Thirty years later
The years passed by quickly for the immortal occupants of Mirkwood. Springs and summers, falls and winters blended into a colorful kaleidoscope. The only change that seemed to creep within Lasgelen's borders was the increasing shadows.
These shadows worried Thranduil to no end. He strode through the darkness beneath the trees swiftly, vague fears gnawing at his peace of mind. His hands were resting lightly on the handles of his knives. They itched to draw the weapons forth.
A glimmer of sunlight filtered through the trunks ahead of the fair Elvenking. He stepped a little more quickly, anxious to set his fears to rest.
A slim form blocked the sun's gleam for a moment before whirling away once more. Thranduil stopped and drew in a deep breath of relief. She was safe. For a moment, the blond elf leaned against a tree, thanking the Valar that they had protected the elf maid once more.
He had had this argument with Elenlor before. Many times in fact. Over the years, there were days when he could not reach her home before the time that she normally left. His duties kept him confined to the palace when he would much rather walk with the lovely maid that had captured his heart. Unfortunately, she would not wait! Thranduil could have ground his teeth in frustration. Nothing had ever happened to her…but Mirkwood continued to become more dangerous and he worried when she was by herself. He had gone so far as to suggest that he teach her to use the long handled knives of the woodland elves…though he would prefer to accompany her, at least then he would know she was not completely defenseless. However, Elenlor would not hear of it. She insisted that she would come to no harm.
Shaking his head, Thranduil stepped forward once more. Elenlor turned as he entered the clearing, a smile lighting her blue eyes.
"Elenlor…" Thranduil shook his head. "Why must you insist on coming out on your own? I could not have been more than five minutes late!"
The elf maid turned her eyes downwards demurely, effectively hiding the twinkle that danced in their depths. "I have a singular lack of patience, Sire."
The Elvenking nearly snorted in disbelief. Yet he could not entirely keep his mouth from curling at the corners. Enough time in her presence and Thranduil had discovered that the elf maid had a sharp wit and wonderful sense of humor. Not that most people knew it. His voice was dry as he answered her. "A remarkably rare trait for an immortal."
"True," Elenlor sighed remorsefully, even as her own lips twitched. "Your majesty had discovered one of my many flaws. I can only hope that you will be noble and not expose me to ridicule amongst my family and the members of your court."
Thranduil chuckled. He couldn't help himself. He knew that his mirth effectively ruined any impact a lecture would have on her, but he truly couldn't stifle his laughter. The king's green eyes grew soft as he gazed at her. A pang hit him even as he smiled into her lovely face. Through the years they had formed a deep bond, and his love for the golden maid grew daily. Unfortunately, he knew that Elenlor was completely oblivious of his affections.
She seemed perfectly content to remain as they were, and though he wished for more, he would not push her. Sighing softly to himself, he smiled. It was enough that he could be close to her in this way. If all she wanted was a friend, he was happy to supply it.
0-0-0-0
Elenlor felt her heart skip a small beat as she saw the fair Elvenking smile at her. He had become infinitely dear to her over time, as she had known he would. Indeed, she had fulfilled her own prediction. She was in love with the King of Mirkwood. At times, the feeling made her incredibly happy.
More often, it was depressing.
Thranduil was her dear friend…but he gave no indication of ever desiring anything else. Once, or twice during the years, she thought she had seen something in his eyes as he looked at her. But he never said anything. Not. One. Word. It was frustrating.
Elenlor whirled back into her dance with a sound that might have been called a sigh, if it had been loud enough for anyone other than herself to hear. Her eyes danced around the clearing as she spun. This place had always been special to her. Now it was even more so. Everyday she came here, accompanied by the king.
During the evenings, she attended Mirkwood's social gatherings. Her mother's one-year test period had come and gone, and Elenlor found that she no longer dreaded being surrounded by people. The only problem with such meetings was that Saurna still paid uncomfortably close attention to her. In fact, if anything, his interest had grown during the years. Her parents shielded her to the best of their abilities, and the Elvenking himself had stepped in to guard her from the spoilt youth, but every so often, he managed to get close. Elenlor shuddered softly as she thought of him. For that reason, she would always prefer this glade to the most anticipated ball.
