Authors notes: Thank you very much for the reviews!!! Any hints on how you
think it can be improved or what you like would be so appreciated!!! I hope
you enjoy it. :-)
**
The day of the war council dawned brightly but Legolas paid it little attention. He sat on the highest branch of the tree that he and Azian had shared that night gazing across the tree line. It was still; the animals and birds had retreated from the darkness and moved on. The silence grieved Legolas, he remembered running through these woods as a child without a care in the world. The darkness had been present when he was an elfling but not nearly as widespread as it was now. With a sigh he reached up to rub his eyes and flinched forgetting the cut above his eye.
"You have not been sleeping." A voice stated. Aeolian appeared by his side.
"Azian told you." Legolas said exasperatedly. "Its one night!"
"You are a hopeless liar little brother." Aeolian said with a smile as he brushed a few wayward strands of hair behind Legolas's ear.
"Never hurts to try."
"Try all you like Legolas but I shall see through it."
Legolas smiled. "So what is the real reason for your visit? The fact that last night I didn't sleep is not it, is it."
"Well that concerns me but no that is not the reason. The council today will go ill for us and I fear for you."
"Fear for me? Have you and the others had a secret meeting where you discussed me and agreed on the phrase I fear for you as a start to every conversation that anyone has with me?" Legolas inquired tiredly.
"Yes Legolas. It happens every night. We have secret code, language and greeting. Its very hush hush but I fear now you have discovered it we will have to kill you." Aeolian deadpanned.
Legolas scowled. "It is not funny!" he snapped.
"I never suggested it was. You are being paranoid. Just because all of your friends are worried about you does not mean that there is a big conspiracy."
"I am fine." Legolas said resolutely.
Aeolian nodded "And that continual reply of I'm fine results in us all growing increasingly concerned for you. You are not fine Legolas and you need to admit that to yourself."
"I will not listen to this. We have to go or we will be late." Legolas said standing up and moving down the tree. Aeolian followed him.
"Avoid it all you want but I will not let you carry on like this. After the council you and I are going to have a long talk."
Legolas ignored him.
** King Thranduil watched as the members of the hastily formed alliance entered the clearing. Lord Elrond and Gandalf were among the first to arrive. Thranduil nodded politely at the pair who returned the greeting and took seats on rocks placed for the purpose. King Aragorn and his contingent of Gondorian soldiers arrived with King Eomer and his soldiers. The dwarfs were among the last to arrive and most of them began grumbling straight away. Thranduil rolled his eyes and watched as his three surviving sons entered and joined him. Legolas looked annoyed as did Aeolian and he realised that the two must have had words.
Thranduil nodded to Gandalf who rose and called for silence. This was promptly gained.
"This meeting is for the purpose of planning our next move, it will not be interrupted by things of little consequence whose only purpose is to antagonise other parties." Gandalf stated forcefully giving the dwarfs and elves a meaningful glance.
"Our next move?" one of the dwarfs stated. "We have not even made a first one!"
"Comments like that!" Gandalf snapped and the dwarf muttered darkly.
Thranduil rose to his feet. "We thank you all for your continued presence here and are grateful for the aid you have generously offered."
The kings' nodded. "It is the least we can do." Aragorn stated with a smile directed at Legolas.
"Our scouts have reported that the enemy is on the move with their own scouting parties. The pack of wargs that attacked the party that my son was commanding were much closer to our camps that we thought they were. It will not take them long to go on the offensive." Thranduil stated
"Is this intelligence accurate?" the dwarf spoke again.
"As much as we can tell. We have not been able to get within sight of Dol Guldur despite our best efforts."
"You have been sending parties to Dol Guldur?" Gandalf demanded.
"Yes. It has been monitored constantly since darkness descended on our realm."
"Why then was it not noticed that they were building an army?" Eomer questioned curiously.
Thranduil and his sons exchanged looks and Legolas's face darkened.
"We were betrayed and misled by one of our advisors. He was in charge of the scout parties in the southern borders." Thranduil said calmly but deep anger flashed in his eyes, not only did he betray them but he gave the enemy his son and a deep cold rage burned within him.
