aliaisonfanfiction - Tumblr blog

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 72

  He gasped painfully as wrenching agony sliced through his gut. Clutching his abdomen he strained his eyes from the pain, almost expecting to see crimson staining his attire. And yet, there was nothing but the tempest of winter freezing him to the core. Alas, the sense of dread and grief that washed over him at that moment was enough to render him to his knees. He knew.

   Lindir sprinted over the mounds of snow and slush with the ease and grace afforded to him by his kind. “Hir nin Elrond!” He called out through the wind. Seeing his liege grasping the frost withered pine tree in desperation caused any grace he had previously displayed to now twist in panic as he almost slipped over on his own feet. “Hir n…” He froze solid as his hand made contact with Lord Elrond’s. He clasped his chest as his breath seized. “No… I cannot fathom it.” His deep chestnut gaze met that of his liege, but Elrond’s own eyes revealed the very truth Lindir now envisaged.

   “We must return to the main river.” Elrond strained to stand.

**************************************

   “Adlanniel… please… melamin, open your eyes!”

Legolas had almost expected her to do so, for there, in his quivering arms, she seemed so lifelike under that porcelain mask of death. Deep within his conscious, he knew that the ruddiness of her cheeks was not that of blood running through her veins but that of the frostbite she had endured. Still, in his mind, her eyes would flutter open to him at any moment. He could swear he saw the slight swell of her breast as she took a feeble gasp of air, but under it all, his heart grew frigid with the realisation that he had lost his soulmate, and with her, their children.

   He could not hear the distant screeches now resonating down the valley, nor the desperate voices calling him to make haste. He thought he could hear her faint heartbeat calling him when strong hands grasped his upper arms.

   “Cund vuin, come, we must leave this place.” Glorfindel turned back to face the prince after having ordered the others to be prepared for an impending onslaught. Yet the prince, so numbed and trembling, would not acknowledge his presence let alone his words. Though his own heart pained terribly, Glorfindel knew he had to remain the pillar of stone; strong enough to hold even the heaviest of burdens. “There will be time enough to mourn, Legolas, but not out here, not like this. We must take her back home…” He then nodded to Haldir and Melethril, both who stood close and whose expressions were just as somber, and they immediately heaved Legolas to his feet. As Legolas was pulled away from her, his eyes did not waver. If only his gaze did not break, might she not be granted the will to come back to him?    

   The two ellon supported his slumping weight with less ease than they had hoped for. Glorfindel could tell that the prince was not yet rid of the illusions he held tightly to, and he could not blame him, but nonetheless, they had to move swiftly.

“Take him back to the horses. Do not waver. I will follow presently.”

Even with the prince limp in their arms, they hesitated, and Glorfindel glowered at them. “Go! Lest the frost bites us all!”

   When finally they had disappeared through the trees, he turned back to his beloved niece. The brilliant cerulean hue his eyes often captured, faded to a gray of deep anguish. He sniffed as he gently pulled the raven strands of hair from her face, and leaning down he kissed her forehead softly. The essence of lingering death on his lips forced him to close his eyes, but alas the tears began to fall. The bitter wind cut through with the fell screams on the air, and so haphazardly he wiped his eyes and set to his task. Gently, yet swiftly, he swept his arm beneath her body to free her from the ice that threatened to entomb her till spring’s thaw. Yet still, lacy shards of her gown clung to the rigid surface of the ice, despite how gently he tried to pry them away. More and more of her crudely marred body was revealed to him as he freed her from the icy grasp. The sight of her stomach, so cruelly decimated, sent hot bile up his throat. Forcing his countenance to remain steadfast, he used the blankets to bind her before he swept her up into his arms, carrying her as swiftly and as gently as he could muster.

His nimbleness was no contest to the wild terror that tried to encumber his stride as unseen roots seemed to rise up to tear at him, daring to drag him deeper into the quagmire that was suffocating their beautiful forest. Adlanniel’s listless form was as light as the snowflakes that fell upon his golden hair, but each step he took felt heavier and ever more painful. He would not let the darkness ensnare her to that place, even if it meant sacrificing his own life and soul. Forcing himself over another rise, he could finally see the misty silhouettes of his companions far up ahead. They had woven a ruddy path through the copse of spindly birches on the hillside, and he was careful to follow it, for the trodden snow was now thinner and easier to converse than the thick blankets he had been forced to trudge through.

   Spotting him, two others ran down the steep, cruddy hill to assist, and their eyes widened at the unseen terror that haunted behind. “Pay no heed!” Glorfindel pushed them, taking one harshly by the arm with his spare hand to shove him back over the rise. But even he knew that they would not get much farther. “Take her,” He began as he gently, yet swiftly passed Adlanniel to the stronger of the pair. “And treat her with as much gentleness and grace as you can manage. Get her to her family. Get her away from here.”

   Without quarrel, the two lithe ellon took off as quickly as they could manage with their delicate charge, and Glorfindel watched them, the presence at his back growing heavier and ever more menacing.

   That all too familiar screech echoed through the thickets of pines and birches once more, tormenting him, affronting him with its black vile.

His cerulean eyes once more simmered into the shade of an oncoming storm as he slowly turned.

“Áva quete!” He hissed in the ancient tongue of his ascendants. “Eca cenienyallo!”

*****************************************

   It seemed an age by the time they reached their waiting mounts and the small cohort of elves caring for them. Elrond’s company was already present, and by their appearance they had only just arrived themselves.

   Clutching Adlanniel still to his body, the prince’s heart sunk further as her father staggered toward them. Lord Elrond’s entire demeanor was painted with despair, his mahogany eyes were as dark as the strands of hair that clung to his pallid face. Tears crept to the corners of his eyes, blurring his vision into something that would never be seen; that she would be whole and well again. Gazing down upon her sleeping face, he saw the crystal tears that now clung to her lashes. Without a word, Legolas gently passed her to her father and the pain that had been in Elrond’s expression now combined into one of deep pity.

   As a single tear slid from his cheek, coming to rest on her ashen skin, he saw in his mind’s eye the terror and indignation she had suffered at the time of her passing. Those terrible, bright amber eyes now burned into his, and the cold, callous hands of her murderer pressed into his own throat. Choking, he almost fell to his knees in the snow, and his daughter would have tumbled from his arms had it not been for the prince catching them both.

   Lord Elrond’s voice, almost a whimper, muttered, “We must get her back. We must take her home.”

Quenya - English

Áva quete! - Be silent!

Eca cenienyallo! - Be gone from my sight!

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 71

Thranduil composed himself and stood, and yet his hands still trembled at the gravity of what he had seen. “We were all of us deceived. How could we have all been so blinded? His voice held such a foreboding weight the surrounding woods seemed to quiver at his words.

Galadriel sighed gravely as she turned to face the hoof trodden way, the thick branches of ancient trees arching and twisting together to form a canopy stretching across it.

Thin ribbons of light streamed through the boughs, illuminating silver the winter foliage below.

An immense power emanated from the bowels of the forest then, and Thranduil too turned to it, his hand on the hilt of his sword as the uneasiness stirred him to the core. He placed himself before the Lady of Lothlorien, but she placed a gentle hand upon his arm to placate him.

From the deep shadows emerged two tall, elderly appearing figures; one adorned in thick robes as white as the snows around them, lined with threads of silver brocades. His silvery hair and beard were specked with strands of black, his eyes shining balls of obsidian, piercing as they approached, full of the wisdom of the ages. The other, a little more than a hand shorter than his peer, wore a simple robe of gray that too matched the colour of his curled hair and dangling beard. His robes were tied to his waist with a plain band of hemp rope. Upon his head sat a matching pointed hat, its wide brim shadowing his rather congenial yet ragged features.

Thranduil eyed them suspiciously as they approached but made no move to stop them as Galadriel moved once more forward. Her expression was again clear and bright, her eyes shining through the dull light

“Curunír, Olórin, I have been expecting you…”

*********************************************************

She could no longer feel the biting freeze of the crystalline water as it eddied around her body. The current had calmed and the flow had shallowed, yet it kept her pressed between mossy boulders; imprisoned to its will. Any form of strength she had was now fully depleted, and her limbs, limp and numbed, scraped against the jagged rocks beneath.

Her eyes were growing ever more weighted as time trickled by, and the rushing of the winds and splashing of the river now seemed to bring a sense of immense calm. Had the doors of Mandos finally been opened to her? Would she be welcomed into its halls by the bright orb of radiating light that now engulfed her vision? She could barely feel herself gravitate towards it. The closer she came, the more her vision seemed to clear from the fogginess of her mind. A tall, flaxen-haired beauty knelt before her on the shore. His long robes of creams and golds shimmered in the infant light of the morning, a circlet of gold and rubies sat upon his head. His expression was utterly tranquil as he looked down to her pitiful state, but his amber gaze, piercing as it penetrated every crevice of her waning soul, filled her with an immeasurable fear.

His expression then could have been mistaken for one of sympathy, yet his thin lips curved into a wicked smile and he traced the sharp iron claw on his thumb down her sallowed cheek.

“My dear, what wonderful gifts you have brought me…” His voice was as smooth and sublime as the silks that clothed his deific frame.

Her emerald eyes widened as he towered over her, her ragged, shallow breath gasping in sudden piercing agony. Yet, no scream could escape her blued lips as the dagger cut through the sinew and flesh of her belly. An overwhelming numbness once more enveloped her, erasing all sense of notion. In one last act of desperation, she had wanted to pull on the robes of the fiend, but any effort she could muster was drowned out by the encroaching darkness. He turned and walked away from her, cradling both of her babies in his arms.

*********************************************************

His feet slipped on the slate as he scrambled down the ragged cliffside, determined to continue pressing on despite the heaviness of his despair. Her father had sensed, though fleeting, her presence. But too, they were all able to feel the heaviness of something far darker abound. Slipping once more on the sleet, the golden-haired warrior caught his arm and hauled him to a more stable footing.

“Cund vuin, be careful where you tread as an evil has shrouded these parts and has set itself against us.”

“Then I shall face it head-on.” The prince’s voice was stout and unwavering.

Yet, Glorfindel pulled him back sharply by the shoulder as he went to set off again. “There is something here, far beyond any of us.”

“I did not think that you, one who smote a follower of Gothmog, would be fearful.” Legolas glowered.

Glorfindel’s gaze turned austere and forbidding, and his mighty grip upon his subordinate’s shoulder tightened, causing the prince to flinch.

“Now is not the time for mocking words, Legolas. For unlike your sapling self I have faced creatures that you could never conjure, not even in your darkest and deepest nightmares. I have faced the full brunt of Morgoth’s evil. Do not be so willing to throw yourself into its clutches, for already a darkness has started to take hold of those closer than you would like to admit.”

Legolas had not realized he had begun to shiver in desperation. “But I must find Adlanniel. She is out there.”

Glorfindel loosened his grip and sighed, instead, stroking the young prince’s shoulder to soothe his panicked thoughts. “And we will find her, cund vuin. We will. But we must take caution. All of us. Do you think that Adlanniel would want you to be taken into its poison?”

“I would suffer through Morgoth’s abyss and beyond for her.”

“And I know you would, but she would not want you to. You know this. Do not be foolish. We will find her, but we must find her together.”

Suddenly a young, crimson-haired ellon scrambled along the cliff from the north. He was panting relentlessly once he reached their position, and Glorfindel placed a healing hand upon the lad’s shoulder to calm him. “You have found her…”

Bounding along the smooth stones of the riverbank, Legolas could see Adlanniel come running from the opposite direction, arms outstretched, her face alight with her brilliant smile, ready to leap onto him at a moment’s chance. So real had been his fantasy, that when it faded away to the reality of what lay before him, he felt stinging bile rise up in his throat.

His brethren that now knelt beside her, their heads bowed in sorrow, had covered her with the blankets from their rucksacks. They had tried to afford her some form of decency and respect, but in truth, they had all wanted to hide the desecration of her body.

Falling to his knees beside her, his hands shook violently as he enveloped her with his arms, his lips caressing the tears that had frozen on her sallowed cheeks, his own seeking to awaken her. Alas, she would not, and he knew that her eyes would now remain forever closed to him. Almost in a panic, he tried to shake her awake, and it was with Glorfindel trying to calm him that he noticed the dark crimson that was soaked into the evergreen blankets.

