This story will consist of 7 chapters so I think the final chapter should be posted on Sunday. Thanks for every comment. I really appreciate it.
People said he was a lunatic. A corrupted king who marched his armies to death for his obsession, the pure obsession of the white gems in Erabor. The treasure that long lost in the time of King Thingol was the reason Elves of Mirkwood shed their blood to pay the price of their king's voracity.
He was not proud of his ill reputation, but it was unavoidable. The king must make a decision. He could not let criticism ruin his kingdom.
The flame of the war was looming once more. He realized it after interrogating the captive Orc. He must act. The vulnerable wall of Mirkwood would not defense his people. They needed a well-built bulwark to fortify the kingdom. There was no option. He must find a source of money to build such a massive fortification and those white gems were the answer.
Praying for many years for the creature to leave Erabor, he lastly got what he had wished for. Eru finally answered his prayer. The dragon was dead.
It was unplanned to go to Erabor at first. Provisions were not ready. Not mentioning, his soldiers who were not alarm about the war. He was not prepared to gather his troops, but he must take a risk. It was a selfless act unlike what most of the people believed. His obligation was duty. His victory was the stability of Mirkwood. Sauron's army was rising in the south. He had no choice.
Bringing back the treasure that once had belonged to Elven kind was the only way to save Mirkwood.
Now he must act fast and secretly. The plan was organized. He would march as quickly as possible to bring back his treasure, and then build the great wall to defend Sauron. What he did not expect was the arrival of the four armies. It should not be as bloodshed as it was had he arrived earlier.
Legolas was furious, he remembered. His son blamed him for the loss. Finally, he departed. Many Elves were slain in the battle, but they did not die in vain. The wall was built and Sauron had never set his foot on Mirkwood soil.
"Should I be condemned to be lonely forever?" Asked Thranduil while the servant brought him dinner. Struck by the question, the servant was unable to reply. He wished he could say any wise word, but he could not.
"I got everything now. The wall. The gems. The land. Still I cannot find any peace in me. I had wished to live endlessly. But, what's the point in life if we cannot find any joy? If life has no end and we are destined to suffer, what is the purpose to live without any tenderness in the presence of love? Immortality is a true curse. When there has neither beginning nor end, we live ceaseless in misery. I am the king, and yet I find no content in siting on this throne. I am alone in this king's hall surrounded by the desolation of the place I called home." Thranduil pressed his chest. The sharp pain attacked him. He took a deep breath. The servant kneed down.
" Your Majesty, please, don't give up on life. There has hope left here. As the dark cannot conquer the light, desperation cannot conquer hope. There still has the moonlight shining upon you in this darkest hour" The servant consoled Thranduil.
"My son is not coming back. I…He's not coming back! You !fool! He will never forgive me! Never!"
"Then go to him, my lord."
"I cannot. You know that."
Thranduil never told anything to Legolas about the problems they were facing, especially the financial situation. He wanted his son to be proud of him. He wanted Legolas to remember Mirkwood as a prosperous kingdom as it had been in the era of King Thingol. He didn't want to let him down.
It was too ungracious for the prince. Thranduil thought. It may wound his pride.
Would Legolas forgive his father if he knew the truth?
Thranduil walked to the window to catch a glimpse of his son. It was only the shadow of trees moving outside.
Another day of waiting.