Over a year-old Legolas wept while held in the arms of his mother. His need of sleep put him into this unhappy state, and the fair maiden knew this. She paced about near the waterfall as she whispered words of silence.
"Hush, young one," she mumbled. "Now is the time to rest. Do not attempt to fight it."
The soothing, kind, and calm tone of the queen never failed to settle her elfling down, though especially with her usual lullaby. She grinned as she pressed her beloved child against her breast so he could hear the beating of her heart.
(Common Speech translation of the Sindarin Lullaby:)
Oh young one, so small and niave
let yourself be drifted into an ever so peaceable slumber
for the night has just began
and your little head is weary
let the stars and the moon
bring you this oh so harmonious and protected rest
Oh, young one so small and niave
shut your ever so beautiful pale eyes of blue
and let sleep take hold
until you awaken and see the light of day anew
and look upon those who love you
Oh young one so small and niave
rest with my words of love
for I do love you
my dear Legolas
Taurbaneth was pleased that her son's eyes were fully shut, and she whispered, "Losto vae, henig." (E/T: Sleep well, my child.)
She gently stroked his soft and rounded cheek, but then from above her she could suddenly hear commotion from a distance.
The animals were neighing from their usual spot, and the sound of her people's screams suddenly filled the halls—echoing throughout. She turned around in fear; she also heard the sound of a foul tongue being spoken by other unfamilair creatures.
She firmly grasped her son to hold him as she looked around to see the commotion. Her kin was being slain left to right by shorter creatures whom appeared to be revolting and evil in every way.
"Orcs," she panicked, backing away.
The echoing sounds of screams and stabbings reached the ears of the young prince, and he started to cry.
Terrified that his cry could be heard by the orcs, she lightly bounced him up and down and whispered, "Hush Legolas, hush."
She searched about in haste to find the first safe place for her child. Quickly knowing not to remain about, she quickly made her way up to the first undisturbed chamber she could find.
"Do not be afraid, you are safe. I promise you," she whispered to Legolas in her arms.
Legolas grasped onto his mother's hand with his small fingers and whined more.
Struggling to keep calm and not allow her fear or despair to show, she sang the lullaby once again until his cries ceased. Almost in a blink, his eyes began to close and his head quirked to the side.
Now striking fear into her heart, an orc from behind her taunted her in not the usual black speech tongue, but common speech by saying, "Foolish she-elf. I suggest you observe your surroundings before hiding your elfling."
Enraged, she turned around and growled, "You will NOT harm my child. I can assure that."
The orc laughed, but the elvenqueen unexpectidly but immediatly twisted the orc's neck until it snapped. The orc's corpse then fell face-down on the ground, and Taurbaneth quickly continued on with her search. However, she was not so lucky, and a few number of orcs approached her from ahead. A strong and taller one ran forward to grab her while another pulled onto the blanket that Legolas was settled in from her arms. She struggled with all of her strength in fear of losing her child, but the orc had won. As soon as it did, the stronger orc pounded her to the ground without warning, and she groaned in pain and felt the bit of blood at the corner of her lip.
Meanwhile, Thranduil ran through his halls in terror and constantly called out for his wife. As he ran, he came across his captain of the guard, Elsíla.
"Elsila, are you the only being left of the guards?" Thranduil asked, frightened.
"No, my lord. Though our numbers are very few. These orcs are not alike of the kind that usually pass by our borders. They wear a paticular mark upon their armor, and they are much more fierce," Elsíla replied, out of breath.
Insteading of responding to that, Thranduil simply asked, "My wife, my son...where are they?"
"I regret to admit that I am not certain, my lord," he said, lowering his head in shame.
Thranduil immediatly commanded in fear, "Well don't just stand about! Find them!"
Thranduil then hurriedly searched aroud in a anxious manner.
"Taurbaneth!" Thranduil yelled.
In the lowest halls, Taurbaneth was still laying upon the ground-barely able to move.
One of the orcs took off her wooden crown and slyly grinned.
"She is the king's mate," it stated in Black Speech.
He threw the crown to the ground and declared to the other orcs, "Fall back at the gates!"
The orcs then picked the queen off of the ground and harshly dragged her away.
