Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters or settings from Lord of the Rings or Xena the Warrior Princess
XXI: The Queen of the Woodland Realm
Old Forest Road, 2941 TA, February 27
In the heart of the Woodland Realm, the Queen of the Woodland Realm moved with the grace of a whisper, her every step a dance in harmony with the ancient forest. She had journeyed into the shadows of her realm, a realm she had ruled in life and now walked in eternity. Adorning her regal visage was a circlet woven from fallen leaves, a mosaic of gray, and deep purples that complemented her flowing, silvery hair, which cascaded like a shimmering waterfall down her tall, statuesque frame. Her skin, as pale as the stars that adorned the night sky, was a canvas for her piercing ice-blue eyes, keen and vigilant, yet bearing a melancholic depth that spoke of a life extinguished.
Draped around her slender form was a cloak of deep, celestial blue, its high collar framing her graceful neck. The cloak's hem, like a river of silk, trailed behind her, revealing a gown of pure silver that seemed to shimmer like moonlight on water. With each step, she moved barefoot and soundless, a spectral apparition in the moon-dappled forest.
The Woodland Realm, once her domain in life, had become her eternal abode in death. She had never embarked on the journey to the undying lands, her connection to her realm too profound to sever. Perhaps it was the weight of her attachment, or the darkness she had confronted, that bound her to the Woodland Realm, forever. Regardless, she had become a lost soul, unable to find peace.
Little did she know that her fervent wish to protect the natural world would transform her into a guardian of shadows when darkness encroached upon the Woodland Realm. Her existence became a cyclical torment, her essence intertwined with the very shadows the trees had once sung about in their somber lullabies. She straddled the line between worlds, her presence most palpable in the deepest, darkest recesses of Mirkwood.
Unbeknownst to her, her shadow grew with each passing day, and her newfound purpose shifted from safeguarding her beloved Legolas to haunting him. She had initially chosen to stay and protect him, but as time passed, her spectral influence began to envelop him. Today, the boundaries between the spirit world and the living world blurred, granting her a fleeting glimpse of her son. Though it was a moment of blessing, she knew that her presence would only hinder Legolas from finding peace.
The key to saving Legolas lay in releasing her from her curse, allowing her spirit to find its way to the undying lands. However, she couldn't reveal the severity of the situation to her son, for she was bound by a vow of silence. Legolas, with his unwavering determination, would follow on any quest to aid his mother, just as his father had before him. And thus, the story unfolded, where a mother's love held the power to shape destinies in both the realms of the living and the shadowed world of Mirkwood.
Greenwood, a land once bathed in the shimmering light of the elves, a sinister curse had taken root, casting a shroud of malevolence over the ancient forest. The southern reaches, where the darkness originated, had given birth to a noxious shadow that clung to the very essence of the woodland. This curse had a name among the Men of Middle-earth - Mirkwood - and it was now feared by all who dared venture within. Only the strength of her people, the elves, held this encroaching darkness at bay, but hope still flickered in the heart of the Queen, a hope that her people and their King would discover the means to battle this encroaching abyss.
Queen's connection with Thranduil, her husband and King, was a bond forged in the crucible of their shared history. Though the darkness threatened to sever their communion, they still shared fleeting glimpses of each other's existence. Yet, the King, in his relentless struggle against the overwhelming darkness, concealed his vulnerability beneath layers of pride and arrogance. He remained the embodiment of the Wood and Stone, his willpower a bulwark against the encroaching abyss, even as it inexorably consumed him. Inadvertently, her own suffering seemed to fuel the darkness that swallowed him, and despair gripped her heart with relentless intensity.
