Disclaimers: I don't own any characters or settings from Lord of the Rings.

Act II

Chapter 16: The Grey Wizard's Revelation

The next morning, the sunlight filtering through the gauzy curtains seemed too bright for Elenion's weary eyes. He groaned as he sat up in bed, his head pounding from the previous night's excess. As he struggled to remember the events that had transpired, the fragmented memories began to piece together, bringing with them a sense of dread.

Aragorn, his expression a mixture of frustration and concern, had already left the room, leaving behind a stern warning. Elenion knew he had overstepped, and now he had to face the repercussions.

Determined to make amends, Elenion dressed carefully in the Greenwood attire provided by the maidens—simple yet elegant garments in earthy greens and browns that blended seamlessly with the natural surroundings of Mirkwood. He felt the weight of his actions as he made his way through the intricately carved halls of Thranduil's palace.

The corridors, filled with the subtle sounds of daily activity, seemed to echo with a hushed reverence. The walls, adorned with depicting ancient elven lore and history, added to the sense of timelessness that pervaded the Woodland Realm. Elenion's footsteps were barely audible on the polished wooden floors, but his mind was anything but quiet.

As he approached the study halls where he had spent much of the past week with Thranduil, his anxiety grew. The Elvenking had been surprisingly understanding and had shown a side of himself that Elenion had not expected. Their conversations had been enlightening, and Thranduil's insights into his own history and the history of Mirkwood had been invaluable.

Elenion reached the doors to the study halls, taking a deep breath before pushing them open. Inside, he found Thranduil seated at a large desk, surrounded by maps and scrolls. The Elvenking's presence was commanding, yet there was a calmness about him that Elenion had come to respect.

Thranduil looked up as Elenion entered, his piercing gaze taking in the young elf's disheveled appearance. "Elenion," he said, his voice steady. "Come in."

Elenion approached the desk, feeling the weight of his actions. "My lord," he began, "I owe you an apology. My behavior last night was... inexcusable."

Thranduil studied him for a moment before speaking. "You allowed the wine to cloud your judgment," he said. "But more importantly, you let your guard down in a place where maintaining composure is essential."

Elenion nodded, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I understand. I will do better."

Thranduil leaned back in his chair, his expression softening slightly. "I have seen many young elves make mistakes, Elenion. It is how you learn from them that defines your character."

Elenion felt a sense of relief at Thranduil's words. "Thank you, my lord. I will strive to prove myself worthy of your trust."

Thranduil nodded. "You have a talent for maps and a keen mind. Focus on your strengths. And remember, you are not alone in this. We are all here to support each other."

Thranduil sipped his wine, his keen eyes watching Elenion with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. He had noticed the encounter between Legolas and Elenion and observed Legolas leaving with an annoyed expression. It wasn't often that someone managed to ruffle his son's usually composed demeanor, and Thranduil found this intriguing.

"Come, join me," Thranduil gestured for Elenion to sit in the armchair opposite him. As Elenion complied, Thranduil set aside the map he had been examining and leaned back, still studying the young elf.

"So, Elenion," Thranduil began, his tone casual yet probing, "what did you say to my son that left him so irritated?"

Elenion hesitated, unsure how to frame his response. "Well... I told Legolas that I liked him," he said, choosing his words carefully, though he knew it wasn't the full truth.

Thranduil's gaze sharpened. "I doubt such a simple statement would provoke that reaction. What else did you say?"

Elenion sighed, realizing he couldn't evade the truth any longer. "I believe I told your son that he would fall in love with me," he admitted, his face flushing. "I might have even said he'd fall madly in love."

Thranduil's expression shifted from curiosity to amusement, a light laugh escaping his lips. "Elenion, you certainly have a talent for creating unnecessary drama. I can only imagine Legolas's shock. But I must say, it is rather entertaining."

Elenion felt a mix of relief and embarrassment. "I didn't mean to cause trouble. The wine made me lose my sense. I should have known better than to drink so much."

Thranduil nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. "I advised you to have only one glass, not as many as you consumed. It seems you have a particular knack for getting yourself into awkward situations."

"It's not just the wine," Elenion admitted. "Being around Legolas still dazzles me. I know it's a reaction I need to outgrow."

Thranduil smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I see. Though I must say, I am a little offended. My son dazzles you, but I do not have the same effect?"

Elenion froze, realizing he had spoken too freely. "You did at first," he confessed. "All elves did. But spending time with you has made it easier. You never judged me or cared about my silly reactions. Talking to you has been a great relief. I still respect and admire you, but sometimes, I forget to be nervous."

