A/N: And so we come to the last chapter and we say goodbye. To all those who have been reading this story, who have added my story (or myself) to their favourite/follow list and the wonderful people who have taken the time to leave me a review I sincerely thank you. To PegasusWingsVW, for your fantastic ongoing support and the lovely message you sent for the last chapter, I can only reiterate my heartfelt gratitude. My special thanks to fellow member Ella728 for the highest compliment I believe I have ever been given in a review. Your encouraging words are deeply appreciated and I can only repay you by dedicating this (the final chapter) to you. :)
Within the next day or so I shall be posting (over in The Hobbit section) the first chapter of the story written upon the request of PegasusWingsVW in their review of my first Hobbit story The Revelation of Truth. The new story is called The Bonds of Friendship and is my version of the very first meeting of Thranduil and little Estel. If you feel the inclination to check it out I hope you enjoy it.
To end this A/N I will leave you with the lyrics to the poem Faery Song from The Immortal Hour that I have always felt described perfectly my impression of what Tolkien's Woodland Elves are really like. To hear a beautiful sung version by Yvonne Kenny just go to YouTube and put in Yvonne Kenny - Faery Song: How beautiful they are! :)
How beautiful they are, the lordly ones,
Who dwell in the hills, in the hollow hills.
They have faces like flow'rs, and their breath is a wind,
That blows over summer meadows, filled with dewy clover.
Their limbs are more white than shafts of moonshine,
They are more fleet than the March wind.
They laugh and are glad, and are terrible.
When their lances shake and glitter,
ev'ry green reed quivers.
How beautiful they are, how beautiful,
The lordly ones in the hollow hills.
Part 10 – A Father's Farewell
The sun was rising into a clear summer morning many days after Gollum's disappearance when word came to the Elvenking from the search party on the south-western border of the forest: the creature's trail had been found and was being followed west through the Gladden Fields toward the Anduin.
'Before many more nights have passed they will succeed in recapturing him. Is that not so, My King?'
Pulled from a deep reverie, Thranduil turned his head to look down at his squire's guileless expression as they continued down the brightly lit passageway inside his palace.
'It is not wise to talk of future events as certainties, Nithron,' he said gravely in reply. 'Only of the past may we be sure. The future is like the waters of the Forest River – ever changing with each new obstacle and unpredictable in its flow. Until the creature is once more securely locked in the dungeons it would be imprudent to treat his recapture as fact.'
Unfortunately, it was over a se'nnight later that the wisdom of the Elvenking's words was proved true.
His face devoid of all its normal merriment as he entered his father's private chambers, Legolas (who had assumed the responsibility of apprising his parent of the news upon hearing it at the great gate) could not prevent a slight hint of shame from entering his voice as he revealed that the search party that had followed Gollum across the Gladden Fields to the Anduin had not been successful in recapturing him.
'It is believed that the creature passed into the waters and he will attempt to cross the river,' Legolas concluded.
'If such is his plan and should he succeed in his endeavour then his tracks may appear on the other side and all is not yet lost,' Thranduil declared. 'A message bearing these tidings must be sent to Grimbeorn, son of Beorn. The Beornings will be vigilant in their watch, and they will undoubtedly dissuade any Orcs from daring to approach those lands. A fresh search party of our own should be sent across the Anduin to assist in pursuing him on the western bank.'
Then, forestalling the request that was clearly imminent from his son, Thranduil held up his hand and added, 'you may form part of the group that conveys the message to Grimbeorn; however, you are not to cross the Anduin, Legolas.'
His dismayed expression betraying his disappointment, Legolas cast his father a beseeching glance. 'Please do not forbid me, Father,' he begged.
His eyes filled with regret, Thranduil shook his head. 'My son, I must. Your spirit is greatly wearied, Legolas, for a heavy sorrow has dwelt sternly suppressed within you for many days now since you left for the Woodmen's settlement – a journey that was not without its own peril. I would not have you undertake another task that may prove to be of a long duration until both your mind and body are fully rested.' Upon seeing Legolas' crestfallen face, and recognising the primary motivation for his son's almost desperate desire to join the search, Thranduil sighed. 'You continue to hold yourself to blame for the guards' deaths and the creature's escape,' he observed.
The brief flash of pained guilt that flickered in Legolas' eyes confirmed the Elvenking's words.
'My child, nothing more can I say on that subject other than what has already been said,' Thranduil told his son quietly. 'With the exception that there are none within these halls that believe you culpable of any offence. As to your grief, Legolas, it is an emotion that will cloud your senses and a burden that cannot be eased until you have allowed your heart the opportunity to properly lament the passing of your friends. The tears that are never shed all sink into our spirit; their steady drops striking against the sad and weary heart until, its resistance finally exhausted, the heart becomes hollow and grows weak: then, it is too large and too fragile – anything will break it! Therefore, use this time to mourn, my son, and allow a measure of healing to strengthen and renew your spirit.'
His head bowed in acceptance of his father's edict, Legolas nonetheless could not refrain from asking, 'Father, should the creature remain uncaught after the first leaves of autumn have appeared, then may I join the search across the Anduin?'