Sometimes (more and more often as she and Thranduil had grown closer) they would simply sit and talk for the entire time. She loved those days best. He was unlike any other elf she had ever met. Why did he have to be the king? If he had been anyone other than the ruler of Mirkwood, she would have felt more positive regarding her hopes of a relationship.
A hand closed around her fingers, and Elenlor smiled softly. She looked up and beamed at the king as he stepped into the dance with her.
As they spun together around the clearing, the trees sang a sweet melody.
0-0-0-0
Elalkar smiled to himself as he looked through the windows of his home towards the woods. He could not be more pleased with Elenlor's relationship with the king. He could see, as his daughter did not, that Thranduil had lost his heart to the fair maiden.
The dark haired elf stepped back, away from the glass and moved toward his study. Now, if only Elenlor could be brought to realize how deeply the Elvenking cared for her…he chuckled softly to himself. The elleth was so humble! She really did not see her beauty, nor her sweet personality as being enough of a draw to interest the ruler of Mirkwood. There was more than that though. She was brave in ways that most inhabitants of the kingdom would never be. How many elves would travel in Mirkwood without companions or weapons? Yet she would do both. For some reason, though she was very nearly frightened by her own people, the shadows of Mirkwood held no terror for her.
Elalkar glanced back over his shoulder toward the window. He stopped, turned around, and stared. Coming toward his home was an elf. And not just any elf.
Blond hair gleamed in the sunlight as it spilled over broad shoulders. His stride was sure, in fact, it was almost a swagger.
Alarm bells started to go off within Elalkar's mind. How many elves with blond hair lived in Mirkwood? Only four. The king, his wife, Elenlor…and Saurna. Given the fact that only two of those four were male, and Thranduil was currently with Elenlor, it narrowed the possibilities of his visitor down to one.
Elalkar was not happy about that remaining one.
A knock on the door dragged Elalkar from his hopeful imagining that there was perhaps some other elf he had overlooked. He strode towards his unwanted guest, half contemplating pretending that there was no one home.
Elalkar sighed, (almost groaned) and pulled the door open. "Mae govannen, pen neth. Man morko le bar nin?"
Saurna's face clouded over with a petulant expression at Elalkar's reminder of his position. He jerked his head in a nod that might have been taken as a bow given by one with severe back problems. The barest hint of respect necessary to meet social obligations. "Mae govannen, hir nin." The last two words were almost forced out of the spoilt youth's throat. "I would speak with you."
Elalkar reluctantly stepped to one side and beckoned Saurna into his home. He strode forwards to his study, entered, and seated himself, motioning for the fair elf to do the same. "What would you speak of?" A little brusque, perhaps, but Elalkar was not blind to the looks that Saurna had thrown Elenlor's way for the past three decades. As much as the dark haired elf lord had admired the youth's father, and actually grieved for his mother…he did not like what he saw before him.
"Your daughter." Saurna's eyes were lit with pride, self-assurance…and something else. Something dark.
Elalkar felt a brief spark of actual anger. He knew for certain that Elenlor had never given the elf any kind of encouragement whatsoever. Yet here he was. Elalkar decided to play dumb. It was not a tactic he used very often, but when presented with such a person as Saurna, he thought it remarkably appropriate. "Which daughter would that be? Elwen?" The elf lord named his eldest daughter…who happened to be married with three elflings.
"No," Saurna's green eyes glittered coldly. "Elenlor." The youth's voice was snappish, his manner arrogant and presumptuous. It galled Elalkar. He was too old and wise to be affronted easily, but this upstart's complete lack of humility and respect was pushing him.
"And what," he said, his tone icy, "would you have to say about Elenlor?"
Saurna heard the layer of frost covering Elalkar's voice and hastily curbed his manner. "I would have your permission to wed her…sir."
