Chapter XXV: (EXT) Battle in the North (Pt I)
“At first light, Celeborn, Haldir, Rúmil and Orophin left for Lothlórien with the escorts chosen for them. Fëaluin stood with me as we watched them disappear beneath the forest brush before us.
“I grow tired of war, Fëaluin,” I said. “I do not think I can fight another battle.”
“You can and you will,” he said. “This war is unlike any we have seen or will see again. There is not a creature in this world that must bear arms against this evil.”
“It seems I lost my father and Melros not more than a day ago,” I said. “Now Legolas is out there somewhere doing what I must do once more. If I can fall in his place, then at least I will find some peace.”
“You will not fall,” he said. “You are not destined to fall.”
“How do you know this, Fëaluin,” I asked.
“My father told me that when you were born, Oropher said that his son would be the last great elven king in all of Arda.”
“Father said many things,” I answered. “Most of which while he had a bit too much miruvor to drink.”
“You are still here, are you not?”
“But for how long, Fëaluin,” I asked.
Soon Aranduil approached me and lifted his arms to me. I picked him up. He had just awoken and still in his nightclothes.
“Yes, Aranduil,” I asked. “What can I do for you?”
“Hold me, please,” he yawned.
Fëaluin laughed.
“Your great grandson seems to take after his other great grandfather.”
“Which one,” I asked. “Elranduil or Nimlos?”
“Must you ask, Thranduil,” he asked smiling.
We made our way into the palace just as Aradúlin came to me. I handed Aranduil to her.
“He seemed to have wandered away from the others this morning,” she said.
“He is rather anxious this morning with all this talk of war.”
“How would he know of such things,” I asked.
“He wanders everywhere with Nenduîl and Tárimë. Where you go they will follow.”
This news disturbed me for I did not wish them to worry more than I knew they already had.
“Where are they now, Aradúlin,” I asked.
“I believe Linurial said they were in your chambers,” she answered.
“Yes,” Aranduil said. “They are in there. Nana, I am hungry.”
“Of course,” she said. She bowed and went her way with her son.
“I need to have a word with Nenduîl and Tárimë,” I said.
“Plenty, I would say,” Fëaluin said. He took his leave to my study and I went to my chambers.
I found Nenduîl and Tárimë resting in my bed—just waking for the morning. I sat beside Nenduîl on the bed as he slowly sat upright. “Nenduîl, have you been listening when you should not,” I asked as Tárimë sat up.
“Yes, Ada,” he said. “I want to know why you are leaving.”
“I am not leaving,” I said. “Not for some time. You should not listen on others without permission.”
“Why are you going away,” Tárimë asked. “Are you going away forever?”
“No, Tárimë,” I said. “I will return. But I must protect you, your sisters and everyone in Mirkwood from danger. You must not worry about such things.”
“Why not,” Nenduîl asked. “What if you die and never come back?”
“I do not know this nor do you,” I said. “You cannot worry about such things. I am here now.”
“You have to come back,” Nenduîl said. “Who will take care of us if you are gone?”
“I will take care of you,” I said. “I will return to you.”
“You promise you will, Ada,” Tárimë asked, crawling across the bed to embrace me.
“I once made a promise to return a long time ago and I kept it,” I said. “So I will make the same promise to you. I will return to you.”
“Then you will,” Nenduîl said. “You always keep your promises.”
“I try to keep them as I can,” I said.
As he embraced me, I thought as far as I could remember on all things I had promised to do. Each time I had kept my word and I wondered how I was able to do so. Then I realized how much I loved every one of them and would have done anything for them. Love had kept me from despair through many tragedies to keep my word. I knew I would again return home.
“You two must promise me something in return,” I said.
“Yes,” Tárimë asked.
“You must stop listening on whatever I say to others,” I said. “It is not for you to hear.”
“Then why do you say it so loud,” Nenduîl asked. “Sometimes we can hear you in the hall.”
