frightened as it backed away slowly with its pupils dilated. The exact moment when Thranduil was about to walk up to it without haste, a mysterious being swept by and then vanished without a trace, as well as the fawn.
Thranduil's dark eyebrows joined together in confusion and curiousity, but he did not let it take over. So he remained seated to enjoy the remains of the celebration.
His next sighting of this mysterious being was every Mereth Eryn Galen towards the ending of the Second Age. Certain times he would decide to follow his curiousity by searching the woods after the feast, though every time was unsucessful.
When the Second Age was drawing nearer to its end, there was another encounter, only of a different matter. The lords of the Woodland realm as well as their kin set off to battle in the Last Alliance: the great battle of this age. As Thranduil rode upon his steed into the night, he sensed a familair yet unknown presense about him. He gazed about the woods—behind every tree and bush—yet he saw nothing. Though nothing was to be seen, he wasn't fooled to believe that there was nobody there. He knew they were there, but there was nothing to be done. All he could do was fight to the death with his people.
Their next encounter was as well not of sight, but of sound. On that night, very few amount of warriors hummed a sorrowful chime for those they have lost as they slowly rode upon their steeds to their kingdom. Among these warriors was the prince Thranduil, as well was he the remianing Woodland lord of to survive.
The Silvan elves sung a song in honor of the dead, but also of their victory of Sauron's defeat. Though eventually they dedicated an entire song of the loss of their king, and blessings for their new lord. Thranduil himself could not sing along however, for his sorrow was far too great for the loss of his father in the hands of evil. As they continued to sing, startlingly Thranduil felt at peace when an unfamilair yet distant voice was heard through his own ears. The voice was of a maiden, and her singing was low, heavenly, peaceful, yet heavy-hearted. The song in which she was chanting had similair meaning of the song being sung, but of an altered verse. Though Thranduil felt as if he were in a trance, he did not bother to go on a search to seek out the mysterious maiden, for his grief took hold.
Occupied with his responsibilities and leftover sorrow, the new Woodland king no longer seeked out the unknown maiden.
Hundreds of years have eventually passed, and a distress occured upon his people as well as their residence. Amon Lanc was taken over by an unknown darkness, and it spread throughout the forest of Greenwood, but especially in the south. Everything that was once great about this forest was no longer so for now a great sickness laid upon it, as well as foul creatures such as orcs and great spiders lurking about and murdering anything or anyone in their path.
Determened in getting his people to safety, Thranduil demanded every one of his subjects to follow him north. They all obeyed their king, and Thranduil could not help but remember the maiden that resided in the forest itself. Now he was frightened for the thought of something dreadful happening to her. However, he knew he did not have much time to search for one person, so he mounted upon his horse, and he led his people whom survived up north when it was safe to take their leave.
The Forest-River was where the Silvan elves now dwelled, and for many years the elves used their crafting skills to build a new kingdom. They built, and built, and built, and it was known to be the great halls of Lord Thranduil. Every civilian inhabited inside of the kingdom to be protected from the desolation of their lands.
Constantly exausted from his hard and long amount of time of labour, he would drift off into a very deep sleeping state. His dreams would often be different from others, yet there was one specific dream that constantly appeared in his subconscious. The dream consited of the Arda through his eyes, and through his eyes he would see the woods in its desolated state with a grown elk being mounted by a cloaked figure. Thranduil would try to approach them or to call out, but either he could not be heard or he could not move from his precise spot. The elk and cloaked being then fled deep into the forest, out of sight. One night however, this reccuring dream had changed. This time, Thranduil still could not make himself visible, though he could see more. The hooded maiden mounted the elk, only this time—dissimilar to previous dreams—many orcs attacked them. Thranduil tried to stop them, but he could do nothing. The grown bulk however charged himself into many of the foul creatures and then ran south to escape. Then certain flashes happened before Thranduil's eyes of the elk running further and further until it reached Amon Lanc—though now named Dol Guldur—and he was surprised to see it pass the hill of evil.
Now awoken, Thranduil exhaled deeply with his eyes wide in shock. She was still alive, he knew it now. Now determent to find her, he lifted himself off of his bed and addressed his guards. He commanded for a fair amount of his men to join him on a search, and the guards obeyed.
Thus, Thranduil and his men travelled upon their horses and set off west for Thranduil did not wish to venture along south for the evil that prowled about Dol Guldur and the tormenting memories of his father losing his life in the hands of the evil of Mordor. They travelled among the path that led south of the Misty Mountains and they continued on that direction when they passed Gladden Fields until they reached the forest of Lorien. Thranduil knew the maiden would not inhabit just any location, but a forest.
