Note: Updated and corrected April2017 PT
Nariel the Red
Chapter 28: Parenthood
Radagast sat on the porch with his head in his hands. It had been a strange day. Firstly a messenger from Mirkwood had come with a letter from the prince. Then Cyllion had arrived with a message from his daughter. Now he was sitting trying to digest all of the information he had been given.
Thranduil dismounted his horse and walked slowly towards the cabin. He could see Radagast sitting on the front steps. Obviously he too had heard news from his offspring.
"Aiwendil?"
When the wizard looked up Thranduil saw that there were tears in his eyes. The elven king sat down next to his friend.
"She followed him then."
He said, unsurprised.
"Yes"
They sat for a while in silence together, each lost in their own thoughts.
"How is Dinenwen taking all this?"
Radagast asked suddenly.
"As well as can be expected"
The king replied with a sigh.
"He felt guilty about the creature Gollum's escape. We expected him to do something like this, so it is not a total surprise."
Thranduil's wife, Dinenwen was quiet and reserved, careful to keep her opinions to herself in order to let her husband rule. The one exception to that rule however was their two children.
"She will be relieved however to learn that Nariel is watching over him. As am I. Does that make me a bad friend Aiwendil? To rejoice in something that gives you such pain?"
The wizard shook his head with a small smile.
"If it does then I am also to blame. My only consolation in this is that your son will be there to watch over her."
Nodding the Elven King placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Come on my friend"
Thranduil said standing up.
"My wife is expecting me to bring you back to the palace with me. And I will not take no for an answer."
The Wizard laughed.
"Who am I to deny the King of Mirkwood such a request?"
Once they reached the palace Radagast followed Thranduil into one of the family rooms to see the Queen.
"Your Majesty"
He said inclining his head in greeting.
"Enough of that Aiwendil. There is no need for titles in this room. Besides from what I hear, when our little ones return we will have a wedding to plan"
Thranduil rolled his eyes at his wife's enthusiasm.
"Come on dear, you know Greenleaf said nothing of the sort in his letter"
He said handing Radagast a glass of wine.
"I know my Son Thranduil"
She huffed.
"As do I my love"
Thranduil continued
"Especially when he is around Nariel. And as soon as someone starts pushing them in that direction they'll run the other way."
Radagast nodded.
"I'm afraid that's true Dinenwen. All we can do is wait for them to get there on their own."
The three parents sat talking for hours, each feeling better about what was to come. Each was scared for their children but they knew that there was nothing more that they could do. They had taught them all that they could at home. Now it was up to them to survive this and come back to them.
