Author's Note:

Ok, here it is - chapter 35. This is the latter half of the previously published chapter. I posted chapter 34 on 9th March, and the whole chapter was online for four days. On 13th March, I removed the latter half of the text from the site and renamed the remaining text as Stream of Encounters I. Here is the improved version of the rest, Stream of Encounters II.

Many people have read the previous version during those four days, and for all of you, I want to say I am genuinely sorry for changing the text. I hope you'll understand my decision. (The revised section begins when Dathon begins to talk.)

When I wrote the first version, I wasn't 100% pleased with it, but I didn't know how to make it better. I wanted to introduce these matters that there are now, but I had no means to include them in this chapter then, even though they are crucial to the story.

When I published the chapter, I got a comment that made me rethink. Thank you, Nymiriel! You have commented on my story many times, and every time you have used only words of admiration, but now you said, "The tale Dathon told was somewhat unexpected." Then, I knew I must reconsider the plot, even though I had no idea how to modify it.

So, I mulled the story over and over and finally saw it. The solution is simple. Actually, it's so simple that I feel like an idiot for not figuring it out earlier.

Now I know why I had big problems with the story in January/February. The backstory wasn't accurate, and it was pulling the plot in the wrong direction. Now, I have changed what Dathon tells us about Uilosson, and all details finally fall neatly in place. The previous version emphasised wrong stuff, and the story got sidetracked. With this setting, we get into business already in this chapter.

A huge block in my writing is gone, and now I'm successfully working on the text. The ch36 is almost ready to be sent to my beta reader, and I'm pretty satisfied with the ch37 as well, and I've got the feeling I'll finally be able to finish this mammoth project someday. Keep fingers crossed that everything goes well!

This chapter is dedicated to you, Nymiriel. I don't know you personally, but your comments have been my lifeline during the long process of writing this story. You have made me continue even though I've been exhausted many times. Thank you! You asked if my family and I are well. Like everyone else in the world, we are tired of the covid19 restrictions. We're quite safe here in our neck of the woods, but the isolation and the sad news are making us unwell, and we wish soon to return to normality, although what can normal be after all this? I hope you and your loved ones are well!

Chapter 35, Stream of Encounters, part II

Sulrochil stood in front of her group, striving to display determination, even though her soul was a battlefield of clashing feelings of Legolas. Shame, anger, frustration, surprise, annoyance, fury were stampeding inside her like a herd of wild goats. She tried to thrust it all aside, only to find it was unsuccessful, but with a slight nod, she indicated to Hithfaeron to begin.

"These are your elves, my Lady," Hithfaeron said. "Everyone in our kingdom is happy to see this day. When I yesterday asked volunteers, I got thirty-four elves. Every one of them would have been willing to give their lives for you, my Lady. You asked for five or six, and I have chosen the six best ones for you. It is up to you to leave one of them out if that is what you are inclined to do."

"Thank you for coming with me today," Sulrochil began, "Hithfaeron has already told you what our plan for today is, so I will not repeat it. You have memorized the map and know what we are about to do today. When we reach the outskirts of Shadowland, and I can feel the situation more clearly, you shall receive more instructions from me.

"I trust Hithfaeron, and that means I trust you also. He chose you because you are the best. And if Hithfaeron says you are the best, then you are. If he picked six elves instead of five, who am I to leave anyone out? I want you all. I will not ask about your skills because I know you possess them.

"I need to know your names and to know if you still are willing to come with me. You still may decline and join your rightful group for the attack - no questions asked. I offer you this choice because I need to know you are with me wholeheartedly. So, if you still want to be part of my group today, please, say your name to confirm you want to come with me."

"Braigon."

"Rochirion."

"Laerorneth."

"Ningannel."

"Tegoleth."

"Saeledhel."

With a slight nod, each said their name looking directly at Sulrochil, who watched in awe at the determination of her group, and when the last had said her name aloud, Braigon began speaking.

"My Lady Sulrochil," he said, bowing, "it is an honour to be a part of this group. We all have wished this day would come in our lifetime, this day on which the love of our leaders would surround us. Your love will give us strength today. There is one detail you need to know, and it is that the King assigned Rochirion and me to safeguard you today."

