Light and Shadows (Thranduil's story post BOTFA)

Prelude to war

Weeks and months passed since Tauriel reprised her role as captain. Thranduil continued perfecting her skills and helped her practice with the new weapons and, although their meetings would become less regular as she progressed, it was something that both of them looked forward to and enjoyed. And though their conversations would linger and sometimes had personal bits attached to them, though the training was physical and they would sometimes be so very close to each other, though at times it was so tempting, they never crossed the line of duty again. 

It was what seemed a usual day in Mirkwood. Thranduil was in the throne hall when one of his captains, Aldon, came in a rush, with an anxious expression, to deliver news:

'My lord', he said while walking towards Thranduil, a bit out of breath,  'there is another orc raid coming from South of Mirkwood.'

Thranduil's expression quickly changed into one of controlled anger. There was something wild behind his eyes, an old resentment coming alive again. 

'Well?' he said with an icy tone. 'Are my soldiers repelling this attack? I thought all borders were patrolled and guarded.'

'They are, my lord', Aldon added quickly, 'Feren and Tauriel's companies were patrolling the Southern parts of our border. They are fighting now as we speak.'

Thranduil's heart jumped slightly. Tauriel was there...

'Just how big is the raid?'

'Nothing like we have not encountered before', Aldon said, trying not to anger his King. 'Fairly the same numbers as last time.'

'Send them some reinforcements nonetheless and, in the meantime, double the guards watching over the other areas.'

Aldon bowed his head quickly and left. 

It was probably just another minor attack, like the many fights they had of late in order to defend their realm and protect the forest, Thranduil thought. Both Feren and Tauriel were excellent captains and soldiers and he hoped they would return fairly soon, reporting that they had repelled again the enemies from Mirkwood. 

However, as a couple of hours passed, Tauriel and Feren's companies had not yet returned from the forest. Thranduil was pacing through the halls, starting to feel anxious. He had announced to his generals the threat and all his army was in position to defend the kingdom if the enemies got too close. Finally, a messenger came to report on the attack on the Southern flank. His captains, Aldon and Maldir, as well as his first general, Gilros, were there as well. 

'My lord, it is chaos over there', he started almost out of breath, trying to deliver the news as fast as he could. 'Your captains are still fighting but even with reinforcements, they are having difficulty holding them back. The orc numbers are growing by the hour. More and more are coming.'

Thranduil frowned in both a worried and puzzled expression. 

'These are Dol Guldur orcs, my lord. They are large, well-armed and have a new commander. They also have firebombs with them. They are trying to burn the forest. Many trees are already on fire.'

'Even if they get past our soldiers, the enchantments we have placed on the rest of the forest will make it hard for them to advance towards the fortress. Do not worry, my lord', Aldon said.

'On the contrary, it worries me a lot.', said Thranduil with a sharp tone, looking annoyed towards his captain. 'The Southern border is still our realm, is it not? Elvish blood is being spilled there to defend this land, as our precious forest is being destroyed, and you tell me there is nothing to worry about?'

Aldon glanced quickly towards Maldir and let his head fall down.

'Gilros', Thranduil spoke towards his general, 'prepare your unit and Callon's unit. I will go into the forest myself and you will accompany me with your troops.'