Author's Note:
Thanks to Just A Reviewer, Mirkwood Warrior, Enchanted Stream, DORK DOG, LadyLindariel, Raider-K, Elleth of Mossflower, Pip the Dark Lord of All, BrightPath2, horseyyay, Smileyxs Ice-Cream Sprinkles, Silver Ink Pen, ATP, Blondiezhere, JJ for their reviews.
Special thanks to all the members of the forum, for their neverending support and help.
Also thanks to Raider-K for her advice.
Chapter 2
Once they entered the atmosphere of Rivendell, Thranduil looked out the window. The skies were clear and the afternoon sun shone bright. His ship descended slowly, since the city was in a valley nestled between mountains and rising plains. The scenery was lush green from plants and trees and the city stood out in stark comparison with its light golden brown buildings and red tiled roofs. Water from the mountains cascaded down in numerous waterfalls that ran in streams throughout the city.
"Permission to land is approved. Landing pad is clear. Beginning our descent," His pilot's calm, crisp voice sounded from the speaker. Thranduil glanced towards it and said nothing. The city steadily loomed closer as they descended down to the pad. The ship finally shuddered once they reached ground.
"All personnel should disembark." Thranduil ordered through a comm. Link.
"Yes, Sir."
When he left his ship, the sweet fragrance coming from the fresh flowers hit him first after breathing in the artificial environment of his ship. He looked around him. Rivendell was calm, serene and beautiful, full of lively colours. It was impossible not to feel at peace here in the city. Elrond's efforts were not in vain. Speaking of him, Thranduil found a familiar form of a dark-haired Elf hurrying down the steps to meet him. Thranduil smiled.
"Lord Elrond," he called before the Elf drew close. "Well met!"
"Well met indeed," Elrond answered, swiftly reaching him. He grasped Thranduil's elbow in the form of a warrior's greeting. Thranduil reciprocated. "I trust your mission was a success?"
"Not wholly, much to my regret. Three of the girls perished before I arrived." Elrond's face darkened at this. Thranduil clasped his wrist briefly to regain his attention before continuing, "One of them is severely injured. She has deep whiplashes but is otherwise untouched."
Elrond's jaw worked at an alarming rate before he stiffly nodded. It was in these times that Thranduil realized Elrond's sheer power and strength packed in his body behind the visage of a noble pursuing the non-violent career of a healer. Elrond was not the kind to mess with, but Thranduil found no reason to have a conflict with him. Elrond was a peace-loving Elf, but that did not mean he was a pacifist. From the rumours of how well he handled the ancient weapons of sword, bow and arrows, he knew Elrond was very capable.
Finally, Elrond seemed to have conjured enough composure to reply.
"I see," he said in carefully measured tone. Thranduil briefly wondered what it would be like to have Elrond as an enemy. He was suddenly glad to see him as a friend. "And what about the pirates?"
"There were two Weequay pirates and one former corsair of Umbar."
"Former? How do you know?"
"Because there is no corsair hailing from Umbar would join another species for pirating. They look to their own first."
"I see."
"The man is injured but the other two are fine, only a little bruised." Thranduil saw more Elves hurry down the steps. Many were Ellyth, no doubt to sooth the girls and tend to them. Guards appeared to take the pirates. They weren't harsh but they weren't gentle either. "The man was the one who injured the girl and killed the other three. I want him stabilized and I would like to have an interrogation cell."
"Of course," Elrond murmured. But his mind was elsewhere when he looked upon the man. "He is the one? I assume I could misplace some painkillers and leave him without."
The light, conversational tone in which Elrond said it made Thranduil laugh.
"You could have but not that I know, as a Jedi I cannot allow you to do so. You needn't worry," Thranduil added when he saw Elrond about to protest, "After I am done with him, I will send him to Gondor as a gift." They both knew the strong dislike Gondor had for the black Númenóreans. Elrond gave a small grim smile.
"That will be satisfying," Elrond remarked. Before Thranduil had the chance to reply, Elrond turned on his heel and called over his shoulder to follow him. Thranduil followed him.
The pirate he chose for interrogation was the second Weequay pirate he encountered. He seemed to be weaker than his companions, and while he could subdue any of them, Thranduil knew he could easily use the Force upon him if he refused to give answers.
