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Thranduil's Shadow

Summary:

Impulsive and young, Thranduil brings back Aerneth to Doriath as his wife, making his abusive father furious. Through the Ages their hasty marriage is shadowed by war and death, dragons and dark lords, betrayal and kinslayings. How can they ever find healing and love?

– Or, the Silmarillion from Thranduil’s perspective.

Chapter 1: Prologue

Notes:

Translations: Adar=father, ellon=male elf

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

~oOo~

"And on the day of the New Year
of the Elves, Celeborn and Thranduil
met in the midst of the forest;
and they renamed Mirkwood 
Eryn Lasgalen, 
The Wood of Greenleaves."

– J.R.R Tolkien, Appendix B

~oOo~


 

Prologue

Eryn Lasgalen, Third Age 3019

Conflicting emotions raged through Thranduil as he watched his son cross the smooth floor and stand below the raised throne. How he had worried! After conveniently forgetting to send word of his plans before it was too late, Legolas had been away for a whole year on an exceptionally dangerous quest to Mordor, risking both his life and the succession to the throne. How could he have been so unthinking!

Furious and relieved at the same time, Thranduil wanted to shake his son and yell at him for being so stupid – and then cry and beg him never to leave again. But of course he did neither. 

Legolas looked up at him, his gaze defiant, but also slightly nervous. With his open face and big, expressive eyes he had never been able to hide his emotions, and that appeared unchanged. Maybe experiencing war and evil had not ruined him then; he had not yet become hard like his father.

It was difficult to picture Legolas, with his love of all that was living, in the midst of battle – or even worse, to imagine him holding a bloodied knife in his hand, spilling another's life. But perhaps he had only fought monsters like orcs, not men? Killing a human was not much different from killing an elf, and afterwards an ellon would never be the same. Thranduil should know, having done both. 

Memories of blood, smoke, screams and death threatened to break his calm mask. He gripped the armrests of the throne so hard his knuckles whitened, and struggled to keep his features impassive despite the storm within. Assuming his “glass face”, as his wife had called it.

When he had recovered his self-control, he bent forward, piercing Legolas with his sternest gaze. He was well aware of how it felt to be subject to that frosty glare; his own father had used it often and Thranduil felt guilty for using the same questionable method. But at least he would never raise his hand against his son. He was not like Oropher. 

Very soon the defiance left Legolas’ eyes and he lowered them, but Thranduil saw the hurt and disappointment that succeeded it. 

Quickly pushing down his guilt, he held his prepared lecture, revolving around topics such as disobedience, disregard of duty, recklessness and irresponsibility. If he could, he always carefully thought out beforehand what he would say; spontaneous speeches had never been his strength.

When he had finished, Legolas remained silent for a long time, his gaze turned down. 

Why would he not speak? 

Perhaps Thranduil should not have scolded him like that; it was not as if his son could undo his actions. Instead, this might make him distance himself even further from his father. 

“I did consider what was best for our realm,” he said at last. “The quest was necessary, and in the end the destruction of Sauron will benefit us all.”

Thranduil’s second thoughts about the lecture immediately disappeared. Who was Legolas to decide such things over the Elvenking’s head? 

“The Ring had to be destroyed, aye, but you did not have to go! You deliberately disobeyed me. Your king, if you forgot.”

“I did not want to cowardly hide behind our walls forever. There is a world outside our realm.”  He said it without any trace of accusation, yet his words stung like an arrow. Legolas’ mother had said the same thing many times over the years. Called him a coward. 

“Wanting to protect one’s people is not cowardice,” he spat icily, fighting hard to remain impassive. 

“I know, and I do not blame you,” said Legolas earnestly. “I heard you achieved a lot here at home when I was gone. Finally clearing out Dol Guldur and everything! It made me really proud to hear.”

The affection in his gaze dispelled Thranduil’s irritation, replacing it with remorse. He wanted to say he was proud of Legolas too but could not get the words out. 

“Hm. It went tolerable, I suppose,” he managed. 

“I am glad to hear that. And… I am sorry if I caused you trouble. I never meant to.”

His chest contracted painfully and his eyes burned. Don’t cry… don’t cry… “Well, you did. Why did you not return sooner? The war ended months ago.” 

“My apologies, sire.” His gaze dropped again. “I stayed for Aragorn’s coronation, and then I traveled with my new friend.”

Seeing his son’s downcast face and hearing him speak so formally filled Thranduil with more guilt. Why was he so bad at being a parent? Legolas was such a kind, loyal son who deserved a better father, one who could show other emotions than anger. One who would greet him with affection instead of a scolding.

He wanted to wrap his arms around Legolas, hold him close and tell him how much he had missed him. Tell him how much he loved him. But his feet would not move. 

When was the last time they hugged? He could not remember. He did remember a much earlier occasion, however, when he had held that wrinkled, ugly little baby in his arms for the first time, his chest painfully contracted as he promised he would be a better father than Oropher. 

Had he failed? Was he no different than him?

Trying to sound less stern, he asked: “Did you not invite your friend here?”

“I did, actually. But… I will introduce him to you another day, I think.” 

Thranduil could not quite interpret his son’s features this time. If he did not know better he would say he looked mischievous, but why would he? Making new friends was nothing controversial.

oOo

When Legolas had left a while later and Thranduil was alone in his grand throne room, he finally relaxed his features. The action made him think of his wife again. She had hated his glass face; nothing annoyed her more than when he hid his emotions from her. And now he was doing the same thing to their son. 

With a pang of grief, he wished, not for the first time, that she could have helped him raise Legolas. How much simpler everything would have been! His wife had always been the wiser of them. 

Well, actually, not always, to be honest… He recalled a time when it was she who was rash and unthinking, acting on an impulse. Legolas had inherited a lot from her.

A tear trickled down his cheek. Damn. He should not think about his wife or he would cry his eyes out. It was pointless and would not bring her back. Besides, now he would soon join her in Aman; perhaps in only a couple of decades he could sail to her. 

He was patient. He could wait.

Grinning rather naughtily through the tears, he thought about what might happen when they finally met after some hundred years of pent-up longing. It should be… interesting. The physical part of their marriage had never been lacking, which was just about the only advantage at first. Yet, it had been worth it in the end; those last, sweet years of true happiness made all the preceding heartache irrelevant.

Thranduil had never told his son what a disastrous marriage it had started out. Like most others in the kingdom, Legolas believed his parents met late in life and had only been married for a short time when he was born. 

What would he think if he knew the truth? That they had been wedded already in the First Age, over sixty centuries – six millennia – ago, and that it took most of those for them to heal and find love?

No, he must never find out; that would be way too humiliating.

Then the memories flooded over him, and for once, he allowed himself to wallow in them, beginning from the first time he met his wife. 

She was so cute. And annoying! Quite the little shadow…

Notes:

In the next chapter we will jump back 6500 years in time to a young and slightly awkward Thranduil... :) The story will follow him from his youth until he becomes the majestic Elvenking known from The Hobbit. Revolving around his complicated marriage, it will also explore many of the important events in Tolkien's Silmarillion through his eyes, beginning in the First Age and continuing through the history of Middle-earth. It will be a rather angsty tale but there will be redemption eventually.

It’s a stand-alone prequel to my completed Legolas fic Riding With the Elves.

I have made a very detailed synopsis, meaning I know everything that will happen, hence I've tagged some important events and characters already from the start.

I appreciate feedback a lot, it's a huge help to stay motivated, so don't hesitate to leave a comment if you enjoy it. :)

Chapter 2: Thranduil's Shadow

Summary:

Young Thranduil has an annoying shadow, and important guests visit his home. Oropher is not patient with his shy son's behavior.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

PART 1: BELERIAND


~oOo~

"They are called the Sindar,
the Grey-elves of starlit Beleriand;
... the fairest and the most wise and skilful
of all the Elves of Middle-earth."

– J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion

~oOo~


 

Thranduil's Shadow

Menegroth, Doriath, First Age 412

“Here comes Tharan’s little shadow.” Beleg sighed theatrically, indicating a young elleth approaching the training grounds. 

“Look, it is your girlfriend,” said Amroth, nudging Thranduil. Medlin and Taurandir snickered.

Beleg had taken an early dislike to the kid, and because he was a couple of decades older than the others they usually took after his opinion.

Thranduil ignored both his friends and the elleth, calmly focusing on the target, adjusting his stance, feeling the wind. He released the arrow he had nocked and was gratified with a satisfying thud when it hit the bull's eye.

“Good one.” Beleg gave his shoulder a friendly punch. Then he almost nonchalantly shot an arrow of his own that planted itself so close to Thranduil’s that it fell off. 

It was unfair, Beleg was a natural with his bow. He made it seem so easy.

Meanwhile the elleth had seated herself on the stone wall surrounding the water well, her scrawny legs visible under the plain apprentice’s dress. She was in that age when an elf is more or less a tangle of feet, knees and elbows; soon fully grown but still an elfling. 

“You will fall down,” warned Beleg, frowning. 

“Just ignore her,” said Amroth.

“Nay. She should leave Tharan alone and stop being so clingy. He doesn’t like her.” Beleg took a threatening step towards the elleth.

“You mean you don’t like me.” Her voice was clear and melodious. Then she sang a few notes, and suddenly a splash of water jumped out of the well to hit Beleg straight in the face.

Everyone laughed at the older ellon chasing sputtering and cursing after the fleeing elfling. 

“One point to the elleth.” Amroth smirked.

Then Thranduil returned his focus to the target and released another handful of arrows, until his quiver was empty. It was getting late, and one by one the others dropped off until he was alone, squinting in the meager light as he shot a few more times.

“Were you impressed?” The elleth had come back. “I bet you didn't know I can work water magic?” Her blonde hair was dirty and full of leaves, and there was a bruise on her arm where Beleg probably had hit her. Thranduil felt a little sorry for her, even though she should have known better than to attack an ellon twice her age. 

“Nay.” He released another arrow, and frowned when it missed the mark by several inches. Just when she was watching too. Not that he cared what she thought, really, but still…

“I like to watch when you shoot. Your arms are so strong.”

”Hm.” He was secretly pleased someone had noticed, even if it was just a kid. All those pushups were slowly beginning to pay off.

“So, today I finished my first batch of lembas without any aid at all. Queen Melian said they tasted just like her own.”

He nocked his last arrow, but then lowered the bow. It was too dark; he would only miss again. Instead he went to collect the other arrows.

“Now that I learned the recipe I shall probably be going home very soon,” she said when he came back. She was rubbing her arm absentmindedly. “Will you miss me?”

Thranduil did not know what to say, and unstringed his bow in silence. What time was it? The training grounds were outside the city; it would take him at least half an hour to get back and his father would not accept tardiness.

“Will you?” she repeated stubbornly.

“I shall not miss you talking my ears off.” He had meant it as a joke, but the elleth looked hurt and her large eyes filled with tears. 

Thranduil hated when ellith cried. He tried to think of something nice to say to smooth it over, but could not come up with anything, so he just left.

He could hear her sad sniffles behind him as he walked home.

oOo

The dining room was already full of people when Thranduil hurried inside, his hair moist after a quick freshening up and change of clothes before coming downstairs. 

“I am glad you finally cared to join us.” Oropher’s furious whisper was barely audible, and Thranduil winced inwardly. 

The supper was extravagant tonight, and the guests were served wine of the finest quality. Oropher and his family members had their usual apple juice, of course. His father despised strong beverages as they corrupted one’s mind and was the foundation of mischief and foolish behavior.

“The quails are delicious,” complimented the king, and his wife nodded heartily in agreement, her mouth too full to speak. 

“I am glad to hear that. It is a new recipe.” His mother smiled shyly.

It was not the first time Oropher and his wife had the king and queen as guests at their table, but it was also not an everyday occurrence. King Thingol had a busy schedule, and many in his court seeked the honor of his presence, as well as the other notable elves who usually followed him on these social visits. Elves that Oropher also wished to establish good relations with; particularly Princess Lúthien, the king’s beautiful daughter. Oropher hoped his son would catch the eye of the princess, seeing as he was considered a very handsome young ellon and she was unwed.

At the table, Thranduil was seated between Galadriel, Queen Melian’s golden-haired friend, and Daeron, the king’s minstrel. The latter instantly entered into deep conversation with Galadriel’s husband Celeborn across the table, so Thranduil found himself obliged to speak with the lady. He would have preferred to remain silent, of course, but that would not have sat well with Oropher, whose hawk eyes never missed a thing. 

Thranduil’s mind went blank at the prospect of talking with someone he did not know well, so he took to his old trick, and thought up a sentence beforehand.

“I hope you and your husband like it here in Menegroth. Is it not a very beautiful city?” He discreetly wiped his moist palms on his trousers, hoping they would not leave a stain.

“It is beautiful. One can hardly believe one is underground; here is so light and airy, and the pillars look like real trees.” Galadriel smiled politely, probably not very enthusiastic about her dinner partner’s nonexistent social skills.

“The dwarves helped the king build it.” Why had he said that? What a stupid thing to say to someone who had lived here several centuries.

“I know.” 

Thankfully Daeron took over then, and soon he and Galadriel were engaged in the interesting topic of architecture. Thranduil could safely listen, and supply a small remark here and there. He loved architecture, really, and would probably have said more if he had had the gift of speech.

After they finished the dessert, Oropher cleared his throat to gain the others’ attention. “Let us have some music next. Thranduil, will you fetch your lyre and entertain us?” 

Thranduil’s mouth went dry and his heartbeat beat faster. No, please no! He mutely conveyed the plea to his father, shaking his head very slightly.

Oropher’s dark eyebrows furrowed and his gaze grew flinty. “Do not let the guests wait, my son.”

With weak knees, Thranduil brought the instrument and sat on a padded stool by the window. The feeling of the strings against his fingers was somewhat reassuring, as it reminded him of his bow, but then he noticed the others’ gaze at him and knew he had to begin. Sending a silent prayer to the Valar that he would not make a fool of himself, he began the Lament over the Two Trees which was the king’s favorite. 

A! The Trees of Light, tall and shapely, gold and silver, more glorious than the sun.

It was a sad song about the time before the sun and moon, when all light except for the starlight came from those two trees. Over four hundred years had passed since the Dark Lord Morgoth killed them, and only a few of the guests had seen them, the king being one of those. Galadriel and her brother must have seen them too; they were Noldor elves who had once lived in Aman where the trees had stood.

Thranduil knew his singing voice was not bad, but he could feel his trembling fingers stumble over the strings, producing one or two false notes, and there was a nervous tremor in his voice as well. Nevertheless, the ambience in the room was emotional when he had finished, and the king’s eyes were moist.

“Can you sing of the Silmarils too?” he asked as the last note had died out.

“I-I do not know any songs about them, my lord. I am sorry.”

“I do.” Daeron stepped forward, carrying a beautiful lute. “If I may take over?” He had turned to Oropher, who nodded his consent.

Thranduil almost ran back to his seat, glad to have been let off so easily. He understood why Thingol had wished to hear about the Silmarils; the king had long craved to own one of those gemstones, because they contained some of the light of the lost Trees. Morgoth had stolen the Silmarils after he killed the Trees and put them into his crown, and was now hiding deep inside his fortress Angband. The Noldor had been laying siege to the fortress for several hundred years without success.

The minstrel tuned his lute and began a smoldering tribute to the three gems. He looked almost exclusively at Lúthien as he sang, probably wishing to impress the beautiful princess. She, however, was engulfed by his music only. Her bright eyes were distant as she absentmindedly toyed with the hem of her long sleeve.

oOo

It was late when the guests had left, and the cheerful sound of merry, slightly drunk elves ceased. Oropher slowly closed the door and turned to face Thranduil, who braced himself to stand straight and meet his father’s gaze. He knew what would come. 

“This is for being late.” Oropher struck his son across the cheek hard enough for him to stumble. Biting down the pain, Thranduil straightened his back and willed himself to again meet those cold, gray eyes. “And this is for hesitating when I asked you to entertain.” Another slap. He could feel his cheek begin to swell up. “And this ...” smack “...is for not learning to play right, and embarrassing your naneth and I! Only to think that stuck up minstrel had to take over!” Oropher was shaking him now, his self-control lost. 

Thranduil clenched his teeth to avoid involuntarily biting his tongue. A tiny part of him wished to tore himself free of Oropher’s hard grasp and strike back. His father was still stronger than he, but not much, and they were at the same height. But his father was right, he had made a fool of himself as usual. He deserved to be punished. Why could he never learn?

Oropher released him and turned away, visibly shaking and breathing heavily.

Thranduil cautiously touched his cheek. The skin seemed intact. He was too agitated to feel the pain now; that would come later. Seeing his father lose his temper like this was disconcerting, and knowing he was the cause of that distress filled him with self-loathing.

“Go now.” 

“Aye, Adar.” 

oOo

“Thranduil?” Oropher spoke in a subdued voice, as if he was afraid to wake him up. As usual it had taken an hour until he calmed down, and – also as usual – he seemed ashamed of having lost his temper.

“Adar?”

Oropher came inside and sat on the bedside, reaching out to stroke his son’s long hair. “I am very proud of you. I see greatness and fame in your future.” He bent down to plant a kiss on Thranduil’s forehead. “I know you will not disappoint me.”

“I will work harder.” His heart swelled with love.

“Splendid. Splendid. Well, good night then.”

“Good night.”

oOo

The training grounds were empty when Thranduil arrived, shortly after sunrise. A blackbird in a nearby tree greeted him with its warbling song, and the surrounding forest smelled of earth and fallen leaves. 

He had brought his waster, a wooden replica of his sword. It had the same shape and balance, but was slightly heavier to help build up his muscle strength and make his real sword seem weightless. He began a few routines, slicing air with his waster while trying to vary the angle and force of his thrusts, never allowing his imaginary foe to relax. The trick was not to be predictable.

Then he switched swordhand to his right and repeated the action, keeping it up slightly longer because it was his weaker hand.

Thranduil felt a presence and paused. Someone was watching. He peered about him, and tried to see them through the yellowing leaves of the surrounding trees.

“I know you are there. Come out!” he called.

No answer, but now he heard the slightest rustle. That oak, there… On the lowest branch. 

He walked slowly towards it, realizing who it was. He ought to say sorry, but somehow that little word was one of the hardest to utter.

“Aerneth… I will miss you.” He realized it was true as soon as he had said it; the open adoration in the young elleth’s eyes was very flattering. And he had not minded listening to her chattering about baking lembas, learning healing, or all the fascinating animals that lived in the sea by her hometown.

The oak rustled again and two bare feet emerged, followed by a thin body and a bush of blonde strands. She flopped to the ground rather clumsily.

“What happened to your face?” she wondered.

“Training accident.” That was always a valid excuse for a warrior.

“I shall leave for Eglarest tomorrow.” Her gaze grew wistful. “I have missed my parents. And the sea. Have you ever been to the sea?”

“Nay.”

“You should come there sometime. I can ask Ada to invite you.”

“And what should I do there? Build a ship?” He smiled.

“Yes, you could help my ada.” She looked so adorably hopeful. Did she believe he was really considering it?

“I am sure Lord Círdan manages quite well without my messing things up.” How he wished he could talk this easily with older elves! The words were just coming naturally without any preparation.

“You are only teasing me. You don’t want to go.” She pouted, looking ever so much like an elfling.

“Nay, not now. Maybe some other time.” He ruffled her hair, and was rewarded with a dark glare. “You are a sweet elleth, Aerneth.”

That made her face light up. 

“I love when you say my name… Thranduil,” she breathed, eyes brimming with worship.

“I have to continue my training.” Her stare made him uncomfortable.

“And I shall go pack my things. Farewell, Thranduil!”

“Farewell, Aerneth.”

Notes:

Translations:
Ellon=male elf, ellyn is the plural form.
Elleth=female elf, ellith is the plural form.
Naneth=mother, Nana=mom, Adar=father, Ada=dad.

I try my best to keep to Tolkien's style and canon closely, and spend much time researching each chapter. If you enjoy it, feedback is very appreciated. Thanks a lot for the comments and kudos so far!

A map of Beleriand can come in handy while reading:

Map
Map of Beleriand by John Howe (Tolkien Gateway). Click to enlarge.

Chapter 3: Face in the Water

Summary:

Thranduil leads his first real battle and faces great danger. He sees a strange apparition.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Face in the Water

Forest of Brethil, First Age 458

The canopy overhead hid the sky completely, and the only source of light was moonlight reflecting in the calm surface of the river Sirion to their right. The terrain was difficult to traverse; moss covered trunks and dense ivy littered the ground. It was a very different forest from the one surrounding Menegroth; wilder, fiercer. A bit like its inhabitants, actually, the Men of Haleth. 

Thranduil had never met a human before this campaign, but now here he was, trying to lead people of that race into battle. They made too much noise, he figured, but otherwise they seemed friendly enough. The little he could tell from the short time he had known them. 

“Shall I bid them to be more quiet?” he murmured to the ellon beside him. 

“Nah, it is still at least a league left, and my guess is it will take an hour or more in this rough terrain until we get close enough for the orcs to hear us.” Amroth bent to tear off some brambles that had got caught in the greave protecting his leg. “Perfect. Now my trousers ripped, too,” he grumbled. Their leg armor covered the front of their calves, but behind them the fabric was bare. “How typical of our dear captain to assign us this route on the ground with the humans, while the other units get to move through the trees.”

Amroth was Thranduil’s closest friend since Beleg had become captain of the march-wardens. Cúthalion – strongbow – they called Beleg now, because of his almost uncanny skill with his favored weapon. The past decade he had spent nearly all his free time with the much older Captain Mablung, and only deigned to notice his former friends when he wanted to point out something they did wrong. To be corrected – and on one occasion even punished – by his former best friend was beyond humiliating, but perhaps that was part of growing up. Your friends changed, and so did you.

“My lords, can I have a word?” It was Halmir, the leader of the human troup, speaking in his heavy Mannish accent. Thranduil was still not used to seeing men’s faces up close, and it was all he could do not to stare rudely. They were wrinkled, with an assortment of spots and marks, and their chins were overgrown with thick hair. Only the really young were smooth and unblemished like elves. 

“Of course,” said Amroth. “Any problems?” 

“The men are growing tired, my lord; they are not used to this fast pace, wearing full armor too.”

“Oh. Are they?” The two friends exchanged surprised looks. Humans really were exceptionally weak, it would seem, they had barely been walking five hours.

“Aye, and there are several younger boys, as you know. We need to rest a while.”

“If you must,” acceded Thranduil reluctantly.

They stopped in a glade, where a huge fir tree had fallen partly into the river. Thranduil selected four elves as sentries to climb the trees around and look out, while the others sat or lay down to rest.

As usual during breaks, the company became divided with the men on one side and the elves on the other. Not by design, it just happened. They were so very different, and in addition many of the men seemed slightly intimidated by the taller and stronger elves. Besides, the humans smelled, as if they only washed themselves once a week or less.

Thranduil removed his helmet and gloves, and drank his fill of the sweet river water. He sat on the shore, allowing the light breeze to cool his moist temples. Tonight was unusually warm and humid for the season, and the thick, padded jacket he wore as armor was not helping much. 

It was good to be here, anyway, out on his first real wartime mission, even if it was only to secure the safety of their own borders. Thranduil had hated the past two years when the war between Morgoth and the Noldorin elves had raged in the north, while he was unable to do anything. King Thingol had refused to send out the march-wardens, despite their captains’ urging, saying he would never aid the Noldor after what they had done to his kin in Valinor. 

Sure, killing elves to steal their ships and chase after the Silmarils was pretty grave as crimes go, but this was not just about helping the Noldor. They had a shared foe in Morgoth. If the Lord of the Dark continued to breed his dragons, balrogs and orcs unrestrained, he might be impossible to stop. The strong magic fence around Doriath would protect their city, but if everything around it became desolate and ruined by dragon fire, what good would it do them?

“Quit those bleak thoughts,” said Amroth cheerfully, and splashed a handful of cold water in Thranduil’s face.

“Stop it,” he hissed, and looked around to make sure nobody had noticed. “I am your commander now.”

“You look just like Beleg did that time.” Amroth grinned. “Remember? When the elfling who fancied you nearly drowned him.” He dipped his hands into the river again, but Thranduil dodged his attack. 

“Do that again I will punish you.” He glared at his friend. “We are on a serious, dangerous mission. This is not the time, nor the place for fooling around.”

“Valar, Tharan, you are such a bore sometimes.” Amroth shook his head and stalked off.

Thranduil calmly wiped his face. Amroth would probably sulk a while as usual, and then pretend nothing had happened. 

He pondered over his words. Maybe he had become a bore, but being a leader weighed on his shoulders, even though it was over such a small unit of elves and humans as this. If something bad happened, it would be he who took the blame, not Amroth. As Oropher had said once: With great power comes great responsibility.

Then he smiled wryly; of course he remembered the incident Amroth had talked of. A soaking wet Beleg chasing after the skinny little elleth was actually one of his funniest childhood memories. Beleg had always been rather arrogant, and that had been something they could tease him about whenever he showed off his archery skills or bragged about his other achievements. 

Aerneth, that had been the elleth’s name. She had been such an annoying shadow that summer, but thankfully she moved back home afterwards and he had never seen her again. However flattering her adoration had been, it had not been worth all the taunting from his friends.

A ripple in the river drew Thranduil’s gaze, and he quickly jumped to his feet when he perceived a pair of eyes looking at him from under the surface. 

A fish? Or something dangerous? His breath caught.

The eyes were gone again. Had he imagined them?

Very carefully he moved closer, squinting to see better in the twilight. Nothing. No fish, no diving orc; only the gravel and stones of the riverbed beneath. 

Perhaps it had been a trick of the light, or the reflection of two stars? 

It was time to go anyway; or he would be late for the impending battle. 

oOo

Thranduil’s unit arrived at last to the edge of the Brethil forest, its northeastern part. They had made it on time despite the delay; there was still no sign of the approaching orc legion.

The company spread out to find good hiding spots in the dense clusters of young shrubs. 

If everything had gone according to plan, several other warrior units would be hiding further west, positioned at regular intervals on both sides of the Old South Road. When the orcs got to the road, they would have to regroup and walk in a thin file. The road itself was hardly more than a footpath anymore, it was not used much and very narrow between the trees, but the orcs had to follow it to reach the elven cities in the west. It was the only way for an army to pass over the river Teiglin.

When the last of the orcs were on the road, they would be ambushed; shot by elven archers in the trees on the sides, and attacked from behind by Thranduil’s footmen. That would force them to run forward – unless they wanted to enter the forest, where more elves hid, which was unlikely. In effect, they would be herded towards the Crossing of Teiglin, where they would be even more exposed and vulnerable, and this was where Captain Beleg and the bulk of the march-wardens would attack them from the other side of the river. Hopefully that would be the last anyone saw of those orcs.

It was an anxious wait, especially for the humans who could not see well in the twilight and needed to trust their elven companions’ eyesight. The leather of Thranduil’s left glove was rough against his fingers, as he repeatedly gripped the swordhandle and then relaxed. Grip and relax, grip and relax. Beside him Amroth toyed with the end of one of his many black braids. To battle, Thranduil wore his hair plaited as well, but he had chosen two fishtail braids that kept his hair away from his face. 

A sound reached their ears at last; the tramping of many feet. Thranduil’s and Amroth’s gazes met, and in his friend’s eyes he perceived the same mingle of excitement and anxiety he felt himself. It was time! Today would be their first encounter with real flesh and blood foes, rather than the stuffed leather orcs on their training grounds. 

Soon they could see the approaching legion; a dense mass of different-sized helmets, banners, a forest of spears, and in the front, an assortment of mismatched shields. No two orcs wore the same armor or weapons – it looked like they had just scrambled together any warring equipment they had gotten their hands on. There was no conformity, and seemingly not much discipline either. They walked together, but not in unison, and not in straight lines such as the elves preferred. 

Again Thranduil met his friend’s gaze. They did not have to speak, he could see he was thinking the same thing. What a bunch of ruffians! 

Thranduil wrinkled his nose as he caught the orcs’ horrid stink. He had expected it, older elves who had fought orcs during the earlier battles of Beleriand had described what those creatures were like, but experiencing it was something else. Bile rose in his throat, and he had to fight down an urge to throw up. 

Just as predicted, the orcs began to regroup and walk ten or fifteen abreast along the road, keeping some distance to the trees. The line would be long; there must be many thousands of them. 

Only a small part of the army had come up on the road when there was a disturbance among them. The hidden elves could hear the enemy talking in their harsh language. What had happened? 

The orcs began to spread out, coming closer to the forest. They walked slowly and cautiously, like they searched for something. A few of them were close enough that Thranduil could see them clearly. Just like with their weapons, there was no uniformity to their looks; most of them were short in stature and had protruding canines, but some were fairer in color, others darker, some had big, deformed faces, others looked almost like scarred elves. 

The orcs’ noses were twitching, and with a twinge of fear Thranduil realized they were smelling them, his company! But how? Then it struck him: the men. The orcs must have perceived the scent of the unwashed humans! 

He cursed under his breath. He should have foreseen this, and made the chief part of his unit hide deeper inside the forest until the orcs had passed. A few scouts close to the border would have been enough. But there was no point in dwelling over past mistakes.

“Fall back,” he mouthed to Amroth, and beckoned the way they had come. He gave the same silent order to the other elves and humans nearby, who spread the instruction further. Soon the whole company was retreating, as soundlessly as they could. 

Walking quietly was hard for the men, they could not see where they went and the dense undergrowth tangled in their feet. More than once a faint crack or rustle made Thranduil wince. He sent a silent prayer to Tulkas, the Vala of war, begging him to hide their noise from the orcs. 

It did not help; after only a few minutes an orc’s guttural roar and a cry of pain told him one of them had been caught. 

A man came scurrying, jumping over a fallen log and halting in front of his commander. He clutched his bleeding shoulder. “They almost got me!” he hissed.

Thranduil did not bother to be silent anymore; they were already exposed. “Run! Return to the river!” he called. 

They dashed through the forest, where the undergrowth still was trampled after their coming through earlier. The orcs would be able to follow them easily, Thranduil realized; the flattened vegetation was a dead giveaway. 

It was very tempting to just abandon the humans and take to the trees, but of course he could not do that.

He glanced at the river ahead, here was a shallow part; the Ford of Brithiach. On the other side he saw the land of Dimbar, a stretch of empty grassland which usually was waterlogged this time of the year. They would be able to run faster there than in the forest. 

“Over the Ford!” He waved for the others to go into the water, while he stayed to cover their backs. The river was wide, and it was slow walking over the slippery stones, but the orcs had not caught up with them yet. He heard them coming through the forest, but saw none.

The few warriors who had made it to the other side were clearly visible when they began to jog over the grass, but there was no helping it. Hopefully the orcs were not as fast as them, and with luck there were no archers among them. 

If only they could hide somewhere! Then the orcs would probably continue following the company’s old tracks down south along the Sirion, until they came to the magic fence around Doriath and had to turn back. 

Again he thought of the elleth Aerneth and her water powers, and wished he had those too. He could have made the river part to let them hide under the surface, with a bubble of air to breathe. 

As if the river had heard his wish to hide, a thick mist began to form in its middle. It welled up in a cloud and spread out in all directions, upstream and downstream, and a few yards up the shores on either side. Thranduil gaped in surprise and shock as he felt the tiny droplets against his face, and watched the forest behind him disappear in opaque, white clouds.

Then he regained his composure; whatever this fog was, they must use it. 

“Gather in the middle,” he commanded. 

He heard faint splashes as the others obeyed. The last two men went past him, and he followed them down into the cool water and began to wade. 

The chilly surface reached his thighs and filled his boots; they would be absolutely ruined, and they were almost new, too. He had liked those boots. Then he scolded himself for thinking about clothes now; if this worked they might survive, that was the only thing that mattered!

Thranduil had nearly reached the center of the river when he saw two blue eyes in the water. It was the same pair he had seen earlier tonight! Then they were real. A face surrounded the eyes this time, a feminine face with blonde hair, and it did not disappear immediately as it had before. 

He stared at the apparition, his heart beating fast. What was this? Some new vile monster of Morgoth’s?

Full, pink lips moved as the image whispered a single word. “Thranduil…” And then it was gone.

oOo

The mysterious mist lasted several hours, long enough for the orcs to do what Thranduil had predicted; follow their trail south, fail to find them, and then return back to the road. Meanwhile his company waited, huddling close together, shivering and cold, but alive.

When the last orc had passed, the fog thinned out and soon it was entirely gone. The warriors looked at each other, not knowing what to think.

“The Vala of the water must have saved us,” said Halmir, the human leader.

“Aye,” agreed others. “Ulmo saved us!”

“Ulmo saved us… Ulmo hid us…” The words echoed among them.

As they waded ashore, Thranduil was deep in thought. Could it have been Ulmo he saw? But the face had been feminine, he was sure of it. The cheeks and chin had been rounded, almost heart shaped, and the eyebrows delicate. The Valar were neither female, nor male, they just chose such appearances when they took physical form. Ulmo always used a male form, and he was said to wear a dark, foamy helmet. The face Thranduil saw had worn nothing on its head.

Maybe it was one of Ulmo’s helpers, the Maia Uinen? The Maiar were like elves, only more powerful, and they were male and female for real. Queen Melian was a Maia, who had married Thingol, an elf. But why would Uinen visit Thranduil, show herself to him and hide him from orcs? It would have made more sense if it was the Vala of war, he whom Thranduil had prayed to before.

They were all gathered on the shore now, wet and bedraggled, and Thranduil decided he would think more about the face in the water later. They still had a job to do, an orc army to chase. By now the orcs would be back on the road, and soon the elven archers would attack. Thranduil must hurry if his company was going to be able to block the orcs’ retreat path.

Halmir and a younger man came up to him.

“Milord, me sons are miss! Me two boys!” The man’s accent was almost unintelligible. 

“What boys?”

“His sons, my grandsons. Huor and Húrin,” said Halmir. “They were among the first to cross the river, and I think they might not have heard when you called us back to hide in the fog.”

“We cannot look for them now, but they will be safe in Dimbar. As far as I know, there are no dangers in that land. We return for them once the orcs are defeated.” Thranduil tried to sound reassuring, while secretly wondering how they could be so stupid as to bring young boys into battle. 

“They might stray too far east,” Halmir protested. “Huge spiders dwell there. The youngest is only thirteen!”

“Am I in charge of this unit, human, or are you?” Thranduil snapped, losing patience. They had to leave now.  

The man gave him an angry stare, but then bowed curtly. “You are, my lord.” He spoke to the other man in their own language, probably trying to convince him they would have to come back for the boys later.

Thranduil had his company regroup, and then began to follow the now rather wide trail back to the road. The orcs had been cutting down plants and shrubs to widen the way, and Thranduil was not the only elf to frown at the needless violence. 

When they were almost back where they had first been hiding, Thranduil motioned for his unit to wait. Choosing a handful of elves to follow him, he climbed a nearby tree. The orcs had likely left sentries behind to guard the tracks in case they returned – at least that was what he would have done in their shoes – and it would be a good idea to come from a direction they did not expect. 

Soundlessly passing from tree to tree, they creeped closer. Soon a foul smell reached their nostrils; Thranduil had been correct in his assumption. 

Amroth waved to catch Thranduil’s attention, and pointed below him. He nodded, he saw them too. They were five, stupidly sitting together in the open instead of hiding among the shrubs. They breathed so loud he could have shot them in the dark.

Thranduil slid his sword out of its scabbard, and held his breath as he slowly passed to a tree just behind the orcs. He felt, more than heard his companions on either side of him, advancing on their unsuspecting prey.

His gaze met Amroth’s, and a surge of adrenaline flowed through his veins. His friend’s eyes shone. 

“Doriath!” With that warcry, Thranduil dropped to the ground and decapitated the first orc in one swift stroke.

“Doriath!” The others jumped a heartbeat after him, and ended the rest of the orcs just as efficiently as he had done.

It was over so soon, they almost did not know how to react. Standing beside the corpses, the elves looked at each other, smiling rather foolishly, trembling with surplus energy. Neither of them had been in a real fight before; King Thingol had stayed out of war ever since the First Battle of Beleriand over four hundred years ago.

Then the reality of what they had done hit them, and their smiles waned as they took in the scene. Cut off body parts littered the ground, and on the head Thranduil had severed, milky blue eyes bulged out like dove’s eggs. The tangible smell of blood mingled with the odor of the other body fluids the creatures had expelled when they died, together with the ever-present orc stink. Thranduil felt sick again, and as they returned to the waiting company he noticed one of the others silently bending over a bush to vomit. 

Killing was ugly; they had known this with their minds, but nobody could have prepared them beforehand for what it was actually like .

oOo

They continued, upholding as fast a pace the humans could muster. Thranduil tried not to think about the dead orc head, instead he focused on the annoying squelching of his wet boots. 

It took several hours until they caught sight of the orc legion ahead. The sun was high, and the orcs were resting, night creatures as they were. The humans in the troop needed rest too, so Thranduil had them pull back into the forest where they made a simple camp. It felt good to finally be able to remove his boots and dry his feet. But they were indeed ruined, he noticed. A shame.

Late in the evening they broke camp and continued, and soon they spotted the orcs trudging along the road. By then, the shooting must have already commenced, they could hear growls and yells in the distance, and the orcs in the rear were trying to hurry forward.

Thranduil made his company spread out across the road and a little way into the forest on both sides. The men and a few of the elves were armed with axes, the rest of them with swords. Then they marched. The orcs had still not spotted them, and they were in no hurry to catch up; the closer they got to the river crossing before the battle began, the better. 

After a while, they came to the site of the first archer ambush. Here clusters of orc corpses were scattered, the many arrows still protruding from their bodies. When Thranduil’s company came close, they were joined by the archers themselves, who elegantly dropped down from the nearby trees. Most of them had empty quivers, but after retrieving some arrows from the corpses they were good to continue. A few of the shot orcs proved to be still alive, but the newcomers helped put an end to them.

Somehow Thranduil found it harder to kill a wounded orc, who was unable to defend itself, than it had been to decapitate the sentry before. The sound his victim made when he drove his sword into its heart was one he would not easily forget.

Along the way, the rest of the archers joined them. When they finally arrived at the battlefield by the Teiglin river, Thranduil’s footmen had grown into a small army, and Galadriel, who had been with one of the archer units, had taken over leadership. She was a war veteran unlike him, and Thranduil was happy to fall back. 

Along the road, Thranduil had killed nineteen wounded orcs, and he had found it became easier with each time. 

Of the battle itself, he could not remember much with clarity later. It was so chaotic, and he had a hard time sorting through the various events. Was it early or late in the encounter he was hit in his shoulder by an orc spear? It did not pierce his armor but left an ugly bruise. And when he fought three orcs alone, was that before or after the spear incident? He did not know, but the sight of Oropher coming to his aid then, was something he would not forget. Never had his father seemed taller, stronger and more fierce. Never had his son loved him more. 

The sounds and smells of battle were repressed into Thranduil’s subconsciousness after a while, as well as most of his coherent thoughts; he let his reflexes take over. He had trained for this his entire life, and he found he was good at it. All those endless running laps, pushups, swordplay routines and footwork exercises were paying off. His hands and legs moved like he were dancing, and around him foe upon foe fell to the ground.

oOo

The battle lasted for hours. Not until the last orc was dead, did the pain and exhaustion catch up with Thranduil. He could not remember ever being this tired before; his sword hand trembled so bad he could hardly sheathe his weapon. His shoulder ached dully, and a multitude of small nicks and cuts stung.

“Well fought, friend.” Captain Beleg touched his shoulder, unfortunately just where the spear had hit him. He tried hard not to wince. His childhood friend's praise should not mean anything to him, but apparently it did; and some of the weariness left him. 

Beleg, too, had cause to be proud today. He had led his first battle, with the older veteran Mablung serving as his second in command, and he had won with hardly any losses. For every fallen elf or man, he could count at least thirty dead orcs. 

Thranduil watched him as he moved on. Maybe one day it would be he who was the great leader, he who could take credit for such an impressive victory as this.

Halmir came up to Thranduil then, and even before he opened his mouth he knew it was about the missing boys. Darn. He had almost forgotten them. Being the grandchildren of the human leader, they mattered. He had to find them.

“Aye. We will go to Dimbar and search for the boys now.” With a sigh, Thranduil gathered the remainder of his unit. 

Somehow he had a feeling these boys, these Huor and Húrin were important. He could not say why – they were humans after all, what could such achieve? But the feeling would not leave him, and all the way back he mulled over both them and the face in the water.

Notes:

Because this story focuses on the grey elves (the Sindar), I have decided to use Sindarin words sparsely in dialogue. Assume that everybody speaks Sindarin, unless it’s stated otherwise. Back in those days almost everyone did, because the grey elves would not speak Quenya (Noldorian) or Khuzdul (Dwarfish). However, some Sindarin epessës (taken or given surnames) will be used, such as Thingol (meaning grey cloak), Círdan (shipwright) and Cúthalion (strongbow).

Chapter 4: Hair of Uinen

Summary:

Aerneth tries to forget her unrequited love but when someone thinks about her she gets a new chance.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Hair of Uinen

Eglarest, First Age 458

There was a knock on the door. Aerneth's father wearily looked up from the report he was reading. "Who might that be at this late hour?" He turned to his wife but she had not heard, being too absorbed in her painting. When Falasiel had begun a new project she was blind and deaf for everything except the motive evolving on her canvas.

"I will check." Aerneth left the table where she had been wrapping up lembas for the seal hunter's expedition leaving Eglarest tomorrow. She was fairly sure she knew who it was, and when she opened her suspicions were confirmed.

"Hello, Arminas." She smiled politely.

"My lady." The ellon bowed. "Would you come out and walk with me? It is my last evening ashore for a while as you know."

"I have not finished the lembas yet, but I guess… A short walk could not hurt." She called to her parents. "I am going out."

Her father grunted something incoherently that she interpreted as meaning yes. Grabbing her coat she left the house.

The couple walked towards the southern part of the bay, Aerneth's favorite route. Even on a winter evening like this she enjoyed being close to the sea, to smell the salt in the air and hearing the booms of the rolling surf. She had a thick sealskin coat; the sharp wind did not bother her.

The ellon held out his arm for her and she took it, wishing she could enjoy the feeling of his strong arm under her glove. Or enjoy being together with him at all, for that matter. Arminas looked handsome, was pleasant company and he liked her, he would have been the perfect match. If only she could have liked him that way…

But she could not. Like she had with all the ellyn who had wooed her the past decades, Aerneth could not help compare him to another ellon, one never far from her thoughts, and just like them Arminas came out short in that comparison. None other was as tall and strong, none had such silver blond hair or expressive eyebrows, none had his deep, tantalizing voice.

It was Thranduil she wanted, and only him.

Aerneth would never forget the moment she saw Thranduil for the first time. She had recently arrived in Menegroth, alone and afraid although she tried not to make it show. Queen Melian was kind but their baking lessons were irregular, depending on when she was not occupied otherwise. The rest of the time Aerneth would be ambling around, feeling out of place in the underground caves of the city, longing for the sea and her parents.

She had no friends among the other young elves, but then, she had never been good at making friends even back home. She talked too much, or said the wrong things perhaps. She had never quite understood what she did wrong.

That day she had wandered outside the city to at least catch some sun and smell the wind, when she came across the training grounds. The warriors practicing archery and sword fighting fascinated her, she admired their skill, their suppleness and strength. But very soon she had been caught by a couple of young ellyn who promptly shooed her away, telling her it was not allowed to watch. She believed their lie and morosely left the area, hearing their jeering laughter behind her and feeling wretched. Caught up in her misery she did not watch her feet and stumbled over a root, but a strong hand had caught her and prevented her fall. When she looked up, the most beautiful ellon she had ever seen was standing before her.

The ellon had been Thranduil, of course, and he had not only helped her remain on her feet, he had also asked if she would like to watch him shoot. Only out of politeness, naturally, but young and naïve as she had been, Aerneth had believed herself singled out. 

Thranduil had saved her, and from that moment he had been on her mind constantly. She had followed him around every day, usually discreetly, but more often than not he had known she was there. Oh, he had hated it of course, she was not stupid. She had annoyed him and embarrassed him in front of his friends but she had been unable to stop. It was like a spell, or, as it had felt after her return to Eglarest, a curse.

It was a long time ago now, and Aerneth had tried hard to get over her infatuation – but obviously failed. Perhaps finding another elf to love was a hopeless endeavor? Maybe she would just have to accept a future without a husband and elflings. She had her parents and a few friends, and she had the city's appreciation for her work with the lembas recipe. Did she need more? She could live without an ellon in her life; many ellith did.

Arminas began talking about the hunting expedition and she dispelled her brooding thoughts, trying to give him her attention. She could be his friend at least, even if he had preferred something more.

They were almost back at her house again when Aerneth felt a warmth in her mind. Someone was thinking about her. Normally this meant that her father or a friend was trying to contact her, but now it felt different. It was someone else – and she instinctively knew who. It made no sense at all, but yet… with absolute certainty she could tell: It was him !

"I must go now. Goodnight, Arminas, I will see you off tomorrow at the port."

He looked disappointed. "So soon? I shall be gone for weeks perhaps. Could you not give me something to remember you by?"

"Here." Aerneth took off her glove and held out her hand for him. The ellon's face brightened and he pressed his lips against it, holding the kiss a little too long. Why could he not hurry? She must go find water before it was too late.

"I shall miss you, lovely Lady!"

"Thank you. Goodnight!"

"Promise to be there tomorrow?"

"I promise."

"Then… I shall watch out for you. I must memorize your fair features to last me during those long hours at sea, and–"

"I really must go, Arminas."

"Tomorrow then. Adieu!"

When Aerneth finally had closed the door in front of the ellon’s infatuated smile, she hurried to her room and filled her washbasin. Through Uinen’s hair, all rivers, lakes and ponds were connected, and if a person was near water and thought about her, Aerneth could use that to see them from afar – and speak with them too, if she wanted.

Uinen was a Maia, and a servant of the Vala Ulmo together with her husband Ossë. While he was known to be wild and dangerous, causing great waves and making the seas dangerous for sailors, Uinen was gentle. She was the only one who could calm her spouse.

Despite Ossë's temper, Círdan had made friends with him a long time ago, and soon their wives became friends too. Uinen had taught both Falasiel and her daughter water magic, but where the former used her knowledge to draw the most lifelike sea-paintings imaginable, the latter preferred more practical uses such as distance communication.

Aerneth sang a short spell while reaching out with her mind, and soon an image formed in her bowl. A forest with bare branches, a glimpse of sky between them and there – a young ellon. Thranduil.

Finally she saw him again after so many years! Thranduil, the only one she could ever love and who – no matter how hard she tried – she could not forget. Whose name alone sent shivers through her body.

He was sitting on a log, leaning slightly forward so his hair framed his handsome face. The golden strands were damp as if he had just bathed, and plaited in a pattern popular by warriors. He was so beautiful her chest hurt. Her memories had not done him justice! Those dark eyebrows over his pale, blue eyes, his long lashes and…

She moved closer to the surface to see better. Why did he look so nervous?

He was wearing armor; a padded leather shirt it looked like, and he held a helmet in his hands. Was he going to battle? Or had he just been at one and injured himself?

Then suddenly his eyes met hers and he jumped up in surprise.

Aerneth quickly moved away from the bowl and closed the connection. She was not ready to be seen, not yet. First she needed to find out what was up. Why had Thranduil thought about her, and why was he so worried?

She ran back to the living room and roughly shook her mother's shoulder to get her attention. "Nana, I need help. Can you get Uinen for me?"

"Uinen?" Falasiel dazedly looked up from the wave crest she was painting.

"Aye! I need to speak with her. It is about Thranduil."

"Thranduil?"

"Yes Nana, Thranduil – the ellon I met in Doriath, remember? I think he may be in danger."

"Oh, him, of course I remember." Falasiel smiled tiredly. "You speak of him often."

"Please call Uinen now. Hurry!"

Sighing, her mother reluctantly laid her brush aside and went to pick up her own water bowl. Technically any water worked for the purpose, but they both preferred bowls. They were easy to carry around and one did not have to go outdoors to use them.

Soon Uinen's face appeared with her familiar, greenish curls billowing around her cheeks like seaweed. She was wearing a coral circlet on her brow.

Aerneth quickly explained the situation.

"Doriath, you say? Hmm." Uinen's ocean-blue eyes went distant as if she was searching for something. "Aye… Near the Sirion. Almost all elves of Doriath are there, and humans from a nearby forest also. Ah. I see why now. Further north the fair river waters are tainted, soiled by a legion of foul creatures. Morgoth's evil spawn!"

"What creatures?" Aerneth breathed.

"Orcs." The Maia said the word like a curse.

"Can you see what's going to happen? Will Thranduil be safe?"

"The enemy outnumbers the defenders, and they will become divided. I see your loved one fleeing, running towards the river."

"Help him. Please!"

"Aye. I see victory – if he and his people are saved, I foresee a great victory for the defenders. I shall help hide them."

oOo

When the Maia had left the bowl, Aerneth paced the room restlessly, hoping her mother's friend really could do something. A legion of orcs! It sounded terrible. Thranduil must not be hurt!

Seeing his beautiful face again had made her feelings reawaken. She knew she still loved him with the same passion as before.

If he survived – should she do something about it?

Thranduil had never seemed to like her much that summer, but young and inexperienced as she had been, she had hoped he would miss her when she was gone and that she would later feel him thinking about her or even receive a letter from him. Of course those hopes had been crushed, and when the years passed and Aerneth grew older she had tried to forget him and come to terms with being alone.

But now… Should she contact him? Ellyn found her attractive now, what if he did too? Maybe then he would not mind how annoying she had been as an elfling. Or maybe he would not recognize her?

A plan formed in her mind. She could visit Doriath again, make her father send her there on some errand or other… surely something plausible could be worked out. And then she would get a fresh start over – as a stranger!

She must use another name at first, of course, but after he had gotten to know her and fallen in love with her she would reveal her real identity. By then he would understand and forgive her guile. It might actually work!

Right in the middle of her grand plotting, she felt a warm glow within. Thranduil again! He was thinking about her twice in one day, and this after not thinking of her at all in over forty years. Aerneth could not believe her luck as she established the connection.

This time Thranduil was standing up to his waist in water, and the air around him was white and smoky. That must be Uinen's doing! She had succeeded in hiding him. He did not look happy, but who would under the circumstances? The water was probably cold and he might worry the orcs would discover him despite everything. Aerneth wished she could be there physically with him and hug him, perhaps rub his shoulders to warm him and say something comforting.

Then Thranduil caught sight of her face again, and his eyes widened. Aerneth looked back at him with a pounding heart. He did not seem to recognize her! Instead he looked curious, with one eyebrow cocked and his eyes narrowing slightly as he scrutinized her. His gaze was so intense she could hardly breathe. 

Before she could stop herself a word slipped through her lips: "Thranduil…"

The curiosity instantly disappeared from his features and was replaced with shock and a hint of fear. Aerneth cursed herself inwardly. How stupid she was! She should not have revealed that she knew his name. He knew she could work water magic, it would not take him long to figure out who she was and realize she was chasing him again like she had done when she was younger. He would be annoyed and think she had not changed at all.

Stupid! She was such a bloody idiot!

Aerneth hurriedly closed the connection, slamming her fist at the table beside the water bowl and biting her lip to restrain a frustrated cry, not wanting to worry her parents needlessly.

She had ruined her chances again.

Damn.

oOo

After a sleepless night, Aerneth went up in the morning to finish her work with the lembas. The hunters needed food on their journey and heartbreak was not reason enough to abandon her duty. Her head felt heavy and her eyes were swollen from crying. Why was she so unlucky? And why must she love one who was so unattainable? It was unfair.

After a while, Falasiel joined her in the room, but instead of taking up her brushes and palette she sat down to help her daughter wrap the waybread. "Uinen just let me know the orcs are dead and your ellon is safe."

"Thank you Nana." Aerneth sighed, relieved. Even though her plan had failed she still wanted Thranduil to live.

"You seem unhappy, my dear."

A bit surprised, Aerneth looked up from her lembas. Her mother rarely paid attention to her daughter's mood. "Well, I guess I just miss him. And regret that I cannot be with him."

"Why not?"

"You know why. He doesn't like me."

"He will like you now. You are a beautiful elleth who just saved his life."

"But what if he remembers how obnoxious I used to be!"

"He is not stupid. He knows people grow up. Just give him time to get to know you and do not pressure him. Shall I ask your adar to send you back to Doriath?"

"Oh Nana!" Aerneth threw her arms around her mother's neck. "Aye. Please do! Thank you."

Notes:

Most of this story will be from Thranduil's perspective, but I will throw in one from Aerneth’s every now and then. :)

Of Valar and Maiar: The Valar were a sort of demigods, and the Maiar their powerful servants. All of them were created by Eru Ilúvatar – The One God, and together they sang the world into existence.

Thanks for kudos and comments on this story! It means a lot to know somebody wants to read this, which gives me energy to scrutinize the Silmarillion after clues to describe the distant First Age of Middle-earth. Fun, but time-consuming. :)

Oh, and on a similar note, I’m Swedish and have no beta reader which means there can be weird word choices and errors sometimes. If you see something looking off, I appreciate being told so I can change it.

Chapter 5: An Emissary From Eglarest

Summary:

The lost boys have returned, but where were they? Thranduil has a date, and a mysterious visitor arrives.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

An Emissary From Eglarest

Menegroth, Doriath, First Age 462

They were nearing the end of their ten mile morning run, and Thranduil’s legs had become slightly tired. This part of their route was his favorite, especially in early spring like now. The air smelled moist and earthy, and parts of the Esgalduin river still had a thin cover of ice from last night’s frost. A soft mist covered the clear water, reminding Thranduil of that time a few years back when his company had been hidden from orcs. He would never forget the mysterious face he had seen in the water. 

After the battle, when he had returned with his unit to look for the two missing human boys, Thranduil had scrutinized the river for clues about the apparition but found nothing. They had not found the boys either, which had been oddly disturbing, mostly because of their father’s and grandfather’s strong reaction. The two men had refused to give up even after a full day of thorough raking over the area, and were still searching when the elves returned home to Doriath. Thranduil had realized then, that even though their lives were very short, humans too could care a lot about each other and grieve for the loss of their loved ones.

That reminded him. 

“Did you hear the news about the lost boys?” A small cloud formed around his lips when he spoke. 

“Nay.” During exercise, was the only time Amroth was nearly as tongue-tied as himself.

“Apparently they showed up in southern Hithlum after a year. Their adar lives there.” He stopped to catch his breath, bending forward with his hands on his knees. Hithlum was a Noldorin realm northwest of Doriath, but the southern part of it had been given to the humans as a fiefdom some years back.

“Did they.” The other ellon followed his example. 

“Aye, but they did not look like they had lived in the wild. They wore fine clothes, new weapons – elvish weapons.”

“Now, that is odd.” Amroth’s interest was finally caught. “Where had they been, then?”

“They would not tell.” Thranduil made a motion to indicate his mouth was sealed close.

The elves began to run again, a bit slower now. 

“Could they have lived with the Outlaws of Dorthonion?” mused Amroth.

“Not likely.”

“True,” he agreed. “Dorthonion is miles from Dimbar where they were lost, and they would have had to pass through Nan Dungortheb where the giant spiders live. Cannot see two human kids surviving that.”

“Besides, the Outlaws were wiped out by Morgoth.”

“Not all of them. Rumor has it, one remains, and he is so powerful even the Lord of the Dark is afraid of him. They say he took on a host of orcs single-handedly!”

“Says who ?” 

“Everybody.”

Thranduil only snorted at that, and increased his pace to ascend a hill. A cluster of yellow coltsfoot grew beside the path, braving the chill to bloom first of all flowers. A little way off to the side a deer couple watched them calmly. They were not afraid of elves, even though those sometimes would shoot them for the meat.

“So, if they were not with the Outlaws… where were they? Could it be... the hidden city ?” Amroth sounded excited about the idea. 

“I thought of that, too. If it exists...”

“It must exist, Turgon and his people could not just have disappeared. If Morgoth had taken them he would have gloated about it. No, they must still live somewhere. There is a hidden city, I’m sure of it, and if the boys found their way there, it means it is not very far off from where we lost them!”

The rest of their run, Amroth chatted enthusiastically about getting Captain Beleg to organize a search party, and how they would begin in Dimbar and scout the mountains until they found the legendary secret realm of Turgon.

Thranduil thought the idea was stupid, but held his tongue. The lands outside Doriath were more dangerous than ever; Morgoth was free and still going strong, the Siege of his fortress Angband long since broken. After their defeat at the Crossing of Teiglin, his orcs had not ventured that far south again, but Thranduil feared it was only a matter of time before they tried again. It was safest to stay put until they knew what the Lord of the Dark was up to. Not that Thranduil liked to cower inside their realm’s magic fence, but he figured if they were going outside it would be on a more relevant mission than searching for a Noldorin city that may or may not exist.

When they were back at the training grounds, Amroth suggested some sparring, but Thranduil had an appointment and must decline.

“Oh I see. Perhaps a certain lady’s involved?” Amroth winked.

Thranduil only smiled noncommittally and returned home. There was no time for a bath, but he washed his face and torso and dabbed a drop of scented oil behind each of his ears, before changing into an elegant blue coat that matched his eyes and went well with his new knee-high boots. He kept the small braids on his temples which had held back his hair during the run, figuring they looked rather nice and made him appear like the warrior he was. A final touch was his thick silver ring inlaid with rhinestones, a gift from his father on his thirteenth decade day a few years back. 

Thus dressed the part, Thranduil wandered over to the royal part of the city and bid one of the palace guards tell the princess her suitor had come. Their chaperone was already waiting. Daeron always brought a musical instrument on these occasions, either a flute, lyre, tambourine or, as today, a slender lute carried in a woven strap over one shoulder. He too had dressed up, but even in fine silk the older ellon was not handsome; his face was too narrow and his eyes too close together.

The gate opened to let Lúthien out, and Thranduil greeted her with a flourished bow. 

“Shall we?” He offered his arm, and she took it with a polite smile. She looked as beautiful as ever in a mantle sewn with golden flowers, over which her black hair cascaded in orderly curls. Daeron followed a few steps behind them.

They took the same route Thranduil had just come, walking back towards the bridge leading out of the city. He never needed to ask the princess where to go, she always wished to walk in the forest. They passed under an avenue of stone beeches, whose leaves were so delicately carved and painted that one almost expected to see them rustle in the breeze. A bright peacock had perched in one of them, right beside a silver dove. The city was full of silver animals and lots of live ones as well; mostly birds like that peacock and several sweet-singing nightingales, but the greater part of them were sparrows – much to everyone’s annoyance because of all the guano. Thranduil hardly even noticed their ever present chirping anymore.

He bent his neck to trail the tallest pillars with his gaze, until they connected with the distant ceiling of the huge cavern, dimly lit by a broad seam of quartz extending from one end to the other. Not much daylight reached down into the city, which instead relied on oil lanterns, but the quartz led some of it through and by looking up Thranduil got a hunch of the weather and time of day outside. He always checked the ceiling before going out, it had become a habit, like a good luck charm for when he was leaving the safety of his home. 

While walking over the bridge that was the only way in or out, Thranduil and Lúthien undertook the mandatory small talk about how their morning had been, to which the answers were always the same. Thranduil had exercised or practiced with his weapons, Lúthien had either been singing, reading or done needlework. Usually all three of those.

Normally, Thranduil would have a hard time thinking of anything to say after this, but today he actually had something to talk about; she had recommended him a book last time and he had read it. He was no great reader, and normally only would do it if his father had assigned him a book as part of his education, and those covered entirely different subjects; warfare or politics mostly. This book had been one of poetry with beautiful illustrations. The poems were too sentimental for his taste, but he had really admired the artwork.

The book was a pleasant enough topic which seemed to actually interest the lady, unlike most Thranduil had chosen before. Unfortunately their chaperone was equally captivated, and it did not take long until he took over the conversation entirely, moving on to other books Thranduil had not read. When he began to recite old romantic tales from when the world was new, Thranduil knew he had lost.

Thranduil’s walks with his intended always ended the same way. Like it was Daeron who wooed her, and Thranduil who was their chaperone. Had he really cared about the princess, he would not have allowed it, he would have rather punched the minstrel in his ugly face than let him steal his bride. But as for now… Thranduil figured it might be for the better. If Lúthien exchanged him for Daeron, Thranduil would be let off the hook, and it would not be his fault. It would not be he who ended things with her.

They were well outside the city now and walked under bare branches, above which Thranduil caught glimpses of a pale blue sky. He rarely saw the sky; never back inside Menegroth of course, and even out here it was hidden by dense foliage most of the year. He felt an ambivalence towards it, it was beautiful in a way, especially at night with all the stars out, but it was also so vast and open. It made him feel insignificant and small, naked and exposed. He turned his gaze away, taking in their surroundings instead. They had come to a glade in the woods, where the warming rays of the early spring sun had awakened some of the grass; tiny green tufts peeked shyly through the thick carpet of last year’s discarded leaves. There were a few flowers too, and Thranduil bent to pick a purple violet and put it behind his ear.

Lúthien laughed at the sight.

“Come, Daeron, play something merry,” she asked. The minstrel had no objection, and as he began, the princess invited Thranduil to a dance. Her hands were warm and soft in his large, calloused ones as he twirled her around in a flutter of rustling leaves. He felt Daeron’s glare on his back but ignored it, resting his eyes instead on the lovely elleth he danced with. There was no other in Doriath to match her beauty, perhaps not in the entire Middle-earth – so why could he not feel it? Instead, another face formed before his vision, framed by golden curls, with large blue eyes and full lips. The vision had been slightly distorted from the ripples of the water, but her features had etched themselves into his brain nevertheless. Hers was another kind of beauty; the tempting, alluring kind that made his thoughts linger on forbidden subjects.

Who was she? And would he ever see her again?

oOo

His parents were arguing again. They fought more often these days, and usually Thranduil had no idea what it was about. It could be anything big or small; that she had made the food too cold, that he had come home too late, that she refused to make social visits. This time however, their dispute probably concerned his mother’s drinking. As always, Oropher took fruit juice or water with his meals, but the past year Eiriendîs had begun to drink wine, claiming she did not need a clear head because politics did not interest her. Her husband had frowned upon it but said nothing at first, but lately she drank more, enough to make her sometimes embarrass them in front of guests. 

Thranduil tried to close his ears to his parents' agitated voices; they kept them down but the walls inside their abode were thin. In all the home caves of Menegroth the outer walls were of massive stone, but the inner walls were usually of wood with only the tapestries the ladies wove to muffle the sounds.

Tonight was a bad night, the angry voices had given way to sounds of violence. Oropher never beat his wife, but if he was upset enough to lose his self-control he might shake her, or even push her into something. Her bruises the next day would tell what had happened. 

Soon she began to cry, and Oropher’s voice grew soft, soothing. “I am sorry. I love you so much. I am sorry… I am so sorry…”

Thranduil knew what would come next and stuck his fingers into his ears, before burying his face below his pillow. It did not help. His mother’s low moans of pain changed and became louder, of pleasure now, and soon he heard the rhythmical pounding of their bed. 

Not until their lovemaking was finally over, could Thranduil get some well-earned rest. He must rise early tomorrow, he had palace guard duty and it did not do to be late.

oOo

King Elu Thingol’s throne room was the most beautiful cave of all the thousand dwellings in Menegroth. The pillars were formed into trees twining together in stony embraces, and the pink granite floor underneath was polished so smooth one could use it as a mirror. On either side of the raised throne were silver fountains, and the chair itself was of silver too, carved with reliefs of forest animals. Thingol was no less elegant, clad in a cloak woven with silver threads, and on his head a matching circlet with a pale blue diamond set in the front. The cool gray of Thingol’s furniture and outfit did not really suit him; his dark hair called for warmer colors. Had Thranduil looked like him, he would have worn golden or red nuances.

Thranduil liked palace duty, despite the dullness of standing straight by the door for hours at end; the surroundings were pleasant to rest one’s eyes on, and the topics discussed between the king and those seeking his audience were usually interesting. Unlike his mother, he found politics quite engaging. Hearing all the matters Thingol had to address and make decisions about, made Thranduil realize what a demanding office he had; being king was so much more than idly sitting on a throne, wearing fine clothes and a crown. 

A page came in, he whispered his errand to Thranduil as to not interrupt the king’s conversation with one of his lords. Thranduil nodded, and in turn passed the message on to one of the courtiers, who edged closer to the throne where he caught the king’s attention with a small cough. 

“Ah, our guests from Eglarest are here,” Thingol acknowledged. “They have been riding fast, Melian felt them pass through the Girdle but four hours ago. Pray, let them in.”

The Girdle of Melian was the king’s name for the magic fence surrounding Doriath, and it was rather fitting, as it was the queen who upheld it with her Maia magic. None could pass through it unless they were stronger than her, and so far nobody had proven to be. Only Sindar elves were allowed entrance, except Galadriel and her brother despite their Noldorin heritage. They claimed to have had nothing to do with the crimes committed by their kin in Valinor, and in addition, Galadriel was a very close friend of the queen.

The page returned with the visitors, a small group of simply dressed elves. They went to stand before the throne and greeted the king politely. 

“We bear tidings from Lord Círdan,” said one of them. Positioned by the entrance, Thranduil could not see the ellon's face, but his black hair was unusually long and almost reached his knees. 

Círdan's message turned out to originate from Fingon, the new High King of the Noldor, who because none of his people were welcome in Doriath had bid the Shipwright to deliver his plea. Apparently a huge orc army was coming against him, marching towards a mountain pass near the river Sirion’s source which was the only way into Hithlum from Morgoth’s realm. Fingon was greatly outnumbered and had called for aid to resist the foe. 

Círdan and his people, the Falathrim as they were called, already sailed their ships north along the coast meaning to join Fingon that way, and from his southern fiefdom came many human warriors. Still, Fingon feared he would not be strong enough. Would not the gray elves help this time? King Thingol had large numbers of skilled march-wardens, if he would send them north to the Pass of Sirion the orc army would be hit from two sides, by the Noldor and the Falathrim from the west and by the Sindar of Doriath from the south.  

Thingol listened in silence until the emissary had finished, and when he responded, his voice was cold. “If I did not hold Círdan Shipwright in such high regard, I would have had you thrown out of Doriath for wasting my time.” He rose to tower over them, his height accentuated by the upraised position of his throne. “Círdan and the Noldor know my position; never shall my people lose their lives defending those who killed my kin in Valinor!”

Thranduil winced. Why could not the king see that Morgoth was a threat to them all? If he beat the Noldor in Hithlum, he could easily turn south and attack the rest of Beleriand. This time it was only orcs, but he still had his balrogs and his dragon!

“Lord Círdan knows this well.” Another of the visitors had spoken, an elleth this time, with a single dark braid trailing down her navy blue dress. “Yet, he would have you know how grave this matter is. The orc army is immense, the scouts reported their numbers to be uncountable, a host greater than has ever been seen since the Dark Lord came to Beleriand. Your queen's magic cannot protect you forever.”

“It can, and it will. Now, leave me.”

As the emissaries trooped out, Thranduil could see their faces for the first time. They looked tired and dejected, and some seemed annoyed too. He could understand them, they had undertaken a long journey from Eglarest all in vain.

Suddenly a chill seeped into Thranduil’s veins. One of the ellith… Her hair was blonde, in a more golden hue than Thranduil’s own, her eyes blue, and those full lips… It was her ! The elleth he had seen in his mind every day the past four years. The face in the water!

As she passed him, the elleth turned her head slightly and their eyes met. She smiled and winked at him. “Hello, Thranduil!”

And then she was gone.

Notes:

Next chapter we shall find out who this mystery elleth is! Any guesses? ;)
Thanks for kudos and comments so far!

Chapter 6: Water Magic

Summary:

Thranduil tries to find out more about the mysterious elleth and invites her to his home.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Water Magic

The rest of that day’s guard duty was exceptionally tedious. Thranduil wanted nothing more than to be able to leave, so he could find those emissaries and ask the elleth who she was and how she knew his name. She had looked familiar, but it had been over so soon he had not been able to see her clearly. He fervently wished the visitors would stay in Menegroth for a while, that they would not have been offended enough to return home immediately. But even if they did, he would find a way to follow them somehow, he would not let that elleth disappear again.

When he was finally relieved by the evening shift and free to go, Thranduil hurried home with a clever idea about how he could get close to the elleth. 

He found his mother in the sitting room, mending his and Oropher’s clothes while the latter was reading aloud to her. The scene would have looked like a perfect example of marital bliss, if not Eiriendîs’ ear had been red and swollen and if there had been no finger-shaped bruises on her arm. With a combination of anger, shame and helplessness, Thranduil recalled the fight he had overheard yesterday night. 

He managed to suppress his emotions, forbidding his features to betray them. There was nothing he could do about his parents’ relationship. It was what it was. Instead he brought up his errand.

“Some important guests came to Doriath today, from Círdan Shipwright. They were not very well received by the king. Can we invite them to supper?”

His parents looked up, surprised by their son’s unusual request. 

“I suppose… Well, it depends on how many they are, really… what with the food, and all.” His mother sounded a bit hesitant.

“They were six.”

“That is nothing, just have Thranduil run away to the butcher’s for some extra rabbits,” said Oropher. “But why were they not well received? I do not wish to anger Thingol by inviting an enemy of his to my table.”

Thranduil explained the emissaries’ errand, stressing the fact that they were allies from Eglarest; the king had nothing against them personally, he just did not like their message. Thus calmed, Oropher decided to visit the palace guest house and deliver the invitation personally.

When his father returned with a favorable answer, Thranduil’s stomach made a nervous flip. He hurried to his room to decide what to wear, rummaging through his clothes chest and finding nothing suitable. At last he settled for a tunic in pale blue and gold brocade with tight fitting sleeves, which accentuated the shape of his arms nicely. The disadvantage was the lightness of its color, he worried that he with his fair hair and complexion would look pallid in it. But it was the best he had, it would have to do. He reminded himself to use his next payroll exclusively at the tailor’s. 

Next he brushed his hair with extra care, adding an oil to make it smooth and give it luster as well as smell nice, and then plaited a couple of thin warrior braids on each temple. Glancing in his silver mirror, he saw a tall, very nervous young ellon looking back at him. But he looked handsome, he had to admit, and he knew that if he went out like this, ellith would turn after him, and not only the unmarried ones.

When he walked down the steps to the dining area, Thranduil all but trembled, and it took every ounce of his self-control not to let it show. But then he spotted the first guest, and his heart plummeted. Who had invited Princes Lúthien? 

She came up to him, smiling politely the way she always did. He wanted to tell her to stand somewhere else and pretend that they did not know each other, but instead he was forced to speak with her; it did not do for a march-warden to be rude to the king’s daughter. His only relief was that the other guests had not arrived yet. 

Never had Thranduil fought more to find words, never had he felt more awkward, but thankfully Lúthien did not seem to mind. By now she was probably used to his lack of social skills.

Then there was a knock at last and Thranduil joined his parents at the door.

“You look very nice,” said his mother in passing, hastily stroking his cheek. She also looked well; she had covered her bruised ear with her hair and wore a long-sleeved dress, but he had no time to look closely because now the guests filed in. 

And there she was… his water maiden. He stared at her, drawing in a quick breath in surprise as realization dawned. No wonder she had seemed familiar! 

“Greetings, Master Oropher, I am Aerneth Círdaniel. Greetings Madam.” Her melodic voice had not changed. She bowed her head and placed a thin, elegant hand across her heart. Then she turned to Thranduil, and her smile widened. “Greetings Thranduil Oropherion, well met again.” She had barely been more than an elfling last time, but she had certainly grown up gracefully.

“Greetings, my lady.” He wanted to say something more, but before he could think of anything the other visitors came forward and he had to focus on them. 

As Oropher led the way into their dining room, Thranduil discreetly observed Aerneth. He found that he recognized her well, even after so many decades. She was still the same elleth who had been his shadow that summer, but what had been skinny and flat then had matured into enticing curves. Her waist was as thin as it had been, but above and below it… He had to force himself to avert his gaze from her shapely body, fervently hoping he was not blushing. 

Thranduil had Lúthien to the table, of course, and Aerneth was seated too far away for him to be able to talk to her. He longed to get her alone and ask if it had been she who called forth the mist that likely saved his unit’s life, and if so, how she had known they needed it. He found that his eyes kept being drawn her way, and whenever she noticed it she would smile. 

Why had he not realized all those years ago how captivating her smile was? Nothing like the refined, polite ones he got from Lúthien. He wondered if she still liked him. 

The conversation during their meal revolved around the impending war in Hithlum. Círdan had brought most of his warriors with him when he sailed north, leaving only a small unit to protect the Falas, the region surrounding Eglarest. Unlike Thingol, Círdan had long since forgiven the Noldor for the slaying of his relatives in Valinor. 

”It is unfortunate we cannot help this time,” said Oropher. ”I am as concerned as you about the new orc army, Morgoth has grown too powerful for my liking. But I agree with my lord King – he smiled at the princess – that one cannot trust the Noldor. And Fingon of Hithlum was one of those who supported Fëanor and his sons in that awful deed.”

”In that we differ,” replied the other female emissary, the elleth with the single, dark braid. ”The Noldor have proven true to us Falathrim many times, protecting us against Morgoth and aiding in the rebuilding of our cities. One must lay aside old quarrels in the face of a common foe.”

Thranduil secretly agreed with her, but would not speak up publicly against his father. 

Clearly wishing to avoid a heated discussion, Oropher changed topic and asked Aerneth about her family. Who was her naneth, and did she have any siblings? 

She replied graciously. Her naneth’s name was Falasiel, and Aerneth was an only child, but her parents talked of having another elfling when times became more peaceful.

Thranduil could not take his eyes off her as she spoke. Her voice was so mellow and her behavior so pleasant. 

“Let us have some music, son,” said Oropher after the final course of nuts and dried fruits was cleared away. Thranduil was not surprised, for his father always expected him to entertain their guests. He would never be a master performer, but he played the lyre tolerably well nowadays and had been told his singing voice was pleasant. 

“Lúthien – you decide what your suitor shall play.” 

Thranduil groaned inwardly. Why did Oropher have to reveal that they were courting? He stole a glance at Aerneth but her face was turned away. With luck, she had not heard.

“Play something merry,” said Lúthien. 

He chose a song about the sea, thinking it might please Aerneth who lived by it. Lúthien clapped her hands and stamped her foot to the beat, and very soon she was up, dancing. She loved to dance and did it beautifully, and when Thranduil had finished one song she asked for another. 

Again he glanced at Aerneth. She was looking at Lúthien as if she were an orc, clearly not appreciating her dance skills at all. Then she turned to the ellon next to her, the one with the very long hair, and mumbled something in his ear. He nodded, and when Thranduil began a new piece the couple rose to join Lúthien on the floor. Now it was Thranduil’s turn to scowl as he watched them twirl around, hand in hand. At least it seemed the ellon was shorter than him, but that was a very small comfort. 

Thranduil would not have thought things could go more wrong after this, but then his mother rose to join the dance, her movements unsteady and awkward from the wine she had consumed. Oropher’s countenance became stony, and Thranduil feared there would be another argument tonight. When the song had finished, Oropher promptly rose.

“I think this will be enough entertainment for tonight, my son, the hour is growing late and our guests must be tired.”

The guests took the hint and made ready to leave. Thranduil tried to catch Aerneth’s gaze but she would not look at him, ever since the dancing she had ignored him completely. 

The evening had not worked out at all like he had hoped. He could not let her go like this, he must get to talk to her! But how to do it with everybody around? His parents, Lúthien… They would wonder why he wished to speak with a foreign elleth alone. He feverishly tried to think of a way, but his brain felt clogged. 

When she turned to him to say goodbye, he got his chance.

“Farewell, Thranduil.” Her voice was cool. Only a tiny quiver of her lip betrayed that she might feel more than she pretended to.

“How long are you staying in Menegroth?” he asked.

“We leave tomorrow.” The quiver was more prominent now.

“I shall be exercising tomorrow, at sunrise. With my weapons. At the training grounds, you know, where I always exercise.” He lowered his voice to a murmur. “I remember finding someone in a tree there once, perhaps I shall find someone in that tree again tomorrow? I hope I will. I really, really do…” He was babbling, he knew that, but he hoped his eyes would convey the message if his words failed. He wanted to talk to her. He had to talk to her before she left.

Her eyes widened slightly. They were big, their shade a deep blue, framed by long lashes. 

“Please,” he mouthed.

“One never knows what can be found in trees,” she said, lifting her pretty nose haughtily. “We shall see.” And with that she left him, his heart beating fast from a flutter of hope.

oOo

The night passed slowly, and Thranduil turned restlessly in his bed, wide awake. At first he had to endure his parents’ fight, and afterwards their usual reconciliation lovemaking. He hardly knew which was worse. Now it was silent, with only light snores sounding from the other side of the wall, yet sleep would not come to him. Instead he turned the evening’s events over and over in his head. 

At first Aerneth had seemed to still like him, if he interpreted her smiles correctly. But then Oropher had ruined everything with his revelation about Lúthien. Had he done it intentionally? Not much went past that ellon’s sharp perception, maybe he had puzzled the pieces together; Thranduil’s unusual request to invite the emissaries to supper and his repeated glances at the elleth. 

What would he say to Aerneth if she came to the training grounds tomorrow? He pondered this for a while, using his old trick of constructing the sentences beforehand in his head, repeating them until he felt sure he could say them without hesitation.

He did drowse off eventually, but awoke long before the lamplighters had begun their morning round, when Menegroth was still cloaked in shadows and the only light outside his window came from the red night lanterns. He checked his hourglass by the bed. Two hours until sunrise. With open eyes he laid back again, just waiting, willing the minutes to go faster. Would Aerneth come?

When at last it was time to rise, Thranduil dressed in his guard clothes that were more suitable for training than the finery he wore yesterday, but he took extra care to brush and plait his hair. He forced himself not to run when he entered the deserted street, he might encounter Aerneth on the way and did not want to seem too eager. But he did not see her. Instead he met Amroth who had city gate duty this morning, and Thranduil tried to look innocent as he changed a few words with his friend before continuing out. 

On this early hour the training grounds were equally empty as the city had been. Again no Aerneth in sight. He moved his gaze to the tree he had found her in so many years ago, but its bare branches were empty too, this time of year he would have spotted her easily had she been there. 

He could not hold back a sigh. She had not come. 

But he did not want to give up. She could be late, maybe she had overslept. And there still was a while left until the sun would rise over the treetops. 

He began to pace to and fro, his hands behind his back. 

“Hello, Thranduil!”

He spun towards the sound, his heart beating faster. Aerneth stepped out from behind the thick tree trunk, a cheeky smile playing on her lips. The rising sun made her hair shine like fire. 

Mutely he closed the distance between them in a few strides. This was it, his chance. But now that she was here no words would come. His mouth felt dry, his tongue thick and unwilling to cooperate. 

Aerneth saved him. 

“You still look the same,” she said. 

“You do not.”

“Nay?” She smiled. “Changed for the better or worse?”

“Better.” He swallowed. 

“Your sweetheart is very beautiful.” Her eyes narrowed.

“Lúthien is not my sweetheart! We… our adars want the match, but she means nothing to me.”

“I see.” Her smile was back. “So, were you not going to exercise? I had the impression I was coming to watch you practice.” 

He jumped to grip the lowest branch of the tree she had hidden behind, pulling himself up by his arms and then dropping, up and drop, up and drop. 

“Impressive.” She observed him with apparent interest. In a surge of delight and pride he made a dozen more pullups, nearly bursting with energy. 

“Walk with me,” she demanded after a while. Thranduil happily obliged, dropping from the branch to offer her his arm. He loved the feeling of her hand on his forearm as she took it. 

“The Esgalduin is beautiful this time of year,” she said. Thranduil had led her onto the river path he often took on his morning run.

“This is the nice part.” 

“Is there a bad part then?”

“Aye, after the city.” He grinned. “All of our waste water empties in it.” He picked a flat stone from the riverbed and threw it across the water, satisfied when it bounced two times before sinking.

Aerneth picked another stone and threw it like he had, with the addition of a short wordless song. Thranduil gaped as the stone bounced all the way across to the other shore, at least fifty yards off. 

“How did you do that?” he asked. “And the mist that saved me, that was you, was it not?”

“Aye.”

“But how ?” He had to know. 

“Uinen taught me how to make the waters obey, a long time ago. She is friends with my nana. But the mist was her work, so I asked her to do it.”

“Uinen…” he breathed. The Lady of the Seas, helper of the Vala Ulmo. He had actually thought it might be her he had seen in the water that time. “But how did you know I needed help?”

“You thought about me.” She shrugged. “When someone is near water and thinks about me, I can pick it up. That is how I communicate with Ada when he is away sailing.”

“Really?” He did not remember thinking of Aerneth then, but perhaps he had? 

“Look into the river and think about me,” she ordered, walking a few yards upstream. He obeyed, peering into the clear water. As soon as he pictured Aerneth in his mind, her face formed on the surface, looking so real he had to glance over his shoulder to make sure it was not just her reflection. When the image spoke, he heard it in a strange stereo, coming both from the water and from her physical person. 

“Hello Thranduil, you look surprised.” The image and Aerneth both laughed.

“Can you hear and see me too?” he asked the image.

“Aye. When I create the connection it goes both ways, until I end it.” The image disappeared.

Thranduil moved his gaze back to the real her. “When you leave… Can I talk to you this way?”

“If you want to.”

“I do.” He took her hand. “Ever since I saw you in the river I have thought about you.” He wanted to add that this would probably get even worse, now that he had seen her in real person. She was the loveliest elleth he had met. 

“I’ve been thinking about you too.” She suddenly looked very young, her cheeks coloring. 

“Aerneth…” He pressed her hand to his lips. “You saved my life. All of our lives. It means a lot.”

“Oh. So you were grateful? That was why you thought about me?” She sounded disappointed.

“Not only.” He met her gaze, drowned in it, again at loss for words. 

She stepped closer, so near he could smell the oil she used in her hair, something fruity. Lemons? Whatever it was made him giddy. 

His eyes were drawn to her lips. He wanted to taste them, and it took all his self-control not to bend down and kiss her. Just being alone with her like this was inappropriate, he must not take advantage of the situation. Kissing her would be unpardonable.

“Why else did you think of me then?” she asked, her voice low and silky. 

“I could not forget your beautiful face.”

“You think I’m beautiful?”

“Aye. Oh aye…” His head moved on its own accord, and her face turned up to meet his. Her lips were soft, sweeter than honey. He never wanted to stop. 

With huge effort he managed to break the kiss. “I’m sorry!” he burst out, guiltily taking a step back.

“Why? Did you not like it?” She licked the lip he had just kissed, tasting him.

“I did. Very much. But I should not… it is not right. We are not even courting…”

“True.” Her smile waned. “You ought to end things with her first.” 

“I will!”

“Besides, I have to go now. We were planning to leave shortly after sunrise, and the others are probably waiting for me. Call me through the water in ten days from now, when I’m sure to be back home. Then I shall know I can trust you.”

“Ten days. I promise.”

Notes:

Translations: The suffix ‘-iel’ after a name means ‘daughter’ in Sindarin, and ‘-ion’ means ‘son’. Thus, Círdaniel means Círdan’s daughter and Oropherion means Oropher’s son. ‘Nana’ means mom and ‘Ada’ dad.

Of elves and sleeping with open/closed eyes: Tolkien is vague about this subject. Legolas slept with his eyes open before entering Fangorn in the Two Towers, but the drunk guards in the Hobbit seem to have slept normally. Since Tolkien left it so vague, I let the elves in my stories mostly sleep like humans do, but they can enter a sort of meditative resting state in case of wartime or hurry. They can also go without sleep entirely for many days because of their greater stamina.

Chapter 7: Long Distance Relationship

Summary:

Thranduil and Aerneth try to have a long distance relationship but she is not the most patient of ellith.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Long Distance Relationship

Seldom had the route to the river felt so long, and Thranduil all but ran the last part. The past days had been taxing. Time after another he had felt his mind wander as he recalled the meeting in the forest. Those lips… Over and over he had replayed their kiss, and many times his mind added things that had not happened. He daydreamed of holding her close to him, feeling her softness against his hardened warrior’s body and exploring her curves with his hands.

At one point he had been so lost in thought he had accidentally dropped his spear when he stood guard in Thingol’s throne room, with an embarrassingly loud clatter as a result.

As he finally arrived at that same spot where the kiss had happened, Thranduil’s body tingled with a combination of excitement and nervousness. Would this work? 

“Aerneth? Are you there?” He stared anxiously down into the river. 

Nothing. Only a big stone with green moss growing underwater, and a dead moth following the stream past him. His stomach sank.

“Aerneth?” 

Why would she not come? Had she forgotten about him so soon? Or was she angry because he had acted so indecently? But she had kissed him back. She seemed to like it.

“Aerneth, please answer…” Closing his eyes, he pictured her face, her body, how she had looked after he kissed her. He wanted so badly to see her again.

When he opened his eyes, she had appeared. Her thin eyebrows were drawn together and the full lips turned down, but she still looked amazing. His chest fluttered at the sight. Oh how he wished she could have been here in person!

“You call this ten days?” she scowled.

“Oh. Sorry… I had palace duty yesterday.”

“And you could not find any water that entire day? Don’t they wash their hands in the palace? Besides, you could have used a fountain.”

“There were so many others around.” He swallowed, his mouth becoming dry. This did not go as planned. “I am sorry, Aerneth.”

“All right then.” Her countenance softened somewhat.

“How was your journey home?” he asked. How strange it felt to talk to a person so far away! Eglarest was almost ninety leagues to the west of Menegroth, an eight day ride on a fast horse.

“It was all right, I guess. Tiresome. And boring.” She smiled. “I thought about you.”

“You did?” He smiled back.

“Aye. I remembered our kiss and pretended it was longer.” She licked her lips. Thranduil felt blood rush to his lower abdomen. Oh, how he agreed! 

“I wish it were longer too.” And that they could have done more than kissing, but he did not say that loud.

“Next time it could be,” she suggested.

“When is next time?” 

“I don’t know. When you come visit me? I have been twice to Menegroth now, and you have never been to Eglarest.”

“I wish I could…”

“Why couldn’t you?”

“I am a march-warden. My captain and my king decide where I go.”

“Oh.” She looked disappointed.

“I must stop now. I am supposed to train new recruits today… Cannot be late.”

“Oh.” Her frown was back.

“I will call you again soon. I promise.”

“I might be busy washing my hair,” she grumbled.

That, of course, gave Thranduil some very interesting mental images to ponder over on his way to the training grounds. It seemed they could use any kind of water for this. What would happen if he called her when she bathed? 

oOo

That evening Oropher had some dinner guests over who stayed until very late, making another call impossible, and the next two days Thranduil and a few other march-wardens were called out to track down a wounded brown bear and end its misery. A couple of wood gatherers had been surprised by the creature and been forced to defend themselves when it attacked them, but unfortunately it had fled before they could kill it.

On the fourth evening after their first call, Thranduil finally found a new opportunity. This time he stayed in his room since going to the river was complicated at this hour. Instead he carefully filled his wash basin to the brim, hoping such a small amount of water would work too. 

Afraid his parents might hear, he did not say Aerneth’s name out loud, only forming a mental image of her. It worked sooner than he had dared hope, her face appeared almost instantly as if she had been waiting for him. This time he saw a little of her surroundings. She was in a building with wooden walls and a wooden ceiling, apparently a house of sorts. Was it her room? She probably was using her wash basin for this as well.

“Hello,” he whispered, holding a finger to his mouth so she would not answer too loudly. 

“Hello Thranduil,” she replied, her voice low. Hearing her image in the water whisper through those lovely lips was the most sensual thing Thranduil had yet experienced. The excited flutter from the other day returned in full force.

“Were you going to bed too?” she asked. He noticed she only wore a thin chemise, and his trousers suddenly felt very tight.

“Aye.” He swallowed, picturing her in a bed. Naked.

“Why are you not undressed then?” That impish smile of hers would be the death of him!

Still meeting her gaze in the bowl, Thranduil undid the lacing partway down the front of his tunic and pulled it over his head. It felt strange and forbidden to stand before her in only his linen undershirt, but at the same time it did not feel quite real. She was not actually here .

“Better,” she whispered, her eyes large and dark. “You look stronger than I remembered.”

“Shall I take off the shirt?” he offered.

She nodded, so he did, trembling slightly as he hung the garment on his chair. 

Would she remove her chemise if he asked her? He wondered what her breasts might look like. Their shape hinted through her flimsy garment.

”Your hair is so long,” she breathed. “Do you wear those braids when you sleep?” 

”Nay.”

”Then take them out. I liked your hair the way it was when we first met. Free… like seagrass.”

”Seagrass?” He grinned while undoing his warrior braids. 

”When you come to me I shall show you seagrass. Can you swim?”

”Aye.”

”I like to swim without clothes.”

He found no words. 

”I could– Darn. I must go. Nana comes! Bye Thranduil!” She blew him a kiss and disappeared. 

Thranduil remained a long time staring into the bowl with unseeing eyes, his imagination painting vivid images of a golden haired elleth swimming naked in clear waters. He did not feel the chill of his room. Inside, he was on fire.

oOo

Gliding into the hot water of his bath, Thranduil’s body throbbed with anticipation. It was well worth all the carrying of buckets and heating the water to be finally able to do this! He and Aerneth had planned it for several months, it had been hard to find a time that was suitable for them both, especially for Thranduil who worked many evenings and rarely was alone in his free time. 

Luckily, tonight Oropher and Eiriendîs were dining with his colleague Amdír and his wife, Amroth’s parents. Oropher and Amdír both held leading positions in the Royal Office of Economy. Doriath was a small kingdom with less than three thousand inhabitants but nevertheless there was much to organize to make it run smoothly. When necessary, most of the residents could take up weapons and join the march-wardens to battle, like that time in the Forest of Brethil a few years back. But in addition almost everybody had a civil profession. Within the thousand caves of Menegroth worked palace staff, guards, cleaners, healers, foraging teams, butchers, tailors, smiths and more. Their wages and taxes were a lot to administrate, and the king could not do it alone.

Normally Thranduil would have gone with his parents on their visit, but tonight Amroth was working the evening shift in the palace, so Thranduil had feigned tiredness to be allowed to stay behind. Aerneth for her part had only her mother to worry about now that Círdan was on his way to Hithlum, and apparently Falasiel was prone to long, lone walks along the shore nearly every evening.

Thus, they found themselves with several solitary hours before them.

“Aerneth,” murmured Thranduil into the water, after making sure the soap lather well concealed the lower half of his body. He had washed his hair first and it now covered his bare shoulders in moist strands.

“Hello handsome!” Her face appeared, and part of her torso. She was covering her breasts with her arm in a very appealing way, the soft swellings of her exposed cleavage promising an interesting view below.

“Hello beautiful,” he responded hoarsely. Sweet Elbereth, how gorgeous she was!  

“Enjoying your bath?” She grinned cheekily.

“Much. You?”

“Aye, I do now. It was a bit lonely at first.” She lowered her arm a fraction. 

He swallowed, unable to reply. 

“I like that look on your face,” she said. Her arm barely managed to cover her extraordinary bosom. 

He stared at it, willing it to go away.

“Say something dirty,” she suggested.

“You are beautiful. I want to…” He hesitated. 

“Aye?” Her impish grin widened and her arm dropped. 

He drew in his breath sharply. She was magnificent. 

“You want to…?” she prompted.

“I want to bed you.”

“How?”

“Take you. Pin you down with my body and take you.” 

She grinned pleasedly. “You are cute when you blush,” she decided.

He tried to hide his face with foam, while at the same time fighting to keep his throbbing body under control. He knew what he would do in bed later, but waiting until then was torture! 

“I really do want you though,” he murmured through the soap. He wondered when they could do this again. Hopefully it would be sooner than the many months this had taken to arrange. Maybe next time he could persuade her to bathe without soap lather?

“I want you too. When are you coming to ask for my hand?”

Her question effectively chased away the alluring image of her naked lower body. He stifled a sigh. How many times were they going to have this conversation?

“Not much can be done while Lord Círdan remains in Hithlum.” He scooped up a soap bubble and blew on it. It flew away to land on the chair where his folded linen towel waited.

“Have you told your ada about us yet?” 

“Aerneth, please…”

“Are you ashamed of me?”

“Of course not. Must we speak of this again?”

“I am tired of waiting.”

“I know… I know. I will tell him. But it is complicated, what with the king, and–”

“...his daughter, yes thank you, I get that.” She frowned. “Well, it was nice bathing with you, Thranduil. Call me when you’ve ended your present relationship.”

“Don’t do this. Please.”

“Good night.”

“Wait!”

But she was gone. 

Thranduil rubbed his face tiredly. Aerneth did not understand what Oropher was like, or King Elu Thingol for that matter. They were stubborn elves and when their minds were set not much could budge them. He needed more time. 

In addition, there was the matter of the war. Weddings were best celebrated in peacetime, when the proper ceremonies could be held. 

Despite the protective fence around Doriath, he worried about the situation in the north. Morgoth’s orcs were very near the Hithlum border now, and scouts brought back news that they had broken through the first resistance at Eithel Sirion, the old fortress by the spring where the river Sirion began. Many had been slain, both humans and elves, and the new Lord of the humans fought desperately to keep the enemy at bay in the mountain passes. 

Surprisingly this leader was Húrin, one of the boys Thranduil had lost in Brethil and who later mysteriously returned. 

Word had it that Húrin had become a mighty hero despite being a mortal, and was holding his stance so far. But for how long? What would happen if he fell, if Hithlum fell? Would Morgoth turn south and try once again to cross the Sirion into west Beleriand? If so, Doriath would have to defend its borders and Thranduil would likely be called to the front with the rest of the march-wardens. And battles were always risky, there were always losses.

No, now was not a good time to enter a marriage. 

Thranduil knew that Aerneth worried over these things too, but she came to a different conclusion. Instead of waiting, she wanted to hurry. What if her father was killed in Hithlum? What if Morgoth attacked the Falas where she lived? She wanted to be properly married before the impending disaster, to at least have a few days of happiness before either or both of them died. She was often dramatic like that.

oOo

Red and yellow leaves littered the surface of the Esgalduin, and the grass on the riverbank was coated in powdery, white frost. Thranduil sat on a large stone and peered into the water while thinking of Aerneth, more from habit than from any real hope she would reply. He had endured several months of silent treatment now.

To his surprise, her face formed between the leaves. When he brushed them aside he could see her surroundings; clear, open sky high above her like a blue canopy. She was silent, but in the background he heard a rumbling, mighty sound. The sea! She must be sitting on the beach.

“I did not think you would come,” he said. Now that they had not talked for so long, he did not know what to say.

She remained silent, and now he saw she was crying. It was hard to spot the tears in her image among the ripples of the river, but her lip was trembling and her shoulders shaking.

“What is wrong?” He leaned closer to the surface. “Aerneth… talk to me.”

“I am so worried,” she sobbed. “Ada just called. There will be a huge battle tomorrow. He is marching towards the orcs now, with King Fingon’s people and the humans. What if he doesn’t survive?”

“I am sure he will survive.” 

“How can you be sure?”

“Did you not say before that he is friends with Ossë the Maia? He will protect him, just like his wife Uinen protected me that time.”

“There is no water there.”

“Oh…”

“If Ada dies then Nana will take one of his ships and sail to Aman, I am sure of it. She longs to go there even now… But...” Her voice broke. “But I am not sure I am ready to leave yet.”

“Leave?” An uncomfortable chill seeped down his spine. “Why would you leave?”

“Why should I stay? I would be all alone.” She was meeting his gaze for the first time now, her eyes red rimmed and swollen.  

He wanted to say she would not be alone, that he would marry her, but nothing came out. He could not promise her this without speaking to his father. A conversation he had kept postponing, knowing his father would not approve. Oropher wanted that alliance with King Thingol so badly, the princess was a much more eligible match.

“Why am I even talking to you? If you cared about me one bit you would have come for me instead of making up excuses. This was a mistake. Let’s end it.” Her expression was hard, but her trembling lip betrayed how much it hurt her to speak those words. 

Thranduil found his voice at last. "No! Please, I don't want to end it. I want to marry you!"

“Then prove it.”

“I will. I will tell my adar that I intend to wed you. And I shall stop seeing Lúthien.”

“When? You keep promising me this, and yet here we are. So tell me when. When will you speak to your ada? When will you break up with that princess?”

“The hunting season begins tomorrow so I will be away for some days, a week perhaps, but after that… I promise, as soon as I return I will do it.”

She was silent for a long time, and Thranduil felt his heart beat so fast it hurt. He could not lose her. 

“Please,” he begged again, his voice barely more than a whisper.

“All right. I give you two weeks.” Her image disappeared.

Thranduil remained by the river, his mind full of apprehension. What would he say to his father, how could he explain what Aerneth meant to him? He was so bad with words, especially when talking to Oropher. Even if he thought out the sentences beforehand, his father had a tendency to ask questions he had not prepared answers for, rendering him dumbfounded and stupid. He had a very bad feeling about the outcome of this heart-to-heart.

At least he would have some days to compose his speech. He could not give up, he must persuade his father somehow, he had to. This was his last chance or he would lose Aerneth.

Notes:

If you ever wondered what phone sex was like in Middle-earth, now you know. ;) 
The longest I ever managed a long distance relationship was 3 months… Will it work better for Thranduil and Aerneth? And what will Oropher say? I love to hear your thoughts!

Of elves and sex: They marry only once, and the physical union is the wedding. If Thranduil wants to ’bed’ Aerneth, the only available way is marriage.

Chapter 8: Autumn Hunt

Summary:

Thranduil hunts with his friends, attends a party, and has an important conversation with his father.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Autumn Hunt

The autumn was normally Thranduil’s favorite season, and in particular he loved the yearly hunt. Every elf who could handle a bow took part, as well as those who knew how to skin and butcher. The city’s storages would be restocked with salted and conserved meat to last the entire year; food that would not spoil even on longer journeys, and serve as a complement to what little fresh game they could get during the winter months. 

The elves would spread out in smaller groups, dividing the kingdom between them. When they returned with their catch, a huge feast was held in celebration of the forest’s bounty. There would be bonfires, dancing, singing, and of course meat aplenty, roasted over charcoal until crisp on the outside and pink and savory within. 

The feast would be a good opportunity for the conversation with his father about Aerneth, Thranduil figured. Oropher loved hunting, and would be relaxed and content. Hopefully that would make him more likely to comply with his son’s wishes.

As usual, Thranduil went out together with his childhood friends: Amroth, Medlin, Taurandir and Beleg. On the hunt, Beleg was no longer his and Amroth’s captain – here they were all equals, just like they used to be in their childhood. 

When they arrived in their secluded clearing, a flood of happy memories filled Thranduil. He loved everything about this place; the cozy wood cabin they had built on their first hunt, barely more than elflings, the small brook where they fetched their water and bathed, even the simple fare of lembas – Queen Melian’s famous waybread. Apart from the food, they had only brought their weapons and one barrel of salt each to store the meat and hides in. They needed to travel light, for if their hunt was successful there would be a heavy load to carry back to Menegroth.

Before taking to the trees for their first day of hunting, the friends had to make the old cabin fit to live in again. They cut fresh rushes from the creek to cover the holes in the roof, and swept the earthen floor clean of old leaves, spiderwebs and mouse droppings. 

When they were nearly finished, another ellon surprisingly showed up, alone and dressed very simply in hunter’s green. Captain Mablung. How had he known where to find them?

They all turned to Beleg, who had the decency to look a bit guilty. 

“I hope you don’t mind that I invited another friend?” He greeted the other captain with a firm hug.

Thranduil shared a look of annoyance with Amroth. Of course they minded; this place was theirs . Mablung was much older, and whenever he was around, Beleg tended to ignore the others in favor of him. But there was not much they could do about it now.

oOo

Their first day of hunting went unusually well. Together they felled one young stag, a boar sow with seven striped piglets, and three hares. The boar family had been Beleg’s contribution, for which he was exceedingly proud, and rightly so; felling a boar with merely a bow and arrow was a feat indeed. The only way was to target its eye, and hit it with great force. With the sow down, the piglets were easier, because they would remain by their mother’s carcass. 

Thranduil had only shot one of the hares, but he had been very close to fell a doe. The animal had turned her head just when he released his arrow, missing her with an inch. 

When the prey was skinned, slaughtered, cut up in smaller chunks and stowed away in the salt barrels, darkness had already fallen. The elves lit several smoky fires to keep the flies away, and Thranduil went to bury the waste some way off to avoid attracting predators and scavengers to their cabin. 

Then they gathered around one of the fires, munching their evening lembas and sharing an amphora of wine that Mablung had brought. 

Thranduil abstained from the wine. He had tried it once, many years ago when he was very young, and that had not gone well. His father had sensed it on his breath when he returned home, and as punishment for his disobedience, Oropher had collected another bottle from their kitchen and forced Thranduil to empty it all by himself. He had never been so sick in his life before. He spent the night vomiting in a bucket, and woke up the morning after with a horrible taste in his mouth, while his head pounded like the Vala Aulë’s mighty hammer. Ever since, the wine smell alone made him queasy.

Medlin, who was the only married ellon among them, began a long and rather boring anecdote about his mother-in-law. Thranduil’s mind wandered to Aerneth, but first he made sure the brook was at a far enough distance. It did not do to have her eavesdrop on the ellyn’s conversation, which could sometimes linger on subjects not fit for the sensitive ears of a lady.

He held back a smirk. Sensitive ears and Aerneth did not fit well in the same sentence, actually; she was bolder than any ellon he knew. Like that amazing bath call they had had, when she begged him to talk dirty. Unfortunately it had been a one time experience. Maybe she would agree to another joint bath after he had spoken to Oropher…?

Thinking of his father curbed Thranduil’s amorous feelings effectively. He ought to prepare himself, not daydream about bathing ellith. 

Still deep in thought, Thranduil’s gaze fell on Beleg and Mablung, who were talking intently in subdued voices, ignoring the rest of them just as he had anticipated. Mablung’s fingers were touching Beleg’s knee in a rather intimate way. What was that all about? His curiosity piqued, Thranduil noticed other cues, such as how close they sat and the way their gazes locked. It reminded him of when Medlin was courting his then future wife. 

Were they lovers? 

He hurriedly looked away. If so, it was none of his business. 

The conversation had moved on to the hidden city, Amroth’s favorite topic. 

“We really should have done like Lord Círdan wanted, and sent aid to Hithlum,” he said. “If we had helped them protect their country, the humans might have been willing to tell us where to find the hidden city. I heard one of those boys who Thranduil lost is lord there now – Húrin, his name is.”

Thranduil, frowned, as always a bit embarrassed when the topic came up. Amroth made it sound like Thranduil had lost the boys on purpose!

“Why do you want to find the city so badly?” asked Medlin. “Let Turgon hide if he wants to. Sooner or later he will come forward.”

“It is just so intriguing to imagine a whole city full of elves that nobody knows about.”

“I find it more intriguing with the mortals. Like, how resourceful and talented they are despite their short lifespan,” said Taurandir. “Húrin’s skill as a commander is said to be one of the reasons the orcs still have not broken through the Hithlum border.” 

Taurandir worked as a professional hunter all year, and often roamed the forests outside Doriath. He had lived with the Men of Haleth in Brethil for extended periods, learning about their ways. 

“Aye, like that wildman in Dorthonion. The one remaining Outlaw,” Amroth agreed. “He who killed a host of orcs all by himself!”

Thranduil smiled at that, but as was his habit when in company, he said nothing. Amroth would believe any rumor however ill-founded, and he had a thing for heroes.

“What was his name again?” mused Amroth. “Do you remember, Beleg?”

“Who?” Beleg looked up rather guiltily and Mablung snatched his hand back from his leg. 

“The Outlaw. What is his name?”

“Beren, I think. He is said to be Barahir’s son.”

“Barahir sounds familiar,” said Taurandir. “Was that not the man who saved Galadriel’s brother?”

“Aye, he did.” 

”Men really are remarkably brave.”

As Amroth returned to the topic of the lost boys and the hidden city, Thranduil thought about Barahir and the mentioned deed. It had happened a few years ago, after Morgoth broke the Siege of Angband, in a war now known as the Battle of Sudden Flame. It was in its aftermath that Thranduil had been to his own first battle in the forest of Brethil. 

In this war, Morgoth had brought forth his dragon and balrogs for the first time – hence the name ‘Sudden Flame’ – and used them to burn the Noldorin country Ard-galen to the ground. Finrod, Galadriel’s brother, had left his city Nargothrond and marched north along the Sirion to help his kin resist the onslaught. But when he reached the marshlands near Hithlum, he was cut off from most of his army and would have been killed if Barahir and his men had not surrounded the fens, forming a wall of spears and thus detained the enemy long enough for Finrod to escape and be reunited with his forces.

It was rather surprising, really. What had processed those short-lived beings to risk so much just to save one elf? But maybe it was because of Finrod himself. He had always been special, and become friends with both dwarves and men. He had taught the mortals to speak Sindarin, and as far as Thranduil knew, he was the only elf who could speak Mannish. It was also he who first arranged lands for the humans near Doriath, after convincing King Thingol that they were useful allies. 

Thranduil had met Finrod a few times when the ellon visited his sister in Menegroth. He looked like her; blond and very tall, but there ended the likeness. While Galadriel was fierce and strong, her brother appeared wise and kind. He was more inclined to make music than war. 

Thranduil could not say which he preferred. Perhaps both kinds of elves were needed to make the world safe and beautiful?

That night Thranduil rested well in their cabin, lulling himself to sleep with sweet thoughts of Aerneth and a selection of the more interesting of their water calls. Before he drifted off, he spotted Mablung moving his mattress closer to Beleg’s. He imagined their situation must be a lot harder than his own, and was grateful that his troubles only concerned wanting to marry the wrong elleth in his father’s eyes. At least she was an elleth.

oOo

The following days of hunting were less productive than the lucky first, but on the fifth afternoon they had finally filled all their barrels and could drag their haul back to Menegroth. Since the bow was not Thranduil’s favored weapon, he was glad for the few hares and quails he had shot and the stag he had felled together with Amroth. 

Thranduil was beyond nervous when he went to the Feast of the Hunt the evening after their return. This was where he had decided to break the news to Oropher that he no longer wanted to court Lúthien. 

The festival was held just outside the city in a clearing near the training grounds; one of the few places where the sky was open above, allowing the stars to twinkle down on them. In the outskirts of the area, crude tables were set up with long benches to sit on, and in the center several bonfires spread their light and warmth. Around the fires, elves joined hands to form dance circles, moving in beat with the cheerful music produced by Daeron the minstrel and his fellow musicians. The wine flowed freely from many barrels, and soon the ambience was merry.

As the evening proceeded, Thranduil kept postponing the moment he would speak to Oropher. Lúthien loved dancing, and he told himself it was not right to ruin her evening. Instead he joined her, and kept up the pretense of being her partner a little longer. His heart was not in it though, and whenever their hands joined in the ring of dancers he felt guilty, like he was cheating on Aerneth. 

“You seem tired,” she said at last. 

He thought about what to answer, and when he finally did his lie made him feel even more guilty about his double dealings. “Aye, maybe I am. Please continue and enjoy yourself while I sit down a little.”

When he had left her, he knew he could not delay it anymore. 

