Summery: Thranduil welcomes his guests to his kingdom; Doran, Radagast, and Gelmir begin their friendship.
Rating: PG
 
 
 

The trees stood about them in overbearing masses. There was a soft light as that of candles emitting from the boughs just within arms length. They lit a path that wound through the kingdom, ending at the door of a large moss colored building. Radagast looked about the small huts that served as roofs of the underground homes. Gelmir stood close beside him, staring in wonder at his surroundings. Never before had he entered the city. Doran, however, felt at home and began to lead his companions to the door at the end of the path.

'It is a beautiful city, aye?' said Doran. He looked back to make sure Radagast and Gelmir followed. They trailed slowly behind him, Ares the only member keeping up with the pace of the Ranger.

'Indeed. It has been many years since I have set foot in a kingdom of Elves,' Gelmir sighed. The Elf looked to see that Radagast was not so impressed with the kingdom, having visited it many times.

'That is a shame, Gelmir. The villages of the Wood Elves are indeed lovely in their own right, but cannot compare to a kingdom,' said Radagast, the usual twinkle dancing in his eyes. They continued to gaze around until Gelmir nearly ran into Doran at the silver door of the castle of Thranduil.

'Best to watch where you trod, mate,' said Doran with a jovial smile. 'Shall I go in with you?'

'Come if you wish to, Doran, we mind not the company,' said Radagast. An elf clad in shining silver armor stood at the door. His face became friendly as he looked upon Radagast.

'I am glad to see you again, Aiwendil, we are in need of guidance,' said the guard. He looked past Radagast to Doran, whom he recognized. When his gaze fell to Gelmir, however, his eyes became stern. Despite that Gelmir was of the guard's own kin, the darkness of Mirkwood had left the guard untrusting.

'This is Gelmir of Imladris, wanderer of the trees of Mirkwood,' said Radagast. The guard did not step aside, nor move at all, his glance keenly fixed upon Gelmir. It was Doran then that stepped forward. He stood beside Radagast, though closer to the guard.

'Gelmir is a friend to both I and Radagast, and indeed all creatures that dwell within these woods, save the orcs,' said Doran. The guard again looked only at Gelmir. Slowly, the guard's gaze trickled down to the scabbard holding the orc sword on Gelmir's belt. All three companions could guess the accusation before it ever reached the guard's lips.

'He is no orc, as you can see, and no friend to one. It is simply the sword of a foe which attacked us in these woods,' said Radagast in explanation. The guard still did not move and stared pensively at the sword hanging from the belt. Finally, Radagast began to feel anger at the guard for not moving aside. 'You shall move from our path. I have traveled a long distance to reach these woods and my journey is not about to stop here. Many months did it take to travel from the boarders of the Shire to the kingdom of Thranduil. No fool am I, Radagast the Brown, and vain is not my trust in Gelmir.'

It was with this said that the guard looked away from Gelmir and now to Radagast. There was no emotion on his face. For a moment it seemed the Elf would not move from his post. It was with one final look that he bowed his head and moved aside. His blond head raised and he spoke: 'Forgive my untrusting nature, Aiwendil, but much darkness has come to Middle-earth as of late, and has long dwelled in the trees of Mirkwood. Forgive a guard that only wishes to protect what is left of his home.'

'You are forgiven by all,' said Gelmir. 'Tell me, guard, what is your name?'

'Elros,' said the guard. They stared at one another for a long moment and neither moved. There seemed to be no ill will on the part of Gelmir. Elros still stood somewhat reluctant out of the way of the entrance.

'That is a name I shall not forget. And may you not forget mine, and that I am a friend to any that oppose the Dark Lord and his creatures of shadow. May we meet again under more friendly terms, Elros,' said Gelmir. Then, leaving Ares with the guard, he followed Doran and Radagast. They left the door and began to walk the silver and birch halls of Thranduil.

They came upon an arch made out of oak that adorned the green ceiling of the entrance way. Gelmir gazed around as though he were once again a young elf-child. Underneath they walked the arch and came into a large open space the held two staircases that wound down to the tunnels that Thranduil himself had helped delve. The stairs were of elven-make, but were bent from a metal not easily found in Mirkwood. Gelmir looked at it in wonder.

'Will you be standing there all day then?' said Doran. Gelmir looked up to his new companion, who stood beside the railing. With a quirky smile, the Ranger disappeared down the steps, followed by Radagast. Behind them came Gelmir with a mind still on the metal of the steps.

It was not until he had nearly reached the bottom of the staircase that Gelmir knew where the metal had been mined: Moria. Long ago he had seen the same metal being forged by dwarves that still remained in the mountains. Gelmir thought it odd that the Wood-elves would keep such a token from creatures they so disliked. Below, Doran was speaking to Radagast about what news the creatures of the forest had given to the old man.

