Note: Shoutout to those of you who favorited and followed! I apologize for the long hiatus! Here's Chapter 12 and 13!
Chapter XII
Eruanna and her family journeyed to Mirkwood, which was now named Eryn Lasgalen. Thranduil was happy to have his entire family under one roof in a healed forest. Yet, upon the departure of Elrond and Galadriel, a shadow fell upon Eruanna. The Dragoness laughed less and her smiles no longer reached her eyes.
Arwen and Aragorn had their first child, a son, Eldarion. He was Eruanna's first cousin and several daughters would follow after him. Eruanna, however, was never close to her cousins as they were much younger than her. She spent most of her time with Caladhwen and Miluiel or her dragons. Glorfindel accompanied her to Eryn Lasgalen, taking leave of Imladris to care for his lady. Eruanna often visited Imladris but as the years went by, her visits became less frequent. However, she was a valued advisor to her uncles.
It was a sunny morning when Legolas walked into Thranduil's office. "Ah, Legolas, you wish to discuss something with me", Thranduil said, clasping his hands together, folding them diplomatically.
"Yes adar. As you know, Aragorn is rebuilding Gondor and Gimli and I have resolved to help him", Legolas said. Thranduil nodded. "And how do you plan to help him?", Thranduil asked. "Ah, I'm getting to that", Legolas said, brightening up. Thranduil smiled.
"I have gathered a group of elves who have agreed to this", Legolas said. "We wish to go forth and build a colony in Ithilien", Legolas said. Thranduil's eyes widened. "Good luck trying to convince Eruanna", he said. "What do you mean?", Legolas inquired. "She has resolved to stay here. She doesn't seem interested in moving anywhere else", Thranduil said. "But I will support you. Much has transpired and I know the elves, especially the younger generation, will want a fresh start."
"Thank you Father", Legolas said, bowing his head and taking his leave. Thranduil resumed his work, a bit scared for his son, knowing that Legolas would likely face her wrath. Thranduil knew Eruanna had inherited his wrath.
Meanwhile, Legolas came to Hiriel and Eruanna. "Did he approve?", Hiriel asked. She already knew about Legolas' plan. "Yes, he did", Legolas said with a grin. "Approve of what?", Eruanna asked. Hiriel gave Legolas a confused look. She thought Legolas had informed Eruanna of their plans.
Legolas then looked at his daughter. "We've made plans to go to Ithilien and make a colony there. To start fresh."
"You should come", Legolas continued. "It will do you good."
"No father", Eruanna said, surprising Legolas. "I will not. The Kingdom is my duty now. I am weary from the War with Sauron. I do not wish to go anywhere."
"Do you not want a fresh beginning?", asked Hiriel. Eruanna Úlumiel simply shook her head. "I cannot bear to go to Lothlórien now that great-grandmother is no longer here. I barely gather my heart to go to Imladris. You may go to Ithilien but I will not follow you. I cannot leave my paternal grandfather alone."
This broke the hearts of Legolas and Hiriel but they continued on anyways, leaving Eruanna behind with her grandfather. Eruanna continued training and teaching her dragons. They could be big as mountains or small as ants. They accompanied her everywhere. When she wasn't with her parents, grandfather, handmaidens or others, she was with them.
Ithilien had grown to be a fair realm. From its soil grew green grass and colorful flowers. The trees bore fruit and the sky hung over the land. The rays of the sun beamed down, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
It was one such day when Eruanna came to visit that Legolas and Hiriel were observing her dancing in the green glades. "She has grown up", Legolas lamented sadly. "All children grow up", Hiriel said with a smile. "Eruanna is no different."
"It seems as if she no longer needs us. She makes all of her own decisions", Legolas said.
"That is not true!", Hiriel said. "She will need us just as you will when Thranduil's time comes and Aragorn passes away." "Perhaps", Legolas said. "But that does not change the fact that she has grown up. And I hardly got to see all of it."
Hiriel knew Legolas spoke the truth. Sauron's dark shadow had torn Legolas away from Eruanna and herself. Though he visited, he seldom came since the forest needed protection from the darkness. Eruanna had grown up from an elfling to an adult and Legolas missed most of it. While Hiriel could make many memories with Eruanna while Legolas only had very few he could hold on to. Watching elflings grow up was the most precious thing for the elves, especially since they were so deeply involved with their children, royalty included. Elves valued their children above all else so missing out on their childhood was absolutely depressing.
Yet, Hiriel knew Legolas had gone forth and destroyed the darkness of Sauron even though she protested against it. Legolas had established this colony in Ithilien. Legolas had big ambitions, whilst Eruanna and Hiriel didn't. Even if Eruanna had big ambitions, she never spoke of it. Hiriel couldn't blame Eruanna for wanting a peaceful life after Sauron's treacherous reign.
In Year 30 of the Fourth Age, Thranduil finally grew weary and departed from Middle-Earth, sailing to Valinor. It is said that he took a walk with his granddaughter under the trees of Eryn
Lasgalen. Under the green canopies, they exchanged words of sorrow and joy. What they said to each other, none could tell. And thus, Eruanna watched her last remaining grandfather sail West.
