Thranduil had been glad when he had not found Erienne in their room late that night. He needed to be alone for he would surely be unable to control himself around her. But when she had failed to return nearly an hour later, he had looked for Airion only to be told that Airion had left with the Queen. It had not boded well and Thranduil knew that Erienne had somehow found out something. It had been easy to fool Aradan but fooling Erienne was not a challenge he would take on with confidence.
As he went out, he was anxiously stopped by Legolas who informed him that neither Commander Aradan nor Nana was in the castle. "Is something wrong, Ada?"
Thranduil had mustered the most serious look he had ever given Legolas and told him that he was expected to stay in the castle. Legolas had nodded obediently as Thranduil had hurried off on his horse. But, by the time, he had neared the tower, he had known that he was not alone. Sighing, he had glanced back and had been most surprised to realise who had been following him. Well, he had not been expecting that elf but then again, he ought not to have been too surprised.
Thranduil sighed. It was easy to be jealous of Aradan. So many were willing to defy their King, or at least risk angering him, for him. Heck, he had not expected Airion to aid Erienne for he had specified that he was to stop her from leaving the palace. He appeared to have practically led her to Aradan. And here, Thranduil had thought that the prospect of becoming Commander would have been enticing for the lieutenant-general.
How was he going to convince Erienne without Aradan knowing? He had to find a way. Perhaps, he had been young then and taken the risk of losing Erienne but he could not say the same of Aradan now. He could not even bear to think of it. As he drew up near the towers, the soldiers ran up to receive him. Thranduil did not have to even look at them to know what happened. Airion was sitting on the rocks, looking rather undecided about the implications of his actions. The lieutenant-general jumped up upon seeing him.
"My lord," he bowed, looking genuinely sorry, "I … it was my fault, my lord. I was …I was amiss in my duties again."
As Thranduil proceeded to the door of the tower, he asked over his back, "You let her in?"
"No...No, my lord. We did not. My lady...my lady…she summoned the waters, my lord."
Thranduil stopped short, glad that he was not facing his elves for he did not want them to see the wry grin on his face. So worried had he been that he had not failed to account for Erienne's powers. He stopped before entering the tower and beckoned Airion forward, informing him of the newcomers who would possibly turn up very soon. Thranduil made it clear that they were not to be allowed in, whoever it was.
He arrived at the door of tower room, in time to see Erienne break off her bread and give it to Aradan. A small smile tugged at his lips as he saw the way they were seated, facing opposite directions, their backs leaning against each other. He wished Aradan sounded hurt or even upset with him but he did not. He was blaming himself for everything instead.
"Do take care of Thranduil, Erienne…I might not see you again, my lady…." What were Erienne's replies?
Thranduil looked at his Queen, her piercing eyes and heard her non-committal replies. He sighed torn between fear and relief. Erienne had found out. How, he did not know. He had spoken softly, hadn't he? And then, he remembered her words to Aradan on their way back to Mirkwood. I can hear. And the way she had accessed the tower. She could keep Lady Galadriel company. Aye, that's what he would get her to do if she came around to forgiving him. The two were suited for each other. Scary, powerful elves, the both of them.
"I believe you have spoken too soon, Commander Aradan." Erienne's voice brought Thranduil out of his reverie. He looked up and met his Queen's eyes. As usual, she came forward and curtsied to him very respectfully. Thranduil knew her respect for him was sincere but somehow today, he decided he ought to brace himself.
"My lord," he turned to see Aradan bowing to him. As Aradan looked up, Thranduil had to turn away. His friend looked tired, his eyes drained of all sparkle. He looked so... defeated. It was not so difficult to bring down Aradan Cyredthiltharion after all. Sauron was foolish to take such difficult and lengthy measures. All Thranduil had done was request him to leave, just telling him that he was not good enough.
Breathing in deeply, he mustered all the haughtiness that he had painstakingly learnt to display over the years and addressed Erienne, nodding at Aradan briefly. "If you are done visiting, my lady, perhaps we can take our leave. We would be being rude to our guests otherwise and I am sure Aradan has to pack."
"She is ready, Th...my lord," it was Aradan who was quick to reply, "My lady will be leaving with you."
Erienne had not opened her mouth. And when she did, all she said was, "I am ready, my lord," and walked towards him, towards the door. Thranduil was surprised that he felt disappointed. As she walked towards the door, he stood looking at her. What had he expected? A miracle, he had expected Erienne to come up with some brilliant solution where Aradan would be safe and remain in the Woodlands.
As they were about to leave, Thranduil stopped and looked at Erienne. For a moment, he blinked but before he could say anything, Erienne had turned around and walked back to Aradan.
"My la..." Erienne did not let Aradan finish as she threw her arms around him, sobbing into his chest. Thranduil knew that Aradan was overwhelmed as well as he stood trembling, his arms slowly sliding around Erienne, her body convulsing against his. When they broke apart minutes later, Aradan quickly walked over to the window in a bid to hide his tears.
Surely, Erienne would see his reasoning. Leaning against the door, Thranduil closed his eyes for a moment and opened them a minute later to hear Aradan gasp.
"What?...Why are so many soldiers being wasted in guarding this place? My lord, please, you ought to advise Airion. This is not prudent."
"I don't think it was Airion's decision, Aradan." With those words, Erienne joined Aradan in looking at to Thranduil for an explanation. Thranduil tried to frown them down and then gave up. Perhaps, he could beg Erienne instead.
"Erienne, please you know better. Do see the waste of this. Why spend so many soldiers on protecting this tower? There is nothing that valuable here. It is not even a strategic location." It was Aradan who despite himself could not stand to see Mirkwood's resources being wasted away so foolishly.
