Coming to Greenwood
The long and arduous road was behind them and the smaller outliers of the Greenwood were but a few strides away. The day had barely begun and around them the shadows were still deep and with a tinge of night at their hearts, while above them the faint mist of a moon remained etched in the pale dawn sky. At their backs the flat plains stretched towards the mountains their outlines hazy in the early morning light and capped with cloud, but their minds were focused upon the rustling trees and what lay within the great forest. Before them a high arch of beeches guarded the entrance to the elven road, the only safe passage through to the east, their twined branches seeming to conspire at secrecy. The road turned suddenly once beyond the gate and they could see nothing more than what seemed to be a wall of trees shrouded in the morning mist.
They had reached the the gate to the forest road at sunset the previous day and had camped on the open land beside it, close against the forests edge, being careful to make sure their fire did not cause any damage for much of the night had been windy. Elrond had left them in little doubt of Thranduil's reaction if any carelessness of their set fire to a single bush. Estel had watched the elves of the party setting about making camp and settling the horses and seen by their looks that they found this forest as unsettling as he did.
Even now as the days light strengthened the path beneath the trees remained hidden Estel stood and stared at the shifting shadows within the trees and wondered; here at the gates to Thranduil's realm he recalled all he had heard of that king, a warrior of a previous age, an elf who had worn a crown for all of this age, and found himself taken with a sudden urge to flee.
Elrond had little difficulty in sensing the direction of the young mortal's thoughts and went to stand behind him putting a kindly hand upon his shoulder
"Is it the forest that is so overwhelming Estel or is it the one that waits within it that renders you so drawn and silent?
Estel did not turn as he replied, his eyes remaining fixed on the sentinel beech trees
"I do not know, both perhaps, though in different ways. For all our talk upon the road I believe that it is only now that I realize that I am to meet elves who are not your kin, or who do not call you Lord, for the first time.
Elrond smiled slightly
"Certainly you will meet those who do not call me lord and not only Thranduil; it may surprise you but few here hold the Noldor, or any of the high elves, in much esteem."
Estel, remembering other conversations they had shared on this journey, nodded his head but his strained look did not ease and Elrond tightened his grip for a moment
"But do not be afraid; remember all I have told you and deal with them fairly and with respect" he said softly, "and they will do the same to you in return. They are a good people Estel,, a kindly people despite all their trials and tribulation; they will not seek offense where none is intended."
"But he has dungeons!" The words escaped before he could stop them
Elrond laughed
"Indeed he does, well dungeons of a sort. He is the king and that means he is giver of the law here. Not only for his own people either, but for all who live within the forest or travel through it, Men and dwarf as well as elves. Nor should you forget that for much of his reign they have been under attack, and with no protection but his foresight and their strength. Greenwood is not Imaldris, it is not hidden by mountains or protected by deep ravines and his borders needs remain open to some degree if they are trade, as they must. There will be times when he will need to be sure that someone is securely held, maybe for their own sake.
The youth turned wide and anxious eyes towards his mentor
"Does he have scaffolds too
Elrond's smile died
"That I cannot say, though I doubt it, but that is not what you truly ask is it? He is a king and is bound by the law, and in his reign there will almost certainly have been times when the penalty of that law has been hard. Though Thranduil enacts the law of elves not of men and it is less harsh and merciless and one that carries far fewer penalties of death.
He thought of the stories he had heard more recently of she who had committed one of the few crimes that could demand the death of an elf, and he smiled again
"But he is a great king and like all such leaders he is not cruel or unforgiving and where such acts occur it is known that he seeks to render mercy if he can. Believe me when I tell you that any coming before Thranduil's law will find more justice and mercy than they would in the courts of men or dwarf. But there will have been a few times during his centuries as king when he could do little more than make the death a kind one."
Estel's mouth twisted in doubt
"But you do not have dungeons or scaffolds.
