NOTE: Two lines from Pirates of the Caribbean have been used.
Chapter One: Thranduil's Message
It is not widely known that Mirkwood, or Eryn Lasgalen as it was later called, was divided into two main regions, which later became three. The third region is of no true, significant importance to this story as are the other two, the northern and southern regions. They were ruled by two Elvenkings. Better known is Thranduil Greenleaf, ruler of the northern region. Gil-celeb ruled the southern region.
Thranduil gained his kingdom directly from Gil-celeb. It was Gil-celeb who first came to Mirkwood, which was later named Greenwood the Great, during the early years of the Second Age. He came from Beleriand with his daughter, Míriel, and established a kingdom for himself. His realm was vast, and he took to dwelling in the southern region. Yet he did not want to leave the remainder of his realm, which consisted the majority, untended. So he sent for Thranduil, his friend, who at that time dwelled still in Lindon with Gil-galad, the last High King of the Noldor. Thranduil was gifted the remainder of Gil-celeb's realm to rule.
In time, when the Woodmen and Beornings came, they took the middle portion as their own. Thranduil and Gil-celeb were not troubled, for Gil-celeb was in the southernmost region and Thranduil in the northernmost. None of their people lived far from their rulers. The middle portion became unofficially the land of the Woodmen and Beornings.
Greenwood the Great was fair for many a century, until the Shadow fell on it. The Dark Lord Sauron built Dol Guldur, and from there he assailed Gil-celeb's realm. Orcs, and many fell things Gil-celeb was plagued with, but the deadliest creatures were the spiders. They were very large, and took to spinning sinister webs in the darkness of the forest. Any Elf who wandered far from the palace was never seen again. As a result, Men called Greenwood Mirkwood, because of its blackness.
It is not to say that Thranduil was spared. He was not. The spiders gradually found their way from Gil-celeb's region to the northern region, but they were not as prominent there, nor in the area of the Beornings and Woodmen, as they were in the southern part. After Sauron left Dol Guldur, an agent took charge. An evil Elf was he, bent on revenge. He bred the spiders that plagued Gil-celeb in Dol Guldur. This Elf ruled the fate of many, and much damage he did, both physically and mentally.
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Míriel came slowly through the trees, a grim and angry look on her white face. Dead, of all her soldiers were dead. Very few survived, and yet they were injured so grievously that they fell and died. Her hands shook as she grasped her bow tightly. What would her sire think of her? What would Aerandir say? She tried not to think of it.
Ahead of her she glimpsed the white stone bridge, cleverly hidden by the trees. At least she was close to home.
'And perhaps possible anger.' she thought to herself.
A slight sound caught her attention. Her elven ears twitched.
"Who goes there?" she called, after concealing herself.
There was a rustle, then a male Elf stepped out of the trees.
"I come in peace, if you are a friend." he said, slightly nervous.
"Who are you?" Míriel inquired.
"A messenger from my lord Thranduil, sent to King Gil-celeb." he replied, trying to seek out her hiding spot.
Míriel glanced quickly at him. He was attired in green and brown, like her people, yet his style of dress was different. Thranduil's people wore longer tunics and looser leggings.
"Very well. I see you speak no lies." she confirmed, stepping out from her hiding place. "I will lead you."
The messenger stared at her momentarily.
"How can I trust you?" he said quickly.
"You can trust Gil-celeb's daughter. I assure you." she said.
The messenger bowed low.
"I apologize. I did not know." he told her quickly.
Míriel waved her hand impatiently.
"Of course, otherwise you would have shown it. Come." she said.
She led him hurriedly towards the place where the stone bridge was concealed. After looking about them, she continued through the trees and over the bridge, the messenger following in suit. They went several miles before the gates came in sight. Míriel rapped on them sharply, and the guards inside recognizing her, opened the gates. They stared wordlessly at her and the messenger, and looked after them, as if expecting more people. When none came, grief befell them, and they closed the gates with a resounding clang. Míriel spun around.
"Do not do that ever again! We know not what lurks hidden! It is enough we fight endlessly far from here, and we do not wish to invite our enemy! Is that understood?" she said bitterly.
The guards nodded silently.
Gil-celeb's palace consisted of a large underground cavern, carved into the side of a large hill. The messenger was led inside, and he was reminded strongly of his King's palace. Unbeknownst to him, Thranduil made his palace in replica of Gil-celeb's palace. They passed through many halls until at last Míriel turned into the throne room.