“Legolas, don’t…”

But the prince pulled the wool back from her body, and the wail that escaped him rang out through the small valley, alerting not only Elrond to their position.  

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 70

As he pushed himself forward onto the ridge, the frigid wind bit at his face as he peered into the flurry. There it stood in the distance, a dark mass of gray hues piercing the heavens. The ragged columns and crumbling walls and arches gave way to the twisted, thorny vines that now encroached it. Any resemblance of the glory it had once been had now withered into figments of memories that now flitted away with the white squall that ensnared them. And yet some memories did remain; Silveth’s golden locks fluttering behind her as she ran playfully from him down the grandeur of the marble halls, her eyes of snowy mist shimmering from the ribbons of sunlight that shone through the arched windows. Memories of catching her in an embrace, and their lips locking in passion, their tongues dancing deliciously within their mouths, his hands exploring every curve of her body as they hid behind one of the fortresses’ extravagantly carved pillars to make passionate love. Alas, the great fortress was now laid bare and wasted, and a choking darkness poisoned its ancient grandeur and was now seeping into the forest around it. Now the trees had contorted and oozed a vile gunk, and spindly strands of shimmering white thread thickly through the branches and dead foliage of the undergrowth, ensnaring anything that came into their grasp.

  “Ungwë…” The ancient Quenya slipped off his lips, his brow furrowing in displeasure.

“So this is the root of it all. You have decided to desecrate the legacy my father built!” The rage that filled him at that moment spurred him to hack at the nearby gnarled branches; anything to rid his beloved forest of the poison that was rotting it away. Such a frenzy he found himself in, he entangled himself in the stickiness of the webs. His struggle to slice his way through them sent vibrations throughout the hollow branches, and soon he could hear the creaking and rustling his ruckus had initiated.

“Come on, you wretched bastards! Come and taste the steel of my sword!” he hissed at the approaching arachnids.

  A great looming shadow engulfed him, and as he twisted his body to look upwards, elongated, grotesque fangs bore down on him, the vile ooze that dripped from their pinnacles burning the flesh of his face. With a gurgling hiss, the eight-legged behemoth tumbled sidewards, flinging the Elvenking with it. Rolling himself free, Thranduil twisted his body to avoid the onslaught of spinnets that now tried to skewer him. Flicking his wrist around he sliced off one of the spinnets cleanly and sent the offending arachnid limping back into the sickness of the trees. Another launched at him, but he flipped back to take its fangs clearly off, causing it to screech and writhe in agony and demise. Its screams were joined by the others as they flinched and recoiled from the rays of surreal light that pierced through the canopy. They scampered off as quickly as they had come in the direction of his old home; his defiled old home.

  Taking a deep breath he peered up into the light that illuminated his black splattered armor, and a deep warmth engulfed him like a lover’s embrace. The light filled him to his very core, and the thorns that had embedded themselves in his heart for so long seemed to wither and shrink. A great weight lifted from his soul and warm tears began to trickle down his cheeks, leaving a clear trail amid the dirt and gore. He slowly slid down the trunk that happened to be behind him, basking in the rays of sunshine. After spending so much time in the darkened forest, his eyes stung from so much light; but he did not flinch nor averted his gaze, only stared directly into it, for he saw it. He saw a feminine halo woven with silver into the warm yellow light, and soon he could hear it whispering, communicating with his innermost self.

  “Come home, Thranduil.” spoke the epiphany. And thus, he obeyed.

She was waiting for him at those crossroads; the same crossroads where Adlanniel had farewelled her handmaiden. It brought upon a bittersweet pain for such a memory to arise, and to see her grandmother there only sought to bring upon a greater dread.

“What is it that you fear, Thranduil?” She asked, her expression perpetually serene.

  He stared at her for a long moment, afraid of what was in his heart. Yet her smile brought an unparalleled warmth which thawed his emotional state. Still, he was weary as he looked upon her.

  “Retribution.” The words slipped from her lips like satin. His eyes widened. Of course, she could read his soul.

  “We all have already endured enough, Thranduil.” She began. “The thorns will dig deep for some time and will continue to manifest. They will bite into our hearts and make us reveal our true selves. But now is a time where we truly need each other.”

  His gaze turned a sullen shade of silver at her words. “Do you mean…?”  

 She smiled gently but evaded his question. “Now let us return to the palace, there is something I must speak with you about.”

 Thranduil’s eyes darkened. “With all due respect, Lady Galadriel, I would rather hear what you have to say, now.”

  Galadriel stopped and turned to him, her graceful features still seeming to hold their serenity. She reached out her lithe hand to him.

  He had never endured such pain as he did then as his fingers made contact with hers. Slowly, he slumped to his knees and there, in the chill of the winter afternoon, he wept.

Quenya - English

Ungwë  - Spider webs

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 69

“Golden rose, do not despair. For not all things are as lost as they may seem.”

*********************************

Glorfindel lifted his head slowly, and the bright aura that encased her entirety finally gave way to reveal her beauty. “My lady,” He bowed his head once more in obeisance, haphazardly wiping the tears from his eyes. “We were not expecting your arrival so soon.” “Haste is required in such times as these.” She replied gently, leaning down to stroke away a stray tear that fell from his eyes. “Desperate times…” His voice drifted as he lowered his eyes once more. “I did not sense your presence within the palace.” “I do not come alone.” Galadriel smiled in reply, placing a hand under his arm to pull him to his feet with effortless grace. Hurried footsteps could then be heard from within the hall, and without as much as a knock, Celebrian entered, shortly followed by her husband who was a little more dignified with his admittance. Glorfindel looked to them surprised before Galadriel turned to face her equally astonished daughter. “You did well, my daughter, to help them shield this from us for so long.” Her voice lost its sweetness and was rather plain, almost disappointed. It was Lord Elrond’s turn now to look to his wife, bewildered. “Tell me you did no such thing!” Elrond held Celebrian out before him, searching her eyes for the truth he already knew. “I did…” She admitted with a meek voice, her eyes downcast guiltily. “Why would you pull the wool over our eyes?” He demanded of her. “Because I thought that they would have the wisdom to fix this situation themselves, especially after I confronted them. And, I did not want there to be any conflict… of any sort.” She replied truthfully. “Alas, even I underestimated how deep and tangled their relationship had become. Forgive me, melamin, I did not mean to betray you; any of you.” She then looked at the others with remorse. “Where is the Elvenking, Glorfindel?” Elrond asked, his scowl deepening. “For I would very much like to share words with him.” “He is not here,” Galadriel replied for the golden-haired warrior, as she turned to look out the window, its sill caked in a thick blanket of snow. Elrond looked back at Glorfindel who nodded in confirmation. “He disappeared a few days past, hiril vuin. I was told he was armed by those who witnessed him leaving, but for what purpose I do not know. Nor do I know where he has gone.” “And Legolas?” “He, naturally, has gone in search of her,” Celebrian answered then, her previous feelings of the prince having softened over the passing of days; she knew he was not to blame. “Only Illúuvatar himself can know the anguish in the prince’s heart. He blames himself for what has happened, and shamefully, I had blamed him too.” Elrond’s gaze upon his wife deepened in sorrow, for now, the anger that had gripped him began to dissipate into despair. “A dagger to the heart would not compare to the pain that ravages him…” Glorfindel’s voice drifted. “A dagger that is sheathed in us all,” Elrond added. “We must find my daughter, I feel her essence slipping further and further from us.” “Not all is as lost as they may seem…” Galadriel repeated her earlier words, her gaze still focussed on something unseen out the window. “Naneth, what is it you know? What is it you have seen?” Celebrian pleaded desperately. “She will not allow us to find her.” Her mother’s words hit her as hard as a hammer to an anvil, and Celebrian let out a long, bellowing wail. Elrond took her into his arms in an attempt to comfort her, but she was inconsolable. “The water flows fast and hard, the ice is like a thousand knives, and yet I can no longer feel… The stars are fading into a deep abyss, and yet they are what burns in my heart…” Galadriel continued, looking to her daughter, the shimmer in her crystalline eyes ebbing away. “My lady!” Glorfindel rushed to catch her before she hit the marble under their feet. The lady of Lothlorien felt as if all her energy had seeped away by some deep, undiscovered chasm. “The children…” She breathed, as she stared up into Glorfindel’s anxious eyes. “They…” But she could not continue, and she groaned as her body became tired and almost listless. Rushing to her side, her daughter brought her a chalice of water and raised it to her lips. After Galadriel had composed herself, she thanked her daughter and turned once more to the ellyn. “My lords, go out and help the prince search for her, even if it is only to help ease his heart with false hope for but a time. False hope will lessen the blow of the truth he cannot bear to hear so soon.” Elrond drew in a breath and with it the sob that had threatened to escape him. “Does she still live?” His voice was low and agonised. “That, my dear, I am unable to tell.”

**************************************************

The frigid gale bit harshly at their faces, as they trudged begrudgingly through the thick snow blanketed wilderness. Yet, they could not falter for the Woodland prince and his party relied on their supplies and most importantly, their support. Glorfindel peered out through the squalling winds from his position on the high stone outcrop, his golden locks whipping wildly about his austere features. He felt no cold, nor numbness in his bones from the weather, for is burning spirit was resolute and determined. Despite the blizzard that threatened now to engulf them, he spotted several small figures in the far distance, trailing the course of the Anduin river. “Down there, along the shoreline.” He called out to his comrades that were struggling forward behind him, and Elrond gave a signal that he had heard through the screaming winds. It took at least another two hours for them to finally reach the enervated group. Through the unrelenting snows and the jutting rocks of the gully, there had been no way to signal them to wait; it would have been perilous to have had them stop in such weather. Legolas had found a wide grotto cut into the gorge by the elements of time, and some of his comrades were haphazardly trying to start a fire with driftwood they had found within. Yet, their senses had become so numbed, they fumbled with their flints and had not even noticed their superiors entering with much-needed necessities.

“Your Highness, Prince Legolas?” Glorfindel called out in his usual cheery tone, causing the group before him to spin collectively. Glorfindel’s presence was an instant ray of warmth in the dark, decrepit crave. “Glorfindel?” Legolas rubbed his stinging eyes, pained by the sharp snows and tears that had stung at them for days. “It is I.” The golden-haired ellon confirmed with a feigned hubris. “I have brought with me much needed supplies and hands to aid you during this perilous time.” He placed a reassuring hand upon Legolas’ arm, and the prince reciprocated the gesture in kind. Behind the shoulder of his towering superior, he saw one whom he had now dreaded to meet. “L...lord Elrond…” His voice shook as he took a step back from the Golden Haired Warrior. Elrond looked upon him, his austere demeanor shrouding the despair within his heart. “Hîr vuin… I am so sorry… all of this is my fault… if only I had just been kinder to her… she’s gone…” Those final words broke him as he fell to his knees before her father, and wept relentlessly as he slumped down. “I do not blame you, Legolas.” Elrond bent down and placed a gentle hand upon the prince’s head. “There is a darkness that has seeped into this forest and tainted the hearts of many…” His voice was flat as he spoke, as thoughts of the prince’s father came to mind. Nevertheless, he kept himself calm as he continued, “I know how much you loved her. I cannot begin to imagine what this catastrophe has made you feel. Regardless of what you choose to do from now on, I will stay by your side.” Legolas looked up to him with a heart further pained. “Like my own father should be doing so…” “The cloud has fogged many and threatens to suffocate more. It is blinding us, Legolas. Even those as ancient as we are, are struggling to evade its immeasurable grasp.” Legolas’ gaze turned to one of concern, for he understood there was a deeper meaning to his superior’s words. “Hîr vuin?” “She is still my daughter. I must still try, even if all is futile.” “I will not give up until she is revealed to me, even if it takes till the end of days.” Legolas returned. Elrond put a strong hand of appreciation on the prince’s shoulder. “Let us hope that it does not come to that.”

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 68

He felt like all the blood within his veins had been drained at the sound of his father’s voice. Tears began to sting at his eyes as he stood there, rooted. He had thought his father damned to the deathly plains of Dagorlad till the end of days in Arda, but there he stood behind them, as tall as a birch and as cold in death as he had been in life.  

