Chapter 34 The Agreement

The King's chamber was among the highest. An opening in the roots led to a balcony without a railing, overlooking the massive trees of the Mirkwood. Nienor and Elrond were waiting for Thranduil, who had not yet returned from his morning stroll in the forest.

'It reminds me of the ocean,' Nienor murmured almost inaudibly.

Elrond, pacing anxiously, looked up, his face tense with worry. 'The ocean?' he repeated.

'Yes, in the Fortress, the balcony of my room faced the ocean. It was the highest tower, and the ocean just below gave me the feeling of being on a ship.'

He smiled, reassured by Nienor's serenity, who seemed unperturbed by their upcoming meeting with the king. Worry could not change the course of things. He joined her and gazed at the green ocean with her.

'A magnificent sight, isn't it?' Thranduil's voice brought them back to reality.

Nienor and Elrond turned, respectfully greeting the King of the Black Forest.

'Indeed,' Nienor replied, 'it's an exceptional view you have, Your Grace.'

'And yet,' sighed Thranduil as he joined them, 'there was a time when these forests knew no boundaries. Today, we fight every day to slow down the blight that consumes them.' His gaze was now fixed on a specific point on the horizon. 'The forest suffers the repercussions of war. Animals flee inland. Trees, even in their roots, sense that things are in motion outside. A perpetual tremor deep within the earth... The forest is disturbed. And for several moons, an invisible sickness has reached the forest's edge. A sickness similar to the one that poisoned Dol Guldur centuries ago. But Dol Guldur is nothing but ruins; Sauron is no more.'

'What sickness?' Nienor asked.

'Something is poisoning the forest.'

Nienor lowered her eyes. This sickness Thranduil spoke of could only have one origin: Darken. Darken had provided numerous spies to Sauron. Spies bearing his 'seal' were sent to lands and forests, casting death in their shadow. It was very possible that he was now using these spies for his own purposes.

'Darken is no stranger to all this, Thranduil,' Nienor murmured, her gaze also fixed on the regions Thranduil was scrutinizing. 'The peace he offers you is but an illusion.'

'We have come to an agreement, Thranduil,' Elrond continued. 'Tell us your price, and we will see if we can comply.'

'The white germs of Lasgallen...' Thranduil began.

Elrond frowned, 'I have heard of them.'

'They still guard them viciously,' Thranduil cursed, 'I haven't seen their brilliance since the Battle of the Five Armies. They keep them hidden in their mountain. Well, let them be lost with it!'

'You demand the dwarves' treasure; is that your condition?' Nienor asked.

'That treasure does not belong to them,' declared Thranduil, turning to her.

'So that's your price? We cannot promise you something we do not have and that does not even belong to us. However,' Nienor said, 'there is one thing I know, that this treasure, as much as your forest, would be lost forever if Darken were to triumph. Let us set aside our differences and unite to face this common enemy.'

'Aiding the dwarves means entering into war against Darken. Mirkwood will no longer be safe from assaults. My army cannot hold Erebor and Mirkwood.'

'The dwarves only need a helping hand. Your forces will not be entirely divided.'

'You will not be alone if Darken were to attack Mirkwood.'

Thranduil considered the idea for a moment; his gaze was once again lost on the horizon. Nienor and Elrond stood side by side, waiting with uncertainty for the king's response. Then, after several minutes, Thranduil turned to them again, 'we will go to Erebor; I will send some of my soldiers but I cannot bring all my forces there. This will mark the beginning of war with Darkenl. So let the dwarves be ready to attack as well. As soon as the mountain and the city is free, my troops shall retire.'

The hope carried by Thranduil's words revived the hearts of Nienor and Elrond. They exchanged a brief victorious look.

'They will be ready, Your Grace,' assured Nienor.