Disclaimer: see chapter 1

The Life & Times of Greenwood the Great

Part I: A Nation is Formed

To Be a King

c. 750 SA - Lindon

High King Gil-galad smiled as he looked at the couple in front of him. "We wish them well," he spoke loudly, "as they undertake a new adventure being bonded together." Elves cheered all around while Thranduil and Oiolairë beamed at each other. Having married according to what they had decided, they were now gathered to celebrate their marriage before they left Lindon for good.

Idhrenion, Suiadan, Daugion, Tawarthion, and Arphenion had joined them closer in Lindon to discuss the new details of a would be kingdom. So far, they had not had a chance to meet, what with the marriage celebration and a more private feast with Gil-galad and Elrond and the five Silvans to celebrate the new nation that would form. It was also a chance for the Silvans to meet Oiolairë, who would be their Queen, and they found her very agreeable indeed.

My Love, I think they are trying to make us fat. Oiolairë commented at the amount of food set before them.

Ah well, we shall not be fat… not until we have feast after feast in our own kingdom.

You are not serious.

You doubt me, good Lady.

(sigh)… what entrances you in such things?

He looked at her and raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkled. The wine, he teased.

Oiolairë inwardly sighed. I knew not what I was getting into.

I tease, he said, but you would be surprised what a good feast can do for the moral of soldiers and citizens alike. At least, in my limited experience. These Lindon Elves do not appreciate feasts like I do, but the Silvans have assured me they do.

Great.

You will enjoy them before this is over. Thranduil said, smiling mischievously. Oiolairë laughed at his face and then shoved a strawberry in his mouth.

"We will see." She said.

It was a little later that Gil-galad took the crowd's attention again. "My friends," he said. "today is not just a marriage celebration, but the celebration of the birth of a new nation. Our friends," Gil-galad motioned to the Silvan Elves sitting near Thranduil and Oiolairë, "have announced that they will form their own nation." He allowed the Elves to cheer for their kin for a minute. "Unfortunately for me," Gil-galad continued, "they have decided that their leader will be none other than Thranduil himself. He has agreed, and now I must lose one of my generals, but others will gain a good leader. I wish them good fortune over their new venture, and I hope you do the same." He sat then, and there was stunned silence for a minute, before the Elves cheered again. Thranduil's face sobered slightly, and it became emotionless quickly, but his eyes turned to his wife. She smiled and grasped his hand while the Silvan Elves beamed at him. He returned their smile before standing.

"I do not take this lightly, but I have agreed, they have convinced me I am the only one they will accept. I will not disappear overnight, we have a long way to go to plan this venture. I think we will learn quickly that kingdoms do not rise in a matter of hours or days- or even weeks. I am sad to part from you, but this is where I am led, and I am joyous to have a new people to call my own." He sat while the Elves cheered again, this time the dance broke out. Tawarthion grinned at him.

"At least we know you have eloquent speech, whether or not you mean what you say we will still have to judge."

"Ask my troops," Thranduil said, "I am sure you will find out quickly." His eyes had a mischievous glint to them again and Tawarthion laughed.

"I believe we shall become very good friends before this is over- or very near enemies." He added, laughing once more. Thranduil then smiled as well. Perhaps I do belong with them.

A huge map was unfurled like a bedsheet and placed on the table. Arphenion placed weights on all four corners and the five Silvan Elves and Thranduil all leaned over it. Suiadan sighed as he looked over the great expanse of all of Ennor.

"Tis not impossible," Idhrendion said, correctly reading his friend's face.

"Impossible?" Tawarthion cried, "No, of course not! Tis only as hard as reaching the moon!"

"No," Daugion said. They all looked at him. He gestured to the map, "there are easily places to mark off the map. All of Lindon, Eregion, lothlórien, Gondor to the South, all of those are out of our reach. This area does not look suitable either," he said pointing to almost the entirety of the South.

"That leaves the East and this area slightly to the South of us." Thranduil said, eyes roving over the map.

"The only thing that stands out there is that forest," Arphenion said.

