AUTHOR NOTE: This fanfic came about after fellow member Ella728 requested a story involving Thranduil and Legolas in her review of my other story The Providence of Mercy. It has taken a while for it to be finished due to other commitments I've had, including two overseas trips – one to the UK and the other to Japan (I highly recommend both places!). Also, after I was nearly done with the original storyline I had planned these wonderful characters insisted on me telling what happened to them leading up to the moments before the battle in The Hobbit, which is actually the start of my very first Tolkien fanfic The Revelation of Truth. As the first chapter of this story is set a few years after the start of the Third Age there was A LOT of time to cover! The original storyline I had planned in response to Ella728's request falls into the timeframe of the following quotes: "When maybe a thousand years had passed, and the first shadow had fallen on Greenwood the Great, the Istari or Wizards appeared in Middle-earth." And, "1050 – About this time a shadow falls on Greenwood, and men begin to call it Mirkwood…. 1100 – The Wise (the Istari and the chief Eldar) discover than an evil power has made a stronghold at Dol Guldur. It is thought to be one of the Nazgûl." LOTR – Appendix B, The Tale of Years, The Third Age.
I read, reread, cross-referenced and researched every source material of Tolkien's I could find to try and get the characters as true as possible to Tolkien's canon, and have the situations that occur (or get mentioned) fall properly into his timeline of events. I will own there were a few inspirations taken from PJ movies (you'll know what they are when certain events occur) but I've reworked his ideas to fit in with Tolkien's timeline and my story. At the end of each chapter I've included references and a bit of background information if you're interested in reading them. :)
For anyone who has never read any of my stories before and may just be checking this one out (for which I thank you!) I must tell you that Thranduil is my favourite character in all of Tolkien's writings (he has been since I first read the books before any of the movies came out), therefore his personality is certainly portrayed in a more positive and more canonical manner than PJ's movie. His appearance, while following with Tolkien's own descriptions, is also heavily influenced by the beautiful and very magnetic version given to us by Lee Pace. The following quote also plays a large part in how I write his character: "They are called the Sindar, the Grey-elves of starlit Beleriand; and although they were Moriquendi, under the lordship of Thingol and the teaching of Melian they became the fairest and the most wise and skilful of all the Elves of Middle-earth." The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 10 – Of the Sindar
Acknowledgement: I would like to acknowledge the website www . arwen-undomiel for any elven names that are not recognised as being original Tolkien creations, with the exception of Elwen.
Dedication: I dedicate this fanfic to fellow member Ella728 – without your original request this story would not have been written! Also, to "the greatest king" of the woodland realm, Thranduil, and finally to the wonderful Professor Tolkien without whom this beautiful character and the rest of Middle Earth would not exist.
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 and books, including The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The History of Middle-earth and Unfinished Tales. Any recognised dialogue/events pertaining to the aforementioned books are the property of Professor JRR Tolkien and his estate. 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.
A Tapestry of Love & Sorrow
"It is both a blessing and a curse to feel everything so very deeply." – David Jones
Part 1 – A Joyful Event
Within the vast and beautiful forest of Greenwood the Great as the spring flowers began to bloom, and a bright dawn spread its radiant light across the clear blue sky, a tremendous sense of delighted anticipation greeted the golden-haired Elvenking of the Woodland Realm as he returned from his brief journey to Lórien and approached the entrance to the great cave in the north. From their homes in the beech trees and their houses scattered across the ground, the greetings of his people rang out gaily as Thranduil urged his mount past them and across the stone bridge to where several guards stood waiting outside the great doors of his palace.
'Hail, O King!' the guards called, 'you are arrived in time for a merry breakfast!'
Dismounting his horse with easy grace, Thranduil smiled. 'And a happy one it will be among such congenial company,' he replied, 'but first I would greet my Lady. How fares she this early morn?'
'The word from Eraisuithan is that the Queen lies abed,' one of the elf-guards revealed.
'She is unharmed?'
The guards, evidencing no surprise at their king's worried question, nodded. 'We were told to inform you that all is well, but the Queen is most desirous to have you attend upon her.'
