New story because I love to make people miserable.
Disclaimer: I do not own Lotr or Middle-earth or anything like that... and this might not be totally like lore stuff, but yeah... you'll know what I mean.
Legolas wandered the halls of his fathers kingdom placid, contempt with his life at the time. The forest was flourishing and the trade with Lake-town and the Lonely Mountain was going well. He reached the throne are where his father lounged on his throne, sipping on his wine.
He greeted his father with a smile and questioned, "have you drank all the wine on this summer day? Or have you salvaged some for you son?"
Thranduil chuckled and with a weave of his hand one of the servants appeared with a full glass of wine.
Legolas took it graciously as Thranduil smiled, "The kingdom is thriving more than ever. The forest is greener and new life is appearing."
Legolas took a sip of the fruity wine and watched with his father. Suddenly a maiden appeared with a look of delight as she curtsied and announced, "Lady Alanna is giving birth!"
Thranduil stood from his throne and graciously followed the maiden to a room where there was screaming sounding inside. Legolas as well followed but was quickly stopped by his father who said, "You have never experienced a birthing and I don't think you're quite ready until you find a women."
Sighing Legolas followed his father's command and stayed outside as King Thranduil entered, comforting the women who as recently lost her husband to an orc raid. Legolas was leading the group, by the time they heard the orcs it was too late, they came for all directions. They fought valiantly but many had injuries and there was three deaths, her husband was one of them. Legolas kept that in his mind, regretting that this child will have no father. His thoughts were broken by a gasping sound from inside.
"Alanna stop pushing! There's blood!" Legolas shot his head to the door; he wanted to go in and help but Thranduil appeared and he knew that it was to bad for even his father to be in the room.
Thranduil's eyes were full of worry and disaster. Legolas tried to ask his father what has happened, but Thranduil wouldn't say. Finally, after what seemed like hours a maiden appeared again, and Legolas could tell by the look that it was bad news.
"She'll be able to give birth, but she won't make it, the child will make her bleed to death." Thranduil sighed and brought his head down, but after some time he followed her inside where Alanna was paler, and seemed wearied.
Thranduil came to her side and held her hand, softly then he comforted her. "Just squeeze my hand to deal with the pain; we'll get you through this."
Alanna closed her pale blue eyes, a single tear journeyed down her rosy cheek before nodding. When the maidens said to push she did, squeezing King Thranduil's hand, his hand turning white. Before long they heard a cry and and maidens quickly cleaned the child as Alanna bleed heavily.
Handing her the baby they announced, "Congratulations, it's a girl."
Alanna cried as she clutched her child, looking into her oddly black eyes she smiled, "Elen, her name shall be Elen." She looked up to Thranduil her now sat by her and draped his long arm around her.
"Tis' a lovely name, she will be loved and cared for by a mother and father worthy of her."
"T-thank you my lord, it was an honor serving you." Thranduil bit through the pain, his eyes begin to form tears he gripped her hand again.
He spoke softly, "'Twas an honor knowing you lady Alanna."
She smiled and looked down upon her child, whispering to her she said, "You will be such a lovely child. I will see you and care for you. You will be loved desperately from everyone..." She trailed off, her face twisting in pain.
"Squeeze my hand." Thranduil choked on his words and she squeezed, harder and harder she squeezed before letting one last breath, "I love you... dear Elen."
Her hand then went limp and her head tilted to the side. The child didn't cry though, instead she looked at her mother oddly, her head tilted and eyes curious. Thranduil took the child and held her; she looked at him with curiosity, her big black eyes shining and her black fluff on the top of her head making weird movements. Thranduil smiled at the elfling and he brought her out of the bedchamber. Legolas stood straighter when the he heard the door open, his eyes went dark when he saw his father holding the small baby, right away he knew what happened.
"Who's going to take the child in?" Legolas asked his father.
Thranduil didn't look up, he kept his eyes on Elen and mumbled, "I don't know." Legolas came forward to see the child, his eyes widened at the sight; pale face, no rosy cheeks, black eyes and hair, Legolas thought the child looked like the walking dead.
"I need you to get Lady Alanna prepared for burial," Thranduil now looked up at Legolas, and Legolas was amazed to see the puffy red eyes of his father. "She deserves a warrior's burial." Legolas nodded before going to get the Master of Dead.
