Light and Shadows (Thranduil's story post BOTFA)

Broken promises

As always, the song and video do not belong to me. Lyrics to the song 'Promises under the rain' by Beto Vazquez Infinity:

"Sometimes I think that you should help the blind man

Sometimes I think you two are one-of-a-kind

Don't keep on making promises under the rain

Words that you are gonna regret

Sad feeling that he is losing you forever

Please don't enter in your night right now

.......................................................................

Is hard to start all over

When you were so close to understanding 

Your life."

A gloomy sky was hovering over Mirkwood. Thranduil had woken up earlier than intended as he had much to do. He sat on his throne, dressed in his usual fine robes, instructing his subjects and listening to any news and reports regarding the war with Mordor and Isengard. His first general, Gilros, came in the throne room, where his 4 captains were still present after reporting the situation at the borders. 

'My lord', Gilros said, bowing his head quickly and placing his arm across his chest, 'I came to report that the troops have been selected and the 600 soldiers are now equipped and ready to travel to Lorien and then march towards Helm's Deep.'

'Good', Thranduil said. 'From Lorien, they will be under captain Haldir's command. He will lead them as well as Lorien's soldiers into battle. Do make them aware.'

'Yes, my lord.'

Girlos bowed his head again and quickly left the room, with his proud walk and his armour shining silver on his chest. Thranduil turned his head again towards his captains - Aldon, Maldir, Feren and Tauriel.

'As I said, we need to be vigilant even though the Southern threat of Dol Guldur has been destroyed. Our greatest threat at the moment lies from the East. Also, what is the situation with the spiders? Aldon?'

Aldon jumped a bit when he heard his name suddenly spoken.

'We...Most of their nests were in and around Dol Guldur, as you very well know, my King. However, some have escaped and are still hiding and lurking in Mirkwood. Their numbers are not as great as before though, my lord.'

'Yes', Maldir added, 'we have purged most of the forest and we are continuing to annihilate any remaining spiders. Now that they feel threatened, they are hiding their nests very well. Our patrols are hunting them as they find them.'

'I want them all destroyed, do you understand? The forest is slowly healing, I will not tolerate any more fowl creatures to reside in it.'

'Yes, my lord.', Maldir replied.

'As for the Eastern borders, I want you to double the patrols there. The king of Dale has given me some worrisome news a few months ago that I don't intend to ignore. The trees are healing from the fire of the last battle. I will not allow any more evil to put foot on this land. I am trusting you, as my captains, to ensure this doesn't happen again.'

All 4 heads bowed and muttered 'my lord'. Thranduil's eyes lingered for a few moments on Tauriel's red locks. As the captains turned to leave the throne room, his eyes met hers for just a second and then they followed her figure until she disappeared through the stone gates. 

He was pleased with how things were going since their victory in Dol Guldur. They would survive this war and he would heal the forest with Galadriel's help. If only Legolas would be safe...if only he would come home and stand by his side to defend Mirkwood. Soon elven troops would reach Legolas and his company though this thought alone was not easing his worry entirely.