Elrond's expression became distant and slightly sad
"Our situations are not comparable, and that is something you must not forget. As I have told you many times Imladris is secluded, and well hidden, and very few find us unless they have been trusted with the way, and so they are guests and behave accordingly. A true stranger come among us is rare and our numbers are too small for grievances between our own to go unnoticed. The petty squabbles I deal with barely warrant the use of the law. This is not the case here for the people of Greenwood are far more numerous. But I have served kings who had to make the same choices as Thranduil no doubt must and for the same reasons. None have found it easy and I doubt that he is any different in that
He sighed and turned the youth around and gave him a small push in the direction of the fire
"But come put such worries away for the moment and rest, there is water warming for tea and bread to break our fast. When our guides arrive we will need to move swiftly for I do not doubt that they will wish to make a prompt start on the journey and continue for as long as there is light enough for the horses to step safely. Take this last respite before we begin the trek to the kings Halls"
Estel followed Elrond towards the fire casting one last nervous look over his shoulder towards the trees as he did so.
xxx
They had been camped at the entrance to the forest gate not half a morning when their escort arrived. A group of six on horse back, and with two more on foot, appearing from out of the trees without warning and halting beside the gate.
Elrond rose from beside the fire, signaling that it should be put out, and moved towards them, noting their armour, the cloaks pushed back from sword hilt and bow, with unease. He felt the aura of readiness about them, something that was so rarely seen, or needed, in Imladris. He watched without expression as one turned and called a word or two he did not understand behind him, more of them emerged from the tree line in response, or so it seemed, a group of ten. Elrond watched them noting the slight hint of danger they seemed to bring with them, realising in a moment that they were more different to the elves he had left at home than he had expected. Perhaps the stories of the Woodland Realm held greater truth than he had believed. Yet for all that they were not strange to him for they brought back memories of the elf lords of the last age, of those he stood with before the gates of Mordor.
Warriors.
Most of the Noldor lords of that time were in Mandos Halls or had left for the ships, and few like these elves remained within his home. He smiled inwardly, Glorfindel would recognise them in an instant of course, and in just few more instants would be exchanging tales of battles fought and tactics used against the dark one with them. But Glorfindel was not here and seeing this escort raised new concerns about their welcome and how his little party would fare in the dangers of Greenwood.
He scanned the group before him looking for a face he might know from the past. He found it as the group approaching from the trees halted and parted to allow one in slightly more elaborate dress to come forward. This face he recognized for it was one of the elves he recalled from Mordor, one of those who had carried Oropher from where he fell back to what had become, at his falling, Thranduil's camp. He felt a sudden sense of shame and regret that he could not recall the elf's name, but reminded himself with an inward sigh that there had been so many retrieval parties and so many dead that day. But he did recall that this dark haired elf had been a Sindar lord, one who had crossed the mountains with Oropher, and remembered too that he had been one of Thranduil's guard at his crowning. It seemed that the king was taking care to make sure that they were welcomed with due grace and ceremony, and by one who he no doubt trusted to observe polite protocol.
The elf lord dismounted and approached them scanning the group with care, after a moment he bowed in the formal manner towards Elrond
"Welcome Lord of Imladris, I am glad you have arrived here safely. I trust your journey has been uneventful.
Elrond returned the salute with a smile
"It has, for which I know we owe much to your kin. I have heard of the battle before the mountain and the rout of the Orc armies. Had it not been for that I believe we would have had less peace and more need for sword and bow on our journey.
He felt those behind him shift uneasily as if in disapproval at his words but he paid them no mind as the elf before him bowed agai
"I am glad you were spared that. My King bids you welcome to our Realm and asks that you follow us through the forest, he would have come to greet you himself but other matters intervened for which he sends his regrets.
Elrond inclined his head in acceptance of the apolo
"His kingdom is a large one and it must make many demands upon him," he said, "be assured that there is no need for regret, I understand where his first duty must be and would not have him pulled from more weighty matters for a greeting that is merely postponed"
The elf lord before him smiled/
"No doubt it is a dilemma to which you are no stranger.
"Indeed I am not." Elrond responded with his own smile.
The elf lord cast his eyes over the little party and their camp briefly before returning his gaze to Elrond
"Are your horses rested my Lord? It is close on four days ride to the palace and though we have camp sites already prepared the journey is not an easy one and hard in some places. I would wish to progress to the first of the established camps this day if it can be managed." He lowered his voice a little/
"I believe too that you have a son of men amongst you who will need more rest, we have allowed for this as far as we are able.
