A/N: This is the end for part 2 of the story, but there is one more chapter. Once it ends, I will take some time as Part 3 is not even close to ready for me to post. In fact, I will be separating it from Part 2 entirely and starting a new chapter. I will update once it is ready. Thank you, everyone, for your support.


Dorwinion. July 17, SA 722

THRANDUIL squinted as he swirled the deep red liquid in his glass before taking a sip. The aroma was heady and tasted opulent on his tongue. He leaned back on the battlement where he sat, dangling his feet, taking in the sight of the wide valley below him. It was so different from that underbelly of the temple under the shadows. Life was strange, indeed; it took only a few days for life to change completely.

Everything looked so peaceful from here, where the salty breeze swept the green hills and valleys. Somehow, the sunlight lingered here longer, its golden light stronger and more brilliant than anywhere he had been before.

Thranduil inhaled, concentrating on sending to Elrond the image of what was before him: the sunlit valley, its fertile greenery against the backdrop of the turquoise sea. After all the tension and anguish with Sauron and Maglor, Thranduil was certain Elrond felt, if not saw through dreams, something amiss with him. Knowing the Half-elven, he must be worried. If not for him, then for that Noldo.

He wondered if Maglor would keep his word. Thranduil closed his eyes, rolling the silky spiciness inside his mouth. Yes, he would. Of what he had seen, the minstrel would keep his word.

When the thought turned to Maglor, Thranduil grimaced. He didn't want to think about that kinslayer, yet he could not help himself. Where was he now? At his cave behind the waterfall? Did he leave this area to wander somewhere else? Where would he have gone? He would have had to walk, in his condition. His wound would have healed, but the trauma of it would have lasted for a while. But, more importantly, what would Elrond say when he discovers what Thranduil had done to his foster father? Elrond had made it clear that he loved his foster father, no matter what anyone would say. Would the half-elven hate him? Had he been too cruel? After all, Maglor saved him, sacrificing his hand…

"You slipped out too early," said his father, joining him on the battlement. "I see you have your red, but you should try this." He offered a glass in his hand which contained something golden and sparkling. "It is crisp and bright. Perfect for the heat of the weather here."

"I find the white flamboyant." Thranduil grinned. "Too fruity."

"Not this one. It has a bit of creaminess to it. Quite intellectually satisfying, if I say so myself."

"Perhaps then, it is out of my reach."

"Indeed. It is a rare vintage. According to Istuion, it was the best year for their grape harvest since he came to Dorwinion. Only rarely do the nights become cold enough here for that perfect tang. As with everything, the grapes need cold nights along with the warm sunny days for them to produce the best. Only three bottles are left, as far as I understand. He opened one just now and gave me a bottle to take to Amon Lanc."

"Finally well enough to walk about and he is already drinking? Nestor allowed him?" Thranduil laughed.

"Istuion is not like you. He listens to the healer's directions which is why he recovered quickly." His father gave him a knowing look, then added, "having his family back safely also helped, of course."

"Are you going to tell him about Lord Galenhir and his involvement?"

His father let out a sigh. "I wanted to let him enjoy the return of his family for a while. He is just now well enough. We could wait for a little."

"What did the Silvan lord tell you happened?"

His father and Galenhir had a long discussion behind closed doors just among themselves upon return. Thranduil had not heard the contents of the conversation as yet.

"He said he did not know about the Orc attack by the river. And he did not give any order to any of his guards or others to take Istuion's family."

"You think he is telling the truth?"

"I don't think he was lying." His father's face turned grave. "But he also admitted that he knew there were men looking for you, that he intended to help the men capture you."

"Intended, but did not?"

"Apparently, he had made a deal."

"With men or with Sauron?" Thranduil frowned. If Galenhir made a deal with Sauron, then he must take the responsibility for all the deaths that happened at the river.

"Galenhir said he never met Sauron or the men himself."

"Then whom did he make the deal with?"

