Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess

Author's Note:

This is a LegoRomance (slow-burn)

~ LXXXIX: The Nemesis of Mirkwood ~

Woodland Realm, 3019 TA, May 1st

Elvenking's forces cornered the enemy close to Mount Gundabad while the rain of arrows continued into the night, regardless of time or sun. The arrows were launched with astounding precision, and the Elvenking's men drew their swords. Even though they were dangerously near to the orc mountain, they maintained their confidence. Tauriel was dragged along with Thranduil's finest soldiers.

Glóin was followed by a large number of dwarves who were displaying martial pride by pushing out their chests. They were reminded of the formidable coalitions the world might form if its forces joined. Their past demonstrates that an alliance between them is impossible, yet both parties have fought tirelessly to achieve what was impossible decades ago.

They joined up with Bard II, the great-grandson of Bard the Bowman and the spitting image of him, whose men had separated into smaller groups to guard the perimeter. During the Battle of the Five Armies, Thranduil and his great-grandfather were on the same side. The accord between Bard II and Thranduil transpired more easily than anticipated.

They fought throughout the whole War of the Ring, and even when the ring was destroyed, orcs and spiders did not release them. But today's onslaught was unique since none of them was protecting their territories. Today, Elvenking himself ordered them to launch an open assault. Following his departure from Lothlórien and throughout his return to Mirkwood, he pondered his next action.

To kill Uagz!

He chose first to seek help from the King of Dale and his troops, and then from Glóin as well, and quickly rode to meet them. It was the first time Thranduil had left his pride behind; his sole concern was for his son. Before Legolas returned to Mirkwood, before pursuing Ugaz, and he remembered everything.

The King of Dale was easy to persuade to join him since Thranduil had always granted his requests for help. The Elvenking had sent a contingent of his troops to collaborate closely with those of Dale and Laketown. These forces had camped outside the city and were simultaneously guarding the Woodland Realm and Dale's boundaries.

Glóin, on the other hand, did not instantly agree with him; there was still lingering animosity. However, when Thranduil pleaded with him and explained that this mission was to assist Legolas and not himself, Glóin yielded, and the soldiers were located, and the plan was established. They rode out and camped at the northern end of the Misty Mountains and the western edge of the Grey Mountains. Their objective was to encircle the Uagz forces observed on Mount Gundabad.

The combat and movements around Thranduil occurred swiftly, but the orcish forces did not fall easily. This was their second planned attempt, but Uagz was not among them. The assault continued without pause and would endure for days. Both sides were losing men, and it was evident that even after Sauron's defeat, there are still evil powers in Middle-earth.

"More are coming," Tauriel said, "and they want to block our passage to Mount Gundabad. However, the northernmost route remains available. Thus, we may avoid falling into a trap and effortlessly escape."

"Do not stop; our aim is not to reach Gundabad, but to make Uagz appear." Thranduil cried out as he continued to assault without pausing, and his blade sliced through the advancing orcs. "He is hiding since this was not in his plans."

Thranduil was actively engaged in the battle, ordering his swordsmen into the action, commanding his archers to shower down death, and wielding his broadsword deftly against Uagz's warriors. Numerous times, he was encircled by orcs, but he quickly dispatched Uagz attackers and actively engaged in the combat. Elven blood was shed the most in this conflict, followed by a dwarf and human blood.

"We can resist them," Bard II assured him as his troops maintained their defence, "but if they launch one more attempt, I'm not sure how long we'll endure."

"Thranduil, we must retreat to the camp to reassemble our soldiers, and they must come to us. If we get caught in here, we shall perish." Glóin shouted out, gaining the full attention of Thranuils.

Truth be told, Thranduil was caught up in the midst of the fight and his desire to locate Uagz, and he need further time to accept that they were losing. "Withdraw!" he commanded, and the elven, dwarf, and human forces began to flee, at least temporarily. "We will return the next day and for as many days as it takes until I have his head!" he said in rage, certain that Uagz had heard him.

A shadow-clad person arrived in Gundabad, silhouetted against the angry gloomy sky. His movements were odd as he paced across the open rooms. Two of his counsellors were standing next to him and telling him how the second assault went. He raised his eyes and regarded the incomprehensibly repulsive forms, preparing to unleash his seething rage upon them.

"You are more than just my slaves. You are the test I devised in order to get his son. Since none of you was capable of bringing the Elfking to his lowest point of despair. I was placed in charge of this assignment, and I discovered that his son is still alive, fighting and living his own life as if nothing had ever happened to him. Now it is up to me to ensure his demise!"

As he proceeded, none of his counsellors dared to speak out "My forces have laboured for more than a decade. At Mount Gundabad, a realm inhabited by orcs, trolls, and spiders exists. The surviving orcs are already assembling forces that will defeat Thranduil and his allies. However, you failed me once again, and I discovered him beyond my territory, seeking to hunt me down."

