Chapter 12: Dark Tidings
95 years later...
Thalion walked alone in the middle of the woods. His footsteps made no sound as they tread softly over the fallen leaves.
Thalion stopped at the base of a large tree, he looked up at the branches in grief. Legolas used to sit up in those branches, singing to himself or waiting for him to return from scouting the border.
Thalion looked away from the tree and continued walking. He hadn't been the same since his little brother had been taken, he barely ate or slept.
All he could ever think about was Legolas being held captive somewhere, suffering at the hands of orcs or other foul creatures.
Why hadn't he done more to protect him? Thalion had come up with hundreds of ways that he could have prevented what had befallen his brother from happening, but they only served as cruel reminders that he had failed Legolas.
His father hadn't been doing any better than Thalion was. He had grown even colder than before, he barely said anything to his people, or Thalion.
Thranduil blamed himself for what had happened even more than Thalion did. The only difference between father and son was that Thalion still believed that Legolas was alive.
In fact, Thalion seemed to be the only one who thought so. As he walked he heard soft footsteps approaching him from behind.
"Thalion? Are you alright?"
He looked behind him and saw Inwë standing behind him.
She walked over to him and took his strong hands into her small delicate ones.
"I was just thinking Inwë."
"About Legolas?"
Thalion closed his eyes and nodded.
"Thalion, I know that you miss Legolas, we all do. But you have to let him go."
Thalion reopened his eyes and narrowed them accusingly at her.
"Are you saying that I should just give up on him?"
"It has been almost two hundred years since he was captured. If he was still alive then-"
She stopped and gazed mournfully into Thalion's eyes. Inwë knew how much he had loved his brother, but it was time that he accepted that he wasn't coming back.
Just like everyone else had to.
"I cannot just forget him Inwë. Especially when I know that there is a chance that he is alive."
"Thalion, I am not asking you to forget him. No one could ever forget Legolas. I am asking you to move on, let him go."
Thalion released her hands and turned away, she grabbed his shoulder and stopped him from leaving.
"Your people need you Thalion. They need their king and their prince, I need you Thalion. I cannot lose you to grief."
Thalion turned back to her, she took her hand off his shoulder.
"Please Thalion, I do not say that you should not mourn, but only that you will not let your grief consume you. I cared for Legolas too, and I would give anything to have him back."
Thalion still said nothing. Instead he took her into his arms and held her. Inwë wrapped her arms around him and let her tears fall.
Thalion had lost so much, first his mother and now Legolas. Her biggest fear since Legolas' disappearence was that Thalion would either sail west, or die of grief.
Thalion placed one of his hands under her chin and lifted up her head, their eyes met, both filled with grief and sorrow.
"You are right Inwë, I cannot allow my grief to consume me any longer."
Thalion took a deep breath.
"I will let myself be lost to you, Legolas would not want me to spend the rest of my life mourning for him. He would want me to move on."
Inwë lowered her head as Thalion pulled away from her. She knew how hard this was for him, and she intended to stay by his side and help him through his grief.
He took her hand into his and they walked together in silence through the forest.
Thalion thought back to the night before Legolas had been captured, he had gone with Inwë into the gardens and they had spent the entire evening together.
A full moon shone over the two elves as they walked side by side through the gardens. Thalion led Inwë through some trees and they stopped near a waterfall that poured into a small pool.
The stars reflected in the water, glittering like diamonds.
Thalion took Inwë's hands into his and looked into her beautiful saphire eyes.
"Inwë?"
"Yes Thalion?"
"Do you love me?"
"Of course I do. What about you? Do you love me?"
"With all my heart."
Thalion's heart was racing, he had been waiting for this moment for ages, now he was ready.
"There is something I wanted to ask you."
"What is it Thalion?"
He released her hands and pulled something out from his pocket.
Inwë's eyes widened when she saw what it was.
"Inwë, will you marry me?"
She looked at the silver ring that Thalion held, it was adorned with white gems that glowed in the moonlight. She smiled and did not hesitate to answer.
"Yes Thalion, I will marry you."
He smiled as he gently placed the ring onto her finger. The he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
They had planned to be wed soon after he returned from patroling the border, but after everything that had happened....
Thalion stopped walking. He gripped Inwë's hand tightly.
"Thalion? What is it?"
"Get behind me."
"Thalion?"
He put himself in front of her and drew his bow, aiming it at the dense brush up ahead. Footsteps approached them, and whether they were friend or enemy Thalion didn't know.