In the beginning they only sat there without either of them speaking. The pirate looked at him with a look of a caged animal. He was clearly nervous, and his eyes darted to the steel walls encasing them in a simple, empty room with only a table between them and two chairs they were sitting on. Thranduil was sitting comfortably, leaning back against his seat, his legs crossed and one finger of a hand tapping against the metallic table.
"Where are you from?" Thranduil asked. Keep it short. Keep it simple. Start with the obvious. That was his training.
"You know where from." The pirate's voice was guttural but jerky as if he was afraid but adamant on not showing it.
"Weequay," Thranduil said. "You are far from your home." Thranduil studied the humanoid. "What happened? Were you exiled?"
"I don't answer to Jedi scum like you."
"I am no scum." Thranduil's voice was flat, emotionless. "Why were you here?"
No answer. Thranduil unfolded his legs and pushed the table forward with his knee. It slammed against the pirate's chest. The handcuffs around the pirate's hands rattled. "Answer me."
"The girls. We wanted to capture the girls."
"For what purpose?"
"I don't know." The pirate croaked. He kept his gaze down, refused to meet Thranduil's eyes.
"You don't know." Thranduil repeated. He pushed the table further. "How is it you don't know what you do with the girls?"
"We sell them!"
"To who?"
"I don't know."
"The same way you didn't know the previous question," Thranduil asked. Then he scoffed, "Unlikely."
"I swear to you I don't know!"
Thranduil leaned forward and placed both his elbows on the table. He held one hand up, palm facing outwards. The Force seeped into his senses, this time coating his voice and filling it with power it didn't possess without the Force.
"You will tell me what you know," Thranduil said, passing his hand over the pirate's face, not touching him. The pirate's jaw slackened. His eyes became unfocused. His entire form relaxed, leaving him in a suggestible state.
"I don't know who the buyers are." The pirate said. His voice was dull, without the nervousness and fear in which he answered questions earlier. "They send us coordinates where to drop the girls… or any captured Elves. We drop them there and we have bounty waiting for us in return."
"Where is this money?"
"In the ship, but it is untraceable credits. The communications link is also untraceable."
Thranduil tried not to let his frustration show. Another dead end. This made no sense whatsoever. At the time, he considered they could resolve this amongst themselves without the intervention of the Jedi Order. But now, he considered having the pool of Jedi's vast resources would actually help him.
Sighing, Thranduil rose and left the room. The door whizzed shut behind him and the guard standing outside acknowledged him before locking the door. Immersed deep in thought, Thranduil followed the corridor before turning the sharp corner.
His Force senses prickled, making him step the side until he had his back pressed against the wall of the narrow corridor. He looked up and found that he avoided crashing into someone else, who only paused and looked at him in amusement.
"Your instincts are strong, Master Jedi," The voice was deep, low as if coated with velvet. But Thranduil felt his skin crawl with distrust. He straightened and ran his hands over his robes.
"I am only a Jedi Knight," Thranduil corrected. He kept his tone even. There was no reason to dislike him solely for the reason he nearly bumped into him. As for correcting him, while 'Master' was only a respectable term used for all Jedi, it made Thranduil uncomfortable. He preferred 'Sir', if any formalities were to be had.
Thranduil looked him over. His skin was pale with an ethereal glow, and his pitch black hair fell freely in silky locks over his shoulders and across his back. His face was finely chiselled and underneath his deep blue robes, the Elf clearly had a fit, muscled form. The collar of his robes was decorated with white gems set in vines of silver, an extraordinary work of craftsmanship. In any event, there was no doubt in his mind, with the feel of power radiating from the being before him, that this was no Elf, but rather a Maiar.
While Thranduil was scrutinizing him, the unknown Maiar was doing the same for Thranduil as well. And a slow, lazy smile appeared on his face. Thranduil's feeling of distrust heightened at the sight of it. Whoever this person was, he looked down on him with the satisfaction of superiority, as if Thranduil was weaker or biddable.
"I am sorry," Thranduil said. "I wasn't looking when I turned the corner." He didn't know precisely why he apologized. If anything, he only wanted to break the uncomfortable silence.
"Clearly." At that, Thranduil clenched his teeth but the Maiar continued, "You have much to think of, Jedi Knight. I will be on my way." The Maiar would have stridden off had Thranduil not stopped him in his tracks by his question.
"And who might you be?" Thranduil asked curiously.
"You may call me Annatar."
"I am-"
"I know very well who you are, Jedi Knight Thranduil Oropherion. You have your father's looks about you." Annatar gave him a small but charming smile before nodding his head briefly. "I must go. I am needed elsewhere."