"It seems he had an intermediary between him, the men, and Sauron, but he refused to name the elf. But I think I can guess."

Thranduil looked up at his father.

"The ladies were safe, but there was one other elf with them. He didn't make it."

"There was another elf beside the ladies?" Thranduil tried to think if there was anyone else at the temple. Nothing came to him.

"You did not see him?"

"They kept me isolated inside the temple. I only saw Sauron and that Noldo."

"I see. Well, a rock fell on him, and it knocked him into the sea. We could not rescue him until the debris from the ruined temple stopped falling. By the time we did, it was too late. The place he fell was too deep, and the rock must have taken him down with it. We couldn't get to his body."

"You think the elf who fell was that intermediary? And you think Galenhir knew him? How do you know?"

"Elruniel said she knew him. Muilas. He was Galenhir's brother-in-law and his second-in-command. The guards who took them on a boat were Muilas's elves. That's why the ladies did not question. And Galenhir was visibly upset when we told him what happened to him. It seems Muilas was his childhood friend as well."

"Who's Elruniel? And what deal did Galenhir make?"

"Elruniel is Istuion's daughter. Galenhir told me if he aided in capturing you, he was promised that no men would enter Greenwood, and that no Silvans would be taken again."

"So sacrifice one Sinda for the sake of his people. I could understand his dilemma."

"Understandable, perhaps, but not forgivable." His father harrumphed.

"Father, you know we cannot move against Lord Galenhir. If we did, can you imagine what they will think?"

"I know what they will think. It will make other Silvans believe in that ridiculous claim made by that sage."

"Sage?"

"Maybe it was that kinslayer." His father's face darkened. "Someone spread the word that we were in Greenwood to make slaves of the Silvans."

"What ridiculous claim is this?" Thranduil sat up. "It couldn't be Maglor, father. He may be a kinslayer, but from what I have seen of him, he stayed away from people. And I don't think he even knew that we were in Greenwood."

"Well, whoever the sage is, or what he actually said, the important thing is that there are many Silvans who believe it. So, we must tread carefully about how we deal with Galenhir, no matter how I feel about him."

"What else did Galenhir say to you?"

"He admitted he gave you a sleeping potion, but only to keep you at the camp. He said he could tell you wouldn't listen to him, and that it would have been difficult to keep you against your will. Originally, he meant to leave you sleeping for men to come and take you. But learning what happened with his brother, and you having saved his niece, he changed his mind. You still remember nothing of that night?"

Thranduil shook his head. He had tried to remember, but the details of what happened after leaving the tent were hazy. He barely remembered the conversation he had with Tinu.

"It seems he put me to sleep, then led me to the men."

"That part he denies."

"Maglor told me men came upon me while I was unconscious on my horse."

"Galenhir said, he let you ride out of the camp, but only because the horse he gave you was to bring you back. And it did. You were struggling to stay awake, but he saw you needed a rest. But you kept trying to ride out, so he took the weapons from you. He thought you would not leave without them. I don't know if the next part is true or what," Oropher shook his head with a solemn look on his face. "That night, after everyone went to sleep, this big elk came out of nowhere. It was frightened and it made a ruckus. He said it took them a while to calm it. But it woke up everyone. He thinks it was trying to warn them because some hideous creatures attacked them a moment later. He thinks they may have been Orcs, but he could not see clearly. It was very dark, he said. He believes if it wasn't for the elk, those creatures would have found them unaware and they would have been all killed."

"Elk?" Thranduil frowned. Could it be? Did it remain at the woodlands near where he last saw it? Thranduil realized he should have looked for the animal. Before he left this region, he should go find it. And he had a reason to stop by the cave behind the waterfall.

"Yes. I find that hard to believe. But by the time the sky brightened, they fled, and he found you were not at the camp. He didn't know whether you were taken or left on your own. They went to look for you and found that men got to you first."

"So, he let them take me?"