Thranduil and his men split up to find a cloaked maiden along with an elk—for she was always with the creature—but neither did they find. Thus, they marched on until they have reached the forest of Fangorn.
Again, Thranduil and his kin split up to search different areas of the forest. Thranduil-whom was still seated on his steed—searched about for a while. He went deeper into the ancient forest, and that's when he heard a noise. Looking up, he could see the elk from his dream eating a patch of grass. The creature rapidly looked up, and that's when Thranduil knew it was the same fawn whom he saw a long time back. The creature's eyes were the same, but he has grown so big and strong. Thranduil very quietly dismounted his horse to approach the creature, but he ran away in fear.
Thranduil walked on ahead, but he did not run. With his voice loud and clear, he said, "I know you are there, concealed maiden of the forest. I demand you to reveal yourself. Do you hide because you are frightened? Fear not, for I have not come to harm you. You have my word."
The king's demand was met with silence. So long was the silence that he was about to repeat himself, but then another voice came.
"Tis not I whom fears you bringing ill-will upon," said the angelic and soft voice, revealing herself from behind a large tree. "But HIM."
The elvish maiden then rested her hand delicatly upon the elk's back from behind her.
A sudden spark appeared within the elvenking's eyes and his mouth unknowingly opened. Although the maiden had a look of fear and uneasyness, Thranduil could not ignore her beauty. Her skin was as pale as the moon, yet she had a soft rosy-hue to her cheeks. The fair-blonde of her hair—though barely seen because of the hood of her cloak— draped over her shoulders from beneath her hood and passed down to her waist, and her bangs were tied together in a thick but neat little braid. Her hair was alike of his, only there was highlights of gold within hers. Her gown beneath her cloak however, appeared to be ripped and torn in different spots. The way she was staring at him as well—though filled with agitation—he found it to be quite charming.
Abruptly ceasing with his own thoughts, he said, "I bare no ill-will towards this creature as well. Though I do not believe I could possibly stand a chance, for I can see the strength that this creature clearly possesses."
"That he is," the maiden acknowledged. "However, I am not willing to take the risk."
The grown bulk then lowered its head and hesitingly approached the elvenking and the king slowly bent down on one knee to look directly into the animal's eyes. The light-haired maiden studied their actions carefully and Thranduil very slowly reached his arm out so he could pet the elk's head. Ackowleging this, the fair and lovely lady stood there agasp, and then she calmly paced herself towards them.
"Remarkable, he does not generally take kindly to others," she stated quietly, kneeling down to the ground right next to the fawn and fixing her eyes on the stranger.
Thranduil did not speak, he simply resumed with his actions.
The forest-maiden was not accustomed to seeing any of her own people up close after so many years, it felt strange, but exciting as well. She especially found it difficult to look away from the lord before her. His eyes as blue as the sky during early day, his hair and skin as smooth as silk, his lips as pink as a peddle from a rose sharing the same tone, and his figure as graceful as the grass swaying along with a brief but light wind.
She finally turned her gaze away and ran her hand along the creature's soft fur.
"I beg forgiveness, my lord," she said. "I should not have acted the way I did. I simply never wanted any foul act to happen to this precious creature, nor I. Goheno nin." (E/T: Forgive me)
Thranduil looked to the maiden and assured sencerly, "U-moe edaved." (E/T: There is nothing to forgive.)
The lovely maiden's thick and rosy-red lips curled into a smile. She was surprised by his kindness, and it was then when she realized how much she adored his voice; it had a calm yet emphatic sound to it.
"Taurant, I call him. His mother and father died not too long after he was born," she mentioned grievously. "I have guided and protected him ever since."
One corner of Thranduil's lips moved up a notch and he said, "Well, he is very fortunate to be guarded by someone as compassionate as yourself."
A sudden rush of heat rised up to the maiden's cheeks; she did not know how to react. Nobody has ever said such kind words to her. That's when she finally decided to question his current presense.
"Why have you come here?" she asked curiously. "Where now do your people dwell?"
"Up north within the now deceased forest," Thranduil responded. "After years of labouring, our kingdom has been created. All of my subjects now dwell inside of my halls for safety."
"Happy to hear it," the maiden said, smiling sweetly.