"Good meeting you."
"Likewise."
Annatar inclined his head and strode off, his robes trailing behind him. For a moment, Thranduil stared after him, wondering how the Maiar left so suddenly. He already seemed to have a destination in mind, but the speed came later during the conversation.
"Curious being, isn't he?"
"Don't you know how rude it is, sneaking up on a guest?" Thranduil said, turning to face Elrond.
"You seemed deep in thought."
"Everyone keeps saying that."
"Most likely because it was true," Elrond said with a smile on his face. His hands were clasped behind him and he was dressed in autumn colours of brown and red. His cloak was twisted across his chest and thrown over one shoulder. "What do you think of Annatar?"
"First meetings hardly ever make an impression."
"Ah. Not even to your Jedi senses?"
Thranduil fell silent. But Elrond raised his brows in a silent query.
"I think he is hiding something."
"Then it seems my suspicions are true."
"You do not trust him?"
"No," Elrond said. "And I am more open about it that you. But Gil-Galad and Celebrimbor both think highly of him. Still, Gil-Galad still entertains his own doubts concerning Annatar. And I do not know as of yet what to make of him." Elrond gestured at Thranduil to walk and together they passed out into openly ventilated corridors, where the sunlight streamed from where the walls should be. The roof above them was held by numerous pillars.
"Perhaps in time, our suspicions will be in vain. Wait," Thranduil said, frowning. He turned his head towards Elrond. "He was swift in leaving. Is he avoiding you?"
Elrond's face changed into an emotion Thranduil could not decide. It looked grave but held no regret.
"I made my opinion clear that I did not trust Annatar during a meeting with the Noldorin smiths. It was not well-received by the smiths but a few words back and forth made Annatar retreat." Elrond paused for a moment. "I can't say I am upset by it."
Thranduil only nodded and digested the information.
"What of the pirates?" Elrond asked. Thranduil sighed in frustration. He learned a little, but he still hadn't learned enough.
"The two Weequay pirates are to board my ship. I would imagine they are already doing so. The corsair I leave you to send to Gondor." Thranduil pinned Elrond down with a withering look. "And I want him sent there unharmed."
Elrond chuckled.
"I will make sure of it." Elrond promised with his voice so solemn Thranduil would have thought he was mocking him if it weren't for the fact Elrond never mocked him. "And what of the pirates?"
"Most likely I will be taking them to the Jedi Temple at Coruscant for further interrogation." If he did ever go to Coruscant, Thranduil thought silently. At the mention of Coruscant, Elrond's pleasant look faded.
"I have news of Lady Galadriel's arrival to Coruscant."
"Hm? And what of it?"
"She was nearly assassinated as soon as she left her ship," Thranduil turned and looked at Elrond sharply. "A carrier containing explosives crashed into her ship. She is well, but she lost majority of her escort."
For a brief moment, Thranduil considered contacting her but then he immediately rejected the idea. Galadriel was more than capable of taking care of herself. It was better to wait for her to contact him.
"You will stay for tonight?"
"Oh no, I intend to leave immediately."
"Already," Elrond folded his arms with a curve of his lips. "I thought you liked my company."
Thranduil laughed.
"As much as I enjoy the comforts of Rivendell, I really must be going home."
"I am hurt."
"You'll live." Thranduil retorted. Elrond chuckled and led him down to the landing pad.
"You are not a good healer," Elrond remarked. "I hope to see you soon."
"I hope so as well," Thranduil returned, and found that he truly meant it. "Although I hope the next time we meet, I do not have to bring freed prisoners or pirates with me."
Elrond sobered.
"Indeed, I hope not."
They reached Thranduil's ship. There, Thranduil nodded his head at Elrond.
"Well, I must be going then."
Elrond raised a brow and smirked. For a moment, Thranduil did not understand the emotion behind it. Then Elrond grabbed Thranduil by his outer robe near his collar and pulled him into an embrace. Thranduil froze, unsure what to do before returning his embrace. When Elrond pulled away, the normally serious look on his face disappeared for a grin that told Thranduil he was laughing at him.
"Celeborn did say you have grown awkward after joining the Jedi."
Thranduil threw him an irritated look.
"I will have a word with my kin." He vowed. Although Celeborn respected him greatly, he never ceased to tease him. And Celeborn was the only one who managed to get an upper hand over him.
"Goodbye then."
