This story is by two people known by Blythers and Kirux, we do not own anything besides our own characters. Anything from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is owned by J.R.R Tolkien and Peter Jackson.
Before Frodo Baggins destroyed the one ring to rule them all, and before Bilbo Baggins found the ring King Oropher and his wife had a son. The prince's name was Thranduil and he was to be king of the woodland realm after his father.
It was during the Battle of Dagorlad that Thranduil, son of Oropher King of the Woodland Realm found himself with the burdensome title of king after waking up from his grievous injuries. Armed now with only a heavy crown, burned skin, and a dead father Thranduil after learning of Sauron's defeat by the mortal hands of Isildur retreated back to his land and to his awaiting wife who now carried within her womb his heir.
A world away, the Valar watched with heavy hearts. The deaths of their people weighed as heavy as Thranduil's crown, if not more so. Surly, countless numbers of their people poured into the Hall of Mandos, their loss so great the Maiar were spread across Middle Earth in the attempt to subdue and aid in the wars. Thus the War of the Last Alliance was fought and won, at great cost.
With the war won and his son Legolas born Thranduil had finally decided to show his wife the true nature of his face, one withered away by the wrathful flames of the Great Serpents of the north. He was confident in the love they shared, strengthened by the birth of their son. But, sometimes, love is not enough. His wife now fearful and disgusted of his visage left him dismayed. Thranduil now felt that no one shall ever gaze upon his true face, ruined by the flames of wrath and ruin. Not even his son, for he could not bear to see the same horror reflected upon his child's face.
Unknown to Thranduil his guard, his childhood friend Iythrinel knew of his scars, she did not look upon them with disgust or fear, but with sadness, regret, and anger at herself. What kind of guard was she if she could not even protect her king. But the proof of her attempt was burned into her flesh, scars similar to his own. After seeing how Thranduil felt of his own scars due to his wife's horror Iythrinel saw fit to keep hidden her own.
No longer able to face the one she called her husband and king, Thranduil's wife left behind her family and journeyed to Aman, leaving Thranduil cold and closed, showing a cruel face to all but one; his Little Leaf. Only Legolas gazed at him with love and affection, with the exception of one other, to whom Thranduil was completely blind. Even after watching him be married off, watching his wife comfort him after the death of his father, Iythrinel stayed, guarding him as she always had, since their childhood. But with his blindness, Iythrinel had no one to guard her in kind. Many nights she awoke, screaming, gasping for air, lungs full of flame and smoke. Fear for not only herself, but for her King. Images replayed over and over, her being too late, Thranduil being lost to her forever. And every night, as she stumbled around her room, trying to regain composure, she was met with her reflection, the memory that would never fade.
With all of this Iythrinel found one comfort. This was in Thranduil's son, a bundle of joy and beauty. With love and pride that a mother feels for her own she watched him grow and swore to herself that she would never allow any kind of pain upon this child if she could help it. Never would he know dragon's fire, never would he know sorrow. Only love and happiness. It was through this child that Thranduil remembered that Legolas was not the only light in his life. And it all started with a braid.
Legolas, so enamoured by the female elf guard who often played with and watched over him had one day came up to his father with a request. "Ada, would you help me braid my hair like emel's?" Thranduil confused as to why Legolas would request him of something the child should not know questioned him.
"What ever do you mean child, your mother did not fancy braids in her hair." Legolas cutely pouted, melting Thranduil's heart a little.
"Emel, she has really pretty hair thats different from the others, it is long and curly and kind of red. she has a braid on the side of her head like this." and Legolas pulled up some of his hair in an attempt to show his father. A scowl brought dark eyebrows down over ice blue eyes, and Thranduil opened his mouth to question further, when Iythrinel walked into the room, knocking on the doorframe first. Looking up, realization entered his eyes. Red hair, the braid; Legolas meant his guard. It was proved even further when an excited Legolas bounced happily and pointed at the female.
Iythrinel upon hearing Legolas' excitement looked up to find his little finger pointed in her direction and further up ice cold blue eyes gazed upon her in recognition. For a moment, pride, and joy spread through her chest. She was honored to be called the mother of such a child. But, even pure thoughts sometimes turn sour, as Thranduil's eyes hardened and he looked back down at his son.
"Iythrinel is not your mother, Legolas. Never call her that again."
Iythrinel felt the deep pain in her heart at Thranduil's comment but continued on as Legolas looked at his father with confusion. "My apologies my king, If I had known I would not allow the prince to call me as such."
Legolas walked closer to his father placing small hands upon his knees "But father she treats me like the others mothers treat them, does that not make her my own?"
Not giving Thranduil time to comment Iythrinel knelt down to Legolas' height. "My prince, though I treat you as such I am not your mother, calling me so is disrespect against her and not something I or your father will allow. Have respect and love for the woman who birthed you and brought you into this world for without her I would not be given the honor of watching over you. Do you understand?"
A dejected Legolas looked down towards the floor, but nodded in understanding, trying his hardest not to sniffle. When Iythrinel looked back up towards Thranduil, he seemed satisfied, dipping his head to her. Feeling pain for the child as he held back tears, Iythrinel placed a hand upon Legolas' face. "Do not be sad, just because I will not allow you to call me your mother does not make my feelings anything less for you. Now go I do believe you have archery training yes?" At this Legolas perked off and nodded.
"I do! Good day Ada." Legolas bowed his head and scuttled out of the room.
"I will not tolerate this again, Iythrinel. You will do well to remember that."
She bowed her head, placing her hand over her heart, "Yes, my King." A few moments of silence, and then his voice filled the air again.
"I do feel better knowing someone watches over him when I cannot."
Iythrinel hid a small smile and without thinking let slide from her lips "He reminds me of a princess I once knew." Hearing her own voice say that and the silence that filled the room after she stiffened fear gripping her heart. Keeping her head down she rushed to apologize "My King I am so sorry, I did not mean to say that I." she was however interrupted by the slight sound of laughter being contained. Looking up in confusion her eyes widened in wonder at the sight of a smile on Thranduil's face. Something she had not seen unless in the presence of Legolas. It was genuine and bright, filling her heart with a sudden joy.
"It has been a while since I have seen such a smile on your face." She said, testing her limits
with her old friend.
Thranduil opened his eyes and looked upon her. "It has been a while since I have bothered to remember a dear friend and her ridiculous nickname for her king, Nel." Her heart beat rapidly, she felt so relieved hearing her nickname from his lips once more. His impressive eyebrows raised in amusement. "Legolas truly admires you, he was asking for his hair to be braided like your own."
Iythrinel lifted a hand touching her braid. "I feel honored. Truly but if you do not wish it to be."
Thranduil shook his head. "It is fine, just unexpected to hear that word fall from his lips." Iythrinel closed her eyes feeling peaceful and happy.
"It is good to finally talk to you like this again, Thran." Thranduil bows his head, memories of their childhood flitting in his mind.
"To you as well, Nel."