Thranduil then gazed at the maiden more sencerely and continued, "So many years has a mysterious being plagued my mind. Never would I see their face, yet something drew me to them. Even at a time of despair I felt drawn to them, for a voice of a maiden so angelic and comforting I heard from a far. However, I did not seek out the maiden, for my grief was too great. When the time has come of my people laying just under the shadows of a horror lurking about from the south, I have not seen her. So long has it been since I thought she had passed away to the Halls of Mandos, yet in my dreams it has convinced me otherwise. Every forest was I determent to search, and now...I have found her."
The maiden didn't speak for a while; she could only exchange the king's sencere expression.
"You have searched for ME?" she asked.
"Yes," Thranduil replied.
The female elf then shyly broke eye contact and looked to the bulk seated next to her.
"So tell me, mysterious maiden of the forest, what is your story?" Thranduil asked.
Petting Taurant's head, she said, "This creature and I have similair troubles. My guardians have lost their lives as well, in the great river of Anduin thousands of years ago. The Great River was their favorite place to dwell, but a great storm had occured and they fell beneath the roaring waves. My father was a good man, but my mother, forgive me but I rather not speak about her."
Thranduil could feel the deep pity in his heart antecedently.
"Feeling disoriented and filled with sorrow, I wandered off deep into the woods so I could be alone with my thoughts," she explained cheerlisly. "However, being surrounded by the beautiful creatures of the woods, I felt as if I belonged. I have always been very fond of the beauties of the forest and animals more than I ever have my own kin. My father used to walk with me through the woods, and he taught me to be unhasty and paitent with animals."
Thranduil arched an eyebrow.
"Hate to be blunt, but would it not get very...unpleasent to wear that exact dress that is currently ripped in various places all of these years?" Thranduil asked, eying up her gown.
The maiden could not help but giggle. Thranduil slightly jumped-not expecting her to find it amusing-but a part of him found that giggle to be sweet and surprisingly alluring.
"I do not think I need to provide that question with an answer, for I refuse to believe that a man with obviously such good taste with style in his appearence would possibly understand," she responded slyly.
Raising his eyebrows as if he were impressed, Thranduil said, "Why thank you for noticing, fair lady."
A brief silence filled the air, so nothing but the sound of birds chirping could be heard, but then the two let out their laughter, startling Taurant.
The fair lady never laughed so much in all of her life, it was a wondrous feeling, although her cheeks began to hurt, but in the best kind of way. Thranduil felt likewise.
As their laughter died down, Thranduil gazed into the maiden's eyes. They were brown as the bark of trees, but the brown was mixed with green alike of leaves. Therefore her eyes blended in quite nicely with their surroundings of the forest.
"May I ask for your name?" Thranduil requested polietly, yet with a subtle hint of eagerness in his voice.
"You may," she said. "I am known as Laerhwá."
"Laerhwá," Thranduil repeated softly, as it were a name from the heavens.
"Quite often have I seen you while I was in the forest of Greenwood. I have witnessed the arrival of you and your father, Lord Oropher," Laerhwá admitted. "You are Lord Thranduil, are you not?"
"I am," Thranduil acknowledged. "Though if it is your wish to address me as plain Thranduil, that is acceptable."
Blood rushed to Laerhwá's face, and she shifted her eyes away shyly. She never heard anyone ever call him by just his first name, so she was flattered that she was allowed to do so. She looked back at him and said, "Thranduil."
Thranduil's heart beat wildley in his chest from the certain way Laerhwá said his name, but then he was reminded of the pity he felt for her.
"Laerhwá, have you never socialized with your own people?" Thranduil said curiously but with concern.
"Not since the death of my mother and father, no," Laerhwá replied. "However, I do check on them every once in a while if my curiousity takes hold, but especially with Mereth Eryn Galen. Besides, Taurant occassionally likes to run off."
Unexpectingly, Thranduil came to a conclusion and he gasped. He lifted himself up from the soil beneath him, causing Laerhwa to lean back in shock.
"Come," he pronounced anxiously, tilting his head towards the path that brought him here.
"To where?" Laerhwá questioned, now panicked.
"To my kingdom," Thranduil answered as if it were obvious. "You have the chance to be around your own kind. You no longer have to fear of feeling abondoned."
Laerhwá's dainted body rose from the ground-causing Taurant to do the same.
"I do not feel so abondened," Laerhwá remarked earnestly yet kindly.
"Yes, of course," Thranduil said, knowing her deep connection with the animals. "But would it NOT be rather exhilarating to be in the presense of your own people and actually speaking to them. Not to mention feeling safe and warm inside of my halls."