"Goodbye," Thranduil said softly.
It was near evening when Thranduil reached the Temple. He chose to sit on the open platform on top of the Jedi Temple, where he could easily calm his thoughts and set them in proper order. Thranduil loved this particular part of the Temple. He had his legs swung over and dangling over the sheer drop below.
It gave him an eagle's view, with leagues of trees stretching out below him. He often felt that the planets were poorly named. Essentially, only the forest was named Mirkwood. There was a large lake some distance away where the Men lived. Beyond that was the Lonely Mountain that stood apart from all the rocky mountain ranges. But the names that were given from the time the system was first discovered stuck.
Thranduil breathed in deeply, enjoying the fresh scent of earth and water mixed after a rainfall. Mirkwood was a planet with cool temperature, being furthest from their sun. Winter was harsh and snowfalls were deep. Summer, on the other hand, was cool and blissful. There were no strange creatures here like there were in different planets. Here, birds, foxes, and wolves dwelled, along with deer and fowl that the Elves hunted for game.
His musings were interrupted by the resounding steps of someone coming towards him. He looked up and found a Dwarf coming to stand behind him.
"What is it?"
"Senator Galadriel is waiting to speak to you."
"Patch her through to my room." Thranduil said, already swinging his legs off the fence and bounding the stairs before the Dwarf even moved. When he reached his room, he pressed the blinking white button quickly and waited for the hologram to appear. It flickered slightly before coming into full view.
"Thranduil," Galadriel said warmly when she caught sight of him.
Thranduil did a quick appraisal of her. She looked well, except for the newfound grief in her eyes. He found no cuts and scrapes on her figure as far as he could tell. The red gown with its almost black sash did not suit her, though. He raised his eyes to meet hers.
"You look terrible in red." He stated. It earned him a quick laugh.
"I never thought you were the kind to have a high fashion sense."
"Jedi Order is always ahead of all forms of fashion."
"And by that you mean that the Jedi Order is so constant throughout the ages that you do not need to follow fashion. In fact, those robes are the drabbest I have ever seen," Galadriel paused for effect, a smile playing around her lips, "if they are capable of being called robes."
Thranduil burst out laughing. He never tired from his conversations with Galadriel. She gave as good as she got. Then he looked down at himself. All his Jedi robes were forest green in colour, with a hint of dull gold leaf pattern along the edges.
"I don't look half-bad." Thranduil protested. "At least it is better than wearing the brown ones I wore as a Padawan."
Galadriel scoffed but apparently kept her opinion to herself. Still, there was a small smile that tugged the corner of her lips. Thranduil's smile faded.
"How are you?"
"I am well as I can be." Galadriel's voice dropped until it was barely higher than a whisper. "There are so many dead. My aide, my guards, the pilots. All of them gone."
"I heard. I am sorry for the loss. Is there any investigation?"
"The Jedi are looking into it."
"Then I do not think you should worry."
"Says a Jedi."
"Says your kin by marriage," Thranduil said. Then he blinked. Jedi do not form attachments. But she looked so alone that he could not help himself. "Have you spoken to Celeborn?"
"Yes. He was furious. I had to calm him before he marched up here and ruined the talks."
"The Senate will still meet?"
"Obviously, but you know how it will be. It is all a play of emotion. I hope I can gather sympathy from this incident, but then some may think that it is only a proof that we are not to be trusted."
"Well," Thranduil said, wanting lighten the situation and hopefully bring a larger smile on Galadriel's face. "You might not be trustworthy, but the rest of the system warrants some form of trust."
Galadriel's laughter rocked the speakers.
"I am more trustworthy than you!" She protested, voice still quivering with mirth.
"I find that highly unlikely. You are ferocious when angered… with a very strong arm if I recall correctly."
Galadriel raised both her brows and accepted Thranduil's unspoken challenge.
"I will have you know that Amroth deserved every bit of it."
"Yes, well, I do agree throwing a vase at him was very satisfying to watch."
"He was teasing me!"
"You were drunk."
"Was I? I seem to recall a certain young Elf making sure my glass was always full." Galadriel raised a single brow. Thranduil immediately raised his hands in universal symbol for surrender.
"I simply wanted to see how you would be if wine coated your senses."
"And I am sure the answer was more than satisfactory."
"It was, indeed," Thranduil let his voice drawl. He remembered grinning ear to ear after Galadriel's antics. Although, Galadriel knew fully well how to take her own vengeance.