The dwarf laughed and Legolas glared at him with such fury that the short being shrunk back and looked away.
"Where are your warriors now?" Elrond asked.
"Scouting parties. Watching over the camps." Legolas stated.
"We have not seen them." Eomer said confused.
Legolas smiled. "That is the point."
Gandalf also smiled. "No one can find a wood elf if he does not want to be seen."
"That worked!!!" the outspoken dwarf scoffed.
Before anyone could speak Gimli turned to face him. "Leave now. I will speak to you later."
The dwarf looked ready to protest but Gimli snarled. "One more word and you will be sent home in disgrace."
The chastised dwarf left and Gimli turned back to the others.
"I apologise for Rarden's behaviour." Gimli said bowing slightly.
"Apology accepted but there is no need." Thranduil said. "I hardly expected the prejudices between our races to instantly disappear nor did I expect the situation we have found ourselves in to be accepted without negative comments. We are not without fault."
Both Gandalf and Elrond exchanged surprised looks that made Thranduil smile. 'So they think I am incapable of being rational' he mused. 'How little they know.'
Clearing his throat gently, Thranduil spoke. "Getting back to the point my warriors are scouting but as you all know we are diminished in numbers. We cannot perform all the functions that we once could. There are numerous things that need to be accomplished including the building of defences, setting up supply stations and planning ambushes. We could use your aid to set up; each of you has your own strengths that would greatly enhance our own warriors, if you are willing?"
"The defence of Mirkwood to put it bluntly is not our priority. Meagre defences will not stop anything; just increase the number of casualties on an ever-growing list? Are you willing to cause the deaths of your last remaining warriors? Your sons?" Gandalf said calmly.
A flash of terrible anger swept across Thranduil's face, the comment about his sons hit deep in his heart. He took a deep breath and watched as his three sons came to stand by him.
"As I told you Mithrandir the defence of Mirkwood may not be a priority to you but we will not so easily sweep it aside. Your arguments will gain no supporters among the wood elves so don't even attempt it!" Legolas stated angrily but resolutely his head held high daring anyone to challenge him.
Aragorn smiled at the sight, Legolas like his father and brothers had a will of steel and no one could change their minds once made up.
"Then you hasten your own defeat." Gandalf said sadly. Legolas sighed.
"This conversation will go round and round in circles with all of us agreeing to disagree and will undoubtedly get us no where." Thranduil said. "The fact of the matter is the enemy is regrouped and ready to move. They know we are here. We need to make defences. Mirkwood may fall but you cannot deny we know the enemy and forest well. It would be beneficial to have the first line of defences near the southern borders and through the forest have a series of ambushes and defences to fall back on if the need arises. This war will not be won in a pitched battle. We need to unsettle them, weaken their numbers, divide them up and then go for the kill." The King took a deep breath and then begun again looking over the group catching their eyes as he studied each of them.
"We have been fighting longer than most of you have been alive, if Mirkwood shall fall then the wood elves will fall with it. We will not abandon it and it is not within your right to tell us to leave it. As I have said each of you have your strengths that form your methods of fighting, combined we will triumph! Gimli your people have raw strength and a fondness for stone, setting up traps in caves and underground will be extremely beneficial."
Gimli nodded thoughtfully and began a hushed discussion with several advisors.
"King Eomer your great strength is your horsemanship and therefore speed. You could lay ambushes and aid our scouts."
Eomer looked surprised at being addressed individually and being praised by the elf king. Thranduil turned to address Aragorn.
"King Elessar you have been a great friend of my son for many years. You know the forest well and your skills as a ranger will be greatly appreciated. Your people as well as ours have held back the darkness from our realms for many years and have experience with building defences and fighting in small but effective attacking groups."
Aragorn smiled. "As I said anything to help."
"It seems that you have thought this through carefully." Elrond said almost surprised.
"I have had a long time." Thranduil said sadly.
The meeting dissolved into separate conversations discussing what they could contribute to the war effort. Gandalf cleared his throat loudly and called for quiet.
"All of this can be discussed later within your own camps but for now there is a more important issue that needs to be discussed."
Surprised and confused expressions turned to face the wizard.
"And what would that be?" Thranduil asked.