"He said those men were armored, and they outnumbered them. He never dealt directly with men, and he didn't want to engage them. I suppose he wanted to avoid any bloodshed. He retreated because he knew where they were taking you, then he sent his niece to find me. I don't know how much of that is true or whether he is lying. At least, the story matches what his niece told me."

Thranduil thought about what Maglor told him. "Perhaps what he told you is the truth. I remember leaving the camp while it was dark, but Maglor saw men come upon me when the sun was rising."

"Maglor? I would like to hear the details of how you two met. But more than that, I want to know why the kinslayer was there with Sauron?"

Thranduil met his father's grim eyes. They haven't talked except for scant details. One boat left with the ladies back to Dorwinion, but Thranduil, his father, and the warriors had gone up to the temple to find that the entire building had collapsed. Sauron was nowhere in sight, and whatever illusions that had been cast on the place were gone as well. It was just a pile of stones.

The pass that led to the other side of the mountain remained intact, however. When they passed through it, Thranduil found there was no more illusion to prevent their access. At the front of the pass, they found Galenhir and his archers with a group of seven men they had captured. When the archers arrived, all men had already left the Dragon Gorge except for the nine men, according to Galenhir. It was Radnor and his men, except for the two members who were missing. When Thranduil asked about them, Galenhir said that they escaped to the pass. As the way had a strange illusion cast about it, the Silvan lord did not send any of his archers after them. Besides those two, no one had gone in or out of the pass, neither the Easterlings nor Sauron, but there was no trace of them.

"It seems Sauron wanted to capture Maglor to bring him to his side."

Thranduil wondered how much he should tell his father about the gold bracelet. If he talked about the bracelet, he would have to talk about his blood and the dragon. He will have to tell him of it, but not here. Not until they were within the safety of their own place.

"Indeed? That creature of Morgoth should know better. Even kinslayers would not side with him."

The certainty of his father's belief triggered something in Thranduil. He had always wondered why Sauron was given a chance to enter an Elven city, to invade a body of an elf. Why did Eru allow such a thing?

"Do you think he is redeemable?"

"Sauron? I don't think there are any of us, kinslayer or not, who think so."

"Actually, I meant Maglor."

His father looked at him, then turned to the valley before them. They remained silent for a long while.

"I have been thinking. About why he was there. I know in my heart that I could not have survived this encounter with Sauron without him. Why was he the one to save me? It could have been anybody, yet it was that Noldo, that kinslayer, who was there and saved me. Just as it was another kinslayer at the Dwarven ruin. What is the likelihood of such a coincidence happening not once, but twice? The world is vast, yet I seem to meet one kinslayer after another."

"Eru moves in a mysterious way. Who knows why He does what He does? I tell you, son. He does not always do what I wish He would do."

"Trust me, father. I know. And how I railed against Him for it. But by being forced to face what I hate the most, I have learned to understand not only them but myself. I also wondered why Sauron was given a chance to enter Lindon? It was a chance for him to get to know us. What if it was Eru's way of giving that evil Maia a chance at redemption?" Then came that which he truly wanted an answer to. "What if this is my chance at redemption?"

"Thranduil…"

"Please, father. Listen. I know. What happened at Menegroth and at Sirion are not something I caused, but I can't help it if I feel the weight of the guilt."

His father clasped his hands together but said nothing. Thranduil was grateful that his father remained silent rather than say that it wasn't his fault. It was what everyone said to him. But he did not feel it. He could not stop what he felt in his heart. And it was hard to talk about this without having to make them understand what he felt deep inside him. But he wanted to try. He did not expect himself to talk about it, but it came out, and now that it did, he wanted his father's blessing.

"I was thinking, what if this was Eru's way of letting me know that there is hope for me, that he was giving me a chance at redemption: if I can forgive him, if you and I, we can forgive those that had wronged us, then maybe…" Thranduil swallowed hard before he continued, "I, too, can be forgiven." It came out as a whisper, but now that he said it, it sounded rather selfish. His heart thumped painfully, and Thranduil glanced at his father. He wasn't sure what his father would feel. "What do you think? Dad?"

