Messengers

Thranduil was sitting in audience when the messenger arrived.

It had been a session like any other up to that point, a line of his people, and a fair sprinkling of the woodsmen who dwelt in his lands, seeking his agreement or judgement upon some aspect of their lives. Mundane enough matters that they or the law considered required, of for which they wanted, the king's response. It might almost be considered tedious if he hadn't accepted it as a part of his life long ago. The duty was made less onerous for the present by the fact that sailings were no longer a regular occurrence, for in the first years after the battle at the lonely mountain he had arranged nearly as many sailings as he had attended funeral rites. He tried not to dwell on his fear that such times would return and concentrated instead on the more trivial matters that, for the moment, found their way before him.

But as ever, as the last of those seeking his judgment bowed and turned away, he wondered fleetingly how long the respite could last and when he would next be arranging passage for some grief stricken elf that could no longer bear the world without the one they had lost. He hoped it would not be soon.

He watched the final supplicants retreating figures with a faint sigh, for their departure was not the end of his duty and he prepared to rise and wend his way to the Council chamber for the next task. But he had not done more than straighten in his throne and push his long robe from his feet before his equerry hurried across the hall of audience, a worried frown between his brows. The king remained seated and watched him advance with a sudden sense of unease.

The approaching elf bent his head briefly in salute to his king before hurrying into speech.
"My Lord, excuse the intrusion but there is a messenger here from Imladris who brings a letter from Lord Elrond. He would deliver it in person and without delay if you will receive him."
Thranduil felt a jolt of surprise swiftly followed by a shiver of alarm, for this was not expected. Careful to hide both from his equerry he sat back in his seat meeting the other's anxious eyes with impassive calm.
"So early in the year, spring must have come quickly to the mountains if the pass is open again." He said easily, "Let the messenger come now."
"My Lord." The elf before him inclined his head once more then turned and hurried from the hall.

Thranduil stared into the shadows as he waited, no obvious cause for alarmed yet…., letters from Elrond were few but they exchanged several a year. Generally on topics that both sender and recipient considered necessary but unimportant, for the road between the two elven Realms was long and fraught with danger, too dangerous to trust anything truly important to them. Usually they communicated those more important things in other ways, unless the subject required more words than their other messengers could convey, and particularly during the winter months when few could make it across the icy mountains regardless of Orc or similar dangers. If such letters had to pass between them then the messengers would come heavily guarded, at least to the edge of the Forest, and he would have known of that approach long before they reached the elven road. That he had heard nothing in advance to announce its' arrival probably meant that the letter was innocuous, yet if that was so why send it now when the mountain road would still be unpredictable? Or was the subject so sensitive that Elrond would risk losing it rather than draw attention to its passage?

He got no further in his musing before his equerry returned accompanied by a dark haired elf in the colours of Imladris and wearing the crest of Elrond the Halfelven upon his chest.
"The messenger from Lord Elrond Sire," his equerry announced with more formality that was usual between them, before stepping back and leaving the Noldor elf standing alone before the king.

Thranduil rose gracefully to greet the messenger, staring down with a calm expression for a moment before inclining his head slightly as he spoke.
"Welcome, I trust your journey was uneventful and that you left all those in your lands in good health and heart.
The elf before him bowed as he replied."My journey was without incident Sire and I left all behind me as you would wish them."
"Good news then," Thranduil replied easily, then he let a slightly sharper note enter his voice, "but it makes me wonder what tidings you bring that required you risk the mountains before spring is assured?"
The other elf looked up quickly.
"Nothing ill that I know of Sire and I think myself to be well trusted, I have a letter for you as I have reported and it is longer than could be sent by other means."

With that he pushed his cloak aside and reached into his tunic bringing out a small but fat packet of parchment. He held it out before him.
"I cannot say why my Lord wished it sent now; I know only that he wanted you to receive it as soon as could be managed. The spring snows were light this year, at least around the pass, and no Orc or troll has been seen in the mountains since your battle before Erebor. It was perhaps much less a risk than it would once have been the case."
His voice tailed away as if he suddenly recalled what the loss of Orc and troll he spoke of had meant for this king and his people. He dropped his eyes again and remained silent.

Thranduil saw his sudden stricken look and understood what had passed through the messengers mind, but he gave no sign of it. Instead he looked at the proffered packet with tilted head, for it was obviously many sheets and well sealed with Elrond's crest set deep in red wax.
"Indeed." He said eventually. "What of the return? For given the circumstances of your journey I assume one is expected."
The messenger bowed again as he replied.
"Ay Sire, my Lord requested that I wait for your reply if that was agreeable to you."