“Adar…” his voice burned in his throat as he gazed up at the shimmering cobalt of his father’s eyes.

“Do not look at me as if you were seeing a ghost.” Oropher’s steeled gaze pierced right into the inner depths of his being, tearing through all the walls his son had haphazardly built up around himself in past days. “What were you hoping to accomplish, Thranduil, by stealing away the wife of my grandson, and putting her with children that should not be hers to bear?”

As Thranduil turned to look upon Silveth once more, she would not meet his gaze. Her eyes were downcast with a deep and harrowing sadness. The immense pain and hurt written upon her entirety caused his heart to feel like it were being wrenched from his very chest.

His fists clenched upon his thighs, and he struggled to withhold the sob that threatened to escape him.

“I am so utterly ashamed of you Thranduil.”

Those few words felt like a kick in the gut.

“Glorfindel should have throttled you into the Halls of Mandos when he had the chance, for then I would have throttled you myself!” Oropher continued.

“We do not wish him dead, adar.” Though her countenance was so afflicted, Silveth tried to bring some form of peace.  

“No...” Oropher conceded. “But when he steps foot in Valinor, if he does, he should not expect a gentle welcome from me, nor from anyone else.”

Silveth sighed then, her head still hung. “You cannot expect that from me… I love him more than anything.”

“Do not hold your breath, Silveth.”

Thranduil’s eyes trailed from his father, and then back to his wife. “I will leave for the Grey Havens immediately if you so will it, bessig.”

She shook her head. “As I said before, you are still needed here.”

“As long as he does not make more of a mess of the kingdom I forged!” Oropher refuted.

“He brought upon your demise, and now this…” His expression almost appeared as one of disgust. “How can I still call him my son?”

“You are too cruel, adar.” Silveth chastened, seeing how Thranduil flinched. “He is not to blame for my passing. I went to the village of my own accord.”

“And yet he allowed you to, knowing the risks, especially as you were with child. Do not forget so easily her life, Silveth.”

Silveth froze, and her face turned to stone. “I have never forgotten, Oropher. Neither has Thranduil. Do not put our deaths upon him when you yourself are accountable for thousands.”

“You are right. And I will live my days in death, suffering for it.” He let out a long, tired sigh. “So what shall I do with him? Considering I cannot spank him the way I did when he was but an elfling.”  

“We all make mistakes, adar. Your son was a doting and wonderful father and husband, just as you had once been. Do you know he never spanked Legolas?”

Thranduil felt hotness ascending his cheeks. “I did for his most severe indiscretions, melamin.” He admitted. “More than once...”

“And so fornicating with his future daughter is another brilliant example of how much of a doting and wonderful father and husband he was. Will you ever learn, Thranduil?”

“You never did, adar.”

Oropher’s slap never landed. His hand passed through Thranduil’s cheek as a mist would in the breeze.

“Hush now, the both of you!” Silveth stood between them. “You have both let tragedy darken your hearts.”

“And his,” Oropher almost pierced Thranduil’s chest with his finger, “His darkened heart has allowed our once beautiful forest to wither and rot.”

“You know that is not entirely true, adar.” Silveth frowned in objection.

Oropher continued, “Whereas I have fought the darkness, Thranduil has invited it to reside in the heart of our realm.” His cobalt eyes penetrated his son’s.

“See what you have done, boy? You must be very proud of yourself.”

“What are you talking about? Speak plainly or hold your tongue.” Thranduil bit.

“You know what I am talking about, Thranduil. You have been the ruler of the forest for a millennia. Its roots had grown through you so thoroughly there is no difference between you anymore. You are the forest. You know well where the darkness resides. You know well it has been your negligence that has allowed it to fester.”

“Like father, like son.” Thranduil murmured.

Silveth looked at her husband with unspoken disapproval before she turned the expression to the other towering ellon. “This is not the reason why we came here.”

Oropher looked down at her, and after a moment, nodded reluctantly. “No, it is not.”

“Then why is it that you are here?” Thranduil stared back at his father.

“The truth you must seek, Thranduil. For now you must find yourself again. If you cannot accomplish this, then all in this forest we so cherish will wither and decay.”

“But Adlanniel…”

“Silveth already told you. It is Legolas’ purpose, not yours.”

Thranduil blinked hard at his father’s words, and slowly his gaze returned to his wife. She was now looking to him with a renewed hope.

“Even I will spank you if you let this forest fade.”

Thranduil returned her words with a mischievous grin, “I am counting on it.”

Oropher groaned at their antics and rolled his eyes. “There is time for that in Valinor.”

“So you are in Valinor?” Thranduil looked from his father then back to his wife.

“We are where we are meant to be, Thranduil.” Silveth replied, that radiant smile still on her soft face.

“You know a simple yes or no would suffice…”

“The light will shine again, melamin. Until that time…”

Oropher took her elbow gently and they both began to turn away. Before Thranduil could speak another word, they both faded into the strand of pale light shining in from the ceiling.

Thranduil sighed heavily, replaying the last couple of minutes in his mind. Then, with another deep sigh his words drifted to no one, “I need a drink.”

**************************************************************************************************

   Glorfindel slumped himself down onto the twisted oak armchair, massaging the stress of the passing days from his temple as he did so. Snatching up the goblet of warmed wine a servant had left for him he went to take a draught, but the sweet, fruity aroma that struck him reminded him of the perfumes his beloved niece used to wear. He had not even realised his hand had begun to quiver when the chalice slipped from his grasp, spilling the deep maroon liquid upon the tiles underfoot.

As he looked down he did not see the wine seeping into the gaps of the tiles, but envisioned bright crimson swirling through the broken ice that encrusted the river.

   “Adlanniel…” His guttural voice choked as his eyes began to sting. He had wanted nothing more than to go out and aid the prince’s search for her, but with him gone, and now his father missing, the palace was now in a disarray, the news of their lady’s disappearance having reached the ears of all within. There was no one with enough authority to keep it all together besides the Lord of Golden Flowers himself.

   Though he fought to keep the tears at bay, they flowed freely now, and dampened the golden strands of hair that fell upon his face. His chest pained so suddenly from bereavement, he slid from the chair to his knees, regardless of the lingering wine that now soaked his clothing. His fingernails scraped along the marble as his fists clenched white; the dam he had built to reign in his emotions was now lain to waste.

      He remembered the ebony fluff of her hair that he would gently stroke to calm her tears as an infant, the brilliant emerald eyes that would gaze up to him innocently after he had scolded her for some misbehaviour, her infectious giggles as they had mock tea ceremonies together with her wide array of dolls, and his heart filling with affection and pride when he could see the deep love in her gaze for the young greenwood prince. Yet now, they were memories melting like the ice in that hateful river, the ice in his tormented heart.

   There were gentle strokes of long fingers upon the crown of his head, their soft touch instantly bringing him ease.

   “Golden rose, do not despair. For not all things are as lost as they may seem.”

   The voice was so sweet and familiar, he had almost thought it to be her.

[aliaisonfanfiction]

EXAAAAAAACTLY GUUUUUYS!!!

how to trick writers into giving you more fanfic to read

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 67

That songbird voice he had thought he’d never hear again whilst in Arda. Thranduil’s eyes snapped up in shock. And there she stood, as beautiful and as regal as she had been on the day he had met her. “S...Silveth??” His voice stuttered. He blinked hard, not once but thrice. Yet, there she stood at the feet of the sarcophagus of her image. “Have my eyes been deceived by some spell?” His voice trailed as he continued to stare at her, dazed. “Or perhaps deceived by your current condition.” She replied, looking up to him with those pale, crystalline blue eyes he had so adored. She sighed then, and turned her body to face him completely. “Thranduil, what are you doing?” “What am I doing?” He repeated as his eyes lowered, the question echoing itself through his mind. The answer was as clear as day, and yet it blinded him and he could not see it. “I do not know…” “You know very well.” She chastised. “Look at me.” He immediately obeyed, his heart racing at the authority in her voice. He could not remember that last time she had used such a tone to scold him, but it felt like it were a day so near. “What are you doing?” She repeated. Her eyes now narrowed, and pinned his gaze to hers. He had not realised that tears now streamed down his cheeks as he gazed back at her, rooted to where he stood, her straightforwardness shaking him to the very core. “Trying to fade away so that I may receive my judgment and punishment from Namo.”

Moving around the foot of the sarcophagus, she came closer to him, and yet stood still out of reach. “You cannot flee from what you and Adlanniel have done, Thranduil.” She replied. “And there will be nothing gained from your passing, but more pain and suffering to add upon which you have already wrought.” “But this guilt is slowly consuming me…” He sobbed. “It is the punishment that you were asking for, but you must endure it here in Arda and not in Mandos.” She answered calmly. “As I must bear the fact that my husband betrayed me after death, as he planted his seed in the womb of another.” Her eyes steeled then, which sent a chill down his spine, forcing him to lower his eyes in shame again. “I guess I did…” He admitted reluctantly, as he slowly slunk to his knees. “You betrayed me, Thranduil. Our wedding vows were for life and in passing. You betrayed our son!” The pain in her eyes wrenched his heart from his chest, and he began to sob relentlessly. Despite his remorse, her anger would not ebb yet. “The viper among lilies…” She repeated once shared words again and the bright aura that had surrounded her began to darken.“Your poison has spread Thranduil. It has tainted the hearts of our beloved son and the one whom he loves so dearly..” “Yes…” Thranduil confessed helplessly. “Everything you say is true..” “As if I have ever lied to you.” She replied coldly. “And, as always, you did not heed the words I last shared with you.” Her voice was suddenly softer. He looked up to her confused, but then the memory of the dream he had had in his delirium came to mind; The one that Adlanniel had too seen. “So you were really there?” “I am where I am meant to be.” She replied simply. “Fill the Chalice of Truth. Without the chalice to be filled, no light can spread again.” Those words flooded Thranduil’s mind and heart. “But we did tell him the truth.” “She did.” Silveth corrected him. “And I admitted everything after he had come to confront me, as you must surely know.” Thranduil defended himself. “We did exactly what you asked, and now Adlanniel and her unborn babies are lost!” “Now you start to sound like my husband again.” Silveth said, her shimmering eyes bedazzling him. “Perhaps, you could start to think again as well?” Her voice was stern, yet somewhat playful..