Once they did however, they heard approaching running of hooves. It was Taurant, and he attempted to free his mistress, but A couple of wargs leaped up and attacked while the orcs could make their escape.
To the remaining elves' surprise, all of the orcs retreated from their homeland, and they ran outside to ride out on their wargs.
"The orcs, they have retreated," Thranduil stated, suspisously.
All of the living elves gathered about in the halls, most delighted, and others frightened of the possibilties of more to come.
"Where is your queen?" Thranduil demanded to the elves whom were gathered around him.
None of the elves answered, and Thranduil grew impaitent.
"Speak!" Thranduil commanded.
Suddenly, Taurant approached the King with his head lowered.
"Taurant," Thranduil said, hopefully. "Where is Taurbaneth? Where is Legolas?"
"My Lord," Nestal interrupted, handing an object to his King.
Thranduil's eyes were wide in horror from the sight of his queen's roughed up crown, but then his expression changed to anger.
"They have taken her," Thranduil said.
The other elves mumbled back and forth to one another in fear for the fate of their queen.
"Elsíla," Thranduil said. "Ready our men for battle and their steeds."
"Where abouts? If I may ask?" Elsila asked.
"Up north," Thranduil responded quickly, mounting Taurant. "Indeed the orc's stronghold would be dreadful, but tis why we must act immediatly to save lady Taurbaneth and our child."
"But my lord, we could easily be walking into a trap," the elf warned.
"Of course," Thranduil said. "But your queen and young prince MUST be recovered."
"Yes, my lord," Elsíla said, rounding up all of their warriors.
Thranduil rode Taurant all the way down to the front gate, and they stopped to await his comapny. His fear of losing his lover was growing, for memories of his father being slain from the evil of Mordor was starting to form, and he was now filled with peril.
Eventually all of his company was accounted for, and so they charged off into the night and rode north while following the warg's pawprints in the soil beneath them. Their travels proceeded until early dusk, just when the sun was about to set, but being in the presense of the kingdom of evil made the time of day seem later and darker than it really was.
Once the company arrived to the front gate, they saw that it was unguarded-proving that it was indeed a trap.
Thranduil turned his elk around so he could face his kin.
"Arm yourselves! No telling what could be lurking in this foul place," the elvenking declared, pulling out his most deadly sword.
Up above, an orc spied upon them from the viewing spot, and a maniacle grin spread across his face. He turned to the master orc and said, "The Woodland King has come."
"Of course he has," the master said, showing a smile so big that every one of his sharp, yellow, and revolting teeth can be shown.
Before the watchful orc could turn back from his watch, an arrow swooshed through his head and he fell to the ground.
"Attack!" the master commanded.
From that order, the gate had opened, and many orcs charged forward with swords, axes, and archery alike. All of the elves expertly fought back, and Thranduil sliced off the heads of many of the orcs with his two blades while Taurant rammed his grown antlers into them-Pushing them off of the cliff. The king finally entered the kingdom as Taurant remained to destroy everything in his path. He could sense his mistress near, so he charged off into the distance, until he reached the dungeon. The chamber was very dark, except for the one bit of light in the left corner of the room, he saw Taurbaneth chained with her hands up above her.
"Taurbaneth!" Thranduil exclaimed, mounting off of the elk and running to his wife's side.
"Thranduil," Taurbaneth whispered joyfully.
"I am here, nîn meleth," Thranduil said, kneeling down in front of her.
Taurant butted his head against his mistress' cheek protectively.
"As joyeous as I am to see you, I am afraid you must leave immediatly," Taurbaneth warned while Thranduil tried to remove her chains with his blades. "You, Taurant, and your kin will die if you do not."
"No, muin. Do not say such a thing. I am NOT going to leave you here to die," Thranduil said. "My willing men are armed and prepared for the worst."
Taurbaneth did not have the chance to respond, for she was silenced by Taurant's sudden bleat as a strong iron collar wrapped tightly around his neck. Some orcs roughly pulled on the chains attached to it so they could move the animal away while he waved his hooves in the air.
More orcs rushed into the dungeon—closing the door behind them—and the commander amung them appeared next to Taurbaneth and placed a jagged dagger along her neck. The orc next to him was holding onto Legolas. Thranduil took out both of his blades to fight, but he stopped for he knew there was a proposition approaching.