Elrond suppressed a laugh at his careful words; trust Thranduil to miss no detail! He inclined his head
"All are rested and ready to ride."
The elf lord nodded and looked again the closely clustered group around the ashes of the fire and suppressed a sigh, this was going to be difficult if he judged them rightly but it had to be done if they were to travel in good time and in safety. He turned his eyes back towards Elrond but when he spoke his words were clearly meant for all of the visiting party.
"Stay close together my Lord, and do not stray from the line we set, particularly where we leave the road, which we must do for the depredations of a bad winter are not yet all restored. My guard will flank you and guide you. Stop immediately if so requested by either word or gesture. Stay alert, push back your cloaks and be prepared to defend yourself with little warning. The shadow retreats but the forest remains dangerous in some parts.
With that he turned back towards his horse and prepared to mount as those of his party still mounted turned back towards the shadow of the trees
Elrond heard a hiss of discontent behind him and a voice on the edge of open anger made itself heard
"I would know your name wood elf for I will have words with your king about you and your treatment of us. Do you think us children to be lectured by you as if we have never known danger before? Do you think us unable to defend ourselves, to do battle if it is needed?"
Elrond felt a surge of anger and made a silent oath to have words with the one who had ignored his warnings and instructions so readily and with such little provocation; for the elf lord's words had been fair, simply a reminder to those just arrived and nothing more than he had expected. He saw the one challenged halt with his hand on his horse's mane and turn, and he watched a look of weary resignation flit across the elf lords face before his dark eyes moved to meet Elrond's briefly and then drifted past him to the others of the party
"I know nor think anything of your past my lord, battle or otherwise, how would I when we have never met before this day," he said evenly
Elrond gave a faint sigh for though there was no obvious barb in the words they perhaps hinted at the feeling among the people of the Woodland Realm. But he had no time to think more on it for the elf lord was continuing to speak.
"But though I know nothing of you I know much of this forest and its dangers, and they are far different to those you will have encountered in your secluded valley or in the mountains that surround it, or even on the road here. I seek nothing more than to mark that fact in your minds for my King has charged me with your welfare until we reach the palace.
He smiled faintly
"Do not let the brightness of the day and the new green leaves of spring deceive you into thinking darkness defeated my lords. Greenwood remains a perilous place once outside the King's influence, even now all manner of dangers lurk in the shadows, and some of the trees that once withered beneath the shadow can be sullen and hostile, even to those who know the forest well and love it. It is true that the shadow of evil fails for the moment, even in the darkest places, and we have removed the creatures of the evil one where we can find them, but our route will take us from the road and through places where the kings sway is less certain, places where they may yet lurk. We are a small party when all is said I wish only to put you on your guard and remind you that the world of the Greenwood is less certain than the one you rode from.
Elrond inclined his head and spoke before any of his party could say more
"A fair warning it is, and I for one thank your for your foresight and care. We have heard many tales of the evil that has lain upon the Greenwood but it can be hard to judge what is tale and what truth at a distance."
A hard look passed across the face of the elf lord
"The more grim the tale the more likely it is to be true my Lord. It has been a millennia or more that we have had to live with sword and bow as constant companion, a millennia since we could welcome anyone from beyond Greenwood without the fear that they might be a tool of the necromancer or some other enemy trying to test us. Much of the worst of what the world has heard has some truth. It is safer now than it has been since the fortress in south was built, but as I say all the danger is not yet past. Nor will it be until the source of the evil is gone from the world." His look softened and he smiled slightly. "My king would not see any of you lost upon the road or spending your visit in the hands of the healers."
"Nor I," Elrond replied with a faint smile, "you may be assured that we will observe all warnings in this matter.
The elf lord nodded and turned once again towards his horse.