'Then I had best present myself forthwith,' Thranduil stated, adding with a slight smile, 'it is always best to ne'er keep your lady waiting too long, my young friends, especially when she is with child! Inform Eraisuithan I shall meet with him at table presently.'
'It shall be done without delay, O King,' the guards promised.
Upon entering through the great stone doors the Elvenking abandoned all the precepts of royal decorum and ran swiftly through the brightly lit passageways towards the chamber he shared with his Lady, his dark green cloak flying out behind his tall lithe form like a banner caught in a strong wind. Despite his light-hearted reply to the guards, inside Thranduil's mind a heavy dread had started to take root and was whispering to his heart that some misfortune must have befallen his wife and child, for Queen Elwen was famed throughout the forest for her indefatigable energy and spirit. That thought sparked anew within the Elvenking the now familiar recurrent fear of losing another who was dear to him; a fear that had been wrought by the still fresh images that lingered like a poisonous cloud of the grievous losses suffered by himself and his people upon the dusty battlefield of Dagorlad; the memories of the bloodshed and screams of that war haunting him worse than the horrors he experienced in the attack on Doriath by the Naugrim of Nogrod, and the repeated slaughter of his kin in the lands of Beleriand by the Noldor.
Anxiety having lent wings to his speed, the Elvenking soon reached his destination and hastily entered through the doorway – only to halt abruptly at the sight before him. With her long hair shimmering like a river of pure silver light as it flowed over her shoulders and across the pillows gathered behind her, and her warm grey eyes sparkling up at him from a smiling face, his Queen was radiant with life as she lay on the wide bed beneath a rich blue coverlet. But what captured his attention the most was the small bundle of twitching blankets that she held cradled in her arms.
His fear rapidly diminishing, Thranduil started towards the serene scene in front of him as his wife's soft lilting voice said gently, 'dearest, pray pardon my not permitting Eraisuithan to reveal the reason for my seclusion to the guards, but I did so long to be the one to inform you of the birth of our son.'
'Our son?' His blue eyes suddenly shining with the radiance of a thousand stars, Thranduil moved so swiftly he was kneeling beside the bed before his whispered words had fully left his lips. 'O Elbereth be praised! My beloved, to learn no hurt has come to either of you is the greatest relief! But, is he not early? I had thought to return in time for his arrival.'
Her loving glance lowering towards the babe in her arms where he lay with his fair head snuggled contentedly against her breast, Elwen declared fondly, 'like his father I believe our little one enjoys the stimulating company of others. He was quite determined to come and refused to wait any longer.'
Roused by the sound of his parents' quiet voices, the little elven-princeling slowly opened his eyes. Upon seeing the clear blue hue of his first born child's eyes peering up at him, Thranduil's voice momentarily deserted him and he could do nothing but gaze down at the small form of his son. Then reaching out towards the babe's hand that lay closest to him, the Elvenking gently placed the tip of a long finger against one tiny palm; his tender look of awed joy transforming into a delighted smile as his son's delicate fingers latched onto his own single one and refused to release him.
'He is perfect.'
Slowly rising to seat himself on the edge of the bed, Thranduil leaned forward slightly; the radiant length of his golden hair instantly captivating his son's gaze as it hung beside the young Elf's face like a shining veil. Watching as the child attempted to try and grasp the bright strands that dangled so enticingly near his head with his free hand, the Elvenking murmured, 'the first new life born to our people in Eryn Galen since the battle on the foul plains of Mordor. Like the green leaves of spring that the trees of the forest bring forth to proclaim a change in the seasons, so shall our son herald a change for our people. Legolas I name him, and ever may he bring fresh hope to all those he meets.'
His newborn mind completely oblivious to the fact that his father had just honoured him with a name, the young elf-prince's bright blue eyes crinkled up as his tiny pink mouth widened in a little yawn.
'I had not thought a being so small could ensnare my heart so quickly.' Tracing the delicate features of his son with a gentle finger, Thranduil observed quietly, 'he possesses a likeness to myself, but I sense he has your innate serenity and kindness, my dear Elwen.'