What he did know was that he wasn't going to let anything happen to Inwë.
He tensed as a figure emerged into the clearing, Thalion aimed his bow at the figure.
"Come now Thalion, has the eldest son of Thranduil forgotten how to greet old friends?"
Thalion lowered his bow in shock.
"Gandalf?"
The old wizard smiled warmly.
"Hello Thalion. It has been a long time since our last meeting. You have grown taller since I last saw you."
"What are you doing here Gandalf? The last time we met was, well, I do not even remember!"
The wizard laughed.
"Yes I have been gone for awhile, and I'm afraid that the reason I am here is not for a friendly visit."
"Then why are you here?"
Thalion asked putting his bow away.
"I need to speak with your father. Is there any chance that wouldn't mind taking me to him?"
"Of course, follow me."
Thalion led them through the forest back to the palace. Inwë introduced herself to Gandalf and the two of them spoke quietly together all the way home.
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"I am surprised to see you here after so long Mithrandir."
Thranduil poured himself another glass of wine and set the bottle down onto his desk.
"I assume that you have a reason for coming?"
"I have been sent by Lord Celeborn to give you a message."
Gandalf replied, his gaze slowly scanning Thranduil's study.
The entire room was a mess, papers were scattered all over the floor, the windows were closed and the only light came from a single torch.
Thranduil was even more disheveld. Dark circles had formed under his eyes, which were strained with exaustion and grief, and his hair was tangled and hung loosely over his shoulders.
"What does Lord Celeborn want?"
Thranduil took a drink of his wine and glared at Gandalf.
"He requests your presence in Lothlorien. Not only you, but also Lord Elrond and myself."
"If you and Elrond are going to be there then why should I? I have business of my own to attend to."
"I can see that."
Gandalf narrowed his eyes at the wineglass.
Thranduil noticed the look in Gandalf's eyes and set the cup down, his blue eyes burning into Gandalf's.
"What is so important that Celeborn wants me to leave my kingdom and come to Lothlorien? In case he has not heard I have too many problems here that must be dealt with."
"There is something happening near the southern borders of Lothlorien. I do not know exactly what it is, but is has caused the Lord and Lady to worry. They are calling a gathering of the White Council and they want you to be there."
"I made it clear to them that I want no part in your council. I cannot just leave my people now. Spiders and orcs plague us like never before and you expect me to leave when my people need me?"
"And what exactly are you doing for them? It seems to me that Thalion is the one taking care of things."
Thranduil slammed his fist onto his desk, sending papers flying and almost spilling his wine.
"Have you not heard what has befallen me Mithrandir? My son is dead! Legolas is dead and it is my fault!"
Gandalf looked on in silence as Thranduil continued.
"I promised her that I would keep him safe! That was the last thing she told me before she died, to keep Legolas safe! I tried to protect him! I tried and I failed!"
"What happened to Legolas was not your fault. Nothing you could have done would have prevented it."
Gandalf knew that any attempt to comfort the elvenking would be in vain, especially when he saw the look of anger that had taken over Thranduil's gaze.
"You are right, nothing I could have done would have prevented it. He was doomed since the day of his birth."
"Thranduil-"
"Was it not Elrond who said that death was in his future? Did you not say the same thing? It was inevitable Mithrandir! My son was doomed to die since the begining!"
"Thranduil! Calm yourself!"
Gandalf seemed to tower over him, causing Thranduil to shrink back cautiously.
"I do not know why that was Legolas' fate and it was a horrible one for an elf so full of light. But listen to me, if you do not quit blaming yourself and losing yourself to grief and anger you will bring nothing but ruin and death to your people! Is that what you want?"
Thranduil gazed at the wizard in silence. Not a word passed between the two for several minutes, finally Gandalf sighed and broke the silence.
"Very well Thranduil, if you will not come to Lothlorien then at least allow Thalion to come with me in your place."
"I already lost one son, do you expect me to lose my other one?"
"Thranduil I can assure you that as long as Thalion remains with me no harm will come to him."
Thranduil stood in silence. Pondering his request.
"Very well, if Thalion wishes to go then so be it. But be warned Mithrandir, if anything should happen to him-"
He paused and met Gandalf's gaze. The wizard could clearly see the fear Thranduil had of losing his only son.
"I promise you Thranduil, Thalion will not be killed by the hand of any enemy."
Thranduil said nothing as Gandalf left the room.
Oh Thranduil, your fear will be your downfall. And I sense that there is more pain in your path. I can only hope that you will have the strength to overcome it.
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