LOTR Prompt #8: The Second Kinslaying

The Dark Lord has finally been overthrown. his age of tyranny, oppression, and darkness has ended. Now is the time for all to be renewed, healed, and restored to its former glory

But not everything is as it seems. . . . for Evil has one more act to complete before it succumbs into eternal sleep -- and the Battle of Bywater is not its last card to play, as the tomes have said.

One last move to play before Evil is finished, and submits to "checkmate" by Good.

Evil comes in many forms -- many more subtle and harmless-looking than others. None are immune, all are affected. None can escape its influence; even the more pure and good in Middle-Earth is susceptible to darkness and despair. . . .Treachery, too.

And none more so than the mysterious King Thranduil of the Mirkwood Realm; not even he is immune to the persuasive, tempting powers of the darkness. He felt it twice before. Once when his beloved wife was taken by Sauron's forces and perished in Gundabad, causing him to isolate himself from the world and become suspicious of any and all who enter his realm. Twice when he became obsessed with obtaining the Jewels of his people.  

But a third opportunity arises to destroy what good remains in his heart. When he hears that the Elves of Imladris and Lothlorien have been called by the Valar back home to Valinor, a seed of jealousy is planted inside him. The wounds inflicted upon him by the wyrm Smaug over two centuries prior has only worsened the infection that is spreading within him. 

The decision he makes soon after will alter the fates of Elvenkind forevermore.

 He orders his legions to Lindon, to the Grey Havens, and wage war against the other Elven kingdoms. He enlists any Mirkwood Elf who can come, and the seed of envy gets planted into his fellow Silvan kindred as well. He also enlists the aid of the Avari Elves, Dark Elves who refused the call to the West many Ages ago. While they have no interest in sailing to the Undying Lands, the Avari are eager to help the Elves of Mirkwood achieve their goal in sailing to Valinor, in order to claim the Forest of Mirkwood for themselves and have no competition for trading rights with Dale and Erebor.

And so they march, five thousand strong, led by their King Thranduil -- gravely, solemnly, and determinedly do they march to the Grey Havens, to claim what should have been given to them as well.

The Elves of Rivendell, Lothlorien, and Lindon will have the shock of their lives.

This will be the last throw of the dice for Evil in this ironic, shocking event before it gets knocked out for good. Will it succeed and have the last laugh? Or will the joke be on it instead?

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What will happen? Will Thranduil just attack and kill the Elves, or will he demand that they give him the boats and use diplomacy before attacking? Or will he be persuaded from attacking and turn back, lest they lose their chance to sail to the West later on? Or will the Mirkwood Elves claim what they want?

You can write this in the POV of Thranduil, Elrond, his sons, Galadriel, Celeborn, Cirdan, or even Gandalf -- or even a combination! Or, depending on when you do this, you can add the POVs of the Hobbits, and/or anyone from the Fellowship.

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Date Published: 01/14/19