"That is hardly-" Sulrochil began.

Gwennor interrupted her sentence, "The King asked me to inform you that you are not allowed to override that order."

"I see," Sulrochil said indifferently even though she was inwardly amused, "then we all must obey the King's orders."

"Now that I have accomplished my last obligation in this town," Gwennor said with an adorable grin and waved his hand, indicating he was about to leave. "I am off with Hwinnor. We have a nice outing planned up in the northern ranges."

Sulrochil nodded to Gwennor and turned to face Braigon and Rochirion, "You two will tail me today," she said, "and I promise to let you do it and not force you to admit to the King that you lost my tracks. Any questions?"

She waited for a few moments and continued herself, "Let us go to meet Legolas, and then travel together to meet the King. But before that, I have one more order for you. After meeting the King and beginning our journey towards Shadowland, you will call me only by name. No titles."

Strange feelings simmered in Sulrochil's soul when she turned and began walking to the dining room - she was used to strange feelings but not by the part of Legolas, and she did not know what to expect when she entered the room all others in tow. What she saw was Legolas standing in front of a group of elven Captains and soldiers. That should not be anything strange, she thought, until her eyes laid on Tauriel. Why was she here? Why today? Whatever the reason was, though, her presence stirred something peculiar here.

Dathon turned to see the incoming elves. His eyes were browsing every elf who came in. When he finally laid his eyes properly on Sulrochil, counting the patterns of her coat, they grew wide for a fleeting moment before they turned colder, working to seek some coherence in what was in front of him.

"Legolas, am I interrupting something?" Sulrochil said. One glance at her betrothed had been enough to inform her about what the discussions had been about. The strange feelings radiating from Legolas made absolute sense to her now.

"We have not finished, Sulrochil," Legolas replied.

"But…? How is this possible?" Dathon said, shifting his eyes between the Prince and his betrothed.

"How is what possible, Dathon?" Sulrochil asked.

"I thought… You…?" Dathon attempted to say something but could not finish it.

"You," Legolas said tersely, "will address my betrothed as 'My Lady Sulrochil' when you are talking to her."

"Aye, my Lord," Dathon said, studying the floor.

"Dathon, what is so unclear about these circumstances?!" Legolas thundered.

Everyone turned to look at Dathon expectantly as he began speaking, keeping his eyes fixed to the floor, "All I know is that after the Battle of the Five Armies, you disappeared and Tauriel, as well. It made everyone wonder what had taken place. We assumed it was clear that you two…" He turned to look at Tauriel. "And I saw love in your eyes."

"But you never asked me," Tauriel said in an undertone, "who is it that I love."

"I do not understand," Dathon said. "You were always so close, almost like peers."

Sulrochil felt the anger flashing in Legolas' soul, and she grabbed his arm. Please do not say what is on your mind.

Slowly, he looked at her. This is revolting!

Perhaps, but these people need our love now, not hatred. Aloud, Sulrochil said, "Tauriel was not even close to a peer to him. She took orders from him."

"He never commanded her," Dathon said. "He discussed matters with her as you do with a comrade. That is not commanding."

"'Whatever your leader says'," Sulrochil recited the rules learned centuries ago in the army training, "'is an order, regardless of the wording.' In a way, Tauriel was the furthest person from being a peer to Legolas. She took orders directly from him."

"Aye, my Lady," Dathon said, staring at his feet.

"What is between two elves," Sulrochil said, "belongs only to them. Why did you so adamantly believe that there was something between them?"

"I-I apologize for my mistake," Dathon began. "I heard too many rumours, too many stories, too much everything, and I believed these false accusations, but can the reasons for my failure be relevant anymore? My Lord, I have an important message for the King, and you as well, concerning-"

"Your message can wait!" Legolas said.

"I have been wrong," Dathon whispered. "It is hardly-"

"Spit it out, Dathon!" Legolas hissed.

Sulrochil put her hand on Legolas' arm. "Dathon already apologized. And he is right - this is not the right moment for dwelling on these matters."

"Right moment!?" Legolas said and tore his arm from Sulrochil's grip. "Nothing validates the disdainful rumours you have been spreading all over! You should not consider this at all! Why has our army been cursed with you? What have we done to deserve this fool as one of our Captains?"