As a lost soul, she found herself inadvertently inflicting harm, particularly upon her beloved son, Legolas. Her haunting presence now shadowed the very existence she had sworn to protect. If only there were a way to sever these tormenting connections, to release Thranduil from the suffocating grip of her darkness, and liberate Legolas from the clutches of these haunting shadows. The tragedy of it all weighed heavily on her, as love, once a source of solace, had turned into a malevolent force that threatened to harm the very people she held dear. The echoing question in her heart remained: how had this profound love twisted into a tragedy of such magnitude, and how could she ever find a path to redemption for the anguish she had unintentionally wrought upon those she cherished most?
Thranduil, born as the sole son of Oropher, hailed from the ancient lineage of the Sindarin Elves of Doriath. Fate bestowed upon him the mantle of leadership as the King of the Silvan Elves, reigning over the once-glorious Greenwood, now shrouded in darkness and known as Mirkwood after his father's tragic demise. Thranduil's demeanor was often marked by an icy aloofness, a veneer of coldness that concealed the turbulent depths of his emotions. As a true scion of royal lineage, his countenance rarely betrayed the turmoil within.
The Queen fondly remembered her husband, the Elvenking, as a figure of both peril and sagacity. His natural distrust of outsiders, a trait deeply ingrained in his nature, made him wary of strangers who dared tread upon his realm, with the notable exception of his dealings with the men of Lake-town. Thranduil's concerns rarely extended beyond the borders of Mirkwood, as he typically remained aloof from the wider affairs of the world unless a common foe necessitated his involvement or for the sake of trade.
Thranduil's subterranean halls, a testament to his kingly legacy, were a magnificent tribute, partly inspired by the legendary but long-lost Menegroth of Doriath. Nestled in the northeastern reaches of Mirkwood, these halls lay hidden behind imposing stone gates, impervious to the encroaching shadows. His realm enjoyed the protection of the Enchanted River, whose tranquil waters had the power to lull any intruder into a deep slumber filled with enchanting dreams.
The Elvenking's Halls served not only as a symbol of his regal authority but also as a formidable fortress guarding against the encroachment of the malevolent forces that sought to extinguish the fading light of Mirkwood.
However, beneath the veneer of bitter coldness and cruelty that often shrouded Thranduil, there was another facet to his character, a hidden truth known only to those he held in the deepest recesses of his heart. He harbored a profound care for his people and cherished his family above all else. His journey through darkness had begun in the distant past, in the shadow, where his heart had been steeped in grief and despair. Yet, his regal pride remained undiminished.
This transformative chapter in Thranduil's life had its origins long before the tumultuous events of the War of the Last Alliance. It harkened back to the days when Thranduil still dwelled in the realm of Doriath alongside his father. One fateful day, his path intersected with that of a Silvan Elf, a maiden named Elenyathra. She stood apart from her kin, her hair a darker shade, a departure from the typical blond tresses of the Silvan Elves. Her eyes, reminiscent of Legolas's own, bore a captivating shade of blue-gray. Elenyathra possessed a unique allure, taller and more slender than most female Elves, her beauty radiant and ethereal.
Thranduil's heart was irrevocably ensnared from the very moment he laid eyes upon Elenyathra. She possessed an enchanting charm that captivated not only him but also the hearts of many other Elves who were entranced by her beauty and the depth of her character. In the echoes of that timeless romance, there were moments when Thranduil, too, was a younger Elf, brimming with love and happiness, before the weight of the world and the shadows of Mirkwood bore down upon him. The memory of their love story remained a cherished and bittersweet remnant of his past, a testament to the complex tapestry of emotions that defined the Elvenking's soul.
Elenyathra stood as a stark contrast to the Elvenking in every aspect of her being. Her nature was a testament to sweetness and kindness, a wellspring of humility and wisdom that mirrored nothing of Thranduil's demeanor. In the grand mosaic of their personalities, the only common thread was their shared bravery—the audacity to defy the boundaries that separated their worlds and to fall in love with each other, an enchanting union forged against all odds.