'He will undoubtedly have your stubbornness,' his Queen teased him fondly, 'for he assuredly did not inherit that strong chin from myself. Although, I have seen your warm smile in his eyes so I am sure your thoughtful compassion shall also be found in him. We have truly been blessed to receive so beautiful a child.'
'Then am I doubly blessed,' Thranduil said, his loving glance returning to his wife, 'for I also have the loveliest of all the daughters of Ilúvatar's children as my Lady.'
A merry laugh passing her lips, Elwen said lightly, 'you have become quite forgetful in your advanced years, my dear lord! The fair Lúthien shall ever hold that fame.'
'Never in my heart,' Thranduil declared. 'Her evening beauty will be eternally dimmed in my eyes by the silver radiance of yours, which puts even the very stars to shame.'
A tender look then replaced the mirth in Elwen's grey eyes, for the Elvenking's words were spoken clearly and with the sincerity of truth. 'Ever shall I be grateful to the Lady Melian for arranging our meeting that morn in Doriath,' she said, 'else I may never have gained the most perfect of husbands. Our son also could not ask for a better father.' Then, as a great weariness seemed to suddenly descend upon her, she smiled tiredly before confessing on a sigh, 'my spirit still is yet to recover fully from his birth. Indeed, even after a lengthy rest my strength is swift to fade. Dear Thranduil, pray forgive me but a need for sleep is, I fear, the price we mothers must pay after bearing a child.'
His brow furrowing in concern the Elvenking gazed down at his wife. 'Should I summon one of your ladies to sit with you? Have you need of a healer?'
'Nay, my love, for there is naught that they may do save watch in idle patience until I awaken.' Glancing down at the babe in her arms, Elwen added, 'and Legolas too so it would seem!'
Following the direction of her eyes, a quiet chuckle escaped Thranduil's lips upon seeing his son sleepily watching him whilst happily suckling on the fistful of golden hair he had succeeded in capturing with his tiny hand.
'Is my hair to your liking, Legolas?'
The new prince of Eryn Galen gave a muffled gurgle in reply.
'Yes, I am sure you would much prefer to be partaking of the feast out in the forest, but I believe you shall have to wait until you are grown slightly older, my little one,' the Elvenking decreed, his solemn tone quite betrayed by the smile on his face and the dancing light in his eyes. Lowering his head, Thranduil bestowed a light kiss on his son's forehead before gently freeing his now drool-covered hair from Legolas' mouth – a move that instantly elicited a small wail of protest.
'Hush, my darling, mother shall feed you before we sleep.'
Observing his wife as she shifted the now fussing infant in her arms, Thranduil found himself charmed by the unfeigned look of adoration that momentarily vanquished the exhaustion on Elwen's face as she gazed down at Legolas.
'You truly are the most beautiful of all women,' he said softly, his strong hands tenderly aiding hers in readjusting the blankets covering their son. Then those same hands rose to rest warmly on Elwen's shoulders as he leaned over and placed a loving kiss upon her lips. 'I had thought it impossible to ever feel a joy equal to that which I felt on the day we were wed, but seeing you holding our son has proved that belief to be untrue. You have gifted me with memories that shall never fade, nor dim with the passing of time, and their warmth shall forever dwell within my heart. Now take what rest you need, my dearest love, and give no thought to any save yourself and Legolas. I shall have an aide placed outside the door should you need to summon me or one of your ladies. So be at peace, Elwen, and may the grace of Elbereth grant you both fair and untroubled sleep.'
O * O
Upon having appointed one of his youngest aides to keep vigilant watch over his wife and son, the Elvenking made his way along the passageway towards the dining hall where a marvellous feast was clearly being enjoyed by many of his people.
'Thranduil, my dear friend! You have returned.'
Turning to greet the owner of the voice, the Elvenking smiled as he watched the tall fair-haired Elf hastily approach him.
'Eglerion, I had not thought to find you away from the feast so soon! Have you consumed all the best dishes already?'
