The Life & Times of Greenwood the Great
Part II: Shadows Rise
Troubled King
c. 1362 SA- Lindon
Thranduil walked quickly out of the Palace and breathed deeply once he was outside. The fresh air slowly calmed his racing heart, but there was a deeper shadow that it would not stay. He leaned against the building, out of sight of anyone else. He sighed.
"Aran nin?" Thranduil's eyes opened quickly and he looked in the direction of the speaker. Daugion was watching him warily. "Are you alright?" Daugion asked stepping closer.
Thranduil opened his mouth, the words "I'm fine" on his lips, but he realized that he was not, and that he had endangered them all. He pushed himself out from against the wall. "Gather the others. Pack up everything. I will get the horses. We are leaving."
"But we only just arrived." Daugion said.
"And we are no longer welcome." Thranduil answered as he headed toward the field where he knew the horses would be grazing.
Daugion stared after him for a moment, before realizing he had orders to carry out. He turned back inside, sending his thoughts ahead to those who waited in their rooms. Pack up. We are leaving.
Thranduil whistled once he got closer, and his horse looked up at him from where he was grazing. The horse neighed once, and all the other horses looked up as well. His horse was a white stallion and looked like the kind of horse a king should ride. A king…
What kind of a king was he? What king endangers his entire nation in but one meeting? And all for the sake of his conscience…
The horses all galloped up to him, but as soon as his horse reached him, it knew something was wrong. His name was Argalad. Argalad was young himself, but his sires had been allowing Thranduil to ride them for a long while. All of them had been the same. Pure white, strong-willed, easily excitable, competitive, but at the same time they had been nothing but loyal to him. And now even Argalad butted his nose into Thranduil's shoulder, asking him what was wrong.
I do not know. Thranduil told him.
But you are… shadowed.
Shadowed was as good a way to describe how he felt at the moment as any other. Perhaps he was. Perhaps. He paused and then said. Come, we are leaving. Argalad followed him as he walked back to his own. Daugion, Galion, and the other guards met him back close to the Palace.
"Why are we leaving?"
"We are not welcome." Thranduil said simply. "Come, I shall explain later."
They all followed wordlessly as they loaded two of the horses and set off. "So now we should be worried?" Daugion asked softly later.
"Yes, I believe we should." Thranduil said even softer.
Daugion remained silent.
After Thranduil had left, the meeting had changed tones considerably. The tension left the room, and even though Gil-galad could hardly bear the thought that Annatar still stood in the room, it felt lighter than it had all day. He would rid his kingdom of the Maia the next day, and Celebrimbor would remain a friend. Galadriel seemed to be ill at ease still.
I do not like the thought of Celebrimbor continuing this.
No, but what choice have we? He will not listen.
I fear you are right. There is no way to stop him without causing conflict. Tell me, was Thranduil really so bad?
I did not believe it at first, but what they accuse him of makes sense.
In Doriath… he seemed… restless but certainly not malicious.
He was always restless. Perhaps he simply is not trustworthy. That doesn't mean he is malicious.
Mmm… strange. Thingol and Melian both seemed to hold him in high regard.
Perhaps he has changed.
Melian did not seem to judge people so wrongly.
Then maybe this was one time she did.
Perhaps…
Next to Gil-galad, Elrond was having an internal debate of his own. He did not believe any of what had been thrown against the Sinda King. He had wanted to speak up, but had thought Gil-galad would do so. He internally sighed, not hardly paying attention any more. He wanted to go after Thranduil, speak with him. He figured he would track him down after the meeting. He knew Thranduil favored the woods, and he even knew which area of the woods he favored. He would find him and speak to him. Perhaps he could learn the truth of all of this.
Elrond came out of the meeting room hurriedly. He went first to the rooms assigned to the Wood-elves, but upon arriving found their doors open and the room cleaned out, though it looked as if they had left in a hurry.
"He has run." A voice came behind him.
He turned to see Annatar. "Who?"
"Thranduil, he has run."
"Why would he run?"
"Because he knew what he was accused of was true. He knew that he had to leave before his throne was taken from him."
"And you would know this? Thranduil is nothing as you have made them believe. He may be reckless but that is not a fault! He is a good leader, and a strong one. If he left, he left because he knew you were sewing seeds of mistrust!"
"Me? I would never do such a thing."
"Then you are a liar." Elrond said shortly. "Thranduil would never be swayed by someone like you, and perhaps he left because of the insult thrown at him."
"A man that cannot take being corrected every once and a while-."
"That was more than correction!" Elrond said.