"We are servents of the dark lord," the commander stated in common tongue. "It is our duty to wipe out all lords of Middle-Earth to make way for ONE. If you fight us, your beloved elfling and she-elf die. It is you, or them. Make your choice now."
It was obvious to Thranduil that no matter what he chose, the orcs will harm his wife and child, therefore; either decision he would regret. However, he slowly glanced over at Taurant-whom was going wild to be free from his restraints-he saw the anger in his eyes. That's when he knew that Taurant would soon break free. So, Thranduil glanced back over to his beloved-whom had a certain pleading expression that simply broke his heart to watch-and then he very slowly surrendered his weapons.
Grinning evily, the commander removed the knife from Taurbaneth's throat and instead walked over to Thranduil so he could the same but to him.
The Woodland Queen witnessed these actions with horror. She did not want to lose the only man she's ever loved, but she especially did not wish for her beloved son to lose his own very limited life. So she did not know which decision was best, and just allowed tears to stream down her face.
Before the commander orc could attack, Taurant charged himself out of restraints and sent the orcs whom were holding his chains flying in different spots of the area around the dungeon. He rammed his large antlers into all of the orcs around—including the commander and his warg.
One of the orcs who Taurant threw to the ground ran out of the dungeon yelling something in his foul tongue.
Thranduil picked up the whining infant from Taurant's mouth and secured him tightly around his back within the ropes of a saddle, and then he picked up his two blades and tried to cut the bonds from Taurbaneth's rists, but then he heard echoing loud footsteps approaching. After hearing the steps, a great ball of fire swept by the king and queen, along with a thundering roar.
A small number of the elven warriors charged into the dungeons to aide their king and queen despite their fear, and they kept their guard to battle against the beast.
Thranduil's eyes widened, and he quickly tugged at his wife's bonds with all of his might.
"Taurant!" Taurbaneth yelled. "Ride Legolas out of here now! Do you understand?"
Understanding his mistress' demand, he vastly made his way out of the dungeon as the nearby warriors avoided the great worm's flame and attempted to pierce within its scales.
Thranduil lightly gritted his teeth while doing everything he could do rid of the restraints.
"It is no use, Thranduil. You must leave, now!" Taurbaneth said.
Angered, Thranduil gazed upon the serpent-like dragon that was now coming their way, and he quickly picked a piece of wood from the ground—which was burning from the dragon's fire—and he immediatly applied it to the chains restraining Taurbaneth from above her wrists. The flame heated the chains and they began to rust and melt. The chains were removed, but not around her wrists, but neither of them took heed. Thranduil held her hand to run, but the beast had already erupted more of his deadly flame from his belly into their direction.
"Taurbaneth!" Thranduil shouted, pushing her out of the way. The heated flame whisped past the left side of his face and he let out an agonized cry.
"NOO!" Taurbaneth shrieked, running to her lover.
Thranduil's hand was close to touching his face, but he did not touch directly to heighten the pain. His face sizzled from the burns and Taurbaneth rested her hand on the right side of his face, and seeing him in such pain brought tears to her eyes.
"Thranduil," she whispered, reaching her free hand on his burnt face. "Your face."
"You cannot touch, your own hand will be burnt," Thranduil warned.
"I care not," Taurbaneth argued, trying not to reveal her pain from the scoarching feeling of her hands burning.
"Do not fear for my own safety, Taurbaneth," Thranduil groaned. "Noro, noro breg." (E/T: Run, run fast.)
While the remaining bit of warriors nearby shielded their king and queen with their shields and body from the long worm's flame and attacks, Laerhwá lifted Thranduil from the cold ground and held his hand so they could escape the dungeons.
"Taurbaneth, you run on ahead. Catch up with Taurant and our son. I will aide my warriors," Thranduil softly demanded, holding his wife's shoulders so he could look directly into her eyes.
Panicked for the life of her own and all others, she hesitated at that command but then she nodded quickly—knowing the importance of Thranduil's choice. So she rapidly began to run, but then the masterious fiend slithered its way up ahead towards her direction while Thranduil and his men did everything they could to destroy the creature with their weapons, but while also battling against orcs and wargs. Many warriors lost their lives while attempting to stab and shoots arrows at the beast, but Thranduil still fought on with his face starting to self-heal.
