A/N Again, I beg your forgiveness for the length of time this has taken me
to post. This chapter was extremely difficult to write, but it is the
basis for the whole idea behind my story, and so it had to be done.
I will warn all of you ahead of time that this story is based very much out of the Silmarillion, and so if you have read that book the following will not be very difficult to follow I think. If you have not read the Silmarillion I have attempted to explain as much of the history as I can that is of concern to the story I have made up. If you are not familiar with the history of Middle-earth please do not get hung up on the names and places in the following chapter. All that is important is the basic plot. For those of you who are fans of Tolkien's world I hope you enjoy this. I have stayed as true to the Tolkien's world as possible. Please note that in all instances Thranduil's story is not from Tolkien, but of my own devices. Tolkien did not expand upon Thranduil's past, and so I have had a great deal of fun in making one up for him. There is one other thing. Very minor characters or facts which were not relevant to the story have been left out – for instance I am aware that the Silmarillion states that the dwarves were created first, but I do not think this was made known to the elves – the certainly don't act like it – so when Thranduil says they were the first it's just his POV. On the other hand, if I have made a glaring error please let me know. I do not want Tolkien rolling over in his grave because of me.
Thanks again for all of your wonderful reviews. I assure you there will be much more of Gimli in the near future, and that my chapters should come a bit more frequently from now on. So read on, enjoy, and please R/R.
Disclaimer: all characters, settings, and elvish language are strictly from the mind of J.R.R. Tolkien or inspired by him.
1 Chapter VIII
Thranduil's Story
Prince Faramir had practically worn a path in the marble flooring of his rooms. Since he had learned of Legolas's escape, with the assistance of his own son he had not stopped his circuitous path throughout all of his quarters. His anger had not been dulled by sleeplessness or fatigue. If anything it had grown worse. Boromir was young and headstrong. Faramir knew this, and though he rarely said it aloud he was certain this behavior had been inherited from his mother. Yes, the boy was most assuredly his own master, but the Prince of Ithilien certainly had not anticipated this.
And Legolas. Faramir was prepared to throttle the elf if he ever saw him alive again. How could he have allowed this to happen? Faramir was often deceived by Legolas's youthful looks into thinking of him as a young man, but he was thousands of years old. He ought to have known better. He ought to have looked out for Boromir. He ought to have looked out for his people and all the peoples of Ithilien. "Curse him!" Faramir bellowed out to no one in particular and seizing a goblet off a nearby table he hurled it across the room where it shattered against the far wall. The noise was somehow very gratifying to the prince.
A young page had entered the room and was preparing food on the table from which the goblet had been acquired, but seeing the king's mood he made a rather hasty departure. It was unlike Faramir to let his emotions get the best of him like this, and his staff was understandably unnerved by it. Before Faramir's outburst the boy had set upon the table a loaf of bread, a large hunk of yellow cheese, and some apples, accompanied by a bottle of wine. Faramir considered them for a moment, but just as quickly dismissed them and continued his pacing. From one of the other rooms he heard a door open and soon after the sound of footsteps. He knew without turning around that it was his wife, Eowyn.
She walked purposefully into the midst of his path, blocking his way. Faramir moved to walk around her, but she shadowed him and would not let him pass. "Eowyn, please, I am in no mood to talk."
Stubbornly she folded her arms in front of her, "So, what are you in the mood for? Walking? That will do no one any good."
Faramir sighed and looked into her beautiful blue eyes. They were full of love despite the tone of her voice. "No, but I am angry, and in this state I am not much good for talking."
Eowyn's voice softened, "So allow me to do the talking." She took his arm and led him back to the table bearing the food. She poured him some wine and pushed the bread and cheese in front of him. "Please eat something, my love. Anger feeds on an empty stomach." Faramir looked again at her, but he could not deny her logic, and so he pulled off some bread and began to eat.
"Now, I know you are angry. I am angry as well. But I have tried to understand why Boromir would defy you, and I believe we have sorely miscalculated our son. I, more than any other, should have understood his heart better, for his heart is that of a warrior. Can we then deny his heart that which he so greatly desires? My father asked the same of me, and it was more than I could bear. He is a Dunadan, not only in title, but in his spirit as well.
"Now he is still young but also a man. He wishes to prove himself, and when war comes to his own country what glorious post does his own father grant him? To lead the guards of Minas Mallen where he will more than likely never encounter a single foe."
Faramir opened his mouth to speak, but Eowyn raised her hand to stop him, "Please, my Lord, let me finish." Faramir acquiesced and Eowyn continued, "I am aware of why you chose as you did, but I do not think Boromir has thought that far. In his mind your orders indicate you do not trust him to go into battle or that you think he will falter. His pride, I believe, has gotten the better of him."
Faramir immediately rose from his seat and began to pace back and forth next to the table. "But to leave here in the middle of the night and with only a small guard. And he must know he is heading into a trap. All for pride's sake?! He is the crown prince of Ithilien. His responsibilities to our people must always come first, and yet he has forsaken them and us," Faramir looked pointedly at his wife, "all to prove he is a man? To soothe his wounded pride? When I am through with him he will want to soothe more than his pride!"
Eowyn had risen and come to stand in front of Faramir. He stopped his pacing and looked at her. She raised her right hand and placed it on his chest above his heart. "Peace, my love." Her touch immediately cooled the raging fire within him. His eyes softened and he placed both of his hands over her smaller one resting on his heart. Seeing that he was calmer Eowyn spoke, "Your anger is only a bandage for your fear. It is a heavy burden to bear to wait while one that you love faces unknown dangers."
Small tears formed at the corners of the princess's eyes, and Boromir pulled her close to him. "Your words have hit the mark, my beloved. I do not want to think of what may befall our son. I do not think I could bear it if he . . ." but Faramir could not continue. Eowyn held him all the more close and they stood there for some time sharing what comfort they could give to one another.
How long they stood like this Faramir did not know, but the clear tones of trumpets split the air breaking the spell that hung over the Prince and Princess of Ithilien. Eowyn looked to Faramir, "We must make ready, my husband. A king comes to Amon Galen."
…………………………………………………………………………………….
The room was small but comfortable. Many braziers were lit to fill the room with soft light, and the scent of evergreen wafted through the air from the incense bowls above them. A large oak table sat in the middle of the room laden with every food available at that time of the year. The plates the food was served on had been crafted from gold by dwarven hands, and the finest elven glassblowers had made the glasses. Normally it served as an informal greeting room where Prince Faramir could receive friends, but today it was the gathering place of royalty.
King Eomer had ridden into Amon Galen early that afternoon accompanied by four hundred of his Rohirrim. And at sunset King Elessar accompanied by King Thranduil also arrived in the capital city of Ithilien with a large contingent of Dunedain and Elves from Eryn Lasgalen. All were eager for news and so after briefly retiring to their rooms all three had come to Prince Faramir's quarters for the evening meal and information.
Etiquette dictated that Faramir allow Elessar to lead the discussion as he was the King over all of Gondor including Ithilien. Elessar looked upon the faces of the three men at his table. Faramir looked haggard and worn, the events of the last month taking their toll on his normally relaxed features. Eomer was a different story. Though he was, in truth, not much younger than Faramir, he wore the smooth and unmarred face of youth. He looked eager, whereas the others looked unnerved. But it was Thranduil's countenance that drew his attention most.
It had been many years since he had visited with the King of Eryn Lasgalen. He bore the beautiful face of all elves, but there was ever a knowing look in the pools of his eyes as if they knew the fate of the world and all within it. It was the same look he saw in the eyes of Elrond, Galadriel, and Cirdan. His long blonde hair was pulled back away from his face, and he wore a small circlet in the shape of oak leaves around his head. Elessar had often thought how much Legolas resembled his father, but now the Elven King's features were drawn and tight over his face. His eyes beheld not the fates of all men, but only his own fate – of suffering and loss.
The King of Gondor knew that whatever revelations Thranduil had for them they lay bitterly upon him, and would not easily be told. Still, time was of the greater importance and so he stood, "I greet all of you with warm welcome to the land of Gondor. Would that our meeting were under better circumstances, but I will dispense with the other formalities so that we may learn more of our enemy as soon as possible and so go to find Legolas and Gimli and bring them safely home.
"It seems that the knowledge of our enemy resides within our friend Thranduil, King of Eryn Lasgalen, and so I will now defer to him that he might tell his story." Elessar sat and Thranduil rose, grim in the flickering firelight.
