Ever since he had been young he had craved adventure. He wanted wide open spaces beneath the stars, to hear the rushing of seas he had never seen. And to test himself in strength and valor under the banner of his people against the dark forces that crept in the shadows.

Yet; he was tucked away behind the Girdle of Melian, whom none could pass unbidden. It was a very boring, but safe, life. Thranduil was still young then, so young that he was not permitted to join the ranks of the Marchwardens - for he had not the endurance or strength of arm yet. This made him sullen, for he greatly admired the Cheif of the Marchwardens, Beleg. Beleg was kind yet strong and though he was graced with the pale silver hair and eyes of his kindred it seemed to Thranduil as if he shone of some inner light. Often he was found at the Kings right hand, when he was not tracking through Doriaths' forests.

Thranduils father, Oropher, was made captain of the Kings home-guard and spent many nights securing the halls from within. Yet even this far safer position was denied to Thranduil on account of his few years - numbering only 25 winters and thus not even halfway to his maturity in the reconning of elves.

So often Thranduil would slip forth from Menegroth; taking secret ways to journey in the woods. His reason was twofold - that he may gain wisdom of the forest and thus be a far more likely candidate than any other elfling when the time came to add to the ranks of the Marchwardens, and to help calm his restless heart so that he may better present himself during the time spent inside the halls of Menegroth. Rarely did orcs enter even a step beyond the girdle so he was perfectly safe.

But on one such occasion he felt particularly bold - having been incensed by an indignity at court. He cared not for the intrigues and guile that often attended high places. Nor did he much account the comings and goings of the high born though it often be on the lips of many. And he was not yet subtle in his manner but rather direct, sometimes painfully so. As it was he had managed with his bluntness to incur the wrath of one of the courtiers, who instead of addressing it directly as Thranduil himself would have preferred instead went to the young elfs father and informed him of his sons 'excursions' beyond the palace gates. Oropher, now angered not just by his sons forays but by the knowledge that others had known what he himself had been blind to called his son forth.

"You have seen nothing beyond these sheltered woods, and so do not have any idea what you seek! And that this you hide even from your father but make it known to others only makes me look like a fool! And this is your love for your father?"

Thranduil countered. "You say I have no idea of the world beyond, but of course I do not! If I seek to join the Marchwardens then how can I do so without even knowing my own homeland? I was not allowed by your permission to set even a foot outside of Menegroth without company so how can I know of the world?"

And Oropher spoke: "You were not then and are not now allowed outside of Menegroth. Perhaps when age comes it will bring you wisdom that you sorely lack. Then you will not take the will of your father so lightly."

Oropher would not hear the pleas of a captive youth and returned to his duties. At that moment Thranduil, instead of returning to his studies left the city of Menegroth and resolved to pass beyond the Girdle of Melian. As he was leaving, pretending to simply be returning to his quarters he happened to pass by the queen. Graceful and beautiful as light upon water, the Maia who had fallen in love and taken on flesh for the sake of her beloved. Teacher of the song of nightingales and weaver of powerful magic. Thranduil had shown deference and respect for the great lady as she passed, and hardly ever had she noticed him. Yet that day her eyes turned toward him, as if knowing what he meant to achieve. Yet she did not betray him and simply smiled a soft smile and made no move to hinder him.

To the southeast he went, having heard little word of danger from that quarter. For though he wanted to see the world he wasn't quite ready to leave it just yet, and he had no arms with which to defend himself. Long toil and travel it took to reach the edge of the girdled lands, and the sun loomed high in the sky above him, filtered by countless fresh green leaves that glinted in the noon light. At last at the edge he paused, uncertain. But memory of his fathers scornful words urged him on and he stepped through the hedge that he had remained within all his life.

Instantly the world bore down on him. It was as if sounds were warped and unfamiliar, as if the warmth of the sun was torn away and left light without heat. All the world was cold and lonely. And the smell of mortality hung in the air to heavy it began to make him dizzy. For he had always been sheltered within the Girdle of Melian, and thus had never felt the dark threads of evil that in his age had begun to strangle the world. All his life he had been embraced by the warmth of the ladies arms and now she had drawn them away and his very heart turned cold. Immediately he turned to go back, having done what he set out to do. Yet he could not find the way. All paths twisted and turned before him and though he had only taken a few steps beyond the barrier he was now hopelessly lost in ever darkening woods, alone and without protection.

It was nearing nightfall when he heard some noise that was not the hush of leaves or the chirp of birds. IT was a rustle in the near bushes. He thought it was an orc, come on him unawares. Yet even as he turned a blade was at his throat and holding it was a tall figure dressed in black with a cowl drawn over.