His father's chin shook as his eyes rimmed red. He grabbed Thranduil's head, then kissed it before placing his head onto Thranduil's forehead.

"If this burden that you carry, if it can lessen, if you could be free of it, then I am with you, son. Let's start anew. In this place, we call our new home. A brand-new start. If I can let go of this hatred and anger I carry in my heart, and gain a son who could be free of it, I would gladly give them up. Forgive this kinslayer; forgive the Noldor. It wouldn't be easy and it would not happen overnight, but I damn will try. If that is your will, let us give it a chance."

His father's eyes, always so steady and solemn, glistened full of tears.

"Yes?" his father asked.

"Yes," answered Thranduil. And when they raised their heads, they smiled at each other, bright and unfettered.


Mountains south of Dorwinion. July 30. SA 722

MAGLOR wondered if it would have been better if he traveled directly to the Great Sea. He wanted to get there before the winter arrived so he can weather the cold season by the valley underneath the White Mountains where the winters were more temperate. But on foot and without provisions, he wasn't certain he could make it there in time. And he did not wish to rest too long near the Ash Mountains. There was something evil about that place. And he wondered whether that Ungoliant's child survived or not. Kemik said he took care of it, but Maglor wasn't sure the Easterling meant he killed it or something else.

Now that he had decided to go back to Vorimë, he did not want to risk being lost in that dark land. Perhaps, if Valar were willing, he may return one day to make certain.

With a sigh, he entered the cave behind the waterfall. It had taken him too long to get here, but he could stock up before he left the region. He had preserved some fruits and meat for use when he was in dire need. And with only one hand, he found it difficult to hunt. He will have to make something to help him hold the bow in place so he could use it. But more importantly, he wanted to take the harp out from where he hid it. His enchantment over the hidden place would make it near impossible for another to find it. And Thranduil did promise he would deliver it to Elrond.

As soon as he stepped into his cave, he knew someone had been there before him. It wasn't just the faint pine scent that lingered there. As soon as he lighted the lamp, he saw the large leather pack sitting in the middle of the cave. There was a letter on top of it, just under a short sword in an elaborate silver sheath.

He picked up the letter. It was succinct, but upon reading it, Maglor fell onto the floor and wept like a child.

It was as if all the grief and regret that wore him down over the long centuries suddenly lifted. Hope grew abundant like dandelions on the spring grass.

When he calmed down, he opened the pack. It contained provisions for winter, both food and clothes. Picking up the leather bag and the short sword, he headed out. Standing by the waterfall, he collected the choicest grass he could find, then he sang the tune that was in the letter. His voice, powerful and melodious, rang through the woods.

He didn't have to wait long.

When it came, Maglor was surprised at how big it was.

"Hello, there. I think I have seen you before, have I not?" Maglor held up his hand and offered the elk the fragrant grass.

The elk nodded, smelled the grass in his hand, then took them into his mouth. Maglor slid his hand over the elk's neck.

"I wasn't sure if you would show. How do you know Thranduil?" The elk sniffed his hand looking for more grass.

Maglor wished he could talk with the animals like Tylko did. His younger brother was the only one among all his brothers who understood the tongues of birds and beasts.

"Are you sure you want to give me a ride? Where I wish to go, it is rather far." The elk gazed him as if it understood. "Please take me only as far as you are willing to go."

The elk turned, offering its back.

Maglor took out the letter. He wanted to read it again before leaving this place. It contained a short note about the elk and how to call it. And the twelve words that Maglor will carry with him forever:

Once Elrond comes into his own domain, perhaps we can drink together.

/s/ Thranduil

When that time will come, Maglor did not know. But that did not matter. He could wait. No matter how long it would take.