"My story begins a very long time ago in the Eldar Days, or what you know as the First Age. How long ago I cannot say, for much of the time was spent under the stars before the coming of the sun and moon, and so we did not count time then as you do now. But still, I am of the eldest of my race. I was one of the elves who awoke under the stars at Lake Cuivienen, before men and dwarves walked in Arda.
"In those days Middle-earth was new, and its beauty held us spellbound. Many of us would wander far throughout Beleriand delighting in the green things of the earth. The smell of a new variety of flower or a new shade of orange on the trees in autumn – these were the things we loved. There was an endless supply of new discoveries and countless ages with which to explore them.
"But though we were happy in those days, we were not without discord. Morgoth, who we then knew as Melkor, captured many elves and used them to breed the foul orcs. Morgoth set the orcs and his vicious wargs upon the elves of Beleriand, and we lived in great fear of them for we did not know the ways of war. But the Valar took pity on us and coming to Middle-earth they waged war on Morgoth and his minions. Victorious they imprisoned Morgoth within their own land of Valinor across the sea, and so, for a time, we lived in peace.
Eomer had noted that Elessar and Faramir nodded in understanding, but he was not learned in the history of the elves, "I am sorry, King Thranduil, but if you would. Who are the Valar? And who is Morgoth?"
Thranduil smiled sullenly, "Forgive me, King Eomer, for I have lived so long that I do not always take into account the length of my history and how it may have fallen into disuse. The Valar are the servants of the one god, Illuvatar. They helped in the divine creation of all that was, and they dwell in Valinor, in the Undying Lands where elves go to when they die.
"Morgoth was one of the Valar, but he became jealous of Illuvatar's love for the elves and so sought to make as much misery and strife for them as he could. He has since been locked away from all of Middle-earth and the Undying Lands, but it was his loyal servant, Sauron, whom elves and men have fought in the last ages."
Eomer nodded in understanding and Thranduil continued, "But there was one among the Valar who loved the elves most dearly. Orome was his name, and it was he that put the longing into our hearts to travel west across the sea in search of Valinor. So strong was his love for the firstborn, " Thranduil hesitated, noting the questioning look in Eomer's eye, "which is another name for the elves, that he brought four of our leaders to Valinor so that they might see its beauty for themselves. These four returned to Middle-earth intent on guiding the rest of the elves on that long journey.
"But there were some of us who loved Middle-earth overmuch, and tarried long in the journey across Beleriand. In the end there were those who decided to remain. The Nandor we were called, or "those who turn back" in your language. Our leader was Lenwe and we made him our king. Long we remained with him in the Vales of the River Anduin in Beleriand. But the wanderlust was ever upon some of us including the king's son, Denethor, and myself. And so Denethor made his desire known to the Nandor, and those of like mind followed him into the land of Eriador.
"Denethor was a great friend to me, and I was ever at his side. Some of our group left to wander on their own, but I and many others followed Denethor and named him our king. Long we wandered in the wild lands of Eriador, and ever the orcs and wolves of Morgoth harried us. Many of our number were slain by these foul creatures, and yet we continued to follow Denethor. We did not know that Morgoth had returned to Middle-earth, and his hatred of the elves had grown during his long captivity. The evil creatures increased, and our lives, which had been difficult, became impossible. Denethor confided in me that he feared for the safety of his people. I too had grown concerned, and I advised him to cross the Blue Mountains into Beleriand and search out Elwe Singollo the great king.
"And so we returned to Beleriand and soon found Elwe. He had remained in Beleriand and established his own kingdom of Doriath. He was now known as Elu Thingol and he met gladly with Denethor for we were the kin of the elves of Doriath. When King Thingol learned of our love for the forests and of living things he gave unto Denethor the land called Ossiriand for his own kingdom. Of all the places we had wandered none was more beautiful to us than Ossiriand with its verdant forests and long, meandering rivers. Within this land the wanderlust was gone from our hearts and here we made our homes.
"We were called the Laiquendi, or the Green Elves, for we clad ourselves in that color so that we might blend in with the surrounding wood. So adept at this were we that even our own kind could not discover us if we wished to remain hidden. So also were our homes hidden among the trees, and not even keen elven eyes could discern them from the forest floor. A hard lesson we had learned in Eriador, and we chose stealth as a safeguard against the minions of Morgoth.
"I have never known such happiness as I felt in Ossiriand. Here did I wed my beautiful Elessea, and also were my sons Sule and Aldan born and my only daughter, Ailin. But although the time I spent there in peace was many of your lifetimes it seemed but the time of a single breath to me. Too soon was my happiness ended, and much sorrow was to come after.
"As I have said we suffered greatly at the hands of the orcs and wolves of Morgoth, and in some of the Laiquendi there remained a great fear. Though we hid in our forest as a protective measure, some of my people hid only out of that fear. King Thingol had provided us with weaponry and some of his elves schooled us in their use, but few of the Laiquendi participated. We desired only peace, and thought our hidden realm would protect us from war. We were wrong.
"Morgoth had not been idle in his stronghold at Angband, and in his wickedness he sought to take the elves unawares in a surprise attack. Hordes of orcs and wolves poured into Beleriand, and Thingol sent word to Denethor asking for his help. We were unprepared for battle, but there was great love for Thingol amongst us, and so we prepared for war. But those who most feared Morgoth and his armies protested. They wished to remain behind in the protection of our forest. The most outspoken of these was Morgil.
"Morgil had been a proud elf in the days we followed Denethor into Eriador, and as I knew him in those times he was good and whole. Until one day when we were attacked by orcs. Morgil and his wife, Brethilie, were separated from the rest of us. This we did not know until the cries of his wife turned our eyes. Some of the orcs had taken her and forced themselves upon her. Brethilie cried out for Morgil, but whether in great fear or shock he stood rooted to the ground, not moving. Denethor fought his way to her and quickly put her attackers to death. Brethilie survived, but Morgil could not forgive himself. Soon afterwards Brethilie, discovering she was with child, threw herself into the rushing waters of the River Gelion and was never seen in this land again. Morgil was different thereafter. Though I kept my thoughts to myself alone I detected relief in Morgil after Brethilie's suicide, and thereafter he became cowardly and close. And none , save his children, would suffer his company for long.
"But a fire was burning in my heart, for I loved all of Middle-earth and hated Morgoth for laying so much of it waste, and so I decried the cowardice of Morgil and his followers in front of all of my people. Much wrath was in my words and those who wished to remain behind felt great shame. In the end all followed Denethor into battle, but not all followed with pure heart.
"We went to war against the orc armies, but the battle was fierce. Upon the hill of Amon Ereb we made our final stand. I fought at Denethor's side, and though we were few compared to the armies of Morgoth there were many bodies of orcs around us. The battle raged on and we fought only with the hope that King Thingol would arrive with his armies soon to aid us. Looking out across the battlefield for sign of the King of Doriath I spied my son, Sule, standing surrounded by the enemy. With no thought for anyone else I fought my way toward him. All else had become unimportant to me and I cut my way through the masses of orcs unaware of the battle around me. But I came too late. The enemy was too great and my son was overwhelmed. Fear and anger enveloped me and I remember not how I came to the place where he fell. Orc feet had trampled his body, and that beautiful face was no longer recognizable.
"Grief-stricken I began slaying any orc who came near to me. So powerful was my wrath that orcs fled from me. I know not how long I remained like this, but I remember only becoming aware that my friend and King, Denethor, was fighting alone upon Amon Ereb. The orc bodies lay in heaps at his feet, but standing alone he would soon be taken. I had left his side so that I might save the life of my son, but I had failed there. And now, I had deserted my friend and King and could see his imminent doom.
"I moved hastily towards him, and as I made my way trumpets sounded in the distance marking the arrival of the army of King Thingol. But I did not turn to look, I ran forward heedless of the blades of my enemy and so I came to the summit of Amon Ereb. Denethor lay upon the bloodied earth still gripping the haft of his sword. The arrival of Thingol had surprised the orcs and most were now running away in fear and confusion. I laid waste to the few who remained and then knelt at my friend's side. With his dying words he begged me to lead the Green Elves of Ossiriand out of danger, and I pledged that I would.