"I agree," Idhrenion said, "I have been there in my wanderings, and there are Men who live there, and I think that land is for them. We do not belong there."

"That leaves the Misty Mountains, Anduin, and the forest to the East… It also looks like some hills and mountains may be there as well."

"So…" Suiadan commented, "two forests, a river, and some mountains."

"Thank you for that rather obvious statement." Tawarthion said sarcastically.

"I think we can eliminate the river," Arphenion said. "We cannot just live on the edge of a river, at least, I do not think we can."

"No," Thranduil said, "Completely open to attack. We would be backed into the river if war was declared on us." They all looked at him and blinked. He smiled. "I was a General." They all nodded slowly.

"What of the Mountains then?" Thranduil appeared deep in thought. The others discussed the possible advantages and disadvantages.

"Our people would be spread apart…" Idhrenion said. "We might be bigger than just one valley."

"It is also bordering on Eregion." Daugion pointed out. "It actually is their border, I do not know what forming a nation so close to theirs would say, but it might make us look either weak or like we are trying to be intimidating." They all looked to Thranduil, who they realized had remained quiet.

He stayed quiet for a minute. "It does not feel right…" He finally said. "It is rather close to Eregion, and though that might prove advantageous to have such a close ally… I do not know, it just… does not sit well with me."

"That leaves just the two forests." Suiadan said. No one spoke.

"We shall visit both." Thranduil said. "One of them will be our home." A sense of reality finally settled in. They were finding a home.

Fanghorn… It was the name that ran through all of their minds. They rode slowly through the forest, taking in their surroundings.

"The trees are certainly alive here," Idhrenion commented.

"Not trees," Thranduil said, "Onodrim."

"You know of the Onodrim?" Daugion asked, curious to know how this Sindarin came to know of such a thing.

"I am not an ignorant fool," Thranduil said. "I have been in Ennor for quite a while- actually, my whole life. I learned a lot when my troop was put with your kin, including most of your tales. I believe it was one named Melimion who told me the most."

Tawarthion started laughing. "I believe he never stops talking."

"It is too bad he is so lovable…" Suiadan muttered.

Thranduil smiled. "Indeed," he looked around, "but this forest is very sad because of its shepherds' sorrow. Can Elves live in such sorrow?"

Arphenion reigned in his horse, closing his eyes to feel the song of the forest. "Perhaps… but first I will see these woods to the East."

"I agree," Idhrenion said.

"As do I," Daugion agreed.

"I as well," Suiadan said.

"I suppose I agree then as well." Tawarthion muttered. Thranduil looked at him, one eyebrow raised.

"I am going to have issues with you…" Thranduil said under his breath. The other Elves laughed, but Tawarthion looked sobered. Then Thranduil laughed and urged his horse forward, breaking out into a gallop. "I will get there first, however," he said, his horse surging forward. Tawarthion laughed and followed him, his horse breaking out. The other Elves all grinned at each other, and then urged their horses into a gallop as well.

"Mountains, rivers, trees, it has most everything…" Arphenion said as they rode. They had ridden through the forest for three days, seeing if this could be their home. At the beginning before they even left Lindon, Thranduil had asked them which one of them was best at drawing.

"I am Sir," Tawarthion said. Thranduil looked at him and sighed.

"Of course you are." He muttered. "Get him paper and ink, he will be mapping what might be our new home."

"Already issuing orders…" Tawarthion had muttered back. Thranduil had walked past him then.

"I never stopped." He said

Daugion had smiled then. "That's my type of General…" Tawarthion only pouted before being handed a stack of paper and ink. So it was that now as they rode he was carefully marking out the landscape, mapping the forest as they came upon it.

Idhrenion looked at his drawing as he rode past. "Is that a tree or a snake? It looks more like a snake…"

"You try drawing while riding a horse." He bit back. Idhrenion raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Forgive me, I did not know you would be so testy." He laughed at the glare Tawarthion gave him and rode in front of him. Thranduil had stopped, cocking his head and listening.

"There is another river nearby…" He said. He turned his horse in the new direction and led them forward. Sure enough, there was a rocky overhang with a swift river flowing beneath it in front of them.