'You shall hear it when I speak it,' riddled Radagast. Doran sighed as he finally reached the cool, dirty ground of the tunnel. He impatiently turned to face Radagast as the wizard came down the stairs.

'And when would you speak it?' asked Doran, helping Radagast down the last few steps.

'When the moment presents itself,' answered Radagast, setting foot on the floor. Doran turned to Gelmir who was just behind Radagast. The elf hoped down from the last step with grace, landing beside the wizard.

'Is he always this cryptic?' Doran asked Gelmir. As Radagast began to look left and right, a hint of a smile on his face, Gelmir shook his head and yet shared in smiling.

'Maybe it is just the way you hear him,' said Gelmir. He came then to Radagast's side to look down the tunnels. It branched off to the left of them and to the right. Doran knitted his eyebrows and stared at them, shaking his head in exasperation, muttering of the oddness of his companions.

'If my memory serves me correctly then Thranduil should be to the right,' said Radagast. 'Though I have not journeyed here for many years.' Both Doran and Gelmir looked to the wizard with worry. Still, they began to walk and came across many elves that bowed and pointed them straight down the hall when Gelmir would ask to be shown to Thranduil. The tunnel went straight, but branched off many times into the dark underground. The ceiling was not low and the walls were spaced far out, but roots sticking up from the floor and jutting out of the walls would oftenly catch on their cloths, especially the robes of Radagast.

It had seemed like hours, but the real time they could not guess, before they reached a door by which a lonely guard stood. Gelmir silently hoped to himself that this guard would not scorn him as the last one had. The guard at first paid them no mind, until laying eyes on Radagast. So relieved was he to see the Istari, that he moved aside without question, and even opened to door for the three comrades.

From the doorway they beheld a moss-green throne upon which sat a thin Elf of undetermined age. His blonde hair flowed down his back untamed, yet smooth and motionless. He stood quickly yet with poise. The graceful fingers of his left hand held a sword at the ready. It was not until the visitors entered into the well lit room that Thranduil saw they were friendly and sheathed his sword. Doran and Gelmir bowed low, but before Radagast could follow suit Thranduil held his hand up in protest.

'It is I who is so glad to see you, all of you. For we are in great need and your timing could not be more perfect,' said Thranduil. 'Yet you must be weary. You seem to be beaten and long traveled.'

'We are, King Thranduil, and we did not come here to give help, yet to receive it,' said Radagast. 'Perhaps you have heard the rumors of the Nine Riders and the awakening of Sauron? There is trouble coming upon these lands, and all lands if what I have heard and figured for myself are true.'

'I have heard such rumors. There are also orcs and trolls multiplying in Dol Guldor,' said Thranduil. To this Radagast had nothing to reply. He seemed almost taken aback by this and for the first Gelmir did not see laughter or happiness lighting the brown eyes of the wizard, but darkness and fear.

'This is foul news, indeed,' spoke Doran. 'Where is the creature that escaped? Does he still wonder these woods?'

'No, no longer does he slip about these trees. He has gone to his own destiny,' replied Thranduil. 'Take seats and be comforted for now. Tell me of your journey.' He sat down upon his throne and beckoned for chairs to be brought for his guests. So it was that Radagast sat before the king and told of Gandalf and of Gwaihir and of his meeting with Gelmir. Through the story Gelmir would add details and told his own story of meeting Doran in the woods.

'Take rest now!' said Thranduil. 'My son will show you to a comfortable housing and see to it that you have food and drink. Sleep tonight and even into morning. We will take council after the sun has risen,' said Thranduil. The king's son, similar in looks, guided them to a house not far down the hall. The prince bowed and left to retrieve them food and drink.

The door to their room was outlined by tree roots curving through the soil. Doran opened the large door and took the first step inside. Over his shoulder, Gelmir could see that the room was well lit with candles that glowed deep silver. Doran stood rooted, glancing around the room as thought looking for any hidden danger. Gelmir pushed him eagerly forward with a long hand.

The room was a brown except the floor which was a deep green. Chairs woven out of ash trees older then Doran sat around an empty green table. In the corner was a hall that was dark save for a silver candle gleaming on the wall. With his elven eyes Gelmir could see doors down the hall, likely that lead to bedrooms and a bathroom. Doran headed for them, opening the two doors in turn.

'Three beds,' he said after opening the first door. He went to the second and a smile creased his dirty cheeks, 'I could go for a bath about now.'

Just when he was about to step in and bathe himself a loud knock came to the door. Gelmir opened it to reveal the prince that had escorted them baring a tray of varies foods, three goblets and a pitcher of fine wine. When the elf laid down the tray on the table Doran looked between it and the bath, torn on what to do. Though he came to the table just as the elf bid them good-night and left. Gelmir poured the red wine into the golden goblets as Radagast and Doran sat at the table, grabbing for food and not minding much with manners.