As Aradan tried to get Erienne to see his reason, Thranduil watched his Queen sniff. "My lord, mayhap, you can explain to Aradan what is so precious in this tower that so many soldiers have been assigned to guard it. What have you here, my lord, so dear to you?"
Thranduil looked at Erienne. He had been all prepared to be cold and arrogant and leave as soon as possible. By midday, Aradan would have been safe with Haldir on his way to Rivendell. Feeling the panic rise in his throat, Thranduil turned for the door, "I do not have to answer anything. Erienne, we need to go."
He heard Aradan urging Erienne to follow in urgent whispers but knew that Erienne would not budge. His plans were falling through. Turning, he grabbed Erienne by the hand roughly, pulling away her right-hand glove in the process. The sight of her scarred hands stared him in the face, mocking him. He remembered what Erienne had said about Bainion, the horrors he had heard about other prisoners, his unborn babe….Thranduil felt his chest constrict as he let go of Erienne's hand and stumbled backwards. And now Aradan. They were targeting Aradan.
Thranduil had always felt that he was a fair king. He had pledged to protect his elves, his lands. He had risked Erienne for it, even Legolas but the thought of Aradan being caught. Even the thought was too much to contemplate.
"My lord, are you alright?" Aradan was behind him, hesitantly reaching for his hands. Pushing them away, Thranduil went over to Erienne instead, once again ignoring Aradan's hurt look.
"Do not do this, my lady. I beg of you. I know no other way. All his life has been spent for naught but the service of the Woodlands. He does not deserve such a fate. He is the Commander. Forget mercy, Sauron would go to any depth to make him suffer. He would not be killed in one fell blow."
"My lord, wh…," Aradan stopped midway as his lord's words sunk in. He looked at Erienne whose face confirmed his thoughts, "You spoke to the Orc too, Erienne?"
"I was so quick to accept your explanation for why you did not even attempt to save me, Thranduil, but I can see the double standards that you hold. The dangers facing the Woodlands are not lost on you yet you seek to send away the one elf who would be able to hold the fort should danger strike. I have no doubt that the other soldiers are well-trained but not all can have the same level of stealth and cunning as your Commander."
"Not double standards...Erienne, please..." Thranduil was losing his resolve and despite her decision to remain cold, Erienne could not help herself. From the moment, she had questioned the Orc, she had felt sorry for Thranduil for she knew how desperate he must have been to come to such a decision.
Gently, Erienne reached for Thranduil's face. Like Aradan, he too was trembling. "Pardon my words, my lord. I was not accusing you but do you not see the folly of your decision?"
Again, Thranduil looked at her, this time beseechingly. He had stumbled onto one of the chairs and was crouching on it. "The Woodlands was in shambles then, Erienne. Now you have heard how powerful and feared the Elven Army of Mirkwood is. Surely, we can do it on our own."
Erienne did not reply, merely holding Thranduil's hands as she knelt before him. "Aye, my lord. The Elven Army of Mirkwood is feared but if that was all, then why did Sauron specifically target Aradan? Why are Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond coming all the way down to the Woodlands? Elrond does not know that you intend for Aradan to remain there, does he? My lord, should the Woodlands fall, what would it mean for our elves, for our neighbours?"
"You know the army needs Aradan, my lord. I wish I could put things as wisely to you as Galaden but I can only try. My lord, the future is not ours to see. We can only strive for the best. Think of Aradan himself, can he ever be happy?"
"But, he would be safe, Erienne." Thranduil was now looking completely unsure.
"He is right here…" Aradan was looking at both of them weakly, "I should have realised it, Erienne, when you kept repeating that it was for the Woodlands." Like his Queen, Aradan too knelt before Thranduil, "Please, my lord, if that be your reason, I beg you to reconsider."
Thranduil looked from his Queen to his Commander. And he looked at Erienne's hands. Taking them, he stared at her scars once again. "Just like you, Sauron would not kill Aradan. But Aradan is not as powerful as you. Remember our babe, Erienne and what you told me of Bainion and the other guards."
"I know, Thranduil. I am aware of your fears. None would disobey your wishes, my lord. But each of us has a duty too. We have pledged to protect the Woodlands, have we not? Aradan, you and I? 'Twas Aradan who called upon the elves to join the army, 'twas Aradan who rallied them to fight. And now, if Aradan goes away, what will they speak of him? Sauron will attack, no matter what. 'Tis only a matter of time. Elven lives will be lost and if Aradan is not here, our elves will not have the same morale as they would otherwise. Some would even accuse him of cowardice. We are together now, my lord. We will brave all together. Trust me on this, Thranduil. Please."
Thranduil looked up to see Erienne looking at him, her eyes filled with urgency. She was busy planning, he realised, predicting possible threats and attacks. And he turned to Aradan, who unfortunately was not in Commander mode at all, thanks to him. The latter was looking at him earnestly, not daring to hope that his King would change his decision.
It was a long time before Thranduil replied. As usual, Erienne had seen the depth of matters, exercising prudence and intelligence in her decisions. He had been wrong. "The King and Queen are equal. I ought not to have made a decision without consulting you, my lady…"
"We will not ignore the Orc's threat, my lord, Aradan will ensure his safety within Mirkwood for he knows the Woodlands needs him."
Thranduil had barely nodded when he felt the relief that ran through their bodies as the two elves sagged their heads against his knees. As his arms went around them, he recalled what Aradan had been telling Erienne when he entered the room. Something about being a lucky elf for he had known true love and true friends. Well, that made him a lucky elf too. Except, he was always fearful of losing that luck as he had once. Thranduil wished that he had some powerful weapon that could wipe Sauron off the face of Middle Earth forever.