"Thranduil, your words are kind, but..."
"I truly understand your fear of confronting strangers, but I will be there by your side if your mind is filled with peril," Thranduil intterupted, comforting.
"I cannot," Laerhwá confessed, her angelic voice slightly trembling in uneasyness. "I beg for your understanding. Only this day has been when someone of my own kind has spoken to me, and a LORD may I add. I do not have the courage to be surrounded by more than I can currently handle."
Thranduil stood perfectly still—feeling somewhat downhearted. He yurned to be near her for as long as time could give him, and he wanted her to be safe. Then he eventually spoke.
"I promise to you that I do understand, hiril vuin," (E/T: My lady.) Thranduil said with empathy in his deep voice. "I apologize if I have prevailed upon you to feel pressured for that is not my intent," Thranduil pronounced. "I simply desired for you to feel as merry as possible, for that is what you deserve. It is as well my desire for you to be by my side for as long as possible, for never have I heard such a welcomming and entrancing voice. Never have I seen such beauty, beauty that not even the light in which the Eldar cherish with all of their hearts and souls could compare. And never have I met such a genuinely kind, charming, and caring soul."
Those sweet words brought great joy to Laerhwá, such as she's never felt before. Her heart thumped and thumped beyond her chest with a certain swift rhythm, her breathing was heavy, and she grinned from ear to ear.
Interfering with the heart-warming moment, both of the elves could hear trotting of hooves followed by a few men calling for their king from not too far away.
Thranduil looked back at Laerhwá and said, "I must leave. You do not have to come, at least now I know of your safety."
Disapointed of his leave, Laerhwá nodded her head in understanding and said quietly, "Very well. I wish you a pleasent evening."
Thranduil did a farewall motion in the way of the elves, and he very slowly turned himself around. However, Laerhwá immediatly felt a strange and unexplained feeling of anguish at the sight of the elvenking leaving, so she eventually reached out her arm and demanded, "Daro!" (E/T: Stop!)
Thranduil stopped walking and turned around.
"I will go with you," Laerhwá said seriously. "As long as I am kept somewhere undisturbed within your halls."
Thranduil's face now beamed with joy and he said, "Certainly."
"Understand that I go simply because my heart belongs within the realms of Greenwood," Laerhwá said, not wanting to confess her unknown feelings towards him.
"Understood," Thranduil said, slightly bowing his head.
Laerhwá then mounted herself upon Taurant, and Thranduil did the same with his steed. They marched side by side until they have reached the small company of other Silvan elves, and Laerhwá lowered her head completely so nothing but her cloak could be seen. The elves were happy that their search was successful, and so they marched back to their home without any words spoken—due to the request of Thranduil for sake of the shy maiden.
Arrived at their destination, Thranduil kindly led Laerhwa to the chambers she would be staying. Twas an undisturbed room within the lower halls of Thranduil's Kingdom—very close to the waterfall within—and Laerhwá sat upon the bed. Her familair yet still new enviornment felt strange, but the beauty of these halls slowly put her mind to ease and she tried to relax. She was as well given a beautiful new gown to put on; a gown shaded of forest-green.
"I suggest you take a rest, Laerhwá," Thranduil remarked kindly with an assuring expression upon his face. "Gi nathlam hi." (E/T: You are welcome here.)
Feeling around the luxourious feel of her bed—trying to get accustomed—Laerhwá laid herself down with her hands rested upon her belly.
"Guren glassui, hir vain Thranduil," Laerhwá thanked quiet yet sweetly. (E/T: Thank you from my heart, my lord Thranduil.)
Thranduil bowed his head and before taking his leave he said, "Posto vae, na lu e-govaned vin." (E/T: Rest well, until our next meeting.)
Thranduil himself could have rested from his long journey, but he could not. He simply wandered around his halls—doing nothing in particular—but very often would he check on the resting maiden to check her well-being. He was very fond of her, and he wanted her to be guarded at all times.
Every time he would visit her, she would still be resting within the same position with her eyelids half open. He would secure the blanket around her—for it was a chilly night. He realized how happy he was to find her while looking upon her. She was so kind, and so beautiful. After thousands of years, he had finally found and felt love. Long has it been since his kin has wished for a queen, but despite the beauty of the women in Doriath and Greenwood, Thranduil's heart did not long for them.
Still gazing upon the maiden, his lips slowly curved upwards to reveal a joyful smile. Not since the death of his father has he last felt such joy. His long ignored hope in the world has finally been restored.