Thranduil was in deep thought. He had much to think about as he sat at his desk studying a map that took up much of the desk. The sun had long set and he was still here. He reached across the desk, picked up a red pin, and poked it into a spot that was very close to his castle.
"The orcs are becoming braver in there attacks on Mirkwood," Thranuil murmured.
"Indeed Thranduil," answered a voice coming from someone who was standing in the shadows by the door.
Thranduil almost jumped out of his chair. How in the world did this mysterious person get in? Even his elven-enhanced ears couldn't hear anything.
"Show yourself," Thranduil commanded
"It is I, Gandalf the White!"
Thranduil gasped in horror,"What?!"
Everyone knew that seeing Gandalf was an ill omen. Whenever Gandalf showed up, some sort of huge war started, and this time, Thranduil did not want to be involved.
"Gandalf, you are not welcome here," Thranduil said with caution. Wizards could be very dangerous when angry.
"I'm here to help, like always. You know you need it."
Thranduil considered his options carefully. If he let the wizard stay, then there would inevitably be war. If he kicked the wizard out, then his whole kingdom woul-.
"My lord," said a panting messenger,"There is a huge host of orcs who are on there way to attack a city 50 miles north from here. The city requests some reinforcement troops from the palace."
Gandalf answered the messenger with," We'll be there as soon as we can. Won't we, Thranduil."
The way that Gandalf said that last comment was more of a command then a question. Well, Thranduil would let this go. Just this once. Thranduil was planning on going anyway because these orcs were a direct threat to Mirkwood.
The messenger turned towards Thranduil as conformation for what Gandalf had just said. Thranduil made a slight nod, and the messenger disappeared around the corner. Thranduil turned to the huge window in his study that overlooked the courtyard of the palace. He watched the messenger swing up onto a horse and gallop away to deliver the message to the city that was about to be the location of the start of the next Great War.
"What are you waiting for? Make the preparations and prepare to fight!" Gandalf exclaimed as Thranduil turned from the window and exited the study.