XXVI

Arriving in Eryn Galen, Elrond was seized by the darkness under the boughs. It was far denser than the forests around Imladris, and Cúron did not shine through the thick canopy that night.

"Yes, Elrond. I fear darkness holds Eryn Galen within its tight embrace. Many have started to call it Taur-e-Ndaedelos." The forest of great fear.

Elrond suppressed a shudder as he returned Thranduil's greeting. What could he say to one whose home had been destroyed by hordes of dark creatures? What words of comfort could he offer to one whose son he had sent to his doom?

"Come, have a rest, for you must be weary from the journey," Thranduil said, ushering Elrond and Gandalf through the great stone doors.

"We bring worrying news of the Shadow," Gandalf said.

"What of it?"

"Another makes its presence felt in Dol Goldor. It was not the Dyrian's forces that attacked your kingdom."

"There is another?" Thranduil's voice had the tone of one so used to hearing grave news that it failed to arouse much emotion in him anymore. "Yes, my patrols have been reporting incidents of increased activity, more Orcs there, but we put it down to the Dyrian."

"No," Elrond said, sinking into an armchair in Thranduil's study and accepting a goblet offered to him by a servant.

They waited for the servant to leave before resuming their conversation.

"It was Angmar's lord returning," Elrond said. "It was he who led the strike against your people."

"What good comes out the Witch-King attacking us?" Thranduil said, feeling more helpless than ever. "The firs might offer them some protection, but I do not see what they have to gain! Why not build their fortress back in Mordor, for that land has been empty; none dare to venture beyond the black gates!"

"It is not the Witch-King so much as his master," Gandalf said.

Thranduil jumped up, his usual calmness cast aside. "It cannot be! Sauron, in my kingdom?"

"I fear so," Gandalf said. "But all is not lost, my friend. Come, sit down. It is a pity you Elves do not smoke, for there is something calming about being able to draw the breath of burning leaves as one does the air."

Elrond rose and started pacing the room. "Gondor is too powerful. Sauron is weak and still fears Isildur's heirs. He will wait until the royal blood is spilt, and the throne of Gondor is empty. Which is why we must find the girl guarded by the Colony."

"She is Isildur's heir?"

"Yes. He fathered a son with one of his servants, who fled Gondor in shame, seeking refuge in first Lorién, then Imladris. Their son grew up and left us, for he was ashamed of his heritage, his weakness. He dwelt in Umstraag, where his line has been since carried down. Are you aware of the story of the Colony?"

"Only in part."

"Twenty years ago, a small hamlet was founded by seven mortals and seven Elves twenty miles north of Umstraag. Their purpose was to live with one another, for they had great respect for each other. One day, a couple sought sanctuary with them. They had been attacked, and the man died from his wounds soon after. His wife -- with child -- died from grieving over his husband, but not before her child was born. The group took an oath to protect the man's child, and so it was that the child grew up among Men and Elves.

"Three years later, the group came under fierce attack from Orcs. The Elves put up a strong defence, pleading for the mortals to take the child and run, but only a few made it to safety. The Elves were all slain, although one managed to send word to Imladris. The survivors settled in Umstraag, but for one, who took the child away to an unknown place.

"It is the heir of Isildur that they were guarding. The heir that the enemy seeks, as he knows of the line's existence. He is eager to rid himself of one threat. He cannot do anything to Gondor, as the line of Kings has grown too powerful. But he will bide his time, waiting for them to come crashing down. Like us, he does not know who, or where this girl is, and we have come to seek your counsel."

Thranduil gave out a tired sigh. "I have no answers, Elrond."

"We must find her. The last we heard she had been brought East of the Misty Mountains. She must be found, so that the line of Kings will not be ended with Gondor's fall."

"But why do you assume Gondor will fall?"

"I saw the weakness of Man firsthand. I saw the crumbling of their spirit, the giving in to temptation. Gondor has grown from strength to strength, and it is this strength which we must fear. If the Ring of Power were to be found again, the White City will fall, for her King will not be able to withstand its call."

"Were lives lost for no reason, then? All the battles fought? What were they for?"

"For the watchful peace that we enjoy. For the precious gift of our children."

Thranduil took a step back and caught himself on the table.

"Children whom we have sent to their Doom," he said, giving out a hard laugh. "Why do you look at me thusly, Elrond? Did you not send your sons there too? Do you believe they will return?"

"They will return."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I have foreseen it: Legolas will be returned to you."

Thranduil laughed again, a harsh sound that sent chills down Elrond's spine. "I do not understand how all the pieces fit together."

"It is foretold that Sauron need only fear Isildur's bloodline. If he were to rid himself of that threat, he will be free to pursue the power that the gem of Makleni holds -- the dark power that Legolas will yield. If we ensure that the girl is found, Sauron cannot touch Legolas."

"How did you send him away knowing this?"

"By knowing that prophecies too can be wrong. That there are those who defy the fate set out for them. I believe your son is one of them."