"Many of the Laiquendi were slain in that battle, but this was not my only sorrow. My son Aldan yet lived, but he bore grave tidings to me. He had fought the battle high up on the side of Amon Ereb, and from there he had good vantage of his brother. Sule had led Morgil and his children into battle. Aldan watched as the orcs came upon them, and Sule and his elves stood their ground against them, but Morgil and his progeny retreated reducing their numbers and soon Sule alone stood against the onslaught. Sule called to them for help, but as he had done long before Morgil did not aid him, and instead he and his family fled from the battlefield.
"Wroth was I to hear such news, and I greatly desired to seek revenge on Morgil and his kin. But I had promised to protect the Laiquendi, and I could not do so if I were to seek out Morgil. I was torn between these two choices, but Aldan bade me to stay with our people. He would seek out Morgil and bring him to me for judgment. My heart yet raged at the death of Sule, and so I let him go.
"Many of the Laiquendi were slain in this battle, thereafter known as the First War of Beleriand, and Thingol seeing the decimation of the Green Elves was greatly concerned. Thus, he gave leave for all to come to his kingdom of Doriath where we would be welcomed as family. Long I considered Thingol's invitation, for I greatly loved the forests of Ossiriand and would not easily part with that land. But my promise to Denethor was most important in my mind, and feeling there would be greater safety in numbers I counseled all of my people to follow me into Doriath with the hope that someday our enemy might be defeated and we could return home.
"But my people had witnessed the loss of more than two-thirds our original number, and no elf that I knew of had ever been forced to bear witness to such great death and suffering. Heavy were the hearts of the Laiquendi. Therefore, some returned to Ossiriand and never again came forth to fight against Morgoth and his legions, among these was my daughter, Ailin. Denethor's death had been hard upon the Laiquendi, so that they never again chose another king while they dwelt in Ossiriand. The rest of my people followed me, and so came unto Doriath, realm of King Elu Thingol.
"The First War of Beleriand weighed heavily upon Thingol, and Melian, his wife, who possessed great powers encircled all of their kingdom in the Girdle of Melian which allowed no one to enter except by her leave. Thus, by her powers was Doriath hidden from Morgoth and the elves lived in peace for a long time there. But little peace did I find while I dwelt in Doriath.
"While I and those that followed me came unto Doriath, Aldan and those who went with him were yet following Morgil's trail. They followed him into the great forest of Taur-im-Duinath far to the south of Doriath. When they found Morgil Aldan demanded he and his children return with him to Doriath. Morgil refused, and angry words were exchanged. Aldan accused Morgil of murdering Sule, and the sons of Morgil were brought to great anger and raised their weapons against Aldan and his company. They fought, but Morgil's eldest son fell at the hand of Aldan, then all of the children of Morgil came upon them, and they were all slain except one.
"Morgil bade the survivor return to Doriath with these words for me; that should any of the Laiquendi come to Taur-im-Duinath or seek out Morgil and his family then they should suffer the same fate as my son. And since this one man could not carry all the bodies of Aldan and his men, Morgil removed there heads and gouged out their eyes so that these might be brought as evidence of their deaths. He told the messenger if I asked why their eyes had been removed to say that since he had fallen into darkness he wished for Thranduil and all his progeny to be as him; to see no light, but to dwell forever in shadow. And this one elf did return to Doriath with his horrible burden, and being brought before me he delivered Morgil's message and told me of the fate of Aldan. Then he fell before my feet and woke never again in this land.
"A cold rage arose in me such as I had never experienced. Never in my knowledge had elf brought arms against elf, for I did not yet know of the Kinslaying at Alqualonde committed by the Noldor." Thranduil again caught sight of Eomer's confused expression and said, "I shall tell more of the Noldor and the Kinslaying in time." Eomer nodded again in thanks but he looked slightly irritated that he appeared to be the only one ignorant of the names and places Thranduil spoke of. The King of the Wood-elves continued, "I decided that my people were safe, and I had fulfilled my promise to Denethor. But in truth the promise mattered little, and I would have broken it if necessary. Thingol advised me to remain and he would send some of his own to retrieve Morgil, but I would not listen. Revenge was in my heart, and I could not be stayed.
"I came to the forest of Taur-im-Duinath with 20 of my own men, some of whom had also lost their sons at the hands of Morgil and his kin. We found our prey, and such hatred was within me that I showed no mercy. I and those with me slew all that we found, but alas, Morgil and his daughter Morwen, escaped. Long I searched for them in the forest, but Taur-im- Duinath is great and within it two elves of the Laiquendi could remain hidden from my searching eyes indefinitely. And so time put out the fire within my belly even if the pain of my loss was and still is ever present, and I returned to Doriath."
"The loss of my sons was great hurt to myself and Elessea, but within the peace of Doriath we were able to heal. In time Elessea bore me another son. Haldim was his name, and he was the fairest of all my sons until the birth of Legolas. Though Doriath was unaffected by the battles the Noldor fought against Morgoth, Haldim became skilled in weaponry and the ways of war. There were none within Doriath who could best him, and yet he was gentle and kind. I loved him most dearly as did all within Thingol's kingdom.
"But not all within Middle-earth was peaceful, for I now come to the story of the Noldor. In short the Noldor were elves who had taken the Great Journey and followed Finwe from Middle-earth, across the sea to Valinor. The elves of Ossiriand and Doriath were of the Sindar, or the Grey Elves, who had never completed the Great Journey and so have never laid eyes upon Valinor.
"The Noldor lived for a long time in Valinor, and a son was born to their Finwe their leader. Feanor was his name, and he was the greatest elf of the Noldorin. It was he who crafted the beautiful jewels called the Silmarilli that shone with the most beautiful light of all creation, but it was these jewels which would lead to his downfall and the downfall of his people.
"As I have related at the beginning of my tale, the evil Morgoth had been imprisoned by the Valar within the Undying Lands. But after sometime the Valar took pity on him and thinking he had repented of his earlier deeds he was allowed to walk freely in Valinor. Morgoth was not repentant, though, and he used his new freedom for further evil.
"He deceived Feanor and turned his mind against the Valar, thus distracting him. So while Feanor was unaware Morgoth came to the house of Finwe, Feanor's father, and slew him. There he stole the beautiful Silmarilli. And before this was known Morgoth had left Valinor and once again returned to Middle-earth.
"Great was Feanor's anger, and he wished to travel to Middle-earth to seek vengeance, yet the Valar forbade him to leave Valinor. But Feanor could not be deterred, and so swearing an oath to seek revenge for his father's murder and to recover the stolen Silmarilli he defied the Valar. The Noldor went with him, but they required ships for passage across the sea. The Teleri elves were great builders of ships, and so Feanor asked them for their aid. Not wishing to defy the Valar the Teleri denied Feanor and his people the use of their ships. And so the Noldor made war upon the Teleri, and it was not Morgil, but Feanor who first slew another elf.
"Feanor did eventually come to Middle-earth where he also met his death. But the seven sons of Feanor swore to take upon themselves his oath against Morgoth. When Thingol learned of the Noldor's attack upon his own people he forbid the son's of Feanor to enter his realm of Doriath and he did not aid them in their struggles against Morgoth. Caranthir, who was most like his father in temperament, took great affront at Thingol's words and deeds and ever was there coldness between the two.
"Upon a time word of this discord reached the ears of Morgil, and thinking that he could use Caranthir's dislike to his advantage he and Morwen traveled far to the north and came unto Thargelion where Caranthir ruled. At the same time Caranthir had made some contact with the dwarves who lived in the Ered Luin, or Blue Mountains, which Thargelion bordered on. Caranthir found the dwarves and their culture distasteful and made no attempt to hide this from them. Morgil suggested that he might play diplomat to the dwarves for Caranthir, and so came into his service. Morgil established trade between the dwarves and Caranthir's elves and soon Morgil had won great favor with Caranthir when riches from the Ered Luin flowed into Thargelion.
"In all this time I was unaware of Morgil's activities for he went by another name, and did not speak with the elves of Doriath or Ossiriand. So after some many years Morgil's whereabouts concerned me little, and my life moved forward and I was happy for a time. But Morgil had not forgotten me, and while he dwelt in Thargelion his words ever poisoned the minds of Caranthir and the dwarves. In Caranthir's ear he whispered of Thingol and the Teleri who dwelt in peace within the forests of Doriath while the sons of Feanor and the Noldor were slain upon the battlefield protecting Middle- earth from Morgoth. And in the ears of the greedy dwarves he whispered of riches untold within Menegroth."
