Light and Shadows (Thranduil's story post BOTFA)

Of old and new

Disclaimer: the video is not mine! Also, just as a note, when Legolas went to search for Aragorn at the end of the BOTFA (as the movie depicted), Aragorn must have been around 20 or 20 something because he was 87 during the events in Lord of the Rings. 

Thranduil's heart was pounding with both worry and excitement. Another letter had come from Legolas, this time with an unusual message. He requested his father to meet with him at the Northern border of Mirkwood in order to give him important news. The King was holding the message from his son, wondering why he did not want to come to the Woodland Realm to give him the news. Why did his son not return home and instead wanted to meet with him at the edge of the forest? He knew it could have been a trap but he was going to go anyway, as there was a slight chance that he might see Legolas. 

He made sure to leave the fortress in secrecy, with only two loyal guards from Feren's company. He mounted his elk, a smaller version of the great beast he used to ride for centuries before it got killed in Dale, and his guards mounted their large horses, heading into Northern Mirkwood. 

That side of the forest was less plagued with evil though still not as green and vibrant as in the old days. As they walked in the shadows of the large Mirkwood trees, glimpses of light shining through the dense branches, Thranduil suddenly signalled his guards to stop. He got off his horse and ordered them to stay there while he went walking further into the depths of the wood. There, he sensed a presence and a shadow moved near him. A hooded figure appeared to his right and he soon recognized the sweet features of his son hidden away.

'Legolas, he said, as his son approached him, almost not believing his eyes.

Legolas took off his hood and his pale blond hair illuminated through the darkness. 

'Father.' 

He looked at Thranduil with a little smile and Thranduil was relieved to see that his son's first gaze upon him was not one of resentment. 

'I come with important news. I had to deliver them in person, there was no other way, I'm afraid.', he whispered, looking around to see if anyone else was there. 

'My guards are waiting behind me. Come, let's talk', Thranduil said as he gestured towards his son to gently walk in the seclusion of the large forest trees. 

He quickly scanned his son from the corner of his eye. He seemed well and was wearing a green elvish travel cloak. His hair was not as clean as it would usually be and he generally seemed more shabby. 

'I have come to know the man you told me about. He is in good relations with Lord Elrond.', Legolas started.

'Yes, indeed. He was raised in Rivendell.'

'We have travelled together and have come to gather quite a bit of valuable information in regards to this upcoming war.'

Legolas stopped walking and he turned towards his father, sitting close to him, looking him in the eyes with intensity.

'We heard it's possible that the One Ring was found.', he said in a low voice. 

Thranduil's felt his blood freeze for a moment as if time itself had stopped there and then. Of course, he knew of the One Ring, perhaps more than others in Middle-Earth. He had taken part in that faithful battle and saw with his own eyes as Isildur cut Sauron's finger, taking the ring. The same battle where his father, Oropher, was slain right before his eyes. Still, the possibility for that accursed ring to be brought to the surface from the waters of the Anduin seemed slightly improbable, although unfortunately, not impossible. 

'All we know for now is that a certain creature called Gollum has been in the possession of the ring for quite a long time, although we do not know exactly if he still has it. I needed to tell you this because finding the One Ring would be a big advantage in the war against Sauron.'