Before the Battle
Light silent footsteps settled over the ground, the air was still, Celeborn could almost sense the dismay from the gathered elves in their battle armor. Some of the elves expressions were focused, or somber. Most were quiet at their stations, few spoke in hushed whispers to each other. The silvan elves had not seen battle and therefore their skills and armor were most likely lacking the proper protectiveness the other elves had. As he walked past them Celeborn silently wished them well in the coming battle.
He was walking into the camp of King Oropher, he had a nagging feeling that he should see his kin before the battle. He wasn't sure why but he decided to follow his instincts and was a few steps away from the tent where he knew Oropher would be in. Celeborn was inches from walking in and announcing himself when he suddenly heard raised angry voices.
"No! I do not wish to discuss this!" Thranduil stormed out of the camp nearly running into Celeborn.
"Pardon me," Thranduil spoke bringing his voice down, but he could still see his anger flash in his eyes or perhaps hurt? Thranduil took a step back, before stomping away.
"Thranduil," Oropher growled at his son's retreating back. He heaved a sigh and looked at Celeborn.
"Celeborn," he greeted all hardness in his voice gone. "Come in," Oropher waved him in.
"How are you?" Oropher asked once he handed Celeborn wine and both settled down in their seats.
"I'm well," Celeborn sipped at his drink.
"And your family?" Oropher thought he should ask since it has been sometime since he last saw Celebrían.
Celeborn smiled sadly, "they are well, but they are saddened by my absence."
"This is a difficult time for everyone," Oropher said after some time.
They were silent for a while as they sipped at their wine, Celeborn's mind was brought back to Thranduil.
"Speaking of family, what upset Thranduil?"
Oropher sighed, and set his cup on the table in front of him. "I do not care how old he is, he is still an elfling no less." He mumbled. Celeborn raised his eyebrow in question, "It was a simple question, there was no need for him to get upset."
Celeborn leaned forward in his chair anxious to know what the question was that would make a normally calm Thranduil act out. "I asked him, if he would be prepared to become king if something were to happen." Celeborn's eyes grew wide at Oropher statement, he leaned back in his chair has he let Orophers words sink in.
"I understand how such a question would make him upset." Celeborn said after silence passed between them. He lost many close to him, the thought of the rest of his kin leaving was unbearable.
"Nothing is guaranteed, but I wanted- needed to know from him if he would be ready."
The comfortable silence that was once there now turned bitter, Celeborn didn't like it, so he cleared his throat to try to clear the tension, "you shouldn't have any worries, and you're an excellent warrior." He spoke trying to ease the tension away.
Oropher smiled at Celeborn's attempt to lighten the mood, "true, but we both have experienced war and have lost many loved ones." He drummed his finger on the table, and Celeborn was silenced by an eerie feeling.
"That is true but still," Celeborn continued in a silent voice, "you must at least understand what Thranduil is feeling."
Oropher nodded, "he is a prince, and I expect him to act like one and accept his responsibilities."
Celeborn opened his mouth to speak but Oropher cut him off, "I need to know he is ready, I do not know what is going to happen, but I need to know."
"Nothing will happen to you Oropher," Celeborn playfully rolled his eyes, despite the seriousness of the conversation, he thought Oropher was over thinking it. Then again another part of him knew Oropher was not wrong, not everyone will survive the coming battles.
"You are an excellent warrior." Celeborn stressed "what happened to that young reckless and stubborn elf that acted as a leader to our little group. My brother would follow you anywhere." This time Celeborn saw Oropher crack a smile and saw his eyes light in amusement.
"Reckless," Oropher scoffed, "you were the one who followed me."
"Only because my brother needed looking after," Celeborn chuckled. Soon Oropher joined in and all tension about the upcoming battle was forgotten, as they spoke of good times.
"It has been a long time since we talked to each other," Celeborn spoke and Oropher nodded in agreement.
"You should visit us sometimes." Celeborn eyes grew hard and watched Oropher reaction, but Oropher stared back at him. He didn't want Oropher to keep his distance just because of Galadriel. From the beginning of their relationship Oropher disapproved, and kept most of his comments to himself. Celeborn wanted everyone to get along and be under the same roof one day. It seemed like a farfetched dream but he was determined to make it happen.
"Celeborn you know-"
"I know," Celeborn interrupted. "After this war is over, promise me you will try."