Without conscious thought, Elalkar began tapping the fingers of his right hand on the seat of his chair. "I will have to speak to Elenlor of this," he said grudgingly. He suspected that his daughter would want nothing to do with this spoilt youth, yet he was not absolutely certain. He hoped she would want nothing to do with him. If Elenlor would wish to wed Saurna, his opinion of her would drop drastically. However, he had faith in his daughter's judgment of character. "She is not here at the moment, so if you want to come back later…" Elalkar was rising from his seat even as he spoke, clearly intent on showing Saurna out.
Saurna, however, did not move. "I will wait. Do you think she will be long?"
"Perhaps," Elalkar sank back with a small sigh. "Often she does not return until the evening."
Anguirel's son nodded imperiously. "I will wait."
0-0-0-0
Elenlor slipped inside the door to her home, shutting it swiftly behind her. Quickly, she went to the window and pushed the curtain to the side, watching Thranduil as he left. He turned, as he always did, and she waved, a smile curling her lips. She gazed after the fair king as he strode towards the palace. The world of fantasy that held all young ones in love caught her in its sweet grasp for a few precious seconds as she saw Thranduil disappear into the walls of his home. She leaned against the glass with a sigh. Reality would break through the walls of fantasy quickly, and it was better if she did not spend too much time there. Reality might be unsatisfying, but it would be even more so when she had spent time in a world of dreams.
Especially when she knew that those dreams were not likely to be realized.
"Elenlor?"
The blond elleth turned at the sound of her father's voice, a smile on her sweet face. "Ada." Quickly, she went and flung her arms around his neck in an impetuous embrace, kissing his cheek. Stepping back to look into his face, she felt her good mood start to drain away.
Elalkar's face was grim, his dark eyebrows drawn together in almost a scowl. Elenlor felt her smile slip. "Man na den, Ada?" Her arms fell to her sides, and she took a step back, wary of her father's stern features.
"There is someone here who wishes to speak with you, Silme." Elalkar noticed her unease and tried to force his face into a neutral position. He did not pull it off very well. Instead, his features continued to mirror the feelings of frustration, annoyance and general distaste that several hours in Saurna's company had effectively produced.
The dark haired elf lord saw how Elenlor still eyed him with apprehension and his brown eyes softened with tender concern. "Avo 'osto," He said quietly, lifting a hand and gently tucking her golden hair behind one pointed ear. "nin si." With a deep sigh, he took her arm and led her into his study.
The change that came over his daughter when she realized who it was that sat in his study startled Elalkar. Her body stiffened, the arm looped through his becoming nearly unbending.
Saurna rose and leered as he saw Elenlor enter the room. His eyes swept over her lustfully, and Elalkar nearly threw him from his home right then and there.
"Elenlor," her father ground through his teeth. "Saurna has requested to wed you."
"As soon as possible," Saurna's voice was almost bored. Obviously, he thought it nearly a done deal. "We can be married from my mother's home…"
Elenlor felt the blood drain from her face. Black shadows swum around the edges of her vision and she realized with horror that she was very close to passing out. With an effort she pulled herself back. Fear was making her heart thud painfully in her ears. To be married to Saurna? No! Never! Not possible! Through her haze of horror and repugnance, Elenlor suddenly heard Saurna's voice. He was still talking…outlining…wedding plans? NO! "NO!" The word burst from her lips before she could think. It was almost an instinctive response.
Her father's arm squeezed her comfortingly and she looked up at him desperately. She didn't care how this looked; didn't care about anything at the moment! "Ada!"
Elalkar quickly withdrew his arm from hers and wrapped it around her shoulders. He was shocked at her response. Shocked, and angered. What had Saurna done to make her feel like this? His eyes burned hotly as he glared at the elf.
The fair youth's mouth was gaping open in shock. A dangerous light burned in his green eyes. This was probably the first time in his miserable life that he had been denied anything he had wanted. Spoilt, and crossed. Not a good combination.
