The Unwilling Return of Ithilwen Greenleaf

Epilogue

I am so sorry I promise I will explain everything in the authors note at the end. Elvish 

Mentions of trauma. 

________________________________

Legolas followed after Tauriel heading towards Ravenhill where Ithilwen and the most powerful dwarves were fighting Azog and the goblin mercenary'. Thranduil stood shocked as he felt his heart shake. His gaze fixated on the bloodied snow. 

------Thranduil PoV 

No, no , no , no. Valar no please no! I prayed applying pressure to her wound. Her once bright hair was muddied and dyed with orc blood. I'd find her beautiful if she wasn't bleeding on the ground with a sword wound to her heart. "My love please, stay strong." I begged her as I saw the light slowly leaving her eyes. Too preoccupied with applying pressure I neglected to notice her touch. Her fingers brushed against my skin. "Thranduil, " turning to look at her I held her hand to my face. "Its far too late for me." my heart shook as tears fell down. Grabbing her hand I shook my head. "No my love, think of Legolas and , and Wen-thell she's just a babe they still need you. I, I still need you. I pleaded my tears trailing down her skin. Meldamiriel coughed blood spilling from her lips. Her moonlight gaze stared at my own. "Thranduil, survive. Survive for them and me. And tell them, Naneth is sorry." 

------ Normal PoV

"Those gems were not all your wife left you, my friend." Gandalf called. The elven king looked to the grey wizard, pale eyes reflecting the turmoil and fear he felt. "She left you a son and a daughter who takes after you more than her mother." 

Thranduil turned to face the snow again his gaze petrified. "Tell me which would she have you value more." 

The elven king slowly turned to face the wizard again. Ice blue eyes twitched in confusion yet his face appeared as if he had finally come to a decision. 

-----

Thranduil searched the halls of Ravenhill, worry filling him as he searched for his children. Looking around at the dead orcs his mind wandered. Did Wen-thell do all this? Even with the wounds she carried? he asked himself. Hearing footsteps and noticing elven boots he looked up just in time to see Legolas round the corner. Father and son faced each other, Thranduil wanting to say something but hesitated. "I, can not go back." Legolas' voice echoing in the hall. Bowing his head he walked past his father. "Where will you go?" his father hurriedly asked his tone solemn. "I do not know." the elf said as he turned to face his father. "Go north," Thranduil instructed his voice holding a tone his son hadn't heard in a long time. Slightly tilting his head in shock as if he misheard the tone. "Find the Dúnedain, theres a young ranger amongst them you should meet him." he told. "His father Arathorn was a great man. His son might grow to be a great one." 

The elven king turned to face his son while the elf gazed down to the floor as he nodded. "What is his name?" his voice solemn as he knew he would have to leave his home and sister behind. "He's known in the wild as Strider. His true name that you must discover for yourself." peaking his sons interests. Scanning his father to see if he'd really let him leave he turned his back apprehensive of leaving his sister alone. 

"Legolas" his father called. The elf stopped, his gaze turned downward raising his head, about to turn back around but froze blue moonlight eyes widened. "your mother loved you and your sister. More than anyone, more than life." Thranduil's voice softening at the end. 

Slowly turning to face his father, Legolas' shocked gaze turned to a soft surprise. The elven king placed his right hand over his heart while Legolas reached his hand out. After receiving his fathers' blessing he was about to leave when he stopped again. Glancing over his shoulder, he looked ahead. "Ithilwen, I believe she's beside the one they call Fili."