Disclaimer: I do not own any of the recognisable characters in this story, and make no money from them. This story is purely a work of fanfiction and written for fun. However, I do own the OC's, and I ask that you don't use them in your own writing without consulting me first.
Notes at the end of the chapter.
Chapter 9: Coliel
When Tathardis gave birth to the first twin, over six hundred years after Garavon's birth, those in the room with her were struck speechless. This was due to the baby's perfectly gold hair, which no one else in the family possessed. Golwendir's hair colour was the closest, being blond with gold highlights, but they had always thought that colour come from his mother's side. Laereth had had hair of a similar colour. Apparently, it was in Thranduil's family line as well.
Despite being the spitting image of her twin (except for Celebiel's hair being silver) it became obvious early on that the twins had vastly different personalities. Coliel was refined, ladylike and serious, even at such a young age. Celebiel, on the other hand, was slightly wild. Despite these chalk-and-cheese temperaments, their family loved the twins equally. It had been so long since Garavon's birth that Tathardis and Thranduil had not been sure if having more children was a possibility. They had had their first three so close together, that the chances of having any more so much later had not been at all promising.
They should have realised by now that normal rules of what was and was not likely to happen did not apply with their family. The House of Oropher made their own rules, and their people had no choice but to accept that.
Which they readily did, once they got over the initial shock. In fact, the forest population was thrilled to have two more princesses, especially as they had inherited so many Silvan characteristics. Though their Sindar heritage also shone through; the twins having Thranduil's eyes and face shape. Their Maia abilities were also inherited from him, though they didn't reveal themselves until Coliel and Celebiel were forty-four. Up to that point, Celebiel's gifts had laid dormant, and Coliel's had only partially revealed themselves, though no one had realised it.
When the full extent of Coliel's powers became apparent, she was visiting Lothlórien with Tathardis, Celebiel, Tulusdis, Lanny and Aeweth. As was the norm, her sibling and nieces were unaffected by her abilities, but no one else was. And there were many elves who witnessed it, as half the population of the Golden Woods had gathered to hear her sing a new song she'd composed. For someone so young, she had already gained a reputation in Mirkwood that had carried over to Lothlórien as having the most beautiful singing voice since Lúthien.
Galadriel and Celeborn had insisted for a long time they had a standing invitation to visit the Golden Woods whenever any of them wanted to. After the incident with the orcs and the twins, Thranduil decided the more vulnerable family members needed to be sent somewhere safe. Just while he sorted out why the enchantment had failed, and asserted what was happening in the forest. Jobs that Belegon, Golwendir, Tordir, Legolas, Lothwen and Garavon stayed behind to help him with. Celebiel had wanted to stay, more determined than ever to train as a warrior, but Thranduil had wanted her well away from all this. Even if she had killed that orc (with the trees help) she was still only forty-four. He wanted her to have something resembling a childhood before she started worrying about things like that. There would be plenty of time to worry and fret over these things later.
And so, half the royal family had gone to stay in Lothlórien for a while. Thondir, always the overprotective brother, had gone with his sisters as an escort and guard, as had a veritable army of others. After what had happened, Thranduil was taking no chances. Tulusdis thought it was slightly extreme. For once, Tathardis totally disagreed with her sister. She was very shaken by what had happened to her young daughters. She loved their forest dearly, but it was starting to become dark and unfriendly. The trees were no longer playful, and the forest was not so bright now. She was relived to be going away for a bit, while Thranduil sorted out what was happening.
Especially as they were going to Lothlórien. While it did not hold a candle to their woods (in the Silvan elves of Mirkwood's opinion) it was still a lovely place. And was seemingly unaffected by the evil that was infesting their woods. Tathardis knew the Golden Woods was only kept safe because Galadriel held one of those cursed Elven Rings of Power. Despite (or possibly because) Thranduil was half-Maia, he disliked and mistrusted any magic that couldn't be explained by Maia or Elven blood. Oropher had been the same, and strongly advised the Noldor against using the Rings when they'd first being created. He'd seen first-hand what happened with the Silmarils after all. He had not want a repeat performance of those events. Noldor elves and shiny things did not mix well.
However, no one had listened to him, or paid him much mind. He was just a Sindar elf, and what did the Sindar know about High Elf matters? Thranduil had confided in Tathardis in the dead of night, not long after Dagorlad, that he wondered if that refusal to listen, and the scorn, was what had led Oropher to order that pre-mature charge. It was the kind of thing he would do to try and regain his pride. Instead, he'd lost his life, and two-thirds of their army. While Thranduil did not like the Noldor much for similar reasons (many thought the Silvan's especially were beneath them, because they weren't as educated or learned and had not seen Valinor. It was a view that Thranduil took as a personal insult towards him and his family) he possessed some humility, and would do anything to keep his family safe.
