OF THE DARKNESS WITHIN (Elronduil fanfiction)
Disclaimer: Please note that I don't own "Lord of the Rings" or "The Hobbit", they belong to J.R.R. Tolkien, neither do I own Peter Jackson's movies, which might be referenced as well. Sadly, I don't own anything apart from my insane imagination.
Warning tags: maleXmale - homosexual relationships (don't like don't read), past relationships, sexual tension, sexual innuendo, mild smut/sexual content (plot-relevant, no porn!), bisexuality (bisexual elves), mental instability, implied mental health issues, implied alcohol abuse, implied sexual harassment, implied self-harm, non-con elements, dom/sub undertones, emotional tension, emotional hurt, emotional baggage, mild fluff, moderate angst, darkness, feels - lots of feels, some swearing, fantastic racism, Sindarin/Elvish (translations provided), canon-compliant (but with non-canon relationships)
Era: 3rd Age, with flashbacks to 2nd Age
Overall rating: T+ (teen and up audiences)
Relationships (ch.1): Elrond/Thranduil - Elronduil (implied)
Characters (ch.1): Elrond, Thranduil, Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas
Summary (ch.1): Elrond receives a letter from Thranduil, which informs him of an ominous darkness invading Greenwood and warns of Orcish troops headed to Rivendell. Elrond responds by sending his twin sons as well as a generous amount of troops to Greenwood for aid.
CHAPTER 1 – danna lhaiss (falling leaves)
Lord Elrond of Imladris sat in his study, scanning a thick leatherbound volume with a frown on his face, when the letter arrived. He glanced up in surprise at the knock on the door, as he hadn't expected to receive any visitors or correspondence that late in the day.
"Hír vuin, a letter for you," the messenger informed him, as soon as Elrond had admitted him in. Seeing his Lordship looking at him questioningly he hastily added: "It's from King Thranduil of Eryn Galen." Furrowing his brows in thought, Elrond put the book he had been reading aside and took the letter in his long slim fingers, silently wondering. He opened the letter with a delicate silver paper knife and unfolded it, after dismissing the servant with a nod and a wave of his hand. Indeed, the letter was written in King Thranduil's slanted, intricate handwriting. It read:
Dear Lord Elrond of Imladris,
I reckon this correspondence might surprise you, but I seek to inform you of recent movements of enemy forces. Indeed, I am well aware that we do not entertain an alliance of any sort, thus you may regard this letter as merely a complaisant advice, a token of my benevolence. My men recently seized an Orcish patrol close to our borders. Interrogation of captured subjects have revealed that a vast amount of Orcish troops has received order to invade your lands. Whilst their ultimate motive for this futile campaign has eluded me, the enemies' current whereabouts my soldiers have successfully pried from them are known to be the caverns beneath Misty Mountains.
Although I hate to be the bearer of even graver news, it seems as if your supposedly wise friends might not know or admit that the Orcs are in fact not the only threat to elven refuges. Even as we speak, darkness descends upon the lush green forests of my realm, threatening to claim my lands. Unlike nightfall's soothing dark I sense this sinister darkness reeks of malice and evil tidings. Vile creatures far worse than Orcs have been spotted in-midst the heartlands of Greenwood, poisoning its growth and prosperity. Be warned, mellon, for I fear the worst is yet to come. As of now, the impending darkness appears to pose a threat to my kingdom alone. However, in near future I deem it possible that it will pursue you and your kin as well, thus you might perhaps agree on it being unwise to further ignore this issue.
With sincerest regards,
King Thranduil of Eryn Galen
With a troubled look Elrond put down the flower-scented scroll of paper, slightly shaking his head in disbelief. Not only had he not expected to hear from his old friend – indeed, they had been friends ages ago – ever again, he certainly had not presumed their first correspondence after centuries to be this... alarming.
