One way leads to diamonds: The tale of Thrandius

by FanOfRandomThings

Once a proud elven king, Thranduil did all he could to protect his people, and most of all, his son. When the end of the elves arrived, he was fully prepared to sail with Legolas. However, he did not expect a dwarf to be sailing with them as well. When it is realized that there is not enough room, Thranduil stays behind, however this decision changes him forever. Here is his story.

1. Introduction

So, Tolkien never actually said what happened to Thranduil. I've seen that some people assume he went to the undying lands, but Tolkien didn't explicitly say this, so this story plays off of that. I will be writing a line to a sonnet- Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley- at the beginning of each chapter. I will also try to come up with a song for each chapter.

The song for this chapter is Pilgrim by Enya. You can find it on Youtube.

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I met a traveler from an antique land
*****

"Come."

A simple word, and a shattered world.

"Come."

Again, the word that tears my well made plan into shreds that fly into the breeze as lights of red and green fly through the air, destroying what little was left of a twisting, shattering idea.

I turn both ways: watching, debating. Am I to follow the two people whom around my new life has revolved, or am I to save the last of a group both despicable and all that is left of my former life? My wife and (dare I say it?) my son are rapidly marching from this accursed academy. I must make my choice, or pay the price that is to come no matter what my choice may be.

They don't even turn back to see whether I'm following them. When did their level of respect fall so low?

I cast a final look at the remnants of a proud life crushed into ashes, and then I stumble after what I have called my family.

They are not my family. The last of my family died eons ago. Nothing can never replace what I have lost. I understand that now; but alas, to late.
How has it come to this? How has it come to this existence of fleeing for my life- for their lives? When did I ever flee? Never before did shame so burn in my chest. Yet as I cast a final look back at the academy, I know I have made the right decision. My first son abandoned me, and I promised myself that I would do better by this son. He, in fact, did not abandon me; and now I will not abandon him.

So say what you will, and I know many do behind closed doors, but I indeed have a heart. I do care. Many have looked up at me and wondered what exactly I care about, and many have decided I only care about one thing: myself.

They are wrong. I care about pride. Not only my own, but my family's. We are better than this. My family has always been better than this. It was, at least, until my son left me to become a friend of the exact scum I had spent his entire life warning him of.

He was a disgrace, and I knew this new son would be raised differently. What do I speak of? I speak of this eternal existence that humans call life. This is not life. Life comes to a close all around me, while I endure forever. I am strong, I am patient, one day I will again bring back the honor and glory that my family lost. I can wait.

It will happen. Someday things will be different again.

Someday things will be.

Someday.

One day.

I know.

I hope.

I wish.