The Life & Times of Greenwood the Great

Part I: A Nation is Formed

On the Banks of Anduin

c.750 SA- Anduin

The mountains where relatively safe after that. Either word from the bandits had spread and no one bothered with them or there was no one else to bother them. It was, however, still with great relief to everyone that they arrived on the other side. Now they rested on the banks of Anduin where they would have to stay while the rafts were built.

At this moment, the Council was organizing raft builders and a schedule. They were hoping to start moving again in a week. Thranduil stood on the bank of the river, looking across it. They had found a point to cross that was low in rapids, a place that was swimmable if they had wanted to. Amusingly enough, there was now a few Elflings splashing in the water with a few older ones watching them. Though the older ones were just as playful as the younger ones in this case.

"At least someone is having fun." Daugion said walking up to him. Thranduil glanced at him, with one eyebrow raised.

"You saying you have no desire to join them?"

Daugion laughed. "Is the dignified king saying he wants to?" Daugion asked.

Thranduil smiled. "Perhaps." He said. He turned away and walked back into the camp. "Everyone will probably be in the water at some point."

"Indeed, no one has had a proper bath in ages."

That made Thranduil laugh.

Nights here were quite different than they had been either while travelling or in the other cities. Here they were alone, and the true nature of the Silvans came out. At night they built campfires all along the camp and started singing. Laughter came from all parts of the camp. Even with little food, it seemed they did not need it to socialize with each other. Some were playing in the river, the older ellyn and ellith acting just as playful as the little elflings that also graced the river. The trees on the banks of the river seemed also to be joyous in the presence of the Elves. Those few Sindar that were there seemed amused by all of it, but they were Elves too and as the days went by they seemed to loosen and become more like their neighbors.

Thranduil was not at all sure that any of the Elves ever slept. It was not like they really needed it, most had slept while they traveled and would sleep while they traveled. He watched with contented eyes as the Elves continued in their revelry. Oiolairë sat next to him and his arm was around her waist. They mostly listened, slowly learning the songs of their people.

The songs were mostly light hearted, joyous things that reveled in nature and the stars. Right now, most of their songs were about or included water as they were next to the river. There were also noises from the nature itself, seeming to sing a long with the Elves as they sang themselves.

"I think these Elves have a deeper connection with nature than the others." Thranduil said softly to Oiolairë.

She nodded once, cocking her head. "Yes, it does seem that way. Perhaps it is their connection with Ennor itself. They love this land and their hearts do not long for Aman like the Sindar or Noldo. It might make this land respond with greater heart to them as well."

"Even though no land would ever forget Elves if they once lived there." Thranduil said contemplatively.

"You smell better than you have in a while." Oiolairë commented as she leaned against him.

He raised an eyebrow, glancing down at her. "I suppose I should thank you, but I am not sure if I actually should. We will be travelling a long the river for a while now though so all of us should smell like river water for the time being."

"Well that is good." Oiolairë commented. Thranduil grunted.

"I love you too." He said.

"You better." Oiolairë said. "I still am not sure about your recklessness."

"You will not drive it out of me." Thranduil said, this not being the first time she had brought up the incident that she felt had endangered his life.

"I know. Sometimes I like it. When it involves your life, however, I feel differently."

Thranduil smiled and kissed her forehead. "I knew I was not going to die."

"So you say, but you have done things like that before."

"That was before we were married, love."

"I guess I hoped after we were married you would be less reckless." She sighed.

"Nay, now I have to protect you which will only make me more reckless. Face it, I am who I am."

"I know. I only wanted to make sure you knew I am still going to make you regret it." Oiolairë said.

"I have a feeling you will." Thranduil grimaced. Oiolairë only laughed and kissed his cheek.

"The rafts are ready?" Thranduil asked.

"Yes, we have five. That is about ten families at a time, maybe." Arphenion said.

"Move half the soldiers then first, and then half the council. After that, we need order. Nor do we really have to hurry. There is plenty of time." Arphenion nodded.

"And you? When will you move?" Thranduil opened his mouth and then realized he did not have an answer.

"I have not thought about it." He admitted.

"Since when does he ever think about himself?" Tawarthion asked. Thranduil frowned.

"I do... often enough." Tawarthion resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"How about you go with the first group? It is not like we cannot yell at each other across the river." Tawarthion said.

