Title: They are young
Words: 1124
The voices are as loud and melodic as the music. They blend with the content sigh the trees exhale as they cocoon the elves inside the clearing.
The Silvan elves, along with some Sindar and many Avari, dance all around. The ellith with simple but colorful and beautiful dresses as do the ellyn with similar garments of their own. And in this dance under the trees of the kingdom of Thranduil Elvenking, there are no distinctions or race; tonight we are all kin.
The people sing with their heads held high and their voices merge with the melodies of flutes, violins, haps and little drums. Everyone joins in one-way or another and the night is peaceful indeed as the elves gather in celebration.
The trees that surround the clearing shelter us with their branches though unlike in most parts of the forest, a few of Elbereth's stars shine through the canopy of leaves and unto the merriment. At the petition of my father the trees have scooted their roots a little closer to themselves and under the earth so the people may have more room to dance without preoccupation. There is overflowing wine and plates of food on the tables, the grass and even on some of the branches.
It is a good night.
Nothing in particular is being celebrated tonight but the blessing of our long lives and that we may keep them for centuries to come. From my perch on a branch I look at my father in his makeshift throne, a fat oak has crafted it out of its own roots and branches just for tonight's occasion, and I smile at him and bless his heart under my breath.
Sauron's shadow and taint is long and the forest's sickness grows more with each passing day, but my king fights not just to keep the people and lands safe but also to keep their spirits light in face of the luring darkness. He want's them to be happy despite it all and I can see how the people appreciate that and love him even more for his rule and kind nature.
I can hear the rest of our people, spread not to far, in other clearings like this, having a merry time of their own. The air is light and the wine is sweet in my mouth, as I look outward to the dark forest I smile.
I turn my head at the sound of hushed discussion. Two ellyn and an elleth move each other around as they try to reach the throne of my king. The woman and one of the men push the third closer and closer to the wooden throne; they have captured the full attention of my father. He is amused at the sight and his eyes are still joyful from watching his people dance and sing like leaves in the wind. He waits for the trio to speak.
"Oh, king." Says the dark haired elf of the front with a bright smile "The night is alight in song and feast and your people dance and laugh and sing."
"That they do indeed." The king laughs lightly with a smile of his own.
"Will the king not join us in our merry making under the trees?" My fathers dark eyebrow rises, he is already with them, and waits again "Will the Elvenking not dance with his people?"
The music continues as does the people but the attention is also at the sight that has formed by the wooden throne. The king leans back and a smirk paints his lips.
"To join you in dance? What a question, that is for sure. Yes, my people do dance and sing but do not be fooled ellon gwein, I do not delight in a partnerless dance." He finishes, shrugging of his grandeus cloak as he stretches his shoulders.
The three elves falter, unsure of what to do now. It seems they did not expect a refusal nether had they planed ahead for another situation. The dark haired of the three lowers his head, ashamed perhaps of bringing forth the memory of the dead queen.
"So?" The king asks with a hint of annoyance "I'm waiting. I already said that I do not enjoy a partnerless dance." His look is stern as he awaits for someone to take his hand as it lays waiting in the air front of him. His eyes sparkle with delight for all to see the jest in his actions.
"My king, if so is your wish, this subject of yours will dance the whole night with you." The elleth says with a smile.
"And when morning comes, if you still are not satisfied, then I too shall dance with his grace." Said the other ellon of the light-brown, wavy locks.
My father laughs a resonating laugh; it seems to make trees around even more radiant than they were.
"I am not against dancing with many at once."
Without further prompting the group comes forth and each hold a hand of the king, the third placing his hand lightly in the small of his back. They guide him like gentle waves back and forth and my father lets them guide him. Soon more elves joined the group as they take hands and danced around, tangling and detangling themselves and letting go and returning with grace.
"Someone take a hold of my son! If I am to dance so is the prince of this wood, drag him down if you must!"
"Betrayal!" I shout at my father as a friend sneaks from behind me and tries to push me of the branch. I land lightly in a crouch, my fingers touching the soft grass, but before I can think someone has already stolen my cup of wine and a pair of elves, as the king has ordered, drag me towards the center of it all.
My father laughs a joyous sound at the sight of his elves guiding me from side to side in a mess of a dance; his demeanor light and young as if he were no older than two hundred years old.
"Are you pleased, Aran-nin?" I ask in mocking hurt.
"Very much so, hên-nin!" He places his hand on my cheek for a moment and smiles sweetly.
We dance with our people all night long until morning comes and my father is a bright light amongst us. For a moment I wonder how he was before, when he was young and lived in peace without the fear of losing his home or one he held dear ever touching his heart. It is a bittersweet thought but I don't have to think to hard. After all, why wonder about it when I can see it now?
Sindarin Translations and Concepts:
Ellon: Elf-man (Plural: Ellyn)
Elleth: Elf-maiden (Plural: Ellith)
Elbereth: The Vala Varda (As the elves call her)
Gwein: Young
Aran-nin: My king
Hên-nin: My child
Abril: I present you a long-ish drabble because I'm terrible and literally haven't updated in a year hehe.
This was requested a long time ago by TolkienScribe, she wrote:
Can you do one of Thranduil as youth? Like "My father's eyes are young"? I have a feeling you would do it wonderfully, :)
Cheers!
I do hope I did wonderfully hehe, because you people deserve it! I'm really sorry but I just don't have ideas anymore, my goal was to reach 50 chapters but I'm HALF-WAY-THERE. Not giving up, just sayin' the future doesn't look to bright.
Hmm, I think this is the longest chapter I've made for this story…