'I get a bath first,' said Doran, smearing butter on a piece freshly made bread. Gelmir stopped pouring and passed him a goblet, some spilling over the top and onto his fingers.

'Why should you get it first? Radagast and I have traveled farther and in worse comfort than you,' said Gelmir as he wiped the wine off of his fingers with a napkin. Doran smiled slyly and took the cup from the elf.

'Is it not obvious, I happen to be the handsomest one present,' said Doran. 'And besides that, I have not had a proper bath since leaving Bree months uncounted ago.' He sipped his wine experimentally before draining it with one flick of his wrist. For the first time Gelmir noticed he was wearing a ring on his middle finger that was silver and held a rose colored stone.

'You are indeed an odd man, Deoradhán,' said Radagast. Doran seemed surprised at the use of his full name. His eyes became slightly larger.

'I prefer Doran, Radagast. Calling me my full name sounds far too professional for friends,' said Doran suddenly in a serious mood. He paused for a moment 'My mother called me by Deoradhán when she had bad news.'

'My apologies, Doran. I did not know it was of such a somber subject for you,' said Radagast. The grey eyes of Doran flickered and for a moment he was silent. Gelmir had seen a similar look in his eyes when one of the Rangers had said the name and whenever Gelmir himself had said it.

'It's very much alright, my friend,' said Doran, smiling again. 'Doran is a much better name for me, my brother called me by it.' At this Doran began to fiddle with the silver ring on his finger absentmindedly.

'That is a beautiful ring,' said Gelmir. His gaze met that of Doran, who flinched slightly.

'It was my father's. When he died it went to my brother and he gave it to me just before he was killed,' said Doran. There was a silence that blanketed them and no one spoke. They ate until nearly all but crumbs and a few drops of wine were left. All through the meal Doran would play with his ring. It was during this that Gelmir saw the ring was nearly a size too big for the finger it was on.

Just as Gelmir noticed this, Doran rose from the table and excused himself to take a bath. Gelmir too rose and began to place the used dishes back upon the tray. Radagast stayed seated a stared at the table top with a hard expression. Gelmir had never seen him so contemplative before. It was not until Doran had come out of the bathroom, nearly forty minutes later, that Radagast gave any sign that he was even still awake. He looked up as Doran sat back down at the table.

'Better now?' asked Radagast, smiling slightly. It bothered Gelmir that Radagast did not bother to use the time to speak with him about what was bothering him. Doran gave a soft smile a nodded, stretching his long legs up onto the table top. Gelmir sat across from him, staring at the Ranger's face.

'We are friends, are we not, Doran?' asked Gelmir suddenly. Doran looked to him and again did nothing but nod. 'And I am your friend as well, Radagast?'

"Yes, ofcourse, and Doran,' replied Radagast, a perplexed look flooding his face.

'Then can we not tell one another what is troubling our minds? It seems to me that much is unspoken between us and that is no way to forge a friendship,' said Gelmir, looking from Radagast to Doran and back again. Silence met his request as his two companions only stared at him without reply.

'I shall go first, then,' said Radagast, deciding to break the quiet. 'I am worried about Ares. He can look over himself, but I wish very much to see him and know he is well taken care of.'

'Within these woods he will find the best of care possible outside the country of Rohan,' replied Doran. 'Now my trouble: I do not trust many beings in this world, most have to earn it. Yet, it seems to me that you two have given me no reason to trust you, save that you trust one another.'

'You need not fear me or Gelmir, we have come with common purpose,' said Radagast. 'Thranduil would see through such evil deeds if we came with them. I trust you, Doran. In this I cannot speak for Gelmir, however.'

'I trust you both, my only fear being that you do not trust me back. No, we have not earned it, but if we are to be friends then we must come to some kind of trusting term,' spoke Gelmir. For a moment Doran gazed at him in thought, there was no sort of suspicion in his eyes. A great smile came then to his lips.

'You need not earn it, for my mind and heart tell me that this will be a friendship to rival any other,' concluded Doran. He stood then and his smile broadened so that Gelmir and Radagast could see teeth behind the thin lips. 'So my troubles are settled and sleep now is my only worry. Tomorrow we shall all go to visit Ares and make sure of his safety, but until then let us sleep in peace.'

'I agree,' stood Radagast, followed closely by Gelmir. The three walked to the room down the hall that Doran has told them their beds were. Each took his own bed and settled with soft good-nights and so drifted into sleep, dreaming their own dreams.
 
 
 

To Be Continued...

A/N: Thanks for the reviews everyone, they're much appreciated! Keep 'em coming, I could use the feedback.