"What is going on?" Celebrimbor asked, walking up. He looked at the open doors with interest.
"Thranduil has run." Annatar said softly. Elrond's eyes flared but before he could respond, Celebrimbor did.
"Typical." Was all he said and walked away. Elrond's eyes widened. Gil-galad then walked up.
"Where have they gone?"
"He is running home." Annatar said.
"Gil-galad, you know that is not true!" Elrond said. "He left, yes. But he left because he knew the situation was hopeless, not because he was frightened."
"He left?" Gil-galad asked.
"Yes, he knew that he had been rightly accused."
"No he did not! He left because he could not stand such lies." Elrond said. "My king, please, let me go to Eryn Galen. I can talk to him."
"No, not right now. You are needed here. Perhaps later." Gil-galad said before walking away. Elrond stared after him.
Before he could accuse Annatar again, the Maia had disappeared.
Thranduil had explained, but only that the meeting had gone poorly and that they were no longer welcome. They all took it in stride and left Thranduil alone without questioning his explanation, but it hardly took once glance at him to realize something went much deeper than that.
"What are we going to do?" Daugion asked Thranduil, trying to get anything he could out of him.
"Disappear," he said, his voice hard. "I was right, we were right to keep the exact location of our Palace secret. Now we will hide, and hopefully this will not end as I fear it will." Thranduil's eyes looked haunted.
"They might send spies after us to find out where we make our home." Daugion said quietly.
"I know," Thranduil said just as quiet. "I will think on it, but we will enter Greenwood in the south."
They rode for a few days before they finally came to the southern border. Thranduil caught Daugion's eyes. Once we get in the woods send someone to circle back on foot and watch for anyone following us. They can send messages through the trees. You need to actually tell the trees to watch for it as well. Daugion sent him his mental acquiescence before motioning to another with his hand as they breached the woods. The Guard member acted swiftly, melting into the woods from off the back of his horse without a sound. Daugion too pulled himself into the trees and began speaking with them until he caught up to the rest of them a half an hour later.
If you still have the same plan, the trees are all agreeing to help us. Daugion told him. Thranduil nodded, not even verbally acknowledging his Captain. Daugion did not like this, Thranduil was way too quiet. He still was not sure exactly what was wrong, but he knew it was possibly a calamity.
What's wrong? He asked Thranduil. You have not said much.
We will discuss it soon. The King answered. Daugion's lips thinned and his mind roved. What if...? If this was as bad as it could be, what would happen to their loved ones? I know, Thranduil said, I am thinking the same thing. Daugion blushed slightly. He had forgotten to close off their bond. And who is this Elleth you are thinking of?
Daugion actually smiled, both because he was glad to hear Thranduil's humor again and because he knew exactly who Thranduil was talking about. It also made him blush a little deeper. Ah, Well... I meant to talk to you about that soon... I was thinking about marrying her...
I can see that, Thranduil said, still slightly amused beneath the darker thoughts that Daugion could tell were still milling around in his mind. When were you thinking about telling me this?
After I talked to her father, Daugion said, the tips of his ears now reddening.
I wouldn't know… Thranduil said flashing a smile at him. Daugion glared at him in return.
Well since I'm not sure when I'll work up the courage to do that much, I was not going to tell you yet.
Well, as long as we are not at full blown war when you do, I am fine with you taking a very long vacation.
You just want to get rid of me. Daugion muttered.
I told you that you needed a wife or a hobby. I'm fine with it being the first one. Thranduil said. Then he went quiet, but he remained connected to Daugion as if he were considering his next words. Finally he spoke again, but it was more of a whisper. I am sorry. He said.
Daugion looked at him surprised. What for?
Thranduil was quiet for a long moment before he responded. What happened at the meeting… I may have just landed all of us in a large amount of trouble. I… I am a terrible king. I might have just put all of us in danger to have nothing more than a clean conscience.
Daugion stared at him. He did not even know where to begin or what to say. You are our king. We chose you. If you had not been suitable we would have never let you continue on.
You might all think otherwise after I explain all.
I may not know what happened, but I trust you. If you thought rationally through everything, and had a reason for what you did, even if it was your conscience, then the whole nation will be behind you.
I do not deserve that.
Then you should perhaps remember everything you have brought us through. We were restless before you came. Do not doubt yourself so.
But I do. I keep thinking that… perhaps I should have never agreed. You would not have even been in this mess, and all the people would be safe. I have no idea what horrors are about to visit us. And now we have no allies and it is all my fault. I could not just agree with everyone else. All because I could not take the thought of bartering with the devil. Surely I could have gotten around it somehow-.