Elrond also turned and strode towards the rock where his own horses was tethered, sending a dark look of warning to his companions as he did so. They followed his lead and mounted in silence exchanging looks with each other and sending glares towards the one who had spoken unasked and too freely. They fell in line behind their lord as, with Estel at his side, he moved towards the waiting Woodland Guards.
xxx
They had ridden for nearly three days now and the last had been spent off the elven road, driven into the depths of the forest paths by deep and sticky mud pools, flood tumbled stone and wind felled tree These track and paths were much smaller than the road and had no surface other than grass and fallen leaves, in many places they could go no more than two horses abreast and even then the trees on either side caught at their cloaks and hair. The wood elves had kept their distance from their guests, polite and helpful enough when spoken to but offering neither question nor comment of their own. Only the elf lord who led them engaged in conversation readily and even then he spoke only with Elrond unless one of the others ventured a question. Many of the visitors were starting to find their guides unnerving for there was something about them, something more than their silence, which seemed to set them apart from all the elves that had visited the last homely house over the centuries. Not least was the habit of those on foot suddenly disappearing into the trees only to return quickly and report to their leader in a language that none of Elrond's party could understand.
Elrond had some sense of it though for when asked he frowned.
"From what little I can understand they are relaying the words of the trees, yet their reports seem to be detailed and in some manner pertinent to our journey, for I think that we have changed our route at least once in response to such a report."
His companions had said nothing more but looked at each other in unease, recalling the stories of the wood elves magic and the fate of those who got lost within their forest. They all swore a silent vow to themselves to do or say nothing that might cause them to be abandoned.
Each days travel had ended at a camp that was ready for them, well stocked with firewood and food. Elrond could not help but wonder if these camps were for their benefit only or if they served other purposes. They saw no one at these halts other than their guides but he had the feeling that there were many other elves not far away and he wondered what business they might be about so far from the Elven kings halls, for these were no villages or settlements. In fact they had passed no settlements at all and it had occurred to the lord of Imladris that they were being deliberately kept away from the people of the forest, if that were so then he could guess as to why and it grieved him.
As they progressed further into the Greenwood, the trees grew taller and the shadows deeper and their sense of being surrounded grew stronger, and the party needed no more reminders to stay close to each other and alert. The forays away from the road shortened their journey no doubt but they also deprived them of all sense of direction and for much of the time not even the sky was visible to judge the passage of the day. Once they halted unexpectedly, a shout from a scout in the trees and the elf lord raised his hand to indicate they should stop. They waited for a while wondering what awaited them, then the scout dropped down to the ground to report, speaking swiftly in that unfamiliar language, their guide nodded once and replied no less swiftly and the scout turned and disappeared up the nearest tree again.
Elrond rode forward
"What has occurred?
"A wild wolf lair, empty many seasons now, but there are new tracks and it seems that that something has returned to it." Their guide replied softly. "Keep your party here and quiet my Lord, we will investigate."
"May we not come and assist?
"I think it better that you do not, for you do not know the forest and the king would not wish your safety risked.
Elrond sighed
"I understand, but I would come if you would allow it, to see the signs of the dark lord, if that is what it is, so that I might report back to the Council. You know that I have faced warg and wild wolf and orc before, for we were of the same army, and I give my word that I will do nothing unless you instruct it. I will leave the others here as you request for there are none amongst them that stood at the last alliance.
There was a long silence as the elf lord scanned his face then he inclined his head the once but said nothing more.
Elrond returned to his own part
"Remain here. I ride forward with them to see that which causes concern. But I alone do so, that I have agreed.
With that he turned his horse and followed the wood elves into the trees.
xxx
Time passed slowly for the Estel as they waited for Elrond and the wood elves to return. Their remaining escort had led them a short way through the trees to a small glade created by the fall of a giant oak. Here a ring of logs surrounded a patch of grass not yet claimed by undergrowth and where the sunlight was bright and carried the first hint of the warmth of summer. While they waited the Imladris party and their remaining guard dismounted and took the opportunity to allow the horses' time to graze upon the lush grass. The Imladris elves stood around in groups of two or three and held low voiced conversations whilst the wood elves stretched out on branches at the glade perimeter apparently content to do nothing more than bask in the beauty of the place.
Estel wandered over to one of the outer logs and sat looking up at the trees towering above them, he shivered as he did so, despite the mildness of the air, for there was something about them that gave him the feeling that he was being watched. More than that they made him feel small and insignificant, there was an air about them that spoke of knowing, of secrets, of their centuries of watching. For these were old trees, tall and broad, their branches spreading out with a reach on each side longer than five men. He was suddenly struck him how much these trees might have seen and heard in the centuries of their growing and he wondered what they thought of the children of men; if they ever did. The life of men was surely to brief for these trees to even notice it.