"Was not Menegroth built by the dwarves?" asked Faramir.
"Yes, and the caves of Menegroth were the most beautiful in all of Middle- earth," answered Thranduil, "but when Morgoth's orcs brought war to the North the dwarves hid within their mountain halls and did not come forth into Beleriand. Nor could they have entered Doriath without Melian's permission. Morgil kindled resentment in their hearts that they should be unable to come to the halls that they and their sires labored to build.
"Hundreds of years passed and the Noldor continued to battle Morgoth, but Doriath remained ever peaceful. Luthien Tinuviel was born to Thingol and Melian, and she was more beautiful than any that has ever lived. Yet, as many of you well know she fell in love with Beren, a mortal man. Thingol did not wish them to wed, and so he promised Beren the hand of Luthien if he would only bring to him one of the Silmarilli which Morgoth had stolen from the Noldor."
Eomer sat up, "Would this not have angered the Noldor, who swore a blood oath to retrieve all the Silmarilli?"
"Indeed it did anger them very much, even more so when Beren performed the task and brought one of the Silmarilli to Thingol. The sons of Feanor sent letters to Menegroth demanding Thingol give up the Silmaril to them, but Thingol would not listen. The great beauty of the Silmaril clouded his mind and his lust for it consumed him.
"The Noldor had little time to dwell on Thingol and the Silmaril for they soon fought the fifth and final battle of the Wars of Beleriand. In that battle much of the Noldor were slain, and all of the northern realms of the sons of Feanor were overrun. But Morgil and Morwen yet survived, as did Caranthir and many of the dwarves of the Ered Luin.
"When Thingol had retained the Silmaril he bade the dwarves from Ered Luin come to Menegroth to set the stone in the Nauglamir."
Eomer again interrupted, "I am sorry, King Thranduil, but I am not as versed in ancient elven lore as Elessar and Faramir. What is the Nauglamir?"
"The Nauglamir was a necklace crafted by the dwarves and given to the Elven King Finrod Felagund. It was said that the necklace bore jewels carried from Valinor and that it made beautiful any who would wear it. When Finrod was slain the necklace came to Thingol.
"Morgil realized that this was the time in which he must act. He counseled the dwarves to take the necklace, telling them it was theirs by right since they had crafted it long ago. And so the dwarves full of Morgil's poisoned words came in great numbers to Menegroth where they did indeed set the Silmaril in the Nauglamir. But when there work was finished they would not leave the jewel behind, and instead made to take the necklace with them to the Ered Luin.
"Thingol's wrath was great, but the beauty of the Silmaril had blinded him to all else, and too late did he see his folly. Hundreds of the dwarves dwelt within Menegroth and when Thingol made to take the Nauglamir by force they took up their axes and waged a battle within the halls of Menegroth.
"Long did I fight in that battle, and I made my way into the smithies where Thingol had been ere the fighting broke out. There I found him lying upon the ground, bloodied and hewn, and there did Elu Thingol, King of the Sindarin Elves of Beleriand, depart from Middle-earth forever. Much did I grieve the death of Thingol, but my sorrows had only begun.
"A great fury came over me, and I gathered the host of Thingol and followed the trail of the fell dwarves. So great was our wrath that we quickly overtook them and killed all but two of their company. The Nauglamir was found and I returned it to Melian who found no joy in it but bade me return to Ossiriand where dwelt her daughter Luthien with Beren and bring them tidings of Thingol's downfall. Afterward she also departed from Middle- earth and was never seen here again.
"I did return to Ossiriand and my heart was glad to see the forests again, but loath was I to bring the tidings to Luthien and Beren. But even as I sat in Ossiriand with the daughter of Thingol and shared in her grief word came to us that the dwarves had again sacked Menegroth, for when Melian had departed so had her protection of the realm. Having again stolen the Nauglamir set with the single Silmaril they were even now returning to their homes in the Ered Luin.
"A great anger was aroused in Beren and I followed him to battle the murderous dwarves and recover the stolen jewel. The elves of Ossiriand had not been to war in hundreds of years but that did not diminish their fierceness. In the end we were victorious. All the dwarves were slain and Beren returned to Ossiriand with the Nauglamir, which he set upon the breast of Luthien.
"However, Morgil had not been idle. Seeing the downfall of the dwarves at the hands of the Laiquendi he saw a dreadful opportunity. Ailin, my own daughter, had risen to fight with the Green Elves, and in the confusion of battle Morwen took her and brought her to Morgil where he slew her and removed her eyes, just as he did to Sule and Aldan. When her body was found I knew who it was who had committed the murder, and whose devices had led to the downfall of Thingol and Doriath.
"My burden was too much to bear. I had failed my daughter in thinking the threat of Morgil had gone away, and now she lay dead and mutilated upon the earth. We buried her even where she fell, but I would not tarry long in Ossiriand for fear grew in my heart for Elessea, my wife, and our son and only remaining child, Haldim. Luthien and Beren would not leave the land of the Green Elves, but their son and his family returned with me to Menegroth to lead the kingdom of Doriath.
"Again for some short time there was peace in Doriath, though Elessea could not bear the suffering in her heart and returned to Ossiriand to dwell. I now followed Dior as King of Doriath, for I had much love for Thingol, his grandfather, and yearned to re-build Doriath. However, this was not to be. One day an elf out of Ossiriand came to Dior bearing the Nauglamir for his mother and father had gone to their rest. Dior took the necklace and placed it around his neck, and as before with the stone came the downfall of Doriath, never to arise again.
"Word soon reached the sons of Feanor that the Silmaril had returned to Doriath. None of the elves would have attacked Luthien, the most fair and beautiful of their kind, while she wore the Nauglamir, but now that it had come to King Dior the seven brothers sent another letter demanding the return of the stone. As his father before him Dior did not answer their requests, and Morgil seizing yet another opportunity gave counsel to Caranthir urging him to attack the now unprotected land of Doriath.
"And so for the second time the Noldor bore arms against their brethren. The battle in Menegroth was great and I fought alongside Haldim, but in the end Dior was slain, and his sons were lost. Even some of Feanor's sons met their death in those caves. All around us were slain, but Haldim and I were spared. Morgil had given orders that we were not to be slain, but brought to him instead. I stood before my enemy of old bound at the wrists, helpless. I knew that my son's death and my death were at hand. Yet he did not bring death swiftly. Instead he related to me all the parts of his story that I have here given so that I would know the depths of his hatred. And then he raised his sword and beheaded my only living child and gouged out his eyes. And though I pleaded with him for death he would not give it to me, but instead condemned me to remain in Middle-earth childless or to bring death to myself.
"And yet he said that he still had one other to murder, my Elessea. Now there was a rage unlike any I have ever felt within me, and I broke the bonds about my wrists. I was upon Morgil before he could react. A blind rage overcame me, and when all was finished Morgil's body lay formless and bloodied upon the floor.
"I had no time to bury the body of Haldim, and so I was forced to set him upon one of the braziers of fire which lit the halls and there the fires would turn his body to ash. But I could not tarry for the enemy was all about me. A small remnant of the elves of Doriath was fleeing before the remaining sons of Feanor led by Dior's daughter, Elwing. I followed them south for some time. As we traveled I learned that Elwing had borne the Silmaril out of Doriath. I would no longer share in that fate of that accursed stone, and so I turned from their company and came once again into Ossiriand.
"The news I bore to Elessea was more than she could bear, and I thought that she too would leave Middle-earth to search for her sons and daughter in Valinor. But the beauty of Ossiriand succored her, and she and I dwelt together in that blessed land for many more years. But no child did she bear me until after my kingdom was built in Eryn Lasgalen, after the downfall of Sauron when Isildur took the ring. Then was Legolas born to us, and he is last of the children of Elessea. In Legolas's birth were the memories of children long gone stirred within her. Even as she first held him in her arms and looked upon his face she died, and she awaits me with Sule, Aldan, Ailin, and Haldim in Valinor. But I will not leave while Legolas yet remains."
All who sat there were silent, for what could they say. Thranduil's long life had been full of loss and pain, and he had come far from his kingdom to protect the only thing which kept him in Middle-earth. The only thing which kept him from returning to Valinor to be re-united with all he had lost – his son. Yet Legolas was gone, and none knew where. Thranduil, of the eldest of his kind was again too late to help save his son.
