Coirë seemed delayed with the waning of Hrívë. Darkness lingered far longer and the winds blew cold as ice. I knew it was morning, but clouds blanketed the skies tightly, and not a ray of sun could break through. The halls of the palace were silent as I walked slowly toward my study.
"Ada," Tarthôn said, startling me as he stepped from inside.
"Tarthôn," I said. "You frightened me."
"I apologize," he said. "You are early. Where are Nenduîl and Tárimë? Did they stay with you last night?"
"No," I said. "What are you saying to me?"
"Ëariâth and Aradúlin cannot find either of them or Aranduil anywhere. I thought he may have followed them into your chamber."
Without a word, I walked toward the main gates as swiftly as I could. They opened the doors and walked outside as the blistering winds rushed across my face like the claw of a wild beast. I knew where I was headed but I did not know why. I crossed the bridge—hearing the voices of Elendôr and Tarthôn behind me.
"Where are you going, Thranduil," Elendôr asked. "Why would they come out at this hour?"
I stopped abruptly—standing before the grave of Êlúriel looking down at three small children.
Tárimë looked up—her face calm even as mine gave her a stern look.
"Tárimë," I began calmly. "Why are you here?"
"Because," she said. "We were told to come outside."
"Told by whom," Elendôr asked bewildered.
"The lady," Aranduil said. "We are waiting."
"I do not understand," Tarthôn said. "What lady?"
I settled down before them—three little innocent faces looking at me without fear of anything I might say to them.
"I know of whom you speak," I said softly. "She is gone. She left a very long time ago."
"We know," Nenduîl said. "She is in there."
He pointed to Êlúriel's tomb. I did not know what to do—I was beside myself in turmoil as my mind tried to grasp the thoughts of these children seeing my Êlúriel.
"Why would she tell you to come out here," I asked.
I felt the presence of a shadow above me. I looked up and saw three elves standing before me. I stood up and they bowed before me. They were dressed in blue cloaks—their hoods over their heads.
"Your Majesty," one of them said. "We have come to you from Lothlórien."
As Elendôr picked up his son, Nenduîl and Tárimë hid behind me.
"Who has sent you," I asked cautiously.
One of them stepped forward and removed his hood. His eyes were like the morning sky and his long hair was near the color of mine.
"Lord Celeborn, Your Majesty," he said. "I am Haldir. These are my brothers, Rúmil and Orophin."
Rúmil and Orophin removed their hoods.
"You are king now," Rúmil said. "It has been a long time."
"Rúmil," a voice behind them said. "Watch your tongue. You are in the presence of royalty."
The three moved and another stepped forward.
"Celeborn," I said. "This is a surprise."
"Yes," he said. "And not a pleasant one, I am afraid."
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...