Oropher was talking to his friend Amdír, Amroth’s father, at one of the nearby tables. They were discussing the war and trying to predict the outcome, a popular topic these days. Thranduil joined them, silently listening while waiting for an opportune moment. 

Thranduil’s opportunity came when Amdír’s wife walked up to them, and pulled her husband with her to the dance circles. Finally alone with his father, Thranduil asked if he would join him for a walk. This conversation was one he did not want anyone else to overhear.

“Was it anything in particular you wanted to speak about?” asked Oropher when they had come away from the fires. They were walking along the edge of the clearing, under the yellowing leaves of the beeches and oaks. Lanterns hung from their branches, emitting a warm, pleasant light.

Thranduil drew a breath, steadying himself. “Aye. It is about Lúthien. I cannot court her anymore.” He knew his father preferred when he was direct, not beating around the bush. 

“Why?” Oropher stopped abruptly.

“Because I love another.” There, it was said. He felt cold with anticipation. How would Oropher react to the news?

“Tell me everything.” Oropher’s forehead was creasing slightly, but apart from that he seemed calm enough.

Holding his carefully prepared speech, Thranduil recounted how he had met Aerneth when she was very young, and how she later saved the life of him and his company in the Ford of Brithiach. He described how he had recognized her among the emissaries from Eglarest, which was why he had wanted Oropher to invite them home. He also mentioned his and Aerneth’s meeting outside the city the next day, wisely leaving out their kiss. 

“Since then we have been speaking several times through her water magic, and decided we want to marry.” He withheld what else they had done during those calls.

Oropher nodded slowly when he had finished. “I noticed your interest in her during that supper, and wondered what was the cause of it. She seemed not so special to me. Beautiful, aye, though very inferior compared to Lúthien. But now I better understand your infatuation.” 

Thranduil opened his mouth to object to his father’s choice of words. This was more than a mere infatuation ! But Oropher stilled him with a motion of his hand.

“Thranduil, at such a young age one cannot discern between love and desire, and a marriage begun without love is doomed to bring misery and grief only. You are grateful to this elleth, flattered by her continued interest in you for so many years, and her mysterious appearance in the water that time must have intrigued you. This sounds to me like an obsession, powered by your youthful urges and your inexperience.”

“Adar! That’s not it at all!” 

“You cannot possibly know her well enough to love her after such a short time – and that meeting in your youth does naturally not count. Love takes time to build. It is hard work. For ten years I courted your naneth before we were wed, for not until then had we built the foundation on which our marriage now firmly rests.”

Thranduil thought of his parents’ repeated fighting and secretly wondered about the quality of that foundation, but it was not his business to meddle in their affairs. 

“Son, I am not asking you to wed Lúthien if you do not love her, for a loveless marriage with her is no better than one with Círdan’s daughter,” Oropher continued. “I am just saying you must be patient. Lúthien might grow on you yet. The two of you have so much in common, and you look stunning together. A couple others envy.”

“It is Aerneth I want.”

“I have no doubt your body wants her. I am not blind; I saw how you looked at her that time, nor am I too old to understand the physical needs of an ellon.”

Thranduil felt his cheeks heat up and could not think of an answer. His father had hit too close to the truth for comfort.

Oropher placed his hand on his son’s shoulder, in what he probably intended to be a comforting gesture, but his grip was a little too tense and the frown remained on his forehead. He was angry, but for once he was managing to control his feelings. 

“These are troubled times, and no weddings will be held until we know what happens in the north,” he said. “Even if it turns out in the future that you really do love this other elleth, and wish to spend your life with her, you still have plenty of time to marry her then. But it is unwise to turn Lúthien down prematurely. You should not close that door too soon.”

“Can I at least go visit Aerneth?”

“That is not for me to decide. Ask your king. But I would be surprised if he allowed it when war rages so close to our borders; he needs his march-wardens around.”

Thranduil nodded, realizing his father was right. He could not travel to Eglarest yet. And as for breaking up with Lúthien, he did not dare to push that matter further. At least Oropher knew about Aerneth now. He would need time to accustom himself to the idea.

oOo

It took another two days until Thranduil finally mustered the courage to call Aerneth. He had a strong feeling she would not be happy when she learned he had not broken up with Lúthien. 

He debated whether to lie about it, but decided not to. Sometimes it was best to boldly grab the warg by its tail, and deal with the situation.

Now that Oropher knew about their water communication, Thranduil did not dare call her from his home, and instead chose the river. 

When she appeared, she looked happier than the last time, and more like her normal self. “I like your clothes,” she said as a greeting, grinning cheekily. It was warm despite being late in the year, so he had taken off his tunic and wore only his shirt. 

“I figured you would.” He returned her smile, relieved she was not crying this time. That must mean her father was still alive. “Is Lord Círdan all right?” he asked, just to make sure.

“Aye! They beat the orcs. They won!” Her smile broadened. “That human lord Húrin chased half of them out into the Anfauglith desert while Ada and Fingon hunted the rest of them up north to the Iron Mountains.”

“Really?” Thranduil felt his shoulders lose some of their tension. If the orcs were beaten, that would mean the war was finally coming to a new standstill. Unless Morgoth had another card up his sleeve.

“How did the conversations you promised to have go?” She had turned serious, businesslike almost. 

Thranduil had already thought out exactly what to say about that, weighing his words extra carefully. He must manage to convince her to be patient. “My adar was not against it as such, but he cautioned me – us – to take things slowly and get to know one another better. While there is still a threat in the north, I cannot leave Doriath, but we will keep in touch until things calm down. And then I shall court you properly.”

Her beautiful eyebrows drew together and a crease appeared on her forehead, but she did not say anything, allowing him to finish. 

“As for Lúthien, he wishes me to stay in her good favor, to still be her friend and not drive a wedge between my family and hers. The king’s goodwill is important for my adar, and for his position in court. I will stay only friends with her,” he emphasized. “We were never more than that anyway. She doesn't love me, nor do I love her, and never did. It was all out of convenience and respect for our parents’ wishes.”

Aerneth was silent for some time, mulling over his words. “I disagree with your ada,” she said at last. “You and I have known each other for years. What’s there to wait for? Morgoth’s orcs have been defeated. This is a good time to marry.”

Thranduil let out his breath. Aerneth looked displeased but not angry. She would probably fret about the necessary waiting some more, but then accept it. He was fairly certain she did not actually want to end things, considering how long she had liked him.

“Do we really, though? Know each other, I mean,” he countered. “We haven’t actually talked very much.” He smiled inwardly as he recalled what they had been doing instead of talking.

“Talking is overrated.” Her expression told him she thought about those calls also. 

“I agree.” He had lowered his voice, meeting her gaze challengingly. “Aerneth.”

“You drive me crazy with that voice, Thranduil. It is not fair.” Her lips parted slightly.

“I know,” he said smugly. And it was fair, seeing as she drove him crazy too. Those lips… he imagined feeling them all over his body. 

Their call developed very interestingly from there, involving a fair deal of stripping off clothes on either part. 

When Aerneth closed the connection much later they were again on friendly terms and Thranduil went home with an unusually hopeful feeling about the future. The Noldor’s victory against the orcs was a good omen; perhaps Morgoth was not as impossibly strong after all. Hopefully he would be completely defeated soon, and then life could finally go back to normal, with no more threat of a Dark Lord and his monsters to cast their shadows over everything.

Soon. Thranduil was patient, he could wait.

Notes:

Of elves and age: Elves are considered adults around the age of 50-100 and can marry at that time, although it seems from Tolkien’s books many are thousands of years old when it happens (like Arwen was when she met Aragorn).

Of elves and sexual orientation: It’s never stated anywhere whether they could be gay, but presumably they could, being fairly similar to humans in most ways regarding love. Since there are no known cases of same sex elf relationships in Tolkien’s canon, one could also assume that just as in our past, it was frowned upon and nothing one announced publicly. Like back in the days, they would probably pretend to be just very good friends.

Mablung and Beleg are both canon elves, and are nearly always mentioned in the same sentence in the Silmarillion. It would seem they spent a lot of time together. ;)

Chapter 9: Lúthien's Lover

Summary:

Lúthien shares a secret and Thranduil decides he has had enough.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Lúthien's Lover

Menegroth, Doriath, First Age 465

Thranduil shifted into a more comfortable position, leaning his back against the beautifully crafted tree-shaped pillar. Gate duty was particularly taxing this night, with the time dragging on ever so slowly, and his eyes growing heavier by the hour. He had slept horribly for months and right now he felt like he could have dozed off on the spot, just stretching out right here on the cave floor. It was so silent, the fresh night air coming in through the city gate so calming. If he could just...

“This is ridiculous.” Amroth punched his shoulder, making Thranduil’s eyes guiltily snap open. “What is wrong with you nowadays, Tharan?”

“Nothing. Just tired, I guess.”

Amroth growled and grabbed him roughly by the arms, pushing him hard against the pillar. “You are an elf, not a damn human! Since when has a mere night’s lack of sleep bothered you? You have gone weeks without before.” 

Thranduil stared mutely at his friend, shocked by his outburst. 

“I have kept silent, waiting for you to tell me when you were ready, but it has been years of this crap now and I am frankly tired of it.” He released Thranduil and rubbed his forehead. “I thought we were friends.”

“What?” What was he talking about? Surely he did not… Thranduil had told nobody about his miserable love life. Had Amroth suspected all along?

“You don’t sleep, you hardly eat, you frown continuously and have become mute like a tree. Before, you would speak to me a little, at least. Something is troubling you and it bloody hurts that you don’t trust me enough to share it.”

The pain in Amroth’s eyes hit Thranduil like a well-aimed punch. 

“I am sorry. Valar, Amroth, I had no idea it was so obvious. I just… I did not want to…” He searched for words. “It is such a mess, I did not want to drag you into that. I have brought it upon myself.”

Amroth’s impatient gaze urged him to continue.

“Do you remember that elleth who soaked Beleg when we were younger?”

“Of course.” 

“Well, three years ago, I met her again. It was… she had grown so beautiful.” He sighed, and described everything that had happened during Aerneth’s visit, and how it had led to their distance relationship. It was relieving to finally share it with someone, even though he as usual had to struggle to find the right words. 

“So, if you have this amazing elleth, why are you looking so downcast?”

“My adar is against our relationship. When I told him about Aerneth, he advised me to keep seeing Lúthien, because King Thingol might see it as a betrayal if I end things with his daughter. He considers me more or less betrothed to her, even if we never were – formally, I mean.”

“That is just stupid. You never loved Lúthien. Surely the king understands that? After all, he married for love.” Amroth’s eyes narrowed. “Nay, this sounds like wishful thinking on your adar’s part. It is Oropher who wants the match with the princess. Unlike the king, he has everything to gain from it.”

Thranduil met his gaze with surprise, realizing he probably was right. Then his frown returned. “Well, maybe that is so, but it is not relevant anymore.” He sighed. “Over the years, Aerneth has become… needy, you know? Constantly nagging me. She would have me call her every day no matter how busy I am, and she pesters me about Lúthien, wanting to know every detail whenever I have been taking her out for a walk.”

“Well, that ought not to have surprised you. She was very clingy that summer, I recall – quite the little shadow.”

“She was.” Thranduil nodded his head.

“You feel trapped?” Amroth guessed.

“Aye.” He nodded again. “As if I do not know her anymore. She has changed. And honestly, it makes me want to do the opposite. Call more seldom, go out with Lúthien more.” His frown deepened when he realized how childish that sounded. 

Thankfully Amroth took his part completely. “She has no right to dictate your time.” He touched Thranduil’s shoulder reassuringly. “If you don’t feel the same about her anymore, maybe you should break up? There are plenty of trees in the forest. Lots of ellith around here would be happy if you began to notice them.” He grinned. “Or you could do like me, and keep your freedom. I mean, who would want to end up like poor Medlin with that harridan of a naneth-in-law? An orc would win a beauty contest before an elleth managed to snare me.”

That made Thranduil smile. He felt relieved, as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Break up. Amroth made it sound natural and easy, and perhaps it was. 

oOo

The Esgalduin glittered invitingly between the tiny new leaves of the birches and alders. Thranduil watched the river with apprehension, not daring to approach until he was ready to see Aerneth. 

Easy. This is easy, he told himself, but somehow now he was going to do it it felt not easy at all. What if she would cry? He hated when she did, and lately that had happened on more than one occasion. If she could cry over Thranduil taking a harmless walk with Lúthien, she would most assuredly do so after a break-up.

When he had finally mustered enough courage to call her, Aerneth appeared with the displeasured scowl that had become her habitual look lately. “Why, if it is not Thranduil! I am thrilled that you managed to squeeze me into your busy schedule.”

“Anytime, dear,” he snided. So, she was in one of her moods. He was actually grateful for that, it would make this so much easier.

“What do you want?” She seemed impatient, and he noticed she wore her cloak. 

“Were you going out?”

“Aye.” She did not elaborate, and he did not really care. He just wanted this done and over with.

“Let us end this.” He had already decided to be blunt and not wrap it in. 

“What?” 

“You heard me.”

She was silent as his words sank in. Thranduil swallowed, an uncomfortable knot forming inside him. She would cry, he saw the signs; her lip beginning to tremble, her eyes going wide and glossy. 

“Why?” she whispered, and yes, there was the first tear, trickling down her cheek.

He swallowed again, and spoke his prepared words without looking at her. “We have grown apart, as I am sure you realize too. Nowadays we seem to only hurt each other. My adar is still against our relationship, and the way things stand between us I could never convince him we are truly in love.”

“Your ada. This is all about him, is it not? Why cannot you be an adult and decide for yourself?” She sounded angry rather than sad, but when he glanced at her he saw more tears falling.

He frowned. “I am an adult, and my adar knows nothing about my decision to break up with you.”

She flinched at the words ‘break up’ and bit her lip. “Please,” she begged. “I am sorry I said that. Can we have a fresh start? I will try not to annoy you again.” Now she was crying in earnest, and Thranduil again averted his gaze. 

“We tried for so long. Perhaps we are just not meant to be.”

“We are! I know we are,” she sobbed.

“You will find someone else, I am sure.” He did his best to sound kind. Her distress made him waver in his decision, but nothing would be better if they continued. A clean break was probably less painful than a dragged out one. “Bye, Aerneth.” 

As he walked away from the river he could hear her call his name, and it took all his willpower to keep going. He knew that if he turned back he would not have the strength to resist her pleas.

It was for the best. He kept repeating that to himself all the way home, while pushing the pain in his chest deep down.

oOo

It rained heavily outside Menegroth, but Lúthien had seemed anxious to talk with him in private so Thranduil stoically pulled up his hood and bent his head against the torrents. Behind him, he noticed Daeron the minstrel doing the same. Lúthien on her part seemed not to care at all that her dress became soaked, exposing inappropriately much of her slim form. 

Not that Thranduil minded. He did not desire the princess as a lover would, but she was pleasant to look at. It had been weeks since his break up with Aerneth, and he had to admit he missed one aspect of their calls, or at least a certain body part of his did.

They stopped in Lúthien’s favorite dancing glade, taking cover under the dense foliage of an oak. At her bidding Daeron chose an oak some yards away, out of hearing range.

“Thranduil, I have something to confess.” Lúthien looked miserable. 

Thranduil was intrigued. Whatever could she be guilty of? 

“I… I have met someone,” she continued. “And I love him. I have only seen him two times, but it was like lightning struck me! I know he is the one.” Her eyes became filled with tears. “We have done nothing untowards; I would never go behind your back. As soon as I realized my feelings were true I came to you. I am so sorry, Thranduil. Can you ever forgive me?”

“No need! Do not apologize.” Thranduil felt his cheeks heat up horribly. He had been going behind Lúthien’s back for years without ever stopping to think of her. What a complete jerk he had been! 

“Oh Thranduil, I do not deserve such kindness from one so slighted.”

“You have done nothing wrong, Lúthien.” Her gratefulness increased his mortification manifold, especially since he could not tell her the truth about his deception now. In addition, she seemed to think he had harbored romantic feelings towards her, and it would be both rude and embarrassing to tell her he had only courted her because his father wanted him to. Instead he had to endure further apologies and comforting words from the princess, while trying his best to look mollified instead of relieved. It was easily the most awkward moment Thranduil had ever experienced.

When they finally returned to the city, Lúthien asked Thranduil not to speak with anyone about what she had told him; she wanted to break the news herself when she was ready. Apparently her lover was someone not considered suitable, and she needed to think of a way to make King Thingol accept him. 

Thranduil promised to keep silent, thankful for the opportunity to ease his guilt a tiny bit by helping her.

In his bed later that evening Thranduil mused over the irony of it all. Now that he was finally free of his obligations to Lúthien, he had already broken up with Aerneth. Why could he not have done like the princess, and told about his new love immediately? Lúthien would have ended their relationship for sure, and Thranduil would have been spared so much trouble. He might even have been married by now. 

He had been so tired of Aerneth prior to their break-up, but now he found it hard to remember what had annoyed him so. Most of the time she was quite lovely, and not without regret he recalled their first sweet calls. In addition, he realized she may have been right, though it pained him to admit that even to himself. He had treated her unfairly in his double-dealing; both her and Lúthien, actually.

Maybe he ought to call her? He could tell about Lúthien's lover, and they could get back together again. Oropher would probably not mind the connection once he learned Lúthien was out of the picture.

Thranduil felt an expectant stir in his nether regions at the thought of seeing Aerneth's lovely face again, and perhaps some of her body too...

He had just fetched his washing bowl when it struck him how embarrassing it would be to call after the manner in which they parted. To admit he had been wrong. What would he even say? 

Hi Aerneth, how have you been? Sorry I broke up with you and crushed your heart, but thankfully Lúthien just broke up with me, so now we can get back together.

No. No, he could not do it. He could never humiliate himself like that. 

With a bitter taste in his mouth he laid the bowl aside. He had ruined his chances with Aerneth, and he just had to forget her.

It was just that forgetting her was so damn hard.

oOo

Thranduil felt damp in his thick guard’s attire as he hurried through the palace caves. Summer had come late this year, but today was exceptionally hot even down here in the city. He was a little late to relieve Amroth and take over guard duty, but he knew his friend would not mind. Next time it could be the opposite around.

Something was up in the throne room when Thranduil arrived. There was a crowd gathered, and before the throne stood Lúthien, her head hanging down miserably. King Thingol sat above her, his beautiful face distorted in anger. What had happened? 

Amroth filled Thranduil in on the details. “Daeron has discovered that the princess has been seeing someone secretly behind the king’s back,” he whispered.  

Thranduil nodded, this was no news to him.

“It is not just anyone either. It is a human! That wildman, you know? The Outlaw! I knew he existed.” Amroth looked smug. “The king has sent the minstrel to fetch him now.”

Thranduil stared at his friend. No wonder Lúthien had been so secretive when she told of her lover a few months back. A human! How gross. 

“I know it is rude to say ‘I told you so’, but…” Amroth’s smug grin widened into a smirk.

“Alright, alright… you win. But I shall still demand proof before I believe he killed an army of orcs alone, like you claim,” Thranduil murmured back.

“Why did you not inform me of this, daughter?” asked Thingol in a frosty voice.

She calmly raised her head. “Because I knew this is how you would react, Adar – with suspicion and distrust. I had to first make sure my feelings were true, and that I had not misinterpreted them. I am certain now, however. My heart belongs to Beren, and I shall never love anyone else.” 

Thingol’s face visibly fell. “I cannot allow you to give yourself to a mortal, surely you understand that? He is not worthy of you.” 

Lúthien did not reply, her beautiful features brimming with sadness and resignation. 

Queen Melian, who had been standing below the throne in silence, spoke for the first time. “The man passed through my Girdle unnoticed.” She regarded the man with something bordering on awe. “This is not just any mortal.”

Thranduil looked at her in surprise. Nobody could pass through Melian’s magic fence except for other Sindarin elves, and even they could not enter Doriath unnoticed!

“You know that only someone stronger than I could do so.” Melian looked up at her husband. “I think this man might be worthy.”

“I disagree,” growled the king. Then he pulled himself up tall and proud, for now Daeron had entered the cave with the human in tow. 

Thranduil regarded the man closely as he passed by, curious about how a mortal who had caught the most beautiful elleth in Doriath might look. He was rather disappointed by what he saw. The fellow looked strong and tall, with a broad back, but like all human males his face was hidden in a mess of coarse facial hair. His clothes were old and worn, with ingrown stains and signs of having been frequently repaired, and his hands and nails were dirty. 

Thranduil could not for his life understand how Lúthien could have fallen in love with him, and how she thought that relationship would go. The mortal would die in no time, leaving her a widow. 

Another thought struck him. If they wed, would they even be compatible to consummate their marriage? Thranduil had no idea what humans looked like naked, and he assumed neither did Lúthien. Unless… Thranduil winced, trying hard to push that thought back. The mental image of Lúthien and the human naked together was frankly disgusting.

Beren walked up to stand at Lúthien’s side. The adoration in his eyes, and the worship in hers, spoke the truth about their feelings louder than words.

“Who are you, that come hither as a thief, and unbidden dare to approach my throne?” hissed Thingol icily.

Beren blanched, intimidated by the elf king’s wrath, so Lúthien replied in his stead: “He is Beren son of Barahir, lord of men, mighty foe of Morgoth, the tale of whose deeds is become a song even among the elves.”

“Let Beren speak!” sneered the king. The mortal had better give a reason why Thingol should not punish him for coming secretly into forbidden lands!

Beren looked at the princess, and her encouraging smile seemed to restore his bravery. Standing taller and straighter, and holding his head high, he explained in a deep, pleasant voice that fate had brought him here, and it had led him to a treasure he would not give up for anything. Neither weapons, nor Morgoth’s fires or the powers of any elf lord could keep him from that treasure. “For Lúthien your daughter is the fairest of all the children of the world.”

Furiously, Thingol hissed that such bold words were enough for him to have Beren executed. Was it in Morgoth’s realm he had learned to sneak in secret, as was the habit of the Dark Lord’s spies and servants?

Proudly, Beren claimed that the king could kill him if he wanted to, but he would not accept such rudeness. “By the ring of Felagund, that he gave to Barahir my father on the battlefield of the north, my house has not earned such names from any elf, be he king or no.” Beren lifted high a gleaming ring, to prove he spoke the truth.

Thranduil recalled the tale about how Galadriel’s brother was saved; he had heard it many times, since Amroth was so fond of it. Afterwards, Finrod had vowed eternal friendship with Barahir’s house, and as a token, had given him a silver ring with his emblem; two serpents and a flower crown. It must have been that ring.

Everyone in the room gasped at seeing the glittering jewels, and Melian whispered something to Thingol – perhaps begging him to save the man’s life despite his insolence.

“I see the ring, son of Barahir, and I perceive that you are proud, and deem yourself mighty,” said Thingol, slightly calmer. He paused momentarily, and then his features suddenly became sly as he continued, saying that he too desired a certain treasure. “Bring to me in your hand a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown; and then, if she will, Lúthien may set her hand in yours. Then you shall have my jewel.”

Amroth’s and Thranduil’s gazes met. The king had won. Nobody could manage such a feat; to enter the impenetrable fortress of Angband, guarded by a dragon, many balrogs and an unknown host of orcs, and steal one of the most treasured items of the Lord of Darkness. Least of all a man, a mortal human.

Beren laughed. “For little price do Elvenkings sell their daughters: for gems, and things made by craft. But if this be your will, Thingol, I will perform it. And when we meet again my hand shall hold a Silmaril from the iron crown, for you have not looked the last upon Beren son of Barahir.” 

With a last look at his beloved, Beren turned and walked out of the throne room.

oOo

“I heard in part about what happened at the palace today. Would you fill me in on the details?” Oropher had come to meet Thranduil at the door on his arrival home after finishing his guard duty for the evening.

Thranduil obediently described everything, including the suicide mission the human was about to enter upon. 

“He will die,” Oropher concluded. 

Thranduil nodded, that was obvious.

“And Lúthien will probably waste away from grief not long after.” He shook his head in annoyance. “I guess that door is closed for good, then. Such a shame.”

“I thought a few months was too short a time to know one’s heart.” Thranduil could not resist throwing his father’s words back into his face.

Oropher frowned. “Do not be ridiculous, son, Lúthien is many centuries older than you; she knows.”

He began to pace the room, looking thoughtful. Then he stopped. “That elleth you used to fancy, Círdan’s daughter. I shall arrange for you to go see her. You can follow the next trade delegation to Eglarest.”

“What?” Thranduil stared at his father, a knot forming in his stomach. He could not go to Aerneth, not after how he had broken up with her. The humiliation!

“Círdan is lord of the entire Falas region, and has become nearly equal to Thingol in importance. An alliance with Círdan might not be so bad.”

“But… I thought you were convinced there was no real love between me and Aerneth.”

“Of course! I do not expect you to marry her on the go.” He smiled coolly. “I only ask you to see her again, and if you still find her desirable you can begin to court her. Perhaps invite her back here to stay in Menegroth for a while. We will see what she is like, and if she fits in here.”

“But…”

“Oh, for the Valar’s sake.” Oropher was beginning to lose his patience and Thranduil took a step backwards. “You were so sure of your feelings before. Did it take such a short time to lose them?” 

“No! But…”

“Make up your mind, then. Either you like the elleth or not! It is simple.” He had grabbed his son’s arm rather painfully.

Thranduil swallowed his protests. “I like her. I will go.”

Notes:

We shall learn more about Beren’s quest and what disaster it brings in later chapters, but I agree with his parting words: the king is indeed trying to sell his daughter. And it will get worse… Like Oropher, Thingol is not a very nice father, it would seem.

Chapter 10: Falas by the Sea

Summary:

Thranduil travels across Beleriand and gets to see the sea for the first time. An awkward reunion awaits him.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Falas by the Sea

Once Oropher had made up his mind about sending Thranduil to Eglarest, things were set in motion with speed and efficiency. Through his position in the Royal Office of Economy, Oropher decided the city needed more smoked herrings, and within days he had organized a trade delegation to the Falas and asked Captain Beleg Cúthalion to assign Thranduil to be one of their guards. 

Only a week after Beren left Menegroth on his quest for the Silmaril, Thranduil found himself in a group of heavily armed guards preparing to escort a moderately sized caravan of riders and pack horses.

Bringing guards with the envoys had become increasingly necessary of late, even after the latest orc army had been defeated in Hithlum. A new danger had begun to infiltrate Beleriand from the north; werewolves, evil monsters bred and controlled by a mighty lieutenant of Morgoth’s known as Sauron. So far the werewolves had only ventured into Dimbar and northern Brethil, but people feared it was merely a matter of time before they advanced further south.

The journey to Eglarest was an estimated eight day’s ride. The stables were located outside the city near the training grounds, and all the horses belonged to King Thingol. If an elf wanted to ride, he had to sign a ledger and be assigned a horse by the stable ward. Today, Thranduil would ride a chestnut stallion, he had asked for it because its color went well with his new rusty red coat with gold trimmings. Since he was going to be forced to endure a humiliating reunion with Aerneth, he might as well arrive there in style.

Many in the delegation preferred riding bareback but Thranduil always used a saddle. He hated to get his clothes covered in tiny, prickly hairs, and he liked the control the saddle gave him, making sword fighting with precision possible. 

Soon everything was ready, the horses mounted and the elves had finished saying their goodbyes. In a clatter of hoofbeats the company took off. 

Thranduil found himself enjoying the trip despite the apprehension he felt of meeting Aerneth again and the discomfort of riding. Like most elves he had always dreamed of the sea, and he looked forward to finally seeing it.

They headed west through the forest all day, following a narrow path along the Esgalduin. A few hours after they had crossed the bridge over the larger river Sirion, the forest ended, giving way to a vast heathland called Talath Dirnen. Here the ground became covered with yellow grass, gorse, heather and a sparse scatter of trees; mostly old, twisted pines, bent low in the everpresent wind coming in from the sea in the far west. Herds of deer and wild horses roamed the plains, holding back the expansion of the trees by their continuous grazing. Most of the other elves in the delegation had traveled this route before, and were used to the open view and boundless sky above, but for Thranduil it was disconcerting. The naked landscape made him feel exposed and small, and he hated it. 

The first night, they camped right there by the edge of the forest. Thranduil, who found it hard to relax anyway, opted to take all the watches. He spent the night gazing at the stars, reconciling himself to being an insignificant dot on the flat surface of the Earth. On the morrow he was more at ease and found he could soon disregard the blue dome entirely.

Later that day the company arrived at the Amon Rûdh, a hill rising over a thousand feet above the ground. Its sides were covered in white aeglos, also called snow-thorn, and on its cap grew dark red seregon flowers which gave it an almost eerie appearance, like someone had spilled blood over a mound of snow. They rode a little way up its western slope to spend the night there, halting when it became too steep for the horses. 

As Thranduil dismounted and got a better look at the view for the first time, he was mesmerized by the beautiful panorama. League after league of heathland stretched out between the hills in the north and south, until it reached the blue expanse of the mighty ocean in the far west. The setting sun was red and large as it descended towards the horizon, coloring the sky a flaming pink. Thranduil could not take his eyes from the brilliant show, enthralled by both the sea and the sunset, both of which he experienced for the first time in his life. Only when all that remained of the sun was a thin strip of red where it had disappeared, did Thranduil turn back to the others.

The evening meal consisted of lembas; the usual fare on a journey. Thranduil munched on his dry, sweet cake, still absorbed with the wondrous sight he had just witnessed while idly listening to the others’ conversation. They were discussing a rumor about this hill, saying that it was inhabited by petty dwarves. The small folk allegedly had dug out nearly all of its inside, burrowing deep until they found gold. Now they hardly ever left the hill anymore, afraid to be robbed of their treasure.

“Hold on tightly to your things tonight,” an older ellon advised Thranduil. “Or you might discover on the morrow that a sly dwarf sneaked out to mug you in your sleep!”

Thranduil’s only reply was a smile. He was not so easily scared. 

This night he had just one watch, and slept through most of the rest of it, calm under the protecting eaves of a crooked pine. All his belongings remained when he woke up. 

Later in the day the sky clouded over and a persistent summer rain came over them, rolling in from the southwestern hills. Combined with the strong wind across the open plains, the moisture easily penetrated the elves’ clothes and soaked them to the bone. Thranduil braced himself against the torrents and ignored the chill. As a march-warden, he had experienced prolonged periods of rainy weather many times when patrolling the borders of Doriath. He had long ago learned to accept the weather, be it rain, snow, or scorching summer sun. He would not let it bother him, in the same way he endured pain, hunger and lack of sleep. Not allowing one’s body to take control over one’s mind was part of being a warrior, and one of the first things a young novice had to learn.

After a miserably wet, but otherwise uneventful night, the trade delegation continued southwest. In the evening they passed another tall hill, the Amon Ethir, which Finrod had built as a lookout for the guards of Nargothrond. The march-wardens were careful to hold the banner of Doriath aloft as they passed, knowing for certain they were being watched, and had probably been so for the past two days. 

Not far from the hill, the wide river Narog cut south through the heathlands. The ground became increasingly damp as they neared it, and the horses periodically sank to their knees in wet holes, treacherously hidden by thick carpets of green moss. Thranduil tried to steer his chestnut to the more solid areas, where tufts of grass grew together with scrawny pines, fighting to survive in the hostile environment. 

Two Noldorin ellyn came to meet them when they finally arrived at the riverbank. A timber ferry was tied to a post behind them, and in a wooden shelter next to it a bored looking elleth sat cross-legged. All three were clad in chainmail and armed with swords.

“State your errand, Sindars” said one of them.

“Trade. We are on our way to Lord Círdan of the Falas,” said Sadoreth. She was the leader of the trade delegation. 

“From Doriath?” he nodded at the banner.

“Aye.”

The elleth left the protection of her hut and joined them. “That is where that human came from – he who started all the ruckus.” She frowned. “I cannot believe your king went and did something so thoughtless! Sending a human after the Silmarils.”

“Beren Barahirion went here?”

“Aye. He arrived a few days ago, and because he is Barahir’s son, now our Lord Finrod must follow him on that mad mission!” 

When perceiving their surprise at this, she recounted how Beren’s father had saved the life of Finrod, and how he afterwards had sworn friendship to the man and his descendants. 

Now Beren had come before Finrod and explained the quest King Thingol had sent him on, asking his aid and providing the ring of Barahir as proof that he was who he said. Finrod had readily agreed, much to the annoyance of many of his people, in particular two of them – his cousins Celegorm and Curufin.

“Celegorm and Curufin!” exclaimed Sadoreth. “What are two sons of Fëanor doing in Nargothrond?”  

“Morgoth defeated them in Aglon during the Battle of Sudden Flame, and they have been staying here since.”

The elleth continued to describe the unrest Celegorm and Curufin had caused when the Silmarils were mentioned. They were still bound by the oath they and their father had once swore, pledging to kill anyone who laid their hands on those precious gems. That Finrod, their own cousin, would become one such thief was naturally not something they could accept. 

“And I agree with them,” stated the elleth. “Thingol has no business stirring up trouble in the north, when the Lord of the Dark is relatively calm for once!”

“Thingol was wrong, aye, but Finrod had to stay true to his promise to Barahir,” said one of the ellyn. “Because of the meddling of Fëanor’s sons, hardly anybody will go with him now!”

“An oath to a mortal means nothing. Besides, Barahir is dead and Finrod doesn’t owe his son anything!”

A heated argument followed between the two, with a word here and there added by the second ellon, but since they had switched to their own language Quenya, Thranduil and the others did not understand much of it. But it was obvious that Beren’s quest had created a rift in Nargothrond.

“What will happen now? Will Finrod go to Angband with Beren?” asked Sadoreth when she finally managed to cut in.

“Aye, he plans to leave in a month or so, but only ten warriors will follow him, myself included,” said the first ellon. “His nephew Orodreth will rule here in his stead.”

“Ha, not for long, I’d say. He is weak,” the elleth said, with contempt in her voice. “I think Celegorm would be a much stronger ruler – one not so easily swayed by stupid promises made to humans .”

“Well you certainly make it clear where your loyalties lay. You are just attracted to him.” 

“And if I am, what is it to you?” She scowled at him, and then turned back to Sadoreth. “Sorry about all this. Come, I will help you operate the ferry.”

The elleth untied the wooden vessel and showed how they could pull themselves across the water by the aid of a rope stretching from one side to the other. It took a while, for only two horses at a time could be ferried over, and meanwhile, the Noldor continued arguing in subdued voices. 

Thranduil wondered how the quest would go. He had been certain Beren would be killed instantly, and poor Lúthien left to grieve him, but now it would seem the man’s odds had improved. Finrod was a peaceful elf, but that did not mean he could not fight if he had to. 

oOo 

The company left the Narog behind, and made camp about a mile further west where the ground once again was relatively dry. It still rained, but at least it was soft to lie with springy heather under their blankets, and Thranduil slept better than he had expected. 

After another day and night, they finally reached Eglarest on the eighth morning after they left Doriath. The surroundings were even more open here, with dry grass and patches of soft sand under their feet, and in the air there was a fresh, tangy scent that Thranduil could not quite describe, but that he knew must come from the sea. The entire day yesterday they had seen it ahead, and now they could also hear it through the pervading wind; a rhythmic rushing of rolling waves. 

Eglarest lay just south of where the river Nenning met the sea, and was larger than Thranduil had expected. There were several long rows of stone houses on either side of trampled sand roads, and the buildings had become nearly white from being exposed to the sun and wind. A great wall surrounded the city, with a tall lookout tower right by the shore.

The tower must have been manned, because they were clearly expected; a small group of elves waited for them outside the city gate and greeted them with kind politeness. They were then escorted to a guest house with a lovely view over the many stone piers, to which elegant swan ships were moored. 

“Lord Círdan will see you once you have refreshed yourself. Take all the time you need.”

Thranduil gratefully used the full bathtub already prepared in his room, not minding the coldness of the water. Now that he was finally here, he felt increasingly nervous. Would Aerneth be with her father? What would she do when she saw him? 

He picked out clothes with care, and brushed his hair until it hurt, fighting to get all the tangles out. Riding and sleeping in rain for many days tended to have that effect, despite his attempt to protect it by plaiting it in a single, long braid. He would wear no braids now, the way Aerneth preferred it.

As he walked with the others towards Círdan’s house, Thranduil arranged his features as best he could, hoping he would look casual and unbothered if she was there. He would not grovel, and he would not beg. Just calmly convey his father’s wish that they begin courtship, and ask if she allowed it. 

The Lord of the Falas lived in a house looking exactly like the others; not bigger, not prettier. He greeted them personally at the door, and bowed to each of them with a hand over his heart. 

Thranduil watched Aerneth’s father with curiosity. He seemed kind and wise, and was very tall, with golden hair a shade darker than Thranduil’s own, braided in a pattern he had never seen before. 

When the turn came to Thranduil to present himself, he noticed a certain glint in his eyes, followed by a knowing smile. He realized Aerneth must have mentioned him to her father, and wondered what she had said. 

They were shown into a large dining room; much more airy than was common in Menegroth, where thousands of elves lived in a rather confined space and the home caves were sized accordingly. This room had several windows, sharing the same beautiful view as the guest house. One was open, letting in the now familiar smell of the ocean, mingled with the wet scent of rain. A long table was laden with refreshments, many of which seemed to originate from the sea. Several of the dishes were unknown to Thranduil. 

“I hope you will take your lunch with me and my family, even if you come in business and not pleasure. We do not often receive guests from Doriath, and I would love to hear the latest gossip.”

Thranduil was both pleased and surprised as he seated himself. It was generous indeed for a lord to invite so many strangers to his private table, including lowly guards like himself! Would Aerneth come too? He had said ‘my family’ – surely that must mean his daughter? 

Thranduil’s heart began beating too fast for comfort, and it took all his strength to pretend calmness.

There was a shuffle at the door, and two ellith and an ellon entered. 

“Ah, there you are,” said Círdan. “For you who have not met them before, allow me to introduce my wife Falasiel, and my daughter Aerneth. And this is Galdor, her good friend.”

Galdor. Thranduil easily recognised the ellon with the unusually long hair. He had been one of the emissaries Aerneth had come with to Doriath the last time, the one she had danced with. Why was he here?

oOo

The meal turned out to be exactly as exhausting as one might expect under the circumstances. The conversation lingered on Beleg and the quest for the Silmaril, as well as the news they had just received about Finrod’s intention to join him, but Thranduil paid very little attention to it. All his focus was on the elleth sitting at the other side of the table. 

Aerneth had not looked at him once, but the way she so pointedly ignored him while talking with nearly everyone else, made it obvious she knew very well he was there. Mostly she talked to Galdor, but with some relief Thranduil noted the ellon seemed slightly uncomfortable by her attention. So, they were not courting then; that was something at least.

Thranduil had not been prepared for the effect the mere sight of Aerneth would have on him. Valar, how lovely she was! How could he have forgotten? The flat image in the water calls had not done her justice. 

If only she would look at him! He wanted to kiss her again. Would she forgive him if he begged? A little begging would perhaps not be so bad...

But how could he beg if she would not even speak to him? He morosely moved his shrimps around on his plate. 

“Try them,” encouraged Círdan. “They are fresh from this morning.”

He smiled politely and picked one up. It looked back at him with its peppercorn eyes. Was it really healthy to eat something with that many legs?

With a sigh Thranduil put it down, and took his glass instead, suspiciously sniffing the purple liquid. Blackberry wine, Círdan had said. It smelled different from the variety served back home. Perhaps he should try some? Oropher would never know, and besides, Thranduil was an adult now. If he wanted to drink wine, he could do so.

Resolutely he swallowed a mouthful. Not bad! He took another, and then a third. It tasted very good actually, and brought a warm feeling with it. 

When the lunch was over, Thranduil had emptied two glasses and felt unusually brave. He figured he ought to just do it: go talk to Aerneth, and try to make up. This could be his only opportunity and he had to take it; who knew if he would see her again during his stay? Círdan might not invite them a second time.

Before he could change his mind, he quickly rose and went straight to where Aerneth sat. “May I have a word, my lady?” 

She could not avoid looking at him now, and so she did, albeit haughtily down her nose. “Can you wait for me, dear Galdor? I shall just hear what this ellon wants; it should not take long.”

Thranduil winced. This did not start well.

She walked with him a little way off, with her arms firmly crossed over her chest. “Well?”

“Aerneth...“ He had thought of what to say beforehand as he always did, but with her so close, his mind went blank. He had forgotten everything. Instead he just stared at her dumbly, feeling like the simplest ellon in the world. 

His throat tightened and his eyes burned. If only he could hold her close and never let go! Instead he would lose her for good, thanks to his stupidity. 

To Thranduil’s huge surprise, his slow-witted behavior did not make Aerneth stomp off angrily with the other ellon. Instead her gaze softened, and that unnatural coldness melted away from her. “You are such a fool.” She sounded tired. 

He nodded vigorously, a twinkle of hope fluttering in his chest. His voice returned. “I’m sorry.” 

“You hurt me.” She was finally meeting his gaze. 

He could have drowned in the clear pools of her eyes, as if they were the nearby sea. “Yes.”

“Don’t do it again.”

Notes:

I have borrowed the elf Galdor from Tolkien’s lore, you may remember him from the Council of Elrond in the Lord of the Rings (as the messenger from Círdan). Another canon character named Galdor in this story, was the late human lord of Hithlum, father to present Lord Húrin and his brother Huor, a.k.a. the lost boys.
I also borrowed some lines from the movie Pretty Woman. ;)

Of elves and riding: Elves have an ability to communicate with animals and plants, more or less strong in different individuals, so they don’t need reins to steer. Tolkien wrote in one of his letters that some elves preferred riding bareback (Legolas for example) but that others used saddles (like Glorfindel). They use bridles without bits, if they use any at all.

Of admiring the view: I headcanon that Elves with their advanced eyesight can see incredibly far, hence Thranduil could see the sea from many, many miles away.

Chapter 11: Persuasion

Summary:

Thranduil and Aerneth enjoy a day at the beach. She is impatient.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Persuasion

Thranduil went back to the guest house in a daze. Aerneth had told him to meet her by the western city gate in an hour. She wanted to be alone with him! He would have a chance to talk to her again! He could not believe his luck, all notions of acting calm and unconcerned were completely forgotten. 

He left his room after only a quick check in the mirror. He looked flustered but found that a little color to his cheeks suited him, he had never liked the paleness of his features. 

The western gate was easy to find, it was on the opposite side of the city from where he had come in, located near the shore. Thranduil was early but did not mind waiting, especially since the rain had finally subsided. 

He went out on one of the piers to look at the boats. They were shaped to look like swans, some very big, obviously to transport warriors in, but most of them small with nets and barrels in them for fishing. Maybe someday he could try riding in one of them.

All around the boats white birds swooped about, moaning and crying in shrill voices. They were called gulls, he knew, he had seen pictures of them in books back home but this was the first time he saw them live. They were larger than he had expected, the biggest almost an arm’s length from beak to tail, and seemed not at all afraid of him. 

When he reached the edge of the pier, Thranduil curiously peered down. A flock of translucent, round animals were floating here, contracting and relaxing rhythmically, and further out a school of tiny fish came swimming at a slow pace. Suddenly they turned, impossibly synchronized, and disappeared into the deep as a larger fish began to chase them. 

On the stones of the pier grew other creatures, these were mussels he knew; he had tried one during lunch but did not like the taste. Between them sat a violet star-shaped thing, which Thranduil thought was a flower until it began to move. It slowly crawled up to cover a tiny mussel entirely, wrapping its five arms around it. 

It was all very fascinating, but he did not have the patience to stay for more than a few minutes. He felt a nervous restlessness at the prospect of soon meeting Aerneth on more friendly terms.

The wind was strong out on the pier, and as he walked back towards the gate it caught his hair, whipping his face almost painfully. There went his careful brushing. 

He spotted a small elfling by the waterside, maybe in her thirties or so, who looked to be fishing. Next to her was a leather bucket with some water. He peered curiously inside, and saw several shelled animals that crawled around, and threatened each other with sharp looking claws.

“What are those,” he asked.

“Crabs.” The elleth did not look up, her eyes intent on the end of her twine where she had tied a broken mussel. Thranduil sat down on his haunches and looked too. Soon there was movement under a bush of brown, leaflike water plants and another crab emerged, pouncing on the mussel and starting to tear meat from it with its claws, greedily stuffing its little mouth. 

The elleth carefully began to haul in the twine, and the crab was so busy eating it did not let go even when it was lifted above the surface. Not until the elfling shook it over the bucket did it lose its grip and drop down to its fellows.

“Well done!” Thranduil clapped his hands.

“Thank you.” The elleth looked up for the first time and peered at him curiously. “I don’t know you.”

“I am a visitor from Doriath.”

“Really?” The elleth’s eyes popped wide open and her little face lit up excitedly. “Have you met the king?”

“Aye.” He smiled. Elflings were so cute.

“What does his crown look like?”

“He has four of them.”

“Four…?” the elfling breathed, awed that an elf might own more than one such marvelous item.

“Four. The one he uses now is his summer crown, which is made of gold with painted green leaves and rubies symbolizing red berries, but soon he will change to his autumn crown with yellow sapphires, golden leaves and acorns. In the winter he wears a silver circlet with a blue stone and white gold snowflakes, and in the spring also one of silver with pearls symbolizing snowdrops and catkins.”

“Whoa… He must be very rich! I only own one pearl, but I am looking for more in every mussel I crack. When I find another, my ada promised to make me a pair of earrings.”

“I bet those will look lovely on you.” He ruffled her shoulder length hair. 

The hour had nearly passed, and Thranduil returned to the gate, eagerly looking up the road in the direction of Círdan’s house. 

Suddenly he felt two hands covering his eyes from behind. “Guess who?”

How embarrassing; a warrior caught unawares! He excused himself with not being in his right frame of mind at the moment.

Turning around, he stood face to face with Aerneth, of course. 

She smiled sweetly. “Come, follow me.” She took his hand and pulled him with her. 

Her hand felt so soft and small, and he loved how perfectly it fit in his. 

They walked for a while in silence along the shore. Thranduil first felt he ought to think of something clever to say, but figured he did not have the energy. It was such a lovely day and he enjoyed simply being with Aerneth. 

Soon however, he began to feel intimidated by the openness surrounding him. The way nothing separated him from the endless sky above and the vast ocean to his right was nauseating, and it made his stomach churn uncomfortably. He was very grateful for Aerneth’s warm hand in his, soothing and protecting him, like she was an anchor preventing the empty air from sucking him up and away.

He noticed a darker shade near the horizon, and his heart beat faster when he realized it must be Aman, home of the Valar. His great grandparents whom he had never met lived there. They had followed Ulmo west across the sea during the Great Journey of the Elves a very long time ago, but their son had decided to remain with Thingol in Doriath where he later married Thranduil’s grandmother and became father to Oropher and his two brothers. Only Oropher remained of that family now; the others had perished four centuries earlier in the First Battle of Beleriand. His mother Eiriendîs had lost her family too in that war. She was of the Laegrim and had lived in eastern Beleriand, but moved to Doriath after her parents died.

Those who had later traveled back to Middle-earth, such as Galadriel, claimed that all who died were reborn into Aman eventually, after spending some time in the Halls of Mandos. Did that mean his grandparents and uncles also lived on that distant shore now, together with Thranduil’s great grandparents? And his mother’s relatives as well? 

Yet, even if all the deceased lived across the sea, it would take a long time until Thranduil could meet them. After Ulmo and his followers departed during the Great Journey, nobody else had managed to sail there; the sea was too wild and treacherous, with hidden reefs and angry waves. And dying was out of the question, he did not quite dare trust Galadriel’s word about rebirth. Besides, if he went there, he could never come back to Beleriand. 

No, he would try his best to survive, and protect his loved ones so that they would stay in Middle-earth as well. 

oOo

When Aerneth and Thranduil had passed the last pier, they came to a stretch of bare, desolate sand beach that followed the bay for miles ahead. A group of elflings were bathing some way off, and it looked like they had a lot of fun, splashing water on each other, diving and swimming. Aerneth dropped Thranduil’s hand and removed her leather sandals, giving them for him to hold while she went closer to the water. She let the waves brush over her bare feet as she walked, every now and then bending down to pick up a pretty shell which she made him carry as well.

“This is great, my own pack horse.”

Thranduil smiled at her antics, not at all minding to carry anything she wanted. She was beginning to be more like when he first had met her; playful and whimsical, and her cheerfulness effectively chased away his somber thoughts from before. Even the open sky was beginning to lose its edge.

“When we come to our cabin I shall show you my seashell collection.”

“Cabin?” 

“There.” She pointed at a small wooden hut a couple of miles ahead. “Nana and I spend a lot of time in it during the summer. It is much nicer than in the city.”

“Why were you in town today then?” 

“Because it has been raining. The cabin leaks.” She took his hand again, apparently done with the shell picking. 

The afternoon sunshine was strong. Thranduil soon felt steaming hot in his woolen tunic, and since Aerneth only wore a light linen dress he figured it was alright for him to strip to his shirt. She looked at him with appreciation as he removed his outer garment, and he reveled in the pleasant feeling of her eyes on him. He enjoyed being desired.

A seagull landed by Thranduil’s feet. It regarded him calmly with a red rimmed, yellow eye. 

”Hello,” he said to it, beginning to feel whimsical just like Aerneth. It was apparently contagious.

The bird opened its beak, and it sounded like it replied: “Nín. Nín. Ca-ca-ca mee-ah!”

“First you say I am yours, and then you laugh at me. Rude.” His grin widened when Aerneth laughed.

“Aye, Master Gull, he is taken already.” She squeezed his hand and he looked at her, feeling warm and fuzzy inside. He wanted to kiss her but did not dare.  

“Well?” she said, a challenge in her voice as she tilted her head slightly upwards. 

That was all the invitation he needed. Thranduil bent down, brushing over her lips with his. When she did not protest, he repeated the action, closer now. Her hand came up to cup his cheek and he buried his fingers in her soft hair. 

“Mee-ah! Ca-ca-ca,” said the gull, ruining the moment. They broke the kiss, laughing. 

“I prefer to do that without an audience,” said Thranduil. 

“Indeed. One can do so many more fun things when alone together.” She laughed again when he hid his flushing face behind his hair. “You are such an innocent little elfling,” she teased.

“Because you are so experienced?” he returned, secretly wondering if she was. They seemed to be less rigid in this city, the little he had seen so far. Perhaps ellyn and ellith associated more freely here?

“I am. I have practiced in the bath.”

“Valar!” He pulled his hair to cover his face completely while he tried to not picture Aerneth in a bath, a particularly difficult feat because he had seen it once.

“Are you going to walk like that all the way to the cabin?”

“Aye.”

“I shall lead you then.” She pulled on his hand. 

When they arrived at the building, Thranduil found he recognised its insides. Aerneth had called him from there many times. Her room was tiny, with only a narrow bed and a shelf where she kept her shell collection, and a glassless window covered by a wooden shutter. 

“Where is your naneth?” Thranduil asked, trying to sound innocent. He very much wanted to kiss Aerneth again, but like he had said, preferably not with an audience. He realized he had not paid attention to Falasiel at all during lunch earlier, and could not even remember what she looked like. 

“Out. She takes long walks in the summer, or works in her studio. I don’t see her much this season.” Aerneth closed the door, and now the room felt even smaller. 

“I see.” Thranduil took a step towards her. 

She tilted up her face, her eyes inviting him to repeat what he had done on the beach. As his lips again found hers, she snuggled close, and he felt her hands exploring his back and shoulders over the thin fabric of his shirt. 

She tasted so good and smelled so good. His senses were overwhelmed by her. 

He caressed the silky tresses of her hair, and then followed her neck down to her shoulder with his fingertips. He wanted to touch her breasts too, but knew that was too early; they were not even courting officially yet! Instead he stroked her back, slowly working his way down to the interesting curve of her hips. 

A sound from the other room made them both start guiltily and jump apart. Someone had entered the cabin.

“I am home, my love!”

“It is Nana!” Aerneth’s cheeks were pink and her hair a bit tousled, but she seemed not to mind, for she opened the door and hurried to meet her mother, and gave her a hug. Thranduil followed suit, feeling extremely uncomfortable about coming out from an elleth’s bedroom wearing only his shirt. 

Círdan’s wife was a tall, thin elleth with golden brown hair, a shade darker than her daughter’s. The two were very unlike each other; the mother had none of the soft curves and ample loveliness that he liked so much in Aerneth. Her face was long, her nose a little too big and her chin pointed, making her look almost like an ellon. She was dressed in a simple linen dress, which was rather wrinkled and covered with odd, gray smudges, and her feet were bare. 

“Oh, you brought your friend. Greetings, Thranduil.” She bowed, one hand across her heart. Her fingers had the same gray smudges as her dress, he noticed, and there was something dreamy over both her soft voice and the distant look in her pale eyes. “I am glad to finally meet the ellon my daughter has talked so much about over the decades. I can see why she likes you; you are very beautiful.” 

“Nana!” Aerneth blushed.

Ignoring her daughter, Falasiel took Thranduil’s hand between her own and her strange gaze penetrated him, like she was looking at something far away but yet within him, reading his mind, or perhaps analyzing it. 

“Your temper is violent, but you have a kind soul and your heart is pure,” she said at last. “Forgiveness is the cure; learn to forgive, and learn to ask forgiveness – then your anger will never get the better of you. And learn to share your thoughts and fears.”

Thranduil stared back at her, not knowing what to answer or how to react. Could she really see those things in his eyes? Forgiveness is the cure. He had said sorry to Aerneth today and it had worked; she had forgiven him easily. 

“I will try,” he said.

“Then you have my blessing to marry my daughter.” She pressed his hand, smearing off some of the gray matter. 

He wondered fleetingly what it was and how he could wipe it off discreetly without offending her.

The elleth turned to her daughter. “I will be sorry to see you go, my love.” Then she changed the subject completely. “Have you shown him my studio yet?”

“Nay Nana, I figured you would want to do that yourself. I will make us something to eat meanwhile. Don’t forget to wash your hands before you come back.” The way she spoke, it sounded like Aerneth was the mother and not the other way around. 

Falasiel took Thranduil to an octagonal building behind the cabin. “See how light here is,” she said as she showed him in. 

It was; sunshine poured through many large windows facing in all directions, making the room almost as bright as the beach outside. In the middle stood a table, laden with gray lumps of clay and several molded sculptures. So that was where the gray stains came from. 

Thranduil went closer, curiously examining the figurines. All of them were sea creatures; fish, seals, seagulls, crabs, and those strange star animals he had seen below the pier. The detail put into the artwork was incredible, from the tiny beady eyes of the crabs to the individual feathers of the birds’ wings.

“These are beautiful!” He lightly touched one of the gulls. It smudged his fingertip.

“They are not hardened yet. I have an oven in the city house where I finish them.” She took his arm. “Now look at the paintings!” 

The pictures were even more outstanding than the clay animals. They covered the walls between the windows, all of them variations of the same theme: the sea. It was painted in every imaginable color; sometimes meeting the sandy beach of the bay, sometimes licking the stones of the pier. Many portrayed just the water – close studies of a rippling wave, or sunlight playing on the surface. Thranduil imagined the paintings would feel wet to the touch, that was how realistic they were.

“I love them. They are amazing,” he said earnestly, and was rewarded with a wide smile from Falasiel making her androgynous face light up from within.

“I know. Now, we must eat. Come!”

oOo

During supper around a small table in the cabin, Thranduil was treated like one of the family, as if Falasiel had known him forever. By her many hints, he realized that for her it felt that way; apparently Aerneth had spoken about him ever since her return from Doriath when she was little, and her parents had also known about their long distance relationship. He could only silently pray she had not told of all they had done during those calls.

Falasiel seemed to think Thranduil had come to Eglarest to take Aerneth home with him – that their courtship was over already, and that they were ready for marriage. He did not know how to respond to that. His own father expected him to go by the book, so this first journey was only to ask permission to begin courtship, and then there would be a betrothal ceremony attended by both families. The wedding would not be held until at least a year had passed after their betrothal, and probably more if he knew Oropher right. 

Thranduil settled for silence on the matter, allowing Falasiel to believe what she wanted, but his mind was working hard. Maybe he could send a pigeon with a message to his father, asking to have the betrothal ceremony sooner? If they were betrothed, Aerneth could come to live with him in Menegroth until the wedding. Now that they were together again, he did not want to leave her so soon. They had already proven that being apart was bad for their relationship.

When they had eaten, Aerneth opted to follow Thranduil home to the guest house. Back in the city, she asked if he wanted to see where she worked, and to this Thranduil had no objections. The longer he could be with her, the better.

Aerneth worked in a bakery, and baked lembas to the warriors, as well as the fishermen and travelers. Inside was a large oven and several workbenches, and the air smelled heavenly of bread and spices. At the moment, the room was empty and the oven cold, for the city’s stores were full and no more batches planned until later that year. 

“Where do you get grains?” Thranduil asked, scratching his nose that had begun to itch from all the flour dust. Back home, he knew that Melian’s farmers planted corn on top of the rocky hill that contained the caves of Menegroth. 

“They grow it on the slopes of Brithombar, and the elves there collect the seeds twice a year and ship them to us.” She opened a door to a second room. “Here is the mill where I grind the flour.” 

Thranduil peered inside and sneezed. “How can you stand working in this place?”

“I am used to it, but it will be sad to leave nevertheless. I have taught my nana, and she makes tolerable lembas now. I hope she will manage without me.”

With a twinge of unease, Thranduil realized that not only Falasiel was under the impression he had come to take Aerneth home with him. He did not look forward to having to explain the situation, as Aerneth was not the most patient of ellith.

“Here.” She picked up a piece of lembas. “Try it.”

“I know what lembas tastes like.” 

She smiled secretively and held it to his mouth. “Open up!”

He obeyed, and as he tasted the bread his eyes widened in surprise. “What did you put in it?”

“Ginger and honey.” She looked very pleased over his reaction.

“Brilliant.” He reached out to take another piece but she slapped his fingers. 

“You just had dinner. Greedy ellon.”

He laughed and pulled her to him for a kiss. In here, her mother could not interrupt them. 

She responded eagerly, allowing her fingers to resume the exploration they had begun in the cabin. She slipped them under the hem of his shirt, making him draw in a sharp breath.

“Maybe… maybe we should take things a bit slower,” he murmured, still with her lips against his.

“I don’t want to take it slow. I want you.” Her palm touched his nipple.

She was irresistible! He let his own hands move to the softness of her round breasts on the outside of her dress. 

“Shall I take it off?” she offered.

“Please, don’t... I will not be able to hold back.”

“You don’t have to hold back, Thranduil,” she purred, pulling the garment off and tossing it on the dusty floor.

Standing before him only in her underpants, she was magnificent. Again, the water images had not made her beauty justice. 

“Gorgeous,” he gasped, blood rushing through his veins with every frantic beat of his heart. 

Her smooth skin against his palm felt indescribably good as he cupped her breast. He buried his nose into her hair and nuzzled her skin just above her collarbone, drawing in her mesmerizing scent. How badly he wanted her. He could picture himself pushing her down on one of the workbenches, taking her against it. Why did they have to wait so long? It was torture.

With a huge effort he pulled back, trying to calm his breath. “We cannot… not like this…” 

“We could go to your bedroom,” she suggested. 

“Nay. We must wait. Aerneth… My adar wants us to follow tradition. A betrothal ceremony, a formal wedding. All of that.”

“Still you want me to wait? I thought you had come to marry me.” Frowning, she picked up her dress and pulled it back on. It was sprinkled with flour.

“I know. I know...“

She jumped up to sit on one of the benches, dangling her sandaled feet. Thranduil felt his cheeks flush as he again pictured taking her against it. What was happening to him? His self-control was usually immaculate; he had always prided himself of his ability to resist the cravings of his body. But Aerneth had only to look at him with those large, blue eyes, and all his sense of decorum flew away like a seagull.

Taking her hand and kissing it, he sat beside her. “I will send a message to my adar as soon as possible, and ask to have the betrothal ceremony here, so we can finish it before my return. That way you can come back with me as my bride-to-be.”

“Why does your ada have to decide? Are you not an adult?”

“I respect and love him, and I want his blessing.”

“Very well. But if he says no, we do it anyway.”

“Aerneth…”

“What? You can make your polite request, but if he is being impossible and refusing what is so natural after all the years we have known each other, we must decide for ourselves.”

oOo

Just after sunrise the next morning, Thranduil went to the city’s pigeon coop to send a message with one of the Menegroth birds kept there. Every trade delegation brought birds, and similarly there was a coop in Doriath containing pigeons from Eglarest for the return mail. The clever fowls always found their way home, and they were fast too; usually it would take less than five hours for a bird to cover the distance between the two cities. Thranduil expected to have an answer from his father before supper.

The rest of the morning he spent with Aerneth, sightseeing in the city and the havens, and even climbing up to enjoy the amazing view from the lookout tower. From there they could see Aman more clearly, but it was too far away to discern any of its cities.

They had lunch with Aerneth’s parents, and this time it was only the four of them in the spacious room. 

Lord Círdan asked Thranduil many questions about his home, his family, and his occupation as a march-warden. The answers seemed to satisfy him. “My daughter, you have chosen well,” he said. “Thranduil will make a good husband.”

“I know.” She smiled smugly.

Thranduil said nothing. Tension was beginning to build up inside him; he worried that Oropher would say no, and what would he do then? Aerneth seemed intent on following him home, and in all honesty he dearly wanted her to. What would his father do if Thranduil disobeyed him? It would turn him against Aerneth, and unfortunately Oropher was not one to easily forgive an offense. 

Círdan served berry wine again, and Thranduil drank several glasses, knowing it would calm him. It helped a little. 

After lunch, Aerneth made him temporarily forget his apprehension when she suggested they bathe together. Wearing only their shifts, they swam and dived, enjoying themselves immensely. Aerneth showed off her water magic, singing forth a multitude of shapes similar to the clay artwork her mother created. Thranduil liked the water dolphins best; she made them jump and bounce in circles around them, hiding them from the view of bypassers. He used the diversion to steal several wet kisses. Aerneth’s white dress had become transparent and the sight was driving him nearly mad with desire, and under the influence of the wine he found it harder than ever to resist touching her.

Afterwards they sat in the sand, letting the wind and sun dry their clothes. Thranduil imagined Aerneth lying on the soft surface, naked, with himself on top.

“Cannot we just skip the boring ceremonies and marry tonight? Only the two of us.” Apparently her thoughts had lingered on similar topics.

“I want our parents to attend, and for them to bless the union. Besides, I did not bring any rings.”

“Rings?”

“Aye, do you not use them? Silver rings for betrothal, and gold for marriage.”

“We use plaiting of our hair here; one pattern for courtship, and another for marriage. Every couple chooses their own.” She regarded his pale, moist strands. ”I like your hair best without them though. But our pattern could be that; no braids.” 

”Fine by me.” He knew her hair would look lovely whatever she did. 

Aerneth began to undo the small braids that held back part of her hair. “Anyway, if you think rings are important, we could get them when we come to Doriath. And we can have all sorts of celebrations there. My parents will not attend either way, I think, for Ada is still weary of travel after the war in Hithlum, and Nana never leaves the sea.”

“You make it sound so easy.” He sighed.

“It is easy. We undress. We pray to Eru. We do it.”

He chuckled and stroked her cheek. 

“Don’t laugh.” She punched his arm lightly.

“I am not laughing.”

“Liar.”

oOo

Dear son. Answer is no. Return here, arrange betrothal, she comes with parents later. With love, Oropher

Dismayed, Thranduil read the short note twice. But what had he expected? Of course Oropher would say no. He wanted a proper ceremony, and had likely neither time, nor inclination to hurriedly travel to Eglarest.

Aerneth had read over his shoulder. “That was short and to the point,” she remarked.

“Sorry,” Thranduil mumbled.

“Don’t be. Be an adult instead and make your own decisions. This is your life, and your future. Our future.”

He looked at the note again, slowly shaking his head. He could not do that. His father would not only be angry; he would be hurt. It was wrong.

“Come.” Aerneth took his hand. “Nana is staying in the city tonight, so we can have the cabin to ourselves.”

He met her gaze. Her eyes looked darker inside the pigeon coop; her large pupils made them seem nearly black, and they sucked him in. She wanted to wed him like elves did when there was not time to observe customs, with only the physical joining sealing the bond. 

We can have the cabin to ourselves. 

Silently he followed her, and allowed her to lead him out of the city. His mind was a turmoil of conflicting thoughts. Do it. Don’t do it. With every step, turning back was harder. 

As they entered the cabin and Aerneth’s room, Thranduil felt the last of his resolve melt away. Her scent filled the confined space and he wanted her so much it hurt. 

She sat on her narrow bed. “If we pray first, then we can bond. Aye or nay?”

Defeated, he sat down next to her, taking her hands in his and closing his eyes. He hoped the Valar would not only bless their marriage, but also protect them from Oropher’s wrath when they came before him as husband and wife.

“Aye,” he whispered.

Notes:

Of seagulls: “Nín”, as the gull says, means “my/mine” in Sindarin. Yes I know, I stole that from Finding Nemo. Again. :D

Of elvish races: The first elves who awakened became four clans; Avari, Vanyar, Noldor and Teleri. The Teleri were later divided into Falmari, Sindar, Falathrim and Nandor (who in turn were divided into Silvan and Laegrim). King Thingol’s adversity towards the Noldor originated from the first kinslaying, where Noldorin elves assaulted the Falmari in Aman, stealing their ships to chase after Morgoth and the Silmarils he had stolen. Since the Falmari were Teleri like Thingol, he never forgave the Noldor for killing his kinsmen.

See picture below (Source):



Chapter 12: Meeting the In-laws

Summary:

Aerneth gets married, but the experience is bittersweet. The newlyweds leave for their new home, where her father-in-law is not happy.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Meeting the In-laws

A dream coming true – there was no other way to describe the magic happening between them. This ellon, this glorious person that Aerneth had loved for so long, was finally becoming hers , hers alone. Nobody would be able to separate them again, they would be wife and husband for all eternity.

A thin strip of light came in through a crack in the window shutter, illuminating his face and bare shoulders, making him shine like one of the Valar. He reminded her of Ulmo and of the sea itself; strong and powerful, his voice deep and his eyes clear as water – eyes one could drown in. Tiny droplets of perspiration coated his body as he moved over her, his intense gaze never leaving hers, his sensual lips slightly parted. 

She pulled down his face so she could kiss them. His hair tickled her chest and she moved it back behind his ear, stroking his smooth, white cheek and neck. “Say my name.”

“Aerneth.” His deep voice sent shivers through her body. “Aerneth.” He sounded breathless and hoarse, and his gaze was turning inwards, becoming glazed. Somehow that made him even more mesmerizing. Thranduil was losing his self-control because of her . It made her feel powerful.

A tremor went through him, and another, and then with a low groan he froze, his body tensing. 

Lingering for a few heartbeats, he caught his breath before rolling off her. Then he bent down to kiss her, a featherlight brush over her lips. 

When he pulled back, Aerneth’s throat constricted at the overwhelming sadness she read in his eyes. It was painfully clear he regretted what they had done.

She did not want to see it. Gently pushing him down to lie beside her, she nestled back against his chest, feeling the warmth of his body behind her as he enveloped her. His strong arm held her close and he burrowed his nose into her hair. 

She stroked his hand, touching his calloused palm and interlacing her fingers with his. He was finally hers . Her husband, her mate, joined before Eru with Varda as her witness. This was right, this was perfect and she refused to feel bad about it. 

Soon she would move in with him in Doriath, not only for a summer this time, but indefinitely. She hoped she would fit in better than the last time. At least now, Thranduil would not mind having her around.

The thought of Doriath made her recall when she went there for the second time, shortly after she saw him in her water bowl and asked Uinen to save him from orcs. She had been almost scared out of her wits to meet him again, certain he would recognise her as the annoying elfling she had been and treat her with that slightly condescending kindness he had used to – like a well-meaning older brother. But thankfully her worries had come to naught. He had looked at her in a completely new way, a way that made her heart beat fast and her stomach flutter. 

That time she took care not to repeat the mistake of her youth when her open adoration had scared him away. She guarded her deeper feelings, acting secure and unconcerned, and it worked better than expected. To see Thranduil at loss for words, saying awkward things, and gaze at her with desire! Their roles had been completely reversed.

The memory made her smile with fondness now. She pressed his hand and brought it to her lips, contemplating telling him how much she loved him. But no, this was a bad time, he was still so worried. ”Your hand smells good,” she said instead. 

He did not reply, only pulled her in tighter in response to her words. She did not like his tendency to be silent, but knew from experience that trying to coerce him into saying what was on his mind would not work. Their distance relationship had proven that.

That relationship… Ouch. What a farce those hateful three years had been! Aerneth was certain now it was the distance that had ruined things between them, making Thranduil forget that he liked her. 

It had started so well, with the romantic water calls, and the dirty talk... But all the while his refusal to end his courtship of Lúthien had hurt . She had tried to make excuses for him, but the more time passed, the harder it had become. Lúthien was so beautiful, and the king's daughter at that. Aerneth was terrified he would eventually choose her instead.

And then came that horrible, horrible day when he completely out of the blue had ended their relationship, breaking Aerneth’s heart in a million pieces. She had lost him. He was her one, true love, and she had lost him to Lúthien.

She had not expected to meet Thranduil again, ever, so when she got the news of his arrival in Eglarest she could hardly believe her luck. Had the Valar granted her a second chance? If so, maybe, just maybe she could persuade him to take her back... 

She was pathetically eager to see him, but at the same time terrified he would think her clingy again. Thus, she had gone to that lunch in a flutter of nerves, even forcing poor Galdor to go with her as support, trying to act unaffected while at the same time aching to just fall into Thranduil’s arms and kiss him. 

To Aerneth’s surprise, he had seemed very different from how she expected. He had been looking at her in that way… 

With a new hope awakening, she had realized getting him back might not be so hard after all. But just in case, she decided she would make him come to her this time, and apologize for hurting her. She did not want him to know how desperate she was! Well, so much for that determination… all he had had to do was look at her with his puppy eyes and her resolve dried up like a jellyfish in the sun. 

In retrospect it was a bit frightening, the power he held over her. Did he realize it? No, she did not think he did, or he would have been less insecure around her when he first came here. Well, after this it would seem they were even, for clearly she must have some power over him too, seeing as she had managed to talk him into marrying her on the spot. 

A disquieting thought struck her. Did Thranduil blame her? If he was having second thoughts, would he think it her fault he had agreed to it? 

She knew whose fault it really was: his father’s. If only he had been less stubborn and difficult they could have married in Menegroth when they arrived there, and Thranduil would not have to regret anything. But the flat, unyielding reply Oropher sent had proved that he would never have agreed to that, and she instinctively knew Thranduil would have been harder to persuade under the influence of that ellon. Their arguments before had shown how dependent he was, and how much he bothered about his opinion. He had not even been able to break up with Lúthien until the elleth did it herself! 

No, waiting had never been an option. This was the only way, and with time, hopefully Thranduil and his parents would come to terms with it.

She heard him sigh behind her. It was not right that he should be unhappy, that he should feel they had hurried – as if courting for three years before the wedding was to rush things! Turning to face him, Aerneth decided it was time to give him something else to occupy his thoughts with. 

oOo

“Here. I want you to have this.” Falasiel placed a rolled up canvas and a bundle in Aerneth’s hands. Opening them, she found her favorite painting and favorite clay figurine, both picturing a spotted harbor seal Aerneth had made friends with. She would miss the seals and all the other animals, and she would miss swimming. But most of all she would miss her mother.

“Thank you, Nana.”

“Don’t cry, little one. You can call me anytime, you know.”

“I know.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes. 

Her father had also brought a gift, a silver box full of top quality pearls from the Isle of Balar. “You, son, have already received my most valued treasure,” he said to Thranduil. “But your parents will get an extra mouth to feed, and more so with the arrival of grandchildren. These might come in handy.”

Giving a valuable present to the family-in-law was a Doriath custom, which Círdan naturally knew about. Unlike in Eglarest, there were no empty homes in Menegroth where newlyweds could live, so instead the couples moved in with the bridegroom’s family. To compensate for the extra expenses, the bride’s parents gave them something of value to sell or trade if need arose.

Parting with her father was easier than with her mother; Círdan was a busy ellon who had always left Aerneth much to her own devices, trusting in her ability to take care of herself. With Falasiel it was different, it was like she needed looking after, and having someone tell her to eat and sleep. With Aerneth gone, who would do that?  

When they were on their way a little while later, Aerneth felt hollow and empty from all the crying. She stroked the smooth neck of Nênlinna, her dun coloured mare, feeling the warmth of her body through the fabric of her riding dress. 

“Look at all those hairs on your dress. You should use a saddle,” said Thranduil. 

“I don’t mind.”

“You need to take better care of your clothes,” he chided, feigning seriousness. 

“Yes Ada.” She grinned weakly at him. 

He chuckled and moved his chestnut stallion up to the front of the company. She knew he was trying to cheer her up, taking her mind off the painful separation from her family. She appreciated his effort, especially since he obviously still worried about meeting his parents – he covered his emotions with a mask of indifference, but he could not hide the look in his eyes.

Thranduil’s initial gloominess after their wedding had thankfully subsided during the first few days afterwards, as he came to terms with the definiteness of what they had done, and perhaps Aerneth’s parents’ acceptance of him as her husband had helped too. 

Oh, her father had scolded them of course; both he and Nana had been disappointed that their daughter had not invited them to witness the exchanging of vows, but as they had expected the wedding to be held away from them anyway, their slight vexation had soon passed. 

Oropher’s reaction had been harder to assess. Thranduil had sent a bird to Doriath the morning after their wedding to convey the news, and received a swift reply later that day.

Received your message. Will talk more home. Oropher

No ‘dear son’ or ‘with love’ this time, which probably was a bad sign. But Oropher would have two weeks before they returned to come to terms with his son’s decision; he would hopefully have cooled down by then. 

So far, married life had been very enjoyable. This day marked their first week as husband and wife, and what a week it had been! They had spent most of it getting to know one another. Well, at least getting to know each other’s bodies, for they had not actually talked very much. Who wanted to waste time talking when such an amazing alternative was available? 

Thranduil was a thorough ellon. It was as if he had decided her body was a challenge, and the ability to please her a skill he was determined to master. With ready zeal he had studied and memorized her reactions to every new thing he tried. 

For her own part, she would just do what she felt like and touch him where she wanted to, whether it was with her fingers or her lips. Thankfully he seemed to like almost anything she did, except tickling his knees. Of course, she would often tickle his knees. He was too good for her, really.

The upcoming days would be the first trial of their marriage, as the vicinity of the rest of the guards and the members of the trade delegation would make intimacy between the newlyweds impossible. How would they survive eight days of involuntary celibacy? 

Aerneth cast a glance at the broad shoulders and waist long hair of her husband before her, feeling a twinge of longing. The stallion he rode was very interested in Nênlinna, so they could not even ride next to each other. If Aerneth ached so badly to have him close already now, how would she feel tonight? Tomorrow? The day after that? 

She would be miserable. 

With a deep sigh, Aerneth leaned down to hug Nênlinna, burying her face in her pale mane to avoid the temptation of watching Thranduil. It would be a long journey.

oOo

“Why does it have to rain?” Aerneth wiped her face for the umpteenth time. Her lashes were beginning to glue together in the downpour.

“It always rains when one is trapped out of doors.” Thranduil shrugged. “Try to ignore it.”

“I tried and failed.”

“Weakness. A warrior would never complain like that.” He smiled as if he were joking, but there was an undertone of annoyance in his voice. They neared his home now and he had been edgy the past two days. 

Aerneth frowned and returned her attention to the soggy lembas she was trying to swallow down. She and Thranduil sat some way off from the rest of the company, as had been the case every evening so far. Ever since the others learned of Thranduil’s marriage they had treated him with badly hidden contempt. As if he had done something bad, something criminal! It was enough to make one want to throw things and stomp one’s feet, but of course no well-brought up elleth would behave so childishly. 

“At least tomorrow I can have a bath. That will be something,” she said, watching Thranduil’s face. His bleak features changed slightly and she knew he was picturing her naked, bathing. Good. He must stop worrying about his father and think of sex instead. “Warm, soapy water covering me up to my… bosom. Ahh...” He still did not return her gaze, but he was smiling now. She lowered her voice, not that it was really necessary, in the heavy rain nobody was likely to hear anyway. “And then maybe I would feel lonely. So I would call for my husband to wash my back for me…” 

Finally he met her eyes. He moved a little closer, and with a guilty look around, gave her a quick peck.

“Teaser.”

“I know. I am so bad.”

“Aye. I like that.”

“Good.”

oOo

Nênlinna protested against being left alone in a foreign stable and Aerneth felt guilty about leaving her. The grooms seemed to be good people though, they connected well with the horses and shared her own ability to bond with other living things. Her mare would be treated well, and in addition Aerneth promised to come visit every day. Just in case, she bribed the horse with her last pieces of lembas. 

Thranduil waited impatiently outside and she joined him with some trepidation. Ever since they passed through Melian’s Girdle and entered Doriath he had been taut as a bowstring, ready to lash out at her for the slightest offense. 

“Finally.” The tension in his voice was almost palpable.

“Sorry. She did not want me to go.”

“She’s a bloody horse.”

Aerneth bit down a harsh answer. Thranduil was just nervous, probably later tonight he would apologize and make it up to her. Hopefully physically.

She followed him over the bridge and through the main street of Menegroth. As always, the air down here was slightly chilly and there was a musty cellar smell she knew she would soon get used to and not feel anymore. The beauty of the pillars, carved animals and home cavern entrances on either side of the street made up for the lack of light and fresh air. Partly, at least. 

Outside his home, Thranduil paused and straightened his back, seemingly gathering strength to enter. The look on his face made her chest ache with sympathy. Was his father really that bad? His unease was contagious and suddenly she felt afraid. She hated arguing, she hated when others were angry. In her own home that almost never happened. Would there be yelling now? She had a horrible suspicion it would.

Thranduil took her hand and opened the door. His grip was a little too tight.

“Adar, Naneth, we are home.” His voice was steady and his features unreadable, the distress he had shown outside completely hidden. 

She wished she could do that too, and stop trembling like a hare before a fox.

“Ah, Thranduil. Welcome back. And you must be his new wife.” The ellon’s voice was sated with badly hidden rage and his glare at Aerneth was positively scalding. Obviously two weeks had not been enough to placate him. She almost felt like turning on the spot and bolting back home.

Eiriendîs, Thranduil’s mother, was much calmer as she greeted her son with a light kiss on his cheek and Aerneth with a bow, her hand over her heart. “Welcome, my dear. I hope you shall enjoy it here.” Despite her polite words, there was no real warmth in her voice. 

“Come, I will show you our room and you can unpack your things.” Thranduil seemed anxious to get away from his parents and Aerneth heartily agreed.

When they were alone, Aerneth drew a long, ragged breath and wiped her moist hands on her dress. At least he had not yelled. Yet.

Thranduil’s room was on the second floor, right beside his parents bedroom. It was small, with barely room for a narrow bed, a washstand and a large clothes chest.

Unpacking the gifts from her parents brought tears to Aerneth’s eyes. She placed the clay seal on the windowsill and Thranduil hung the painting on the wall opposite from his bed. The chest was full to the brim with his clothes, so it was a bit difficult to make room for her garments in one corner of it, but thankfully she did not have that many.

“Are those all the dresses you own?” he asked incredulously. “We really need to go shopping.”

His remark somehow struck her as very funny and she could not hold back a giggle, which grew into a fit of laughter. Despite all the tension and worry and missing her parents, she could not stop laughing, or perhaps she laughed because of that.

Thranduil seemed to understand. He pulled her to him in a tight hug, silently allowing her to calm down. She did not know if she was laughing or crying now, but it felt good to be held.

When she finally had regained some composure, Thranduil released her and picked up the box of pearls her father had given him. “I should bring this to my adar. And I think… he probably wants to speak with me alone.” Again his face was blank, all emotions locked up somewhere inside. 

She nodded, wiping her eyes. “Good luck,” she whispered. 

After he had gone, she strained her ears to perceive what was happening. She heard subdued voices below but still no yelling, thank the Valar. 

The door opened to let in Thranduil’s mother with a vase of dried flowers. “I figured you would want to make this room a bit more feminine.” She placed the vase beside the clay seal. “Oh, this is beautiful!” She stroked the figurine. “Did you make it?”

“My nana did.” Aerneth’s breath hitched. Eiriendîs’ kind words felt like balm for her wound up nerves. 

Eiriendîs did not reply, she had caught sight of the painting and seemed completely spellbound by it. In the middle, the seal from the figurine was sunbathing on a rock, its chubby, spotted belly upturned. Small waves licked the rock’s sides, so realistically painted it looked like they moved. Further away was the horizon and a thin strip of blue sky, with two seagulls as white specks. Between the sky and the ocean, the distant shore of Aman stretched out in a gray line. Eiriendîs slowly raised a finger to touch it.

A loud crash from below made them both start, and Eiriendîs snapped out of her entrancement. The corners of her lips turned up but the smile did not reach her eyes. “Well dear, I shall get going. The partridges for today’s supper will not pluck themselves!” 

Aerneth stared at the door when the elleth had left. There were more noises from below; a series of dull thuds. Aerneth’s heart beat fast. What was happening? Was Oropher breaking something? She considered going down to them, but that would probably only make matters worse. It was best to let Oropher get his scolding done and over with so he and Thranduil could make up and be friends again.

Oropher’s voice was louder now and Aerneth could make out part of what he said. “Deliberately disobeying me… shame... public disgrace… laughing stock.”

She did not want to hear. Laying down on Thranduil’s bed – their bed now – she put a pillow over her head. Silent tears poured down her cheeks. Would Thranduil really be laughed at? He would hate that; she knew how much he cared about what others thought of him. 

For the first time, Aerneth began to question whether marrying privately had been the right thing to do after all. 

When Thranduil returned some time later, he carefully closed the door behind him and sat down next to Aerneth on the bed. 

She anxiously peeked out from below the pillow. He looked the same as when he had left, his features smooth and calm, the only evidence of any agitation being a slight redness of his eyes and a hint of moisture in his lashes. 

Sitting up, she threw the pillow away. “How did it go?” 

“He was not happy.”

“I get that. Did he… did you make up? Did he forgive you?”

“Nay.” The definiteness of that short answer and the accompanying pain she suddenly read in his eyes hit Aerneth like a punch in her belly. He did not seem inclined to elaborate, so the next hour they just sat there in silence, occupied with their own thoughts. 

When Eiriendîs called that supper was ready, Thranduil rose, making an involuntary grimace. 

Aerneth stared at him. Those noises before… But surely Oropher couldn’t have…?

“Are you hurt?” she asked, pushing down her fear.

“I’m fine.” He walked out of the door before she could ask anything else. 

She tried to shake off her suspicions as she followed him down the stairs. Perhaps she had only imagined things?

Supper was a very silent affair. Oropher and Thranduil both looked down at their plates, focusing on their food, while Eiriendîs hardly touched hers. She emptied several goblets of wine instead. The ellyn had fruit juice, and after a glance at Oropher’s stern face Aerneth did too. She had no appetite whatsoever but ate anyway, mechanically chewing and swallowing without tasting anything. The only conversation were a few polite questions from Thranduil’s mother if they liked the food and if anyone wanted a second plate. Nobody did.

It was a relief to be finally returning upstairs.

Aerneth and Thranduil needed a bath after their journey, and took one bucket each to fill the bathtub from the kitchen pump while his mother heated some of it over the fire. Aerneth’s suspicions from before returned when she noticed how stiffly Thranduil carried the water, but when she asked again he repeated his ‘I’m fine’ in a tone that made it clear he did not want to talk about it.

When the tub was full, Thranduil politely allowed Aerneth to use it first. She naturally could not resist suggesting they share, but he did not even smile. She was really becoming worried now. What was wrong with him?

She did not stay long in the bath. It was lovely to become clean again, but she was too anxious to enjoy it fully. She just wanted to go to bed and make Thranduil talk to her.

While he was in the bathroom, she used his washbowl to call her mother, brushing out her hair meanwhile.

Falasiel readily replied. “Hello my love! So good to see you. How was your journey?” 

Seeing her mother’s familiar face almost had Aerneth burst into tears, and it was all she could do to remain calm. There was no need to worry her mother with her father-in-law’s resentment, he would probably come around and forgive them soon and this would all be forgotten. Instead she talked about her room, and the new clothes Thranduil wanted to buy her and that she had eaten partridge for dinner. Her mother thankfully did not see through her forced cheerfulness.

Aerneth had just closed the connection when Thranduil came back, wearing a long, white shirt and a towel slung over his shoulders. He smelled lovely of some unknown herbs from his soap. 

He cast her an almost wary look. “It is late and we have traveled all day. We ought to sleep now.” His tone of voice was wary too. 

Did he mean they could only sleep? But why? They had been forced to abstain for eight days – surely he must want to do it as badly as she did...

When he lay down with a faint grunt, Aerneth suddenly understood. He did not want to do it because he did not want her to see his body, because he was hurt . Damn that ellon and his pride! 

She sat, scowling down at him. “Take your shirt off.”

He shook his head, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. 

Her scowl deepened. He was ashamed; embarrassed because of what his father had done to him. “He hurt you, didn’t he? How could he? His own son.” 

“Keep your voice down,” he hissed, casting a nervous glance at the wall. Sounds came from the other side, footsteps, a low cough. 

Dismayed, Aerneth realized how thin the wall was and how well sounds traveled through it. 

She raised the hem of Thranduil’s shirt and he did not resist anymore as she helped him pull it off. Seeing the ugly bruises on his left hip and shoulder brought tears to her eyes. “What happened?” she whispered.

“He lost his temper and pushed me into the wall. It looks worse than it is. Don’t worry.”

“But you're a warrior. You could have resisted.”

He nodded. 

“Then why didn’t you?” 

“I don’t know.” He shrugged his good shoulder.

Aerneth took off her own nightshirt and snuggled close to him, skin against skin, pulling the quilt up to their necks. 

Sounds of arguing began seeping through the wall, and it really must be very thin because she could hear nearly every word they said. Eiriendîs was scolding her husband for being so unwelcoming to their daughter-in-law, and Oropher countered with some snide remarks about her drinking and how stupid it made her appear. Then she called him names: he was a brute, a beast, a cold-hearted monster – to which he must have replied physically, for there was a thud when something – or someone – struck the wall.

Aerneth could not hold back a whimper of fear. 

“Hush,” murmured Thranduil. “It is just their way. They will make up soon.”

And indeed they did. Oropher’s voice changed and became soft: Eiriendîs was beautiful, and too good for him, and he loved her above all else. His compliments were followed by sounds of eager lovemaking. 

Feeling like she had to throw up, Aerneth tried not to listen, but it was impossible. She realized that Thranduil and she would be heard equally well, should they engage in the same activity – not that she had even the slightest desire to do so anymore. 

What kind of a sick family was this? How could Oropher yell at and hurt his wife, and the next moment make passionate love to her – with his son hearing everything through the wall? And how could Eiriendîs seem so okay with it? She was humming with obvious pleasure now, and murmured her husband’s name over and over.

It was both revolting and terrifying.

Thranduil fell asleep fairly soon after his parents had finished their intercourse, but Aerneth was much too tense, and much too nauseated. 

Gradually she was realizing the full impact of what her actions had led to. She had married into a family without knowing anything about them, and now she would be bound to them forever. All through this life, and into the next one, she would be Thranduil’s wife and Oropher’s and Eiriendîs’ daughter-in-law. 

Her heart was beginning to act strange; it was beating too fast, and her throat felt too narrow. She couldn’t breathe. 

What had she done?

Why had she persuaded Thranduil to marry her? 

She wished she had never come to Doriath as an elfling, and never met him. For now it was too late. This would be her family until the end of time.

Notes:

Being immortal is perhaps not what it’s cut out to be… :/

Of elves and sea-longing: Many experience it after seeing the western sea for the first time, meaning that they ever afterwards long to go to Aman. Depending on the individual, this could affect them differently. Legolas felt it strongly, and it led to his sailing west in the Fourth Age. In my story, Thranduil is not much affected, but as it would seem, his mother is not immune to the pull of that distant horizon.

Chapter 13: Living in Doriath

Summary:

Thranduil tries to help Aerneth fit in, but she is homesick. Perhaps his friends can advise him?

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Living in Doriath

Thranduil had often found that no matter how bleak a situation seemed in the evening, things would often feel much better after a good night’s sleep, and this morning was no exception. His shoulder and hip hurt less today, the swelling was down so he was fairly sure nothing was broken. Yes, Oropher was probably still angry, but at least Thranduil had borne the brunt of his fury now. His father would be sulking a few more days, giving them the silent treatment except for the odd acidic remark, but in time he would come to terms with the situation. 

It was early, the morning lanterns not yet lit. Thranduil looked at the sleeping elleth beside him, her rounded cheek tinted pink from the reddish night light. Waking up with Aerneth in his arms was easy to get used to, even though sleeping together in his narrow bed was a bit crowded. Perhaps he could buy a larger one, like the one his parents’ shared.

He reached out to slide his fingers through her silky hair, fascinated by the play of the dim light on its golden hue. He noticed her eyes were slightly swollen. Had she cried? He hoped it was not on his account. He was used to his father’s temper, and soon Aerneth would be too.

Her long lashes fluttered and she opened her eyes. He looked deep into them, allowing his own eyes to convey his desire. Moving a finger to touch her lips, he followed their curve.

As he moved closer to kiss her the bed creaked. They froze, listening for sounds from the other side of the wall. 

Nothing. He relaxed and returned his gaze to Aerneth, but she was frowning now. 

“I am not doing it with them listening,” she whispered.

He glanced at his hourglass, but he had forgotten to turn it yesterday. Still, it was probably early. He always woke up long before his parents. “They sleep for at least an hour more,” he murmured, picking a time at random. 

“This creaky thing will wake them up.” She deliberately bounced, producing a low thud as the bed connected with the wall. 

“So let us do it somewhere else then.” He slid one of his arms under her thighs and the other under her head, promptly lifting her up, ignoring the twinge of pain in his left shoulder. 

A subdued squeal slipped her lips, but she was beginning to smile at last. That was a relief. This broody mood was not like her.

He carried her to the windowsill, putting her down beside the clay seal and flower vase and positioning himself between her legs. Perfect, this was just the right height, a bit like the working benches in her bakery. The look in her eyes told him she remembered those too. Before leaving Eglarest they had spent a very pleasant day in the bakery, finding new uses for the benches, the table, a tiny storage room and even the floor in one instance.

Glancing out the window, Thranduil made sure nobody was around. Even if they were, they could hardly see anything other than a pale shape, this was the second floor after all and their room was dark.

He returned his attention to Aerneth’s lips, tilting her head to get a better reach. 

She buried her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer as she eagerly responded. 

He stroked her neck, following it to her ear. He fondled her earlobes and felt her breathe out against his mouth.

“My butt is freezing,” she suddenly complained. 

Promptly fetching a pillow from the bed, he lifted her up to place it between her lovely backside and the stone of the windowsill.

“Spread your legs,” he ordered. 

She smiled and obeyed. 

“Wider.” When she again did as told, he moved close. “Good wife. Obedient.” He had found that even though she had always been the one most forward of them concerning their relationship, she loved it when he was bossy in bed. 

“What would you do if I don’t obey?” she whispered, her eyes dark and wide.

“I would punish you. With my mouth.” He took an earlobe between his teeth, nibbling it.

“Oh please do. I have been very naughty.”

That had them both laughing, nearly choking to keep the noise down. 

Another deep kiss smothered the laughter effectively. Thranduil cupped her breasts, one in each palm, and then allowed one hand to travel lower.

She made low sounds of pleasure, and her fingers which had been caressing his chest and shoulders stilled their motions as she was becoming too distracted to know what she was doing. He loved that unfocused expression in her eyes.

“Take me,” she breathed.

She did not have to ask twice. He murmured her name as their bodies became one, and it did not take long until they both shuddered with waves of pleasure.

When his heartbeat had slowed down, Thranduil carried Aerneth back to the bed and they snuggled down close together again.

“We cannot always do it in the window,” she whispered.

“I will think of something.”

“Cannot we live somewhere else?”

“There is nowhere else. The city is full.”

“We could move to Eglarest.”

“Don’t be silly.”

“I mean it.”

He rose on one elbow to meet her gaze. She did mean it, he realized. Wherever did that odd notion come from? It was not that he had disliked the sea, or Eglarest for that matter, but his place was here in Menegroth. He could not leave his friends and he owed the king his allegiance. And, with all his faults, Thranduil loved his father and would also do his duty to him by staying at his side.

“I am a march-warden. I work here.” He kissed her lightly. “Things will get better soon. Adar will come around. Don’t worry.” 

“Hm.” 

He changed the subject, anxious to take her thoughts off his parents. “I have a free day today, with no guard duty. Shall we go shopping? We could buy wedding rings and more clothes for you.”

“Whatever you say.” She still did not look happy, but at least she had stopped talking about moving. 

oOo

Making ready for the day with Aerneth was enjoyable, much like waking up next to her had been. Thranduil offered to brush out her hair, which she gladly accepted, and then commenced to do the same service to him. 

Her careful touch was immensely pleasurable in a completely different way than bedding her. He closed his eyes and all but purred with satisfaction.

When they were ready, they ghosted down the stairs to not wake his parents. Neither of them wanted a repeat of yesterday’s awkward meal and preferred skipping breakfast. If they felt like it, they could buy something from a vendor downtown.

The commercial part of Menegroth was located in the streets closest to the city gate. They went to the tailor’s shop first, and since Aerneth did not care at all about fashion she let him decide everything. Thranduil had a great time, choosing between various materials and designs, and watching the tailor take his wife’s measurements. The dresses would be delivered as soon as they were finished.

At the jeweler’s, Aerneth was more interested, and together they decided on matching rings shaped like a golden snake coiling itself around the wearer’s finger. 

“I can pretend mine is an eel,” she said, waving her hand to make the gold catch the faint daylight seeping down through the quartz of the distant ceiling. 

“You and your sea creatures.” He smiled.

“What? I happen to like sea creatures, and this design was the closest I could get. If there had been a seal ring I would have picked it on the spot.”

The purchases today would eat up most of Thranduil’s savings, but it was well worth it. He loved beautiful clothes and jewelry, and when he realized how much Aerneth liked the ring, he bought her a matching pair of golden snake earrings in the spur of the moment. She rewarded him with a loud kiss right in front of the jeweler, to the latter’s amusement.

It was nearing noon and they ought to get back home to have lunch. Oropher would not be easier to deal with if they avoided him – more likely the opposite. Yet, they both involuntarily dragged their feet, and the closer they came, the slower they went. But of course they got there in the end and had to go inside.

“Where have you been?” Oropher looked up from his book when they passed through the sitting room. His eyebrows were drawn together into a single line.

“We bought wedding rings.” Thranduil held out his hand and Aerneth did the same. Her fingers trembled, and Thranduil felt a pang of sympathy for her sake. He had to remember that she did not know his father the way he did. She had never seen his softer side. 

“Even that belatedly.” Oropher shook his head.

“They do not use them in Eglarest.”

“No? I knew the Falathrim were a bit behind on many things, but to be so ignorant? Even the Noldor use rings.” Oropher’s voice was brimming with contempt.

“We are not ignorant! We have other traditions.” Aerneth scowled at him. 

Thranduil gave her hand a warning squeeze. Talking back to Oropher was not a good idea. 

“Oh, do you?” He glared at her. “Let me guess. The tradition of disobeying one’s parents? Or the tradition of rushing into irreversible, life changing, everlasting decisions? Or is it perhaps the fine tradition of luring young ellyn into one’s bed?”

“I did not –”

“Aerneth!” He pulled her to him. “Come, let us go upstairs and freshen up before lunch.”

“But I–” 

“Now!” 

As he closed the door behind them, she furiously turned to him. “Why did you let him say those things, like it was all my fault?” she hissed.

“Speaking back to him will only make things worse. I know my adar. The best call is to wait until he calms down and forgives us.”

“But he humiliated me!”

“After what we did, he is entitled to be angry.” He pulled her into a hard hug. “Please, let us not fight over this. Just trust me.” 

She did not return the hug, remaining tense in his arms, but thankfully she did not voice her complaints anymore. 

She would just have to come to terms with this. It was what it was.

oOo

“I had hoped my adar would be calmer by now. He probably would have too, if Aerneth had behaved better in his presence and not talked back all the time. It is like they bring out the worst in each other. And to make matters worse, my naneth is taking her part, so now my parents argue all the time as well.” Thranduil sighed heavily.

Amroth and Thranduil had gate duty together today, which marked the ninth since he had returned to Doriath as a married ellon, and this was his first opportunity to speak in private with his friend about his troubles. 

“I do not know what to say. What a complicated mess you have gotten yourself into.” Amroth pressed his shoulder. ”I wish you had taken my advice and broken up with her for real. Nothing good comes from dealing with ellith, I say.”

”There are some perks.” Thranduil could not hold back a smug smile. 

Amroth pretended to be sick. ”Please. I don’t want to know. Anyway, I guess there is no point in looking back – you are stuck with a wife now. But maybe you should speak with Medlin for advice. He knows about being married.”

“True. Perhaps I should.” Even though Thranduil was not the talkative kind, he for once felt the need to share his troubles with his friends. 

When his shift was over, Thranduil was reluctant to go home. Every dinner was a trial to endure, an obstacle to go through in order to reach the night. 

The nights were just about the only positive thing in his life right now, apart from his work, for even after a heated argument Aerneth was never unwilling in bed – now that he had bought a bigger, non-creaking one.

He took a route that led him past Medlin’s home cave, where he lived with his wife’s parents. In their case it was he – the bridegroom – who had moved in with his in-laws. Medlin had two married brothers, so his own parents’ house was already crowded.

Medlin readily agreed to a walk before supper. They strolled under the silver tree pillars in the nearby park, while Thranduil again recounted the story of his rushed marriage and his problems.

“The past week Aerneth has been either angry or sad all the time, and sometimes I think she deliberately picks fights with Adar. Such as drinking wine during our meals, which he really hates. She has become so petty.”

“Perhaps you should try to cheer her up? Give her presents, take her out – do things you know she likes. I personally find some time alone every now and then to be necessary, or I would never have survived the past decade.” He grinned. “When is your next leave from work?”

“After the Autumn Hunt. Hm. Maybe I could take her to our cabin, while it is still clean and in order.”

“Ugh, don’t do anything… disgusting in it.” Medlin grimaced jokingly.

“Cannot promise that.” Thranduil grinned. 

When he walked back home, Thranduil felt a little more hopeful. Presents were a good idea. Aerneth loved the earrings he bought the first day, and wore them all the time, and to get some time alone would be great as well – for one, they would be able to make love without the need for silence.

During supper, only Aerneth and Thranduil’s mother were talking, and exclusively with each other. The topic was the behavior of peacocks for some reason, but Thranduil did not really pay attention to either their conversation or the food. He was apprehensively watching his father’s features grow darker with each goblet of wine the wives emptied. Would this be the evening he snapped, or would he manage to control his temper yet another day? Sometimes family meals felt like sitting beside a drawn bow, anxiously anticipating an arrow to be released and cause irrevocable damage.

When the ellith began to clear the table and disappeared into the kitchen to do the dishes, Thranduil at last felt his tension ease somewhat. He followed Oropher to the sitting room, where he picked up a book on economic theory.

“How was your day, Adar?” he asked. 

“Hm,” grunted Oropher, not looking up. Thranduil figured it might mean yes – at least it did not sound like no. The fact that his father replied at all was a progress of sorts.

“I look forward to the Hunt,” Thranduil said, trying another subject. Hunting was Oropher’s favorite pastime. “With this mild weather it should be successful.”

“Hm, aye. Been a good summer.” He nodded. “Now, be quiet, I am trying to read this.”

“Sorry. I was going to bed anyway.” Thranduil carefully schooled his features to hide a hopeful smile. This was by far the longest polite conversation he had with his father since the wedding. 

“Goodnight, Adar.”

“Goodnight, Thranduil.”

oOo

Thranduil drained the bathtub and went to his room. His mother and Aerneth were there, and he paused in the doorway to watch them. His mother was gazing at their sea painting again; she had grown very fond of it, and Aerneth sat on the windowsill looking out.

“I miss the stars,” she said with a sigh.

“Do you think your naneth would sell one of her paintings to me?” asked Eiriendîs. There was an odd longing in her voice.

“Sure. I can ask her when I call tomorrow.”

“Maybe I can join your call? I could see what she looks like and talk to her.” Eiriendîs’ eyes did not leave the painting when she spoke.

“She would love that, I am sure.” Aerneth smiled, seeming very pleased with the suggestion. 

Thranduil’s chest constricted. He wished he could make her look happy like that, and suddenly felt a pang of jealousy. 

He went inside, frowning. “This is our room. You should leave, Naneth.” 

Both ellith looked at him with surprise first, and then with disapprobation – like he was a troublesome elfling. 

“Of course.” Eiriendîs turned to Aerneth. “Goodnight, dear. Tomorrow then.”

“Tomorrow.” She smiled again.

Thranduil’s frown deepened and he felt an urge to push his mother forcefully to make her go faster.

The door closed behind her and Aerneth’s smile disappeared. “Why are you like that? She can come in here. It is her house too.”

Thranduil could not say why he was angry, he just was. All he knew was that he wanted Aerneth to smile again when she looked at him, not frown like now.

He went to her in two strides, feeling another pang in his chest when she flinched. Why? Did he scare her now too? Frustration and pain was building up within him as he took her in his arms, kissing her urgently.

She whimpered and cupped his cheeks. "Easy... You are hurting me."

He pulled back, drawing a couple of deep breaths and fighting to control the dark storm of feelings tearing at him.

Aerneth reached up to kiss him more softly, teasing his lower lip with her tongue. He groaned against her mouth, his self-control again failing. He needed her now. Scooping her up into his arms he placed her on the bed and tore off her chemise and his shirt, carelessly tossing the garments on the floor, for once not minding if they got dirty.

oOo

As he rolled off her a while later, tears stung his eyes. He was a monster. “Sorry,” he mumbled, his chest an inferno of aching remorse.

“For what?” She was breathless, and her face flushed.

“I hurt you.”

“Only at first, not after I said it.” She rose on her elbow and regarded him closely, touching his cheek where a treacherous tear spilled over. “Thranduil, what is the matter?”

“I don't know.” He turned his back towards her. Even though they had just been intimate he did not feel satisfied, and he did not quite dare believe he had not hurt her. It frightened him that he had lost his control like that; it reminded him too much of his father.

On the other side of the wall, his parents’ voices were getting loud. Another argument on its way.

“It is this place,” Aerneth said behind him. “We would have been happier alone.”

“It is what it is.”

“It doesn’t have to be.”

He did not reply; he knew what she was about to say, they had had this conversation several times already.

“We could move. I don’t like it here, and I am lonely. You are away all day and I have nothing to do, and no friends. Your nana is nice, but all she does is sewing or cross-stitching.”

“Sewing and embroidery are fine occupations for ellith.”

“They are boring and I hate them. At home what I did meant something.” 

The sounds from his parents’ argument ceased abruptly and the door slammed as Eiriendîs stomped down the stairs. That was her recent habit. In the morning Thranduil would find her asleep in a chair in the sitting room with an empty goblet next to her.

“Baking lembas was an important task. If I had a real occupation here too, I could–”

He interrupted her litany with a soft kiss, pulling her on top of him. If only she would stop dwelling on the impossible all the time and just accept the way things were. 

”I had not finished,” she mumbled, but returned his kiss, and when he stroked her back she moaned softly. 

This time he would do this properly, focusing on her pleasure instead of selfishly taking what he wanted like a brutish animal. 

oOo

“What are you doing?” Aerneth looked at him in surprise when Thranduil took her hand and pulled her out of the kitchen, leaving his mother to do the last of the supper dishes alone.

“You will see,” he said secretively.

“It better not be anything dumb,” she said, but she was smiling for once. His heart ached, he loved when she smiled. This was a good idea.

He took her to their bedroom, placing his hands over her eyes. “Close them. No peeking.” He steered her inside, shutting the door behind them. “Now, look!”

She opened her eyes slowly, peering around in the dark room. Then she turned her gaze up and gasped. “Stars…!” 

All over the dark ceiling twinkled tiny pinpoints of light, sparkling, glittering as they caught the slight light from outside.

“You like them?” Thranduil’s grin nearly cleaved his face in half.

“Aye! But how did you do it?”

“They are tiny crystals, I bought them today.” 

“They are beautiful. How did you know I wanted stars?” She jumped into his arms, kissing him soundly. “Thank you.”

“Nothing could be more beautiful than you,” he said truthfully. That was a rather cheesy line, but Aerneth seemed not to mind – if her enthusiastic kisses were anything to go by.

Thranduil inwardly thanked Medlin for his advice. Presents seemed to be quite the thing! Soon he would try the second suggestion and organize some time alone with Aerneth, and then hopefully she would finally get over her melancholia and accept the situation.

Notes:

We are coming to a troubling part of this story. If you were looking for a fluffy romance, this will not be it – not for a long while yet… These are flawed characters, and the relationship is flawed too, and there’s no quick fix.

To Thranduil, fighting and arguing as well as making-up-sex is normal in a family, because that’s all he knows. He thinks giving Aerneth presents and pleasuring her physically will make her happy and wanting to stay, and can’t understand at all why she hates living in his house.

And Aerneth is basically a little girl still, who misses her parents, and who is terrified of Oropher though she tries to hide it (hence the ‘talking-back’ that annoys Thranduil). She is confined in a tiny house with a violent elf and his wife, forever. Even her love for Thranduil is not enough to help her come to terms with her fate.

Of elves and equality: Gender roles were not so rigid for elves as humans in Middle-earth, but I’ve made Oropher set in his ways which has influenced his son (and I also think the Sindarin are a little less progressive than for example the Noldor elves). To Thranduil it is natural that the husband should work and support the family, and his wife stay at home and do the domestic chores.

Chapter 14: White Gems and Dance Circles

Summary:

Thranduil has another surprise for his wife and Galadriel learns about water magic.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

White Gems and Dance Circles

It was the last day of the annual Autumn Hunt, and Thranduil did not look forward to returning home. The week had gone way too fast this year.

He should have anticipated that Aerneth would want to come with him and that she would not understand why she could not. She was no hunter, and besides, Thranduil’s friends always went alone. Medlin never brought his wife. 

That had led to another of their heated arguments and they had parted as enemies. 

Thranduil had felt like an escaping prisoner when he walked out of Menegroth with his friends. But it had been worth it, he had had such a relaxing week with them; tracking animals, shooting prey, cutting and storing the meat, all the while listening to the others’ conversation without joining in. Out here there were no bickering wives, angry fathers or drunk mothers to worry about. It had been almost like before, when he was unmarried and free.

But no more of that until next year, he supposed. At least tonight he had the feast to look forward to, and maybe if Aerneth behaved civilized he would give her the new present he had prepared. Her tenth decade was coming up, and the Feast of the Hunt would be a great opportunity to celebrate it, but if she was still mad at him he did not really feel like it.

The walk home was lovely as usual this time of year, the forest burning in a cascade of warm colors; yellow, orange, red and purple. Had he not been carrying the full barrel of salted meat, Thranduil might have lingered, taking time to gather some ripe hazelnuts and climb a tree to eat them and enjoy the view. Instead he trudged on beside Amroth, slowly but steady approaching the hill that contained Menegroth.

