Chapter 54 ended with:

"Asta may have to go back to Lake-town," she told Elros, who grabbed one of her locks and put it in his little mouth, completely unconcerned by the matter.

Maybe not now. Her children really loved Asta and her son Tobias. However her infatuation would have to be managed. Maybe Ninaelil would have suggestions. She was the one who had told Valerie that Asta was in love with Brannor after all.

Chapter 55 – Worst-case scenario

"The fellowship of the ring! What a silly name for a stupid quest!"

To say that Thranduil was upset was the understatement of the century. He had been ready to kill Elrond ever since he had received a note from Legolas two days before. As Legolas had participated in the council called by Elrond, a decision had been made to destroy Sauron's ring in the fires of Mount Doom no less, and a group of people including Mithrandir and some hobbits had been formed. Legolas had volunteered.

"And to think that Legolas will be spending months with a dwarf! And the son of the Steward of Gondor, the one that Imrahil says is his father's puppet! No doubt he will try to take the ring for Gondor!"

"We do not know him, we cannot assume that he will steal the ring." Valerie's argument went completely unnoticed, but she was used to it by now. Thranduil had been soliloquizing for almost four hours by now, not even listening to what people around him had to say.

"Do you realize that Elrond is sending my son on a suicide mission but that his own sons will safely stay in Imladris?"

"We can certainly not call them cowards, they spent decades killing orcs like I would kill ants as a child." Once again, the comment remained unheard.

"And Mithrandir! For a wizard who claims to like you as a daughter, he sends your stepson to his death without much regrets!"

"Thranduil!" Valerie cried, finally reaching the limit of her patience. The king turned to her. "Legolas has always been fearless, if not reckless. He volunteered. He wanted to go."

"He is not reckless, not since Mithrellas was born."

"Maybe he is doing this for her. He wants her to live in a world where Sauron is not threatening her life. He wants that for all his siblings, Thranduil. And probably for you too. He is courageous, and is part of a small group of people who are willing to risk their lives for us to live in a better world. Do not diminish his sacrifice by implying that he is a victim here."

"He is my son!" Thranduil murmured while sitting down. It was the first time that she saw her mate look so lost, so afraid.

"I know. They all are somebody's son. Or someone's love. Aragorn is going too, and Arwen must be very worried."

"What are we going to do, Valerie?"

"We will protect our other children. It is likely that Sauron will hear about it. He will launch an attack against our alliance. Greenwood will probably be targeted, because we kept Gollum for a year in our dungeons. Sauron will know we worked against him. He will send orcs here, from Dol Guldur. We have to get ready for war, Thranduil."

"Legolas is our best strategist."

"Get all his lieutenants back to the fortress. We should even consider pulling all our warriors from the forest and keep them in the fortress. We cannot fall, Thranduil. When Legolas comes back, he needs to find us alive. All of us."

Thranduil caressed her cheek tenderly. "I am so lucky to have you. You are my strength when I am weak."

"Come to bed, it is late. Let me comfort you until you find your own strength back."

OoOoO

March 15th, Year 3019 of the Third Age

"Valerie?" a voice whispered. She jerked awake, only to find Thranduil above her, his face lightened by the candlestick he was holding in his hand.

"My love, there are lights coming in the direction of the fortress. An army..."

"Oh no," Valerie complained. "And I was having such a nice dream."

Thranduil snorted, yet gently caressed her cheek. "You know the plan. Do what you have to do, and meet me at the gate."

"I will." She grabbed his tunic and kissed him fiercely. "We will beat them, Thranduil."

"I know," he said with a wicked smile. "Let the fun begin!"

Thranduil left her to quickly see their children one last time before the battle while Valerie quickly got dressed. She put on a warm tunic and leggings, with her leather boots, knowing that she would have to put on some pieces of armor above her clothing once she was outside. She met Miniel and Gwelwen who had been awaken by their mates who had been called to the gate by their lieutenant.

"Mini! Get Arnor and Oropher," she commanded, "and bring them to the nursery when you are done. Gwelwen, get the food and water skins in the kitchen, Nina will have everything ready by now. We will meet you in the hallway leading to the hidden door."

