Light and Shadows (Thranduil's story post BOTFA)

Standstill

Useful quote for this chapter: ''Oropher had come among them with only a handful of Sindar, and they were soon merged with the Silvan Elves, adopting their language and taking names of Silvan form and style. This they did deliberately; for they (and other similar adventurers forgotten in the legends or only briefly named) came from Doriath after its ruin and had no desire to leave Middle-earth, nor to be merged with the other Sindar of Beleriand, dominated by the Noldorin Exiles for whom the folk of Doriath had no great love. They wished indeed to become Silvan folk and to return, as they said, to the simple life natural to the Elves before the invitation of the Valar had disturbed it.'' - from Unfinished Tales, The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves.

Time passed by with no direct attacks from Gundabad nor any news about the enemy's plans or about Legolas' company. The raids from the East were not as frequent as before, whether in Dale, Erebor or Mirkwood. There was a strange kind of suspension, a relative calmness that worried Thranduil - it felt as if the enemy was brewing something and it was only the quiet before the large storm. Then, one day, finally news came. It seemed that Haldir, Celeborn's captain, as well as the majority of the troops they sent with him had been slaughtered though somehow, like through some kind of miracle, Legolas was alive. The message said that he and his companions were still with the people of Rohan and that they were safe but that most likely Gondor would follow. 

Yes, of course, Thranduil thought. All the enemy's attention was being placed upon Men for it was Men who had the potential to rise into power and take control of Middle-Earth. The elves and the dwarves were now fewer and fewer. There was a sadness in Thranduil's heart about that but he knew things could not be changed any longer. They would endure as long as they could and, if possible, see the Greenwood restored to its former glory before they would all eventually depart. However, he felt it in his heart that day was further away for him than for other of his kinsmen. He was still firmly rooted in the forest, in his kingdom, with his people. Tauriel was by his side and she also gave him hope to stay, to fight and to dare dream of better days for his realm and for Middle-Earth. 

And so, the elves of Mirkwood, continued to fight, to guard the forest and to purge it slowly of the corruption that still lingered. The parts very close to Thranduil's underground fortress were already clear of all spiders and evil beings and were well-guarded. Tauriel was just returning from a successful hunt further away, her scouts now dispelling through the trees and chatting with each other. 

It was the end of her duties for that day and before going back inside the fortress she decided to walk slowly through the trees, taking in the silence of Mirkwood. Once this silence used to be eerie, uncomfortable. Now, it seemed as though a part of the evil was already purged. She too had heard the news of Legolas and was so relieved in her heart to learn that he was safe though worried that he would not choose to come back home just yet. Tauriel knew how much this weighed on Thranduil's heart, even if it was something that she herself would have done not too long past. Now, she felt so bound to him and to the forest, unlike ever before. Every time she abandoned Mirkwood, her heart pulled her back again to the same place...and the same person. 

As she followed a small enchanted spring, her eyes looked upon its wavy course. It was disappearing far towards the left of the fortress hill, leading further away into the wilderness of Mirkwood. Then she realised - it was that very spring that was leading to the place where she had met Thranduil over 600 years back. Her eyes followed the enchanted stream of water through the dense trees and her heart suddenly filled with memory. The voices of her scouts now seemed far away as her mind took her back to that day, the day when she had lost everyone she knew as family... and the day that Thranduil found her. 

The memories she had from before knowing Thranduil were few and scattered. She remembered when her father left in the woods and never returned. She remembered the forest to be much greener back then. She remembered how her brother taught her archery. Mirkwood, or Greenwood, as it was still known back then, had always been her home. As Tauriel gently walked upon the grass and leaves, she wondered what her life would have been like if Thranduil never found her: better or worse? She had sworn to avenge her family and the death of many of her kin since that day. She had dedicated her life to fulfilling this promise. She resented everything that happened except for one thing: meeting Thranduil.