Thranduil shuffled down the hallway, keeping his eyes on the soft child, when he noticed a healer approaching he asked, "Do you know of any women able to breastfeed the child? Lady Alanna died giving birth to her." The healer's face dropped and at the news and shook her head.
"I am sorry my lord, this child was born much later than the other elflings, the mothers have run out of breast milk, or it went dry." Thranduil dropped his shoulders to a slouch and his heart followed downwards.
"However, we have been working on trying to get cow milk suitable for elflings, we think we almost have it." The healer added, her voice higher in hope. Thranduil exhaled and straightened out his kingly position before giving the orders.
"Make absolutely sure that this child will get the same nutrients as the others, and that they'll have no drawbacks before giving it to Elen."
The women bowed and hurried off to the healing center. Thranduil continued to care for the child as word got around of the death and birth; then as customary they bowed to the child to show respect of the dead and the living relative. When night came the healers took Elen for the night to be sure she was healthy; Thranduil retired to his own bed and changed into his night wear, climbing into bed he let sleep take him on that lament day.
When Thranduil woke the next morning everyone in the kingdom had heard the news and began the mourning tradition, as did Thranduil. His personal servants came with his black robe and jerkin. Fitting it on him he examined himself in the mirror; it was traditional for the day after death to be mourning of the people who died, wearing all black as it was a gloomy day, non did work, only prayed to Mandos and Nienna for a good life in the Halls of Mandos. Thranduil took Elen and stayed with her the whole day, giving her comfort while people prayed and paid their respects to her mother. Thranduil saw Legolas, his black silk trousers and shirt with his neatly combed hair. Legolas nodded to his father but with no smile on his lips, or glee in his eyes; as he stood the healer that Thranduil spoke with yesterday came with a closed bottle of white liquid.
"My lord," She bowed her head. "We worked all night, but we have the milk for her."
Thranduil gave a small grin in relief and brought Elen over to her, she opened the bottle and began to give it to Elen. She drank it happily and when the healer pulled the bottle away Elen giggled. It was odd to both of them; elflings follow their parents actions often and easily, when they are happy and in a good mood so are the elflings, but on a day like a mourning day, when the parents and other adults are sad and mourning, so are the children, even if they don't know what's going on.
"Strange that she would laugh?" Thranduil thought aloud, his brow furrowing.
"Perhaps it's a sign, a sign that she'll bring joy and peace to us." The healer compromised, looking to her king in hope.
He trusted her and smiled at the young women before hearing Elen give small hiccups. Lifting her to his shoulder he began patting her back, humming the same lullaby he used to sing for Legolas.
As he did this though, Legolas was staring at his father with utter shock; when Thranduil noticed he seemed to know what the reason was. "What? You thought your mother was the only one who cared for you when you were a baby?"
"Well... yeah, I mean, I thought you were busy being king and all that." Legolas countered, shifting his feet.
Thranduil chuckled and shook his head, "I always had time for you, I remember my counsel men would get furious when I would suddenly leave because you wanted me to come outside into the forest with you."
Legolas blushed at the sudden memories, him pulling on his father's robe and begging him to come outside. There was a burp and Legolas laughed as Elen made another little burp before yawning and laying her head down on Thranduil's shoulder. Thranduil smiled at the precious elfling. He then went back to his throne and held her, fixing her black blanket he sang a softly to her as she fell asleep on his lap.
Meanwhile; Legolas has gone to pay his respects to lady Alanna; reaching the prayer chapel there was some people, sitting on their knees with their hands together and their head bowed as they prayed. Slowly he walked to the center of the chamber of the round room, on the stone table was Alanna, her dress pure white and looking at peace. The sun shun right on the the table, lighting her up as if she was a Vala. Legolas approached the table and bowed low, staying there as he said the prayer of being at rest. Then rising, he closed his eyes, to heart broken to look at her.
"I could have saved him," He blamed. "You could have been saved and Elen would have her mother and father."
He let his head hang shamefully as a voice sounded from his right, "You're blaming yourself again." Legolas turned and saw Tauriel.
Her black low cut feathered dress draping as she glided to the table and laid a hand on him, but he only recoiled. "It is my fault though. If I was only more observant-"
"We have been at peace for so long; no one was expecting an orc raid!"
Legolas kept avoiding eye contact with her, but he replied in anger. "You don't understand! You weren't there, you're too young with little experience as a guard!"