Thranduil looked at the bowed head for a moment in silence, knowing that there were those amongst his people who had no love of the Noldar, even those who served Elrond, but there was little that he could do about that. After a moment he nodded.
"Very well it shall be so. Take time to recover from the journey, you are welcome and shall be provided with all that you need." He looked towards his equerry, "Find Lord Elrond's messenger quarters Landaf, and ensure his needs are taken care of for I expect he has travelled light. His horse too, of course."
With that he sauntered down to the dais and took the offered letter from the silent messenger's hand.

The other elf looked up as he felt the paper pulled from his fingers and smiled slightly, but the smile faded before a slight sense of shock as he met the king's eyes and felt the power of his light. He dropped his gaze and bowed again, not least to ensure that the King of Mirkwood did not see the curiosity in his eyes, for he was born of the third age and found the elf lords of the earlier ages of great interest. Particularly this one who was the last Elvenking so named in Arda, a warrior elf lord who had stood before Mordor's gates and yet whose light was as strong and bright as one who had known far less sorrow and grief. He kept his eyes lowered for that was the only way to resist an urge to stare, and not only at the sight of a crown upon an elf's head, or the coat of finely wrought mithril mail the king wore beneath his robe even here within his own fortress, mail so intricate and fine that he had taken it for brocade until the king came close, but at its golden haired wearer. For the Elvenking was taller than any elf he knew and fair even for their kind, more than that he had a regal bearing and presence than was greater, more impressive, than that of his own lord, and he had not thought that to be possible. He could not imagine this king being merry any more than he could imagine Elrond being so.

The messenger let his hand drop and risked looking up again to discover that the king of Mirkwood was regarding him with a slight smile, and he had the sudden uncomfortable feeling that all his thoughts were known. He found himself swallowing hard as Thranduil's eyes, startling in their intensity, continued to look down at him for a moment, then the king blinked once and turned away. He spoke in an absent tone, his mind already somewhere else.
"Rest if you need to and clothes and clean linen will be given to you. Ask for whatever refreshment you desire. I shall not reply this day, and perhaps not tomorrow."
With that he dismissed the other elves with a motion of his hand.

The messenger bowed again as the king turned in a swirl of robe and mithril stitched coat before ascending back up to his throne his eyes fixed upon the letter in his hand.

With another bow the equerry led the messenger away.

Thranduil sank back down weighing the letter in his hand with a slight frown, but he made no move to break the seal. After a moment he rose suddenly again and stepped quickly down to the dais, then turned towards the pathway that led to his quarters.
"Send a message to the Council," he said as he drew level with the guards. "Inform them that today's session is cancelled and we will meet tomorrow."

With that he strode away with one guard at his heels as the other set off to do his bidding.

XXX

Dale had an unfinished look to it but an air of bustle and prosperity for all that. Everywhere masons were at work repairing the buildings and arches that still showed much damage, but the walls were now whole again and the gates were strong. Those gates were open but well guarded and he was stopped by a man at arms as he left the bridge and drew level with the walls.

"Greetings traveller," the man said calmly but with his hand on his sword belt, "for I assume that is what you are as you have no goods to sell."
"Greetings to you too good sir," Gandalf replied cheerfully, "traveller that I am, though perhaps messenger better describes me."
The man looked him over carefully but without hostility.
"Messenger to whom and from whom may I ask?"
"Of course you may for is that not your duty? It is has been some years since I was last here and I would not expect you to recall me given the dire nature of those times."

Now the man frowned.
"Dire times? You speak of the battle I assume, were you here then?"
"Aye I was, and like many wished the matter could have been otherwise. It is good to see that Dale rises anew." He stood aside as a cart rolled out from the city gates and towards the bridge, "and that trade is returning."
The guard nodded and smiled.
"True it is. Much has been achieved, more than some thought possible and the people of this town have much to thank the Valar for."
Gandalf nodded gravely and his voice was sober as he replied.
"It is so, but they have also to thank the king under the mountain and the king of the wood."

The other shrugged carelessly.
"Perhaps, but it was the dwarf Thorin who brought destruction upon us by his greed after all, as did his grandfather before him, why should they not help the men of the lake to rebuild and repay those things that were stolen from us by the dragon they enticed? It is but justice, and give him his due King Dain appears to own it to be so. The king of the wood though, yes we owe him much for he has given a lot for little more than friendship. You will find none here to say differently."
Gandalf laughed his sombre look vanishing like pipe smoke on the wind.
"I am glad to hear that for it is from him I come. I was on my way to see King Dain but King Thranduil has asked that I turn aside from the straight road to bring a message to Lord Bard. Here is his token as proof of my truth."

