Day 27: Something about death

(MAJOR SPOILERS FOR IF YOU ARE READING MY STORY "THE LONELY ELVENKING" BECAUSE THIS IS THE SAME HEADCANON THAT WHOLE UNFINISHED STORY IS ABOUT)

Okay so I believe Thranduil's wife didn't really die, but that he believes her dead. (Because I want him to have a happy ending but apparently I'm also cruel and I like to make him suffer.)

I believe the way she fell ill was that Sauron cursed her by a poisoned bite from a giant spider while he was first taking up residence in Thranduil's forests. Thranduil rushed her back to Greenwood and his best healers, and sent for Elrond's help since Elrond was the most skilled healer in Middle-earth, but nothing they could do could help.
When there was no hope of her survival if she stayed in Middle-earth, they ended up sending her West, hoping that getting to Valinor in time could save her, whether by the Valar or the Maiar or just the help of being in Valinor.

However, something went wrong and Thranduil never got the news that he was supposed to, of her getting there safely, so he believes something terrible must have happened, and he believes the worst. Because after all he's seen, he's afraid to get his hopes up over such a situation and end up more hurt.

I named her "Elarinya." (Morning star)

"Thranduil?" Elrond asked tentatively. The Elvenking had just returned to his study after a ride in the forest, and it did not seem to have calmed him as it usually did.

"We should have heard word from the messengers of her arrival two weeks ago." was all Thranduil gave in response, before turning to stare unseeingly out a small window in is study.

"If something happened to the ship on the journey, Círdan would know, he would have sent word…"

Elrond quieted at the harsh look Thranduil gave him.

"There is hope."

"I do not have any." Thranduil answered quietly, and Elrond was silent.

"You must at least pretend to keep it, for your people, for your family, for-" Again Thranduil silenced him with a look.

"I will be in the library if you need company." Elrond told him after a moment's silence and left.

Thranduil never went to find him, nor anyone else. He spent the rest of his night in front of that window, until he had consumed enough wine to make him fall asleep in a chair only a few hours before morning.

The next day, after long hours of seeing subjects in the throne room, listening to and trying to solve problems, without Elarinya, Thranduil had finally had enough. He was slouching on his throne with his head propped on his hand, not caring if he did not look kingly and composed.

"Is that all?" He snapped at an advisor, who came in after the last elf had left.

"One more has requested your presence, but this is different."

Thranduil practically rolled his eyes and growled. "Hurry it, then." He said sharply, but regretted it when Legolas walked in with Elrond behind him, hoping his son hadn't heard him being rude.

It appeared Legolas had not; he ran towards his father, who said up straight again and bent to pick up the elfling.

"Ada." The elfling said simply, starting to play with Thranduil's hair.

"Yes, Legolas?" Thranduil asked softly.

"Do you miss Naneth too?" Legolas asked him, his blue eyes turning to Thranduil's.

"Yes, I miss her." Thranduil told him. "More than anything. Why do you ask?"

"Are you sad?" Legolas asked as an answer.

Thranduil smiled a little, realizing it was his first smile since Elarinya had left.

"Yes, Legolas, I am." Thranduil told him solemnly.

"I don't want you to be too sad." The elfling told him, and threw his arms around his father's neck.

Thranduil felt tears in his eyes, and he squeezed them shut, holding Legolas to him.

"Oh, ion nin. I could never be too sad as long as my world still contains you." He whispered, his voice thick.

Legolas hugged him tighter, and Thranduil looked up at Elrond still in the back of the throne room and smiled again. He guessed the half-elf had pushed Legolas to come see him, and he had been right. This was what Thranduil needed. He nodded his thanks at Elrond, who returned his smile and disappeared.

"Legolas, what do you say we go eat dinner and take a walk in the forest, does that sound good?"

"Yes!" Legolas beamed excitedly, sliding down off the throne and taking his father's hand to lead him away.

He was so like Elarinya, Thranduil thought. A single smile of his could melt anyone's heart, no matter how hard they had shut it. He was Thranduil's biggest piece left of her, and Thranduil would not let Legolas suffer for his own pain, not at any cost.