I will warn all of you ahead of time that this story is based very much out of the Silmarillion, and so if you have read that book the following will not be very difficult to follow I think. If you have not read the Silmarillion I have attempted to explain as much of the history as I can that is of concern to the story I have made up. If you are not familiar with the history of Middle-earth please do not get hung up on the names and places in the following chapter. All that is important is the basic plot. For those of you who are fans of Tolkien's world I hope you enjoy this. I have stayed as true to the Tolkien's world as possible. Please note that in all instances Thranduil's story is not from Tolkien, but of my own devices. Tolkien did not expand upon Thranduil's past, and so I have had a great deal of fun in making one up for him. There is one other thing. Very minor characters or facts which were not relevant to the story have been left out – for instance I am aware that the Silmarillion states that the dwarves were created first, but I do not think this was made known to the elves – the certainly don't act like it – so when Thranduil says they were the first it's just his POV. On the other hand, if I have made a glaring error please let me know. I do not want Tolkien rolling over in his grave because of me.
Thanks again for all of your wonderful reviews. I assure you there will be much more of Gimli in the near future, and that my chapters should come a bit more frequently from now on. So read on, enjoy, and please R/R.
Disclaimer: all characters, settings, and elvish language are strictly from the mind of J.R.R. Tolkien or inspired by him.
1 Chapter VIII
Thranduil's Story
Prince Faramir had practically worn a path in the marble flooring of his rooms. Since he had learned of Legolas's escape, with the assistance of his own son he had not stopped his circuitous path throughout all of his quarters. His anger had not been dulled by sleeplessness or fatigue. If anything it had grown worse. Boromir was young and headstrong. Faramir knew this, and though he rarely said it aloud he was certain this behavior had been inherited from his mother. Yes, the boy was most assuredly his own master, but the Prince of Ithilien certainly had not anticipated this.
And Legolas. Faramir was prepared to throttle the elf if he ever saw him alive again. How could he have allowed this to happen? Faramir was often deceived by Legolas's youthful looks into thinking of him as a young man, but he was thousands of years old. He ought to have known better. He ought to have looked out for Boromir. He ought to have looked out for his people and all the peoples of Ithilien. "Curse him!" Faramir bellowed out to no one in particular and seizing a goblet off a nearby table he hurled it across the room where it shattered against the far wall. The noise was somehow very gratifying to the prince.
A young page had entered the room and was preparing food on the table from which the goblet had been acquired, but seeing the king's mood he made a rather hasty departure. It was unlike Faramir to let his emotions get the best of him like this, and his staff was understandably unnerved by it. Before Faramir's outburst the boy had set upon the table a loaf of bread, a large hunk of yellow cheese, and some apples, accompanied by a bottle of wine. Faramir considered them for a moment, but just as quickly dismissed them and continued his pacing. From one of the other rooms he heard a door open and soon after the sound of footsteps. He knew without turning around that it was his wife, Eowyn.
She walked purposefully into the midst of his path, blocking his way. Faramir moved to walk around her, but she shadowed him and would not let him pass. "Eowyn, please, I am in no mood to talk."
Stubbornly she folded her arms in front of her, "So, what are you in the mood for? Walking? That will do no one any good."
Faramir sighed and looked into her beautiful blue eyes. They were full of love despite the tone of her voice. "No, but I am angry, and in this state I am not much good for talking."
Eowyn's voice softened, "So allow me to do the talking." She took his arm and led him back to the table bearing the food. She poured him some wine and pushed the bread and cheese in front of him. "Please eat something, my love. Anger feeds on an empty stomach." Faramir looked again at her, but he could not deny her logic, and so he pulled off some bread and began to eat.
"Now, I know you are angry. I am angry as well. But I have tried to understand why Boromir would defy you, and I believe we have sorely miscalculated our son. I, more than any other, should have understood his heart better, for his heart is that of a warrior. Can we then deny his heart that which he so greatly desires? My father asked the same of me, and it was more than I could bear. He is a Dunadan, not only in title, but in his spirit as well.
"Now he is still young but also a man. He wishes to prove himself, and when war comes to his own country what glorious post does his own father grant him? To lead the guards of Minas Mallen where he will more than likely never encounter a single foe."
Faramir opened his mouth to speak, but Eowyn raised her hand to stop him, "Please, my Lord, let me finish." Faramir acquiesced and Eowyn continued, "I am aware of why you chose as you did, but I do not think Boromir has thought that far. In his mind your orders indicate you do not trust him to go into battle or that you think he will falter. His pride, I believe, has gotten the better of him."
Faramir immediately rose from his seat and began to pace back and forth next to the table. "But to leave here in the middle of the night and with only a small guard. And he must know he is heading into a trap. All for pride's sake?! He is the crown prince of Ithilien. His responsibilities to our people must always come first, and yet he has forsaken them and us," Faramir looked pointedly at his wife, "all to prove he is a man? To soothe his wounded pride? When I am through with him he will want to soothe more than his pride!"
Eowyn had risen and come to stand in front of Faramir. He stopped his pacing and looked at her. She raised her right hand and placed it on his chest above his heart. "Peace, my love." Her touch immediately cooled the raging fire within him. His eyes softened and he placed both of his hands over her smaller one resting on his heart. Seeing that he was calmer Eowyn spoke, "Your anger is only a bandage for your fear. It is a heavy burden to bear to wait while one that you love faces unknown dangers."
Small tears formed at the corners of the princess's eyes, and Boromir pulled her close to him. "Your words have hit the mark, my beloved. I do not want to think of what may befall our son. I do not think I could bear it if he . . ." but Faramir could not continue. Eowyn held him all the more close and they stood there for some time sharing what comfort they could give to one another.
How long they stood like this Faramir did not know, but the clear tones of trumpets split the air breaking the spell that hung over the Prince and Princess of Ithilien. Eowyn looked to Faramir, "We must make ready, my husband. A king comes to Amon Galen."
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The room was small but comfortable. Many braziers were lit to fill the room with soft light, and the scent of evergreen wafted through the air from the incense bowls above them. A large oak table sat in the middle of the room laden with every food available at that time of the year. The plates the food was served on had been crafted from gold by dwarven hands, and the finest elven glassblowers had made the glasses. Normally it served as an informal greeting room where Prince Faramir could receive friends, but today it was the gathering place of royalty.
King Eomer had ridden into Amon Galen early that afternoon accompanied by four hundred of his Rohirrim. And at sunset King Elessar accompanied by King Thranduil also arrived in the capital city of Ithilien with a large contingent of Dunedain and Elves from Eryn Lasgalen. All were eager for news and so after briefly retiring to their rooms all three had come to Prince Faramir's quarters for the evening meal and information.
Etiquette dictated that Faramir allow Elessar to lead the discussion as he was the King over all of Gondor including Ithilien. Elessar looked upon the faces of the three men at his table. Faramir looked haggard and worn, the events of the last month taking their toll on his normally relaxed features. Eomer was a different story. Though he was, in truth, not much younger than Faramir, he wore the smooth and unmarred face of youth. He looked eager, whereas the others looked unnerved. But it was Thranduil's countenance that drew his attention most.
It had been many years since he had visited with the King of Eryn Lasgalen. He bore the beautiful face of all elves, but there was ever a knowing look in the pools of his eyes as if they knew the fate of the world and all within it. It was the same look he saw in the eyes of Elrond, Galadriel, and Cirdan. His long blonde hair was pulled back away from his face, and he wore a small circlet in the shape of oak leaves around his head. Elessar had often thought how much Legolas resembled his father, but now the Elven King's features were drawn and tight over his face. His eyes beheld not the fates of all men, but only his own fate – of suffering and loss.
The King of Gondor knew that whatever revelations Thranduil had for them they lay bitterly upon him, and would not easily be told. Still, time was of the greater importance and so he stood, "I greet all of you with warm welcome to the land of Gondor. Would that our meeting were under better circumstances, but I will dispense with the other formalities so that we may learn more of our enemy as soon as possible and so go to find Legolas and Gimli and bring them safely home.
"It seems that the knowledge of our enemy resides within our friend Thranduil, King of Eryn Lasgalen, and so I will now defer to him that he might tell his story." Elessar sat and Thranduil rose, grim in the flickering firelight.
