In the aftermath of the Battle of the Five Armies, Thranduil finds the world within his Halls empty. He struggles to come to terms with the absence of his only child and the loss of the one he raised as if she were his own daughter. He begins to r...
Old memories haunt Thranduil as he struggles to untangle his feelings. Was he merely being overly protective of Tauriel or was there something else afoot within his fortress walls. Ambushed at the South Outpost, Tauriel flees with Tërÿani into the unprotected regions of the dark forest. Ráerû returns to the fortress only to discover that Elvändéruil has already departed and could be walking right into a trap.
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"Thalieth." Thranduil said quietly as he stepped into the antechamber just outside his study, a deep frown creasing his brow. "Send for Lieutenant Evárÿan and Warden Rínnänéth, I wish to speak with them."
"Ben iest gîn, hîr vuin." (As you wish, my lord). The guard replied with a curt nod as he turned quickly away from him toward the guards' chambers.
"Why would it take him two days?" He mused silently clasping his hands loosely behind him as he walked back into his study. Pausing before the small hearth, he recalled some of the details of his conversation with Lieutenant Vanyë as he stared down into the flames.
The Vale at the Forked Pass had always been their preferred mustering point as it was central to the patrol outposts and less than a days' ride from the fortress. If there had been problems the lieutenant would have said something, a deep frown creased his brow as old memories haunted his thoughts. He had known each of the March Wardens his entire life, having served as their commander in the forest patrols and fought alongside them on the battlefield, he knew them as both friends and warriors. The closer relationship he had with Aldalómë during their youth was unsettling. He recognized Aldalómë's silence for what it was and felt his anger rising once again.
"You wanted to see me?" Rínnänéth asked quietly from the open door, concerned as he caught the slight frown before Thranduil pulled down the familiar guarded expression that told him this was an official summons.
"Yes, come in, sit down." Thranduil replied, quickly pulling himself into the present as turned toward him. "Leave the door open, I am expecting Evárÿan." He added as he moved behind his desk.
"What is wrong?" Rínnänéth asked, his smile quickly replaced with a slight frown as he watched the king sink down into his chair as if the weight of Arda (the world) sat upon his shoulders.
"I just spoke with Lieutenant Vanyë." Thranduil sighed, regarding his friends expression with mild curiosity. "He and Tháëdrâs returned two days ago. He also informed me Aldalómë pulled Macilvoronhûr from the south and sent him east. He also sent most of his own forces to join with Eluandúnië in the northeast and was supposed to return here, yet I have not seen him."
"Aldalómë was set up only ten or so leagues north of the vale." Rínnänéth said quietly, a deep frown furrowed his brow as he struggled with just how much to tell him. "I'm sure he has a reasonable explanation."
"Yes, I am sure he does, yet I am uncomfortable with his decision to pull our forces from the southern borders." Thranduil stated, pausing briefly to motion Lieutenant Evárÿan to enter. "Come in Evárÿan." He added, a soft smile curling his lips yet it did nothing to soften his guarded expression.
