Warning.
I cried writing this, you might cry reading it. So like, you've been warned.
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( Thranduil's horse's name: Nagorn - To bite)
(Oropher Horse's name is: Laergul - Wind Spirit)
Oropher could not remember any time he had crossed the city as quickly before in his entire life, but he had taken his son's preferred route along the rooftops, leaping across gaps and only descending to the streets when he absolutely had to. Although he had seen Thranduil do this many times before, and was certain his son probably no longer ever needed to descend to the streets.
He leaped from the roof of a house and onto the top of the stables, down the length of them and next to the city gate. Ignoring a few hesitant about shocked questions of, "My Lord Oropher?"
Oropher only had eyes and attention for the guard, to his dismay, "Which way did he go?"
"Left, that's all I know."
He didn't have to ask before somebody put the reins of his horse, Laergul, in his hands. Quickly he mounted and didn't have to tell her to be swift as she went charging out the gates with all the speed she could possibly muster.
Oropher quickly caught sight of his runaway, and he urged his horse faster.
Thranduil glanced back to see who was coming, and seeing his father, spurred his own horse into a gallop. But Oropher knew that Nagorn, Thranduil's horse, had not been properly recently rested. Considering it had not spent even one night in the stable in the last two months.
That was not to say Thranduil never returned home, he returned randomly for a few supplies and to send a message that he hadn't died. He was gone before Oropher ever even got word he had returned home. He didn't intend to let his son get away this time.
As he expected, Nagorn soon began to slow his pace and so without hesitation Orpher tackled his beloved son out of his saddle and into the grass.
Thranduil shoved him off angerly, face near red as an apple, "Are you insane?"
Oropher climbed to his feet and prepared himself for the very real possibility of having to chase him down a second time, "No. Just very determined."
Thranduil went to turn and storm away, but Oropher interfered by grabbing the back of his shirt. He spun back and tried to knock off his father's hand, but he held steadfast with his grip. "Let go of me," Thranduil growled.
"No."
He knew by the expression on Thranduil's face that he was on the verge of losing his temper. Well and truly lose it, in the way that even he himself loathed to do. Contrary to what most seemed to think, it was a rare occurrence.
And when it did occur, there were very few who could calm him down. None as well as Luthien. But Luthien was no longer singing among them on Arda, she had been taken through to the Halls of Mandos and this time she did not come back out.
The day they got the news was the last time he had seen Thranduil.
The nearby cluster of trees nearly cowered to feel the rage coming from Thranduil in all directions. The kind that didn't appear unless there was an even deeper and more harrowing emotion stuffed underneath, like dirt under a rug.
Greif under anger.
"No. I will not let go." Thranduil tried again to turn away, this time going to twist his father's arm into a painful enough position it would force him to release the shirt. But Oropher was quicker than that, his free hand met Thradnuils and in seconds he twisted it behind his back painfully in the same move Thranduil was going to do.
"Let me go!" Thranduil shouted. Screamed, nearly, "Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!"
He writhed in his father's grip, twisting and turning with all of his might to try and get him to release his arm. The only reason the attempts were successful was that Oropher feared Thranduil might actually dislocate his own shoulder in the process.
So he let go, but prepared to make another grasp or tackle at him if need be, "I'm not letting you run away from it anymore, Thranduil."
"Stop touching me and leave me alone!" Then with much more force and speed than even Orpher expected, Thranduil shoved him solidly in the chest. Hard enough his feet left the ground and he slammed into the earth on his back, skidding back several feet when he landed.
He probably looked as surprised as he felt.
Thranduil seemed surprised by it too because he froze in place like a spell was cast on him. Oropher watched as his face went from red to an unhealthy pale white tone, "Ada…. I didn't mean to..."
And just like that, the bubble of anger burst. And all that was left was that was what had been hidden underneath
Oropher got back to his feet quicker than he had done the first time, "It's alright, Thranduil."
Thranduil still stood stock still in front of him, the only movement was the slight tremble that suddenly took over his body. So Oropher moved towards him instead, one hand coming to Thranduil's side while the other rested on his shoulder. "It's alright."
Thranduil blinked once, and suddenly a near endless stream of tears rushed out of eyes, "No, Ada. It's not alright. Nothing is alright. I'm not alright. She's not alright. She's not here anymore. She'll never be here anymore-"
Automatically Oropher pulled his son against him, as tight as he dared without fear of hurting him, "I know. I know you're not alright. I know nothing is alright. I know"
Thranduil's knees gave out beneath him, thankfully Oropher had a tight enough hold to lower them somewhat gracefully back to the grass. This time his body was shaking with soundless sobs, he continued to collapse forward until his chest was pressed against his knees.
Oropher managed to maintain a grip on his son's shoulders as he knelt beside him, his chest pressed against Thranduil's back. "I know it's not alright. I know it feels like nothing is ever going to be alright again. But you have to understand, my dear, sweet son, that's alright. It's alright to feel that way."
Thranduil continued to sob uncontrollably, pieces of his broken heart spilling out with every anguished sound. If Orpher could have ripped out his own heart at that moment given to him, he gladly would have. Anything to ease this pain.
Anything.
"Do you want me to let go?"
Surprisingly Thranduil managed a few words, "Please don't. Let go. Of me."
"Alright."
0.0.0.
Did you need a tissue?