For years, they concealed their likenesses from one another, their hearts and desires hidden beneath veils of restraint. Thranduil fought valiantly to suppress his burgeoning love for a Silvan Elf, acutely aware of his father Oropher's likely disapproval of such a match for his only son. Elenyathra, too, bore the weight of secrecy, recognizing the prejudices Oropher held towards her kind. Even after the momentous confession of their feelings, their love remained a clandestine affair, a bond they yearned to embrace freely but could not, shackled by the constraints of their time.
Centuries rolled by, and Oropher ascended to the throne as the King of the Silvan Elves in Greenwood the Great. Over the years, his perception of the Silvan elves evolved, softening with time's passage. Yet, Thranduil continued to safeguard his love for Elenyathra as a well-guarded secret, bound by a past that still whispered doubts in his heart.
Then came the formation of the Last Alliance, and the looming specter of war engulfed them all. In those dark days, love found no place in conversations, for survival eclipsed all other emotions. The Battle of Dagorlad, a harrowing conflict, claimed the life of Oropher, leaving Thranduil bereft of his father and thrusting him onto the throne. Thus, he inherited the mantle of Kingship over the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood in the Woodland Realm, forever bearing the weight of both his love for Elenyathra and the responsibility of a realm plunged into uncertainty.
Elenyathra, a beacon of bravery during those tumultuous times, made a resolute decision to journey to Greenwood. She could not bear to remain distant when the specter of grief and sorrow cast its long shadow over Thranduil. Her heart guided her, and she embarked on this journey of her own volition, a choice that her parents, in their wisdom, respected and supported wholeheartedly.
Upon her arrival in Greenwood, she was met with a Thranduil vastly changed by the weight of his grief. His darkness and cruelty had become a formidable presence, yet Elenyathra refused to waver or lose hope. She possessed a unique ability to see beyond the veil of his sorrow, recognizing the core of the elf she had loved and cherished for so long. She steadfastly remained by his side, offering him the solace of her unwavering presence.
Year after year, she stood as a pillar of strength beside the Elvenking, patiently waiting as he shed his tears for Oropher, his father. Over time, Thranduil's enduring qualities and leadership began to shine through, and he found acceptance among the Silvan Elves as their King. Elenyathra's unwavering support played an instrumental role in his transformation, for without her, he might never have rediscovered himself.
Even in his coldest and darkest moments, Thranduil's devotion to his people remained unshaken. He strove to ensure fairness and justice for his subjects, ultimately evolving into the great and compassionate King that he would be remembered as. Elenyathra's steadfast love and her enduring belief in him were pivotal factors in this transformation, a testament to the profound impact that love and unwavering support can have on the destiny of a ruler and the realm he governs.
As their bond solidified, Elenyathra ascended to her rightful place as the Queen of Greenwood, a role she embraced with grace and strength. A significant token of this union was the gift bestowed upon her by the Elvenking—a sword forged in the heart of Greenwood itself. Two such blades had been crafted, one for him and the other destined for his beloved Queen. These weapons were not mere artifacts; they were meticulously designed, carrying with them the essence of their deep love and commitment. The Queen held her sword as a cherished companion, a symbol of their enduring connection.
However, the responsibilities of governing a kingdom were far from facile, demanding an extensive investment of their time and energy. Though they had been married for many years, the couple had yet to be blessed with a child of their own. In light of this, Elenyathra seized the opportunity to rekindle long-forgotten alliances, embarking on journeys to distant realms. Her travels were a testament to her indomitable spirit, continuously surprising Thranduil, who never ceased to worry about her safety. Yet, despite his concerns, he refrained from forbidding her to travel, for he was deeply drawn to her free-spirited and fearless nature.
There was, however, a singular moment when he found himself compelled to deny her voyages. It was during the perilous times when the shadow of orcish invasion loomed over Greenwood. In those dark hours, the dangers that lurked were all too real, prompting him to place her safety above all else. It was a testament to his unwavering love that he, the Elvenking, chose to protect her from the perils that now threatened their realm, even if it meant momentarily curbing her wanderlust.