Gandalf turned and stared straight at Legolas. "Your son."
**
**
The day of the war council dawned brightly but Legolas paid it little attention. He sat on the highest branch of the tree that he and Azian had shared that night gazing across the tree line. It was still; the animals and birds had retreated from the darkness and moved on. The silence grieved Legolas, he remembered running through these woods as a child without a care in the world. The darkness had been present when he was an elfling but not nearly as widespread as it was now. With a sigh he reached up to rub his eyes and flinched forgetting the cut above his eye.
"You have not been sleeping." A voice stated. Aeolian appeared by his side.
"Azian told you." Legolas said exasperatedly. "Its one night!"
"You are a hopeless liar little brother." Aeolian said with a smile as he brushed a few wayward strands of hair behind Legolas's ear.
"Never hurts to try."
"Try all you like Legolas but I shall see through it."
Legolas smiled. "So what is the real reason for your visit? The fact that last night I didn't sleep is not it, is it."
"Well that concerns me but no that is not the reason. The council today will go ill for us and I fear for you."
"Fear for me? Have you and the others had a secret meeting where you discussed me and agreed on the phrase I fear for you as a start to every conversation that anyone has with me?" Legolas inquired tiredly.
"Yes Legolas. It happens every night. We have secret code, language and greeting. Its very hush hush but I fear now you have discovered it we will have to kill you." Aeolian deadpanned.
Legolas scowled. "It is not funny!" he snapped.
"I never suggested it was. You are being paranoid. Just because all of your friends are worried about you does not mean that there is a big conspiracy."
"I am fine." Legolas said resolutely.
Aeolian nodded "And that continual reply of I'm fine results in us all growing increasingly concerned for you. You are not fine Legolas and you need to admit that to yourself."
"I will not listen to this. We have to go or we will be late." Legolas said standing up and moving down the tree. Aeolian followed him.
"Avoid it all you want but I will not let you carry on like this. After the council you and I are going to have a long talk."
Legolas ignored him.
** King Thranduil watched as the members of the hastily formed alliance entered the clearing. Lord Elrond and Gandalf were among the first to arrive. Thranduil nodded politely at the pair who returned the greeting and took seats on rocks placed for the purpose. King Aragorn and his contingent of Gondorian soldiers arrived with King Eomer and his soldiers. The dwarfs were among the last to arrive and most of them began grumbling straight away. Thranduil rolled his eyes and watched as his three surviving sons entered and joined him. Legolas looked annoyed as did Aeolian and he realised that the two must have had words.
Thranduil nodded to Gandalf who rose and called for silence. This was promptly gained.
"This meeting is for the purpose of planning our next move, it will not be interrupted by things of little consequence whose only purpose is to antagonise other parties." Gandalf stated forcefully giving the dwarfs and elves a meaningful glance.
"Our next move?" one of the dwarfs stated. "We have not even made a first one!"
"Comments like that!" Gandalf snapped and the dwarf muttered darkly.
Thranduil rose to his feet. "We thank you all for your continued presence here and are grateful for the aid you have generously offered."
The kings' nodded. "It is the least we can do." Aragorn stated with a smile directed at Legolas.
"Our scouts have reported that the enemy is on the move with their own scouting parties. The pack of wargs that attacked the party that my son was commanding were much closer to our camps that we thought they were. It will not take them long to go on the offensive." Thranduil stated
"Is this intelligence accurate?" the dwarf spoke again.
"As much as we can tell. We have not been able to get within sight of Dol Guldur despite our best efforts."
"You have been sending parties to Dol Guldur?" Gandalf demanded.
"Yes. It has been monitored constantly since darkness descended on our realm."
"Why then was it not noticed that they were building an army?" Eomer questioned curiously.
Thranduil and his sons exchanged looks and Legolas's face darkened.
"We were betrayed and misled by one of our advisors. He was in charge of the scout parties in the southern borders." Thranduil said calmly but deep anger flashed in his eyes, not only did he betray them but he gave the enemy his son and a deep cold rage burned within him.
The dwarf laughed and Legolas glared at him with such fury that the short being shrunk back and looked away.