Taurbaneth ran and ran with all of her might, and whenever she was danger, the warriors ahead came to her aide every time. Most of them lost their lives doing so, which saddened the elvenqueen greatly. She continued to run, but then she saw Taurant closeby stuck behind a great gate shut by the orcs for no escape like the dungeons. He rammed his giant antlers into the gate, as well as his own body—but trying not to use too much of his strength to injure Legolas still on his back.
Being strong as Taurant, he would eventually break down the gate, but not too soon. Taurbaneth's breathing became heavy in fear of losing her son and beloved creature, and she could hear the great worm from behind her—slythering its way to Taurant and warriors near that area.
In a second, Taurbaneth picked an orc's sword from the ground and lunged at the creature's claws with a cry to draw his attention to her instead. The serpent gritted his teeth together while looking at Taurbaneth backing up with the blade after stabbing his front claw, and as his flame began to rise within him, Taurbaneth looked to Legolas on Taurant. His eyes were open as he was crying from Taurant's rough force on the door and all of the violence going on about him. A tear fell down Taurbaneth's cheek from the thought of never seeing her son again, and with another breath, the beast let out his deadly flame. Thranduil could hear from afar, as well as his wife's piercing scream.
"TAURBANETH!" he screamed, following the sound of the scream.
He fought his way through the remaining orcs until he had reached the dragon, and once he did, the sight before his eyes was dreadfully appalling. His love one had fallen to the ground burning from the wicked flames.
"NOOOOOO!" Thranduil yelled, charging at the beast with his blades slicing his giant hand. Him and another few elves pierced the dragon's heart with the strongest spear they had to go through the dragon's tough scales.
The great worm roared out in anger and pain, and before he could fall, Thranduil turned himself around to find his wife. He saw her burnt and perishing body, but before he could walk on over to her, her body was replaced with ash.
Thranduil's knees fell to the ground in a state of shock. He slowly shook his head and whispered, "Laerhwá."
Long has it been since Thranduil had called his lover by that name, but without reason, he felt the need to address her by that name.
Thranduil could only sit there with his mouth a gap and a look of confusion. The noises surrounding him seemed silent, silent for quite some time. Until he could sense a foe coming up from behind. Releasing his rage, with a swift swipe of his blade, he decapitated the orc as well as any others in his way. Once there were no more to be seen, Thranduil yelled, "Fall back!"
Hearing his King's commands, Elsíla blew his horn for his small amount of living kin to be summoned.
Thranduil's army then regrouped around him.
"Lady Taurbaneth, is she recovered?" Elsíla questioned.
"Do not ask any questions, and be prepared for the journey back," Thranduil threatened, not facing the other elf.
"Yes, my lord," Elsíla said, now saddened for now he knew the fate of their queen.
They followed their leader outside until they reached their waiting horses and mounted them. Thranduil climbed onto Taurant with Legolas still secured on top of him-though now he was silent-and he said nothing. The great elk's head was low and he made a low whining sound for he knew of the loss of his dearly loved owner.
The horses whom no long had a rider simply followed the company back south to their kingdom. Their travels seemed slower returning back home, and very silent. No words were spoken, and their hope was fading. Though Thranduil refused to tell about his loved one, all of the elves knew about the tragic loss of their only queen, and they silently mourned over her loss.
When they finally returned, Thranduil left Taurant in his usual spot without speaking, and his first duty was to find Alimaine. Alimaine was a kind and gentil soul whom had a close connection with Laerhwá and their child, so he intrusted Legolas in her care at times.
He entered the maiden's chamber and said, "Lady Alimaine, watch over my son for a moment. He needs his rest and feeding."
"Yes, lord Thranduil," Alimaine whispered, taking the resting infant from her king's arms into her own.
"Good," Thranduil said, leaving without saying another word.
Now Alimaine knew the queen did not make it. She sighed in sorrow and looked down at the prince in concern for what was to come for him.
