Weaving a Song
Chapter 35
c. 2510 TA
Haldir did not have to search long to find Almiel. She was in the Royal Gardens like she always was if she was upset about something. It was a trait that both children had inherited of their father. Thranduil had never been as comfortable indoors as he was out, which was ironic because now he spent more time inside. Then again, he also kept himself quite busy. Time alone for the king had become and impossible task, and he would rather be with his family if he had time to spare anyway. Either way, both Almiel and Legolas both disappeared to the same type places when upset. Legolas usually went high into the trees with a bow; Almiel usually stayed cradled in the trees roots where some small flowers also grew.
She ignored him for a while, but he had practically raised both his brothers and was therefore quite patient. It was easy enough to climb quite nonchalantly to the lower branches of the tree across from her and keep watch, both for her safety and sanity. Fortunately, she had also inherited the trait of an incredible bounce back from near death rate from her father as well and she seemed quite at ease. She still seemed more fatigued than usual, but that was only to be expected.
"You are quiet." She finally said.
"I had no need to speak."
She paused. "Were you not the one who told me to let go?"
"That was for a different situation." Haldir said gently. "Do you really think your father will just let someone who almost killed you go?"
"No," Almiel answered softly, "But I think he has been punished enough."
"Maybe," Haldir said.
"Haldir, whatever else others do to him, he has already realized what he did even if he doesn't act like it. He will tear himself apart. He does not realize why he caused it, he only knows that he did. Whatever it may have been, he still felt like he loved me."
"Perhaps next time you should force your way home sooner."
A small smile touched Almiel's face. "I do not think that will be a problem. I think my father has already decided that I am not going anywhere. Not for a while."
Imladris:
"What happened?"
Elladan sighed. "It was as I have said: we went to check on the Princess since she was in our care, and King Thranduil seemed to have been placed under the delusion that it was Elrohir's fault."
Elrond frowned. "By whom?"
"Haldir I suppose." Elrohir shrugged. "He pushed her away from me as I was holding her, and then he carried her away." Elrond opened his mouth to say something. He shut it again.
"I will speak to you of this later. Go now, rest. I will try to solve this puzzle." The twins both left.
They went to their rooms and sat down thoughtfully. "What if Thranduil moves against father?" Elrohir asked.
Elladan frowned. "He would not dare."
"He's not exactly known for his wisdom."
Elladan sighed. "No, but he is known for other things. He has hardly left his woods for a long time. If anything he will send a messenger. Besides, before I defended you, he was ready to kill just you and not me. He would never move against all of Imladris just for you."
Elrohir put his face in his hands. I can never go near there again. He would kill me. I saw it in his eyes.
Elladan silently agreed.
Do you know what's worse?
No…
I still love her…
A few days later:
Elrond was about to call his children to him when Erestor came in his study without knocking. "What could be so important?" Elrond asked.
"There's a contingent from Mirkwood… coming rather quickly… this way." Elrond stood and practically flew out the door, grabbing a sword on the way out. Erestor frowned at that, but Elrond said nothing. He went to the beginning of the pathway and could see horses coming at a gallop. He looked and, sure enough, there was the King's banner.
"Father, what is it?" Elrond glanced at his son and then motioned at the flag. Elrohir paled slightly. "Will he kill me?"
"I do not think he has come himself. Go inside and stay there." Elrohir nodded but Elladan stayed at his father's side.
"Tell everyone else that no one else may have visible weapons on them." Elrond said to Erestor who turned and started speaking to the others that had gathered.
"Why not?" Elladan asked his father. "You know whoever has come is in full war attire."
"I know, and that is why I would rather us look peacefully curious."
"Then why do you wear a sword?"
"Never speak diplomatically to an official from Mirkwood without one face to face." Elrond said. "Even more so when they are likely to be in full fury."
Elladan raised an eyebrow but nodded and understood better a minute later when the Elves entered the valley.
The Elves from Mirkwood, all twenty-five of them, slowed to a trot before the gate and came in rather intrusively. Their faces were all rather hard. Two came in front, blocking whoever was carrying the King's banner, and the rest followed behind. "To what do I owe this visit?" Elrond said, though his usually diplomatic voice sounded strained.
There was no verbal command, but two horses parted and Elrond and Elladan's eyes both widened in shock. The Elvenking, dressed in full war attire, eyes blazing, mouth set in a thin line, pushed his stallion through. This King was not broken like Elrond had last seen because of his wife's death, this King was in full rage and passion, and looked fully royal. He had not seen Thranduil like this since the Last Alliance. "Crimes must be atoned for, do you not agree?" Thranduil said, his voice a knife of its own.
"What crime is this that you have left your nation yourself?" Elrond asked. Thranduil's stallion snorted and sidestepped. The twenty-five Guard members had all placed their hands on their weapons but other than that they remained still. Elrond noted that their eyes blazed as well.
"It is one that involves both of our families I do believe." Thranduil said, eyes flickering to Elladan who shrank slightly behind his father. Thranduil's lip curled when he saw this, which only made Elladan inwardly shiver.
"Will you consider speaking peaceably about this, before you demand blood?" Thranduil's glanced about the entryway, which by now had almost every Elf in Rivendell watching. Thranduil swung off his horse, still looking rather majestic, and moved toward Elrond. Erestor moved to block his Lord, but Elrond simply motioned him out of the way.
"If I was to demand blood, I would not have come asking your permission first. Surely you remember that." Thranduil said. Elladan bit his lip hard enough to draw blood.
"Yes, but you surprise others enough of the time that they never know what you will do. Like now, I ask once again what crime do you bring news of? Especially if you have left your throne." Elrond said as Thranduil moved in front of him.
"It depends," Thranduil said, "on what you have heard." The sun was fading behind Thranduil and it gave him a glow around his edges. It only made him appear ever more regal and it even edged his crown in a piercing light. His war attire gleamed, every leafy detail suddenly sharp. His face was hard in a way it only was when he went to war, and Elrond had a feeling this would be better to deal with in private.
"Come with me to my office." Elrond said and turned his back on the Elvenking.
Thranduil's eyes flashed at Elrond's command and Taenron looked at him questioningly. Thranduil motioned to him briefly and then moved to follow Elrond. Elladan seemed to acquire a new amount of bravery and started to move towards the king. They exchanged a murderous glance, which Thranduil won, and Elladan shrank back.
"You have no reason to come." Elladan whispered. Thranduil only lifted an eyebrow.
"Sire?" Tawarthion asked him. Thranduil looked at him, considering something. Then Thranduil motioned.
"Come with me until we get to his office. The rest of you be ready to ride." He said and then strode into the Last Homely House, as a fully armed King of Mirkwood.
A/N: Well, he is in Rivendell. Dressed for war. Wait and see what happens next time. In the meantime, enjoy:)