I heard soft laugh come from no where.
“I will try better to speak softly if you promise to keep your ear from the door.”
“Yes, Ada,” they said sadly.
I heard the soft laughter once more and it was hard not to laugh in return.
“Now, it is time for you to eat,” I said. Go on. Aranduil is already in the dining hall I am sure.”
They quickly jumped off the bed and ran out the door.
“Êlúriel, you may come out now.”
She walked from behind her divider—a wide smile upon her face.
“I told you were loud,” she said as Elranduil peeked in. She kissed my cheek before walking out as he came in.
“I am not loud,” I shouted at her as her laughter reverberated through the hall.
“I hear Aranduil came to you this morning,” Elranduil said sitting beside me.
“What did he say to you?”
“Hold me, please,” I answered.
“Oh,” he answered. “You realize he gets that from you. You were always doing that.”
“I beg your pardon,” I asked. “I never did such a thing.”
“You would always have to be held by Nimeithel every chance you could find—even in audience. But you eventually grew out of it once you were married.”
I looked at him crossly for a time before taking a pillow to his head.
“Well it is true,” he said, taking a pillow and hitting me back.
As we were partaking in a childish game, we hardly noticed Eldôr and Fëaluin standing inside the doorframe watching us.
“I was just having a word with Thranduil, Father,” Elranduil said hitting me one last time.
“I can see that, son,” Eldôr said. “Have you finished or would you care to continue your conversation?”
“No,” he said. “I have said all that was needed to be said.”
I hit him once more before putting down the pillow.
“Mirkwood’s greatest king,” Fëaluin said smiling.
**** **** **** ****
I stared at my armor for what seemed a lifetime as I sat alone in the familiar workshop of the smiths. It was my third and my last suit I would wear into battle. I could see years of wars in its reflection. I remembered the fallen and the blood-soaked fields where they fell.
All things tragic and all things beautiful seemed to happen the day before no matter how long it had been. When you remember them, they are more than memory—they are reminders of why we continue to live. They are the hopes we hold onto for better days before us. They keep us from dying even when that is all we want to do.
“How do you like it,” I heard Tatháron ask. “It should fit you well.”
“It resembles my father’s,” I answered. “The one he died in during the War of the Last Alliance.”
“It was commissioned by your father for you when you became king,” he said. “My father created it. After Oropher was killed he made me and my mother swear never to allow you to see it. But it was Eldôr that asked me to bring it forward for you after Celeborn left.”
“Why,” I asked.
“Your mother asked him to do so if there came another great battle,” he said.
“Well, should I die, I should fall as my father, then.”
“You will not fall,” he said. “You are a great warrior.”
“Great warriors fall, Tatháron,” I said. “I have seen it happen time and again.”
“True, but not you,” he said.
He went from the room and returned with a mail of mithril.
“No,” I said. “Give it to Tarthôn.”
“He already has his own,” he said smiling. “All the princes have their own. I wish for my grandson to return as well.”
“Of course,” I smiled. “Elendôr.”
“Tárwen held me to my word to watch over Ninyáre and her sons before she left with Mîráre for Aman. At least one of them has gone to them.”
I could not tell him that Êlenuil was in Mithlond so I smiled and nodded.
“I will not ask how you came by so much mithril,” I said. “Know that I am grateful for it.”
I rose to leave to return to my study.
“When you return from battle,” Tatháron began, “What will you do?”
“I will not leave this world,” I said. “Not until I know what has become of Legolas. Only then will I decide.”
I walked out of the foundry into the falling night. It was cool but the warmth of spring begun to emerge. It was night such as this long ago that after emerging from the caves, I met with Êlúriel before going to battle.
As I thought about her—wandering through the gardens in her flowing white dress her hair carrying the breeze gently beneath the night sky, I made my way toward my palace. It was quiet except for the creatures of the night lamenting the stars. From a distance I could see someone waiting at the gates.
