Author's Note:
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Thranduil
Never in his life did Thranduil hear such silence in his Halls.
His Halls saw many things over the years, but this silence was fitted only for tombs of people long forgotten to the world. His subjects lingered over the bridges and on every place that warranted a good view. They stood still, as if any movement would disperse the sober air.
A young child hesitantly walked to the stretcher that lay by the entrance of the Halls. One of the guards knelt and gently pulled away the shroud just enough to reveal her father's face.
The way the girl's expression changed nearly killed Thranduil's heart. Her breath hitched and her hands flew to her face. First she looked down at her father, then at the guard and back at her father again.
When she spoke, Thranduil felt as if his heart was pierced and left bleeding. The child's voice was raw and broken. She lost everyone; her mother died in childbirth, and there were no close relations. Her father was a soldier, who was her entire life. But he died in service to the crown.
She sat down beside the body, one small hand patting her father's forehead. The other hand remained pressed against her mouth. Her tears shone in her eyes and Thranduil saw them even though he stood far away. She muttered something unintelligible as she lovingly pushed stray hair away from her father's face. Thranduil guessed she was trying to speak to him. He was right; as soon as she realised her father did not answer, she burst into tears.
Her quiet sobbing filtered through the silence. One by one, Elves hung their heads as if her sorrow was unbearable.
Unable to help himself, Thranduil finally stepped forward. He reached the girl in swift strides. When he came close, he stooped down and picked the child into his arms. He held her close to his chest, tugging his large cloak over her and shielding her from the view of everyone.
And inwardly he prayed it was enough to keep the demons of her grief and loneliness at bay.
Author's Note:
To the children of the world, forgotten in war. I wish there was a way to wipe your tears.