He blinked hard once more as his gaze refocussed. He still could not comprehend that she were right there, standing only a few feet from him. Yet were she really there, or but another illusion his clouded mind was creating? A small smile came across her lips then, and she came to stand before him, kneeling down so that she could look into his eyes. His eyes widened as she reached one of her delicate hands out to touch his face. The pain within his chest as his breath hitched almost winded him, for her touch was as warm as he had last felt it. He looked to her in utter shock, and almost mindlessly he brought his hand to touch hers. Yet, he felt nothing. “Silveth…” His voice choked with tears. “I’ll do whatever it takes to mend the hurt that I have wrought. To you… to our son. Please guide me in what I must do.” “Only Namo knows what shall transpire from now. You must walk whatever path he sets before you. It is not up to you to decide when your life here in Arda ends.” Thranduil nodded, his head hung low in shame. “Besides, you are the king, Thranduil. You must be there for our people, as you always were.” “I am tired of being a king,” he admitted. “Pouty child.” She chastised him again. “Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, but only a few are gifted with wisdom which allows them to learn from them.” After a moment of silence Thranduil once again lifted his gaze. “I was awaiting your question of which one I am, the wise or the foolish one.” “Oh, we already know the answer, bennig.” Thranduil groaned in frustration. “You know well how lost I am without you. What is a king without his wise and beautiful queen? Just a shadow roaming this earth without a purpose.” “Stop complaining and being so dismal. You have withstood more dire situations with your head held up high. You have fought lost battles and won, you…” “Yes, yes, I have!” He interrupted her. “But when it comes to women, these are the battles no ellon can win.” Silveth chuckled. “I miss you, meleth.” Thranduil admitted dolefully. “Since that day, my heart has wept to no end.” “I know,” she said, sadness painting her voice. “It was your weeping heart which allowed the darkness to plant its seed within our once beautiful forest and, eventually, ended up with poor Adlanniel jumping into the river.” Thranduil sobbed. “I need to find her, Silveth. I need to know if she…” Silveth stroked his cheek. “No, Thranduil. It is not your fate to go and search for her. This one must be left for our son. She is love of his life, not yours.” “Yet I am responsible…” “It was her decision. You would have not stopped her even if you were there.” “So I have to live without knowing if she survived?” “A punishment for your indiscretions.” Thranduil sighed heavily. “How long?” “As long as necessary.” She replied calmly. “What would be the punishment if I told you now?” “You are cruel.” She placed her finger upon his lips. “Say no bad word about the dead.” “You will always be the one that I love. Will that suffice?” He asked as he gazed into her eyes. Yet, when he moved to close the gap between them, Silveth stopped him. “You know you cannot do this, Thranduil. It is not the real me who you see right now. We have to wait until we reunite in Valinor, no matter how much we both may want it now.” “At least I must try. Anything to bring me back to you.” He replied stubbornly, pressing his lips to hers. What was supposed to be a kiss to bring him solace and dry his frozen tears felt more like the withered vine of his soul. Dried and prickly pieces of remorse clung to his mouth by the spiderwebs of his unspoken words. Taking in a sharp breath, he did not feel the sweet jasmine scent of his wife’s favourite perfume, only the dust of years passing by, leaving him thirsty for love and choked by loneliness. His heart skipped a beat, showing him what would have followed if he had been left outside in the cold, awaiting his icy judgement. His blood froze in his veins and but for a moment, chilling him with the stillness of the afterlife, only to bring him back onto the cold floor of the crypt, leaving him to gasp for cold air and to struggle to make his blood flow again to bring some warmth to his tortured soul. Thranduil took a couple of deep breaths, searching for the warmth that had once emanated from his late wife. All he could find was a deep sorrow embroidering her soft sky blue eyes. “You never listen…” She whispered. “Of course he doesn’t.” Came another, very familiar voice from behind his back. A voice lost long ago in Dagorlad. “Now, after you have tasted the kiss of Mandos,“ the voice continued without a pause, “pull yourself together and make me proud again. For right now, I am truly disappointed in you, my son.”

*****************************************

Legolas stopped on the granite embankment and gazed almost mindlessly along the endless river that continued before them. The river was wider now, and though the flow of the water seemed calm enough to create flocks of ice here and there, there were still deep underwater currents ready to consume anyone foolish enough to enter the river. The chilling wind whipped his golden hair from his face as he continued to scan the water. Melethril, standing a mere foot before the rest of the searching group, noticed something peculiar clinging to a rock near the tip of his boot. At first, he thought it to be mere snow and were about to ignore it, yet something in his gut willed him to look once again. His violet eyes widened as he bent down. “Cund vuin?” Legolas turned to face him, his expression a frozen mask of desperate sadness. “What is it?” “I might have found something.” Melethril picked up the small shred of cloth, struggling to pick it from the ground in his mahogany leather gloves as the shred was already frozen solid with the rock it clung to. “Look. This might be another part of her nightgown.” Legolas took the sheer white fabric and pulling off his glove, gently rubbed it between his fingers to break the ice. His eyes widened as the piece of fabric went pliant between his fingers. Against the cream white of the intricate lace and silk was a faint stain of maroon. The gasp that escaped his lips felt like ice shards within his throat. Once more his heart felt like it had ceased to beat life into him. “Blood…” His voice was a mere rasp in the gusts of wind. “Hers?” Melethril asked, concern riddled upon his face. “Yes,” Legolas replied gravely. “Spread, search for footprints.... anything.” He ordered the rest of the company before the ellyn had the chance to get too distracted by their own worries. “Melethril…” The prince began when the others were out of earshot. “It is getting late and the weather will get worse. After you are done here, take the boys and head back to the palace. I shall continue my search on my own.” “The fuck you are, Legolas.” He replied, his voice austere. “We’re not going anywhere. You cannot search the entire wilderness on your own, and, besides, nobody wants to face the king with both of you suddenly lost. And I am not going to mention that Adlanniel is not only your bride, she is also the best friend of Gwendalyn. I am not going anywhere.” Legolas looked upon him sincerely and placed a strong hand upon his shoulder in thanks. “But Gwendalyn needs you now, especially during this time.” “She is going to kill me if I return without her - or you. So I am not going anywhere.” Melethril replied. “Even if we have to search every river, waterfall, lake, and sea in Arda, I will not leave your side. None of us will.” The prince gave an appreciative smile and nodded. “Duly noted. Your loyalty warms the heart.” “We would go to all ends of the earth for our brothers and friends.” Melethril returned the smile in kind as he patted the prince’s opposite shoulder. “We’d do anything.” “We indeed would.” Legolas concurred. “We will find her, Legolas.” Melethril reassured him. “However long it takes.” “I hope you are right, and that we find her before it is too late.” Then both ellyn looked up at the weeping sky, glaring at the snowflakes silently covering the darkening woods.

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 66

“Adlanniel?” Legolas stood there, numbed, as he watched the silk of her night-skirt disappear over the parapet. He had turned to look upon her before leaving, not knowing that it may very well have been the last time. “ADLANNIEL?!” He screamed her name then as he bolted to the parapet where she had fallen. He looked down into the river in a panic, the water, though mostly frozen from the winter’s snows, still had a strong current underneath. She was nowhere to be seen; only the remnants of the broken shards of ice and the rapids that now bubbled over them were in view.

He had not heard others racing into the room behind him as he screamed her name again, nor did he choose to acknowledge them as he flung himself down the cliff-side; using old vines and gripping onto the jagged stone to scale along it as quickly as he could in the hopes to catch even but a glimpse of her location.

He leaped from stone to stone, rock to rock, iceberg to iceberg and tree root to tree root, raggedly crying out her name in desperation, yet there came no answer but the rushing of the water. His head raced with a barrage of panicked thoughts as he contemplated many times to jump into the water himself. He knew, however, that doing so would be futile.

After some miles, he came to a standstill on a rocky embankment, those that had followed him crowding around him. Their voices were a mere buzzing to his ears as he fell to his knees in the water, reaching down to clutch a lone piece of ripped white silk floating by.

“A...Adlanniel…” His voice choked painfully, the tears freezing to his cheeks as he held it close to his face. His eyes shifted across the water then, in one last hope to see her, but already she was gone; he had not been fast enough to save her. Echoes of the last words she spoke to him reverberated through every crevice of his soul. Soon the voices that were calling his name rang through to him and he looked up in a daze.

There stood Glorfindel and Melethril, along with a few other guards behind him, appearing as panicked and worried as he.

“What has happened Legolas?” Glorfindel demanded as he took the prince by the shoulders and hauled him to his feet.

“She...she...fell...she…” The words choked in his throat. Immediately Melethril and the other guards raced off down the river in search of her.

“Legolas!” Another familiar voice behind them. It was his father, whose flaxen hair flicked in the wind as he ran down the rocky slope to reach them. “Where is she?” His voice was desperate. Legolas’ eyes pierced into his. “You did this to her…” He hissed through gritted teeth. His voice raised then so that it echoed through the ravine. “You did this to her!” He grabbed Thranduil by the collar and shoved him away violently. The Elvenking stumbled, but recovered his footing, taking a step back. “Legolas…” His eyes paled as he gazed at his son remorsefully.

“You did this to her!” Legolas repeated once again, holding up the almost frozen piece of silk to his father’s face. “This is what remains!”

“Adlanniel? Adlanniel?? Where is my daughter??” Celebrian rushed down to the embankment with Gwendalyn and more guards shortly behind her. Both Thranduil and the prince turned sharply to look at her, their faces identical masks of regret and pain.

She haphazardly rushed straight to the prince whilst Gwendalyn fell to the ground in a daze.

The sharp slap across his face made him stumble. Clutching his cheek, Legolas stared at Celebrian in dumbfounded shock.

“I...I’m so sorry...Lady Celebrian...I…”

“Still your words!” She shouted at him. “You did this to her! You with your damned stubbornness! She would still be here if you had of just been reasonable in her weakened state as I had asked you to be! She is gone because of you!” She screamed, before spinning to face the king, slapping him harshly as well. “And you! YOU started this whole catastrophe! YOU are just as much to blame! My daughter is GONE because of the both of you!”

Legolas’ eyes pinned to the stones below. “She’s gone…” He repeated, in a shocked realization.

“Not yet, but if we do not find her or if she does not get herself out of the water somehow, she will be,” Glorfindel replied calmly, placing a gentle hand upon Celebrian’s arm. “And already I am afraid she does not want to be found.”

“What? No…” Legolas went to bolt back down to the shore, but Celebrian tore herself away from Glorfindel and pulled the prince back. “Don’t you dare go near her.” She hissed with contempt. Glorfindel pulled her back into an embrace and she sobbed into his chest. He looked at both Thranduil and Legolas, disappointment and a deep sadness apparent in his pale eyes.

“Lasgalen has already done too much, it is the time for Imladris to take matters into its own hands.”

“I need to at least try.” The prince’s voice broke with tears once more.

“Then go, but do not expect to find her..”

The prince took off after Melethril and the other guards who were now far ahead.

Once Legolas was gone from sight, Thranduil fell to his knees and wept against the ground.

“You destroy everyone you touch.” Celebrian hissed after watching him with eyes as cold as the snows that now fell around them. “First Silveth, and now my daughter… You have done this to her. With the guilt and shame you have wrought upon her I may never see my beloved daughter again! You…”

“Enough.” Glorfindel calmed her as Thranduil looked up to them helplessly, his hair strewn in a damp mess around his face. “Her loss and the loss of those babies is all of ours to bear. We can only hope she chooses to be found before it is too late.”

“I fear that hope is already a lost cause.” Celebrian sobbed, looking back to Thranduil. “And that lies solely on your shoulders Thranduil.”

“Come,” Glorfindel continued. “Let me take you back to the palace. We must notify your husband of what has transpired this day.” And he turned away back up the path, shouldering her and Gwendalyn away from the scene.

Thranduil heaved a painful breath at those words. And yet, it did not matter to him now. His vine had withered once again, torn away cruelly by fate itself. It was Eru Ilúvatar’s punishment for his indiscretions, and this time the price was too high to pay; two innocent lives yet to be born.

**********************************************

Adlanniel and the prince’s footprints were still marked in the snow as Gwendalyn slowly made her way out onto the balcony, almost expecting them both to still be there. She had even brought out her lady’s comb with her to comb her hair. The shock that Adlanniel was now gone still had not quite sunk in. That is, however, until she wondered upon the parapet, and set her eyes upon the dent in the snow caused by Adlanniel’s fall. The comb in her hand tumbled to the ground, not even making a whisper of a noise upon the soft white underfoot.

The wail she let out then caused the sparrows within the vines to flutter off in fright. Tears streamed down her face as she fell to her knees in the snow. Her brother was gone, and now her best friend as well. She had held herself together for so long, for the sake of herself and her remaining family, but now the two whom she had cherished and loved were gone. Adlanniel’s essence no longer lingered, and though Melethril was out with Legolas trying to find her, Gwendalyn feared for the worst.

“Adlanniel…” She wept into her hands. “Those poor, innocent little babies…” She looked up at the blanket of clouds above her, whispering snowflakes fluttered down to her face.

“Why?” Her voice choked as she continued to gaze up at the heavens. “Did their transgression really deserve this punishment? Those innocent children!” She slammed her hand into the snow beneath her. “You have given me Melethril, but you have taken my brother and my best friend and her children as payment. How is this fair? How is any of this fair? Do not tell me this is fate!” She wept. “Those little babies did not deserve any of this…”

**********************************************

“Be careful, for this is a message of utmost urgency.” Glorfindel began as he stroked the falcon’s soft, feathered breast. “May the wind carry you swiftly, my friend,” With no more words to be shared Glorfindel released the bird into the air, returning then from the balcony back into the chambers of the Lady Celebrian.

He sighed inwardly as he looked over her, her head sunken and her hands still shaking in despair. All her radiant color had been drained from her skin, and tears continued to trickle in a perpetual flow down her cheeks. Quietly he moved to be before her and knelt down, taking her lithe hands gently within his.