And Galadriel, for all that she was Noldor, was humbler then Gil-galad or Celebrimbor had been. Might be something to do with the fact she'd married a Sindar, Thranduil felt. He liked Celeborn, having known him in Doriath, though he'd initially questioned his choice of wife. However, Galadriel proved to care for those around her, no matter if they were Noldor, Sindar or Silvan. It was for this reason Thranduil felt secure sending his family to her to look after. He knew they would be safe there, and some time away might do them good. Especially Tathardis. She'd been very tired ever since the twins were born, only reviving briefly when they'd visited Rivendell several decades ago. Thranduil hoped some time spent away from the darkening forest would help her.
Would help them all. He would have sent everyone if he could, but realised the others were all adult warriors, and able to take care of themselves. He'd still asked if anyone wanted to go, but they were all determined to stay and make their forest safe again. Thranduil respected their wishes.
Upon arriving in Lothlórien, the Mirkwood party was made very welcome. Having never seen the Golden Woods before, the children, Coliel and Celebiel especially, were totally awestruck. However, in private they later agreed it was nice, but not as nice as their woods. Even with the orcs, they liked their trees and forest better. Even though it was nice not to have to worry about being attacked by hostiles or running into trouble. Tathardis, who'd hardly let the twins out of her sight since the orcs, felt safe enough in Lothlórien to give them leave to explore by themselves.
On their fourth day there, she insisted they came back in the early afternoon to get ready for a festival that night. It was a very special one, as Coliel was going to sing a new song she had written that not even her family had heard. And it was truly a beautiful song. When she had finished singing it, Lanny, Celebiel and Aeweth had clapped enthusiastically. They were the only ones to do so. Not because no one else had enjoyed it, but because the full extent of Coliel's Maia-inherited abilities had unknowingly revealed themselves.
It turned out that Coliel's voice was so beautiful, she could bend the minds of those who heard her into doing her will.
They only figure that out after she'd completely enchanted the entire population of the Golden Woods with that one song. They were all staring at her glassy-eyed, completely incapable of doing anything but hanging off her every word.
Even Galadriel was affected, though not as strongly as some of the younger elves, and the males especially. As everyone was so silent, Coliel looked around at the gathered elves uneasily.
"Did you not like it?"
Versions of 'we loved it' immediately were presented to her in full force, causing the elfling to cover her ears and back away.
"Stop, just STOP."
Immediately, everyone went dead silent. You could have heard a pin drop. Coliel started trembling, not understanding what was happening, as she frantically looked for her mother in the crowd. When she saw her sitting there, looking almost as glassy-eyed as the others, Coliel ran to her, and threw her arms around her neck.
"Naneth, what is happening?"
For a moment, Tathardis could not move or speak. Then, as Coliel's words penetrated her brain, her eyes cleared and she blinked in disorientation. At the same moment, everyone else snapped out of whatever trance they had gone into, and conversation resumed. Tathardis put her arms around her daughter, and was surprised to find her shaking.
"Have you finished the song dear?"
Coliel nodded.
"Yes, but what happened?"
Tathardis frowned. As far as she was concerned, Coliel had just finished presenting her song.
"What do you mean?"
By this point, Lanny, Celebiel and Aeweth had reached them. Celebiel threw her arms around her sister and mother, while Aeweth hovered over them. Lanny, having figured out what had just happened (she had A LOT of experience with this sort of thing by now, and was way smarter than your average elf. In fact, both Thranduil and Belegon thought she may very well be the smartest out of the whole family), spoke softly to Tathardis.
"I think Coliel's special abilities have just revealed themselves. Could we go somewhere private to talk? She is pretty shaken up."
Tathardis's eyes went big.
"Of course. What happened? How do you know?"
Lanny shook her head.
"Tell you in private."
Later that night.
"I really don't know what happened. She's never shown any signs of this before."
Galadriel look at Tathardis. The Silvan elf was clearly agitated, but remaining calm and in control of herself. Well, she did have to put up with Thranduil, Galadriel thought. Giving her past dealings with the Woodland King, he couldn't be the easiest husband. She imagined he must test one's patience on a regular basis.
"But the others have shown signs of similar things, have they not?"
Tathardis eyed Galadriel warily. The unreadable look Mirkwood's Queen was currently giving her, reminded Galadriel eerily of how Thranduil had been when she'd first met him in Doriath.
"I don't know what you mean."
Galadriel silently sighed. She'd been wanting to bring this up with Mirkwood's Rulers for some time, but hadn't known how to do it in a way that wouldn't cause strife. Best to just get it over with as fast as possible, and then deal with the fallout, the Noldo she-elf decided.
"I know they all have Maia blood, Tathardis. You do not have to try to explain things, or hide it."
The Queen of the Woodland Realm looked at Galadriel in shock. There was also more than a little suspicion in them, as her body stiffened and her eyes grew hard.
"How do you know that? We don't speak of it. Oropher did not want anyone to know about it but close family, and we've honoured that."
Galadriel nodded.
"A wise idea. It is a powerful and dangerous secret, something that could easily be abused. As for how I know…I know many things, Tathardis. It is complicated, but all I know is that there is Maia blood in your children. I suspect it comes from Oropher or Thranduil. No one else here knows about it, not even Celeborn. And there is no reason why he should ever learn of it. Your secret is safe with me. I just want you to know that there is no need to explain Coliel, or any of the others. It does not change anything."
