Hello again! I have completely finished writing this short story (which was only supposed to be about 2,000 words in length but grew to just over 10,300 words and split into five chapters) and I will upload a chapter each week. If you choose to leave a review (and I'm always grateful for those!) the only thing I would ask is that any criticism you may choose to make be constructive; so please, no flames – unless you're Smaug! :P
Warning: If you have only seen the movies and did not like Thranduil (the character as they wrote it, not Lee Pace's superb performance and gorgeous appearance!) then please bear in mind that my portrayal of him is much more favourable than that created by PJ & his company and is more in line with how Tolkien wrote both the character and Elves in general. There is also no romantic pairings in the story.
Author's Note: This A/N may be a bit long so if you wish to skip straight to the story please feel free. I promise I will not be doing a long A/N for each chapter. :)
I have placed this fanfic here in The Hobbit section as the story is based in the year 2933 of the Third Age (so before the events of The Hobbit which took place in 2941).
This fanfic came about after fellow member PegasusWingsVW in a review of my other Hobbit story (The Revelation of Truth) requested a story on the first meeting between Thranduil and Aragorn as mentioned in The Revelation of Truth by Legolas in passing to Gandalf. Having completed my LOTR story (The Providence of Mercy) I was finally able to focus on this one. Once again I spent a lot of time perusing LOTR (including the Appendices), Unfinished Tales, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion and The History of Middle Earth by Christopher Tolkien) in an effort to make the story fit in with Tolkien's canon. Now, Tolkien never actually mentioned when Thranduil and Aragorn first met so everything pertaining to that meeting as portrayed in this story is purely my own creation.
One of the main quotes that aided in my portrayal of how Elves (especially in this case Thranduil) would treat a human child came from a description in Morgoth's Ring, Part 1, Ainulindalë, Laws & Customs Among the Eldar, where, concerning their own children, it says that Elves "…had few children, but these were very dear to them. Their families, or houses, were held together by love and a deep feeling for kinship in mind and body…." Considering the depths of their love for their own children, it does not seem impossible to suppose that they would treat a human child with a certain gentleness, seeing as the same source also mentions that: "…there was less difference between the two Kindreds, Elves and Men, in early youth; and a man who watched elf-children at play might well have believed that they were the children of Men…."
At the end of each chapter posted I will attempt to give a full reference to the main quotes/materials that assisted me with particular aspects of the story. If I forget to mention some, I do apologise in advance. :)
Finally, this fanfic was written solely to be a harmless piece of family/comfort reading that hopefully will leave you feeling uplifted and happy once you have finished reading it. So if you are after a dark and heavy themed story filled with blood and gore this certainly is not the story for you.
Acknowledgement: As mentioned in my other Tolkien stories, I would like to acknowledge the website www . arwen-undomiel for any elven names that are not recognised as being original Tolkien creations.
Dedication: I dedicate this fanfic to fellow member PegasusWingsVW for it was on their request that I wrote it; to "the greatest king" of the woodland realm, Thranduil; and of course to the wonderful Professor Tolkien without whom this beautiful character and the rest of Middle Earth would not exist. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the recognised characters mentioned in this story. They by right belong to Professor JRR Tolkien, creator of the Middle Earth world and all associated novels, including The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings and Unfinished Tales. Any recognised dialogue/events pertaining to The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings or Unfinished Tales are the property of Professor JRR Tolkien. The unrecognised dialogue/events of the story are from my own imagination and represent my impression on the actions, thoughts and feelings of the characters surrounding the aforementioned recognised events. I am not making any profit from this story.