Daugion reached out and grabbed Thranduil's arm. Thranduil's head darted to his, and Daugion saw the turmoil in his eyes. What did they do?
They… our enemy needed someone to take the attention off of him. I was the only rational target. They questioned me, insulted me a few times (though that hardly matters), and at last they asked me what I would do. Everyone else had already agreed, what could I do? The enemy told me I needed to make a decision for it would affect my entire nation. I did not know what to do. I tried, but now they all believe me to be a greedy, vicious, liar and-.
They're crazy. Daugion said, interrupting. Besides, we decided on a king to make a national identity. Insulting you was the same as insulting me, or the rest of our nation. I understand. So will everyone else. We will survive whatever is to come. And I still believe you to be a good king.
Still, Thranduil said, I am sorry I could not be better. Daugion looked at him.
Thranduil looked weary, perhaps not in how he carried himself, but his eyes looked darker than Daugion had ever seen them. You are better than you think just for not listening to this enemy. Daugion said. Take faith, Thranduil, he continued, resorting to a first name basis to get his point across, Your entire nation is behind you, even if the world is not.
We may all go down together for this.
Not for a while we're not. Your army is strong, and we will not stop fighting until we all die. No surrender.
I appreciate the sentiment but I hope it does not come to that. I may have been a General but I never wanted to spill blood. It's too precious.
Let's cross that bridge when we come to it. Daugion said and after that they rode in silence.
"The rest of our people will have to be moved with care." Thranduil was saying. "No more comings and goings, at least for a little while. The trees have agreed to help us, and they will shelter us as we move from unfriendly eyes. After that our original plan of camouflaging our entire nation will become effective immediately."
"You still have not told us why this is necessary." Rimedur said.
"I am getting there." Thranduil said sighing before sitting in his chair. "I am afraid we may be alone, at least for now. I was in Eregion and there was nothing out of the ordinary. Then Celebrimbor began describing something new, and something very powerful. A powerful magic that would allow those who wielded it to protect entire nations on their own merit and bend nature to their will, so much so as it might even seem to freeze time. Now, if that had been all he said, he might have convinced me but nature changes seasons for a reason. At least I once thought so.'
"In either case, I was hesitant and he then tried to convince me by saying it was Annatar who taught their smiths this. At the time I did not know who he was, but still it sent a shiver down my spine. Even more hesitant, Celebrimbor gave up on convincing me, and I went to Lindon. I questioned Gil-galad, and he said Annatar had approached him as well. I found out that Annatar was the same as Sauron. He told me that Annatar was trying to convince them he was repentant.'
"I came back here then, after being told there was nothing we could do to stop either Celebrimbor or Annatar. I was then summoned not a little while ago by Gil-galad to attend a meeting where all of us might try to convince Celebrimbor. Well, when I arrived, I found that he had brought none other than Annatar with him. I felt uneasy. I should have left then perhaps. In the end, they let Annatar speak for himself. They found they were unable to convince Celebrimbor of his intentions, and that they would have to let things continue as they are. However, somewhere in the midst of all that, they began interrogating me."
"You? But why?" Tawarthion asked.
"Annatar needed someone to look guilty. So he began convincing them that I had ill intentions. That I was greedy, prejudiced, selfish… the like. I do not mind insults to myself. I have heard them before. But after that Annatar spoke to me in my mind. He told me to be careful, that my decision would bring nothing but pain and suffering on me and my people. I was asked if I would allow Annatar to continue working with Celebrimbor had it been up to me. He warned me again. I… I did not know what to do. The last thing I wanted was to put all of you in danger. But I had looked in his eyes and I saw nothing but darkness, and I could not bring myself to barter with the devil. And so I said no…"
Thranduil's eyes dropped. "I left after Annatar made it clear I was no longer welcome. I did not mean for this to happen, and I am deeply sorry for whatever comes next. If you wish to follow someone else I understand."
The last sentence threw them all. Thranduil did not look up. He said nothing after that. Daugion started to step up, but Galion held him back. No, let them decide this. They are the Council.
I used to be on it.
Yes, but perhaps he needs to be convinced he is not a plague to us by those who could consider him such.
Tawarthion spoke first. "If we hated you for such a crime, we would no longer be who we are. It may have not been the best political move ever made, but it was the right thing to do. Sauron is nothing but darkness. The land he resides in is always turned desolate. Or do we not have memory of this? We may have some trouble, but because you thought ahead, we are already prepared. We have a Palace waiting for us that no one knows how to get to, and we have another fortress in the mountains to guard our rear. You have nothing to be sorry for."