"My story begins a very long time ago in the Eldar Days, or what you know as the First Age. How long ago I cannot say, for much of the time was spent under the stars before the coming of the sun and moon, and so we did not count time then as you do now. But still, I am of the eldest of my race. I was one of the elves who awoke under the stars at Lake Cuivienen, before men and dwarves walked in Arda.
"In those days Middle-earth was new, and its beauty held us spellbound. Many of us would wander far throughout Beleriand delighting in the green things of the earth. The smell of a new variety of flower or a new shade of orange on the trees in autumn – these were the things we loved. There was an endless supply of new discoveries and countless ages with which to explore them.
"But though we were happy in those days, we were not without discord. Morgoth, who we then knew as Melkor, captured many elves and used them to breed the foul orcs. Morgoth set the orcs and his vicious wargs upon the elves of Beleriand, and we lived in great fear of them for we did not know the ways of war. But the Valar took pity on us and coming to Middle-earth they waged war on Morgoth and his minions. Victorious they imprisoned Morgoth within their own land of Valinor across the sea, and so, for a time, we lived in peace.
Eomer had noted that Elessar and Faramir nodded in understanding, but he was not learned in the history of the elves, "I am sorry, King Thranduil, but if you would. Who are the Valar? And who is Morgoth?"
Thranduil smiled sullenly, "Forgive me, King Eomer, for I have lived so long that I do not always take into account the length of my history and how it may have fallen into disuse. The Valar are the servants of the one god, Illuvatar. They helped in the divine creation of all that was, and they dwell in Valinor, in the Undying Lands where elves go to when they die.
"Morgoth was one of the Valar, but he became jealous of Illuvatar's love for the elves and so sought to make as much misery and strife for them as he could. He has since been locked away from all of Middle-earth and the Undying Lands, but it was his loyal servant, Sauron, whom elves and men have fought in the last ages."
Eomer nodded in understanding and Thranduil continued, "But there was one among the Valar who loved the elves most dearly. Orome was his name, and it was he that put the longing into our hearts to travel west across the sea in search of Valinor. So strong was his love for the firstborn, " Thranduil hesitated, noting the questioning look in Eomer's eye, "which is another name for the elves, that he brought four of our leaders to Valinor so that they might see its beauty for themselves. These four returned to Middle-earth intent on guiding the rest of the elves on that long journey.
"But there were some of us who loved Middle-earth overmuch, and tarried long in the journey across Beleriand. In the end there were those who decided to remain. The Nandor we were called, or "those who turn back" in your language. Our leader was Lenwe and we made him our king. Long we remained with him in the Vales of the River Anduin in Beleriand. But the wanderlust was ever upon some of us including the king's son, Denethor, and myself. And so Denethor made his desire known to the Nandor, and those of like mind followed him into the land of Eriador.
"Denethor was a great friend to me, and I was ever at his side. Some of our group left to wander on their own, but I and many others followed Denethor and named him our king. Long we wandered in the wild lands of Eriador, and ever the orcs and wolves of Morgoth harried us. Many of our number were slain by these foul creatures, and yet we continued to follow Denethor. We did not know that Morgoth had returned to Middle-earth, and his hatred of the elves had grown during his long captivity. The evil creatures increased, and our lives, which had been difficult, became impossible. Denethor confided in me that he feared for the safety of his people. I too had grown concerned, and I advised him to cross the Blue Mountains into Beleriand and search out Elwe Singollo the great king.
"And so we returned to Beleriand and soon found Elwe. He had remained in Beleriand and established his own kingdom of Doriath. He was now known as Elu Thingol and he met gladly with Denethor for we were the kin of the elves of Doriath. When King Thingol learned of our love for the forests and of living things he gave unto Denethor the land called Ossiriand for his own kingdom. Of all the places we had wandered none was more beautiful to us than Ossiriand with its verdant forests and long, meandering rivers. Within this land the wanderlust was gone from our hearts and here we made our homes.
"We were called the Laiquendi, or the Green Elves, for we clad ourselves in that color so that we might blend in with the surrounding wood. So adept at this were we that even our own kind could not discover us if we wished to remain hidden. So also were our homes hidden among the trees, and not even keen elven eyes could discern them from the forest floor. A hard lesson we had learned in Eriador, and we chose stealth as a safeguard against the minions of Morgoth.
"I have never known such happiness as I felt in Ossiriand. Here did I wed my beautiful Elessea, and also were my sons Sule and Aldan born and my only daughter, Ailin. But although the time I spent there in peace was many of your lifetimes it seemed but the time of a single breath to me. Too soon was my happiness ended, and much sorrow was to come after.
"As I have said we suffered greatly at the hands of the orcs and wolves of Morgoth, and in some of the Laiquendi there remained a great fear. Though we hid in our forest as a protective measure, some of my people hid only out of that fear. King Thingol had provided us with weaponry and some of his elves schooled us in their use, but few of the Laiquendi participated. We desired only peace, and thought our hidden realm would protect us from war. We were wrong.
"Morgoth had not been idle in his stronghold at Angband, and in his wickedness he sought to take the elves unawares in a surprise attack. Hordes of orcs and wolves poured into Beleriand, and Thingol sent word to Denethor asking for his help. We were unprepared for battle, but there was great love for Thingol amongst us, and so we prepared for war. But those who most feared Morgoth and his armies protested. They wished to remain behind in the protection of our forest. The most outspoken of these was Morgil.
"Morgil had been a proud elf in the days we followed Denethor into Eriador, and as I knew him in those times he was good and whole. Until one day when we were attacked by orcs. Morgil and his wife, Brethilie, were separated from the rest of us. This we did not know until the cries of his wife turned our eyes. Some of the orcs had taken her and forced themselves upon her. Brethilie cried out for Morgil, but whether in great fear or shock he stood rooted to the ground, not moving. Denethor fought his way to her and quickly put her attackers to death. Brethilie survived, but Morgil could not forgive himself. Soon afterwards Brethilie, discovering she was with child, threw herself into the rushing waters of the River Gelion and was never seen in this land again. Morgil was different thereafter. Though I kept my thoughts to myself alone I detected relief in Morgil after Brethilie's suicide, and thereafter he became cowardly and close. And none , save his children, would suffer his company for long.
"But a fire was burning in my heart, for I loved all of Middle-earth and hated Morgoth for laying so much of it waste, and so I decried the cowardice of Morgil and his followers in front of all of my people. Much wrath was in my words and those who wished to remain behind felt great shame. In the end all followed Denethor into battle, but not all followed with pure heart.
"We went to war against the orc armies, but the battle was fierce. Upon the hill of Amon Ereb we made our final stand. I fought at Denethor's side, and though we were few compared to the armies of Morgoth there were many bodies of orcs around us. The battle raged on and we fought only with the hope that King Thingol would arrive with his armies soon to aid us. Looking out across the battlefield for sign of the King of Doriath I spied my son, Sule, standing surrounded by the enemy. With no thought for anyone else I fought my way toward him. All else had become unimportant to me and I cut my way through the masses of orcs unaware of the battle around me. But I came too late. The enemy was too great and my son was overwhelmed. Fear and anger enveloped me and I remember not how I came to the place where he fell. Orc feet had trampled his body, and that beautiful face was no longer recognizable.
"Grief-stricken I began slaying any orc who came near to me. So powerful was my wrath that orcs fled from me. I know not how long I remained like this, but I remember only becoming aware that my friend and King, Denethor, was fighting alone upon Amon Ereb. The orc bodies lay in heaps at his feet, but standing alone he would soon be taken. I had left his side so that I might save the life of my son, but I had failed there. And now, I had deserted my friend and King and could see his imminent doom.
"I moved hastily towards him, and as I made my way trumpets sounded in the distance marking the arrival of the army of King Thingol. But I did not turn to look, I ran forward heedless of the blades of my enemy and so I came to the summit of Amon Ereb. Denethor lay upon the bloodied earth still gripping the haft of his sword. The arrival of Thingol had surprised the orcs and most were now running away in fear and confusion. I laid waste to the few who remained and then knelt at my friend's side. With his dying words he begged me to lead the Green Elves of Ossiriand out of danger, and I pledged that I would.