Thranduil's light teasing query drew a merry laugh from the other Elf. 'Nay, although had I not heard the commotion heralding your arrival there would soon not have been any remaining,' Eglerion retorted with an informal levity that bespoke a long friendship between the two. 'I will own my curiosity could wait no longer and sought you out to discover if your queen had presented to you a son or daughter; for her ladies and the healers present at the birth said they would not divulge the information to any until you had first seen the child.'
'For which discretion I am most grateful,' Thranduil replied, then with a proud smile gracing his lips he announced, 'Elwen and I have been blessed with a son. He bears a likeness to myself, but his mother has bequeathed to him her temperament.'
'All who dwell within Eryn Galen shall rejoice at his birth,' Eglerion declared, 'and none shall grow weary of the celebrations for a great number of days. It is fortunate that a new delivery of Dorwinion wine was received two days ago for the number of barrels had grown few!'
His blue eyes wide in disbelief, Thranduil gazed at his friend in shock. 'Did you do naught but consume it in my absence?' he asked. 'There were sufficient barrels to last till winter ere I departed for Lórien!'
'My friend, cast not so heavy a frown in my direction,' Eglerion protested lightly, 'your Lady succumbed to some strange joyous mood and did order it to be served at every meal – to everyone.'
The Elvenking's stern expression softened at these words and with an indulgent smile he said, 'then 'twould be churlish indeed to be aggrieved over something that gave my wife happiness. And let us allow her generosity to continue a while longer and permit all to partake in the wine for a se'nnight of feasting.'
'The forest shall ne'er sleep for the sound of our mirth,' Eglerion observed, his cheerfulness restored. 'And long and merry shall be the songs that will be sung. I, myself, have one that should set the trees to dancing.'
'If it be one of your own creations it is more like to send them hastening south to Fangorn,' Thranduil laughed. 'I have not forgot the verses you recited at the wedding feast held for Elwen and I in Doriath!'
His words drew a sound of rueful humour from Eglerion. 'A piece of youthful folly that shall forever haunt me,' the Elf admitted, 'and your father did never let me forget it.'
The mention of his father dimmed the shining light in Thranduil's eyes; but turning away he said in a voice that betrayed no sign of his inner pain, 'despite his stern words to you my father once told me he oft found your slightly impudent lyrics amusing. "Frivolous nonsense" I believe he called it. Now my friend, pray return to the feast and bid Eraisuithan to attend to his other duties once the morning repast is finished. Assure him our discussion is merely postponed and I shall summon him ere the day is ended.'
'You shall not join us, Thranduil?'
His face remaining carefully averted, the Elvenking replied, 'there is a small matter that requires my attention outside the palace walls. You may inform the guards and those at table that I require no escort.'
His keen eyes following his king's departing form, Eglerion's brow furrowed in a slight frown and with a last concerned glance at the tall golden-haired Elf, he turned away and hastened to find Eraisuithan.
O * O
Having ordered the sentries at the gate to remain at their post Thranduil crossed over the stone bridge and then made his way down a hidden forest path towards the river, the loud flow of the water growing stronger as he approached it on lightly-shod feet that made not a single whisper of sound as he descended the increasingly rocky terrain. From high above on the opposite side of the steep slope the Elf-guards were joined by Eraisuithan, and together they kept a vigilant watch over their king as he slowly walked along the riverbank until he reached a secluded grove that hid him far from their sight.
Lowering himself onto the fallen moss-covered log where he oft sat with his wife on starlit evenings, Thranduil stared with unseeing eyes at the sunlight sparkling on the surface of the river as the grief his friend had unintentionally awakened with the mention of his father turned his joy bittersweet. As the sun continued in her travels across the sky and the shadows in the grove lengthened, the Elvenking remained a silent figure enclosed in a mantle of restrained sorrow. Drawn to his presence some of the woodland beasts gathered close to his side, driven by the instinct to offer comfort to the guardian who healed and protected them and defended their homes.