Knowing Thranduil and his infamous pride, these written words were more than just dry pieces of information, obvious warnings to be aware of danger; they concealed a hidden plea for help. Otherwise the Woodland King wouldn't have made any effort to compose the letter himself, but would have entrusted one of his advisors with this idle task. He probably wouldn't have sent the letter at all, if he wasn't expecting at least some personal gain or perhaps an aid of some sort. Deeply worried by this revelation Elrond stood, pacing his study, pondering what would be the most sensible way to react.
"It seems as if your supposedly wise friends might not know or admit that the Orcs are in fact not the only threat to elven refuges."
Thranduil's pointed remark against the White Council did not come as a surprise to the leader of Imladris. Quite the contrary, Elrond had expected the snide remarks against the Council's decision to be much worse. Up to now the Council members had been assuming that the hostile entity commonly called 'the Necromancer', residing at the Amon Lanc and casting dark spells, identified as a corrupted human, most likely one of the Nazgûl. However, at the latest meeting of the White Council Mithrandir had warned them about an ominous darkness rising in the east, which might be connected to the threat arising from Dol Guldur. He had told them of his suspicion that the ancient evil spirit of Sauron had returned, merely disguising himself as 'the Necromancer', and was responsible for the dark sorcery tainting Eryn Galen. However, their leader Curunír had assured the White Council that these events only accounted for a local phenomenon, asserting that he had looked into the matter and deemed it unnecessary to intervene. Indeed Elrond had had his doubts as well, but then he did have faith in Curunír's wisdom and overall trusted the Council members' judgment. After all, they had always been reliable allies and had never given him any reason for distrust. Yet, after reading Thranduil's letter he could not help but wonder once more whether they had assessed the situation properly.
"Be warned, mellon, for I fear the worst is yet to come."
The Thranduil he knew had never been one to care for prophecies, had never bothered listening to predictions of any sort. Thranduil had always focused on the present, and, as of late, had become too preoccupied with his past to care about vague premonitions and their possible threats. And yet, here he was, speaking of a lurking darkness and expressing forebodings of a dark and dismal future, which was so unlike him. Had he changed this much or had some recent event altered his opinions? Or was this merely a way of getting to him, of achieving a means to an end? In the end it did not matter, Elrond told himself sternly, for he would respond to the unvoiced request for support nonetheless, and in a way the proud Woodland King would not be able to refuse his help.
"Elladan, Elrohir!" Elrond addressed his sons, whom he had called for the next morning.
"Yes, adar," the twins replied in unison.
"I have an important task for you," Elrond told them sternly. "You will travel to the land of the Greenwood, King Thranduil's realm, and aid him and his people in fighting Orcs and other evil creatures invading his lands."
"Finally a mission worthy of our talents", Elrohir replied enthusiastically, earning him a reproachful look of his father and an amused wink of his twin.
Elrond let out a quiet sigh before continuing: "Your mission is indeed of utmost importance, which is why a large troop of soldiers will accompany you at your command."
The surprised gazes of his sons were met by a grim look on their father's face.
"Be wary and watchful, for unknown dangers might await you in Mirkwood's deep dark forest."
Both nodded in earnest and Elladan, not failing to notice his father's worried expression, added in a sincere tone: "Do not fear for us, ada, we will be very cautious."
"Stay as long as you are needed", Elrond instructed them. "Do not allow yourselves to be sent away by any means. Also, be civil and behave yourselves", he reminded his mischievous sons.
"We will make sure you are proud of us, adar," Elrohir assured him, Elladan nodding in agreement. Watching his sons taking their leave Elrond had difficulties disguising the troubled look on his face. Had it been the right decision to send them on such a perilous journey?
"Erain vuin, it seems that Lord Elrond of Imladris has sent quite a generous amount of troops to your realm."
King Thranduil of Greenwood, adorned with the Autumn Crown of Leaves, sat on his throne, long legs elegantly crossed, furrowing his dark brows in response.
"I do not recall requesting any kind of assistance." He spoke quietly, still his cold and harsh voice could be heard in every corner of the throne room, echoing off the hollow walls of the Woodland King's giant underground halls.