"Many of the Laiquendi were slain in that battle, but this was not my only sorrow. My son Aldan yet lived, but he bore grave tidings to me. He had fought the battle high up on the side of Amon Ereb, and from there he had good vantage of his brother. Sule had led Morgil and his children into battle. Aldan watched as the orcs came upon them, and Sule and his elves stood their ground against them, but Morgil and his progeny retreated reducing their numbers and soon Sule alone stood against the onslaught. Sule called to them for help, but as he had done long before Morgil did not aid him, and instead he and his family fled from the battlefield.
"Wroth was I to hear such news, and I greatly desired to seek revenge on Morgil and his kin. But I had promised to protect the Laiquendi, and I could not do so if I were to seek out Morgil. I was torn between these two choices, but Aldan bade me to stay with our people. He would seek out Morgil and bring him to me for judgment. My heart yet raged at the death of Sule, and so I let him go.
"Many of the Laiquendi were slain in this battle, thereafter known as the First War of Beleriand, and Thingol seeing the decimation of the Green Elves was greatly concerned. Thus, he gave leave for all to come to his kingdom of Doriath where we would be welcomed as family. Long I considered Thingol's invitation, for I greatly loved the forests of Ossiriand and would not easily part with that land. But my promise to Denethor was most important in my mind, and feeling there would be greater safety in numbers I counseled all of my people to follow me into Doriath with the hope that someday our enemy might be defeated and we could return home.
"But my people had witnessed the loss of more than two-thirds our original number, and no elf that I knew of had ever been forced to bear witness to such great death and suffering. Heavy were the hearts of the Laiquendi. Therefore, some returned to Ossiriand and never again came forth to fight against Morgoth and his legions, among these was my daughter, Ailin. Denethor's death had been hard upon the Laiquendi, so that they never again chose another king while they dwelt in Ossiriand. The rest of my people followed me, and so came unto Doriath, realm of King Elu Thingol.
"The First War of Beleriand weighed heavily upon Thingol, and Melian, his wife, who possessed great powers encircled all of their kingdom in the Girdle of Melian which allowed no one to enter except by her leave. Thus, by her powers was Doriath hidden from Morgoth and the elves lived in peace for a long time there. But little peace did I find while I dwelt in Doriath.
"While I and those that followed me came unto Doriath, Aldan and those who went with him were yet following Morgil's trail. They followed him into the great forest of Taur-im-Duinath far to the south of Doriath. When they found Morgil Aldan demanded he and his children return with him to Doriath. Morgil refused, and angry words were exchanged. Aldan accused Morgil of murdering Sule, and the sons of Morgil were brought to great anger and raised their weapons against Aldan and his company. They fought, but Morgil's eldest son fell at the hand of Aldan, then all of the children of Morgil came upon them, and they were all slain except one.
"Morgil bade the survivor return to Doriath with these words for me; that should any of the Laiquendi come to Taur-im-Duinath or seek out Morgil and his family then they should suffer the same fate as my son. And since this one man could not carry all the bodies of Aldan and his men, Morgil removed there heads and gouged out their eyes so that these might be brought as evidence of their deaths. He told the messenger if I asked why their eyes had been removed to say that since he had fallen into darkness he wished for Thranduil and all his progeny to be as him; to see no light, but to dwell forever in shadow. And this one elf did return to Doriath with his horrible burden, and being brought before me he delivered Morgil's message and told me of the fate of Aldan. Then he fell before my feet and woke never again in this land.
"A cold rage arose in me such as I had never experienced. Never in my knowledge had elf brought arms against elf, for I did not yet know of the Kinslaying at Alqualonde committed by the Noldor." Thranduil again caught sight of Eomer's confused expression and said, "I shall tell more of the Noldor and the Kinslaying in time." Eomer nodded again in thanks but he looked slightly irritated that he appeared to be the only one ignorant of the names and places Thranduil spoke of. The King of the Wood-elves continued, "I decided that my people were safe, and I had fulfilled my promise to Denethor. But in truth the promise mattered little, and I would have broken it if necessary. Thingol advised me to remain and he would send some of his own to retrieve Morgil, but I would not listen. Revenge was in my heart, and I could not be stayed.
"I came to the forest of Taur-im-Duinath with 20 of my own men, some of whom had also lost their sons at the hands of Morgil and his kin. We found our prey, and such hatred was within me that I showed no mercy. I and those with me slew all that we found, but alas, Morgil and his daughter Morwen, escaped. Long I searched for them in the forest, but Taur-im- Duinath is great and within it two elves of the Laiquendi could remain hidden from my searching eyes indefinitely. And so time put out the fire within my belly even if the pain of my loss was and still is ever present, and I returned to Doriath."
"The loss of my sons was great hurt to myself and Elessea, but within the peace of Doriath we were able to heal. In time Elessea bore me another son. Haldim was his name, and he was the fairest of all my sons until the birth of Legolas. Though Doriath was unaffected by the battles the Noldor fought against Morgoth, Haldim became skilled in weaponry and the ways of war. There were none within Doriath who could best him, and yet he was gentle and kind. I loved him most dearly as did all within Thingol's kingdom.
"But not all within Middle-earth was peaceful, for I now come to the story of the Noldor. In short the Noldor were elves who had taken the Great Journey and followed Finwe from Middle-earth, across the sea to Valinor. The elves of Ossiriand and Doriath were of the Sindar, or the Grey Elves, who had never completed the Great Journey and so have never laid eyes upon Valinor.
"The Noldor lived for a long time in Valinor, and a son was born to their Finwe their leader. Feanor was his name, and he was the greatest elf of the Noldorin. It was he who crafted the beautiful jewels called the Silmarilli that shone with the most beautiful light of all creation, but it was these jewels which would lead to his downfall and the downfall of his people.
"As I have related at the beginning of my tale, the evil Morgoth had been imprisoned by the Valar within the Undying Lands. But after sometime the Valar took pity on him and thinking he had repented of his earlier deeds he was allowed to walk freely in Valinor. Morgoth was not repentant, though, and he used his new freedom for further evil.
"He deceived Feanor and turned his mind against the Valar, thus distracting him. So while Feanor was unaware Morgoth came to the house of Finwe, Feanor's father, and slew him. There he stole the beautiful Silmarilli. And before this was known Morgoth had left Valinor and once again returned to Middle-earth.
"Great was Feanor's anger, and he wished to travel to Middle-earth to seek vengeance, yet the Valar forbade him to leave Valinor. But Feanor could not be deterred, and so swearing an oath to seek revenge for his father's murder and to recover the stolen Silmarilli he defied the Valar. The Noldor went with him, but they required ships for passage across the sea. The Teleri elves were great builders of ships, and so Feanor asked them for their aid. Not wishing to defy the Valar the Teleri denied Feanor and his people the use of their ships. And so the Noldor made war upon the Teleri, and it was not Morgil, but Feanor who first slew another elf.
"Feanor did eventually come to Middle-earth where he also met his death. But the seven sons of Feanor swore to take upon themselves his oath against Morgoth. When Thingol learned of the Noldor's attack upon his own people he forbid the son's of Feanor to enter his realm of Doriath and he did not aid them in their struggles against Morgoth. Caranthir, who was most like his father in temperament, took great affront at Thingol's words and deeds and ever was there coldness between the two.
"Upon a time word of this discord reached the ears of Morgil, and thinking that he could use Caranthir's dislike to his advantage he and Morwen traveled far to the north and came unto Thargelion where Caranthir ruled. At the same time Caranthir had made some contact with the dwarves who lived in the Ered Luin, or Blue Mountains, which Thargelion bordered on. Caranthir found the dwarves and their culture distasteful and made no attempt to hide this from them. Morgil suggested that he might play diplomat to the dwarves for Caranthir, and so came into his service. Morgil established trade between the dwarves and Caranthir's elves and soon Morgil had won great favor with Caranthir when riches from the Ered Luin flowed into Thargelion.
"In all this time I was unaware of Morgil's activities for he went by another name, and did not speak with the elves of Doriath or Ossiriand. So after some many years Morgil's whereabouts concerned me little, and my life moved forward and I was happy for a time. But Morgil had not forgotten me, and while he dwelt in Thargelion his words ever poisoned the minds of Caranthir and the dwarves. In Caranthir's ear he whispered of Thingol and the Teleri who dwelt in peace within the forests of Doriath while the sons of Feanor and the Noldor were slain upon the battlefield protecting Middle- earth from Morgoth. And in the ears of the greedy dwarves he whispered of riches untold within Menegroth."