Tauriel was very offended by this, she was older than some and was one of the best guards of Greenwood the Great despite never being in serious action. "I'll have you know that your father is thinking about having me be the new captain of Greenwood the Great! Now I'm trying to help you because you're my friend, do not place the blame on yourself. Look now at Elen, make it your duty now to protect her and keep her happy, do that to make it up to him."
Legolas nodded, giving a small smile to her, as if to apologize. Tauriel returned the smile to accept the apology and paid her respect to Alanna, doing the same thing Legolas did. When that was done they took a place next to each other in the praying area, the circular area surrounding the table where sessions would normally take place. Getting on their knees they each prayed to the Valar like Mandos and Nienna.
When the day started to end everyone got ready for the ceremony, dressing in all white now they went out to the burial clearing where they will celebrate Alanna's life. Letting their mourning pass to and now letting happiness to a good life and a special new life coming. Thranduil went to his bed-chamber, still carrying Elen, where the personal servants were waiting patiently with his ceremonial outfit. Putting on his snow white jerkin with his equal white robe with a wolf pelt lining the top. Combing his hair and placing his crown on top of his head he strutted out to the party, but not before getting Elen from a servant who made a white dress for her with a matching fox pelt scarf like hemming on the top that draped around her. She smiled her toothless smile at him, he smiled back and carried her out to the clearing where everyone was already having a merry time.
Elves played their instruments as many danced while others chatted and drank with glee. When Thranduil entered the women curtsied and the men bowed, but some lifted their glasses to him in honor. He went to his throne, wooden chair with wolf seating and another that draped the back with two large antlers on the back, though not as big as the ones in his original throne. When Legolas entered with his white silk shirt and pants with a mithril belt to match his father's; all again bowed and curtsied and raised their glasses, but some girls were swooning over him.
He approached his father and bowed to him, then said merrily, "We got a good supply of wine from Lake-town, and in return they returned safely with wood, but the Dwarves have not arrived yet with the jewels, and they still haven't come with last months, but they are still demanding our fruit and wood." Thranduil gave a troubled look and decided he'll need to pay a visit to Erebor.
Then hearing Elen giggle it reminded him of what he needed to do. "Legolas, I need you to ask around, we need to find Elen a family and I want to make sure they are suitable for her."
Legolas nodded but his eyes shined of a question, summoning up the courage he asked, "Can we not take her in?"
Thranduil smiled and chuckled before shaking his head. "No Legolas we have the rules, they have to be of our blood, royal blood, in order for us to have a new child." Legolas slouched in defeat but complied and went off to ask around.
Thranduil now saw Tauriel approach, her white feathered dress again trailing behind.
Curtseying to Thranduil he laughed, "I didn't even know you had nice dresses."
Tauriel laughed with him and replied, "I only have nice dresses for mourning days, that is it, the rest is traveling clothes and guard wear and old dresses."
Thranduil laughed and nodded in agreement before dropping his mile, voice turning cold. "Tauriel, if you want to be captain of the Greenwood the Great guard then you must be sure that you are focused on your work, you won't have much time for relaxing, I just want you to realize that." Tauriel looked off, staring into the big fire she was in her thoughts.
Finally she straightened her back and looked at her king with determination. "Yes my lord I know, and I am willing to do that for my people, I want to show them that even women can be great leaders." Thranduil smiled at her like she was his own, he has looked after her ever since orcs sneaked in and killed her parents, he loved that she wanted to help and saw her potential as a captain.
Legolas sooned return and wore a heart warming smile as he stated, "Randur and Seltariel, heads of the stables, have been trying for a child for quite some time. They care for the fouls like their own and already have a nursery, I believe they are quite suitable."
Thranduil smiled looked down upon Elen who was playing with Thranduil's wolf head. He nodded and replied, "Good, they shall be happy to finally have a child." Suddenly the music stopped and they started playing a different song, very fast pace and up-beat.
"Legolas this is your song," Thranduil laughed, looking down at his son. "Don't you remember? You practiced for years on this dance to perfect it." Legolas grinned at the memories and blushed at the embarrassment.
He looked at the people beginning to find a partner, but refused, "I have not practiced in a very long time, I will not be dancing."