Just when they believed that their world couldn't grow any darker, a glimmer of hope emerged—the Queen was with child. Twelve months later, she brought into the world a beautiful boy, and they named him Legolas. For Thranduil, this new chapter in life added a profound layer of meaning. He now had a family, a loving wife, and a son who were the most cherished treasures in his existence, even amidst the trying times. In the midst of adversity, they found happiness, reminding themselves that life, while difficult and arduous, could still be punctuated by moments of joy.
However, their world would soon crumble in the most tragic manner. The Queen's insatiable wanderlust returned, a longing Thranduil couldn't, and didn't want to, confine. He understood her desires all too well, and their occasional conflicts were more like spirited exchanges than true quarrels. He would forbid her from leaving, she would grow indignant and depart, and upon her return, their love would be rekindled.
But fate took a cruel turn. During one of her short journeys that Legolas had asked, the Queen fell victim to a vicious orc attack. When Thranduil arrived at the scene, it was a scene of heart-wrenching finality. His last act of kindness before he once again donned the mantle of cruelty and coldness was to ensure Legolas's well-being. He chose to keep the truth of the Queen's death hidden, allowing rumors to flourish unchecked, even concealing the facts from his own son. Little did he know the tragic repercussions this secret would bring upon the young prince, a burden that would forever cast a shadow over Legolas's life.
Similarly, Thranduil followed a similar pattern with Legolas, slowly but steadily restricting his freedom to travel. The Elvenking elevated him to the position of captain, burdening him with increasing responsibilities, particularly focused on safeguarding the borders of Mirkwood. Thranduil understood the risks of the world beyond their borders but found solace in the knowledge that his son would remain closer to home. However, this strategy had unintended consequences, gradually driving a wedge between them. The Elvenking's coldness began to seep into their relationship, molding Legolas into a reflection of his father, despite the young prince's innate resemblance to his mother.
Legolas shared his father's pride and carried a trace of the same darkness characteristic of Sindarin Elves. Yet, beneath the surface, he possessed the same bravery, open-mindedness, and wanderlust that had defined his mother. The young prince yearned for the freedom to explore the world as his mother had, but Thranduil's protective measures stifled his adventurous spirit. It wasn't until after the conclusion of the War of the Five Armies that Gandalf intervened, urging Thranduil to grant Legolas the autonomy to choose his own path.
However, this was only one facet of the story. In truth, Thranduil had already made a silent vow to safeguard his son's destiny. It was the driving force that anchored him to Middle-earth, preventing him from departing for the Grey Havens with the passing of his wife. As grief descended upon him, his demeanor grew even colder and more distant. He coped with his pain in solitude, choosing not to engage with his son on a personal level. Legolas retained only fleeting memories of his mother, and his father's emotional distance prevented him from feeling truly loved. Despite this emotional distance, both of his parents harbored a deep affection for him, a silent and powerful love that shaped the course of their lives.
The Queen, in her unknowing state, couldn't fathom how the choices they made had cast such deep shadows, inadvertently causing harm to those they cherished most. Thranduil's love, while genuine, had often been concealed beneath layers of stoicism and distance. The darkness that had engulfed their lives, darkness born from their decisions, now loomed ominously over Legolas, their beloved son. Both parents loved him more than life itself, yet their choices had unwittingly become sharp daggers that wounded their own flesh.
For Elenyathra, trapped as a lost soul, there seemed to be no escape from the haunting actions she was compelled to repeat, actions that occasionally surfaced in Legolas's dreams. She yearned to shield her son, to implore Thranduil for aid, but she was ensnared within a destiny she could not comprehend.
Legolas, on the other hand, was only beginning to grasp the side effects of the darkness that had trailed him since departing the Old Forest Road. Yet, the young Prince faced this new reality with unwavering determination. He was prepared to confront whatever challenges lay ahead, as long as it meant he could find a way to free his mother from the insidious grip of their shared destiny.
((Upcoming Chapter Twenty-Two))
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