Save Us

Mithrandir

Hundreds of years had passed since Mäetharanel started living in the Greenwood. Her little Legolas had grown, alarmingly fast. Even if she was not his mother, and had never tried to be, she could not help but feel a huge responsability when it came to the boy, her boy. Doriath was no longer her home, but her second refuge. Her father, her dearest father, her biggest love and her biggest worry, had become more and more paranoid. Over what? The Princess did not know.

Thranduil, still grieving his One, absorved himself in work. His kingdom prospered, and despite the King being so envolved in his work, there was still time for a celebration. Rarely, but still, they happened. Much like his wife's father, King Thranduil tried to forget his pain by allowing his mind to wander in the worries of his own kindgom. What a certain Princess found comforting was that, at least, one of them would busy himself inside his home, where danger would not find him.

Greenwood was as wondeful as it had always been. Filled with tall trees and gentle animals, Mäetharanel felt at home when in it. It was her favorite place in all Arda, for it filled her heart and soul with nothing but peace. However, as of late, the time she spent in the forest was not filled with good sentiments. 

The forest wept. The vegetation had gone dark in some places, the animals preferred to hide away and the sun was not so strong, for the trees had grown and closed on each other. Nature mourned for something, but for what? A whisper in the back of her mind alerted her of a danger she had not felt before. But now, when she sat in the forest ground, her eyes closed and her mind meditating, she heard it clearly. 

Something was different, deep in the roots of Arda. And be it whatever it was, it was close, but she could not figure it out. It frustrated her! Her closed eyes began shaking, as did her hands. Her heart fell for the sick forest, and suddenly, whatever it was that damaged it was close, so close she could feel it. Dreadness filled her, and while breathing with difficulty, she gasped and her eyes opened.

"What was that?", whispered Mäetharanel, while looking around, "By the Valar, something is not right", standing up, she wipped at her sweaty forehead and tried to control her breathing, "Radagast... Radagast should know something", shaking her head, she ran an hand through her hair, "Have I gone insane?", she began her path back home, shaky, "Am I fearing for something I have not seen? How foolish."

The guards welcomed her and she tried to smile at them, but she could not. The two simply looked at each other and shrugged. 

But insanity was not consuming Mäetharanel. A bigger evil lurked in the shadows, one the Middle Earth had thought was no more, scheeming and preparing for something that was way too close.

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"My, have they worked so much? I only left a few hours ago", the tall wooden walls were decorated with dry leaves, "These look fantastic", it seemed as if they were new!

"Look well, Mäetharanel", Thranduil was also admiring the elves work, "Without their biggest nuisance, they did miracles."

"How ungrateful you are!", huffed the Princess, "I have just returned from watching over dear Greenwood, and you treat me poorly", smiling, she shook her head, "It is going to be a good day, I am now certain of it", she pat the King's shoulder, "For you have tried to test my patience", and when she turned around to leave, she missed his smile.

The wooden palace was so familiar to her, that even with her eyes closed, she could walk around and still find her destination. It was not the case, as she walked up some stairs, with her eyes open, and walked inside a room, Mäetharanel looked around. The room belonged to Vilissë, and inside, the Queen had stored everything dear to her.