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.
FAIR WARNING: If this is the first story of the Tales from Mirkwood series you have ever read, then you will probably not have a clue what is going on. I recommend reading at least The Doriath Days first for a basic context.
A/N
This story came about when I asked for writing prompts for what to write next in this Universe. Whyamiobsessed asked for a coming-of-age story, or one in which everyone's special abilities were explored further. The Plot Bunnies decided they loved that idea, and so here we are.
Though this story turned out to be more of a backstory about everyone growing up, with a side order of them discovering the extent of their abilities, then a coming-of-age story. I hope this is still something like what you asked for, Whyamiobsessed!
Thranduil's abilities are explained further in Tales from Mirkwood: The Doriath Days. Therefore, he will not feature a chapter in this one. However, his children and grandchildren will each have their own chapter (11 in total) focussing on how they, and those around then, found out about their powers/the extent of their powers, and how they dealt with this knowledge. And all the rest of the backstory and universe building the Plot Bunnies decided to put in around those main themes. The format of this story is very similar to The Foundling Prince (interconnecting chapters that take place over an extended period of time), so readers of that will know what to expect.
These chapters are posted chronologically, in descending order from the eldest (Belegon) to the youngest (Helegion). Though, to add to confusion, the events in the chapters don't necessarily take place chronologically :/ I highly recommend at least skimming the authors notes where they appear, as I will add additional explanations where needed so it all makes sense.
I hope you enjoy learning more about everyone's Maia-inherited abilities!
Chapter one: Belegon
Oropher entered his house. He was feeling worn thin after having been called out from a nice relaxing morning to deal with a petty dispute.
He really had no idea how he had come to be appointed as the unofficial judge for petty disputes is this part of the world. He might be a trusted and highly regarded advisor to King Thingol, but still…
"The dark-haired one lied to you."
Oropher started slightly, before frowning at his young grandson, standing just inside the doorway. Unbeknown to Oropher, Belegon had apparently seen and heard what had just happened.
"What do you mean, he lied? He sounded sincere to me. The other one was clearly in the wrong."
Belegon nodded firmly.
"Yes, he was. But the dark-haired one still lied. I can tell."
Oropher frowned.
"How could you tell? This is a serious matter, Belegon Thranduilion Oropherion. I need to know why you are so sure he is lying."
The small elfling just shook his head, even as his face took on an obstinate expression.
"I do not know how. I just know he is lying. And please do not use my full name. Everyone knows I do not like it."
With crossed arms and that stubborn expression on his face, the elfling looked just like a mini version of Thranduil. Except for his silver hair. That came from his grandfather. As did his stubbornness.
Ever since Belegon's birth, Oropher had frequently asked every deity out there why his stubbornness and strong-will was the one thing that both his descendants seemed to have inherited. They never seemed to inherit his stunning good looks (both Thranduil and Belegon looked more like his beloved wife had in her elven form), yet they had inherited his fiery temper and stubbornness.
And of course, Thranduil had inherited those abilities of his from his mother as well. Abilities that did not seem to have passed on…
Oropher suddenly did a double-take, as a thought occurred to him. Looking very closely at Belegon, whose bravo started to disappear the longer his grandfather stared at him, Oropher said one thing.
"Belegon. I am going to go see Councillor Lagoron."
The small elfling stared at him, perplexed.
"No, you are not. I do not know what you are planning to do, but you are not going to see him."
Oropher felt his earlier suspicions solidifying.
"Why do you say that? It is rather impertinent to tell me that I am not going to do something that I have said I will do."
Belegon did not drop his gaze, nor flinch.
"Maybe. But you were lying. That evens the score."
"How can you be so sure?"
The elfling shrugged.
"I tell you before. I know when people lie."
Oropher realised that he was not going to get any more out of Belegon. The elfling himself likely did not fully know how to explain things; despite his intelligence and intellectual maturity, he was still only a young child. When this realisation sunk in, Oropher made a swift decision.
"You are right. I am not going to see Councillor Lagoron. You and I are going to see your father. You are not in trouble," Oropher added upon seeing Belegon tense up, "but there is something he must know."
Belegon, who had relaxed as soon as Oropher said he wasn't in trouble, nodded slowly.
"Okay. What does he need to know?"
"You will see when we get there."
Thranduil stared at his father in shock.
"Are you sure?"
Oropher nodded.
"Yes. There was no other way for him to have known."
Thranduil still looked stunned.
"But he has never given any indication he inherited anything from Naneth…"
"No, he has not. But how else do you explain this?"
After a moment, Thranduil shook his head.
"I cannot."
"Yes." Oropher agreed. "Neither can I. This is the only way it makes sense. It actually makes a lot of sense. She was very powerful. As are you. And it seems your son takes after you in that regard."
They both looked at Belegon, who was standing in front of them, looking worried. Though he knew grandfather had told him the truth when he'd said Belegon was not in trouble, he did not understand what Grandfather and Ada were talking about. It was making him very uneasy. He did not like not knowing what was happening.