Tauriel smiled evilly, she yearned to see him dance, she looked at Thranduil with a questioning look. Thranduil nodded and Tauriel smiled from ear to ear. Then walking up to Legolas, she then pushed him into the fray, right into Amatril, the best dancer known in the east. Legolas glared daggers at Tauriel before looking back at Amatril. They stopped according to the music and bowed to each other, accepting each others as partners.
When Legolas held her hand and right above her hip he whispered, "I apologize if I am not the best partner, I have not practiced this dance in quite some time."
She giggled and sympathized, "No worries, I have danced with worse."
Legolas laughed and they started the dance, changing directions here and there, shuffling their feet. Legolas was surprised that he remembered the movements, and he even remembered the flare. He used them, lifting her up and turning her, spinning her around. She added her flare as well, and soon everyone has made a circle around them, admiring the moves they were doing, sliding and spinning. Legolas was having a good time, he missed dancing from all his prince duties interrupting him. As the song was reaching its climax he was lifting her up into the air, she did a back flip before landing with one foot on on his hand he pushed her up again before cradling her and then holding her hands he spun her. Spinning her around the audience and then over his back she broke away and squared up. Running to her, he jumped and she pushed him higher. Then doing two backflips he landed on his hands; staying in his handstand she then ran and jumped, diving into his feet she stayed in that handstand before flipping them both. He twisted faster than her and gripped onto her hands, spinning them again they landed on the other sides of the circle. Then they countered towards each other, as if fighting. When they reached each other they danced again, countering and all. Finally the song ended, and they ended with her tilted and him leaning over her, holding her up.
"A true natural." Thranduil admired to his son, Tauriel was utterly amazed, her jaw open and eyes wide. Legolas helped Amatril up and bowed to her as she curtsied, everyone cheered and clapped, then they went back into dancing.
"You don't give yourself enough credit m'lord." She commented following him out of the way of others.
"I didn't know I still knew how to do that dance." He gasped before looking over where the drink were and saw Nimshaki googling over Amatril, Legolas smiled at the sight. Nimshaki was a good guard and has have eyes for Amatril for quite some time.
"If you look over by the drink you will find Nimshaki; he's a good guard, an even better lute player, and I here he is quite the amazing singer. He's also has eyes for you, maybe you can teach each other some dancing and singing." Amatril looked over at Nimshaki, her blue eyes viewing his brown chocolate eyes and his blonde longish hair matching her white, curly hair that went almost to the ground.
"He is quite handsome..." She side smirked and Legolas nodded to her when she looked towards him.
Thranduil played with Elen while he saw Legolas walk off to most likely enjoy the party. He then saw that the moon was almost reaching it's peak and called to Tauriel, "Get Alanna ready for the ceremony."
Tauriel bowed and went off to get ready. He looked back at Elen and smiled to her, she giggled and lifted her hands to him, he played with them, making her laugh even more. By then Legolas has come back and cleared his throat to get his father's attention.
Thranduil looked up to him and he spoke, "Everything is ready." Thranduil looked and saw that the moon has reached it's peak, he then nodded to Legolas who motioned to one of the guards, the guard then blew on the horn, everyone stopped and now cleared the way as Tauriel led the way with Alanna being carried by the guards on a carrier. Thranduil got up and went to the stone table much like one in the chapel. Approaching the table they laid Alanna down.
Thranduil then paid spoke loud so all can here, "Alanna passed in an unfortunate state of giving birth to her first child. We shall honor her for her valent bravery of letting this child live when she knew she would die. Let us now give her the highest passing of letting her be one of the light." Thranduil then paid his last respects to her before grabbing the torch and lighting Alanna. The fire burned orange and red at first, but then suddenly the bursted to pure white as Alanna ascended to the halls of Mandos and up into the stars. They all bowed as she burned before Legolas heard Nimshaki start the lament, his base singing provided the support as the other higher range men joined and the women sang with their higher register. When the fire was burned Alanna was gone and the sun was started to come up the horizon. They all broke away, Thranduil leading them back into kingdom and all went back to work, letting Alanna pass into memory.
Thranduil went to his chamber and bathed, soaking in the warm water; when his muscles were relaxed and he was clean the servants combed his hair and got fresh clothes for him. When he was dressed and feeling new he made his way to the healer ward. He went to the room the healer who helped Elen greatly was resting and keeping her.