"Can we get to the other side?" Suiadan asked.

"I do not know." Thranduil replied. He urged his horse to follow the river and the others followed. "Here," he said. The river widened slightly and made a shallow where they crossed, leading their horses carefully to make sure a hoof did not slip on a rock. They went up the bank on the other side.

"This would make a good place for a ferry." Arphenion said.

"Indeed," Idhrenion agreed. They went up a sloping hill and then turned back toward where they had seen the overhang. Then they suddenly stopped.

"It was a cave." Suiadan said, breathless at the sight in front of him. The trees lined in a natural pathway, leading to the entrance of a cave from seemingly out of nowhere. There was a raging river before the cave, over which a thin but sturdy path ran into the cave. Tawarthion was the first to move, and he dismounted and led his horse on foot. Following his example, the others were close behind.

"It is a natural entryway." Daugion said. The others nodding. Thranduil's eyes traced the landscape, seeing how far it could be assumed the caves went, as well as how deep.

"We will have to go inside to see how deep it goes." Suiadan said. Thranduil picked up a dead branch from the ground and he lit it to make a torch. The others followed suit and then they entered the cave. It was huge to say nothing else, and it appeared deserted and unused. They explored as much as they could, occasionally making comments like: "This could be the kitchens," or "Look! There's an underground stream!" or "Hey, you think this could be a bathroom?"

Finally, they returned to the entrance where they saw their horses were grazing contentedly. Thranduil turned and again looked at the cave. This wide area, and the chamber right behind it… could… could make an entrance hall and throne room. This cave… could be the Palace. The others were looking outside the cave, talking about the trees in the area.

"They are just so green." Tawarthion said, which made Daugion roll his eyes.

"Thank you, we could not tell."

Green… Thranduil thought. He turned and looked at the wood. It was rather green wood. Greenwood… "Greenwood…" He whispered, something clicking in his mind. The rest of the Elves looked at him, surprise or astonishment on their faces, and then careful thought.

"This would make a good fortress." Idhrenion said softly, looking at the cave once more.

"Our back is protected by the river… not to mention the rather small hope anyone would have to be able to find it… The trees hide it well, not to mention the fact that it is indeed a cave." Daugion said slowly.

"We could build everything to blend in with the wood, friend and enemy alike would stumble upon it without realizing it." Tawarthion said.

Thranduil was quiet, his hand resting on the wall of the cave. They all looked to him. "We shall rest here tonight." He said softly. "However, I think this is the best option we have seen so far, unless we stumble across something better."

"How?" Tawarthion asked. "No place is going to be as great as this place."

"Great…" Arphenion suddenly said in a low voice. "That's what is missing… Greenwood the Great." No one spoke, but somehow all of their hearts felt a little lighter.

"Greenwood the Great…" Thranduil finally repeated. He walked slowly out into the woods, the rest of them following. The horses looked at them curiously, but seemed to realize they were not going far and returned to their grazing. Thranduil bent down and picked up a small vine that had disconnected from its roots. It was still green, but it was just a vine now. Everyone watched as he stared at it, everyone except Tawarthion. He was bending over something else. The five others, Thranduil included, sank to the forest floor, sitting in a circle, some against a tree, others simply cross-legged.

Tawarthion then came over and picked up the vine Thranduil had placed back on the ground. He then left them again, but he was strange anyway so they let him be. Thranduil stood as the sun descended. "I will make sure our horses are settled." He said. He did not have to walk far, they were still rather close by, but he sang to them softly and they joined him. He sang even softer then and the horses seemed to nod to indicate they understood they would be spending the night here. Tawarthion returned to the four Silvans. Arphenion raised an eyebrow at what he now carried, but Tawarthion simply shrugged.

Suddenly there was the sound of a twig snapping and everyone turned, Thranduil unsheathing his sword. The others stood still, waiting. Then Thranduil relaxed as he saw what was coming. He sheathed his sword and the others watched as he held out a hand, singing softly once more.