"Was not Menegroth built by the dwarves?" asked Faramir.
"Yes, and the caves of Menegroth were the most beautiful in all of Middle- earth," answered Thranduil, "but when Morgoth's orcs brought war to the North the dwarves hid within their mountain halls and did not come forth into Beleriand. Nor could they have entered Doriath without Melian's permission. Morgil kindled resentment in their hearts that they should be unable to come to the halls that they and their sires labored to build.
"Hundreds of years passed and the Noldor continued to battle Morgoth, but Doriath remained ever peaceful. Luthien Tinuviel was born to Thingol and Melian, and she was more beautiful than any that has ever lived. Yet, as many of you well know she fell in love with Beren, a mortal man. Thingol did not wish them to wed, and so he promised Beren the hand of Luthien if he would only bring to him one of the Silmarilli which Morgoth had stolen from the Noldor."
Eomer sat up, "Would this not have angered the Noldor, who swore a blood oath to retrieve all the Silmarilli?"
"Indeed it did anger them very much, even more so when Beren performed the task and brought one of the Silmarilli to Thingol. The sons of Feanor sent letters to Menegroth demanding Thingol give up the Silmaril to them, but Thingol would not listen. The great beauty of the Silmaril clouded his mind and his lust for it consumed him.
"The Noldor had little time to dwell on Thingol and the Silmaril for they soon fought the fifth and final battle of the Wars of Beleriand. In that battle much of the Noldor were slain, and all of the northern realms of the sons of Feanor were overrun. But Morgil and Morwen yet survived, as did Caranthir and many of the dwarves of the Ered Luin.
"When Thingol had retained the Silmaril he bade the dwarves from Ered Luin come to Menegroth to set the stone in the Nauglamir."
Eomer again interrupted, "I am sorry, King Thranduil, but I am not as versed in ancient elven lore as Elessar and Faramir. What is the Nauglamir?"
"The Nauglamir was a necklace crafted by the dwarves and given to the Elven King Finrod Felagund. It was said that the necklace bore jewels carried from Valinor and that it made beautiful any who would wear it. When Finrod was slain the necklace came to Thingol.
"Morgil realized that this was the time in which he must act. He counseled the dwarves to take the necklace, telling them it was theirs by right since they had crafted it long ago. And so the dwarves full of Morgil's poisoned words came in great numbers to Menegroth where they did indeed set the Silmaril in the Nauglamir. But when there work was finished they would not leave the jewel behind, and instead made to take the necklace with them to the Ered Luin.
"Thingol's wrath was great, but the beauty of the Silmaril had blinded him to all else, and too late did he see his folly. Hundreds of the dwarves dwelt within Menegroth and when Thingol made to take the Nauglamir by force they took up their axes and waged a battle within the halls of Menegroth.
"Long did I fight in that battle, and I made my way into the smithies where Thingol had been ere the fighting broke out. There I found him lying upon the ground, bloodied and hewn, and there did Elu Thingol, King of the Sindarin Elves of Beleriand, depart from Middle-earth forever. Much did I grieve the death of Thingol, but my sorrows had only begun.
"A great fury came over me, and I gathered the host of Thingol and followed the trail of the fell dwarves. So great was our wrath that we quickly overtook them and killed all but two of their company. The Nauglamir was found and I returned it to Melian who found no joy in it but bade me return to Ossiriand where dwelt her daughter Luthien with Beren and bring them tidings of Thingol's downfall. Afterward she also departed from Middle- earth and was never seen here again.
"I did return to Ossiriand and my heart was glad to see the forests again, but loath was I to bring the tidings to Luthien and Beren. But even as I sat in Ossiriand with the daughter of Thingol and shared in her grief word came to us that the dwarves had again sacked Menegroth, for when Melian had departed so had her protection of the realm. Having again stolen the Nauglamir set with the single Silmaril they were even now returning to their homes in the Ered Luin.
"A great anger was aroused in Beren and I followed him to battle the murderous dwarves and recover the stolen jewel. The elves of Ossiriand had not been to war in hundreds of years but that did not diminish their fierceness. In the end we were victorious. All the dwarves were slain and Beren returned to Ossiriand with the Nauglamir, which he set upon the breast of Luthien.
"However, Morgil had not been idle. Seeing the downfall of the dwarves at the hands of the Laiquendi he saw a dreadful opportunity. Ailin, my own daughter, had risen to fight with the Green Elves, and in the confusion of battle Morwen took her and brought her to Morgil where he slew her and removed her eyes, just as he did to Sule and Aldan. When her body was found I knew who it was who had committed the murder, and whose devices had led to the downfall of Thingol and Doriath.
"My burden was too much to bear. I had failed my daughter in thinking the threat of Morgil had gone away, and now she lay dead and mutilated upon the earth. We buried her even where she fell, but I would not tarry long in Ossiriand for fear grew in my heart for Elessea, my wife, and our son and only remaining child, Haldim. Luthien and Beren would not leave the land of the Green Elves, but their son and his family returned with me to Menegroth to lead the kingdom of Doriath.
"Again for some short time there was peace in Doriath, though Elessea could not bear the suffering in her heart and returned to Ossiriand to dwell. I now followed Dior as King of Doriath, for I had much love for Thingol, his grandfather, and yearned to re-build Doriath. However, this was not to be. One day an elf out of Ossiriand came to Dior bearing the Nauglamir for his mother and father had gone to their rest. Dior took the necklace and placed it around his neck, and as before with the stone came the downfall of Doriath, never to arise again.
"Word soon reached the sons of Feanor that the Silmaril had returned to Doriath. None of the elves would have attacked Luthien, the most fair and beautiful of their kind, while she wore the Nauglamir, but now that it had come to King Dior the seven brothers sent another letter demanding the return of the stone. As his father before him Dior did not answer their requests, and Morgil seizing yet another opportunity gave counsel to Caranthir urging him to attack the now unprotected land of Doriath.
"And so for the second time the Noldor bore arms against their brethren. The battle in Menegroth was great and I fought alongside Haldim, but in the end Dior was slain, and his sons were lost. Even some of Feanor's sons met their death in those caves. All around us were slain, but Haldim and I were spared. Morgil had given orders that we were not to be slain, but brought to him instead. I stood before my enemy of old bound at the wrists, helpless. I knew that my son's death and my death were at hand. Yet he did not bring death swiftly. Instead he related to me all the parts of his story that I have here given so that I would know the depths of his hatred. And then he raised his sword and beheaded my only living child and gouged out his eyes. And though I pleaded with him for death he would not give it to me, but instead condemned me to remain in Middle-earth childless or to bring death to myself.
"And yet he said that he still had one other to murder, my Elessea. Now there was a rage unlike any I have ever felt within me, and I broke the bonds about my wrists. I was upon Morgil before he could react. A blind rage overcame me, and when all was finished Morgil's body lay formless and bloodied upon the floor.
"I had no time to bury the body of Haldim, and so I was forced to set him upon one of the braziers of fire which lit the halls and there the fires would turn his body to ash. But I could not tarry for the enemy was all about me. A small remnant of the elves of Doriath was fleeing before the remaining sons of Feanor led by Dior's daughter, Elwing. I followed them south for some time. As we traveled I learned that Elwing had borne the Silmaril out of Doriath. I would no longer share in that fate of that accursed stone, and so I turned from their company and came once again into Ossiriand.
"The news I bore to Elessea was more than she could bear, and I thought that she too would leave Middle-earth to search for her sons and daughter in Valinor. But the beauty of Ossiriand succored her, and she and I dwelt together in that blessed land for many more years. But no child did she bear me until after my kingdom was built in Eryn Lasgalen, after the downfall of Sauron when Isildur took the ring. Then was Legolas born to us, and he is last of the children of Elessea. In Legolas's birth were the memories of children long gone stirred within her. Even as she first held him in her arms and looked upon his face she died, and she awaits me with Sule, Aldan, Ailin, and Haldim in Valinor. But I will not leave while Legolas yet remains."
All who sat there were silent, for what could they say. Thranduil's long life had been full of loss and pain, and he had come far from his kingdom to protect the only thing which kept him in Middle-earth. The only thing which kept him from returning to Valinor to be re-united with all he had lost – his son. Yet Legolas was gone, and none knew where. Thranduil, of the eldest of his kind was again too late to help save his son.