The Bonds of Friendship
"The friendship of a child is the brightest gem set upon the circlet of society, a jewel worth a world of pains – a jewel seldom seen." – M Tupper
Part 1 – Arrival in Imladris
In the valley of Imladris the happy bursts of elvish laughter from the trees, mixed with the faint scent of spring flowers and the sound of flowing water from the river, drew a small sigh of relief from the tall, golden-haired Elf mounted upon a fine white stallion at the head of a small company of Woodland Elves. The journey from Northern Mirkwood over the mountain pass had not been without peril, for the Orcs that infested the Misty Mountains continued to multiply in number and had grown bolder in their attacks since that fateful day many years ago in the reckoning of men, but which to the Elves seemed but a brief passing of time, when tragedy had struck the house of Elrond.
'Hail! Lord Thranduil, King of the Northern Realm! Welcome to the Valley!'
Acknowledging the cheerful greeting from the young Elves that had descended from out of the trees bearing bright lanterns to meet him, Thranduil smiled. 'Well, my merry ones, I see you are set for a night of revelry and mirth,' he said warmly.
'Indeed, O King,' they answered gaily. 'Will you stay a while and sing with us? We have a feast all prepared over there where the wood-fires can be seen.'
'Nay I thank you,' the Elvenking replied with a laugh. 'My business with Lord Elrond must take precedence over any merry-making. But, with your goodwill, I shall leave my companions in my stead for they have endured much on our travels and are in great need of a light-hearted jest and dance.'
The Elves' agreement was swift in coming. 'Many a fair song we will sing this night,' they cried, 'for too seldom do our kindred from the lands of Rhovanion come to visit! But shall we first lead you down to the bridge?'
Shaking his head, Thranduil politely refused. 'For unless the way has greatly changed since last I journeyed through this valley I shall not require any assistance in finding the correct path,' he replied. Then turning to the dark-haired Elf who rode alongside him, he said, 'Tegalad, within the vale of Imladris you may relax your guard and remain here with the others.'
The young aide's face brightened. 'Thank you, My King,' he said gratefully. 'I must own that the stories I had heard of the hazards of the High Pass were certainly not exaggerated. I shall welcome the opportunity to rest and meet with my kin west of the mountain.'
So, with a last benign smile to the merry group of Elves who were now singing another cheerful song, Thranduil urged his mount forward and continued on alone. As the horse moved onward at a steady walking pace, the Elvenking's head tilted back. His blue eyes gazing up at the bright stars in the heavens as their light shone upon his ageless face, Thranduil's thoughts returned to the memory of his last journey to Imladris. The days had been grim with fierce winds blowing in from the south, but their bitter chill was as nothing to the hearts of the Elves who had responded to the desperate plea to aid in the search for Celebrían.
When the air had first filled with the news that Elrond's wife had been taken by Orcs as she travelled through the Redhorn Pass on her way to visit her kin in Lothlórien, the response had been immediate. Moving swiftly, Elves from Imladris, Lothlórien and Mirkwood, along with the Rangers of the North, had scoured through the treacherous paths and hidden caves of the Misty Mountains in search of her. Celebrían being the daughter of his kin, Lord Celeborn, and wife to one who was of King Thingol's bloodline, Thranduil had not hesitated to lead the large company that had set out from Mirkwood. But in the end it was Celebrían's two sons, Elladan and Elrohir, who had found their mother grievously tormented in both mind and body, and afflicted by a poisoned wound in an Orc den. As the two sons of Elrond hastened to rejoin their father and return to Imladris with Celebrían, the Elves under the leadership of Celeborn and Thranduil, along with the Rangers under the direction of their chieftain, Arahad the First, waged a bloody battle against the Orcs until the numbers of the foul creatures had been lessened considerably. They had then made their way to Imladris.
Crossing over the bridge that led to the eastern entrance of the Last Homely House, Thranduil saw before him, as clearly as though the images had been summoned by the singing of Elf-minstrels, the sight that had greeted the arrival of the elven host led by himself and Celeborn that day: Elladan and Elrohir comforting their sister Arwen where she sat in bereaved silence beneath an ancient oak tree in their mother's favourite garden, while about them a solemn stillness enveloped the remaining inhabitants of Imladris. Celebrían had survived her physical wounds, for Elrond had worked tirelessly to heal his wife's body for many days, but her mind remained deeply afflicted and all Imladris shared the pain of watching the once joyful lady battle against the mental anguish that could not be healed. He himself had not remained overly long on that visit, a mere three months, before he felt the need to return to his own realm; but Celeborn, dismayed over his daughter's sorrowful and tormented state, had not left until the day Celebrían had departed to take the ship to Valinor.