"He has it in him," Gandalf said, seeing it time to interrupt, "because the fates never factored in Love. They never realised how powerful an effect Love has. When a child is brought into the world as a culmination of his parents' love, he is fed with it, and it has a strange habit of messing up great plans. There are many who are devoted to Legolas, and will die a thousand times before they see him fall. Fate failed to take that into consideration when it laid out its plans."

"Are you saying there is Hope?" Thranduil said, trying to suppress the tiny spark of promise.

"And more, perhaps," Gandalf said, a smile in his eyes.

Thranduil turned to Elrond. "I was surprised to see how close Legolas was to your sons; Elrohir, in particular."

"The bond between them is strong, present from the moment they met. The amount of regard they give each other is nothing short of reverent."

"Elrohir sought me out before they left and vowed that he would look after Legolas," Thranduil said.

"One should not make promises they are not sure of keeping," Gandalf said, and once again it seemed to the pair that he was not letting on as much as he knew. "Legolas is no longer a child. We should not be over-indulgent in our desire to see him safe. Instead, our eyes should turn to your kingdoms. The Orcs will attack again, whether here or in Imladris. You must hold out against them. If Legolas really were the one mentioned in the prophecy, we must not allow your kingdoms to be used as a hostage to get him to do the enemy's bidding."

"He will rather die," Thranduil said, face full of quiet determination. "As will we."

"Imladris can offer some aid," Elrond said. "I can send Healers, for it is clear that the injured still outnumber those able to fight. For nothing has the alliance between our kingdoms been made."

"In that case, I accept. We could use the help of Imladrin Healers in these halls."

Gandalf rose, smiling in the way that is peculiar to wizards. "I am glad to see that you are united in this. I must report to Saruman, and will be stopping by Dol Goldor along the way, if you would be so kind as to grant me access, Thranduil."

"You are always welcome in my kingdom, Mithrandir," Thranduil said, standing to show him out.

When Gandalf left, Thranduil re-filled Elrond's glass.

"You are fearful for your sons."

Draining his glass, Elrond said, "Our sons.We have done what no father should be made to do."

"You do not believe they will return?"

"I know they will return, but I fear what cost they will incur. I did not tell you this earlier, Thranduil, but what lies before them is beyond anything we have a power against. They are truly alone, and nothing we can do will aid them."

"Ai, although one must always prepare oneself for the worst."

"Will you stay in Arda?"

"There is nothing for me to stay were I to lose Legolas. He is the only tie I have, keeping me here, and now he is cut off from the rest of us."

Elrond took a long breath. "The Valar work in strange ways, Thranduil. What may seem like his loss may in fact be a gain. Do not give up so easily. Legolas is stronger than any of us thought, and with Elrohir --"

"Yes, Elrohir. He is the key to this, is he not?" Thranduil said, knowing, but not quite understanding. "Each time you speak of him, I cannot help but feel that he is why you believe Legolas will succeed."

"It was a chance offered to me and I took it, Thranduil, at the risk of losing all my sons. There is great love between them, and it is the only hope we have. We must pray that they will use this to overcome the pain they suffered when they both lost their mothers, and I will keep that hope that it is sufficient to overcome any poison our foes might levy against them.

"I am told that Tuilinniel's death was no accident. That it was Legolas and his magic the Orcs and Dwarves were after, but she saved him with her love. He escaped capture, even death, and believe that there is a reason he was spared, Thranduil. He will come home to you."

"You are so sure of this."

"It is the only choice I am left with, as Arwen and I look North and await news of our loved ones."

"That I shall do with you, then."

A smile passed across Elrond's face as he leant back in his chair, allowing his body to unwind from the long journey he had just undertaken.

The pair of rulers were interrupted by a sharp rapping at the door.

Admitting the page, Thranduil's eyes allowed the briefest flicker of displeasure to pass through it. He had given specific instructions to not be disturbed.

"Your Majesty," the page said, quite out of breath. "I would not usually interrupt you, but Felnor sends news: he attempted to visit Milinral and Lady Cariel whereupon he discovered that they had been gone more than a week. He left this missive for you."

Thranduil all but snatched the letter from the page's hand, where he tore open the seal and devoured its contents.

His face lost all colour.

"It appears they have gone after Legolas. They claim to have uncovered a traitor in group and that Legolas is in greater danger than any of us believed -- a danger that comes from himself."

***

"What are you waiting for?"

"I thought I heard something," Lithroleah said.

"It's nothing," his companion said, turning to look at him through his cowl.

"Why is it raining so heavily?"

"The sky weeps for the destruction about to be unleashed."

A mass like a dark army rising from the shadows in the distance caught Lithroleah's eye.

"Look! Orcs!"

"Indeed. The Dyrian was not destroyed by the fires. The tales do not lie about his power."

"Are they after the gem too? Where is Legolas?"

"If you dawdle further, we will not be able to catch up with Legolas before he gets to the gem -- before we do."

*****
Sindarin Translations:
Cúron -- moon

A/N: Hullo all. I just want to apologise for the last chapter. It seems that I made a rat's nest of the whole thing and succeeded in completely muddling the waters. I hope this chapter goes some way in explaining things. Thanks for your understanding.