After delivering the meat to the elves responsible for the city’s food storages, Thranduil went to his home cave and felt a surge of relief when he found it empty. Apparently the others had already gone up to the feast area making it ready for tonight, which would give him another few hours' respite. He knew he was being silly, but he just could not muster the energy to fight anyone right now.

After a week’s camping, Thranduil felt disheveled and unkempt, and decided to take a long, hot bath before the feast. While he waited for the water to boil on the stove, he thought up a few sentences to say to Aerneth when they met. Something to placate her. 

He nearly jumped when her face showed up in the cauldron. 

“Yes?”

“Valar, you scared me.” He smiled. “This brings back memories.” Since their wedding they had never called through water. 

To his relief Aerneth smiled too, and he realized he missed her. Suddenly he looked forward to the evening, and even more to the night afterwards.

“It sure does,” she said, and winked. “A certain bath comes to mind.” She was holding a ladle in her hand, probably she had been cooking when she felt his thoughts.

Another face came into view, with almost the same hair color as Aerneth’s. It was Galadriel.

“Is that Thranduil? How did you do it?” she asked, looking very interested. 

“It is water magic. The hair of Uinen connects all water, and she taught me and my nana how to use it for distance communication.” Aerneth turned back to Thranduil. “I am closing this now, see you later.” She disappeared.

When Thranduil sank down into his hot bath, he felt much less apprehensive about the upcoming feast. Before he knew it, his thoughts drifted to what might happen later that night, and he carefully schooled them. If Aerneth would reopen the connection in the middle of the feast preparations, showing him naked and bathing, that would be beyond embarrassing! But of course, not thinking about something was nearly impossible, and he had to spend the rest of the time in the bath slowly counting backwards from five thousand to zero. 

Back in his and Aerneth’s room, Thranduil picked a suitable outfit. During the short call before, he had noticed Aerneth wore one of the new dresses he had ordered for her at the tailor’s, woven in similar colors as his rusty red, gold trimmed coat. It was a perfect choice for an autumn feast, and he liked the idea of wearing matching colors with his wife. 

When dressed and with his hair dry and brushed until it shone, Thranduil took out his gift from its hiding place in the bottom of his clothes chest. It had taken a while to organize it and cost a fortune, but when he looked inside the pretty box he knew it would be worth it. 

Thus prepared, Thranduil walked up to the feast area with uncommon eagerness.

When he arrived some minutes later, he scanned the crowd of happily chatting elves to find his wife among them, and soon spotted her next to Galadriel. They were still discussing water magic, it sounded like, with their two golden heads close together. The sight gave him mixed feelings – it was great that Aerneth finally seemed to be making friends in Menegroth, but of all ellith there were, why should she choose someone with such a masculine and dominating personality as Galadriel? Thranduil hoped she would not get unsuitable ideas from the acquaintance.

During the meal, Thranduil noticed his family members were conversing almost neutrally for the first time ever, as if they worked hard to be polite, even Oropher and Aerneth. Galadriel and her husband Celeborn sat together with them, which might be a reason, but still it made Thranduil cautiously optimistic about the future. 

At the head table the royal family looked all the more morose; Lúthien was practically drooping like a wilted flower. 

“Poor soul, she must be worrying sick for her lover,” said Galadriel, who had noticed Thranduil’s gaze. “I worry too,” she added, sadness filling her clear eyes. 

“I am sure Finrod will manage. He is a powerful warrior,” said Thranduil, but he did not even believe it himself. Galadriel’s brother would go against Morgoth, the very Lord of the Dark, bringing only ten elvish warriors and a human. If there ever was a suicide mission, this was it.

“I wish there was a way of knowing how he fares,” Galadriel sighed. “Aerneth, you must teach me water magic so I too can see my loved ones from afar.”

“Certainly, I would love to.” Aerneth shone with pride, honored by the much older elleth’s interest in her abilities.

Soon after, dance circles were forming in the open area in the middle of the clearing. Celeborn pulled Galadriel with him to one of them, and the couple was soon followed by Oropher and Eiriendîs. Aerneth looked expectantly at Thranduil, but he only smiled secretively and took her to the edge of the glade where they could be alone under the shadow of the trees.

“Shall we not dance?” she asked.

“Soon. First I want to do this.” He pulled her close and kissed her, not caring about who saw them. On this night married elves would do a lot more than kissing in the surrounding woods. She responded eagerly, clinging to him.

“I missed you,” he said when they had to pause and breathe.

“Your own fault.” Her soft voice took the edge of the reprimand.

“Do not bring that up again. Let us be happy tonight and forget our quarrels.”

“Alright. But only because I missed you too.” She buried her fingers in his hair and tugged him down for another passionate kiss, teasing his tongue with her own. 

He pulled her further in among the trees and their kiss intensified. He fondled her shapely curves through the fabric of her lovely red dress, wanting badly to lift its hem and take her right there and then, but restraining himself with some effort. There would be plenty of time for that sort of thing later. 

“I got something for you,” he said the next time they came up for air, taking the elaborate wooden box from his pocket. It was round, with a relief of fish swimming around its lid, and in the center a starfish. “Happy tenth decade in advance.” 

“Thranduil, this is beautiful! Did you carve it?”

He nodded, pleased over her reaction. He had finished the box in the cabin during the evenings of the hunt. He was no expert woodworker but enjoyed a little whittling now and then, it was a good pastime in the wintertime when they often were snowed up inside Menegroth for long periods of time, or when out on longer field drills with the march-wardens. 

“Open it,” he prompted.

She did, and gasped when she saw its contents. “Gems,” she whispered, almost reverently taking out the dazzling necklace. “But… how?”

“They are quartz cut into facets. I purchased them from a dwarf trade delegation a couple of weeks ago. Do you like them?”

“I love them, silly.” She covered his face with enthusiastic kisses. When she had calmed down, Thranduil helped her put on the necklace and a matching set of tear-shaped earrings.

“I wanted you to wear them tonight, outshining everyone else, or I would have waited until your real begetting-day.”

“We will make people jealous,” she agreed smugly, turning her head this way and that to make the earrings dangle, using a small puddle as a mirror. 

“I will make you something pretty too.” She ripped off a few colorful branchlets from a nearby maple tree and nimbly twisted them together into a wreath, placing it on Thranduil’s head. “There. An autumn crown.”

He looked at his reflection in the puddle and grinned. “I like it. Looks better than King Thingol’s, even.”

“Of course it does, his was made from dead metal. I prefer living things.” She made another, smaller wreath for herself and stood beside him before the pool. “Perfect! King Thranduil and Queen Aerneth at your service!” 

Thranduil straightened his back, trying to assume a kingly pose. “Shall we join our subjects, my queen?”

“Aye, my king, we must not keep them waiting for the guests of honor!”

Arm in arm they returned to the festivities.

oOo

Ever since he was very young, Thranduil had been slightly jealous of the married couples during the four annual holidays; the Feast of the Stars in the summer, the Hunt in the autumn, Yule in the winter and the Spring Festival. Married elves always had a dance partner, and then of course their stealing away into the darkness later at night had intrigued him. For the first time, he was now one of them. 

Thranduil felt other elves’ eyes on them as he and Aerneth twirled around, circling one another, their feet moving in the age-old pattern elves had known ever since the Awakening, when they took their first steps under the newborn stars. 

Whenever their legs grew tired they rested at the tables, refilling their plates and goblets, before returning to the circles for another round, and a third, and a fourth. The hours rushed by as they enjoyed one of the best evenings of their lives. 

On their short breaks, Aerneth drank wine as was her habit, and late at night when Oropher and Eiriendîs had disappeared into the forest, Thranduil let her persuade him into trying it again. For once, the taste did not remind him of the time in his youth when his father had made him drink too much. Perhaps the many times recently when he had tasted it on Aerneth’s lips had waned him, or maybe he had just grown out of his bad memory, for this time Thranduil found himself enjoying the rich flavor very much. 

Well past midnight, Aerneth and Thranduil sneaked away into the shadows like so many had before them. They had to cling to each other for support, swaying not only a little and nearly stumbling over other couples who lay soundly asleep in tangles of arms, legs and disheveled clothes. 

Finding a spot where they would not be disturbed was not easy, but finally they came to a densely overgrown hollow with a sea of butterburs, their round leaves large as cauldron lids. Underneath, it felt like being inside a tiny, cozy house.

Aerneth crawled onto Thranduil and kissed him hungrily, pushing him down on his back. He pulled up her dress to caress her smooth skin under the palms of his hands, too tired and drunk to bother with uncovering more than was necessary to make love. Under his touch, she was soon squirming with want, pressing down hard on him.

She fumbled with his pants, touching him through them. "Hurry," she moaned. Her eagerness was almost enough to make him come prematurely, but somehow he managed to hold back long enough to ease his pants down.

Once they had begun, she seemed less urgent, grinding herself against him agonizingly slowly.

"May the Valar help me," he mumbled. "You are a cruel elleth, Aerneth."

"Say my name again and I shall reward you," she teased.

He promptly complied, murmuring her name in the tempo he wanted her to move, which had the intended effect. Neither of them lasted very long after that.

“I think I prefer beds,” Aerneth murmured afterwards, resting on Thranduil’s shoulder.

“Oh, aye.” Thranduil rubbed his back where a stone had chafed him.

“The advantage of this place is that we are alone, though.”

“I know somewhere else where we can be alone,” he said, and explained his plan to spend some time just the two of them in the hunting cabin, celebrating her begetting-day.

“Perfect!” She kissed him. “That would be just perfect.”

oOo

“So, how does it feel to have lived ten decades?” Thranduil was leisurely stretched out on a deer pelt on the earthen floor, supporting his weight on one arm and holding his wine cup in the other. The only light in the windowless cabin came from the lantern they had brought, and Aerneth looked unusually lovely in its reddish sheen. She sat cross-legged by his head, leaning her back against the crude wall.

“I feel very old. Soon I shall be as wise as you.” She poked him in the ribs, trying to find a ticklish spot and failing. Or, not failing actually, but he kept his features smooth so she would not know she had found one. “Thank you for this,” she added, becoming serious and moving her fingers to lightly touch his cheek. “I had forgotten how nice it is to be alone with you.”

He replied with a smile, it had indeed been very pleasant so far. Downing the contents of his cup, he set it aside and rested his head in Aerneth’s lap, gazing up into her eyes. They looked dark in the dim light. 

She followed the contours of his face with her finger, up to his eyebrows and down over the bridge of his nose. Her eyes filled with an emotion he could not quite interpret, her gaze becoming unusually intense. 

“Thranduil, I...“ She hesitated, and began again. “I like you. A lot.” It sounded like she had meant to say something else but changed her mind at the last moment. 

He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed her fingertips, one at a time. Had she meant to say she loved him? He felt a warmth in his chest at the thought, but then a slight worry. Did he love her back, if so? Being honest with himself, he did not know. What did love feel like? When he looked at her now, he felt desire, and when she was not arguing or nagging him about things, she could be quite lovely. It was safe to say that he was fond of her, but more? 

Aerneth’s features had changed while Thranduil pondered over his feelings, she was looking slightly disappointed. Was he supposed to say he liked her too? But she must know he did, he had given her a necklace and taken her here to the cabin and everything. 

“You know I care about you too,” he said just to be on the safe side, and was rewarded with a relieved grin. Did she really need to be reassured like that? He hoped she would not mention love then, because he would not lie to her, and it would likely not sit well with her if he gave her a hesitant answer.

“I wish it was just us in the whole world,” she said. “No matter how hard I try I cannot… I cannot like your ada.”

He frowned. Why would he bring Oropher up now? 

“And when he is around, you… You can be quite like him, at times. But that is not you. It is as if you change when he is near. Like he is your shadow. Or you his, I don’t know.”

“Don’t do this.” He rolled out of her lap, feeling irritation building up. Of course this bliss could not last, of course Aerneth had to go and ruin the moment.

“Why cannot we move back home? There are plenty of houses in Eglarest. And we could visit your parents from time to time.”

Thranduil turned his back to her and refilled his cup. She just could not let matters rest, over and over again she would bring up the same things. It was enough to drive an ellon insane.

“You know why we cannot move to Eglarest and can you for once give up?” He drank half his cup in one go, not tasting the wine. 

“I don’t agree with your reasons. My ada needs warriors too – he could hire you. Thingol doesn’t own you.”

Thranduil paced a few steps in the confined space, forcing down his annoyance. He could not lose his temper, not on her begetting-day. Still with his back turned he closed his eyes, drawing several slow breaths, imagining his face was sculpted in ice.

Turning back towards her, he was completely calm. ”Then move, if you wish. I don’t own you either, Aerneth.” He sipped his wine with feigned nonchalance to get an excuse to break eye contact. 

He was not exactly lying, but naturally he did not want them to live apart. He just needed her to understand there was no middle way in this. He would not leave Menegroth, so the only way for her to move to the Falas would be if she did it without him.

“You don’t mean that.” Her voice had become insecure.

“Of course I do.”

She gave him a long look then, screwing up her eyes. “Nay, you don’t,” she finally stated. “You just said you care about me.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Can I not care about you at a distance?” 

“Don’t use that face on me,” she said accusingly. 

“What face?” He took another sip. He knew exactly what face she meant, his father hated it too, but sometimes hiding one's emotions was the only way.

“The one where you look like you are coated with glass.” 

He raised his eyebrow again, purposely refraining from an answer. That would wind her up, but she started it after all.

“Thranduil Oropherion!” She actually stamped her foot, and he had to bite the inside of his cheek not to laugh. Somehow his mood had changed from anger to amusement, and now he saw the corner of her mouth twitch.

He was not prepared for her next move. Quick as a warm lizard she jumped onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck, giving him a long, wet lick all the way from his chin to his eye.

“A-ha! Glass face gone,” she said smugly. 

“You are such an elfling.” He wiped his cheek with the sleeve of his tunic while trying – and failing – to banish the smile from his lips.

Notes:

If you ever wondered how Galadriel got the idea for her water mirror, now you know. ;)

Of elvish birthdays: Elves celebrate their begetting-day, meaning the day they were sired (which indicates that elves can control if and when to create a child). To complicate matters further, there are two kinds of elvish years, the coranar (solar years) and yén (144 solar years).
Since elves live such long lives, I’ve decided they don’t celebrate their annual begetting-days very much, but rather the decade days when younger, and when older soon only their yén-days. In this chapter Aerneth turns 100, which is her 10th decade day, and in another four solar years Thranduil will celebrate his first yén as he turns 144.

To all who left kudos and comments so far: I’m so grateful for your support! When writing a long, complex story like this, it’s easy to lose faith in the project, doubting if it’s any good and if anyone still reads.
I don’t think many readers understand how important feedback is. Even a short comment can be reason enough to continue writing – and I think lack of reader interaction is a common reason for many abandoned stories out there.

Chapter 15: Tree Prison

Summary:

Lúthien's secret is discovered and Thingol is not happy. Beren is sent on a quest and Lúthien imprisoned, which leads to a disaster for Aerneth and Thranduil.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Tree Prison

Thranduil and Aerneth were fast asleep, exhausted after a long night’s experimenting with new uses for their mouths and tongues on one another’s bodies, when a knock woke them up. 

“A messenger from the king was here, Thranduil,” said Eiriendîs through the door. “You are summoned to the palace.”

He quickly rose and got ready, kissing a sleepy Aerneth goodbye before hurrying out. What did Thingol want at this early hour? 

At the palace he met more fellow march-wardens. Only a select few had been summoned, it seemed, and Thranduil saw Amroth and Beleg Cúthalion among them. Soon the king entered, followed by Lúthien and Daeron, the minstrel. Lúthien looked absolutely wretched, her face was sickly pale and her eyes red from crying.

“I have some disturbing news and an unusual request for you, march-wardens,” the king began. He too looked troubled, tired and with ruffled clothes like he had slept in them. “It seems my wife and daughter have gone behind my back, but thankfully my faithful friend Daeron intervened before a disaster came about.” 

King Thingol had them all promise to keep silent of what they were about to hear, for he was anxious to avoid unrest in the city. Then he told them everything. 

It had all begun yesterday, when Lúthien had felt a precognition of ill tidings, a heavy weight on her chest. She asked her mother to use her Maia powers and find out what had happened with her lover on his quest. Melian had complied. First she saw Beren, Finrod and the other ten walking through the Pass of Sirion, cleverly disguised as orcs to evade notice on their way to Angband. Then she saw Sauron, Morgoth’s lieutenant, when he discovered the intruders from his watchtower on an island in the middle of the river. He saw through their guise and had them brought before him. 

Now followed a battle of magic, where Sauron and Finrod Felagund sang spells and enchantments, seeking to outpower each other. However, Sauron was much stronger – he had once been one of the Maiar like Melian – and thus Finrod was defeated despite his valiant attempts.

Terrible werewolves roamed in the tower, and Sauron threatened his captives that the monsters would devour them unless they told him who they were and what their mission was, but none talked. Then he threw them into the werewolf pit, and there they now awaited a gruesome death. 

As soon Melian had told Lúthien this, she decided she would hasten to the tower and aid her beloved. She asked Daeron to help her, but thankfully the minstrel told the king about it before she could go.

The reason Thingol had now gathered his most trusted march-wardens was that he needed them to guard Lúthien.

“It is clear to me that my daughter needs to be restrained, for she tells me she will leave at first opportunity. I do not allow this!” He was talking about her like she was not present. “She is not going to throw her life away to save a mortal from a disaster he brought upon himself. It is bad enough that this human has risked the life of my ally in Nargothrond, one of the few decent Noldor in the world!” He rose from his throne, angrily walking to and fro as he kept talking, reminding Thranduil very much of his father. “No, Lúthien must be confined here, but I do not wish to lock her up in a dungeon; one so used to roaming the forest needs light and air. Instead, you shall build her a secure prison in a tree of great height with no other trees nearby she could escape to. There you must guard her well and never once leave her alone.” 

Thranduil and the others spent the better part of the day building the prison. The tree they had chosen was one of the famous beeches a bit north of the city, which had three huge branches on which they could build the house, and to reach it they made a tall ladder. 

Lúthien was then escorted up to her new home and the ladder removed, effectively trapping her there.

It felt strange to lock away the elleth Thranduil had formerly courted, and he was sorry for her to be so harshly treated. Still, he could well understand the king, should his daughter be allowed to leave Doriath she would meet with certain death. What father would not try to stop that?

When Thranduil returned home in the evening, Aerneth was very curious about what Thingol had wanted, and naturally would not accept his refusal to reveal anything. During supper she did not say much, their family meals were still a very quiet affair, but later in bed she was all the more persistent.

“I am your wife, you can tell me.”

“Nay.”

“I am sure the king meant you cannot tell anyone besides family. Wives do not count.”

“Let us speak of something else. How was your first water magic lesson with Galadriel?”

“It went well, she is a fast learner. I like her. Anyway, about the king’s summon, I will die of curiosity if you do not say what he wanted. And you were gone all day too, what were you doing?”

“I cannot tell.” He moved in to kiss her but she turned her face away.

“Yes you can.”

“I can but I am not going to.”

“Hm.” She frowned and tapped her chin thoughtfully.

He tried to kiss her again and this time she responded, deepening it. After a while she left his lips to kiss her way down his chest, and Thranduil forgot all about kings and locked up princesses. He closed his eyes and ground his teeth together to not make a sound as he felt her soft lips and tongue caress him. It was clear Aerneth had learned well yesterday what he liked.

And then she stopped. She bloody stopped.

“Can you not tell, though… I think about it so much I get distracted.” The expression in her eyes as she looked up at him was downright evil.

“Valar, wife… this is not fair!”

She snickered and gave him a teasing lick, making him shudder. He knew he was defeated.

“Alright, I… maybe I can tell some of it. But promise you will spread it no further.” 

“Of course!” Her triumphant smile was dazzling.

She dragged everything out of him eventually, and unsurprisingly did not at all agree with the king’s decision, calling him a cruel tyrant and a bad father. Thranduil did not mind that her opinion differed from his, but it was disconcerting that she held such power over him, and worse, that she knew how to use it to her advantage. 

oOo

Thranduil leaned his back against the trunk of the prison tree, Hírilorn – Tree of the Lady – as they had begun calling it. It was only the second day, but already he loathed this place, and the sobs they occasionally heard from above did not help. Since so few of the march-wardens knew about the situation, they would be working long hours nearly every day.

“At least being out of doors is nicer than guarding the boring throne room,” said Amroth. 

“I like the throne room,” he objected. Not that he disliked the beech wood, especially this time of year when the ground was covered in crispy leaves and the air smelled lovely fresh, but he enjoyed the beauty of King Thingol’s halls, the designs and patterns, the choices of metals and gems – there was so much thought gone into it.

“You are a strange elf.” Amroth smiled fondly.

“I suppose I am.”

Then he spotted someone approaching at a distance and his stomach plummeted. Damn his obnoxious wife, what was she doing ?

As she caught sight of them, Aerneth clasped her hands over her mouth theatrically. “Thranduil! I was just taking a nice evening walk, fancy finding you here!”

Thranduil noticed Amroth raising his eyebrows. Clearly he had seen through her ruse.

“It is late, you ought to return home,” Thranduil said sharply, scowling angrily at her. 

“Alright, alright.” She turned to leave. “I will see you tonight… in bed.” 

Thranduil groaned as she left, glancing guiltily at his friend.

“You told her.” 

“I… yes. She can be quite persuasive.” His shoulders slumped.

“I am amazed. What did she do to make you speak? I mean, silence is kind of your signum. I doubt even a balrog with a burning whip could loosen your tongue if you chose to hold it.”

He must have blushed, because Amroth peered closely at him. “Now I am even more intrigued.”

“I don’t think you want to know.”

“No, I think I do. I dare say it would be… educational. From a more experienced ellon to another, so to speak.”

Thranduil grinned then. His physical experiences with Aerneth was just about the only positive thing in his life right now and the fact she liked it so much made him proud. He did not really mind telling, and did so without further prompting. 

Very soon it was Amroth’s turn to color. “Why, I… the notion one could do that had never occurred to me. Maybe this marriage thing has its upsides.”

“It does.” Thranduil smiled smugly.

“Still not worth it though, considering you get a nagging wife and the loss of your freedom in the bargain. I shall stay single forever.”

oOo

There were advantages with Aerneth’s knowledge about the tree prison. Following that day, she came to keep them company whenever it was Thranduil’s and Amroth’s turn to guard it, which made the task a lot more pleasant. 

Amroth, who had been so against their relationship at first, had to grudgingly admit she was nice company, easy to speak with and had a good sense of humor. Thranduil for his part felt slightly ambivalent. As much as he liked having his wife there, the growing camaraderie between her and his friend unsettled him. It reminded him too much of his walks with Lúthien and Daeron, and how the minstrel always would take over the conversation leaving Thranduil out, feeling dull and stupid.

Tonight Aerneth spoke of her recent meeting with Galadriel while they shared a bottle of wine. 

“She is amazing with the water now, she has learned to do things even I cannot, although she has no control over what images she gets. Like today, when she was opening a connection with me, she began to see things that had already happened. She saw me and Thranduil walking along the beach in Eglarest on our wedding day.” 

Thranduil winced. How had she known it was their wedding day, unless she had seen what they did after that walk? 

Aerneth laughed at his expression, reading his thoughts. “Obviously she did not know it was that day before I told her. I doubt she would want to look at us doing…” She glanced at Amroth. “... things.”

He grinned widely. “What things? No need to be shy.” 

“Well, you see, when an ellon really loves an elleth...” She winked.

“Aye? What happens then?” He smirked. “I wonder why people always stop when they get that far into their explanation.”

“Oh, I am not shy. I can continue.” 

This she did, and very soon Thranduil fled, not wanting his friend to see his physical response to her descriptions. Aerneth really had a way with words.

When he returned, the topic thankfully had changed to more mundane things, but later that night Thranduil made Aerneth pay for the discomfort she had caused him by having her act out everything she had spoken of. Not that she seemed to mind – quite the opposite.

oOo

The next day when Thranduil got home, he found Aerneth pacing to and fro in their room, looking very worried. 

“What is wrong?”

“It is Galadriel. She has been experimenting with her visions in the water all day, and found she could see her loved ones through it. Not the way I do, where I can communicate with them, for her it is only pictures but she does not need them thinking about her to find them. And so of course she summoned up her brother, and saw horrible things!”

“She saw his battle with Sauron?” Thranduil spoke in a low voice to make sure his parents could not overhear. 

“Aye, but that is not all, she saw him suffer in a dark prison, while one by one his companions were eaten by a werewolf, until only he and the mortal man remained. And then she saw Finrod grapple with the monster, killing it with his bare hands, but he got so badly injured he died too. He gave up his life for a human!”

“Whyever would he do that?”

“Don’t ask me. And also, Galadriel did not know if this had actually happened, or if it was a vision of a potential future. Her words.”

“Please do not say she wants to go fight Sauron too now?” Thranduil groaned. 

“Well…” Aerneth bit her lip. “I may accidentally have told her that Lúthien and Queen Melian saw nearly the same thing, and now she has gone to ask the king for warriors…”

“Aerneth! You promised!” Thranduil all but shook his wife, frustrated and angry. How could she be so disloyal? What would Thingol think when he realized the secret was out?

“It was just… she looked so miserable when she saw her brother die, and I wanted to give her hope that he still lived, because in Melian’s vision he did…”

“That was several days ago, he may well be dead now, and the human too,” Thranduil hissed. “Sauron is a bloody Maia, and he has werewolves! Do you really want Thingol to send elves there? Because it could be me, Aerneth.”

She blanched as understanding dawned.

“I am a warrior; I full well know I might be killed in action and I would not hesitate to go where my king would direct me – but the prospect of a suicide mission does not appeal.”

Aerneth shook her head. Her eyes were moist.

“Oh, please do not cry.” He turned his back so he would not have to look.

“I am sorry I told her.” She sniffed.

His anger slowly drained off. He felt bad for making his wife worry – of course Thingol would not send out his march-wardens, not for a Noldo and a human he hated. Thranduil’s outburst had just been melodrama; he had wanted to scare her although he did not really know why. Perhaps as a punishment for betraying the secret.

Turning back to her, he drew her into his arms and wiped away her tears. “It will not happen. The king is not that stupid.”

“Don’t ever leave me, Thranduil.”

He kissed her instead of replying, for how could he promise something like that? Even though it would not be now, it could happen at some other time; as a warrior Thranduil would face danger and death, that was part of the deal. 

oOo

After Galadriel had spoken to the king – who naturally refused her any aid, just as Thranduil had predicted – the news began to spread throughout the city, both about what had befallen the unlucky questers and that Princess Lúthien had been locked up, although nobody yet knew where her prison was. That the king would do such a thing to his daughter caused discontent among his subjects, a brewing unrest, and people were also concerned about the proximity of Sauron and his werewolves. His tower in the river Sirion was less than thirty leagues to the northwest of the Doriath border, and though his breeding werewolves had been known, it was worrying that there were such large numbers of them now. 

Galadriel was wiser than Lúthien in the respect that she did not try to leave Doriath alone. Instead she sent a bird to Nargothrond where her nephew Orodreth ruled in Finrod’s absence, asking him to organize a rescue party. As far as Thranduil knew, she had received no answer. Perhaps Orodreth wanted Finrod to die so he could keep the crown? With the Noldor, everything was possible.

The days following Galadriel’s audience with the king, Thranduil feared Thingol would summon his march-wardens and demand to know who had leaked the secret. Even if Thranduil held his tongue, Amroth might not – he knew that Thranduil had told his wife and that she had spent time with Galadriel, and it did not take a genius to put the facts together. 

During their next guard duty together, Amroth thankfully calmed him in that department. ”Really, Tharan, who do you take me for?” He gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder. “I would never betray a friend, even one as foolish as you.”

“Thank you.” He returned the punch, smiling awkwardly. His friend's loyalty gave him a warm glow within. 

“Don’t mention it.”

A bit more at ease, Thranduil raised the ladder and climbed up with Lúthien’s supper. As always, he knocked once before entering her house, but this time the door seemed stuck.

“Do not come in,” came her voice. “Just put the tray outside.” 

“Are you alright?”

“Aye!” she snapped. “Go away.”

“But…”

“Just go! I do not want to see anyone for a while. Can you at least respect that wish, if you cannot respect my freedom?”

“Aye. Of course. Well, good night then, my lady.”

As he climbed down, Thranduil pondered over the princess’ odd behavior. Had somehow the rumors reached her too? Maybe she was mourning her dead lover. Either way, she had the right to be alone if she wanted to.

Lúthien isolated herself for several days, but since she ate the food they brought her and always answered through the door, nobody worried about it. 

After about a week, Thranduil and Amroth had the night shift, and as usual Aerneth came along with a basket of food and wine to keep them company during the evening. 

“What if she is fading? Mourning herself to death, just pretending she is eating to fool you,” Aerneth suggested when Amroth returned down with Lúthien’s empty tray. 

“Her voice sounds as strong as ever, and she blocks the door if we try to enter. If she were fading she would be weak by now. I think she just wants to be alone.”

They shared a pleasant meal of venison, rounding it up with almonds and dried berries. The strong blueberry wine cheered their spirits and made the hours go by much faster, and when Aerneth left to go home well past midnight the ellyn felt both relaxed and sated.

Thranduil picked up a piece of wood and his knife and began to whittle. He was making a seagull pendant for Aerneth, thinking it could be a good Yule gift. Since he had spent all his earnings on a necklace for her begetting-day, it would have to be something inexpensive. 

There was a movement behind him, and the unfinished gull fell from his limp fingers as Thranduil sagged to the ground, fast asleep.

oOo

When he opened his eyes, it was dawn. Bewildered and afraid, he scrambled to his feet. Why had he slept? He never slept on his guard. 

Looking down, he saw Amroth just waking up as well. How could they both have fallen asleep like that?

“What happened?” He looked as confused as Thranduil felt, and a chill trickled down his spine. The wine. Had Aerneth put something in the wine? 

That was when he saw it. A shiny, black rope hung in the tree, from the now very empty prison. The ellyn stared at each other in horror. 

Lúthien had escaped.

oOo

When Thranduil entered his home a few hours later, his fear had turned into white-hot fury. How could she? How dared she?

Storming inside, he yelled Aerneth’s name. She was in the sitting room with his parents, and they all jumped up in surprise at his sudden appearance.

“Thranduil?”

“Why did you do it? Why? Why?” he growled, clenching his hands into fists to stop himself from wringing her neck.

“What did she do?” Oropher’s face had quickly clouded over.

“I don’t know what you are talking about!” Aerneth’s lip trembled and her eyes were wide with shock. 

“Of course you do, you lying little witch. Was it the wine? Or the food?”

“Calm down and tell us exactly what happened.” Oropher took a step closer, piercing him with his stare like he used to do when Thranduil was young. 

Like then, it helped him focus. 

Forcing himself to breathe calmer, and turning his features into an expressionless mask, he told his father everything; how he had been guarding Lúthien on the king’s orders when Aerneth had brought food and wine to him and Amroth, sedating them, and then helping the princess escape. As a consequence, Thranduil had now lost his place among the march-wardens, his good grace with the king and his income. 

When he had finished, Aerneth and Oropher both looked like pale ghosts, the former with fright and the latter with rage.

“You,” said Oropher, slowly advancing on Aerneth. 

“It is not true,” she whispered, vigorously shaking her head. “I-I-I went home. I have been sleeping. I put nothing in the wine or food. I promise!”

Thranduil felt a flicker of doubt. Either she was a very talented actor or she was telling the truth. But who else could have done it?

Oropher had Aerneth trapped in the corner. “Ever since you snared my son, you have been nothing but trouble.” He grabbed her arm, shaking her. “Cannot you see what your actions have brought upon us? Ruin. Disgrace. I will lose my position at court, and our family will be blackened forever.” He shook her again.

“Adar.” Thranduil tried to pull him away but was forcefully thrown aside and nearly lost his footing as he stumbled over a chair. 

Aerneth said nothing, she was staring at Oropher like a trapped animal.

Hardly believing his eyes, Thranduil saw his father lift his hand.

“No!” He jumped forward but was too late to interrupt the strike. Clutching her jaw, Aerneth tumbled to the floor, with blood from her cut lip trickling between her fingers.

“What have you done?” Now it was Thranduil’s turn to shake his father, pushing him into the wall, trapping him with his body. “She is my wife! If you ever touch her again I will…” He broke off. He wanted to say he would kill him, but knew he would never do that. 

Beside them, Eiriendîs helped Aerneth stand and led her out of the room.

“Sorry Thranduil, I did not mean to hit her.” Oropher looked ashamed. “I lost my temper. You know I struggle to control it, but sometimes one just cannot…” 

“Stop making excuses.”

“But look at what she did! She has crushed our family.”

“Just shut up.” Thranduil let go of his father. He felt his arms encompass him but evaded the hug. “Don’t touch me.”

Turning his back to leave, he suddenly felt sick with worry. Was Aerneth badly hurt? 

He dashed upstairs and found the ellith in his room. His mother was hugging her trembling daughter-in-law, her gaze locked on the sea painting as silent tears streaked her cheeks. 

Thranduil gently pulled Aerneth from her, tilting her chin to assess the bruise. She whimpered when he felt along her jaw. It was swollen, but not broken, and her teeth intact. He breathed out with relief. There would be an ugly bruise, and it would hurt for a few days, but it could have been much worse.

Aerneth was shaking more violently now, and her breaths had become shallow. “I want to go home,”she forced out between clattering teeth. When she moved her lips they began to bleed again.

“Shh, don’t speak.” He pulled her to him, stroking her back soothingly. 

“I am going with her,” said Eiriendîs. Her eyes had never left the painting.

“Don’t… Let us not be drastic now. We can settle this. Adar will never touch her again; I shall protect her.”

“Like you have protected me?”

He did not know what to answer. What did she mean? He could not go between his parents; their arguments were theirs to settle, and he had no business meddling in their affairs. But at his mother’s words he felt a twinge of insecurity. Had he been wrong? Should he have interfered?

Eiriendîs started to sob; loud, ugly sobs that pierced Thranduil’s heart like daggers. 

“Naneth, I am sorry. I…” 

Her weeping grew louder and she hurried out of the room, burying her face in her hands.

In his arms Aerneth began to cry as well. “I cannot… I cannot do it anymore. I tried so hard, but no matter what I do…he…” she paused, and then repeated: “I want to go home.”

Notes:

I’m not sure who I’m most sorry for in this chapter… Aerneth, who is blamed and punished harshly without evidence, and whose husband doesn’t believe her when she says she’s innocent?

Thranduil, who may lose his job, his wife, and his mother – all on the same day – and who is unfairly blamed for not protecting his mother from his father? A child is not supposed to protect their parent, it’s the other way around.

Or perhaps it’s Lúthien, an adult elleth of several hundred years, half-maia and extremely powerful, whose own father imprisons her to hinder her from saving the mortal man she loves? In all honesty, Oropher is not the only messed-up father in Doriath.

But believe it or not, even though things look dire and dark right now, there will be a happy ending to this story. The characters have a long journey ahead of them, and a great deal of redemption.

Chapter 16: Sorrow

Summary:

Thranduil and Aerneth have moved to Eglarest with his mother, but a tragic accident makes everything worse. Or was it an accident?

Notes:

Chapter warning: Suicide (implied)

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Sorrow

“Naneth, will you not come inside? Autumn evenings are cold here by the sea.” As usual Thranduil had found Eiriendîs as far out as she could get on the longest pier. She was gazing at Aman, and it disturbed him more than he would admit. Her obsession with their painting back home in Menegroth had been bad enough, but this was the real thing. From here, elves could sail over the ocean, spending the rest of their days trying to find the way to that distant shore, in a country to where Eiriendîs’ deceased relatives presumably had been reborn. 

“Soon, dear, just a little while longer. It is so beautiful.” Her voice was soft and dreamy.

With a sigh, Thranduil turned to slowly walk back. His feet felt heavy, his entire body did. Ever since that horrible fight after Lúthien had escaped, he had been dull and sluggish, like he was caught in a bad dream, trying to run but unable to even move.

His family was crushed, all because of one incident. One failure. Even now, he did not know who to blame for it, but he had stopped caring. 

Oropher had beseeched him to stay. Thranduil would never forget his father’s tear-soaked face, red and swollen almost like Aerneth’s bruised cheek. He had humiliated himself, fallen on his knees and begged. Actually begged. 

Turning his back and walking away from his stricken father had been the most difficult thing Thranduil had ever done, but for once he had hardened himself. Aerneth was right, he had to get her and his mother out of that house.

The first night after the fight, Thranduil had brooded long over what his mother had said about how he had failed to protect her, and the more he thought about it, the more ashamed he became. Looking back, he realized he had taken her for granted and more or less treated her as if she were invisible; never showing her the same respect he did his father, seldom talking with her or asking how she fared.  Why had he been such an inadequate son?

He wanted to compensate for it now, but Eiriendîs made it so hard with her elusive behavior. During their long journey here – on foot, because naturally King Thingol refused to lend them horses – she had hardly spoken two words, even to Aerneth, and since they arrived yesterday she had spent every waking moment gazing at the rolling waves.

Círdan and Falasiel had tried to cheer her up, but the whole situation with their daughter’s sudden return had been so strange and disturbing to them that it had affected their behavior too, they were simply too confused to be good hosts. They knew nothing about the argument between Aerneth and her father-in-law, nor about Thranduil’s disgrace with the king. He had entreated Aerneth to keep her silence about it, both because he was ashamed, and because he was afraid it might cause ill feelings between the Falas and Doriath. 

Thranduil had reached the end of the pier now, and found Aerneth waiting for him. She snuggled in under his arm and he bent down to kiss her forehead. She had been different since they left Menegroth – in a good way. Warm and caring, both towards him and his mother, never once complaining or trying to pick a fight. Being at this beach with her brought back bittersweet memories from their wedding and those first sweet days after, but for once he did not feel like reviving their spicy moments, and he did not think she did either. They had not been intimate since the night before Lúthien escaped.

“A bird came for you,” Aerneth said. “From him.” She did not need to explain who ‘him’ was. 

Thranduil took the cylinder, unenthusiastically rolling out the message, expecting another apology and request for them to return. 

Dear son. So sorry. Wife innocent, Galadriel saw in mirror. Lúthien caused sleep – with magic. King forgiven you. Please come home. Love Oropher

When he had read the short note, Thranduil felt ill. Why had he accused Aerneth in front of his father? Had he only restrained himself, managed self-control and waited, none of this disaster would have happened. They could have still been a family.

“I am glad the truth is out.” His wife had read over his shoulder. “I wonder how she did it? Maybe she planned the whole thing when she was hiding inside her house those days before.”

“Maybe.” 

He ought to say sorry to Aerneth but did not know how to, without sounding pathetic. 

“And the king forgave you too, that must feel good. Not that it matters much when we live here.” There was a hint of anxiety in her voice. She probably suspected he would want to return home now that he could be a march-warden again. 

She was right, he did want to return. He wanted to make things right, start over again and build a family where he would be a better son and husband, and Oropher a better father. Was that such a strange wish?

Meeting her gaze, he tried to think of a way to explain.

“No.” She shook her head before he could say anything. “I can never go back there. Don’t ask it of me.”

“It would be different this time.” He cupped her cheek. “I would protect you and Naneth, and I think my adar learned his lesson now–”

“No! No, Thranduil!” Her eyes filled with tears and she backed away, still shaking her head vigorously. 

“Wait…”

But she was running back into the city, shoulders shaking. 

Thranduil looked after the retreating figure. He must convince her somehow, but first he needed to bring the good news to his mother. 

He went out on the pier with very different feelings from only moments ago when he had come the other way. Hope. That was what he felt. Hope and relief. He was forgiven! He and Amroth had done nothing wrong, neither had Aerneth. They could all forget this ever happened and put it behind them.

“Naneth! Adar wrote to us. Very good news!”

Eiriendîs listened to his explanation, while still gazing into the distance. “I am glad you are happy again, my love,” she said, finally meeting his eyes. Hers were misty. 

“This time will be better. When we get home we will begin afresh. Turn a leaf. We will never fight again. I promise, Naneth.”

Instead of replying, she reached out to caress his hair softly. Thranduil got a sudden flashback from when he was very little, crying in his bed after being punished by his father for some reason or other. This one time Eiriendîs had sat down beside him and stroked his hair – much like she did now – until he fell asleep. He could only recall it happening that once; his mother had never been very physical.

When she finally spoke, her voice was brimming with remorse. “I have failed you. I am so sorry, Thranduil.” 

“No Naneth, I failed you . I should have–”

“Nay. Never blame yourself. None of this was your fault.” She pulled him into a hug and he awkwardly returned it. He hardly knew how to react, rare as it was to be hugged by his mother. His throat tightened, a lump forming as he struggled to contain the burst of emotions bubbling up within. 

“Remember that, Thranduil. It is not your fault. It is not your fault.”

“I don’t understand.” 

“You will understand soon. Just remember it is not your fault, and I am sorry.” She released him. “Now go. I will see you… later.” 

He nodded quickly, turning away to hide his face. “Good night then, Naneth. Don’t stay up too late.”

“Goodbye, Thranduil. I love you.” Her voice sounded strangled.

“I love you too.” 

He hurried down the pier, rubbing his eyes, still confused about what had just happened. 

He had nearly reached the city gate when a sound from behind made him break his stride and stop dead. A splash. 

No. No! She could not have… NO!

“Naneth!” He had never run so fast in his life before. “Nana!” 

The pier was empty. Eiriendîs was gone, Eiriendîs who unlike Thranduil had never bathed in the river in the summers, Eiriendîs who could not swim. 

Thranduil did not pause to look, he just jumped, gasping at the piercing coldness of the late autumn sea. Diving under, he tried to see through the darkness, straining his eyes and holding his breath until his lungs burned. He came up for air and went down again, swimming along one side, searching under the swan ship keels. Nothing. Another breath, and he rounded the pier to search its other side. 

There, something pale, floating just below the surface. It was her! He pulled her to him, holding her head up so she could breathe, but she would not do it. Her mouth was slightly open, her eyes too. Staring blindly at him.

He struggled to drag her up on the pier. Barnacles teared up his hands and knees but he hardly felt it. When she was finally up, he stretched out her limp body and shook her, trying to make her move, fighting to get a reaction. 

“Wake up. Please.” 

How had it happened, how could she have fallen into the water just like that? She knew she could not swim, why had she gone so close to the edge? It was stupid. 

You will understand soon. Had she planned it? Had she… No. He pushed the thought down.

“Nana, please wake up.” He was crying like an elfling, alternately shaking his mother and caressing her face, stroking her wet hair back and kissing her cool cheek. 

You will understand soon. 

He felt cold, like he had seawater in his veins instead of blood. Why would she not move? Could she be… Dead?

Dead. Death. Two words that were so foreign. Death happened to enemies, like orcs, or foolish Noldorin elves who went to battle with Morgoth. Death was unnatural. 

He heard running steps behind him and recognised them. Aerneth.

“No…” she whispered, falling on her knees beside him, touching Eiriendîs’ cheek and quickly withdrawing when she felt how cold it was. “What happened?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is she…?”

“I think so.” 

She moved close to him and he threw his arms around her, clinging to her. He was shaking violently, a hard knot forming in his stomach. Dead. His mother was dead.

oOo

“I have to tell him myself. Sending a bird with a message like that… it would be too cruel.” Thranduil held Aerneth in his arms on the narrow bed in her room. It was cramped, but he was grateful for her closeness. 

“I understand. But I cannot come with you. I just… I just cannot.”

He buried his nose in her neck, drawing in her familiar scent. Going alone on such a long journey would be awful. He still needed her close.

It had been such a strange week, so confusing, but Aerneth’s comforting presence had made him function. He hardly remembered the first hazy days, when he had been the most numb and bewildered. Lord Círdan and Aerneth had taken care of everything, organizing the funeral, choosing a burial site on a hillock overlooking the sea and having a mound constructed over her resting place. It was a good spot with a beautiful view, one that she would have liked.

Now Thranduil was slowly becoming more his normal self. As long as he did not ponder over the possibility his mother had not slipped and fell from the pier by accident, he was fine. Those thoughts only came late at night, and usually he managed to push them down before the burning guilt overwhelmed him. 

“I do not want to part with you,” he murmured.

“I don’t want to part with you either. But it will only be for a couple of weeks, and then you will return. You can borrow my ada’s fastest horse.”

“I will miss you terribly.”

“And I you.” She kissed him tentatively, and for the first time in weeks he felt his body respond. That he desired to bed his wife so soon after his mother’s demise added badly to the guilt he already felt, but he pushed that down too. 

A burst of need overtook him, and he kissed and touched her with a passion he for once could not restrain at all. She was warm and compliant in his arms, not daunted by his ardor. In a hurry, though he did not understand why, Thranduil plunged into her, moving with total abandon, his thrusts hard and rapid. He could not hold back and too soon he was driven over the edge, the force of his climax rendering him weak and trembling. He collapsed over her, exhausted. 

He must be nearly crushing her with his weight, but again she seemed not to mind. 

“That was… intense,” she mumbled and kissed him hungrily, stroking his moist neck and shoulders, arching her back to press up against him.

“I don’t know what got into me.” He rose on his elbows to allow her to breathe. “I will make it up to you.”

“There is nothing more arousing than you losing your self-control.” Her expression gave emphasis to her words. 

Smiling, he began to slowly kiss his way down her body, and the combination of his caresses and his murmuring her name soon brought her to completion as well.

oOo

Thranduil’s ability to push back his guilt lasted until his first evening on the road. He had never traveled alone before, and the combination of the vast plains surrounding him on all sides, the open, starry night sky above him and his utter loneliness beneath it, made him unable to control his thoughts. The suspicion he had tried so hard to quell now demanded attention; a sensible inner voice analyzing the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death. 

You will understand soon. Why had she said so? And why had she said sorry? The sensible voice said she had apologized for dying. In advance. Which meant she had known it would happen, which meant she had made it happen. I will see you… later. She had talked about Aman, about being reunited after death. 

Thranduil buried his head in his blanket, biting his lip to keep himself from crying again. Why had she killed herself? The analytical voice was fairly certain it was the prospect of returning to Menegroth that had dismayed her; she had dreaded moving back in with Oropher. And since it was Thranduil’s wish to return, the voice told him he was to blame. It was his fault. His mother had died because Thranduil wanted to return to the march-wardens. To the bitter end he had failed her. 

He could not hold back a sob, which grew into a wail of grief. “Nana… I am sorry. I am so sorry. Nanaaa…” His forlorn cries rolled over the empty plains. 

When dawn broke, Thranduil had no more tears left and in his chest only a hollow ache remained. During the last few hours of involuntary vigilance he had come to a decision: from then on he would never talk or think of his mother’s suicide again. It had been an accident. 

In the bleak twilight of the morning, he assumed the smooth, emotionless face he would need to keep that guile up. Mounting his borrowed horse, he went on his way.

oOo

Only a little over a day’s ride remained when Thranduil spotted a unit of march-wardens walking some way ahead. Nudging his horse into a gallop, he soon caught up with them, and was cheered to see his Amroth in his warrior’s gear in the group. Oropher must have been correct when he said that the king had forgiven them for letting Lúthien escape. 

“Tharan!” Amroth’s face broke up into a wide grin. “I thought I would not see you again in a long time.”

When Thranduil dismounted, he was caught in a bear hug. He returned it warmly, realizing how glad he was to be back with his friend. 

Still leading his horse, Thranduil decided to walk with the march-wardens and catch up with everything that had happened since he left. He just hoped Amroth would not ask where his wife and mother were, but thankfully he was too eager to share the recent drama in Doriath to notice their absence.

“So, I assume you don’t know how Lúthien escaped?” he began, and at Thranduil's negative reply, continued: “It was quite spectacular. Remember how the princess kept to herself those last days?”

“Of course.”

“Well, it appears she was very busy up there. She must have inherited some of her naneth’s Maia powers, for she used them to grow her hair out very long. Then she wove a coat with most of it, and with the rest she plaited a rope that she could climb down on. It was the coat that put us to sleep.”

Thranduil stared at him, at a loss for words.

“I know, it sounds like an elflings’ tale, right?”

“A magic hair coat? Aye, it does sound like a tale.”

“Well, it is the truth. Galadriel saw it all in her water mirror and told the king, who managed to get the queen to confirm it with her foresight. Melian did it reluctantly, though. It seems…” He lowered his voice. “... they are not quite on speaking terms, if you get me. She was rather upset about how Thingol had treated their daughter – locking her away, like that – and with the whole Silmaril quest too. It displeased her.”

“Where is Lúthien now?”

“Ai, it gets even more dramatic! Two of Fëanor’s sons, Celegorm and Curufin, to be specific, have been living in Nargothrond for a while.”

“I heard.”

“Now, those two were out and about, and spotted Lúthien – and the bastards caught her, and even locked her up! Can you believe it? It was Celegorm’s fault, mostly, for he decided he wanted to marry her. So he sent emissaries to Doriath and demanded that Thingol agree to it, and even had the nerve to claim that he owes the sons of Fëanor his allegiance!”

“He did not!” Thranduil was baffled. How stupid could someone be? Surely Celegorm must know that King Thingol hated the Noldor, particularly the sons of Fëanor – and the notion that he would give his daughter to one of them was utterly ridiculous. What kind of stuck up ego would it take for an ellon to believe it possible? Besides, even if her father for some obscure reason did concede, Lúthien would surely refuse. What would Celegorm do then? Take her by force? The thought was revolting.

“He did indeed. Nearly caused a war in the process, too! King Thingol was so angry; you should have seen him. I thought he would explode, or order the emissaries killed on the spot, or both. He said he would launch an attack on Nargothrond, but thankfully his advisors managed to make him calm down before he did something rash, and send out some of us march-wardens to spy first – to see whether Lúthien really was there. Well, so here we are now, just returned from our mission.”

“And?”

“Well, sure enough, she was imprisoned there for a while, but she escaped before we arrived. A hound helped her – Huan, Celegorm’s own hunting dog, who they say Oromë himself once gave him – and Lúthien rode away on his back like on a horse. Presumably she is well on her way to Sauron’s tower by now.”

“So, there will be no war then?” 

“I hope not.”

They continued in silence. The concept of a war between elves was disconcerting. So far that had only happened once – in Aman, when Fëanor and his people fought the Teleri shipbuilders at Alqualondë. What if it would be another one, and Thranduil was involved in it? Could he raise his sword against another elf and kill him? 

Killing orcs had been bad enough, and those were monsters – but an elf? Either way, he would have to. He was a warrior; he must follow orders.

oOo

Full of apprehension, Thranduil entered his home the next evening. The time had come to bring the horrible news about Eiriendîs’ demise to his father. The hall was unusually gloomy, and further inside, the rest of the house lay in darkness too. Why had Oropher not lit the lanterns?

“Adar?” he called, tentatively taking a few more steps. Was he not home yet?

“Thranduil?” came a hoarse voice from the sitting room. 

When Thranduil entered it, his father had just risen from one of the chairs. Enough light came in from outside to expose the ruffled state the ellon was in. His hair was unkempt, and his clothes wrinkled. Had he been sleeping in the chair at this early hour? 

“You came back!” Oropher gave his son a hug, and Thranduil had to force himself to stand still when the stench of sweat and unwashed hair attacked his nostrils.

“Are you alright, Adar?”

“Nay… Nay, I am not. Thank the Valar you are back! I have been… Oh, tired, I guess… I am so busy at work, and come home late most nights. Today was my first free day in a long time, so I was catching up on my sleep. But no more of that.” Oropher went to light one of the wall lanterns. “Where is Eiriendîs? I could do with a nice breakfast. Or is it lunchtime already?”

Thranduil looked around in the now lighted room, struggling to keep his face neutral. The place was a complete mess. Dust and grit covered the floor, with muddy footprints from his father’s boots crisscrossing it, and the tables were cluttered with books and unwashed dishes. 

“I know, I know.” Oropher indicated the disarray sheepishly. “I did not have the energy to keep the place in order, what with… Well, but you are back. I am so relieved! Where are the others?”

“Adar… There is something I must tell you.” Maintaining his carefully crafted mask of calmness, Thranduil related his mother’s unlucky accident on the pier, and explained his choice not to send a bird but deliver the message personally. 

When Oropher weakly sank back into the chair he had slept in, Thranduil drew another one close to it. With his father’s dirty hand in his, he described the funeral, and the mound, and how well the place was chosen. He recounted the touching speech Lord Círdan had held, and lastly, he delivered the heartfelt condolences from his parents-in-law and wife.

Oropher was silent for a long time, his face a sickly pale hue, and then he began to tremble so violently a nearby book fell onto the floor. 

Thranduil awkwardly patted his back, while desperately trying to contain and hold back the wave of guilt that his father’s reaction stirred up.

“How… How can I manage without her?” Oropher’s voice was distorted. “I need her.” 

The look of absolute desolation in his eyes pierced Thranduil's heart, shattering his mask at last. "I am sorry. I am so sorry, Ada." Shaking violently, he hid his face in his hands.

After a long time, Oropher sighed: “I guess it is just you and I now, son. We shall have to take care of each other.” 

oOo

Much later, Thranduil filled his washing bowl and sat on the bed to call his wife. “Aerneth?”

“Thranduil! How did it go?”

“Alright, I guess… I helped him to bed, and he is sleeping now. He has not taken care of himself at all since we left. You should have seen the house! I tried to clean up the worst of it, but…” He sighed. “I must stay for a while, and help him get to terms with this.”

“For how long?” Her face clouded.

“I cannot say… And there is unrest in the city too, apparently. The king was on the verge of starting a war against Nargothrond! It is a bad time to leave. Could you… Could you not reconsider, and come back? Adar is a broken wreck. He couldn’t harm a rabbit in this state.”

There was a long silence.

“Please? I miss you.” Seeing her determination waver, he added: “Aerneth… I need you.”

Her face was deeply troubled when she finally replied. “I will come with the next trade delegation.”

Notes:

Death is not natural for the immortal elves, and hence I believe the reaction when someone close to them dies to be manifold. The shock, disbelief, and grief will be so much stronger felt, and after experiencing it the first time it will change them irrevocably. :(

Chapter 17: The Adventures of Lúthien and Beren

Summary:

We get to know what happened to Beren and Lúthien, and a monster has entered Doriath.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

The Adventures of Lúthien and Beren

Menegroth, Doriath, First Age 466

With Aerneth’s return to Doriath, life slowly settled back to normal in Oropher’s house. Both ellyn returned to work, and while obviously still in mourning, they managed to hold it within themselves and keep up their appearances outwardly.

Aerneth took to running the household, and did it well. Oropher had no complaints about her anymore, at least none he would speak out loud, and their conversation around the dinner table was polite, albeit still a bit stiff. 

Autumn turned into winter, and winter into spring, and all was well. On the surface.

oOo

“Why did you wake me up?” Thranduil gave Aerneth an angry glare.

“You were crying in your sleep again. I cannot stand it.” She tried to touch his cheek but he pushed her hand away.

“Just leave me be.” He turned his back. He did not want her pity, why could she not understand?

She sighed in a sad way that grated on his nerves. 

“I just wish you would speak about what is troubling you. I can see it is something.”

“Can an ellon get some rest in this room or will you talk all night? Shall I go down and sleep in the sitting-room?”

That silenced her for a couple of minutes. Thranduil felt himself slowly beginning to relax when she again piped up. 

“You have changed.” Her voice was small and disappointed.

Furious, Thranduil rose, pulled on a shirt and slammed the door behind him as he went downstairs. Nagging elleth of a wife! Why could she never do as told? She just had to keep prying. 

Pouring himself a glass of wine, he sank into one of the chairs, remembering his mother used to do the same. But he would not think of her. She was gone.

Instead his thoughts went to the troubled times the kingdom was going through. Ever since Lúthien’s escape, the city had been bubbling with unrest, and a few elves had even left the kingdom – including the king’s best friend, the minstrel Daeron. 

And then other strange news had reached Doriath earlier this year; that Lúthien and the hound had arrived at Sauron’s island, and somehow single-handedly defeated that evil Maia and all his werewolves. As incredible and impossible as that sounded, it must be true, because many elves who had been imprisoned by Sauron had returned home afterwards and told the story. They had also carried the sad report that Finrod Felagund, former ruler of Nargothrond and Galadriel’s brother, was dead.

Now, all would have been well, had Lúthien just returned home, but this was not the case. Many months had passed since Sauron was defeated and it had become obvious she must have followed Beren on his quest, continuing further north to Morgoth’s fortress where she would surely meet her dire end. Overthrowing a former Maia was one thing, but to best Morgoth who was more powerful than many of the Valar – that was something else entirely. 

The queen still refused to speak with or counsel the king, so in desperation Thingol had sent out Captain Mablung with a group of march-wardens to beseech the sons of Fëanor to help stop his daughter’s mad endeavor. Celegorm and Curufin had captured her before, and her escaping a second time was their fault, the king reasoned. 

Thranduil thought the plan was terrible and he had not volunteered to go with Mablung. Celegorm had behaved despicable towards the princess in trying to wed her against her will, and Thranduil could not for the world understand why Thingol wanted anything to do with such an elf. Even the weak new ruler of Nargothrond, Orodreth, had turned against Celegorm and driven him and Curufin out of his lands. They were said to live to the northeast now, in Himring, with their eldest brother Maedhros. 

There was a knock on the door and Thranduil went to open, wondering who disturbed his house at this early hour. 

It was Amroth, and he looked absolutely terrified.

“Come in. What is wrong?”

“Captain Mablung… He just returned. They are all dead, Tharan. All who went with him!”

“What?” A chill spread through Thranduil. Dead? A whole unit of march-wardens?

“They met with a monster. A werewolf, but much larger and stronger than those Sauron was breeding. Mablung thinks this was bred by Morgoth himself. But the worst part is, he found it inside the Girdle! Inside Doriath! And after eating all the warriors, and all the horses, the beast chased after Mablung and nearly caught him too.” Amroth sank down in a chair and Thranduil sat beside him. “It is coming for us. It is coming here .”

“That is impossible,” said Thranduil. “Nothing can pass the queen’s fence.”

“Well this beast did!”

“Come, let us go to the king. We are probably needed there.” Thranduil hurriedly got dressed, not bothering to answer Aerneth’s alarmed questions about what was up. She was better off not knowing about the approaching danger anyway.

“At least tell me when you will return,” she cried after him. 

“I do not know.” Then he was out of the door, and together he and Amroth jogged to the palace. 

They had nearly arrived when they met a strange group, and baffled, Thranduil recognized them; it was Princess Lúthien, Beren and a huge dog. Had they not gone to Morgoth after all? 

The trio looked worn, with disheveled and dirty clothes, and the man’s hair and beard were even wilder than when Thranduil had first seen him. Wildman and Outlaw he had been called, and never had those descriptions seemed more fitting.

The hound gave Thranduil and Amroth an unsettlingly sentient look, and nodded its head at them in greeting. 

“How good to see you two!” said Lúthien. ”I am sorry I had to put you to sleep. I hope it did not cause too much trouble?”

The ellyn shared a glance. There was no polite way to reply to that. Not too much trouble? Because of Luthien’s escape, Thranduil’s family had been crushed, his mother was dead and his marriage strained. 

But Lúthien did not seem to notice his dismay, for she and Beren had already hurried inside the castle, and the ellyn and the hound followed suit.

Soon the throne room was full of people; a large number of march-wardens, Beleg Cúthalion with a comforting arm around the dejected Captain Mablung, a huddle of homeless elves who had lived in the woods and barely escaped the werewolf, some sleepy courtiers wondering what all the ruckus was about, princess Lúthien and her lover, and last of all came the king and queen themselves.

Queen Melian dashed ahead of her husband, and threw her arms around her daughter. Her cheeks were streaked with tears.

Thingol looked relieved to see the princess as well, but also annoyed. He pierced the mortal with a stern gaze. “How did the quest go? Did you get the Silmaril?”

The man straightened his back, fearlessly meeting the king’s eyes. “I did, my lord. It is in my hand right now.”

“Show it to me!”

Beren lifted his left hand, slowly opening it – it was empty. Then he held out his right arm.

With a hiss, the assembled elves drew in a collective breath. Beren’s arm ended in a deformed stump, crisscrossed with scar tissue, red and ugly. 

“My hand, with the Silmaril, is in the werewolf.”

The king’s gaze finally softened and he indicated for Lúthien and Beren to sit beside his throne. “Tell me all that befell you.” 

This they did. The couple related the most amazing tale Thranduil had ever heard, and when they were done, his view of Lúthien as a somewhat distracted elleth who liked to sing and dance in the forest had forever changed. She was a true warrior and a hero; there was no other way to describe her part in the quest.

“When I learned from Naneth that Beren was in trouble, I instantly tried to find a way to go to him,” Lúthien began. “And when Adar imprisoned me in the tree, I spent every waking moment trying to find a way out. Finally I thought of using my hair. Do you remember, Naneth, how I would spell my hair to lull myself to sleep when I was little and had nightmares?”

“I do.” Melian nodded.

“Now I turned that spell outward, and hiding inside the tree house, I encouraged my hair to grow fast. When I had enough to plait a rope and weave a cloak, I used them to escape, and the cloak made my guards fall asleep.” She cast another apologetic glance at Thranduil and Amroth. “I hurried out of Doriath, but had only come to the Plains near Amon Rûdh when Celegorm and Curufin found me. They were out hunting with Huan.” She indicated the hound, who was still by her side. “They captured me and took me to Nargothrond, and kept me locked up there for several months. It really was a horrible time, for I seldom have felt more lonely, and I was afraid that Celegorm might take me as his bride by force.” 

The audience again gasped, despite having heard of the evil deeds of Celegorm already before, and an angry roar erupted. It was different to hear the story from Lúthien herself. First now did they fully comprehend what a terrifying situation she had been in, and how awful things might have turned out.

“Silence,” said Thingol.

“Thankfully Huan came every night to keep me company, and he made me feel a little less frightened,” Lúthien continued. She stroked the gray head of her companion, and he leaned into her touch. “One night he found a way to bring me my cloak, and then he spoke to me – in actual words, like an elf – and told me how to flee, hidden by my cloak just like when I escaped Doriath. We left together, on a secret path out of the city, and he let me ride all the way to Sauron’s island.”

“And there I was, the only one left of the company who set out from Nargothrond,” Beren broke in, sounding morose. “A werewolf had eaten us, one by one. And then it came for me, but Finrod Felagund broke loose of his bonds and fought it, and he killed it with his bare hands and teeth.”

The audience reacted with awed murmurs at this. Felagund? That refined, musical ellon?

“He died, however. He was wounded, and…” The man broke off. 

At the mention of Finrod’s tragic demise, Thranduil glanced at Galadriel, remembering how desperately she had tried to save her brother. Her back was straight now, however, and her eyes were dry. Like Thranduil, it seemed she was good at hiding her emotions.

“He was a true friend of my House to the very end,” Beren murmured. “Finest ellon there ever was.”

Lúthien took his hand and stroked it soothingly.

“Then I heard Lúthien sing,” he continued. “The power of her song made the werewolves howl in fright, and the entire tower shook, but I was so broken with grief and dismay I thought I was imagining it.”

“But he was not,” she said. “With my song I alerted Sauron of our presence, and stupidly he sent his werewolves at us one at a time. Had they come all at once he might have defeated us, but as it were, now Huan easily killed each one. The last one, larger and stronger than the others, actually survived long enough to return to its master and tell him who we were. And this was when he came for us in person – which I only later realized, because he had shifted shape into another werewolf. The werewolf-Sauron pounced on Huan, and he moved to the side so the monster came in front of my cloak, and my magic then of course made him drowsy. Then Huan could pin him to the ground, and catch his neck in a deadly grip.” Again she stroked the hound, almost absentmindedly. “Sauron tried to wrangle free by changing into a snake, and when that did not work, he shifted back into his Maiar form. That’s how I knew it was him, for he looked like an elf in that shape.”

“And then you got soft hearted,” said Beren, smiling weakly at her.

“Well, he said he yielded, and looked very pitiful… I felt it was not right to kill him, and let him go. He changed into a batlike vampire and flew away, and then all we had to do was clear the island of the few remaining monsters, and free all the captive elves. In the lowest dungeon I finally found Beren and Finrod’s remains.” She squeezed her lover’s hand. 

“We buried Finrod on the island,” said Beren, his voice again filled with sorrow. 

Thranduil appreciated that the human had that decency, and that he realized how incredible and unusual it was for an elf to give up his life to save a human – a mortal who would be dead in hardly any time either way. 

“Then we started back to Doriath, for Beren insisted I could not come with him, and I agreed because he was so very sad. But secretly I was planning how I could persuade him.”

Beren gave her another besotted smile. 

“We only got as far as the Forest of Brethil, however, before we again crossed paths with Fëanor’s sons. They attacked us, and Beren managed to get Curufin down. They were wrestling on the ground when Celegorm came at Beren with his sword, but Huan bravely went against his former master and scared the horse he rode, so it bolted away with its rider.”

“And then you again went soft and said I couldn’t kill my foe,” added Beren. 

“I did not want his blood on our hands. I am not like the Noldor!”

“You did the right thing, daughter,” said Thingol.

“I took his horse and Angrist, his mighty knife, and then let him run,” Beren continued. “His brother picked him up on his own horse and they rode off together. And I guess I thought he would be honorable in his turn, so I turned my back to them, which in retrospect was stupid. But I did, and that damned elf took his brother’s bow and tried to shoot Lúthien.” 

“Huan and Beren saved me,” she said. “Huan caught the first arrow in his mouth, and Beren jumped in front of the second one.” She sniffed. “Always so brave and stupid, my love.” She smiled at Beren with moist eyes, making him grin sheepishly. 

“Aww…” murmured the audience.

“Afterwards, Huan finally chased the brothers off for good,” she continued. “And I did my best to save Beren. But even with my power… Well. He would surely have died, unless Huan had come back with a tuft of Athelas in his mouth, and with the power of those herbs I could in time nurse Beren back to health.” 

“I was still very weak, but I really did not want my beloved to risk her life and come with me. So, when she slept, I left on Curufin’s horse, and continued on my quest.”

“Hm. So you did.” Lúthien’s elegant eyebrows knitted together slightly. “And obviously I followed you. Huan and I went back to Sauron’s island and disguised ourselves, he in one of the dead werewolves’ pelt, and I in a vampire’s wings. This vampire apparently was very important, because on our route north we passed many orcs and other monsters and they were absolutely terrified!”

“Then they caught up with me, and until they removed their disguises I thought my last moment had come.” Beren chuckled, but then got serious. “Now, Huan spoke again, and this time I heard it too.” He gave the hound a bashful glance. “He basically scolded me for being so stupid and that I must not turn Lúthien away, for then she would die of grief. And I guess I finally realized there was nothing for it. I had to let her come.”

“It was about time, too.”

”Huan said farewell, and gave me the werewolf pelt, and Lúthien and I went on to the Gate of Angband. There we found the fellest monster we had yet seen; a werewolf like the one whose pelt I wore, but much, much larger and more clever. He understood we were wearing disguises and was about to attack us, but my brave Lúthien just tossed her bat suit to the side and went to stand unafraid in front of him. Like a tiny mouse before a vicious lion.”

“I was afraid,” she objected. “I am not stupid. But I trusted my cloak would make him fall asleep, and thankfully it did.”

“So we went inside, and it was a veritable labyrinth down that fortress.”

“But you have an amazing sense of direction.” Lúthien beamed at him.

“Maybe.” He grinned sheepishly. 

That these two were heads over heels in love was obvious to everyone by now.

She continued: “We still wore our disguises, but when we finally found Morgoth on his throne, he managed to see through mine.”

The bystanders emitted a collective gasp.

“You would think she would be afraid and escape then – I mean, he is a bloody Vala! Excuse my language. But instead she offered to be his minstrel and sing for him, and he looked at her in a way I did not appreciate, and accepted. It was obvious what he planned to do with her.”

Thranduil felt his jaw slacken. Was this really the elleth he had courted and taken on awkward forest walks?

“Well, I did not intend to give him the opportunity.” Lúthien grinned almost naughtily. “I put all my magic into my song, and in addition with my cloak it was enough to blind him, and to put all his minions to sleep. And then I threw my cloak over his head, and he fell off his throne, sleeping like a baby.”

“You overcame Morgoth, Lord of Darkness, second in power only to Eru Ilúvatar himself?” Thingol wheezed.

“Aye…”

“And then I saw his crown had fallen off his head, and the Silmarils glowed brightly,” said Beren. “So I used Angrist, the knife I took from Curufin, and cut off one of them. And, sadly, their beauty and power enthralled me, for suddenly I desired to take them all,” he admitted. “I tried to loosen another, but the knife broke, and a shard of it flew off to pierce Morgoth’s cheek.”

The audience, by now completely engrossed by the captivating tale, let out a joint groan.

“Morgoth stirred in his sleep, and we fled,” Beren continued. “But by the Gate, the huge werewolf had woken up. I tried to scare him away with the light from the Silmaril, holding it up against him.” He raised his handless arm. “And so he bit it off.”

“It was horrible,” Lúthien added. “They both screamed so heartbreakingly; Beren from the loss of his hand, and the werewolf from the burning fire of the Silmaril in his stomach. The wolf ran away howling, while I tried to stem the bleeding and suck out the poison from Beren’s wound. Again he would have died if not for Huan.” She gave the hound a hug. “On his way back south, Huan met the Lord of the Eagles in the mountains north of Dimbar and asked him to keep an eye on us. The eagles found us outside the Gate of Angband and carried us back to the woods north of Doriath.”

“We stayed there until yesterday,” said Beren. “Huan came with more Athelas, and Lúthien healed me a second time. When I was finally well, we decided to return here.”

When he had finished, the room became absolutely quiet. All eyes turned to the king in  anticipation of his reaction.

“Beren son of Barahir, after listening to your adventures, and hearing you describe my daughter’s zeal in aiding you, I realize her heart is committed.”

Thranduil hid his mouth behind his hand. He only figured that out now?

“Thus, I see no other option than allowing your courtship.” 

The king was silenced by Lúthien who jumped up and threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Adar!”

“I would only ask one last thing of you, Beren,” he said, mildly shoving his daughter to the side. “Namely that you join me and my best warriors to hunt down the werewolf who maimed you. He still roams free, and he has come here within our borders. That fell beast must be killed ere he reaches our city, and I still desire the jewel he carries inside. Would you do this?”

“Of course, my lord.” Beren bowed.

oOo

“You shall volunteer for the hunt, I suppose?” Oropher took a sip of his juice. They had just finished supper, during which Thranduil told them everything he had learned today.

“Aye, as is my duty.” Thranduil tried to ignore Aerneth’s frowning face on the other side of the table. What she thought was obvious.

“The werewolf killed all the march-wardens who went with the captain,” she said.

“Maybe I am stronger than them. Or do you think I am weak?”

“I will not have anyone say my son is a coward. If he wins glory in this hunt, he could rise in importance with the king. Maybe even become captain, if Mablung or Beleg are slain.”

Thranduil stared at his father, a bit shocked at his open ambition. But come to think of it, it was no secret to him that Oropher had long sought to make their family rise in importance. 

Later when he went to bed, Thranduil heard Aerneth crying silently. As always, her sadness twisted his gut painfully, he simply could not stand it.

“What is wrong?” 

“I don’t want you to die,” she sniffed.

“You knew I was a warrior when you married me.” He moved a little closer, pulling her into his arms, feeling her tremble. 

“Aye.”

He sighed. “I will be careful.” 

He kissed her softly, and then a bit more earnestly, trying to make her forget her sadness. When he rubbed and fondled her breasts she responded with her usual fervor and willingness, pressing herself against him, and her smooth fingers mirroring the action on his own chest. He rolled her over and pushed into her, but as he bent to kiss her cheek he tasted salty tears trickling down them. She was still weeping silently when she climaxed.

oOo

To Thranduil’s disappointment, his offer to help slay the werewolf was turned down. The king did not want to lose any more of his march-wardens, and had decided to only take his two captains, Huan the Hound and Beren.

They left early the next morning, with nearly all of the city silently watching them go. If they failed, the kingdom was doomed; bereft of their leaders and with no chance to ever defeat Morgoth’s monstrous wolf.

Oropher, who stood beside his son, apparently did not think that altogether a bad thing. “Now you have shown your courage in volunteering to join the hunt, and if they fail, you shall surely become captain. And maybe in time, one of us could find a way to take over the crown.” This he said in a low voice, barely more than a whisper. 

Thranduil did not reply. Speaking that way was close to treason. Had his father lost his mind? 

For his part, Thranduil sincerely hoped the king would succeed. What good would it be to rule a kingdom that was terrorized by a werewolf? For if the departing heroes did not succeed, Thranduil was sure nobody else would either. He knew the limits of his skill, he was nowhere near Beleg’s talent with the bow or Mablung’s with the sword.

The rest of the day Thranduil spent outside the city gate with Amroth and a few other march-wardens, officially assigned with the task of guarding Lúthien who again had been forced to stay behind. The guards knew now that they had no chance to stop her, should she really want to go, so why she stayed anyway Thranduil could not say. Maybe she wanted to give Beren an opportunity to prove his worth to her father, so he would bless their union?

Either way, it was no calm waiting for any of them. Lúthien paced back and forth all day, restlessly wringing her hands and murmuring to herself, and the guards too were edgy and nervous. There was an ominous ambience among them, like something important was about to happen, something which would affect their future in ways they could not foresee or understand.

oOo

The hunters returned late that night. They carried a stretcher, upon which lay Beren and the slain body of Huan. Lúthien grasped her lover’s shoulders anxiously, but when she saw his pale countenance and lifeless gaze she apparently realized he had not long left to live. His injuries must be graver than even her great powers or the strength of Athelas could heal.

“Wait for me, Beren,” she beseeched him. “Wait for me in the Halls of Mandos. I shall come after you soon. I will not lose you. You hear me? I will not let you go.”

The man weakly looked her in the eye, and something seemed to pass between them. Then he breathed out one last breath, a long, silent sigh, and was gone. 

Lúthien fell over his limp body, shaking as grief overcame her.

Thranduil lifted his gaze to the other elves, his king and his captains. Beleg was bleeding from a chest wound, but otherwise they looked as well as one might expect under the circumstances. Then Thranduil noticed the king was clasping something with whitening knuckles, and whatever it was shone so brilliantly his hand looked like a lamp.

So, they had succeeded then. King Thingol had his desired Silmaril at last.

Notes:

I tried to transform the story of Beren and Lúthien from the Silmarillion into a first person perspective. I hope it worked and didn’t get too repetitive!

Thank you all who supported this story with your kudos and comments. Feedback is much, much appreciated! *hugs*

Chapter 18: Forebodings

Summary:

Someone returns from the dead, and Aerneth, Melian and Galadriel see disturbing images in the water.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Forebodings

Menegroth, Doriath, First Age 467

The burial grounds of Doriath were located in a calm and beautiful spot north of the city, not far from the tree where Lúthien had been imprisoned. Aerneth was not sure if she liked the place or not. Sure, the white daisies planted on the grave mounds were pretty, and the surrounding beeches, now covered in tiny, new leaves were somber and polite when she reached out to them with her mind, but she hated to be reminded of death. It was unnatural, yet lately so many had succumbed to it. 

Only last year she had been at her previous funeral, when Beren had been honored with a spot among the elves, and not long before that had been the mass burial of all those who had died when Captain Mablung’s unit was attacked by the werewolf. And then of course she was always reminded of the first funeral she had ever been to, in Eglarest, after Thranduil’s mother’s tragic accident.

Now for the fourth time she had to witness the tear streaked faces of the mourning as another body was lowered into the ground and covered with stones and dirt. 

Today it was the most famous elleth on Middle-earth who had departed; Lúthien Tinúviel, princess of Doriath, fair of face and voice, a powerful and unafraid heroine. Grief had done what even Morgoth himself had failed, and taken her life. The past year she had wasted away, her soul slowly fading until her body was naught but an empty shell, and now even that did not remain.

The king looked to be still in shock. His face had almost the same color as the garment that had given him his epessë – Thingol, greycloak. Beside him Melian was much more calm and collected, she had known her daughter would die since shortly after the burial of Beren, and had had time to come to terms with it. She had seen it in Galadriel’s mirror – a foreboding of this , of Lúthien’s funeral. 

The afternoon was chilly and Aerneth pulled her cloak together. She glanced at her husband. He only wore a tunic but the cold seemed not to affect him. His face was pale and smooth, forming an expressionless mask, one that he very rarely dropped nowadays. She loathed it. 

Still, even with Thranduil so closely guarding his feelings, she could read him. The slight slumping of his shoulders, the tenseness of his jaw, his clenched hands; all told the same story: that the loss of Lúthien affected him deeply. In addition, his sleep had become troubled again, much like the first year after his mother’s demise. It was strange, for surely Lúthien had not meant that much to him? He had always claimed he only courted her out of convenience, to placate Oropher. But why else would he be so troubled now?  

A couple of years back the suspicion that he may have harbored warmer feelings towards the princess would have made Aerneth jealous, but now she realized she actually did not care. Not many things about her husband affected her anymore, not even his foul moods and tendency to stay away from home until late. Even his bad dreams and nightly crying which had worried her so much before had become merely a nuisance that disturbed her sleep. Did she even love him anymore?

She wanted to believe she did, that deep down, her feelings were the same. That not only desire remained between them. But with every passing day it was harder to remember the ellon he had been.

Thranduil must have felt her eyes on him for his gaze met hers. Calm, unblinking eyes, all emotions locked behind their clear surface. It angered her, and unlike him, she knew she showed it in her face. 

He looked away. 

Around the supper table a while later, Oropher made it clear that he did not think highly of the late princess. “I am sure she was doing it on purpose – refusing to eat, moping every day, of course it led to her death. I do not hold with it. Thingol should have seen it coming and put a stop to it before it was too late.”

Thranduil did not reply, but Aerneth noticed his knuckles paling around his spoon. Strange.

“And all this for the sake of a human that she will not even meet in the afterlife! Where he goes, she cannot follow.” Oropher shook his head. “That she would rather be dead than live without him is a sign of weakness, of feebleness of mind.”

“I would not call Lúthien weak,” Aerneth protested. “Quite the opposite.”

“Of course you would not. You ellith always hold each other’s backs,” he sneered. 

“That is not true. I hardly knew her.” Aerneth tried to restrain her annoyance at her father-in-law’s scorn.

He did not notice. “I wonder if she will be held accountable for killing herself, when she comes to the Halls of Mandos? Will the Valar disapprove? I think they might.”

Thranduil hastily rose, turning to Aerneth. “Thank you, the soup was lovely. I have to… be somewhere.” He left the table and soon they heard the door close.

Something about all this obviously disturbed him, but by now Aerneth knew he would not share whatever it was with her. 

oOo

The commercial part of Menegroth was busy as usual in the morning. Aerneth stood at the fish stall, examining a few striped tails critically. She had come too late for trout again and only a heap of sad looking perch remained. The problem was, she hated perch. They tasted mud and smelled like sewer, and in addition they were so full of bones they were a bother to eat. In her opinion, the only acceptable freshwater fish were trout or salmon, which tasted more like the saltwater species she had been used to back home. Those were fished upstream of Menegroth, where the Esgalduin was still clean, whereas perch, carp and pike were fished in a dam the beavers had built some miles downstream. All the city’s wastewater ended up there, and in consequence the water was coloured a sickly, greenish brown. But there was no helping it, it was winter and the food stores were almost empty, this time of year one had to settle with what food one could get.

She had just paid for the fish and put the package into her shopping basket when a commotion from the city gate caught her attention. Two familiar people had entered Menegroth. 

She blinked. Was that… But no, they were long gone. Surely it could not be them…?

Aerneth walked fast towards the newcomers, hardly noticing where she placed her feet. Among the shops and stalls around her, others were staring too, murmuring in disbelief, a roar of bewildered voices filling the air. 

Lúthien and Beren… The princess… Back from the dead… Returned from Aman.

It really was them, alive and healthy looking, but also changed somehow, especially the princess. Something about her eyes… Aerneth could not say what it was.

“Lúthien! Lúthien!” King Thingol’s loud wail echoed between the stone walls when he came running from the direction of the palace in a mad dash, carelessly throwing aside any elves in his path. He wore no cloak and no crown, not even boots on his feet, as if he had just risen. Perhaps he had, rumor said the king had not been himself since his daughter passed away, and that he would spend entire days in bed sometimes.

The princess came to meet her father, who caught her in a bear hug that seemed painful. Then he held her out at an arm’s length, scrutinizing her as if he could not believe it really was her, his eyes overflowing with tears. 

“You came back… you really came back…”

“Aye. I did.” She fondly touched her father’s wet cheek, smiling, but it was a sad smile. 

The king grinned, and then he began to chuckle. “Oh my dearest daughter, I am so happy! Thank the Valar! Blessed Mandos who allowed you to return to me.” He was laughing now, a hearty, rich laugh that Aerneth had never heard from the ruler before. 

The queen had arrived as well now, silent and composed as always, and like her husband she hugged her daughter close before holding her out to look at her. However, unlike Thingol, Melian did not laugh or even smile. As she gazed upon Lúthien her eyes filled with a deep sadness.

“So, this is the path you have chosen.”

“I am sorry, Naneth,” breathed Lúthien. “It was the only way.”

Thingol’s laughter abated when he noticed their grave appearances. “What is wrong? Tell me what is wrong,” he demanded.

“Can you not see it?” Melian shook her head. 

“Adar, I… I had to give it up. For Beren.” The man still stood some yards behind, looking demure and troubled. What had she given up? 

Aerneth realized it at the same time as the king. His eyes grew wide and hurt, and he grabbed her shoulders, shaking her. “What have you done? What have you done ?”

“I have become mortal.”

oOo

Aerneth rested her head on Thranduil’s moist chest, listening to his heartbeat slowing down, enjoying the fact that he had not turned away immediately after intercourse like he usually did nowadays. He seemed relaxed, content even, and had been so ever since Lúthien returned to life.

She and Beren had only stayed a few weeks in Doriath, Aerneth was not sure why, but maybe being the only mortals in a city of elves was reason enough. Or perhaps it was too painful for Lúthien’s parents to see her, knowing that she would begin to age, and that soon they would be forever separated when she died. She now had the Gift of Men – the ability to die and not be reborn – and it was said that even the Valar did not know where a mortal’s soul would go after their death. 

Aerneth mused over Lúthien’s choice and all she had given up to be with Beren – her life, her home, her parents. Would Aerneth have done the same for Thranduil? She wanted to think she would. In moments like this he was easy to love, when his arms were around her and she felt his fingers comb through her hair. 

“I think it’s very romantic,” she said. ”What Beren and Lúthien did for each other, I mean.” Looking up at the tiny crystal stars in the ceiling, she remembered how romantic she had once thought her husband was. But they were newlyweds then; he had wanted to impress her, now she could not recall when he had last given her anything. 

”Dying is not romantic.” His fingers stilled their motions.

”Of course not. I meant their sacrifices. That Beren waited so long in the Halls of Mandos for Lúthien instead of leaving for his unknown afterlife adventure, not knowing when or if she would come. And Lúthien’s love must be really strong for her to choose him over her family, opting to never be with them in Aman. Even Mandos himself took pity over her when she sang about all she had gone through to be with Beren. The depth of her feelings impressed him.” 

“Stupid, I would say, to give up one’s immortality.” Thranduil’s peaceful expression took the edge of his words – for once his mask was down. “They will hardly have any time together anyway. I mean, how long do mortals live? Rarely even ten decades.”

Aerneth only smiled. She thought ten decades was better than nothing, but refrained from saying so, not wanting to ruin Thranduil’s mood by arguing – especially not about an elleth he had used to court. 

”I am glad Mandos liked her enough to humor her, and sent her back,” he added thoughtfully. ”I was… I never quite dared believe Galadriel’s stories about reborn elves in Aman.”

She turned to face him, meeting his eyes imploringly. ”You worried you would never see your naneth again? That was why you slept bad and... all that?”

He tensed and broke eye contact, his gaze becoming guarded. 

Aerneth quickly changed the topic before he could push her away. “Now that Lúthien and Beren are married, they have all sorts of fun things to learn. All alone in the wilderness too.” She stroked circles on his chest with her fingertip, pinching his nipple.

He chuckled, relaxing again. ”Indeed.”

”I wonder if Lúthien’s babies will be mortal.” Humans appeared to generally have many children, and get them at a young age too – even before their second decade sometimes, but obviously they must reach maturity much sooner than elves. An elf of twenty was still an elfling. Perhaps humans compensated for their short lifespan by an ability to give birth early and often?

“Probably. If they are compatible to breed.”

“Compatible… hm. I wonder how Beren looks naked. Do you think he is hairy all over, like he is in his face? Maybe even on his–”

“Hush.” Thranduil placed a finger over her lips, indicating the wall. His father might be listening. 

Aerneth licked his hand playfully. She loved the taste of his skin. “I am just curious,” she whispered, nibbling her way from his fingers up along his arm. 

“You should not think such thoughts about another… male, even if it is only a human,” he whispered back, frowning like only he could – but his enlarged pupils were proof he did not entirely disapprove.

“When Lúthien strokes him like this maybe it will feel like petting a bear,” she breathed. 

His lips curled up involuntarily. “You have such a dirty mind.” 

“Sorry. I shall practice my virtue and purity.” She rolled away playfully.

“Don’t.” He came after her, pressing his hardness against her buttocks. “Now you made me think of bears mating.” He kissed her neck and slid a hand forward to her breasts.

“I dare say your mind is dirtier than mine,” she decided. And then he pushed into her from behind and she was too preoccupied to speak for some time.

oOo

It was the first day of the month, and the appointed hour for Queen Melian’s regular water call with her daughter. Lúthien lived in Ossiriand now, many leagues southeast of Doriath on an island in one of the many rivers coming down from the Blue Mountains.

Galadriel emptied a pitcher into her silver bowl, and when Aerneth felt Lúthien think her name she sang a few words to start the spell. Soon a beautiful face formed in the water. 

“Are you well? How is the baby?” Melian sounded worried. As if her daughter might die any day, now she was mortal.

“I am fine, Naneth.” Lúthien smiled, and disappeared out of the picture. When she returned a small face was beside hers. “There, Dior, look at your grandnana. Say hi to Grandnana.”

“Da.” The baby pointed a chubby hand at the queen. He showed all signs of taking after his father both in looks and race.

“Ai! Hello my love, such a big boy you have become,” she cooed. 

Aerneth and Galadriel respectfully moved back, allowing the queen some privacy. 

When Melian had finished her call she looked demure. “I wish so much I could hold him in my arms.” 

The others tried their best to comfort her. Galadriel put her arm around her shoulder, and Aerneth chatted cheerfully about how healthy the boy looked, and how living on a river island must be similar to her own happy childhood by the sea. 

Despite their different backgrounds and ages, the three ellith had grown closer the past couple of years, when the queen had had to rely on their water powers to keep in touch with her daughter. With her own farseeing she could only look, not speak – hers were internal, mental images, not working well as a form of communication. 

Only the queen was present during their calls, Thingol had not spoken with his daughter even once since she left Doriath. The king preferred to spend his time in the treasury, admiring his Silmaril.

”Are you busy tonight, or might we continue with the mirror some longer?" asked Melian after a while. "I worry about the upcoming war and the sons of Fëanor. Maybe the water can show us something of the future."

“I do not mind trying.” Galadriel took the silver bowl, a few drops spilling over the edge as she moved it closer. Her gift lay in calling forth visions for whomever held the mirror, images of their past and future. Only Aman beyond the western shore was closed to her scrying abilities. 

Aerneth decided to stay as well, the war Melian had mentioned worried her too. It had become known outside Doriath that Beren and Lúthien had taken one of the Silmarils from Morgoth’s crown, and Maedhros, eldest of the sons of Fëanor, had decided to attack the Dark Lord and retrieve the final two. He had gathered a huge union of both humans, dwarves and elves. All over Beleriand preparations were afoot; weapons being forged, plans drawn up, warriors honing their skill. 

Maedhros had sent emissaries to Doriath as well, wanting the king to return the Silmaril to him and his brothers, who claimed it rightfully belonged to them – it was their father Fëanor who had created them after all. Queen Melian had counseled Thingol to hand it over, but he refused, already much affected by the brilliance and power of the gem. He had also refused to aid them in their planned attack against Morgoth. 

Many in Menegroth now feared another kinslaying over Thingol’s Silmaril; it was rumored Celegorm and Curufin were plotting to kill him and take it if they survived the war.

The mirror was ready. Galadriel whispered her spell and peered deeply into the waters. When she had finished, her face was very pale. “I have ill tidings. Never before have I seen such bleak visions.”

“Tell us,” said Melian.

“I saw Morgoth sending a huge host of orcs south of his realm, led by a dragon. My nephew Orodreth was slain and the city of Nargothrond taken over by the fell beast.” 

The queen’s eyes widened. “Let me see.” She leaned over like her friend had done, but very soon she withdrew, sadly shaking her head. “Doriath will fall,” she whispered. “I saw Thingol wearing the Silmaril in a necklace, and he was slain over it by a dwarf.” She turned to Aerneth. “You should look as well. I hope yours is a less daunting future.”

Aerneth took the mirror with shaking fingers, anxious and not really wanting to watch. 

First she saw a swirl of dense smoke, and when it cleared a familiar city appeared. Eglarest, her home. It was burning heavily, its once proud walls and stone buildings broken and cracked from the armada of siege machines surrounding it. 

The angle was from a bird’s perspective, and she could see that the entire Falas region was swarmed over with orcs and warg riders. They were killing and chasing elves, torturing their captives and doing unspeakable things with the ellith.

With a strangled cry, Aerneth turned away, no longer able to watch the gruesome scenes. Her parents… were they among the captives? Would her mother be ravished like that? “We cannot let this happen,” she wailed, tears pouring from her eyes.

“Hopefully it is only a possible outcome,” said Melian.

“Aye. Maybe,” said Galadriel, but she looked worried. So far all the visions in the mirror had either happened already or come true later.

“Is there no way to persuade the king to join the war?” asked Aerneth, still shaken. “With Doriath on his side, maybe Maedhros has a better chance of winning. Morgoth could be stopped.”

“I will talk to my husband, but I fear it is useless.” Melian sighed. “He has sworn never to help a son of Fëanor, as you well know.”

“I will talk to my husband too,” said Aerneth. “He can tell the other march-wardens what we saw. They hated to be left out of the last war against Morgoth, I am sure they will want to fight in this one.” 

“Celeborn and I had already planned to join anyway,” said Galadriel. “My cousin Fingon will be leading the western host of the union.”

“I wish I knew some fighting like you. I will hate to be alone here if Thranduil goes to war.” 

“You should go with him anyway, your water magic could make a difference. The western host will march north along the Sirion and many battles might be fought near water. And then there is your ability of communication too, you could help the different units keep in touch and coordinate their attacks.”

When Aerneth hurried home, she felt a mingle of apprehension and hope. Was it really possible for the Union of Maedhros to defeat Morgoth and all his balrogs, wargs and orcs? Not to mention his fire-breathing dragon. Or would the horrible visions come to pass anyway? She had to hope they could be hindered, she just had to.

Should she do what Galadriel suggested and go to war herself as well? She wondered what it would be like to meet all those monsters, see them attack other elves. Perhaps see Thranduil get hurt or even killed. The thought was terrifying, and made her realize she really did care about him still. However bad their marriage was, she did not want to lose him.

She had reached the home cave now and went inside. Oropher came to meet her with a scowl. 

“Thranduil will be home soon and there is no supper. Where have you been?” 

“Out. Obviously.” She removed her cloak, it was late in the year and Menegroth was chilly.

“Mind your manners, young elleth!” He took a step forward, piercing her with his icy glare. Aerneth forced herself to meet it calmly, hiding how much he still intimidated her. She had not forgotten how easily he had raised his hand against her before, and despite Thranduil’s promises to protect her she feared it could happen again.

“I have met with Queen Melian.” 

That mollified him; ambitious as he was, he encouraged her friendship with the queen. Aerneth let out a breath of relief when he returned to his books in the sitting room. 

She had just prepared a meal of smoked venison with reed roots when her husband returned. Aerneth was eager to speak about what she had seen in Galadriel’s mirror but knew she had to wait until they had finished their supper. Oropher was of the opinion that eating was to be done in silence, and talking saved to after.

Aerneth hardly tasted the food, feeling too nervous to have any appetite. Oropher as usual took his time, sipping his water, chewing every piece of meat a long time before swallowing. Finally he was done, and she could tell her news. 

“I was with Galadriel and the queen today, and we saw some disturbing things in the water. About the future.” She commenced to describe all they had seen.  

”All the elven cities of Beleriand in the hands of the enemy?” asked Oropher, frowning. ”It sounds highly unlikely that Doriath would fall. We have the Girdle protecting us and the city is hidden.” 

“The mirror has never been wrong before, but we are hoping we can change the future.”

”Change it, how?”

”By persuading the king to join Maedhros’ Union. Increase his strength.”

“If there will be an attack on our realm, we cannot leave it unguarded.” Oropher rested his chin on his folded hands. 

“Not unguarded, but–”

“What do you think, Thranduil?” Oropher interrupted.

“The Girdle was breached twice before, and Beren who did it first was only a human. It is certainly possible Morgoth could do it too,” he mused. “I do not like this.”

“Aye. Doriath falling! Grave prospect indeed. You must share the news with your captains, and I will find Amdír and seek an audience with the king.”

“Melian is already speaking with the king,” said Aerneth.

“Trying to dictate what he should do, no doubt,” he huffed, shaking his head. “You did well to tell us about your visions, but now you ellith must leave this matter to those who are adept at war strategy.” His tone was patronizing, and with that he and his son left the table. 

Aerneth collected the plates to wash them up, nearly fuming with indignation. She wished she dared speak back, make her father-in-law understand that ellith were not stupid just because of their sex. Or at least that Thranduil would take her side once in a while. But that was wishful thinking.

In addition, she did not like the turn the conversation had taken, with both Oropher and Thranduil mostly concerned about their own city’s safety. Would they really prefer hiding back here while the world around them went to pieces?

It was very late when Thranduil returned, and Aerneth had almost fallen asleep. 

“What did they say?” she mumbled drowsily.

“Well… we came to no conclusion, but I am sure the discussion is far from over. We – the march-wardens – want to go to war, but our king worries it will bring unwanted attention to our people. He has a point, actually. What if Doriath’s fall will be caused by our joining with Maedhros, instead of prevented by it?”

“But what about the Falas and Nargothrond? You would sit on your hands and just watch them burn? Allow my home to be demolished and my people taken by orcs?” Aerneth was wide awake now, feeling annoyance build up. 

“It’s pointless to discuss my opinion, I can only do what my king and captains command me.”

“Galadriel and Celeborn are going, and I will go with them.” She said it with more conviction than she really felt. 

He stared at her in surprise. “What?”

“Someone has to do something, and I can help. I am sure you have not forgotten I saved you with my water magic.”

“No Aerneth, you are not going!” He grabbed her arm as if she was on her way already, his dark eyebrows drawn together.

His reaction only made her more determined. “Am too.” She tried to match his frown with her own, pushing down a voice that said she was acting immaturely.

"You cannot go. It’s...” He paused. ”Adar needs you here if I am away.” His grasp was painful now. She realized his frown was not of anger as she had first thought – it was one of worry. 

"You are hurting me."

He instantly dropped her arm and retreated, obviously trying to regain his self-control. When he looked at her again, he had assumed the glass face she hated. She wanted to punch him in it. 

"I would rather you stayed here. But you do as you please." He turned away.

Aerneth tried to glare a hole through the back of his head. Yes, she would do what she pleased, and if he was leaving she would too.

But what if he had to stay? Would she really go to war without him? She had hated being separated from him before, but with their strained relationship now... maybe it would be a relief to leave. 

Adar needs you. 

She wished Thranduil had needed her. That Oropher's wellbeing was not his first concern. 

Sure, last time they left the ellon alone it had not worked out very well, but he had been broken with grief then. There was no reason to believe an adult of several centuries could not take care of himself and manage his own housekeeping.

"Your ada needs no babysitter," she said sourly.

"That is not the only reason." His back was still turned. "War is not for ellith."

"You mean Galadriel is an ellon? Or your female march-wardens, ellyn too?"

"They are exceptions."

"You know... You are starting to sound just like your ada." She could not hold back the scorn from her voice. Maybe it was Thranduil that needed Oropher, not the other way around.

“Goodnight Oropherion,” she said to his back. She noticed him stiffening, but he did not reply.

Notes:

Communication is the key… Aerneth and Thranduil would benefit from marriage counselling. Too bad it was not invented yet...

Chapter 19: Unnumbered Tears

Summary:

Aerneth experiences her first battle and does something she will bitterly regret.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Unnumbered Tears

Eithel Sirion, First Age 472

It was Mid-Year’s Day, and Aerneth was shaking with the effort of upholding her connections. She had not anticipated how physically draining water magic could be; normally she hardly even had to think about it when calling someone, but now in her assigned room in the fortress Barad Eithel she was dead tired – and yet the war had not even begun. 

On a table before her were three bowls of water. In the first she had a connection with her friend Galdor, who was hidden in the mountains west of the fortress with the rest of her father’s people and the Noldor from Hithlum. In the second bowl a bearded man with curly hair and tanned skin looked back at her, she did not know his name. He was one of the human warriors who also hid in the mountains, some of whom were from the Forest of Brethil near Doriath and the rest from the southern part of Hithlum. The humans were led by two brothers, Húrin and Huor, who had fought with the elves before.

The final bowl was connected to an ellon from Nargothrond named Gwindor. He was leading a small unit from that city, who had left against their ruler's will. Orodreth, just like King Thingol, held a deep mistrust of the sons of Fëanor after the trouble Celegorm and Curufin had stirred in his realm when they imprisoned Lúthien there, and he had refused to aid them in the upcoming battle. But Gwindor had told Aerneth he needed to come; his brother had been captured in the last war against the Dark Lord and he could not rest until he had avenged him. The few who followed him here had similar reasons.

Gwindor and his followers had positioned themselves right beneath the fortress together with another, equally small unit of march-wardens from Doriath under Captain Mablung’s command. They were effectively covered by a dense mist from the spring of the river Sirion, called forth by Uinen on Aerneth’s bidding, much like that time when Thranduil was chased by orcs. 

Aerneth would hold the three connections open continually, only taking short breaks. It was the perfect way for Fingon to stay in touch with the various parts of his western host and make sure they would make a coordinated attack when time was nigh. 

The minute he found out about Aerneth’s abilities Fingon had assigned her with this task, only regretting she did not know anyone of Maedhros’ people of the eastern host so she could have established a line with them also. But it did not matter very much; the two parts of the Union of Maedhros would fight independently.

Fingon was outside on the parapet now, looking for Maedhros’ signal, but in the room with Aerneth several messengers were ready to fetch him as soon as he was needed.

Maedhros’ plan was well thought out. He was leading the larger, eastern host, consisting of his younger brothers and other elves from eastern Beleriand and of his allies; a large company of men called the Easterlings and fierce dwarves from the Blue Mountains. With this great force he would march north from his realm in Himring, through the Pass of Aglon to the southeastern part of the desert Anfauglith and continue towards Angband, Morgoth’s fortress. This would alert the Dark Lord, who hopefully would respond to the challenge by coming out to meet them.

As soon as Maedhros had entered the desert his banner would be spotted by lookouts in the Dorthonion mountains, right between Fingon’s and Maedhros’ hosts, who would then light a large beacon. This was the signal for Fingon’s troops to leave their hiding places and march northeast, where the two hosts would catch Morgoth between them as hammer to anvil.

It was a good plan, but everybody knew that no plan was flawless. Anything could happen, and it was anxious waiting for the battle to begin.

Another face joined Gwindor’s in Aerneth’s third bowl, one framed by blonde tresses. Galadriel. She and her husband were among the few who had followed Captain Mablung and Beleg Cúthalion when the king finally gave them permission to join the war – under the condition they would only be in Fingon’s western host and have as little as possible to do with Maedhros and the other sons of Fëanor. 

Thranduil had stayed in Menegroth on Oropher’s advice, his father was no doubt hoping the captains would be killed so his son could get a promotion.

“Hello Aerneth. Tell Fingon we are ready down here.” Galadriel looked different with a battle helmet, fierce and unstoppable. “You seem tired. Are you well?” she added.

“I can handle it.” 

When Galadriel disappeared, Aerneth pondered over her own words. Could she handle it? If she already felt this exhausted, how could she keep the connections open for an entire war, which could take many days – weeks even? But she had to do it. Fingon and Maedhros must win. 

Perhaps it was her personal worries that made the water magic more taxing. Her mind kept returning to the morning she left her husband and father-in-law. How Thranduil had looked at her like she had betrayed him – his face was devoid of emotions as usual, but he had not managed to banish the deeply hurt look from his eyes. 

And then came Oropher’s frosty parting words, which still sent a chill through her whenever she recalled them: “I am done trying to talk you out of this madness. You know it is not right for a wife and husband to go separate ways, and yet you persist, risking your life and our goodwill with the king to help a foreign people. Well, you obviously are a stubborn and cruel elleth, caring only for yourself. If you survive, do not bother to return. You are not welcome under my roof anymore.” 

Just like that, she was thrown out.

And Thranduil had remained silent. Why had he not protested? Did he not want her to come back either? The thought made her furious. He would not have hesitated to leave her had his king sent him out, but when she wanted to go he acted like this?

The worst part was how much she missed him already. Despite everything. She hated sleeping alone, hated sitting here not knowing how he fared. Did he miss her too? Was he sad? Worried? Angry? She had no idea. 

Galdor’s voice came from the first bowl: “Our lookouts have spotted movement in the desert. It seems to come from the direction of Angband, but so far we cannot say exactly what it is. Only that it is coming this way.”

“Wait, I will notify Lord Fingon.” Aerneth refused to refer to the Noldo as ‘king’. She was under his command, but her ruler was still Thingol, no matter how much she disliked that ellon.

One of the messengers in the room had heard and instantly left, returning after a minute with Fingon and his advisors in tow. 

The High King of the Noldor was tall just like his cousin Galadriel, but with his thick eyebrows and nearly black hair, neatly braided back from his face, he looked very different from her. On his head he wore a thin gold circlet, and his plaits were decorated with gold threads, but apart from that he appeared no more kingly than anyone else in his worn chainmail and stout leather vambraces. 

Coming to stand beside Aerneth, he listened carefully when Galdor repeated his message. 

“I do not like this,” he mused, tapping the table with his fingers. “Why is there no signal from Maedhros? If he has not yet reached the desert, I cannot charge to meet this new threat.”

“What shall we do, my lord?” asked Galdor.

“Hold your positions.” 

In the other bowls the human and Gwindor repeated the instruction to their bystanders: “Hold your positions.”

More anxious waiting followed, with Fingon restlessly walking to and fro, and every now and then disappearing out to alternately study the desert and look for the signal. Where was Maedhros? Had something gone wrong? 

An ellon came in with refreshments, and Aerneth gratefully emptied a goblet of water and swallowed several pieces of lembas. She was moist with perspiration now, and her fingers trembled as she ate, but the food strengthened her. Afterwards she felt a little less fatigued.

“We think it is orcs. The movement we saw, I mean,” said Galdor after perhaps an hour. “They wear clothes in the same color as the sand, that must be why it has been so hard to spot them.”

“Devious! I never knew those filthy creatures could be that clever,” growled Fingon. “How many are there?”

“We cannot say for sure, but they cover a large area. A great host, most likely. What are your orders?”

Fingon did not reply directly, apparently thinking hard. His fingers again thrummed the table nervously.

The human in the second bowl spoke, his strong accent making it somewhat difficult to understand: “My lord Húrin ask: He can talk the high king?”

“Of course.”

The man disappeared and soon the face of the human leader became visible. Húrin had golden hair and blue eyes, reminding Aerneth slightly of her father. 

“Your Highness,” he greeted politely, dipping his head. “I fear it could be a trap, they want to lure us out into the open. I advise you to let us stay hidden as long as possible and allow the orcs to come close to the fortress. When they arrive, we can attack them from all directions.” His accent was much less pronounced than that of his fellow’s.

“Hm. Maybe you are right.” Fingon contemplated the plan for a moment. “Well then, for now we abide, but keep your eyes open for any changes in their route.”

“Aye,” came answers from all three bowls.

Fingon went to a map that had been rolled out on another table, its four corners weighed down with stones. He gazed at it in silence, probably musing over the strategy. 

Aerneth could understand his unease. If Maedhros had encountered problems in the east, Fingon would have to beat the orc legion alone. Could he do it? His western host was much smaller than its eastern counterpart.

A great host, Galdor had said. How many orcs did that mean?

She wiped her forehead, wishing she could go outside and look at the orcs for herself but did not dare leaving the bowls. Holding the connections open was hard enough as it was. She was curious, but also horrified about seeing an orc up close, and not a little frightened that they would soon be just outside these walls, perhaps firing arrows at the building or fighting with Galadriel and the others down by the river. 

She had been hot from the effort of working water magic for so long, but now she felt a cold tendril seep through her body. The war was near. This was for real. Would they lose against Morgoth even before they had a chance to come close to his abode?

In the bowls she saw that the others were nervous too. The battle had not even begun properly and already the plan had gone awry. Everybody wondered the same: Why had the signal not come? Where was Maedhros?

Then a sudden sound from afar made them flinch, a series of sharp, brazen notes. Trumpets.

Fingon hurried to one of the arrow slits facing southeast, peering intently through the narrow window. “Another host… another host comes down from the mountains. They are countless! Many thousands at least!”

“Can you make out their banner?” asked one of the advisors.

“I do not have to, I know those trumpets. It is my brother!” Fingon hastened back out on the parapet.

The revelation produced a buzz of excited voices from the others present.

“Turgon! He lives! The hidden city exists!”

“Wonderful! More warriors to our aid!”

“Reinforcements! What perfect timing.”

“With Turgon, we can do this. We can beat the orcs!”

Aerneth felt a wide grin form on her face. Fancy that... the hidden city that Thranduil’s friend had always talked about really did exist! Amroth would gloat so much when he heard the news. 

But of course, now that she was banished from Oropher’s home she would never get to see that. Her grin waned.

Outside, she heard Fingon’s voice, strong and exultant, carrying far across the open expanse surrounding the fortress. 

“The day has come! Behold, people of the Eldar and Fathers of Men, the day has come!”

From the mountains and the river came answering calls from the hidden troops, soon melding into a single war cry: “The night is passing! The night is passing!”

Aerneth could not help but join the chant; the jubilant ambience was contagious. “The night is passing!” she cried. “The night is passing!”

“Gondolin comes?” asked Húrin, who had lingered in the second bowl.

“What?” Aerneth had no idea what he was talking about. 

“Gondolin, the hidden city… I promised never to speak of it, but if they have come I guess the secret is out.” He smiled under his beard.

“You have been to the hidden city?”

“Aye, with my brother. When we were merely young boys. The fog – you helped create a fog that time, or so I am told?”

Aerneth nodded, vaguely remembering Thranduil telling her about that battle and the lost boys. “It was the Maia Uinen who called forth it, not me. But aye, I was involved.”

“We were separated from the others and got lost in the mountains. There were monsters – giant spiders and such, and we thought our last moment had come. But a couple of Great Eagles picked us up and took us to Gondolin, where King Turgon treated us kindly and allowed us to stay for a long time. The elves taught me almost all I know about warfare, and...” Húrin broke off, looking at something Aerneth could not see. “The orcs are nearing, I must go. Halvar, you take over here.” The last was to the man with the curly hair.

