TA 3018

The forest only grew darker from that day, and attacks from spiders and orcs became an everyday struggle. Young elves and elleths were strongly encouraged to join the guard more so than ever before in Mirkwood. It was becoming serious, and sleep was an act of the past for Thranduil. He'd been wound incredibly tight since the events at Erebor, and hadn't relaxed since. Legolas was the captain of the southern patrol, and he was constantly worrying about him.

He was relieved to send him to Rivendell on errand when he returned the previous week. They'd lost their prisoner; a horrible creature they called Gollum. They had to tell Elrond about the problem, and sending Legolas was an ideal way to keep him out of danger for some time. Not nearly long enough, but it was something.

He'd been waiting to hear from him, but his mind was at ease knowing he was in Imladris. He'd known Elrond for thousands of years and would trust him with his life.

"My Lord?"

He turned away from the window to face Faroth. He looked nervous, and had a scroll in his hand with a red ribbon- his eyes widened. Red meant urgency, and was rarely used. He took the scroll calmly, and Faroth turned to leave.

"Stay, please," Faroth nodded and stayed in the room, and Thranduil unfurled the scroll nervously.

Ada,

I am safe, so do not worry. I did all as you instructed. I told Lord Elrond about the creature, and arrived at a convenient time. There was discussion of a quest in which I am forbidden to speak of here, and I have agreed to be part of it. I wish I could tell you the nature of the journey, but I cannot. I know what you are thinking, and I beg of you to not worry. I will keep in touch the best I can, Lord Elrond will tell you the rest.

All my Love,

Legolas Thranduilion

Thranduil looked up at Faroth, "get me ready to go to Rivendell."

His eyes widened, "my lord-"
"Now."


With Faroth in command Thranduil rode to Imladris and arrived a week later. Elrond was incredibly busy and wasn't expecting him, but upon arrival Thranduil demanded to see him. Elrond agreed and met him in his office. Thranduil was eerily silent, and Elrond sighed.

"I know why you are here-"

"What is this journey?"

Elrond stood, and moved to face the window. "The one ring has been found, and the nine ride in search of it. Sauron has returned, Thranduil."

He stared at him, his heart pounding against his chest. He touched it with a trembling hand. "What does this have to do with a journey?"

"A young hobbit came here at the hands of Gandalf and Aragorn bearing the ring. I held council with those who were here, one of them being Legolas. We agreed as a group the ring must be destroyed to ensure Sauron never comes to power. I chose the nine finest present to journey together into the east."

"To the east to do what?" he asked, although he knew the answer.

"To throw the ring of power into Mount Doom. It is the only way."

"You sent my son into Mordor, with the ring of power?" Thranduil whispered.

"He knew the risks and accepted the consequences. He is one of the finest fighters in middle earth-"

"Sauron is growing in Mordor, and you convinced my son to go meet him with the final tool he needs to kill us all!" He roared.

"Thranduil-" Elrond sputtered.

"I sent my son here on an errand to keep him out of danger for a time! All he does is fight, he does not need to seek war! If this power is growing and the nine are out there searching for that ring, my son is going to meet them there!"

"Thranduil he knew-"

"I do not care what he knew! You should have known not to send him to his demise. He does not know what awaits him. But you and I know better than anyone what horrors lie in the lands to the east."

Panic filled Thranduil, and he knew his son would not make it.

"Have faith in him, he is strong."

"I know he is strong, but not against the forces of the east! I trusted you to keep him out of danger for the short time he was here-" he turned and stormed out of his office. He couldn't be near him now. He was too angry. How dare he? Who did he think he was allowing Legolas to go gallivanting off with valar knows who to their deaths? That damn, meddling Mithrandir!" Erestor came around the corner and greeted him, but Thranduil ignored him and slammed the door to his quarters. He was leaving.

As he sat alone, worry set into his mind. How far could he get? When would he get word? Where was he now? His baby-

Where was Earien when he needed her? She would tell him that Legolas was going to be fine. That he was not an elfling and that he could handle himself. That he would be home soon, safe again.

The other part of him considered going after him, but he knew it was preposterous. His own land was on the brink of war, he couldn't abandon them now.

There was a knock, and Thranduil sighed, "enter."

It was Elrond. He looked saddened, and Thranduil felt guilty. "I know you are angry with me, but you know I wish nothing but the best for Legolas. My own sons are off in the East, and I know not where or what they are doing. As your father worried for you, you worry for Legolas, and I am sorry this plagues you as it does."

Thranduil nodded, "I am sorry for my outburst. Your news shocked me and I took it out on you."

"All is forgiven. If I get word on the fellowship I will inform you."


It was from his relative Celeborn that Thranduil first got his word. He wrote him and he was nervous after the news. Mithrandir was dead, and they had gone through moria and fought a balrog of Morgoth. He'd seen many balrogs in his youth, and told Legolas of them. It was only the beginning of their journey, what could possibly occur worse than a balrog in an underground kingdom? He didn't want to know-

He went on with his days as best he could, and tried not to worry about Legolas, but couldn't help it. He decided to move large groups of warriors into the forest, and declared war on the orcs of Dol Guldur. He too accompanied the soldiers, and regularly took out his aggravations and worries on the orcs and spiders.

Elrond too worried for the fellowship. If they failed, Thranduil would have no living direct relative, and would fade. He was sure of it. Middle Earth would again fall to the hands of Sauron, and all would be taken by him as thralls. He too, like Thranduil, was tired. He felt old and withered, like all his life he'd been fighting the same enemy. His sea longing screamed in his heart, and he longed for his wife. It'd been many years since he'd been in her presence, and he missed her.


Thranduil received news of the death of Boromir and the breaking of the fellowship, and went to visit Elrond. He needed a break from the battlefield, and where better to get away from violence than Imladris?

Upon arrival Elrond greeted him, and Thranduil asked him what he knew. "Not more than before. The fellowship is torn, I assume. Boromir was washed ashore in a funeral boat, no sign of anyone else."

"Legolas is alive," Thranduil nodded, "I am sure of it."

"As am I. Aragorn is as well, but as for the others, I do not know. Nor do I know of the fate of the ring." He paused, "Once this is over, I will depart to the west."

Thranduil stared at him, "I believe I will as well."

Elrond glanced up in surprise, "I never thought I would hear those words from you."

"Nor did I, but I wish to be rid of this darkness within me."


In Imladris Thranduil stayed until news returned from the Battle at the Black Gate. Legolas, and Aragorn as well as Gimli the dwarf, had all survived. But his mind deceived his heart. No one that Thranduil ever loved returned from battle. It was folly.

But he couldn't hide his tears when he saw his son entering the last Homely house. Legolas paused when he spotted his father, and ran to meet him. He threw his arms around his neck, and Thranduil's tears fell into his hair.

"Ion nin-" he cried quietly.

"Ada, I am sorry-"

"Do not be sorry, I am so happy you are alright."

His arms tightened around his son, and he took his face in his hands. "I am so happy you're here, ion nin."


Thank for reading. I know this one is quick and summary-ish but I didnt want to rewrite each event of the Lord of the Rings, I just wanted to get Thranduil's feeling on the matter across. The next and final chapter will be up soon. In the next few days I'll be posting the first chapter of my new story regarding Elrond's childhood, Son of Stars. Thranduil, Earien, and many more will make appearances. Please review/follow!