When I grew closer, I realized it was Nimlos sitting upon the stone railing looking down into the river waters.
“Why are you out this evening,” I asked as I approached him. “I would think you would be with Sildúriel.”
“She is with Aruilos,” he said. “This will be his first battle. I cannot blame her concern. I worry as well. Perhaps even more. He is my only son.”
“I know how you must feel,” I said. “One son is out in the world and the other will join yours in battle.”
“My daughter would join him if it were not for Aranduil,” he said. “We both know how difficult Ëariâth can be.”
“She loves Tarthôn,” I said. “I could not ask for a better wife for my son.”
“I know you are thinking about more than your sons,” he said.
“Yes,” I said. “I am worried about Isílriel. She is as stubborn as her mother. That is not a secret easily kept.”
“True, Thranduil,” he answered. “She is reminds me of Êlúriel’s mother Annariel. Born fighters, this clan.”
I laughed remembering my little Isilya eagerly watching her brothers practicing with their bows and always wanting to join them. Then my thoughts drifted to Êlúriel.
“Before we went to Dagorlad, I promised Êlúriel I would return to her,” I said. “I kept my word but I what if I cannot keep my word this time?”
“You always keep your word,” Nimlos said. “I have always liked that about you.” I smiled remembering when we first met.
“Besides,” I said. “If I did not keep my word Êlúriel would scold me for it and would never allow me to forget.”
Nimlos laughed.
“She inherited that from her mother, I am afraid. Poor Uncle. Whenever he had words with his wife, everyone could tell by the look on his face. I find it rather amusing to see that same look on Aramoth’s face after he has words with my sister.”
“It must run in your family,” I said laughing. “She may be young, but Tárimë is quite adept at it as well.”
We laughed together for a moment. I began to feel like myself for a moment. “Ada,” a voice said.
We turned to see Nenduîl running toward us. He leapt into my arms and embraced me.
“Why are you out this late,” I asked “Is your sister sleeping?”
“Yes, Ada,” he said. “I was looking for you.”
“You have found me, Nenduîl,” I said. “Shall I take you to bed?”
“Look, Thranduil,” Nimlos said.
I looked to see Arawë and Aldáros coming toward us frantically. Still winded, they bowed before me.
“Your Majesty,” Arawë began. “Randumîr sent word that a horde of glamhoth march this way and will arrive by morning.”
“What else did he say,” I asked.
“One horde attacked the borders of Lothlórien not long after Lord Celeborn returned,” Aldáros said. Another attack they will endure tomorrow.”
Nimlos and I looked at one another concerned.
“Follow Nimlos into the palace,” I commanded. “I must do something first.
Nimlos, call after Fëaluin and will come to you in my study.”
They bowed and all of them made their way into the palace.
“Will you fight tomorrow, Ada,” Nenduîl asked.
“Yes, Nenduîl,” I said carrying him toward the main gates. “I will fight tomorrow.”
“Will you win,” he asked as I entered the palace and walked toward his chambers.
“Yes,” I said. “I would not worry but you and your sister must stay inside the palace. Give me your word.”
He nodded as his chamber doors were opened and I tucked him into bed. I looked upon him for a moment then kissed his forehead.
“Sleep,” I said. “I will see you when I return.”
He nodded and drifted off. I went to Tárimë and kissed her as she slept. As I was leaving, I heard a voice.
“I will be here when you come back,” Tárimë whispered. “I promise, Ada.” I turned and smiled then quickly left to prepare for battle. On my way down the hall, I was met by Êlúriel.
“Go on, my love,” she said softly. “I will see you upon your return.”
I kissed her.
“Do not leave the palace,” I commanded. “Give me your word.”
“I will remain in the palace,” she said, smiling. “I give my word.”
I kissed her again and quickly made my way down the hall.”––TKWR:BII The Saga of Thranduil (EXT. VER.) by J. Marie Miller 12-20-17
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