To Thranduil the passing of time went by unnoticed as his mind recalled the last memories of his father: the image of the silver-haired Elvenking Oropher standing tall and proud as he looked up to bestow a fond smile at his only son as they stood at the head of their army; the clash of steel and piercing screams of death as battle burst into violent life around them after his father gave the order to advance before the signal from Gilgalad was given; the choked gasp as a foul scimitar wielded by a great orc pierced through his father's flesh; the weight of his dying father in his arms as he dragged him back behind the Royal Guard who closed ranks after their king and then fought zealously until death claimed them; then finally, his father's whispered apology as the last breath of air escaped his mouth and his long fingers released their desperate grip on Thranduil's bloodied tunic.
A great sense of loss suddenly overwhelming him, the Elvenking gazed up at the darkening indigo sky through eyes turned misty with pain as the barriers protecting his heart began to crumble into dust.
'Thranduil?'
The soft call from behind him seemed to come from a great distance, though the true distance of the caller was proved when a gentle feminine hand was shortly placed upon his shoulder.
'I know you will not approve of my venturing this far from the palace so soon after delivering our son, but our people grew anxious over your absence and could not hide their concern from me.'
Upon the Elvenking remaining frozen in a strange stillness, a shadow passed over Elwen's fair countenance. Gracefully circling around her husband's side she gazed down – only to exclaim in dismay at the sight of the silent tears that ran down Thranduil's pale cheeks like shimmering trickles of starlight.
'O my love! What has distressed you?'
Sorrow holding his voice captive, Thranduil could give no answer before he slowly leaned forward to rest his head against the softness of Elwen's breast as her arms closed about him in a tender embrace. His cheek pressed against her, Thranduil's tears became gasping sobs as the grief over the loss of his father was finally beyond his ability to control. That his father was not there to join the celebration over the birth of his first grandchild only increased his anguish.
Elwen, her heart rent by Thranduil's agonised spirit and weeping, closed her eyes and tightened her hold about his distraught form. Strangely, a feeling akin to relief was mingled with her pain upon witnessing the Elvenking's quiet lamentations – as the warm tears showed that the shackle that had long imprisoned her husband's emotions was finally shattered. And many hours later when she beheld her proud husband tenderly holding his small son in his arms and heard his clear beautiful voice sound out once again in song, Elwen smiled – for Thranduil's entire being now exuded a radiant happiness; the lingering traces of sorrow that had constantly shadowed him since the battle at Dagorlad now almost vanquished completely.
As the delighted gurgling of their child blended with the Elvenking's joyous singing Elwen sent a swift plea to Elbereth that her husband's spirit would never again be tainted with heavy grief.
Note: I hope you liked the first chapter. If you'd like to leave a review I'd love to hear from you - it's the only reward I'll receive for my labours! :) Also, here are the references for this chapter if you're interested.
REFERENCES
Thranduil being one of the Eldar & his eye colour
In The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 3 – Of The Coming of the Elves it explains: "Oromë loved the Quendi, and named them in their own tongue Eldar, the people of the stars; but that name was after borne only by those who followed him upon the westward road…the kindred of Ingwë, and the most part of the kindreds of Finwë and Elwë, were swayed by the words of their lords, and were willing to depart and follow Oromë: and these were known ever after as the Eldar."
In The History of Middle-Earth, Morgoth's Ring, Part 3 The Later Quenta Silmarillion, (I) The First Phase, Chapter 3 – Of the Coming of the Elves it specifically says that Olwé, brother to Elu Thingol and therefore one of the Sindar, had blue eyes. Therefore there is a canon basis for giving Thranduil blue eyes. :)
Dwarves of Erebor & The Realm of Thranduil
At the time of the main plot of this story (sometime around TA 1050) there are no dwarves at Erebor. In LOTR – Appendix B, The Tale of Years, The Third Age, it states: "1981 – Náin I slain. The Dwarves flee from Moria…. 1999 – Thráin I comes to Erebor and founds a dwarf-kingdom 'under the Mountain'." Although I think I can get away with thinking there may at one time have been a small colony of dwarves in the area as Tolkien seemed to be of two minds as to whether the dwarves helped with the making of the Elvenking's halls in Greenwood the Great.