A soft sound, light in tone but shaded in sadness, escaped the Elvenking's lips. 'You are assuredly your mother's son,' he murmured, a look of deep affection intermingled with pain flickering in his eyes. And then, with a heavy heart, he gave his consent; even as hope rose within him that before the last night of summer passed, Gollum would be securely locked within his cell once again – thus negating any need for his son to depart.
X X X X
Despite all hope, the days of summer slipped away with ne'er a word being received of Gollum's recapture. Grimbeorn, upon receiving the ill-news of Gollum's escape, had immediately promised his peoples' aid – and any Orc who tried to follow Gollum's trail from Mirkwood to the Anduin was soon deterred by the sight of the fierce Beornings guarding the great river. And on the western bank the company of Elves moved with lithe speed as they pursued the creature's trail. But, as each fair summer morning dawned, the news carried to the Elvenking's halls by flocks of swift-flying messengers held nothing but tidings of failure.
It was not long before the time came to pass, when the evening air was turning mild and the stars shone clearly in the night sky, that the rich colours of autumn began to show in the forest. Then it was that Thranduil, holding true to his word, permitted his son to take a small group across the Anduin to join the search.
A great weight then descended upon the Elvenking's mind, for with every passing day that the trail continued southward the more his concern grew that his son and the company of Elves would soon be drawing nigh to those lands that lay near the accursed dwarven realm of Moria.
And then, as the red autumn leaves began to break free of nature's fetters and fluttered quietly to the ground, a morn dawned fair and clear after violent storms had lashed through the forest, bringing the gravest of ill-tidings: the creature Gollum's trail had once again disappeared! He had eluded the keen senses of the Elves and vanished without a trace. But such was the grim resolve of the Elves that they continued on with their task; traversing over rough terrain and through the Gladden River, searching for any clue as to the creature's whereabouts, until having reached the outer rim of Dimrill Dale they finally drew to a defeated halt.
Ashamed of their failure, the Elves turned and swiftly withdrew back to the halls of their king. And on the ninth day of October, as the shining brightness of the sun gave way to the silver light of the stars, Thranduil met them in his great hall of living stone – his golden hair adorned by a crown of berries and red leaves, and a solemn greeting on his lips for each of the Elves that appeared before him. However, not one word of recrimination did he utter as they revealed the full tale of their pursuit that concluded with the complete disappearance of Gollum.
Their recount ended, Tegalad, the leader of the original company that had set forth across the Anduin in midsummer, stepped forward and bowed. 'We must beg your pardon, O King,' he said contritely, 'for we have failed in our mission to recapture the creature. We are prepared to accept any punishment that you may deem appropriate.'
His discerning gaze having examined the face of each of the Elves during the course of the lengthy narrative, Thranduil's stern expression relaxed at Tegalad's words. 'Punishment?' he repeated. 'For what offence, Tegalad? Long have you all endured a weary and difficult task, travelling many leagues in pursuit of the creature. That he remains unfound does not lessen the worthiness of your efforts. Speak not, then, of punishment, for none is warranted. Rather do I bid you all now to go, and seek what manner of rest you desire.'
Thus dismissed, the Elves bowed and departed, save and except for Legolas who remained standing silently before his father.
'You have been exceptionally quiet, my son,' Thranduil remarked, a look of concern entering his eyes. 'After your first greeting you scarce spoke more than two words.'
Legolas sighed. 'I am just troubled, Father. I firmly believed that the creature would be recaptured, for with so many of us tracking him how could we possibly fail. I also wonder, had we continued our search a little longer would we have eventually found him. But now all trace of him has certainly vanished.'
'It would appear so,' Thranduil agreed.
Gazing up at his father, Legolas asked, 'have you sent word yet to Mithrandir of the escape?'
His expression turning grim, Thranduil shook his head. 'Nay,' he answered, 'for his whereabouts have become unknown. But, assuredly he will pass through Imladris ere long, and a full account of our failure must I now give.'
Startled, Legolas exclaimed, 'you do not intend to travel to Imladris yourself?'
Straightening to his full height, the Elvenking stated unequivocally, 'the trust placed in our people primarily falls upon myself as their king. The responsibility, therefore, for any failure in that trust must also be borne by myself – particularly as it was I who permitted the creature the freedom to leave his cell and thus gain the opportunity to escape.'
'But Father, you are needed here!' Legolas objected. 'The dark creatures are continuing to multiply in greater numbers than ever before and our people look to you for guidance. Your wisdom and strength is also far superior to that of any other in this realm so you must use your abilities to defend it. In your place, let me, as your blood kin, go to Imladris bearing the news of Gollum's escape. I would accept the burden willingly, for do I not also own a portion of the blame?'
'Legolas.' Reaching out his hand, Thranduil grasped the younger Elf's shoulder. 'My son –'
'Grant me leave, Father,' Legolas insisted, his eyes clear and determined. 'Let me perform this small act for you in your stead.'