Recognising his young son's discomfort, Thranduil lifted him onto his lap. The elfling automatically cuddled into him, and Thranduil brushed an unruly strand of silver hair out of his face.
"Belegon, grandfather says you did not believe him when he said he was going to see Councillor Lagoron. Why did you do that? It is not good to not believe people when they tell you they are going to do something."
Belegon stared indignantly at his grandfather. Oropher was once again reminded of Thranduil. Their expressions were identical.
"But he was lying to me! He had no intention of going to see Lagoron!"
Thranduil glanced quickly at his father, before turning back to his son.
"How can you be so sure of that?"
"I know he was lying, because I felt funny when he told me that. I always feel funny when someone does not tell the truth."
Thranduil's facial expression did not change. Only his eyes betrayed his complicated feelings about the situation. When he spoke, his voice was gentle and soothing.
"Ion nîn, can you try and describe to me exactly how you feel when someone lies?"
Belegon nodded slowly.
"My tummy and head start hurting. Not bad, but enough that I know something is not right."
"How long does it last?"
"Not long. It is over almost as quickly as it arrives. When it happens, I know I have just heard a lie. When someone lies directly to me, I feel even worse."
"Does the feeling last any longer when you are being directly lied to?"
"No. It is always quick."
"How do you know it happens because you have heard a lie?"
Belegon grinned, his eyes lighting up at the memory.
"It took me a while to figure that out. When I was very little, I did not know why I would suddenly feel bad, and then be okay not long after. It was not until I saw Hadron take some sweetcakes from the royal kitchens, and then lie about it to the cook later, that I realised I only felt this way when someone does not tell the truth."
"How long ago was that?"
Belegon scrunched up his small face in concentration.
"I do not know. It happened when I was much littler, around the time you gave Naneth her silk shawl."
That had been almost six years ago, Thranduil realised with a start. Belegon had known about this for six years, and been dealing with it since he'd been born.
All without ever giving anyone any indication about this ability. Thranduil had certainly never seen any clue that it existed, and Laereth had not said anything. It was true that Thranduil possessed abilities most elves did not have, but he had never once contemplated these types of abilities could pass on to his own children.
After hearing all his son had to say, Thranduil looked at Oropher uncertainly.
"It seems you were right. He has not only inherited Maia abilities, but above-average intelligence. Even for an elf."
Oropher nodded firmly.
"Of course I am. The boy has Maia blood, just like you. We should have expected something out of the ordinary to happen, given what you can do."
Thranduil shrugged.
"Not necessarily. There are only two of my kind in existence. It is not like anyone has ever really done this before."
Seizing a lull in their conversation, Belegon spoke up.
"Ada, what is a May-a? And what is this about special abilities?"
Resigning himself to having a long and very involved conversation with his young son (at least his father was here to help him with the more awkward parts), Thranduil started speaking.
"The Maiar are…"
But, before he could get any further, Oropher hurriedly got up. Thranduil stopped talking, and looked at him questioningly. Oropher did not look happy. Actually, that was an understatement. He looked livid.
"Ada? What is wrong?"
"I have just made a huge lapse in judgement that I must fix."
Oropher made a speedy, yet dignified, exit from Thranduil's room, his face as black as thunder. Sending a confused look after his father, Thranduil turned to his son.
"What was that about?"
Belegon grinned smugly.
"He believed the elf who lied to him before."
Thranduil slowly grinned back, as the full implications of Belegon's words sunk in.
"The elf who did that is about to regret that they ever thought they could lie to my father, and get away with it."
But Belegon's mind was already on other things, and he did not hear.
"Ada, what is a May-a? You were about to tell me."
Thranduil sighed. Trust his father to desert them when he could use the help. Still, maybe it would be better this way; it would probably be a lot calmer. Oropher was still grieving for his wife, and was very bitter over her death. Even though it had occurred so long ago, the pain had never left him, nor even really faded.
"I was, and I will. The Maiar are…"
A/N
The Wrath of Oropher knows no bounds. *Plot Bunnies titter happily at the thought of a random elf having to face down Oropher and his anger*
I like to think that Thranduil's mother and Queen Melian were sisters/considered themselves to be sisters. Which would make Thranduil and his family related to Lúthien and all her descendants. Including Elrond and Aragorn. For those who aren't obsessed with the Silmarillion and elven history of the First Age…Basically, in this headcannon, Thranduil's mother was a Maia (like Gandalf, but more powerful as her powers were not bound) who came to Middle Earth around the same time as Melian did. Like Melian, she fell in love with and married an elf (Oropher) resulting in a son (Thranduil) who inherited many magical-type powers from her. As did his children and grandchildren, which is what this story explores.
Preview of Chapter 2: Golwendir
Golwendir run into the room where his mother was reading. He was in hysterics, and hurled himself at Laereth.
"Ada is dead! The monster killed him!"
The next chapter will be up in a couple of days. Reviews make my day, and encourage the Plot Bunnies to write more stories like this one. Which may or may not be a good thing…