They stared as the creature stepped out of the woods, slowly approaching Thranduil. He was smiling gently, as the Elk stared at him, standing tall before the Elf. Elf and Elk stared at each other, both seeing what the other would do, while the Elf continued to sing. The Elk stepped closer, they were now inches apart, staring down at Thranduil who did nothing but sing. Suddenly, the Elk lowered its head, touching its nose to the ground.

Tawarthion approached them both slowly, the other four deciding to follow behind him. The Elk had raised its head to nuzzle Thranduil's hand, as he smiled. Tawarthion then spoke softly.

"He knows you will be our King." He said softly. The wind carried a soft breeze that caressed their faces and filled the void that had been left when the future King had stopped singing. Tawarthion stepped closer to Thranduil who was simply staring at him, face impassive once more. "Aran nin," he said softly. He raised his hands, which Thranduil now saw held a crown weaved of the vine and autumn leaves he had seen. Thranduil bowed his head at the emotion and Tawarthion placed the crown on his head.

"You will be our King," he said softly, "King of Greenwood the Great." Thranduil raised his head to see all four Silvan Elves behind Tawarthion kneeling, before Tawarthion kneeled as well.

"Hannon le," he said softly, the Elk nudging his hand once more.

They rode back to Lindon as they could, they had mapped out the area where they planned to have the Palace more extensively before they left, staying there three days. "Show no one the extensive maps," Thranduil said, "not yet."

"Why?" Suiadan asked.

Arphenion beat Thranduil to it this one time. "You fool, you do not question him if he gives an order like that." Thranduil looked at him before looking ahead of them again.

"Wise," he said, "but if you must know, it would be better that no one else knows exactly where we plan to settle until we actually settle there. The less people who know, the less people likely to get there first." Suiadan was silenced, biting his tongue in shame. Of course he was not supposed to question their King.

It had been the day after Tawarthion had decided to crown him. Thranduil had gently put the crown back in his hands. "I have not been officially recognized yet. Keep this until we have an actual coronation ceremony. The majority of our nation should be there when we do that." Tawarthion had nodded, understanding completely.

So it was Tawarthion who carried the crown carefully in one of his bags, though he knew that could not be the actual crown, he decided he would use it as an example. It was too good not to use.

So it was that they rode into Lindon where Oiolairë greeted them. They all, save Thranduil, put their hands on the hearts when they saw her out of respect. Thranduil kissed her. I have missed you. He told her.

As have I… she said. She looked into his eyes, Something has changed you.

We have found our home. He said. It has already started to shape me.

I guess that is a good thing then. Oiolairë said. When shall we move?

Not for a while yet, there is still too much to do.

Why do I get the feeling I will be seeing less of you than when you were a general?

Curse of being royal. Thranduil said, kissing her once more. Once things settle, we will see more of each other. I promise. He said.

He looked around, somewhat amused. The Silvans had long moved off. Thranduil saw them being greeted by Elrond quite a ways away. I think I have been left behind. He said grinning. Oiolairë smiled and laughed.

Well then, you should join your subjects.

Thranduil laughed softly as well before they joined the others. It was a good day.

"So we have a leader, and we have a home, now we just need everything else." Idhrenion said.

"Well, one thing is decided on: government. We have a King." Suiadan said.

"Yes, but a King is not the only thing a government needs, regardless of how much power he has." Gil-galad commented. He had joined the six others for their meetings to help them plan the logistics. Thranduil stared at the basic map of Greenwood.

"I need a Council." The others looked at him. He glanced at them. "Gil-galad is right, even if you wish me to have the greatest amount of power in our realm, I will still need others to oversee things that I cannot. I will need advisors from your own people as well. Even if they accept me as king, the others of your kin will hope to see their own with power as well."

Gil-galad looked at him appreciatively. "Well… perhaps you are wiser than I thought you were." Thranduil raised an eyebrow but nodded.

"I am not sure I should thank you but…" As he was still speaking the doors opened and all of them glanced to see a lone ellon standing at the door.

"My Lords," he said and walked toward them after inclining his head. Thranduil recognized him as his captain… actually his former captain. He looked at Thranduil, eyes glancing over the Silvan Elves and then back to his King.