Thranduil chuckled. "It's been refreshing for me as well, Elenion. When you let your guard down, your perspective is quite unique. But regarding Legolas, you might want to be more careful. I'd hate to see you end up in our dungeons."

Elenion sighed. "I know. What I said last night was out of line."

Thranduil's gaze softened slightly. "Legolas has had many opportunities to find love, but it's a path he's never taken. There was a time I worried he had feelings for Tauriel."

Elenion's curiosity piqued. "And he wasn't in love with her?"

Thranduil shook his head. "No, Tauriel is his closest friend, almost like a sister. When his mother died, he grew up amidst grief and darkness. He cherishes his friends, but understanding romantic love is something I'm not sure he can grasp."

Elenion nodded, absorbing Thranduil's words. He understood the gravity of the Elvenking's insight. In all the tales, Legolas had never found love. It was a poignant reminder of the weight of his past and the responsibilities he bore.

"I'll keep that in mind," Elenion said quietly. "Thank you for understanding, my lord."

Thranduil nodded, his demeanor as regal as ever but with a hint of warmth. "Focus on your work, Elenion. Let the maps be your distraction and your redemption. And try to stay out of trouble."

Elenion smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. "I will, my lord. Thank you."

As their discussion drew to a close, a knock at the door interrupted the moment. One of the guards appeared, his expression urgent. "My lord," he said, bowing slightly, "you must come. Gandalf has arrived."

Thranduil stood up immediately, his demeanor shifting from relaxed to attentive. They had been anticipating the Grey Wizard's arrival for some time now. "Go and inform Aragorn," Thranduil commanded, turning to the guard. Then, addressing Elenion, he said, "Elenion, stay here."

Elenion nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. Thranduil left the room with purposeful strides, the guard following closely behind. They navigated through the corridors of the Elvenking's halls, the atmosphere growing more solemn with each step.

As Thranduil approached the main hall, the soft murmur of voices grew louder. There, standing tall and unmistakable in his grey robes and pointed hat, was Gandalf the Grey. His presence commanded respect and brought a sense of wisdom and urgency to the room.

"Mithrandir," Thranduil greeted, his voice carrying both warmth and formality. "Welcome to Mirkwood."

"Thranduil," Gandalf replied, his eyes twinkling with the knowledge of many ages. "Thank you for receiving me on such short notice."

Thranduil gestured for Gandalf to follow him to a more private chamber. "We have much to discuss," he said. "Gollum is secured, but his presence here is a matter of great concern."

Gandalf nodded, following Thranduil through the halls. The Elvenking led him to a secluded room, richly adorned with tapestries and dimly lit by elegant lanterns. The guards were dismissed, leaving the two alone.

"Please, sit," Thranduil offered, taking a seat himself. "We have taken every precaution to ensure that Gollum is well-guarded. However, his nature is... troublesome."

Gandalf settled into the chair opposite Thranduil. "Indeed. Gollum is a creature of many secrets, and his mind is twisted by the influence of the One Ring. It is crucial that we learn what he knows."

At that moment, the door opened, and Aragorn entered, having been informed of Gandalf's arrival. He nodded respectfully to Thranduil and Gandalf before taking a seat.

"Gandalf, it is good to see you," Aragorn said.

"And you, Aragorn," Gandalf replied warmly. "We have much to discuss. But first, I must see Gollum."

Thranduil nodded in agreement. "He is being held in a secure chamber. He is under constant watch, and we have ensured he is treated with care."

"Thank you," Gandalf said. "It is important that I speak with him alone. His mind is fragile, and he may be more forthcoming without an audience."

Thranduil stood, leading Gandalf and Aragorn through another series of corridors to a heavily guarded door. The guards bowed as Thranduil approached and opened the door to reveal a dimly lit room. Inside, Gollum sat huddled in a corner, his eyes wide and wild, muttering to himself.

"Gollum," Gandalf said gently, stepping into the room. "I need to speak with you."

Gollum looked up, his eyes narrowing. "The wizard... the wizard comes to trick us, yes," he hissed, his voice a mixture of fear and suspicion.

Gandalf approached slowly, his presence calm and reassuring. "No tricks, Gollum. I only wish to talk."

Thranduil and Aragorn remained outside, allowing Gandalf the privacy he needed. They waited in silence, their expressions tense.

Inside the room, Gandalf knelt beside Gollum. "Tell me, Gollum, where have you been? What have you seen?"

Gollum's eyes darted around the room, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. "We were taken, yes, taken by the orcs, by the Dark Lord's servants. They hurt us, they did. But we escaped, yes, we did."