"He is right." Idhrenion said.
"Indeed, we must do this, and we will need a king to do it. One the people know." Arphenion said. Veryan was staring at the table.
"I never thought I would be relieved to be here." Thranduil, who had finally glanced up, raised an eyebrow at him. "No, I was always glad I came here, but relieved? It has been chaotic ever since it started. Now..." He trailed off. "What kind of power is this?"
"I heard someone mention it is inside a Ring, a magic ring I suppose." Thranduil said sighing. "If it were not Annatar I might have been convinced. Oh well... What's done is done and the nation must be readied and prepared." Everyone nodded, for once all in agreement. "We will begin moving as soon as possible. We can only hope this will not end in darkness."
The nation was informed cautiously. Enough so they would become wary of strangers, but not enough that they would become scared for their lives. They were moved slowly, and carefully, about five families at a time with three warriors. Even at this rate, within four months there was no one but the Council and Thranduil remaining in the South with five Guard members including Daugion. Their families had been the first to move before this problem had even occurred, so they were alone.
"We can finally move." Tawarthion said collapsing in his chair.
"Yes," Thranduil agreed looking out over the forest. It was clear, at least to the five who knew him best, that he was still burdened by whatever this was. His shoulders were just not as high as they used to be. "Search the cities though. Make sure there is nothing that could be valuable to someone else here. I would not put it past Annatar."
"They will search for us you know." Idhrenion said.
Thranduil nodded. "The patrols will have to look out for them, which means it is a good thing the army has been trained as it is. If someone comes that used to be an ally, someone like Gil-galad or Elrond, and they want an audience with me, they can be blindfolded and led somewhere that I can meet with them. Much like how we got the Dwarves here before. But as long as no one knows the exact way to the Palace, they cannot make a full attack."
"They can attack cities, villages."
"Yes, but hopefully the trees will warn us and those cities or villages can hide themselves before the enemy gets there." Daugion said.
"But with this power you were talking about, can we truly become invisible?" Melimion asked.
Thranduil sighed. "We can only hope once we have disappeared they lose interest in us. And pray the trees can shelter us." Everyone was silent for a minute.
"Well," Tawarthion said, "Let's get this over with. I have no intention of being here longer than I have to. Who will go with me east?"
Soon the remaining people were divided into groups to search the now ruins of their once home. Much of it had been temporary anyway, they had never planned on staying here. But still, it had been a good temporary home. Thranduil glanced around the temporary throne room and library, study, the place where he had spent most of his time anyway. Luckily, everything here had been moved when the Palace was completed, long before he had gone to Eregion a decade before. Unfortunately, the events in Lindon meant he had not seen Oiolairë since he left for Lindon either.
He knew she was alive, and concerned for him through their bond, but beyond that it was just lonely nights spent away from each other. That, and he assumed by now she had gotten word from someone about what had happened. That would only make her more concerned. He sighed, tomorrow they would set out for the Palace anyway.
"We have found nothing. Our people did a good job." Daugion said as his group came in. Thranduil nodded.
"Everyone is in but Tawarthion's group. They found a few things, but nothing of major importance. Tawarthion should be back at any moment. There is food and a place to sleep back there." Thranduil said. Daugion nodded and motioned for his group to go.
"Have you slept since we got back four months ago?" He asked. Thranduil looked at him bemused.
"Yes, I would not be standing if I did not."
Daugion rolled his eyes. "You need rest as much as the rest of us. Go, I will wait for Tawarthion."
"No, I can wait a few more minutes. I am not about to drop of pure exhaustion." Daugion sighed.
"Great, when the Queen asks why you died..."
"Aran nin!" Tawarthion cried. Daugion and Thranduil turned instantly toward the new comers. "Someone is coming toward us. I am not sure who, but it is someone."
Thranduil seemed to contemplate this. "Everyone hide. I will see who this is." Daugion was about to protest but Thranduil stopped him. "No, I know what I am doing. You can hide near me if it makes you feel better. Everyone else stay where the food and beds are." Daugion seemed unhappy but he followed orders. The other Elves dutifully went back there and then there was complete silence. Thranduil glanced around and then grabbed a blank scroll, sitting himself back on his old throne.
He heard more than one person enter the fortress, all muttering to themselves. He heard words like deserted and abandoned. Finally they stepped into the throne room and looked quite surprised to see Thranduil on his throne. He glanced up, still not lowering the scroll.
It was Elrond.