“Do you see the orcs yet?” asked Aerneth, turning to Gwindor in the third bowl. 

“Aye, and they are within hearing range,” he murmured, keeping his voice down to avoid exposure. “They are saying some rather nasty things.” He frowned.

Fingon had come back inside and heard the last part. “Do not let their taunts get to you. Stay where you are.”

“Aye.” 

“A smaller group is detaching, they approach the fortress,” said Galdor. From his position in the mountains he had a good view over the orcs’ movements. “They are dragging someone after them in a rope. It almost looks like… Oh no! It is an elf. They have an elven prisoner!”

“Hold your arrows,” Fingon ordered. “We cannot risk hitting their captive.”

“No… no! ” came Gwindor’s anguished cry. “It is my brother. The captive – it is my brother. And his eyes…” His voice broke. “They have blinded him. Cut out his eyes.” 

How could they do something so cruel? Aerneth swallowed down the bile that rose in her throat. 

The orcs were so close now that their foul voices could be heard inside the fortress when they yelled: “How d’you like our pretty elf, eh? We changed him for the better, don’t you think?”

Aerneth was glad she was inside and could not see.

“Let me kill them,” growled Gwindor. “Please my lord, let me rescue him.”

But before Fingon could answer, the orc continued: “We got many more such at home, but you must make haste if you wanna find them – for we’ll deal with them like this when we return.” And then came the most heart-wrenching sound Aerneth had ever heard; four drawn-out wails of utter agony. They ended abruptly.

Fingon had run back to the narrow window at the same time as Galdor reported in a strangled voice: “They cut off his hands and feet one by one… and lastly his head.” 

From Gwindor came no sound at all, he had abandoned the bowl.

“He has gone after them alone,” said Fingon from the window. “And I cannot blame him. We must punish these orcs, this black deed cannot go unrevenged.” He returned to the bowls. “Make ready to charge. When you hear my trumpets that is the signal. Let us get those monsters!”

“Aye!”

“Aye!”

He turned to Aerneth. “You can close the other connections now and open one with me instead, I will take a bowl with me on my horse. You stay in the fortress, but move out on the parapet where you have a good view over the mountains. Maedhros may still come, and when they light that beacon I need to know.”

“Aye, my lord.” She bowed, hugely relieved. Holding just one connection with Fingon would be effortless in comparison to this morning's hard work.

Soon Aerneth was alone. She took the bowl with her to the parapet, and for the first time she could see what was happening on the battlefield. Out in the desert a dust cloud showed the progress of the Nargothrond elves with Gwindor in the lead, and in their wake lay the scattered bodies of the orcs who had killed his brother. The main orc host was still a dense mass further away, their yellow and brown clothes making them blend in well with the background.

To the west, humans and elves scurried down from the mountains, forming orderly ranks at the edge of the desert. Her father was among them, she saw his banner with the white seagull against a blue background. Her mother had designed it.

Refusing to worry about Círdan, Aerneth forced her gaze away. 

Right beneath her vantagepoint, Fingon emerged from the mist, flanked by his advisors and the march-wardens from Doriath. She easily spotted Galadriel and Celeborn, two light hair manes among the dark heads, and not far from them Mablung and Beleg shared a hard hug before taking off to join the others. 

One of the king’s advisors put a trumpet to his lips. The clear sound echoed between the mountains and the stone walls of the fortress, and soon the entire host was on the move, charging over the desolate sand of the Anfauglith.

In Aerneth’s bowl Fingon’s face was grim. The Fifth Battle of Beleriand had begun.

oOo

Mercifully, Aerneth did not have to experience much of what happened when Fingon’s host and the orcs clashed together, for after only a few chaotic images Fingon must have accidentally emptied the bowl. But what little she did see of those horribly distorted faces was enough to make her nearly sick with a mingle of fright and disgust. 

In her head, she kept picturing such monsters forcing themselves on ellith, like she had seen in Galadriel’s mirror – only, in the mirror their faces had been vague, but now she could envision them in all gory detail. 

When a male voice unexpectedly called up to her, she was relieved to get something else to think about. He had spoken Quenya, the language of the Noldor, but when he saw her peering out through the battlements he switched into Sindarin, the common speech: “Hello? Anyone else there?”

She saw two unusually handsome ellyn below, one golden blond and one dark. 

“Only I. Who are you?”

“I am Glorfindel of Gondolin.” The fair one greeted her in the customary way with his hand over his heart.

“And I am Ecthelion. We are with King Turgon.”

“He did not follow Fingon to the battle then?”

“Nay, our king decided our people should guard the Pass in case there was a trap,” said Glorfindel. “Morgoth may have more orcs up his sleeve.”

“That would be crowded,” remarked Ecthelion.

“I meant it figuratively.” Glorfindel apparently lacked humor. “Can we come in? Our king sent us here to gather information on how his brother fares, and it will be easier to see from up there.”

“Of course.”

Aerneth went downstairs and unbolted the gate, letting them inside. This close, Glorfindel was even more good looking than she had first thought, almost on a par with Thranduil. He wore a mantle in the same color as his hair over a long chainmail shirt, a sheathed sword and a shield with a yellow sun. As his gaze trailed over her with equal curiosity she felt a flutter within. She pushed it down firmly, this was not a good time to be attracted to a stranger, she had been separated from her husband too long, that was all.

Instead she led him and Ecthelion up the stairs and out on the parapet. 

Glorfindel shadowed his eyes as he peered through the battlements. His hand was large and looked strong.

“I had hoped to see the combat better,” he said after a while, sounding disappointed. “Everything is covered by that infernal desert dust.”

“Maybe if you wait a while, Fingon will reopen the connection. Assuming he survives.” She showed them the bowl and explained her water powers.

The ellyn were very interested in her gift.

“Distance communication? That is a useful talent indeed!” said Glorfindel, giving her an admiring look that made her stomach flip.

“Are you hungry? Shall I bring something?” She was suddenly eager to get away from the confined space. 

The others nodded gratefully and she went to fetch some lembas and dried fruit in the storage room. She glanced at a wine amphora but decided against it, she needed a clear head when Fingon reconnected with her.

The sun had disappeared behind the western mountains and the parapet was dark when she returned, making the hour feel later than it was. Out in the desert the battle still went on but had moved further away. Did that mean Fingon’s host was winning?

They shared the food among them in the twilight, not daring to light the lantern in case there were enemies nearby. 

The ellyn made very pleasant company despite being Noldor. Without them, Aerneth would probably have been both frightened and lonely when the hours went by without Fingon calling, but now she almost forgot the time as she listened to their friendly banter. Ecthelion was clearly the brightest of them, witty and talkative, reminding her very much of Amroth back in Doriath. Glorfindel was more of the strong, silent type which she really preferred, and there were moments when he was so like her husband she had to avert her gaze. 

Soon they had an interesting conversation going about Gondolin, that exciting city which had been kept secret for so long. The ellyn would not reveal its exact location as Turgon wanted it to remain safely hidden, but described what it looked like with such fondness that Aerneth felt herself longing to go there too. And not only because of the looks Glorfindel gave her. Did he not mind that she was married?

After a while Ecthelion took out a flute and entertained them with sweet music. Aerneth rested her back against the battlements beside Glorfindel, not quite touching him but sitting so close she felt his body heat. Being near another elf was comforting and made her feel safe, but also terribly guilty. Her eyes kept being drawn to his linen shirt under the chainmail, slightly open in the front, and every now and then she would perceive a whiff of his scent, a mixture of metallic armor, masculine musk and something flowery from his hair oil. He was not Thranduil, but close enough for her treacherous body to react like he was. 

She loathed herself for having such inappropriate emotions in the middle of a war, when her father and friends might even now be killed by orcs – even if he had been her husband it would have been disgusting. But her brain would not listen to reason.

Well into the night Aerneth finally felt Fingon think her name, and she hurried to reopen the connection. It was hard to see his face in the darkness, especially since he seemed to be coated by a fine layer of dust, but it looked like he was still on horseback. 

“We have defeated most of the orcs with hardly any losses, and the rest of them are falling back towards Angband. We are pursuing them now. Any news from Maedhros?”

“Nay, nothing. But I have two lords of Turgon’s people here with me.” She moved back so Glorfindel and Ecthelion could take over. Fingon clearly knew them well, and soon they talked animatedly about what sounded like common acquaintances and a shorter version of the history of Gondolin – since they spoke Quenya Aerneth understood only in part.

While they conversed, Aerneth again thought of her father and friends; Galadriel, Galdor, Celeborn. Were they among the ‘hardly any losses’ or had they made it? Before Fingon closed the connection for a few hours’ rest she took the opportunity to ask him, and learned that her friends were still alive and unhurt. Of that worry, at least, she was relieved.

When the sky became rose-tinted in the east, the two Gondolindrim decided they had been away long enough. It was time to bring their news to Turgon. 

“Must you go?” Aerneth said, suddenly frightened to be left alone.

“Maybe I can stay with her, and you go to our king?” Glorfindel suggested. Ecthelion gave him an odd look but then shrugged.

“Sure.”

Glorfindel sat down next to Aerneth again, closer now. His arm felt burning hot against her own. What was he doing? What was she doing? Had she encouraged him with her glances? It was because he reminded her so much of Thranduil, but now her guilt increased tenfold. 

“Try to get some rest,” he said. “I will keep watch.”

She nodded and tried to relax, but it was impossible. Restless thoughts tumbled around in her head like broken butterflies; worries for the future, remorse about the past. 

She was a horrible wife who had abandoned her husband, and now at first opportunity she flirted with another ellon. The war would not go well either, somehow she knew it would not. The forebodings she and her friends had seen would come to pass. 

Tomorrow or the day after, Fingon would reach Angband, and still the greater part of the host had not come; Maedhros and his allies. 

In the last war, the Dark Lord had had both a dragon and balrogs – his fearsome fire demons. It was obvious he still had many more monsters to send against them. What if this whole maneuver with the orcs and the killing of Gwindor’s brother was his way to lure the eastern host out into the desert? If so, Aerneth would probably never see her father and friends again.

What would become of her then? She could not return to Doriath unless Oropher decided to forgive her, which was not likely, and in Eglarest her mother would be broken with grief. And Thranduil… since she left, he had not tried to contact her even once. 

Did he care about her at all? He had never said he loved her, but she had thought… hoped that he did, deep down. That underneath the emotionless face he showed the world, there were still some genuine feelings. But now… Far away in this Valarforsaken place she felt doubt. What if his mother’s death had taken away his ability to love? 

A sharp pang of longing hit her, an almost tangible pain, like an arrow to her heart. She wanted Thranduil’s arms around her and his body close – not in a sexual way, not this time, she just wanted to hear him breathe and smell his familiar scent. 

She was lost, a wanderer gone astray. She needed him. Only with him she felt at home.

“Is something ailing you, my lady?” Glorfindel’s voice was soft, and somehow she found herself leaning against his shoulder. 

“I worry about the war… my friends, and my ada,” she said, not wanting to talk about Thranduil when almost in another ellon’s arms.

“I understand,” he said kindly, and now his arms really were around her, his fingers stroking her back soothingly. He touched her cheek, turning her face up to meet his gaze. His eyes were large and dark. 

She saw what he was about to do but did not stop him when he bent down and kissed her. Just a peck on the lips, but she let him do it, and when he deepened it she responded. 

The Valar damn her! Every particle in her body screamed at her how wrong this was. 

At last she managed to murmur feebly: ”Nay…”

“Sorry,” he said and instantly broke the kiss. “I should not have been so hasty with a maiden I only met yesterday. But I feel like I have known you longer.”

Maiden? Did he think– 

“These are troubled times and I may not live to see another day. I shall take this memory with me and cherish it. Perhaps, if we win the war–”

“I am no maiden,” she blurted out.

“What?” His eyes widened.

“Surely you can see… Surely you knew that–” She stared at him but read only puzzlement in his honest eyes. Then his features changed. Surprise, shock… disappointment.

He hastily rose, pushing her away as if he had burned himself. “You are married?”

“I thought you knew,” she whispered.

He shook his head vigorously. “You think I am the kind of ellon who would kiss a married elleth? I was never good at perceiving such things. How could you let me do it?” His voice was accusing.

“I… I don’t know.”

“I must go.” 

She could hear him running down the stairs like chased by wargs. When he was gone Aerneth buried her face into her hands and wept bitterly.

oOo

Aerneth received a new visit the next day. When she heard the knock she jumped with fright, fearing it was Glorfindel coming back to lash out at her for tricking him. Instead another ellon stood outside, looking so much like Fingon that she in her confused and distressed state of mind almost thought it was him. 

The ellon was Turgon, the king of Gondolin, coming to speak with his brother for the first time in several hundred years. 

The brothers’ reunion via the water call was hearty and they talked for a long time. When Turgon finally left the bowl his eyes were red with unshed tears and Aerneth respectfully turned away until he had composed himself.

”Thank you for this, my lady,” he said at last. ”I shall keep guarding the Pass of Sirion while my brother heads onwards to Angband. I leave two elves here with you to keep me informed on how he fares. In addition, can you establish a new connection with one of my scouts? I am sending him to find out what happened to Maedhros.”

Aerneth readily agreed, not at all minding to handle two bowls again; the increased strain would keep her mind busy. She did not want to think.

She was also thankful for the ellon and elleth the king left with her, both for keeping her company and for not being Glorfindel. She hoped she would never meet him again so this horrible mistake could be buried and forgotten. 

oOo

Two days later, after riding hard along the Dorthonion mountains, Turgon’s scout reported he could finally see Maedhros’ host. The troops still lingered north of the Pass of Aglon in the outskirts of the desert, and as far as the runner could tell they seemed unhurt. He saw no particular reason for their remaining behind.

Aerneth passed the information on to Fingon, who had just arrived at Thangorodrim, the three volcanic peaks that guarded the entrance to Angband. He had not been able to catch up with Gwindor and his followers, who had ridden day and night in their murderous rage and were already pounding on the black doors. 

It worried Fingon greatly to hear that Maedhros lingered. “Has he deceived us?” he mused. But soon he got something else to think about. “Tulkas help us!” he exclaimed. 

Aerneth felt a trickle of chill when she saw the king’s pale face. “What happened?” If he invoked the Vala of war there must be something gone terribly wrong.

“Gwindor’s company has disappeared through the doors, but more orcs are pouring down from the cliffs and out from caves in the volcanoes… I have never seen so many. They are cutting us off from the others. I must go, but I shall try to keep the connection up as long as possible.”

With that he charged against the orcs, and soon the bowl was flooded with chaotic battle images. Aerneth tried not to look, all the blood and cut off body parts made her sick, but she could not shut out the sounds. The shrill shrieks of agony from the most grievously injured were the worst. 

“I shall bring word to my king of this new threat,” said the elleth Turgon had left with her. “I think we must march now, this does not look good.” She indicated the turbulent images in the bowl.

While the fight went on outside Morgoth’s black gate, Turgon’s scout arrived at the eastern host and was taken to see their leader. Maedhros was just appearing in her second bowl when Aerneth felt another presence in the back of her mind, a warm, red glow she instantly recognised. It was Thranduil. Of all possible moments, he had chosen this chaotic day to finally reach out to her – but of course he could not know how hard-pressed she was. 

Even if she had not been busy, Aerneth was not ready to face him just yet, and thus it was with some relief she shut him off. Instead she focused on the eldest son of Fëanor before her, regarding the famous ellon with curiosity. His hair color was striking, it had an auburn hue she had never seen the like of before, and his face was angular with a slightly too big nose. He looked grim, and knowing some of his history it was not hard to understand why.

“I heard that my cousin has already reached the gate of Angband,” he said. “Loath though I am to admit it, I realize now that I have been deceived by my own men. I had human scouts sent west to watch the Pass of Sirion, and they reported back to me that Fingon had been delayed by assaults from hidden Angband forces. To no avail have I remained here, waiting for word of his arrival. I know not if the mortals were mistaken or wilfully duped me – but they shall be punished, for sure.”

“How unfortunate. Fingon is even now battling a large host of orcs, and I do not know how he fares, but Turgon has come forth from the hidden city with a great number of elves so maybe all is not lost.”

“Good news indeed.” Maedhros brightened. “I shall march north at once, and hopefully between the three of us, Fingon, Turgon and I can still succeed.”

Now Fingon appeared in the first bowl, his face dirty and a sprinkle of red drops scattered over his chainmail. “Was that Maedhros you spoke with? Tell him he must hurry, we are hard-pressed. The Brethil humans have all been slaughtered, and I fear the same goes for the elves of Nargothrond. The rest of us are falling back into the desert now.”

Aerneth did as told, conveying Fingon’s message and then Maedhros’ reply, becoming a facilitator for a tactical conference between the cousins. Although the bowls were placed side by side, the ellyn could not hear each other or communicate directly.

During their conversation she glanced at Maedhros’ stump of a hand and shuddered at the thought of how that had come to be. Caught by Morgoth, he had hung from his right arm for three decades, shackled by his wrist to one of the peaks of Thangorodrim. Fingon had valiantly braved the Lord of Dark and gone there alone, finally spotting his cousin in his plight. Maedhros’ had begged Fingon to end his misery with an arrow to the heart, but instead he had called upon the Great Eagles to help him and was able to rescue Maedhros by cutting off his hand. 

No wonder the ellon wanted his revenge on Morgoth. It was not only his oath to his father – the promise to retrieve the Silmarils – that drove him on. This was personal.

After the ellyn had ended their talk, the hours passed slowly. Turgon had begun his march, taking his messenger with him and leaving Aerneth alone, and he had brought a water bowl to communicate with the other leaders through her magic. Again she was forced to maintain three simultaneous connections and the exertion made her so weak she could barely hold her eyes open. 

Thranduil tried to contact her several times, leaving her with a nauseating pang of guilt. She could not avoid him forever; soon the battle would be over and she had no excuse to shut him out. What would she do then? Admit to what she had done or try to hide it? She was not sure she could manage the latter, but the thought of doing the former frightened her. Thranduil had a horrible temper, although he controlled it better than his father. Yet, did she not deserve his wrath? Should he turn her away and never want to see her again, it would be a justified punishment.

But who was she fooling? He already had turned her away, or at least his father had – without him protesting. Maybe the easiest solution was to return to the Falas with her own father after the war. Keeping her distance to Thranduil until long enough time had passed for her to be able to conceal her infidelity.

oOo

On the sixth morning after Fingon had left Barad Eithel, two of the hosts finally met as Turgon came to Fingon’s and Húrin’s aid. Aerneth witnessed the happy reunion of the elven brothers as well as the reunion of Húrin and Turgon who had known each other in Gondolin. In the midst of everything, they found a moment’s joy.

With great relief, Aerneth ended the connection with Turgon, again back to only two bowls.

The battle instantly turned in Fingon’s favor; with Gondolin’s great numbers and strong weapons behind him he could finally push back the orcs. In addition, Maedhros was almost there now too, Fingon and Turgon saw the cloud of dust announcing the rapid progress of their cousin’s troops.

This was when Morgoth released his real strength.

“No…” whispered Maedhros, his face ashen as he stared at something in the distance. “The dragon… he has multiplied! The Valar protect us! Glaurung is leading his brood hither – a crowd of smaller dragons.”

Dragons. Aerneth went cold, for she could see them herself now, despite the distance – that was how huge they were. One of those fire-breathing monsters was bad enough, and here came several. 

Right then Fingon cried from the other bowl: “Balrogs and wargs are coming at us from the north! Their numbers are countless.” 

Aerneth’s stomach twisted painfully. This would not work. Dragons and balrogs! The balrogs were twisted Maiar with immense powers, both magical and physical. They wielded deadly whips of liquid fire, and their frames were surrounded by smoke and shadow. 

Wargs, although less deadly, were fast and strong, twice the size of normal wolves and possessed with evil spirits making them both fearless and bloodthirsty.

“I have to fall back,” said Maedhros grimly. “I have no chance of beating the dragons in the open, but if I can lure them south between the cliffs of the Pass they cannot attack all at once. I hope Fingon and Turgon can manage alone.”

“They are facing balrogs and wargs,” said Aerneth. 

“Damn!” swore Maedhros. “I will try to get to them, but the dragons are between us.”

Suddenly there was some disturbance, Aerneth could hear screams and yells from the ranks surrounding Fëanor’s son. His face disappeared for a short while and then returned. “I have to close this temporarily,” he said hurriedly. “Some of the Easterling humans are attacking our rear. I am betrayed by my allies – I should have known they were all rotten when they brought false news of Fingon. Treacherous pigs!”

When he had gone, Aerneth stared at the empty water. It was all coming apart. They would lose.

In the other bowl Fingon was fighting again, she heard growls from the wargs and saw glimpses of matted fur and glowing eyes. Then he too disappeared as the bowl was beaten from his hands, but this time another caught it, an ellon Aerneth did not know.

“The king is fighting the leader of the balrogs,” the ellon reported through clenched teeth. He seemed to be on the ground, sitting or lying, and blood poured from a deep gash cleaving half of his face. “The fight is over for me, I shall die soon,” he continued impassively. Then he smiled crookedly, unable to move the damaged part of his face. “King Fingon appears to be winning. It is… I have never seen anyone fight like that.” He looked awed. “The balrog is bleeding now and takes a step backwards, and my lord King is onto him. His sword moves so fast it looks blurred – or maybe that is from the blood in my eye. The balrog retreats again and ouch! Good hit. The king stabbed his foot. Now the balrog tries to lift his ax but the king sweeps it away with his sword. That sword is some good quality! And now– No! Another balrog joins the fight. He caught Fingon with his whip. The Valar help him… The balrog leader lifts his black ax.” The ellon silenced. A loud clang made him flinch and shudder. “He is dead. The balrog cut his head in halves, right through his helmet.” His voice was strangled. “They are trampling him and his banner into the dust. The monsters… the monsters!” He rose shakily and with a roar he left, making one last, mad dash against the offenders. ”For Fingooon!” The cry ended abruptly.

In the abandoned bowl Aerneth now saw nothing but the sky as the sounds of the battle continued around it. The grievous moans from the wounded shook her to her core. 

She did not want to hear any more and closed the connection. Crawling away from the empty bowls she huddled against the cool stone wall, biting her knuckle as her mind raced. Fingon was dead. What was she to do? They were losing. Should she abandon her post and try to flee back to Doriath?

Before she had time to decide, she again heard battle sounds, this time coming from outside the fortress. She peered through the battlements. What remained of the western host came slowly closer, fighting still but being forced backwards step by step. 

Hugely relieved, she discerned Turgon’s and her father’s banners in the chaotic mass of elves, humans, orcs, wargs and balrogs. They were nearing the wetlands east of the Pass of Sirion, probably trying to protect the way south. If Morgoth gained access to the Pass, all of Beleriand would be open to him.

Aerneth

It was Turgon’s scout. Was it Faraion his name was? Or Faron? She could not remember. With a sigh Aerneth went back to the bowl. She did not really want to hear his news because she knew they would be bad, but of course she had to, Turgon might contact her again and he would want to know how the situation was in the east.

The ellon who looked back at her was almost unrecognizable from the one she had talked to before. He seemed physically unhurt, but something had frightened the wits out of him, and his cheeks were so pale he seemed near fainting.

“I saw Glaurung,” he whispered through trembling lips. His hands holding the bowl must shake badly as well, it made his face oddly distorted from the ripples. “I looked him in the eye.”

“I am sorry for you,” said Aerneth, trying to sound comforting. “Can you tell me how Maedhros fares? Did he manage to beat the humans who turned on him?”

“He was bigger than my house back home. And it has three floors so it is not small.”

“I see. Where is the dragon now?” Aerneth tried not to let her impatience show. She wanted to return to the battlements so she could see what happened in the Pass.

“The dwarves fight him. But they will lose. Nothing can beat him. He will burn us all to ashes, or maybe he will fry us lightly and then devour us. I know not what I would prefer.” Tears were trickling down his cheeks. It was always hard to tell another’s age, but Aerneth got the impression that this ellon was very young, perhaps not even ten decades.

“And Maedhros? Where is he?”

“Gone. They are all gone. Only I am left. I am hiding under a rock. But the dragons will smell me and come for me soon. Then I shall burn.”

“Gone where?” Valar, getting information out of this ellon was worse work than hauling a swan ship ashore.

“Dead, most of them. Heaps and heaps of corpses. Humans, elves. Heaps. But the sons of Fëanor went to the mountains. They fled.”

“Stay there, I have to check on Turgon and my ada.” Aerneth went back to the wall and peered through the opening. Both banners remained up, thank the Valar. They had almost come to the river now. 

The mist! She could help them hide. Singing a quick prayer to Uinen, Aerneth begged her to help Turgon and his troops. 

The Maia’s reply was swift, a warm, comforting presence in her mind. 

I will try, my dear. But I fear their enemies are too many this time.

Instantly gray clouds formed over the river, spreading out to cover the western host and their surroundings. From the balrogs, wargs and orcs who chased them came howls of disappointment. It was something, at least. A moment’s respite.

After a while she felt her father’s voice in her head. Hurrying back to the bowls, she connected with him. “Ada! I am so glad you are alive.” 

Círdan was kneeling on the shore of the Sirion, peering down at her in its water. He looked as tired as Aerneth felt and was dirty and disheveled. 

“We are losing, Aerneth. The host will split up – Turgon and Húrin have just settled it among them. The humans mean to stay here and guard the Pass alone. A suicide mission, but they insist. Saying the world needs us – that elves bring them hope. Turgon is returning to Gondolin and I will take what remains of our people and return to Hithlum and our ships there. Thanks to your mist I should be able to get to the fortress and pick you up – unless you would prefer to return to Doriath? Captain Mablung is taking the remains of his march-wardens there, and Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn are going with them. The enemy seems reluctant to enter the fog so I think it should be a fairly safe passage south for as long as Uinen can keep it up.”

“Nay. I– I will go with you.”

“Good. We must hurry back to the Falas and fortify our cities against the Dark Lord, for I am certain he will come after us, seeking revenge – just as you saw in Galadriel’s mirror. Meet me outside the fortress, I will be there soon.” He disappeared.

“Aerneth!” It was the ellon in the other bowl. “The dragon! The dwarves hurt him and he’s retreating! The dragons are crawling back from where they came, all of them.”

“That is good news.” She tried to smile. It was useless, the war was still lost.

“The dwarves are leaving, though. Their leader was killed in the fight. So I shall be all alone.” He sighed forlornly.

“Go south to the Pass of Aglon, and then west until you reach Doriath. Tell them that you come from Gondolin, then I am sure they will allow you in. You will be safe there. It is an underground city.”

“Really? Maybe I will try that. Thank you.”

“I must close this now, I am leaving the fortress.”

Aerneth gathered the few belongings she had brought and went downstairs. When she opened the heavy gate she felt horribly exposed, expecting wargs or balrogs to assault her at any moment, but they still seemed to be far away, the sounds that drifted to her from the Pass were faint.

Then she heard the pounding of hooves. A rider was approaching, but who could it be? Círdan and the other Falathrim had come on their swan ships; they had not brought horses. 

Her breath hitched. Was it the enemy? But this sounded like a horse, not a warg. 

A shape emerged from the mist. When she recognised him her mouth went dry and her heart began to pound. It was too soon! She was not prepared!

“Aerneth!” Thranduil jumped off the horse and ran the last way, catching her in a hard hug. He smelled of sweat and his hair was tangled. 

“Why are– How did you get here?”

“You did not reply. I called you over and over, but you were not there. I thought–” He hugged her harder, she had to struggle to breathe. 

“I was just busy. I had so many connections open… I couldn’t…”

“I understand. Think no more of it. I am so relieved you are alive! I left without asking permission, I just went. I have been riding day and night to get here. Then I came across Lord Círdan and he said you were here! Oh sweet Elbereth. Thank the Valar. Blessed be Ulmo and his Maiar and anyone else who helped you.” He cupped her cheeks and kissed her, a deep, needy kiss. 

The taste of his lips was bittersweet; only a few days ago another ellon’s lips had caressed hers and she had allowed it.

“Come home with me, please. My adar did not mean what he said. And if he did, we will live somewhere else. I need you.”

Seeing his face completely open like this, Aerneth felt a wave of love mingled with a remorse so strong it threatened to choke her. Why had she been so weak, so stupid? She had ruined it all.

“There is something I need to say,” she murmured.

“Me too! I should have told you years ago but I was so blind. Only after I lost you did I understand my heart.”

Aerneth forced her gaze not to waver. She knew what would come. Something she had longed to hear for so long. 

“I love you, Aerneth.” 

She could not reply, no words came out. How could she confess to him after this ?

His eyes narrowed slightly. “What were you going to say?”

“That I missed you too,” she said quickly, her voice hoarse.

He peered at her intently, clearly suspicious now. The openness from before was disappearing fast. She hated herself for doing this to him.

“Shall we go then?” She kissed him to avoid those far too perceptive eyes. 

He did not respond, instead he took a step back, his gaze sharp as swords. “What did you do?” When she did not reply he grabbed her shoulders. “Tell me what you did!” he yelled.

“I kissed an ellon.” There. It was out. 

Thranduil stared at her in disbelief, his features shifting from shocked to deeply hurt. Then came raw anger. His grip on her shoulders was painful now, but she allowed it. She deserved it.

“Punish me,” she whispered.

He clenched his hand into a fist and she almost thought he would hit her. Instead he rammed it straight into the stone wall of the fortress, roaring out his pain. “Who is it? Tell me who it is. I will kill him.” He loomed over her, his fist still clenched. It had bruised, his knuckles were swelling. 

Then he suddenly straightened up, drawing several breaths, his face settling into the cool mask she despised so much. “Return to your lover if you will. I do not care.”

No, not this! Not this coldness, she could not bear it. “He’s not my lover! Please, Thranduil, don’t look at me like that. Be mad if you want, anything but this glass face!”

He just stared at her haughtily, almost contemptuously.

“I am so sorry! It was only one kiss. He didn’t know I was married, and I was so afraid and tired and lonely and I know it is no excuse but…” When he still would not reply she shook him. “Stop it! Just stop it!”

That got her a reaction at last. His rage returned in full might and again he slammed his fist into the wall. “Can’t you understand how much you hurt me? You left me, running away to a war you did not have to fight, one that could have killed you. Can’t you understand how that felt for me? You left me. And now you tell me you found another.”

She shuddered as the dam burst and the full flood of his emotions hit her. 

“I don’t want to feel this pain, can’t you understand that? I don’t want to love someone who abandons me.” His eyes became misty. “That’s how ellith are. You leave those who love you, abandon them. Like my naneth. Had she loved me, she would not have left.”

“Calm down. It was an accident… She did not abandon you and neither did I.”

“She left me. You both left me!” He was shaking her but seemed not aware of it. “You want me to show emotions? I will show you emotions. Is this how you want me to be? Is it my anger you want to see? Do you want a husband who frightens you? You are trembling. I scare you. But you said you wanted it.”

“I am not afraid of you! If I tremble it is because I am angry too. It was just one kiss, and aye I know it was wrong, but you are overreacting! I did not abandon you; you could have come with me to battle. It was the right thing to do. But you would only listen to your ada. Every day you are turning more into a copy of him, Oropherion. No wonder your nana left Doriath with two such ellyn in the house!”

Everything had become dead silent as she spoke, with only the distant sounds of battle from afar. Thranduil’s face was white as a sheet. 

What had she said? She had not meant it.

“Naneth’s death was no accident.” He had lowered his voice almost to a whisper, and it was teeming with ice cold fury and grief. “She killed herself.”

“I am sorry… I did not know…”

“My naneth left us, but it was not Adar’s fault.” He looked absolutely murderous now. “If you ever accuse him of that again, I shall–”

For the first time Aerneth felt a twinge of fear, but she refused to let it show. “Do what? Hit me like he did?”

Colour returned to his face and his hands dropped from her shoulders like she had burned him. “I would never hit you.”

“Then why do you keep protecting him? A wife beater.” 

“Shut up!”

“He killed your nana! If she killed herself it was his fault!”

“Please! Just stop…” His voice was distorted.

But Aerneth was furious now. How dared he threaten her? How dared he choose his abusive father over her, again and again? “I hate him,” she yelled. “And I hate you.” She put her face close to his, the words tumbling out of her mouth. “I don’t love you anymore. Maybe I once thought I did, but I was wrong. You hear me? It was never true.” That was a lie, but she wanted him to hurt. To feel the same pain that she felt. “You should have protected me, but you didn’t. Not me, and not your nana.”

His loud sob made her flinch and return to her senses. Tears were trickling down his cheeks, making lines in the grime. Thranduil never cried. 

What had she done? Such harsh, ugly words could never be unsaid. 

She took a step back, looking at her husband in shocked silence. His tearful gaze was anguished, but now he set his jaw hard; anger and pain mingling in his features. 

“We are bad for each other,” he said at last. 

She nodded mutely. He was right. They were.

“Return to Eglarest with your adar. I am going home.” He mounted his horse in a swift leap and galloped away.

Notes:

I feel I keep blacken my poor main characters… cheating, fighting… This is almost becoming an elvish version of Breaking Bad. But I hope you feel Aerneth and Thranduil are not impossibly ruined yet. Unlike humans, elves have long lives to atone for their sins and hopefully grow wiser.

About the “People of the Eldar” who Fingon refers to in his battle-cry: Originally all elves were called Eldar, but later it came to mean only those who had been to Aman (Valinor), such as the Noldor and the Teleri.

Chapter 20: Adopted Son

Summary:

Thranduil finds a boy in the forest.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Adopted Son

Near the Doriath border, First Age 473

The hare was almost invisible against the snow but it could not hide its black eye. Thranduil aimed at that with his nocked arrow. He breathed slowly, forcing himself to hold the strenuous stance while waiting for the animal to slow its pace and be still. 

A drop of sweat trickled down into the corner of his eye. It stung. The need to wipe his forehead was overwhelming but he resisted. 

Finally the hare halted and Thranduil released his arrow. It hit the snow a few inches left of the target, which quickly scurried away.

“Cock.” He scowled at the bow as if it had wronged him. Then he swung down from the branch he had perched in and went to retrieve the arrow. This would be the third night he returned to the cabin empty-handed, and that was bad. Really bad. 

On a normal year, the spoils from the Autumn Hunt would last Menegroth through most of the winter, but after Morgoth’s victory his orcs and wargs had come into Beleriand and they had butchered nearly every animal outside Doriath. The king had forbidden his subjects to leave the realm and thus they had to rely on what game they could find within its borders. The larders and cold stores were all empty now and they were even running out of fish.

Most of the march-wardens were out hunting presently and Thranduil’s friends had thankfully managed better than he – he was the only of them who still had not brought anything back. It was humiliating, but he excused himself that he was not feeling well. 

Physically he was fine, of course, but there was a darkness inside him. And his heart felt heavy. He tried not to think about the cause of that, he needed to stop brooding! But his mind would not obey. 

He missed Aerneth and wanted her back, that was the truth of it, despite knowing they could never be together again. 

He had threatened her. Just like his father, he had failed to control his anger. Nothing could justify his actions. 

Oropherion. She would not even take his own name in her mouth anymore, and he deserved it. 

As always when he pursued this line of thoughts – and he did that often – the shame and remorse hit him with full strength, in combination with his black jealousy over what she had done, and of course the what-ifs that kept nagging him. What if he had not allowed her to go to the war? What if he had gone with her? She might never have kissed someone and Thranduil would not have been angry and fought with her and all would have been well. 

But if he was truly honest with himself all would not have been well. Their marriage had been a disaster from the start. He was a disaster. 

No wonder your nana left Doriath; Aerneth’s words came back to taunt him. They were true and that was why they had infuriated him so. He had failed his mother, failed his wife, and now he was failing his kingdom too with his inability to hunt.

Thranduil angrily kicked away a stone from the path. As if his personal troubles were not bad enough, there was the fact that the Dark Lord had won the war to worry about. Morgoth had wiped out nearly the entire Host of Maedhros and stacked all the corpses in an enormous pile in the desert to lie there and rot. The Battle of Unnumbered Tears people called it now, but its aftermath was proving to be even worse; orcs and evil humans roaming free in Hithlum and northern Beleriand, killing, stealing and burning homesteads, capturing the men and doing unspeakable things with the women.

Perhaps by now they had reached even further, to the western sea… Thranduil fought down the surge of panic that always followed on that thought, forcing his heart to slow down. Eglarest was safe. Galadriel would have told him if the situation had changed.

He was nearly back at the cabin when Faraion, the ellon he least wanted to see, joined him on the narrow footpath. Amroth, that traitorous so-called friend, had dragged the young elf along with them on the hunt. But of course he could not have known how much Thranduil despised the Gondolinian. 

“Hello Tharan, any luck today?” Faraion looked happy to see him, a feeling which was not in the least reciprocated.

“Sadly, no.” Thranduil forbade his face to betray any emotions.

“Ai, I am sorry.”

Beleg and Mablung dropped out of a nearby tree. The archer carried three pheasants nonchalantly slung across his shoulder.

“Tomorrow will be your turn, do not worry,” he said. Beleg had an infuriating ability to sound kind and concerned while it was obvious he was secretly gloating.

Outside the cabin, Amroth was busily cleaning out the entrails of a young doe and Thranduil went to help him. Some use he would still be. Thankfully Amroth refrained from commenting on his lack of prey, he knew what ailed his friend and why he was in no mood for banter.

“What did you hunt in Gondolin, Faraion? Must have been hard to find game in the mountains.” Amroth had been bombarding the Gondolinian with questions about the hidden city ever since he arrived in Doriath.

“We kept mountain goats. There was this lovely vale surrounding our city, with the sweetest grass and flowers for them to graze.” The young ellon’s gaze became distant.

“How interesting. But did you not run out of goats after a while?”

“We bred them.”

”Bred?”

”Aye. We captured them alive and brought them into the vale, where we fed them well. Then they became almost tame, staying near the city and birthing their young there. We only slaughtered the kids and always made sure to spare a few, and so the herd grew every year. By now there are several hundred of them.”

“What a clever idea! We ought to take after that, do you not agree, Tharan? Maybe we could breed deer in Doriath.” He turned back to Faraion. “What did you feed the goats with?”

“We used some of the corn Princess Idril grew on the slopes of the hills – the kind used for lembas.”

“Splendid. We can ask Queen Melian if she has any to spare. Maybe we could construct some sort of fence too so the deer cannot stray.”

They kept discussing animal breeding for a while, and then followed another favorite topic of Amroth’s; the war. Faraion did not like to speak of it, especially not about the dragons which had appeared late in the battle, but Amroth was too curious to leave the subject alone. Mablung and Beleg were much more outspoken about their experiences, but they had been in the western host and only met orcs, wargs and balrogs. It was the dragons that fascinated Amroth.

“Do you think Morgoth bred the dragons in the same way you did with your goats?” he asked now.

Faraion shuddered. “I have no idea. But some were smaller, so maybe they were young. They were still huge though.”

“How big? And how many were there?”

Thranduil listened intently to their conversation despite the sickening feeling any mention of the war still gave him. He was searching for clues. 

Who was it? That was the question which would not leave him alone. 

He suspected Faraion himself the most. When the young ellon came to Doriath this autumn, weak, half-starved and terrified, he told them he had been directed there by an elleth named Aerneth, whom he had communicated with through water. That meant they must have met in person first; Aerneth could only establish water connections if they had. What had happened during that meeting? Faraion was barely eight decades, far too young for her, but she would probably not care. He was good looking, almost as tall as Thranduil and with striking, raven hair. Every time he looked at him, Thranduil involuntarily pictured Aerneth in his arms, his hands roaming over her curvy body, their mouths intimately joined.

She had admitted to kissing another ellon, but what kind of kiss? Short, long? Deep? With or without tongues? Undressed? 

Even if it were only a peck, Thranduil wanted to strangle Faraion, but without proof he could not do anything. It could be someone else and then Faraion was innocent. Maybe even Mablung or Beleg. Beleg Cúthalion who so often seemed smug, like he kept some interesting secret. Yes, he clearly loved Mablung, but Aerneth loved Thranduil and yet she had kissed someone else.

Or was it Galdor, that Falathrim with the long hair? She had pretended to like him before, but what if it was not only pretense? Maybe there were some real feelings underneath, and now they had been together in a war and one thing had led to the other.

At other times Thranduil suspected Celeborn. He looked a little like himself, blond and tall, and Aerneth was good friends with his wife. Galadriel and Celeborn did not seem to be very close as a couple – Galadriel was too independent, he suspected, she would never lean on an ellon. Maybe she was busy fighting orcs and Celeborn got lonely, seeking out his wife’s friend for some cuddling?

It could be one of the royal elves too; Fingon before he died, or Turgon of Gondolin, the new high king. Or one of the sons of Fëanor? It was not known whether they had survived; Faraion had seen them escape into the mountains but since then nobody had heard from them.

It could be just about anyone. The army was full of handsome warriors. 

Not knowing was the worst. Thranduil felt like one of the dragons had settled inside his intestines and was eating him from within.

oOo

The next day Thranduil was tracking a boar when he heard the sound of Beleg’s horn, a signal that he had felled something big and needed assistance to carry it back. 

Thranduil glanced at the tracks in the snow. Never mind. He would probably fail to kill the boar anyway, he might as well go help his captain.

Beleg had apparently defied the king’s prohibition of going outside the Girdle, for Thranduil found him perhaps a mile north of the border. The archer was proudly standing in a small glade next to the carcass of a huge moose, its large, flattened antlers sporting no less than fourteen points. Had he killed a stag of that size with only his bow and arrow? Thranduil was awed, but his face remained neutral as he approached him.

“Congratulations. A fine prize,” he said politely.

“Thanks. Good of you to come, I need all the hands I can get to bring back this beauty to the cabin.”

There was a rustle in an oak and Amroth dropped out of it, whistling between his teeth at the sight of the animal. “Amazing!” He dunked the older ellon’s back. “I have never seen a stag with antlers of that size.”

“I am sure there are some who have larger,” said Beleg with false modesty. 

They had just constructed a sled of branches and rolled the moose onto it so they could pull it with them, when a most unusual trio emerged from the surrounding woods. Humans! Two old men, dirty and bedraggled with long, unkempt hair and beards, and a small boy.

“Halt right there and state who you are,” said Beleg sternly.

The little boy straightened his back, unabashedly looking up at the twice as tall ellon. "I am Túrin, son of Húrin. But he was lost in the war so I am the Lord of Dor-Lómin now. And my companions Gethron and Grithnir here are servants of my House." He looked so proud and serious despite his disheveled state that Thranduil had to hide a smile. 

Húrin, he had said. So this was the son of the boy Thranduil had lost in his first battle. Humans grew up so fast it was staggering to fathom; it felt like hardly any time had passed and now that boy already had a child of his own.

“What is your errand in these lands?”

“My nana Morwen sent me to stay with my relatives. She is the daughter of Baragund, who was a cousin to Beren son of Barahir, the husband of the Elvenking’s daughter.”

“I see.” Beleg’s lips were twitching with mirth. “But Beren Barahirion no longer lives here.”

“I know that.” Túrin frowned. “I had to leave my home or I would become a thrall to the Easterlings, and Nana would not say what a thrall is but my friend Sador Onefoot told me it’s one who has to work every day or he’ll be beaten. And if his lord tires of him he sends his dogs after him and they rip his throat out.” He formed his small hands to claws, showing what that might look like.

“Then what boon would you have of King Thingol?” Beleg sat on his haunches to reach the boy’s level. 

“I want to be one of his knights, to ride against Morgoth and avenge my ada!” The boy’s eyes gleamed.

Beleg smiled openly now. “And this may well happen, once you grow a little taller. You have the makings of a valiant man; a worthy son of Húrin.”

The boy’s back straightened even further. “I shall grow fast.” He swallowed. “I may need some food to do so, however. We have not eaten for days.”

Beleg had some lembas with him which he gave to the starving trio, while Amroth hurried back to Menegroth to ask whether the king and queen would allow the humans inside Doriath.

When the young lord had eaten his fill, Beleg resumed his questioning. “You say your naneth is Beren’s relative, but why has she not come here also?”

“Nana carries my sibling in her belly and could not go.” Túrin’s chin trembled slightly, showing how young he really was despite his grown-up way with words. A child missing his mother. 

Thranduil felt an urge to hold the boy and comfort him. He was so small and lonely. 

It struck him that he might never have a son or daughter of his own; never carry a baby in his arms and hear it call him Ada. How could he be a parent when his wife had left him? The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. 

Then he noticed the face Beleg was making and realized the older ellon might feel the same. He too would never be a father, unless he entered into a loveless marriage of convenience.

Turning away, Thranduil blinked a few times, drawing a deep breath to calm down. It was what it was.

oOo

While Amroth was gone, the others made camp right there in the glade. Beleg sounded his horn for Mablung and Faraion to join them, and together with the humans they cut up and salted the moose. It would be a shame to let all that meat go to waste.

The next day Amroth returned with a message from the king: The young Lord of Dor-Lómin and his followers were welcome.

The walk back took much longer than usual, both because the boy was so small and because his followers were old – and in addition they were humans, with their lesser stamina and need for sleep. They were also very weak after their lengthy journey and lack of food.

But at last they saw the hill of Menegroth and could cross the bridge over the Esgalduin.

Inside the city, Túrin and his companions looked around in awe, taking in the beautiful quartz ceiling, the tree-shaped silver pillars, the birds and the sparkling fountains. When they entered the palace, their eyes were so big they threatened to pop out of their heads. Thranduil found it both amusing and a bit flattering.

Before they could be presented to the king and queen, the humans were taken to the guest rooms to have baths and get new clothes. Thranduil surprised even himself when he volunteered to help the boy, who was not used to that kind of finery. 

“Shall I comb your hair?” he offered when Túrin was scrubbed clean and sat wrapped up in a linen towel on the narrow guest bed. 

The boy nodded, his mouth full of lembas. He had been eating almost continuously the past day, probably making up for many lost meals. When Thranduil had helped him out of his bath before, he had seen how wretchedly thin the small body was, with protruding ribs and a swollen stomach. 

“Can I have warrior braids like Beleg?”

“Of course.” Smiling, Thranduil sat down next to the boy and began to untangle his black tresses with a soft brush. Túrin closed his eyes with pleasure, even forgetting to chew his lembas. In no time he was fast asleep, his body heavy against Thranduil’s chest.

Looking down at the small frame with the still half-finished braids and trail of breadcrumbs on his rounded chin, Thranduil felt his heart swell with affection. Túrin was a mortal and a stranger, but he was also a child who needed protection. No matter what the king’s decision might be, Thranduil would make sure the boy was taken care of.

When the old men came to fetch their young lord a while later, he still slept. The men wore fine clothes now, with their well-combed graying hair fanned out over their shoulders in the fashion of humans.

Thranduil sheepishly roused the child, mumbling an excuse that he had seemed to need the rest. 

Túrin yawned and filled his mouth with more lembas while Thranduil swiftly finished the braids and dressed him in a burgundy coat and knee-high leather boots, clothes outgrown by an elfling of the distant past. The result was stunning. With the elegant outfit and braided hair he could almost pass for an elf. 

Soon Túrin stood proud and straight before the royal couple in the throne room, promptly answering the king’s many questions in that bold way he had, making him seem much older than his eight years. 

Before long Thingol waved him closer and placed the child on his lap.

“You shall stay in my kingdom, Túrin Húrinion, and live here in the palace as my foster-son.”

The assembled march-wardens and palace workers gasped in surprise. A human boy, to be treated so? Thingol certainly had changed since he met Beren in this very same room not long ago.

But perhaps it was not so strange. Elflings were rare in Doriath; the surrounding world had been troubled for so long and nobody felt the time was appropriate to rear a child. This boy was both beautiful and intelligent – like Beleg had said, he had the makings of a valiant man.

In addition, the fact that Thingol’s own daughter and grandchild was inaccessible to him may have increased his benevolence. 

Thus it happened that the king gained an adopted son and Túrin got himself a new home, much to the delight of almost every elf in the city.

Notes:

Thranduil has found someone to love again, but is it wise to care so much about a mortal? And will he ever become a father himself?

Well, at least we all know the answer to the last question. ;)

Chapter 21: The Fall of the Falas

Summary:

When the foretold disaster strikes Eglarest, Thranduil gets to try Galadriel's mirror.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

The Fall of the Falas

Galadriel poured water into her bowl, and the king leaned in to see better. Since the Battle of Unnumbered Tears he had made good use of Galadriel’s friendship with Aerneth to get news from the outside world. 

Eglarest had a high tower called Barad Nimras, the Tower of the White Horn, from which Círdan’s lookouts had a great view over the open heathlands between Doriath and the Falas. Tidings of the movement of Morgoth’s minions were invaluable in these troubled times, for Thingol feared that the Dark Lord might find out about the two hidden elvish cities, Menegroth and Nargothrond, and try to take them over.

When Galadriel made these calls, the king's captains and other march-wardens were usually present as well, and one of them was always Thranduil. He would stay in the periphery, able to see but not be seen. 

He knew it probably did him more bad than good, but he just could not keep away. Even if it only was a glimpse, he needed to see his wife’s face and hear her voice, to know she was still alive and well.

Today Aerneth had troubling news to share; a great host of Easterlings, orcs and wargs had laid siege to Eglarest and Brithombar and she feared the Falas might fall. 

Thranduil held onto a nearby pillar to remain standing, his legs suddenly weak as jelly. So it was beginning then; the foresights the ellith had seen in Galadriel’s mirror. Eglarest would be ruined, and Nargothrond, and Doriath. 

Aerneth’s face was unusually pale in the clear water. “Since the war ended we have been working hard to strengthen our city walls, but the enemy has built towers on wheels and other strange contraptions – we do not like the look of them.” She paused. ”My ada wishes to speak with the king of Doriath, if he is there?”

“I am.” Thingol took Galadriel’s place before the mirror, and at the other end Lord Círdan did the same. 

“My lord King, longstanding is the friendship and allegiance between the Falathrim and the Grey Elves of Doriath. Now we need your assistance. With your march-wardens we may still be able to beat the enemy, for you would come at him from behind. These war machines he is constructing – you could destroy them.”

“I hear you, my friend. And I wish I could help, I most certainly do – but our strength lies in stealth. Should we leave Doriath at this point Morgoth will know where to find us and strike back with full force. He might even send out his fiery dragons to burn down the forest that protects us. And then he would soon come for you anyway. Sending out the march-wardens could only give you a slight respite, but the outcome would be the same, only that Doriath would fall as well.”

Círdan’s face became stern. “You cannot possibly know this. The dwarves injured the leader of the dragons, he might be dead. And besides, even a slight respite would be better than nothing, it would buy us time to regroup and strengthen our forces, and to send for the aid of Turgon in Gondolin and Orodreth in Nargothrond. Still many great elven hosts remain – we do not need to give in to the Dark Lord prematurely!”

“I am sorry, but I cannot do what you ask.” 

“I see.” His jaw set and his eyes grew hard as flint. “Farewell then, king.” Círdan disappeared and Aerneth returned. Pink spots had appeared on her cheekbones. 

“You disgust me. All of you. Cowards.” She closed the connection.

Thranduil could not breathe. The walls were closing in on him and flashes of white appeared in the edges of his vision. He half-staggered, half-ran out of the room, desperately needing to get away from there, out from the heavy stone of the city which for once felt confining, like a tomb.

When he finally was outside he slumped down with his back against a beech tree, hiding his face in his arms.

Merry birds were chirping all around him and the smell of spring flowers was sweet, but in his mind was only darkness.

Would Aerneth survive? Just like when she went to war without him, pictures of her lifeless body paraded before his vision and he could not dispel them. He loved her – he had realized it then, and despite everything that had happened since, he knew he still did. 

Perhaps she would live and the orcs would take her captive, turning her into one of the thralls young Túrin had spoken of. Or worse, an Easterling man might make her his wife, another fate not uncommon for females according to the same source. 

Thranduil swallowed the bile rising in his throat as he saw new images – of Aerneth naked, taken by force by an unkempt human. 

He should never have let her go with Círdan, he ought to have restrained his anger and brought her back here despite her infidelity. He could have learned not to harm her – and besides, anything was better than the fate she would meet now. He would gladly let her kiss all the ellyn of Doriath as long as she was safe.

Could he rebel against the king? Gather his friends and attack the host’s rear like Círdan had wanted? But he knew they would never agree to that. Despite Thingol’s often irrational behavior his subjects were loyal.

No, Thranduil was completely powerless. There was nothing he could do to save his wife. He could only wait and pray, beseech the Valar to assist the Falathrim; for Tulkas to bring their warriors strength and for Ulmo to aid them through the water.

He felt a hand touch his shoulder and nearly jumped. Looking up, he met the gray eyes of Túrin, and further away stood Beleg and Mablung with their arms full of practice swords and arrows.

“Are you well, uncle Tharan?” 

“Nay,” he admitted. Before the boy he could rarely uphold his emotionless air.

“Want to talk about it?”

He shook his head.

“Want to come with us and practice archery, then? Uncle Beleg promised to let me use sharp arrows today. I am going to hit bull's eye.”

“That sounds fun.” Thranduil managed a thin smile. No matter how bad he felt, the king’s adopted son could always lift his mood. 

oOo

A few nervous days followed with the situation gradually growing worse at the coast. Aerneth refused to open any official connections with the king, but she still communicated privately with Galadriel, and it was through her Thranduil got his information. 

The contraptions the enemy had built proved to be some sort of giant slingshots, capable of throwing rocks with great strength. Piece by piece the mighty stone walls of Eglarest and Brithombar crumbled away under the assault.

The Falathrim still defended their cities valiantly, but the enemy were just too many, and on the fifth day of the siege Aerneth no longer answered Galadriel’s calls.

“Call her again.” Thranduil wanted to shake the tall elleth to make her obey, but after he lost his temper with Aerneth that summer he had become better at restraining himself. 

“If she is fighting, it would merely distract her needlessly. We can only wait and see.” Galadriel's beautiful face was calm but the look in her blue eyes was both understanding and deeply worried. 

Thranduil had to admit the wisdom of that and resorted to a long, fast run in the woods. Anything to keep his mind off what was happening in the west. 

When he had run his normal ten mile route thrice he could not stand the suspense anymore. Walking down to the river, he tentatively reached out to Aerneth in his mind. 

No answer. Nothing at all.

He slumped down on the ground, not caring about the mud soaking his pants. Was she lost? He touched his heart, wondering if he would be able to feel it if she was dead. He did not know.

Tears trickled down his cheeks. If only there was a way to find out.

Then it struck him. Galadriel’s mirror. Could she not try to see Aerneth even if she did not reply? Or maybe he could?

He was already on his feet and running back to the city. It was worth a try. He had to try.

Galadriel was in her home. Celeborn looked surprised when he opened the door and found the younger ellon outside, panting heavily, soaked with sweat and wearing mud stained clothes. 

Inside, Thranduil hardly paid attention to their tasteful furniture and many carpets, he had only eyes for the silver bowl on a side table.

“Can you help me see her? Please?”

“I can try. But the mirror cannot be controlled, it shows what it shows. You might not like what you see.”

“Please?” he repeated.

Sighing, Galadriel filled the bowl and sang the spell, and Thranduil eagerly leaned over it. 

There was only white mist at first, but when it cleared he saw a battle, elves against orcs, and in the middle a blond ellon was struggling hard. His enemies outnumbered him manifold and he was bleeding from many wounds. Just as the ellon sank to the ground, clutching his heart, Thranduil saw it was Oropher. Would his father die in battle? When?

Before he could dwell on it, the vision changed. A person was standing with his back towards Thranduil, tall and strong looking, and he wore a steel helmet with gold details. Long, black hair flowed down his back, and in front of him was a huge monster. A dragon. 

And then they too were gone and he finally saw Aerneth. She was sitting in a stone building beside another blond person, an ellon Thranduil did not recognise. The ellon bowed down and kissed her. After much too long, he pulled back and said something. When she replied he looked shocked and then angry, and suddenly ran away.

So this was how it had happened. If Thranduil ever met that ellon, he would… 

But now the image changed a third time to show a swan ship, one of those he had seen tied to the pier in Eglarest, but now it was leaving. Behind its white sails Thranduil saw a burning city.

Aerneth was standing alone in the stern, her beautiful face blotched and smudged black with soot, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Aerneth...” He reached out to touch her but his finger met only water. The image dissolved in ripples and was gone.

“What did you see?”

“She was on a ship.” He met Galadriel’s gaze, making his face smooth to hide what else he had seen. “That means she has escaped? It must mean that.”

“It could. I do not yet know how the visions work, whether they always come to pass or not.”

When Thranduil left Galadriel he was temporarily calmed. Aerneth likely had survived, and in addition he no longer had to be jealous of poor Faraion or Beleg or anyone else he knew. The one she had kissed was a stranger.

The other visions he had seen, Thranduil still could not understand, but there was no use dwelling on them. He did not know who the person with the dragon was, and as for his father, all he could do was stay with him, protecting him as best he could. If Doriath was attacked Thranduil would not leave his father’s side.

A couple of days later, when Thranduil was at the training grounds with Túrin, Galadriel came to tell him she had been in contact with Aerneth again. His wife lived, she was still at sea with her parents and the other survivors, planning to take refuge at the Isle of Balar in the south. 

Finally Thranduil could relax completely. Aerneth’s city was no more, and many of her people had been either slain or taken captive, but she was alive and her parents were too – and that was all that mattered to him.

Notes:

He still cares about her, after everything... But it will take a while until they meet again.

Chapter 22: Dragon Helm

Summary:

Túrin grows up fast and wants to be a march-warden, and Thranduil gets a new job.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Dragon Helm

Menegroth, Doriath, First Age 481

“Elves keeping animals captive.” Oropher shook his head with displeasure. “I do not hold with these modern ideas. Your adar does not either.”

Amroth looked up from the sow he was petting. “We have kept horses ever since the Years of the Trees, why should we not keep boar and deer? Have I not provided Doriath with food in these troubled times?”

Thranduil said nothing but secretly agreed with Oropher. The deer were alright, but the pigs were dirty and trampled the ground, their pen could be smelled from miles away. Amroth was a warrior, this work was beneath him.

“We have a fine tradition of hunting for meat, if you had forgotten,” replied Oropher. 

“Well, you are entitled to your opinion, and I as an adult ellon am entitled to do what I will with my spare time.” Amroth turned back to the sow. 

“Come Adar. Túrin’s competition is starting soon.” 

They left Amroth with his pigs and went to the training grounds, where they found seats on one of the benches surrounding the sparring ring. 

King Thingol was holding trials for aspiring march-wardens today. He needed more warriors; with the growing unrest near their realm he had decided to delegate a new border guard outside Melian’s Girdle to keep orcs and wargs from coming too close. Ever since Beren and the werewolf had managed to pass through it, the king had been nervous about the strength of his wife’s magic fence.

Two ellith were already fighting in the ring and the air was full of their grunts of effort, small yelps of pain and the dull thuds of their wooden wasters hitting one another’s shields or bodies, along with the cheering from their friends. 

Thranduil recognised one of them; she was his friend Medlin’s wife. With a shudder he imagined Aerneth fighting like that and hoped she would never get such a horrible idea.

“When Thingol has resorted to recruiting female march-wardens, one knows the situation must be exceptionally grave,” Oropher mumbled in his ear, apparently having similar thoughts.

“Indeed,” Thranduil agreed.

“Have you thought more about joining Beleg outside the borders? I think it would be beneficial to your career; an opportunity to prove yourself in real battle and perhaps rise in grade. Doriath ought to have more than just two captains.”

“I have. But I worry about leaving you.” Thranduil pressed his father’s arm.

“Your concern becomes you, son. But you need not fear, with you guarding our country I would feel entirely safe. And I can manage the household. Last time you were gone was exceptional, as you well know.”

“I do not doubt your capability, Adar.”

The sparring between the ellith was over and Thranduil clapped politely as the winner received her victory token. It was Medlin’s wife, as it were. Next up was Túrin, and both ellyn sat straighter to see better. 

And there he was, his dark head easily spotted in the crowd, reaching above almost everybody else. He looked older in armor, like an adult despite his mere seventeen years, and his shoulders were broad and muscular. Thranduil felt a surge of affection and pride at seeing him like this, mingled with a hint of anxiety that he would not prove himself worthy in the upcoming combat. Saeros, the ellon he was going against, was a former stone worker who had helped delve several home caves in Menegroth and his biceps were impressive. 

Thranduil had never liked Saeros; he had been friends with Daeron and just like the minstrel he was too full of himself for Thranduil’s taste. If Túrin took him down a notch or two it would probably do him good.

“He is a strapping young man, for sure,” said Oropher. “And stubborn. He will win, I know it.” Just like Thranduil, Oropher had taken an early liking to the human when he first arrived in Doriath. Túrin had often been a guest at their table. 

“Aww, our little boy, look at him. A grown man already!” Amroth squeezed himself down on the bench next to Thranduil. A whiff of pig reached his nostrils and he fought not to make a face.

The king raised his arm and Thranduil tensed, drawing in his breath in anticipation. The combatants donned their helmets and shields, drew their wooden wasters and positioned themselves face to face. Then Thingol’s arm dropped and the game was on.

Túrin began aggressively as always, he could never compete with the stamina of an elf so he needed to beat his opponent fast. The onslaught of his hard strikes would weaken them and sometimes intimidate them as well, especially since the human often outmatched his opponent in strength – Thranduil had noticed men were generally more heavily built than elves and Túrin was no exception. He had felt the blunt force of his waster many times, occasionally with resulting bruises.

Saeros was strong for an elf, however, and parried Túrin’s weapon with seeming ease, every now and then lashing in a hit of his own. 

Thranduil winced inwardly whenever Saeros’ wooden sword connected with his opponent’s unprotected lower arms or legs, knowing how much the boy would suffer for it later. Túrin’s less resilient body was his biggest disadvantage; even hits over his armored torso and upper arms would leave marks. But he compensated for it with an almost complete disregard of pain during the actual encounter and would only acknowledge it afterwards. 

The pair was evenly matched, it had gone several minutes and still none of the combatants had scored any points; for that they needed to make a hit that would have been mortal or crippling, such as against the torso or head. Disarming the opponent also rewarded a point.

But then Saeros feigned a hit on Túrin’s lower leg, and when he bent to parry it with his shield the ellon quickly whacked his neck just under the helmet. Thranduil winced. 

“Saeros one-nil,” said Mablung, who was supervising the trials. 

Túrin grunted in annoyance and made a swipe at Saeros’ right side, then rapidly two more at his left, finally unbalancing him and forcing him to take a step backwards. Sparring with Thranduil, who was left-handed, had taught Túrin to focus on his opponent’s weak side. This he used to his advantage now as he alternated his strikes between the ellon’s left legs and his head. Saeros was beginning to show signs of tiredness, his shield arm was trembling and he panted heavily, but unfortunately so was Túrin. He needed to score the last points quickly if he wanted to win.

The young man abruptly switched sides and slashed at Saeros’ right side, and when he moved his shield to deflect an expected second hit Túrin jabbed his sword against his exposed heart.

“One-all.”

Despite his padded leather armor, the force of Túrin’s blow had knocked the air out of Saeros’ lungs, and before he could catch his breath Túrin resumed his assault, now at the ellon’s right side, scoring two more points by first beating the waster out of his hand and then hitting his head.

“Three-one. We have a winner!” Mablung caught Túrin’s hand and raised it. The cheer was deafening, Túrin was almost universally liked in Menegroth. Only Saeron did not smile, and his gaze was scorching as he stomped away. 

Thranduil hoped the ellon would not hold a grudge against Túrin after this, but he suspected the chances were slim; Saeros was a proud fellow.  

When Túrin left the sparring ring, Thranduil, Oropher and Amroth pushed through the crowd to greet him.

“Well done, my boy,” said Oropher, grasping his shoulder. “This calls for a celebration. I have a couple of fine hares prepared if you would take your dinner with us.”

“Thank you, I would have loved to, but I just promised Beleg I would join him at Mablung’s table. We are discussing my new post. I am offered leadership of my own border unit, can you believe it!” Túrin’s cheeks were flushed with excitement. 

”I see.” Oropher could not hide his displeasure, but the young man was too busy with the many others coming to congratulate him to notice.

Thranduil soon left the crowd, frowning. Túrin was too young to join the border guard. And to become a leader! That would put him in the front where he would be at the greatest risk.

“This settles it,” said Oropher. “You have to go with Beleg too now – to protect the boy.”

Thranduil nodded. He did not like this at all.

Galadriel approached them. “May I have a word with you? It is about your wife.” 

“Of course.” Whenever Aerneth was mentioned Thranduil felt a chill inside. Was she in danger? He schooled his face to remain neutral. 

They left the training grounds and walked a few yards into the surrounding woods.

“What is the matter?” He was careful to not let his voice sound as anxious and eager as he felt.

“I worry about Aerneth. Her naneth has still not come back.”

Thranduil nodded. Sailing west had been a vain attempt. Círdan had built seven ships after the war and sent them to Aman to ask the Valar for help defeating Morgoth. Falasiel had been aboard one of those, having long wished to see the island again. But nothing had been heard of the ships in several years, and by now everyone assumed they must have perished at sea.

“Why do you worry?” he asked. “You said before that Aerneth was coming to terms with the situation.”

“Aye, but today she talked of following them.”

“She cannot go!” Thranduil’s feigned calmness instantly disappeared. “If the first ships could not make it to Aman hers will be lost as well. The Valar has closed that route.”

“Call her. If anyone can persuade her to stay in Middle-earth, it is you.”

“I most certainly will! How could she even think such a stupid thing?”

“Calling her stupid will not help, though.” Galadriel frowned slightly.

But Thranduil did not pay attention to her, he was already striding towards the Esgalduin to make the call.

“Reckless elleth!” he muttered to himself. 

He sat on a stone by the river, trying to calm down. When he felt sure his face again was blank – although he knew she would hate that – he thought her name. 

Thranduil had not spoken to Aerneth in over nine years and he was not entirely sure she would answer now. When her face formed, he felt a surge of relief and a painful stab as he realized how much he still missed her.

She looked wary. 

“Oropherion. You called?”

Another stab. He was not his father! Not exposing how much that simple greeting hurt him, Thranduil answered impassionately: “Wife. I heard your naneth has gone missing and I wanted to offer my sympathy.”

“She sailed years ago and you only heard it now?”

“I had been aware of it since it happened,” he admitted. 

“Seeing as it obviously did not bother you before, you need not concern yourself now either. Anything else?” Her face showed no emotions at all. When had she learned that? 

“I was told… are you really planning on following her?”

“I might. Why?” Her cold eyes were like glass marbles.

“You must not go. It is stupid. You will get yourself killed!” 

She did not reply. Thranduil wished she was there in person so he could shake her, get a reaction out of her. 

The thought instantly sobered him. That was precisely why she could not be here, because of such notions; he was clearly still not safe to be around. And he had not even apologized for hurting her. 

A sentence surfaced from his memory, words spoken by the now late Falasiel. Forgiveness is the cure; learn to forgive, learn to ask forgiveness. He had been terrible at it.

“About last time…” He broke off, searching for words. Then he noticed Aerneth’s almost terrified expression. 

“I have to go,” she said, her voice strained. 

“No, wait!”

“What?” Her lip trembled. Now he wanted to hold her instead. Had he scared her so badly that time? He was a monster.

“Please stay.” He had lost his neutral appearance and voice completely. Why did her tears always unwind him so? “I cannot lose you too.”

“You don’t actually have me, do you?” 

“You are alive, at least. If you go… what if there is no rebirth?”

“There has to be. I will meet Nana again.” 

Thranduil changed the subject, hoping to calm her. “How is the town building going?” Círdan and his people had recently left their refuge at Isle of Balar to build a new city at the Mouths of Sirion. 

“You knew that too? You certainly keep yourself updated.” She wiped her eyes. “It goes well, I guess. Becoming a bit more than a few houses scattered in the reed now. Nothing like Eglarest of course, but… it is better than the barren island we first came to. Galadriel told you this?” 

“Aye.”

“And about my plan to sail, as well, I assume. Got a loud mouth, that elleth.” But she did not look angry. 

After a short silence she spoke again, her voice serious. “You know… I think we should keep in touch like this. I mean, more often than every nine years. Despite…” She faltered. 

Thranduil only nodded, at a loss for words. She wanted him to call her again. That was something, at least...

“I ought to leave this shore after what I did,” she continued. “But I will stay if you want me to.”

“I do.” Thranduil was a bit surprised at her words. After what I did. Did she mean the kiss? But surely that was not reason enough to sail to certain death? 

Having seen it happen in Galadriel’s mirror, Thranduil felt a lot less bad about the whole kissing situation. At least they had both been fully clothed and the ellon was a stranger that she would hopefully never meet again.

Aerneth looked like she would cry again but then composed herself. “So, what have you been up to then?” She smiled weakly.

“I have helped raise a human boy.”

“You what?” She stared at him incredulously. 

Thranduil told her all about Túrin and how the boy had captured almost everybody’s heart in Doriath. “But now he wants to join the border guard, which is worrisome. There are so many dangers around our kingdom now. Adar wants me to go with him, to protect him but also try to make a name for myself. I like the idea; I want to be useful for once.”

“Oh, so now it's suddenly a good idea to leave your cozy, safe forest? Because Ada says so.” Aerneth’s mouth was a thin line.

“This is the first time my king wants it. I am his subject; I owe him my allegiance.” Thranduil frowned.

“Whatever you say, Oropherion.” Then her countenance softened. “I have to go now. But do call again soon, I meant what I said. And… be careful out there. Don’t get yourself killed.”

“I shall try not to. Promise to stay in Middle-earth?”

“I promise.” 

When her image had disappeared, Thranduil stayed a long time watching the rippling surface. 

She wanted to keep in touch. Despite how unsatisfying these calls were, they were better than nothing, and maybe… just maybe, if he practiced controlling his temper, they could be together again in the future? He felt a sliver of hope. 

That night in his lonely bed, Thranduil recalled some of his favorite intimate moments with Aerneth and used them to bring himself to climax for the first time in years. 

oOo

It was a cold morning when the new border guard made ready to leave Doriath. Oropher had come to send Thranduil and Túrin off, and after a while Amroth joined them from his animal pens. He would remain in Menegroth with Captain Mablung and the palace guard.

Mablung was there too, looking emotional and giving his ‘friend’ Beleg an extra long hug. It was clear their parting was not easy; from now on they would only see each other a few times per year.

Túrin came sauntering, late as usual. His chin was covered in dark stubble that Thranduil secretly envied. When he had first seen a bearded human he had found it strange, but somehow it suited Túrin well, giving him a masculine and exotic look. Especially in combination with his round human ears. It distinguished him, making him different in a good way.

The young man was carrying a large bag slung over his broad shoulder.

“What are you bringing?” asked Thranduil.

“Thingol gave me new weapons for my assignment, along with this.” He picked up a bulky item wrapped in cloth. “My nana sent it to me; it was my ada’s and his ada’s before him, and he got it from the High King of the Noldor.” The boy proudly unwrapped a large steel helmet with a golden crest, shaped like a dragon. 

Thranduil’s breath hitched. He had seen that helm before… in Galadriel’s mirror. The man in his vision – was it Túrin? Would he fight a dragon? 

“Is it not amazing? Nana says the dwarves forged it hundreds of years ago!”

Swallowing hard and arranging his features to hide his fear, Thranduil said all the right things about the value and quality of the item and how well it would look on the young man in battle. But it was with a bitter taste in his mouth he watched the boy pack it back down. Surely a combat between a human and a dragon must end in disaster? Disturbing images of the boy burned to a crisp came unbidden before him; Faraion the Gondolian had told enough such stories for them to become permanently etched into Thranduil’s brain.

When they finally set off towards the border a while later, Thranduil tried to turn his mind in a more positive direction. It was a glorious spring morning, the air was crisp, the trees were covered in swelling buds and the flowers smelled nice. On his hip hung the shiny, new longsword his father had bought him. 

He was going into battle for the first time in three decades and he might return as a famous ellon. 

Orcs beware, the march-wardens of Doriath are coming for you!

Notes:

Of practicing fighting: I always find it amusing in stories where the characters spar with sharp weapons. Not only is it dangerous, it’s also very ineffective training because they obviously can’t practice potentially deadly strikes. In my stories they either use wasters – wooden replicas of swords (which is historically correct, and how you practice fencing today as well) or blunted metal weapons.

Chapter 23: The Naked Ellon

Summary:

Túrin has an unlucky quarrel, which helps Thranduil achieve one of his goals.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

The Naked Ellon

Near the Doriath border, First Age 484

Thranduil missed his bath. He missed many other things too; his bed, his comfortable city clothes, his father and his friend Amroth, his wife. But right now he really longed for a long, hot, scented bath.

For three years he had been roaming these Valarforsaken woods and marshlands and nothing good had come of it. Túrin had proved perfectly capable of taking care of himself, and the fame Oropher had wanted for Thranduil was yet to present itself. Sure, he had killed many orcs and wargs and he was leading a small unit of elves, but he was still no more captain than when he left Doriath.

Sighing miserably, he pulled his hood tighter under his chin to keep the rain out and tried to find a more comfortable position on the pine branch where he was perching. This was one of those years when summer decided to be wet and cold, and Thranduil hated it. He could not remember the last time he was dry. 

At least there was only a couple more weeks until the Feast of the Stars, and this year it was his turn to go home for the holidays. That was something to look forward to. But time passed agonizingly slowly without any enemies to fight; the orcs were not stupid, in this weather they probably hid in a cozy cave somewhere, gathering around a merry fire, gobbling roasted rats or whatever those creatures liked to eat.

The imitation of an owl hooting nearby brightened Thranduil’s mood. Finally Túrin’s unit was here to relieve him! He would be able to get a roof over his head for a few hours and catch up on his sleep.

With a thud Thranduil and his company dropped out of the trees. He stopped to exchange a few words with the young man.

“Morning, Tharan. Any incidents tonight?” Túrin secured the clasp of his dragon helmet and pulled on his gloves.

“Nothing. Even wargs remain in their lairs on a night like this.”

“And only elves and men are stupid enough to stay out.” Túrin chuckled and gave Thranduil’s shoulder a friendly punch. “See you later.”

Back at the large cabin they shared, Captain Beleg was just coming in with his unit from another part of the forest. He dropped a doe beside the door. “Shot this on my way back. Anyone up for a warm meal?” 

“Very much,” said Thranduil, his stomach purring expectantly. “I can prepare it if you want.”

“Great. Thank you.”

“Will do it after I sleep, though.” He yawned and peeled off his soaked armor and clothes, hanging the latter on one of the lines crisscrossing the room in the futile hope they might dry while he slept. He did not care that the two ellith in Beleg’s unit saw him in his underpants; privacy was nearly impossible out here. In the beginning he would use his blankets to cover himself but it did not take long until he gave up. If they wanted to look, let them. It was not as if he was ashamed of his body – even though the assortment of pale scars and nicks he had collected the past few years disfigured it slightly.

After some hours of well-earned rest, Thranduil pulled his moist shirt back on and took the doe outside where he skinned and cleaned it before cutting it up to make a stew. The smell was enticing after many days of being restricted to soggy lembas and dried meat.

When the meal was ready and everyone had eaten their fill, it was late afternoon. Beleg and Thranduil retreated to their bunks, the only place to sit in the crowded building.

The two ellyn had grown a lot closer recently. Chasing orcs and fighting together, holding each other’s backs and helping treat one another’s wounds had tightened their bond.

“Looking forward to the Feast?” Beleg asked with envy in his voice as he stretched out on the blanket. He would be staying at the border that year. 

“I look forward to having a bath and changing clothes.” 

Beleg laughed. “I bet. You and Mablung would make a fine couple. Always clean and neat, wearing pretty coats and lavish jewelry.” He reached out to poke Thranduil’s snake-shaped wedding ring.

Thranduil smiled. “I think he likes another. As do I.”

“Talking of Mablung though…” Beleg rummaged in his pack and pulled out a bundle of assorted deer horns. “This is for him. He carves spoons, knives and such and always needs more material. Could you take them to him? And a letter.”

“Of course.” Thranduil gave him a sympathetic smile. Being separated from your loved one was taxing – as he knew from experience. At least Thranduil could always call his wife through water. They were still not on very good terms but he called her often nevertheless – ever since she asked him to three years ago – and if they stayed clear of sensitive topics they usually managed to be polite. 

“I was going to ask Túrin, but I do not trust him to remember it,” Beleg continued. “I am sure he will be swept away the minute he arrives in Menegroth, going from one party to another and forgetting all about the errand until the day he is about to leave the city.”

“Probably.” Thranduil grinned fondly.

“Or, he will roam the forest with that strange elleth who likes him so much. Nellas.” He shook his head. “I miss the good old days when he was half as tall and called me uncle.”

“Me too.” Thranduil was painfully reminded of how fast the boy had grown up. He was only two decades old but for humans that was a lot – maybe even a quarter of his expected lifespan.

There was a long silence with both of them deep in thought.

“I envy you,” said Beleg suddenly. “Unlike me, you can become an adar one day.”

Thranduil did not know what to reply and felt a hard knot form in his stomach. It was improbable he would ever be a parent, but he had not discussed his disastrous marriage with his friend. They seldom spoke of anything personal. 

“You could sire more elflings than Fëanor,” he continued. “Break his record.”

“My wife does not live in Doriath anymore.”

“Aye, I heard she went with Lord Círdan after the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. But the war must surely end eventually. Then she can return.”

“She will not return.” And the war will not end, he added mentally. Morgoth was only growing stronger with every passing year.

Beleg looked up, a bit surprised. “No? Why?”

“We do not get along very well,” Thranduil reluctantly admitted. “And my adar…” He did not finish the sentence. How could he even begin to explain how infected their relationship was?

“Sorry Tharan, I did not mean to upset you or pry about your personal life. Let us talk of something else. Have I told you about my adar?” 

“Nay. Please do,” said Thranduil, grateful for his consideration and the change of topic.

“Belthronding used to be his.” Beleg pulled his great bow closer, stroking the black wood fondly. “See? He carved his name there. And under it, my naneth’s name to give him luck.”

Thranduil bent closer to look, admiring the beautiful craftsmanship of the weapon. He knew Beleg had lost his father early, but he had never told how and when it happened. It must have been before Thranduil was born, for as long as he had known him, Beleg had only had his mother.

“My adar was a hunter, one of the best in Doriath back then. He would walk far outside the realm and bring home great antler trophies to put on our walls, and of course make sure we never lacked meat. This was during the Siege, you know? When Morgoth was locked up in Angband and Beleriand was safe. Ah, those were the days. I hope they shall return one day so I too can walk far again. I have yet to see the western shore!”

“It is a beautiful sight.” Thranduil thought about when he had walked there with Aerneth. Those had been the days too, carefree and happy. Well, at least before they married.

“I remember how I kept touching Belthronding and trying to draw it, and Ada would shoo me away.” Beleg chuckled. “He had to make me my own bow eventually, tiny to fit my arms. And small arrows with feathers and everything. They were blunted of course, but sharp enough to pierce a straw target.”

“No wonder you were always better than the rest of us if you had begun so early.” 

Beleg’s smile waned. “That was not why. I did not begin to practice in earnest until after… After his death.”

“Sorry. I–”

“Nay, I do not mind speaking of it. It was an accident. Happened during the Autumn Hunt one year; a fellow huntsman mistook him for game and the arrow pierced his head. Very unlucky.”

“How dreadful!” It was extremely rare that elves killed fellow elves and Thranduil could only recall three such occasions happening during his lifetime; two drunken brawls gone awry and one case of a jealous husband murdering his wife’s lover. All three culprits had been imprisoned in one of the deepest caves of Menegroth for many decades before the king banished them from the realm.

“It was. Poor ellon. He was so ashamed that he left Doriath, but it really was not his fault.”

“You are more forgiving than I would have been.”

Beleg shrugged. “What good would it do to hold a grudge? Unnecessarily spent energy. Anyway, afterwards I inherited Belthronding and I promised myself to practice hard so I could wield it honorably one day. Making Ada proud when we were reunited in Aman.”

“You certainly succeeded,” said Thranduil earnestly, though he could not help envying his faith. How could everyone be so confident they would be reborn and meet their lost ones again?

“I did. I became the best.” 

Thranduil did not dispute that, and for once he did not begrudge Beleg his pride. It was well earned and well deserved.

oOo

The pork stew tasted amazing and Thranduil had just refilled his plate for the third time when Amroth came sauntering by, a cup of berry wine in his hand.

“Enjoying the food?” He smirked smugly.

“Very much. Your hog breeding pays off, I give you that – but I still cannot see why you have to do the work yourself.”

“I don’t trust others to do it right. To get healthy offspring you need to make sure the right boars and sows mate. It is–”

“I believe you, you do not have to go into detail,” Thranduil interrupted, not at all interested to hear about mating pigs. 

“You should be grateful for my work. There are so many animals in my pens now I could afford to slaughter four dozen young boars for the Feast of the Stars – enough to serve half the city or more. We will roast them whole on spits.”

“Looking forward to tasting them.”

Amroth sat down and soon they were busily catching up on the news. Nothing much had happened in the city besides the pigs multiplying, it would seem, but Thranduil described his latest skirmishes at the border and Amroth listened with interest, looking a bit jealous. 

“Sounds like great fun. I would join you if I could.”

Thranduil smiled. He had purposely omitted all the negative aspects of his border service; the cold and damp weather near the river marshes, the multitude of mosquitoes, the bad food, the dull nights on watch duty and the cramped lodgings in their wood cabins. And of course the complete lack of hygiene.

A commotion nearby drew their attention. Túrin was standing up, scowling furiously at a snickering Saeros.

“Take that back!” he growled, giving the elf a hard shove.

Saeros rose too. “Keep your filthy hands off me, human!”

Thranduil hurried to get close before a fight broke out, but Mablung was faster, quickly positioning himself between the two. 

“What happened?” asked Thranduil.

“He said I’m a stinking wildman,” Túrin spluttered, trying to get past Mablung. 

“I simply said that in these halls one should not walk around with hair like a thicket of brambles and clothes not fit for Amroth’s pigs to wear. He’s a disgrace.” Saeros grinned nastily.

“He just returned from the border where he served our country – your country. Changing clothes was perhaps not his first priority,” said Thranduil, trying to defend his young friend. He did smell a bit and the hem of his tunic was splashed with mud, but just because he was not an overly clean person Saeros had no right to insult the boy. But this was probably a revenge for losing the sparring match against Túrin three years ago. How typical of that proud ellon to bear a grudge for so long!

“If male humans of Hithlum are as dirty and unkempt as he, maybe the females are likewise. Wild and natural.” Saeros leered. “Do they run around wearing only their hair?” 

Túrin growled something incoherently and tossed his goblet of wine with full force in Saeros’ face, who howled in pain, clutching his bleeding mouth. Túrin drew his sword and tried to charge, but was held back by the joint forces of Mablung and Thranduil.

Saeros spat a mouthful of blood on the table. “Can we get rid of this ruffian now?” he slurred through his cut lip. “I wonder why Thingol keeps such a wildman. Drawing a sharp weapon in the king’s halls, and against an elf, no less! Come outside and I will show you I can handle a blade too.”

But thankfully Túrin had calmed down, perhaps brought to his senses by the sight of all the blood. He broke free from Mablung and Thranduil and stomped out of the room. 

“Why did you taunt him like that?” said Mablung. “A cut lip serves you right.”

“If that wildman draws his sword on me again I will kill him,” hissed Saeros. “You know as well as I do it's against the law.”

“Calm yourself, this behavior is more fitting in Angband than in Doriath! Are you an elf or an orc? You ought to know better.”

“I know what I am.” And with that Saeros left the hall as well.

Mablung sighed. “Those two are too temperamental. I regret matching them as sparring combatants now; I ought to have foreseen Saeros would not take lightly to losing against a human.”

“How could you have foreseen such a thing?” said Amroth. “For an adult ellon to speak that way to a young human! Nobody could have predicted it. Now, let us forget this. The evening is still young and we have wine and food aplenty.”

oOo

“Have you seen Túrin?” Captain Mablung joined Thranduil at the training grounds where he was about to set out on his morning run. 

“Nay. I thought he stayed at your place?”

“He did not come home after the unlucky party last night, and now I worry he has done something stupid.”

“Like dueling with Saeros? I doubt that, I could see he had restrained his temper when he left the hall. Maybe he just decided to stay at someone else’s place? He has many friends.”

“I hope so. It is just… I have a bad feeling about all this.”

A noise in the distance made them both turn their heads. There was shouting some way off in the forest.

“It’s Túrin!” Mablung started running with Thranduil close in his wake.

Soon a disconcerting scene unfolded before them. Starch naked, Saeros came scurrying between the trees and after him ran Túrin with his sword drawn, laughing and jeering at the retreating ellon's back.

“Faster! Or I shall nick your bum again!”

Thranduil gaped at the strange sight. ”What is he doing?”

“May Námo have mercy on him…!” Mablung turned to follow the pair, increasing his gait to catch up.

“Put down your sword,” yelled Thranduil, not far behind.

“This is orc-work, Túrin! Stop it!” cried Mablung.

But Túrin either did not hear or did not care. He just kept running.

More elves joined the chase but nobody managed to gain on the two; Saeros ran like his life depended on it and Túrin on his long legs was faster than most.

Up hills and down again they went, jumping over fallen logs, pushing through bushes and crisscrossing between the trees, but Túrin still did not seem inclined to slow down.

Then suddenly Saeros disappeared from view with a terrified yelp and they heard a rumble and a splash. Now Túrin halted at last and the others caught up. Panting heavily and soaked in sweat they went forward to see what had happened.

“Oh no…” Mablung’s voice was strained.

Thranduil saw it too; hidden by the underbrush was a steep ravine with a creek running through it, and in the shallow water among a pile of stones and broken branches lay Saeros, motionless and bleeding. 

Carefully Mablung climbed down. The ravine was not very deep but with that speed the ellon must have fallen hard. 

“Did you make him take off his clothes?” asked Thranduil reproachfully. 

“He deserved it. Now he can be a wild animal,” muttered Túrin, but he sounded frightened.

Mablung crouched beside the prone body, touching Saeros’ neck. If the captain felt the need to search for a pulse then it must be really serious. 

“Why did you do it?” Thranduil wanted to shake the boy. How unnecessary! 

Túrin looked sullen and did not reply. 

Down in the ravine Mablung turned up to the onlookers, his face sickly pale. “He is dead.” The words echoed eerily between the cliffs.

No… Thranduil felt his jaw slacken and a chill running down his spine. It was only a few yards. How could he not have survived that fall?

He turned to Túrin but he was not there anymore.  The young man was running again, already far away, and soon he had disappeared between the trees.

oOo

“Can you cease speaking all at once?” The king banged his fist on the armrest of his throne. “Mablung, tell me what happened and the rest of you – be silent!”

The captain obeyed. In an afflicted voice he described both the ruckus at the party the night before and the unfortunate chase through the woods which had ended in the former stone worker’s demise.

Thranduil had a lump in his throat. Why? Why had Túrin not controlled his temper better? But a tiny voice told him he was no good judge of that, for had he not pushed his own wife into a stone wall? 

“This is bad,” said Thingol when Mablung had finished. “Under the circumstances, I could have forgiven him for drawing his sword on an ellon and threatening him, but this today – shaming Saeros like that! Scaring him and chasing him to his death! Although it pains me, I see no other option than banishing Túrin forever from my realm.”

A collective sigh was heard in the throne room. Banished forever! Harsh indeed, but understandable. 

“Wait!” 

Everyone turned their heads to the entrance where Amroth came in, leading an elleth by the hand. She walked slowly and reluctantly, shyly peering at the many bystanders through a strand of her tousled hair. Thranduil recognised the elleth from description although they had never met; it was Nellas, Túrin’s friend in the woods. She was something of a lone wolf who hated the city and never came there, spending all her days wandering through the forest or in the remote treehouse where she lived. After he took up animal husbandry, Amroth too had become friends with Nellas, who was very fond of all that was alive. 

“Here is a witness,” he said. “Túrin may not be as guilty as we first thought.”

“Speak then, lady,” said the king.

“Lord, I was sitting in a tree…” she began in a barely audible voice, and then broke off. 

The king smiled. “As have many others before you, I dare say, but they did not feel the need to tell me.”

“Others, aye...! Even Lúthien,” said Nellas, her voice a little stronger. “I was thinking of her this morning, and of the human Beren.”

The king’s smile disappeared.

“Túrin reminds me of Beren,” she continued. “They are kin, I was told, and if you look close you can see it.”

“Well, you shall have no more opportunity to compare their likenesses, for Túrin son of Húrin will be banished from Doriath,” said Thingol, scowling.

“Wait! Please, bear with me,” said Nellas earnestly. “Let me finish.”

The king impatiently beckoned with his hand for her to continue.

“I sat in a tree to look at Túrin as he went by, and then I saw Saeros coming out from the woods, armed with sword and shield, and he charged at Túrin from behind.”

A murmur rose in the hall. Attacking from behind? How cowardly! 

“But Túrin heard him and turned around in time to draw his own sword, and he cut Saeros’ shield in halves. Then they fenced, and Túrin was the better of the two and wounded Saeros’ arm so he dropped his sword. And Túrin put his foot on it, saying that Saeros ought to run home and his clothes would be in the way – but he could wear his hair. I don’t know what he meant by that. Then he jumped on Saeros and they wrestled, and Túrin was the strongest. So he stripped him of his clothes and pricked his … um. Backside. With his sword. And then he chased after him and I saw them no more.” Nellas fidgeted with her hair. “Please forgive Túrin, my lord.”

King Thingol sighed. “This casts a new light on the events indeed.” He was silent for a while, musing. Then he continued: “Aye, I shall pardon him – clearly he was wronged by Saeros and acted in self-defense.”

Thranduil felt his body relax. The boy would be safe! He had done some stupid things but after being provoked that badly it was no wonder he had wanted revenge. 

“But how can we tell him he is forgiven? He left Doriath,” said Nellas. She had tears in her eyes.

“Beleg Cúthalion is my best tracker. I will call him back from the borders and send him out to find the boy.”

oOo

When Captain Beleg returned to Menegroth a week later, King Thingol gathered the leaders of the march-wardens at the palace.

“With Cúthalion gone, I need a new captain at the borders,” he said. “Yesterday I asked Mablung and Beleg to choose a suitable successor. Have you had time to make a decision?” 

“We have, my lord,” said Beleg. “Thranduil Oropherion has proven himself skilful and a good leader. He shall be acting captain until my return.”

Thranduil forced his features to remain neutral. It did not do to grin stupidly like an elfling. “I am honored, Captain.”

“Then so be it,” said the king. “And as for you, Beleg, I said you could have any weapon you wanted from my armory to aid you in your search. Have you found anything to your liking?”

“Aye, my lord King.” He held out a longsword in a black scabbard. “I normally prefer the bow, as you know, but alone in the wilderness I may need a sword as well. This seemed of great quality. I have never seen steel like that.” He drew the weapon and the bystanders came closer to get a better look. The steel indeed was strange, it almost looked like it glowed. 

"This sword is called Anglachel – flaming iron," said Thingol. "An ellon named Eöl forged it from a meteorite, or so he claimed. He gave it to me as payment for allowing him to settle in Nan Elmoth."

Queen Melian stepped forward and took the sword from Beleg, examining it closely. “I advise against choosing this,” she said. “I sense malice in it – its smith had a dark heart and part of it still dwells in his creation.”

“I am not superstitious,” said Beleg, taking it back. “It shall serve me well.”

And so Beleg left Doriath on his lone quest while Thranduil returned to the border as acting captain, one step closer to the power and fame he and his father had sought for so long.

Notes:

As you may have noticed, my update schedule is non-existent at the moment…  It’s hard to write regularly this time of the year. I hope you’ll bear with me! I’m not going to abandon this story and there is a beautiful ending prepared (I tend to always write those prematurely haha). :)

Chapter 24: Land of Helm and Bow

Summary:

Beleg finds Túrin at last, but not in very good company. Thranduil realizes that leadership is harder than he thought, and misses his wife. A night-time meeting through the water does not lessen his longing...

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Land of Helm and Bow

Northern Brethil, Doriath, First Age 485

Right hand, left hand, left, left. Thranduil’s swords sliced an arm off one orc and the head of its partner. In the edge of his vision he spotted an orc trying to come at him from behind. Turning swiftly, Thranduil let one of his swords swipe its shield aside while his other one pierced its eye, killing it instantly. He had to tug on his sword a few times to release it from the corpse. 

Drops of sweat trickled down his forehead, stinging his eyes; it was high summer and the night was hot and clammy. His shoulders hurt. Valar, his entire body hurt.

A black arrow whizzed by over his head and he ducked instinctively, wishing he had a third arm to hold a shield with. The past year he had laid the shield aside in favor of a second sword, but the twin sword strategy had its drawbacks.

Then came a new orc charging at him with its crude scimitar and Thranduil stopped thinking about shields, sweat or pain. His body worked on pure adrenalin as he mindlessly focused on eliminating the enemy. And the next, and the next. 

At last the path was clear and he could catch his breath and wipe his forehead. To his left, young Faraion did the same. It was hard to recognize the ellon as the one who had come to Doriath after the Battle of Unnumbered Tears twelve years ago, terrified and half-starved. For one, these days Thranduil trusted the ellon with his life. The past year he had become a veteran, hardened and deadly.

“Damn filth.” Faraion looked at his gloved hand, black with orc blood.

“Disgusting,” Thranduil agreed, trying to shut his nostrils to the fluids seeping from the piles of mutilated carcasses around them.

Maeldir, one of the new recruits, jumped down from a tree. “Another band on their way, Captain.” He had been scouting further to the north.

Thranduil sighed. The orcs just kept coming, pouring out on the Old South Road from the Pass of Sirion in an endless avalanche. How much longer could his march-wardens hold them off? 

“How many?” he asked tiredly.

“Between eighty or a hundred, give or take.”

Thranduil refrained from saying an ugly word. He was the captain; he ought to set a good example. If only he could see an end to this. 

They had been fighting for two days straight now, and as usual he had to use the entire border guard. The orcs were so numerous lately it was not possible to keep up the shift system Beleg had devised. This meant that they would have to fall back and rest eventually, and then the orcs could continue undisturbed down to the Crossing of Teiglin. From there, Beleriand was completely open to them.

It had happened before – on several occasions only this summer. And each time, when he helplessly watched the orcs return with their plunder and slaves from the human settlements along the road, Thranduil had felt like a failure. A sham. 

The rumor of Túrin’s dragon helmet and Beleg Cúthalion’s bow had spread far and wide, intimidating the enemy and holding them back, but after a year without those two famous warriors around, the orcs had grown bolder. 

Try as he might, Thranduil could not fill Beleg’s shoes. It appeared he was just not cut out to do heroic deeds like his predecessors.

The new orcs were upon them now and Thranduil resumed his stance; legs bent, swords held low. Every muscle in his body screamed at him to go lay down and rest. Ignoring them, he charged.

“For Doriath!”

Around him his elves joined in: “For Doriath!”

But this time the orcs were too many and the march-wardens too tired, and in the trees beside the road the archers were out of arrows. Yard by yard the enemy pushed them back.

Thranduil was just about to issue the order to retreat into the forest when a familiar couple of arrows embedded themselves in the head of the orc he was engaging. Wailing, it toppled to the ground. 

He did not have to turn around to look for the archer; he knew those feathers. Beleg was finally back!

Seeing more expertly aimed arrows soaring past, the march-wardens fought with renewed energy until the road was clear again. 

“Acting Captain Thranduil, I presume?” Beleg stepped out from behind a tree trunk, grinning.

“I do not think I have ever been so glad to see you.” Thranduil wiped his glove on a patch of grass and touched his heart, but before he could complete the polite greeting Beleg had swept him into a rough embrace.

“Good to see you too. I was worried when I heard from Mablung you had suffered losses recently.” 

Thranduil awkwardly hugged his friend back, never one for public displays of affection. “We are holding out – barely.” 

Maeldir returned with the welcome news that the Pass in the north was finally empty. Another blessing! That meant at least a day’s respite and a chance to rest at last; the sun would soon rise and orcs were creatures of the night.

On the way to their camp, Thranduil filled Beleg in on the dismal situation at the border. For the first time in many years they had lost elvish warriors this spring and summer, and lately there had been funeral processions sent to Menegroth almost weekly. 

He did not have to add how much it had shaken him to handle those dead elves, elves he knew well after the years together as border guards. War was ugly, Beleg knew that already.

When he had finished, Thranduil was very eager to hear about his friend's adventures. “How did it go? Did you find Túrin?”

Beleg looked grim. “I did.”

“And? Will he not come back? We could need him and his helmet here. The orcs fear it.”

“I looked for him all around Doriath, and finally picked up his trail south of Brethil. He had been living with a band of humans – criminal humans. The Outlaws, as the settlers in the area call them – thieves, murderers… rapists. That kind of people.”

“No…!” Thranduil stared at his friend. “Thieves and ra…” He shook his head to dispel the horrible images he was getting. Images of his sweet boy doing unspeakable things. “But why? Why did he not go to the Men of Haleth if he wanted to live with his kin, or back to Hithlum?”

“You tell me.” Beleg shrugged.

“Has he also…? I mean… Did he…”

“I hope not, but… how am I to know? Though it does seem he means to reform the Outlaws, and make them fight orcs instead of their fellow humans. Túrin saved a girl from his companions once – and that was actually how I could get to him at last, for the father was grateful and told me where he had gone. But he was not easy to find, even for me!” 

Beleg described how he had tracked the Outlaws from one place to another, until he finally caught up with them – only to discover Túrin was not there at the time, and his comrades proved to be none too friendly against elves. 

“I laid down my weapons to show my good intentions but the brigands paid me back with hostility. They tied me to a tree for two days without food or water.” His voice sounded strained. “I honestly thought that was it… I was so weak and they were murderous, to say the least. Fancy dying like that. After all I have been through, all the battles I survived – only to lose my life to the hand of a dirty human thief.” He frowned. 

Thranduil could well imagine the feeling; there had been moments the past year when he too had feared for his life and those had not been pleasant.

“They gathered around me and one of them held a burning torch,” Beleg continued. “I would have preferred the sword, I think. I reckon burning to death is rather horrible…” He clenched his hands. “Anyway, right then Túrin returned and talked them out of it.”

Thranduil nodded sympathetically, still shocked to learn Túrin would have anything to do with such scum. How was it possible the young man could have changed so much, so soon? 

“But after you told him the king had pardoned him – surely he relented then?” he asked.

“He did not. He is proud, our boy… too proud for his own good. He seems to think people in Doriath would pity him. And also… these bandits he lives with have made him their captain, so now he has some grand plans of becoming a lord of Amon Rûdh and thereabouts.”

“I see.” Thranduil said nothing more, knowing all about ambition and seeking power. To rule a realm was not only his father’s dream; he desired it too. He may not be a great military leader but that was not really what he had wanted either. He longed to have what Thingol had: to organize a community, settle disputes, improve the people’s wellbeing and wealth – and, he had to admit, to live in style. 

Back at their camp, Thranduil delegated the task of preparing breakfast to those who had scouted during the fight and therefore were less exhausted, while the rest of them drooped down on their blankets and bedrolls at any available spot to get some sleep before they ate.

For his own part, Thranduil could not rest until he had cleansed himself from the past days’ orc blood and filth. Removing his armor, he hurried to the river where he scrubbed his skin until it was red and raw before vividly attacking his clothes with a hard bar of soap. 

Afterwards he stretched out on his back, floating naked with extended arms and legs in the cool water. He gazed up at the patch of sky between the overhanging eaves on either side of the river, still dark and starry but with a hint of orange in the east announcing dawn. 

It was soothing to just be. To relax his sore muscles and forget about death and blood and the overpowering threat of Morgoth’s endless minions, if only for a moment. 

Sirion ran slow and wide at this spot, being not far south of the Ford of Brithiach. Thranduil had been hiding from orcs up there in what felt like ages ago, but it could not be more than six or seven decades since. That had been the first time he felt the heat of battle; the sounds, the smells, the chaos. The first time he killed a sentient being.

Elves should not fight; it was unnatural. They were not like orcs. Or humans. Nothing like those horrible companions Túrin apparently fraternized with. To think they would force themselves on women! And steal from their own kin. Kill them, even.

If he had his own realm in the future, Thranduil would do like Thingol had tried and keep his people away from war. And he would make sure he succeeded too. His subjects would never have to sink to this.

To think he had been annoyed with his king in the past! He had wanted to join the wars raging around Doriath, the Siege of Angband and the Battle of Sudden Flame. Even when his father advised him to stay away from the Battle of Unnumbered Tears he had wanted to go, to follow his wife there and prove himself valiant. But as always, Oropher had been right. War was not the Sindar way. 

Yet, here Thranduil was, an acting captain of the border guard, fighting and killing day after day. Waiting for the inevitable moment when the enemies would be too numerous and his troops would succumb to them. Waiting for his death.

Death. Such an unnatural thing. 

They all felt its presence now, hovering around them, never far away. Nobody talked about it; at least not with him. Leadership did that, he had noticed, it made you lonely. Even when surrounded by others. 

At least Beleg had returned. Assuming he meant to stay, the burden of leadership would again belong to him, with Thranduil as second in command, and he would have someone to talk to as well. That was something.

A part of him wished that Beleg would release him entirely so he could go home. He repressed the thought, squashed it down almost angrily. That was the coward’s way out and whatever he was, he was no coward. 

Besides, home was not the same anymore. Not without… He avoided thinking her name; he was in water after all, and naked. 

Although… 

It had been such a long time. Maybe… Just maybe. 

Slowly letting his feet sink until he was standing on the muddy riverbed, Thranduil gazed at the surface. Aerneth, he thought without much hope of a reply. The hour was too early. She would be still asleep. 

Instead her image formed, dark and slightly fuzzy from the ripples of the Sirion. He saw the same twilight sky above her as the one here. She was outdoors then.

“Oropherion.” She looked sad. Just like he felt. 

“Wife.” 

Neither of them seemed capable of greeting each other politely anymore. Suddenly the corners of his eyes burned unbearably. Why? Why must things be like this?

“Are you swimming?” She was standing in water too. The river? It struck him it would be the very same river as he stood in then, only further south. 

“I was,” he answered. “You?”

“Aye. It is horribly hot down here, and swarming with mosquitoes.” She waved one away. “Swimming helps a little.”

“Here too. Mosquitoes – and orcs.”

“Is it very bad?” There was a hint of worry in her appearance. 

“Aye.” He did not elaborate.

“You know it cannot last. The foresight… the queen saw Doriath fall.”

“I know.”

“Maybe… You could come here.” Her voice was barely audible.

“I can’t.” He blinked to stop his eyes from welling over. “Even if… we… you and I were…” He paused to draw a breath. “Even if we would try again I… I cannot abandon my post. I have to prove I can do it. That I can be a leader.”

“You don’t have to prove yourself. Power is not important. Status cannot make you happy.”

“It’s all I have left.” He reached out towards her, dipping his finger where her cheek was. Her image became distorted a short while and then cleared. “I do miss you though.” He took another deep breath, trying to dispel the heaviness in his chest. 

“I miss you too.” She reached out her hand to meet his. 

If he closed his eyes he could imagine their fingertips touching through the water. Opening them again, he let his gaze follow her arm, admiring its delicate shape, remembering how soft her skin felt. He continued to where the top of her breasts were visible above the surface.

“It seems very deep where you stand.”

“It is more shallow over there.” A faint smile hinted on her pink lips and they parted slightly. He remembered how they tasted and the feeling of her tongue caressing his. Her smell and the sounds she would make when he traced kisses along her jaw and down her neck.

She took a step backwards and another one. The image followed her, so to Thranduil she remained in the same spot, only now there was less water to cover her. He breathed faster at the sight of her bared chest, feeling blood rush down between his legs. 

“You could move somewhere more shallow too,” she suggested.

Thranduil glanced at the path leading back to their camp. He could already smell the food the scouts were preparing; someone might come at any moment saying breakfast was ready. Still… the temptation was overwhelming. Perhaps if he hid himself partly in that alder thicket over there? He would be unseen from the path but not from the water.

Smiling at the nerve of it, he went through with his plan, seeing Aerneth smile as well when the water sank to his calves. 

“Gorgeous,” she said.

“I do my best.”

“Cocky.”

“I do have one of those, aye.”

Chuckling she moved a few more steps until he could see almost all of her naked body. Reflecting the brightening sky, her skin glowed. He drank her appearance like a cup of fine wine, reveling in her long, slender legs, her curvy hips and mesmerizing breasts. To him, she was perfection. 

She slowly ran her hands down her body until she was touching herself, and he followed her example. Damn, it felt good after such a long time.

He closed his eyes to narrow slits so he could still watch her while turning his focus inward. Pretending it was not his own hand but her warmth coating his hardness, he increased his pace. In the dim light, the color of her flushed cheeks appeared amber as she did likewise.

“I wish you were here,” she murmured. “You could lift me up and we would do it standing in the water.”

Thranduil grunted. He was beyond speaking at this point.

“I would feel your hands on my bottom. And you would feel my legs wrapped around your hips. My breasts would rub against your chest as you pushed in deep. Again and again.”

Drawing in a sharp breath, Thranduil came so powerfully it felt like an explosion. In the water image, Aerneth shook with her own climax.

“I wish you were here,” she repeated. 

“I wish that too.” His voice was hoarse.

“Maybe one day…”

He nodded a little too quickly, his throat tightening. “One day.”

oOo

“You look relaxed. Had a good swim?” Beleg’s innocent question made Thranduil drop his gaze and bite the inside of his cheek to hide a smile.

“I did.” He fetched his bowl and filled it with the thin vegetable soup Maeldir and the other scouts had prepared. Meat was scarce now despite the bounty of the season; nobody had time to hunt.

“So… what shall we do about Túrin?” he asked as he sat on a fallen log beside the captain.

“What can we do? The boy wants to stay with his horrible new friends.” Beleg smiled mirthlessly. “He wanted me to join them, and was quite convincing about it too. I almost…” He broke off, and then sighed. “I love that boy so much; I would do almost anything for him. But that? To live with that motley crew of brigands… and to abandon my king. I could not do that, could I?”

Thranduil’s chest tightened. He loved Túrin too. “What did Thingol say when you returned? It is his adopted son, after all.”

“He was not happy with Túrin’s decision, obviously, but he is just as powerless as I. We cannot very well drag the boy back to Doriath and lock him up. Thingol tried that with his daughter already, and see how well that went.”

“True.”

“However… Queen Melian gave me this.” Beleg went to get his pack, a large and bulky satchel, and opened it to show row upon row of packages wrapped in silvery leaves, with Melian’s flower emblem pressed into their wax seals.

Thranduil whistled silently. “Lembas… that must be the entire first summer batch.” 

“She told me to do what felt right. I think she wants me to go to him and protect him, but I have not made up my mind yet. With the critical situation up here and everything…” He sighed. “I don’t know.”

They were silent for a while, pondering. Then Thranduil got an idea. “Maybe we could join our forces together.”

“What do you mean?”

“The border guard could relocate to Amon Rûdh. I remember the view was magnificent the only time I was up there; if we placed scouts on the top they would see the enemy when they crossed the Teiglin. Then we could place smaller units along the road, ready to ambush them. The orcs still fear Túrin – or at least his helmet. Maybe we could be more useful there than here in the marshes.” And in addition the environment would be more pleasant without the dampness and mosquitoes.