“I should have come sooner… I should have done something sooner… I should have…” She broke down once more and her golden-haired counterpart moved to sit beside her, wrapping his arms around her body in an effort to comfort her in some way.

“You cannot blame yourself, my dear Celebrian, we cannot always control our fates.”

“But we can take actions to divert them!” She protested, looking up into his pale eyes then. “I should have taken her far from here… I should never have allowed her to come to this wretched place, to begin with!”

“None of us could foresee what was going to transpire, not even they could,” Glorfindel replied, looking back out the window then.

“They both knew where this transgression would lead them.” Celebrian’s voice became bitter, angered thoughts of the elvenking flooded her mind.

“They did and they both were trying to end it Celebrian, you know that. But as I said, none of us, including them knew that this was going to happen. Alas, it has, and now our beloved Adlanniel is so engulfed in guilt that she will not allow any of us to find her, even the one who deserves the answers.”

“Legolas…” Celebrian’s voice trailed off, her eyes became almost blank as she could see him rushing frantically along the tree line of the river, desperately trying to find the love of his life.

“We have all made mistakes,” Glorfindel then continued. “There are so many ‘what ifs’ to this debacle. None of us could have known the exact strand of the web to unravel.”

“And now, this is our punishment,” Celebrian lamented as she stared down at the stone floor beneath them. “I can no longer feel her essence, and so now I will be tormented by not knowing whether she lives or has passed. I may never see her again, even in Valinor...”

“That is a torment we all shall bear.” Glorfindel sighed.

**********************************************

Time had passed, and the bleakness of the sky darkened ever still. The sleet had thickened upon his body. So still had he remained that his tears had frozen to his sallowed features, and icicles clung to his dark lashes like the snows to the eaves of the surrounding forest. The frigid air burned within his lungs, yet his breath barely escaped his blued lips.

He was prepared to depart the physical realm, so heavily the guilt weighed upon his shoulders. Perhaps it had simply been the sleet. It may have been anything except the hands of his beloved ones, as he had betrayed every single one of them. It was what he deserved. There would be no reprieve, even in death.

Suddenly, he felt a heavy weight upon his back as he was shoved from behind. Thranduil struggled from the stiffness that had seeped into his bones and fell into the snow after another hard push. As he rose, his eyes caught the frozen piece of ivory silk that he still clutched in his hand. Gazing upon it, he felt such a sharp pain in his gut, yet he had no time for contemplation as he was shoved once more into the snow. Turning his head to look upon the culprit, his eyes widened. There, behind him, stood a young stag of silver and white who’s coloring almost blended it into the snow. The stag brayed loudly then and tossed its magnificent head from side to side. Be as it may, Thranduil lowered his eyes and looked away. He could not face something so pure after all that had been lost. The stag shoved him again with its antlers.

“Leave me be.” The Elvenking’s voice rasped as he tried to push the stag from him as it continued to nuzzle its face into his clothing. Yet, the beast would not relent. Taking Thranduil’s sleeve into its mouth it pulled hard, regardless of how much the Elvenking tried to resist. “What is it that you want?” Thranduil finally brought himself to his feet. The stag brayed at him once more and threw its head in the direction of the path nearby.

“Lest you know where she is, or have come to take me to my death, leave me alone.”

The stag snorted almost angrily now and, lowering its head, it headbutted him, almost making him fall back to the ground.

“What is this behavior?” Thranduil snapped. The stag moaned at him again as it stamped its feet impatiently, and shoved him once more in the direction of the path.

“It leads nowhere…”

The stag did not heed his words and continued to shove him along, regardless of his displeasure to follow. Eventually, however, knowing that it would be futile to resist, he continued to follow the beast, albeit reluctantly.

It did not take long for Thranduil to understand exactly where he was being led, and yet his mind was still in too much of a stupor to completely comprehend it. Once they were finally before the great carved stone door, his heart felt like it has ceased all beating.

“Here?... Why here?” His reddened eyes searched the buck for some form of answer. Yet the buck merely lowered its regal head and nuzzled the door with its wet nose.

Much to Thranduil’s amazement the door slid open with neither words nor prayer spoken, and the buck then proceeded to nudge him inside. Once he had entered, the door slid closed behind him. He stood at the doorway for the longest time, staring blankly at the effigy of the queen as it glowed from the magic of the illuminance within the tomb.

“So…” He finally began, his eyes pinned repentantly to her face. “You brought me here.”

“Yes, Thranduil, I have.”

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Thranduil and baby Legolas

[aliaisonfanfiction]

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 65

“The winters grow ever colder…” Legolas began as he stared out of one of the windows of his father’s reception rooms.

  Thranduil’s eyes trailed to where his son’s gazed. “They do…” He agreed, silently.

  “Perhaps due to the darkness that creeps back into this world.” The prince continued. “The same darkness that has perhaps already taken you into its clutches, causing you to taint my wife with its poison.”

  “Do you believe that to be the truth?” Thranduil looked back to his son. Legolas’ eyes were sunken and had lost their usual vibrancy. His skin too was now sallowed for he had not eaten in many days.

  “It is the only explanation I can conceive as to how you, my own father, could have done this to me,” Legolas replied bitterly. “Do you wish to tell me otherwise?”

  Thranduil’s eyes stung painfully as he looked away once more in shame. “It was by my own doing Legolas, nothing more.”

  Though Legolas knew that to be the truth, the words wounded no less. “Through your own lust and greed.” He reiterated hotly.  

  “Yes…”

  “So tell me why you did it.” The prince then pushed, fighting back the onslaught of angry tears that threatened to overwhelm him.

  “You deserve to know the truth, Legolas, but I fear it would only bring you more grief.”

  “We are a little beyond caring now, are we not?” The prince’s eyes narrowed on his father.

  “Tell me the truth. I cannot be at peace unless I know why you both deceived me…”

   Covering his mouth briefly with his sleeve, the Elvenking took in a draught of air to clear himself enough to answer. Yet, his voice almost shook as he spoke. “When I was young, younger than you are now, and well before your mother and I was together, I had loved another.”

  Legolas looked at him incredulously but remained silent.

  “I will not delve into details Legolas, but it had been Celebrian, Adlanniel’s naneth, well before even she had known Elrond.”

  Legolas’ eyes narrowed further. “You speak the truth…” And yet he did not wish to believe it. “Why have you never told me this? First, you did not tell me that naneth had been with child when she died, and now this?”

  “Your naneth and I did not deem it relevant enough to tell you. It happened in the past and was over, and we wanted you to only focus on our love and the love we had for you.”

  Legolas bit his tongue to prevent himself from saying more, but Thranduil could see it written on his face.    

“I have betrayed that love, I know that. Adlanniel had reminded me so much of the fierce love I had once held for Celebrian. She reminded me of all the mischief that Celebrian and I had gotten into during our youth. She reminded me of how much I missed those days of old; of how much I almost desperately wanted to return to something… anything that resembled then. Your naneth and Celebrian had also been the closest of friends. That is how I had actually become acquainted with your naneth; through Celebrian. Obviously, Celebrian and I were not to be… even though neither of us was to know for quite a while after, her mother, the Lady Galadriel, had seen her death if she had stayed with me. Perhaps it had actually been the death of your naneth… I do not know.” Thranduil sighed deeply as he looked back to the shadows cast on the floor. “And so Galadriel had been adamant to separate us, much to our own grief at the time. Yet, it was through such grief that we became partnered with those we were to eventually marry. Your naneth taught me to love again. I loved her with a ferocity that could have turned the furnaces of Aulë to ash. Being friends with Celebrian, your naneth and she were similar in many ways as well. That is perhaps what sparked the eventual attraction between your naneth and I. Adlanniel, being so similar to her own naneth and also to yours, encompassed everything about them. Including the love I so desperately missed. After you left here, Adlanniel relied on me for friendship as she missed you desperately.”

  Legolas looked away then at those words. They were words that weighed in his stomach like the sharp stones of the ravine.

  “It is the truth, Legolas.” Thranduil pushed gently, seeing his son’s pained expression.

“The truth that led to our wrongdoing, but the truth nonetheless.”

  “And yet I thought that she and Gwendalyn were the best of friends. Why could she not have relied on her for such friendship?” Legolas’ cerulean gaze had become pale and greyed.

  “She did for a great part, Legolas.” His father replied. “She came to me sometimes because she trusted me. I promise you it started innocently. She would ask me to tell her about stories of old, and we would talk about you and her family. It was as we grew closer that all the things I had kept bottled up began to spill out. Just looking upon her set forth all the memories… all the emotions... all the feelings I had thought I had locked away forever. Looking upon her was like a river breaking through a dam…” Thranduil pushed back the sob that threatened to escape him, yet he could not prevent the tears that trickled down his cheeks.

  “Do you love her?”

  Legolas’ question was so sudden that Thranduil felt winded. His eyes became wrought with painful guilt as he looked up to his son, almost pleading. “Legolas…”

  “Tell me!” The table rattled against the marble of the floor as the prince slammed his fist into it. Tears continued to stream down his greyed skin as he stood, his stare fierce. “Do you love her?”

  Thranduil closed his eyes briefly as he took in a breath, for his answer, he knew, would be too painful for even him to bear. “Yes.” The word spilled out of his mouth like the waters breaking through the dam he had spoken of.

  By the time he realised exactly what he had said, Legolas was already halfway to the door. “Wait, Legolas!” He called out as he leaped from the sofa.

  The prince froze but did not turn around to face him.

  “I have no right to ask you of anything, but I beg you not to hate her for my digression.”

  “It takes two to have an affair.” Came his reply as the door closed behind him.

His continence seethed as he made haste through the hallways of his father’s palace. His heart and his head ached, for now, his father’s answer repeated itself in his mind; “Do you love her?”

“Yes… ”

“Yes…”

“Yes…”

  The prince stopped as the cold winter’s air suddenly became too painful for him to breathe. The anger and heartbreak twisted his resolve, and he lashed out at the tapestry of his father’s sigil that hung upon the wall nearby him. The rending of the tearing cloth was no different to the ripping of his heart, so he thought.

 “Cund vuin, are you alright?” Came a familiar voice nearby.

 Legolas looked up quickly, not acknowledging the stinging of his eyes as tears streamed down them again, and the thumping of his heart as it raged in his chest.

 “What are you doing away from your post, Melethril?” The prince glowered.

 “I…” Melethril knew well enough that things were presently awry within the palace, but he had not expected such animosity from the prince.

 “You were off dallying once again with your lady’s handmaiden, were you not? And yet I gave you such a high recommendation to the king to have you placed within his royal guard. Perhaps I should withdraw my words.”

 Melethril’s violet eyes widened in a terrified shock. “Please don’t… ” He begged, for those were the only words he had the courage to muster.

  “Then get back to your post and do not stick your nose where it does not belong.”

  Melethril lowered his eyes and quickly made off without another word. To see the prince tear apart his father’s sigil, an act of treason in most respects, and to see him in tears, was heart-wrenching. It worried him to no end, and he wondered how many others knew of the extent of the prince’s disposition. It was definitely something he would have to confront Gwendalyn with later, for surely she had to know something.

  The surreality of the day still had not abated by the time the prince reached Adlanniel’s chambers. He had not even had to knock for the door opened slowly, revealing the Lady Celebrian standing in its way. A faint light shone behind her, for now, the sun was beginning to wane, and he could feel a warm breeze blow past them as it came in from the hearth.

  “Prince Legolas, I am glad to see you returned.” She said gently, her eyes still yet filled with worry.

  Legolas looked up at her then after having stared past her into the room. “To what end, I wonder… ”

  “I know that you wish to see her,” Celebrian began. “But she is deathly and frail. I ask only one thing of you…” She then noticed the green cloth clenched in the prince’s hand. She recognised what it was well enough, and sighed. Legolas too looked down at his tightly wound fist, where within it hung the scrap from the tapestry.

  “Please be gentle to her, as much as you may believe she does not deserve it.”

Her words struck Legolas painfully then, and he looked up to her almost helplessly. The sadness opened his clenched fist and the torn cloth fell to the floor.

