Chapter V: The Fall of Dol Guldur (Pt. VI)
“Before the light of day, I was dressed and prepared to ride to Dol Guldur. I did not want to wake Nenduîl and Tárimë as I knew they would worry. I walked through the front gates to where my warriors waited for me with Fëaluin, Eldôr, Elranduil and Nimlos.
“Thranduil, son of Oropher,” I heard a voice whisper to me. I turned around to see Galadriel standing behind me. “You have little to fear. You are your father’s son. He would be proud of you.”
“Thank you, Galadriel,” I said. I kissed her hand. “Look southward to our victorious return.”
She smiled and nodded and I went on my way. As a stable hand brought my horse, I noticed Isílion and Tárion speaking with Elmîr and Sildúr. Upon my approach, they bowed.
“You are to take me to Celeborn,” I asked them.
“Of course,” Tárion said. “When His Majesty is ready.”
I looked at my warriors and mounted my horse. The others followed suit. I gave the command and the banners were raised.
“Noro,” I said. “To Dol Guldur.”
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We rode in silence—our minds deep in thought. Would this truly be the last battle I would ever see? Would I return home and would I ever see Legolas again? The unknown is often the only thing we know—it is the certainty that anything can and will happen. The mystery lies within us as to the outcome. I always thought I knew what I would do any given moment and realizing too late that preparation was merely expectation of something unexpected.
As we made our way closer to Dol Guldur, we me Tarthôn and Aruilos at their position at Emyn Duir as their men were packing the camp to move further South.
“Father,” he said. “It is good to see you again.”
“What news have you heard from Celeborn,” I asked.
“His warriors were able to force what was left of the glamhoth into their garrison,” Aruilos said. “Not long after many were lost not far from Angrenost. Lord Celeborn sent word to us that they have surrounded them preparing to lay siege upon them.”
“Upon my arrival, no less,” I said. “Let us go together so we might set up camp before nightfall.”
They nodded and hurried to their horses.
“Where is Ardôr,” Elranduil asked looking for his son. “I thought he would be here with Êlenuil and Elendôr.”
“They went on ahead, Ada,” Orísil said as he rode up to us. “Not long after Celeborn sent word to you.”
“He knew of the messenger,” he asked.
“You mean Lady Galadriel,” Orísil said smiling. “Yes, of course.”
“He told you this himself,” Nimlos asked.
“No,” he answered. “From one called Glorfindel.”
Elranduil let out a deep sigh as Nimlos laughed with Eldôr.
“Come,” I said sternly. “Let us not tarry any longer.”
I thought back long ago to when I first met Glorfindel. Beyond what I remembered of him, I was lost in the memory of my father and Melros I lost at Dagorlad. Before long my thoughts were turned to seeing the Elves of Lothlórien making camp. When we had stopped, I motioned to Fëaluin. He took charge of preparing my tent. As I dismounted, I stood beside Elranduil, Nimlos, Eldôr, Tarthôn Orísil and Aruilos as Isílion and Tárion waited with us as Haldir and his brothers Rúmil and Orophin approached us.
“Your Majesty,” Haldir said bowing. “Good to see you again. Lord Celeborn awaits you in his tent. Shall we, Your Majesty?”
I nodded and we made our way toward a large white tent with silver and white banners at its doors. I entered to see Ardôr and his sons waiting with us with Celeborn.
“Celeborn, son of Galadhon,” I said approaching him. “I have come to you as promised.”
“So you have,” he said. “I am indebted to you.”
“You need not be,” I said. “You know me well enough to know I would do anything to bring peace to my people. We have been cast asunder by the evil of Sauron for far too long. I wish to put and end to it. My life is a small price to pay should that be the cost.”
“Not you, Thranduil,” he said. “You will not fall here or anywhere I imagine. You might well be the strongest of our kin. I know you are the most headstrong of our kind.”
“I have lost too much not to be so,” I said. “Too much I have endured not to be strong when I must. But enough idle chatter. How do we bring about the fall of Dol Guldur once and for all?”
He went to his table as the tent began to fill with elves that would lead the charge. When everyone was accounted, I stood with Celeborn at his table with Fëaluin at my side. Before we could start, two elves entered.
“Many apologies for my lateness,” the first said. He had long hair of gold and grey eyes that seemed softened by tragedy but no less courageous.
“None is necessary,” Celeborn said smiling. “You remember Thranduil, do you not?”
“It has been quite a long time,” he began as he bowed. “Perhaps too long.”
“Galathil,” I said. “It has been too long.”
The other elf that entered stood beside Celeborn quietly. He bowed politely—his youth obvious to everyone, with his soft brown hair and deep green eyes.
“This is Ëarmîr,” Celeborn said. “He is council to me and my brother, Galathil.”
I nodded and once again all fell quiet as we readied ourselves to discuss our offensive.
“Many orcs may not remain, but they fight no less fiercely,” Celeborn began. “Their allegiance is to one greater than life itself—to the one that they have given what is left of a soul that remains within them.”
“It was the detriment that they parceled themselves thin,” Galathil said. “Quickly they fell at Angrenost underestimating that which they thought powerless.”
“The Ents,” Ëarmîr said softly. “They left few to retreat save one or two—far less than what returned from the borders of Lothlórien.”
“We have the advantage of limiting when and where they fight surrounding their fortress,” I said. “But not long will it be before they decide to give all or nothing to what little they have left. Let the bowmen take as many down as allowed and the rest of us will wait for their emergence from squalor—for that what will be too much to bare.”
“I will prepare my men tonight,” Aradin said. “With the arches of Lothlorien, we should have plenty to surround the whole of Dol Guldur and hold them for days.”
I nodded and he rose and left quickly with Elmîr close behind.
“This will be the last battle we shall fight,” Celeborn said.
“It has to be,” I said. “For if we do not win, everyone in this world will live in darkness."--Excerpt from TKWR Book III: To Eryn Lasgalen by J.M.Miller 03-09-17
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