The Life & Times of Greenwood the Great

Part I: A Nation is Formed

Past and Future

c. 750 SA - Misty Mountains

The people of Eryn Galen moved out of Eregion as quickly as it was possible, once more turning into mass organized chaos. Thranduil still rode at a comfortable place at the front where Daugion still had his Guard around him. Nothing much had changed in this respect. There was one difference.

There was more silence.

As they entered the mountains everyone seemed to tense, unsure what would happen to them here. They had only been newly formed, and some were not sure as to their king's decision on this matter. Thranduil accepted that rather easily, the same had been true for a while when he was first made a general. He had been a warrior in Doriath, and that was where he had trained his skills to perfection. His parents had been there as well. Though very strong, after the destruction occurred his mother no longer wished to remain on these shores and his father had been unable to bear the thought of leaving her.

Thranduil had been impressed upon to Sail as well, but in the end he refused, saying he was not one for leaving Ennor quite yet. He still had felt a desire to remain. So he had gone to Gil-galad who had appreciated his skill as a warrior and promoted him quickly. Thranduil had kept Ortherion at his side the entire time, his now General having also been at his side in Doriath. Both understood horror in war, and their loyalty to each other had been unquestioned since their families fled their home together. It had not been that much of a surprise that Ortherion had decided to follow him. What had surprised Thranduil was the twenty others that decided to come as well.

In either case, when he had first become a general, there were only thirty that had ever served under him at any point before, the rest of his entire troop was made of those who never had. It had taken several unfortunate encounters with Orcs to gain their complete loyalty and trust, but it had happened. So much so that twenty of them were willing to follow him into a potential disaster. Thranduil knew therefore that since he had done it once he could do it again.

He would prefer it to be without the Orcs.

The first couple days passed by without incident, but on the third day Thranduil's senses started tingling. Ortherion rode up beside him. He had felt it as well.

"You feel it?" Ortherion asked him. Thranduil nodded, eyes scanning the valley in front of them. His sword was still sheathed, but in his lap a dagger rested ready to be thrown if necessary. "What do we do?"

"Stay together. We have safety in numbers. We knew we might get attacked. We already have the women and elflings in the center. There's not much else we can do but wait. They might think we are more threatening than we are and avoid attacking us."

"So are they Men or…?" Ortherion left his questioned unfinished.

Thranduil's eyes took on a more far away look and Ortherion waited. "Men," Thranduil finally said, "Our horses would be snorting more if there were foul creatures nearby."

Ortherion started to nod and then they both tensed. Thranduil's jaw clenched and then he glanced at Oiolairë. Move back. He told her. She looked at him, clearly implying she was not going anywhere even though she felt everything she did. Please. He added. She rolled her eyes this time.

I am capable of defending myself. Thranduil threw her an annoyed look but she only looked forward. He sighed and Ortherion chuckled, knowing both of them well enough to also know what was going on. Thranduil chose to ignore him. "Daugion," Thranduil called. The captain moved next to Ortherion. "Inform him," Thranduil told Ortherion who softly explained the situation to Daugion.

"He says he could send out scouts." Ortherion said to Thranduil who shook his head.

"No, there are already a few of his up ahead scouting the way as normal. One disappearing into thin air would be very easy to kill and none of us would know. Like I said, our safety is in numbers." Ortherion relayed the information to Daugion.

It was at that moment that a cry sounded from up ahead. They all paused and Thranduil glanced at the people behind him who seemed confused. He glanced up then, and saw a few of the would be robbers disappear as he looked. Ortherion had seen them as well. "Daugion?"

"It was a warning cry, not one of pain." He said. "They must have seen them and not actually been confronted. Otherwise we would hear the sound of weapons as well." Thranduil nodded slightly. Suddenly, one of the bandits materialized in front of them, with one of the scouts at knife-point. Thranduil's eyes narrowed, but other than that his face remained the same, but panic was sounding behind him.

"Oiolairë, get back there and calm them down. Panic will do no one good." Thranduil said softly. Oiolairë glanced at him and then nodded, backing away and slipping into the camp.

"You are not heading for Lórien I would wager, otherwise you would not be using this pass." The bandit called.

"We could kill him." Ortherion said.

"Not yet, I think they have enough numbers to have a few key archers with their eyes on us. One arrow at your heart and we just lost everything." Daugion said, looking at Thranduil.

"He is right," Thranduil admitted. "I do not think they have enough members to threaten us as a whole, which is why they took a hostage. We need to know where the other scouts are."

There was a clearing of the throat and the three of them looked at the bandit again. "Did you hear me?"

"Yes," Thranduil answered. The bandit was clearly expecting more. Ortherion nudged Daugion and he nodded slightly, motioning to one other Guard member. The Guard member acted like he was going off into the people but then he slipped away.