Gently she placed a hand on his. “Please…”

  “May I be alone with her, my lady?” His reply was sad, yet as gentle as her touch upon his hand.

  She nodded.  “Of course.” She moved aside and allowed him to enter before she closed the door behind her.

  He approached her bedside quietly and sat beside the stool that held the bowl of water and the cloth. “Oh my love… what have I done?” His eyes stung once more as he looked down at her deathly countenance, her breath so shallow it was barely noticeable. Her skin was sallow and appeared clammy, and no longer retained the youthful elasticity it once had. The pallor of death hung about her. Her raven hair too was now limp and lifeless and fell about her sleeping face like tangled vines. Pushing her hair behind her ears, he reached for the cloth and wrung it with water, gently dabbing the sweat from her brow. His lips brushed with hers and he could taste her demise coming to claim her. He almost felt nauseous at the sudden despair that consumed him, and he began to bawl at her side.  

  “L… Legolas?” Came her raspy voice. He looked up quickly and almost jolted away from her.

  “Adlanniel!”

  “You have… returned…” She tried to raise herself up, her eyes seeming to brighten slightly at his presence, but gently he pushed her back down.

  “You must keep your energy.” He replied, placing the cloth back beside the bowl. Dragging a nearby seat to him, he sat near her, looking down at the floor, her sullen eyes trying to meet his.

  “Are you back to stay?” Her voice was weak.

  “I have questions.” He replied, simply. “But they can wait until you have gained your strength.”

 Reaching out then, she touched his hand, and the gentleness was like that of her mother’s touch… something his father had admitted had attracted him to her. Yet, he did not recoil, but stiffened slightly, biting back the words that suddenly threatened to escape him.

“Please, Legolas… I feel my time is short. Say what you need to say, ask what you want the answers to.”

  Legolas looked away from her then and frowned suddenly, as the anger began to slowly raise its ugly head once more. As his eyes trailed once more upwards, he noticed how swollen her stomach was now. He had not even comprehended that already half a year had passed since he had left the palace for battle. “Is it true?” He began, staring at her bump.

“That one is mine?”

  Adlanniel gripped his hand tighter. “I swear to you, I do not lie about this. One is yours.”

His eyes widened, and his gaze became wondrous as he understood he was to be a father. He had no reason to disbelieve her now. Alas, the cruel realisation that the other child was not his came to his mind, and his gaze then steeled.

  “Did you enjoy it? Breaking my heart?” The words spilled out before he had the chance to retract them.

  Adlanniel’s eyes then seemed to fade yet another hue. Her voice cracked at the shock of such a question. “Of course not, Legolas. It was never meant to happen in the first place.”

  “Then why did you do it?” He pulled his hand away from her then, and the hurt in her eyes made him hate himself for how bitter he was now suddenly being, deserved or otherwise.

  She downturned her eyes and could not answer, for alas she did not have one to give. Even she could not comprehend why it had all happened. It was now simply a web she was entangled in due to her own design.

“Then perhaps you can answer me this,” The prince continued. “Do you love him?”

She looked up at him then, her eyes almost terrified from such a blunt question. She felt the air she breathed sting at her lungs as it was almost knocked out of her.

  “I need some fresh air…” Her voice shook as she struggled to get out of her bed, Legolas moved out of her way, and yet did not assist her.

She threw open the balcony doors, and the sudden wind from outside caused her fur coat to fall from her body. As she stumbled along the balcony, her thin night garments slid down, revealing her bare shoulders and protruding collar bones. She fell against the column of the parapet as she gasped for breath, and clung to the icy marble as she stared down into the partially frozen river below.

  “Adlanniel, come back inside. It is far too cold out.”

  Yet she did not respond, and so he stepped out into the snow-blanketed balcony and retrieved her coat. She continued to stare into the river, her mind whirring like the eddying waters below, fishing her mind for the answer. Yet she knew it already.

  “Yes...” She replied. “I love him Legolas.”

  The prince froze where he stood. He knew as much. He placed her coat on a nearby stone bench. “That is all I needed to hear…” And with that, he turned around and began to walk back to the room.

  “But I love you more than anyone Legolas! I always have!” She cried, still clutching the dried winter vines that wove around the column. “Believe me, please!” She begged.

  “It does not matter…” And he continued away from her without looking back then.

The weight of her chest upon her weakened heart felt like it would crush her. Tears froze on her sallow cheeks as she watched him walk away once more. The despair within her began to rise like the tides of the Gray Havens during a full moon. She felt suddenly nauseous and her mind began to swim, her eyes began to darken as she watched his golden hair flicker from the numbing wind as he once more entered the room.

  All she could remember was that icy wind rushing through her ears, and the frigid water and ice shattering against her back.  

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 64

No reply came from the prince at Glorfindel's words.

"Cund vuin, you can trust me." He reaches out to touch Legolas' shoulder, but the prince recoiled from him.

"They sent you to find me, didn't they?" Legolas' voice was bitterly dry.

"They did. But I also came on my own accord."

"Why bother? I'm not going back."

"And I am not entirely here to convince you to."

Legolas looked up at him then. The pity that Glorfindel felt at that moment weighed heavily upon his heart; the prince's eyes were reddened and sunken from days of anguish.

"So what are you doing here?" Legolas pushed once more.

"I came here to lend you my support in such a difficult time; a time where it feels like all is against you."

"And is it not?" Legolas' voice choked.

"It may seem as such," Glorfindel replied, as he cautiously made his way to the prince's side again. "The world can often come crashing down around us, Legolas. But we always have the chance to rebuild from the rubble."

"And the rubble around me has turned to dust. There is no rebuilding from that." Legolas replied dejectedly.

"But even the mighty Phoenix can rise from mere ash." Glorfindel reiterated.

Legolas turned his eyes away, a single tear staining his dirt-smudged cheek.

"They betrayed me, Glorfindel." He began finally, his voice quivering.

"They jilted me to the worst degree. I cannot get it out of my head; them together...In my marriage bed!" His cracked lips snarled in disgust. Then, suddenly, his expression dropped and became sullen once more. "I feel so broken, Glorfindel; like a shattered sword that cannot be reforged. I feel so humiliated... How could I not have seen this earlier? I had my suspicions that something was wrong but... but this? And right beneath my very nose! They made children together..."

Glorfindel placed his hand on the prince's shoulder, and this time Legolas did not protest.

"I understand how humiliated you must feel, Legolas. They betrayed you and begot a child together in the thralls of their deception. However, do you not believe that one is yours?" He asked gently.

Legolas looked at him incredulously. "It is impossible!" He spat. "And the fact that she made up such a blatant lie is even more unforgivable!" His eyes then darkened further. "Why, do you believe this fallacy?"

Glorfindel sighed and nodded. "Despite what they have done, I do not think they would make such a lie. Why rub salt into wounds already so deep?"

"They would do it out of spite..." Legolas hissed.

"You know that is not so," Glorfindel replied calmly.

Legolas looked away once more. "Even if it is the truth..." He began, his voice hoarse, "They would have had to love each other in order to procreate. We elves cannot conceive otherwise."

"And you would be perfectly right." Glorfindel conceded. "Which also means that Adlanniel loves you to have conceived your child as well."

"Perhaps at the time of conception," Legolas mumbled bitterly. "But now? I beg to differ."

"And there, my friend, you could not be further from the truth." The older ellon sighed. "She does still very much love you."

"And why do you defend them and feed me more lies?" Legolas glowered, shifting his body angrily.

"I do no such thing, cund vuin, and you know that."

"How can you claim that she loves me after what they have done?" The fluttering of birds could be heard from outside due to the voice raised.

"Because the guilt that she suffers from her gaffe is tearing her apart..."

"That is no more than she deserves." Legolas cut in.

"It is killing her Legolas. She is dying."

Legolas' eyes widened then at Glorfindel's words. The prince knew that his confidant would not lie about such a matter.

"Dying?" He repeated.

The golden-haired ellon nodded dolefully. "I believe you have been in too much despair to have felt it. Do you still have the necklace she gave you?"

Legolas blinked hard as he quickly reached into his tunic to pull out the gold chain. His face became blank at the sight of the gem. Its former radiance was now dulled and lackluster. Slowly, he lowered the necklace into his hand, his eyes beginning to sting with tears. "I cannot allow her to die. But I cannot forgive her either. I cannot forgive either of them."

"And they know that Legolas. But do not punish the children yet to be born. They are innocent in this, regardless of how one may have been conceived."

"Then let him save them."

"He cannot Legolas."

"And why? He snaked himself into our wedding bed and seduced her anyway!"

"They are both at fault there," Glorfindel replied calmly. "And it was a catastrophic mistake on their part; a mistake they both regret."

Legolas scoffed and looked away once more, wiping the tears hastily from his eyes.

"You have every right to be furious at them Legolas. No one blames you. I would be as fuming hot as the forges of Aule if it were me in your situation. But Legolas, I beg you, do not hate the children for this. And as disappointed as I am with what she has done, I do not wish to see my niece's life fade away. She has done something grievous, but she does not deserve to die for it."

Legolas continued to look away for a long while, his eyes burning with tears as they slowly trailed their way down his dirt-smudged cheeks. He did not know what to think or what to do on the matter. His heart felt like it was no longer his own, his mind felt like it had drifted off to a plain unbeknown to him.

Taking a deep breath he finally turned to face his companion. "Does anyone else know about this... predicament?" He asked plainly.

"Not even the great Lady Galadriel is aware, as far as I know. No one else knows apart from those that you do know." He lied slightly, not wanting to bring trouble to Adlanniel's handmaiden. "But with your disappearance, there is some unrest at the palace. Some are questioning your relationship with Adlanniel, others are questioning your relationship with your father."

Legolas stared at him with steeled eyes. "I cannot allow word to get out about this scandalous affair. I will not allow my grandfather's legacy be tarnished further by his foolish offspring. I will not allow my people to suffer."

Glorfindel eyed him seriously. "Are you thinking to have your father abdicate the throne? Or force him from it?"

Legolas frowned then. "He would deserve such a thing, but no. That is not what I will do." He sighed then. "I hate to admit it, but I could never be half the ruler that he has been..." His voice was low.

Glorfindel rubbed the prince's shoulder. "I would not go so far as to say that. It is all one, enormous learning curve. I've already witnessed what you are capable of diplomatically, strategically and in warfare. You would be more than capable of ruling this realm. But even someone like your father needs advisors and the sort. No one can rule a kingdom alone."

Legolas nodded slowly in agreement. "You are right." He sighed. "But I would have giant boots to fill. Regardless, I still do not know if I want to stay in this realm, not till I can clear my mind of what they have done, and not till I can piece together but a resemblance of what my heart had been."

"Understood." Glorfindel nodded. "But what of Adlanniel?" He then asked, not as cautiously as he had previous.

"I will come to see her. Reassure her of my existence. We will share words... and then our farewells."

Glorfindel was deeply saddened by these words. "And of the children?"

Legolas looked away once more, "I do not know yet. I will cross that bridge when I come to it."

It took many days for them to make their way back through the denseness of the foliage and snows to the palace. Arriving in the grand courtyard, there were no souls to greet them, for they had sent no word of their return nor had they been expected.

The voices of his court turned to drabble as he leaned on his hand wearily. He had not eaten in many days due to the gutting worry that wrenched him from his usual demeanor.

His eyes lifted suddenly to see what he thought must be an illusion; alas the vision was only wishful thinking that his son had finally made his return. His lips parted, yet nothing but a wisp of breath came out. He sighed as his head slumped, the visions now of his deathly ill ex-lover now plaguing him. And yet, that feeling within his gut would not abate, despite the visions that now haunted him. His son was home.

"Aran nin,"

Thranduil's eyes snapped up at the familiar voice. "Glorfindel..." His voice strained. He went to stand but stumbled from his weariness. Glorfindel and Thranduil's servants went to immediately assist their king.

Glorfindel's eyes filled with worry. "We are home, aran nin, Legolas, your son, is safe."

"Is he well?" Thranduil immediately asked then.

"As weary as thee, it seems." The golden-haired ellon replied.

"Where is he?"

"I am here... adar." Legolas almost strained to refer to his father as such.