“The plan has merit,” said Beleg thoughtfully. “Whatever happened to his helmet?”

“He left it here, in our lodgings near the border. We could return it to him.”

“We would have to get the king’s permission.” 

“He listens to you. If you say it is a good plan he will agree to it.” Thranduil felt a twinge of hope. Would he finally get to leave this horrible place?

“Dimbar would be lost, though, and if the orcs are feeling brave they might enter Brethil and bother the Men of Haleth.”

“The Halathrim are clever folk and have traps all over the place; the orcs dare not venture into their forest. At least they never did before we began to guard the marshes.”

“True that.” Beleg’s face suddenly broke into a grin. “You know Tharan, I think this might actually be a good plan. We could make western Beleriand safe again and keep an eye on Túrin.”

oOo

The relocation took a while to organize, and it was decided that the bulk of the march-wardens would stay the winter in Doriath and join the Outlaws when the lands thawed. Orcs seldom ventured out of Angband that season anyway; with Morgoth’s growing power, the winters were increasingly severe.

Thus, it was early spring when the elves of the border guard finally crossed the bridge to the Talath Dirnen, the Guarded Plain, setting out towards the hill of Amon Rûdh after a couple of months spent pleasantly in the comforts of Menegroth. The ground was still frosty and the trees naked, but buds were swelling and the air was full of birdsong.

When they got closer, Thranduil looked around with interest. The scarcely forested moorland seemed untouched and there was no trace of any humans. Where were the Outlaws hiding? All he could see was the tall hill looming ahead, bald and naked this early in the year.

Then suddenly Beleg emerged from behind a thornbush and came to meet them. He had come here several weeks earlier to prepare the Outlaws for their arrival, wishing to avoid a hostile reception like last time, and to plan with Túrin where to build their camps.

“We will camp here at the foot of the hill. Túrin does not want too many to know where he and the Outlaws hide.” He lowered his voice. “It is inside the hill itself. Almost like Menegroth but not at all as pleasant. And there is a dwarf – but I should not speak more now, you will see.”

While the others were occupied preparing their new lodgings, Beleg brought Thranduil around to the side and up a narrow path to a ledge, where some shrubs effectively hid a flat, rocky surface. 

“Sharbhund,” he murmured, and suddenly faint lines in the rock appeared, revealing a door. Pushing it open, they went inside into a low tunnel. It was almost completely dark, but further in Thranduil saw a dim light.

“What was that strange password? Mannish?”

“Dwarfish.” Beleg’s eyebrows drew together. “Before you meet Túrin and the Outlaws, I must warn you. These halls are owned by a dwarf named Mîm and his son, who apparently are the last of their kind hereabouts, and I do not trust them at all. The father has become friends with Túrin, or pretends so anyway – but he hates the other humans, that is clear, and even more so elves. He has tolerated me so far, albeit barely, and I expect he will try to get rid of us at first opportunity. You have to be careful. Very careful.”

“I will,” Thranduil assured him, curious about the owners of this place. He had never met a dwarf before. 

“Another thing… do not call Túrin by name. He calls himself ‘The Wronged’, and none of his men knows who he really is or anything about his past.”

“Noted.”

They went through the dark passage, which was so low they had to walk almost bent double. After many twists and turns they came to a larger room, about the same size as Thranduil’s sitting room back home but with a much lower ceiling. The rough stone walls were without color and ornaments and from the ceiling hung many iron lamps in thin chains, dimly lighting up the place.

In the middle of the chamber, Túrin and twenty-odd humans sat around a long, crude table, busily oiling weapons and repairing armor. Túrin’s elven sword and armor stood out; the others’ equipment was simple and worn, made in many different styles. Just like their weapons, the Outlaws were a ragtag band of men, with some older, some young, some fair, some dark skinned. They had one thing in common though: their smell. Thranduil had never seen a more unwashed and unkempt company before. Orcs excepted. 

At the arrival of the two elves, Túrin jumped to his feet and came to meet them. He looked older, with a longer beard and more worn features, and his face was too thin. Had he been starving?

“Tharan! Did you bring my helmet?”

Thranduil smiled. In some ways the boy was still the same. “I did.” He put a linen bag onto the table which the young man eagerly opened, his companions gathering around him to see. 

When Túrin picked up the helmet and put it on, there was a collective cheer.

“Awesome!” 

“Terrifying! Orcs beware.”

“Can I try it?”

All of them had spoken Sindarin with a Mannish accent.

“I am already your captain, and now I will also be your lord,” said Túrin proudly. “I shall no longer be known as Neithan – The Wronged, but as Gorthol – the Dread Helm.”

“Gorthol!” cried the men, some waving swords and axes, others banging their weapons on their shields.

A movement in the corner of his eye made Thranduil turn his head. An incredibly short and stocky person had appeared in a doorway in the far end of the room; his head nearly bald and his face covered in a large, gray beard. So this was what dwarves looked like.

The dwarf had been gazing at Túrin, but now he lifted his eyes to the newcomers. His bushy eyebrows instantly knitted together; his whole being emanating an almost palpable hostility. Like Beleg had said, it was obvious what the dwarf felt about elves. Without a word, the small figure turned on the spot and left. 

This did not bode well. Not well at all.

Túrin meanwhile had positioned himself where all could see him. When wearing the helmet, his head touched the ceiling. "With my dragon helm and aided by my friends, I shall be invincible." His voice was strong and clear, echoing between the walls. “This area shall be known as the Land of Helm and Bow; a realm ruled by two great captains, with two great companies of warriors – the elves and the former Outlaws! I say former, for no longer shall you be outcasts and exiles, hated by your own people. I will make you great heroes.”

The cheer became almost deafening.

When the men had calmed down and Túrin removed his helmet, Beleg took him to the side. “I never agreed to creating a realm with you,” he said reproachfully, keeping his voice low. “My march-wardens are still under Thingol’s rule.”

“I know, I know.” Túrin shrugged casually. “I just wanted to incite courage in my men. As far as they are concerned, the elves follow me. They do not need to know the truth.”

“They will spread it, though. There will be rumors. If those reach Angband – and they will, Morgoth has many spies – we are doomed. We can resist small raider orc bands from here, but not full-scale war! The Dark Lord still has his balrogs and dragons.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Beleg. We will be safe, hidden inside the hill. I know what I am doing.” Túrin had fallen back to his childhood name for him, perhaps involuntarily, or perhaps to play on his feelings.

“I hope you do.” 

“I have to do this, I have to avenge my ada! You know I always meant to strike back against Morgoth. This is my opportunity.”

Beleg’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “Though I do not like this, I promise to do my best to help you. You have my bow.”

“And my swords,” added Thranduil.

Notes:

Sorry about the last two lines haha… I’m a hopeless quote thief. But with all the foreboding of this chapter I dare say we need a smile. :) In the next chapter hell breaks loose…

Note: I have taken some liberties with canon in this chapter. In the Silmarillion and the Children of Húrin, which tell Túrin’s story, only Beleg went to join the Outlaws, more or less abandoning the march-wardens who subsequently lost Dimbar and the northern marshes to the orcs. Meanwhile, Beleg and Túrin’s heroic deeds in what became known as ‘The Land of Helm and Bow’, attracted many humans and elves who joined them there.

In my version, Beleg is not so careless and actually brings his march-wardens with him from the beginning, which in my opinion makes more sense.

Another thing: Thanks a lot to everyone who commented and left kudos! This is not an easy story to write which makes feedback the more valuable – badly needed when I feel this gets so much less love than my Legolas stories... :) I love writing this and I will continue no matter what, but your support means a lot!

Chapter 25: Bloodstained

Summary:

Misfortune strikes the Outlaws and a chase after a prisoner follows. Poor Túrin's curse is underway.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Bloodstained

Amon Rûdh, First Age 489

Thranduil morosely peeled the brown bulb and took a bite of its yellow flesh. He had liked them at first, the potatoes as the dwarf called the underground roots, but since they had almost nothing else to eat during the winter he had soon grown tired of them. Boiled tubers were a meager substitute to the varied diet back home in Doriath. There, they probably had just finished the Autumn Hunt and their storages would be full to the brim with cured and dried meats, fried and smoked fish, berry- and fruit preserves, dried apples and bushels of hazelnuts.

The dull food the dwarf supplied was one of the many disadvantages of this place; the damp, constant chill of the cave was another, and the presence of a dozen unwashed humans a third. 

No elves except Thranduil and Beleg lived inside the mountain; their dwarf host had refused to accept anyone else. It was Túrin who insisted on having his friends there, or they would probably have been banned as well. 

The rest of the march-wardens resided in a permanent camp by a strip of forest some ten miles north of Amon Rûdh, not far from the Crossing of Teiglin. There were also several human camps along the Old South Road, full of new recruits who had heard about the Land of Helm and Bow and their two great captains. Like the original Outlaws, these were outcasts and dispossessed, attracted by the opportunity to prove themselves valiant and worthy, and to become part of the realm of Lord Gorthol – the Dread Helm.

In order to control all these elves and men, Túrin had promoted several of the original Outlaws to unit leaders, who now lived in the outer camps. The Amon Rûdh hill served as a hub to coordinate those companies, with Thranduil and Beleg working as sentries on its top, spotting any enemy movements from afar and alerting the unit leaders with their horns. The sound carried well over the open landscape and could easily be heard even at the farthest camp, which was a good two hours’ walk from the hill.

The downside of this arrangement was that whenever Thranduil and Beleg had to come inside to eat or rest, they were obliged to assign human sentries, despite the limited eyesight of that race. The elves would usually spend nine or ten hours each on their post, which meant that some hours every day there would only be human lookouts – such as now, during supper. But as long as no more elves were allowed inside the hill, there was no helping it. 

Spending so many hours on sentry duty meant that Thranduil had not taken part in any actual fights for a long time, which made his days beyond dull – another downside of the arrangement. 

Across the table, Beleg was trying for the umpteenth time to persuade Túrin to leave Amon Rûdh. He needlessly spoke in a subdued voice; the men at the other table were drowning all sounds with their ear-splitting clamor. They were talking, clattering with their eating knives and belching, being just as disgusting and annoying as only they knew how.

“We have become too numerous; these lands cannot support so many. It was alright as long as there were just your Outlaws and fifty march-wardens, but now with all the newcomers joining us, we will soon count two hundred.” Beleg lowered his voice even further, and Thranduil strained his ears to hear. “The settlers around the Old South Road are complaining that our men are hunting game on their grounds, and I fear some may be tempted to do worse… perhaps begin to raid storehouses again. You cannot be everywhere and control everyone, and these humans were criminals after all, most of them.”

“It will not happen. They know I would punish such behavior severely.” Túrin put his arm around the elf’s shoulder. ”You worry too much, old friend. Stop sounding as if our numbers are a disadvantage! When was the last time a larger orc host tried to cross the Teiglin? You can’t remember, right? That is how long it was. The orcs hear the sound of our horns and run like their pants are on fire.”

“And you worry too little, boy.” Beleg frowned. “Do not think Morgoth is so easily intimidated. Aye, you have burned his fingertips the past years, but he still has his main host and he will retaliate, do not fool yourself into believing otherwise. This is not a good place to keep a large army, and not only because of the lack of food. It is too open, and Amon Rûdh is too conspicuous and hard to defend. Unlike Dimbar and the northern marshes of Doriath, this–” 

“It’s perfect! And it’s mine.” Túrin interrupted. “I am not returning to Doriath and I wish you would stop bringing that up all the time!” He left his half-finished potato and angrily stomped out.

Beleg met Thranduil’s gaze and shook his head. “I never knew someone could be so stubborn,” he muttered. 

In a dark corner of the room, Mîm smirked with glee, as always when Túrin and Beleg quarreled. The dwarf was plainly jealous of their friendship.

Túrin was the only person Mîm seemed to like, and the young man treated him respectfully in return – though Thranduil could not for the world understand why. 

Their shady dwarf host was high on his growing list of disadvantages of this place.

oOo

“I wonder why Mîm has not come back yet. It is almost dark.” Túrin glanced at the passage to the entrance door. “I hope nothing bad has happened to him.”

Thranduil stifled a grimace. If the dwarf never returned, none would be happier than he, but Túrin had a soft spot for the creature.

“The dwarf knows these lands like the inside of his pockets; he can take care of himself,” Beleg retorted. The lack of love between the dwarf and the elf was mutual.

“He never stays out this long. He’s been gone since dawn. I mean, how long can it take to gather some roots?”

“Perhaps he – unlike you – realizes we have grown too many, and decided to take his potatoes and his son elsewhere,” said Beleg wryly.

“He would never do that. We are friends.”

“Friends.” Beleg snorted. “One of your men killed his other son when you first came here, right? He tolerates you, perhaps even likes you, but he will never be your friend.”

“You are wrong.” Túrin locked eyes with the elf until he dropped his gaze. Not many could win a staring contest with the young man.

“I just want you to be careful.” Beleg sighed, rising from the table. It was his turn to take the first watch that night.

“I am. And I am also a good judge of character.”

There was a noise from outside, like stones rattling on the hillside. 

“It is probably just Mîm returning. I will check.” Túrin left through the narrow passage, but quickly returned, his cheeks flushing. “Orcs! The hill is swarming with them!”

“But how?” Beleg jumped up, scrabbling for his sword and bow. “The sentries–”

“Dead. One lay just outside the door, shot through his head with a black arrow.” Túrin hurriedly donned his dragon helmet. 

Around them, the Outlaws were all on their feet and the room filled with the clang of metal as swords and axes were gathered.

“The dwarf!” Beleg growled. “He led the orcs here! I knew it.”

“You don’t know that,” Túrin snapped. “Anyway, the enemy is trying to climb the hill, but the door is invisible so we should be safe. Let us take the inner stairs to the top and you can shower arrows on them from above. That should teach them.”

If the dwarf betrayed us they know where the door is, and the password too. We must barricade it, or they will come at us from two sides.”

“He didn’t! But sure, if you insist.” 

Together with the men, they rolled a large stone before the door. 

“Waste of time,” Túrin grunted.

“Better safe than sorry.”

With the entrance safely locked, they hurried up the narrow stairs in a single file and came out on the flat summit. Thranduil cast one look down and felt his stomach twist. Swarming indeed! Amon Rûdh was dotted with crawling, climbing orcs, possibly a hundred or more, making it resemble a giant anthill. How had they got here unnoticed?

Beleg drew his great bow and began to shoot orcs in quick succession, but for every one tumbling down with shrill shrieks, two more took its place. A few of the Outlaws were fairly decent archers and helped the elf, while those armed with swords and axes joined Thranduil and Túrin to push back all who came over the edge. 

The defenders might have managed to hold the hill, had not the enemy been equipped with bows as well. The flat top was too open, with nothing to cover behind, and the orcs too many. One by one the Outlaws were shot down, and despite Beleg’s best efforts, the number of orcs who managed to reach the top increased. Thranduil and Túrin were soon hard pressed.

At last Beleg lay down his great bow and drew his sword. “Retreat to the stone,” he cried.

Those still on their feet obeyed, falling back to a boulder in the middle of the summit. They formed a circle with their backs against it, desperately holding the horde at bay.

Thranduil was engaging three orcs simultaneously now, sweating profusely and bleeding from several nicks and cuts, and in his ears his pounding pulse drenched all other sounds. He had never been in a more dire, desperate situation before, but for some reason he was not afraid. His heart sang, and his blood rushed, and he felt alive in a way the tedious days on sentry duty had failed to provide. Of course, he knew that the feeling would not last, he would not be alive much longer. Still, if he was going to die he preferred it happening like this, taking as many foes with him as he could.

A sharp sting in his calf made Thranduil lose his footing. Dropping down on one knee, he managed to destroy two of the orcs he fought, leaving him with one opponent for a while. He risked a quick glance to see how the others did. Only Beleg and three Outlaws were still standing. Túrin lay on the ground, caught in a crude net and disarmed, but unhurt as far as Thranduil could tell. They wanted him alive, then. He was not sure that was an advantage – Morgoth was known to do horrible things to his captives, and Túrin had annoyed him for a long time. Burned his fingers, as Beleg had put it.

Thranduil returned his full attention to his foe, who had been joined by two fellows. He tried to rise, but his throbbing leg would not hold his weight and he sank back on his knees. They must have torn his muscle badly, but he did not think the bone was broken.

An orc slashed his curved sword in a wide arc, and from his awkward position Thranduil could not reach to parry it. He ducked, avoiding a possibly mortal hit, but did not entirely escape the blade. A line of burning pain sprang up from above his ear to his forehead, and blood trickled into his eyes, making it hard to see. 

He dodged a new sword stroke, but the action brought him in the reach of another orc. Its hard boot blew the air from his lungs, flooring him. Before Thranduil could scramble back up, a decapitated Outlaw collapsed on top of him, knocking his breath out a second time and nearly crushing him under his weight. 

Beleg jumped forward, cutting down one of Thranduil’s antagonists with his mighty Anglachel, the black sword King Thingol gave him many years ago. Thranduil helplessly looked on from the ground, his view rose-tinted from his own blood and that of the dead Outlaw. 

With another swipe, Beleg managed to beat the sword out of the second orc’s hand. That did not help much, for new orcs were crowding in on him from all sides. Dismayed, Thranduil realized his friend was alone; there were no more Outlaws standing. 

A net like the one they had used on Túrin was thrown over the elf, tangling him, and then it did not take long until he lay disarmed beside his friend.

Thranduil did not move, even to roll out from under the corpse. Maybe if they believed him dead, he could somehow sneak up on the orcs and set Beleg and Túrin free. 

Snickering and jeering, the ugly creatures dragged Beleg to a flat part of the ground. They hammered four iron pegs into the rock and bound him to them, his arms and legs splayed out like a cross. 

“Leave him alone!” Túrin cried, thrashing against his own bonds.

“Oh, we will,” replied one of them in a heavy accent. “He’s for the dwarf to toy with.” It laughed evilly.

“Mîm? Why would he want Beleg?” The young man’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“No idea. Perhaps he fancies him? He asked for him as payment for showing us the way, and for telling us when your pretty elf mates weren’t watching.”

Thranduil swallowed. So this was how the orcs had managed to catch them unawares. If only he and Beleg had not been so predictable, and avoided eating and sleeping on fixed hours! 

“He betrayed me,” Túrin whispered, tears coming into his eyes. 

How young he was, and how naïve. Of course the dwarf had betrayed him, just like Beleg predicted.

“Well, he did want you to be set free. Not that we ever intended to do that.” It smirked, revealing a row of crowded fangs.

“Oy! Look here. A stair,” wheezed another orc. It had found the entrance.

“Finally. A way down to the good stuff.” The first one’s eyes gleamed with greed. It picked Túrin up and flung him across its shoulder like a sack, disappearing into the hill. The rest of the surviving orcs followed suit, and soon cheers and sounds of furniture breaking echoed up from below as they ransacked the place. Good riddance to them; Mîm had no riches, all they would find was potatoes and spare clothes.

Sure enough, it did not take long until the echoes died out and the hill became quiet again. Straining his ears, Thranduil caught a muffled trample when the orcs walked off in silence, probably to avoid notice by the outer camps. They were heading north of course, returning to Angband with their loot and their captive.

Beleg was desperately trying to wrestle free of his bonds, cursing under his breath. Thranduil rolled the dead man aside and started to move towards his friend, but the sound of footsteps on the stairs made him freeze and hold his breath.

The door opened and Mîm stepped out. As he caught sight of the fettered elf, his face cleaved into a spiteful smirk. “Ahh, there you are. My payment.” He drew a short blade from a scabbard in his belt. Thranduil recognized it; it was his eating knife.

“You treacherous bastard. This is how you repay the kindness you have been shown?” Beleg’s voice was teeming with contempt. 

“They took my son. I had no choice.” 

“There is always a choice to do what is right.”

“Well, in all honesty… I had a choice. I went to them deliberately.” A slow grin spread on Mîm’s lips. “Morgoth’s spies have been coming here for months, a few at a time, hiding all over the place. I knew exactly where they were, of course, they could not hide from me. But you… Oh, you elves think you’re so clever! But you had no idea they were here. No idea!” The dwarf picked up a stone and began to sharpen his knife with slow, deliberate movements.

“You do not want to do this. Release me so I can go after the boy and free him. He may even forgive you.”

“No, I think I do want to do this. I’ve looked forward to it, actually. One can have so much fun with a knife.”

“Coward,” spat Beleg.

“Maybe. Maybe I am a coward. But nobody will ever know, for you will soon be unable to prattle. It’s difficult to speak without a tongue.”

Thranduil realized he had to act before it was too late; any moment now the dwarf would cease his gloating and begin to hurt his prisoner. As silent as possible, he crawled closer, wincing in pain when his damaged leg was dragged over the uneven ground. 

It went excruciatingly slow, and his head throbbed. How deep was the cut? He tried to shake off a sudden bout of dizziness. 

The dwarf crouched with his back turned to Thranduil, bending over Beleg’s outstretched form. He stroked the elf’s face with his knife, letting it caress his eyelid and then his lips. “Why are you shivering, pretty elf? Don’t you like it? Perhaps it’s a man’s spear you prefer? I know your kind. An abomination is what you are. Your lustful looks at the young man made me sick!”

“I never thought of him that way! He is like a son to me! Let me go. Please,” begged Beleg. There was a desperate tone in his voice now, the fear finally growing too strong for him to hide it. 

Suddenly Thranduil hated the dwarf for humiliating Beleg so. He was the greatest archer of Doriath, a renowned captain, famous in all of Beleriand. This was unworthy.

The anger infused Thranduil with new strength and he clumsily came on his feet, supporting his weight on his good leg.

A weapon. He needed a weapon. He caught sight of a sword and fought to wrench it from its dead owner’s cold fingers.

“I know what I saw,” said Mîm, and suddenly sliced a long gash in each of Beleg’s cheeks. ”Not so pretty now, are we? I wonder how you’ll look without a nose.” 

Beleg clenched his teeth and closed his eyes. His breaths were quick and shallow.

Thranduil had finally managed to free the sword and charged awkwardly, hopping on one leg.

Mîm turned around, crying out in surprise and pain when the sword sank deep into his shoulder. He scuttled backwards on all fours like an upturned crab, and when at a safe distance, jumped to his feet and fled towards the exit with a trail of blood in his wake. Thranduil tried to follow but lost his balance and tumbled heavily to the ground. Thankfully Mîm did not see that, he had already disappeared into the hill and slammed the door behind him.

Thranduil wormed his way over to Beleg and cut him free.

“Thank the Valar you are alive!” Beleg grasped his shoulders briefly. Then he noticed the injuries. “Damn. Are you alright?”

“Don’t worry,” Thranduil mumbled. The dizziness from before had returned. “Go after the dwarf. Kill ’im.”

“He is no threat anymore. When I am not tied down like a drying deer pelt he cannot harm me. And you need to be sorted out before you lose all the blood you got.”

“You’re bleedin’ too,” said Thranduil unsteadily. Why was he suddenly so tired?

“It is not deep. Just a scratch. Now, let me look at you.”

Neither of them wished to go back inside the hill – though they were fairly certain Mîm was far away, licking his wounds in a remote cave somewhere. Instead Beleg ripped off a piece of the hem of his shirt and used that to wipe off the blood, singing a healing spell as he worked. 

It felt good to be tended to. Thranduil closed his eyes, feeling his slashed temple close under the soft fingers. The cut did not disappear entirely but the bleeding stopped.

His calf was a harder match even for someone with Beleg's gift of healing; the wound was deep and like Thranduil had suspected, much of the muscle was ruptured.

Beleg did his best with what he had available, splintering and binding the leg temporarily. “There. All set. Our healers at the camp can fix it more permanently.”

“Nay. I have to follow the orcs. Túrin–”

“I shall go after him. You need a healer.”

Thranduil sat up. “I feel much better now. I am coming with you.”

“Don’t be so stubborn. You are in no state to walk.”

“I will use a cane.”

They stared at each other, neither of them willing to yield.

“Alright,” Beleg said at last. “Perhaps they can heal you on the way, then.”

With some effort, they began to descend along a narrow footpath, which wound its way steeply down the side of the hill. It was slow going, with Thranduil leaning heavily on Beleg’s shoulder.

After a short while, Beleg spoke in a subdued voice: “Did you… Did you hear what the dwarf accused me of?”

“I did, but I did not believe him,” Thranduil assured him. 

“Thank you,” said Beleg simply.

“Actually… If anyone had that sort of feeling for Túrin, I would say it was the dwarf. Whenever you two were talking his eyes would turn black with jealousy.”

Beleg chuckled. “No wonder he called me an abomination. Know others and know yourself.”

They had almost reached the ground, when suddenly flames erupted in several places in the distance, painting the night sky an eerie orange.

“The camps…!” gasped Thranduil, nearly losing his footing. 

“The orcs must have ambushed them. Damn. Damn! ” Beleg broke into a run and Thrandul limped after him as fast as he could, only pausing briefly to cut a crude crutch from a young birch.

When Thranduil finally arrived at the first camp a couple of hours later, he was dripping with sweat and faint from exertion and blood loss. The sun was rising over the Doriath treetops in the east, illuminating the near total destruction the orcs had rendered.

Pausing to take in the grisly scene, Thranduil felt bile rise in his throat. “No…” he whispered, hardly believing what he saw.

The fire had smothered when it reached the living trees of the forest, but nothing remained of the camp. No cabins, no storages, no laundry peacefully drying on lines, no elves. The stench was horrible, a sickening blend of burned flesh and smoldering wood.

Beleg stood among the ashes of a building, now only a skeleton of charcoal, raking out pieces of bone from under it. He had already gathered a large pile. Together, fifty elves contained a lot of bones.

“How stupid I was!” he half-growled, half-sobbed when he caught sight of Thranduil. “Why did I not blow the horn from the hill directly when the orcs attacked? I was these elves’ captain and sentry. They trusted me to warn them.”

“Why didn’t I? Neither of us were thinking clearly, and besides, we were fighting for our lives at the time.” 

“Yes but afterwards, once you had cut me loose… But all I could think of was Túrin and how to save him.”

“Don’t torment yourself. It is what it is.” But Thranduil did not even believe that himself. Why had they not sounded the alarm? It was unforgivable.

oOo

After burying the bones of their friends in a shallow trench, the two ellyn followed the orc trail for many days. The journey was the bleakest Thranduil had ever experienced. Everywhere they came, the orc band had killed, burned, plundered and taken hostages. Sometimes they found the remains of such victims along the road; mutilated, tortured wretches whose wounds had finally become too much for them.

Thranduil’s head was healing well, but his leg hurt all the more. For lack of rest it grew worse with each passing day, until every step was pure agony. He figured he probably deserved being tormented and kept his mouth firmly shut about it. 

Beleg was silent as well. Mîm’s knife cuts on his cheeks had left ugly scars, and his once so beautiful face now looked grim and dangerous. The two of them were like a couple of ghosts; not talking, not sleeping, barely eating, just trudging on endlessly. 

They reached the Crossing of Teiglin and turned northeast, and then after a while the Ford of Brithiach. On the other side, the trail went north through Dimbar and the Pass of Anach, one of the more desolate routes into Morgoth’s lands. 

In the mountains the orc tracks were much harder to follow. Thranduil began to worry they had lost the trail, but if so, there was not much to do about it. On the other side was the desert of Anfauglith; if not sooner, they would without doubt be able to spot the orc host in that open landscape. 

Onward they went, day after day, and often a good part of the nights as well.

Then, one afternoon, they finally found something which broke the monotony. An elf.

Coming closer, they saw that the poor ellon was just barely alive. He was starved, with hollow cheeks and large eyes, and a soiled bandage covered his arm.

When the ellon noticed them, his face brightened. “Have you any food?” he asked.

“I have lembas.” Beleg picked up a packet of waybread from his satchel; it had remained almost untouched since they left Amon Rûdh. Neither of them had any appetite.

The elf quickly devoured the food, as if he had not been fed for years. Between the mouthfuls, he told them his name was Gwindor and that he came from Nargothrond originally. During the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, he had been among the first to charge against Angband, but sadly he and his followers had all been killed or taken captive. Since then he had been forced to slave away in Morgoth’s dark mines.

“For seventeen years I toiled there, until I finally managed to overcome my guards and escape. I lost my hand in the process, but gained my freedom so I dare say it was a fair exchange.” Gwindor uncovered his arm, which looked horrible. He had pulled a leather thong tightly around the stump to stop the blood flow, but the uneven cut was dirty and wet. 

Beleg again proved himself a gifted healer. He removed the thong and cleaned the wound with fresh water, while singing a spell to seal it. Afterwards he dressed the arm in clean linen, this time a contribution from Thranduil’s shirt.

The food and healing strengthened Gwindor considerably. When they told him where they were heading, he decided to follow them, even though it was back whence he had come. “I am probably safer in your company,” he figured.

And thus, onward they went, one elf stronger.

By dawn the next day, the three of them had come to the edge of the forest and stood on a crest which overlooked the Anfauglith wastelands, and there, just below, they saw the orcs at last. They were setting up their camp, driving the prisoners into the center with cruel whips and placing warg sentries all around the area.

“Damn,” muttered Thranduil. He hated wargs.

“If it is only wargs I can handle them. An arrow through the eye, and they will not even know what hit them,” Beleg replied. “The sun is rising, the orcs will probably sleep soon. Let us bide our time.”

It seemed, however, these orcs had no plans of sleeping. Ladened with food and drink from their plunderings, they drank and feasted, and for entertainment they played with their prisoners. 

“There… it is him!” whispered Thranduil. “They are tying him to a tree.” It was far away, but yet he was sure it was Túrin.

“The monsters! It looks like they are throwing things on him,” growled Beleg.

“Knives. They throw knives around his head, as a game. See? They aim to miss.” Thranduil stared in dismay at the horrible display below.

In the evening, the orcs finally fell asleep, drunk and exhausted from all carousing. The three onlookers waited another few hours, until the sun had set and they could sneak forward in the protection of darkness.

After a while they saw the first warg sentry some way ahead, a black silhouette against the pale gray desert. They had come up to it on silent feet and against the wind; it had not noticed them. 

Beleg drew his bow and released an arrow. Almost without a sound the warg toppled to the ground. 

Thranduil squeezed his friend’s shoulder in appreciation of his skill, before they continued onwards. The next warg in their path met the same fate as its comrade, and so did the third. 

They had reached the lonely tree now. Túrin lay slumped against its base, stripped of his shirt and coat, and a score of shafts from the orcs’ knife throwing game protruded from the rough tree trunk around him. His face looked haggard and worn, and his arms and back were covered in what appeared to be lashes from a whip. Thranduil’s chest contracted painfully at the sight, and he wished he had had a huge army behind him, so he could pay the orcs back for every cut and every nick on Túrin’s body.

The young man seemed unconscious, and did not move when Beleg bent over him to check his pulse. “He lives,” he whispered. Drawing his black sword, he swiftly cut Túrin free. 

At the sound of metal slicing through rope, Túrin’s eyes popped open and he hissed in shock when he saw Beleg bent over him, his sword drawn. He clearly did not recognize his friend in the darkness, and threw himself at the imagined enemy. 

A desperate wrestle followed. Thranduil vainly tried to pull them apart; in the dim light it was impossible to see which arm or leg belonged to who.

Túrin had always been a strong, adept fighter, and even now after days of torment and starvation he managed to overcome his opponent. He snatched Anglachel from Beleg’s hand and drove the sword deep into the elf’s chest. 

Emitting a horrible, gurgling noise, Beleg fell and became still, lying on his back in a growing pool of blood. 

“Túrin…” he gasped. 

“No…!” Too late, the young man recognized his friend, and understood what he had done.

Notes:

Túrin is cursed indeed; everything goes against the poor boy… Next, he shall have to flee again, but in his new home a certain messenger from Círdan will arrive – and I think you all know who she may be!

Chapter 26: Messenger of Círdan

Summary:

The King of the Sea has an important message and Aerneth decides to forward it - but the road to Doriath is long, and she must first find Gondolin and Nargothrond.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Messenger of Círdan

The Mouths of Sirion, First Age 489

She was just locking up the corn storage, after filling her sack for today’s work in the bakery, when Aerneth felt Thranduil’s thoughts in her head. As usual her heart beat faster in anticipation. She both loved and hated his calls; she loved to see his face but hated the horrible, empty feeling she would get afterwards. And in addition she was always nervous there would be bad news. That he was hurt or in danger.

She brought her sack with her to the river and squatted beside it, waving aside a few fallen leaves from its calm surface. It ran wide and slow down here, and the water was brackish. 

When she had established the connection, Thranduil’s face formed. He was in his room; she recognized the ceiling with the many glittering crystals he had once put there to resemble stars. When the picture had cleared, Aerneth saw that Thranduil wore his cool, neutral expression that made him look like a statue of smooth glass. Bad news, then. 

She suppressed the mixed feelings of worry and annoyance and took on a cool face herself. “Good morning, husband.”

“Wife.” He nodded curtly.

“To what do I owe the honor?” He normally only called her a few times a year, usually at the holidays – and it was less than a month since the Autumn Hunt feast.

“I wanted to inform you I have moved back to Menegroth with the remaining march-wardens, and after the demise of Beleg Cúthalion I am now made full captain.” His face got even stiffer. 

Something disastrous must have happened. Last time Thranduil called he had lived in Amon Rûdh and claimed to be successfully defending the Guarded Plain. 

“How did he die?” Aerneth had never liked Beleg, but hearing about the demise of an elf was always sad.

“It is a long story.”

Aerneth sat down. “I am in no hurry.” She was; a whale hunting team was setting out tomorrow and she had promised them lembas, but she instinctively knew he wanted to tell her, and probably needed it too.

Sighing, Thranduil told of the dwarf’s betrayal and the orc attack, and how he and Beleg had gone after Túrin when he was captured. “When we finally found him he had been tortured for many days and was confused. Beleg cut him loose, but somehow the sword… somehow it nicked him, and Túrin thought he was attacked by an orc and wrestled Beleg down and… Killed him.” His voice wavered ever so slightly. “Queen Melian always said Anglachel was an evil sword. I wish Beleg had taken another.”

“What did Túrin do?”

“He… Was shocked at first. For many hours. And then, after he came round, we buried Beleg there. In… In the wastelands. A horrible place for a grave, really.” Thranduil seemed to fight hard to uphold his neutral face now. “Afterwards, Túrin took the evil black sword and went with Gwindor, perhaps to Nargothrond, I do not know. He told me not to follow. So I returned home to tell Mablung about… his friend’s death. Excuse me.” Thranduil disappeared from view. When he returned, his face was smooth again. “At least I have learned my lesson now,” he continued. “I will never again follow someone against my better judgment. Túrin was young and foolish, as one might expect from a human, but Beleg knew better. Had he insisted on bringing Túrin back to Doriath, forcing him if needed, none of this would have happened. As Beleg’s successor, I will keep our realm safe without taking unnecessary risks. From now on, the march-wardens shall stay inside Melian’s Girdle as our king always preferred.”

His forced calmness and smooth mask was starting to grate on Aerneth’s nerves. Would it hurt him to show his feelings at least once?

“So you will hide there, while Morgoth roams Beleriand freely. I see.” 

“Say what?” His eyebrows drew together threateningly.

“There is a world outside your precious realm. But I guess if you follow a cowardly king, you would not care.”

Red spots of anger appeared on his pale cheeks. Finally he was reacting; the unnatural, hateful mask was gone. Aerneth preferred his fury over that feigned indifference.

“You know what is cowardly?” His voice was low and frosty as the Helcaraxë ice waste. “The dwarf selling his friends’ lives to the enemy. Morgoth’s orcs ambushing my people in their sleep, and torturing their bound captives for days on end. That was cowardice.”

Aerneth did not reply, feeling slightly regretful for her choice of words. She knew Thranduil did not lack courage. 

“Beleg and I brought over fifty march-wardens with us to Amon Rûdh. Do you know how many survived?”

She shook her head.

“Twelve. Twelve! Think of their families, their spouses, their sons and daughters – think of all that loss! Just because Beleg and I relocated them to a hard to defend area. It was our fault. My fault. And you speak of cowardice!” He had raised his voice now, and his eyes were flashing. “All those years we fought there, what good did they do? Morgoth still has his armies; his orcs, his balrogs and his dragons. It was for naught! A total waste of lives.” He took a deep breath, and another. “If risking others’ lives is bravery, then I am rather a coward.” He pushed the bowl over and was gone.

Aerneth stared sadly at the empty water. How come Thranduil always brought out the worst in her? And she in him. He would probably not call her again for some time now, and perhaps that was for the better. It would give them time to calm down, and start missing each other, and the next time they would take pains to behave.

At least his decision to stay put in Menegroth meant he was safe for now.

oOo

The Mouths of Sirion, First Age 495

An early spring morning a few years later, was the next time Aerneth had reason to worry about her husband. They were having their annual small boat race, and the Bay of Balar was full of small vessels with brightly colored sails. The whole town was out there, cheerful and expectant.  

Aerneth had just put the floating goal in its position when suddenly the surface started to bubble and seethe under her dinghy, and a vast being appeared beneath, rising from the deep to a great height. Riding a giant, gnarled blue whale, he was clad entirely in a mail of fishlike scales, with a helmet of foam on his head and a trident in one hand, and on his chin grew a beard of seagrass-like tendrils. He was The King of the Sea, Ulmo himself.

Two smaller shapes flanked the Vala; his Maiar Ossë and Uinen. The former straddled a black-and-white killer whale, and the latter rode in a sled pulled by dolphins. Large waves followed in Ossë’s wake, but behind him Uinen calmed the sea with her breath, and the result was a rippling surf making the many boats in the Bay stir restlessly.

On his swan ship, Aerneth’s father greeted Ulmo with a hand over his heart. “My lord… I am honored.”

“Shipwright.” The Vala’s voice was a deep roar, and a spray of water cascaded from his enormous hand when he placed it on his scaly chest, returning the greeting. “I bear grave tidings.” 

He explained that he and his Maiar had had visions of the future. Uinen had seen the river Sirion once more tainted by foul creatures pouring down from Angband, turning the ground black and charred in their wake. Ulmo had seen the destruction of the last remaining elvish realms; first Nargothrond, then Doriath, then lastly, Gondolin. Ossë had seen the entire Beleriand gone under and replaced by a wide ocean.

“There is a new lord in Nargothrond, and he is too bold,” said Uinen in her motherly voice. “He has counseled the weak king to fight the enemy, sending warriors north, and spanning the river Narog with a bridge to ease their passage. But Morgoth will retaliate, and his dragon will walk over the bridge into the city, and it shall burn.”

“And in Gondolin an evil seed grows in their midst, one who shall betray them all to ruin,” boomed Ulmo. “Thou shalt warn them, Shipwright. They must leave ere it is too late, and come to thee. From this shore a new star shall arise and save the children of Ilúvatar.”

“I will, my lord.” Círdan bowed, his face pale. “I shall send messengers to warn Turgon, Orodreth and Thingol, and I shall invite them here. However… There is one thing I would ask you, my lord. Some years back I built seven ships, which sailed west to find a way into Aman, where they would beg your brethren for aid against the Dark Lord. My wife was on one of those ships. Pray, tell me… did they get there?”

The Vala’s large, ocean green eyes grew distant a moment, and then he turned them back to Círdan. “Nay, Shipwright. They all perished. All save one, a Gondolindrim, whom I brought to the shore far north of here.”

Círdan hung his head. “Thank you, my lord. I feared this might be the case.”

Aerneth’s breath hitched and she sat heavily down in her little boat. Then it was as she too had feared. Her mother was dead, drowned, just like her mother-in-law. Ossë’s waves had taken them, though she could not hate him for it, it was his nature after all. 

Tears started to trickle down her cheeks. Nana was gone. Now she knew that for sure. It was a relief in a way; it had been awful not knowing, keeping up a tiny spark of hope all these years. 

Still weeping, Aerneth pondered over the rest of Ulmo’s tidings. Doriath would be destroyed. Would she lose her husband as well now? They had seen it in Galadriel’s mirror many years back, seen the ruin of both Nargothrond and Doriath. When only the Falas fell, Aerneth had somehow started to believe the other visions would not come to pass. 

How could she warn Thranduil? Since their fight a few years back, he had not called her. But she had to make him leave Doriath, she had to make him understand. 

She must go there. Return to Menegroth and not leave without him.

With a pang of pain she remembered the last time she and Thranduil met in person, when she had said those horrible, dreadful things to him. Accusing him of driving his mother to her death.

We are bad for each other, he had said. But after such a long time, maybe they had learned? Maybe it would be different now? There was no helping it. She had to try. She could not lose him too.

When the Vala and his Maiar had left, Círdan canceled the sailing race and instantly began preparations for sending the messengers. Two Noldor elves volunteered to make the journey, Gelmir, and Arminas. Aerneth knew them well, and the latter had even tried to woo her some four decades ago when they were still living in Eglarest. He and his friend were from Dorthonion originally, survivors of the Battle of Sudden Flames, and had been staying with Círdan’s people ever since. Now they longed to return into the world and perhaps find surviving kin in Gondolin.

Círdan decided the best route would be to ship the messengers up the coast, via the firth of Drengist into Hithlum, and put them ashore so they could continue on foot across the mountains to where Gondolin was thought to be. And after they had warned Turgon, they would turn south to Nargothrond and Doriath.

“I am going with them,” Aerneth told her father. 

“Why? I have many apt sailors who can take them into Hithlum.” His eyes narrowed. “You mean to follow them ashore?”

“I do.”

He nodded slowly. “Your husband. You want to warn him.”

“I have to go, Ada. If he reaches out to me through the water before I leave the ship, I might stay onboard and follow it back, but if not… I need to go to Doriath.”

“I understand.” His face looked grim, but he did not object. Perhaps he knew she would not listen anyway. “Be careful.” In his eyes she saw the deep sadness and pain he felt after the loss of his wife, and his worry he might lose his daughter too. 

She nodded, too full of emotions to speak.

oOo

The journey to Hithlum took several weeks, and being confined aboard a ship with an ellon who apparently still had feelings for her proved extremely awkward. How could he have committed his heart with so little encouragement? He ought to at least have been cured after Aerneth got married, but apparently this was not the case. She felt a pang of guilt every time she noticed his longing gaze on her. 

To avoid him, Aerneth stayed in her cabin as much as possible, staring out the porthole and brooding over the dark future predicted. Beleriand gone, replaced by the ocean! No more elvish realms, and Morgoth taking over. Could things really get that bleak? Now she wished she had appealed to Ulmo to call the other Valar here. She was beginning to believe only they could defeat the Dark Lord.

She thought a lot about Thranduil too. She pictured the look on his face when he saw her again, and planned out in detail what she would say to persuade him. The problem with planning conversations ahead, however, was that they never went accordingly, and she was terrified it would end in disaster just like last time. What if things went even further? She had lost control over her water powers, and it had frightened her to the extent that she had not dared use them since – apart from the communication part, of course.

Other times, she imagined the opposite. That it would go well. She pictured Thranduil’s gaze turning soft as he pulled her into his arms, mumbling against her neck how much he loved her. That he forgave her for cheating on him and for her cruel words. It was a bittersweet daydream which always left her with damp eyes and a lump in her throat. She knew it would not happen.

oOo

The firth of Drengist was a channel of the sea, leading into Hithlum like a triangular wedge between sheer cliff faces on either side, ending in a narrow, tunnel-like passage. Soon after the tunnel they cast the anchor, wishing to avoid coming too close to the inhabited parts of Hithlum, which was controlled by the Easterlings nowadays. Instead the messengers would continue on foot along the southern highlands that circled Dor-Lómin all the way east to Sirion, and on the other side of that river they hoped to find the path into Gondolin.

Taking leave of the sailors, Aerneth and her two companions disembarked on a barren strip of beach with a rough cliff wall looming over them. They carried only little; lembas of course and a change of shifts, but not much else. No weapons, as neither of them were warriors. 

When they climbed the cliff, Arminas had some misguided notion that Aerneth was a frail elleth who needed support. He repeatedly turned back to her, reaching out a helping hand. It annoyed her to the extent where she put all her strength into recklessly speed-climbing past the ellyn, arriving at the top first of all. 

When Arminas' head became visible over the edge several minutes later, she held out her hand. “Here, let me help you,” she said, hiding a smirk.

It was beautiful at the hilltop, with an astonishing view on all sides. Behind them was the open sea, and at the mouth of the firth they could see the swan ship that had brought them, already looking like an elfling’s toy. Further south were the ruins of Eglarest, her childhood home; they had passed them by a couple of days back.

To the north, the fertile soil of Dor-Lómin unfolded, where the humans later in the year would grow crops and vegetables after their habit. The fields gave the ground a striped appearance from above, and columns of chimney smoke showed where there were settlements. It looked peaceful, but Aerneth was not fooled by it. The Easterlings had made thralls of the original inhabitants, taking the women as wives and mistresses and forcing the men to slave away on the fields – all according to Thranduil, who had heard it from Túrin, the boy he had raised.

Turning southeast, she looked at the Guarded Plain where the many arms of Sirion and its tributaries cut through the sparse pine woods and heathlands. The one closest to them must be Narog, the river that led to Nargothrond. Further east a mass of hazy brown and pink showed where the bud-covered trees of the forests of Brethil and Doriath began. Somewhere in there was her husband.

With a chill, the full impact of Ossë’s foresight suddenly struck Aerneth. If he was right, all this would be gone. Sunk under the sea.

The thought was unfathomable. Could it really be true?

A movement much closer drew her eyes, and a blond man came out from behind a large oak. His clothes were tattered and stained, his chin covered in a bristly beard after the fashion of humans. He smelled horribly, like one who had not washed himself for weeks.

“You are elves,” he stated, and greeted them the polite way with a bow and a hand across his chest.

“We are.” They returned the greeting, all three regarding him with curiosity.

“I am Tuor, son of Huor, of the House of Hador, if those names mean anything to you?”  

“Nay.” Arminas and Gelmir both shook their heads, but Aerneth squinted and looked at him more closely. He reminded her of another human with those golden tresses and the sky blue eyes. Then she remembered.

“Huor! He fought with his brother Húrin in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, right? I only ever saw Húrin, but you look just like him.” 

“Húrin was my uncle, aye. They were both killed in the war, and I was born shortly after, so I never met either of them. And my naneth died when I was very little. I was raised by the elves in Mithrim, but then I got caught by the Easterlings and was forced to work three years for them. I recently escaped.”

“I am sorry to hear that.” No wonder he looked so harrowed. 

“I have been trying to find the tunnel from Dor-Lómin to the sea. You don't happen to know where it might be?”

“Oh aye, it is down there. We just came through it.” Gelmir smiled and pointed.

“Thank you.” He bowed politely. “I must continue, then. They are probably searching for me.” Soon his golden curls disappeared over the edge and he was gone.

“It is strange how fast humans grow,” mused Aerneth as the three elves continued east. “It feels like hardly any time has passed since I saw his uncle, and then this man was not even born yet.”

“Imagine having elflings who grew that fast. You could be a grandparent before your tenth decade day!” Gelmir chuckled.

“I will never have elflings,” said Arminas bitterly. 

Aerneth clenched her jaw and silently wowed to keep her mouth shut the rest of the journey.

oOo

“Can’t we just give up?” Aerneth wiped her forehead and rested her back against a crooked pine. They had been climbing among the rocky cliffs east of the Pass of Sirion all day in the pouring rain, and yesterday too, and the day before that. For weeks they had scoured the area for a passage to the hidden city.

“Nay! The entrance must be here somewhere,” growled Arminas, who was trying to braid his soaked hair out of his eyes. His gallantry from the first days of their journey had disappeared entirely, and it even seemed his feelings for her had subsided. Traveling over rough landscape in rainy spring weather, while sleeping on the ground and eating only cold food tended to do that to people.

“Well it clearly is not,” Aerneth retorted sourly. She knew they had to warn Turgon, or she would have refused trying to find Gondolin at all. Both because she suspected it was futile – after all, it had been hidden for over thirty decades without anyone finding it – and because there was a certain blond warrior living there who she hoped never to meet again.

“Let us try a few more days at least. We owe it to Turgon.” Gelmir was cowering under a juniper. Then he sat up straighter. “What is that?” He was looking at a point below, and then he gasped as he lifted his gaze further.

Aerneth squinted through the shower, until she saw it too. A huge orc army came marching over the Anfauglith wastelands, even greater than the one she had seen during the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, and it was heading straight at the Pass. The first companies had already reached the river. If the weather had been clear and the sounds not muffled by the rain, they would have discovered them much sooner.

“Damn. It’s beginning!” She jumped up. “We cannot linger here. This is it. The army that will destroy Doriath and Nargothrond! We must warn them.” 

“But what of Gondolin?” Arminas had gotten on his feet too.

“Ulmo said it would fall last of them,” said Gelmir. “Maybe it will remain hidden.”

“I hope so.” Arminas clenched his fists in frustration.

The rest of that day and all through the night, the three of them hurried south over the mountains as stealthily as they could. Every now and then they tried to get a glimpse of the orc movements. They seemed to be gathering at Tol Sirion, the island where Sauron once had kept Beren prisoner, and where his tower still remained. Maybe they would regroup there, and use the island as base for their assault. It was a spot easy to defend – as if any elvish realm had enough warriors to match that host.

After another couple of days they had finally reached the end of the mountains, and began descending a steep slope full of rocks and loose stones. Below, they saw the Ford of Brithiach. 

“That is Doriath.” Aerneth pointed eagerly. “We should go there first, it is the closest!” 

“But Nargothrond will fall first,” Arminas objected. He seemed very reluctant to go to Doriath, possibly because he knew Aerneth’s husband lived there.

“I agree with Arminas,” said Gelmir, and Aerneth was downvoted.

At least now they were walking on more even ground, and could follow the Old South Road all the way to their destination. The weather had cleared too, and south of the road the ground was covered in sweet smelling wood anemones under the Brethil trees. If they had not been in such a hurry, it would have been a great spot to set up their camp, and perhaps try catching a fish or two in the river and have a warm meal for a change.

Instead they trudged on, day and night, postponing sleep and most meals until later.

They were spotted very soon after they crossed the Teiglin, another of Sirion’s many tributaries, and came out onto the Guarded Plain. Not for naught was it called so, for apparently Nargothrond had scouts all over the place. Within a few hours a small guard company on horseback came galloping up at them, asking who they were and what their errand was.

“We must speak with King Orodreth,” said Gelmir. “We bring an urgent message from Lord Círdan.”

“We shall take you to our commander,” said the guard. 

They were given spare horses and brought by a couple of the guards to a large camp, with many tents and rows of colorful banners billowing in the breeze. Behind the camp rose a hill, where a stone bridge led to a set of huge double doors. A roaring sound came from under the bridge; the river Narog. 

So this was what Uinen had spoken of. The once secret city of Nargothrond had become wide open and inviting, and the river which could have protected it from attacks had been spanned. If the multitude of orcs they had seen came here, they would effortlessly take the city.

In the largest of the tents they were met by a tall person with raven hair, looking so much like a Noldor it took several minutes until they realized he was actually a human.

“You are not Orodreth” said Gelmir.

“I am his counselor. You can speak to me.” The man even sounded like an elf, and his chin was smooth. Had he no beard, or had he cut it off?

“Lord Círdan specifically said the message was for the king’s ears. You must take us to him.”

The man waved at a nearby ellon, almost casually. “Get him.”

He nodded and left, presumably to fetch Orodreth. 

“What is your name?” asked Aerneth. She suddenly had a horrible suspicion she knew already. A man – looking like an elf – living in Nargothrond. Could it be anyone else?

“I go by many names here – Mormegil, after my sword, or Bloodstained, son of Ill-fate, which is what my name should have been.”

“You are Túrin, Húrin’s son,” she said.

His eyes widened in surprise and then he frowned. “Who told you that?”

“Thranduil, my husband.”

He flinched and suddenly looked terribly guilty. “Oh. I did not know he was married. Did he… What did he say about me?”

I did not know he was married. How could those words hurt so much? Thranduil had loved this man as a son, but apparently never once mentioned her existence to him. “He told me everything.” If she hurt, he could hurt too, and she knew why he seemed nervous. 

“Everything?” He suddenly straightened up, and the commanding air returned. “So then you know not to cross me. Keep my name a secret, or may Morgoth take you and burn your tongue!”

Aerneth stared at him, surprised over his outburst. But before she could reply, a group of elves approached, one of them wearing a thin circlet on his brow. King Orodreth was blond like his aunt, but apart from that he did not look much like Galadriel. His face was more narrow and he had a weak chin.

“You have a message for me from Círdan? Then why do you come from the north? That is suspicious, don’t you think so, Mormegil?” 

“Indeed.” Túrin glared at Aerneth.

“We were searching for Turgon, my lord,” Arminas explained. “For Gondolin, his hidden city.”

“Then you have gone wrong. There is no Turgon here.” Orodreth turned as if he wanted to leave again.

“Wait, my lord!” exclaimed Gelmir hurriedly. “A great host coming hither. The whole of Anfauglith was littered with orcs.”

“I do not fear orcs.”

“Nargothrond will fall, the Vala Ulmo has foreseen it, and Círdan Shipwright sent us to invite you to his realm, where you can be safe. The following words are from Ulmo: ‘The evil of the north has defiled the springs of Sirion. You must close your fortress and cast the stones of your pride into the river.’”

The king turned to Túrin. “What do you make of this?”

“Let Círdan deal with what he knows best – boats,” he sneered. “If Ulmo has a message for us, he ought not speak in riddles.”

“That is what I thought also.”

“He is talking about the bridge.” Aerneth could not keep silent. “‘The stones of your pride.’ The bridge. Cast it down and close your gate. Let Morgoth clash against them in vain, thinking you are in there, while you bring your people south to my adar.”

“Círdan is your adar?” Túrin’s contemptuous look disappeared. “My apologies for belittling him, my lady. But we will not abandon Nargothrond, and Morgoth is welcome here with his troops! This is what we have been waiting for; a chance to finally end him.”

“Indeed.” Orodreth smiled and nodded at the man.

Were they stupid? Did they think they could resist the entire host of Morgoth? Unlike them, Aerneth had seen it. His dragons, his balrogs… One dragon alone would burn this camp with all the tents and banners to a crisp. 

She met her companions' gazes, and read the same shocked disbelief in their eyes. 

“We are grateful for Lord Círdan’s concern, and you must thank him upon your return,” said Túrin. “The hour is growing late, however, and you look weary. Allow us to reward your troubles with our hospitality. Let us share a pleasant supper, and you can tell us more about your travels in the north, and have a comfortable night’s sleep in our guesthouse. Now you must excuse me, I have much to discuss with my captains.” And with that, they were dismissed.

After a brief conference among themselves, they decided to accept the offer. They were weary, and hungry, and a night in a guesthouse sounded very appealing. 

Tomorrow they would continue to Doriath, where they would hopefully get a better reception. There was of course the overhanging threat of the orc host, but hopefully they could afford to stay here one day.

Notes:

Another little derivation from the Silmarillion: Ulmo only told Círdan to warn Orodreth in Nargothrond – so in canon, the messengers went to search for Gondolin on their own accord. Doriath was not mentioned at all. However, I find it more logical to warn all three realms, and it fits my story better. :) 

Chapter 27: Father of Dragons

Summary:

Disaster hits Nargothrond and Aerneth is trapped there. How can she deliver a warning to her husband in Doriath before the dragon gets there first?

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Father of Dragons

A palace servant led the way to Nargothrond. When they crossed the bridge, Aerneth peered down at the stormy waters and shook her head. Stupid not to keep such a great natural defense.

Then it struck her how ironic it was that she had chided Thranduil for trying to keep his march-wardens safe, when here she was on a mission to tell the king of Nargothrond he was too bold and out in the open! But if she was honest with herself, she had not meant what she said to Thranduil, it was just her usual compulsion to wind him up and make him lose that hateful glass face. She did want him to stay safe – or even better, to get as far away from Doriath as possible.

Inside, Aerneth reflected that Nargothrond looked very much like Menegroth. It had similar silver trees and animals, and hidden skylights providing a faint illumination. It even smelled the same way, slightly damp and cellar like. 

It was heavenly to take a bath and change clothes after such a long time on the road, and when she went with her companions to the palace, Aerneth felt a little hopeful again. Perhaps if they could speak more with Orodreth, they could still persuade him to relent? Especially if Túrin was not around. It seemed the man was a bad influence on the weak king.

Sadly, they would not be so lucky, for when she entered the dining area, Túrin was the first person Aerneth saw. With his height and proud air, he dominated the room. He was talking with a blonde elleth, and when the messengers entered he waved them to him. 

“Allow me to introduce you to my good friend Princess Finduilas, daughter of the king.” 

Finduilas politely exchanged a few words with them, but very soon her attention returned to the man beside her. Aerneth could see why; dressed in fine clothes, but with the physique and bearing of a warrior, he looked very handsome – if you were into the dark, arrogant type. Aerneth preferred blond, strong and silent ellyn, but had to admit that Túrin had charisma. No wonder Thranduil had seemed so fond of him, when he talked about the boy during their water calls.

An ellon joined them, casting a dark look at Túrin before turning to Aerneth. “My lady Aerneth. I am happy to see you are well!”

She looked at him in surprise at first, but then recognized him. “Gwindor!” Last time she saw that face was in her water bowl at the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. It had been shortly before his brother was severed right before his eyes, after which he had charged prematurely, leading all the elves he brought from Nargothrond to their death. 

Aerneth’s eyes were drawn to the stump that was all that remained of his left hand.

“I was taken captive by Morgoth,” he explained. “I managed to escape at last, but lost a limb in the process.”

“I am sorry,” Aerneth mumbled.

“I have only myself to blame. I rushed the attack, and my comrades had to pay for it.” He spoke low, only for her ears. “If you do not mind – would you tell me what happened after I left Barad Eithel?”

“Of course.” She gave him a detailed description of the battle, from the beginning to its bleak end. When she had finished, they were alone; Túrin and the elleth had gone to speak with the king, and Gelmir and Arminas had followed them.

“That man…!” Gwindor’s jaw set. 

“What about him?”

“Finduilas and I are betrothed to marry. But ever since he came here, she has loved him more. He claims only to think of her as a sister, but yet he singles her out all the time.” He clenched his remaining fist.

“That must be awful.”

“Mormegil is cursed. Wherever he goes, evil follows. Perhaps I should not expose who he is, but…”

“I know already. My husband is a captain of the Doriathrim march-wardens, and was with the Outlaws.”

Gwindor’s eyes widened. “Captain of the march-wardens… I hope… I hope your husband is not Beleg Cúthalion?”

“Nay. Nay, he is Thranduil Oropherion. I heard what happened with Beleg. Thank the Valar, my husband survived.”

“I have met Thranduil; I was there at that time. Afterwards I brought Túrin home to Nargothrond with me – which I bitterly regret now, may I add. Is your husband well? He seemed like a nice ellon, though he was understandably not himself when we parted shortly after the death of his good friend.” 

“I have not heard from him in many years, but have no reason to believe otherwise than that he is well. We are leaving for Doriath tomorrow, to warn them also.”

“Warn?”

“Aye.” She repeated Ulmo’s words. 

Gwindor paled and swallowed hard. “This is grave news indeed! From the beginning, I spoke against opening up our city, but of course nobody would listen. I was trapped in Angband for many years; I know Morgoth’s strength. The only way to beat him is for the Valar to return and help us. Leaving our hiding place has only made him aware of our existence – no wonder he will retaliate.”

“But how can we reach them? My ada tried to send ships to Aman many years ago. None returned.” Aerneth pushed down the still fresh grief over her mother’s demise.

“There must be a way. There is a prophecy among our people, that one day a messenger will get through.”

Aerneth remembered Ulmo’s final words: From this shore a new star shall arise, and save the children of Ilúvatar . A chill crept along her spine. Did he mean that the Valar would help them? If so, that made it all the more important for the last elvish realms to stay hidden and safe until then – or there would be no children of Ilúvatar left to save.

“I wish I could go with you to Lord Círdan,” Gwindor continued. “I would, if I could persuade Finduilas to come with me. But I know she will stay with him, and I cannot leave her.” He sighed heavily.

During the course of the evening, Aerneth and her companions again tried to speak with Orodreth and make him relent, but to no avail. He was intent on fighting valiantly and not showing weakness. Instead of destroying the bridge, he and Túrin meant to strengthen it and make it wider, so an even greater army could pass. Beginning tomorrow, they would recruit more warriors among the Nargothrond people, increasing their numbers further.

“You should stay and fight too,” Túrin suggested. “Perhaps after you deliver the message to Doriath, you can return here?”

“You could ask Thingol to join forces with us,” added the king.

“We would gladly await battle with our kin, but we promised Lord Círdan to bring back word to him afterwards,” said Arminas smoothly.

oOo

The three messengers slept well in the royal guest rooms, and left the city shortly after sunrise. They had not come far, however, when a rider caught up with them at a gallop, bringing three loose horses in tow.

“You must return. Our scouts have seen a great host of orcs south of the Teiglin crossing, and there is a battle going on between them and the humans of Brethil. They must have come during the night. The king will send a company there shortly, but the area is not safe for wanderers.”

“We are not going that far north,” Aerneth protested, dismayed at the prospect of further delay. “There is a secret bridge over the Sirion which is much closer. It is the route the trade emissaries from the Falas used to take.”

“Some of the orcs have come far south, almost to Amon Rûdh. You cannot go there. I have orders to bring you back with me.”

The three messengers looked at each other. Then Gelmir shrugged. “I guess we have to wait a while longer.”

They mounted the spare horses and followed the messenger back. When they had climbed the hills and reached the bridge across the river Narog, Aerneth turned around. Shadowing her eyes against the morning sun she could now see the raging battle in the distance. The orcs were so numerous the area looked black.

“This is bad,” Arminas muttered. “There are too many.”

A few slow days followed, after Túrin and the king had left with a large company to aid the humans and push back the invading orcs. Aerneth and her companions spent the meantime restlessly walking around in the city, sleeping long in the mornings and eating too much, just to have something to do.

After a little over a week, Aerneth felt someone calling her, and hurried to one of the many silver fountains nearby to establish a connection. A somber, tired Gwindor appeared in the water.

“Good to see you,” she said. “How are you faring?”

“We are holding the enemy back, but only barely. The orcs have control over most of the northern Guarded Plain. But that is not why I’m calling. Tú– uh, Mormegil wants to speak with you.” He turned to someone standing next to him, and Túrin’s face replaced his in the fountain. He looked cheerful and excited.

“Do not let that old pessimist frighten you. We are not budging, and with the new recruits I plan to engage, we should soon be able to push back the enemy where they belong. I was very pleased when Gwindor told me about your gift with water magic. This is just what we need! I hope you can stay the duration of this skirmish and be my voice in the city. Could you do it? It would be beneficial to you as well, for the sooner we rid the Plain of festering orcs, the sooner you can deliver your message to Doriath.” He smiled winsomely.

Aerneth nodded reluctantly. She might as well accept, for at least then she would have something to do other than eating.

“Wonderful! Then you shall soon hear from me again. Oh, by the way… Gwindor asks you to send his love to Finduilas, and please greet her from me also.” He disappeared.

Aerneth turned to Arminas and Gelmir, who were with her. “You heard him. We are still stuck here.” She sighed.

Arminas shook his head. “I don’t want to be caught up in this. We all know what will happen; it is not safe to stay!”

“I agree,” said Gelmir. “We should return to Lord Círdan. If we take the river route it should be safe.”

“But what about Doriath?” Aerneth bit her lip.

“Maybe their scouts will discover what is happening, and then someone there might reach out to you.”

“Maybe, might… It’s not good enough! I have to warn my husband!” 

“I am not staying. Sorry.” Arminas stubbornly crossed his arms. 

Aerneth felt like punching him in the face. How could he be so unfeeling!

“Well I am. You can leave, and I will deliver the message myself,” she said firmly.

“Aerneth, be reasonable…”

But she had already stomped off. 

Gelmir and Arminas left Nargothrond the next day, walking on foot along the river but planning to build a simple raft once they got further downstream where the water slowed a bit. Despite their disagreement, Aerneth went out to see them off. 

“Círdan will have our hide when we return without you,” said Gelmir, giving her a quick hug.

“He will understand. Tell him to reach out to me through the water if he worries.”

“Be careful.” Arminas took her hand, and some of his earlier affection for her returned to his eyes. 

“I can take care of myself.”

“I know.” He kissed her hand, and turned away.

Aerneth watched her former companions as they gradually became smaller. Soon they disappeared behind a cliff and were gone.

oOo

The battle on the Guarded Plain continued all summer without much change. The humans lost their leader early on, and soon afterwards retreated back into the deep Brethil forest where the many traps and dense undergrowth made it hard for the orcs to follow. After their departure, only the Nargothrond elves remained to resist the enemy.

The front line wavered back and forth; sometimes the elves were driven back and sometimes the orcs had to retreat, but Túrin never managed to push them further than to the Crossing of Teiglin.

Aerneth made herself useful as Túrin’s delegate whenever he needed more warriors at the front, or a refilling of provisions such as food, medicaments, arrows and similar, but apart from those occasions she lived a quiet, rather dull life in the now almost deserted city. Less than a hundred ellith remained, together with a small city guard, for by now most of the able adults had joined the army. 

Aerneth had offered to come too, but both Túrin and Gwindor had begged her to stay. She was no warrior, and she was more useful as their messenger – and in addition, both of them wanted her to keep an eye on the princess. Since Finduilas seemed perfectly capable of looking after herself, this left Aerneth with not much to do. 

Thus the summer passed fairly uneventfully. Not much longer however, for in the autumn the foretold doom reached Nargothrond at last. 

The nights had just begun to grow chilly, when something dire came forth from the mountains in the north: a dragon. Once again, Morgoth had let loose one of his most fearsome weapons.

Despite the distance, the remaining citizens of Nargothrond could see it clearly where they had gathered on the terrace outside the city gate. An enormous, scaly beast, crawling down onto the Plain. It was following the river Narog from its spring, burning the ground as it went, and in its wake came an even greater host of orcs fresh out of Angband. 

Panic erupted among the onlookers, for what could they do now? Idly await the inevitable destruction? They could never hope to defend against such a monstrous foe, even if they had time to destroy the bridge.

Aerneth tried to speak over the din, again suggesting they escape to her father down by the Mouths of Sirion, but in her heart she knew it was too late. The dragon moved with inhuman speed on its tree-trunk legs; it would catch up with them in no time.

Still, she had to try, though it hurt to leave without a chance to warn Thranduil. There was no helping it – she would be no use to him dead. 

Before anyone had time to leave, Aerneth felt Túrin in her mind. When she picked up her bowl, his face in the water was pale and blackened with soot, and of his former pride nothing remained. “The king is dead, and I have just dragged Gwindor to safety. But he… did not make it. Before he… passed away, he begged me to save Finduilas, and said this is my only chance. That the curse… That there is a curse upon my ada and his descendants, and only Finduilas stands between me and that curse. Can you… gather the ellith and bring them to the river? Gwindor said you can make Uinen create a mist to hide them in. Please. Can you beg her to help us? I’m coming home as fast as I can, but I’m still far away.”

“I will do my best,” Aerneth assured him, thankful for the advice. 

She hurried to climb down the rough ravine, until she was close enough to the roaring fall of the river. There she called Uinen, using a bowl she had brought for the purpose. The Maia instantly appeared as was her habit, but her fair face was distraught and she looked physically ill. 

“My waters…” she hissed. “Defiled! Dragon stench! Orc filth!”

“You must save us,” begged Aerneth. “Make a mist like you did before, and cover our retreat. Please!”

“I cannot. I cannot.” Her voice was strained. “The water is ruined and I cannot come near it. You must find another way.”

“No! Please! You can’t abandon us.”

“I am sorry, child.” And she was gone.

Desperately scrambling back up, Aerneth saw that the dragon was almost upon them now. Only one hope remained then; that the huge iron doors leading into the city would hold. 

Others had come to the same conclusion, and there was a crowd gathered at the entrance, fighting to push inside. Aerneth was hit in the face by someone’s elbow, and nearly trod on a fallen ellith. Someone yelled for the others to calm down, but nobody heeded them.

When finally inside, people ran to get as deep into the city as possible, and Aerneth was caught by the current of fleeing elves, helplessly dragged along.

They were still in plain view of the entrance when a deep, thunderous boom shook the entire hill. Even the ground trembled, like from an earthquake, and the escapees halted in dismay. Further down the street a couple of rocks fell from the distant cave ceiling, hitting the pavement with sharp cracks. 

Everyone turned this way and that, desperately trying to assess which direction was the least perilous. 

There was another boom, and more stones rained down. The throng dissolved and the elves scattered in all directions like a flock of startled birds. 

Aerneth stumbled and her ankle twisted painfully. Before she could get on her feet, the gate fell inwards with a final boom, and the giant lizard came creeping down directly towards her. 

The monster’s horrible stench preceded it, and it weakened her, numbing her senses. She tried feebly to stand, but her legs felt useless and heavy. 

A lidless, yellow eye with a narrow pupil turned her way, and she stared into its depth, mesmerized. 

oOo

When Aerneth came round, she was standing on the terrace overlooking the bridge, just outside the broken city gate. She was surrounded by a group of huddling ellith, her hands bound with a dirty, rough rope, so tight her skin had broken. A few orcs guarded them, laden with jewelry and bulky sacks, probably containing more spoils of war. 

Dizzily looking around, Aerneth noticed Finduilas among the survivors, but her head hung and she was bleeding from a head injury. What would happen with them now? All the horror stories she had heard about how orcs treated their captives came unbidden to her mind.

She looked away in dismay, and her gaze fell on the bridge. It was strong and well built; even the weight of a full-grown dragon had not broken its proud stones. Where had the beast gone? 

Then she heard it. Heavy steps from inside the hill, accompanied by thuds and crashes as the city was looted. 

Another sound made her turn her head to the Guarded Plain below. She saw a scatter of tiny dots in the distance; riders, and one of them must be yelling on top of his lungs. Was that all that remained of the entire Nargothrond army? She regarded them as they slowly came closer.

After a while she recognized Túrin in the front, it was he who yelled. She wanted to tell him to flee, but just opening her mouth felt like too difficult a task. 

Some orc warriors had discovered the small elf troop and went to meet them, but Túrin nonchalantly struck them down, his gaze locked on the captives. 

He had almost reached them when there was a thump and a crack from the fallen doors, and the dragon’s head poked out, shortly followed by the rest of its scaly body. 

The elves accompanying Túrin fled, but he did not budge. Seemingly fearless, the young man approached the monster, his black sword held high. When it captured the red beams of the setting sun it appeared to be burning.

“Hail, son of Húrin. Well met!” The dragon's voice was a deep rumble, loud and terrifying. “I am Glaurung, Father of Dragons.”

Túrin tried to charge, but the Glaurung only opened one of its eyes. Remembering how she had been paralyzed before, Aerneth quickly turned away, but in the edge of her vision she noticed Túrin standing immobile and stiff like a statue.

Glaurung continued speaking: “As for you, you are all that is evil: a thankless fosterling, an outlaw, slayer of your friend, thief of love, foolish captain, and deserter of your kin. You live like a prince here, while your mother and sister slave away in Dor-Lómin, dressed in rags. Your father must be so proud,” he sneered. 

Still captured by the dragon’s gaze, Túrin remained frozen to the ground, while the orcs began to brusquely push and shove Aerneth and the other ellith away over the bridge. 

When she passed Túrin, Finduilas suddenly woke from her own trance and screamed his name, feebly fighting against her bonds, but he did not react.

All the way down to the Plain, Aerneth heard the dragon’s voice in the distance, continuing to work its suggestive spell on Túrin. It wanted him to go to Dor-Lómin and rescue his mother and sister, that much was obvious, and Aerneth knew with frightening clarity he would heed it. It must be a trap – why else would the beast not slay him immediately? This was all part of Morgoth’s vicious plan, she was sure of it.

As for Aerneth and the rest of the captives, nobody remained who could come to their rescue, despite the continuous wailing and pleading from Finduilas and many of the others. After a while their orc guards grew tired of the noise, and by means of a cruel whip they very soon put an end to all complaints. Only silent tears and stifled sobs remained afterwards.

They kept walking all through the night, and not until the sun stood high the next day where they allowed a short rest. They were only given foul water to drink, but Aerneth was too thirsty and exhausted to refuse it. The dizziness caused by the dragon’s stench and gaze had left her completely now, leaving terror and gruesome pain in its wake. Every part of her body hurt, from her sprained ankle to her head where she had caught an elbow the day before, and in addition she had gotten her fair share of the lashes generously dealt by their captors.

She fell asleep almost immediately, and when she was roused by an orc’s hard boot it felt like hardly no time had passed. Her head hurt worse now, if from stress, lack of sleep, or damage, she could not say.

On and on they went. They reached the Old South Road and followed it past the burned remains of farmsteads and reeking tree corpses. Everywhere Aerneth looked the ground was black; there was not a single living strand of grass to be seen. Did the dragon do all that? 

She wondered what had happened to Nargothrond. Burned too? All those elegant silver trees and fountains, gone forever. She had only lived there a short while but it had reminded her of her other home, in Menegroth. Would Doriath also be burned to ashes when Glaurung had finished his evil work in Nargothrond? Could he penetrate Melian’s magic fence? She did not know, but now that she had seen the power of the dragon, she would not be surprised if he could. 

The bleak journey continued, and with each passing day the ellith grew weaker from thirst, starvation and lack of sleep. Their wounds were left untended and beginning to fester, and the utter hopelessness of their situation was beginning to take a dangerous toll on many of them. More than once an elleth refused to rise after their short daytime rests, and were either already dead, or soon beaten to death by an orc whip.

The ones who died without aid frightened Aerneth the most. It was as if the will to live had left them, as if their very soul had withered. Could that happen to her too? 

Aerneth tried to feel within herself, and thought her soul was still there. And she certainly did not want to die. On the contrary, an escape plan had formed in her head when she spotted the Teiglin river in the distance, knowing they would have to cross it at the shallow wading area on their way to Morgoth’s realm. Uinen may not be able to help her anymore, but she had water powers too. She had nearly drenched her own husband, and a smaller orc must be even easier to hold down. Aerneth knew she was not powerful enough to save them all, but she could try to free as many as possible. 

The plan helped her keep her spirits up, and she thought about it day and night.

When they finally reached the Crossing, Aerneth was jittery and almost weak with anxiety. This was it, her only chance! But her captors must not suspect anything; she had to remain impassive and try to look as downcast as her fellows.

She waited until they were halfway through the river. The water was black and smelly, full of ash, dead plants and animal carcasses, and she cringed at the thought of diving into it, knowing she would have to; it was part of the plan. 

She was just about to sing her spell, when she heard a zinging noise, followed by a yelp as one of the orcs caught an arrow through his head. A second arrow pierced the arm of another, but now the element of surprise was lost and the orcs raised their shields. 

A bunch of rowdy humans emerged from between the trees on the other side of the river, all clad in greens and browns. The men of Brethil! They would be saved!

Aerneth’s relief was short-lived, however, for the orc leader turned to his companions and barked: “Kill the prisoners.” 

The guards lost no time; they instantly drew their grim swords and spears, preparing to do as told.

Aerneth finally shook off her shocked passivity, singing a few notes until a black wave emerged to engulf her captor completely. With a splutter he lost his grip on her bonds. 

Before another orc could catch her, she dived under the dark surface, desperately shutting her nose and mouth to the foulness of the water.

All sounds became distant as she let the current pull her with it. The shrill shrieks of the dying ellith, the grunts of the orcs, the shouts of the men – all of it sounded as if coming from the far side of a long tunnel.

When her lungs burned with lack of air, Aerneth cautiously popped her head up, allowing her feet to reach the rocks of the riverbed. She had drifted several yards, but as far as she could tell, all orcs were effectively being killed. 

Soon the men began to drag the corpses off the road, gathering them in two piles; orcs in one, ellith in another. 

Crawling ashore, Aerneth limped towards them.

“Oy!” cried one of the men, pointing at her and speaking to his comrades in his own language. 

She paid him no attention, for a golden mane of hair had caught her gaze. It was Finduilas, leaning against a tree trunk, feebly clasping the crude shaft of an orc spear emerging from her chest. Her breathing was shallow and labored, and bloody froth trickled from her pale lips.

Aerneth placed her hand over the elleth’s cold fingers, knowing instinctively there was nothing to be done but at least wanting to offer her some small comfort. 

A man joined them, sadly shaking his head. “She won’t make it,” he said in a strong human accent.

“Mormegil…” Finduilas’ voice was barely more than a whisper, and she met the man’s gaze unsteadily. “Tell Mormegil Finduilas is here.” She breathed out one last time, and her body went limp.

“Who’s Mormegil?” asked the man, turning to Aerneth. “But forgive my manners. I’m Dorlas of Brethil.” He bowed in the way of men. ”Let me help you with that.” He proceeded to untie her bound hands. 

“Mormegil is… was a captain in Nargothrond. I do not know whether he still lives.” Aerneth rubbed her raw, chafed wrists. “Tell me… were there any survivors?”

“None but you, my lady.”

None but you. She had saved herself, but all the other captives were dead. A surge of guilt hit her almost painfully, but she pushed it down.

“I need… I need to go to Doriath. Can someone direct me to a path?”

“Pardon me, but you’re in no state to go anywhere. Come with us, and have your wounds tended to.”

“Nay! I have to.” She frowned at the man. She had delayed too long, and even now the dragon might be on his way to Doriath. There was no time to lose, could not this scruffy oaf see that?

The man visibly cowered at the look on her face. “In that case… it’s that way. You can see where the path begins, between the twin beeches.”

“Aye, I see it. Thank you.” She gave him a curt nod before leaving, feeling him and his fellows looking long after her.

The path was narrow, and the trees still covered with leaves, colored in the merry reds and yellows of autumn. The result was a dimly lit tunnel through the forest, and in Aerneth’s exhausted state it was hard to see where she went. Many times she lost her way and had to retrace her steps. 

Soon she was dragging her feet behind her. The only thing keeping her going was the horrible vision of Glaurung setting fire to Menegroth, and Thranduil covered in flames. 

It must not happen. It must not happen. It must not happen. She repeated the words to herself like a spell.

Many hours later, Aerneth finally reached the outskirts of Doriath and felt the slight warmth of Melian’s Girdle against her face as she passed through it. She wanted to lay down and sleep right there, but knew she could not risk it. There was still a long way left to the city.

She heard a rustle in the fronds above, and a shape dropped down from the tree. In normal circumstances, Aerneth would have been frightened, but now she did not react at all. She regarded the approaching ellon impassively.

Then she suddenly recognized him, and gasped in surprise. 

“Amroth?”

He looked equally baffled. “Aerneth?” He sounded a happy yelp and caught her in his arms, nearly crushing her. “Blessed be the Valar, it’s you!” Then he seemed to realize what a sad state she was in, and changed his grip so he could support her on one shoulder instead. “What happened?” he asked concernedly. “You are hurt.”

“I must warn you. A dragon… a dragon approaches.” All energy had left her now that she had found someone, and she had a hard time staying awake.

“I shall take you to the captain at once,” he said.

Aerneth only mumbled something incoherently, resting heavily on him as they began to walk, and after a short while Amroth picked her up in his arms and carried her the rest of the way.

Under half-closed eyes, she dimly perceived a familiar wood cabin between the trees, and a group of elves clad in the march-warden colors emerging as they approached. Aerneth had only eyes for one of them; the tall one in the middle, with his long, straight, silvery blond hair. She wanted to call his name, but nothing came out.

All color left the ellon’s face as he hurried towards them. “Is she…? Is she–” His voice was distorted. 

“I’m alive,” she murmured. 

He breathed out slowly. Taking her from Amroth, he gently pressed her against his own chest. 

Aerneth drew in her husband’s familiar scent, and felt his strong arms around her, and all she wanted to do was cry her heart out and never leave his embrace. But there was no time. A dragon was waiting for them, and whether from his fire or some other, unknown horror, Doriath would be ruined. There was no time.

Notes:

At least now our long-separated couple is united, but for how long? Can they manage to behave this time? By the Prologue you know they get a kid… :) So despair not!

And now, for something completely different: Today, on March 22, exactly one year ago, I published the first chapter of my first ever fanfiction: Horse Lady of Rohan (now retitled "Riding With the Elves"). Happy 1-year Anniversary to me!

In the year since then I have written and published over 300 000 words of fanfiction. Not kidding… ! Never had so much fun, even despite the pandemic. This is the best hobby I ever had!

Thanks for all kudos and comments so far! *Sending a virtual slice of my celebration chocolate cake to you!*

Chapter 28: Reunion

Summary:

Thranduil is reunited with his wife and she brings her message to the king. He is not impressed. When Aerneth follows Thranduil home, he struggles to keep a distance.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Reunion

Hurrying into the cabin, Thranduil put Aerneth down on his bedroll with his companions remaining outside to allow them some privacy. She fell asleep instantly, exhausted as she was, and with deep worry gnawing at his heart he examined her limp body, expecting the worst. 

Only when he had ascertained she was not seriously hurt, did Thranduil begin to breathe a little easier. But instead the many cuts, lash scars, her chafed wrists and raw feet twisted his gut with rage against whomever had dared treat his wife so ill. 

He removed her dirty and torn garments, careful not to wake her up, and covered her with a blanket before going out to find a washcloth. Amroth, sensing his needs, had already heated water.

“How is she?” he asked anxiously.

“Bruised, half-starved, sleep deprived… Someone has kept her prisoner.” He clenched his fists tightly. “I am guessing orcs. It reminds me of when I… rescued Túrin.” He swallowed down a wave of nausea.

Amroth nodded, clasping his shoulder in sympathy. “She spoke of a dragon coming here. Medlin and Taurandir went away to scout the border, but… she cannot sleep too long. We need to hear her witness.”

“No. I am not going to disturb her.” Thranduil resolutely took the warm water and the cloth and returned to his wife. Gently he washed away the grime, sweat and dried blood from her once soft curves, the shape of which he still knew so well after all these years. 

When he cleaned some of the deeper cuts she whimpered and shuddered in her sleep, and behind Thranduil’s eyelids tears burned. What had they done to her? 

Aerneth woke up before he had finished. She grabbed his arm painfully and tried to sit.

“Stay. You must rest.” He held her down.

“There is no time! The dragon… It burned Nargothrond! I was there. And Doriath will fall. Ulmo said–”

“Amroth has sent out scouts. That is all we can do right now.”

“It is not! Take me to the king.” Her gaze was stubborn and her voice urgent. Indicating her body, she added: “There is nothing wrong with me; I am just tired.” She looked around in the cabin. “Do you have any clothes I can borrow?”

“There is nobody in the city now; we are out hunting for the Autumn Feast.”

“Feast… What do you mean, Feast?” She stared at him incredulously. “There is a war going on right outside your borders and a fucking dragon is on its way, and you people are hunting and partying?!”

“Calm down, please! All I am saying is that there's no point returning to the city until everyone else does.”

Slowly Aerneth relaxed somewhat and leaned back onto his bed. “One day then,” she said reluctantly. 

“One day.” Thranduil nodded. “If my friends wish to stay longer I will go with you alone.”

Her eyes turned to his face, and her countenance softened. “You look good.”

“You don’t.” He indicated her scarred arms and shoulder. “Who did this to you?” He fought to control the rage that was growing in his chest.

“Orcs.” She proceeded to describe how an orc army led by the dragon Glaurung had attacked Nargothrond, killing most of the ellyn and taking the ellith captive, and how she had finally managed to free herself in the river. “I was the only survivor.” Her eyes filled with tears, and Thranduil both wanted to cry as well and go kill something. He also wanted to take Aerneth in his arms and hold her close, comforting her, but he had no right to do that. He was her husband in name only.

She wiped her eyes and regained her composure surprisingly fast. When did she learn to control her feelings like that? It reminded Thranduil too much of himself for comfort.

A thought struck him. “Túrin went to Nargothrond. Did you see him there? Did he make it?” He held his breath, fearing the answer.

“Oh, he was there alright!” Aerneth made a wry face when she recounted how Túrin boldly had advertised his presence in Nargothrond, and how his ill advice to the king had led to the fall of the city. “The dragon could just walk in on that stupid bridge.” She shook her head. “The last I saw of Túrin was Glaurung hypnotizing him, telling him to return to his naneth in Dor-Lómin. I think it was a trap; Morgoth knew about him and wanted to punish him for his boldness.” 

“His naneth is here! In Doriath.” Thranduil rubbed his forehead worriedly. “She came last summer with his sister Niënor. Aye, it must be a trap. Damn boy. Always so proud; always so brash.” 

“He certainly seemed proud, aye.” She yawned, and blinked tiredly. “Since I have to stay here anyway, I ought to make use of the opportunity to catch some sleep.. The orcs hardly let us rest at all.”

“Just let me finish cleaning your wounds.” 

Aerneth obediently turned her back to allow him access. When he wiped the ugly gashes she tensed, but apart from that she stoically endured his ministrations without a sound, though it probably hurt a great deal. 

“Are you sure no orcs survived?” he growled.

“None. The humans ambushed them effectively.”

“Too bad. I feel like strangling one.”

She did not reply, but Thranduil could see a smile forming on her face. His anger faded and was replaced with affection, mingled with a remorse so strong it threatened to choke him. For the first time in years he had his wife within reach, but she might as well have been on the Moon. He had no right to have her; not after what he did the last time they met.

“There. Finished. I will leave you unbandaged for now,” he murmured, struggling to keep his voice neutral. “Hopefully the air will promote healing.”

“Thank you.” Her voice was sleepy and she regarded him under heavy lids. To his surprise, Thranduil noticed tears in the corners of her eyes. She looked equally remorseful as he felt. 

“I…” she began. “I, uh… will sleep now.” 

It sounded like she had meant to say something else.

oOo

Medlin and Taurandir did not return that night. Amroth, Faraion and Thranduil stayed up until late, but after a while Thranduil told the others to get some sleep. For his own part, he could not relax, so he might as well stand guard. 

Faraion looked sickly pale when he walked past; all this talk about dragons had stirred up old, horrifying memories in the poor ellon. During the Battle of Unnumbered Tears he had been in close vicinity of many such monsters – including Glaurung himself, the largest of them all.

Thranduil spent the night hours taking care of that day’s spoil from the hunt; it was stupid to let it spoil. If they had to flee Doriath they would need food on their journey.

Flee Doriath. Just thinking the words gave him a bitter taste in his mouth. This was his home; he belonged here. When he had returned after his years with Túrin and the Outlaws he had expected never to leave Doriath again, but against an actual dragon they could not do anything – that much he knew after hearing Faraion’s and Aerneth’s descriptions.

Shortly before sunrise Thranduil heard the imitation of an hooting owl that was the signal the march-wardens used among themselves, and then the two scouts appeared. They looked exhausted; apparently they had been running all day and all night.

“There is definitely a dragon around,” Medlin reported after he had caught his breath. “The entire Talath Dirnen was black; burned to ashes. We obviously did not go all the way to Nargothrond, but our guess is that unless he has returned to his master, the dragon is still in there. We saw nothing on the plain itself.”

Thranduil was slightly relieved. He had feared that the Guarded Plain would be full of orcs and the dragon’s offspring, and perhaps even balrogs – like in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears – but for some reason the Dark Lord must still hold back part of his strength. 

The others had woken up by the arrival of the scouts, and after a quick breakfast of lembas they gathered the barrels of salted meat and went for Menegroth. 

Aerneth looked a lot better after a night’s sleep and a hearty meal. She had washed and combed her hair, and wore Thranduil’s spare clothes instead of her ruined garments. The sight of her long legs exposed under his short tunic, with only thin trousers covering them, ignited unwelcome emotions in him. He had no time for such things, even if Aerneth would be willing.

It was a long walk home, and Aerneth spent most of it talking with Faraion. By now Thranduil knew he was not the ellon she had kissed, but he did not like it anyway. They shared an experience he did not, having fought in one of the famous Battles of Beleriand, and it made him feel left out. But of course he kept his mouth shut; it was not up to him to dictate whom Aerneth spoke with.

Late in the evening they arrived, and on Aerneth's insistence they went directly to the palace. They were back in Menegroth early, two days before the Feast, and Thranduil had no hopes that the king would be there yet – but to his surprise the palace servant he spoke with told them that Thingol was both in, and awake in his throne room. They could see him directly.

As it had of late, the sight of Thingol made Thranduil uneasy. His king had changed, becoming pale and rather overweight because he so seldom left his throne. On a dias beside him the Silmaril spread a dazzling light so bright they had had to encase it in a globe carved of milky quartz; yet there was no need for lanterns or wax candles in the throne room anymore.

Had the king not left Menegroth at all during the hunt this year? It almost seemed like it.

Before Aerneth was allowed to tell her tale, the king summoned those of his courtiers and advisors who were still in the city. Soon the elegant room filled with a scatter of sleepy elves, mumbling among themselves and casting curious glances at her. Thranduil saw his father stand close to the throne; he had risen in importance over the years and was now among the king’s closest advisors, together with Amroth’s father Amdír. Oropher’s gaze rested on Aerneth, but Thranduil could not interpret his mood. The last time she was here, he had banished her from his house, but he did not look angry now. Perhaps he had forgiven her?

At last Aerneth was bid to speak, and she repeated her account of the dragon attack, the sacking of Nargothrond, how the army had been wiped out and all the ellith captured and then killed. She also described how Túrin had been tricked and sent away on a fool’s errand. 

Her voice was clear and strong, and her face showed nothing of her exhaustion. Looking at his wife standing there, her back straight and her demeanor serious, made Thranduil feel a burst of pride in who she had become, but also a twinge of remorse over what she had lost. This elleth was not the same as the one who had left him not very long ago. She had matured, perhaps shaped by the disasters she had experienced; the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, the Fall of the Falas, the Sacking of Nargothrond. 

That playful, silly young wife she had been would never return; the Aerneth who would tease him, jump into his lap and kiss him audibly on the mouth, and who had giggled in happiness over the stupid crystals he had put up in the ceiling of their room – was gone forever. 

He had screwed up what could have been. No, he corrected himself, they both had; she was not without fault either. Perhaps they were just not meant to be. They had rushed into a marriage neither blessed by his father, nor the Valar.

“I came here carrying a warning to the kings of Nargothrond, Gondolin and Doriath – a warning from Ulmo,” Aerneth continued. “He and his Maiar foresaw the fall of all three realms. However, I could not find the way to Gondolin, and in Nargothrond Orodreth did not heed my warning. Thus I come today before you, last of the rulers I set out to see, appealing to you to listen.” She raised her voice. “In order to save your people you must leave your kingdom immediately. And when you do so, Lord Círdan welcomes you to the Mouths of Sirion.”

Thingol’s face had grown increasingly clouded during her speech, and instead of replying he turned to Oropher and his other advisors. After a short, subdued exchange, he finally turned his gaze back to Aerneth.

“I thank you for your report, Círdaniel; your adar’s concern for my well-being honors him, as does his generous invitation for my people to live as refugees in his realm. However, he has failed to take into consideration that my city is both hidden, delved underground and protected by the magic of my wife. If I leave, I shall certainly draw the attention of the Lord of Angband and his minions; my Silmaril will be a beacon to him, and his dragons will follow me south like a pack of dogs chasing a running hare.” He lay a protective hand on the white container holding the gem. “I would bring not only Doriath to ruin, but Círdan’s people also. Nay, my lady, I do best to linger here until the Valar return to aid us. This strategy has never failed me in my long years in Beleriand.” 

“You could leave the Silmaril,” Aerneth retorted, visibly dismayed.

“Leave it?” He stared at her incredulously. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“My son! Where is my son?” A woman came running barefoot into the room, with her long hair streaming after her in a black cascade, streaked in white at her temples. She had obviously been in bed and was clad only in a white chemise, and had not even bothered to cover herself with a gown.

The king beckoned to a courtier. “Fetch a cloak for the Lady of Dor-Lómin,” he said. Turning to her, he continued: “I am sorry to say it appears young Túrin has been lured away by the dragon.”

“Then I must go search for him immediately!”

“Do not be rash, Lady Morwen. Your son would want you to stay here in the safety and keeping of Melian and myself, rather than wander abroad in black peril.”

The courtier returned with a cloak and reluctantly Morwen put it on. “Rash, my lord? Is it rashness to make sure that my son does not lurk in the woods hungry, or lingers in bonds, or that his body does not lie unburied…?” She shook her head. “If you worry for me, then lend me some of your people.”

“I do not command you; if you wish to go, you may do so – but my people I do command, and I will send them out at my own advice.”

Morwen’s dark eyes filled with tears, and she left without a word. 

Sighing, Thingol turned to Captain Mablung. “If she indeed does leave, you shall send thirty of your best elves with her. I will not have it said that King Thingol let the Lady of Dor-Lómin go unguarded.”

It had grown very late, and shortly afterwards the assembly dispersed. Outside, Thranduil and Amroth went over to Aerneth, who was talking with Galadriel and Celeborn. 

“I don’t like this at all,” Galadriel just said, keeping her voice subdued to avoid overhearing. “His own wife saw him getting killed over that Silmaril, and now Lord Ulmo confirms it will happen. That stone will be the ruin of us all!”

“Can you not leave without the king?” Aerneth suggested. “Those who are wise would follow you, I am sure.”

Galadriel nodded slowly. “He is not my king. I am Noldo, and though my husband belongs here, I never did – not fully. I am loath to leave my friend Melian, however,” she added.

“I would go with you,” said Amroth.

Thranduil hesitated. He wanted to say he would too, but could he really? He did not want to abandon his post as one of the king's captains and cowardly flee. It would be treason.

Oropher and Amdír joined them.

“We have to leave, Adar,” said Amroth. “We cannot listen to Thingol anymore. The Silmaril has dulled his mind!”

Instead of replying, Amdír looked at Oropher. “What do you say, my friend?”

“I say what I always do; we should not be hasty in our decision. The king is wiser than you young people may think.” He cast a disdainful glance at Amroth. “If we flee to Lord Círdan, we will be more exposed than here. Morgoth is a Vala, and only the other Valar can end him. There is no better place to wait for that to happen than here.”

Amdír sighed. “Wise words, I am sure, but I am too tired to think clearly. Let us meet again tomorrow and continue this discussion.”

The others agreed that it was too late for making important decisions, and after deciding on a time and place, they said their goodbyes.

When they were alone, Aerneth bowed to her husband and father-in-law. “Goodnight. I shall be going as well.”

“Go where?” Oropher’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “It is very late.”

Her face stiffened. “To the palace guest house.” 

Now he lowered his eyebrows instead. “A married elleth – sleeping away from her husband after being gone for so many years? Would you have us ridiculed in the entire city?”

Thranduil could see that Aerneth was on the verge of retorting – probably acidly reminding Oropher that he forbade her from ever returning. 

He forestalled the impending argument by pulling his wife to the side, purposely standing between his father and her. “Don’t make a scene…” he murmured. “I know I have no right to ask it of you after what I did, but if you would consider staying with us, I can sleep on the floor. I will not come near you; I promise.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “After what you did?” 

“Are you coming?” Oropher interrupted sternly.

Aerneth’s eyes irresolutely flicked between him and Thranduil.

“Please,” Thranduil mouthed. It was not just to oblige his father or for the sake of his reputation; he really did not want to part from his wife so soon. Even if they could not sleep together, he wanted her near.

Sighing, she nodded once. “Alright then.”

Back at their home, Thranduil quickly prepared a cold supper; Aerneth was still far too thin and he did not want her to go to bed hungry. 

Oropher grabbed a chicken leg in passing, and halted briefly. “I am sure you understand my real reason for wanting to stay in Menegroth,” he said, smiling smugly at his son.

Thranduil shook his head, surprised.

“The queen saw the king murdered in the future, remember? That means there will be a vacancy. And who could better take his place on the throne than his most trusted advisor?” He indicated himself. “When I am king, I shall lead my people to safety. But I am not leaving before then, and neither are you.”

“You are beyond ambitious!” Aerneth gasped. 

“I do not expect an elleth to understand the finer aspects of politics,” he sneered and left them.

oOo

After finishing their meal in silence, Aerneth and Thranduil went up to their room. 

Inside, she looked around, and her gaze fell on the clay seal still sitting on the windowsill. Picking it up, she pressed it against her heart. “Nana made this,” she murmured, as if Thranduil did not know that. Then she looked at the empty spot on the wall where the sea painting had been. “You took it down?”

“I still have it,” he assured her. “It’s in my clothes chest.”

“Why?”

“It reminded me too much of…” He could not finish the sentence. 

“I understand.” She put the seal back and sat down on the bed. 

He wanted to reply that no, she could never understand, but refrained. They had both lost their mothers now, that was true, but while hers had died on a brave mission, sailing to Aman to ask the Valar for help against Morgoth, his mother had been driven to kill herself. It was his fault she was dead, and he did not want to talk of that or even think about it.

“I will just take one pillow, and then you can have the bed,” he said instead, and trying to lighten the tense mood, added: “Thankfully, as a march-warden, I am used to sleeping on hard surfaces.”

He reached behind Aerneth to grab the pillow, when a whiff of her scent reached his nostrils. He paused. She was so close, and suddenly their gazes met. 

Her pupils widened and she parted her lips as if to say something. He could not take his eyes away from them. 

Neither of them moved. They just stood, looking at each other with eyes full of longing.

“The Valar help me,” Thranduil muttered at last. The pillow slid from his grasp and hit the floor with a soft thud when he took her into his arms. 

Their lips met with a burning hunger. He roamed over her body with his hands, feeling every familiar curve as the kiss deepened. 

When they had to pause and breathe, Aerneth helped him out of his tunic. She trailed kisses down his smooth chest, allowing her fingers to follow in her lips’ wake. When she reached his nipple he could not hold back a low groan.

She fumbled with his pants, trying to untie the strings. He helped her and stepped out of them, while she did the same with the pair she had borrowed from him that morning. 

Sitting on the bed, she parted her legs invitingly. Thranduil positioned himself between them, looking down at her beautiful female parts, spread before him like the petals of a rose.

She leaned back until she lay on the bed, her knees bent over the edge. It was precisely the right height for this – which was no coincidence; when they were newlyweds they had ordered it from the furniture makers to suit their needs. 

Thranduil took hold of her thighs and embedded himself fully into her warmth. Sighing with pleasure, he lingered, reveling in the moment. It had been so long. Too long.

He gazed at her outstretched form, admiring how her flushed cheeks enhanced her beauty. She still wore his tunic, and he bundled it up so he could touch her ample breasts. When he fondled them she moaned and wrapped her legs around him, grinding her core against his.

“You are so gorgeous,” he breathed. 

“You should see yourself,” she countered, reaching up to touch a strand of his hair, twisting it around her finger and pulling him closer so she could kiss him. 

He straightened his back and began to move at a slow pace. She bucked her hips with each stroke, and he could feel himself losing control. But he did not want to hurry, not now; this could be the last time they did this.

Forcing himself to slow down even further, he caressed her sensitive spots with his fingers until she was squirming beneath him. 

Not until he felt her release begin, did he at last let go of his self-control. He crashed down to rest on his elbows over her, making love to her with mindless abandon, and when he climaxed not long afterwards it was so intense he saw stars. 

“Sorry,” he mumbled when his heart had calmed down. “I said I wouldn’t come near you.” He knew he ought to leave her but could not bring himself to do it.

“It was my fault too.” Aerneth made no move to roll away either. On the contrary; her arms lay around his neck and her fingers were buried in his hair.

Thranduil pressed his nose against the hollow by her collarbone, filling his nostrils with her familiar scent as if it were a drug. 

Maybe… just maybe they could try again; try to be husband and wife. Perhaps this time it would work.

Notes:

Translation: Círdaniel = Círdan’s daughter.

In the next chapter Thranduil will be face to face with a dragon. Stay tuned!

Chapter 29: Niënor and Glaurung

Summary:

When Túrin's mother and sister run away to find him, Thranduil and Captain Mablung are sent to guard them, but what can they do against a grown dragon? Meanwhile in Doriath, Aerneth and Oropher have a dispute.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Niënor and Glaurung

Thranduil woke up with Aerneth still nestled close against him. It was too warm, and his arm had fallen asleep under her neck, but he did not move. He could hear she was awake as well. 

In the bleak morning light, he felt awkward about what they did yesterday. He ought to have checked his desire, but instead he had thrown himself over her like an animal in heat. If he could not control this, what was to say he could control his temper the next time they fought? For he knew they would; their relationship so far had proven there would always be moments when their wills clashed. Would he hurt her again when that happened?

It was hard to imagine now, with her body soft and pliable from sleep and her beautiful face relaxed, but he must not fool himself into believing it could last.

He saw himself the way he had been right after she told him she kissed another. How he had shook her, scared her, punched the wall next to her. She was right to call him Oropherion. He was not safe for her to be around.

Through the thin wall he heard his father moving around. He should get up and make breakfast, but still he lingered.

He recalled Oropher’s bold statement yesterday. I am not leaving before then, and neither are you. 

It did not surprise him. His father had aspired to the throne for a long time now, and worked hard to get in a position where he had a chance to get it. He would not lightly throw all that away to become a refugee in the south.

Would Aerneth agree to stay in Doriath if Thranduil did? 

Probably not, and his father would not likely budge either. As usual, Thranduil would be caught between them.

Sighing, he eased his sleeping arm out from under Aerneth and left the bed. 

When he returned from the bathroom, scrubbed clean and a lot more awake, he found Aerneth up. She was combing her hair, and had put on one of her old dresses; most of her clothes had remained here when she went to battle that time.

Picking a matching outfit, Thranduil got dressed as well. 

Neither of them spoke when they finished making themselves ready, and they carefully made wide circles around each other in the small room. The silence was almost palpable, and they avoided eye-contact. 

At the breakfast table, Oropher cast sly glances at his son and daughter-in-law, and his smile was decidedly smug. Perhaps he had heard them yesterday, and thought their lovemaking was a sign Aerneth would stay and become a dutiful wife again. 

All these years Oropher had explained away her absence to their neighbors and friends, claiming she had been on a short visit to her parents when the unrest in the Falas and their exile had made her unable to return. If she stayed now, he could continue pretending their family was happy and normal.

Thranduil had just finished clearing the table when a messenger knocked on the door, urging him to hurry to the stables, armored and with his weapons ready. Apparently Lady Morwen had done what she had warned and left Doriath, and her daughter had disappeared shortly afterwards. As per the king’s order yesterday, Mablung was taking his march-wardens to find and guard the two women. In addition, Thingol wanted news about Nargothrond and the dragon, so they would scout the area before returning.

Aerneth shook her head vigorously when she heard where he was going. “Don’t go there! One look from the dragon’s eyes is all it takes to paralyze you!”

Thranduil was warmed by her concern. “I have to,” he said kindly. “But don’t worry. I shall be careful.” 

“Stay.” She grabbed his arm as if she thought she could keep him there by force. Her eyes had grown large and frightened.

“I cannot.” He pried away her stiff fingers. 

When he walked towards the stables, Thranduil felt a twinge of unease over Aerneth’s strong reaction. Was the dragon really that dangerous? He remembered how scared Faraion had been when he first arrived in Doriath, and how just the mention of the word ‘dragon’ now, years afterwards, still could make him blanch. But there was no helping it, he had to follow orders; it was what march-wardens did.

The thirty elves left Doriath in a rather demure silence; it was obvious Thranduil was not the only one who worried over their mission. Only Mablung looked unconcerned, but he always did nowaday, as if he did not care what happened to him; whether he lived or died. Beleg’s death had changed him.

They soon caught up with the lady they pursued; she was walking quite openly along the Esgalduin river path, the straightest route to Nargothrond. She did not so much as greet them, but when Mablung led a horse to her she graciously accepted it and mounted the steed.

After a while a glittering between the tree trunks ahead indicated the Sirion was close. The air was chilly and damp here and the ground wet after last week’s rain. Thranduil shivered and drew his cloak closer around him.

The forest thinned out and they arrived at the beach of the river, which was wide and deep as usual this time of year. The drawbridge was pulled up; after the autumn rains it was too short to span the wide expanse. Instead they resorted to a flat ferry, big enough to allow ten elves and their horses.

Shortly before dawn, the last group had crossed. Then Morwen cried out in dismay. “You were thirty elves – but here are thirty-one now!” Perring intently at the company, she grabbed hold of the cloak of one of them, pulling down the hood and exposing a young woman with long, blonde hair. “Niënor!” she gasped. “Go back! Go back! I command you.”

The girl’s face grew stubborn. “If the wife of Húrin is not afraid, then his daughter is not either. Where you go, I shall follow. But if you return to the protection of Melian, then so will I.”

“I am your naneth, and you must obey me. Now, go back!”

“No. I’m not a child anymore, that you can command.” 

The women stared at each other, neither willing to budge. 

At last, Morwen sighed. “I shall continue. If you come, it is against my will.”

“So be it.”

Mablung looked at Thranduil, shaking his head, and mumbled: “They are just as stubborn and careless as Túrin.” He seemed uneasy for once, probably because he would be risking not only his own life this time, but that of two women. “I don’t like this errand. What should we do?”

Morwen had heard him. “You do what your king has commanded you, of course. Go to Nargothrond and find out what happened, and search for Túrin. We all want the same thing.”

“Then you must stay close to us at all times,” he said reluctantly.

The ride over the Talath Dirnen was dismal. Just like Medlin had said, the ground was scorched and black, and only scarred stumps were left of the scarce pine forest which had covered the heathland. There was no sound of any living creatures; no buzzing insects, no chirping birds, not even orcs. Nothing at all. Luckily the company had brought fodder for the horses, or they would have starved.

On the third day they reached a small hill overlooking Nargothrond, and here Mablung assigned ten guards to watch over the women and the horses while the rest of them continued on foot. 

Morwen seemed unwilling to stay behind, but Mablung sternly warned her against following; she and her daughter would only make his task harder if they did. If she wanted him to find her son, she must do as told.

Then she reluctantly agreed to obey, but she looked long after them when they left.

The march-wardens walked westward in silence. When they came closer, they saw the bridge was gone and the gate torn down, leaving the entrance gaping open like a toothless mouth. 

Thranduil’s heart was pounding hard at the sight. He looked at the massive pillars; the bridge must have been enormous. What monster could destroy something that big and strong?

Climbing stealthily down to the riverbank, they started to walk alongside the Narog. The river separated them from the city, so they needed a suitable spot to cross. 

A sudden roar made Thranduil’s heart jump and he froze where he stood, pressing his back against a boulder. A shadow blocked the sky briefly as Glaurung lithely crawled down against them, impossibly fast for such a huge creature. His fingered forelegs had claws large as logs, black and cruel, and his lizardy body was covered in shield-like scales.

The dragon opened his gigantic jaws and a gust of fire spouted from them in a scorching cascade of blue and white. As the flames hit the surface of the river, a dense, stinking fog rose from the waves with a vast hiss, obscuring the monster. Thranduil heard whimpers of terror from others nearby and the sound of running feet.

Cowering close to the ground, he saw a dark shape pass merely yards from him. Rocks and gravel from the hillside crashed down around him as it went up it, and then the silence resumed. Only the dragon stench lingered, so thick it nearly choked him.

“Anyone still here?” whispered Mablung.

“Aye, Captain,” replied Thranduil.

There was no other sound; either their comrades had fled or fallen prey to the beast.

Mablung joined him by the boulder, and they caught each other in a rough embrace. 

“I am going in,” Mablung said, releasing him. “Túrin might still be there.”