With that he brought out the token that Thranduil had given him before he left the forest.

The guard took it and turned it in his fingers for a moment, he sent a sharp glance towards the horse standing patiently at Gandalf's shoulder, and then he handed back the token with a bow and a smile.
"Welcome then messenger of the Elvenking. I will see you escorted to his house and send word to Lord Bard that you are here. It is early yet and I doubt he will see you before the noon time meal. But you will find refreshment there for yourself and you mount whilst you wait."

"Thank you, King Thranduil has granted me lodging at his house and there are many there with whom I am acquainted, waiting will be no hardship."
At that that the guard beckoned forward a waiting boy, he laid a hand firmly upon the boy's shoulder.
"Take this messenger to KingThranduil's guards at his house." he instructed. "Then go forth to Lord Bard's house and inform him that a messenger from the Elvenking is here to speak with him."
"Lord Bard will know my name boy," Gandalf added. "Tell him the messenger is Gandalf the Grey who stood against the Orcs with him when Bolg attacked the city. He will remember me."

The boy looked at him wide eyed and the guard saw it and sighed.
"Quick now and no begging for tales of battles past to brag of with your friends. I will know if you delay."
The boy nodded and bowed for Gandalf to follow him as he led the way into the thronged streets of Dale.

XXX

Legolas sent the last arrow thudding into the target with a sigh of satisfaction, he had done all he had set himself for the day and now it seemed he was free to do as he pleased. A runner had come from the Council some time earlier to inform him that there was to be no session this day by order of his father, which left him no official responsibilities and his allotted practice for the day completed. There was still several hours of light remaining and more than that before supper and he was at leisure to spend them as he wished.

Once, in the days before the dwarf, he and Tauriel would have spent such times with comrades from the guard playing harp and lute and composing songs to amuse themselves, or reading in the quiet of the library, but such days were past. Now she was in Dale and he was still avoiding those places and activities that most reminded him of those days. Not that the pain of his memory of her was sharp now, but the realisation of how she had changed him in the eyes of others remained a source of some distress, and he found it more comfortable not to stir his wondering of how others had truly seen him then.

With a shake of his head he pushed the thought away, gathered up his bows and set to work collecting his spent arrows. That chore completed he returned to his rooms and changed his clothes for garments more suited to a forest foray. Not half an hour after he collected the last of his arrows he was leaving the palace behind him and making his way across the bridge and towards the elven path that led to the forest gate.

He did not take the path however and at a point where the river bent towards the north he crossed it and entered into those glades that the spiders had never ventured near, glades kept clean by his father's power rather than by bow and knife. He strode on heading always to towards the east where the forest gave way to the marshes that stretched towards the river and the broken lands to the north. Where he was going he did not know, but he was restless for some reason he could not say. He did not go far however for driven by a sudden impulse to see above the trees he climbed a towering beech and sat for a while staring out towards the Lonely Mountain, a grey shadow in the far distance, but as he descended he caught sight of his father's horse in a glade towards the Halls. Legolas knew which glade it would be and with a sudden sense of unease he hurried down and across the wood.

XXX

The journey through Dale was a slow one for the between the building and the tradesmen and the markets the streets were as congested and difficult to negotiate as a mountain pass after a rock fall. But the boy knew his way and led the wizard surely and without hesitation through the outer districts and towards the centre of the town. They passed the old great hall, where the sick and injured had sought protection during the battle, and Gandalf halted for a moment of quiet satisfaction for now the ruin of that time had been restored the civic glory of the high days of Dale. Bard had done well.

Though men made up most of the crowds Gandalf caught sight of a dwarf here and there, sometimes working on a building, sometimes behind a market stall, sometimes just sauntering down one of the quieter streets that ran out from the main thoroughfares.
"Have many dwarfs returned to the mountain?" he asked the boy.
"Aye sir, I think so. Certainly many more have been seen these past year or two. Rarely is there a market without one or two dwarf stalls and several have businesses and shops in the wealthier parts of the City."
"Does the King under the Mountain visit often?"
"I couldn't say sir, I've only known of him to visit but once, though they say that he is coming again this summer for the fair and the setting of the battle stone. But there may be times he has come to see Lord Bard and none have known of it."
"Does he have a house here as the Elvenking does?"
"No sir, not as such. But the mountain is closer than the forest and its but two days travel from the mountain to the city."
"I suppose that's true, though dwarfs don't much care for riding. And it's longer on foot."
"No, so I have been told. When he came Dain rode in a coach with his guards on foot. I don't know how long they were on the road but they didn't seem wearied by it."
he boy turned another corner and brought them into a wide road before a high and imposing building.