Approaching the brightly lit entrance of the house, Thranduil found the images of the past abruptly dispelled as a burst of happy laughter preceded the appearance of a group of Elves from out of the doorway. Their countenances lit up with merry humour, the Elves all bowed upon seeing him.
'A fine meeting, O King!' they called. 'Tis the height of spring and the valley is filled with the scents of new life and feasting.'
His lips curled into an answering smile, Thranduil brought his mount to a halt, saying, 'well met indeed, good people. Do you go to join the other revellers?'
'We do, O King,' the tallest amongst them replied, 'for merry is May-time when the stars are in blossom and the moon is in flower. Will you join us?'
'Not this night, I thank you,' Thranduil answered. 'But I have left all my escort with your friends in the valley. I am sure they would enjoy a fair song and dance in your company.'
'It would be a pleasure to entertain them,' the Elves said merrily. Then with many a happy laugh and cries of farewell they departed, leaving the Elvenking alone once more.
Dismounting his horse with fluid grace, Thranduil moved to the stallion's head.
'You have done well, Gîlroch,' he murmured fondly, running a gentle hand down the horse's silky white face as it nuzzled against him. 'It has certainly been a long and weary journey for you.'
'And for you also, my friend.'
Looking back toward the open doorway Thranduil beheld the dark-haired Master of Imladris, his arms extended in greeting and a warm smile on his lips, making his way toward him.
'I bid thee welcome to Imladris, Thranduil.' His grey eyes bright with the light of the stars, Elrond clasped a strong hand on his guest's shoulder and looked up to meet Thranduil's gaze. 'And I thank you for making the journey.'
'Upon receiving your message I must own my curiosity refused to be quelled,' Thranduil confessed. 'And your enigmatical words only served to heighten my concern for what could have prompted such secretiveness.'
'I see your acuity remains undimmed, my friend,' Elrond observed. 'My embassage to you did arise from a matter of grave importance. But we cannot discuss it here in the open. Come away in and join us at table, for the evening feast is soon to commence and you must be in need of food and rest. We shall speak of the reason for my requesting your presence once my other guests are occupied in the Hall of Fire after the meal is ended.' His eyes glancing toward the white horse that stood waiting patiently by the Elvenking, Elrond added, 'as for your fine steed, I also bid him welcome and he will find comforts to his liking within our stables. Shall I have someone show him the way?'
Shaking his head, Thranduil ran a proud hand down his horse's neck. 'Gîlroch would consider that an insult,' he said. 'He prides himself on understanding directions. Tell him how to reach the stables and he will not require any further assistance.'
'An admirable quality,' Elrond remarked before walking forward to stand in front of the horse. 'Gîlroch, follow the stone path on the far side of the gardens until you reach a small bridge. There will be two roads breaking off from the path. Take the right one and keep on it until you cross a shallow stream. Then turn left and you will find the stables a short distance down from where the branches of a large oak tree extend over the path. My people who oversee the stables will ensure you are comfortable.'
Lowering his proud head in thanks, Gîlroch whinnied gratefully then nudged his great nostrils against Thranduil's shoulder with a playful snort.
'Yes I am sure there are those who would love to hear your adventures,' Thranduil said, giving the horse's mane a fond caress. 'But remember, no mare likes a boastful hero. Be humble when regaling them with your tales. Now, off you go.'
Bestowing an affectionate puff of warm breath against the Elvenking's neck, Gîlroch gently bumped his head against Thranduil's golden hair one last time before setting off toward the garden in a dignified trot.
