There would be no distinction from night to day as we prepared to march across the plains of Dagorlad and face Sauron. Not a sound was heard throughout the camps as we prepared for battle. As far as I could see, expressions were stoic on the faces of every warrior. My father's words echoed through my mind as I was suited into my armor.
Stepping out of my tent, the sky was a swirl of grey mixed with the plumes of smoke rising from Orodruin. Melros approached me as I watched the day grow darker.
"I am ready to defeat this evil," he said defiantly. "I want to be remembered for it."
"I wish nothing more than to return home," I said. "For things to be as they were."
"I know, Thranduil. Nothing will ever be the same. Not all things that change us are evil. I was there when you first laid eyes on Êlúriel."
"Yes," I smiled. "I remember that day and all the days before. I fear those things will be stolen from me by this evil."
"Only if you allow it to do so," he answered.
He embraced me—the sound of our clashing armor seemed to break the silence. When he released me, he was smiling. He showed none of the fear I had.
"You are a brave and valiant warrior," I said. "And my dearest friend. May we leave this place together and never return."
"Do not worry, Thranduil," he began. "I will return home with you."
He walked away toward his position—his last words to me would ring true. He would return to Eryn Galen upon his shield. I slowly walked through the hundreds of soldiers taking up arms and positions. I sought a familiar face anywhere but none I could see until I had come to my place beside Elranduil. Before us stood a fortress that seemed to rise from an abyss of darkness and rise into a sky the color of fire.
"This is where we fall," I said. "I fear I shall never again see Eryn Galen."
"You will not fall, Thranduil," Elranduil said. "You have far too much for which to live."
I thought of Êlúriel. If there were anything in the world to live for, it was for her. I had to see her and I began to find my courage. I looked before me and there stood the leaders of the Alliance. With them was another man that looked much like Isildur, but with a countenance that seemed far more formidable. I learned later it was his brother Anárion of Gondor. Elrond rode forward and spoke to us.
"Brutal are the winds that blew that attempted to hold us back," he began. "Since there was time it has tried to keep us from our fight against its fury. Many have fallen, but far more remain. On this day, we fight to end that which returns to destroy this world and all within it. We began this journey and none but us can see it to its end. There can be no wind to blow against us now for we have found our strength. In alliance with Men, Elves, and Dwarves, we end this now and end it forever."
A roar of cheer rolled through Dagorlad as the leaders dispersed to take their places among their men. I saw my father approaching me. He stood in front of me for a moment as if to remember something. He nodded to me and took his place beside me.
There was silence. We stood as we saw what looked like dark shapes moving toward us slowly. Father raised his sword.
"Maethorim od Eryn Galen," he yelled. "Na vedui, gomaethar!"
On those words, our army charged quickly towards Barad-dûr as the dark forces of Sauron moved just as swiftly into battle.
That day the sun shone dim and hope was turned to death.
A great many elves of Eryn Galen took their final breath.
For though they are immortal, they can fall upon a blade.
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...