"Is there a problem?" Gil-galad asked.

"No My King, but… I and a few others were wondering… if our General and King find it agreeable… we wish to go with him to his new realm."

There was stunned silence for a few seconds. Gil-galad cocked his head. "Just how many is a few?" The Captain handed the King a scroll. The king unfurled it and both eyebrows rose. Thranduil looked at him and then at his Captain.

"What is it about General Elrond that scares you away?"

"Nothing, but we have followed you since we joined the army, and long ago we decided we would follow you anywhere… Even if you tried to leave us." Thranduil fought hard to keep the look of impassiveness in his eyes, but Daugion saw that his eyes were fighting emotion.

He had been through a lot in the past months, no wonder emotion was trying so hard to break through.

"If I may," Daugion said, "it is not such a bad idea." Thranduil looked at him warily. "We have no army yet. Those who have trained with you this long, can help you train a whole army out of our people. You do not have time to do so yourself." He paused. "You are no longer a General, you are a King. Though that makes you a Commander, you will not have time to raise an army on your own. You need only lead it if, or when, we go to war." Thranduil said nothing, only turned his eyes back to his former Captain.

Gil-galad looked between the two and the twenty signatures on the scroll. Then he looked at Thranduil. "I cannot stop them if they truly wish to follow you. It is not my place, all of them could have dropped out of the army long ago." Thranduil looked at him and then back at his Captain.

"You are all prepared to leave your homes?" He asked. The Captain nodded. "Then I cannot stop you either." He said softly. "Go, prepare your homes. I will let you know when we have a set date for leaving." The Captain smiled and bowed to both Thranduil and Gil-galad, who both nodded, and he exited the room.

"Well," Arphenion said, "We have a King, a home, a Council, and now military leaders. Seems like a good start to me." Tawarthion grinned.

"Yes, I suppose now all we need is the people."

"Not quite," Thranduil murmured, "We have a long way to go."

Tawarthion met the other four Silvans without Thranduil there. "Okay, so I started drawing sketches out based on the one I made, and I think it's a good start. The only thing is during the winter and spring… I was thinking maybe we should have two."

"Two?"

"Yes, I drew a picture of this flower that we found in the Greenwood. I saw some berries and such while I was there as well, and I think…"

"Your creativity will be the death of us…" Arphenion muttered as he looked over the two final sketches Tawarthion set before them. "But I think it is a good idea. I wonder… if we sent someone back there to get the berries, flowers, and leaves… we could have the crown made here."

"I can go." Tawarthion said.

"We need you here." Idhrenion interrupted.

"Not only that, but the spells you will have to place on these crowns… You do intend to place spells on them to preserve the nature?" Tawarthion nodded. Daugion then continued. "The spells you will have to place will take time and effort, which you will need to conserve your strength for. It might have to wait anyway, as the money to get the mithril bands that actually make them a crown cannot be collected until our nation gathers."

"Speaking of which, has anyone contacted the other fifteen?" Suiadan asked.

"Yes, and they are spreading the message to assemble in Lindon in two full moons."

"Since we are, or were, on the subject of crowns," Tawarthion began, "when are we actually going to officially crown him? And will the coronation be here, or in Greenwood?"

Idhrenion sighed. "All good questions… if we do it here and sooner, it may give the Silvans a better sense of unity before we set off for our home, but if we do it in our home… it may give them a better sense of identity. However, doing it at home may mean we wait a very long time, especially if we wait until the Palace is built. That is a long time to await the coronation of our king."

"You may be off a little, as long as the entrance hall and throne room are complete the coronation could take place." Arphenion commented.

"Well, regardless, that could be a year in men's time from now. A short time to us, yes, but a long time to await officially having a king." Idhrenion replied.

Suiadan stroked his chin, thinking carefully. "You are not thinking of the obvious solution." Everyone looked at him. "We do both, it is as simple as that. We have a ceremony here, naming Thranduil King. We would not have to have these two crowns ready by then, we could use a crown like the one Tawarthion already made, or a simple circlet. That solves the issue of collecting the money in time. Once the Palace, or as Arphenion has pointed out, part of the Palace is complete, then we have an official coronation and presentation of Greenwood the Great. And then we will not have Noldors staring down our backs as we do so."