"You have your answer," Elalkar said grimly, holding his daughter almost painfully tight. Elenlor clung to him, her face white as the gown she wore. "Now get out."
Saurna stepped past them, his face twisting into a ferocious scowl. He stopped and turned back, fixing his glare on Elenlor. "You," he hissed softly, pointing at the trembling maid. "You will regret this, you…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Elalkar leapt forwards and seized the fair elf's collar, nearly lifting him bodily and thrusting him towards the door. "Out!" The dark haired elf was enraged. How dare this upstart come into his home and threaten his daughter!
Reaching the door, Elalkar threw it open with one hand, and with the other, very nearly threw Saurna. Saurna stumbled and turned, his face livid. He opened his mouth to yell an insult, but Elalkar slammed the heavy door shut. The dark haired elf stood for a moment, his gaze all but igniting the wooden portal. His fingers opened and closed, clenching into fists as he stood, trying to control the rage that swept through his body.
With an effort, he buried his fury and turned back to Elenlor. She stood, clutching the doorframe for support. Her normally pale skin had taken on an unhealthy gray tinge. She stretched out a shaky hand toward him. "Ada…"
Elalkar was by her side in an instant, his arms swiftly enfolding her in a strong embrace. With a sigh of relief, she leaned into him. The father stroked her golden hair as she laid her head on his shoulder. He could feel her slim form tremble even as he held her.
"Avo gor i raug," he whispered over her as he tightened his arms. "Nin si, Silme."
Comforted by her father's touch, Elenlor relaxed with a shudder. She shut her blue eyes and forced herself to be calm. The danger had passed…it had passed…
She would soon find out that she was wrong.
Very wrong.
0-0-0-0
The next day began like any other for the King of Mirkwood. He found himself caught in a long string of important, (but usually boring) meetings and consultations and looking forward continuously to the time when he could shake his role for a few hours and join the object of his affection.
"Your Majesty!" Halynder's voice was respectful, but it carried just enough exasperation to let Thranduil know that this was not the first time his counselor had tried to get his attention. The Elvenking shook his blond head ruefully and tried to focus. "I am sorry, Halynder, could you repeat that?"
With a theatrical groan, his friend started to reread a scroll of parchment.
Thranduil made an attempt to concentrate, he really did. Unfortunately, Halynder had quite possibly chosen the most boring issue to deal with at the moment. The Elvenking could only feign an interest in the thickness of the barrels that were traveling to Lake Town for so long. Therefore it was not many moments later that he found his thoughts straying to Elenlor once more.
The fair elf was brought back to reality as the scroll Halynder had been reading bounced off his forehead. Green eyes shot up to see the raven haired elf attempting to appear innocent as he studied the ceiling. Forcing back a chuckle, Thranduil lifted the offending parchment and studied it carefully. "You do realize," he said dryly, "that attacking the monarch of your realm bears a penalty of death."
"I have no idea what you are speaking of, Sire." Though Halynder managed to keep a straight face, his dark eyes twinkled.
"Indeed." The blond elf tossed the scroll back to his counselor with one hand while the other groped furiously for a spare piece of parchment within his desk drawer. "Please do continue this fascinating report." His fingers latched onto the paper and slowly crunched it into a projectile.
Halynder grinned and unrolled the scroll once more. Just as he opened his mouth to begin reading, a paper ball sailed through the air and hit him squarely on the nose. The elf looked up gravely to see his king grinning. "I regret to inform your highness," Halynder quickly scooped up the ball and hurled it. "That you have just instigated a war!"
Thranduil ducked, and responded with the missiles he had been forming behind the cover of his desk.
0-0-0-0
Elenlor slipped out her door, shutting it firmly behind her. Thranduil was nowhere in sight. It seemed he would be late again. Shrugging, the elf maid started to walk toward the woods. She glanced back over her shoulder once, blue eyes fixing on the palace gates hopefully. For an instant, she wavered. What would it hurt to wait for Thranduil once? He didn't like it when she went into Mirkwood on her own.