For some reason he could not have explained he was sure that this forest had a mind, was aware, though its knowing was no doubt strange.
For the first time he wondered what the inhabitants of Thranduils Realm would be like, if they would be familiar in their ways and bearing, if they would be silent, patient and watchful like their guard, or if they would be wild and dangerous as the stories said. He closed his eyes as the wind sang amongst the branches setting its own descant against the song of the birds, remembering Elronds smile when he had asked that question as they sat beside the fire the night they arrived at the forest gate.
"Wild? I never found them so. Oropher was their king when we fought together, he was Thranduil's father; now he could be difficult and unpredictable at times but he was no fool and his people were both brave and well disciplined. So I would not say I have found them to be wild in the sense I think you mean.
"But they are less wise so the stories say, and dangerous.
Elrond shook his head
"Less wise, that is a trick of old words. The wise of that saying did not mean wisdom as I think you mean it, nor foresight or power of thought, only that they were less learned and skilled in those things the high elves returning from the blessed Realm valued. It is true their skill in working metal and gems was less than the returning Noldor lords, nor was their building, their art or music, as fine to the eyes and ears of those who had lived and studied under the tutelage of the Valar. But they may have said the same of those returning to the wide world. Their attachment to their forests and lands was seen as childlike by those same Noldor lords it is true, rude and rustic were the words they often used to describe those who had not crossed the mountains I believe. Some even said it of the Telari who waited for Thingol and so did not cross the sea. But in the things that mattered to them the Sylvan people were, and are, very skilled. As for wise, they have lived and fought the darkness for two ages and have not fallen to it or been seduced by it. I think that would take a considerable degree of wisdom, don't you? As for being dangerous well they have faced many dangers and trials, not only Sauron, and have survived, all that can do that have to be dangerous to some degree."
Estel thought about that for a moment not sure what to reply, in the end he settled for a quick nod and moving on to his greater interest
"The king is not one of the wood elves you say.
Elrond smiled and shook his head
"No he is of the Sindar, one of those who crossed the mountains but not the sea. Those who waited and searched for Thingol and who later lived within Melian's girdle. When the Sindar princes came back across the mountains after Doriath was destroyed they settled in Greenwood and other forests of the east. At this time the wood elves were not a settled or ordered people but scattered and nomadic with no home as you would think of it. In the new comers they saw elves that had the skills of the elves of the west but also loves and values that they understood and so they gathered to them. When they saw how these Sindar loved the land despite their greater knowledge they took them as their kings and lords and I do not think that they have regretted it."
"So Oropher became their king by their choice?"
"Yes, and his son took his father crown by their choice also. I know that when he brought the woodland army back after the fall of Sauron he was not at all sure that they would wish it. But they did crown him, and he had kept them united and content with his rule since that time. More than that I believe he keeps them happy, far more than might be expected given the danger that threatens them, and gives them hope and peace as much as the times allow.
Elrond had been staring into the fire until then but now he turned and looked at him holding his eyes with the power of his look
"Be in no doubt that he is a great king Estel, greater than his father and greater than any of the other Sindar lords who became kings. In some ways he is a greater king than many of those who returned from the Undying lands.
"Greater even than Celeborn my Lord?" Estel could not hide his surprise
Elrond had turned away then and a strange look passed across his face, staring down at his hands he spoke softly
"Celeborn is great and wise lord, one of the wisest still in the world, and he is a careful leader of his people, but the situations of the two Realms are not the same, any more than Thranduil's situation compares to mine. There are other factors of which you know nothing and that must remain the case for it is not given to me to speak of it. His lordship and Thranduil's kingship cannot be weighed against each other by virtue of those things. Thranduil is a great king that is all you need to remember."
Estel had wondered briefly what those other forces were but it had been clear that Elrond did not intend to say more on the matter. But as he sat and stared up at the sky as they waited he wondered again what they were and how they reflected upon Thranduil's greatness as a king.