"That is wise," Daugion said. "Our people are shy anyway, they may be hesitant to accept a king in front of others, but if we do the second coronation, they will be much more willing. Especially after they have seen Thranduil as we have, not just as a simple General in the High King's army."

"Then it is decided," Tawarthion said.

"Let us see it," Thranduil said to Tawarthion. This time Gil-galad was not with them. There were some things only they as a nation could decide upon. Tawarthion spread out the paper in front of him, sketched ideas of the Greenwood's pennant in front of them.

"This one is the simplest and it could work the best, but I think it needs more than just forest green." Daugion said teasingly. Tawarthion shot him a glare.

"That is why these are sketches."

"Peace you two," Idhrenion said, "or else we will go nowhere."

"Idhrenion is right." Thranduil said still gazing at the sketches. He paused and then spoke again. "Daugion may have actually been right. This is simple but if we had a different fabric of the same color, it could give the flag a different look." He cocked his head. "Or if we added some small design to it."

"Since when did you become an artist?" Suiadan asked. "Here I thought you were born and bred a general."

Thranduil smiled. "There is more to me that might surprise you."

"First the Onodrim, now this…" Tawarthion murmured. "I like the first idea better. A green banner for a green wood. If the main background is made out of cloth, this design you speak of could be done with green silk, it could be made to look like a vine." He sketched it out quickly to demonstrate. Arphenion nodded.

"That could work well."

"Indeed, it was an idea I did not know I had." Daugion said smilingly. Tawarthion rolled his eyes but said nothing at Thranduil's pointed look.

"Well, now we have a banner." Idhrenion said.

"Yes," Arphenion said. "We still need a standard for the king, the standards for the others can be decided as we decide who the others actually are."

"Once they are made, the houses of the nobles will need them." Thranduil said. "The nobles will probably end up being those on the Council and the leaders of the army. If any other house wants a standard, however, we should not deny them one."

"Agreed," Daugion said, "what of your standard?"

"I have not thought of it." Thranduil admitted. "I have been busy thinking of everything else."

"To be a king…" Tawarthion teased. Thranduil looked at him.

"Just for that someday I'll let you do my job for a day. See how you like it." Tawarthion held up his hands in surrender.

"I am just a simple artist apparently." Tawarthion said. "No need to give me your job." Thranduil said nothing but a mischievous smile broke his face. Tawarthion backed away slowly, unsure as to what Thranduil was thinking, but Thranduil said nothing.

"Anyway," Idhrenion said, "This is what I was thinking, for my mind enjoys this sort of puzzle." He took the quill away from Tawarthion and began drawing careful lines on a new sheet of paper. Everyone watched curiously. Then Daugion's mouth dropped open as the shape came into existence.

"I love it." He said. Thranduil looked at him, one brow raised. "Of course, Sire, it is yours… so you must be the one to love it." Thranduil merely laughed and returned his gaze to Idhrenion's drawings.

It was an Eagle, wings outstretched, but on its back was a crown of vines, holly stretching upward from it and two leaves crossing in the center. "It is not perfect, not in this drawing, but I can work on it and have it ready before we move to the Greenwood." Idhrenion said as he stepped back.

"Well, you do not have much to change." Thranduil said. "I think it is perfect, even though Daugion may steal it from me." Daugion blushed.

"Never, Your Majesty." He said.

"Nice save," Tawarthion teased.

Thranduil merely tried quite hard not to roll his eyes. "While you two have a merry time, the rest of us are hungry from all these decisions. Come the rest of you, we shall eat." He then strode from the room: Idhrenion, Arphenion, and Suiadan looked at each other, laughed, and then followed their soon to be king. Tawarthion and Daugion stared after them, wondering what just happened, and then ran after the others.

"Wait!" They cried, only to hear laughter follow them down the hallway. What a nation Greenwood the Great would be.

A/N: Onodrim: Elvish for Ents