It was a very spacious room, decorated with richly embroidered tapestries. In the center of the room, towards the back wall, was the throne. It was carved of gold, and shone brightly in the light that came through shafts in the ceiling. Many officials of the King's court were seated around the throne in a semicircle. They looked curiously at Míriel when she entered, followed by the messenger.
Gil-celeb was seated in the throne. He was a very tall and fair Elf, with long silver hair and gray eyes. He smiled.
"Míriel, sell nín, at last you have returned!" he exclaimed.
"Indeed. We will discuss this later, though. With me is a messenger from Thranduil. I met him near the bridge." Míriel said sternly.
Gil-celeb noted from the tone of his daughter's speech that something was amiss. Her face was fell, and he feared to hear the news she had to report. Yet, he forced a smile on his face and looked at the messenger, who stood before him silently.
"Welcome. What is your name?" Gil-celeb asked him.
"Numbor is my name, aran." the messenger said. "I come from my lord Thranduil, King of northern Mirkwood, who wishes to find you in the best of health and sends his best regards. He sends me before him-"
"He sent you before him?" Miriel repeated.
"He sends me before him to inform you of his arrival tonight, along with the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien. All will be bringing with them a portion of their armies, so that Dol Guldur will be destroyed."
Gil-celeb looked surprised. Míriel, however, was beside herself.
"How dare he! He makes decisions on his own, without our counsel, and only at the last moment does he inform us! What does he think, that my sire is his vassal? Verily, it is not so! If it were not for my sire, Thranduil would never be King!" she shouted. "Listen, you are to leave at once, and if I ever see you or your King here, my arrows will be your greeting! Do you understand me?"
The messenger cringed backwards. The courtiers were whispering excitedly to each other. Gil-celeb faced his daughter.
"That was not very courteous, Míriel! Leave this room!" he ordered.
"But, sire-" Míriel protested.
"Go!"
The Princess knew it was of no use to plead with her sire. She cast a threatening look at the messenger before stalking out of the room.
"I apologize. Míriel is going through some difficult circumstances, and you must excuse her." Gil-celeb told the messenger. "You and your King, as well as the Lady and Lord of Lothlórien are very welcome. I shall prepare accommodations for you."
The messenger bowed deeply. He was led away by a servant. Gil-celeb excused his courtiers, then went to Míriel's private wing. He found her in her bedchamber, gazing sullenly at her hands.
"I am sorry. I know what I did was wrong. It is just that the army I led was all slain. The few who survived were grievously injured and died before we left the vicinity of Dol Guldur. I was followed by Wargs, and only by luck did I escape alive." she said sadly.
Gil-celeb sat beside her.
"I came here to reprimand you on your behavior, but I see now it is not needed. I knew you did not mean it, but you embarrassed me royally. However, do not repeat it again." he told her gently.
Míriel turned to her sire.
"I shall not. I promise." she said.
"Well now, you must prepare yourself. They will arrive by nightfall. It will not do for you to greet them like this." Gil-celeb said, rising.
"Very well. I shall bathe and change." Míriel said, rising as well.
Gil-celeb embraced his daughter fondly.
"Gerich veleth nín." he whispered into her silver hair.
After her sire left, Míriel undressed herself and took a long, refreshing bath. By the time she finished and dressed, evening was settling. She emerged from her private wing.
"My lady!"
A smile crept over Míriel's face. She looked up to find herself staring at a handsome dark-haired male Elf.
"Aerandir! How wonderful to see you!" she cried joyously.
They entered her private wing, and went into the sitting room. After staring at each other momentarily, Aerandir pulled Míriel into him and kissed her passionately.
"I am very glad to see you in front of me." he said quietly.
"So am I, Aerandir. The army was destroyed totally. I am the only survivor. Oh, what a ruin I am!" she cried bitterly.
"You are not, Princess."
"Why do you call me Princess, and my lady? How many times must I tell you to call me Míriel?"
"Only once more, as always."
They kissed once more. The door of the sitting room opened, and Gil-celeb appeared. He beamed upon seeing Aerandir and Míriel, then cleared his throat to signal his presence. They broke apart instantly.
"Míriel, Aerandir. King Thranduil, Lady Galadriel, and Lord Celeborn have arrived. Come to greet them." Gil-celeb said.
Sindarin Translations:
Sell nín: my daughter
Aran: king
Gerich veleth nín: you have my love