A slight stir at the window of her own home caught her attention. Her face turned red as she realized that her father was watching her. Ever since the little incident with Saurna yesterday, he had not let her out of his sight. She had barely managed to convince him to allow her to leave.
Not wanting him to be concerned, she waved cheerfully and turning, strode forward with confidence. Thranduil would scold her once more, but she was used to that.
Besides, nothing had ever harmed her before.
0-0-0-0
Thranduil cast an anxious glance at the position of the sun outside his window. He knew that the little paper battle he and Halynder had indulged in would slow this morning's proceedings, but he had not anticipated his friend getting sidetracked into a monologue listing the many outstanding accomplishments of his infant son.
The Elvenking inched toward the door for the fifth time. Only three feet left to go…
Not noticing his monarch's rather urgent expression and the slight shuffling of his feet, Halynder rattled on, his dark eyes misty. Halden, his son, was not only the most intelligent elfling to ever grace the surface of Arda; he was also so well mannered, beautiful, charming, and so on.
Thranduil resisted the urge to run screaming from the room. He had met Halynder's son of course, and he was forced to admit that the elfling was a remarkably attractive child with more than his share of brains and a sweet nature. However, that did not mean he wanted to hear of those particular traits for hours. He slid his right foot a few more inches toward freedom. Two and a half feet. Besides, he was late. Elenlor would have already left by now. She would be wandering through Mirkwood on her own, without any means of defense. Visions of spiders and other more unwholesome creatures filled his mind. His left foot joined his right.
"Am I boring you, Sire?" Halynder almost laughed at the guilty expression that crossed the fair elf's face. Eru! He looked like an elfling with his hand caught in the cookie jar!
"Of course not," the Elvenking lied politely, even as his right foot started to slide towards the door once more. 'Stop that' he thought irritably as he glared down at it.
Now the dark haired elf did laugh. "Do not try to deceive me, mellon nin. You never could. No doubt you would rather be spending time with the fair lady Elenlor than listening to the twaddling of a proud parent?" His dark eyes twinkled as he saw his friend grin. "Get out of here then. I have kept you away from her too long already."
Thranduil was out the door and halfway down the hall before all of the words were out of Halynder's mouth.
0-0-0-0
Something was wrong.
Elenlor did not know exactly what it was, but the feeling was definitely there. Her feet did not skip with half of their normal grace. Once or twice, she actually stumbled. She stopped for a moment, pushing her hair out of her face, her eyebrows drawn together in a frown as realization came to her.
She could not hear the trees' song.
A chill ran down her spine, and the elf maid shivered slightly. For the first time in her long life, she was afraid to be alone. Where was Thranduil?
She shook herself and forced her feet back into their dance. He would come. He had never missed a day. Comforted by that thought, she spun with something of her usual spirit, but it still disturbed her that she could not hear the trees.
A slight movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Her hear rate climbed instantly, but she forced herself to remain calm. She turned a slow circle, taking a good look.
Relief poured through her. She could not see much, the sunlight of the clearing effectively blinded her to what remained in the shadows. However, she had caught the glint of blond hair not even Mirkwood's darkness could completely hide. Thranduil was here. The elf maid allowed herself to relax, turning her back to her friend as she resumed her dance. She was safe now.
She heard the soft snap of a twig as he entered the clearing.
The trees screamed a warning that shocked her to the core of her being. She stumbled, nearly falling, and whirled. Her heart leapt into her throat and she nearly choked.
Standing in the clearing was not Thranduil, but Saurna.
0-0-0-0
Mae govvanen, pen neth. Man morko le bar nin?- Well met, young one. What brings you to my home?
Mae govvanen, hir nin- Well met, my lord.
Man na den, Ada?- What is it, father(daddy)?
Avo osto. Nin si.- Do not fear. I am here.
Avo gori i raug. Nin si, Silme.- Do not dread the demon. I am here, Starlight.
Mellon nin- My friend
0-0-0-0