The two elleth literally ran in opposite directions while Valerie walked swiftly to the nursery. Her sudden entrance awoke Elros and Gil-galad but she ignored them and went to the little door leading to Asta's room.

"Asta!" she cried-whispered, suddenly awakening the young woman. "We are under attack! Get your son dressed and get started with Elros and Gil-galad. I will join you as soon as I am done with the girls. Do not forget, it will be cold in that area of the fortress, and outside if it comes to that. Choose warm clothes for you and your son."

Asta jumped out of her bed and went to the crib beside it where her son Tobias was sleeping. Valerie gave a quick kiss to her youngest sons on her way out of the nursery and ran to the nearby room where her daughters were sleeping. When she entered, Finduilas was already up and encouraging her younger sister to get dressed.

"You are such good girls," she told them. Finduilas, at 6 years-old, was aware that her home could be under attack and although she knew she was safe, she understood that measures had to be taken, and one of them was to bring the royal elflings to the safest place in the fortress. The hidden entrance on the north-east side of the fortress. Should the fortress fall, it would take a while for the invaders to figure out that there was an exit there and by then, the elflings, their governesses and the queen's bodyguards would be hidden in the forest, and eventually on their way to the Grey Havens if it came to that.

A few minutes later, they all met near the hallway leading to the secret door. Valerie observed all her children, looking frightened or perplexed in the case of her two youngests who did not understand what was happening around them. Cadworon and Brannor were there too, armed to the teeth and looking determined to protect their young charges.

"Your Majesty, you are sure you will not change your mind?" Miniel asked.

Valerie almost decided to go with them, but had to listen to her head rather than to her heart. She was an archer, even if she had been practicing much less over the recent years. If she could kill even only a few orcs, it would be less beasts who could kill elves or invade the fortress should Greenwood fall. She was needed, and she wanted to stay with her mate to give him all the support he needed. Who knew what his reaction would be once he felt his kingdom was in danger? Would he fall into darkness?

"I have to stay, Mini. Take care of them." She kissed and fussed over all the children, drying their tears and reassuring them that she and their adar would be back soon. She quickly prayed the Valar that it was not the last time that she saw their beautiful faces. She then hugged the terrified Asta for a few moments. "All will be well, Asta. If the fortress falls, Cadworon and Brannor will make sure you can return to Lake-town." Or whatever will be left of it, Valerie thought in her head. She was fairly certain that the town would be attacked too.

"I have to go," she said with a shaky voice. "I will see you soon, I promise," she told her children.

One last glance to her bodyguards, who nodded in acknowledgment of her silent plea to protect her children, and she turned around, almost running away while the group was disappearing in the dark hallway. Valerie could hear her children calling and crying for her, but she did not turn back. She dried her tears and put on a brave face when she reached the gate.


A/N: in the next chapter, Valerie participates in the battle…

Philosophie88: yes, she is his blood sister. She was abducted by orcs and killed when they decided to get rid of their hostages. Not a nice first life for her! As for Valerie and Thranduil, the softer side will start appearing after the war, once there is less darkness in Middle Earth. I do realize this version goes in less detail about the lives of the prophecy elflings, I guess this is because I am doing quick ficlets that are not too detailed and I go straight for the action. There will be a little bit interactions with the children once they are a little older.

Firerosedreamer6: Elrond will sail not long after the war, he would have wanted to bring his brother with him, but faced with the choice of staying in Middle Earth with his brother or sail to see his long lost wife, he will choose his love…

spicyrash: Thank you! I admit that I know much less about the Silmarillion than about LOTR, it would be more difficult for me to write canon on these characters. But there will be a little part of the story taking place in Valinor…

Faithful Reader: the end of the war will allow Glorfindel to make choices that would have been hard if the war had not been won shortly after the recent events! Did you like Thranduil's reaction to Legolas' quest?

Thrndlwood: she is like a lioness protecting her children, the darkness in her makes her a little unforgiving – but she will soon soften…

Aralinn: she will forgive Bret soon. The war is raging now, all the prophecy children the Valar wanted reborn have been born by now, linking most realms to a common goal...