Father led us toward our southern borders and I realized we were going toward one of the highest peaks of our tallest mountains. From atop the small plateau, one could see Mordor. Why we rode in that direction was an enigma, but I knew it was something my father commanded. I glanced over to Êlúriel's face seem far more serious than I had seen before.
"You do not look well," I said quietly. "Do we need to return home?"
"No," she said placidly. "I know where we go, Thranduil."
Finally, the group stopped. I noticed my father speaking with Eldôr, Nendúril, and Galdúmîr. Elranduil motioned for me as my mother, Valdúril and Ardúin rode toward Êlúriel.
"Come, Êlúriel," Ardúin said quietly. "There are more pleasant places to see."
Êlúriel and I looked at one another for a moment. She looked away and rode off with the others. Her glance gave me a coldness I could not explain. As I rode over to Elranduil, I could see a darkening of the skies from a great distance.
"Morgoth returns darkness to this world again, for I can see Sauron doing his evil," Father said. He seemed unable to keep his eye away from the darkness as his face showed a fear tormented by anger.
"I do not wish to fight this. But there is no choice."
"I got word from Lórien," Eldôr began. "From the west comes Círdan." At that name, everyone looked at my uncle in horror.
"There is a name I have not heard in some time," Galdúmîr sighed. "War comes to us again. For Círdan would not come so far from Mithlond for naught."
"There is far more than war, Galdúmîr," Oropher said looking at Elranduil and me sadly. "From the West, he comes with the race of men. One I do not find a fondness. There lies in him a darkness that I have always found in Men but this is something darker."
"What is going to happen, Father," I asked.
"Death, Thranduil. The plains of Dagorlad will drown in it."
There fell a horrific silence. I noticed the faces of everyone become more grave. No one dared speak. Elranduil looked at me in desperation.
"When," I said breaking the silence. "When will this come to pass?"
"Worry not, Thranduil," Eldôr said calmly. "The time has not yet come forth. I wait for word from Imladris on this matter."
"You wait for Imladris," Oropher asked. "You of all elves should know that what comes from there comes from Lórien. Never shall the two be put asunder. They are joined by blood to each other and Men."
"Lord Elrond I find to be forthright in his actions," Eldôr said gently. "With much respect, Oropher, he shows the most promise."
"There will be none that know of peace from within for years to come," Nendúril said. His face is much like his daughter's. He seemed to see something we could not. "This evil can never rest for it depends on the failure of strength. Many in this world do not have the strength to defeat what lures them with their desires."
"I know, Nendúril," Oropher answered. "And we shall pay a great price. Let us go."
He turned and began riding away with the others. Only I remained with Elranduil.
"We will go to battle, then," I asked for validation.
"Yes, Thranduil. But if I can make a better world, then I shall. For Ardúin is expecting."
I looked into the darkness that seemed not to reach the borders of Eryn Galen. I rode away with Elranduil. What promise the day held was filled with sadness. All I could think was how long I would have with my beloved Êlúriel before I had to face an evil for which I was ill-prepared to fight.
YOU ARE READING
Book II: The Saga of Thranduil
Fanfiction"I am Thranduil, I was born to rule." The Saga of Thranduil has been called many things by those that have read it--from Fan Fiction to a Continuation of the stories of Middle Earth given to us by the legendary author J.R.R. Tolkien. It is the story...