"And what business have you to trespass on my land?" A voice asked in the tongue of the realm, and Thranduil knew it was one of his kindred - a Sindarin who spoke to him.

"I am lost." He confessed, his throat dry from wandering. "I cannot find my way."

"Of course not." The elf replied with a hint of derision. "I laid these enchantments myself and no mere child could ever hope to undo them." He spoke calmly but the sword he did not lower. "Yet I asked a question of you - what are you doing in my land?"

And Thranduil, young and still naive, thought nothing of telling this stranger everything about himself. But this was fortunate and much to his credit. Thranduil told the elf a long tale and when he had finished he waited in silence and fear.

"A waif...of sorts. Well, waif, I am in no mood to travel further tonight. So I offer you two choices; you may either stay with me the night on the condition you make yourself useful or you may sleep under any tree you please till I decide to fetch you. Which shall it be?"

Now, Thranduil himself was proud and did not wish to suffer any indignity. He stood tall and sure, grey eyes unyielding. "If those be the only options left to me I shall stay here in the comfort of the wild rather than be at the mercy of a strangers wishes."

He had expected sharp words, for he judged the elf to be of quick temper. Yet he received laughter.

"Well met waif! But I will not be held accountable for what ill fate may befall you in these woods. So come, I doubt there is much work I could put you to in any case."

So Thranduil followed the strange elf to a small home of stone set into a rocky hillside deep in the forest. Only the homes front face could be seen for the rest was concealed beneath the mound. The young runaway noted that it was of odd make. It was lain out in strong sharp lines and looked rather like a dwarves respite than the home of an elf! And though Thranduil had no way of knowing it, the abode had been built by dwarves as a gift to one they greatly favored. The two elves issued in through the single door and beheld a home of geometric shapes that were hard, yet bore a strange flow and harmony that with one another that spoke of an elvish spirit. And the home was surprisingly open and did not feel stuffy or cramped. A fire burned in a recessed hearth and bright lanterns were lit all around.

Now Thranduil could see his host. A tall elf, slightly stooped. Yet he was noble if grim and his hair was a dark silver that shone like metal though his eyes were palest gray. But unlike any elf Thranduil had seen all of his garb was in midnight shades of red, green, blue trimmed in deepest black, all beautifully embroidered in the same style as the home. And he wore fine black armor that did not shine nor reflect any light but instead seemed to absorb all light that fell upon it and swallow it into nothingness.

The elf faced him. "My name is Eöl, a servant of the King Thingol who has agreed to allow me the stewardship of Nan Elmoth provided I guard it from evil."

Eöl looked upon the elf he had taken into his home and was more curious than he had been in a long time. For he was not a gracious sort who loved company and more often was prone to entrapping those who trespassed until weariness or the wild beasts in his realm caught them. But the boys story, of being trapped in someone else's walls with no will of his own had echoed something within him.

"You look no more than a scant 18 years under the moon. Why have you left the bounds of Melians Girdle? You were safe there."

"Too safe." Thranduil explained. "Like a caged bird! And I care not for the intrigue of the court - who is courting who, what others do behind closed doors or rumor from strange lands. They do not interest me in the slightest! yet that is all I am subjected to!"

Eöl in this time had taken a seat and was now listening intently to all the young elf said. "So you wished to get away from it then?"

"I want freedom." Thranduil spoke. "The rules of Menegroth are many. And the code of propriety is strict, for one must take care not to offend the 'wrong' person. An elf spends so much time pleasing others at the expense of increasing their own misery. Thus a sort of dishonesty begins."

All of this Eöl heard quietly. But at length he gave a small smile. "All this I know well - and why Nan Elmoth is my home. Rest now in blissful solitude, tomorrow you must go back."

He showed Thranduil to a spare room he kept for his few dwarven visitors and set for him a meal of wild game and carefully harvested roots from his own garden which Thranduil had never eaten before. "Dwarven food I'm afraid, though I am rather fond of it. It is no high fare of the Kings court. Hard to grow Elvish food on a lonely homestead. Elves to everything in such great numbers."

Thranduil laughed and ate happily. For a while they sat outside and watched the large full moon in silence. Then they rested.

The next morning Thranduil was well rested in body, though his mind was in turmoil. For he knew that his absence would be noted and that much effort had likely gone into searching for him. Oropher would be furious. He was quiet all the long return trip to Menegroth. At the gates the guards hailed him loudly in both surprise and joy - for many of them were fond of their captains son. Soon even Mablung and Beleg came to meet him and tell of how they had searched long for him and that even the king himself had worried over his fate.

"He himself turned out the guard to find you." Beleg explained. "Thranduil, where have you been all this night - surely you did not sleep in the trees beyond our borders; you were most certainly not in our lands."