Thranduil had no such inhibitions and did roll his eyes. "If you feel that way, then I have no problem with going across first."

"We will give those leaving first forewarning today then. That way they can be ready by tomorrow." Idhrenion said.

"What of our horses?" Rimedur asked.

"They can be tied down. That is not a problem." Thranduil said.

"Have you done this before?" Arphenion asked.

Thranduil smiled. "Actually, I have." He said before walking away. "I will leave you to it then."

"He does enjoy making me do things." Tawarthion muttered.

"He left all of us to do it. Do not flatter yourself." Idhrenion said while Arphenion laughed, leaving Tawarthion to simply look disgruntled.

Thranduil started exploring the other side of the river bank almost as soon as they finished unloading everything from the raft. He walked some along the bank and then explored deeper into the woods along the bank. He found a couple runoffs and some clearings as well. "Do I have to find you missing every other time I look for you?" Oiolairë asked when she found him.

He turned and smiled like an elfling at her. "What? I am exploring."

"So I see." Oiolairë said. "Do you have a care to ever rest for a few moments?"

"We have been resting long, love. Nor have I been able to run from Daugion until now." Thranduil said. "It is easier when he is still on the other side of the river at least for another hour."

Oiolairë rolled her eyes. "And if you get attacked out here?"

"I do have a sword. I have learned how to use it." Thranduil said, grinning. "Relax, love. This is a rather safe place." Oiolairë sighed.

"So then have you found anything?"

"Of course," Thranduil said. "A few runoffs, some clearings, some interesting flowers."

"Nothing useful then."

"I find runoffs very useful. And what do you mean flowers are not useful? They are very useful." Thranduil said.

"What do you find so useful?"

He smiled and then held one out to her. "For giving to people." He said winking and then disappearing into the tree behind him.

She smelled it, and found the aroma pleasing. It was a beautiful flower. "I suppose." She said. "Where are you going?"

She heard him laugh. "Come and see," he said. She frowned, put the flower in her hair and looked up the tree.

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

"You are supposed to be a wood-elf now, love."

"Not yet," she said. He descended lower and held out his hand to her. She grabbed it and he pulled her up to the first branch. "How did you learn to climb so fast?"

"I did not." He said. "Ortherion and I used to scale anything we could. Tree or rock. Even the actual fortress." He added. "Come," he said. She followed more carefully than his seemingly careless movements until they got almost to the top. He pulled her onto a limb next to his.

"What?" She asked, not seeing anything. He pointed and her breath caught. From this vantage point there was a clear line of sight into the forest. Birds were singing on the next tree over as squirrels and such ran from tree to tree chittering. Flowers grew in the most curious places and the trees seemed to be singing as well. The light broke through the trees in rays, sending spotlights onto the forest floor where a doe and her fawn were grazing peacefully. A few rabbits were nibbling on something they found next to a clear stream from the river. Oiolairë's widened eyes turned back to his.

"This is our home?" She asked.

"Not this particular place, but yes. This is Eryn Galen." He said softly. His voice was no longer mischievous like an elfling but lower and more reverent. Suddenly she realized why he had seemed different when they came back from here the first time.

"This is beautiful." She breathed. "I see why you and the others settled on this place."

"This is not half of it." Thranduil said smiling. He lowered himself so he was sitting on the limb. He started singing something to himself that Oiolairë did not recognize. She moved again carefully so she was sitting on the same branch.

What is it you sing? She asked. He cocked his head, lips falling silent.

A song they sang when they were here. He said.

You have some strange emotion when you sing it. Oiolairë said. He looked at her, eyes sparkling.

"I do not know how to explain it." He admitted. "Perhaps it was because they started singing right after we decided this would be our home. It was... emotional."

"So it seems," Oiolairë agreed. His mouth curved into a small smile.

"This is home, love." He said softly She leaned back so that he could wrap his arms around her.

"I like it." She said softly as he kissed the top of her head.

The people were moved slowly. They had no hurry, there was no need for it. Now that there was about an even number on either side of the bank, nights were even more curious to watch. The lights that dotted both sides of the bank created an illusion of fireflies and the water seemed to add its own chorus to the melody.