Thranduil's lips parted to speak, but once again no words left them. Legolas stepped forward, but it was not to embrace his father like in days past. He did not care for the eyes of the fellow courtiers that were now all upon him.

"I wish to speak with you privately." With those words, Legolas turned and walked out of the throne room.

Sindarin - English

Cund vuin - My prince

Aran nin - My king

Ellon - male elf

Adar - father  

[aliaisonfanfiction]

King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm.

[aliaisonfanfiction]

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 62

 Legolas slowly turned to her, not paying any heed to the hot brew staining the right side of his leggings. His face drained of all blood, and within his pointed ears rang a sharp noise. He could not even comprehend what he had just heard. And yet, his hand quivered almost violently for he had heard her words as clear as day.

  Several emotions crossed his facial features at the moment his eyes found hers. Utter surprise, disbelief, rage and once again disbelief which pushed a soft scoff up his throat.

“You laid with my father.” Legolas tasted each of the bitter words on his tongue like he was swallowing a poison.

“What do you mean, you laid with my father?” He asked, his voice rising.

  Adlanniel felt like she could shrink into herself. “I am so sorry, Legolas… So deeply, immensely sorry…” Tears welled in her eyes. “I wish I could turn back time and…”    

  “And what?” He seethed, still in partial doubt. Then, his eyes fell down upon her swollen belly. He swallowed uneasily and felt nauseous at that moment.

  Adlanniel stood up on her shaky legs, tears now flowing freely down her cheeks. “I wish there was some way to undo it, I swear…” She wept.

  “They’re not mine.” The prince looked back up at her, his face riddled with a turbulent mixture of indignation, self-doubt and disbelief.  

  Adlanniel shook her head quickly. “No, it is not like that. It happened after I became pregnant. Legolas, I am so sorry… I know I cannot ask for your forgiveness, but please… please, …”

  “Please what? How dare you ask for understanding when you spread your legs for my… for Valar sake I cannot even say it!!” Legolas shouted at her now. “You became his mistress, his fucking whore!”  

  Adlanniel cringed at his harsh words.

  “Why should I trust you? Why should I trust that these spawn are mine?”

  “Sp... spawn?” The pain of such a word tore her heart asunder. Absentmindedly, she ran her hand over her baby bump, as if trying to protect the twins from any harm. “Legolas, they are innocent.”

  Legolas glared at her incredulously. “So you are admitting that they are not mine?”

  She shook her head again. “No, I am not admitting anything, I…”

  “Just tell me the fucking truth! I am sick of hearing such stories. I am sick of your deceit!” He slammed his hand down on the tea table beside him, hard enough that the shattered pieces of porcelain on the floor rattled from the force.

  “One.” Adlanniel admitted. “One is not yours.” She lowered her eyes shamefully.

  Legolas’ eyes widened. “What? One? How in the stinking ass of Melkor is that even possible? Is this another one of your arrant fucking lies?”

  “Why would I lie now? ” She asked desperately. “I have just admitted I laid with your father, so what would I have to gain from lying to you now?”

  “How am I supposed to know? After a millennium together I thought I knew you, Adlanniel… But I was wrong. I was so, so very wrong…”

  “Legolas…” Adlanniel reached for his hand, but he recoiled from her.

  “Do not touch me with the hands that have caressed my father!” Tears of agony were now stinging his eyes. “You disgust me!”

   ‘You disgust me…’ The same words his father had once hissed at her.

  “I am sorry.”

  “Sorry for fucking my father? Did you enjoy it? I sure hope it was worth every damned moment.” He spat bitterly.

  Adlanniel did not know how to respond to his accusations, and so dropped her eyes to the floor underfoot.

  “You did! You enjoyed it more than you enjoyed being with me!” Legolas seethed. “Unbelievable!”

  “No!” Adlanniel’s eyes once more shot up to him in desperation. “I love you. Please believe me!”

  “To the Void with you, you whoring leech.”

  Adlanniel fell to her knees in despair. In her desperation she once more attempted to reach out to him. She still held onto the faint hope that it was all but a bad dream that she’d soon awaken from.

   “Get the fuck away from me.” Legolas hissed. With that, he stormed past her and slammed the door behind him, ignoring the elves that had stopped at hearing the shouting from within the chambers of their prince.

  The sword in his hand gleamed as he shoved open the dining room door. Celebrian and Thranduil stood, startled by his sudden entrance.

Thranduil cleared his throat. “It seems you… spoke with Adlanniel.” He started.

  “How could you?” Legolas spat.

  “Legolas, put the sword away.” Celebrian ordered sternly.

  “And you.” Legolas seethed further, his eyes steeled upon her. “You knew. That is the real reason why you wanted to take her away. You knew!”  

  “I did…” She sighed.

  “And you approve?”

  “I foresaw images, they were not clear but they pointed to this. Adlanniel admitted it to me when I confronted her.” She calmly walked to the prince and put her hands on the top of the sword.

  “Do you approve?” Legolas pushed once more.

  “I do not approve Legolas. And I do not approve of this as well. Put the sword away. You know you do not want to harm your father.”

  Legolas hesitated.

  “You do not want to kill him. You are hurt, and you are enraged. You wish the ones who harmed you to feel the same heartache, but you cannot kill your own father. You would not be able to live with that. Give me the sword.”

  The sword fell loose from his hands, and Celebrian caught it by the hilt. Legolas stared at her in a daze. Celebrian then backed away and placed the sword out of reach.

  Tears of grief once more trickled down the prince’s pale cheeks as his his eyes trailed from the sword back to his father. “How could you?” He repeated painfully.

  Thranduil sighed deeply. “I am sorry, ion nín. I had not planned any of it.”

  “You whored around with my fianceé. You impregnated her and now I am supposed to believe how sorry you are?”

  “Legolas… You must understand that after your mother died…”

  “After you let my mother die…” Legolas spat.

  A terrible and ancient sorrow filled Thranduil's eyes then. “Yes.” He whispered, taking once again the responsibility for Silveth´s death.

  “And now you took my wife as well! Tell me, was it because you could not handle seeing anyone else in love, or are you merely a selfish bastard who does not care who he destroys, as long as he gets his pleasure?”

  “Legolas!” Celebrian chided. “You are speaking to your father.”

  “He is no father to me. Not anymore.” He leant closer to Thranduil then. “You are dead to me.” He whispered in both promise and spite. “You are more dead than my naneth to me.” Then he smirked. “But do not despair for you will have another heir soon. The one your mistress is going to spawn.”

Seeing how his words stung the king, Legolas turned away from him, a barbed satisfaction written upon his face. He focused on Celebrian then. “Take your wretched daughter from here.” Waiting for no confirmation or denial of his direct order, he strode towards the door.

  “Legolas,” Thranduil spoke quietly from his chair where he had collapsed after his son’s tirade.

  “What?” Legolas spat from the doorstep.

  “Adlanniel told you because she wants you to stop her from falling down this road. You can succeed where I had failed.”

   Legolas gave no more chances for words to be shared as he exited the room once more.  

  Celebrian sighed as she continued to stare at the door. “At least he did not try to kill you as he had originally planned.”

  Thranduil merely nodded, still somewhat stunned by his son’s outburst.

  “I shall go retrieve my daughter. You… stay away from the wine.”  

  Thranduil scoffed as he steals his chalice from the table.

  “Thranduil!” Celebrian warned him sternly. Groaning, he placed the chalice back onto the table and put his face into his hands. His mind began to spin.

  Sighing, Celebrian’s eyes became sympathetic. She even stroked his pristine hair. “I know it hurts but it is for the best and you know it.”

  “Remind me why I had let you go?” He murmured heavily into his hands.

  “You did not. I left.” She reminded him. “Now I have to go to find my daughter. Can I trust that you will not do anything foolish?”

  Thranduil looked up at her. “You know me, Celebrian.”

  “That is why I am concerned.”

  His ancient face remained emotionless. “Go and save your daughter. I shall… survive, as I always have.”

  “Surviving is good. Living is better, and preferable.” Her eyes travelled to the sword, lying forgotten where she had put it. “You can thank me later.”

  “I will.” Thranduil promised. “After I am assured Adlanniel is safe. Only then will I give you the keys to my cellar.”

  “Already been there and tasted your sweet wine, my dear. But I would not say no to renewing the memories.” Grinning, Celebrian nodded and left him be.

  Once alone, he wept relentlessly into his hands.

  His head span like a tempestuous hurricane as he stumbled through the snow along the jagged ravine. All the emotions he felt whirled deep within his stomach, making him feel increasingly nauseous. The bile that rose up his throat burned terribly as he vomited, the chill of the snow almost freezing his tears to his face. Wiping his mouth haphazardly with his sleeve, he continued to make his way down the ravine till he reached the door he had avoided visiting for so long. The simple thought of going there was as painful as the day they had laid her to rest.

  Once the stone door grinded to a close behind him, he stared at his mother’s effigy in a daze. He had been so young when she had died, and the vision of her beautiful face was cruel enough to escape him then. Her song-bird voice would not come to his ears and so he laid himself upon her sarcophagus and cried.

  “Oh nana,” He sobbed painfully. “What have I done to deserve this? Please, tell me what have I done? Have I not been a loyal and dutiful son to father, have I not been a loyal and loving husband to…” Her name burned in his throat. “To her? Tell me!” He wailed desperately. “Nana, please tell me...why do I deserve this rancor? Is it because of that one time I was unfaithful? I have truly regretted that since the moment it occured. Is this my punishment for it? Have I done something to betray father? What have I done?”

The scream of frustration that left him resonated and echoed through the domed tomb.

  It took quite some time for him to calm himself, as a plethora of possible outcomes flooded through his mind. Would he allow her to remain his father’s mistress? No, his love for her was too fierce to even consider sharing her. But how could he possibly love her now? Yet, he did. Somehow, that one emotion; that one bitter-sweet and cruel emotion was still there. Perhaps they could return to the Valley together, as her mother had intended, away from any form of temptation. There they could be together, there they could heal. But how could he bear to look upon her now? How could he bring himself to forgive her? The wretched thoughts of her philandering with his father, their naked bodies grinding together in ecstasy… the bile rose in his throat once more.

  He had to get away; just looking at her would bring upon all his pain and rage. The babies… she had said one was not his. How was that even possible? How could they have had the desire to create a life together? To create a life meant the desire for family bonds and unrequited love...

  Legolas’ mind swam with discord; if one of the babies was his father’s, then surely they were in love with each other. Yet however, if the other child was his then she had to love him enough also. His head hammered with a headache now; what was going to be his ultimate solution? No answers came to him in any form. Not even a whisper. He could not turn to those he had trusted most in the world, for now that trust lay shattered.

  Perhaps the answers Legolas sought had to come from within.

 Staggering back out into the open, Legolas scaled the wall of the ravine and aimlessly made his way into the forest, the snow and ice that broached the winter branches now dampening him to the core.

  He did not know how, but soon he came across the giant oak that towered above the canopy of the forest; The giant oak that he and Adlanniel had shared such intimate moments in. The giant oak that he and his father would scale together when he was a child to sit amongst its branches to read and play games. As he gazed up at the beautiful snow capped branches, he wondered how life had gotten so complicated so quickly. Icy tears once more began to fall, and he dragged himself away from the reminiscing.

   Finally, when he could no longer tell what time of day it were, he came across an old, abandoned outpost. Climbing up into the rundown flet he leant up against the broken wall and slid down to hug his knees. And there he stayed.

  The dapple gray’s hooves pelted through the mud and sleet as it galloped towards the palace at full speed. Its rider’s flaxen waves fluttered wildly from the icy wind. For six days he had rode long and hard, and finally he came upon the welcoming gates of the Woodland palace. Yet no joy did he feel, for the letter that had urgently requested his return had been dire and stoic in nature.

  Dismounting his tired steed, he handed the reigns to the waiting stable hand and strode over to where the Elvenking stood waiting.

  “Aran nin, I came here with all due haste,” said Glorfindel.

Elvish - English

ion nín - my son

nana - mum

aran nin - my king/ your majesty

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 61

 “We are so glad for your safe return Prince Legolas.” Celebrian began as they all sat at the giant oak dining table for the evening meal.