"Celeborn wasn't happy at the time."
"Obviously. That vase once belonged to his parents."
"Well, I hated it." Galadriel said, raising a single hand, palm facing towards him in a gesture of finality. They both laughed and lapsed into a happier silence than the one before it. Each one of them mulled over old memories. Among Celeborn's kin, it was Oropher and Thranduil who welcomed Galadriel most heartedly. And Thranduil treated her as if she were his sister. They were young when they had gotten in such mischief. In some ways, they were still young, though they had let go of their foolish endeavours as the years passed by.
"Are you happy?"
The question took Thranduil off guard.
"What?" He asked blankly.
"Are you happy being here as a Jedi?" Galadriel elaborated. Then she fixed Thranduil with a stern look when he opened his mouth. "And do not lie to me."
Thranduil took a deep breath.
"I am content." He said at last. Galadriel remained silent and looked at him carefully. Thranduil felt the oddest sensation of being scrutinized as if he were a naughty child caught making off with a tray full of sweets.
"I hope you are, Thranduil." Galadriel said. "You deserve happiness with such a kind heart as yourself."
"Don't, Galadriel. I will blush."
Galadriel snorted in a way not befitting a lady or a senator. Thranduil hoped desperately she would not pursue the conversation. She tilted her head to the side and Thranduil heard a murmur coming from her end.
"I must go," she said. "Senator Organa has declared a dinner in his quarters in my honour. I am to attend it and see if I can move some politicians in my favour."
"I am sure you would be splendid."
Galadriel laughed. After a brief farewell, Thranduil disconnected the link. Night had fallen swiftly. So before he went to bed, he sat down and meditated. It was barely an hour of meditation, where the Force seemed to flow into every part of his body, soothing and calming him that he was interrupted once again by the blinking and chirping of the comm. Channel.
He unfolded his legs and got up before reaching over and pressing the button winking white up at him. A hologram appeared and this time it was none other than Master Plo Koon.
Plo Koon was Kel Dor male who not only had the highest obtainable rank of Jedi Master, but also belonged to the Jedi Council. Facing him right now, he wore a mask over the lower half of his face to aid in his breathing, the air being poisonous to his kind in lands where the climate did not match the native one of his own planet. His black eyes with silver irises bore down on Thranduil but Thranduil knew by nature, he was a gentle soul with a practical mind underneath his strange, off-worldly appearance.
"Jedi Knight Thranduil," He said. His voice sounded mechanical underneath his mask. "It is good to see you." Thranduil gave a brief small smile as he bowed his head.
"As it is to see you, Master," Thranduil said, tilting his head respectfully. "May I ask why you have contacted me?"
"Master Yoda wishes you to return to Coruscant."
Thranduil frowned.
"I am stationed here in Arda system. There is no other Jedi to take my place."
"Your presence in Coruscant is a necessity."
"And what precisely is the nature of this necessity?" Thranduil pressed.
"You will be briefed once you reach the Jedi Temple." The finality in the Master's voice made it certain he would not know more until he went there himself. Thranduil inclined his head.
"As you wish."
With the final note of farewell, the hologram disconnected.
Frustrated, Thranduil exhaled heavily through his nose.
Author's Note:
Edit: There was a line cut off. It has been edited.
-Well, there was have it. Thrandy is finally going to Coruscant. Let the mayhem begin!
-Now I hope you guys enjoyed this. I will not return to my own circle of chaos which I left behind for the sake of this chapter. :)
-Do leave a review!
Help List:
-The Force: Mystic energy that runs through the universe of Star Wars.
-Jedi: Beings from different species capable of harnessing the Force and using it. Jedi use it for good. Their counterpart, Sith, use it for evil.
-Jedi Order: The Order of the Jedi or oragnization of the Jedi.
-Jedi Knight: A Jedi who has completed his training.
-Jedi Master: A Jedi who has taken an apprentice. (Highest rank)
-Jedi Padawan: A Jedi in training/ apprentice.
-Jedi Council: Which controls the Jedi Order. It is formed solely by Jedi Masters, although some exceptions are made.
Replies to Anon:
Just a Reviewer: Oh yes it would be telling! :D I must keep my secrets safe! *hides secrets*. I will have to tell them eventually but no! Not yet! XD
ATP: It is fanfiction.
JJ: This started out as an idea I had over the years. I mentioned it in the forum, and viola! I was pushed to write it. ;)