He knocked on the door but received no answer, confused he pushed on the door to a crack, but quickly saw blood on the floor. Slamming the door open and saw a horrid sight. Elen on the floor giggling while she was covered in blood, then the healer choking on her blood, a sort of diseased hole on her chest where her heart is. collapsing next to her he got a rag and pressed it on the wound; then calling for healers he tried to keep her alive, but she coughed and choked before stopping, her body going limp and blood trickling down her mouth freely. Thranduil was mortified, getting back he covered his mouth with the back of his hand. The healers rushed in with guards behind them, at the sight some screamed and backed away.
Others though felt the cold body of the healer and asked, "What happened?" Thranduil shook his head and blinked, unable to speak.
Then something unbelievable happened. The gaping hole in her chest started to spread, eating away at her skin and organs. Thranduil pulled the other healers away as it spread, when it was done all that was left was her skeleton, everyone was speechless and all was silent, but it was broken when Elen giggled again. Thranduil went to her, picking her up he looked broken into her bloodied face.
"Was it an assassin?" One of the healers questioned, Thranduil sighed, he knows that his people will want answers but he doesn't even know.
"Maybe, or it could have been a necromancer with dark powers. Guards I want you to check every room in the kingdom! Make sure everyone is alright and counted for, then close the gates... she'll get a healer passing." The healers covered the body before some others led Thranduil to the bathroom where they cleaned Elen of the blood. Cleaning her and getting her knew blankets and clothes they made for her they all said their goodbyes, telling her to visit soon and giving her blessings.
Thranduil led her to the stables inside the kingdom, they kept the horses inside but a clearing right outside for training and roaming and grazing. Reaching the door he knocked three times, footsteps approached the door and it swung open to reveal an ellon, red wavy hair, and brown eyes.
"K-king Thranduil," he stuttered as he bowed low. "I'm sorry, it's just unexpected to see you here. Do you seek your elk, I can get him ready in just five minutes-"
"Oh no it's fine," Thranduil interrupted. "I actually want to talk with you and your wife Seltariel. May I come in?" Randur blinked in surprise moment before nodding and opening the door wider for him to step inside. Thranduil admired the simple house, riding equipment on one side of the room that shares the dining room and kitchen. He saw stairs that he only assumed led to the bedrooms. He took seat as Seltariel came down from the stairs and was taken back at the sight, but she curtsied and asked.
"King Thranduil, what a pleasant surprise. I apologize for my appearance and the state of our home, if we'd known you were visiting I would have cleaned up-"
Thranduil laughed and waved his hand. "It's alright Layd Seltariel, I know this is unexpected of me but I must speak with you about the child, Elen." Their faces turned to concern and confusion and they took a seat by him. "As you are aware her mother and father has died and we need willing parents to take her in. And as my son has told me, you two have been trying for a child for quite some time and even have the nursery set up."
They seemed taken back by where this was going, and Randur even spoke up. "My lord, as we do deeply appreciate the offer, I do not think we are... adequately experienced enough to accept the child we know you have cared for deeply." Thranduil seemed taken back by the decline, but he was determined to change their minds.
"May I see the nursery you have made?" He asked and they complied, leading him up the stairs and to the left. Seltariel opened the door and he walked in, seeing the crib and the dolls and stuff horses placed a smile on his face as it reminded him of Legolas' nursery.
"It's lovely." Thranduil admired as they came in, eyes filled with despair. Thranduil turned to them and showed Elen cradled in his arms, wrapped in a pink blanket. The two gasped at the sight and Seltariel even stepped forward to get a better look at the child who stared curiously at her. Seltariel chuckled and softly grabbed Elen's hand; she smiled and that caused Elen to laugh more. Seltariel looked back at her husband, he smiled and came forward, adoring over the small child.
"Hold her." Thranduil told, Seltariel was hesitant, but she did pick up the child, placing her in her arms while keeping her head elevated. Randur placed a hand on the back of her head, right then the two fell in love with Elen.
They smiled happily as they looked up at their king, Randur nodded and agreed, "We will be honored to accept her m'lord."
Thranduil sighed in relief and went to exit, but not before saying his last goodbyes to Elen, kissing the top of her head and wishing her a healthy life. He left the house, now wandering around his kingdom he kept Elen in his mind. He felt pang of sadness leaving her, but he knew that the people will take care of her like their own.
w0w, it's like all this death is associated... with the title.
I'm so smart.