“What about the women?” breathed Thranduil.

“They must have heard the dragon, and hopefully they are on their way back at a gallop. Either way, we can’t do much for them.”

He ordered Thranduil to find a hiding place further from the river and wait there for his return. Then he started out in the water, and soon disappeared into the thick mist.

Thranduil found a spot on a nearby hillock and sat down with trembling limbs. Nothing Aerneth and Faraion had said had prepared him for the sight of Glaurung. No wonder his wife was so afraid for Doriath! If that beast wanted to, he could burn down the entire forest and destroy Menegroth with hardly no effort.

Suddenly he heard pounding hooves in the distance, and a female voice, crying: “Niënor! Niënor!” It was Morwen; her horse must have become afraid of the dragon and bolted. Thranduil hoped it would run home without throwing off its rider, and save the poor woman. In the fog he could not go after her, and besides, Mablung had ordered him to stay.

Waiting blindly was agonizing; at least Mablung was doing something, even if that something was horrifyingly dangerous. Thranduil’s stomach churned and made noises, and he feared the dragon would hear it and come to devour him. Of course, such thoughts only increased his distress. 

An immeasurable amount of time passed; it felt like hours but could be minutes too, Thranduil had no way of knowing. 

Then he heard something again; a booming voice much too close for his liking, so low pitched and loud it penetrated his body and made his heart beat irregularly.

“What seek you here?” it said.

Someone replied, sounding completely calm and undaunted: “I seek one Túrin that lived here for a while. But maybe he’s dead.” 

It was Niënor! Thranduil was both shocked and awed by her boldness.

“I know not,” rumbled Glaurung. “He was assigned to protect the women and the weak here, but instead he cowardly ran away.” His great voice was teeming with vitriol and contempt. “Why seek you such a craven?”

“You lie! The children of Húrin are no cowards! We are not afraid of you.”

“Then you are fools, both you and your brother,” sneered the dragon. “For I am Glaurung!” 

At his words a wind appeared and the mist dissolved. Now Thranduil saw the two of them; an enormous dragon standing face-to-face with a small woman, her blonde locks fluttering in the breeze he had stirred up. She was staring into his lidless eyes with an empty gaze.

The dragon looked almost like he was smiling. Leaving her paralyzed form, he crawled down to the river, waded across it easily on his long legs and went back up to his lair. Before entering, he looked at a spot across the water and laughed evilly.

“There you lie like a vole under the bank, Mablung the mighty! How ill you run Thingol’s errands. Now, hurry back to see what happened with your charge!” With that, he disappeared into the ruined city, his long tail slithering behind him.

oOo

All through the night Thranduil and Mablung walked in silence, leading Niënor with them. She had become a lifeless statue who would not talk, nor eat, and only if they dragged her along by hand did she walk. 

After a while, two more elves made them company. Of the thirty that had set out only the four of them remained, and all the horses were gone. 

The journey went very slow, and it took many days until they finally neared the dark shape that was Doriath. They were almost there when another night came upon them, and since Niënor seemed weary they laid her on the grass to sleep while they stood guard around her.

After a few hours, Thranduil perceived a nasty smell. "Orcs!" he hissed, warning his comrades.

Sure enough; soon a dozen of them charged out from the surrounding darkness. Screeching obscenities in their shrill voices, they clashed their bent scimitars against the elves' swords.

In the middle of the ruckus Niënor suddenly sprang up, crying out in fear, and bolted away into the night. The orcs turned to chase her, and the elves after them, but the young woman in her terror outran them all.

The march-wardens soon overtook the orcs and killed them, but by then there was no trace of their charge. Niënor had disappeared.

oOo

Captain Mablung was deeply ashamed when he returned before the king, after having lost most of the warriors he had brought with him, and both the women he was tasked to protect. 

The king and queen graciously forgave and comforted him, however. He had done his best; nobody could beat a dragon, not even Mablung.

Thranduil felt a little better than his captain when he walked home from the palace. He had survived, and though the worry for his lost comrades was a raw wound, he still had hopes they lived and would find their way back eventually. For all he knew, the women might be alive too.

In addition, Mablung had described the dragon's lair which he had seen when he went into Nargothrond. Glaurung had gathered all the gold, silver and jewels of the city and made a huge pile of it; a veritable hoard. With such a treasure, was it not likely he intended to stay there and guard it? Thranduil was certain he would, which meant that if Doriath would be destroyed, it was not by the dragon – and that in turn meant there was no hurry to leave. This would buy him time to persuade his father, and hopefully he would be able to bring both him and Aerneth to safety.

However, when Thranduil opened the door to his home, he walked right into a heated argument.

“…not going to let you ruin mine or my son’s only chance to the throne for absolutely no reason!” Oropher’s face was pale as ash except for two crimson spots on his cheeks.

“You’re a power-hungry tyrant! For years, you have terrorized your family, and if Thranduil is unhappy the fault is yours, and only yours!” Aerneth stood opposite to him, her jaw stubbornly set and her shoulders squared. 

The scene reminded Thranduil of Niënor and the dragon the other day, but his wife was far from dazed; her eyes sparkled with anger. 

“How dare you imply that I…” Orpher suddenly noticed Thranduil in the doorway, and broke off. “You are back! Good. You need to discipline your obnoxious wife!”

“Oh, you did that quite well on your own,” she sneered, absentmindedly rubbing her cheek. Thranduil’s stomach churned when he saw how swollen it was. 

“Adar, how could you!” he hissed, closing the distance between them and taking Aerneth in his arms. She allowed it, but her body was stiff and her back straight as a young tree.

“I didn't mean to hit her, but you have to know what she has done! During your absence, she has gone behind both my back and yours, conspiring with several important people in the city to rebel against the king. Even if we stay, there will not be much of a kingdom left to rule if she has her way!”

“Oh, I will have my way, Adar,” Aerneth spat. “This is already in motion, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. We will leave this sinking ship, and we’ll do it tomorrow!” She turned to look at Thranduil, her gaze sharp. “You should come too. For once, let go of that toxic ellon and follow your heart.” Her countenance softened slightly. “I came to Doriath to warn you. The only reason I stayed in Nargothrond with an army of orcs on their way, was the knowledge that my husband was here, unaware of the impending disaster. I did it for you.”  

Thranduil looked from her to his father and back again, feeling torn in halves. 

“I’ve had enough of you both,” growled Oropher. “Do as you please, son; abandon me if you will. See if I care.” He stomped upstairs.

“I am going to bed,” said Aerneth curtly. “Let me know when you have made up your mind.” And then she was gone as well.

Shakily, Thranduil sat in one of the chairs and poured himself a glass of wine. This was not the reception he had hoped for. 

The hours went by, and he remained motionless, not even touching the wine. Again and again he poured over the alternatives. To leave – or to stay. To abandon his father – or his wife.

He recalled the last time he had left Oropher, shuddering at how devastated the ellon had been, and how poorly he had managed on his own. Thranduil knew the same would happen again. And then Oropher’s aspirations to the throne would come to naught, for who would put a wrecked ellon in charge; one who could not even run his own home? If his father was to become king, he needed Thranduil by his side. 

But how could he allow Aerneth to leave alone on a dangerous journey south, with a dragon lurking not far away and the woods full of orcs? And even if she survived, he would be separated from her again just when they had become reunited.

Besides, Doriath would fall; he was not so foolish as to think the visions of Queen Melian and Ulmo false. What if he was caught in the kingdom’s ruin and killed? Or what if he survived, but was taken captive and brought to Angband to become a thrall like poor Gwindor? Bile rose in his throat at the memory of the ellon’s grisly wound, where he had been forced to chop his own hand off to escape the torture and plight of Morgoth’s mines.

If Oropher managed what he intended and became king, perhaps they could escape Doriath before it was too late? Then they could travel to the Mouths of Sirion, and found a new kingdom there, and Thranduil could move in with his wife…

Who was he trying to deceive? If he let go of Aerneth now, choosing his father over her – and knowing all the risks she took to come and warn him, at that – she would never take him back. Such a betrayal would have been hard to forgive even for a normal, loving couple; the way things were between Thranduil and Aerneth, it would be impossible.

He sighed. There was simply no good option; whatever he chose, he would lose someone dear to him.

oOo

Shortly before dawn Aerneth padded into the room on silent feet, and sat down in the chair next to his. Her cheek looked horrible now; puffy and tinted with blue, and he reached out to stroke it softly.

“I am sorry he did that,” he murmured.

She shrugged. “He doesn’t frighten me, and I can take pain.”

He did not reply. His finger strayed to her hair, and he pushed a strand of it behind her pointed ear. 

“You have made up your mind,” she stated. Not angrily; she looked quite calm. A bit like himself when he hid his feelings.

He nodded.

Something flicked across her eyes and he could see her swallow. She knew what he had chosen.

"I lied to you that time," she said. "I do love you. I always did."

“I love you too.” Tears were burning behind his eyelids now, but he knew his face showed no emotion.

“Keep in touch.” Her voice was steady. “At least then, I know if… when it happens.”

“I will.”

“Well, then.” She took his still untouched glass from the table and emptied it. “I had better go packing. Goodbye, Oropherion.”

He let his mask fall, and allowed his face to convey exactly what he felt at that moment. “Goodbye, Aerneth.” 

Her eyes grew misty and she bent forward to give him a chaste kiss on his lips. She tasted wine.

“Goodbye, Thranduil,” she whispered. 

Not long afterwards, Aerneth left Doriath with Galadriel, Celeborn, Amroth, and many others, never to return. 

But Thranduil stayed with his father.

Notes:

Though it’s of course not a good decision to stay, Thranduil’s choice is based on his guilt over his mother’s suicide, and how it affected his father. He doesn’t want Oropher’s death also on his conscience. But as we shall see, Doriath will indeed not last, and where can they go then but to Círdan’s realm? There will be a new reunion eventually.

Chapter 30: Therapy

Summary:

Aerneth gets a call from Thranduil and finds out what happened with Túrin and the dragon. Later, she decides to speak about her troubles for the first time.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Therapy

River Narog, First Age 497

From her shelter behind a rock, Aerneth noticed Galadriel walking towards her with a determined look on her face. The ellith of the company were drying themselves after a cold bath in the river, but Aerneth had chosen a spot as far away from the others as possible.

“It has been weeks since we left and you have hardly said a word yet.” Galadriel’s eyes were unusually soft. “Do you not want to talk about it? It would make you feel better.” 

Aerneth dropped her gaze. She did not even want to think about the things that had happened recently, let alone speak of them. 

“Keeping your sorrows locked inside will make everything worse.” Galadriel moved closer.

“What could be worse than the fact that my husband will soon be killed by a dragon?” She clenched her jaws to hinder her lip from trembling.

“You know he may make it out of there before that happens, if it does at all. Melian saw Thingol wearing the Silmaril in a necklace, and then murdered – neither of those things has come to pass yet. The things you and I saw both did – exactly the way we saw them.”

“I know. But…” Aerneth broke off. How could she explain to Galadriel that things would not be better even if Thranduil survived and they were rejoined? He would always be his father’s son, and she would come second. After everything she went through to go to Doriath; the pain and fear she suffered in Nargothrond and at the hands of the orcs, the deaths she witnessed – all that, and Thranduil had still chosen Oropher over her.

“This is not only about the dragon, I think,” said Galadriel. Her sharp eyes missed nothing. “Why don’t you start at the beginning. You were very young when you met your husband, were you not? And I seem to remember he wasn’t overly fond of you at that time.”

Aerneth bit her lip. It was so tempting to reply, but also frightening. How could she ever look Galadriel in the eye again if she knew the humiliating truth? That Aerneth had coaxed Thranduil into marrying her before he was ready, and as a consequence his father hated her, and his mother took her own life. And then she made matters worse by joining the war against his will, kissing another elf, and saying those horrible things to Thranduil afterwards… 

No. Nobody could ever know.

“I have to go,” she murmured, and hurried away to the other ellith.

oOo

The Mouths of Sirion, First Age 499

Two years had passed since her return home, and as usual, Aerneth did her best to keep away. Pushing her small canoe into the water, she paddled out into the bay, following the coastline west. It was an early morning, and the haven was nearly deserted, but she knew it would soon bustle with activity. When it did, she would be safe in her sheltered little creek.

Glancing across her shoulder, she regarded the piers, the swan ships, the white buildings and the river outlet. There was the Doriath enclave further inland, but apart from that, everything looked exactly as when she had left it. She was different, though. In the years she was gone, she had aged what felt like decades. And she no longer felt at home here. 

Not that she had ever felt that this was home, really. Home was in Eglarest where she was born; in the beautiful city house that Morgoth’s army had burned in the Fall of the Falas, and the little cottage where her mother had molded clay figures and painted lifelike sea drawings. 

Nana. Home was with Nana…

Aerneth had almost reached her hideout, and turned from the open sea into a narrow slit between two steep cliffs. Their sheer, rough surfaces and the shadowy water below always reminded her of the Firth of Drengist where she had traveled with Arminas and Gelmir as Círdan’s messenger that time – which had been one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen. This was a bleak copy, but she liked it a lot nonetheless.

About a hundred yards into the creek, she pulled the boat up on a calm little beach and made herself comfortable in the dry sand. It was so relaxing to listen to the rippling wavelets, the wind in the underbrush and the seafowl crying in the distance. Thank the Valar for this place! 

Since her return here, Aerneth felt even less like she belonged in her father’s house – a house where she now lived all alone. If Círdan had missed her or worried about her during her absence he had not shown it, and instead dumped everything in her lap and left as soon as he could. He was building a new, stronger city on the nearby Isle of Balar, and had seemed relieved to have someone to put in charge of the old colony. She was the leader of the Mouths of Sirion now.

Though she hated the responsibility, Aerneth agreed with the wisdom in her father’s decision. The Isle of Balar was more remote, and much easier to defend.

If only ruling had been easier… There was so much to do, and so little time. The corn must be harvested and prepared, the lembas bread baked, fishing and hunting trips organized and protective walls maintained against spring floods in the river. She tried to delegate, but some things had to be taken care of by the leader in person. Especially the numerous disputes.

She blamed the immigrants for those, the Iathrim as they had begun to name themselves. During their journey from Doriath, Oropher’s friend Amdír had seized leadership over the others, despite Celeborn’s claim as King Thingol’s relative. Most seemed happy with that; Amdír had been a trusted advisor to the king and had a knack for organization and economy. Galadriel had been the most vocal opponent, but since her husband seemed not to care, the leadership went to the one who wanted it most.

Under Amdír, the immigrants had not just quietly settled there when they arrived, but instead demanded their own land and autonomy from Círdan’s rule. This did not sit well with some of the remaining Falathrim, particularly since the Iathrim seemed more intent on taking than providing to the community at large, and the result was endless quarrels where Aerneth had to intervene and try to mediate. She was quite sick of it.

It was to get a break from the bickering and unrest that she had escaped today, despite how busy she was; living in Oropher’s house had provided enough arguments to last her a lifetime. Maybe if she kept away, the people would solve their stupid fights themselves?

Sometimes she was almost glad that Oropher and Thranduil had not followed her. If it was this bad with only Amdír, what would it have been like if Oropher had led the Iathrim enclave? At other times she contemplated how things would have turned out if she had stayed; stayed to die in Doriath with her husband. Would that decision have healed the rift between them? 

Perhaps. 

What if she had made the wrong choice? 

Sighing, Aerneth leaned back on the sand and gazed at the sky. Regrets and what-ifs were pointless. She had done what she did, and she could not go back in time and change that. Like Thranduil often said; it was what it was. She just had to accept it.

To clear her mind, she reached out mentally to the living things around her. It was a good distraction from all her problems and worries. 

Letting herself submerge into almost a trance, Aerneth listened to the thoughts of the dry shrubs and tiny, purple flowers growing on the cliffs, the birds in the sky and a seal hunting nearby. How easy lives they had! She envied them.

oOo

She must have fallen asleep after a while, for the feeling of someone thinking her name woke her up abruptly. It was Thranduil! Blinking against the sun, now almost at its zenith, Aerneth urgently looked around for a smoother water surface than the sea. Worry welled up within her. Was this the time? Had the dragon come to Doriath?

A puddle of briny water would have to do. Wiping away slimy algae and tiny shrimps, Aerneth opened the connection. 

Thranduil’s face when it formed looked stiff and detached. Something horrible must have happened, but at least he was alive. She forced her heart to beat slower.

“Good afternoon, wife. I call to inform you that the dragon is dead. Your worry in that department was needless.” His voice was cold and impassive. 

Aerneth stared at him. Dead? Images formed unbidden in her mind; flames and smoke filling the halls of Nargothrond, screaming, panicking elves and swirling reptile eyes. With an effort, she forced the memories away.

“That’s great,” she managed to reply. 

“Túrin slayed it. And then himself.”

“What?” Túrin – killing himself? That seemed impossible. She remembered how proud and strong the young man had been, but then the dragon had bewitched him and tricked him. Could he have been so changed by the experience that he did not want to live anymore? “Tell me what happened from the beginning. Last time I saw Túrin he was on his way to his homeland, beguiled by the dragon.”

“I don’t really want to talk about it.” Despite his glassy face, Thranduil’s eyes were brimming with grief. He had loved that young man so much, and now he was gone. Dead. 

Aerneth suddenly remembered something Galadriel had said on the journey south; that keeping sorrows to oneself would only make them worse. She had not quite believed it then, and remained silent about her own troubles – but somehow when it was not about herself she understood the wisdom in Galadriel’s words.

“Please. Humour me,” she coaxed.

Thranduil sighed, but obeyed. He told her that he had not had time to think much about Túrin or the dragon at first, for the city had been in an uproar and the king furious with the ‘deserters’, as he called the ones who had left with Aerneth. He had driven his march-wardens harder than ever, doubling the guards at the border and making them work long shifts. It was exhausting, but understandable too. With so many warriors gone, and a dragon and scores of orcs roaming freely at Nargothrond and the Guarded Plain, Doriath was no longer as safe as it had been.

After about a year of hard work, Captain Mablung got word that the dragon had left its lair in the ruins of Nargothrond and come to Brethil, and that it was going to kill a man living there – a man with a black sword. After discussing it with Thranduil, the two captains decided to go to Brethil and see if this mysterious man was who they suspected – namely Túrin.

They had almost reached the Crossings of Teiglin when they saw a man lying beside the river. 

“I almost didn’t recognize him,” said Thranduil. “I had not seen Túrin for many years then, and the change was dreadful. His face had grown thin, almost bony, and he was covered in bruises like from a fist fight. His clothes were dirty and torn into shreds.” Thranduil rubbed his forehead. “He said we had come too late, and that the dragon was dead already. Then he asked about his naneth and sister, demanding that we say they were safe in Doriath. ‘They are with you. I heard they are with you.’ He repeated that even after we told him we had lost them.”

Aerneth vaguely remembered that Morwen and Niënor had disappeared shortly before she left Doriath, but at that time she had not paid much attention to it. Her own problems had been dire enough. 

“What happened to them after you lost them? Did they ever return?” she asked.

“Nay. But as we later learned from the Men of Brethil, Niënor wandered into their realm and was found there by Túrin, lying naked at Finduilas’ burial mound.”

“But then why did he ask about her?” Aerneth again forced away disturbing mental images; this time it was Finduilas’ and the other ellith’s corpses she saw. 

“He didn’t recognize her as his sister. They had never met, because he left his home before she was born, and when she came to Brethil the dragon had messed with her head and made her lose her memory. She couldn’t even speak at first, they said.” Thranduil drew a deep breath. “And this is the worst part. For… Apparently Túrin thought finding her was a sign. Finduilas had died on that hill because of his bad choices, and now another blonde girl was discovered at the same place. So he married her. Túrin married his sister.”

“Oh no!”

“It gets worse.” 

Looking more stony and expressionless than ever, Thranduil related the rest of the tragedy. Túrin and Niënor had been married about a year when she became pregnant with his child. Not long after, the dragon went north, burning the Guarded Plain in its search for Túrin, so the young man decided it was time to kill his nemesis once and for all. Taking some men with him he left the forest. 

On seeing the huge monster the others fled. Túrin continued alone and bravely smote the dragon with his black sword. Glaurung, however, was not so easily defeated. He clinged to life, thrashing and trembling wildly, spewing fire all around him. Struggling in his death throes he managed to paralyze Túrin with his foul gaze, and the man fell to the ground like dead. 

Then Niënor came to look for Túrin and found his apparent corpse. But the dragon was still not dead. With his last breath, Glaurung cruelly restored her memory – exposing everything about who she was, and who Túrin was – and then, having fulfilled his evil mission from the Dark Lord Morgoth, he finally died. 

Left was the poor girl, who looked with shock and disgust at her husband’s body, who she now knew was her brother as well as the father of her unborn child. It was too much to bear. Before anyone could stop her she jumped into the river and drowned herself. 

After waking up from his daze, Túrin returned to Brethil. The human leader there had witnessed the final encounter between Niënor and Glaurung, and now he tried to tell Túrin that his wife was dead and that she had been his sister. 

Túrin didn’t believe him, or didn’t want to believe. In a fit of rage he killed the man, and then fled to Finduilas’ grave – where Thranduil and Mablung had found him.

“Like I said before, he seemed very strange and almost desperate for information about his naneth and sister. Of course, it was only afterwards we found out why.” Thranduil’s jaw set. “When Mablung told him how Niënor had followed us when we went to scout around Nargothrond that time, and how the dragon made her lose her mind and run away naked – then Túrin must have added two and two together and realized the man he killed had been right. So he started to laugh, a manic, frightening laugh, and cursed Mablung. He said lots of other strange things too. I cannot even remember it. And then he ran away. We followed him as best we could, though he ran like a wild beast, but we… were too slow. When we caught up with him he had thrown himself on that accursed black sword and was dead.” Thranduil paused, and for a short moment his shield wavered. 

“I am so sorry…” 

“We buried him right there, and the Men of Brethil helped. It was from them we found out the rest of the story I just told you.” Abruptly, Thranduil changed the topic. “So. That was my news. How are things in the south?”

Aerneth felt numb. Despite Thranduil’s masterly attempt at hiding it, she could see how much he was hurting. She wanted to console him but had no idea how. He was so far away. 

“Come to me,” she whispered impulsively. 

Her words seemed to catch him off guard. Suddenly his eyes became misty and he turned his face away. “I cannot. You know I cannot…” His voice was muffled.

“Then how can I comfort you?”

He was silent for a long while before he replied unusually softly: “You already did. You listened.”

oOo

When Aerneth returned to the settlement, her mind was a flurry of emotions. Thranduil had talked to her, shared his pain, and somehow that had helped. Perhaps Galadriel was right about not locking up your sorrows? Talk about it. It would make you feel better. Those had been her words.

Almost by their own volition, Aerneth’s feet continued walking when she arrived at her lonely home. She would visit Galadriel and Celeborn tonight and see where that led her. Yes. She had never been to their house, though Galadriel had invited her several times. It was due time.

The Iathrim enclave was further inland than the Falathrim settlement. It was logical – the immigrants had lived in a forest, and though there were no trees here like the ones they had left, the marshy pine wood was closest to the kind of nature they were used to.

Lately they had built a fence to separate their part of the land from the Falathrim’s, and to her surprise there was a guard at the gate today – one she knew well, at that. 

“Amroth!” She nodded at him. “You have become a march-warden again, then?”

To his defense he looked a bit awkward when he saw her. “My adar thought we needed control over who comes and goes. I know it’s rather silly, but…” He left the sentence hanging.

“… but you humor him. I understand.” Aerneth felt a twinge of anger. Unlike Thranduil, Amroth had managed to persuade his father to leave Doriath, but there ended the differences. They both obeyed their fathers’ whims in everything, even when they disagreed. They were loyal sons – in a bad way. “Can I enter, or is this part of the city closed for seafolk like me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course you can.” Amroth stepped aside, and even bowed to her when she stomped past. 

Still in a bad mood, Aerneth continued down the muddy path. She realized she had no idea which house was Galadriel’s, but returning to the gate to ask Amroth was out of the question. Instead she spotted another of Thranduil’s friends, an ellon named Medlin. 

While Medlin led her to the right house, it struck Aerneth that Thranduil must be very lonely in Doriath. Amroth and Medlin had both come here, Beleg was dead, and now Túrin too. Had he any friends left there besides Mablung? 

Well, she thought bitterly, at least he had his beloved father. 

Galadriel’s house was not big, but neat, and the pine boards still smelled of fresh resin. Behind it was a garden where a grass-like crop grew in dense clusters. As Aerneth came closer, she recognized the thick ears ripe with yellow corn. 

So. Galadriel was making her own lembas now. Even in that, the Iathrim apparently wanted to be independent.

It was Galadriel who opened on Aerneth’s knock, and her face immediately broke into a welcoming smile. “You came at last! And right in time for supper.”

The meal was very different from any Aerneth had had before. Not the food – which was quite ordinary – but the polite, rather stiff conversation between the spouses. They spoke about the weather, the food, and the work still needed to be done on their house, with about the same warmth as two old, not very close acquaintances. 

Afterwards, Galadriel took Aerneth’s arm and led her on a tour around the house and garden. She proudly showed the corn field – apparently Queen Melian had given her the seeds – and a small shed which she had turned into a makeshift bakery. Behind it they passed through an opening in a hedge, which surrounded a secluded flower garden. A small stream had been led through it, and on a flat stone stood a silver bowl and a pitcher.

“How do you like my mirror?” Galadriel lovingly touched the shiny surface of the bowl.

“Beautiful. You use it for your visions?”

“Aye. And for communication, just like you. I still keep in touch with Lúthien and Melian.” She sighed wistfully. “Oh, I miss them so much.”

The two ellith sat down together on a bench between two rose bushes. It was late summer but a few flowers still remained on them, and together with a thicket of honeysuckle they emitted a lovely scent in the evening air. The only annoyance was the ever present mosquitoes who disturbed the peaceful ambience with their whiny song.

Galadriel put her arm around Aerneth and unexpectedly pulled her close. “I am glad that you came at last.”

A bit baffled, Aerneth returned the hug. “I would have come sooner, but I have been busy running the colony and everything…”

“I know, I know. It is just… Well, you know how it is, being the odd one out. I am Noldor, and the more tight this community grows, the more an outsider I feel. Back in Doriath I was not the only one. There was Melian with her Maiar origin, and Lúthien, a half-Maia, and you from the Falas.” A mosquito landed on her arm and she shooed it away. “I miss having friends like that.”

Aerneth nodded; she knew all about not belonging. “Well, at least you have your husband,” she said carefully, remembering the awkward meal they just shared.

Galadriel laughed. “Oh, him… Well, much as I love Cel, he is a bore. We do not have much in common.”

Love? Did she really? Aerneth suddenly doubted that, but of course she could not say so.

“Besides, he is not home much,” Galadriel continued. “Work, you know. He is in the team that irrigates the swampy parts of the colony, and recently he started a project to build houses on platforms to keep them off the mud there. The lack of wood in the area makes it challenging, however.” She tried to swat another mosquito. “This is a horrible place, really, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

“I agree.” Aerneth’s words were heartfelt.

“When the war is over – let’s move somewhere else,” Galadriel suggested. “I am curious about the east. You know, across the mountains were our kind first awakened.”

“Sure.” She smiled wryly. “We just have to beat Morgoth. No problem.”

“And his dragons.” Galadriel turned serious again. 

“One is down, at least.” Aerneth shared the news she had got from Thranduil.

“So you spoke with your husband. That explains why you looked so morose when you came here.” Her penetrating eyes landed on Aerneth, making her feel naked – like Galadriel could read her mind.

“I did.” She decided to be open, for a change. “I hated to see how much he was hurting, so I told him to come here. But he refused again, of course.”

“Of course?” she repeated. “You find it natural then, that an ellon would not want to be with his wife?”

“For him it is natural.” Aerneth met the unwavering gaze in those clear, blue eyes. “You once asked me to tell you the whole story. Do you still want to hear it?”

“I still do.” Galadriel pressed her arm encouragingly.

Aerneth drew a deep breath, bracing herself. She realized she had come here with the sole intention of finally getting everything off her chest. If it could ease the burden a little, then even admitting her own shortcomings would be worth it.

“I was just an elfling when I first met Thranduil…” she began.

oOo

The sun was long gone and the moon had taken its place on the sky when Aerneth finished. By then she had shed many tears, and even Galadriel had wiped her eyes once or twice, and in Aerneth’s chest there was a strange emptiness. Like she had literally dug out parts of herself and thrown them away.

“This is a sad tale,” Galadriel said after a moment of thoughtful silence. “You have been unlucky to be caught in that mess.”

“I wasn’t caught. I jumped into it with open eyes.” Aerneth’s voice was hoarse from all the talking. “I brought this on myself. My bad choices… my faithlessness.”

Galadriel cupped Aerneth’s cheek. “Nobody is flawless, but you are too cruel to yourself. You were young and in love; of course you did what you could to get your ellon.” Her eyes grew distant. “Did I not do the same? I came alone to Doriath, just like you with the purpose to learn how to bake lembas. And then I met this handsome young prince… I did not wait to get to know him better. All I wanted–” She suddenly broke off and looked away. “You and I are more alike than you think.”

“Do you regret it?”

“What is the point?” Galadriel made a wry face. “My marriage is comfortable and tranquil. We are a good team; we get along well. I cannot remember ever fighting with Cel, actually. But… I won’t lie. There is no passion. And there are times when I wish… things were different.”

“Passion. Well, there is no lack of that between Thranduil and I…”

“Perhaps that is part of your problem? You are too alike. Both are passionate souls with strong emotions, and strong wills. Love and hate are branches on the same tree – not far apart.”

“Maybe.”

“It is not only about the compatibility of the two of you, however. Your relationship may have been rushed, but what strikes me is what an unhealthy family you married into. I wonder how they managed to hide it so well – for, it must have been going one since before Thranduil was born. Perhaps even before then. Oropher’s adar… I never liked him. He died in the first Battle of Beleriand, I recall.”

“Unhealthy, how?” 

“The controlling behavior, the violence. And the guilt. Oropher plays on his son’s love and sense of duty to fetter him to himself. You have described several times when Thranduil tried to get away, but every time he got pulled back and tied down even tighter.”

“You mean when we moved to Eglarest?” 

“That, and when he followed Túrin to live as an Outlaw. He used you and Túrin as means to break free of his adar’s grasp, because in telling himself it was your idea he could ease his guilt about doing it.” 

“Are you saying he used me?” Aerneth frowned.

“I am sorry, but aye, I think he did.”

“Nay. He loves me!”

“I am sure he does – or believes he does – but has he ever defended you against his adar? I mean, not physically, but verbally? When Oropher blamed you for something, did he ever take your part?”

Aerneth could not reply.

Galadriel nodded knowingly. “Growing up under the shadow of such a parent, Thranduil has learned to do what he must to protect himself. Maybe he will heal eventually, but not until he breaks completely with Oropher. And I don’t think he ever will.”

Mutely, Aerneth looked at her shaking hands in her lap. I don’t think he ever will. She wanted to yell at Galadriel that she was making things up. Of course Thranduil would be free of his father eventually; he just needed more time. But even thinking the words felt like a lie.

I don’t think he ever will.  

“You should protect your heart. I see only sorrow in a future with him.”

“You saw our future?” She glanced at the mirror.

“I meant figuratively; I cannot control what visions the mirror shows. But even if that were possible, and you looked into it – if you are completely honest with yourself, do you think you would see a happy ever after for you and Thranduil?”

Aerneth bit her trembling lip. “Only if he chooses me. If he leaves Oropher, then perhaps we can mend things…”

Galadriel’s eyes filled with compassion. “If he leaves Oropher,” she repeated. It was clear what she thought the odds were for that. “Perhaps living apart like this is not a bad thing,” she added thoughtfully. “Perhaps it is a blessing.”

Notes:

The part of the Silmarillion where Túrin dies is so sad, and I think that’s why this chapter took so long to write. I don’t want him to die… I hate that so many bad things happen to him. So, instead of writing this chapter, I wrote a challenge for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang, namely a short fix-it story for Túrin, Niënor and Finduilas. In my version, Finduilas manages to escape and survives, which changes canon a lot. The story’s called Dragon Deception if anyone’s interested.

Finally: To all who are still bearing with me and following this story despite the embarrassingly slow updates! A word of encouragement: If Aerneth could control the mirror, she would see a happy ever after in hers and Thranduil's future. Trust me! (I mean, who else? I'm the author).

Many thanks for kudos and comments! Your support means the world to me. Hugs and kisses! X

Chapter 31: The Battle of the Thousand Caves

Summary:

King Thingol acquires a valuable dwarf necklace, and as the doom of Doriath draws near, Oropher's plans for the succession are thwarted.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

The Battle of the Thousand Caves

Near the Doriath border, First Age 500

Sitting in his comfortable spot in a tree fork, Thranduil had a good view of the border and the river Sirion. His eyelids felt heavy, but he was used to that; nowadays they always did. The long watches he and the few remaining march-wardens had to do meant little to no sleep most nights. It was a bit easier now that it was summer and the nights less dark, but only marginally.

There was a sudden movement at the other side of the river. He pricked up his ears, reaching for his bow. 

Then a man emerged from the greenery, and Thranduil relaxed again. It was an old human, bent and worn, with a bushy, iron gray beard covering most of his weatherbeaten face. He looked harmless.

For some reason, the human went out into the river and began to wade across. He would be stopped by Melian’s Girdle at the other side, of course, but just in case Thranduil whistled in the imitation of a bird, alerting the guards in nearby trees north and south of him.

The man was up to his neck in water now and began to swim with even strokes. Then to Thranduil’s surprise, he walked ashore, unstopped. Why had the Girdle let him through?

Drawing one of his swords, Thranduil quickly dropped from the tree. “Halt! Who goes there?” 

From either side came two of his fellow march-wardens; Faraion and Maeldir, drawing swords of their own and flanking him.

The stranger gave the trio a tired look, and then his eyes widened slightly in recognition. “Lord Thranduil,” he said, bowing slightly. “You haven’t changed at all.”

“You know me?”

“I used to be in your unit when I was a boy.” 

“My unit?” Thranduil squinted, trying to figure out who this strange person was.

“I am Húrin, son of Galdor.”

Thranduil’s breath hitched when he heard the familiar name. Húrin, Túrin’s father! He who went missing together with his brother during Thranduil’s first battle several decades ago. It was impossible to recognize the boy he had been in this old, haggard face. 

Túrin had always believed his father was alive, against all odds. But why had the old man not sought out his son before?

Húrin apparently thought the interview was over, for he began walking again.

“Stop. I have not granted you permission to enter our realm.” Thranduil barred his path with his sword.

“So kill me.” 

Baffled, Thranduil stared at him, not knowing what to reply.

“Or, take me to your king, and then kill me.” Húrin pulled out a sparkling necklace from his pocket. “This is for him.”

Bending closer, Thranduil examined the object. It was exquisite, wrought with mithril and gold and covered in the most brilliant gems he had ever seen.

“Where did you find that?”

“In Nargothrond, where I took it from the traitor Mîm before I killed him.” Meeting Thranduil’s shocked gaze, he added: “I know that you know that dwarf as well; I saw you with Túrin and the Outlaws.”

“Mîm,” Thranduil hissed. “But how do you know about the Outlaws? Were you spying on us?”

“The Dark Lord had me chained to the top of his fortress, and showed me visions of my family. I saw everything. Everything!” The haggard face became anguished and his eyes glistened with a sheen of tears. “All these years I was forced to watch as Morgoth’s curse brought doom over my son and daughter. I was released right in time to witness the death of my wife, and to bury her with our son.”

Thranduil’s chest constricted into a painful knot at the mention of Túrin and his grave. He remembered the young man’s manic laughter when he realized he had married his own sister, and his bleeding body beside the broken sword he had killed himself with. 

With an effort he managed to keep his face and voice neutral. “We shall escort you to King Thingol as you requested. Come this way.”

Not long afterwards the poor man told King Thingol the same tale he had told Thranduil, ending it by throwing the necklace on the floor with a loud clatter. “Receive now, lord, the necklace of the dwarves, as a gift from one who has nothing, and as a memorial of Húrin of Dor-lómin. For now my fate is fulfilled, and the purpose of Morgoth achieved, but I am his thrall no longer.”

Húrin turned his back on the king and strode out of Menegroth. And then he left Doriath, never to return, for after the fashion of mortals he would soon meet his death, alone and broken; the last survivor of his family.

oOo

In the months that followed, King Thingol’s obsession with the Silmaril escalated fast. He talked about combining the gem with the necklace he had received, to create a both powerful and beautiful piece of jewelry that could be worn around the neck. It became known that he had sent for a group of craftsmen to do the work, and not much later a whole band of dwarves from the Blue Mountains moved into the city.

This in itself was not unusual. Thingol had employed dwarves many times in the past – not the least when Menegroth was first built – but this time Thranduil felt a strange anger about the whole thing. If Mîm was anything to go by, those stocky creatures were untrustworthy and sly, caring only for their own kin. He did not want them to touch the Silmaril.

Thranduil had not cared much about the gem when the king first achieved it, but now he realized it had grown dear to him over the years; it belonged to his people, and the dwarves had no business with it. In addition, Queen Melian had seen in Galadriel’s mirror that her husband would be killed by a dwarf over the Silmaril – carried in a necklace. It could not be a coincidence. Clearly, the final of those visions was coming to pass, and the thought scared him more than he wanted to admit. 

Despite his apprehension, Thranduil tried not to brood over it. What good would it do? He was stuck here, and would have to endure whatever was coming for his realm. Not that he had much time to worry anyway; his endless days at the border were tolling on his strength, and most of the time he was too tired even to think.

oOo

Menegroth, Doriath, First Age 502

About two years after Húrin’s visit in Menegroth, Thranduil was returning to the city in one of those rare instances where he had gotten a few days leave. As usual, he went to the palace to report before he did anything else.

Entering the spacious hall, he saw that the throne was empty again, and the room was dim without the illumination of the Silmaril. Only its cask remained next to the throne. 

The king was probably down in the smithies, overlooking the work with the necklace as usual. With the dwarves.

Hiding his disgust behind a smooth face, Thranduil crossed the polished granite floor and halted in front of a smaller chair that had been placed below the steps to the throne. “I have returned from the western border and am ready to report, my lord. Shall I wait until the king is present?”

Oropher looked up from a stack of parchment he had been sorting through, and smiled. “When we are alone, you don’t have to be that formal. And to answer your question, you can report to me. Thingol can hardly tell day from night nowadays; he only cares about his necklace.”

“It is getting worse, then?”

“Much worse.” Oropher smirked somewhat smugly. “But it is better this way. Under my lead, the kingdom will soon rise to its former glory.” He steepled his fingers. “Proceed. What news from the border?”

oOo

After finishing his reports, Thranduil hurried home on weary legs. He only returned to the city a few times a year now, and wanted to make the most of his short stay. A hot bath, change of clothes, a warm meal and lots of wine were topping his list for the evening.

He had just emptied his first goblet of cherry wine when an insistent knocking at the door obliged him to leave the comfortable chair he had been reclining in. 

Outside was one of the palace maids, looking very pale. “The king is dead, Captain.” She sounded like she could not quite believe it herself. “I was going down with his supper, when… I found him.”

“Dead,” Thranduil repeated, already picking up his weapons from a stand by the door. “A dwarf did this.” 

“How do you know?”

“I just know.”

“What should I do? I came to you first.”

“Alert Lord Oropher. I will take care of the dwarves,” growled Thranduil, suddenly furious.

A quick search showed him that the dwarves had not stayed in Menegroth to wait for retribution; the smithies in the deepest caves were all deserted, and – as he had feared – the necklace gone as well. How dared those long-fingered little bastards take it? Did they think they could get away with such a crime unpunished?

The king still lay where he had fallen, splayed out on his back with a deep cut in his forehead. His vacant eyes had a surprised look. 

Thranduil forced down a wave of nausea at the sticky mess of blood and gore surrounding the once fair head like a crimson halo. 

Covering Thingol’s face with a corner of the ellon’s cloak, Thranduil ran back up to organize a pursuit of the offenders. A great urgency had come over him. Even if he had felt any grief, there was no time to mourn his king’s passing; they must hurry if they wanted to recover the Silmaril.

It did not take long until Thranduil was on his way together with five guards, which was all he could muster on such a short notice. Most of the march-wardens were with Captain Mablung at the border outposts. The dwarves therefore would outnumber them at least two to one, but he did not really worry; they were only craftsmen after all. It was not likely that experienced elvish warriors would lose against a bunch of smiths and jewelers.

It was not hard to track the prey. The dwarves’ heavy feet had left clear prints in the soft forest loam, and not surprisingly they were running east towards the Blue Mountains where their cities were located. At the river Aros, the elves caught up with them just as they were about to cross. 

On Thranduil’s signal, each released an arrow before the dwarves even noticed they were followed, and in the moment it took the survivors to regroup and turn to meet the assault, six more arrows had hit their targets.

A handful were still standing. Undaunted, they grimly hefted axes almost as tall as themselves and charged against their pursuers with an inarticulate warcry.

“For Doriath!” yelled Thranduil, dropping the bow and drawing his two swords.

“For Doriath!” his comrades fell in, drawing their swords as well.

Then battle was upon them, and everything turned into the normal chaos of struggling combatants, growls, curses, yelps of pain and bleeding corpses on the ground.

The first dwarf Thranduil sparred with reminded him so much of Mîm, it almost felt like it was him. White-hot rage filled him at the memory of Mîm’s betrayal and his cruelty to Beleg when he tortured the ellon on top of Amon Rûdh. The anger fueled him, feeding energy and strength into his limbs, and under his dreadful onslaught the dwarf fell back. A well-aimed slice of Thranduil’s left sword cut off the dwarf’s hand, still gripping the ax, and with his right sword he severed the ugly head from its body.

Thranduil ducked another ax before it could take his head off, and turned to meet the new foe. This dwarf was stronger than the first one, and wielded his huge ax with surprising skill for an artisan. He fought viciously, not hesitating to use foul tricks. More than once the fellow tried to bite Thranduil, and even headbutted him in the belly at one point. Still, against the agility and speed of an elf armed with two swords he could not really compete. 

With his second dwarf down, Thranduil turned around for another, but they were all dead. 

“I hope I shall never see another dwarf,” he said with feeling. “Anyone hurt?”

Apart from minor blemishes, nobody was. It had almost been too easy; the dwarves were fewer than they had anticipated. 

They searched the corpses thoroughly, until at last they found a promising-looking sack. When it was emptied, everyone took a step backwards and covered their eyes; the radiance from the object within was so brilliant it hurt, and its beauty dazzling.

A flood of relief filled Thranduil at the sight. “It is the necklace,” he said needlessly. “Put it back in the sack for now. Let us return.”

They were almost back home when Faraion, who had been stopping to drink from a small stream, suddenly called out: “There are more tracks on the other side of the creek.”

Thranduil studied the muddy ground. “The accursed ax lovers must have split up,” he growled. How negligent of him to have missed it on their way out of the city! By now, those tracks would have become old. 

He hated to divide his already small team when they carried something so valuable, but there was nothing for it. While the other four hurried on to Menegroth with the treasure, Faraion and Thranduil stayed behind to follow the new track. 

There were only two sets of footsteps, and why these two dwarves had decided on another route Thranduil could not say. Their tracks led to the river Aros just like the others had, but a bit upstream from where the short battle had been, and there they ended. 

At the other side of the river the ground was rocky, and despite a thorough search they could not find any trace of the two dwarves or where they had gone. Thanks to their detour, the fellows had managed to escape.

Annoyed, Thranduil decided they had to give up for now. It was getting late, and they were probably needed in the city.

“At least we got the Silmaril back,” said Faraion.

“Aye.” Thranduil sighed wearily. “I just don’t like rumors to spread about that stone – and the necklace, which is dwarven made. Knowing their kind, the dwarves will probably rally up their people and return with real warriors, and I worry whether we can resist such an attack now that the march-wardens are so few.” 

“Even if they come, they cannot pass the Girdle,” said Faraion soothingly.

Thranduil did not reply. He thought of the visions in the mirror; Doriath would fall, and it would be soon. Somehow the Girdle would break.

oOo

A few weeks after the king’s death, Captain Mablung returned to the city with the brunt of the march-wardens, having left only a handful behind at the western and northern borders – scouts rather than actual guards. He had decided they needed their strength where the Silmaril was.

The lack of border guards made Thranduil feel exposed and vulnerable. What would they do if the dwarves came back for the necklace? This time they would not send untrained craftsmen but seasoned warriors. Still, he knew the march-wardens were much too few to cover the length of the river Aros, which was where the attack was likely to come, so Mablung was probably right. They had to protect the city, and staying together would make them stronger.

Not long after his return, Mablung summoned Thranduil to a meeting outside the city, just the two of them. Thranduil felt a knot of worry building within as he walked there. He really did not need more bad news, but when he entered the training grounds and saw the other captain’s serious face, he knew he would get them anyway.

It was raining; a chilling summer rain that made it feel like autumn had come early, and Mablung was waiting under the cover of an oak just by the archery range. 

“I haven’t been here since he died,” he said. 

For a fleeting moment, Thranduil thought he meant Thingol, but then he understood. Mablung was talking of Beleg Strongbow, of course.  

“I often watched him practice with his bow here – as if he needed practicing.” Mablung smiled. “I think I shall join him in Aman soon.”

“Why?” Thranduil repressed a twinge of unease at his ominous tone of voice.

Mablung’s smile waned. “Melian misses her husband too much, and she has decided to follow him to Aman. She will leave us.”

“Leave us? But then the Girdle will–”

“It will go as well, aye.”

“This is dire news.” Thranduil clenched his fists and forbade his face to betray any fear. So this was what the queen had been planning! She had stayed in her rooms since her husband’s demise, and refused to speak to anyone. Except for Mablung, it would seem.

“Indeed. And there is more.” Mablung suddenly looked very uncomfortable, averting his gaze. “She bade me to send word to Ossiriand, to her daughter and Beren. At thirty years old, their son is already an adult – being mortal, you know – and Melian wants him to take the throne.” Mablung glanced at Thranduil. “I know you had hoped your adar would be king, and truly, I think he would be an excellent choice. But the queen is very firm about this, and young Dior does have a claim as her grandson…” He broke off. “Sorry. But I have to pass on her message.”

An awkward silence ensued, while Thranduil digested the unwelcome information. His father would be furious. That a mere mortal would take leadership from him! 

“Thank you for telling me this,” he said at last. “It gives him time to prepare – for his successor, I mean.”

Mablung nodded. “Young Dior will need a mentor, I am sure, and Oropher will keep his position as trusted advisor.”

He left shortly afterwards, but Thranduil remained behind. He did not feel ready to meet his father yet, not when he was so agitated. The imminent loss of the Girdle terrified him. To have the borders wide-open for any orc, dragon, balrog or dwarf wanting to enter! How soon would it take Morgoth to find out that the Silmaril was unprotected? 

He realized this was how the mirror visions would come to pass. Without Melian’s magic, Doriath could – and would – fall. Should he try to convince his father it was time to flee before it was too late? Especially since it looked like Oropher would fail his attempt at becoming king. 

But then what would happen with the Silmaril? The thought of letting the dwarves have it made Thranduil nearly choke with disgust. No, the necklace would be safest hidden deep in Menegroth’s many vaults, and he had to stay and protect it as best he could.

oOo

The dwarves returned on a dark, clouded night, only days after Melian had left; much sooner than anyone had thought possible. No scouts discovered the threat until it was too late, for they stealthily circumvented the Aros and came from the north where they were least expected.

They were many. Like a colony of ants the dwarves swarmed the forest, scattering the few elves that lived outside Menegroth, and too late did word of their arrival reach the city. 

Thranduil had been sleeping, and bleary-eyed jumped out of bed when the alarm sounded. 

No! It was too soon! The carpenters had not yet finished strengthening the city gate, and Mablung had planned to have the bridge over the Esgalduin taken down before the enemy came. 

Pushing down his panic, Thranduil hurriedly got dressed. They could still do this. All the march-wardens were in the city, and the guards at the gate would have closed it before they rang the bells.

Outside his door, he bumped into his father, still only in his shirt. 

“What is happening?” Oropher asked hoarsely.

“The dwarves have come,” Thranduil barked. “Quick, get your weapons. This time we shall need every elf in the city.”

At the entrance to Menegroth, Thranduil found a tight throng of guards already gathered, and more arriving continually. Before them, the huge doors rattled and boomed with the sound of hammers and axes pounding mercilessly into them. They would not last long.

Captain Mablung stood on a silver deer to make himself seen and heard by everybody as he yelled orders and assigned tasks. For his own part, he would take a group down to the vaults and barricade the one that contained the Silmaril. Others were assigned to round up the last civilians and equip them with what weapons could be scraped together at such a short notice, while Thranduil would lead the brunt of the guards at the gate and try to delay the enemy for as long as possible.

Before they parted, Mablung squeezed Thranduil’s arm. “Let us not sell our treasure cheaply! Best of luck, my friend. And if we do not meet again in this life, I shall see you in Aman.”

Thranduil nodded, at loss for words. In Mablung’s eyes he saw the truth; his friend did not expect to survive this day. And to be honest, Thranduil did not think he himself would either.

Oropher came to stand on his son’s side, carrying his old shield in one hand, and a long sword in the other. When was the last time he had used them? It must be many decades.

“Stay back, Adar,” he hissed. “Let the trained warriors be in the front line.”

“I am staying.” Oropher frowned. “If you are slain, I may as well go too.”

Thranduil wanted to protest, and force his father to obey orders, but there was no time. Ahead of him the doors finally broke in a rain of splintered wood.

“Loose!” he yelled, releasing the arrow he had kept ready. It joined the other archers’ in a deadly hail.

Despite repeated showers of arrows, however, the dwarves welled in through the remnants of the gate in a never-ending wave. They wore some sort of plate metal armor that Thranduil had never seen before, which covered them from head to toe, and most arrows harmlessly bounced off the shiny surface.

“Draw your swords!” he cried, swiftly unsheathing his own twin swords as well. “And… Charge!”

“For Doriath!”

The two armies met just inside the gate, and a crowded, chaotic melee followed. There was no space to move, and soon the floor was littered with corpses and sticky with blood, making it hard to remain on one’s feet. Yet, more dwarves kept coming, climbing over their fallen comrades and jumping down on the defenders.

Increasingly more desperate, the elves tried to hold their ground, but despite their greater agility, endurance and height, the dwarves pushed them back. The enemies were simply too many, and too well equipped with their stout armor and heavy weapons. 

When the defenders had been forced to retreat all the way to the wide commercial halls, the attackers spread out and surrounded them. Still the elves kept fighting zealously, forming a circle with their backs against each other, but to their dismay they could do nothing about the many dwarves who continued past them, storming down to the deep caves and treasuries.

More time passed; impossible to measure. It could be hours or minutes, Thranduil had no way to tell. His body was covered in sweat and nameless fluids, and every part of him ached. He had injured his left hand, and lost one of his swords, and blood from a cut on his forehead kept coming into his eye. At the moment he was sparring with an impossibly strong dwarf, whose large, bucket shaped helmet covered everything but two dark eyes and a long, iron gray beard. 

Thranduil was beginning to feel alone, despite the crowd. Were there any more elves still standing? His father, who had kept at his side at first, was gone now. Dead or alive? He did not know. 

Another dwarf joined Thranduil’s opponent, this one equipped with a massive, pointed war hammer. With just one sword, Thranduil did not know who to focus on. He tried to kick the newcomer away, but he easily parried his leg with a bone-cracking swipe of his hammer.

Gasping with pain, Thranduil sank to his knees, inadvertently dropping his sword. 

“Baruk Khazâd!” rumbled the dwarf, raising his hammer high. 

Trying not to wince, Thranduil anticipated the killing stroke, helplessly meeting the dwarfs' black gaze through his helmet slits.

Unexpectedly, the dwarf let his hammer sink. “You’re not worth it, No-beard,” he growled in broken Sindarin. With that, he spat straight in Thranduil’s face and left.

Not knowing whether he should be humiliated or relieved, Thranduil collapsed on the ground, defeated. 

It was over.

oOo

The surviving elves were stripped of anything of value and left where they had fallen. All that day they had to lie there, listening to the sounds of their home being ransacked, while wondering who of their friends and family members had died that night.

When the attackers had left with their plunder it was late evening, and Thranduil felt weak from blood loss and pain. He rose on his good leg, taking a piece of the splintered city gate as a crutch while he slowly walked around to examine the corpses and pay them his last respect. 

One by one, he closed their eyes and covered their pale faces, many of them familiar; friends, colleagues, and neighbors, looking serene and peaceful in death. When he came to Faraion, Thranduil had to force himself not to turn away and throw up. His friend’s face had been cloven in half with an ax.

A young ellon with a gritty, tear-streaked face came over, and gently touched his shoulder. “I have found Captain Mablung. D-d-dead.”

Thranduil nodded mutely. 

“And the necklace is gone.”

He nodded again. “Of course. That was what they came for.” Somehow he felt calm, and he knew his face betrayed no emotions as he continued his interrupted search. 

“Thranduil…” A weak voice was coming from under a heap of dead march-wardens, and Thranduil instantly recognized it. Oropher!

He fell on his knees, ignoring the pain shooting out from his broken leg, and began to move the corpses aside. When he had freed his father, seemingly intact and not too badly injured, Thranduil breathed out a sigh of relief. 

Oropher’s eyes became moist. “I am so glad you made it too. I could not live without you.”

oOo

Much later, Thranduil sat in his room, on his broken bed – the one he had once ordered to his wife from the furniture makers, and spent so many pleasant nights in. His clothes chest was smashed open, with its ruined contents spread across the floor, and beneath the window lay the remains of the clay seal Aerneth’s mother had once given the newlyweds.

There was nothing of value left in his house, or in the whole city. Nothing. The dwarves had thoroughly sacked every cave, and what they could not carry back with them, they had defiled and destroyed in petty glee.

Leaning his aching body back on the bed, Thranduil stared at the ceiling with dry eyes, rubbing the empty spot on his finger where his wedding ring had been. A strange apathy had come over him; a mix of resignation and anger. 

He hated dwarves. Really hated them! And he would make them pay for this one day – that, he promised himself.

A sudden sparkle drew his gaze, and another one. The stars! They were still there! Somehow the plunderers had missed the white gems he had put in the ceiling as stars for Aerneth.

The calmness instantly left him, and he could not hold back his tears as he reached up to pick out each gem with trembling fingers. Aerneth… Oh, why had he not gone with her? 

He took his wash bowl, which miraculously was still whole, and looked into it with streaming eyes. Aerneth. Are you there? 

The surface remained still, reflecting the now empty ceiling. 

Aerneth!

But there was no answer. For once, his wife would not reply.

Thranduil sat for a long time with the bowl in his lap, weeping like an elfling at the friends he had lost, and the Silmaril, and all his belongings. And now it seemed he had lost his wife as well.

Notes:

Ahhh for a while longer, things are going downhill, before we can start seeing the light… Sorry about that.

Chapter 32: A New King

Summary:

Spring dawns among the ruins of Doriath, with a new king, and even children. Thranduil feels unusually hopeful. Later he he receives an unwelcome letter, and Doriath has visitors – even more unwelcome ones.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

A New King

Menegroth, Doriath, First Age 503

Menegroth had become a city of ghosts. Gone were the silver animals and babbling fountains, gone were the merry voices and busy market stalls, and worse, the food was gone too; their stores of meat, lembas, dried fruits and preserves having been plundered by the dwarves just like everything else of value, and with so few survivors they had had a hard time replenishing them. As for the lembas, that was lost to Doriath for good. 

Looking around among the assembled people, Thranduil saw signs of suffering in almost every face. With lack of food they had grown sallow and thin, and several still had ugly battle scars. 

All citizens had gathered outside the provisionally repaired city gate, waiting to greet their new regent whose arrival had been announced by a forerunner earlier that day. Well, almost all of them – Oropher had claimed to have a headache and remained in bed. He had hardly left it at all since the battle.

A horn sounded cheerfully, and a large following emerged from under the eaves of the forest, with the king-to-be and his family walking in the front. Their colorful clothes, gleaming jewels and healthy looks contrasted sharply with the sorry crowd that welcomed them.

Behind the royals came another group of elves, all garbed in forest green and equipped with longbows. They must be Laegrim, Green-Elves of Ossiriand. The Laegrim were said to be great hunters and archers. Maybe they could help restock Menegroth’s empty larders?

Feeling the first glimmer of hope in a long time, Thranduil moved his gaze to his new leader, Lúthien’s son. Dior looked more mannish than elvish. He was broad shouldered and shorter than his wife, but his chin was smooth and his dark hair braided in the Doriath fashion. As if he had tried hard to make himself fit in.

Nimloth, his wife, was a relative of Celeborn, and had the same silvery hair color as he. Two small children followed close on her heels. 

“Greetings, my kin and friends,” exclaimed Dior in a strong voice that easily carried to them all. “I bring good tidings in these dark times. The animals – for I refuse to call them anything else – who ruined your fair kingdom, are no more. Beren, my adar, hunted them down and ambushed them at Sarn Athrad, killing every last one. They have paid for their evil deeds!”

A murmur rose among the assembled, grim smiles breaking out in haggard faces. Nobody had forgotten the treatment they had received from the dwarves. Good riddance!

“The necklace of my grand adar was also retrieved and is now worn by my naneth, Lúthien,” Dior continued. “Sadly the rest of the treasure was lost in the river, but despair not! With me I bring what I believe will be more welcome than silver and gems.” He indicated a row of horse carts behind the Laegrim. “A bounty of food!”

This was met with an expectant cheer, but the merriment was interrupted by a strange sound, high pitched and easily carrying over the din. All eyes turned towards it, and an almost reverent silence commenced as the elves realized what had caused it. A baby. A pink head with tufts of brown hair had emerged from a sling across Nimloth’s shoulder. 

Thranduil felt a rare warmth in his chest. How long had it been since the last time there were elflings in the city? Centuries or more. Hearing the wailing baby now, he took it as a good omen, the beginning of something new. Doriath had already fallen just as Lúthien had foreseen in Galadriel’s mirror – perhaps that meant it could rise out of the ashes again? A new spring dawning, where the kingdom would be rebuilt and brought back to its former glory. 

If so, Thranduil might have a future to look forward to, that was not entirely black.

oOo

Dior was crowned soon after his arrival, and the ensuing feast was so grand it surpassed anything that had been seen in Menegroth for decades. The whole realm was invited to share his bountiful table, laden with numerous delicious courses, and to see the radiant queen and her children up close. The king took time to speak with everyone who wanted, holding audiences well into the night, and the people left the party with strengthened hope and a growing love for their new regent.

The hopeful feelings did not abandon Thranduil. It gladdened him to see how soon the newcomers settled, and how well they fit in with the other citizens. The friendship and old bond between the Sindar and their distant Laegrim relatives had been renewed – and of course the food and other supplies they brought were more than welcome too. 

Not surprisingly, the royal family became universally loved, particularly the children. The twin boys and their baby sister received so many gifts of homemade toys, clothes, blankets, sweets and bedding that Queen Nimloth had to commit a whole room in the palace to store them in, and they had hardly time to use a fraction of the clothes before they outgrew them. 

The childrens’ growth was particularly fascinating because they were part human. They were less developed than elflings of similar age would have been, but grew exceptionally fast. In a mere month the baby gained an inch and learned to hold her head up. 

Thranduil followed the childrens’ progress with interest mingled with wistful memories of another little human he had watched grow up: Túrin. He hoped the fate of the twins and their sister would be less tragic.

King Dior turned out to be a humble and very diplomatic leader, showing interest in Doriath’s traditions and how the city had been organized, and after re-employing Oropher as chief councilor – and asking him to perform the coronation! – the new king managed to dispel even his disapproval, which was a true feat. Of course, Oropher did not stop resenting that a stranger had been made king instead of him, but from then on he only complained about the unfairness in the privacy of their home, and it actually seemed that the amiability he showed Dior was not feigned. 

Being the only captain left in Doriath, Thranduil was assigned another important task by the king, which he quite enjoyed, namely to be a coach for the newly recruited Laegrim march-wardens. They were already proficient archers, but only few of them had ever fought in a battle, and to be able to protect their new realm they needed to learn close combat. Every morning the training grounds filled with people sparring, performing fencing routines or practicing fighting on horseback.

All in all, it seemed like it would be a good spring. 

oOo

A couple of months after King Dior’s coronation, Thranduil was on his way to another day of training. The pleasant smell of fresh wood filled the air, and he saw signs of rebuilding everywhere: repaired doors, market stalls once again loaded with foodstuffs and other necessities, new statues of trees and animals along the main street. The latter were not made of silver anymore, but of other materials available such as wood or clay.

Outside the rebuilt city gate he stopped, joining several onlookers who watched the queen with her two maids and the royal children. They were at the new playground that had been put together by many willing hands. 

Under the watching eyes of the maids (and the audience), little Eluréd and Elurín were ascending a dead, barked tree that had had its branches shortened, making it perfect to practice climbing on. Meanwhile their sister Elwing slept on a blanket, well wrapped in furs. Her mother sat beside her, face upturned to catch some of the spring morning sun.

It was such a peaceful, idyllic scene, and it made Thranduil’s chest ache to know that he would never have a family like that. Yet, the king’s children were not an altogether bad substitute. If he could have no elflings of his own, at least he could watch over and care for his leader’s.

He continued his walk, but not much later he was distracted again, this time by the sight of someone digging in the soft loam near the Esgalduin. It was an ellon with a coppery hair color that was not uncommon among the Laegrim. He had turned over grass to expose the soil in a wide strip and made a row of holes in it. 

Pausing, Thranduil regarded him. He was filling buckets from the river now, emptying them in the holes. What was he doing?

When he curiously went closer, the ellon straightened his back and greeted him with a smile. “Good morning, Captain!”

Thranduil recognized him now, he was Galion, one of the new recruits.

“I will come to practice soon, I must just finish planting those.” Galion indicated a sack from which a bunch of cuttings protruded.

Thranduil picked one up and turned it over in his hands. He did not recognize the shape of its triangular leaves.

“I brought them with me from home,” said Galion. “They are grapevines, if you know what that is?”

Thranduil shook his head. He returned the cutting to Galion, who placed it in one of the holes and filled it in with soil.

“They get berries that are very tasty. And you can make good wine with them.”

At Thranduil’s approving hum, Galion went into a lengthy description of the vineyard he had kept in Ossiriand, and the varieties of vine he had bred, trying to create one that would yield the most plentiful harvest and sweetest berries.

His enthusiasm reminded Thranduil of Amroth and his goat breeding efforts, and with a pang he realized how much he missed him. After Mablung’s death in the dwarf attack, nobody remained here of the friends of his youth. Amroth was far away in the south with the others who had left.

“Ossiriand sounds like a lovely place,“ he said, attempting to steer his mind away from another person who was far away in the south – Aerneth.

“It is.” Galion’s gaze grew distant. “The land between the rivers is very fertile, so everywhere you look there are rich gardens, fields, fruit trees and a bounty of flowers. And many animals too, of course.”

“I am a bit surprised so many of you left that for a city you had never been to.”

“Lúthien persuaded us. She can be quite convincing.” He grinned. 

Thranduil well remembered the former princess’ headstrongness. “How is she nowadays?”

“Well, both she and Beren are getting old, as mortals do, and her hair has turned white. But she still loves to dance.” Galion had finished planting and washed his hands in the river. 

“My naneth was from Ossiriand too,” said Thranduil while they walked to the training grounds. “Her name was Eiriendîs, if you knew her? She moved away after the First Battle of Beleriand.” To his surprise, he found that talking about his mother did not hurt as much as it used to. Maybe time really could heal wounds.

“I don’t recognize that name, nay, but I am young and wasn't born yet during the First Battle. I will celebrate my fifteenth decade day next week.”

“Congratulations in advance.” 

“Thank you. And actually… I have a few barrels of grape wine that I brought with me here, and I plan to open one for the occasion. Maybe you would like to come over and try it?”

Smiling in surprise, Thranduil accepted the offer. “It would be my pleasure.” 

oOo

Summer and autumn passed. Thranduil watched the king’s children and Galion’s vines grow, and so did his hope – until one late night when an ellon arrived in Doriath, a messenger from Ossiriand. He brought two things: the Silmaril in its necklace, and the news that Lúthien and Beren had passed away. 

Lúthien’s death dampened Thranduil’s spirits like a wet blanket over fire, and the same went for everyone else, Sindar and Laegrim alike. An elleth they had known and loved was gone – really gone – in the way of mortals, and they would never see her again, even in Aman. 

In addition, the Silmaril added a new cause for worry. Dior wore it around his neck just like his mother had done, and her father before her, which meant that rumors about it risked spreading with every visitor to the city. 

The day after the gem had arrived, Oropher complained about the king’s carelessness during supper. “I suggested that he place it in one of the vaults, but he refused. He said it is too beautiful to hide.”

“Well, he does look handsome wearing it.” Thranduil smiled wryly, though he really agreed with his father. It was good that the Silmaril was back in Doriath where it belonged, and Dior absolutely had the right to it – his father Beren had cut it from Morgoth’s throne with his own hand, after all – but it was unwise to carry it so openly. 

If the Dark Lord learned where it was, his balrogs, orcs and remaining dragons would crush the realm completely in their search for it. And then there were Fëanor’s sons who might try to steal it. If they were still alive, that was; nothing had been heard from them since the Battle of Unnumbered Tears three decades ago.

But then again, it may not be so easy for anyone to find out about the Silmaril. Doriath rarely received visitors anymore, only messengers from Ossiriand now and then, and on a few occasions from the Mouths of Sirion. Not much trading went on between the elvish realms with the orc bands roaming the western plains making traveling dangerous. 

And as for Morgoth, it seemed Melian’s Girdle had both protected and kept Doriath hidden, for even now when she was gone his spies never entered the forest. Perhaps he thought it was only inhabited by humans.

Thranduil figured the Silmaril was probably quite safe, and his worry unfounded.

oOo

Another couple of years passed, until again an important message came for the king, this time with a small company of runners from the south. They brought a letter from Círdan Shipwright with a renewed offer for the people of Doriath to move to his realm. He described how there was now an entire city of Iathrim, as the emigrants from Doriath called themselves, where the brunt of the new arrivals could move in. And as for Dior and his family, he was welcome to stay at Círdan’s fortified island, the Isle of Balar, where his treasure would be better protected.

It was clear from the offer that Círdan knew exactly what this treasure was, and that in turn meant that rumors about the Silmaril had spread after all.

As usual, Oropher told Thranduil the news very soon afterwards, and added: “I advised Dior to stay. I know Círdan is your wife’s father and all that, but I cannot help suspecting he wants the necklace for himself. Why would he believe it safer on an island than here, where it can be hidden deep below the city if needed? It will be much more conspicuous there, I’d say. And why would he think that Dior wants to live apart from his people? Círdan cannot know how loved he is by everybody.”

At the mention of Círdan and Aerneth, Thranduil had had to force himself to uphold his calm face and keep paying attention to his father’s words. Was she well? He had not heard from her in many years, and after that time when Doriath was sacked he had not tried to reach out to her again. He did not dare, for he feared she would keep refusing to answer, and the pain if she did would undo him.

When he had his emotions under control, he considered Círdan’s message. A second chance to leave the city? If they took it, he could be with her again. Perhaps if he tried to convince his father, and…

But who was he trying to fool? Oropher would never leave his favorable position in court, and even if Dior agreed to go, Aerneth would likely not want anything to do with Thranduil. Not considering the way they had parted. He had chosen his father over her, and she would never forgive him for that.

During the afternoon, Thranduil had planned to inspect the guard posts around Menegroth. There were only a few left these days, located close to the city, for even with the added Laegrim archers he did not have enough march-wardens to patrol the outer borders. Walking to each of them in turn, he made sure the small cabins were adequately disguised, and that the designated scouts discovered him in due time. 

Usually Thranduil enjoyed leaving the city for a forest walk, but now his heart was not quite in it. His thoughts kept straying to the letter, and he alternated between wanting to travel south or to stay in Doriath. Knowing how weak their defense was, and realizing that if Círdan knew about the Silmaril, others – more illwilling – might as well, the forest no longer felt very safe. But he also agreed with Oropher that the Isle of Balar probably was not much better.

When he returned to the city in the evening, he was surprised to be intercepted by one of Círdan’s messengers, and he was even more surprised when he realized he recognized him. It was Galdor, a friend of Aerneth’s, whom she had once followed to Doriath as an emissary from Eglarest.

Galdor put an envelope in his hand. “This is for you… Captain Thranduil, it is now?”

“Um, aye,” he mumbled, too bewildered to mind his manners and thank him. He stared at the folded square of parchment, turning it this way and that. There was nothing written on the outside, not even a name.

“I was asked to wait for a reply, if you want to send one. We will return south early tomorrow morning, so bring it to me before then, if so. You can find me in the guest quarters of the palace.” With a nod, he left.

In his hurry to unfold the envelope, Thranduil hardly noticed him go. 

It was from Aerneth. Feeling both hot and cold, he read her short note over twice. The letters were elegant, yet unfamiliar – it struck him he had never seen her handwriting before – and the content formal.

“Husband,” she began. “I have been contemplating writing to you for a long time, and now that an opportunity to have it delivered arose, I decided to seize it. My adar has invited your people to live here, and if you should accept, I need to prepare you for how it will be between us. Or rather, not be. Under careful consideration, and in consultation with a very good friend, I have decided that it will be the least painful for either of us if we refrain from contact. A clean break, if you will, allowing us to live our separate lives in peace, and forget that the mistake of our marriage ever happened. Hence my reluctance to open a water connection with you a few years back. I trust that you understand, and rest assured that you will comply with my wishes. Best regards.”

With shaking fingers he folded the letter again, refraining with difficulty from crumpling it instead. A clean break… Mistake… I trust that you understand. No, he did not understand, and he certainly did not agree. Why could they not keep in touch every once in a while like they used to? And who was the ‘very good friend’?

With a pang of jealousy, he imagined her with that golden-haired ellon she had once kissed. But surely he would not have left Gondolin?

In a horrible mood, Thranduil stomped home and went to bed early. He did not sleep anything that night, and at sunrise he quickly scribbled down a reply.

“Wife. Our marriage was indeed a mistake, and of course I will comply with your wish. I have met a new friend as well, one very dear to me, and that is all the company I need. In addition, I highly doubt my new king shall accept your adar’s offer. We do not need his meddling, and he would do best forgetting he ever heard of the treasure we keep. It is ours.”

That would show her. Technically Galion was not ‘very dear’ to him, or even a friend – more an acquaintance. But she need not know that. If she became jealous, it was all she deserved.

oOo

Menegroth, Doriath, First Age 506

A family of snowmen in the making made Thranduil and Galion chuckle when they passed the playground on their way to cut a tree for Durufuin, the winter solstice. Though crude, the snow sculptures were easily identifiable as the royal family; little Elwing was just decorating the snow twins with brown, dead grass for hair while their real counterparts looked on. Now six years old, the half-elven twins looked like chubby little dwarves in their thick winter clothes.

“My hair is not that short,” complained one of the boys. Eluréd, Thranduil thought he was, though it was hard to see. Queen Nimloth cut their hair at different lengths, but that was hidden under their bearskin hoods.

“And my nose is smaller,” said his brother.

Thranduil lingered, amusedly watching the girl finish the snowmen and the boys proceed to build a wall around them. “For safety,” they explained. “In case bad orcs and dragons come.”

“I want to see dragons,” said Elwing.

“Nay, you do not,” Thranduil could not help replying, dispelling the memory of Glaurung’s evil eyes and gruesome smell.

“Captain Thranduil!” The boys looked up with wide grins. 

“Have you seen a dragon?” Elwing went over to the fence. 

“Once. But that is a long story.” And one he did not want to tell, he added silently.

“I want to hear it!”

“Much as I would love to tell that tale, I sadly cannot, princess. There is a feast to prepare. You wouldn’t want a Durufuin party without a decorated tree, now would you?” 

“Nay,” she conceded.

“There you go, then. See you tonight!” With a wave he went on.

“I am jealous,” said Galion when they entered the forest. “Why are you so popular with the kids?”

“I have no idea,” he said innocently, keeping silent about the candy he regularly spoiled them with when their mother did not notice. “Perhaps I am just unusually likable?”

They continued to the part of the forest where the best fir trees grew, wading through the thick snow with difficulty. Thranduil could easily have assigned others for the task, but he enjoyed doing it himself. It was highly satisfying to stride through the silent forest, the snow covered branches glittering dazzlingly in the cool winter sun, and search for a tree that was just right.

Finally picking a solitary one, straight and symmetrical, he told Galion to hew it down.

“Such a shame to kill it.” He had a soft spot for all living things, but let his ax fall nevertheless.

They were almost back in the city when a scout dashed up to them. Breathlessly he grabbed Thranduil’s arm. “There are Noldor in the woods!” he panted. “Armed. Heavily armed!”

Feeling cold, Thranduil instantly dropped the tree on the ground. “Hurry on then, and alert the king! I shall gather the march-wardens.” Then he started running.

Thoughts tumbled around in his mind like frightened birds. Armed elves – coming into another realm unannounced. What was this? It was unpreceded. Completely unpreceded.

In passing the playground he yelled without stopping: “Get the children inside! Quick.” Whatever would happen, Thranduil had a horrible suspicion it would not be safe for them.

In the corner of his eye he saw a maid pick up Elwing and another the twins, hurriedly abandoning the snow family for the safety of the city. Thank the Valar they had obeyed him without fuss!

He continued to the training grounds where the brunt of the march-wardens practiced. Grimly he told them what had happened, and to follow him and arm themselves. Upon hearing elves were coming, disbelief filled their eyes. What had they ever done to the Noldor?

It did not take long to get ready. They had practiced this many times, after all, though none of them could have imagined fellow elves to be the threat they had prepared against. 

When the foreign host arrived not much later, the march-wardens had lined up outside the city with Dior in the front, all of them in leather armor and helmets, armed with longbows or swords.

The Noldor counted about a hundred and their leaders wore intimidating armor: full chainmail, even on their legs. 

“How dare you come into Doriath without leave?” Dior said coolly. On his chest, the Silmaril gleamed brilliantly. Illuminating his face, it gave him a near ethereal beauty. 

A ginger ellon took a step forward. “We intend no ill,” he said, but his gaze had instantly trailed to the necklace. 

Thranduil’s heart beat faster when he took in the ellon’s unusual hair color, and then saw the stump that was left of his hand. He realized who he must be, and judging by the murmur among the march-wardens he was not the only one who had either guessed or recognized him.

“No ill,” Dior snorted. “And this army on your heels – those weapons are for practice, only?”

“If you do as we bid, nobody will get hurt,” said the maimed ellon. “You know why we have come.”

Dior’s young face became stern; if he was afraid, he hid any trace of it well. “Who are you? Show your colors.”

Another elf unfolded a banner, and there was a collective hiss as the defenders saw the multicolored star set in a sun with wavy rays. 

”I am Maedhros Fëanorion. My brothers and I are here to fulfill our oath and reclaim what is rightfully ours.”

Thranduil’s throat felt tight. The sons of Fëanor, who had already slain elves once, had come for the Silmaril. This could never end well.

Notes:

Sorry for the cliffhanger, but I had not the heart to write about war today, with a real one not far away. :/ The next chapter will begin bleakly, but there will also be a long-awaited reunion of Thranduil and Aerneth, where he finds out who her 'dear friend' is.

Another thing… It’s now been 1½ years since I started this story, and because I think my English and writing have improved a little since then, I’ve gone back and edited the earlier chapters plus added a few quotes. Check it out, if you like. :)

Of elvish races: The first elves who awakened became four clans; Avari, Vanyar, Noldor and Teleri. The Teleri were later divided into Falmari, Sindar, Falathrim and Nandor (who in turn were divided into Silvan and Laegrim). This means the Sindar were fairly closely related to the Laegrim.

See picture below (Source):



Chapter 33: The Second Kinslaying

Summary:

The sons of Fëanor attack Doriath but a few survivors manage to flee south, experiencing some surprises on the way, and at last a long-awaited reunion...

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

The Second Kinslaying

“I had not realized Fëanor raised such cowards,” sneered Dior. “To sneak upon a peaceful kingdom unannounced, using threats and weapons to try to rob them of their treasures.” He spat on the ground. “I am disgusted.”

“You knew we would come,” retorted Maedhros.

“Perhaps he expected us to forget about our heirloom just as he conveniently forgot to reply to our letter?” said another of the brothers, who had fairer hair – Thranduil guessed he must be Celegorm. At the assembled’s surprised murmurs the ellon added: “Oh, I see. You did not even tell your own people that we sent you messages and asked you politely to return what is ours? But I understand. Deep down you know the Silmaril does not belong to you, but in your lust for luxury you do everything in your power to make your subjects believe you have a right to it.”

“I have the right to it! The necklace was a gift to my grand adar, and the gem was wrested from Morgoth’s crown by my own adar’s hands. Get out of my kingdom, thieves!”

“My adar made it, you mortal oaf!”

“So what? He lost any right to the Silmarils when he killed elves at Alqualondë, and the same goes for you, kinslayer! What will you do now? Kill me too?”

From there the dispute soon became ugly, with increasingly harsh insults thrown back and forth between the two groups.

Thranduil could not say who started the attack; one moment they were arguing heatedly, the next an arrow nearly took out Maedhros remaining hand. After that it was only minutes until the fight began in earnest.

Seeing the Noldor charge, Thranduil felt a moment of hesitation. These were elves and it was murder to kill one’s kin – what should he do? But then one of them came against him, raising his longsword, and Thranduil acted on reflex. He parried and struck back, trying to find a weak spot on his armor. He started it. This is self-defense.  

To meet an elf in life-and-death melee was both the hardest and most frightening Thranduil had ever experienced. His opponent was fast, intelligent, agile and strong. It was like sparring with a superior march-warden, but one who would kill him if he could. 

Snow began to fall, tiny, stinging flakes that got into Thranduil’s eyes. Holding his attacker at bay took its toll; his arms felt numb and despite the chill he was soaked with sweat. It was only a slight comfort to hear him curse in Quenya under his breath as he too grew weary.

Despite that, the ellon somehow managed to continue fighting aggressively, slashing and thrusting, forcing Thranduil to focus on defending himself. It was a bad strategy; if he wasted his energy on parrying and dodging he could never win, but there was no help for it. His opponent had the upper hand.

Was this it? Was this the day Thranduil would die and be reunited with his mother in Aman? The thought terrified him more than he would have thought. He did not want to die.

Then at last came his opportunity; sheer luck caused the Noldo to lose his footing on an icy patch. Thranduil did not miss his chance to strike back. Driving his sword home with resolute force, he severed the ellon’s windpipe. Blood spurted from the wound, and it took only moments until he stopped thrashing and wheezing.

Thranduil had no time to think about what he had done; a new ellon had already replaced his comrade and he could only continue fighting. This one had already killed; his sword was bloodied and his eyes under the iron helmet fierce. 

Again Thranduil needed to fight defensively, for once wishing he had a shield rather than two swords as he tried to parry the steady rain of violent hits. He had survived his first combat but this ellon was too strong.

He tried to dodge and take a few steps backwards but the enemy followed and managed a hit. His sword bit easily through Thranduil’s leather armor and a line of pain erupted across his thigh.

Then Galion was at his side and the tide turned. With joint force they worked on the opponent; Thranduil swiped at his legs while Galion managed to slide his sword through the eye slits of his helmet and kill him.

Another one down, and they had a moment’s respite, but there were so many left. Too many.

Shaking severely, Galion stared at his kill for a moment and then threw up.

Thranduil had no time to feel anything about the dead Noldo. Around him several march-wardens were down, more than fallen enemies. The snow was turning into bright red slush, blood spreading slowly from the corpses like grisly ink stains. 

He quickly looked away. He did not want to know who of his fellow march-wardens were dead.

Thranduil’s own thigh was bleeding too and he carefully pinched the cut in his leg guard together with one hand. This did not go well. He was horribly reminded of the dwarf attack; just like then their opponents were overwhelming them – not in numbers this time, but with better armor and more experience. Nowaday most of the Doriath march-wardens were Green-Elves, untried in combat, whereas Fëanor’s sons and their followers had fought in all the battles of Beleriand.

The attackers focused their strength on Dior now, seeking to kill the one who wore the Silmaril. A tight throng of the king’s closest guards had made a circle around him, and he himself fought no less valiantly, but it could not last. Thranduil needed to get him away from here.

Maybe they could use the narrow passage across the Esgalduin to hold the enemy off? It was a desperate plan; with the river partly frozen over it might not work for long, but anything was better than this exposed spot.

Thranduil awkwardly ran over to his leader, trying to ignore his throbbing leg. 

On the way, he passed the maimed corpse of Celegorm laying face down in the snow. Long ago, that ellon had caught Lúthien and held her captive, trying to force her to marry him instead of running to the rescue of her beloved. Now Beren’s and Lúthien’s son had killed him, which felt strangely befitting.

“We must retreat and regroup, my lord,” Thranduil told the king when he managed to get closer. “It’s easier to defend the bridge.”

Dior nodded curtly. “Fall back,” he yelled, turning to lead the way and waving for Thranduil to come closer. “They won’t stop until they get what they came for,” he whispered urgently. His eyes were wide and frightened. “We must flee.”

“Aye,” Thranduil panted, out of breath from running. He agreed wholeheartedly, much as it pained him to admit that they had lost.

“Take a few guards and evacuate the city; then ride south to the Mouths of Sirion. I will stay at the bridge and keep them occupied for as long as possible and then catch up with you. And… Take this.” He pressed something into Thranduil’s hand, burning hot against his gloved palm. The Silmaril necklace. “It is better to keep it away from my person.”

Thranduil did not question his king’s command though it felt awful to abandon his struggling friends. Discreetly sliding the necklace over his head and covering it with his clothes, he selected a handful of guards and started towards the city. 

When they arrived, people were nervously milling around behind the gate; civilians who had armed themselves, ready to defend their homes if the enemy broke through.

Quickly Thranduil explained the situation and what they had to do. “We have to abandon Doriath. Take only the most necessary, and do it with great speed – then hurry to the stables and wait there so we can depart together.”

His weary look and bleeding leg must have spoken clearer than words about how dire the situation was, for no one complained. They immediately scattered to spread the word and gather what little they still had after the dwarves’ sacking of Menegroth some years back.

For his part, Thranduil spent a few moments at home seeing to his thigh; the cut was deep but he had no time to manage more than a temporary bandage. Then he gathered a little food, a few coats for his father and himself, the sea painting Aerneth’s mother had once given them and the white gems from the ceiling. Even if he had had more belongings, this was all he could carry.

At the door he nearly bumped into his father coming the other way. “There you are! I have packed the royal heirlooms.” He indicated a bulky bundle wrapped in what looked to have been a curtain. Then he noticed Thranduil’s bandage, already becoming pink. “You are hurt!”

“It is not too bad. We must hurry; I have spent too much time here.”

“At least lean on me.”

The city was almost deserted, and only a few others joined them when they jogged up the main street as fast as Thranduil could manage. He refrained from looking back; he would save lamenting the loss of his home for later. If he survived long enough to do so, that was.

Outside the snowfall had intensified. The battle sounds from the bridge indicated the fight still went on, but he had no time to check how it was going. Dior would have to manage.

“To be chased from our home by accursed Noldor,” muttered Oropher as they struggled through the snow. “I knew the foolish boy shouldn’t have worn the necklace openly. If he had only listened to me, we wou–” He stopped abruptly when an anguished wail reached them from the stables, followed by the thud of hooves against snow. Two Noldor riders on loaded horses came galloping past and swiftly disappeared into the forest.

Thranduil and Oropher ran in the direction they had come, where a dismal scene met them: two dead guards, and Queen Nimloth laying bleeding on top of the corpse of her maid. 

Thranduil hurried over to her.

“My boys,” she mumbled. Pink froth seeped from her pale lips. “They t-took my b-boys.”

“Shh. Don’t speak,” said Thranduil, lifting her mantle to reveal a mess of blood and intestines. “Shh. You will be fine,” he lied, putting the mantle back, swallowing the rising bile in his throat. “Just rest now.”

He turned to the survivors. “What happened?”

“It was Celegorm’s servants,” sobbed Galion, wiping his grimy face. “They lay in ambush and attacked the ones who came first, and when we hurried to aid them they took the twins hostage. Then they stole the sacks we brought from the treasury and said they would kill the children if we followed them.”

“We must go after them anyway.” Thranduil drew one of his swords. 

“We cannot,” came Oropher’s voice from the stable door. “They have let the horses lose.”

“Then we go on foot. We do not let them take Eluréd and Elurín!” Ignoring his leg and his father’s protests, Thranduil brought the guards back to the place where the riders had disappeared, but he soon had to give up. The fresh snow was covering all tracks; it was impossible to see where they had gone.

He tried to listen for sounds of their passage, but instead he heard another, more worrisome noise: the enemy crossing the bridge. Dior must have been forced to fall back even further – or been killed.

“We have to flee, Captain,” urged Galion.

Thranduil reluctantly agreed. He was right. They had to leave before the sons of Fëanor discovered Dior no longer had the Silmaril.

Back at the stables the civilians had covered the corpses. Oropher was just putting a blanket over the queen’s face; she must have died in the short time they were away. He wrenched something from her finger. “Her wedding ring; the ring of Barahir.” He put it into the curtain bundle with the other heirlooms. “When Dior comes he will want to have it.”

If Dior comes, Thranduil thought ruefully.

Little Elwing sat by her mother’s feet, her fist entwined in the bloodied skirts. Her face was white but she was not crying.

“Let go.” Oropher tried to pull her away. 

She only tightened her grip.

“Naughty girl! Come now or the bad elves will take you too.”

“Let me.” Thranduil kneeled, wincing as his leg smarted. “Elwing, you have to be brave and let your nana go. She is in Aman now. If you come with me, I shall tell you about the time when I saw that land with my own eyes.” 

She made no more resistance when he picked her up, and he felt her cold face against his neck as she clung to him tightly.

Then all of them began running, leaving Doriath never to return.

oOo

It was the refugees’ small luck that it snowed so heavily. Though the weather made their journey more difficult, it also effectively covered their tracks, delaying the pursuit.

They had decided against crossing the Sirion, for the river was wide and fast and did not freeze over even in bitter winter. Instead they followed its eastern shore south where they could traverse the smaller tributary Aros across the ice.

Thranduil’s injury made it difficult to carry Elwing for very long, but she did not protest when he handed her over to Galion so he could cut himself a crutch. She remained mute despite his attempts to cheer her up with tales of Aman and the Undying Lands, sitting stiff and withdrawn on Galion’s shoulders when he walked. Thranduil hoped it would pass; they just had to get a bit further from Doriath and then they could eat and rest and treat their wounds – both the physical and mental ones.

The mental impact of the battle was – as always – the hardest to bear. Now when he had nothing to do but walk and think, Thranduil replayed in his mind the death of the two elves he had taken part in killing, particularly the first one. Again and again he heard the ellon’s last, wheezing breaths. Was Thranduil a kinslayer too now? Or did it not count if it was done in self-defense?

They walked for several days and nights with hardly any breaks, until at last they entered a secluded willow forest in the area where Sirion met Narog. They felt unusually safe under its eaves, as if some unknown power protected it from evil. Perhaps it was Ulmo? They were getting closer to the sea and the river had become wide and mighty.

“Let us stay here for a while,” Thranduil decided.

It was a huge bliss to make camp, build a fire and cook a warm meal. They made makeshift tents of blankets and slept through the night and a large part of the following day, not even bothering to assign watches during the dark hours.

The next day Thranduil cleaned and dressed his thigh properly, and was relieved to see it was beginning to heal despite the strain of walking. But he would probably get a visible scar.

Elwing sat close to him, as she tended to do, and when he had finished putting on a bandage she spoke for the first time since she was taken from her dead mother. “Are Eluréd and Elurín in Aman?” Her voice was very small.

Thranduil looked away. He had managed to hold off all thoughts of the twins in the hands of the enemy, telling himself nobody would harm little children, but if they were killed they would not be reborn to Aman. All Dior’s children had inherited his mortality.

“I am sure they are not,” he replied at last. “They are fine. Everyone who meets them loves them, and Fëanor’s sons will love them too.”

“But the bad elves took them from Nana.” Elwing’s lip trembled.

“Their captors will try their best to comfort them,” he invented. “Maybe they give them sweets. You know how much they love sweets, right? And then their ada comes for them as soon as he can.” 

“When will Ada come for me?”

Never. 

“Soon. They will probably let him go when…” Thranduil hesitated. He had meant to say ‘when they discover he doesn't have the necklace’, but he had not yet told anyone Dior had given it to him, and figured it was best to keep that a secret until they reached Círdan’s realm where it would be safe. “Uh, when they get the necklace.”

Elwing seemed satisfied with the answer and even smiled slightly, but Oropher frowned. “Such a shame we lost it,” he muttered. “Brash boy. Dior should have listened to me.”

“At least I have salvaged my vines,” said Galion, carefully extracting a bundle of twigs from a wrapping of moist cloth. 

Despite everything, Thranduil could not hold back a grin. “That is a relief, for sure,” he said dryly. 

“You do the Dark Lord’s work with those accursed grapes,” Oropher scolded. 

“Not at all. I do Yavanna’s work.” He fondly put the cuttings back into his pack.

“Hoom! You know my mistress, then?” asked one of the birches in a deep, yet distinctly female voice.

The whole company jumped at the unexpected sound. When they looked closer they saw it was not a tree but a gnarled creature with long, slender limbs and a cascade of green hair in ivy-like curls.

“Oh! Good afternoon, Madam Ent.” Galion bowed reverently. “I am Galion of the Laegrim. Pleased to meet you.”

She dipped her smooth, white head. “I am Fimbrethil, and this is Nan-tathren, my willow garden.”

“It is beautiful. Just like you!” 

“Hrum! You are a polite elf, young one. And I appreciate that you know about Yavanna and gardening.” 

“Of course! I love growing things. Well, vines, at least.”

She smiled wistfully. “I wish the ent-husbands were more like you. Root and twig! They only appreciate the great wild forests.”

The others listened to their conversation without interrupting, awed to be close to a tree herder, for despite having lived all their lives in a forest most had never seen one before. Ents rarely visited Doriath; Melian’s Girdle had been enough protection for the trees there.

Thranduil supposed it was the presence of the ent that had caused this forest to feel so safe. Fimbrethil was as tall as a tree and looked immensely strong despite her slim form. 

“Hoom! More elves are coming,” she said now. “Root and branch! Do not be alarmed. They have no axes or swords to hew you down; they seem friendly.”

They relaxed and put away the weapons many of them had drawn. 

Soon Thranduil spotted the arriving company. They were march-wardens on horseback, weary and covered in bandages. Survivors from the battle.

When the newcomers had been greeted and helped to a meal, they described how they escaped. 

“Maedhros released us. For some reason Dior didn’t have the necklace, and it wasn’t in the city, and when he couldn’t find it on us either he let us go. We found the horses wandering loose in the woods, and that’s how we got here so fast.”

“Is Dior well? And the twins?”

His face fell and he gave Elwing a quick glance before lowering his voice to a whisper. “Dior was slain during the battle, and some cruel ellyn apparently took his sons out into the forest and left them there… When Maedhros found out, he sent people to search for them, but with no success. He seemed genuinely upset about it, and I think maybe that was why he released all the prisoners.”

Thranduil stared at him blankly. How could anyone abandon little children like that? Images of their faces came before him, and he imagined how frightened and cold and hungry they must be, until… Until they had either frozen to death or starved. It was incomprehensible how their captors could be that cruel.

His next thought was how to break this news to Elwing. She would never see her father or brothers again, for unless there was a place where mortals came after death they were gone forever. 

Best not say anything yet. In time, they would be safe at the Mouths of Sirion and begin a new life there, then he could tell her.

“I wonder what happened to the Silmaril,” Oropher mused much later when they prepared for another night in the willow garden. “Did the king somehow manage to hide it before he fell?”

Thranduil decided to reveal the truth to his father at least, and pulled the necklace out of his shirt. “It is quite safe.”

His father shaded his eyes against its radiance. “Brilliant.” He patted Thranduil’s shoulder. “If only Dior had been as discreet as you are, we could have still been safe in our home. Well done, my son. Very well done!”

When Thranduil lay down to sleep a while later, he could not hold back a rather proud smile.

oOo

They left Fimbrethil’s garden the next day and continued south, sending those with horses in advance to alert Círdan of their arrival. When he came out from the woods, Thranduil could see the ocean at a distance and hear seabirds cry in the sky, and it struck him that he would soon meet his wife for the first time in over a decade. He winced as he recalled his harsh words in the letter he had sent her, for now other feelings were growing within him. Anticipation. Excitement. Desire.

He had to remind himself repeatedly that she had a very good friend now and did not want to see him, nor have any kind of relationship with him. But what if she would change her mind when they met? Try as he might, he could not repress that tiny sliver of hope. 

When they came closer his eagerness grew, and he was almost thankful for his injured leg so he had to walk slowly, or he might have betrayed himself and started to run the last way.

It was a very quaint colony; a cluster of whitewashed houses surrounded by a wood palisade, and further away what looked like wood cottages built on platforms. Several swan ships had been pulled up onto the frozen shore.

When they came to the gate in the palisade a crowd of people met them, with some very familiar elves in the forefront: Amroth, Amdír, Galadriel, Celeborn – and Aerneth.

“Thranduil!” roared Amroth, meeting his old friend in a hard hug. “I am so glad you came at last.”

Thranduil’s throat constricted as he returned it. “It’s great to see you too,” he managed. “How are your pigs?”

He laughed. “How did you know I took up pig breeding again?” He slapped Thranduil’s back. “I will show you everything once you’ve settled in.”

Aerneth took a step forward, greeting them with a bow. “Welcome,” she said, looking at everyone except Thranduil and his father. “I am Aerneth Círdaniel, leader of this town. My adar has been notified of your arrival and will see you as soon as the bay thaws. As some of you may know, Lord Círdan lives on the Isle of Balar now.” She indicated a large island far out. “Meanwhile, your kin in the Iathrim enclave have prepared housing for you where you can find rest after your toil.”

“Indeed,” agreed Amroth’s father heartily. “For those I have not met, I am Amdír, leader of the Iathrim. Welcome.”

Next followed a rather chaotic reunion, with people seeking out old friends and many of the Iathrim trying to find out who of their relatives had survived the kinslaying.

Thranduil’s eyes were drawn to Aerneth who stood alone, shuddering in the chilly wind despite her thick fur coat. She looked more beautiful than he remembered, and more regal. She reminded him of the late Queen Nimloth.

His chest grew tight. How he had missed her!

He took a few cautious steps her way, but to his surprise he found his path intercepted by Galadriel.

“I know you received Aerneth’s letter,” she said coolly. “She does not want to talk to you.”

Thranduil narrowed his eyes. Was Galadriel the ‘very good friend’? No wonder Aerneth acted so strangely then! That headstrong elleth had been a bad influence already before, when she persuaded his wife to go fight in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears – and that was the beginning of the disaster their marriage had become.

He was just about to give Galadriel an acid reply when he saw Oropher heading straight for Aerneth. No! Those two must not talk; he had witnessed too many times how ugly things could get between them.

He pushed Galadriel aside and limped over to his wife in long strides.

“You look well, my dear,” said Oropher in an unusually pleasant voice that did not fool Thranduil one bit. 

She gave him a curt nod. “Thank you.” It was clear she was not fooled either.

“Let us go find our new home, Adar,” he said smoothly, trying to take his father’s arm.

“I was just going to ask where your wife’s house is. You and I should reside with her – or you, at least. Spouses should never live apart, you know.”

“You will stay in the Iathrim enclave.” Her voice had become frostier than the snow on the ground and her gloved hands clenched into fists.

“Then you would turn your own husband out after all his troubles? Do you even know he has become injured?”

Her gaze flicked briefly to Thranduil. “Injured?”

“The Iathrim do not live with the Falathrim, and even if they did, Aerneth does not need either of you in her life,” Galadriel cut in. 

Oropher ignored her. “It is not right for wives to disobey their husbands. But then, you were always wayward, Aerneth, thinking only about yourself. A disgrace for your adar’s house!”

“I will not let you listen to this… bullshit,” hissed Galadriel, taking Aerneth’s arm. “Come, my dear. I will follow you home.”

“How rude! Come back here, or I shall–”

“Please – don’t make a scene. Just wait here while I talk to her.”

Thranduil followed the ellith until they were out of hearing range, trying to think of an apology for his father’s harsh words, but also something to say to him afterwards that would reconcile him with Aerneth and Thranduil living apart. 

He had not expected getting caught between his wife’s and father’s tempers quite this soon, and with a weary sigh he realized that this was only the beginning. 

“Aerneth… Wait.”

She stopped despite Galadriel’s pull on her arm, scowling at him but unable to hide her trembling lip. “What?”

“Don’t listen to Adar. He is just tired after the journey and stressed over what happened back home. He didn’t mean what he said.”

“Oh, he meant it,” said Galadriel. “And as usual, you didn’t speak to your wife’s defense. Look how pathetically you’re trying to excuse that ellon’s bad behavior. He is your adar, not your owner; it is due time you became an independent adult.”

“‘As usual’? And what do you know about me and my family?” He glared at her, feeling anger build up. “What gives you the right to interfere in others’ marriages? Mind your own business.” 

“Aerneth has told me everything.” Galadriel crossed her arms over her chest; she was becoming agitated as well. “Your relationship was a disaster from the beginning, and that is why she needs a clean break so she can finally heal. Don’t you see how bad you make her feel? Look at her! She was happy here, but the moment she found out you were coming she became like this. Nervous, distressed, losing her appetite. All the heartache returning; all the bad memories of the abuse she suffered.”

“Abuse? What are you talking about? I–” He broke off, remembering their fights, the yelling, their sometimes rough lovemaking. Perhaps he had abused her though he never meant to. “I am sorry if I hurt you,” he mumbled. Tears pricked behind his eyelids.

“Not you,” said Aerneth. Her eyes were misty too.

“I talk about Oropher,” said Galadriel. “Didn’t you even notice that he hurt your wife? Not only did he beat her on more than one occasion, but she suffered verbal abuse as well. Every day, Thranduil! And did you stand up to her? Did you defend her? Did you try to remove her from that poisoned household?”

He mutely shook his head.

“And then you apologize – like now. Apologize for Oropher, for yourself, for each and every thing. You hurt her – and say sorry. You hurt her again – and say sorry. It drives her insane. You can’t treat someone you love that way.” When he did not reply, she continued: “Stay away, this time. Leave her alone. Your marriage is bad for both of you. And – if I may advise you too – you should distance yourself from your adar as well. I don’t think you and him are good for each other either.” 

She took Aerneth’s arm and walked away.

Struggling to control the turmoil within, Thranduil looked at their retreating backs. It’s not true, he wanted to shout after them. But the more he thought about it, and the more Galadriel’s words sank in, the more he realized they were true. 

He had not defended his wife – had not been able to. And he had a horrible suspicion that that would never change. He would remain a child indefinitely, doomed to obey his father and take his part forever.

With a heavy heart he went back to Oropher.

oOo

Pulling the blanket up to his chin, Thranduil reveled in the softness of the eider feather mattress. There were clearly benefits to living by the sea. 

He closed his eyes, trying to forget the distressing events earlier. He must not think about Aerneth. He could not have her, he could never have her again. Yet images came unbidden before him: her beautiful face when he first saw her again; her rosy cheeks in the cold wind; her fair hair spilling from her hood; her pink lips…

Groaning, he tried to get his blood to leave a certain body part. 

Something rattled against the window and he instantly sat up. An enemy? Had Fëanor’s sons managed to follow them after all? Who–

The rattling was repeated; it sounded more like someone threw pebbles on the house. He relaxed. Was it a sea bird?

Cautiously he went over to the window and peeked out behind the curtain.

A person stood outside, their hood pulled up and their thick fur coat billowing in the breeze.

He eased the window open, allowing her to climb inside. 

“Don’t tell Galadriel,” she whispered. Then she pulled his head down to a deep and needy kiss.

Notes:

Sorry this chapter took so long to write, but I kind of blame the Silmarillion for not fleshing out the Second Kinslaying more. I had to really rack my brain to figure out a realistic series of events where (1) Dior and Nimloth were killed, while (2) the Silmaril necklace (that he always wore!) made it safe out of Doriath and (3) little Elwing fled with the rest of the survivors while (4) her brothers were left behind (I mean, why would they save one child and leave two? Either all children are rescued or none, right??). In addition, I needed the refugees to (5) salvage the heirlooms Barahir’s ring and the sword Narsil that Aragorn will inherit many millennia later. It wasn’t an easy puzzle, let me tell you!

A correction: In the last chapter I called the Green-Elves “Laiquendi”, which is the Quenya name for them (the Noldor language) and often used in elven family trees, but in Sindarin they are called Laegrim. I’ve gone back and corrected it now. :)

Chapter 34: Haven

Summary:

Aerneth and Thranduil handle their complicated relationship as best they can in the increasingly divided colony. When new refugees arrive it is time to become a single realm. But who should lead it?

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Haven

The Mouths of Sirion, First Age 506

Thranduil’s breath was hot on Aerneth’s neck and his light kisses sent shivers down her spine as he undressed her inch by inch. He went frustratingly slowly, as if he had waited so long for this he wanted to make the moment last, but the quick pulse in his temple hinted how much it cost him to uphold his self-control. Her body was on fire too; she needed him now, yet she resisted the urge to hurry him on, allowing him to take control in bed just as she had always done. 

It amazed her how well he still knew her; finding all her sweet spots, unraveling her until she could hardly even think coherently. She squirmed beneath him while he explored her body with fingers and tongue as thoroughly as if it were their first night together.

Nearly undone with want she pulled him down, sighing in relief when he finally sank into her. At last he released his tight grip on himself and allowed raw passion to take over, nearly overwhelming her with his intensity and pace. 

“Aerneth,” he mumbled as he came. “Aerneth…”

Seeing his flushed cheeks and glazed expression while hearing him say her name in that mesmerizing voice brought her to one of the most intense releases she had ever experienced.

It took a while to catch her breath afterwards and she lay on her back, chest heaving as her heartbeat gradually calmed. Now that her desire had been sated she felt self-reproach come creeping. How could she have been so weak and come here despite everything? She was supposed to keep her distance from Thranduil, not encourage him.

She gave him a guilty glance and found his eyes already on her. There was something almost shy in his gaze; it was unguarded in a way she had not seen in decades. It reminded her of the young ellon he had been in his youth, before their marriage, before all their fights and troubles. Suddenly her heart swelled. Despite everything she still loved him. Perhaps Galadriel was wrong about the need for a clean break; maybe this time their marriage could actually work? 

Firmly quenching the remorse she inched closer, trailing her fingers down his smooth, slightly damp chest, then letting her lips follow. His scent was still the same, the salty taste of his skin was as well.

He hummed pleasedly and leaned back. 

Coming lower she noticed a half-healed wound on his thigh; a pink, raised scar several inches long. She touched it lightly. “What happened?”

He stiffened. “The battle with Fëanor’s sons happened,” he said after a moment’s hesitation. “My opponent was strong. I had never fought an elf before, and on top of that he was better armed.”

For the first time, the full impact of what had happened in Doriath struck Aerneth. There had been a second kinslaying where elves fought elves, and her husband had been in the middle of it. Filled with sympathy she cupped his cheek. “You must have been frightened.”

His face immediately turned emotionless; the mask was back. “He nearly killed me. Aye, of course I was frightened.”

Aerneth’s lip began to tremble. He had looked so open and vulnerable before, but of course she had to open her big mouth and ruin everything. Thranduil was an ellon and a warrior; he did not want to be pitied. She ought to know that by now. 

But then the dejection left her, anger taking its place. Why should she feel guilty over showing compassion? It was ridiculous to tiptoe around someone not to hurt their fragile ego, but Galadriel had been right; she always put the blame on herself. Thranduil’s reaction just now was not her fault, it was his fault for not allowing her close. For not trusting her enough to share his pain and fears. “Why did you even put yourself in such a dangerous situation?” she snapped. “I told you to leave Doriath, but of course Ada’s greed and stupid aspirations must come first, even when staying with him is practically suicide.”

His eyes grew flinty. “Don’t talk about him that way.”

“I talk however I want. You lost your right to control me a long time ago.”

“I have never controlled you!”

“Well you certainly tried to, Oropherion.” She all but growled the name.

“Keep your voice down.” He glanced at the wall. “And aye, I am Oropher’s son and will do my duty to him. That is who I am, as you well know, and yet it was you who came here tonight. Having second thoughts already?” 

His badly suppressed anger suddenly made her aroused. Deliberately driving him on, she retorted: “Not at all. I got what I came for; your body. If I could have it without the personality that goes with it that would be even better.”

Grasping her arms, he pinned her on the bed. “Then I had better shut up and give you value for your time,” he whispered coolly. “Tell me what you want.”

“Take me,” she breathed, heart racing with anticipation. “Hard.”

He flipped her onto her stomach and obeyed without ado. “That hard enough?” His breath tickled her ear.

“Nay,” she grunted into the blanket. She wanted it to hurt.

He picked up his pace, but despite her request and his resentment it was obvious he made sure it was pleasurable for her. He was not gentle, but not brutal either, and when he slipped his hand down her front it did not take long until she reached new heights of pleasure.

Rolling out from under him, tears pricked the corners of her eyes. The act had been purely physical, detached and impersonal. She was horribly reminded of the sounds from Oropher and his wife through the wall back in Doriath; their fights that always ended with eager lovemaking. 

Was she becoming like Thranduil’s mother?

“You should probably go,” he muttered. 

Mortified, she dressed and climbed back out of his window without a word. 

oOo

Aerneth did not feel like leaving her house the next day, but as leader of the colony she was needed out there. The refugees had only brought very little with them from Doriath and there were many new mouths to feed. To help them survive the winter she must bake more lembas and arrange fishing and hunting expeditions, and even then it would be hard. It was not optimal to gather food this time of year when they had to fish through holes in the ice and when the animals they hunted were lean from lack of food.

There was also housing to consider. As of now, the newcomers had settled in with their friends and relatives among the other Iathrim, but that was much too crowded to work for long. Suitable locations for new homes must be found, which was difficult because of the muddy ground in these parts.

She decided to go talk to Amdír, the leader of the Iathrim, and see if he had any ideas. 

On the way she passed Galadriel’s house and guiltily hurried her steps. Aerneth had disregarded her friend’s counsel and she would probably figure that out if they met. It was not easy to hide things from her sharp eyes.

Amdír was not alone when Aerneth arrived. He was talking with Oropher, of all people, and she recalled the two of them had been friends back in Doriath. How typical. One self-important, stubborn Iathrim leader was tiring enough to handle; she did not need another one.

“Ah, young Aerneth.” Oropher smiled with his mouth but his eyes remained hard and cold.

“Oropher.” She dipped her head less than an inch.

“We were discussing housing,” said Amdír, seemingly unaware of their frosty greeting. “I plan to give Oropher’s people some land west of my enclave.”

Aerneth’s cheeks heated with annoyance. The land here was not Amdír’s to give away, it was her father’s, nor were the refugees Oropher’s people! But she had to let it pass; it was not worth the energy to argue. “I see. That is a very rough area, mostly rocks. Where would they grow food or hunt?”