'He is a magnificent animal,' Elrond commented as the two Elves watched the glistening white form depart. 'How did you come by him? For there is clearly a noble strain within his bloodline.'
'Of his lineage nothing can be known for certain,' Thranduil admitted as they turned and made their way into the welcoming entrance of the Last Homely House east of the Sea. 'A few summers ago my hunting party and I came across him when he was scarce more than a foal. He was caught within a thick tangle of webs spun by those accurst spiders near the edge of the forest. No trace was discovered of his family and we could only surmise they had either been killed or captured. I had thought he would bond with my son, for you know how gifted Legolas is with horses, but Gîlroch refused to respond to any voice save my own for many weeks – due, no doubt, to my having been the one to cut him loose from the webs. After some time had passed he began to listen to others, however, he continued to be inordinately attached to me and even to this day he has only ever consented to bearing Legolas and myself on his back.'
'And where is your son?' Elrond enquired. 'Did you leave him to enjoy the feasting across the river?'
'Legolas did not accompany me on the journey,' Thranduil replied. 'But he does send his greetings to you and to your children. Are they currently here with you?'
'For many summers now Arwen has been residing in Lothlórien with her mother's kin.' His eyes filled with deeply felt pain, Elrond sighed. 'After my wife departed for the Havens a great sadness lingered within Imladris and the merry laugh of my daughter was seldom heard. When the Lady Galadriel sought my leave to have Arwen visit Caras Galadhon I could not refuse, for within the city of the Galadhrim amidst the elanors golden blooms and the ancient mallorn-trees there lives only pleasant memories of Celebrían that can only ease my child's grief.'
'A pure and happy memory may certainly aid in alleviating a great sorrow,' Thranduil agreed. 'And what of Elladan and Elrohir?'
'My sons are at present safe within the shelter of this valley.' Turning his head, Elrond looked up at his friend. 'They frequently ride out with the Dúnedain, tracking parties of Orcs that maraud through the lands. Indeed, the reason I requested your presence is due to something that befell the group on their last journey. But such serious matters must wait as they make for poor dining conversation. Come, let us join the others in the main hall where shortly you will enjoy the finest of meals and many a lively tale.'
The Elvenking paused. 'Dare I enquire as to who will be providing these lively tales? For I recall you have oft entertained the most unusual of guests.'
'Sheath your sharp tongue, my friend,' Elrond chided lightly with a smile, 'for there are none currently among my guests who can counter its keen edge, and I am much too gracious a host to engage you in a battle of wits your first night here.'
'I take your words to mean that neither Mithrandir nor Glorfindel are counted amongst your visitors,' Thranduil remarked, a hint of disappointment lacing his voice.
'Unfortunately they are not,' Elrond admitted. 'Mithrandir has not been seen since the last eve of autumn and Glorfindel is out upon errantry to the North.'
'A pity,' Thranduil said, his blue eyes twinkling with a hint of mirth. 'For they could always be relied upon to provide intriguing topics for discussion and not shy away from a challenge.'
Elrond laughed. 'Perhaps it is actually fortunate that they are not here,' he reflected, 'for I am much too pre-occupied to act as mediator between you when the conversation would turn too heated. You will have to be content with conversing to several men of the Dúnedain and with those of my people who have not joined the feast outside.'
'Then in consideration of your current state of mind I shall endeavour to treat with them courteously,' Thranduil promised.
References:
Description of Imladris as found in The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 2, Chapter 1 – Many Meetings: "Sam led him along several passages and down many steps and out into a high garden above the steep bank of the river. He found his friends sitting in a porch on the side of the house looking east. Shadows had fallen in the valley below, but there was still a light on the faces of the mountains far above. The air was warm. The sound of running and falling water was loud, and the evening was filled with a faint scent of trees and flowers…."