"This is the Elvenkings's house sir."

The Elvenking's house in Dale was something more than its name suggested, not quite a palace, nor yet a barracks, but certainly more than a house. Its' high walls separated it from a thoroughfare thronged with people at this time of day but the gates stood open, though well guarded by both bowmen and spear men. As he approached them Gandalf wondered if they were wood or stone for they had the look of both and yet neither. They were topped by intricate trellis in which was set the kings banner and their surface was traced with vines and branches in relief and chased. Impressive it had to be said, most decorative too, and yet Gandalf would wager they were stronger and harder to breech than any gates in the city for as he drew level with them he felt the same glow of power that he felt from the gates to Thranduil's Halls. He smiled softly to himself, amongst friends or not the King of the wood took few chances and magic as well as elven skill guarded his house.

The boy took him to the guard closest and looked up the long distance to the elf's face.

"Guard at the gate bid me bring this traveller here my lord, for he comes from your King with a message for our lord who has yet to be located and told of his arrival. He seeks rest and refreshment in the time until he can fulfil his task."
With that the boy bowed and stood back.
Gandalf smiled at him and nodded his thanks, though he doubted the elven guard was unaware of who he was or why he was here for he was sure that Thranduil would have sent word ahead to his people. Nor did the guard seem surprised at all, but he inclined his head politely to the boy, his helm hiding the faint smile at the boy's careful dignity. He replied in the language of men, his voice soft and respectful.
"I thank you young sir for so helpful an introduction, I will take him in charge and you may return to your own duties."
The boy nodded and gave a small bow.
"Thank you that I will." With another small bow in Gandalf's direction he turned around and disappeared in to the crowd."

Gandalf smiled at his retreat.
"A fine lad and one who will rise to great things I think, he reminds me of Bard's son at that age. I am glad to see that Dale recovers from the days of Dragon and Orc."
The elven guard nodded. But his voice was sad when he replied.
"Indeed it is so, yet I think trouble is still waiting. Peace may hold for all his lifetime," he inclined his head in the direction the boy had gone," but the battle with the darkness is not yet over."
"You are of your kings mind then?" Gandalf said quietly.
"Indeed I am my lord, for I too recall the battle before the Black Gates, it should have been ended then but it was not so by the greed of men. Sauron will bide his time and then bend that greed to his purposes again."

He stepped back and indicated that Gandalf should follow him, the other guards saluted the visitor as they passed and entered into the courtyard before the high frontage of the main house.

"But that is for the future and hopefully one far distant. Welcome to the king's house Mithrandir, we have been expecting you and all is ready to meet your needs. The horse will be taken to the stables and you may rest as you will before the message from Bard arrives"
Gandalf sighed.
"Well I'll not deny that hot food and quiet place to smoke a pipe would be most welcome. The journey has been long and cold and the road more difficult than I recalled it to be. Other than that my needs are few, a seat by the fire later perhaps, and a cup of ale."
The guard nodded and threw open the tall front doors.
"All of which we will happily provide for you, and perhaps a little music and song to while away the dark hours beside that fire."
Gandalf smiled as he followed him inside
"Nothing more could a weary old traveller ask for."

XXX

Thranduil was sitting cross legged in silent contemplation before the shrine to The One, something that Legolas knew he did often when duty allowed it. His head was bowed and he made no movement to indicate that he had heard his sons' approach.

Dipping his head to the shrine Legolas sat down on the seat at the perimeter of the glade and waited in peaceful silence. Eventually his father raised his head and looked towards him.
"Legolas, I did not expect to see you here. Why are you not enjoying your unlooked for leisure?"
"Perhaps because it is unlooked for." his son said with a smile." I heard that a messenger from Elrond had arrived, an unusual event, and when I received the message about the council meeting I was curious as to what had called you away and if the two events were connected in any way. Even so I have not sought you out by intent, I came into the wood to walk and refresh myself but when I saw your horse and knew you were here and I confess my curiosity got the better of me. It there any reason for concern?"

His father sighed and rose to his feet crossing the glade to sit beside his son.
"Concern? Of that I am not sure. It may be an indication of things to come and yet that may not be the case, until Elrond comes I cannot be sure.
"Comes? Lord Elrond is to come here?" Legolas exclaimed. "But why? He has not done so in all the days of our battles with the shadow, why should he choose to visit now?"
Thranduil sighed again.
"There were no doubt reasons why he was of little help in the dark days, though there have been times when even though I guessed at those reasons I found it hard to forgive. But for the moment he feels he may take the risks involved, that there is a small window of time in which he feels able to leave the valley. Yet he does not believe it will be long before the darkness rises again, just as I do, and he will need to be at Imladris when that dread time is on us. For the moment he believes there are things that must be done in this time of quiet and so he sets certain matters in train."
"And we are a part of that? How so? He mentioned nothing of this to me when I visited him."
"No, perhaps not for the time would not have been right. Yet he mentioned it in the letter he sent with you. Now matters move on and he believes that it is time for him to act."
"Act? What is it that he must do that is so pressing?