"Where are your warriors now?" Elrond asked.
"Scouting parties. Watching over the camps." Legolas stated.
"We have not seen them." Eomer said confused.
Legolas smiled. "That is the point."
Gandalf also smiled. "No one can find a wood elf if he does not want to be seen."
"That worked!!!" the outspoken dwarf scoffed.
Before anyone could speak Gimli turned to face him. "Leave now. I will speak to you later."
The dwarf looked ready to protest but Gimli snarled. "One more word and you will be sent home in disgrace."
The chastised dwarf left and Gimli turned back to the others.
"I apologise for Rarden's behaviour." Gimli said bowing slightly.
"Apology accepted but there is no need." Thranduil said. "I hardly expected the prejudices between our races to instantly disappear nor did I expect the situation we have found ourselves in to be accepted without negative comments. We are not without fault."
Both Gandalf and Elrond exchanged surprised looks that made Thranduil smile. 'So they think I am incapable of being rational' he mused. 'How little they know.'
Clearing his throat gently, Thranduil spoke. "Getting back to the point my warriors are scouting but as you all know we are diminished in numbers. We cannot perform all the functions that we once could. There are numerous things that need to be accomplished including the building of defences, setting up supply stations and planning ambushes. We could use your aid to set up; each of you has your own strengths that would greatly enhance our own warriors, if you are willing?"
"The defence of Mirkwood to put it bluntly is not our priority. Meagre defences will not stop anything; just increase the number of casualties on an ever-growing list? Are you willing to cause the deaths of your last remaining warriors? Your sons?" Gandalf said calmly.
A flash of terrible anger swept across Thranduil's face, the comment about his sons hit deep in his heart. He took a deep breath and watched as his three sons came to stand by him.
"As I told you Mithrandir the defence of Mirkwood may not be a priority to you but we will not so easily sweep it aside. Your arguments will gain no supporters among the wood elves so don't even attempt it!" Legolas stated angrily but resolutely his head held high daring anyone to challenge him.
Aragorn smiled at the sight, Legolas like his father and brothers had a will of steel and no one could change their minds once made up.
"Then you hasten your own defeat." Gandalf said sadly. Legolas sighed.
"This conversation will go round and round in circles with all of us agreeing to disagree and will undoubtedly get us no where." Thranduil said. "The fact of the matter is the enemy is regrouped and ready to move. They know we are here. We need to make defences. Mirkwood may fall but you cannot deny we know the enemy and forest well. It would be beneficial to have the first line of defences near the southern borders and through the forest have a series of ambushes and defences to fall back on if the need arises. This war will not be won in a pitched battle. We need to unsettle them, weaken their numbers, divide them up and then go for the kill." The King took a deep breath and then begun again looking over the group catching their eyes as he studied each of them.
"We have been fighting longer than most of you have been alive, if Mirkwood shall fall then the wood elves will fall with it. We will not abandon it and it is not within your right to tell us to leave it. As I have said each of you have your strengths that form your methods of fighting, combined we will triumph! Gimli your people have raw strength and a fondness for stone, setting up traps in caves and underground will be extremely beneficial."
Gimli nodded thoughtfully and began a hushed discussion with several advisors.
"King Eomer your great strength is your horsemanship and therefore speed. You could lay ambushes and aid our scouts."
Eomer looked surprised at being addressed individually and being praised by the elf king. Thranduil turned to address Aragorn.
"King Elessar you have been a great friend of my son for many years. You know the forest well and your skills as a ranger will be greatly appreciated. Your people as well as ours have held back the darkness from our realms for many years and have experience with building defences and fighting in small but effective attacking groups."
Aragorn smiled. "As I said anything to help."
"It seems that you have thought this through carefully." Elrond said almost surprised.
"I have had a long time." Thranduil said sadly.
The meeting dissolved into separate conversations discussing what they could contribute to the war effort. Gandalf cleared his throat loudly and called for quiet.
"All of this can be discussed later within your own camps but for now there is a more important issue that needs to be discussed."
Surprised and confused expressions turned to face the wizard.
"And what would that be?" Thranduil asked.
Gandalf turned and stared straight at Legolas. "Your son."
**