Thranduil was not the only Elf to go exploring. Most of those who had been curious about Eryn Galen in the first place were now exploring the forest for themselves. When Tawarthion came across he had taken off first thing and was not see again until the next day. Daugion had informed Thranduil that he might have an unhealthy obsession with drawing after Thranduil had made him do so much. "Well then he will have to do more." Was Thranduil's response.

Those who were composers among them immediately started forming songs about their new home even though they had yet to see the place that would truly become their home. It was quite the experience as the Elves on the other side of the river picked up on the songs and their melodies echoed back and forth. Thranduil had mused at one point that if any of the race of Man, or even perhaps Dwarf, wandered this way while they were still here they might find the place haunted with the strange melody bouncing back and forth.

Slowly, as the days trickled by, the lights on the other side grew less, and after four weeks everyone was finally across. Thranduil sighed upon hearing the declaration. "Reconsidering settling here?" Tawarthion asked him.

"No, it is still unsafe." Thranduil said crossing his arms. "But it is beautiful."

"Good for trade," Tawarthion agreed.

"I knew I would have problems with you." Thranduil said before turning away. Then he paused and turned back. "We will leave the day after tomorrow, at dawn." Tawarthion smiled slightly.

"So you do like it here?"

"Never said I did not." Thranduil called before disappearing from sight.

The next day everyone hustled about getting everything ready for departure. The commotion was somewhat chaotic as it always was, and it was those that had been moved the longest that were having the hardest time getting ready. It seemed everyone had enjoyed the river. Although, it was somewhat ironic because they were staying on the bank of the Anduin for most of the remainder of their journey until they turned into Eryn Galen to stay. In any case, everyone seemed to be ready as the sun descended and the night time fires were lit. This time was different. It seemed the same at first, but after a while everything quieted down until one voice rose from the silence.

The wind blew gently as it did, and Thranduil became lost in memory.

He sheathed his sword and the others watched as he held out a hand, singing softly once more.

They stared as the creature stepped out of the woods, slowly approaching Thranduil. He was smiling gently, as the Elk stared at him, standing tall before the Elf. Elf and Elk stared at each other, both seeing what the other would do, while the Elf continued to sing. The Elk stepped closer, they were now inches apart, staring down at Thranduil who did nothing but sing. Suddenly, the Elk lowered its head, touching its nose to the ground.

Tawarthion approached them both slowly, the other four deciding to follow behind him. The Elk had raised its head to nuzzle Thranduil's hand, as he smiled. Tawarthion then spoke softly.

"He knows you will be our King." He said softly. The wind carried a soft breeze that caressed their faces and filled the void that had been left when the future King had stopped singing. Tawarthion stepped closer to Thranduil who was simply staring at him, face impassive once more. "Aran nin," he said softly. He raised his hands, which Thranduil now saw held a crown weaved of the vine and autumn leaves he had seen. Thranduil bowed his head at the emotion and Tawarthion placed the crown on his head.

"You will be our King," he said softly, "King of Greenwood the Great." Thranduil raised his head to see all four Silvan Elves behind Tawarthion kneeling, before Tawarthion kneeled as well.

"Hannon le," he said softly, the Elk nudging his hand once more.

Then they all gathered around a fire and Idhrenion started singing. Tawarthion obviously recognized the song and joined in. Slowly all but their new king had joined, and even he was singing without knowing what it was. It was a beautiful song.

Hope.

Faith.

Love.

It was all of these and more. Something about it entwined the nature around them with their coming fate. Thranduil was not sure what it was, he would not be until later, but at the moment he knew that it was connected to them and this forest. It would be.

Until the end.

The song was the last of the night, everyone in quiet meditation after it was over. It seemed they all had the same reaction, even the Sindar who had no idea what they were singing. It unified them as it had those six who had heard it in this forest first. It changed all of them. They might not have a permanent home for a while yet, but they were truly a nation by now if they had not been. The recent events combined with their relaxing time along Anduin had done the trick. They might struggle still, they would.

Eryn Galen would have its share of struggles down the road as none of them even guessed at the time. But they would face it together, unified. Even in their darkest moments.

A/N: Hope you guys continue to enjoy! By the way, that last memory was in the second chapter but I added in the part about what happened after Tawarthion crowned Thranduil. It made it more sentimental.

Also, thanks to the guest reviewer Russian Moose last time for your review:) It did reach me and quite made my day. :D And I do not plan on ever abandoning this story.