For a long moment all was silent in the great hall as father and son each stood firm in their resolve; neither willing to allow the other to assume the unpleasant task. But as their glances continued to meet a slight frown appeared on the Elvenking's face, for in his son's eyes he could glimpse a fierce desperation born from a sense of overwhelming guilt. And then he understood. While the decision to allow the creature the freedom to wander outside his cell was his own, his son clearly ascribed the greater guilt to his own actions as the deaths of his friends occurred shortly thereafter. By taking the responsibility of informing Mithrandir of their failure, it was clear his son was seeking to make further reparation.
Closing his eyes against the pain the realisation stirred inside his heart, Thranduil lowered his head – for in his thoughts rang the question: How can I deny him something that will assist him to make peace with his conscience?
'Father?'
At Legolas' concerned tone, Thranduil raised his head to look once more at his son. 'My child, you could sway even the most hard-headed of dwarves with your words,' he said with a brief smile, 'therefore what chance has your father against them? Reluctant though I am to see you depart from the safety of my halls once again, I hereby grant you good leave to go in my stead. But, ere you go, I would have you take two days' rest afore you commence the journey.'
Agreeing to the stipulation, Legolas could not conceal his gratitude as he smiled back at his parent. 'I will not disgrace you, Father,' he promised.
His eyes alight with loving warmth, Thranduil leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on his child's forehead. 'I do not believe you ever could, my son,' he replied fondly.
And so it was, after the two days of rest had swiftly passed and the sun had risen on the twelfth day of October, the Elvenking stood by the entrance to his palace and bade his son an affectionate farewell. Then, unheeding of their audience, he warmly embraced him; his head lowered against Legolas' own fair hair to conceal his pain at their parting.
'I will come to no harm, Father,' Legolas reassured him quietly, having caught a glimpse of the shadow that clouded his father's eyes. 'And I shall return to you.'
Inhaling deeply, Thranduil breathed in the fresh clean scent of his child; cherishing the memories it evoked from the day he first held his newborn son in his arms to the present time. Finally, his expression once again calm, he slowly loosened his hold and stepped back. Raising one hand he placed it gently on Legolas' cheek.
'My heart will rejoice on that day, Legolas,' he said, so softly that none save his son could hear him, 'but long will it seem in coming. Be careful, my son, and may all the blessings of Elbereth go with you.'
'May she also watch over you, Father,' Legolas replied. 'And may the darkness that is spreading within the forest never reach you.'
Then in a solemn silence Thranduil and the Elves gathered near the great gates watched as Legolas and his group of travel companions departed; the fair forms passing over the stone bridge and entering into the dense shadows of the forest.
Catching the last glimpse of Legolas' fair hair before it disappeared entirely, Thranduil suddenly felt a strange premonition wash over him. It was not one that warned of imminent danger, but rather an intuition that a change of some significance was coming. And what disturbed him most was that the change seemed closely linked to his son through the creature Gollum.
Thinking back on his decision to permit Gollum to pass the doors of his prison, Thranduil recalled with perfect clarity his words to Legolas that fateful summer's day: "A good deed rarely goes unpunished."
O Elbereth, if my son's absence is to be my own punishment for an act of mercy I will gladly accept it, Thranduil thought, as his eyes lifted toward the clear blue sky. All I ask is that he remain unharmed on whatever path is now laid before him.
And as a soft breeze gently stirred the long golden hair upon his head, the Elvenking closed his eyes and in a whisper repeated the words he had spoken to his son: 'fare thee well, Legolas. Ever may the light of the stars guide you and may the hand of a friend always be near you. Farewell my child, and may you take with you all my love and blessings which will be with you always. Farewell.'
Final chapter uploaded 14 June 2016
References:
"In D is found an account of how Gollum fared after his escape from the Orcs of Dol Guldur and before the Fellowship entered the West-gate of Moria…It seems clear that pursued both by Elves and Orcs, Gollum crossed the Anduin, probably by swimming, and so eluded the hunt of Sauron; but being still hunted by Elves, and not yet daring to pass near Lórien (only the lure of the Ring itself made him dare to do this afterwards), he hid himself in Moria. That was probably in the autumn of the year; after which all trace of him was lost." Excerpt from Unfinished Tales, Part 3: The Third Age, IV The Hunt for the Ring (ii) Other Versions of the Story
"Frodo learned that Grimbeorn the Old, son of Beorn, was now the lord of many sturdy men, and to their land between the Mountains and Mirkwood neither orc nor wolf dared to go. 'Indeed,' said Glóin, 'if it were not for the Beornings, the passage from Dale to Rivendell would long ago have become impossible. They are valiant men and keep open the High Pass and the Ford of Carrock." The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 2, Chapter 1 – Many Meetings
"There was also a strange Elf clad in green and brown, Legolas, a messenger from his father, Thranduil, the King of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood." The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 2, Chapter 2 – The Council of Elrond
"The dark things that were driven out in the year of the Dragon's fall have returned in greater numbers, and Mirkwood is again an evil place, save where our realm is maintained." Legolas in The Fellowship of the Ring, Book 2, Chapter 2 – The Council of Elrond