In LOTR, The Two Towers, Book 3, Chapter 8 – The Road to Isengard, Gimli says to Legolas: "Do you think those halls are fair, where your King dwells under the hill in Mirkwood, and Dwarves helped in their making long ago?"
But in Unfinished Tales, Part Two: The Second Age, Chapter 4 – The History of Galadriel & Celeborn, Appendix B – The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves, it says: "…when a thousand years of the Third Age had passed and the Shadow fell upon Greenwood the Great, the Silvan Elves ruled by Thranduil 'retreated before it as it spread ever northward, until at last Thranduil established his realm in the north-east of the forest and delved there a fortress and great halls underground. Oropher was of Sindarin origin, and no doubt Thranduil his son was following the example of King Thingol long before in Doriath; though his halls were not to be compared with Menegroth. He had not the arts nor the wealth nor the aid of the Dwarves; and compared with the Elves of Doriath his Silvan folk were rude and rustic.'"
Perhaps the Dwarves started making the halls in Greenwood and then decided to migrate to another location so the Elves just did extension work! :) Anyway, for the purpose of this story I'll go with the idea that the halls of the Elvenking in the north were already in existence before the shadow came to the Greenwood.
The Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power & the Third Age: "But the Dominion of Men was preparing and all things were changing, until at last the Dark Lord arose in Mirkwood again. Now of old the name of that forest was Greenwood the Great, and its wide halls and aisles were the haunt of many beasts and of birds of bright song; and there was the realm of King Thranduil under the oak and the beech. But after many years, when well nigh a third of that age of the world had passed, a darkness crept slowly through the wood from the southward, and fear walked there in shadowy glades; fell beasts came hunting, and cruel and evil creatures laid there their snares. And the name of the forest was changed and Mirkwood it was called…and few dared to pass through, save only in the north where Thranduil's people still held the evil at bay. Whence it came few could tell, and it was long ere even the Wise could discover it."
"…the subjects of the king mostly lived and hunted in the open woods, and had houses or huts on the ground and in the branches. The beeches were their favourite trees. The king's cave was his palace…." Narrative in The Hobbit, 8 – Flies & Spiders
Conceiving and Naming of Elf Children
In Morgoth's Ring, Laws & Customs of the Eldar it says: "Yet it would seem to any of the Eldar a grievous thing if a wedded pair were sundered during the bearing of a child, or while the first years of its childhood lasted. For which reason the Eldar would beget children only in days of happiness and peace if they could….Soon after birth the child was named. It was the right of the father to devise this first name, and he it was that announced it…it was called, therefore, the father-name, and it stood first, if other names were afterwards added."
Elvenqueen is Sindarin
As Tolkien never gave us any information on her, his fans are welcome to assume what they like about her. I belong in the camp that believe she was of Sindarin origin, not Silvan. Unfinished Tales, Part Two: The Second Age, Chapter 4 – The History of Galadriel & Celeborn, Appendix B – The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves tells us that: "Oropher [and therefore his son Thranduil] had come among them [the Silvan folk] with only a handful of Sindar, and they soon merged with the Silvan Elves, adopting their language and taking names of Silvan form and style." In fact, there's no specific mention of any of that small group of Sindar marrying a Silvan elf, so in my story, Thranduil's wife Elwen was one of that handful of Sindar. Incidentally, before I even found out about a character named Elwen in the LOTR video game I thought I would be clever and make up Thranduil's wife's name by myself. I came up with the name Elwen from going through the list of Compound Sindarin Names on the website www. tolkiendil . com, where it was listed that "El" from Elrond, Elros, etc = star, and "gwen" as used to make the name Arwen = maiden.
The Sun
In case you wondered why I gave the sun a feminine pronoun, in LOTR, Book 1, Chapter 9 – At the Sign of the Prancing Pony Tolkien added a footnote to a poem where he referred to the sun as "She". He said that "Elves (and Hobbits) always refer to the Sun as She."