"Legolas," Sulrochil said when she finally saw the truth in her heart. "Dathon is not a fool. He cares. From the bottom of his heart, he cares. Can you not see it? He has a deep concern for you and for his homeland-"

"It is not his place to think about these matters!"

"You cannot blame him!" Sulrochil said and grabbed Legolas' sleeve. "We should let this matter go! We have war today. This is not the right time for debating over-"

Legolas yanked his arm free and glared at Sulrochil and thought, "Stop this! We are not going to fight in front of them."

Sulrochil returned the glare and took a steady stance in front of him. "What is this then, if not a fight?"

Legolas gritted his teeth and mirrored the position. "Apparently, with you, nothing can pass without a dust-up."

"We must be understanding towards him!"

"Towards him? So, you pamper him and rage against me!?"

"You began all this by letting old hatred cloud your heart!"

"He is mocking love! He deserves to be banished - and that is being too lenient to him!"

"You are not going to banish him!"

"No, I will not, because we need him today as a great target for black spears!"

"Stop it, will you!"

"What a lovely pincushion for orc arrows he shall be!"

"He wishes only good for us."

"He should not assume anything of me, nor anyone else!"

"He wishes - they all wish - only good for us, but you are full of loathing!"

"Because you do not understand anything! Neither does he!"

"Now look at yourself! You have always been filled with enmity. Hatred is not the solution!"

"Well, you should know that - being the expert of self-discipline. The great master of willpower!"

"Hatred leads to more hatred. Only love can enhance love."

"Are you being very loving right now, then?"

"I am doing this because of love. I love you, and I love our people!"

Legolas paused for a moment and swallowed.

"I am with you in this, Mellegolasdaer." Sulrochil held out her hand to Legolas. "You are not alone anymore, but your burden is troublesome. Your past continues to stab at your heart. Would you let me help you?"

Legolas froze to stare at her hand. She made everything sound so simple. The peace offering shimmered far from his reach, though. The mountain of rancour was shadowing everything.

Sulrochil continued and lifted her hand a little closer to Legolas, "It is our love they need from us now, not the old baggage of venom and bitterness. I wish only good for them - and for you, as well. We cannot live in love and act in hatred at the same time."

Slowly, Legolas raised his hand and brushed the sides of her fingers with his own. A ray of forgiveness shone on them.

"Let go of hatred," Sulrochil thought, looking into his eyes. "Choose love. It is our love they need today. 'They need our kisses,' you said in the morning. But they need more than that. They need us to be on the same side. Do not wish them pain; you are not like that. Wish them well - that is who you are."

"My past haunts me all the time."

"We must hand them an arrow - not be one in their flesh."

"It is hard."

"Would you do it with me?"

Legolas squeezed her hand.

"Dathon," Legolas said, releasing Sulrochil's hand. "You have done wrong. Can you see it?"

"Aye, my Lord," Dathon said. "I deserve banishment."

Uneasiness had filled Dathon as he had watched the wordless wrangle between Legolas and Sulrochil. The Prince's posture was all too familiar, his face showing searing contempt toward anyone who disagreed with him and the sharp all-or-nothing approach on every possible matter. What Dathon had never seen before was a similar stance toward anyone else who disagreed with him. Both were adamantly unwilling to relent when the unspoken meanings flitted across their eyes.

The Prince had always been swamped with hatred and suppressed grief. When Sulrochil had held out her hand, Dathon was convinced Legolas would never take it - so engulfed with rage he had appeared, but the lady evidently was standing her ground, come rain or shine. Feelings swished, thoughts floated in mid-air between the two stubborn elves. In the end, Legolas took her hand, though, making it known to everyone around him that he had finally found someone who dared to oppose him enough for him to appreciate her.

"You indeed do," Legolas said to Dathon. "Yet, we shall have mercy on you. I am betrothed now, and if I were to banish someone, it would need the consent of my betrothed, as well. She disagrees with me in this matter, though. Dathon, I do not accept what you have done, but Sulrochil has the wisdom I do not possess. If I were here alone, I would rip your heart. Now our love shields you - and it is meant to be this way. Always has been. Alone, one makes unhealthy choices. You are to come to war with us today."

