Chapter 3

After King Oropher and his men were settled, Thranduil left their chambers to seek solitude. He found himself at the far edge of the city, by the stream. Away from others and the cacophony that dwelled within Lothlorien, he sought to digest the day's events. The stream's babble, under the moon, tried to soothe his raw heart. He was devastated and knew Estelen would be too. How could his father pick Fainauriel over Estelen? Did his father think that he was weak and needed a strong companion to balance the throne? Was this marriage as favor to his Captain of the Guard? Questions upon questions swirled in his troubled mind. He did not know how long he sat by the stream, but suddenly he felt a warm energy pour into him. Turning abruptly, he saw Galadriel standing just a few feet from him. She glowed in the moonlight. Like his mother, she had a peaceful presence and calming effect on him.

Thranduil stood up quickly and said "My Lady Galadriel, I apologize, I did not realize you were there."

"I suspected a troubled Prince might seek solitude. The virtues of temperance and moderation you showed today are telling traits of your reign as king."

Thranduil said, "Thank you, my Lady, but how did you know I loved someone other than whom my father intended."

Galadriel smiled slightly as she flowed graciously past him and toward the stream. The splendor of Lothlorien matched her own regal presence. "As Celeborn and your father were talking, I saw you drift into your own mind. I assumed this was your first time away from home. With such dark times ahead, many minds turn to love and protecting those dearest to them."

Thranduil noticed that Galadriel intentionally did not answer his question. He wanted to press, but knew it wasn't his place. "Thank you for sharing your wisdom with my father, and for –". Thranduil felt his cheeks heat up with blush and continued on, "letting him know I love another."

Galadriel turned and faced him. The compassion in her eyes warmed him. "Is it not a mother's place to support her children and their dreams when they fear their father's response?" "I knew of your mother, and had she been here today, she would have done just as I have done." She rested her hand on his cheek and then placed a kiss on his forehead. She moved just past him and paused, "Love is the greatest good in this world, but a word of caution –" Galadriel looked at him over her shoulder and continued "Love has been the excuse for both great and terrible things. You will be in the position to hold many lives in your hands, will you save them or condemn them?" With that, Galadriel returned to the city.

Thranduil stood there in awe and pondered her cryptic final words. He now had more questions swirling in his head and it was throbbing. This day began with so much hope and ended with total despair. He did not know where to go from here. Every thought of the future always has Estelen in it. His Father had succeeded in destroying every hope he had.

He returned to his chambers to finally get rest. As sleep took him, he prayed Estelen would not haunt his dreams.

Those gathered in the Alliance were talking about their options to defeat the dark power. The days seemed to stretch into lifetimes. He desperately wished they could conclude their business and go home.

The plan to accumulate their forces and armaments to descend upon this dark power would take longer than most in the Alliance would like. The dwarves had refused to attend this meeting and also would not be lending their craftsmanship to meet the armament needs of both men and elves. The prospective combined forces would number into the hundreds of thousands. Saruman and a contingent would go to Rohan and Elrond and his own contingent would go to Gondor, to delay the spread of the darkness while the main host prepared themselves.

Thranduil, Oropher and company began their trip home to Greenwood. Thranduil continued to keep himself busy with scouting, tending the horses and making camp, but this time not to gain his Father's favor. He simply wished to be left alone. To gather the strength to face Estelen. To crush their dreams because his Father had deemed another to take his side upon the throne. He could not even stand to be in his Father's presence, which went noted.

"Aelrindel, I want you to scout ahead today" Oropher called to one of his guardsmen. Aelrindel looked briefly at Thranduil and hurried ahead of the group.

Oropher looked weary and tired. He said, "Do you think I do not notice you keeping your distance? You are always alone."

Thranduil looked off ahead of them as they rode. His pain made him raw and his anger was beginning to boil to the surface.

Oropher knew they needed to come to terms and pressed on, "Answer me, I command it."

Thranduil inhaled deeply, drawing strength from his anger. He turned toward his father, and let the full weight of his stare bore into him. "What do you want me to say? You betrothed me to someone I do not love. Did you expect elation and gratitude from me?"

Oropher held his temper at his son's blatant insubordination, "What did you expect me to do? Did you think your continued absence went unnoted?" Thranduil paled. Oropher continued "I have followed you once. How could you do that, how could you forget your station? I know the one whose has your heart and your wish to be with her cannot happen.

Thranduil struggled to absorb this information, "Why Father? Why can I not have her love and give her mine."

Oropher snorted, "What do you know of love?"

Thranduil was completely failing to reign in his anger, "What do I know of love, you ask? Love is looking into her eyes and seeing our forever. Of ruling this kingdom together with fairness and hope." His voice caught, "Of loving my future children, who are the best of her and I. What do I know of love? At least I know how to love."

Oropher ripped his bow from around his shoulder and hit Thranduil across the face. Thranduil was caught unaware by the action and fell off his horse. Before Thranduil could completely get his bearing his Father was in front of him. Oropher grabbed Thranduil's tunic at the chest. "How dare you!" Oropher bellowed. "How dare you think I didn't love your Mother. I loved her with all my heart and grieved her loss greater than all combined. But in my grief, I still had our people who looked to me to ease their own. Don't tell me of love. Your Mother was the greatest woman to ever walk into my life, and by far the most painful to leave. Every time I look at you, I see her and I miss her more than you know. The love you have for Estelen cannot compare to the love I held for your Mother. Now, get your ass back on that horse and be a man. This is the lot you have been dealt and you will make the best of it."

Thranduil stood still and refused to let this go, he wanted answers. "But why of all people, Fainauriel? Do you truly hate me that much?"

Oropher was visibly pained by Thranduil's words, his voice softer and filled with regret. "You think I hate you? You think I am punishing you with this for the scandal at the edge of the meadow? I chose Fainauriel because we are going to war soon. If my life is to end on the battlefield, I need to know you and your Queen will be strong for our people and carry on." A tear rolled down Oropher's cheek. " I love you my son, you are the best of your Mother and I. I have great hopes for you and have loved you since your first breath. I hope you have all the happiness in the world, but it cannot be with Estelen. I have been always been hard on you because I need you to be strong, but I have and always will be your greatest supporter. Galadriel was right, I should have betrothed you long ago. We should have discussed this together as father and son years ago. Forgive me, it has been hard to look at you and not see your Mother. I have withdrawn from you and left you to yourself to find your way in this world, but no more. As elves, we do not die like men. We will always see war in our lifetime, not matter now long there is peace. War will always come. The time is at hand, I need you at my side more than ever. I need you to learn quickly how to be a King during war." Oropher sighed heavily. He clapped a hand on Thranduil's shoulder and the other cradling his cheek. "I now know you have wondered if I love you. Son, I will love you until my last breath, just as your Mother did. Forgive me, I have much to mend with you and that begins today."