“My son has agreed to give them some of the pigs he breeds, but it is true there is not much else to eat up there. Maybe your people could share?”

She sighed. It would be a poor winter, for sure. “I shall see to it.”

She was about to leave when Medlin, one of the border guards, entered. “We have found tracks in the snow not far from the palisade. Horse hooves, coming from the north and leaving the same way.”

Oropher muttered what sounded like a curse. “Then we were followed from Doriath. I wondered why Fëanor’s sons released the captives so easily; it must have been a ruse to find out where we escaped to.”

“Why would they want to know that?” asked Medlin.

“I don’t know,” said Oropher quickly.

“It seems they are still looking for the Silmaril,” said Amdír. “But it was lost, wasn’t it?”

Oropher nodded. “Dior got rid of it before his death.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” said Aerneth. “We have enough troubles as it is without having to fear a third kinslaying on top of everything.”

Medlin chuckled. “Aye, I don’t think we have anything else the Noldor want – unless they like mud and salted fish.”

oOo

The Mouths of Sirion, First Age 511

Aerneth silently slipped out of Thranduil’s window, tired and physically satisfied, but carrying the usual empty feeling in her chest that came with every such visit. Nowadays they knew that their old quarrels and grievances always lured close under the surface, only needing a minor spark to be ignited and erupt, so they took care not to talk to each other even casually during their meetings, reducing their relationship to a purely physical one. As if they were secret lovers rather than husband and wife. 

But at least that way, they still had a relationship.

On her tiptoes, she hurried across the pine needles on the rocky ground, careful not to make a sound and wake people up. Thranduil lived with his father and the young princess Elwing, whom he had been looking after since the flight from Doriath, and their cabin was small with many neighbors – but at least he had his own room or they would be limited to Aerneth’s house, which was built on a platform and a lot harder to sneak into inconspicuously.

In the five years that had passed since Thranduil and his people came, the Mouths of Sirion settlement had grown into three separate towns, with the Falathrim closest to the river and the Iathrim and Laegrim from Doriath further west, ruled by Amdír and Oropher respectively. Aerneth did not like how divided they were, but had to admit it was a lot easier to only mind her own people’s affairs. And the less she had to see of Oropher, the better.

When she arrived at the gate separating the enclaves, she heard a commotion outside. Voices. 

Breath hitching, she silently sneaked closer. It was a large group, several hundred elves at least, and going by their dark hair and style in clothing they must be Noldor. Fëanor’s sons? But most of them did not look like warriors, and there were elflings among them. Who could they be? 

Then she spotted Amroth and a few other guards calmly talking to the newcomers and relaxed. Things must be under control.

Amroth caught sight of her and waved. “Oh, good! You’re awake.” His eyes were shining excitedly. “We need to find lots of spare rooms. These are Turgon’s people, from the hidden city! From Gondolin.”

A chill crept through her body. “It has fallen,” she stated, knowing without doubt that Ulmo’s third prediction of Beleriand’s ruin had finally come to pass.

He nodded. “About a year ago, they say. They have been on the run since it happened.”

Squinting through the darkness, she scanned the many faces, suddenly nervous over who she might see. Glorfindel, the ellon she had kissed, had been from Gondolin. But as far as she could tell he was not there.

With difficulty she pulled herself together and bowed to them. “I am Aerneth Círdaniel. Welcome to the Mouths of Sirion.”

A vaguely familiar man in a worn silver armor went forward. “I remember you. We met near Dor-lómin many years ago. I am Tuor, son of Huor, and one of the new leaders after the king’s death.”

“What happened to the king?”

Before he could reply, an elfling in the crowd began to cry. 

“Never mind, the hour is late and you must be tired; I will try to find housing for you in the Falathrim enclave. You can tell me more on the way there.”

During the walk, Aerneth and Amroth fell in step with Tuor and his family. His wife introduced herself as Idril, daughter of the late King Turgon.

Aerneth nearly jumped in surprise at that. “But you are an elf, and Tuor–”

Idril smiled tiredly. “I know.”

“Love knows no boundaries,” said Tuor. “Though, in our case, perhaps I should have stepped back. Allowed him to have you. If I had, then all of this–”

“Nay!” his wife interrupted. “It wouldn’t have changed anything. Maeglin’s heart was already black, long before he came to us.”

“Who is Maeglin?” asked Amroth.

“A traitor,” spat Idril.

“He was Idril’s cousin,” Tuor elaborated. “He wanted to marry her but her adar said no.”

“And I said no.”

“That too. Which he couldn’t forgive. He hated me, and our son, and King Turgon too, I dare say. So, it appears he went and told Morgoth how to find Gondolin. Making us all pay.”

Together, Idril and Tuor told the rest of the tragic story. After Maeglin’s betrayal it did not take long until Morgoth sent a large army of orcs, dragons and balrogs. They surrounded the city, and though both the king and his people fought valiantly it was a lost cause. The survivors managed to flee through secret tunnels, losing many on the way, and now these few hundred elves were all that remained of Turgon’s people.

“I once met two ellyn from Gondolin,” Aerneth murmured. “Ecthelion and… uh, Glorfindel.”

“Both dead, I am afraid,” said Tuor ruefully. “They were true heroes. After taking down many foes Echtelion managed to mortally wound the balrog leader, but sadly was pulled down with him into the king’s fountain. He drowned there.”

“And Glorfindel saved us from another balrog during our escape,” said Idril. “He too died in the fight – the monster caught him with the tip of his whip and he fell down a deep gorge.”

Full of mixed emotions, Aerneth saw Glorfindel’s handsome face in her mind. She could still feel part of the attraction that had led her to kiss him against better judgment. It was strange to know he was gone, and yet a huge relief, too; now Thranduil and Glorfindel would never meet, sparing her from causing a possible fight between them. 

Her eyes burned. Though it felt horribly wrong and selfish, she was actually grateful an ellon was dead. What did that say of her? 

oOo

A few weeks later, Aerneth’s father and a group of Noldor arrived on swan ships from the settlement on the Isle of Balar, announcing a council to decide successors for King Turgon of Gondolin and King Dior of Doriath.

Representatives of all the peoples in the colony were summoned: Noldor from Nargothrond and Gondolin; Sindar from Doriath; Laegrim from Ossiriand; Lord Círdan’s Falathrim.

“With the passing of Turgon, the Noldor are left without a high king,” Círdan began. “Customarily, the title goes to the head of the House of Finwë. To my knowledge, that must presently be the eldest surviving son of Fëanor.”

“One of Fëanor’s sons?” Oropher exclaimed incredulously. “They should be imprisoned for their ill deeds, not rewarded with the Noldor crown.”

“I agree.” One of the Nargothrond exiles stood. “For those who don’t know me, I am Celebrimbor, son of Curufin, son of Fëanor. I was always opposed to my adar’s and his brothers’ obsession with the Silmarils. I parted ways with them many years ago, and since the fall of Nargothrond I have lived on the Isle of Balar. If Adar or any of my uncles are still alive, I say they have forfeited their right to the throne and should be dispossessed of their heritage.”

The other Noldor loudly voiced their agreement. 

“Hear, hear!”

“Well said!”

Círdan smiled. “I figured you would see it that way, which means we must seek the heir in the next generation. Then there are three candidates present here; all of them the fourth generation of Finwë's House. The eldest is you, Lord Celebrimbor. Then we have Gil-galad, son of King Orodreth of Nargothrond, and lastly Eärendil Half-elven, the late King Turgon’s grandson.” 

“I am a craftsman and a jewelsmith, not a leader,” said Celebrimbor. “I prefer my art to politics. And as for Eärendil…” He indicated a boy next to Tuor and Idril. “I am told he is mortal. Wouldn’t it be better with an elf?”

“Indeed,” said Idril, pulling her son closer. “Besides, Eärendil is only eight.”

Celebrimbor turned to a tall, dark-haired ellon. “Gil-galad, you have always reminded me of Finrod, your adar’s uncle; wise and diplomatic. I think you would make a good king.”

“That is true,” an elleth agreed. “He has been a just leader during our exile.”

Gil-galad bowed. “You are both too kind.” He looked around the room. “Is this the opinion of all Noldor here?”

“Aye!” came the joint reply.

“Then I will take up the crown.” He suddenly smiled wistfully. “Though, we don’t actually have one, do we?”

Idril shook her head. “It was lost in Gondolin with everything else.”

“I will fashion a crown for you,” Celebrimbor promised. “Bigger, more beautiful than the old one, made to last for generations.” His eyes glittered.

“That is settled then,” Círdan cut in. “Gil-galad will be High King of the Noldor, and we shall hold the coronation as soon as Lord Celebrimbor finishes his work with the crown. Will your people remain on the Isle or move landwards?”

Gil-galad thought about it briefly before replying: “I think I shall stay. We put in a lot of work to build our city there, and the fortress is easy to defend. There is room for the people from Gondolin too, though we will become a bit crowded.”

“Good. Then let us continue. We also need a successor to the Doriath throne, and in this case we unfortunately have no surviving sons or other relatives, which makes it more complicated. But one option is to make Dior’s daughter Elwing a Ruling Queen.”

A bit surprised at the suggestion, Aerneth turned to look at the girl where she stood next to Thranduil. Her small face was serious but otherwise emotionless, as if she had not heard her name mentioned. It struck Aerneth she had never seen the child smile. 

Would she manage to step into her father’s shoes and be a ruler when so young? She was the same age as Eärendil.

“That option is not acceptable,” said Oropher. “Elwing is part human, and just as Lord Celebrimbor here said regarding the Noldor succession, the new Sindarin ruler ought to be an elf.”

“But there are no elven heirs in this case.”

“Well, that is true, but… We must also consider her gender. I know you have delegated leadership to your daughter, Lord Círdan, but for us more traditional Sindar it is unheard of to select a female ruler.”

Aerneth winced. She was well aware of Oropher’s opinion of ellith and their place in society; he would not lightly accept being supplanted by one.

“Let us be realistic,” Oropher continued. “During most of the last king’s reign, as well as that of his predecessor, Doriath was in essence run by trusted advisors. It made our realm prosper. Amdír here did a formidable work, to name one.”

“You flatter me, but you are too humble,” said Amdír. “Your own leadership has been impeccable.” He turned to Círdan. “All in all, my friend here is correct. Crowning a half-human girl is neither customary, nor beneficial for our people, and I think Oropher or myself would be a better choice.”

Galadriel stepped forward and judging by her heated countenance she was quite as annoyed as Aerneth felt. “Crowning a mere commoner is not customary either.”

“Commoner?” growled Oropher. “I–”

“Have you forgotten there actually is a male heir present?” she interrupted. “Being the grand-nephew of King Thingol, Lord Celeborn ought to be chosen.”

Her husband put a hand on her arm as if to calm her. “I have never aspired to the throne and am not doing so now either.”

“Then you would prefer Oropher?” Galadriel’s color heightened even further.

Now others began voicing their opinion, some rooting for Elwing, some for Oropher or Amdír, a few for Celeborn despite his reluctance. The debate went back and forth and the volume grew cacophonous.

It could have gone on for a long time, had not the new king-to-be Gil-galad intervened. Standing tall among them, he called out: “I have a suggestion to make, if you would hear me!” When the room calmed, he continued. “I know I have no right to interfere with the Sindarin succession, but I may have a solution to this dilemma. Though I have no doubt Masters Amdír and Oropher would make good rulers were they to be chosen, I think legitimacy matters in the long run. Crowning an elf of no royal birth could produce unrest and dissent among the people.”

“And crowning a little girl would not?” Oropher sneered. 

“With Elwing, King Thingol’s line will be kept intact, and it follows protocol,” Gil-galad continued, pretending not to have heard. “In addition, in this case I think her mortality will be beneficial, for do they not say mortals both grow fast and reproduce fast – and with a lot more ease than we do? She will likely enter adulthood in less than a decade, and can then marry and produce many heirs of whom some are bound to be male.” He finally turned to Oropher. “You say you were the advisor of the previous kings. Well, then you and Master Amdír can advise this girl too, I am sure, guiding and assisting her until she comes of age, and make sure she chooses wisely when it is time to select a husband.”

The assembly nodded and hummed. He had many good points.

“But her heirs would be mortal too.” Oropher’s voice was strained; it was obvious he fought to keep his temper.

“With an elvish spouse I think it is possible the children will be elves, even if their naneth is half-elven. I cannot say for sure, of course, but I don’t find it unlikely.”

A murmur rose as people discussed this.

Aerneth glanced at Elwing again, feeling very sorry for the girl. What kind of life would she get if she was made queen? To be Amdír’s and Oropher’s pawn until she was old enough to marry, and then all her purpose in life would be to produce babies of the right gender to succeed her. It sounded absolutely horrible.

Círdan waited until the noise died down until he stepped forward again. “If you have thought this through, let us decide once and for all. Who is for appointing Elwing queen, with Amdír and Oropher as her advisors?”

The acclamation in favor was almost unanimous.

“Then we have a consensus. Elwing shall be the Ruling Queen of the Iathrim, Falathrim and Laegrim and rule the people on the mainland.”

There was a loud cheer at his announcement, but Oropher looked ready to explode.

“In the past, the settlement at the Mouths of Sirion has been divided into three enclaves with three rulers,” Círdan continued. “But now we must come together as one people and be a realm fit for a queen. This area near the docks is the oldest and less waterlogged so I suggest we select a residence for her here.” He glanced at his daughter. “The former leader has a robust house that will do nicely.”

Aerneth tried not to frown; she happened to like her home! Though perhaps it was a small price to pay. She was glad to get rid of the borders and strife between the enclaves and start working together for a common good.

“Lastly, the realm needs a name. Any ideas?”

After a brief discussion they settled on one that signaled safety: Haven. The full name would be ‘the Havens of Sirion’.

With that, the council was over, and most seemed pleased with the outcome and eager for the imminent coronation feasts. But not everyone. Eyes shooting daggers and with flaming cheeks, Oropher had withdrawn to a corner and was talking with Amdír in a subdued voice, and a small group of other Iathrim had gathered around them. 

Aerneth sidled closer and caught a few words: “…unheard of… just a girl… terrible choice… something must be done…” His and the others’ ire did not bode well, and suddenly she became afraid. Would Oropher try taking the crown by force? If he managed to stir up a rebellion the newfound unity would end before it had even begun.

At least Thranduil seemed to stay out of it; she saw him with Elwing on the other side of the council chamber. Maybe he could dissuade his father from creating a revolt? She must try to talk to him, but even if he agreed to hear her out – which she was not too sure of – finding privacy around here was hard.

Then she had an idea. Walking up to them, she bowed politely to the girl. “Congratulations, my queen.” 

Elwing looked at her but did not reply.

“She doesn’t speak much, does she?” she asked Thranduil.

“Nay.” 

“I understand she has lived with you since you came here. Is the arrangement working satisfactorily?”

Thranduil raised an eyebrow in surprise; being a frequent nightly visitor, Aerneth obviously already knew who else lived in his house. “I have no complaints.”

“Then I assume you will move with her to her new abode. Would you like to inspect it beforehand, and see if it is suitable?” She had asked it lightly, but holding his gaze meaningfully she mouthed: Please.

“Why not?”

Relieved, Aerneth lost no time to take him there. Her house was nearby, a whitewashed building on poles to keep it off the muddy street. 

He followed her up the stairs and looked inside appreciatively. “It is certainly a lot more spacious than where we live now, but I doubt you brought me here for a house-viewing. What is this really about?”

Aerneth pondered a reply that would not lead to instant fighting. It was years since she and her husband had actually talked, and having a conversation about Oropher was the worst imaginable way to start – but she could not afford to anger Thranduil this time. She had to get him on her side.

“I think your adar did not like the decision today,” she began, choosing her words carefully. “I fear he will try to stop Elwing’s coronation.” 

“Well, he wasn’t the only one; your hot-headed friend didn’t seem happy about it either.”

“Hot-headed? You mean Galadriel? She–” Aerneth broke off and took a breath. She had to calm down and try not to argue. “It is not wrong to protect one’s husband from being slighted, but even so, I am sure Galadriel has accepted that he is not interested in rulership.”

“If you say so.”

“But I worry your adar will be harder to pacify.” She related what she had heard back in the hall.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he tried something,” Thranduil admitted.

“You are the only one who can handle him and his temper. Isn’t there something you could do?”

“I am not the only one.” His voice became several degrees cooler. “If he was as bad as you think, nobody would follow him. He is a good leader.”

Aerneth wanted to argue against that but forced herself to drop it and avoid a quarrel. “He respects your opinion most,” she said instead. “And whether he is a good leader is irrelevant; the council chose Elwing.”

“True,” he acceded. “And he will still be her advisor. That was a good compromise.”

She thought about the poor girl being forced to follow Oropher’s orders for years. Already she must live under his roof; maybe that was why she was so quiet? Aerneth had learned the hard way what living with him was like. Yet, the alternatives to this arrangement were a lot worse. “A decent compromise, yes. So… What can you do to make it work?”

Looking thoughtful, Thranduil sat in a chair and she picked the one next to it. “Talk it over, I guess,” he said. “Try to calm him and explain why this is the best option for now.”

“Do you think he will listen?”

“I hope so.” He sighed. “The problem is, Adar won’t rest until he has a crown on his head.” Thranduil explained that over the years his father had become more and more obsessed with the ambition to create something like Doriath of old. A wealthy, well functioning realm, safe and protected like Menegroth’s stone halls, ruled by a powerful king. “He regrets what Thingol and Dior’s bad decisions led to and believes he could have done better. Avoided exposure; kept the Silmaril hidden. And I agree, in a way. Like I said before, he is a good leader.”

She disagreed wholeheartedly and was on the verge of speaking her mind – that Oropher was a coward and a narcissist – but managed to hold back once again. “We will never be safe as long as Morgoth lives,” she said. “We have to fight him or he will find us eventually, no matter how well protected our realm is. You must have heard the horror tales from Gondolin too?”

“I did. And you are right, but… What can elves do against dragons and balrogs? Even…” He swallowed. “Even though Túrin killed one it contributed to nothing. The enemy has so many.”

She bit her lip. “I know.” 

A thoughtful silence settled over the room.

Would Beleriand be destroyed completely by Morgoth? Ossë had seen it covered by the sea. On the other hand, Ulmo had said something more hopeful. Aerneth recalled his booming voice, strong as the ocean itself: From this shore a new star shall arise and save the children of Ilúvatar. Did that mean the Havens of Sirion was a safe place?

If so, it was right to build a realm here. To invest in a real city instead of this scanty colony. 

Thinking of the council again, she wondered whether Thranduil would really be able to soothe Oropher. If anyone could do it, it was he, she figured, he could be diplomatic when he wanted to. At least to anyone other than herself. Then it struck her that they had just managed a full conversation without fighting. They were making progress, albeit slowly. Baby steps.

“I have long thought that the best way for my adar to get what he wants is for us to move,” Thranduil said, breaking the silence. “To travel east into Ossiriand and see if the Laegrim will let him rule them, and if not, perhaps cross the mountains and find new lands there. Whatever lies beyond.”

Move away? But he had only been here a few years… She wanted him to stay longer. “I suppose that might work,” she replied, keeping her voice neutral. “The Laegrim seem complacent.”

Thranduil smiled faintly. “They are good people.”

“When… might this happen, then?”

He looked at his hands. “Nothing is decided. I haven’t even mentioned the idea to Adar, actually. What with… everything we have here.” His eyes returned to hers.

She understood what he implied. “I see.”

Silence resumed, but no longer a thoughtful one. The room felt unusually small and the air a bit warmer. If Aerneth moved her chair an inch their knees would touch.

“We didn’t finish the house-viewing,” she said. 

He glanced at one of the doors. “What are the bedrooms like?”

“They have a nice view of the bay.” She rose. “Want me to show you?”

He stood, just a little too close. “Please do. I want to see…” He lowered his voice into a whisper. “…everything.”

Notes:

I will stop apologizing for slow updates lol, I hope you guys know I will keep writing and finish this story even if it takes another year. With the Rings of Power show airing (that I really enjoy so far!) I’m suddenly able to put a face to some of the elves in my story, which makes it even more fun to write about them. :)

Note: I accidentally mixed up Elwing’s and the twins’ ages in previous chapters, making her the eldest child. I’ve gone back and changed it now – not that it matters much to the story. :) The twins were around six when the kinslaying happened and Elwing was three years old.

On another age-related note, I actually don’t know who’s the eldest of Celebrimbor and Gil-galad, and all the Silmarillion has to say about the Noldor succession is that Gil-galad became high king (with no explanation why). But I liked the idea that Celebrimbor had a chance to be king and forsook it to continue his smithing. As you may know, he will be important later in the history of Middle-earth, much because of his craft and love of… shiny things. ;)

Oh, and in the Silmarillion Gil-galad is Fingon’s son but in Tolkien's later notes he was Orodreth’s son, and Orodreth was Galadriel’s nephew instead of her brother. I chose the latter here to keep consistent with the family trees in Tolkien Gateway and similar sites. (Writing a Silmarillion based story is certainly complicated with all the contradicting facts!)

Thank you for the kudos and comments! I’m so happy to know people are still reading this tale, though it grew so much longer than I had expected. :D 

Chapter 35: Elwing and Eärendil

Summary:

Queen Elwing is growing up fast but her advisors don't think she is ready to rule. When she elopes with a certain Eärendil a lot changes in the realm, and not everything for the worse.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Elwing and Eärendil

Havens of Sirion, First Age 524

Naked in the afternoon sun, his wife’s smooth curves glowed in hues of gold and amber. As usual when they met in this creek, Thranduil took his time to admire it, relaxed and satisfied after the intimacy they had just shared. It was a pleasure to see her in daylight.

“I ought to get going,” she murmured, eyes closed against the light. She did not make a move.

“Me too.” He remained at her side, leaning on one elbow. The sand was soft against his naked skin, the sound of waves lapping the beach peaceful. It was a lovely place; a calm creek between steep cliffs, located far enough from the Havens to ensure privacy but near enough to get there fairly speedily, Aerneth by boat and Thranduil walking over the cliffs.

An azure, miniature butterfly fluttered past and landed on a flower, leisurely flapping its wings.

“I really should go.” She yawned. 

He sat up and stretched, feeling her gaze linger on him as he did so. Smiling a bit smugly, he asked: “Hungry again?”

“Perhaps a dessert.” She licked her lip. 

He indicated his body. “All yours.”

In no time her mouth was on him, working its magic, reigniting the fire that was always close beneath his surface. When he took her again he did not restrain any of that passion. Carrying her in his arms, he pressed her back against the sheer cliff wall, feeling her legs cling around his waist as he pushed deep. 

A while later, Aerneth wiped her brow, chuckling into his shoulder. “That was intense.”

He carefully set her down. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

“I may get a bruise or two as a memory.” She rubbed her buttocks. “It was worth it.”

Her pleased grin warmed his chest, procuring a tiny hum, as if the miniature butterfly had settled within him.

Things were going well lately and he saw his wife often. Perhaps the tide was finally starting to turn in their favor. Perhaps he could allow himself to feel again…

Full of hopeful thoughts Thranduil walked home.

Back in the city, he tried to enter the house silently to avoid questions of his whereabouts, but his father was right behind the door, irritatedly pacing the narrow space.

“There you are! I have been waiting for ages!”

“My apologies. I was out hunting,” he lied.

“The wilful little minx is gone again. She drives me stark mad, you know, and you are the only one who can handle her.”

He sighed. “I will look for her.” Then he added carefully: “Did you have another fight?”

“Fighting with children is beneath me,” he huffed. “She took so long this morning we were tardy to today’s council, and I reprimanded her accordingly. But instead of apologizing she ran away.”

Thranduil tried to stay calm. “You beat her,” he stated. 

“Hardly; just a light smack for emphasis.”

“She is your queen,” he snapped, wishing he could deal a ‘light smack’ to his father for emphasis as well. “And far too old to be punished physically. At her age a mortal is an adult; you know this.”

“If she wants to be treated as an adult queen she must start behaving like one,” he retorted, paling with anger. “Adult queens are not late to council. Adult queens pay attention and take an interest in their realm! Now fetch her, or you shall find I can still punish my adult son physically as well if necessary.”

Thranduil gave him a wary glance. He probably did not really mean that, but with Oropher one could never be too sure. “I am on my way.”

He found Elwing in the port, leaning against a stack of timber while watching Tuor’s half-finished ship. For some reason she was often drawn there, perhaps curious about the art of shipbuilding. It was not easy to know with Elwing; she hardly ever said a word.

He joined her, noticing a slight swelling beneath her eye. ‘Light smack’, indeed. 

“Running away will only make it worse, you know.”

She rolled her eyes, lips turning down. 

“I am ordered to bring you back at once.” At her hard glare he added in a deadpan tone: “But as it turns out, you are extraordinarily difficult to find today. I have no idea where you might be.”

That rewarded him a small, conspiratorial smile, then her gaze returned to the workers.

He followed it, noticing how far they had progressed since last he was here. It would become a large ship, the biggest he had yet seen, stout and robust. Would it succeed where no other had? Tuor and Idril meant to sail to Aman, which was why they had returned from the Isle of Balar where they lived with the rest of the refugees from Gondolin. Not many trees grew out there so they had to come ashore to get enough building material.

Thranduil was not very optimistic about their project; he knew how many had failed before them, far more skilled sailors. Falasiel, Aerneth’s mother, was one of them. Trying to reach the Valar was a suicide mission, and he pitied their son who would be alone when they left.

He caught sight of the son, Eärendil as his name was, carrying a stack of heavy-looking planks. As usual it was something of a shock to witness mortal aging. Last time Thranduil saw him, Eärendil had been a little, blond boy holding his mother’s hand, now he was a grown man with a bearded chin and broad shoulders. He wore only linen pants, and a sheen of sweat made his muscular torso gleam.

Suddenly suspicious, Thranduil turned back to Elwing. Her eyes were very large as they followed the young man. Thranduil recognized that look; his wife had used it on him earlier that day.

So that’s what drew her to the port. She certainly was growing up uncannily fast.

The boy looked up, noticing them and dipped his head in a greeting. His grin was a little too cheeky for Thranduil’s taste.

“We ought to go,” he said, more sternly than he typically would, taking her arm. “The sun has almost set.”

Reluctantly she obeyed when he pulled her with him, visibly squaring her shoulders in anticipation of facing her furious guardian. 

Thranduil steeled himself for the meeting too, ready to mitigate his father’s anger and protect the young queen from the brunt of his temper. It was a bit like when his wife lived with them. 

Apparently some things would never change.

oOo

Havens of Sirion, First Age 525

The next time the queen ran away was some months later, and even Thranduil could not find her now. As it turned out, young Eärendil had gone missing as well. 

Tuor took it with peace. “Most likely they return after a night or two,” he said, his human accent prominent. “Giving us no other option than to wed them.” He stood beside his ship, a paintbrush in one hand. It was nearly finished and he had planned to sail early spring.

“How can you be so calm when your son has abducted a young girl!” Oropher fumed. “Our queen is taken advantage of, for the Valar’s sake!”

The man frowned. “Nobody is taking advantage of anyone. I have seen her eyening my boy often enough the past months.”

Oropher looked like he had a lot to say about that, but Thranduil put a calming hand on his arm. “It is true, Adar. She is quite smitten.”

“And she is hardly a ‘girl’,” Tuor added. “The concept may be alien to you elves, but she inherited her parents' mortality just like my son inherited mine, and our kind mature earlier. Many human women in their twenties are already married with children.”

“Have you forgotten what was decided by the council that led to her coronation? She is supposed to wed an ellon, not another half-elven! Now her children will be mortal too.”

“That is yet to be seen.”

Idril joined them. “I find this match a good thing, a blessing, especially since my husband and I shall leave this shore soon. Eärendil and Elwing have much in common; they will both be without kin, both are half-elven, both of royal birth. If you so badly want an elf on the throne, then ask their eldest child to marry one. Mortal generations pass swiftly.”

Her reply placated Oropher somewhat. “Fair enough, my lady,” he said reluctantly. “But they should have asked first.”

“And would you then have allowed her to wed my son?” she retorted.

“She is the queen; I can only advise her. But nay, I would likely have advised against it – because of the rashness. She cannot possibly know young Eärendil well enough to love him; love takes time to grow, and effort. I courted my wife for ten years.”

Thranduil felt an uncanny sense of déjà vu. His father had said almost the same thing to him not long before he married Aerneth. If only he had abided his father’s wisdom that time!

Having seen Elwing with Eärendil, Thranduil suspected her reason to elope was not unlike what his own had been. She was driven by desire.

oOo

Just as Tuor had predicted, Eärendil and Elwing returned two days later, calmly walking into the town, hands joined. 

Oropher strode out to meet them as soon as he heard the news, with Thranduil hurriedly following suit, fearing the worst.

“The queen and I are betrothed to be married,” Eärendil proclaimed when he saw them. “Until that event, my fiancee shall live with my family.

“Absolutely not!” Oropher grabbed the girl’s arm, trying to pull her from her lover’s grip.

“Don’t touch her,” said Eärendil warningly, eyes shooting daggers. 

“I might say the same to you.” But despite his defiant words, he let his hand drop.

“Unlike you, he is allowed to touch me,” said Elwing, surprising them all. She rarely spoke, and when she did, never in such a confident voice. “I order you to leave me alone. I decide where to stay until the wedding, and it will not be with you.”

Oropher gaped like a fish as she turned her back to him and left. “The nerve,” he stuttered.

When they were alone later, Thranduil listened with half an ear to his father’s rant about insolent girls, disobedience and scandals. He had a bad feeling about the whole thing. Oropher was right, this was rash, but he supposed Elwing would have to discover that for herself. If she was anything like Aerneth and Thranduil had been in their youth, it would be too late to back out of it; the deed would already be done. They would be married before Eru.

Despite his suspicions, Thranduil took pains to seek out the young couple and Eärendil’s parents to choose a date for the wedding, and shortly thereafter he began organizing it to make it a grand, memorable day. The city had not had much to celebrate in recent years, and a wedding was always special. A promise of new love, new life. A reminder that despite the war in the north and Morgoth’s growing strength there were still values worth relishing.

He had to do the planning mostly by himself; his father claimed he had a headache, which probably was true after his lengthy fit of rage. But Thranduil did not mind, quite the contrary. He enjoyed the free reins. 

He had soon hired musicians, maids, cooks and other staff to his liking, and seeking out his friends Amroth for pig meat, Taurandir for the finest wild fowls, and Galion for wine, he had a splendid menu planned as well. A batch of his wife’s special ginger-and-honey lembas would be a lovely finishing touch. 

When he went to ask for the latter, Aerneth greeted him in a businesslike manner, pretending he was a normal customer. “For a wedding you must try some samples! Please come in.”

Of course, sampling lembas was a very small part of what they occupied themselves with during his stay.

oOo

Feeling rather conscious about his bulky satchel, Thranduil entered the guest house where Tuor’s family lived during the work with the ship, and was shown to the queen’s room. It was the day before the wedding and due time he delivered her heirlooms.

“I have some things for you,” he began when they were alone. 

She indicated the chair next to hers and he took it. Her small smile seemed to mean she was glad to see him, but it was always hard to interpret her face. She was a lot like himself that way, hiding her emotions, preferring to remain silent most of the time. He could only hope her life would not turn out the same disaster as his had.

Shaking off the worry, he picked up the first item, a small pouch, and fished out a ring made of two snakes and a flower crown. “This belonged to your naneth; it was her wedding ring. But before then it was given to your adar by his adar, Beren.” He continued with the tale of how Beren’s father Barahir had once rescued King Finrod of Nargothrond and received the ring as a token of their friendship.

Elwing put it on her finger, but it was a little too large. 

Thranduil smiled. “Perhaps give it to your son,” he suggested.

Eyes bright, she nodded, returning it to the pouch.

Next, Thranduil unfolded two scabbards with a longsword in each. “This sword was your great-grand adar Thingol’s, it is called Aranrúth. And the other is Narsil, forged by Telchar of Nogrod, a famous dwarf smith.” He smiled wryly. “I don’t much like dwarves but they make fine weapons.”

Not looking very impressed, she accepted the swords.

“Your son will like them.”

“Or my husband.” She smirked.

Pleased that she had broken her silence for a change, Thranduil took the opportunity to ask: “What is he like?”

“Attractive.” Her cheeks colored. “Strong. A good husband.”

He wanted to tell her that those were just physical traits that said nothing about him as a person, but what was the point? She looked happier than she had ever done. Perhaps this was a good match; sometimes people were lucky like that.

“I am glad for you.”

Elwing glanced at the satchel. “More?”

“Just one thing, the last heirloom we managed to salvage. And this… This, you must keep secret at all costs. Will you promise me that before I show it?”

She nodded solemnly.

“Say it,” he prompted.

“I promise to keep it a secret.”

Thranduil unwrapped the final cloth, covering his eyes against the brilliance. “As you probably realize, this is the Silmaril necklace.”

She breathed out, gingerly touching the shining metal surrounding the dazzling stone. 

“Only my adar and I know it was not lost when Doriath fell,” he continued. “It is safest that way. It already caused the death of both your adar and King Thingol, and if Fëanor’s sons knew it was here they would not hesitate to attack again.” He put the fabric back over the jewel. “Keep it hidden. Keep it safe.”

“I will.”

“Then there is only one more thing for me to do.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Congratulations, my queen. May tomorrow be a blessed day, and may your marriage be long lasting and happy.”

Eyes glittering with tears, she answered with a quick hug in a rare display of affection. 

oOo

When Thranduil saw Elwing again the next day, she sparkled as a Silmaril in a long, white gown and wore her dark hair braided like a crown. On her side Eärendil looked like he did not know whether to grin stupidly or run away in panic.

After the ceremony was over and the couple had exchanged rings, Thranduil sat with his friends, drinking too much of Galion’s wine and generally enjoying himself while watching the dancers form large circles. The whole city had been invited and the area was packed with merry people. 

Yet, they all fit into the city square, he reflected. The elves gathered here represented several of the once proud realms of Beleriand: Doriath, Nargothrond, the Falas and Gondolin. Discounting the inhabitants of the Isle of Balar and Fëanors people, these were almost all elves left in Middle-earth. A mere shadow of their former glory.

A female voice interrupted his gloomy line of thought. “Care to dance?”

He looked up and met his wife’s sparkling eyes. His breath hitched at the stunning sight; she wore a flattering coral dress, her blonde locks cascading down one shoulder, and had put on jewels he had not seen in a very long time: the quartz necklace and matching earrings he bought her when they were newlyweds. 

He took her offered hand. “My pleasure.” Bending close he whispered: “But you are not supposed to outshine the bride at a wedding.”

She snuck him a discreet kiss. “Flatterer.”

Then there was no more opportunity to talk for the dance pulled them with them and the beat was quick. 

A lot later when they wearily left the circle, Galadriel and Celeborn danced past. She frowned deeply at their still joined hands but said nothing.

“Your friend is not pleased,” Thranduil remarked.

Aerneth looked a bit embarrassed but then appeared to shake off the feeling. “She cares about me and my well-being, and as matters stood two decades ago, her advice was wise.” She gave him an almost shy glance. “However… lately things have changed.”

There it was again, the tiny butterfly tickling his heart. He dipped his head in acknowledgement, not quite daring to say anything for fear it might come out wrong. 

Her grasp on his hand tightened. “And it has led me to reconsider our… arrangement.”

He thought of something suitable to say in reply, for even now, at his age, he sometimes struggled to find the words in an important conversation. 

“My door is always open to you,” he managed at last.

“I am not moving back,” she said quickly. She did not have to elaborate; she clearly did not want to live with Oropher. “But I don’t think we need to conceal our… meetings.”

Thranduil could not resist. “You want to do it with an audience?”

That broke the tension. Grinning, she slapped his shoulder. “You know what I mean.”

He did. And after the wedding was over well past midnight, he quite openly followed her home and spent the rest of the night there.

oOo

The next morning Thranduil did not want to leave; it was such a rare bliss to wake up with his wife in his arms and to have breakfast together, but they had obligations. There would be a council meeting to settle Eärendil’s position and influence now that he was married to the queen, and it would look bad if Círdan’s daughter and one of Elwing’s advisors were not present.

“Don’t look so downcast.” She kissed his cheek. “After the meeting we will return here and spend all evening in bed.”

“I take that as a promise.”

They made company to the town hall, not bothering who might see them leave the house together. 

When they stepped inside and took their seats, the council room smelled of fresh timber and paint. The town hall was new, one of the buildings erected after the Havens of Sirion had been officially established. A beautiful mural with sea motif spanned one wall, and on either side large windows gave light and an airy feeling.

On a dais below the mural, Elwing sat in the ornate chair that served as a throne. The young queen looked particularly lovely today, her cheeks tinted with rose and her eyes clear, and on her brow the thin crown gleamed. She was flanked by her advisors Amdír and Oropher on smaller chairs at either side, and below the steps Eärendil stood ready to be summoned.

When everyone had arrived, Oropher rose and solemnly began: “We are gathered here today once more for a council regarding the crown. Today it must be decided what changes our queen’s recent marriage brings on. Therefore–”

He was interrupted by Elwing suddenly standing up, motioning for him to sit with a wave of her hand. “I will take over.” Her voice was calm and determined.

A surprised mumble went through the room; most of them had never heard the queen speak. 

Oropher grew bright red, obeying her order with obvious reluctance. Thranduil squirmed uncomfortably on his chair, this was not a good start.

Unperturbed, Elwing continued. “If you will step forward, Master Eärendil.”

Smiling, he obeyed. From his calm countenance it was clear this was planned beforehand.

“As my husband, you shall be Prince of the Havens, conjoined ruler of this realm.”

The murmur among the audience grew louder and Oropher could not remain silent. “But he is half Noldor,” he blurted. “He cannot reign over the Sindar!”

“He can, and he will.”

“You need the council’s approval for that!” Amdír cut in.

“Hear, hear,” agreed several of the gathered, quite angrily.

“Quiet,” roared Eärendil, his strong voice easily carrying to the farthest end of the room. “The queen has spoken and her rule is law. I have read the protocol from the last council and nowhere does it say the advisors or councilors can overrule a decree by the queen. I ask you now: who will disobey a royal command? If so, may he step forward.” He put a hand on his sword, giving emphasis to the words.

A shocked silence ensued and nobody moved.

Eärendil somehow looked taller than before, and more powerful. Thranduil recalled what he had heard of his father Tuor’s famous deeds in Gondolin that had earned him leadership during their exile; clearly his son had inherited some of that valiance. This boy could be dangerous if he chose to.

His defiant air reminded Thranduil of another man who had feared no one, not even a monstrous dragon: Túrin, Tuor’s cousin.

“For too long the queen has been restricted from taking part in the ruling of her realm,” Eärendil continued. “Though an adult for several years, she has been treated as a child by her so-called advisors, made to fear those who should guide and protect her. One of them has even beaten her.”

The heightened color drained from Oropher’s face. 

“Is this true?” Aerneth whispered.

Thranduil did not dare look at her. “Not often. Usually I have gone between them, but…”

“But sometimes not. I see.”

“In the light of this,” said Eärendil, “my first verdict as prince and ruler of this court will be to expel the advisors Oropher and Amdír from the council.” He looked down his nose at them. “You are dismissed. Please leave.” Again his fingers lingered on the pommel of his sword.

“You cannot do that,” Amdír sputtered. “We have always only acted in the best interest of the realm. Young Elwing has not been fit to rule.” He reached out his hand to the audience as if seeking their support. “You know this is true. The girl hardly speaks a word; she needed our help! And of course we did not beat her! Right, Oropher?”

“Of course not.” He was avoiding eye-contact. “Not as such…”

Elwing seemed to gain strength from her advisor’s apparent embarrassment. “Liar.” She pointed at him. “Liar! Get out of here or you shall be punished.”

To Thranduil’s surprise, he obeyed; not by leaving the room, but he did get down from the dais. 

After a brief hesitation, Amdír followed. “You have not heard the last of this,” he muttered threateningly as he descended the steps.

By now, the bystanders were waking up from their shock and several spoke at the same time, creating a clamor not unlike the last council – but there was no Gil-galad here this time to take control of the situation. 

Small groups were forming around Oropher and Amdír while others remained seated, baffled at the unexpected disorder.

Aerneth glared almost hatefully at Oropher. “It seems he still has supporters.”

Thranduil nodded. “I tried to make him accept Elwing as queen but I think he never quite did. This… won’t help her case.” He turned his gaze to the royal couple at the dais. Eärendil seemed like he tried to appear unruffled by the unrest, but the way he clenched his sword with whitening knuckles hinted of his insecurity. 

This was bad. Any minute now the boy might decide to unsheathe it and from there things could only turn ugly. But what could be done to stop this from escalating further?

A tall elleth rose from the back of the hall and confidently strode forward. “I support the prince,” Galadriel stated, bending her knee before the throne. 

“Of course a Noldor would,” Oropher sneered.

“I do as well.” Her husband joined her. “And I am both Sinda and a prince of Doriath. Any complaints?”

There was no reply.

Galadriel turned to face the audience. “We must not quarrel among ourselves. I fail to see how it can be a problem that Elwing’s husband is our leader; remember the deeds of his adar and grand adar. At least give him time to prove he is fit to lead.”

Biting her lip, Aerneth whispered to Thranduil: “I support them too. I am sorry, but I can’t take Oropher’s part in this.”

“I understand.” He meant it, and what was more, this time he shared her view; Elwing had the right to choose a co-ruler. Yet he did not move when his wife went to stand next to Galadriel. He could not be that openly disloyal to his father.

Aerneth had been the former leader of the colony, and when people saw her come forward a few others did as well, but over half of the assembly remained as they were.

“Well then,” said Oropher angrily. “You have made your choice. Amdír and I tried to make this realm great, to bring back the wealth and prosperity of old, but it seems our work is no longer appreciated around here. I wash my hands off you all.” He spat on the floor and imperiously marched out with Amdír in tow. They were followed by many.

Thranduil finally knew what to do. Standing, he turned to the queen and bowed. “I support you, my queen. Allow me to talk to my adar before taking action; I believe he may be swayed once his initial resentment wears off.”

She nodded her head in permission. 

But when Thranduil came outside he found matters worse than he had feared. Oropher and Amdír stood in the middle of a crowd of outraged Sindar and Laegrim, demanding they usurp the throne. 

Were these people really considering rebellion? Had they learned nothing after the kinslaying they survived in Doriath?

“Adar,” he called over the din. “Adar, may I please speak to you?”

Oropher ignored him, and instead turned to his supporters. “Calm down, calm down. I am grateful for your loyalty, and you are correct that Amdír and myself only ever acted in the best interest of the Havens. The girl needed us. But we will not defy her. Let her and the half-Noldo have this wetland town if they want it so badly.” He raised his hands to hush down their angry protests. “You see, I have a better idea. Ossiriand still has no king after Beren died, and I know many of you Laegrim have been longing to return there. I have heard your tales; between the rivers lie bountiful gardens and woods full of game. I say, let us leave this damp hole and move to your homeland!”

“Adar, no!” Thranduil tried, but his voice was drenched in a roar of enthusiastic acclamations.

“To Ossiriand!” they yelled. “Long live the new king!”

Defeated and dragging his feet, Thranduil returned to the town hall. He knew there was no way his father would stop now; not with such uniform support. The realm would be divided once more.

oOo

The council was over not long afterwards. It seemed Prince Eärendil did not want violence despite his initial threatening demeanor, and instead he decided the best cause of action was to wait and see. If Oropher, Amdír and their fellow rebels wanted to leave, they were welcome to do so; the realm was better off without disloyal subjects.

Thranduil was not so sure about that, however. If most of the Laegrim left, it meant the Havens would lose nearly all the march-wardens and hunters. But of course, civil war was no better option. 

It was what it was.

Aerneth looked surprised when he went after her afterwards. “Are you not going with… him?”

“I thought we had plans for the afternoon,” he retorted, trying to put innuendo into his voice, though his heart was not quite in it.

“Thranduil… You don’t have to.” She put a hand on his arm.

“No, I don’t.”

“Then why are you not going home to pack?” It sounded like she was holding her breath in anticipation of his reply.

He stopped, meeting her eyes. In the short time since the council he had made up his mind. His father was no longer a broken ellon, miserable and weak with grief after the loss of his wife. Oropher could manage well on his own.

Thranduil would not repeat his earlier mistakes.

“I don’t agree with Adar’s decision and I don’t support his case. I am not leaving the Havens with him.”

Notes:

That was perhaps unexpected… but can the newfound marital bliss last? And will Elwing manage to keep the Silmaril hidden?

Thanks for reading! I appreciate your patience. :)

Chapter 36: The Third Kinslaying

Summary:

Thranduil and his wife live together in relative happiness when a messenger appears an early morning and peace is disturbed once more.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

The Third Kinslaying

Havens of Sirion, First Age 538

Married life was good, great even. The past decade had been such a breath of air, Thranduil mused, sipping his blackberry wine and suppressing a grimace at the sour taste. Galion had moved to Ossiriand so the sweeter grape variety was no longer available.

Across the table Aerneth looked lovely in the mellow evening light. They had been talking about languages during dinner, comparing Sindarin to what little Quenya and Mannish they knew, and now they switched to the usual ‘how was your day?’. Aerneth told him how she had landed a large haul of herrings that day, and he described how he had shot a deer.

They had changed occupations now that the colony was so small. Queen Elwing had no problem ruling it on her own, so Thranduil had ceased being her advisor and begun working as a combined border guard and hunter, and the lembas Galadriel baked was enough to supply their decimated number so Aerneth helped the fishermen instead, effectively using water magic to surround fish and drive them into the nets. If Thranduil was honest, that was for the better, Galadriel’s lembas was more filling and hence lasted longer, though Aerneth’s was tastier. 

Talking about work and languages were safe topics, but others were not, and those they consequently took care to avoid. That was the secret to their marital bliss: avoidance.

Thus, none of them ever mentioned how hard they struggled to maintain the colony with so few people left, nor did they speak of the growing darkness in the north with orcs multiplying and settling all the way down to where the river Narog met Sirion, or the rumors that Morgoth was breeding more dragons that could be released any day to set Beleriand aflame and burn the continent to embers. They never talked about Tuor and Idril who had tried to sail to Aman thirteen years ago and were now presumed dead, or their son Eärendil who left nine years later, abandoning Elwing and their baby sons. Another attempt to seek help from the Valar gone awry.

It was pointless to discuss the many problems they faced but were powerless to do anything about. Avoidance was the way forward. Avoidance and seclusion; keeping themselves to themselves as much as possible.

Not that there were many others to meet anyway; Aerneth’s relationship with Galadriel was frosty since she began to live openly with Thranduil, and most of his friends had moved to Ossiriand. Only Taurandir had refrained from joining Amdír’s and Oropher’s rebellion.

Naturally Oropher and his new colony was another strictly avoided topic in Thranduil’s and Aerneth’s home.

Thranduil did see Elwing now and then, mostly because he felt it was his duty; she was still a very quiet person and dinners at her home were morose. She missed her husband he supposed, for despite his initial apprehension about their hasty marriage it had appeared to be a very loving one. At least until he abandoned her and sailed west.

The twins were rarely present when Thranduil visited, for which he was secretly grateful. At six years old, Elros and Elrond were spitting images of Elwing’s late brothers, and Thranduil could not look at them without thinking of little Eluréd and Elurín dying alone in the forest after the kinslaying. 

Elwing had never really connected with her sons; their birth had been lengthy and complicated, and then her husband had left while they were only toddlers. Instead they spent most of their time with a neighbor couple, Aerneth’s old friend Galdor and his wife.

Aerneth had once suggested they could help with the boys too, but Thranduil had been firmly against that. Sooner or later they would die, that horribly final mortal death, and the thought of losing more children dear to him was too painful even to consider. He preferred not to get to know them at all.

Avoidance. That was the way forward.

Having finished talking about today’s work, Aerneth changed to a more mundane but equally safe subject. “Whose turn is it to do the dishes?”

“Yours.”

“I could have sworn I did them yesterday.”

“But you didn’t.”

“Alright, I will do them.” Her eyes became shrewd. “If you pay.” 

Thranduil carefully wiped his mouth and put his empty goblet down. “And what would the price be? Not that I have much. A loin of venison from the deer I shot today, perhaps?” He was holding back his smile; he knew exactly what his wife had in mind.

“I have an appetite for other loins.” Her gaze settled somewhere below his navel.

“I see.” Without moving a muscle in his face he began to clear a free area on the table, sliding plates and cutlery to the side. Other times he had left them, with smashed earthenware and greasy, stained clothes as a result. It had felt hot in the moment but not so much afterwards.

When the surface was sufficiently empty he pulled Aerneth to him and pushed her down on it. Never taking his eyes off hers he slowly leaned forward, planting his hands on either side of her head as he pressed an almost chaste kiss on her lips. 

Moving an inch to the right he ghosted another peck, and a second, continuing until he reached her ear. “What do you want?” He let his breath tickle it and saw her throat flutter with her quick pulse.

“Everything.”

“Then…” He followed the contours of her ear with his tongue. “Everything it is.”

When they stumbled to bed much later the dirty dishes were still undone.

oOo

A sound outside made Thranduil’s eyes snap open. Tensing, he reached for the sword he always kept in reach beside the bed; with so few warriors remaining in Haven he did not feel safe even in his own home. 

He could not hear it anymore but was certain he had not dreamt it. 

It was still pitch dark. Slightly disoriented he slipped out of bed and crossed the floor, careful not to stumble into anything. At the window, which was open to the mild spring night, he pulled the curtains aside and looked out. 

Weak moonlight illuminated the neighboring houses and the road below. Everything was still. 

Figuring it was better to be safe than sorry, he pulled on his clothes and silently sneaked out. He headed straight to the palisade, which was located only a few yards from his house, and climbed the nearest ladder. 

Taurandir and Celeborn had the watch that night and came over to him as soon as he showed his head. 

“There is a rider approaching,” whispered Taurandir.

Thranduil strained his eyes until he saw it too; a darker speck against the pale moor, almost impossible to spot in the darkness – but the faint sound of hoofbeats whenever the horse reached harder ground gave the location away. That must have been the sound that woke him up.

The question was whether this lone rider was a friend or foe? Coming alone could mean he was a refugee, or maybe a messenger. But from whom?

Oropher?

The thought made Thranduil both apprehensive and excited. Though he never spoke about his father he did think about him and often wondered how he managed in Ossiriand. Had the Laegrim accepted him as king? Did he even survive the journey there? 

Despite everything, Thranduil could not help missing him. They had almost always lived together and it felt strangely empty never to hear his dry remarks or annoyed rants about one thing or another. 

He shuddered when he recalled the horrible way they had parted. To his "Farewell, Adar,” Oropher’s features had contorted with fury. “I have no son,” he had growled and stormed out of the house without looking back.

He had probably not meant it but the words stung nevertheless.

The rider was closer now and aided by a glimmer of light appearing in the east the three onlookers could see him more clearly. He carried something oblong across one shoulder, something white.

“It is a banner,” mumbled Celeborn.

“A white flag.” Thranduil tensed. “I have a bad feeling about this. If he brings a white flag he must know we would be hostile towards him otherwise, and that means he is no friend.”

Taurandir picked up his bow, swiftly stringing it, and Celeborn did likewise. 

Thranduil squeezed his sword handle. “Shall I wake up more guards?” he breathed. The rider would soon be within hearing range.

“Let us hear what he wants first,” Celeborn suggested. “One elf – or man, perhaps – cannot do much harm against a guarded oak palisade.”

The person unfolded the flag and halted just out of arrow range. He carried no visible weapons and his long cloak covered his torso so Thranduil could not make out whether he wore armor.

“Suilad,” he called.

“Who goes there,” Celeborn returned.

“I have a letter for Prince Eärendil and Queen Elwing.” 

Thranduil’s eyebrows rose. The stranger apparently knew Eärendil had been a prince here, and that he ruled together with Elwing, but not that he had sailed away. Again he thought of his father; he wouldn’t know the latter but the former. Was the messenger from Ossiriand?

“From whom?” Celeborn asked.

“A friend.”

The three guards on the palisade exchanged looks. 

“I don’t like this,” whispered Taurandir. 

“Me neither,” Celeborn agreed. “It feels like a trap. I suggest we tell him to leave the letter and back away so we can check it before delivering it.”

The others nodded agreement.

Celeborn turned back to the messenger, giving him the instructions. The ellon thankfully obeyed without ado, tossing a rolled up piece of parchment on the ground. “I shall remain out of bow’s range, waiting for an answer.”

Taurandir volunteered to fetch it, and when he returned with the missive, Thranduil immediately recognized the seal; wavy rays in a circle surrounding a star. 

Then it was a letter from Ossiriand, but further north… From the realm of Fëanor’s sons. 

His blood ran cold. Could they have somehow found out about the Silmaril after all these years, and written a letter to demand it? Or was it just a lucky guess? If the latter, Elwing must find a safer hiding place than her house.

Celeborn had recognized the emblem as well. “That is Fëanor’s star. What does his sons want from us this time? We do not have anything.”

Before Thranduil could reply, a telltale gleam in the distance drew his gaze. The sun had risen over the eastern mountains and reflected on something metallic in the marshy pine wood in the outskirts of the moor. 

Warriors. Everywhere he turned he saw them now; spread out at even intervals in a huge semicircle from the Sirion in the east to the coast in the west. 

Grimly he touched Celeborn’s arm, indicating the reflections. “We are surrounded.”

Celeborn cursed under his breath. “I knew it was a trap.”

Thranduil’s stomach grew heavy. If Fëanor’s sons had brought their full strength here then it was not only a lucky guess. Then they knew. In some mysterious way they knew.

“I will wake up the other guards,” Celeborn whispered. “But we must keep quiet and not give away that we have discovered them until we know what they want.”

“And I will bring the scroll to the queen,” whispered Thranduil.

As he ran, his heart beat fast. They were too few to defend Haven against a full-scale assault, especially when the attackers were war veterans both more experienced and better equipped than Elwing’s few march-wardens. He remembered all too well how it had felt to meet a Noldo in melee during the kinslaying in Doriath.

Would there be another kinslaying now?

He passed his own house and hesitated. Aerneth must still be sleeping; he had to warn her.

Dashing inside, he gently shook her shoulder. “Shh,” he breathed. “We are under attack. Fëanor’s sons. When I am gone, lock the door and bolt it.”

Her eyes gleamed white in the darkness. “I am not staying here,” she hissed.

“Yes you are! You are no warrior.” With that he hurried out, fervently hoping she would do as told.

Continuing to Elwing’s house he ascended the stairs in two long steps before knocking on her door with gusto. “Wake up! Fëanor’s sons are here. They are here for it.”

She swiftly opened, wrapping herself in a nightgown, eyes wide and dark hair in disarray. Mutely she took the letter and broke the seal. 

Her face grew darker and darker as she read until she crumpled the parchment in her hand. “No.” She threw it on the floor.

“What did they say?”

When she did not reply he unfolded it, trying to read through the wrinkles. The letter began politely enough, with an offer of friendship and trade, but continued with strict demands: “… return what is ours immediately … know you salvaged it … theft … wrongfully keeping it…” 

It ended with a quote from the oath they once swore: “Whoso hideth or hoardeth, or in hand taketh, finding keepeth or afar casteth a Silmaril. This swear we all: death we will deal him ere day’s ending.”

Thranduil swallowed. “We have to. There is no way we can survive an attack when we are so few.”

Elwing firmly shook her head. She brought a small wooden chest from her wardrobe and opened it. Light spilled out, illuminating the room almost like daylight as she put the necklace on. “It is mine.”

There was a hustle outside and Galadriel entered with Celeborn. “My queen, you must hurry to get the children and–” She abruptly silenced when she saw what the queen wore, eyes first widening in shock, then narrowing with fury as her mind did the calculations and she realized how a Silmaril had ended up in Haven.

She took a step closer to Thranduil. “Did you know about this?” 

He nodded. There was no point denying it. 

“I can’t believe it! You brought something that dangerous here and never told a soul!” 

“Galadriel!” Her husband put his hand on her arm. “Keep your voice down.”

She shook it off and continued in a lower, but no less outraged voice. “Had we known this, we would have kept it on the Isle where it would be easier to guard. But here? Madness.”

“We have to return it to them,” said Celeborn, who had picked up the wrinkled letter and read it. “Their adar created it after all; they have a claim to it. They write here that if we cooperate they will be friendly. And we need all the friends we can get right now.”

“I agree.” Galadriel sounded calmer now. “Their oath drives them on. It drives them to kill. I saw it happening in the first kinslaying in Alqualondë.” She shuddered visibly at the memory.

“As did I in Doriath,” Thranduil added. Much as it grieved him to give up something as beautiful, there was nothing for it anymore. They had no other option; it was that or certain death – and then they would still lose it.

Elwing’s hand flew to her neck, covering the stone and squeezing it. “Never.” She shook her head vigorously to give emphasis. 

“You must,” Galadriel tried again, slowly edging closer, hand imploringly stretched out. “Think of your boys and of your people. Would you sacrifice them for a jewel? I am sure you realize this is the only way. Give it to me and I shall take it to Fëanor’s sons.”

Elwing’s eyes darted between her and the others and she began to back away. Before anyone had a chance to react she suddenly spun on the spot and jumped out of the half-open window. 

Galadriel feebly clutched at the empty air where she had been, then looked out. ”She runs towards the port.”

”Let me go after her,” said Thranduil. ”I have known her since a girl; she listens to me.”

”Then I shall go see the messenger and bid him to take me to Maedhros. I will make him promise no harm will come to the queen or any of us for hiding the stone, and then escort him back here.” 

”I go with you,” said Celeborn. 

”Nay, it is safer if only I go.” She smiled grimly. ”He is my cousin after all, and even someone as depraved as he has become will not hurt close kin.”

That settled, Thranduil hurried after Elwing. In the weak morning light the Silmaril made her easy to spot; a bright beacon against the dark ocean. She had boarded one of the smaller swanships and it looked like she was trying to set sail.

“My queen,” he called. “You cannot sail that on your own. Be responsible now.”

“I can, and I will,” she said through gritted teeth.

“And abandon little Elrond and Elros?” He was on the gangplank now, advancing on her slowly in case she did something rash again. 

“I will return for them when my treasure is safe.” She was still clutching it, working on the sail with only one hand.

“Elwing, please, don’t be ridiculous now. We must–”

“There it is!” 

The voice had come from behind and Thranduil turned towards it, hand on his sword. When he saw who it was he swiftly drew it.

They were eight, wearing Noldor chainmail and with drawn swords. Two of them looked like twins and he vaguely recognized them from the attack on Doriath. Amrod and Amras, Fëanor’s youngest.

The bright light of the Silmaril must have attracted them as well. The palisade only reached a short way out in the water and on a morning like this when the tide was low they had probably rounded it easily. The seaside had always been Haven’s weak spot.

“Give it to us,” said one twin, stopping before the gangplank Thranduil guarded.

“Never.” Elwing kept working on the sail, by the sound of it.

“We are eight against two. And soon we will be eighty against two.” He put a horn to his lips and blew it twice. “Now, return our adar’s Silmaril to us at once and we shall spare your life despite your hiding it.”

“No,” yelled Elwing. “My grand adar and grand naneth took it from Morgoth’s crown and I inherited it. You can’t have it. It’s mine!” With that she jumped onto the railing and dived head first into the sea.

“Elwing!” Thranduil ran after her, his heartbeat a sudden roar in his ears. His mother had died when she jumped like that but then he had been further away. This time he would be in time. This time he would save her.

He dropped his sword and dived in where she had disappeared. The cold water drove the air from his lungs and made him gasp as he emerged, desperately looking around. Where was she? 

The light of the Silmaril guided him once more. It was moving away from the shore at a steady pace, just under the surface.

She could swim! Of course she could, she had grown up here at the coast. Filled with a mingle of relief and embarrassment Thranduil started to swim after the retreating glow.

He heard a jingle and turned his head to see Amrod and Amras take their chainmail off, obviously intending to follow as well. 

Ahead of Thranduil, Elwing broke the surface, still swimming as fast as she could. He took the opportunity to try to reason with her again. “Come back,” he called. “You cannot swim all the way to the Isle of Balar and you know it! You will get tired and drown. Please stop. We have to give it up. I am sorry, but we really do.”

She did not reply this time, just grimly swam on. 

Thranduil was gaining on her, she was part human after all and he a fit elven march-warden. Soon he could catch her leg.

She struggled fiercely, clawing his face with her nails, nearly pushing him down.

Amrod and Amras were close as well now, and they carried long daggers between their teeth. 

Releasing Elwing, Thranduil focused on them. “Wait! Let me talk to her first. Don’t harm her.”

“It is too late for that,” one of the brothers growled in a muffled voice around his blade, eyes fixed on Elwing who had taken the opportunity to flee again. “Move aside or taste my knife.” He took it in one hand and continued to swim with the other.

Thranduil could not let him hurt her. He lunged himself against him and caught his hand, trying to wrestle away the weapon. 

“Get off him!” An arm caught Thranduil’s throat from behind, pulling him back. Drawing his dagger, the other twin prepared to slice his head off.

Desperately Thranduil fought to get free, slipping under the surface to evade the new threat, protecting his face with his arms. He felt the knife follow him down and a line of pain erupt on his wrist. 

He dove away, kicking at the pursuer before swimming with long strokes. To his dismay he noticed the twins had split up; one going after Elwing and the other remaining close on Thranduil’s heel. 

On the shore two of Amrod and Amras’ companions were entering the water as well, bringing similar knives.

For the first time fearing for his life, Thranduil tried to increase his speed. Why had he not brought his sword? But he had been so intent on saving Elwing he had not thought clearly.

His pursuer was close; he felt another burning cut, this one on his leg. 

This would not work. He had lost. 

Feeling all strength leave his limbs at the realization, Thranduil turned to face his opponent in a last, desperate attempt to survive. If he failed, then at least he would go down fighting; a worthy death for a warrior.

Around him the water became tinted red with his blood as he waited for the Noldo to reach him.

He drew a breath, and another, tensing his body, preparing himself for more pain as he must fight the sharp blade unarmed.

The ellon raised his dagger. It gleamed like gold in the morning sun. 

But before he could sink it into Thranduil his hand began to wobble. Around them the water had started to move, bubbles bursting as if the sea was boiling.

“What is this?” The twin’s grim expression was replaced with worry and disbelief as he looked down.

A wave was forming, growing with impossible speed to monster size. It swept over the ellon and dragged him deep into the abyss.

The water stilled when the wave vanished as suddenly as it appeared.

Nearer the shore came screams and yells of fright as the six who had lingered were pulled out and then down by another wave, and further out a third caught the remaining twin. 

Thranduil looked around him at the now empty sea, shaking with alarm and shock. What had just happened?

A figure came running into the water and began to swim. “Thranduil!”

Understanding hit him and his worry immediately ceased. It was Aerneth! She had used her water ability to save him. “Over here!” He waved at her.

They met in a cold, wet hug, clinging to each other while struggling to stay afloat. 

“I told you to stay in the house,” he mumbled against her hair.

“Bastard. I just saved you.” She gave him a series of icy kisses. 

“Thank you.” He kissed her back, but then broke it as he remembered. “Elwing! Where is she?”

“The queen?”

“She was swimming out but I can’t see her anymore.” He strained his eyes, scanning the dark surface while he told Aerneth what had happened.

“The Silmaril! She had it all this time? And you didn’t tell me!”

“Only Adar and I knew. It was safer that way.” 

“Safer? By the bloody Valar, Thranduil, I am your wife! Don’t you trust me to keep a secret? But you trust that ellon?” 

“Calm down. We must find Elwing, that is the only thing that matters right now.” He started to swim again, trying to aim for the spot where he had last seen her.

Still grumbling, she followed suit. ”All these years. Not a word. Damn you, Oropherion!”

Thranduil ignored her. The sea looked empty, but the rippling waves would make it hard to spot a small, dark head, especially when he was swimming himself. Surely Elwing could not have drowned this fast?

"Wait,” Aerneth panted. "I have an idea. Let me ask Uinen. She can find the queen and take her to safety."

Thranduil waited anxiously as she closed her eyes and sang a swift melody. Soon a face formed in the water before them. 

He regarded the apparition with curiosity, his worry over Elwing temporarily forgotten at seeing a Maia for the second time in his life. Queen Melian had been beautiful but otherwise looked like an elleth, but this lady was far more otherworldly with her green seaweed hair billowing around a face as calm as the sea before a storm, and eyes wise and deep as the ocean itself.

“Please, dear Uinen, can you find Queen Elwing and bring her to safety? She carries a Silmaril.”

“I sense her,” a warm, strong voice replied. ”She is alive but struggles. The deep ocean is not under my authority but I shall ask my lord and master, the King of the Sea.” 

The face disappeared and again the water began to boil, but if Ulmo had come Thranduil could not see him. Instead he saw something else, something strange and beautiful far out. A huge, white bird was flying up from the waves, beating its wings to gain altitude. When it circled over them he saw the Silmaril shining brightly around its neck.

The bird turned west and increased its speed as it flew towards the horizon. Soon it was no more than a gleam in the blue sky, a tiny, brilliant star.

“This is it,” Aerneth breathed, her voice awed. “This is what Ulmo meant when he spoke to my adar many years ago. He said a new star shall arise from this shore and save the children of Ilúvatar. Queen Elwing will save us. I can feel it.”

Thranduil nodded slowly. He sensed it too, the importance of what they had just witnessed. It made him feel both hopeful and sad, because without knowing how he knew it, he was certain he would never see Elwing again.

Notes:

Translation: Suilad = greetings

This was another complicated chapter to write. The Silmarillion canon just didn’t make sense to me… particularly that Elwing would rather jump into the sea with the Silmaril, abandoning her sons to the enemy, than hand it over to Maedhros. But finally I came up with an explanation that I hope makes it a bit more believable – that her traumatic childhood and upbringing as well as a complicated birth has prevented her from becoming attached to her children, in combination with the Silmaril’s dangerous allure that seems to affect elves similarly as the Ring does men later.

Thanks to you who still reads and comments on my story. x

Chapter 37: A New Star Shall Arise

Summary:

The kinslaying is over and Thranduil tries to save young Elros and Elrond. Later, the survivors must leave the destroyed colony and seek out Oropher’s new realm in Ossiriand.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

A New Star Shall Arise

With everything that had happened in the heat of battle and Elwing’s escape, Thranduil’s agitation and pounding heart had kept him warm, but now the numbing chill of the water was finally getting through.

“We should return.” Then he noticed that Aerneth’s face had become so pale it was almost green, like she was on the verge of throwing up. “Are you alright?”

Her voice trembled as she replied. “I killed elves.”

Thranduil understood only too well. Killing sentient beings was never easy, and he had felt horrible the first time – despite it being only orcs. But these were actual elves, so Aerneth’s first time must be so much worse than his own.

Drawing her to him in another cold hug, he offered what little comfort he could. No words could take away the remorse and nausea she must be feeling. “We should return,” he repeated instead.

But before they could swim ashore, more people came running, pointing at the white bird that was still visible over the horizon. Thranduil recognized Maedhros with his fiery hair among them; he must have heard his brothers’ horn call and come to assist them.

With exclaims of shock and grief the newcomers discovered the bodies that lay bobbing in the shallow water.

“It is Amrod,” said Maedhros, turning his brother’s swollen face up. 

“And here is Amras,” sobbed a dark-haired ellon that Thranduil surmised must be Maglor. “Then we are all alone in the world now. No adar, no Silmarils, no brothers. Nothing.”

Clenching his only hand into a fist, Maedhros turned to the sea and roared against the wind: “Curse you, Elwing! I see you and I know what you did. You turned the Valar against us! Curse you.” He spat. “If you can still hear me, then know that I shall never forgive you for this, and those who helped you shall pay! We shall burn this town to embers, you hear me? And kill your children. Kill every last living soul!”

Maglor put a hand on his arm. “Hush, brother. If Ulmo listens we are in even worse trouble. And surely you do not mean to kill the babies?”

“I meant what I said.” He stomped away in the direction of the town.

Maglor hesitated, looking longingly at the rolling waves, but then he turned away from the sea and followed his brother.

“I must stop them,” Thranduil hissed to Aerneth. 

She shook her head. “Nay. No more killings! Please.”

“Not you, obviously, you stay here.”

She caught his arm. “Don’t! You have no chance against so many.”

“I cannot let them take Elwing’s children! It already happened before when her baby brothers were killed. I will not have another two young lives on my conscience!” Resolutely he broke loose and began to swim in swift strokes.

He knew Aerneth could have stopped him easily with her water magic, but to his relief she did not. Instead he heard her follow.

It took much too long to get ashore. They had been far out, pulled even further by the current, and soon Thranduil’s arms felt limp. He spotted a column of smoke erupting above the town.

Damn! Most of the city was made of wood; the houses, the palisade – a fire could be fatal.

“Send us on with your magic,” he urged.

Almost immediately he felt a wave lift him, carrying them both towards more shallow waters where they started running through the surf. 

“Stay back,” he snapped at Aerneth, but she ignored the order. 

He did not persist; arguing was a waste of time, every minute counted now. 

The outskirts of the town burned fiercely when they finally arrived, with scorching flames and black smoke pouring out of the windows and dancing on the rooftops, spreading fast from house to house.

“We cannot go there. Let us flee,” said Aerneth entreatingly. “Maybe other survivors already brought the babies to safety.”

“I have to check.” Without waiting for an answer, he ran past the first blazing building, ducking a falling beam. He could not be too late again. He must save them.

Hot air scalded his face and his eyes began to water in the thick fumes. Crouching low against the ground he continued, trying to keep below the smoke and not stumble on any of the corpses lining the street. An intense battle must have raged there; they had been killed with sharp weapons. He had no time to check whether they were Maedhros’ people or his fellow townsmen. 

He could not hear Aerneth anymore and hoped with all his heart that she had been wise and stayed out of this inferno. He did no longer expect to come out of it alive; a quick glance behind him showed that the way back was blocked by the raging fire.

In the smoke and heat it was hard to orient himself, but at last he found Elwing’s house. It looked like a torch, with a blast of flames cascading probably ten yards or more into the air, and the roof had fallen in. 

Even if he wanted to, there was no way he could get inside.

The desperation that had driven him up till then was swiftly replaced with defeat. He had failed. Once again young, innocent lives had been taken while he was powerless to prevent it. Had Elros and Elrond burned to death in there, screaming in fear as agonizing pain riddled their small bodies? 

The poisonous fumes were starting to get to him and he sank down on hands and knees, trying to wipe ash from his eyes so he could spot a way out of the burning city. But he was so tired. Every breath he took was painful and he struggled to fill his lungs.

Slowly crawling away from the ruins of Elwing’s home, he chose a spot that looked a little more open, grateful for the prevalent breeze from the sea that kept the air clearer than it might otherwise have been. But on the downside, the breeze also fed the fire, and if he could not get to a less dense part of the city soon he would be scorched into embers.

He reached a gap between buildings and drew a few breaths of slightly fresher air. Invigorated, he managed to get back on his feet and start to run – or hobble, rather. 

Further from Elwing’s house the fire was less intense and several houses still intact. Finally Thranduil could orient himself. Choosing the shortest way out, he began to run for real.

When he reached the palisade where he had stood only that morning – was it not longer ago? – he stumbled over a corpse. Taurandir’s glazed, dead eyes stared up at him. Being on guard duty, he must have been one of the first to be killed.

And had Thranduil not left to bring the message to Elwing, it would have been him.

Crouching, he pulled Taurandir’s cloak over his stiff face and continued. 

Outside he found a small group of survivors. Galadriel, Celeborn, more townspeople, a few strangers he did not recognize. Many were bleeding or nursing ugly burns. But where was Aerneth?

Cold fingers of fear clenched his heart. Had she followed him? Why had he not checked? But the smoke had made him confused.

He swiftly turned back from where he had come. 

“Wait,” ordered Galadriel. “Where are you going?”

He did not reply. He had to return for Aerneth, even if it meant he must go back into that furnace. 

Galadriel tried to stop him but he was stronger, and soon he was running.

Again he felt heat against his face. He did not want to burn to death, but if his wife was there… He was just about to dash into the city a second time when a hand grabbed his arm.

“Thranduil!”

It was Aerneth. Thank the Valar, it was her. Her face was black with soot but she was alive.

Wordlessly he wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her hard, hard.

“The children?” she asked. “Where are the twins?”

“Gone. I am sorry. I tried.”

“Then why didn’t you let me follow you? I could have helped.”

“It was too late. I came too late.”

oOo

They stood like that for a long time, until smoke from the city was spreading their way, a heavy, toxic cloud. First then they turned their back to what had been their home and returned to the other survivors.

Now Thranduil regarded the strangers among them more closely. They wore chainmail. 

Fëanorians!

“You!” Thranduil yelled, rage and grief burning in his chest like a mirror of the flaming city. “Why did you kill the children? Why? What had Elros and Elrond done to you?”

“Calm down.” Galadriel positioned herself between him and the strangers. “Aye, they were with Fëanor’s sons, but they capitulated as soon as they realized their leaders meant to attack their kin! None of these elves had a part in the burning of the city; on the contrary, they helped defend us against Maedhros so we could escape.”

Suddenly exhausted, Thranduil sank to his knees. He had no energy left, even to be suspicious of Noldor renegades. If they wanted to stab him in his back, so let them.

“Are we the only survivors?” Aerneth’s voice was hoarse from the smoke, or perhaps from emotion.

“I think so,” said Celeborn sadly.

“But there are so few,” she whispered.

During the night a spring rain began, a soft drizzle that took out the final flames in hissing puffs of smoke, and gently washed the ash off the survivors’ faces. As if the sky was trying to soothe them.

But it could not do much to ease their sorrow. The stillness was repeatedly broken by sobs and snivels, and the low, forlorn wails of poor Galdor who had been like an extra parent for Elros and Elrond after Eärendil sailed to Valinor, but now had lost both them and his wife in the flames.

Only the capitulated Noldor remained silent. They were not quite prisoners, but their weapons had been taken from them, and nobody looked kindly at them. Yes, they had refused to kill other elves, but they had not had any scruples about following known kinslayers like Fëanor’s sons in the first place, nor to threaten the colony to give up the Silmaril.

In the morning, Galadriel, Celeborn and a few others went back through what was left of the palisade to search among the ruins in a last, desperate attempt to find more survivors.

Thranduil did not go with them. He could not stand the thought of finding a pair of small, black skeletons in the debris.

Instead he let Aerneth wash the burns on his arms and face that he had not even noticed getting, but that stung all the worse now afterwards, and bandage his cut arm and leg from the fight in the water. A good part of his hair on one side was gone too, and he probably looked ridiculous.

But who cared.

They had no medicaments so they were obliged to clean the wounds with seawater and wrap them in strips of clothing. There was no food either, or wine to ease the pain. The fire had taken everything.

The search team returned at noon, dirty and empty handed.

“Only corpses,” said Galadriel wearily. Her face was sooty again, streaked with either sweat or tears. Maybe both. “The food is nearly gone as well. A few houses have survived – including yours, Aerneth. I hope you do not mind that we gathered what we could find.”

“Of course not. And I have seen swan ships out in the bay – carrying my adar’s and King Gil-galad’s banners. Hopefully they can help.”

In the afternoon, the two swan ships arrived. Aerneth’s father jumped ashore first of all, hardly even waiting for the vessel to be moored. Thranduil had never seen him that agitated before. 

“My daughter! Where is she?”

“Ada!” She hurried to meet him, falling around his neck. “The sons of Fëanor attacked us. They burned the city down!”

“I know, we saw. As soon as we realized you were under attack we set sail, but alas! The winds were against us.”

“Queen Elwing had hidden the Silmaril here and they came for it.” Galadriel gave Thranduil a frosty look as if to say she had neither forgotten, nor forgiven that he had known about it and not told her.

“Do you know what happened to her?” asked Aerneth. “She went into the water and I asked Uinen to rescue her. Then I saw a bird flying west with the Silmaril, and I think that was her! Did she bring it to the Valar?”

“I saw it too,” he replied. “It was Lord Ulmo who transformed her, and he guided her to her husband. They are on their way to Aman now, and with such a ship as Vingilot and such a brilliant gem as the Silmaril to guide them, I think they will succeed where others have not.”

Aerneth smiled. “I hope you are right.”

“I am. Do you not recall Ulmo’s words? ‘A new star shall arise’ and save us. It must be Eärendil with the Silmaril in his ship! You are all welcome to stay with us on the Isle of Balar in the meantime.” Círdan indicated the smoking ruins of the city. “This will take time to rebuild.”

“We cannot,” said Galadriel. “The fire has taken out nearly all our stores. We would starve on the island, and so will you when you no longer can rely on Haven for your needs of food and firewood.” 

“Well, there is always fish…”

“But no lembas, no vegetables, no cured meat. Where would we get that?”

“She is right; I think we must leave the coast,” said Aerneth seriously. “I have thought about it all night. Before, I believed the Havens would not fall – that perhaps Lord Ulmo’s prophecy about the star that would save us meant this shore was safe. But I was wrong.”

“Have faith, daughter. Eärendil and the Valar will help us.”

“I don’t doubt they will, but it is not safe to linger here,” she exclaimed. “Don’t you recall what Ossë said? The whole continent will be covered by the sea before the end. He saw it!” In a calmer voice she continued: “Everything they foresaw that time has come to pass. Nargothrond fell, Doriath fell, Gondolin fell… and now the Havens, too.”

“Aye, I think Beleriand will sink into the ocean eventually, but the children of Ilúvatar shall be saved. Eärendil will return with an army of Valar and Maiar.”

“How can you be so sure he will succeed?” asked Galadriel.

He smiled. “I just know. Maybe it is foresight, maybe a fool’s hope – but everything will work out for the better.”

“Foresight…” She looked thoughtful. “Let me check my mirror.”

oOo

Círdan’s and Gil-galad’s people began to tend to the wounded and help build temporary shelters with spare sailcloth, and meanwhile Aerneth and Thranduil followed Galadriel some yards away. She needed a calm place to work her magic and not too many around her. 

“My silver bowl is gone,” she lamented as she procured an earthen one and filled it. Then she sang her water spell.

Thranduil took a step backwards. He did not want to look in the mirror himself; the one and only time he did had been terrifying enough. With a shudder he recalled how he had both foreseen Túrin’s death and his own father’s that time.

Did that mean his father had not made it safely to Ossiriand?

But in the vision he had fought orcs, and there could not be an orc army that far east; the steep Andram hills cut through Beleriand like a wall, and the only safe passages through were here in the western part of the continent. Unless the orcs had learned to use boats and sailed down the Gelion they would not be able to attack Ossiriand.

Galadriel looked long into the misty swirls. “I see orcs on their way here from the north,” she mumbled, voice toneless. “They pour down the plains, cut the trees, kill the animals… Warg riders flank them, and…” She recoiled visibly. “Balrogs. Morgoth has released his fire demons. Now I see them swarming all over what is left of our colony, searching for something. I see no people there. Perhaps we left already.”

Her words sent an ominous chill through Thranduil. Orcs, wargs and balrogs. Were they the orcs that would kill Oropher?

”Let me see.” Aerneth took over the bowl. ”I see orcs too, but in this vision they are near the Falas where I used to live. I see a fleet of ships arriving – a huge one! It carries warriors but I cannot see who they are, I am too far away. Like I am a seabird, circling over them… They land the ships. Now there is a battle, they have attacked the orcs. The picture changes… it is all white, misty… the sky. I see something huge and black flying there. An eagle? The image changes again. Only water. Water, water, water, everywhere…”

She backed away. “I think I saw Beleriand sinking.”

“We should return to the others, see what they can make of this,” Galadriel decided. Her face had turned ashen and droplets of sweat covered her forehead, either from the effort of keeping the mirror open, or from fear.

Gathering the people around them, Galadriel and Aerneth described their visions as best as they could.

“Perhaps the light from the Silmaril is drawing the orcs hither,” Círdan mused. “It shone like a beacon in the sky when Elwing flew away with it.”

“Sounds plausible,” Galadriel agreed with another sour look at Thranduil. As if that too was his fault. “But what should we do?”

“We could build more ships and sail north to meet the fleet at the Falas.”

Gil-galad spoke for the first time. “We cannot take that risk, Círdan. Building ships takes a long time, and first we would need to fetch timber. What if the enemy is already near?”

“Then you would leave it to Eärendil and the Valar to fight Morgoth?”

“Much as it pains me, but aye, I would. You do as you will, but as high king I must look for what is best for my people. We have to move them somewhere safe.” He turned his head towards the eastern mountains. “If there will be a flood we ought to seek higher ground.”

Círdan looked thoughtful. “Maybe you are right, and it is time to leave this shore. I lingered here because of a vision I had a very long time ago. I knew it was my task to make ships, but in particular one ship… Vingilot, the one I helped Eärendil build. My work is finished now.”

Thranduil had listened in silence, now he got an idea. “Then we should first travel to Ossiriand. My friend Galion said it is a bountiful, fertile land, and from there it is not far to the mountains. A good place to replenish our stores. And in addition, my adar lives there now – maybe he can help.” As he spoke, another thought struck him, giving him a pang of remorse. “Had Oropher and those who went with him stayed here, we would have been so much stronger. We could have driven Fëanor’s people away. We should not have quarreled and become sundered.” 

“I agree both about the plan and your conclusion,” said Gil-galad.

“I agree too, Ossiriand is our only option.” Not surprisingly Aerneth both looked and sounded unhappy when she said that. 

Her complaisance made Thranduil relieved; for once she was not making a fuss about something Oropher-related.

“I do not like this,” muttered Galadriel, but made no other objections. 

“I shall return to the island and inform the rest of the people,” said Círdan. “We will bring back all the provisions we can carry.”

oOo

Once again they would leave their home and become refugees. Be uprooted. Some took it hard, walking around the familiar places with tears in their eyes, saying goodbye to their memories. Others, like Thranduil, were too weary to be sad. Ever since the attack on the city he had felt strangely numb, just working with the tasks at hand – mainly packing goods on sleds and making stretchers for the wounded to be carried on.

Right now he was gathering his own belongings. Miraculously, Aerneth’s and his house was one of the few that was still standing, probably because it was located at the outskirts of the town near the palisade.

They could not bring much. A change of clothes, some kitchen equipment, his swords, blankets for those who had lost everything. 

When he picked up his spare tunic, a scatter of sparkling quartz crystals gleamed up at him from the bottom of the chest. He had bought them for Aerneth in what felt like a lifetime ago. “Stars” for the dark cave ceiling in Doriath, and later a necklace and earrings of the same material. 

Next to them was a rolled up parchment. He unfolded it, revealing the lifelike sea painting that had been a wedding gift from Falasiel, Aerneth’s mother. The harbor seal, the rock it lay on, the tiny waves that almost looked like they moved – and behind them the horizon, with the distant shore of Valinor as an uneven line.

Falasiel was perhaps reborn there now, as well as his own mother. Were they friends? Comforting each other in their exile? There was no way to know.

Maybe if Elwing and Eärendil returned, he could ask them.

Suddenly the emotions Thranduil had kept locked away the past days caught him squarely in the chest. He had lost so many already, yet now there were more names added to his long list, and even if some of them had been reborn in Valinor there were several who most certainly had not. 

Túrin. Lúthien and Beren. Tuor. Eluréd and Elurín. 

Elros and Elrond.

Why had he befriended so many men and half-elven? And why had he become attached to Elwing’s boys despite his firm resolution not to?

Stifling his tears, he swept up the white gems and the painting and put them in his pack. Then he left the house without looking back.

oOo

They were ready to leave and only waited for Círdan and Gil-galad to return from the Isle, when they were abruptly awakened by Galadriel and Celeborn who were on guard duty.

“Torches!” she whispered.

Soon everybody was up, regarding the terrifying sight in the north. A myriad of tiny gleaming points, like stars. 

“They are already coming,” said Celeborn needlessly. “We have to leave at once.”

“Poor Ada!” Aerneth mumbled, despair in her voice.

“Maybe he can sail to the Falas like he first wanted,” said Galadriel soothingly. “Greet the fleet you saw.”

Walking fast, nearly running, they left their temporary shelter. They would not likely be discovered; orcs had nowhere near as good eyesight as elves, but it would be a close call.

They crossed the river at the shallow ford and steered towards the vast forest Taur-im-Duinath east of Sirion, hurrying to cover under its eaves. 

“We made it.” Galadriel wiped her forehead. “The worst is over now.”

They continued at a slightly slower tempo, remaining in the shelter of the trees. Though the orcs were far away, Fëanor’s sons may have spies out. Few as they were, and with several wounded at that, they could not withstand an attack.

The sun rose, spilling soft spring light over the miserable travelers. The trees became full of singing birds and the air rich with flower scent. It felt bittersweet to hurry through such beautiful scenery, treading on a carpet of wood anemones and golden mallos bells while wondering whether everything soon would be ruined by orc filth or burned down by balrog whips.

In the afternoon, Aerneth urgently filled her bowl with water. “Ada tries to contact me.”

Círdan’s face appeared and when he saw her he looked relieved. “You managed to flee the orcs?”

“We did. Thank the Valar Galadriel spotted them in the night.”

“They are all over the colony now, searching and jeering. We can see them from the ships.”

“What will you do? Sail to the Falas?”

“Nay, Gil-galad and I discussed it and we will follow you – by ship.” He explained that he meant to find where the river Gelion reached the sea, and sail up it until they reached Ossiriand.

“But those are uncharted waters. What if the route is blocked, or the river too shallow, or…”

“We have to try. Ossë will protect me,” said Círdan confidently.

After his call, Aerneth became brooding and withdrawn, hardly speaking two words during their short breaks. Thranduil wished he could comfort her but did not know what to say.

Instead he trudged on in silence, pulling the heavy sled he was appointed, his mind full of his own worries. He was thankful to have managed to escape the orcs of course, but the closer they got to their destination, the more conflicted feelings he had about it. He longed to be reunited with his father, but feared it too. Oropher’s parting words rang in his mind: I have no son.  

They walked through most of the night, only daring to rest a few hours, and waking up to continue before sunrise. In the second evening, however, Galadriel decided they could risk a longer break and a good night’s sleep. They needed to regain their strength to be able to continue, especially the wounded ones; already they had lost one with such grave burns he passed away the first morning.

Aerneth and Thranduil huddled close together under their cloaks, cowering against the cool dampness. The ground was marshier here and a thick mist was rising. A good cover, but it also made the night chilly.

“Ada’s plan is a suicide mission,” she mumbled after a while, using that distorted voice people have when they try not to burst out in tears.

He stiffened; her words reminded him of his mother’s drowning. He forced himself to relax and hug her. “You heard him; Ossë is his friend and will help him.” 

“I still worry.”

“I understand that.”

“And another thing… So much has happened these days, and I’ve worked hard, and not allowed myself to think. But now…” She drew a ragged breath. “Now I feel like I have blood on my hands. I can see with my mind's eye how they go under the surface, and I hold them there… they struggle, and wave their arms and feet, but I don’t release them. I drown them. I see it happen over and over, and when I sleep I see it again.”

Thranduil had no soothing words to say about that. ‘It will pass’? But it would not. He could still vividly remember every elf he had killed.

“Also, I…” Her voice trailed off. “Never mind.”

Thranduil strongly suspected she had meant to say there was a third reason for her bleak mood: Oropher. It would be strange if she did not apprehend the upcoming meeting just like he did.

He was both guilty and grateful that he did not have to have that conversation with her.

Aerneth’s silence lasted for two more days, then Thranduil noticed her walking arm in arm with Galadriel, talking about the beauty of the trees here and lamenting the day when this proud forest – possibly as old as the world itself – would one day sink into the sea and perish. Apparently Galadriel had buried the hatchet and forgiven her for getting back together with Thranduil. 

Perhaps that was for the better. With so few elves left in Middle-earth, being enemies was stupid. One needed all the friends one could get.

Thinking of friends gave him a fresh stab at the recollection of Taurandir’s unseeing corpse by the palisade. Of his childhood friends, only Amroth and Medlin remained now. Hopefully he would meet them soon in Ossiriand, and Galion too, his new friend with his love of growing grapes. 

It would be nice, he told himself, being back among them and having a chance to repair things with his father.

He tried not to think too much about the knot of anxiety in his chest cautioning him it might not be that easy.

Notes:

The next chapter it is time for the reunion Thranduil fears. I was at first planning to include it in this chapter but it became too long – which means you hopefully won’t have to wait for it as long as this. :)

Many thanks for your patience and support. Your comments are so encouraging!

Chapter 38: Oath

Summary:

Thranduil is reunited with his father and must make an impossible choice that will have dire and lifelong consequences.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Oath

The journey continued. They saw no trace of Fëanor’s sons, no orcs, no dangerous animals in the forest. The injured elves slowly got better until most could walk themselves and that made the others’ burden lighter.

During the days, Thranduil walked alone and in silence, trying to repress his growing anxiety over the upcoming reunion with his father. Aerneth went in Galadriel’s company, seemingly in a good mood, chatty and otherwise normal, but during the nights when she lay in Thranduil’s arms she often cried silently. He held her, hoping just being there was enough. He did not know what else to do. He knew from experience there was no way to ever get over the trauma of killing someone. Not completely.

One night, she crawled unusually close, slipping a hand under his tunic to rest it on his chest. “I need you,” she breathed against his neck. “I want to think of something else.”

He understood what she asked for and glanced around uncomfortably. The camp was small and there were people everywhere. “We cannot; not here. But as soon as we–”

“I want you now.” She slowly moved her hand lower.

He swallowed thickly, lust blossoming within him almost painfully. It had been a long time since they slept together and he was just an ellon, after all. He was not hard to persuade.

It became the strangest, most gentle lovemaking they ever shared, and completely silent. They were fully clothed; she only nudged his pants down an inch and pulled her dress up, wrapping a leg around his hips to take him in. He slid his finger over her outer parts as they rocked back and forth at an excruciatingly slow pace, freezing at the smallest sound from the vicinity, kissing with their tongues intertwining in half-open mouths to minimize sounds.

Normally, going that slow would have made it take ages until either of them reached completion. Thranduil enjoyed doing it hard and fast, pushing deep, making Aerneth writhe and gasp and seeing her become unraveled before him, and he knew she preferred it that way as well. But that night it was perfect. Sweet and tender, intimate in a way they both needed. 

After abstaining for so long, Thranduil’s climax became both powerful and prolonged, flowing through him in languid waves.

The next morning Galadriel gave them rather strange looks, and with a mingle of embarrassment and amusement, Thranduil realized others must have either heard or guessed what they did despite their precautions. Either way, Aerneth and he did not repeat the act again that journey.

oOo

When they were about halfway to Ossiriand, the lack of food became a growing problem. In the attack of the colony the stores had burned down, and when the approaching orcs made Círdan and Gil-galad unable to return the refugees had also lost the promised supplies from the island. As a consequence they had only been able to bring very little to eat.

They did not dare lose a day hunting or foraging for vegetables, so instead they rationed what they had, hoping it would last until they reached their destination. But with increasing hunger they became weak and their pace slowed.

When they at last reached the river Gelion that marked the border to Ossiriand, all food was gone. They risked a break to dig up cattail roots, devouring them ravenously, like savages.

“Where to now?” asked Galadriel. “I see no trace of any elvish realm.”

“I suggest we go north,” said her husband. “There is supposed to be an old dwarf road that leads up to the Blue Mountains. Seeking higher ground, like we said.” He nodded at the unbroken, jagged line in the distance.

“My adar and Amdír likely went south,” Thranduil objected. “Galion always said it was the most beautiful part of Ossiriand, and it was also there Lúthien and Beren lived.”

Most of the group voted for Thranduil’s suggestion. They just wanted a place to stay for a while where they could eat and rest. The mountains would have to wait.

They continued south along the river. Gelion was wide and very deep, which boded well for Círdan and Gil-galad’s plan to sail up it. 

Soon they began to spot occasional traces of elvish activity; a small boat hidden in the reeds, an empty hunting cabin. The path looked to be more than a mere animal track and grew steadily wider. They were getting closer.

When two scouts in green clothes dropped from a tree and landed in front of them, nobody was startled or surprised. On the contrary, they were hugely relieved. Finally their starvation would come to an end.

“Halt, and state your… wait. Tharan?” 

“Amroth!” Thranduil jostled past the others, his throat tight with emotions. 

Before he could give his friend his normal polite bow – he had never been comfortable with showing affection openly – Amroth had grabbed hold of him and pulled him into a hard hug. “Valar, it is good to see you!”

When he released him, Amroth seemed to take in the state of them all; their weary, harrowed faces, sooty clothes, bandaged limbs. His smile waned. “What happened?”

Thranduil briefly filled him in, describing the attack by Fëanor’s sons; Elwing and Eärendil’s mission; the orc army on its way. Galadriel added details about the visions they had seen in the mirror. 

As they spoke, Amroth grew increasingly dismayed and aghast. “This is horrible news. And very strange, too. We have never been bothered by the sons of Fëanor, but if they have become so aggressive, you were very lucky to escape them just now – only a short way north of here is their border. Their realm reaches from Amon Ereb all the way to the river Brilthor.”

Thranduil shuddered. That had been a close call. If they had done what Celeborn wanted…

“You see, when we first arrived here, Maedhros and his brothers reached out to us and wanted to apologize for what they did in Doriath. And naturally we were first not interested in that at all! I mean, all those murders, and the lost children…” His face became hard. “But then Oropher and my adar talked to them and they came to an understanding. As compensation for their crimes, they were to divide the land and allot this part to us. They also helped convince the Laegrim to swear allegiance to us and accept our rule.” He scratched his head. “Since then, our relations have been a bit frosty, but we do trade with them and exchange news occasionally. Perhaps the Silmarils and their oath to retrieve them have twisted their judgment?”

“But how did they know the Silmaril was in Haven? We did not even know ourselves – at least not the majority of us.” Galadriel gave Thranduil another of her formidable glares.

“Lucky guess?”

She shook her head. “Maedhros knew. He and his brothers delivered a letter addressed to Elwing and Eärendil with an order to give up the Silmaril, and brought their full strength with them, ready to attack if we did not comply.” Her eyes suddenly narrowed suspiciously. “I have not thought about it before, but it is strange how they knew so much about us. Even the names of our ruler and her husband… How? Did your people tell them?” 

“Of course not; we didn’t know you had the Silmaril. I was certain it had become lost after Doriath.”

Thranduil felt a growing apprehension. Oropher had known. But surely he would not…? 

But then he remembered “There were spies,” he exclaimed, relief filling him. “I heard the border guards found tracks in the snow shortly after we arrived in Haven. We suspected the reason why the Fëanorians released all the hostages after they destroyed Doriath was so they could find out where they were heading. They tracked us all the way.”

“Aye, I recall that,” said Aerneth.

“It is still strange they knew so much,” said Galadriel.

Celeborn broke in. “The people are hungry and tired. Perhaps we can discuss this later?”

“Of course.” Amroth smiled. “Come with us. We have food aplenty.”

As he led them towards the realm, Thranduil fell into step with him, feeling oddly ambivalent about their friendship now that the first relief to see him alive and well was subsiding. Amroth had followed Amdír and Oropher and abandoned Haven. 

But on the other hand, he supposed he himself could be said to have similarly abandoned his friends – not to mention his father – by staying behind…

He sighed. If there was something he had learned from this, it was that a divided people was a truly bad thing. There was strength in numbers. He must try to forget the past and renew the friendship with Amroth, and the same went for his father.

“So, how is everyone?” he asked lightly. “You look good.”

He grinned. “And you look terrible.” Then he recounted names of shared acquaintances, including their old friend Medlin, filling in the news about who had married whom, and what everyone was working with. It seemed the realm was prosperous, affording both the bare necessities and exotic luxury items bought from far away. Apart from trading with Fëanor’s sons they also traded with a tribe of dwarves.

Thranduil clenched his jaw when he heard that. “Dwarves? Really?”

“I know,” said Amroth apologetically. “Your adar is quick to forgive old grievances, it would appear… at least when there is profit in it. And since he is our king, nobody questions his decisions.”

“Not Amdír either?”

He made a wry face. “He is only a councilor now. The original plan was for them to rule a conclave each like they did in Havens in the beginning, but somehow Oropher convinced him this was better. Unity, and all that. And in addition, the Laegrim who already lived here voted for Oropher because he had handled Fëanor’s sons so well. Prior to our arrival they regularly demanded tributes from them.”

Thranduil nodded slowly. He was not surprised; his father was an expert at getting his way.

They had reached Oropher’s realm now. A beautiful stone bridge spanned the Gelion between the tributaries Duilwen and Adorant, and at the other side there was a massive palisade. Beyond the palisade a carpet of fields and gardens extended all the way to the Blue Mountains, bordered by a river on either side. Thranduil saw several settlements, made up of houses on poles, and in some cases platforms built around the trunks of huge trees.

“I see you took after my idea to build platform houses,” said Celeborn, sounding pleased.

“Aye, it was my adar’s suggestion,” said Amroth. “There are spring floods every year. And the talans, as we call the structures around the trees, are great watchtowers. We saw you coming since you rounded the forest, though we didn’t know who you were.”

They crossed the bridge and passed through an avenue of blossoming fruit trees, curiously looking around the first village. It certainly seemed just as wealthy as Amoth had described. The houses were well built and the streets between them paved with flat stones.

Now people were coming out of the houses. It struck Thranduil that they looked as rich and prosperous as the town. Many wore jewels and ornate silver belt buckles and the fabric of their clothes was expensive and well cut. He saw more silk, cotton, and patterned damask than he had in his entire life before.

Some of them approached the newcomers and began to talk to old friends and acquaintances they had not seen for over a decade, others seemed more cautious. They had become a divided people all those years ago, separated by a quarrel over who should be their ruler, and not everyone was willing to forget the disagreement. 

Galion came up to Thranduil, and at least he seemed earnestly glad to see him. “You have to see my vineyard,” he exclaimed.

A Laegrim ellon stepped forward. “The king has sent me to bring your leader to him.”

They looked at each other; without Elwing or Gil-galad they did not have one.

After some discussion it was decided Thranduil, Aerneth, Galadriel and Celeborn should go. After Elwing left, it had been they who made most of the decisions. 

They were brought to the tallest tree in the area, a massive oak that looked to be as old as Beleriand. A spiral stairway of light birchwood led up to a talan far above.

They began to ascend, and with each step Thranduil’s trepidation grew. He did not look forward to this meeting.

When they came out on the smooth floor, they found an elegant house in its center. Lanterns hung from the branches above, and the platform had walls of woven screens sheltering from the wind.

Amdír was waiting for them together with a couple of guards. They wore full chainmail and steel helmets! Their armor must be worth a fortune.

“How do you like our palace?” Amdír asked proudly. 

“Beautiful,” said Celeborn, sounding awed. “And the view is astonishing!”

It was. Thranduil saw the Blue Mountains clearly from up here, and to the north the many tributaries to Gelion were spaced out in a series of dark lines. To the south he saw the blue band of the sea, and to the west the dark expanse of the Taur-im-Duinath, the forest they had followed from Haven.

“The king will see you now,” said Amdír after they had duly admired his design. “Meanwhile I will go down and organize a meal for you. You look starving.”

Pulse picking up speed, Thranduil entered the single, large room of the central house, where Oropher sat in an ornate chair on a raised dais. 

The sight of his father filled Thranduil with a chaotic jumble of feelings. Gladness, affection, longing… Fear.

A silver crown rested on Oropher’s blond head, one that Thranduil recognized well. It was studded with pearls symbolizing snowdrops and catkins – King Thingol’s spring crown. 

It could not be Thingol’s actual crown, for that had been inherited by Dior and lost when Fëanor’s sons attacked.

Or, could it? Could Oropher have bought it back from the sons of Fëanor?

By now, Thranduil would not be surprised by anything his father did.

He stepped forward, hiding his emotions and putting on a neutral face. “I am glad to see you well, Adar.”

Oropher did not show even the slightest hint of recognition. “Do not call me that,” he said coldly, his voice impassive. “I have no son.”

Thranduil had anticipated a welcome like this; he had been prepared it would take a great deal of groveling before he was back in his father’s good graces, yet it stung. A lot.

He bowed. “My lord, I am afraid we have come in dire need of your aid. The sons of Fëanor attacked Haven and burned it to the ground.”

“Fëanor’s sons? That was unexpected. Had you angered them, somehow? They have shown us the uttermost friendliness and respect since we came here. Maedhros had a bad conscience over what they did in Doriath and much of this was gifts from him.” He indicated the room and his crown with a sweeping motion of his hand. Thranduil noticed he wore several costly rings.

“They came for the Silmaril.” 

“You had a Silmaril? That explains it.”

“Don’t pretend you didn’t know,” Aerneth piped in. “Thranduil said you…” Her voice trailed off, then she began again, speaking in a slow, disbelieving voice: “Only Thranduil and you knew we had it.” She pointed at him with a trembling finger. “It was you! You told Maedhros where it was! In exchange for all this wealth, you offered them the Silmaril!”

Oropher rose so quickly the chair wobbled, pink spots blooming on his cheeks. “How dare you!” he growled. “You have the nerve to make such dreadful, groundless accusations to the king himself. How dare you!”

Aerneth flinched at his rage but did not budge. 

Galadriel took her arm in a supportive gesture. “It actually makes sense,” she said calmly.

“Aye, it must have been you,” said Aerneth shakily.

“You… you vixen!” he sputtered, looming over her.

Thranduil had to stop this. He did not think his father was behind it; he would not have put his son in such danger. Oropher could be cruel, but not that cruel.

“Please, Aerneth, now is not the time.” He gave her an entreating look.

In the corner of his eye he saw Celeborn similarly beg his wife to back down.

To his relief the ellith silenced after directing furious glares at their husbands.

He turned back to Oropher. “Forgive us. You must understand we are weary and distressed after losing our home. We did not mean to offend you.”

Oropher had looked on the verge to strike Aerneth down, now he seemed to compose himself marginally and sat back on the throne. 

“We need your help, my lord,” Thranduil continued. “The people are starving.”

“My help?” His tone was arrogant. “Well, it is not like we cannot afford to give alms to beggars, but do we want to? After you drove us out over such a ridiculous matter as how I chose to raise a child in my care!” He shook his head in disgust. “Nay. Go back to your colony. You are not welcome here.”

Thranduil swallowed a hard lump in his throat. This was going exactly as disastrously as he had dreaded. “We cannot, my lord. Even if we wanted to rebuild Haven there are orcs everywhere along the coast now.”

“Too bad. For you. You should have left that place and come with me when you had the chance.”

“Are you driving us away?” asked Galadriel incredulously.

“Tit for tat, the way I see it.”

“You… you monster!” Galadriel hissed, eyes flashing. “Fine! Sit in your fancy treehouse and wait for the orcs and balrogs to ruin your farms and the sea to rise. Do you believe you will have any use of all your trinkets and finery when this tree stands at the bottom of the ocean?”

Oropher’s eyes narrowed. “What is this unhinged elleth talking about, Thranduil?” 

Before he could reply, Galadriel told him in a disdainful voice about the visions in her mirror and Círdan’s firm belief Eärendil would succeed in rallying the Valar to come and defeat Morgoth once and for all. “We do not want to stay here anyway,” she concluded. “We are heading to the mountains.”

He laughed nastily. “And you presume to go there, how? The only way up is through my friend Maedhros' realm.”

She shut her mouth, clenching her fists in frustration.

Thranduil’s head spun; he had to say something soothing, try to placate his father, but did not know how. 

Surely Oropher was not actually going to turn them out to starve? He must be bluffing.

“By ship,” Aerneth exclaimed triumphantly. “My adar and High King Gil-galad will soon be here.”

Oropher shifted his icy stare to Thranduil. “Is that true?”

He nodded.

“Hm.” A thoughtful expression crossed his features. Then he gave a cruel smile. “If you think I will let his ship pass for nothing, you can think again. This is my land. My river. And we are heavily armed if anyone tries to trespass.”

A shocked silence ensued.

“I am tired of you now. Guards! Escort these three out.” He pointed at Thranduil. “You stay.”

The guards came and steered them out against their protests, until only Thranduil and Oropher remained. 

Thranduil steeled himself. It was probably now he would be obliged to abase himself, and let his father yell at him and scold him at length over what a disloyal and bad son he was, until he deemed Thranduil had shown enough remorse to be graciously pardoned.

Oropher observed him for a long time over steepled hands. 

His piercing glare turned Thranduil’s mouth dry. He hated that his father still had that power over him, with just one look from his cold, gray eyes. But he bore it without betraying any emotion.

At last Oropher sighed. “How do you even look? Half your hair is gone. How ridiculous.”

Thranduil’s hands flew to his head before he could stop them. He had forgotten that the fire had scalded him. The burns had healed now but his hair was still partly stubble.

“What do you want me to do in order for you to help us?” he asked, deciding to get to the point. “My lord,” he added.

“Ascertain unity,” he replied, a sly expression appearing in his face. “If that elleth indeed saw the continent become full of Morgoth’s evil creatures before sinking, then we need to be one people. Your people are dependent on me to survive, and Gil-galad to pass through.” He leaned forward. “Make them swear fealty to me. If they bend the knee and accept me as the true king of the Sindar and Laegrim, then we have a deal. Then I shall help you all I can and we can create a new realm beyond the mountains.”

“I don’t think I can…” Dismayed, Thranduil tried to explain: “It is true that we need to become united, but Galadriel is a Noldo and will never let a Sinda rule over her.”

“You would allow the pride of one elleth to doom us all? Pathetic. I thought you had more influence than that by now. But you were always weak, I suppose.”

Thranduil silently thought that most of all it was Oropher’s pride and ambitions that stood in the way. His father had been humiliated when he was forced to step down as advisor to Elwing and it was evident he would not forget that in a hurry.

Amroth had said Oropher was quick to forget, but Thranduil suspected that had been a pretense – in all likelihood he still hated Fëanor’s sons and the dwarves as passionately as before, and only used them to build his wealth. But when it came to Thranduil and the other refugees, Oropher had nothing to win to forgive and forget.

For the first time, Thranduil’s certainty that his father would not turn them out to starve was beginning to waver. Looking at the cold, stern face before him now, he suddenly became afraid. Afraid for his people. For himself. Even if they managed to gather food somehow, there were orcs on the way, possibly already on their tracks, and if they went north Maedhros would be quick to finish what he began.

“How will it be?” urged Oropher. “I do not have all day.”

“I beg you, my lord, do not let your anger with me be the death of a whole people.” He braced himself, and slowly dropped to his knees on the hard talan floor, meeting his father’s icy eyes. “I am sorry for everything I did. For not speaking up against those who turned you out. For staying, when I ought to have stood at your side and come with you. I am truly sorry. I will do anything in my power to make things right between us again.”

What he said was partly true. In retrospect he was sorry that he had been a part of the division. But he could not regret remaining with Aerneth. The past years had been the best of their marriage. If he had chosen Oropher over her yet another time he would have lost her for good.

“Look at you,” said Oropher scornfully. “Pathetic. Crawling at my feet like a worm. Rather than persuading your friends to accept me as king you would humiliate yourself like this! But you always let your feelings run away with you. Getting married at a whim, to the first elleth who batted her eyes at you. Taking the party of a spoiled brat like Elwing. Giving over to a stubborn elleth like Galadriel. It is thanks to you and your soft heart – and your tendency to give ellith power over you! – that our people became divided. Everyone who died in the attack did so because of you. ” His voice was dripping with venom. “You could have hindered it; if I had stayed I am certain I would have handled Maedhros equally well as I do now.”