"Aye, my Lord," Dathon replied, not believing his ears.

"Dathon," Sulrochil said, "You said you have a message for us. It sounded urgent. What kind of message?"

"M-my Lady," Dathon bowed and left his eyes glued on the floor, still not fully believing what had just transpired. "The forest. The wicked forest had changed, and there were flowers. That should not be-"

"We saw them as well," Sulrochil said with a warm smile. "The forest is healing."

"I felt something I did not believe was possible."

Dathon paused, took a deep breath and looked at Noruinivel, "I felt Uilosson."

"Uilosson?" Noruinivel exclaimed. "I do not understand. He is long dead."

"He definitely should be," he replied. "The flowers were as beautiful as ever. There were even some greenfinches chirping on the aspen branches. It was strange to see living plants again in our home forest. And I realized the reason why the forest had gone foul in the first place."

"Uilosson?" Noruinivel whispered.

"An elf cannot make a forest turn sick," Dathon said. "No matter how ill he is. Yet, there he was. Between the tree shades, his spirit was there. Or perhaps I cannot say he was there. Better put it this way: between two points in the forest, there was a dark spot, a small void devoid of everything good. There was a small pocket of air that contained nothing - and there I felt him."

Noruinivel was aghast. She knew the tale of Uilosson, as well. Of course she knew. It was a well-known story - at least it had been a famous story before the son of the King and the Queen had been born. Afterwards, it had been forgotten because more urgent issues pressed their homeland precisely six years after the Prince's birth.

Now it had emerged from ashes.

"Who is Uilosson?" Legolas asked.

Noruinivel could not understand why the story had surfaced today, and she weighed whether or not she should reveal some essential details of the mystery to Legolas and Sulrochil. Before she even noticed, words slipped out of her lips. "He was Dathon's brother."

"Is," Sulrochil said. "Is his brother."

"Was," Dathon remarked.

"I am not certain if he can be called that anymore," Noruinivel said, as she felt it would be better if she told the story and not Dathon. "Uilosson wished-"

Noruinivel suddenly stopped and spoke to Dathon, "May I tell them about this?"

Dathon nodded and turned his eyes away.

"Uilosson was the Chief Knight of the Great Greenwood once. A skilful warrior, a great leader, magnificent in many ways. The land needed a King, and-"

"Hunger for power clouded his soul," Dathon interrupted, "And ruined his heart. Oftentimes, he toyed with the possibility of becoming King. When the Great Greenwood got another elf as its King, Uilosson could not endure losing. He thought he had lost something he should have been entitled to. The power tempted him, and I was ashamed. Finally, I disavowed him, cut all our ties, and threw all the pieces down. A pack of wolves stampeded over the ruins, the flock of bats took the remnants."

The coldness of a March morning chilled Sulrochil's heart as Dathon went on with his story. Hoarfrost covered her hair until she shook her head and was back with the others again. "Your brother," Sulrochil said. "You loved him. You grew up with him and then saw him crumble to dust before your eyes."

"We all believed for all this time that he was dead," Noruinivel whispered. "But he is not."

"No," Dathon said. "He was there in the forest a few days ago. And he was not pleasant to be around."

"What happened to him then?" Sulrochil whispered and looked at Dathon. A nightjar darted past as the moon peeked behind a cloud, lighting the hunt of the predator.

"We sent him to the mountains to be alone, to gather his thoughts. We believed the forest would soothe him and fill his soul with the truth. Eventually, he came back. It was evident that he could not live at home anymore, and he went away again. Ten years passed, and I went after him. Finally, I found him by a brook. He was repeating the same words for a long time, "I wish harmony. I welcome peace". He was not himself anymore."

"What happened then?" Sulrochil said. The nightjar flew northward past white mountains towards a river. The bird landed on a steep river bank and watched the moonlight shimmer down in the rushing water of black rapids.

"I followed him, but after a week, I had to admit I had lost his tracks. Since then, I have not seen him nor heard any trace of him. I believed he died."

