Thranduil takes in an orphaned Elfling after Gandalf's numerous pleas. But is Thranduil taking her in out of pity or is it because she just might be linked to an Elven legend of power?
Star-Touched
Prologue_ Silver Stars
Gandalf had traveled far. He finally made it to the kingdom of Thranduil, Mirkwood, on the night of a full moon. Starlight and moonlight illuminated the area. Gandalf checked the small bundle in his arms; everything was all right. He climbed down from Shadowfax's back.
"What do you want here, wizard?" a guard wondered when Gandalf walked up to the gate.
"I am Gandalf the Grey," Gandalf stated calmly. "King Thranduil is expecting me."
"Follow me," the other guard told him and led the way inside through the gate.
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The guard led the wizard through the halls and to the throne. The guard bowed then took his leave with Thranduil's permission.
"Lord Thranduil." Gandalf bowed to the Elvenking and his son, Legolas. "Thank you for seeing me." He stood erect. The small bundle started to become fussy, then quieted again. Thranduil's attention was drawn to the baby that Gandalf had been carrying since he saved her from an Orc pack. The baby was an Elf and its parents had been slaughtered.
"I see you've brought the child, Mithrandir," Thranduil said.
"Yes, I have." Gandalf held the newborn close to his chest.
"I told you, I don't want the Elfling." Thranduil stood up from his throne. "And yet, you continue to insist upon me taking the Elfling in."
"Adar, why not take the child in?" Legolas asked.
Thranduil was quiet. He honestly didn't have a reason to take her in nor did he have a reason to not take her in. He didn't know what to do. He finally sighed. "Bring her to me, Mithrandir," Thranduil said.
Gandalf walked forward with his staff in one hand and the Elfling craddled in his other arm.
Thranduil took the Elfling in his arms. He held her close. The newborn looked up at him. "Her eyes are silver," Thranduil stated. "They shine as if they were stars." He ran a hand gently over her fuzzy head.
"There's an old tale that says Elves with eyes such as hers were able to read a being's very soul with a mere touch of their hand." Gandalf held onto his staff.
"Is that even possible?" Legolas wondered.
"We shall see when the child is older," Thranduil told his son. Gandalf smiled to himself. Thranduil was becoming attached to Elfling the more he held her.
"Does this mean you are taking the child as yours, Thranduil?" Gandalf asked.
Thranduil sighed. "Yes, Mithrandir." He looked at the Elfling when she touched his cheek and looked him in the eye. Thranduil was caught in the child's gaze. He couldn't look away.
"Adar, what's wrong?" Legolas saw his father stiffen when the child touched him.
"The Elfling is reading your father's soul this very moment, Legolas." Gandalf grinned.
To Be Continued...
