Chapter 2
"What just happened, Ada?" Legolas seated himself in front of his father who was distantly looking at a parchment in front of him. He knew his father had heard him because of the slight twitch of his forehead, and then his face was passive and distant again.
"We have a lot to discuss, Greenleaf." Thranduil knew that Legolas was at the age where he had a right to know the things that happened behind closed doors in this kingdom. Keeping the contents of this parchment and the meanings of Aether's actions from Legolas would serve no good purpose. And from what this parchment stated, Legolas was going to indeed need to know of what was to happen. Perhaps it was better that Legolas learn about Aether's true nature now, rather than later.
"Tell me, Ada. I apologize again for I feel I have offended Aether with my thoughtless actions." Legolas looked at his father and there was a flicker of some emotion under the pools of his eyes that his father knew well.
"Aether is not offended, ion nin. She knew what you thought and it is not the first time that it has happened. In fact, that action I believe made you more of my son than any other you have committed." Thranduil paused. Remembering the first time he had seen Aether in that state, he had thought the same thing, and reacted the same way. Where was he to begin? He sighed and started with the parchment.
"Elrond sends word of a vision he has received from the Valar. Aether has confirmed it and she will ride to Lorien at sunrise to meet with the Lady and counsel the Galadrhim as well. Our three kingdoms must be united against a scourge." Thranduil poured himself another glass of wine, knowing that he was going to need it when he addressed his cavalry.
"What scourge do you speak of?" Legolas leaned forward, eager to hear what his father had to say. He had never seen his father in this state and had never been privy to this aspect of the kingdom either. He had reached his majority, but was still an elfling in his father's eyes.
"Filit Morqua, ion nin. The blackest of the small birds." Thranduil sighed as his son held a blank stare. "Do you even listen to the tutors that I send you to?" Thranduil was exasperated. "The Raven?" He sighed as he realized that Legolas needed to spend more time here, rather than Rivendell with the twins.
Legolas did not hesitate to keep the conversation where it was supposed to be, "They are so long winded, Ada, please, tell me what importance a small black bird could have. I know it must be great to cause you so much anxiety."
"Aye, indeed it is. This entity has not been called since before my father was a child. And when it was, it threatened all the realms with it's appalling havoc." Thranduil paused.
"What havoc did it cause?" Legolas vaguely recognized the story now, it was very old and often told as a story to scare small elflings.
Thranduil sighed, he had to explain this quickly to his son, as he needed to make aware the threat to his people soon. He wanted the border guard strengthened before nightfall. There was no sign as to when this would occur, but Aether's haste made him aware that it could be sooner rather than later.
"This entity has no body, Greenleaf. It is an ever shifting and shapeless thing. It is feminine and often chooses to inhabit a woman. But we have always been a prize to it, as our immortality gives it a greater advantage. This parchment states that Elrond and Aether have seen it's coming. They know that it will make it's presence known. There are signs that they must look for, for the Raven can only be called alongside it's brother." Thranduil paused to confer with the message in front of him.
"What does it mean Ada? That there will be not one, but two things of evil stalking our people? Surely they can be no more dangerous than the spiders that have been gathering in the wood. There are hundreds of them and we manage to battle them." Legolas knew vaguely of the spiders, as he was still young.
"Ion nin, do not trivialize this malice. I beg of you, never underestimate the pull that this cunning creature has." Thranduil was begging his son with all of his being. A warrior swayed about in battle could easily be turned to the wrong side of the fight. Just the thought of loosing his only son made Thranduil ache. Legolas was his all.
"I heed you father, I heed you. But what are we to do about this? How can we know of its coming when it is formless and drawn by some malicious force?" Legolas was still confused and planned to take a stroll in his father's library after dinner to get a better handle on this new information his father had given him.
"I do not know yet, ion nin. But be assured that it is cunning and will not hesitate to trick us in any way to get what it wants." Thranduil put the parchment and looked at his son.
"But what does Aether have to do with it? Why isn't Mithrandir here as well?" Legolas deeply wanted to understand what was happening.
"Mithrandir is here for a different reason. This concerns him slightly. The Maia are very mysterious, but they are here for their own reasons. Aether was born to the great elves of the air, as we are elves of the wood. She alone knows what to do about this situation. Much as we wood-elves care for the trees, Aether cares for the air and skies." Thranduil looked at Legolas as he started to speak.
"But why does she come to the wood if this problem is in the air?" Legolas looked at his father in confusion as sadness spread over his father's face.
"Because you were in her vision, Greenleaf. You killed it."
There was silence as Legolas contemplated what is father said. Surely Elrond had been mistaken. There was no way he could stand up to such things. He knew that he was going to have to receive answers for this assumption.