Gandalf nodded, listening intently. "And the Ring, Gollum? Do you still seek it?"

Gollum's eyes gleamed with a mix of desire and fear. "Yes, yes, we want it. Our precious... but it is lost. We cannot find it."

Gandalf continued his questions, gently probing for more information about Gollum's captivity and his knowledge of Sauron's plans. Gollum's answers were fragmented and often contradictory, but Gandalf's patience and wisdom allowed him to piece together the valuable insights hidden within the creature's ramblings.

After what felt like hours, Gandalf stood, his expression thoughtful. "Thank you, Gollum. You have been very helpful."

Gollum retreated back into his corner, muttering to himself once more. Gandalf exited the room, closing the door behind him. He joined Thranduil and Aragorn, his face a mixture of concern and determination.

"We have much to discuss," Gandalf said. "Gollum's mind is shattered, but he holds pieces of a larger puzzle. We must act quickly."

Thranduil nodded. "Let us return to the hall. We can speak more freely there."

The three made their way back to the private chamber, the weight of their task pressing heavily upon them. The future of Middle-earth depended on the knowledge they could glean from Gollum and the decisions they would make in the coming days. As they sat down to strategize, the seriousness of their mission settled upon them like a shroud, each of them determined to see it through to the end.

The discussion in the chamber took on a weighty significance as the gravity of their situation became clear. One thing was for sure: the Ring that Frodo now possessed was indeed the One Ring. Time was of the essence, as Sauron's forces were growing, and with him aware that the Ring was in the possession of a Hobbit, the threat of it being found loomed large.

Gandalf turned to Thranduil and Aragorn, his voice grave. "The Ring must be confirmed and secured. I will need to travel to the Shire to ensure that it is indeed the One Ring. Once that is confirmed, I will seek counsel from Saruman."

Thranduil nodded. "Your path is clear then, Mithrandir. What of Aragorn and Celdor?"

Gandalf turned to Aragorn. "You and Celdor will accompany me partway. We will need to rendezvous at Bree. The Prancing Pony will be our meeting point. It is there that I will suggest Frodo to meet us if all goes according to plan."

Aragorn agreed, his resolve evident. "Understood, Gandalf. Celdor and I will ensure the path is clear and safe. The Rangers will be alerted and ready."

The course of action was decided, and the rest of the group were promptly informed. A last meeting was convened to relay the plan, attended by Celdor, the twins, Elenion, and Legolas.

Thranduil glanced at Elenion and the twins. "And what of you, Elenion? What will you do?"

Elenion, still processing the gravity of their mission, responded thoughtfully. "I have not yet finished updating the maps, and I believe my work here is still needed. The twins and I have decided to stay a little longer. Our presence here seems to be beneficial, and interacting with you, Thranduil, has been enlightening."

Elladan added, "We have noticed the positive change in Elenion. His time here, working alongside you, has been beneficial. We believe staying a bit longer will solidify these improvements."

Thranduil gave a slight nod of approval. "Very well. You are welcome to stay as long as you need. The work on the maps is crucial, and your presence is appreciated."

Gandalf looked at Thranduil, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Thranduil. Your hospitality and support are invaluable."

The Elvenking inclined his head. "We are all united against the shadow of Sauron. Anything that can aid our cause is welcome."

Gandalf stood, his staff in hand. "Then it is settled. Aragorn, Celdor, and I will depart at dawn. The journey ahead is perilous, but it must be undertaken with utmost urgency."

Aragorn rose as well, his eyes meeting Gandalf's with determination. "We will be ready. We will see you at Bree."

Elenion watched as the plans solidified, his heart beating with a mix of excitement and trepidation. He felt the weight of his own responsibilities but was also comforted by the trust placed in him by Thranduil and the twins.

Thranduil turned to Elenion, his voice softer. "Use this time wisely, Elenion. The work you do here is of great importance. Continue to grow and learn. You have much potential."

Elenion nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "I will, my lord. Thank you for your guidance."

With the plans set and the path ahead clear, the group disbanded to make their final preparations. The dawn would bring new challenges, but they faced them with a united front and a shared determination to protect Middle-earth from the encroaching darkness.

As the evening drew to a close, Thranduil placed a reassuring hand on Elenion's shoulder. "Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, there is more work."

Elenion nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes, my lord. I will be ready."

The room slowly emptied, each member of the company retreating to their chambers to rest and prepare for the days ahead. The weight of their mission hung in the air, but so too did the hope that their combined efforts could turn the tide against the looming threat of Sauron.

((Upcoming Chapter Seventeen))

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