Again, there was no response, so he said, "Go immediately and do not let anybody through our defence; do not force me to participate in this combat!"

It was the first time he felt that the tables had turned, and he was now the target of threats and pursuit. He had always considered that the Elvenking was too egotistical to effectively govern and collaborate with humans and dwarves. That he was a lesser King who refused to accept assistance. Perhaps he would have done all of that if he were his old, despondent self. But he was no longer that King; he had matured into a much superior monarch. Grief and anxiety clouded his judgement, but he had not yet succumbed to despondency.

As darkness descended, the colours of the trees lingered in her thoughts almost like a scent. Her towering form got more silvery as it receded into the darkness. In the Elvenking's Halls, where the warmth of the spring day had long since dissipated, a figure with a peculiar aspect was seen. Only the gloom was ever-present, and the first bite of midnight had reached the hallways. The night sky got steadily darker. Soon, the shadows merged with the darkness, and the light became less distinct. Tonight, darkness came out of nowhere and lingered heavily. It sat without repercussions. Along the walk, leaves fluttered as the wind became stronger, causing chills across the kingdom. At work, everyone felt gloomy and unwell.

When daybreak arrived, everyone was awake and perplexed. The midnight monotone was long gone. During the day, the vivid colours came to life, giving everyone false optimism that it was merely a nightmare. However, it was not, since when Thranduil rode off with Tauriel a few days earlier, his halls were left unguarded. Only the council members, who were royal Mirlwood elves susceptible to corruption, remained.

Already, she had persuaded her father to support her scheme. At least Dínenion was her father, and he naturally followed his daughter's desires. A daughter who had gradually transformed from a refugee princess to a future queen of Mirkwood. She realised that luring the Elvenking to agree to fulfil her grandfather's blood pledge was futile since the blood oath had already been voided. Obviously, she continued to urge that the oath must be honoured.

Though she was aware that if Thranduil requested to be brought to council with the other elf lords, the oath would be officially cancelled. And that could not be let to occur. Since she was still a member of the Elvenking's court, she had begun to attend the majority of its sessions as of late. She had already garnered a few courtroom allies.

Simultaneously, her father worked diligently to reverse a portion of the magic that caused Legolas to lose his memory. In addition, he was searching his father's book for a spell that might help him recall. Though Dínenion felt bad most of the time since he knew what would happen if the prince recalled. Because he was there when Thranduil's warriors discovered him and brought him back ages ago. In such a terrible condition, he had never before encountered an elf. And he was pleased when he assisted Thranduil and the others in assisting Legolas.

Now, none of that pride remained, and he had lost all of his former splendour. Dínenion was not only losing his confidence as a king but also as an elf. He was not battling to ensure his people's stay since Thranduil had already promised that; rather, he was attempting to help his daughter become queen. And now they were formally attempting to do so by whatever means necessary.

"You have discovered a path into his halls," he said as his eyes fell heavily on Amethyst. "If I'm not mistaken, we were to handle the situation by urging him to uphold the pledge his father had sworn. Yet, here you are, unwilling to comply and desiring to cause suffering and sorrow."

"My Father, you forget that I accompanied you for ages while you searched for a realm for our family. And every time you'd locate one, you'd lose it" Amethyst answered in a softer tone and with a smile. She took two more steps toward the throne and laid her hand on her long robe, saying, "It's time for me to become queen; it's time for you to enable me to assume my position. You are no longer king."

"Your speech is replete with avarice and wrongdoing. I recommend you find a justification before you perish in his dungeons. Thranduil would never let this occur, and I fear that we shall be pursued by those who granted us clemency." Dínenion addressed his daughter with concern and a desire for her to reason.

Amethyst laughed as she stepped closer and fixed her focus on him, demonstrating her lack of fear. "I contacted out in an attempt to get a place to stay. Lothlórien forbade us to enter. Rivendell could never fulfil our requirements. And few of the elf kingdoms we visited had blacklisted us due to our perceived treachery. Do you want us to endure the same disgrace, father?"

Dínenion had heard enough, so he rested his hands on the doorframe and moaned, "I always want the best for you, daughter; you are the only family I have left. I returned to Mirkwood because I was certain that Thranduil would grant us permission to remain, but now we are threatening him. I doubt he will continue to observe us, Amethyst since our days are numbered!"

"Then, my father, why have you not yet discovered a method to restore the prince's memory? Why are you here talking to me and then searching for a solution to the issue I gave you?" Amethyst questioned him with forceful language.

"I caution you, Amethyst, we must be careful," his father remarked as he came closer to her and tenderly brushed her long hair. "Just be cautious, and consider if our attempt to harm the prince would genuinely help us."

Amethyst was, however, not in the mood to listen or comprehend. She believed in her strategy, and she would not abandon her goal to become queen or even attempt to control Mirkwood just because her father advised her to do so. Now that Sauron was gone and Thranduil was away fighting, it was time for her to act.

((Upcoming Chapter Ninety))

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