"No. I was sheltered for the night." Thranduil confessed, and Eöl came forth - he had gone unnoticed until that moment. Beleg's glance was chilled, but he spoke no ill word.

"You watched over him for the night, and for that you are owed many thanks."

"I doubt I will receive them from his father." Eel replied. "But the boy was no trouble. But I have not made the long journey merely to return him to you, I would like an audience with his highness if he is able - the boys father is likely with the King even now in any case."

Beleg agreed and led the two through the many caverned halls into the deep of Menegroth and the elven kings throne-room where he spoke with Oropher. Oropher, upon seeing his son, spoke aloud: "Where have you been? We searched all the forest and could not find you!"

And Eöl answered, "With me. And with me he returns."

"Surely and gladly so." Mablung spoke, hoping to calm Oropher. But Oropher was still furious with his son and the heat of that fury was now also turned to Eöl.

"Thranduil o thankless child! Wandering off so that I think you for lost or dead! What spell have you fallen under to act this way? I know not what compelled you to such an act but I forbid you to repeat it!" And then upon Eöl he looked with loathing, and the thought that his son had fallen into such company grieved him greatly yet his words remained polite. "Thank you for the return of my errant son. But why are you now in the Kings hall? In this matter you have no further say."

Oropher made to move from the throne but was stayed by Thingols hand. "Stay your anger for a moment longer Oropher, and allow them the first word. It may yet calm you."

And so before the throne Thranduil gave an account of what had come to pass. And all the while he focused his sight on the King, for he did not dare to meet his fathers eyes. When he had finished Eöl testified to the truth of his story.

"And that is partly a matter for which I have requested an audience."

Thingol smiled from his throne. "Is it? Then do you want recompense for one night of lodging?"

"Indeed. I have opened up my home which is closed to all strangers out of consideration for a fellow subject of the king. There is some due owed."

And Thingol replied. "Of due owed I know much, for you still have not payed the due for the dominion of Nan Elmoth, Eöl. A due which you agreed to before your departure. Should the due for your hospitality then come from the due you owe for your freedom?"

"No. For the due owed to me will be paid in full by the boy himself."

And now Oropher did rise in fury and made to move toward Eöl. "Nothing will be paid to the dark elf of Nan Elmoth, much less anything from my son nor I!"

"Oropher;" The King called him. "Stay your wrath, for I will not command it a third time."

And Oropher fell into a bitter obedience, yet now Thingols face was calm and unreadable to all.

"What would you ask for, Eöl?"

The dark elf bowed, though it seemed much against his will. "I would ask in recompense that the boy aid me in my craft. Your due shall come from this joint work of ours, for I cannot complete it without assistance and the secrets of it I would rather not have known to the dwarves - for they will speak of it even if sworn not to; such is their love of the craft."

And Thingol spoke. "This can be done, but only if Thranduil is willing to the bargain. Hearing all that has been said today I think it most unwise to restrain him to the walls of the city - for he knows their passages too well to be contained by them any longer. Do you not agree, Oropher?"

To this Oropher had to assent. He had seen the growing unhappiness, yet had dismissed it as the restlessness of a child. "I will allow it if he chooses."

"Then what is your choice Thranduil, son of Oropher?"
And Thranduil spoke gladly, "I will go with Eöl and help in this task as I am indebted to him for my safekeeping."

"So be it."

Thranduil knew his father disapproved, but this was the only way he could think of to avoid the labyrinth of life at court that he had grown to hate so very much. And the opportunity to see and hear new things, news from beyond the borders was too much to pass up.

It seemed a blur as they returned to Nan Elmoth. The days came and went beyond counting as he learned the craft of the smith and many small trinkets and weapons he made in those days under the watchful eye of his teacher. For it was not entirely as Eöl had spoken, as the dark elf had confessed when they entered his home again.

"I will not allow you to even touch my greatest work with those unskilled hands. I will teach you the lesser arts and those we will sell so that I may have what I need most - time - to work in peace."

"And so that is why you have requested me?" Thranduil wondered. And Eöl as he left for his shop spoke: "Yes, and no. If you disapprove then curse the nature of elves, that we feel loneliness."

Yet after that Eöl spoke of loneliness no more and they grew to understanding of one another in the long days and nights spent working side by side.

Authors Note:

The text is pretty vague on what Oropher and Thranduil were doing in Doriath during the First Age, so this is filling in gaps. For those who may have guessed it, yes, I did move Thranduils date of birth up from late first age to middle / early first age to fit the storyline. A year was never given so I just sort of ran with that. Oropher being head of Thingols palace guard is non-canon, neither is the meeting with Eol. Just in case anyone was wondering.