Tathardis lost some of her hostility at hearing that, but the suspicious look did not leave her face. Wanting to put the Queen at ease, and earn the trust of the Woodland Realm, Galadriel smiled kindly.
"I am just glad that Coliel is okay. Nothing like this has ever happened before then? You had no idea she could charm people into doing her bidding using just her voice? That was something Lúthien was said to have been able to do."
The Wood Elf Queen shook her head, a troubled expression waring for domination with the suspicion.
"No. We all just thought she'd being blessed with a beautiful voice. I had no idea she could do that. None of us did, least of all Coliel."
Galadriel nodded thoughtfully.
"I am interested that Celebiel, Lanny and Aeweth were apparently unaffected. I had enough control over my own mind to observe that they were the only ones not to be sitting there, spellbound. How can that be?"
Tathardis smiled wryly, and a bit more of the suspicion left her expression.
"They all seem immune to each other's illusions and abilities. Thranduil suspects it is because they all inherited these abilities from the same person. Though no one has ever been able to slip a lie past Belegon."
Galadriel's eyebrow quirked up.
"Oh? That sounds like an interesting story."
Tathardis almost genuinely smiled. Almost.
"It is."
She did not elaborate, and Galadriel did not push. She felt she'd pried enough into the affairs of the Mirkwood Royal family for now. Especially as they were renowned for their pride and stubbornness. Oropher had broken faith with Galadriel all those years ago over matters of pride, and Galadriel did not want it to happen again with his son. Not after the pains she'd taken to fix it.
A few years ago, Galadriel had admitted to Thranduil in a letter there had been faults on both sides, and she had not been entirely blameless in what happened. It had been a hard thing to admit to. But Galadriel had swallowed her pride, and done it. She had asked for forgiveness for the way the Noldor had treated his family, and offering him an olive branch to start their relationship anew. And it had born fruit. They were finally on cordial terms for the first time, well, possibly ever. The last thing she wanted to do was to alienate the Kingdom of the Greenwood again. Especially over something as trivial as this.
While it was obviously a big deal to the family, in the wider scheme, it did not change a thing.
Something which the Queen needed to know.
"Tathardis. I want you to know that this does not change a thing. It will not be talked about nor mentioned to anyone. This, I swear to you."
Tathardis's shock was plain to see.
"You mean that."
Galadriel nodded firmly.
"I would not have said it if I did not. When I make a promise, I do not break it. You have very special children, Tathardis. Thank you for letting me be a part of their lives. Even if it is only a small part."
Tathardis cocked her head to the side in consideration.
"You are not the elf Oropher used to rant about, and that I always imagined you to be. Thranduil told me you had changed. Why do it?"
Galadriel sighed.
"It is silly to stay alienated from each other when pride is the only reason we cannot be allies. It took me a while to see that. Living on Middle Earth among Sindar and Silvan elves has helped me to see a lot of things that I did not notice before."
Tathardis looked very impressed. Though there was a wicked gleam in her eye that Galadriel, lost in her memories as she was, failed to notice.
"Next, you'll be apologising for your arrogance."
Galadriel involuntarily winced.
"Do not push it."
Tathardis suddenly laughed. A genuine laugh, one that was full of mirth. It shocked Galadriel, who never imagined the Queen of Mirkwood would chortle like that.
"Your face! Oh, my word, your face was priceless. That is one thing that never seems to change; your lack of a sense of humour."
A/N
I did not plan for a history-of-Thranduil's-dislike-of-Noldor in this universe to be explained. It seems I don't plan for a lot of things that happen. Damn Plot Bunnies. But then, they went and reconciled Thranduil and Galadriel. Good Plot Bunnies. Though I'm not sure Galadriel isn't OOC in this, I don't really care. And her pride DID lead to her being exiled to Middle Earth. It is there in The Silmarillion. While she was not part of the kinslaying, the Curse of the Noldor was put on her for rebelling. Good Plot Bunnies, wrapping everything up so nicely.
Though they've apparently decided that everyone outside the Woodland Realm has a very distorted image of what Thranduil is like. We all know he is a devoted husband who will even face his irrational fear of teapots to bring his pregnant wife a cuppa (TFM: King and Queen). But, to outsiders, he is a very cold, distant, aloof and arrogant person. Completely different to how he is with his family and subjects.
My, this is a long author's note. I should stop here.
Preview of Chapter 11: Helegion
"Lagoron, are you okay? What happened?"
Lagoron slowly sat up, rubbing various parts of his body gingerly. He was sporting a rather spectacular black eye, Thranduil noticed with concern, and his nose was very red.
"I fell over something. That hurt."
Only one more chapter of this story left to go now! As always, if you liked this chapter and are following/have favourited this story, please leave a review and let me know! Reviews are the only feedback and motivation I get to share my stories with others.