Thranduil began to shake, his throat growing painfully tight. He had thought similar things. His father was right, in a way; Thranduil could probably have done more.

“Please,” he said unsteadily. “Don’t do this. You don’t want our blood upon your hands!”

“I do not?” He raised an eyebrow. “Try me. Now go, and don’t return without a promise from your people they will swear loyalty.”

oOo

With a heavy heart, Thranduil walked down the many stairs and rejoined the others waiting below. They had gathered around a table laden with food and drink, courtesy of Amdír. At least Amroth’s father had remained sane and not turned cruel and power-hungry.

Thranduil curtly told them of his father’s ultimatum. 

Unsurprisingly, the ensuing discussion became heated.

“Are you mad? How can you suggest we do what he says?” asked Aerneth angrily. “He sold us to Fëanor’s sons and you want us to bow to him?” 

“We have no other choice.”

“I doubt everyone in this place will do Oropher’s bidding if it means a death sentence to their kin,” said Galadriel. “We still have some friends here. If we wait until King Gil-galad and Círdan arrive, we will be strong enough to beat his soldiers and break through. And then we sail up Gelion until we are past Maedhros’ realm.”

“Nay.” Aerneth vividly shook her head. “Not another kinslaying! We mustn’t fight other elves ever again.”

“Besides, there is no time to wait,” Celeborn added. “The food is gone. We will starve to death before the ships get here.”

“Anything is better than starving,” Thranduil agreed, eyeing the food longingly. He did not want to eat until this was resolved.

More discussions followed, everyone growing increasingly frustrated. They were caught between a rock and a hard place.

At last Galadriel muttered: “I will do it. I will swear loyalty – temporarily. But as soon as we reach safety, that ends.”

Reluctantly the rest of them agreed to do the same. 

Hugely relieved, Thranduil returned to his father.

“That was fast,” said Oropher. 

“We are desperate and you know it.”

“Hm.” He bore his eyes into Thranduil. “I can see that there is more. A catch. Tell me!”

“There is no catch,” he lied.

Oropher’s hand moved so quickly the hard slap took him by surprise. With a shocked gasp, Thranduil cradled his burning cheek. 

“They will rebel, will they not? And you are still on their side against me. Traitor!”

Thranduil’s cheek felt raw and swollen. He almost absentmindedly pulled part of his hair to cover it. It had been very long since the last time he needed to hide such bruises.

Oropher was silent too, thrumming his fingers against the chair while he thought. 

Then his face suddenly changed, as if he was actually seeing Thranduil for the first time. His eyes softened and he reached out a hand imploringly. “What have I done?” he mumbled. “I am sorry. I am sorry I hit you. But you know what my temperament is like. I cannot always control it…”

His behavior gave Thranduil a nauseating flashback to his childhood. He would look exactly like that after giving him a particularly harsh punishment. Sad, regretful… and Thranduil would lie with a throbbing, aching body, trying to check his tears as his father murmured apologies and sweet words.

“I know you must think I am a horrible person. Proud and unforgiving.”

Thranduil did not reply. You are, he thought.

“And you are right,” said Oropher as if he had heard. “I am proud. I too had a part in dividing our people… I said it was only your fault but that was not true. It was mine also.” He sighed wistfully.

Thranduil was not sure he was hearing right.

“Your wife and Galadriel believe I sold you out to Maedhros. But Fëanor’s sons are clever. They know everything that happens in this region. They have had scouts out for years, monitoring you, us, the humans in the northern lands. They likely knew everything about your colony, and Elwing, and Eärendil – and the Silmaril. Perhaps one of them put the necklace on? Just once would have been enough if a scout happened to see.”

Thranduil thought about the traces they had found. There had been spies from Fëanor’s sons at least once, and it would be naïve to think they had never been back. But had Elwing really been so careless as to wear the Silmaril?

He recalled how she had looked when the letter came. How she had chosen death over giving it up – abandoning her own children.

It could be true. It was a plausible explanation.

Oropher left the throne and took Thranduil’s hands in his. They felt warm. Thranduil felt tired. He could not think clearly.

“Thranduil, listen to me. Look at me! Do you really think I would direct the sons of Fëanor to the city where my son lives, and risk his life to enrich myself?”

My son.

He shook his head.

“That is a relief.” Oropher squeezed his hands. “I need you to believe in me. To be loyal. A loyal son.”

Son.

“You were never cut out to be a leader; you tend to let your softness blind you and hinder you from getting things done.” He wore a kind, sad smile. “I, on the other hand, am a strategist and a politician. I turned this poor Laegrim colony into the prosperous realm you have seen today. I am a good king; your people just do not know it yet. And that is why I need my son to support me and to work for my cause. I need you to swear an oath to do so.”

Thranduil straightened, a growing chill slowly trickling down his spine. 

An oath. That was what this display of uncharacteristic kindness was about… of course it was because Oropher wanted something from him. 

“You would be a link between me and the people. Your wife listens to you, and Galadriel to her, and the people listen to Galadriel. If you swear an oath – with Eru the One as witness – to always be loyal to me then this could actually work. If they complain about something you have to do, you can blame the oath. Just like Maedhros and his brothers.”

His gaze wavered. He could not bind himself to Oropher like that. Just talking about oaths so soon after the kinslaying… no. No he did not want to do it.

Oropher cupped the cheek he had slapped, stroking it gently. “I am not suggesting this only as a tactic to avoid rebellion and strife among the people… Being a king is… lonely. I have missed you. I have missed my son.”

Tears were pooling in Thranduil’s eyes. He tried and failed to hold them back.

Oropher was his father. He should be loyal to him. 

But an oath…

He felt so tired. Weak… yes, he was weak. Yes, he tended to let his softness and feelings blind him – his love towards his father was a good example. 

And in the end, did he have a choice? If he did not do what Oropher wanted, he might still kick them out. There was no knowing how he would react.

Suddenly Thranduil just wanted to be let out of here. Out of his father’s demanding presence and the strain of standing before him. 

To eat his fill and go to bed. 

“I swear,” he said tonelessly. “In the name of Eru Ilúvatar, I swear to be loyal to you until death.”

When he said the words it felt like a snare coiled itself around his neck. A leash. 

Or chains.

oOo

The refugees filed forward to bow to Oropher and kneel in recognition of their allegiance. Galadriel and Aerneth went last of all, with only the briefest bend of their knees. By the look of it, Galadriel had never been forced to do something so humiliating before, and the glare she gave Oropher before she returned was teeming with hatred.

Afterwards, Oropher was all smiles and politeness now that he had gotten his way. He lamented their wretched state and promised those who had lost everything in the fire that they would get new clothes and anything else they needed. 

And there would be a great feast the next day so they could celebrate their newfound unity.

“But enough of this,” he said kindly. “You must be weary. Guest rooms have been arranged for you where you will stay until we can arrange more permanent accommodations.”

The guest rooms were situated in a house not far from the palace, but Thranduil and Aerneth were invited to stay in Oropher’s personal home.

She looked baffled. “I thought he didn’t even recognize you as his son,” she whispered.

Thranduil did not meet her eyes. “He must have changed his mind.”

“I don’t want to live with him. I still don’t trust he didn’t betray us.”

“He is our king now. We have to do what he says.”

Her mouth became a thin line. “I hate it.”

Thranduil’s oath tugged at him. “We must make the best of the situation. Adar will treat us well now. We will not lack anything under his roof.”

“We will lack freedom.” But thankfully she did not make any more objections.

Oropher lived in a talan connected to the palace by a hanging bridge that swayed as they set their feet on it. Eyes drawn to the sheer drop below, Thranduil felt nauseous. It would take a long time to get used to this.

He squeezed the rope railing tightly when he walked across as quickly as he could. 

A maid met them, a young Laegrim elleth, who showed them to an airy room with a large bed and bid them to freshen up before dinner. Then they were served a delicious meal with splendid wine – from Galion’s vineyard, apparently. Oropher did not even drink wine but had brought it for Thranduil’s sake. 

Thranduil ate ravenously until he was so full his stomach hurt.

While they ate, Oropher asked more about the visions, and the orcs they had seen, and where they believed it would be safe to go if the world was flooded. Thranduil did all the talking; Aerneth was eating and drinking in sullen silence, refusing to look at her father-in-law.

She excused herself very soon with a low: “I am tired. May I go?”

“You may,” said Oropher, frowning.

When they were alone his frown deepened. “Make her behave better next time.”

Thranduil could only nod. He had promised. “I will try.”

Back in their room, he went over to Aerneth, wrapping his arms around her. “I am sorry it must be this way,” he mumbled. 

She clung to him. “I hope Ada comes real soon. He will free us from this tyrant.”

“Nay… don’t… don’t think that way. We must have unity. We cannot afford more conflicts. I need you to try to accept this situation. And… not to show your anger with Adar so openly.”

She eased herself out of his arms so she could look at him in surprise. “Are you siding with him?”

He evaded her gaze by looking out the window. The room had an astonishing view over the Blue Mountains. “I bent the knee. I don’t want to be disloyal.”

“Disloyal? He is cruel and heartless and threatened to send us out to the orcs to starve, for the Valars’ sake! It wouldn’t be disloyal to break a promise to someone like him.”

“It would for me.”

“What? Why? What is wrong with you?” 

When he did not reply, she turned his face towards her, holding it between her hands so he would be forced to meet her eyes. “Are you really going to defend that ellon, Oropherion?”

He winced. He hated when she called him that.

“What are you hiding?” she asked, suddenly looking suspicious. “Don’t lie.”

Perhaps it was just as well to get it over with and confess. He could not hide it in the long run; sooner or later Oropher would tell her. 

“I swore an oath before Eru to be loyal to Adar until death.”

She let go of his face like it had scalded her, flinching at the mention of the holy name. “You did what?” she whispered.

“I swore an–”

“Have you completely lost your mind? An oath before the One? An oath? You know what damage such an oath can do, yet you… I can’t believe it. I can absolutely not believe it!”

“But it is true.” He hung his head. 

“For fuck’s sake, Oropherion! To be loyal until death? Death ? That might never happen! He might never die! Then you are stuck with him forever. Forced to obey him and side with him even when he does cruel things and bad things – and you know he will! He has no conscience. He was prepared to kill us all. To kill you, his own son! Yet you– That is… sick!”

“Please, keep your voice down or he will hear and come in…” He tried to sound calm, tried not to let the sting of her hard words get to him. But it was not easy. For, he had told himself the same things ever since he swore the oath.

Her mouth snapped shut and she turned her back on him. Her whole frame was shaking. 

It grew uncomfortably silent. Her words rang in his head. Oropherion. Might never die. Forced to obey.

“Did you ever consider asking me first?” she said in a low, cold voice. “Your wife, if you recall.”

He did not reply. It had not crossed his mind to ask her but even if it had, he would have no other choice. He would have condemned her to death if he refused.

She faced him again, her eyes hard as flint, but with tears pouring from them. “Well then. It is over. You made your choice and decided to be loyal to that ellon; once again you chose him over me. Then I shall swear also.”

“Don’t…!” He feebly stretched out a hand as if he could stop her from continuing, but it was too late, she had already begun, speaking in a clear, determined voice.

“I hereby swear that I will never live under Oropher’s roof, in this life or the next. For as long as you remain his obedient pawn I will not be your wife. This I swear before Manwë and Varda, and Eru Ilúvatar himself!” She wriggled off her wedding ring, throwing it at the floor. “Farewell, Oropherion.”

And she stormed out.

oOo

He stared at the golden band, the coiled golden snake. I can pretend mine is an eel, she had said when they bought the rings a century ago.

He picked it up.

There was a short knock and Oropher entered. “Where did your wife go? And what were you arguing about?”

“Your plan has failed,” he said tonelessly, too drained emotionally to wrap it in. “She moved out and is not coming back. I suppose I won’t have as much influence over her after all.”

“What?” 

He held out the ring on his palm. “She is no longer my wife.”

“Absurd! That is not how this works at all! Elves marry for life and she cannot refuse you. Bring her back and let me talk some sense into her!”

“She swore an oath. She won’t come back. Ever.” He felt surprisingly calm when he said it. Or perhaps numb.

Oropher was working himself into a rage again; Thranduil saw the signs. His rapid breathing, blood flushing his face, a pulse throbbing in his forehead.

“And you let her? You were supposed to be loyal to me! You swore!”

“I had no time. She was fast.”

Strong hands grabbed his shoulders, shaking him roughly. Thranduil let it happen. Maybe this time his father would kill him.

The prospect felt like a blessing. A way out.

Oropher was yelling things at him but Thranduil no longer listened. Slaps and punches rained over him, and he was pushed into furniture.

He did not feel anything.

It stopped. Oropher collected himself, calmed down. Stroked Thranduil’s shoulders and hair soothingly. “I am sorry. I did not mean too…”

Thranduil stopped listening again.

He had sworn an oath to a monster. 

oOo

He was alone. Everything hurt; it always did, afterwards. Some strange defense mechanism in his body protected him while it happened but not for long. 

He lay on the floor, unmoving. He was shaking but could not say whether it was from pain, heartache, or fear.

He had sworn an oath to a monster.

Slowly rising, he surveyed his body like after battle. A fractured rib, possibly two. A swollen ankle but probably not broken. Bruises everywhere. A cut lip. 

Something gleamed on the floor. He had dropped Aerneth’s ring; now he picked it up again, twisting it and stroking the tiny snake’s head. The ring fit on his little finger. 

A monster a monster.

He lay on his bed, pulled the blanket over his head. He wanted to cry but no tears came.

I will not be your wife.

He turned his face against the wall, clenching his fist and pressing it against his mouth to hold back a wail of anguish. What had he done? 

What had he done?

He had sworn an oath to a monster.

Notes:

People like Oropher exist. Ambitious, manipulative, willing to do anything to get their way. Lacking a conscience. They tend to be either in jail, or very successful CEO:s…

Chapter 39: Thieves in the Night

Summary:

The refugees from Haven try to flee Oropher’s iron rule, but leaving is not as effortless as Aerneth thought, and they must also pass the realm of Fëanor’s sons unnoticed.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Thieves in the Night

The River Gelion, First Age 538

Aerneth shivered with a mix of cold and anxiety. The river was still and dark; her father would probably not contact her for another two hours at least, but it had been impossible to sleep. She might as well come early than toss and turn in her bed. 

A silent ellon stood motionless a few yards ahead, a dark shape outlined against the lanterns of the sleeping city. Amroth had his back turned, making sure he would not see anything of what would happen that night. That way he would not need to lie to his king.

Thank the Valar for him! Without him on their side the plan would have no chance to succeed.

More waiting followed. Aerneth tried to clear her mind, to not think about what lay ahead. To just be. She opened her senses, feeling the breeze on her cold cheeks, and the sounds of night creatures. Inhaling the earthy smell of autumn leaves on the river bank.

A shadow loosened itself from the direction of the city. Galadriel, coming to help guard the path to the pier. Silent as a lynx she squatted by the river.

New shivers ran down Aerneth’s spine. She desperately hoped the precaution would be needless; that there would be no one to guard against. Memories of the elves she killed in Haven was still plaguing her. She often woke up at night with vivid images of them drowning, with their panicked faces etched on her retinas.

Dreams she had to tackle alone, now, with no comforting arms wrapped around her.

Though surrounded by people, Aerneth had never felt lonelier than the past summer. Living with Thranduil in Haven for so many years had glued them together more than she had realized, and losing him had left a vast, aching emptiness in her. 

Her anger had subsided as soon as she had time to calm down. Thranduil had sworn the oath to his father out of necessity. She did not blame him, could not blame him. Oropher was the guilty party. 

She wondered if Thranduil felt the same grief as she did. The same loss. Or if he resented her for abandoning him.

She resented it, at least in part. Her own oath had been rash, spoken in a heated spur of the moment. Yet, she could not have stayed, either. She could not survive living under Oropher’s roof without an ally, and with her husband sworn to obey his every whim he was no longer a such.

There had simply been no good option.

She had not seen Thranduil much after she left; he kept close to his father and Aerneth kept as far away from that ellon as possible.

There was a nudge in her mind and she swiftly dispelled the thoughts of her former husband. Instead she whispered the spell to open the connection and Círdan’s face appeared in the river.

“Soon there,” he said in a low voice. “We can see the lights from the tree houses.”

“We are ready.” 

She waved her hand to Galadriel, who passed the signal on to Celeborn and the others by the pier. There was movement; people uncovering the crates and bags of food and other supplies that had been gathered during summer.

Almost everyone from Haven was there. Ready to leave Oropher’s harsh, unwelcome rule.

Contrary to his sweet talk of uniting the peoples he had seemed to do his best to set the newcomers apart and treat them in the worst possible way without outright throwing them out. Perhaps as a punishment to Aerneth for leaving his son, or perhaps he always meant to do it. He provided the Haven refugees with only the bare necessities of food and housing, and discouraged the Laegrim and his other followers to mingle with them or give them anything. They had obeyed for the most part. Only a handful, with Amroth among them, had gone against the king's orders.

Despite Oropher’s cruelty, Aerneth hated the thought of sneaking away like thieves at night. Of leaving without even saying goodbye.

Of leaving Thranduil in the claws of his monster father.

She had urged Galadriel – and Gil-galad via her water connection – to stay with the original plan. To allow Oropher and the Laegrim to sail with them to the mountains and be saved from the upcoming disaster. She did not think it right to leave them to their doom. Besides, having Oropher with them on the ships would make passing through the realm of Fëanor’s sons easier and safer. 

But her opinion had been firmly downvoted. Oropher’s people could follow on foot; he had a deal with Maedhros and would be let through his lands. They were not abandoning anyone, only giving themselves a head start. For, Galadriel did not trust Oropher to let them go. He had broken his word repeatedly since they swore obedience to him – why would this time be any different? He might attack Círdan’s ships, or at least delay them; maybe even go so far as to force Gil-galad to abdicate and make himself High King of both the Noldor and the Sindar. 

Leaving in secret was the safest option. When Oropher and his people joined them later they would already have established the new colony and would be ones to set the rules. There would be no hassle that they ceased to call him king.

Aerneth knew Galadriel was right, but still felt bad about it. Here they were, hiding in the shadows, about to steal supplies meant for the whole realm and run away like criminals. Punishing innocent people for the misdeeds of their king.

But it was what it was. She had no say in this.

A shadow blocked the weak moonlight and her heartbeat quickened. Sails. Círdan had arrived, at last.

More movement commenced, and faint noises. The creaking of wood boards, sails snapping in the breeze, the thumps of feet carrying heavy burdens on board, whispering voices. Every sound made Aerneth wince. Anytime now someone might hear, and decide to come down to the river, and then Galadriel and she would have to…

But hopefully nobody would come.

Hopefully everyone slept soundly.

She was staring so intently at Amroth’s back she might bore holes in it. Waiting in case he alerted them of an approaching elf.

Still nothing. They might make it. They might actually make it!

Then she froze where she sat. His hand. Amroth raised it, innocently scratching behind his ear. The signal.

“Good evening.”

Numbing dread pooled in Aerneth’s stomach when she heard the familiar voice. No, no, no! Why must it be him, of all people?

“Evening, Tharan. Cannot sleep?”

“Nay. But that is nothing unusual.”

“Well, there are still many hours until sunrise. Perhaps lie back and rest a while longer? Walking around like this cannot be helpful.”

“Did you hear something just now?”

“I hear fallen leaves rustle in the wind, and a while ago the hoot of a wood owl. No orcs, if that’s why you ask. Everything is safe. You should get back to bed.”

Aerneth had stopped breathing. Amroth was doing his best to divert Thranduil without outright lying to him. Would it work?

But of course she was not that fortunate.

“What is that?” Thranduil pointed in the direction of the pier, peering through the darkness with narrowed eyes. 

She should do something. Had to do something. It was just…

“What are you waiting for?” Galadriel hissed.

Aerneth pressed her teeth together to stop them from clattering. She must do it. There was no other choice. 

She sang the spell. 

Thranduil yelped when a cascade of water sloshed over him, dragging him headfirst into the river. His brief exclamation was abruptly cut off.

Galadriel caught his flailing limbs so Aerneth could tie them together with the rope they had prepared. Galadriel then dragged him back ashore and pressed a long knife against his neck. “Make a sound and you will regret it.”

Thranduil lay panting and sputtering, but otherwise silent. The plan had worked impeccably; overthrowing him had taken only seconds and been almost completely soundless.

Aerneth felt his gaze on her in the weak light. She could not resist returning it, meeting his eyes and expecting to see accusation and rage in them.

There was none. Only deep sadness.

Then he must have understood why she was doing this, and what was happening. That she was leaving. 

“You can step aside,” she breathed to Galadriel. “He will not expose us.”

Galadriel slowly and reluctantly withdrew the blade. She clearly did not trust Thranduil to keep his mouth shut, but Aerneth knew he would. He had promised loyalty to his father, not disloyalty to his former wife.

She allowed herself to scrutinize his face, committing it to memory. Holding back her tears as she did so.

There was a bruise on his brow. Had she caused that just now? But no, it was older. Fading. 

Oropher then. Back to his old, violent ways.

Aerneth was going to leave Thranduil to continue being used as a punching bag by his father, and to make the dangerous journey to the mountains on foot. It would take days – maybe even weeks – and what if the orcs and warg riders cut them off? There had been no sight of them during the summer, but they would come eventually, now that there were no elves left in southern or western Beleriand to hold them back.

The longing to release Thranduil from the bonds and take him with her was a sharp spear tearing a ragged hole in her heart. For she could not. Even if Círdan let him onboard the ship, he had sworn to stay with his father until death, and she had sworn not to be his wife for as long as he did.

Galadriel touched her shoulder. “It is time. They are ready to sail.”

Aerneth gave Thranduil one last look. “Farewell,” she breathed. “And… sorry. We will wait for the rest of you in the mountains. You will be alright.” She was trying to convince herself as much as him that it was true.

“Hurry!” Galadriel snapped, tugging on her. 

Stifling her dismay, Aerneth obeyed. She turned her back on Thranduil and hastened over to the waiting ships.

oOo

The swanships were crammed full of goods and people. There were only three; originally Círdan had brought four from the Isle of Balar but had been obliged to leave the largest one halfway up the Gelion where it became too shallow. That considered, it was perhaps for the better they were not taking Oropher’s people as well.

Aerneth silently greeted her father as she went aboard his ship. Not much later the anchor was raised and they took off.

They sailed in silence all night and all through the next day, leaving Oropher’s realm far behind. Círdan stood in the prow of the first ship, peering intently into the dark river, anxious to spot hidden cliffs and shoals. Ossë had helped him navigate the uncharted waters south of Haven and find the mouth of Gelion, but here in the freshwater of the river he had to manage without aid.

Aerneth trusted her father’s ability to steer. She was more concerned with Amon Ereb, Maedhros’ realm, that became visible the next evening beyond the western shore. A scatter of lights indicated the hill was not far away from the river. What if there were sentries?

They waited until nightfall to pass, lighting no lanterns, and with a western wind filling the sails there was thankfully no need to use the oars. But their journey was not completely silent; the ships were heavily ladened and grated and groaned as they moved, and despite the darkness, an elvish sentry would see them if he or she were looking in the right direction.

With each yard, Aerneth’s worry increased. She gripped the railing with clammy fingers, staring at the passing shore. She could not fight Fëanor’s sons again; the mere thought made her queasy. But if worse came to worst, she must.

Time dragged. The ships slid forward with occasional creaks. The river murmured. Aerneth’s breath was a roar in her ears.

She repeated a mental mantra, willing it to have effect. Don’t look here don’t look here don’t look here…

Another yard. And another. 

Slowly, oh so slowly.

Then at last they were through. The lights of Amon Ereb became fainter and fainter, disappearing in the distance.

Aerneth could still not relax, not yet, there could be dangers lurking in the underbrush. Who knew how far north the sons’ realm reached? The sun was rising behind an overcast sky, and though the light was weak it increased the danger of exposure manifold.

More waiting. Her heart kept beating quickly and she had a hard time to hide the involuntary trembles running through her.

A tributary approached; Thalos if Círdan’s map was correct. Gelion became wide and shallow where the streams joined and would have been impassable in a drier season, but now they managed to cross just barely. Aerneth’s heart stuttered when the hull scraped against a rock with a grating noise. Did someone hear?

There was no movement in the west. She forced her fingers to ease their grip on the railing.

It took hours until she finally started to breathe calmer. It actually seemed they had made it. Some luck after all the misfortunes lately.

Around her, people began to talk in subdued voices, some even catching a bit of sleep. The worst was over.

In the evening Círdan spotted a second tributary ahead, the Ascar. Here they must stop sailing; large boulders littered the riverbed with planks connecting them. A natural ford made easier to cross by unknown hands.

At the other side of the ford the dwarf road began according to the maps; the only known passage into Eriador, the land east of Beleriand where the elves once awoke. They would now need to dismantle the ships and carry everything as far up the hill as possible, and build a temporary colony in the mountains to hopefully survive the foreseen flooding of their homeland.

They had just lowered the sails when they saw an unwelcome sight. People. A large group gathering in the arrow-shaped land between the river and its tributary.

Aerneth filled with new anxiety. Who were they? Friends or foes?

She noticed huts and tiny cabins behind them, simple structures made of sticks and branches. They must live here, and judging by their simple clothes and housing, they were not Fëanor’s people. Nor were they dwarves.

Then she realized it: men. They were humans!

The relief made her nearly stagger. A group of humans could not harm three shiploads of elves.

When they went ashore, the humans came to meet them with smiles on their scruffy faces. They turned out to be nice, friendly folks, relatives of the Halathrim, the Men of Haleth in Brethil. Most of them had lived in the forest Nan Elmoth near Doriath until recently, but with the increasing number of orc raids in the area they had been forced to leave their homes. The rest were goldpanners who had made a living of searching the river for treasure to trade to the Fëanorians.

Puzzled, Gil-galad asked them to elaborate on that. What kind of treasure could be found here?

“Oh, lots of things,” said their leader. He wore a thick bracelet and several gleaming rings. “Gems, coins, cups, jewelry. They say there was a battle here long ago and everyone was killed, losing their wealth to the river. We find their bones too, occasionally.”

“The Battle of Sarn Athrad,” said Galadriel grimly. “This must be where the dwarves who sacked Doriath were caught by Beren. I was told he only retrieved the Silmaril necklace and left the rest.”

Aerneth looked at the man’s fingers with a sinking feeling. One of his rings was achingly familiar with its snake shape.

Thranduil’s wedding ring, stolen from him by the dwarves that time. 

She recalled how she had thrown her own off in an act of childish temper, and guilt nearly stifled her. Neither of them had a wedding ring now; it was truly over between them.

oOo

When the humans were told about the prophecy and upcoming war, they asked if they could follow the elves into the mountains and build a joint colony. Gil-galad promptly accepted; there was strength in numbers even if these people were not warriors, and they needed all hands they could get to transport the supplies there.

Círdan looked sad when they began to take the swanships apart. His proud, beautiful handiwork would be reduced to planks and sailcloth and turned into simple shelters. 

“Do not mourn the ships,” said Gil-galad soothingly. “These lands may disappear but there will always be a coast to fill with ships. We just have to survive the troubled times ahead, then we start over.”

Círdan smiled at his friend. “You are right, of course. I have built several havens already; I can do it again.”

Aerneth examined the goods as it was unloaded, relieved to find many sacks of corn among the supplies Círdan had brought from the Isle of Balar. With the burning of the Havens, there had been nothing left to sow and that would have meant the end of lembas. Now they could grow corn in the mountains and multiply it, and then Galadriel could resume her baking. Perhaps Aerneth too, if needed, though she had to admit her friend was the better baker of them. There was a spell involved in the process which was why lembas was so much more filling and longer lasting than ordinary bread, and Aerneth could not compete with the magic of an elf who had seen the Two Trees in Aman.

Círdan dragged out a chest from under one of the sacks, giving Aerneth a sheepish look. “I could not resist salvaging this even though we lacked storage space.”

She curiously watched as he opened it. “Naneth’s paintings!” she exclaimed, surprised he had kept them. He had never seemed interested in her art. “And… my lembas?” She picked up a package wrapped in old leaves, so frail they nearly disintegrated at her touch, but the lembas within still looked fresh. But then, lembas never went bad, that was part of the magic. 

“I made it in Eglarest, didn’t I? I didn’t know you saved some.”

“Just as a small memory… of happier times.”

Aerneth turned the package over in her hands, overcome by emotion. She thought of her childhood and of her mother, feeling a dull ache at the loss. Would she ever cease thinking of her?

Then she saw herself with Thranduil in the Eglarest bakery, making love against a floury workbench… walking along the beach, swimming and playing. Admiring Falasiel’s clay figurines and sea paintings. 

Those memories hurt more. The loss of him was still fresh.

Círdan put his arm around her. “We will get those good times back. As Gil-galad said, once this is over we begin anew. And if not, we will be reunited in Aman.”

She leaned against him, eyes stinging with tears brought on by the affection he showed, rare as it was. He had always seemed to care more about the sea than his family, but perhaps her mother and she meant more to him than she had known. 

“May I take some of this?” She indicated the chest, suddenly wanting keepsakes of her own.

“Of course.”

She put a painting and some of the lembas in her pack, and added a third item: a wooden swan feather that had decorated Círdan’s ship. To remember him by if they were ever separated again; the upcoming disaster made that more likely than ever.

If only she had something from her husband too. She sadly looked at her bare finger. Why had she thrown away the wedding ring?

Wedding ring… Now she had an idea. 

oOo

The journey up the mountains took several days. The road was narrow and appeared to have been long out of use, and the terrain was steep. Several of the humans were either very old or very young, and could not walk fast. 

When the motley company reached the summit, the view of Beleriand unfolding below was both stunning and tragic. Far in the west the sea was as blue and beautiful as ever, and in the south the vast forests still painted the landscape a healthy green, but further north the lands were scarred. Of Doriath only tree stumps remained and the plains beyond were littered with tiny amber pinpoints. Fires? Balrogs? Or worse… dragons? At this distance it was impossible to tell.

The humans were impressed with elvish eyesight; for their part they could hardly even see as far as the river fork where they had lived.

Aerneth paid only brief attention to the western view, her eyes were drawn southeast to where she had been living that summer. To Oropher’s realm. Were his people on their way now? Would they survive the journey? 

There were so many risks. Fëanor’s sons could attack them, or orcs, warg riders and balrogs from the coast. Morgoth could release dragons like in earlier wars, or the sea could rise like in Ossë’s – and her own – vision and drown them.

Would she ever see Thranduil again?

Though they were no longer husband and wife in any sense that mattered, her heart still yearned for him. Even if she could not be with him she wanted to know he was safe. 

While the rest of them waited, Gil-galad sent scouts in several directions to find the most suitable place, and finally they settled on a flattened area in front of a sheer cliff. The slight overhang would protect them from the strong winds up there.

Now a lot of hard work commenced and they all joined in; building huts and storages, digging a well, gathering firewood. With the helping hands of the humans it took less than a week to finish a colony of sorts, albeit simple, with shelter for everyone.

After a couple of weeks Aerneth approached Celebrimbor, High King Gil-galad’s chief smith and councilor, at the new smithy he was establishing. He would be obliged to work with lesser metals for a while, forging pots, pans and maybe even weapons instead of jewelry, but she would ask him for one last thing. 

“I bought this gold cup from one of the treasure hunters. Could you use it to create a locket on a chain for me?” She described what it should look like. “Keep the gold that is over.”

He seemed glad for the opportunity. “It would be my pleasure.”

He worked fast and had it ready for her in just a day, and she was very pleased when she brought it to her simple home. The locket was beautiful, engraved with a pattern of starfish and waves to remind her of the sea. From a hiding place under her pillow she then took out the object she meant to keep in it, that she had also bought from the goldpanners – paying for both with the lembas she baked so many years ago and which the humans found exceedingly valuable. One package would last the goldpanner and his family probably half a year or more.

It was Thranduil’s wedding ring.

Fitting, in a way, to use the lembas she baked in Eglarest to buy back a memory of the marriage that had begun in that same city.

She put the ring in the locket, closed it, and arranged the chain around her neck. The pendant felt cool where it rested between her breasts. Close to her heart.

Notes:

The following chapters will be all about the final war of the First Age. The first part is mostly finished because I initially meant to combine it with this one, but it grew too long. I’ll edit it and post it soon, probably next weekend.

Thanks to anyone who still reads! I'd be super grateful for a comment to let me know you are there. :)

Chapter 40: War of Wrath

Summary:

The great war against Morgoth begins and Aerneth tries to do her part from the colony in the mountains. Thranduil faces his own problems; when the Dark Lord releases his most deadly weapon nobody is safe.

Notes:

Chapter warning: graphic injuries

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

War of Wrath

Ered Luin (the Blue Mountains), First Age 545

Uinen’s beautiful features were distorted with agony in Aerneth’s water bowl. “I soon cannot help you any longer; evil is everywhere,” she whispered. “The enemy knows the resistance is gone and has opened his gates to let everything out. Orcs as countless as grains of sand in a river bed; and…” She shivered. 

“Dragons?” Aerneth was afraid to hear the answer.

“Nay, but nearly bad enough. Balrogs. They terrify me. And the misdeeds of the orcs, too… They have chased the humans out of Brethil and whenever they catch one they… play with them. Torture them until they die. Women, children… no one is safe.”

“We have seen it too. Survivors come here every day. Their wounds are… sickening.”

“They throw the mutilated corpses into my rivers. I cannot stand it.” Uninen shivered again, taking off her coral circlet and twirling it in her hands. “I have withdrawn my presence from Beleriand. From the tainted waters… I can only give you tidings from the coast now.”

“What about the Gelion? Have they reached it yet?”

“They had not when I left it just now. But I will not stay to see them ruin that last river also. I just cannot.”

Aerneth slowly exhaled, feeling slightly less tense. “I understand. Thank you for this, at least. Any sight of Eärendil’s ship?”

“I am afraid not.”

“He will return. I trust what I saw in Galadriel’s mirror.”

When she left her house, Aerneth’s eyes were drawn to the road where another group of refugees slowly made their way up to the colony. She stopped, observing them breathlessly until they were close enough that she could pick out individual faces. 

Women. Children. Bearded men.

No elves.

Aerneth could not stop watching the road; waiting, hoping to see familiar faces as Oropher’s people finally rejoined them. Every day the past seven years she had looked. Every day she became hopeful only to be disappointed when there were only humans.

Pushing down the usual tangled web of guilt and worry over leaving her husband behind, she continued to the high king with her tidings. What was the point in wondering where Thranduil was and why he had not come? She had no way of knowing why. All she could do was continue waiting.

Gil-galad lived in the largest house of the colony, a timber palace with a grass roof, woven of corn straw. On the way there, Aerneth passed a field where rows of green sprouts were poking up. 

They grew corn on both sides of the mountain with good help from their human allies. Despite the altitude, the mountains had turned out to be fertile. The climate was dry on the western slopes and rainy on the eastern ones, but they had diverted a part of the Ascar river to irrigate the western fields and thus both plantations yielded bountiful harvests that Galadriel turned into stacks of finest lembas.  

The council was gathered in the palace’s main room; Celebrimbor, Círdan, Celeborn and Galadriel, waiting for Uinen’s tidings. Aerneth briefly filled them in, though there was not much they could do with the information. At least the enemy was still keeping to western and central Beleriand. They were still safe here.

“I hate to just sit idle.” Galadriel curled her hand into a fist. “Who knows how much longer it will take for Eärendil to return? We ought to strike back.”

“I agree,” said Celebrimbor. “If only we were not lacking metals… I wish I could have forged more weapons and armor.”

“We would still be too few,” said Gil-galad firmly. “Be patient.”

“What shall we do when the enemy comes this far?” Círdan cut in. “Our colony is not hard to spot. We are an easy target. I think we ought to continue east, to Eriador, the lands of my youth.”

“And be flooded there instead?” Gil-galad retorted.

The room grew silent as they pondered their situation for probably the hundredth time. If they had a way to know that only the lands to the west would be flooded, moving east would perhaps be the safest option, but they did not. The visions in Galadriel’s mirror had never shown the fate of the rest of Middle-earth.

“Maybe we could fortify ourselves,” said Celeborn after a long while. “The cliff behind the colony has many cracks and hollows. We could widen them and dig tunnels to hide in.”

“Too dangerous,” Galadriel disagreed. “If enemies decide to block the tunnels we would starve.”

“Not if we make several exits and hide them. I think it could work. Tunnels are easier to defend than open land.”

“I second your idea,” said Gil-galad. “Take what workers you need and start on a small scale. Once you know whether the rock is safe to excavate, you can expand. Hopefully we will not need the precaution but better safe than sorry.”

oOo

The little girl wailed in her mother’s arms when Aerneth unwrapped the blood soaked bandage, revealing the stump that was all that remained of the baby’s arm. Someone had wound it tightly to stop the bleeding. 

Aerneth’s stomach churned with powerless rage. She had become used to seeing nasty orc bites in various states of inflammation, but this was such a small, innocent child. The one who did this was a sick monster. 

Swallowing down the anger, assuming a serene mask on her features that she had learned would calm her patients, she began to gently wash the stump with an antiseptic herbal tea, made of Athelas and yarrow. The baby’s wails turned into a tired moan; she was so weak from blood loss she had not even the energy left to cry.

Lately, Aerneth had become chief healer of the colony. Though most elves knew a bit of healing, only Galadriel and Aerneth had trained under Melian the Maia, and in that, at least, Aerneth did better than her friend. Galadriel had fought in several battles and taking lives made healing harder. Instead she baked lembas and guarded the premises with her husband and other warriors.

Aerneth had killed people too – though not as many – and her training had been centuries ago in Doriath, so she was certainly no healer expert. But it was better than nothing. She knew the basic cures and potions, and a spell to close wounds. 

At first it had been nearly too much. The sheer evil of the orcs’ deeds had overwhelmed her, and empathy with the patients’ suffering made it hard to do what she had to – for, many cures briefly increased the pain. But somehow she managed, doggedly continuing until at last she became used to it. She found a way to disconnect her feelings and just do it.

Nowadays she often found that despite having to see gruesome wounds on a daily basis she actually enjoyed the task. It made her feel needed and important, and took away part of her loneliness. When she was busy in the healing hut there was no time to endlessly worry about her former husband.

It was time to seal the baby’s wound. Aerneth spoke in a soothing voice while she worked, telling the woman what she was doing and why. “I am now using a salve to stop the festering and take away some of the pain. Next I shall sing a few words, it is a healing spell created by Estë the Vala. It will close the injury before I remove the bonds. It was well thought of you to bind your daughter’s arm like that but it is dangerous to leave it on much longer.”

The mother had not said anything the whole time and did not open her mouth now either. The look in her eyes was dull and her face closed off in a way that reminded Aerneth of Thranduil. It was the face of one who had witnessed such horrors she had to repress her emotions or she might lose her mind.

Aerneth had seen many such faces lately. Sometimes in her own mirror, too.

She sang the spell, watching the uneven mess of muscle and severed tissue slowly grow over with a thin layer of new skin, red and fragile. When it was covered completely she unwound the severed arm. No bleeding, thankfully. It had worked. Humans were less resilient and harder to heal than elves and sometimes the spells had little or no effect on them, but not this time. The baby would be scarred and marked for life, but at least she would have a life.

There was a gentle nudge in Aerneth’s mind; someone reaching out to her. Her heart skipped a beat in the vain hope it was Thranduil, though it did not feel like him. It was unlikely he would want to contact her after everything anyway, even if he was still alive, but hope had a tendency to linger.

She left the baby to be bandaged by a woman working alongside her in the healing hut, who had been her village’s midwife before she fled. She could not do spells but was capable at nearly everything else which was a blessing. Aerneth was only one person, after all, and there were often several patients needing treatment at once.

It was not Thranduil who called, of course. Instead Uinen’s beautiful face appeared in the bowl, smiling triumphantly. 

“They are here!”

Aerneth’s heart jumped again, but with excitement now. “Eärendil returned?”

“Not him, but the ones he went to fetch. The Host of the Valar has come and Morgoth’s spawn flees before them! At last!”

“The Valar themselves? That is wonderful news!”

“Aye, Oromë and Tulkas, and countless elves. The Maia Eönwë is leading the host.”

“It sounds amazing. I wish I could have been there to see it.”

“There is a spell I can use to borrow the eyes of a seagull. I can show you everything it sees. Do you want me to?”

“Of course! But wait… I should tell the high king. I am sure he wants to see that too.”

Aerneth hurried over to the palace with the news and soon the council was gathered. Because they were so many, Galadriel suggested they use her new mirror instead of the small bowl. The mirror was a round, stone paved pool she had dug beside a creek and walled in the surrounding area to create a rocky garden. She used it often, trying to catch more glimpses of the future, but so far it had only shown the same visions as before.

Now Aerneth used it to summon Uinen again.

“Greetings, Lady Uinen.” Gil-galad bowed deep, visibly stunned at the sight of her. Not many elves of Beleriand had seen a Maia face to face.

She returned the greeting, then her face disappeared and they heard her sing a complicated spell. With each verse a picture materialized, hazy first, but gradually more clear.

With a pang of longing, Aerneth recognized the Falas unfolding below her, and the sad ruins of the once beautiful cities of Eglarest and Brithombar. Her homeland. The bird whose eyes they used was languidly circling the hill where she had grown lembas corn.

The mouth of the Nenning river was crowded with ships, large ones, much bigger than Círdan’s, and both onboard them and on the shore were elves, tiny like ants from a bird point of view. It appeared they were rebuilding the lookout tower in Eglarest.

Further inland she noticed more elves, walking in wide, ordered rows along the old road to Nargothrond. Their armor reflected the sun and made them sparkle like a myriad of crystals.

There was no sight of orcs. The host must have either scared or driven them away. 

Círdan indicated the banners on the ships. “Are these Teleri? It is hard to see details at this height.”

“They are,” Uinen replied. “I talked to them when they arrived. They plan to fortify the Falas and wait there, for they refuse to fight together with the Noldor after what they did in Alqualondë. The only reason they are here is because the others needed the use of their ships.”

She was referring to the First Kinslaying, when Fëanor and his sons – and their followers – had killed Teleri elves for ships to sail from Aman to Beleriand. That had been shortly after Morgoth stole the three Silmarils. 

Aerneth regarded her Teleri relatives, feeling a certain connection despite having never met them. She had survived a kinslaying of her own now and could easily understand why they still resented the Noldor even after so long. Elves fighting elves was despicable.

“Can you get us nearer to the host?” asked Galadriel eagerly. She was leaning so close to the surface she almost fell in. She probably wondered if anyone she knew was there; she had friends and family in Aman and had been parted from them for over five centuries.

The bird obediently flew closer, circling the walking elves, gradually coming lower. 

The army was huge. Spreading out in all directions, with far more elves than was possible to count. Thousands, maybe tens of thousands had come.

“I have never seen so many warriors,” breathed Gil-galad, staring wide-eyed at the amazing sight. “I had no idea Aman was so populated.”

“Well, most who were killed on this continent must have been reborn there, and add to that all those who never left,” said Celeborn. “It appears Eärendil must have made an impression to summon so many; I would not be surprised if nearly everyone has come.”

“Even ellith,” Aerneth pointed out, having noticed several among the ellyn.

“I see Noldor and Vanyar banners – and there is even the King of the Valar’s,” said Cirdan in an awed voice. “Is he here?”

“Nay, Eönwë the Maia holds that banner,” said Uinen. “He carries Manwë’s own sword and leads the host in his stead.”

Two impressive figures went in the front troop with Eönwë, twice as tall as him, their faces vaguely elven but bursting with power. One rode a white horse with a pack of long-legged hounds in tow and the other ran effortlessly at his side. 

Gil-galad drew in a sharp breath. “Are that–”

“Oromë and Tulkas,” said Galadriel. “And his horse is Nahar. I met them in my youth.”

“I did too,” said Círdan.

“I see Adar,” Galadriel suddenly exclaimed, and now she really did fall into the pool in her eagerness.

“Finarfin leads the Noldor and Ingwion the Vanyar,” Uinen confirmed.

Galadriel distractedly wrung out water from the hem of her dress. “We should go there. Join them in battle.”

Celebrimbor agreed. “There is no honor in hiding.”

“We cannot,” said Gil-galad. “Scores of orcs and balrogs are between us and them; we are much too few and too weak to fight our way through. And even if we did… just look at them. They do not need us. A handful of poor, wing clipped refugees with neither proper armor, nor weapons.”

“That is not true.” But he sounded like deep down he knew it was.

“They seem to be using the Nargothrond road,” said Celeborn thoughtfully. “That will lead them over the Talath Dirnen heathlands, via the Crossing of Teiglin to the Pass of Sirion. On their way they are sure to be either killing the orcs that fester the plains and Doriath or drive them back to their holes in Angband in the north. If we monitor the progress of the host we will know when the lands are safe enough for us to join them.”

Galadriel brightened. “That is an excellent idea, husband.”

“I cannot help you watch them,” said Uinen. “This spell is hard to uphold for long, and I will not go with the host. The waters are tainted.”

“Then we use scouts,” said Galadriel firmly. “And our eyes. We will not sit idle and let others fight our war.”

Aerneth was silent. She was no warrior, and even if she wanted to join a battle again, she did not want to leave this place. She had told Thranduil she would wait for him and the others in the mountains and she would keep that promise. Even if she had to do it alone.

oOo

Ossiriand, First Age 545

Oropher shut the door to his study and locked it carefully, putting the key on its chain over his head. “Good news, son.”

Thranduil did not return his smile. He hated the object behind that door.

“An army has arrived from Valinor,” Oropher continued. “Thousands of elves led by Valar and Maiar. Did I not tell you it would be so? And you wanted to run to the mountains and beg Gil-galad to let us in with the tail behind our legs. Tsk tsk. You need to learn to trust your adar.”

His words caught Thranduil’s interest despite the questionable source of his information. “The Valar came?”

“Aye, aye, they did! Do pay attention. The host is walking towards Morgoth’s realm and wipes out every orc and balrog in its path. And talking of wiping out orcs; the ones that came south are all gone now. I did not see this myself but Maedhros tells me the arrival of the Aman army lured away the balrogs, and then the ents stepped forward and killed the remaining orcs and wargs. The tree-herders fear only fire.”

Thranduil thought of Doriath that had been cut down and burned to a wasteland. There had sadly been no ents there to protect it.

Not that it mattered; the lands would drown.

“Was Eärendil and Elwing on the ships?” he asked.

“How should I know? I told you many times I cannot see details in my visions.”

“How is the colony, then? Are they safe?” He braced himself for the expected reaction.

Oropher’s cheerful features immediately clouded over. “Will you ever cease nagging me about the colony? Who cares about a bunch of mutineers and thieves?”

“I do.”

“Well, stop it.”

“Are they safe?” he insisted.

“Aye, they are safe. Now be quiet and let me think. What should we do with this information? You must tell the people, of course; it will cheer them up. But should we expand to the west now that the Mouths of Sirion is freed? We could replenish our sea salt stores and bring back fish. I have not had a decent meal of fish for years; the freshwater ones are not nearly as tasty.”

Thranduil did not reply. How could Oropher think about food now? If the promised host had arrived from Valinor, then the other prophecies may be close to fulfillment. The lands would sink and the people’s worldly goods with them.

They had to leave.

But there was no use telling his father that; he had already tried to persuade him countless times. It would only lead to a quarrel, or even a beating if Oropher was in a bad mood. 

Originally, when Oropher discovered the Haven refugees had left, he had meant to follow them with all the speed they could muster, sending warriors ahead on horseback to overtake them and demand they return the stolen goods. But first he must send a speedy messenger north to ascertain free passage through the Fëanorians’ realm.

The messenger returned with a missive that was only for the king’s ears, after which Oropher suddenly became firmly convinced Ossiriand was perfectly safe and they need not hurry anywhere. 

When Thranduil confusedly asked how he was so sure about that, his reply was a bit vague. “Maedhros and Maglor have ways to know the orcs remain near the coast and show no sign of turning hither. Our realm is not threatened in any way. Let the traitors huddle in the mountains in poverty; we will stay here and continue our lives in comfort and abundance for as long as possible.”

After that, Oropher often disappeared into his study and stayed increasingly longer. He also got a lock installed. Each time he emerged, he shared news about what happened in the world, information he could not possibly know. He claimed he received letters from the Fëanorians – but how? There were no birds arriving, no riders.

Thranduil had a bad feeling about his father’s new, strange knowledge, and when he was finally let in on the secret his misgivings increased. That had been perhaps half a year afterwards, when unrest stirred in the realm; Amroth in particular was not happy with the decision to stay behind. 

“I need you to stifle this firmly and efficiently,” Oropher had said. “Convince your friend I know what I am doing and this is for the best.”

“How can I convince him when I am not convinced myself?” 

Oropher’s eyes narrowed. “Do not test me. You promised me loyalty.”

Thranduil changed tactics. “I am loyal. I just meant it is easier to persuade someone when you believe what you say, and in this case I don’t know enough. You say the orcs linger near the coast and that Maedhros somehow ‘saw’ this. How? How did he see it, and how did he tell you?”

Oropher was silent for a few moments, forehead creasing. Then he suddenly smiled. “I might as well show you. Come!” He unlocked the door and led Thranduil to his desk, where a silk cloth covered a round object. “Remember how that elleth you are married to can communicate through water? Fëanor once invented a similar way to talk over long distances.” He pulled off the cloth, revealing a dark globe with a swirling mist within. “This is a seeing-stone – a palantír. It tells me everything I need to know.”

His father proudly explained how Maedhros had trusted him with one of his father’s valuable stones and that they communicated through it regularly now. But that was not all the palantír could do, it was also possible to use it to see what was happening in the world, a skill Maedhros had mastered over the years and that Oropher was just beginning to learn. 

Thranduil stared at the item with an ominous feeling. He did not like the globe at all. It was made by Fëanor, the one who also created the Silmarils that had led to so much disaster, and whose oath was the reason his sons had destroyed Doriath and Haven.

Then a thought struck him: “Was that how Fëanor’s sons found out Elwing had a Silmaril?”

Oropher looked surprised briefly, but then he grinned widely. “Very likely! Good point.”

“Can you see the mountains with this?” Thranduil was becoming cautiously curious despite himself.

“Absolutely. I can see the whole of Beleriand; the coast, the mainlands, the mountains – even Morgoth’s realm. But no details. Maedhros has the master-stone which is more powerful.”

“Are they well?”

“Maedhros and Maglor? Of course, why wouldn’t they be?”

“I meant the people in the mountains. Gil-galad, Círdan… their followers.”

Oropher frowned. “There is a small town up there now, which I assume is theirs, but that is of no moment; those traitors may live or die, I do not care.”

In the years that had passed since he was first shown the palantír, Thranduil often asked about that mountain town, braving his father’s anger again and again. He could not stop worrying or caring about his wife and nothing Oropher said or did would change that. 

And now he did it again.

“You said the colony is safe, but can you find out what Gil-galad will do now that the Valar have come? Will he join their host?” He prayed the answer was no; he wanted Aerneth far away from battle.

“How many times must I tell you that I. Cannot. See. Details!”

“But Maedhros can. Ask him. Please.”

“I will do no such thing. If Maedhros is interested in their whereabouts he will let me know.”

Thranduil wanted to shake Oropher and force him to obey but of course that was impossible. His oath held him back.

He would just have to wait and see. 

But unfortunately, in this matter he was for once not patient. He could not wait.

oOo

Thanks to the palantír Oropher could follow the Host of the Valar’s journey from the Falas to the ruins of Nargothrond, crossing the Sirion at Teiglin, and continuing north. He described their advance to Thranduil, who in turn brought the news to the people. Calming them, easing their worries. Help had come to Beleriand at last! Morgoth would be defeated soon and then they would be free. Perhaps even able to return to Doriath and restore the forest.

When the lands sank – or if they did, for according to Oropher and Fëanor’s sons the prophecies may have been worst case scenarios that would not come to pass – they would have plenty of time to withdraw to the mountains.

Thranduil did not believe the latter part but was powerless to do anything about it. Perhaps it was his fate to drown like his mother. 

Everything went smoothly for the host until it reached the Pass of Sirion. Now it became evident why the orcs and balrogs had been so easy to chase away at first: it must have been a strategic retreat. Morgoth’s full strength had gathered in the narrow mountain pass and along the edge of the deforested Neldoreth and Doriath, hiding behind a miles wide, tall palisade that had towers at even distances, and with a deep moat in front where they had diverted the river Sirion to their benefit. In addition, according to Maedhros who could see more details with his master-palantír, Morgoth’s lieutenant Sauron had returned to the tower at Tol Sirion with his army of werewolves who now patrolled the border.

The enemy had been allowed to roam central Beleriand freely for years and had taken advantage of that to fortify themselves. Even for a host led by two Valar and a Maia, getting through such a defense could take a while.

At first Oropher watched the two armies daily, observing the attackers dig trenches and fortifications, and testing the defenders’ strength with repeated skirmishes along the border, but after a while when no progress was made he grew bored of the whole thing. Even if he wanted to – which he did not – he could not have aided the host with Doriath in between, walled in and swarming with orcs and balrogs.

Hence, life in Ossiriand went on peacefully as months turned into years, and years turned into decades, and the siege became no more than background noise. An event happening far away that did not affect them.

Thranduil hated it. He could not stand the waiting, not knowing how the war would go, and it felt wrong to live so comfortably while others risked their lives to end the Dark Lord’s reign. His only consolation was that his wife must be equally cut off from the battle as him; she was still safe. 

To pass the time and get other things to think about, Thranduil kept himself busy. He hunted in Taur im Duinath and fished in the Gelion, helped Amroth with his pigs and Galion with his wine, he exercised and practiced fencing, he ordered a new harp after the one he lost in Doriath and took up singing again to his father’s delight. He joined an expedition to the ruins of Haven and brought back salt, seal meat and plenty of fish. He joined another expedition, this one south along the Gelion, and when they discovered Círdan’s abandoned ship he brought a workforce down to bring it all the way to his home with felled logs as wheels in the places where the river was too shallow.

Together with his old friends Amroth and Medlin he mended the ship and sewed a sail to it, arguing that when the lands sank they could use it to save themselves. Oropher laughed at him but allowed ‘his paranoiac whims’.

Then at last something changed, ending the standstill in the north. The Host of the Valar was aided by an unlikely ally: humans from Hithlum. They had been thralls under the The Easterlings for almost a century, ever since the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, but when they heard the Valar had sent help it must have strengthened them enough to start a rebellion. Over a period of many years they built up a resistance, until they could overthrow their masters and escape south through the mountains on secret paths.

Excited, Oropher began to use the palantír daily again. He watched as the Host of the Valar used the new passage. Guided by humans, they sneaked part of their strength into Hithlum, finishing what their new allies began and wiping the area clear, before making a long circular move through Mithrim and across the mountains to come at the enemy from behind. 

Attacked on two fronts, Morgoth’s massive strength began to waver at last. The balrogs were driven back, and all the orcs, wargs, and werewolves followed suit, fleeing across the brown wasteland of the Anfauglith desert. 

Over forty years after they landed, the Host of the Valar arrived at Angband and fought a final battle outside Morgoth’s gates. There the last foes were slain, and a defeated Sauron only just managed to retreat into the fortress.

Soon the Dark Lord and his lieutenant would be no more either.

Or so the onlookers thought.

oOo

The door to Oropher’s study slammed open. Face pale as ash, he bumped forcibly into Thranduil who was waiting outside. 

“Dragons. He has released dragons! A new kind! With wings!” The words tumbled out of his mouth.

Tendrils of icy dread squeezed Thranduil’s heart as his mind filled with memories of fire and reeking, scaly reptile skin. He would never forget Glaurung, father of dragons. Had he sired winged children before Túrin killed him?

“They are flying south. Hither! More than I could count! We must run to the mountains at once. Sound the signal!”

Thranduil shook himself out of the numbing panic, dashing away to do as told. They must flee. But not by ship, the water was too shallow. And they did not have horses for everyone.

Fuck. Why had they waited? Why had they lingered here, exposed, an easy target for a flying opponent?

Dark thoughts churned in his mind as he worked mechanically; gathering the people, readying the horses, making sure everyone was there, hurrying them over the bridge and to the road north. Oropher had already left, claiming he must alert Maedhros and hence needed the swiftest horse. 

As if Fëanor’s sons had not seen it themselves in their palantíri.

Thranduil saw the dragons too now. Still many leagues away, yet clearly visible in the sky. Enormous. Terrifying. Fast.

In the west, Taur im Duinath erupted in flames; the forest where he used to hunt. Had everyone left yet? He must leave too.

His things! The white gems and Aerneth’s ring. He could not lose them.

He knew it was irrational to care about stupid keepsakes when his life was at risk, but did it anyway. Turning on the spot, he scurried back up to his house, cursing Amdír for deciding to build the city on talans.

He turned his clothes chest over. Where was it? There. He picked up an ornate box and half climbed, half fell back down the stairs. 

And then he ran. 

A shadow passed over the sun, blocking out all light. The smell was sickening.

“Run!” boomed a voice from the sky, deep and horrible and full of mirth. “Run, little elves! It will make avenging my father all the more enjoyable.”

The monster opened a maw larger than a horse, and deep inside an amber glow grew brighter. 

With searing flames filling the sky, Thranduil dove headfirst into the Gelion. Far above, the water began to boil.

Notes:

I thought I could fit the war into one chapter but there was a lot to cover… And the greatest war in the history of Middle-earth should not be rushed. To be continued!

About who fought in the War of Wrath: some believe Círdan and other elves of Beleriand did, but the Silmarillion says ‘of the march of the Host of the Valar to the north of Middle-earth little is said in any tale; for among them went none of those Elves who had dwelt and suffered in the Hither Lands’, which seems pretty clear to me they didn’t, at least not together with the Host of the Valar.
That they were instead hiding in Ered Luin (the Blue Mountains) is my own invention, but I think it makes sense because later in the beginning of the Second Age they will be living in Lindon just west of these mountains.

For you who like maps, here is one showing where I’ve placed the colony:

 

Map

 

The red dot indicates the approximate location of Aerneth's colony, the blue where Oropher's realm was. The right map shows what was left after the War of Wrath ended.

Chapter 41: Dragon Fire

Summary:

It is a long way to safety for the survivors of the dragon attack. When they face the most terrifying foe yet, unexpected help arrives.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Dragon Fire

Lungs aching from lack of air, Thranduil slowly surfaced and crawled ashore under the protection of the bridge. He expected to feel agonizing pain flare at any moment as the dragon flamed him to death, but nothing happened. 

He risked a glance upward, blinking to see clearer. For some reason he could only use his right eye; half his vision was covered in red mist.

The sky was covered in mist too. No, smoke. From the forest fire. That was his chance!

He ran with a strange, cowering gait, keeping low under the smothering fumes, still clutching his box of gems. The situation reminded him of Haven. He did not want to burn to death. If he would die today, any other way was endlessly to prefer than the agony of being burned alive.

He could hear the dragon overhead. It beat its wings with booming sounds and it was still talking. Taunting someone further ahead.

The smoky air became a fiery red. Someone screamed, a shrill, anguished cry. 

Bile rose in Thranduil’s throat. He did not want to burn. 

Crouching near the river, ready to jump into it again if needed, he waited. Would the screaming never end? He wanted the elf to die so his pain would go away. And so Thranduil did not have to listen to him.

The booming wingbeats grew distant. Had the dragon given up? Or was it seeking other targets?

It grew quiet. 

He sneaked forward, then halted. Forward, then halted. Tense like a coiled spring. 

There was faint light ahead. Black bodies littered the ground, still glowing. One was moving slightly, then it became still. The smell of burned flesh and hair was thick and Thranduil swallowed twice to keep the contents of his stomach down.

He did not want to look. He did anyway. If someone was alive he must do something. Not that he knew what. Try to heal them? Or end their misery? 

They were all dead. Then he did not have to decide. 

Many were burned into twisted, black lumps, others he recognized. Medlin was one of them. Thranduil could not feel anything about that. No regret, no sadness. He felt numb. There were tears in his eyes but only from the smoke.

He continued. It was growing darker. Night was falling. Could dragons see in the dark? 

He saw movement ahead and halted, peering through the mist. Elves. He hurried his gait again, joining them. Nobody made a sound; they only acknowledged him with frightened looks. Amroth and Amdír were there and Thranduil fell into step with his friend.

The others were covered in ash and soot and a couple of them limped, but as far as he could tell nobody was badly injured. But it was hard to see, his vision was still hazy. 

He put up his hand in front of his face, trying to blink with first one, then the other eye. A spear of pain erupted in his left one. He must have hurt it somehow. Best not strain it. 

They continued, walking through the night, passing more burned corpses on two occasions but also catching up with a few survivors. Now they were around thirty, which would make it harder to hide if the dragon returned, but for the past few hours there had been no sound, nor sight of it. Perhaps it was only active in the daytime.

Slowly, Thranduil was calming down. It seemed they had made it; soon they would reach Amon Ereb and the safety of Fëanor’s sons’ fortress. He almost smiled at the thought; he had never thought he would associate the word safety with Fëanor’s sons.

He felt his tunic, pressing the reassuring bulge that was the box with the keepsakes he had turned back to fetch, kept in place under the shirt by his sword belt. He still had one of his swords too; out of reflex he had grabbed it when Oropher first alerted him of the approaching danger, and the clothes on his body. The rest of his belongings were gone forever. 

He could not help lamenting the loss of his many fine tunics and coats. During his stay in Oropher’s house he had worn finer fabrics and garments than ever before, but now he was poor again.

A dull ache in his face gradually made itself known. It felt sticky and raw when he gingerly touched it. 

“What happened to you?” whispered Amroth, looking at him with sympathy.

“I don’t know. I think I may have been burned before I jumped into the river. Does it look very bad?”

Amroth bit his lip. “Awful. Your eye is a red mess and the skin around it is just… gone.”

Thranduil swallowed. No wonder his vision was so hazy! He needed a healer, and that soon.

They took a brief break in the morning. The smoke was lessening, driven off by a southwestern breeze. 

“Let me help,” said Amroth, ripping fabric from his shirt and dipping it in the river. 

Thranduil struggled not to make a sound as his friend cleaned the wound. “I hope the Fëanorians have real healers,” he muttered.

“I am as careful as I can.”

Before Amroth was done, the lookout urgently motioned for them to hide; the dragon was returning.

The group huddled among some boulders, pulling their cloaks over themselves and waiting in complete silence while the massive wingbeats passed over them. Thranduil had never imagined the sound of wings could be so terrifying. 

The sound grew distant again and they continued, slower than ever, always alert and on edge, ready to hide. Thank the Valar the monster was so noisy in its flight! It seemed like it was patrolling the area. Were there other dragons elsewhere? Perhaps all over Beleriand?

Thranduil was suddenly reminded that Aerneth was up in the mountains, probably even more exposed than he was. The contorted, burned elves on the road came before his mind’s eye. Had she suffered such a horrible death too? Maybe she was writhing in excruciating pain at this very moment, praying for the relief of her soul slipping out and exchanging her tortured body for the bliss of Aman and Mandos’ waiting Halls.

The thought made his stomach contract with numbing worry, but also guilt. Everything had happened so fast; he had only thought about saving his own hide. He had not even paused to mourn Medlin. And who were the other victims? Had his father been among them?

If so, Thranduil was free of his oath now… Again he thought about Aerneth. If she was alive, and Oropher dead, then… But first he must survive himself. 

Arriving at Maedhros’ realm at last, they found it silent and empty, and hazy with smoke from burning copses of wood. They passed homesteads and deserted sentry lookouts, and when they reached the fortress itself on top of the hill they understood why: all that remained was the blackened stone foundation, the rest had been turned into ashes.

They saw no corpses, so the inhabitants must have fled before the attack. Most likely forewarned by their palantíri, Thranduil figured.

Amroth uttered a row of bad words. “What do we do now?”

“We continue to the mountains,” said Thranduil firmly. He needed to find his wife.

“Won’t that make us more exposed?”

“Not if we continue down the other side,” said Amdír. “We could seek refuge in the far east; the land of your grand adar.”

“And mine,” Thranduil added. In the early days of Middle-earth, Amdír’s and Oropher’s fathers and grandfathers had left Cuiviénen, their homeland, during the Great Journey of the Elves and traveled with Thingol to Beleriand, settling with him in Doriath.

As nobody had any objections to the plan, they continued north along the Gelion. The road was more narrow here and clearly less used, but they had no problem following it. A wide trail of hoof marks and footprints showed where the Fëanorians had fled.

For the first time they passed through a wood that was still intact, but though the eaves above protected them from dragon eyes, it still did not feel safe. It was probably only a matter of time before this forest was torched as well, and being within it when that happened would be as sure a death as if they were targeted directly.

They ran through as fast as they could on weary legs.

The trees ended and the ground became moist and marshy. They took another brief break before venturing out there, waiting for sunset. By now they were fairly certain the dragon was only active in daylight.

After a couple of hours splashing across puddles and jumping between tufts of grass along the barely visible path, they saw light in the distance. More fire. And directly in their route.

They shared exasperated glances but then continued. What else could they do? Hopefully it was only another copse of trees burning. It could not be the dragon. It must not be the dragon.

It was not. When they arrived, they found another sorry graveyard of scorched bodies, the largest yet, and the reek so nauseating Thranduil actually did throw up this time. There were several dead horses too, and the light came from one still burning. Oropher had escaped on horseback, Thranduil recalled. If he had not been among the earlier deaths, maybe this was where his life had ended? It was impossible to say considering the state of most of the corpses.

Breathing through his mouth, Thranduil criss-crossed between the bodies. A ginger elf huddled beside one of them, his shoulders shaking with silent tears. Galion.

“Are you alright?” Thranduil asked, squatting next to him. He guessed the one Galion was mourning was his mother. She had been a beautiful elleth with coppery curls down to her waist and almost translucent skin; now the lower half of her body was gone and the rest of it unrecognizable. Only a few tufts of hair remained on the charred head.

“Come.” Thranduil gently took his arm. “Her suffering is over. She is with Mandos now, and you will be reunited in Aman.”

“We will be reunited,” he repeated in a broken voice, rising unsteadily. His leg was badly burned; the pant leg and skin was gone and what remained was a blackened, bloody mess. The pain must be agonizing.

“My horse died too,” he mumbled, wiping his eyes and smudging them with soot.

They found other survivors besides Galion, all of them injured, a few so severely they probably would not make it. There were both Laegrim from Ossiriand and Noldor from Fëanor's people, but nobody cared who was who anymore. They were all in this together.

Galion explained that his mother and he had ridden as fast as their horses could manage and reached Maedhros’ fortress at Amon Ereb the day before, seeking refuge there together with Oropher who arrived just before them. But only hours later a dragon targeted the building, crushing and burning everything. They had just barely managed to escape. And today the dragon caught up with them.

“Were there more survivors?” Thranduil asked, thinking of his father.

“I think so. With the Fëanorians, we were a large company, and there would have been more… corpses.” At the last word fresh tears streaked his sooty cheeks.

The group left the gruesome scene, continuing at a slower pace in consideration of the wounded. Thranduil’s own injury was throbbing worse than ever. He needed a healer or he might lose his eye, but what if there was none left living? He tried to come to terms with the prospect of being forever maimed.  Looking “awful”, in Amroth’s words. 

He told himself it did not matter; that first of all he must survive, and if he did, he no longer needed good looks. He had no wife anymore, and others’ admiration was only useful to feed his pride. Perhaps being ugly was even for the better. If Aerneth still lived she would be repulsed by him and that would make it easier to avoid her and feel less regret.

Unless Oropher was dead, and Thranduil’s oath no longer bound him…

Again he felt that tiny wink of hope. Would Aerneth take him back then? If she did, he wanted her to desire him like she always had. Perhaps he could hide his ruined face with some sort of mask or makeup.

In the evening Thranduil started to feel a new ache, this time in his stomach. Hunger. He realized he had not eaten anything for days, and of course nobody had had time to bring food along. But there was no help for that now. They had to continue to a safer area and then they would have to hope they could find something edible before they starved to death.

At least the ground was more solid; the marsh had given way to grassland with a scatter of trees. His boots were helplessly ruined with mud and stinking bog water but it was a relief to feel his feet slowly drying.

Shortly after sunset a faint, familiar sound reached their ears: the clash of weapons and guttural yells. Orcs! But who were they fighting?

They hurried their gait and soon saw the cause of the sound. Near the river a large group of elves, many on horseback, were battling at least twice as many orcs. It appeared to be an even match; the elves were outnumbered but better equipped and better fighters.

Thranduil’s warrior training came into effect and he instinctively ran to their aid, sword drawn, with Amroth at his side. Other lesser injured elves among them followed as well.

The newcomers were enough to turn the tide completely. Thranduil had only killed one orc when the rest of them fled.

Nobody followed; they were not interested in chasing orcs under the dire circumstances. Morning was approaching and a battle would draw the dragon’s attention.

Thranduil cleaned the black blood off his sword and sheathed it while he regarded the others. Most appeared to be Noldor, with Fëanor’s emblem and colors, but then he saw a blond ellon astride his horse: his father, uninjured and unruffled.

His first emotion at the sight was disappointment, but it was soon replaced with guilt. What kind of twisted son wanted his father dead?

There were two richly clad, now all too familiar ellyn together with Oropher; one red-headed and fierce, lacking a hand since his escape from Morgoth long ago, the other dark and brooding. Maedhros and Maglor, the only remaining sons of Fëanor. Thranduil had last seen them at the beach in Haven where Maedhros cursed the fleeing Elwing, and before then he met them in battle outside the gates of Menegroth, desperately trying and failing to defend Doriath against their unprovoked attack. 

Helpless rage filled him. They had destroyed so much, killed so many. Even innocent children like Elwing’s twins and her brothers.

But Oropher had sided with them and Thranduil was bound to him by his oath. Firmly pushing the disgust and anger down, he took his place at his father’s side.

Oropher grimaced. “You look absolutely disgusting. Maedhros, this is my son whom I mentioned. I promise you he normally is very handsome.”

“In these extraordinary circumstances I do not expect beauty or finery from anyone,” Maedhros said drily, regarding Thranduil with a sympathetic look in his pale eyes. As if he pitied him for having such a father. “Suilad, Thranduil Oropherion.”

He forced his lips to curtly return the greeting: “Suilad.”

Maedhros turned back to Oropher. “Well, now that the orcs are taken care of, let us hurry to cross. You get your people, and I will get mine.”

Thranduil noticed a simple bridge of boulders and planks spanning the river. Had the orcs been guarding it? Or were they also fleeing from the dragons? He imagined those monsters did not care much who they flamed, be it friend or foe.

“Is that the dwarf road?” Amdír cut in, indicating a meandering path at the other side of the makeshift bridge. “We are heading to the land beyond the mountains.”

“It is,” Maedhros confirmed. “But you will be safer if you stay with us. There are caves in the mountain colony where the dragons cannot reach us.”

“How do you know that?”

He smiled briefly. “Trust me.”

There was no time to talk more; guttural voices and yells indicated the orcs were returning. A bit surprised, Thranduil drew his sword and turned towards them. It looked like the same bunch they had just chased away. What made them come back? Did they not realize they still had no chance? 

Then suddenly a fiery light erupted in the midst of the orcs: a huge face with curved horns and burning pits instead of eyes and mouth. He towered over them as he rose to his full height, spreading a pair of shadowy wings that filled the air with smoke and heat. In one hand he had a whip, in the other a sword, both burning with blue-tinted flames. 

A balrog.

All strength left Thranduil, leaving him numb and shaking. It was not the fearsome face that terrified him, nor knowing how strong and powerful the demon was; it was the pure, unbridled evil. It filled him with a dread more profound than anything he had ever experienced.

The balrog lashed his whip, splitting the air with a thunderous crack. Fires erupted where it landed. 

The sharp sound woke Thranduil from his daze. He had to get his father and himself away from here.

He turned around, but Oropher had already fled – or perhaps the horse bolted. Thranduil ran after them.

He heard more whip cracks but did not turn to see whether the balrog followed. 

Then he halted abruptly, and around him others did the same. A loud, rumbling noise like thunder filled the air as something new approached. Creatures as tall as trees, with crooked limbs and bushy heads, more numerous than he could count. New monsters of Morgoth?

No. They were ents!

The ancient tree-herders were so many they looked like an entire forest on the move, and their heavy footfalls made the ground tremble with their passage. They marched straight towards the fire demon. 

It looked dangerous. What if he burned them down?

That appeared to be exactly what the balrog had in mind. Roaring with fury, he cracked his whip again and again, setting a leafy head aflame with each lash. But the burning ents just dipped the fire in the river and returned, hairless and smoking but undaunted. Thrashing their fronds and stamping their root feet on orcs as they went, they poured against the balrog in a never-ending tide.

Some caught fire again, and a few failed to put it out and fell. But still there were hundreds left and they did not waver.

Thranduil gained new courage by their onslaught. Together with other warriors, he began to attack fleeing orcs, enabling the ents to focus on only one foe.

The balrog was forced backwards. One step. Two steps. He reached the simple bridge and suddenly turned, running across it with a flowing gait. There he stopped and roared, voice full of malice and glee as he lashed his whip a final time. It landed on the bridge, breaking it into pieces that flowed away with the current. Then he ran up the mountain and down the other side, and was gone.

The ents cheered in their booming, rushing voices, triumphantly waving their branch-like arms after the fleeing demon, but Thranduil was silent. He regarded the river with a sinking feeling. It was wide and fast, and many of them were injured. How would they be able to cross it without a bridge?

Oropher was looking at the river too. “I think it is shallow enough for horses. Here, hop up behind me.”

“We cannot leave the people,” Thranduil objected.

“We have no choice.”

“But–”

“Come. That is an order!”

“I know you, young one,” a whooshing voice interrupted. It was one of the ents, and the one she spoke to was Galion. “You are the polite one who loves to grow things.”

He bowed. “Madam Fimbrethil. Thank you for saving us just now.”

“Hruuum, we came not to save you, though I am glad if we did. We are leaving this land and that… hoo, atrocious fire-thing, was in our path. We hate fire. We cannot stand it. And now… fire-breathing dragons in the sky! Killing our beloved trees. Hooooom. It breaks our wooden hearts, but against this new evil we are helpless.” She glanced at the sky and growled something incomprehensible. Possibly a curse. “You must not root your feet in the soil; it is on its way.”

Now Thranduil heard it too. Wingbeats. The dragon was returning.

“Thank you for the warning,” Galion replied morosely. “We will try to… swim, I suppose.”

“Branch and twig! You cannot; look at your poor leg. Let me carry you.”

“That is very kind, Madam. Many more of us are injured, and others lack horses. Could you ask your friends to help them across the river? But hurry… please.”

“Hoom! I do not like to haste. But… for your sake, and your love of Yavanna and all that is growing, I will do as you say.”

She returned to the gathered ents and soon their voices filled the air like wind ruffling leaves and the grating of branch against branch.

Thranduil wanted to stay and see what would happen but hard fingers gripped his arm. “I said, come!” hissed his father.

There was nothing to do but obey. Thranduil leapt up behind Oropher, who sternly drove the poor horse out into the water. Others with horses followed, but to Thranduil’s relief, so did the ents after only a brief conference. Elves straddled their massive shoulders and heads, and more wounded ones were carried in their gnarled hands.

At the other side the strange procession continued up the mountain; first the horses at a gallop and after them the thunderous passage of the ents and their burdens.

It did not take long until they saw houses and corn fields in the distance. They had reached Gil-galad’s colony, at last. 

But where were all the people?

Notes:

Translation: Suilad = greetings

Apparently the War of Wrath needed even more chapters than I thought! In the next one, Thranduil must see a healer… and lucky him, there is a capable one in the colony. ;)

PS. Where do you think the balrog went?? :)

Chapter 42: Healing

Summary:

Oropher must seek refuge and the roles are reversed; neither he, nor Fëanor’s sons are met with friendliness. Thranduil is in dire need of a healer but hesitates to see her.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Healing

“This way,” Maedhros called, leading the way through the abandoned houses and stopping in front of the steep cliff wall sheltering the area. “They have delved tunnels.” He must have spied on the colony with his seeing stones, the palantíri. 

His words filled Thranduil with relief; if Aerneth was hiding in the mountain she could still be safe and unharmed. He longed to go inside as well and finally allow himself to breathe. And eat. And get his face seen too by a more competent healer than Amroth.

“I see no entrance,” said Oropher. “Are you sure this is the place?”

“It is probably hidden. We must look for uneven parts, tool marks, unnaturally straight cracks… anything indicating a door.” He walked along the wall with slow steps, stopping now and then to touch it with his single hand.

Thranduil was not too worried about the delay. The dragon they had heard down at the crossing must have turned somewhere else, for it had not followed the fleeing elves and ents up here.

From this altitude he could see it – and its fellows. Like he had suspected, there were many, and they had spread out, patrolling all the inhabited parts of Beleriand in lazy circles, spreading their huge wings and now and then sending a ray of fire to torch whatever was below: forests, settlements, meadows – even innocent flocks of animals. The continent had become a black and smoking wasteland.

He turned his gaze away, both furious and heartbroken at the sight. 

While Maedhros searched for the entrance, the ents unloaded their burdens, setting each elf down carefully.

Galion thanked Fimbrethil profusely. “You have saved us a second time, dear Madam.”

“It was but a small thing. Farewell now, little one; we are traveling to our kin in the great forest of Eriador. Perhaps we may meet again when times are safer and wars and fires no longer mar the soil of Arda.”

“I hope so.”

An oaken ent with rough bark and a long, green lichen-beard joined her. “Entwife.” 

“Husband.”

“Hoom… we must continue. The fire-dragon is turning hither.”

“Bark and crevice! I suppose we must, then.” She turned back to Galion with an apologetic smile on her smooth birch face. “Fangorn here is always so hasty.”

“Huumpf. Am not!”

Still bickering, the pair walked away with steps that made the rocky ground tremble, and disappeared down the eastern slopes.

Thranduil worriedly checked the sky again, and true enough, one of the dragons seemed to be flying towards the mountains. It was still far away but with those huge wings it would not take long until it was over them.

“I found it,” called Maedhros, peeking out from a juniper thicket.

Hugely relieved, Thranduil hurried over, joining the dense crowd of people flocking to get there fast. All in all, they were at least two hundred, maybe more. He hoped Aerneth’s people had plenty of space in the cave or the successful flight would turn into disaster after all. If they could not go into the mountain it would be impossible to hide up here.

There was a door behind the thicket, and at Maedhros’ knock a small hatch opened to let someone inside see who they were. Only moments later the door was thrown open forcibly and an elleth sprang out, sword aimed at Maedhros’ neck. “You,” Galadriel growled, face pale with anger. 

Celeborn hurried after her, gently taking her arm to hold her back.

Maedhros had not flinched, nor drawn his own weapon. Instead he held his hand palm up disarmingly. “I come in peace. A dragon approaches and many of us are gravely injured. Please, do not let us burn to death because of old grudges.”

“Grudges. Grudges! How dare you show yourself here after all you did? Have you no shame?”

Before Maedhros could reply, Oropher stepped forward, putting on his most friendly, benevolent face. “Friend, let us go inside first and we shall settle this when we are safe. I am sure you do not want our lives on your conscience. And, if you still hesitate – may I remind you I took you in under similar circumstances? I housed you, fed you, clothed you. Will you pay me back so unfairly?”

She seemed about to answer with something rude, but now another ellon emerged: Gil-galad, the high king. “He is right; this is not the place to discuss. Put your sword down, Galadriel.”

To Thranduil’s surprise she obeyed, but the look on her face was murderous. 

Gil-galad led the way down a narrow, uneven passage, supported by wooden beams at even intervals. It was dark and damp, with a ceiling so low Thranduil had to bend double.

“It gets better soon,” said Celeborn behind him. 

It did indeed. The tunnel ended abruptly at a platform with a grand view over a pillared cavern nearly as large as the central part of Menegroth in Doriath. Not only the size reminded Thranduil of his former home, the architecture too.

“Dwarven made?” he asked.

“Aye. We were digging tunnels for hiding when we accidentally came across an old, abandoned dwarf city. Saved us a lot of work.”

As they descended from the platform, Thranduil curiously looked around the spacious cave hall. If dwarves had lived here, nothing remained of their homes; instead simple huts and tents were erected along the walls, surrounding a court lit by a circle of lamp posts. The area was crowded with an assembly of elves and men.

He surveyed the people eagerly until his good eye found what he sought. The relief made him stagger. Aerneth was alive and well.

Before she noticed him and his ruined features he pulled up his hood and positioned himself partly behind Oropher in a way that would hide half his face. 

Aerneth was looking intently at the newcomers. When she discovered Thranduil she seemed relieved too at first, but then she frowned at the sight of his father and pointedly stepped closer to Galadriel. 

Oh well. What had he expected – hugs and kisses?

“Thank you for saving us, friends,” said Oropher cordially. “Now, let us discuss this in a calm manner, between kings. I have always firmly believed we are stronger when we work together, and now there is a chance for Sindar and Noldor to–”

“This is my verdict,” Gil-galad interrupted, regarding him with a disgusted look. “Despite your treatment of the refugees from Haven, we will allow you to stay here – if you accept my sovereignty as high king.”

The cordiality instantly disappeared from Oropher’s features. “My treatment?” he sputtered. “I gave them everything they needed – and they repaid me by stealing from me! Aided by you to do so, as it were.”

“You tell yourself that if it makes you sleep well at night,” Celeborn piped in with unusual coldness.

Oropher opened his mouth but was again cut off by Gil-galad. “Do you recognize my sovereignty? Think carefully before you reply; I will not accept rudeness or insubordination in my realm.”

Thranduil was both surprised and impressed with the high king’s authority – he could not recall that he had been such a commanding person before – and was secretly rather smug that his father for once would be paid back in the same coin.

Oropher’s cheeks colored furiously but he was no fool; he knew a lost case. “Fine. I will.”

“Good.” Gil-galad turned to Maedhros and Maglor. “That settled, you and your followers are an entirely different matter. The crimes you committed are so grave only Mandos can judge what your fate shall be. I will let you stay here until the immediate threat is gone and the dragon passed, but then you must leave.”

“That is a death sentence,” Maedhros objected. “If you would turn us out you may as well kill us here and now and at least save us the torture of burning alive.”

“Perhaps you should have considered that before you ruined Doriath and Haven and spilled elvish blood,” said Galadriel cooly. “Not to mention driving poor Elwing to nearly drown herself – and killing her babies.”

“You know why we attacked Doriath and Haven; your leaders kept what was not theirs and refused to return it. As for your other accusation…” He beckoned to a pair in the back of the crowd. “It is false.”

As they approached, Thranduil absently reflected that they were so similar they must be twins.

Then he understood.

“Elros and Elrond…” Galadriel’s voice was strained.

oOo

The reunion was emotional, especially for Galdor, Elwing’s neighbor who had been like family to her boys. To find them alive after so long, healthy and unharmed! They were half-elven and would have died a mortal death, hence nobody had expected to ever see them again. 

Though Thranduil had not been as close to the twins as to their mother, he had often thought about them and grieved their unfair fate. It was bittersweet to see them alive now. He was happy, of course, but also aching for them and what they must have suffered in captivity.

In the many years since they disappeared, the twins had changed. They looked old like adult men, with fine lines in their faces and a shadow of beard stubble on their chins indicating mortal aging, and they talked with a Quenya accent after speaking that language since childhood.

Gil-galad took them aside to question them without their captors overhearing, and to Thranduil's surprise it turned out they had been treated well. Like actual sons, they claimed.

Still, they had been exiles far away from home and lost everything: family, friends – a carefree childhood. Thranduil knew that could not have been easy, despite what they said.

“Our foster-adars were compelled to do what they did,” Elrond explained. “I know they regretted the lives they had to take, Maglor in particular, but the oath they once swore is so deeply infused in them that they are no longer able to resist it.”

“Oaths are dangerous,” Elros added.

Thranduil shivered with a sudden cold. Oaths are dangerous.

“Your forbearance with your captors is admirable,” said Gil-galad. “And your tale has moved me. They may stay but they must keep to themselves.”

oOo

The new refugees were given sailcloth and planks to build shelters and huts in adjoining caverns. Thranduil worked as best he could but felt uncommonly faint; his injuries were tolling on his strength and the pain was nearly unbearable now. It had probably been equally painful during the days on the road but then he had been too afraid to feel much. Now, in safety, it was impossible to ignore. 

He had covered his wound with a bandage and told everyone it was healing well, but it became increasingly harder to pretend that was true.

He ought to see a healer, and would have done so immediately if not for who that healer was. Why did this colony have only one? And why was it his wife? He could not let Aerneth see him like this, face half ruined, or hear him let out involuntary whimpers like an immature elfling. For if he allowed her to treat him he knew he would be unable to hold back, and the humiliation of such a situation was worse than the searing inferno his eye and cheek had become.

Instead he doggedly continued, taking brief breaks when nobody noticed, hiding his damp face with his hair. 

Galion came to sit next to him during one such break. “Wine?” he asked, passing him a cup. “They have made it with wild berries that grow here in the mountains. Not too bad, if I may say so; better than nothing. Now that I lost my grape vines from home I suppose we must get used to it.”

Thranduil gratefully took a deep draught, feeling warmth spread through his chest. He must find a flagon of his own; if he was drunk enough perhaps the pain would subside. 

Galion peered at him. “You look pale. Are you alright?”

“I am fine.”

“But why do you still have a bandage?”

“To… uh, hide the scab.”

“It scabbed? Strange… Mine did not. It was healed completely; the new skin is just a bit raw and sensitive.”

“Well I… did not see a healer yet.”

He looked aghast. “Why? It is such a horrible injury! You must hurry there; I will cover for you.”

“It is not up to you to dictate what I do or do not do,” Thranduil snapped. “Leave me alone.” He promptly returned to work.

It did not take long until he was interrupted again, this time by his father. “Take off the bandage,” he commanded.

Thranduil frowned, looking around. Surely enough, Galion was lingering nearby, trying to seem innocent. Traitor!

“Well?”

He had to obey order, and did so. 

Oropher recoiled. “Get that… mess seen to. At once. Why did you wait for so long?”

“I did not wish to burden… the healer.”

He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “You know them?”

“It is Aerneth,” he admitted.

Oropher’s flushed angrily. “She refuses to heal you? How dare she! I shall–”

“No! Of course not. She does not know I am injured.”

“Oh, I understand now. You hesitate because of her unrighteous behavior before, and wish to keep a distance. Well, much as it pains me to send you near that vixen you have to. It will only be this once and then you can wash your hands off her for good.”

Thranduil let his father believe that was true.

“Go now.”

Again he had to obey. 

oOo

The healing hut smelled strongly of herbs. It was a large tent, brightly lit by many lamps, and empty apart from Aerneth and an elderly human woman. 

Aerneth froze when he entered.

“I am sorry to bother you but Adar insists I need healing,” he said with forced calmness. “It is a mere flesh wound and probably not necessary.”

“Oh. I will take a look, then.” She indicated a chair. “Sit.”

He braced himself when she began to remove the bandage, refusing to humiliate himself and show how much even her light touch hurt.

“A flesh wound? This? You should have come sooner.”

“Considering the… circumstances, I preferred not to,” he said stiffly. “You no longer have obligations towards me. It will be enough with a change of bandage and perhaps some poultice, then I shall be off and we can pretend this did not happen.”

“Nonsense. I work as a healer, my job is to heal people.” She fetched a potion and put it to his lips. “For the pain.”  

He contemplated declining and not admitting how sorely he needed the relief but she must have read his thoughts. 

“Now,” she insisted sternly.

As the potion took effect, Aerneth prepared a salve. The old woman meanwhile poured boiling water into a bowl of powdered herbs, filling the air with the pungent aroma of Athelas. 

He breathed it in, letting the herbs revive him. 

“This will take a while and I am afraid it will hurt at first,” said Aerneth calmly. “The wound is festering, so in order to treat it I must first clean it, but then I will spread a salve to take away the rest of the pain. I will also use a spell to encourage new skin and tissue to grow. I cannot promise you will get the function of your eye back, but we shall see. I have mostly treated humans lately and they are slow to heal – with you, it should be easier.”

She sounded different; her voice was somehow devoid of emotions, and now that he looked at her, so was her face. Blank and closed off. He could not read it at all. What had she been through the many decades they were apart? He wished he could have protected her. Shielded her from whatever turned her numb.

Then she began to clean him and his thoughts were scattered by the flaring agony. He clutched the chair and clenched his jaw so hard he tasted blood. He would not scream.

When she was done at last his forehead was covered with a sheen of sweat. He felt nauseous and close to passing out. Only by sheer stubbornness and strength of will did he remain conscious.  

Aerneth smeared the pain relief onto his face and finally he breathed easier. It felt cool and soothing. He closed his eyes and tried to relax. He had gripped the chair so hard he almost could not straighten his fingers.

Next she began to sing softly. It was beautiful; an ancient, intricate melody with words like a poem. His eye and cheek began to itch and again he must brace himself to remain still. At least the feeling of ants crawling under his skin was only a mild discomfort compared to the torments before. 

He realized he recognized the spell; Beleg Strongbow had sung it long, long ago. Thranduil had not expected to hear it again from his wife’s lips. Had she known such advanced healing all along? Or did she learn it recently? 

He looked up at her as she sang. She had become a stranger. A serene, competent healer with a face he could no longer read.

Then he noticed her eyes had dark circles and she was very pale. She looked exhausted. Being the only healer in the colony, she probably had a lot to do.

“Have you been working as a healer for a long time?” he asked. His voice was hoarse from the strain of holding back his screams.

“Since we came here, more or less. While some were having a good, easy time down in Ossiriand we were busy taking care of wounded refugees from all the orc raids.”

He frowned but did not answer that. It was true, after all, not that he could have done anything about it.

She wiped his face with a cool cloth. “I have done what I can for now. Don’t touch it until tomorrow and try to avoid bright light for a couple of days. Then come back here for a follow up.”

He rose slowly, grasping the chair for support. He still felt lightheaded. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It is what I do.”

Thranduil wanted to object that no, it was not, she was supposed to be lively and happy and bake lembas or catch fish with water magic. She should not have to be pent up in a small hut and weary herself out with too much work and becoming so used to gruesome injuries they no longer made her blink.

He suddenly longed to hug her. He wanted her to be like she used to; impulsive and open, with emotions playing over her features. Eyes sparkling with life.

At that moment he missed her so much his chest hurt almost as bad as his injury before.

“Was there anything else?” she asked dismissively.

He shook his head. And then he left.

Notes:

Whew, still not done with the war… I can’t believe I thought I could fit everything from the arrival of the Host of the Valar to the end of the war into only one chapter haha. But the next will be the last war chapter. I think. (I hope)

A note about ents: Fimbrethil and Fangorn are canon; in the common language he’s named Treebeard. :)

And about Thranduil’s injury: there’s a famous scene in the second Hobbit movie where Thranduil shows Thorin a hideous dragon-fire scar, and it’s implied he uses some sort of glamour to hide it. Nothing of that is book canon, and no glamour magic is described in Tolkien’s works, but I decided to add the injury anyway – however, since Aerneth healed it, what he later shows Thorin will in my version be just a vision of the memory.

Chapter 43: Ancalagon the Black

Summary:

The situation in the caves becomes grave when food is lacking. The war nears its end and the greatest dragon is released, but there is hope and light even in the darkest times.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Ancalagon the Black

“Gil-galad is having a council about the food situation.“ Oropher beckoned to Thranduil. “Follow me.”

“A council with us?” Thranduil asked disbelievingly. 

“I said, follow me.”

“Then I assume we were not invited.”

Oropher gave Thranduil a shove. “Do I have to drag you along?”

Thranduil repressed an uncanny urge to push him back or perhaps shake him. Going uninvited to the high king’s council was risky; he could still turn them out for the dragons to play with.

“As you wish, Adar,” he said stiffly.

As they walked through the dusky cave, Thranduil assumed a neutral face with some difficulty. He was tired and hungry, and though his eye was mending it still itched. But mostly his annoyance was directed at Oropher. He had never been an easy ellon to live with, and since they came here being at his side was more taxing than ever. 

It was not only Thranduil who struggled with his temper; everyone got on each other’s nerves lately and there were minor fights and scuffles breaking out daily. The camps were crowded and resources scarce, and it did not help that the few hunters who regularly ventured outside to restock their meat supplies more often than not brought back more refugees; badly burned and desperate. Humans mostly, and the occasional Laegrim elf. 

Of the newcomers, only the Fëanorians had brought supplies of their own, and Gil-galad’s chief advisor Celebrimbor who was in charge of the storages very restrictively distributed food and other necessities to the three other camps: Gigalad’s own, the humans’, and Oropher’s. That too was a constant source of dissatisfaction; nobody considered their share fair.

When Oropher entered the simple council hall, Gil-galad gave him a weary look, as if he contemplated sending him away, but – accurately – predicted that the reaction to such measures would give him more bother than it was worth.

Instead he began, summarizing the situation briefly. Their numbers were growing and food lacking, but on the other hand they were safe from dragon attacks in the cave. Should they stay and hope the dragons would return to their lair deep below Morogth’s fortress when they had run out of things to burn, or should they leave and seek shelter in the east?

While Gil-galad talked, Thranduil’s eyes were drawn to Aerneth, who as usual stood at Galadriel’s side. Her face had that closed expression again, all emotions tucked away, and she still looked tired. Who covered for her in the healing hut during the meeting?

She answered the question herself: “Food is not all we lack; healing equipment and herbs are running low as well, and Athelas doesn’t grow here in the mountains. Young Elrond was able to bring some from the Fëanorian camp when he started working with me, or we would be out already.”

“He is a healer?” Thranduil was surprised; the twins had been small children when taken from Haven. “Did they teach him?”

“Maglor did, aye. He is less violent than his brother and even offered to help me himself. I turned him down of course,” she added with a light frown in her otherwise emotionless face. “I will have nothing to do with him or his brother, ever.”

“How long will the equipment last, do you think?” asked Gil-galad. 

“Hard to say… Humans do not heal easily, especially from burns, and it takes a lot of time, effort and Athelas for each one. If we keep getting more patients, like we do now, it will not be long. A month, maybe? Or two, at the most.”

Thranduil had noticed the same thing. Burned humans were never completely restored; their faces became covered in uneven, pink skin, with holes instead of ears and noses. They almost looked like orcs. What future would such a grievously disfigured human have? Seeing them made him grateful for being an elf; his own face had looked disgusting too but now it was hard to tell where the injury had been. Elves could also get scars of course – Thranduil carried several old ones since his days as a march-warden – but mostly only if they were not treated by a healer.

“I wonder why you bother with them in the first place,” Oropher chimed in. “They have no more than a handful of decades to live anyway.”

She ignored him. “With that in mind, my lord king, I think we have to prepare to leave.”

“I agree,” said Galadriel. “A colony in the mountains was a good idea – until Morgoth released the dragons. With them, our safe cave has become a trap.”

Gil-galad opened his mouth to reply but Oropher was faster: “A terrible idea. This place is well protected and safe. You took in too many humans, that is what this problem is all about; without them the resources would last for years. But there is an easy solution. I say, stop this madness now before it is too late! Let those who already came stay, if you will, but bring no more in. The cave is well hidden and only one who knows where to look will find the entrance, hence if the hunters are more secretive when leaving and returning, the refugees will remain unaware of our presence. What they do not know will not harm them.”

“But dragon fire will. Leaving innocent people to burn to death is unethical and cruel, and I will not have that,” said Gil-galad firmly.

“I would like to travel east to the lands where we awoke, and see it a final time before I leave this shore,” said Círdan. “I have long lingered by the coast, ever since I had a vision of Vingilot, Eärendil’s ship. But my task is done now; I built the ship and Eärendil summoned the Valar. We did what we could to stop Morgoth, and we failed. When I have seen Cuiviénen again, I will build one last ship for all who would go with me, and return to Aman where my wife awaits me.”

Círdan’s eyes had grown longing and there was something ancient about him that Thranduil had not noticed before. He had said “where we once awoke” as if he was there when it happened… 

It struck him that he had never asked Aerneth who Círdan’s parents were. Was he one of the firstborn? The mere thought sent a shiver down Thranduil’s spine. But if he was, would he not be treated differently? He would be High King of the Teleri and Sindar, like Gil-galad was over the Noldor. 

But perhaps nobody knew and Círdan, selfless as he was, did not see it fit to inform them.

Oropher broke the emotional ambience. “And you think the dragons will settle for Beleriand? They are going to burn the east as well, including your homeland, if it even still is possible to go there.”

“That is a risk, actually,” said Galadriel slowly, clearly unwilling to agree with Oropher. “I still think we should join the Host of the Valar and go directly for Morgoth. With him dead, the dragons have no one to control them and will be easier to kill. Or, at least, they might leave us alone. If everyone works together – including the Fëanorians, though I hate to cooperate with them – we will be strong enough. A single, united front against the Dark Lord.”

Oropher laughed scornfully. “That would suit you, would it not? You were always hot headed, I recall; a trait you share with your Fëanorian cousins. Battle and fame, a chance to show valor.”

“That would not be the reason at all!”

“I wonder why you and the likes of you always are so eager to leave their safe havens? It never ends well. Like when you let Maedhros lure you to take part in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, bringing my son’s wife with you and ruining his marriage, or when that thoughtless Lúthien and Beren stole a Silmaril! All you achieved was to provoke Morgoth and make him strike back. Had you done what my king and I wanted, and stayed hidden in Doriath, we would have been spared much grief and many lives. Even now, we suffer from rash attacks; the Host of the Valar did nothing but worsen the situation for us and add dragons to our troubles. If people would just stay put for once, we would still live in peace and quiet – and prosperity.”

Galariel appeared to be fuming, but replied in a clipped, controlled voice. “That is so naïve I do not even know where to begin. Morgoth would never have been satisfied with only the north. He always pushed against our borders, even when unprovoked, and in time he would have captured all the surrounding lands. We would have been trapped – just like we are now. And, as for letting oneself be lured by Maedhros – well, you are not the right ellon to speak… you who sold the secret of Elwing’s Silmaril to him and caused a third kinslaying in order to enrich yourself.”

“I did not, you little–”

“My lord, that ellon should not be allowed to attend this council. He should not even be here, in our camp.”

“I need you to cease quarreling,” Gil-galad replied. “Everyone must bury their old grievances or we are lost. Oropher has a point; what is to say the dragons will not continue east as well? I think we have to stay and await their next cause of action. But of course, we can only wait for so long, for when the food is out we must take our chances and leave.”

Thranduil agreed wholeheartedly with his sentiments.

“Fine. The next time you council with that ellon present, you need not bother to invite us,” Galadriel growled. She took Aerneth’s arm. “Come, my friend; I will spare you his unwelcome presence, and his son’s also.” With that she stormed out, and with an apologetic expression Celeborn followed suit.

Thranduil frowned at their retreating backs. Since when did Galadriel have authority to decide what his wife did or did not do? 

oOo

A few days later Aerneth unexpectedly turned up outside Thranduil’s simple hut. “Since you haven’t come for your return visit, I suppose I must check on you here instead. Is he home? If so, I can come back later.”

A part of him wanted to dismiss her and say he was healing just fine and did not need her to fuss over him, and that they ought to stay away from each other anyway, but the part of him that wanted to be near her and would take any opportunity to be so won.

“He is out. Haggling with Celebrimbor for more supplies, I presume; like most days.” 

“Poor Celebrimbor. He often complains about his task.”

Thranduil sat at one of the cut logs they used for chairs while Aerneth examined his cheek and eye, asking him sight-related questions. He replied as best he could but found it hard to focus. Her closeness and scent affected him worse than ever and his eyes were repeatedly drawn to her neckline, where a pendant he did not recognize rested between her breasts. He wanted to ask what it was, and even more he wanted to touch her. It had been so long since the last time he bedded her he had almost forgotten what it felt like. 

But only almost. After all, he often dreamt about being with her. Sometimes he used the dreams to bring himself pleasure, though the relief was slight and never lasted long. 

“I had doubts because you came to me so late, but it seems you are resilient; your eye is as good as new.” She slid a finger across his cheek. “How refreshing to feel smooth skin for a change after healing so many humans lately.” Then she unknowingly echoed his thoughts from earlier. “It is hard for them. What future is there for a young man or woman who looks like an orc?” 

Even when discussing something so tragic her voice betrayed no emotion and her features were as impossible to read as ever.

He felt like shaking her, anything to make her react, and deliberately replied in a way that would rile her. “How superficial. They should be grateful they are alive and that you wasted time and resources on them.” 

“You sound like your adar.” Her voice was still calm but he perceived a sharper edge to it that encouraged him to continue.

“And you often sound like Galadriel. Does she know you are here?” 

“Why would she?”

“You seem to do everything she says these days. Like an obedient filly.”

“An obedient filly? Really! This from you, Oropherion.”

“At least I am bound to Oropher by an oath; you let Galadriel push you around for no reason at all.”

She bounced up, cheeks suddenly flaming, eyes sparking furiously. “Don’t get me started on that fucking oath!” 

“You swore one too, I recall.”

“Because you did first! A rash, thoughtless oath, sworn for no reason but to please that tyrant!”

Thranduil stood as well, allowing everything he had pushed down for so long to surface. He realized he was angry too; with his father, with Galadriel – with Aerneth. She had abandoned him when he needed her the most. She had never even tried to figure out why he did what he did. Even now, she did not understand.

“I suppose you think I should have refused and caused us to starve to death,” he said icily. “Swearing that oath was the only way to save our people and I did not do it lightly.”

“You cannot know it was the only way because it didn’t enter your thick head to discuss your options with the rest of us! But then, you never did seek advice from others. From the beginning you have been your own master – and my master, making decisions that affected us both without consulting me. Even hugely important secrets, such as the Silmaril being in Elwing’s possession, you kept to yourself.”

“As if you are so very open to advice,” he shot back. “You went to war against my wish, and did you consult with me before you kissed that other ellon? Or that time when you rallied the people of Doriath to leave Thingol, forcing me to choose between my adar and my wife – did you ask me before you started rebellion?”

“That is because you never listened when I tried! You did not trust my competence. You didn’t even trust my honesty! Or have you forgotten how you immediately believed I had poisoned you when Lúthien escaped from the tree prison her adar put her in?”

“You do not trust my competence either. I know my adar better than anyone and he would not lie to me; still, you chose to believe that he sold the secret of the Silmaril to Maedhros. Maedhros has other means to find out things and if you had been more patient you would have seen that. You could have stayed with us in Ossiriand and been spared all the troubles and stress in this camp.”

“And instead been burned to ashes? If we had stayed, this cave would not be here, conveniently ready to shield you and your precious adar.”

“We could have left together like we first planned. I could have been there for you – if you had let me.”

“I don’t need you! I am my own mistress and much better off.” Her face was completely open now, a storm of conflicting emotions chasing over it. 

He could relate; he was furious and jubilant and devastated at the same time. This was his Aerneth, alive and spirited, an elleth who could drive him mad with anger – and lust. The loss of her consumed him. 

Despite her dismissive words she took a step closer. 

That was the invitation he needed. He caught her in his arms, crashing into her lips so urgently she had to cling to him for support. He backed her up against the wall, kissing her and kissing her, and she responded with a hunger that made him breathless.

They did not bother to undress; he pulled out her breasts from her cleavage so he could kiss them too, sliding a hand down under her dress to caress her intimately. She nudged down his pants, gripping him firmly the way he liked, stroking his most sensitive area with expert fingers before directing him where she wanted him.

When he pushed into her she gasped with pleasure. He set a fast, hard pace, and she met each thrust, wrapping her legs around him.

Neither of them lasted more than minutes.

He lingered, catching his breath and trying to make out what he felt about the whole situation. Remorse? Guilt? No. Not even a trace. Only satisfaction. He had managed to break whatever shell she had constructed and get under her skin, and even if this was a one time occasion, he would live off the memory for a long time.

“We should fight more often,” he said.

She began to laugh, a genuine laughter, and the beautiful sound made him want to cry. 

“Perhaps we should. It felt good. But don’t think I have forgiven you.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he deadpanned. Carefully setting her down, he pulled up his pants. Thank the Valar nobody had come in; in the heat of the moment that possibility had not even occurred to him.

Aerneth smoothed her dress. “I just thought of something.”

“Hmm?”

“Technically we are still married. I swore not to live with you and that ellon, but I never swore to abstain from… anything… And now, when everything might soon be lost, I figure… we deserve a few well-earned comforts from time to time.”

“You have a good point. For once.”

oOo

One day a deep thunder rose outside, so loud it traveled through the thick cave walls and made the ground tremble. Pebbles and dust trickled from the ceiling and a few huts even collapsed.

Everyone gathered in the center of the largest hall, afraid and puzzled. What was this new devilry? An earthquake?

Gil-galad sent out a scout and when he returned his face was ashen.

“A new dragon; many times as large as the other ones. It covers the sky! Thunder and lightning follow it.”

The quakes and roaring noise continued all day, intensifying as the dragon approached. The cave felt increasingly like a trap, for how long would the ceiling hold? Should they venture deeper into the still uncharted dwarf tunnels or would that be an even greater risk? 

They did not have to decide for themselves; in the evening a huge crack appeared across the ceiling and all the way down one wall.

“Abandon the colony!” Gil-galad ordered. “Flee!”

There were only two ways out; the front passage and a similar tunnel in the back of an adjoining cave, and near panic broke out as everyone tried to leave at once, especially among the humans. It could have ended in tragedy if there had not been so many trained warriors among the elves, who could organize the retreat and make sure nobody was trampled to death in the chaos.

Thranduil tried to keep his head clear despite the overwhelming fear, and held his father back when he wanted to fight his way through the tight throng. “There is no hurry. The ceiling still holds – and you know what waits out there. Not safety.”

That calmed Oropher, and they were among the last to leave. 

The new dragon dominated the scene outside. Its wings spanned the sky from one end to the other and it was completely black against the inky clouds and sparkling web of lighting bolts. Its smaller brethren and sisters flocked around it, like sparrows to an eagle.

It was impossible; defying all known laws. Something like that should not be able to fly. It should not be able to exist.

The noise of its passage was deafening and a strong wind had risen. The chemical smell of lightning lay heavy in the air.

“Ancalagon…” There was tremor in Gil-galad’s voice. 

Biting storm. A fitting name for such a monster.

The devastation Ancalagon was causing explained the predicted fate of Beleriand. The land was breaking apart and the sea rising to fill the cleft.

Thranduil caught sight of Aerneth among the onlookers and their eyes met. There was a sense of finality in her expression, and peace. This was the end. 

Maybe somewhere in their future, reborn in Aman, they could begin anew. Make the right choices…

Impulsively, he took her hand and squeezed it. She squeezed back.

“Look,” exclaimed Galadriel, pointing west.

Thranduil looked. There was a light near the horizon, sparkling and brilliant. A star, yet not a star – it was larger and felt closer.

“A new star shall arise,” Aerneth mumbled.

A chill seeped through Thranduil, making him shiver. Could it be Eärendil and Elwing returning with the Silmaril? It carried the light of the Two Trees and had the power to harm evil creatures. When the werewolf once took it from Beren it had burned up from within. 

Could a Silmaril be used as a weapon? 

A wink of hope awakened in him. Perhaps everything was not lost, after all.

Notes:

Translation: Ancalagon = biting storm

Oops, ehehe, apparently this war takes forever to finish… not done yet, but soon!