Behaviour of the Elves who live in the valley of Imladris as described in the narrative of The Hobbit:
1. "So they laughed and sang in the trees; and pretty fair nonsense I daresay you think it. Not that they would care; they would only laugh all the more if you told them so. They were elves of course." Chapter 3 – A Short Rest
2. "Bilbo heard the elves still singing in the trees, as if they had not stopped since he left…Then the elves of the valley came out and greeted them and led them across the water to the house of Elrond." Chapter 19 – The Last Stage
3. "…many elves were singing loud and clear on the banks of the stream." Chapter 19 – The Last Stage
The main quotes that assisted with describing Thranduil's eyes were:
1. "…but no sign of age was upon them, unless it were in the depths of their eyes; for these were keen as lances in the starlight, and yet profound, the wells of deep memory." Narrative in The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 2, Chapter 7 – The Mirror of Galadriel
2. "…for he saw the elven-light in her eyes and the wisdom of many days…." Description taken from Lord of the Rings, Appendix A (v) Here Follows a Part of the Tale of Aragorn & Arwen
The tragic fate of Elrond's wife, Celebrían, is noted in Lord of the Rings, Appendix A (iii) Eriador, Arnor, & the Heirs of Isildur. "In 2509 Celebrían wife of Elrond was journeying to Lórien when she was waylaid in the Redhorn Pass…she was seized and carried off. She was pursued and rescued by Elladan and Elrohir, but not before she had suffered torment and had received a poisoned wound. She was brought back to Imladris, and though healed in body by Elrond, lost all delight in Middle-earth, and the next year went to the Havens and passed over sea." And also in the narrative of The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 2, Chapter 1 – Many Meetings, it says: "But her brothers, Elladan and Elrohir, were out upon errantry: for they rode often far afield with the Rangers of the North, forgetting never their mother's torment in the dens of the orcs."
Further details of the treatment of prisoners by their Orc-captors can be seen in The Two Towers, Book 3, Chapter 3 – The Uruk-Hai.
On Thranduil's horse understanding verbal commands I based this on the following two quotes:-
1. "Soon the other horses came up and stood quietly by, as if awaiting orders." The Two Towers, Book 3, Chapter 5 – The White Rider
2. "But Legolas asked them to take off saddle and rein. 'I need them not,' he said, and leaped lightly up, and to their wonder Arod was tame and willing beneath him, moving here and there with but a spoken word: such was the elvish way with all good beasts." The Two Towers, Book 3, Chapter 2 – The Riders of Rohan
From Lord of the Rings, Appendix A (v) Here Follows a Part of the Tale of Aragorn & Arwen on why Aragorn did not meet Arwen until he was twenty years of age:
"I have heard no word of you. How comes it that we have never met before?" – Aragorn
"I have dwelt for a time in the land of my mother's kin, in far Lothlórien. I have but lately returned to visit my father again. It is many years since I walked in Imladris." – Arwen
On my portrayal of Thranduil as being a rather wise Elf: "…but the Elves had greater wisdom, and skill, and beauty; and those who had dwelt in Valinor and looked upon the Powers as much surpassed the Dark Elves in these things as they in turn surpassed the people of mortal race. Only in the realm of Doriath, whose queen Melian was of the kindred of the Valar, did the Sindar come near to match the Calaquendi of the Blessed Realm." Excerpt from The Silmarillion, Chapter 12 – Of Men
On Thranduil's attitude toward Glorfindel who was himself of the Noldor, but who had not participated in the kinslaying, I took inspiration from Thingol's reaction to the news of the kinslaying when dealing with Finrod and Angrod (who also had not participated in the kinslaying). Thingol tells them: "Go now! For my heart is hot within me. Later you may return, if you will; for I will not shut my doors for ever against you, my kindred, that were ensnared in an evil that you did not aid. With Fingolfin and his people also I will keep friendship, for they have bitterly atoned for such ill as they did. And in our hatred of the Power that wrought all this woe our griefs shall be lost." The Silmarillion, Chapter 15 – Of the Noldor in Beleriand