Blood flowed, making white mountaintops in the distance turn red. A mother - one in a long line of bereaved mothers - wept on the grave of her child.

Noruinivel watched how the story stirred tremendous storms in Sulrochil's soul. It was no wonder - the poor girl was a part of this miserable storyline. Yesterday, in the meeting, Noruinivel had felt evil in mysterious ways and had not understood why the evil had been different. Now - after Dathon's tale - everything made sense. If Uilosson were involved, the target would be the King.

"If he is behind the ruining of the forest, then he could be behind-" Noruinivel began but suddenly stopped to think.

"He cannot be behind everything," Dathon said. "An elf cannot make a forest turn sick, as I said."

No. He is - or at least once was - an elf, and with merely his power, this sort of evil they were facing today was not possible. Who had the upper hand?

It struck Noruinivel that someone was using him. Black, curvy wisps of smoke rose behind the mountains. Myriads of bats darkened the sky. Uilosson had been tempted by evil. Seduction of the wicked spirits was not unfamiliar to the elvendom - all of them had faced it.

Faced it and resisted.

If an elf wishes to stick to the land of the good, of all things worthy of praise, he will have it in his powers to reject the lures of the dark. If one seeks the Mother Forest's help, the vile creatures shall eventually admit defeat. On the other hand, if there is a crack in one's soul - the smallest of slits is enough - the evil will seep in and claim the soul of the poor one.

Uilosson was known to dally with his ambitious wishes - had it been enough? Did the sorceress manage to use the right words, pull the right strings to seduce Uilosson? The evil cannot enter the soul of the elf by force. The elf must let her in.

Uilosson let her in.

Her? Sorceress? Unawares, Noruinivel now felt Her. She did not know her name, nor her whereabouts, but there she was spread over every moment between Uilosson's disappearance and now. She was in every damaged tree in their home forest. She had made their kingdom suffer, and she intended to spread more destruction.

The target was clear.

"My Lady," she said to Sulrochil. "I have one concern, and it is about the King. I feel he should be protected."

"The King has guards," Legolas interfered.

"They take orders from the King," Sulrochil said. "He can command them away at will. Please, do go on, Noruinivel.

"I feel smouldering wickedness in my soul, my Lady," she said. "I began feeling it yesterday when I was drawing the map. My drawings are never accurate because I draw what I feel in my heart, not what is seen by my eyes. That is why the map of yesterday does not look like a normal map, I am afraid. What we are facing today is not the usual evil. You see, my Lady, normally evil, is directed to all that is good, to everything favourable, but not now. This is different."

"What do you mean?" Sulrochil asked.

"This time, evil does not hit my heart as it should. I see the ugly traces of evil, but some strands go right past me," Noruinivel said and bowed. "Now, my Lady, the evil is different - I feel it. Yesterday, in the meeting, I felt something approaching the King. Something that was unmistakably aimed at him, but not at me at the same time, as it should be. Do you believe me?"

Sulrochil closed her eyes and let all memories swoosh over her. "I do believe you, Noruinivel, and I believe in your insight, but for me, this is different. All strands of evil go right through me like always."

"That is because you are part of this," Noruinivel whispered. Of course, she was part of the King's story - being his daughter - and this ugly story was surfacing today because it was the reason why there was war today in the first place.

It all was woven into the same intricate lace.

"I am," Sulrochil said and closed her eyes again and took a deep breath. "I am deeply involved. Do you have any more insight into this?"

"Since yesterday, I have tried to comprehend my feelings, but nothing made sense until I heard Dathon's message. This is about the King. I saw the devilish gloom behind him yesterday at the meeting," Noruinivel said and looked questioningly at Sulrochil.

Sulrochil nodded, indicating she knew what the Captain was talking about.

"My Lady, you two are secured with elven guards, who have given their oath to the King to protect you. Would it be too much to ask for you two to order someone to shield the King - and take orders only from you?"

"He hardly needs this precaution," Legolas said. "He is the King and must be free to make his own choices."

"You are correct, my Lord. The King does not need it," Noruinivel said and bowed. "But you two need it. And our people need it. We are here to guard you and your love. Should something happen to the King, it would devastate you. For so long, our people have waited for this day - our army, our Kingdom is finally shielded with the threads of your love. We want to cherish it and will do everything in our hands to preserve it. Your love is our home."