"They have just arrived, your Highness, and are awaiting your orders," the guard replied, visibly shaking, as the king noted satisfied.
"Send them away, we are not in need of their help," the king replied haughtily, with the slightest hint of annoyance in his voice. He waved his hand, a simple gesture, yet unmistakably signalling that the conversation was over.
The soldier gaped at him, completely baffled, for had he not heard the king's words himself, he would not have believed them. As far as he was concerned, his homelands had never been in greater danger. The darkness looming over the realm and its people had already claimed the southern as well as most of the northeastern parts of the land. Trying to reclaim it they had already lost plenty of good soldiers to the creatures of Taur-nu-Fuin, as the Silvan people had begun to call those dark and dreary parts of the Woodland realm.
"Ah, but your Highness...", he stuttered, terribly afraid to object to the king's orders, for the Woodland King was quite infamous for punishing even the slightest disobedience.
"The two leaders of the Imladris troops still await your reception."
The king's icy glare made him fear the worst, so the partially sarcastic reply came as an utter surprise to him: "Lead them in. We do not want to give the famed Lord of the Last Homely House the impression that we do not know to execute his dear unwritten rules of hospitality."
With the guard gone to fetch the visitors the king allowed himself to smirk triumphantly. It all played out exactly as planned. His forces would be strengthened by the Imladris troops without his reputation being harmed and no one would ever dare to question his reign.
Languidly he watched a shapely figure being led into the throne room, a second one following in its wake. As the first of the two emerged out of the shadows he blinked in surprise. Could that be-? No, this was impossible, Thranduil immediately reproached himself, the Lord of Imladris certainly would not have come himself. Nevertheless, the tall and lean figure swiftly approaching his throne had instantly reminded the king of his former melethron.
However, upon second glance Thranduil could clearly spot the differences. First he noticed the different eye color of the stranger, a sparkling light gray as opposed to Elrond's solemn mithril ones. As Elladan stepped forth beside his brother Elrohir, Thranduil's gaze fell upon mahogany hair, slightly curly and a few shades lighter than that of their father. He observed a joyful sparkle in the first young elf's vivacious twilight eyes, and a look of silent admiration in that of his twin as their gazes swept the room.
Both knelt and inclined their heads, as they were being announced, but of course Thranduil had already realized who they were, long before hearing their names.
"Elrohir and Elladan of Imladris, sons of Lord Elrond of Imladris," the herald confirmed his suspicions.
"At your service, King Thranduil," the twins greeted him in unison.
"Why have you come here," Thranduil demanded to know in an arrogant tone, although he very well knew the answer.
"Our father, Lord Elrond, has received word of darkness and evil haunting the land of the Greenwood, thus he has sent us to your kingdom to offer you assistance", replied Elrohir, who Thranduil noted to be the bolder of the two brothers.
"My people are not dependent on anyone's pity, not even that of the famed Lord of Imladris," Thranduil remarked spitefully, closely watching the guarded expressions of the twins. "And why else would your father bother to intervene in case of a threat residing strictly within my realm?", Thranduil pried relentlessly.
"If evil forces continue to threaten your realm we will all be in grave danger", replied Elladan thoughtfully, who Thranduil deemed the shyer of the twins, "for if evil prevails, Imladris will be in peril too."
"Nae, we cannot let that happen," agreed his brother Elrohir, his voice brimming with confidence and determination.
"My brother and I have been instructed not to leave until we have completed our mission, which means we will stay as long as we are of any help to your people."
"Fine, I will accept your offer, as it seems that I will not be able to sway your decision," the king responded in a surprisingly calm, but nonetheless cold voice.
"Do as you were told, but remember that I do not deem your presence necessary, hence you will act independently of my troops."
Both elves nodded obediently, an expression of mild surprise still lingering on their faces.
"As the leaders of your own unit you will both be held responsible for all actions taken within the borders of my kingdom, be they helpful or harmful", Thranduil continued in a rather harsh voice.