For the remainder of the day, Thranduil sat in his throne. What he once believed to be beautfiul was no more. Every tree, every leaf, every creature...nothing, not with a now empty throne next to his own.
Often, he would hear his people lamenting over their loss, which only angered the Woodland King. He would only sit in his throne—staring at nothing in paticular— and have nothing on his mind. Though, when night fell over his kingdom, he finally left from his throne and made his way to his chamber. He would always look forward to be by his wife's side in their bed. Her scent of pine, the warmth of her body pressed against his as they slept, her smile when she would look at him, and the sweet words she would whisper always bring him great joy and love. Tonight was different, she will not be there. No longer will she see her, feel her, smell her, or hear her. The king's knees suddenly fell to the floor and his body shook as tears escaped from his eyes. He clasped a hand upon his face and leaned himself forward while laying his other hand on the ground for balance. Quietly, he sobbed for the loss of his only love. Never since his father's death has he shed these tears. His heart was broken, and all of his hope had faded.
He cried for nearly an hour, and then he could hear Legolas' own cry come from his bedroom. He wiped away his remaining tears and let out a deep inhale and exhale, and then he eventually picked himself up and retained his usual posture. Walking to his chamber, he saw Alimaine seated down by his son's cradle.
"Do not stress, my lord. I was simply watching over Legolas. He had his feeding, and now I place him in his own cradle to get some much needed rest. I will leave you at peace," the maiden said, understanding how her king felt.
Thranduil bowed his head in gratitude for her deeds and he checked on his son. He appeared to be in a peaceful sleep, and Thranduil watched him proud. Though his tears soon blinded his vision.
Time went by as he looked upon him, and the more time went by that night, he found that his heart was starting to heal, and his will to leave was weakening. He could not leave his son, and he chose not to.
*MUST READ!* This is the ultimate chapter that is needing of these notes to keep in mind.
Like the beginning of this fanfic, I had SOOO many alterations to this chapter. At first I was going to do where the queen is captured by the orcs, but she has hid Legolas somewhere in Taurant's watch. So once she's captured, Taurant brings Legolas to Thranduil, and he has Legolas taken care of as he and his men go to Gundabad to save Taurbaneth. The reason why I changed this however is because I was re-watching a part of the Battle of the Five Armies appendices, and I noticed that Phillpa said that she and the others who worked on the film liked to believe that Legolas' mother died defending him, thus leading to the last line that Thranduil says to him in Battle of the Five Armies. The more I thought about it, the more interesting I thought it would be to do that. So I went that way instead, where her AND Legolas get captured, only he survived.
But here is the BIGGEST thing that I need to address...the actual death. This element I had in mind has never been altered, other than her and Thranduil being able to still speak as she's dying, but she is being burnt alive, so yeah, I didn't think that would work. Anyway, I meant the WAY she was supposed to die has not been altered. Why did I make it a dragon? You might wonder? It's because of the fact that it's mentioned by Legolas that there is no grave for her, and of course the elves would want to bury their queen in some way, UNLESS her death was so brutal that there was no body to bury. Besides, Thranduil has that whole unknown story of how he once delt with a dragon in the films-showing the scars of flame on the left side of his face-while also saying that he has faced the "great serpents of the north." Obviously I only put ONE serpent into the story, but I figured he would have met another one before or he is GOING to. I did not put more than one however, because that would just be too much.
There are different kinds of dragons in Middle-Earth, and I decided to make the creature a serpent-as Thranduil describes. I specificially made it a Long-worm; a serpent with no wings, but it can breathe fire and slither about.
The reason I added this serpent to the fortress of Gundabad is because I figured the orcs would use the creature for their evil deeds. So the only reason why the dragon only shows up when Taurant is set free, is because they are simply using the creature incase of the escape of the king and/or queen. Why wouldn't the orcs just release the dragon earlier on rather than waiting incase the ORCS failed? I dunno :P Maybe the orcs were too stubborn and said they could do it themselves, they wanted to impress their leader, the serpent said he would only help for a last minute resort, I don't know, you can make that up yourself xD
So I had to address all of this, because it is very important to keep in mind.
As for the new names and their translations:
El (Star) Síla (White)
And the name Alimaine I just made up with no translation because I was that lazy xD