"Who do you have in mind for this duty, Noruinivel?" Sulrochil asked.

"Me and my group, my Lady," she said. "I was assigned to be with Legolas today, but now that Tauriel came and he requested for her to fight with him-"

"Now, did he?" Sulrochil asked and shot a glance at Legolas.

"Are you questioning my decision?" he inquired, not knowing what kind of a confrontation to expect.

"Not everything I say is meant to disrespect you," Sulrochil said, tilting her head to the right. "Even though it is easy to judge it that way. I only suppose we need to know why she is here today."

"Is she welcome?" Legolas said.

"I did not question the desirability of her being here. Did it ever occur to you to ask her if her appearance here is a coincidence, or did she happen to get any insight beforehand into the matters in the north? Why did she so surprisingly appear here today? Did Lady Galadriel see something that caused Tauriel to come?"

"Soon after you had left Lothlorien, Lady Galadriel came to me," Tauriel said. "Her eyes showed deep concern - she saw black flames in the north, an old, ancient fire was getting stronger, spreading venomous fumes. A tiny spark had been buried and now being ignited again. She recited these words, 'Bellow out, she is to come, To win your love, To send you a dove, And fly you above all the splendours of the world you crave in your heart.' I knew I had to come."

"No escape in death," Sulrochil whispered, and the old poem, of which these words were from, began spinning in her mind.

Red moon hides, black sun dies.
Shout out, ice-a-melting,
Birch-a-flaming.
Dolls go round with me,
Round-round, roundy-round.

Twice is more than,
Lark in the meadow.
Is it not?
Bluff is steep,
Death is sleep.
Go away,
Come again.
Who is here?

Bellow out, she is to come,
To win your love,
To send you a dove,
And fly you above
All the splendours
Of the world
You crave in your heart.
Screech out, queen-a-singing,
Branch-a-falling.
Knights go round with me,
Round-round, roundy-round.

King is here.
Sky, as well.
"O, but why, sky, my friend,
Are you weeping?"

"Ashes scream,
Sludges moan.
Do you hear it not?
Of fine wisps of mist,
Of tiny droplets of tears,
I crochet,
Handkerchiefs
For the woeful."

Swoosh out, mayfly-a-shining,
Nightjar-a-spinning
No escape in death.
Ghosts go round with me,
Round-round, roundy-round.

"Tauriel," Sulrochil whispered and sunk into her thoughts. The nightjar? The steep bluff by the river? No escape in death. An ominous dark sorceress with black curls flashed in her soul for a brief moment. The creature disappeared, and Sulrochil was left to stand in front of everyone expecting her to give her verdict. Shrugging the sinister feelings aside, she resorted to jesting, "Today, our kingdom obliges you to do what only you can. Go with Legolas and keep an unfailing eye on him. Drag him alive out of whatever swashbuckling ventures he will throw himself into this time."

Legolas was stunned. He had been awaiting a fight, a flash, an explosion, anything but this. Sulrochil's response was a hit between the eyes. Before he gathered his wits to reply, Sulrochil was already commanding Noruinivel, "Go and follow the King today. If something arises, find Legolas or me. And now, everyone, let us go. The King is expecting us."

Noruinivel was startled by Lady Galadriel's message. Bellow out, she is to come. As Noruinivel marched out of the room behind the others, she tried to recall all her encounters with evil in the past and all the strange feelings she had had during her lifetime. She knew all too well what Dathon meant when he had said 'a small pocket of air that contained nothing'. Those spots had haunted her continuously. First, you see the whole forest, and for a fleeting moment, there is a dot of nought in the air. Then it disappears as quickly as it appeared, leaving a twisted feeling inside one's soul.

For many millennia everyone had forgotten Uilosson. Perhaps he had intended for it to be this way - or more precisely, she had planned it this way - for everyone to disregard him and then come back when no one was expecting it. If the elf truly still existed somewhere in the world, with that mangled soul of his, the whole world was at stake.

Deep down in her core, Noruinivel felt all three of them were in grave danger - the King and both his children.