"If anything happens, you will not have to answer to me, but to your father, who sent you here," he concluded and watched Elrond's sons nod their agreement, before sending for his servants to show them to their quarters.
Thranduil knew that by letting his own sons lead the Imladris troops Elrond had made sure Thranduil would not send them away. He had to acknowledge that was a very clever move, and quite an unexpected one as well. However, this did not threaten his plans in the least, only alter them a little. Still everything went according to plan, Thranduil mused, his reputation would remain unblemished. But then why did it feel so unsatisfactory? This was what he had wanted to happen, wasn't it?
Not a moment later he caught himself thinking, that if something was to happen to them... "It would be entirely their own fault", he cut himself off mid-thought. After all, he had told them that he refused to take any responsibility for their actions, convincing them that staying and fighting had been their decision alone.
"But if Elrond's sons do not return to Imladris it could cause a diplomatic hazard", whispered a tiny voice in his head. Thranduil considered this for a moment, before shaking his head violently in an attempt to get rid of his own guilty conscience.
"This is ridiculous! If anyone was to blame for the boys' doings it would be their father", Thranduil thought, angry at himself for having second thoughts.
"Legolas!", Thranduil exclaimed in a dissatisfied voice, as his son entered the throne hall.
"Yes, adar", replied the young Sinda with the long blond hair and the calm sea blue eyes.
"A delegation of Imladris soldiers arrived today. Tomorrow they will take the fight to the spider-infested parts of Eryn Galen, and you will accompany them on their first campaign", Thranduil told him and Legolas nodded dutifully.
"Keep a close look on their two leaders", Thranduil added in a lower voice, "and find out what they are up to, for they are the sons of Lord Elrond of Imladris."
"I will be watchful", Legolas assured him with a polite nod, before he marched off and left the King of Greenwood to his thoughts.
author's note:
Thanks a lot for reading, I hope you liked it! ^^
I duly appreciate all comments as well as constructive criticism!
Chapters 1-4 have been corrected and updated now!
Sindarin Translations:
Sindarin is the commonly spoken Elven tongue.
Imladris = Rivendell (Elrond's stronghold)
hír vuin = my Lord
Eryn Galen = Greenwood the Great
mellon = friend
adar, ada = father, dad
Mithrandir = Gandalf
Curunír = Saruman
erain vuin = my king
Taur-nu-Fuin = Mirkwood, 'Forest of Great Fear'
melethron = lover
nae, nai = alas!
Remarks on LOTR lore:
Thranduil is the Sinda King of the Woodland realm, his people, the Silvan, are commonly called the Woodland people.
The Silvan are the 'wood elves' or 'forest people', descendants of the Teleri and the Nandor.
The Sindar, also 'grey elves' or 'elves of the twilight' belong to the Teleri, one of the three Eldar (Elven) people. The Sindar are Moriquendi, elves of Telerin descent who never set foot in the Undying Lands (Sindar, Nandor).
The White Council or Council of the Wise was founded by Galadriel and led by Saruman, the latest meeting took place in 2851 TA. Apart from the three Istari (Saruman, Gandalf, Radagast) the Council consisted of Elrond, Galadriel and Círdan, with other Eldar lords such as Celeborn, Erestor or Glorfindel attending meetings sporadically.
The Amon Lanc or 'Bald Hill', is a hill in the southern parts of Eryn Galen, upon which a dark fortress was built; in later times the place became known as Dol Guldur.
Dol Guldur, the 'hill of sorcery', can be regarded the source of the shadow which fell upon Greenwood and turned it into Mirkwood. An evil presence known as Necromancer resides there, however, at present only Gandalf suspects that the evil spirit is Sauron in disguise.
The three wizards (Istari in Quenya), known as Saruman the White, Gandalf the Grey and Radagast the Brown, were Maiar, divine spirits who were clad in mortal bodies and sent to Middle-earth by the Gods.