"Is he here yet?", Princess Eruanna Úlumiel asked Captain Feren as they made their way to the gates. "He should be here soon, my lady", said Feren. "He will not ignore a letter from you." Eruanna's dragons had gone hunting and she was eager to have family with her.
Sure enough, Legolas was being ushered in. The Prince was dressed in his greens and carrying no weapons, which had been his constant companions during the days of Sauron. The Prince noticed his daughter and smiled, making his way towards her. Eruanna beamed at him and they embraced. "Mae govannen, ada", she said.
"Hannon le", Legolas responded.
"Maegovannen, Aran nin", Feren followed suit. Glorfindel nodded to Legolas.
Eruanna noticed the smile slowly disappear on Legolas's face when Feren called him King but she attributed it to nervousness. "Come. The council is waiting", she said, leading him towards the council chamber.
Among the elves, it was customary for a new ruler to be introduced to their council which they would have the opportunity to change should they wish. The council all stood for Legolas and Eruanna. The father-daughter duo went to the front, exchanging greetings with the various council members.
"Today, my father, Crown Prince Legolas Thranduillion takes up the mantle as King of Eryn Lasgalen", Eruanna announced. "Any words to your council?", Eruanna asked.
"I apologize", Legolas said. "I intended to say this earlier but could not upon my sudden summon to Eryn Lasgalen. But I have no intention of taking the throne and I have come to announce my abdication."
A cold silence followed the declaration, followed by an outburst of stunned councilors. It was rare for a royal heir to abdicate a throne, and thus they had no plan of action to combat the uncertainties that may come with abdication. It had been only a decade since Thranduil had left and the Kingdom was still recovering.
"Legolas, your father expected you to be King of Eryn Lasgalen. You must take the crown", one of the councilors spoke up.
Eruanna's smile had long faded and she looked at the council. "Leave us", she said. Everyone immediately bowed and left.
Eruanna turned to her father in shock and anger. "Daeradar specifically left the Kingdom in your hands. Turning your back on the throne means dishonoring him and Oropher!"
"Eruanna, I was made to walk down a path I never chose", Legolas tried to reason with her. "Your mother abdicated her place in Imladris and you never said anything."
"Mother had siblings. You don't. You are the only child of Daeradar Thranduil. You have to take up the throne. You can't do this to your people. To daeradar. To me", Eruanna began pleading to her father.
"Eruanna, I'm sorry", Legolas responded. "But I have no intention to claim the throne. I have given this a lot of thought and I'm sure of my decision. You'll be a great Queen, Eruanna. I know it." Eruanna's heart thudded in her chest. She felt heavier and her breathing quickened. "No... I can't... don't...", she looked at her father, desperately.
Tears welled up in her eyes and she tried to blink them away. Legolas tried to wipe her tears but she backed away. "Do not touch me", she hissed. "You need to take the throne."
"I don't need to do anything", Legolas argued back. "Ithilien needs me. Your mother abdicated to help me build it. Don't let her abdication be for nothing."
"Don't you dare use her abdication to excuse yours", Eruanna hissed. "She is expected to be Queen of Eryn Lasgalen."
"Don't pretend like you know what she expected other than years of bliss", Legolas retorted. "She has accepted it. She didn't like it, but she accepted it. You must do the same."
"NO", Eruanna shouted. "I won't accept it. Do you hear me? I. Won't."
"You have no choice, Eruanna", Legolas said, his face now stone cold. "You need to do what I cannot." Without another word, he wordlessly took his circlet out of his satchel and placed it on the long wooden table before leaving the chamber.
Eruanna dismissed the council for the day and didn't see her father off, only hearing from Feren that he had left. She locked herself in her chambers. She hadn't feared loneliness since the Quest of Erebor but now that fear seemed to be choking her alive. Eruanna braced herself against the dresser in the room and she felt tears run down her cheeks.
No one was here with her. Her grandfathers and great-grandmother had passed over sea. Her great-grandfather had gone to join her uncles in Imladris. Her parents were in Ithilien and her aunt Arwen as well as Aragorn, were in Gondor with her cousins who she'd never been close with.
No family by blood was with her. None.
Eruanna sank to the ground and sobbed.
"In light of my father's abdication, I will be taking up the mantle as Eryn Lasgalen's sole ruler as per tradition and law. I will not take up the title of Queen for I can foresee that my reign will not be long and I shall be known as the Lady of Eryn Lasgalen, as I have always been", Eruanna announced to the council. Everyone accepted her ascension easily.
Her dragons came back from their hunt and Eruanna spent most of her time with them. She'd also started clinging to Glorfindel longer. Her behavior began to worry Glorfindel and many others and it seemed as if a new shadow was descending over their lady.
Eruanna's strained relationship with her father hadn't helped matters. Legolas's letters to his daughter had ended up tossed in the fire or gone unanswered. She stopped visiting Ithilien and threw herself into bettering the Kingdom and making arrangements for those sailing to Valinor.