The Lost Hope

Chapter I

Thranduil's pov.

I walk into the room filled with strong, trained elves. All of them stand up as I enter the big, and surprisingly not crowded room. Food had already been placed on the tables.

I walk over to my place at the biggest table. I rest my hand on the seat, gripping it tight in my hand. I see Elinor look at it with confusion, but pretends not to notice it. I look back at the curious elves in the room.

"I have called you all together." I address the group. "And I am afraid to say that orcs have been invading the forest."

Some of the elves whisper to one another in confusion. Others nod in understanding and stay silent. I wait to talk until everyone is quiet.

"In response to this threat, I am increasing the guard amounts as well as the army. I will be holding training sessions everyday at noon."

More chatting was exchanged, which was making me happier with the idea. I look over to Elinor, who was smiling and nodding his head. I keep a serious face and look back at my audience.

"Now, let's eat." I am received by cheers and the clattering of plates. I sit down at my seat.

"I didn't know we had orcs." The Elvin army general, Serion comments.

I nod. "For a couple weeks we have had little conflicts at the borders of Mirkwood. There haven't been any breakthroughs, but we are guessing a bigger attack will come." I look over to Elinor.

Elinor nods. "I would think that they would be more interested in what's going on in Mordor with the ring."

I nod. "No, that war has been over for a couple months now."

My companions give me wide eyes in curiosity.

"Since when?" Serion questions.

"The little hobbit destroyed the ring about twelve weeks ago. The Fellowship was disbanded and they went on their own ways."

"Including your son?" Serion quietly asks.

I go silent. I knew Legolas would most likely not come back to Mirkwood. I had banished Tauriel, which made Legolas leave as well. I knew from Elrond's note that he would be going to Gundabad, which was generally known as quickly horrible place for all elves. Just mentioning the name made me shiver.

That is where my wife, Aryna was murdered.

···

I was riding along the town, which was starting to go up in flames. I was searching frantically, but all I saw was rubble, people retreating the city, and death.

I keep riding my horse around town. I knew they were here, but where?

I finally hear a scream, it came from a back square. I hurry over towards the scream, which died out slowly and turned into a cry.

I reach the square to see an orc, over a body of an Elvin woman. She was unconscious and not moving. Blood seeped through her dress, making it obvious that she was either dead or very close. The orc was facing a little Elvin boy, who held a dagger. His cheeks were covered in blood mixed with tears. His blond hair almost seemed red with the stain of blood.

I unmount, pulling out my pair of swords. Rage filled inside me as I charge at the monster. I caught it on surprise and stabbed it in the chest. I rapidly pull out the swords, pulling the orc corpse to the ground on the side so it wouldn't collapse on the child.

I rush over to the kid, who was stuck in shock.

"Legolas." I grasp his shoulders, which made him cry out. I realize that he was wounded on his back.

"Mom." He moves towards the wounded girl on the ground. He kneels on the ground, gently shaking her on the shoulder. "Get up mom."

The girl coughs, her brown hair moving away from her face. She was starting to grow pale. Her blue eyes start to grow gray. She looks at the child.

"Legolas... I... love you." She says, coughing to end the sentence. "Be... strong." She coughs again. "Don't let... anything... make you stop... pursuing your goals." She looks to me, showing a sad expression on her face. "Thranduil..." She says before growing cold.

Legolas continues to shake her side. "Mom. Don't go to sleep now."

I look around, realizing the town was in worse condition than I had previously thought. The whole town was soon going to be eaten by fire. If we didn't leave, we would be next on the menu.

I grab the kid, who started to kick and scream. I whisper to him. "She is already gone."

He continues to fight against my wills to pick him up, but my strength beat his and I run towards my horse, who was starting to panic as well.

I gently hop on the mount, being sure to not lose my grip on the child. He rested his head on my chest as I grab the reins. I look back at the woman who was the one person that gave me light in this world. Fire started to creep closer to the body, making my heart wrench into a tight ball.

I wanted to jump off the horse and go get her. I desperately wanted the fire to go out and be able to be with her longer, but I knew none of that could be possible. It would kill me and my son if we stayed here any longer.

I close my eyes, pushing the horse forward. My heart felt like it was ripped in half, but no matter how sad it was...

I never cried.

···

"Thranduil?" Elinor puts his hand on my shoulder, making me snap out of my memory. I look at my companions, who were staring at me with strange looks of concern.

I slowly stand up. I look at my partners. "Excuse me." I walk out of the hall, my mind racing with a billion different thoughts.