Oropher stared blankly at him his finger tapping on the cup of his wine as he thought.
"You have to get to know her, and then you will see," Celeborn spoke with hope in his voice that Oropher would take him up on the offer.
With a reluctant sigh, Oropher nodded. "I will try," Celeborn brightened at his words.
"You promise?"
This time Oropher playfully rolled his eyes, "Yes I promise." Celeborn brightened at his decision.
"Now, there is much I need to think about, but if you are still around we can meet up again."
"That will be excellent, I will not be far." Oropher bid Celeborn farewell and Celeborn left to find Thranduil.
His search took him to the edge of Orophers camp and he spotted two figures, one sitting the other crouching with a flask in one hand waving it at the others face. He recognized the familiar light golden hair of Thranduil sitting down ignoring the other elf standing above him.
"Come on just a little drink, it will make you feel better," the one crouching coaxed Thranduil.
"Leave me be Galion," he swatted his hand away.
Giving up, Galion just shrugged, and put the flask to his lips, walking back to camp. He almost sputtered when he laid eyes on Celeborn who winked at him. Celeborn mouthed to let him give it a try as they passed each other.
Without saying a word Celeborn sat down next to the sulking Thranduil, waiting for him to speak first. Celeborn hoped he didn't mind his presence since he said he wanted to be alone.
After a few moments of staring out the open sky the sun was barely in the sky as the shades of pink, and purple started to appear. Celeborn thought that it was time to speak even if Thranduil didn't want to. "Thranduil-"
"I do not wish to speak on matters my father mentioned," Thranduil interrupted already knowing why Celeborn was here.
"You do not have to speak, just listen." Thranduil heaved a sigh pulling his knees to his chest. Celeborn smiled, so young, he thought as he observed Thranduil.
"Your father told me that it was only a question he asked you. He did not mean to upset you." Celeborn waited to see if Thranduil would say something but he didn't.
"No matter what happens he wants to know if you will be prepared to take the role as king. You are a prince after all and sooner or later you will be-"
"I don't want to be," Thranduil finally spoke frustration evident in his voice. "Not like that," Thranduil whispered.
"Thranduil, your father will be fine, he just wants to hear you say that you are ready. Can you do that?" Thranduil leaned his forehead to his knees and wrapped his arms protectively around him breathing deeply.
Celeborn turned back to the sky, giving Thranduil time to think over their discussion.
By the time the sun fully set and the sky turned dark, Celeborn heard familiar footsteps behind him, he glanced over his shoulder and smiled at Oropher who stood behind Thranduil.
When he felt his father behind him, Thranduil picked his head up and turned around and stood abruptly. He faced his father, "adar, I apologize for my behavior-"Oropher held his hand.
"There is no need for that," he smiled reassuringly.
"I am prepared," Thranduil spoke with as much confidence as he could. Celeborn nodded encouragingly at his decision, he knew it was a difficult choice. He hoped that Thranduil taking the throne would not be sometime soon.
Oropher grasped Thranduil shoulders bringing him to an embrace, he pulled back and led his son and cousin back to his tent.
They sang songs, told funny stories and drank wine as they enjoyed their time forgetting for a moment what bitterness may come the next day.
"I must be going now," Celeborn said as he finished his wine and got up from his chair.
"Farewell, my kin I wish you the best" he said as he lifted the tent flap and left leaving father in son in silence.
"You should rest," Oropher said after a few moments.
"I'm not tired."
"Thranduil, it is important that you rest. You never know when you are going to need it," Oropher repeated.
Thranduil gave in and got up from his seat and sat down on the floor at his father's feet.
He wrapped his hand around his leg, as he laid his head on Oropher's knee.
"I will rest for only a moment," Oropher stroked his sons hair a small smile graced his features.
"Sleep well, ion-nin."
Thank you once again for reading, I hope the wait wasn't too long. I promise that I will never start of story and not update, and I will always respond to anyone who reviews.
feathered moon wings: The relationship between Thranduil and Glorfindel is like a friendly rivalry. They always want to have a win against the other, but in the end they know they can rely on each other. I also thought about a jealous Elrond, when I first thought of this story all the way back in December. Once I got around to writing this I forgot how the chapter was going to go. Thanks for the reviewing, really appreciate it.