"So? Where are you going?" The bandit asked, mostly to prod Thranduil.

"What concern is it of yours?" Thranduil replied. "I see no reason to tell you anything."

"I have one of your own."

"And?" Thranduil asked. Now he heard murmurs of surprise from those who could hear him. Ortherion remained steady at his side, and around the camp the other Sindarin warriors seemed to know what was going on as well.

The bandit was clearly as surprised as everyone else was. The scout remained mute. "Do you not care?"

"You tell me." Thranduil answered. Ortherion was scanning the valley for the potential archers who could be training their arrows on them.

"Daugion," he said softly, flicking his eyes to the four he saw. Daugion noticed and again nodded. His eyes caught those of another Guard and the information passed from eyes to eyes as the bandit was clearly trying to come up with an answer.

"Clearly, you have not tried to do anything to get the scout back so you must not. Then again, you have not had me shot yet, so you might."

Thranduil raised one eyebrow. "Conflicting emotions." He commented.

"Well, if you do, we might have a deal. If you do not, but you care for your own life, we might as well. There are archers trained on you, since you are their leader, and one wrong move and you die." Ortherion's horse side-stepped.

Not yet. Thranduil told Ortherion whose jaw tightened. Keep an eye on Oiolairë though. Ortherion glanced at him and there was amusement in his eyes.

"And?" Thranduil asked again. This time the surprise was more eminent on the bandit's face.

"You care not for your own life?" He asked.

"Perhaps," Thranduil said. Daugion got Thranduil's attention then by making his horse snort. Thranduil glanced at him and Daugion's eyes met his.

The other scouts are safe, here in the camp. He said.

Have your Guard ready to take out those archers. But do not look it. Thranduil then turned his attention back to the bandit. "What is the price on my soul?" He asked. The bandit looked more hopeful.

"Everything," the bandit said. Thranduil's eyes widened slightly.

"At least he thinks I am worth it." Thranduil muttered and Ortherion glanced at him.

"What are you going to do?" He asked. Thranduil glanced at him with a wry smile barely visible on his face.

"Something you and Oiolairë and Daugion may kill me for later." He said and then swung off his horse.

"Oh," Ortherion said disgruntled. Thranduil left his sword behind having no other visible weapons on him. Daugion started to chase after him but Ortherion stopped him. "Wait," he said. Oiolairë rode up beside them. A glance exchanged between her and Thranduil and then she sighed.

Thranduil walked toward the bandit. "You must think me more valuable than I actually am." Thranduil said. The scout looked half confused and half mortified as Thranduil came near.

"You look important." The bandit answered.

"You must think us richer than we are as well. You may get one chest full of gold." Thranduil said.

"I do not think so. You are all Elves." The bandit answered, stepping more behind the scout as Thranduil came closer.

"You might find we are simpler than our kin. At least at the moment." Thranduil said.

"Stop where you are, or I will kill this Elf." The bandit finally said as Thranduil came within an arm's reach.

Thranduil stopped walking. He took the opportunity to look at the scout. When it happens, move. He said. The scout only looked confused. "Well, it looks like the price on my soul is too high. You might have to kill me anyway."

"You really do not care for your life, do you?" The bandit asked. "Do those who follow you agree?"

"It does not matter." Thranduil answered. He took another step forward.

"I said stop!" The bandit said. Thranduil stopped, his blue eyes inspecting the man. "Though your clothes are travel stained and your words uncaring, I believe you do have money and a lady back there to care if you die. You will not kill me before I kill this Elf and then you will be shot down. Give me the chest of gold then, if that is all you have."

Thranduil cocked his head. "You are naïve." He said. The man frowned and then there was a whoosh! Eight arrows passed on either side and the bandit looked skyward before he realized Thranduil had moved. Thranduil moved to quickly, too fast for the bandit to react and the scout dutifully followed Thranduil's order and slipped out of the man's surprised grasp.

Then the man laughed. "You have no weapon, elven lord or whatever you are."

Thranduil cocked his head and glanced pointedly at the man's chest. The man looked down and then looked surprised at the dagger buried in his chest. The man looked back up at him as he fell to his knees. "Wh-"

"I had no sword." Thranduil said and walked over and took his dagger back. He then glanced around the valley. If there were other bandits, they had fled. He and the scout returned to their main party. Oiolairë did not look to happy, but he smiled at her. "I told you." He said and then swung up on his horse. Ortherion sighed in resignation.

"I may have given up on lecturing you." Ortherion said. "But I cannot say the same for your entire Guard." Thranduil raised one eyebrow.

"Well, nothing is new." He said. "I will not listen to them like I did not listen to you."

Ortherion snorted. "You were right in one aspect. Nothing is new."