Thranduil paused for a moment looking closely into his son's face as if seeking something there, then he looked away towards the ground.
"When you visited Imladris he introduced you to the boy did he not?"
Legolas frowned.
"His ward, a stripling of some fifteen summers? Yes he introduced us. A pleasant enough lad, dark haired and eyed with a shy, yet open, smile as I recall it. We talk a little of his studies and training and something of music I think, but I confess I paid him no more attention than courtesy required.
His father shrugged but did not look up.
"Why would you knowing little of him as you did?" His voice lost what little expression it had held. "But that youth has some destiny so Elrond believes and that is what brings him here for he would have me meet him before he returns to his people in the north."
"His people? From which line does he spring? I cannot believe that Elrond would take a shepherd's son as his ward, kindly though he is."
That brought a faint smile to his father's face.
"Shelter yes, but take into his own house, no I would agree he would not. But there were circumstances that made it inevitable. The boy is of the Dunedain though he has been raised from his earliest years by Elrond and his family. All he knows is an elven society and elven law but that must change if he is to follow his fate. Or what Elrond thinks his fate may be. Now it is nearly time for the boy to rejoin his father's kin but first Elrond would have him know those whose assistance he may need in the times ahead. I knew the father a little but Elrond would have me know the son on his own account."

Legolas stared at his father in astonishment who remained looking at the floor
"Need? For what may he need us?
Thranduil sighed but still did not look up
"Elrond is unsure. He has the gift of sight but the visions are not always clear and in this matter they are shadowed and indistinct with many branches in the road towards the future. So he tells me. Yet he is sure that somehow the future of the forest and the paths of his ward are intertwined and he comes to make us known to each other before the boy is returned to his father's kin.
"How soon will that be?
"He has not specified but I would judge not more than ten or twenty years of men. He will have much to learn from his own people too and he must do it before the shadow returns. Elrond has indicated that he would wish this visit to be followed by others, though he does not commit himself to come on future occasions."

Legolas was silent for a moment wondering why his father spoke so obliquely, why he found talk of this boy so uncomfortable, for it was clear that he did. Yet if there was more to be told he would wait until his father was ready to tell it. But there was one question he felt he could safely ask.
"Only here?"
"No from here they will travel to Lothlorien, he asks for us to see him safely through the forest to the south, and then he will return to Imladris by the mountain pass before the autumn storms begin. He knows I must be in Dale for midsummer and so he looks to set out as soon as he receives my agreement."
"Does he fear you will not agree?"
"In truth no, but the relations between us have been formal since the last alliance, comrades as we were then. He lived at court in the years of Gil-Galad and knows how my father viewed the Noldor High Kings, and the reasons why, he will take care not to raise the ghosts of old enmity."

Thranduil gave his son a wry look.
"He is also painfully aware that the last time he visited my Realm was for my crowning and that in all the years of our struggles against the darkness he has offered no help or respite even as he lived in peace and joy; he will be careful to take nothing for granted, nor assume my goodwill until he has been assured of it."
Legolas smiled.
"He said something similar to me when I visited; he seemed concerned that there might be some rift between us that he could no longer bridge. Though he said little of the why."
"Yes he wrote of that also. But though there are old wrong and hurts between us neither would see our people harmed for it, nor the wider world. Though I fear there may little we can do to aid each other when the darkness strikes."

Thranduil looked up at last.
"Some of the entertainment of Elrond's ward will fall to you; say now if that causes concern."
"No concern, have no worries on my account. I told him little of my business at the time and he was too young and callow to see anything strange in my arrival or my composure. Facing Elrond again, that I confess I may find a trial in the light of what I discovered later, but it will be done and in the doing another hurdle will be set behind me and I will be brought closer to being myself again."
His father smiled and replied softly.
"I am glad, Elrond will say nothing of matters you do not wish discussed, you need have no fear of that.
"I know." Legolas rose to his feet. "The light will fail soon it is time we returned. Will you reply today?"
"No, I have no intention of refusing but I would give my reply some thought."

Thranduil watched his son disappear back into the trees then headed slowly back to his horse. He hoped that Legolas found meeting Elrond again as easy as he believed it would be.