Thranduil glanced at him, and by the look in his eye he knew both of them were remembering the same thing.

They were in Doriath. Thranduil was a commander then, guard to Elwing. He knew what the family guarded, and was a dangerous warrior then. Ortherion was his second. They usually would take shifts so that one could sleep. Thranduil was on guard when it happened.

It was a nightmare for everyone. His parents were nobles among the people of Doriath, and they were targeted as the enemy Elves entered the stronghold. Thranduil still had his duty. "Ortherion!" He called and the Elf woke quickly. "Take my parents, help them flee!" He grabbed his own charge and led her through the stronghold, tightening his resolve as Elves attacked them and he had to cut those who attacked him down.

His charge cried out several times, clutching at her heart and Thranduil knew her family was dying if not dead. His grip on her tightened and he pulled her through the hallways, he himself choking at the smell of Elven blood that filled the air. Then he ran into Ortherion and both of their parents.

"You have not escaped?" Ortherion panted.

"No, is there no way?" Thranduil replied. His parents looked pale and gaunt, as did Ortherion's. Beside him, Elwing was sobbing. She held her own burden close to her chest. Tears streamed down her face.

"Look out!" Ortherion said. Thranduil swung and cut down the Elf who had charged him. His stomach turned as the Elf fell dead to the floor.

Thranduil looked back at the others. Inwardly he despaired. Why was there no way out? Then he remembered his expeditions of his younger years, before he was a warrior. He grabbed the sobbing elleth anew and started running. "Follow me!" He yelled. They all glanced at him surprised but quickly hurried after him.

He pushed them down another hallway, heading this time toward what everyone thought was a dead end. "Are you crazy!" Ortherion yelled. "This is a dead end!" Thranduil glanced behind him to see more Elven attackers running at them. He pushed everyone ahead of him.

"Ortherion, do you remember that room we used to play in?" Ortherion frowned, clearly wondering why they were reminiscing now. Then his face cleared and he nodded. "Go!" Thranduil yelled.

Ortherion started to lead them but then turned back. "Thranduil!" He yelled. Thranduil rolled his eyes.

"Go!" He yelled again. Ortherion hesitated and then led the other five to the room Thranduil had reminded him about. Thranduil turned. "Stop." He said to the attackers. His sword was deceivingly lowered.

His attackers sneered. "We have to get what we came for." They said. "You are in our way." An arrow was loosed at him and he dodged. Then five Elves attacked him but he stood his ground. He felt his arm become split open but he shoved a hidden dagger in their chest. He soon realized it was quite hopeless as the number of his injuries grew. Then ten other Sindar came running down the hallway and cut the four other Elves down that were surrounding Thranduil. They looked over each other and found none of them were doing much better. They all had injuries ranging from scratches to major injuries.

"Come on," Thranduil finally said panting. "I know a way out." They followed him and they slipped into the room. He pressed his hand against a certain block and a crawlspace opened. "Go on," he said. The Elves started crawling one by one, Thranduil guarding the entrance. He heard swift movements outside the room. "Hurry," he whispered. Finally the last Elf passed down and Thranduil sheathed his sword. He started crawling as well, sadly realizing it was a lot smaller now that he was grown. He sighed and continued crawling. At the other end he found Ortherion waiting.

"Do not ever do that again!" Ortherion yelled at him. Thranduil smiled wearily.

"No promises." He said. His mother burst into tears at the sight of the blood covering body. He glanced down at himself. Not only was his arm spilt open, but his thigh was as well. He felt a gash down his back and he thought his shoulder might have a wound as well but he was not sure.

"Ion nin," his mother said weakly. Thranduil let her wrap his arms around him, but he grimaced as the adrenaline started leaving his body.

"We should go, we have to flee before they find us." His father said. All the other Sindar nodded.

"Their horses!" Ortherion said as he pointed out the horses their enemy had arrived on. They took those they needed and told all the others to flee. The horses listened and they rode hard as fast as they could out of Doriath.

"Where can we go?" One of them asked.

"Sirion." Another answered.

They had succeeded in saving the Silmaril, but they had lost. They found that some other Sindar had escaped as well, but not many. Going to Sirion had meant encountering the Sea, and it also meant Thranduil's parents had Sailed. Then the First Age ended, and Thranduil and Ortherion came to Lindon and joined the army.

After that incident, the Silvans that had been hesitant about Thranduil's wisdom and soundness of mind were now some of the most loyal.

"At least they like you now." Ortherion commented when Thranduil had muttered something about being stalked.

Thranduil sighed. "At least it did not take Orcs this time." He said.

That made Ortherion laugh.

A/N: Hope you enjoy! I like occasional ventures into the past. (if you could not tell) I may do more. We will see. :)