   “Thank you, I am glad to be home.” He smiles kindly at her. She eyes her daughter then.

   “Adlanniel, especially, was eager for your return.”

   Adlanniel’s throat went dry at her mother’s words. Though her mother did speak truth, at the same time her own thoughts were conflicted.  

   Legolas turned to her then, his eyes full of adoration and love as he took her hand up with his. His touch, though worn from battle, was warm and welcoming. “You still feel so cold, are you sure you are well, little dove?” He whispered down to her as he rubbed her hand softly.

   Stifling back a sob she shook her head. “May I be excused?” She asked aloud to no one in particular. All at the table looked at her surprised, especially the prince who now assumed he had done something wrong.

   “Of course, are you alright?” Thranduil asked, looking just as concerned.

   Adlanniel lowered her eyes. “I just feel unwell. It is the gwannun.” She lied.

   “Shall I come with you?” Legolas touched her elbow, and she felt her body stiffen.

   “I...it is alright, meleth nin, you stay with everyone. They are just as eager to see you.” She forced a smile.  

   “Are you sure?” He pressed. He did not want to leave her side, not after having not seen her for so long.

  “Yes, darling. I will wait for you.” The forced smile now became more genuine. Perhaps with a little time alone she could rid herself of this dreaded feeling.

   Yet rid herself of it she could not, for it brought upon tears of immense pain once she arrived at the room. Slumping herself onto the bed, she buried herself in the duvets and wept into the pillows.

      By the time the prince returned, the pillows were almost drenched from her crying, and still she could not relent.

   “Meleth nin, what ails you so?” He came to sit beside her on the bed. “I know that it is not just the gwannun doing this. Please, I beg you to tell me.”

   Adlanniel, straining to sit up then, looked deeply into his eyes almost desperately.

   “We will share words in time, my darling Legolas, but please, do not ask me now.” She begged. However, the concern riddled on his face would not dissipate.

   “Very well…”

   “Please hold me.”

   Legolas did not hesitate to fold her up into his arms and pull her into his lap. There, he cradled her gently and stroked the back of her raven head.

   “Le veleth e-guil nîn, Adlanniel.”

   She burst into tears then, and clung to his body dearly. “Gi melin, Legolas, cund vuin.”

Considering the turmoil of emotions whirling turbulently about within her, she did still love him. None of the Elvenking’s charms, nor even the claws of Melkor could take that one emotion she held for Legolas away from her.

   Taking her head into his hands, he brought her face up to savour her lips, sucking at them tenderly as he wiped her tears away with his thumbs. “Do not weep, my little dove, for I will never leave your side again.” He whispered into her mouth.

   “Don’t you ever dare!” She warned him through a sob.

   “Never would I ever.” He stroked her cheeks as he leant in to capture her mouth once more.

   Deeper did their passion become, as their tongues entwined as one. Slowly, almost cautiously Legolas brought his hand up along Adlanniel’s side, and gradually did his fingers creep towards her breasts. Yet, she did not shy away from him, but brought her hand up to caress his, inviting him to explore her. Now he did not hesitate to do so as his fingers teased at the small lump of her nipple protruding through the thick velvet of her dress. A soft moan escaped her lips at his touch; the tingling beginning to form between her thighs as he teased her sensations. Reaching down, she began to stroke the hardness that had formed through his leggings. He moaned now between their lips as his hands found their way into her hair, pulling her head back ever so slightly. He began to graze her neck with his kisses; he moved down to sensually nibble upon her bare shoulder, leaving tiny hints of purple on her milky skin.  

   Soon his fingers found themselves pulling her dress from her shoulders, allowing it to fall in soft folds upon the bed. Now he caressed her breasts fully, eliciting an array of sighs and moans from her as he kneaded and sucked upon her.

   With one arm around her waist he gently lowered her to the sheets beneath them, slipping the dress down her legs to fall in a heap upon the floor.   

   Sitting on his knees he admired her naked beauty, and pulled his shirt from his body.

   Adlanniel had almost forgotten how fine his body was, how smooth and refined his muscles were. A body he had obviously inherited from his father...no she could not think of such things now, not now of all times.

       Leaning down, his feathery lips traced their way over the bump of her stomach, forcing her to refocus her thoughts. Lithely he began to trace her navel, his hands smoothing over her hips to her thighs; she stiffened, waiting for his touch there, but this he teasingly avoided. He wanted to worship the body he had missed for so, so long.

   She sighed under his touch, now relaxing from the lightness of his kisses along her legs. Little by little his hands caressed the stress from her. Finally he arrived back at the juncture of her thighs, his hand lightly brushing her along her sex. She arched herself inadvertently under his touch, gasping at the reality of what was occuring. Slowly he allowed two fingers to part her; she gasped as he bent them against her sweet spot, moaning loudly when his thumb began to tease her pearl. He covered her moans with his lips, swallowing her pleasure.

   As they parted for air, she whispered into his mouth, “Make love to me.”  

   Pulling himself free of his leggings, he parted her thighs and slid between them; lifting her legs to be around his waist to avoid pressing against her pregnant belly. Gently he shifted himself into her, and in unison they sighed at the sorely missed sensation. Leaning ever closer, he gazed lovingly into her emerald eyes as he grinded against her. The adoration within his eyes brought her to tears once more, for it were something she had deeply longed for.

   Though tender, he pushed harder within her, his eyes fixated upon her own, their lips grazing.

   The intense cry of her zenith pushed Legolas to his own and together they reached their peak.

   Panting, Legolas slipped down to lay by her side, enveloping her body with his, nuzzling his face into her neck. “I have so missed you…” He whispered.

    She couldn’t help but giggle girlishly. “I could tell, and I have missed you too, meleth nin.”

 The hearth was ablaze as they sat within the smaller, private dining room for their morning meal. There was a chill in the air due to the snows, and the warmth of the fire was welcoming. They sat in relative silence, simply enjoying the delicious arrays of foods before them. However, it was the prince who was to break the quiet.

   “My Lady Celebrian,” He began as he turned to look at her. “It slipped my mind to ask you yesterday, but I am curious as to the reasons behind the contents of your letter. Is it not arduous to return to the Valley now with the snows?” He eyed her with a sense of suspicion.  

    Yet, she sipped her wine calmly. “That depends on the route one chooses to take.” She smiled. “Besides, your waterfalls are too few and too small.” She added in jest.

    Legolas rose an eyebrow but could not help but laugh.

   “We have quite large waterfalls, thank you very much.” Thranduil protested, feigning seriousness.

   “And other things, it seems.” She added, making the ellyn present look at her confused. Adlanniel, however, paled.

“You should understand it yourself, cund vuin, the need to stay away from the allure of… sweet… heavy wine.”

   Thranduil’s eyes darkened then, once he understood the underlying meaning of her words. “I think you have had enough, Celebrian.”

   “And you too, I hope.” She retorted, taking another, long draft from her chalice in spite. Thranduil’s gaze became severe.

“Wise ones,” she continued, “know when to stop. The less wise need someone’s assistance to do so.”

   “I feel ill.” Came Adlanniel’s meek voice suddenly. All eyes turned to her.

   “May I be excused again?”

   “I am coming with you,” Legolas said adamantly. “I see the light fading from your eyes. You are more than just ill.” He eyed his father and Celebrian then. Adlanniel did not protest but simply nodded. She felt too weak to object.

 “What are you doing, Celebrian?” Thranduil grumbled after the young couple left.

Celebrian took another sip of her wine. “She has to tell him. She cannot withhold it from him any longer, lest she wishes to perish.”

   “I thought she and I were to tell him together.”

   “Do you seriously wish to be there for the first wave of his rage? Were you not beaten enough during the last battle?” She narrowed her eyes on him.

   Thranduil’s gaze steeled. “And you wish for your own daughter to have to experience it? Am I not just as much to blame as she?”

   “Legolas would never raise his hand to her. He loves her far too much to do so.” She sipped her wine again, calmly. “I still care for you, Thranduil. I do not wish you any more unnecessary harm.”

   Thranduil sighed, “It will happen, one way or another.”

   “But you do not have to be in the front line. Not this time.”

   “I would rather be on the frontline, than her.”

   Legolas, holding Adlanniel around the waist to steady her, assisted her to sit upon the sofa. “Meleth nin, shall I bring you some tea?” He suggested, moving to the teapot and cups before she could even answer.

   “I laid with your father, Legolas.” The words burned in her throat. “And I am deeply sorry.”

The apology vanished within the sounds of the cracking of both the teapot and the cup.

Sindarin - English

Le veleth e-guil nîn, Adlanniel - You are the love of my life, Adlanniel.

Gi melin, Legolas, cund vuin - I love you, Legolas, my prince.

Meleth nin - my love

cund vuin - my prince

gwannun - twins

[aliaisonfanfiction]

Chapter 60

   “Gwendalyn, would you mind putting that cloak there into the chest?” Adlanniel asked. It had been three days since her mother had sent her letter to the prince, and now they were making their preparations for the arduous journey back to the Valley.

   “Of course, hiril vuin.” Gwendalyn smiled. The younger elleth was ecstatic that her beloved Melethril would be once more in their escort. Even though she had been against the notion due to what had happened on the previous journey, he had adamantly insisted to the king to be placed in the entourage once more. Surely the Valar would not be so cruel as to have them set upon again. Alas however, these were turbulent times.

      There was a sudden, hard rapping at the door. Adlanniel, her mother and Gwendalyn looked up at it almost collectively.

   “I have an urgent letter for the Lady Celebrian.” Said the messenger when Gwendalyn opened the door to greet him.

   She looked down at the forest green wax that sealed it. Thanking the messenger she closed the door and turned back to her superiors.

   “Lady Celebrian, an urgent letter for you from Prince Legolas.”

   Celebrian looked almost surprised, not that she had received a letter from him, but that it had arrived so quickly. Her daughter looked on curiously.

   “A reply to your previous letter, nana?” She asked.

   Celebrian nodded slowly as she continued to read. “It appears they are not as far from home as we had originally thought. He is begging us not to leave, as he will ride ahead and arrive home in five days time. Considering this letter was sent three days ago, I am assuming he will arrive here in two days.”

   Adlanniel’s eyes widened in surprise, and then her expression turned to one of panic. She almost felt herself begin to hyperventilate. Of course she wanted her prince to return, but with his return would mean the inevitable would have to come to pass. Even though she was adamant to tell him the truth, her wicked self still dreaded the notion. Her conflicted heart did not want him to have to feel the pain of what she had done. Almost inadvertently she began to pace the room, twisting her hair in her fingers till it almost broke from the tension.

   “Iellig, calm yourself.” Celebrian came to her side, and took one of her arms gently.

   Adlanniel blinked hard and stared at her, almost dazed.

   “Oh naneth…” She began to weep. “I am so scared.”

   “I know that you are, my dear child. Time heals all wounds eventually, all will shine once more within the Great Greenwood again.”

   “Do you really believe that?” Adlanniel scrutinized, then shifting her gaze to Gwendalyn.

“The truth may cause darkness for some time, but with time comes the light.” Gwendalyn replied.

   “She is right.” Celebrian agreed. “What is to come may be one of the hardest experiences you will ever have, but as with all experiences, we grow and learn from them. And through our many lessons in life, we learn not to repeat the mistakes we have made.”

   Adlanniel nodded slowly. “You are both right. I know this, I just cannot bear the thought of tearing his precious heart in two. But,” She sighed dolefully. “I have done this to him.”

   “And you are willing to take responsibility. Not everyone has the audacity to do that.” Said Gwendalyn.  

   “That is very true.” Celebrian agreed. “So many will run away from their responsibilities, which in the long term only causes more suffering if you keep holding back on telling the truth. But you are willing to face it, something that I am sure the Valar will look upon favourably.”    

   “One can only hope.” Adlanniel sighed as she looked up at the ceiling.

   Her mother rubbed her arm gently. “Sometimes hope is all we have to hold on to.”  

“Only if you could hold me, nana, when I will speak with him.” Adlanniel then sighed absentmindedly.

“I could, but someone has to hold Thranduil up as well.” Celebrian remarked. Yet, Adlanniel was able to pertain the deeper meaning of her mother’s words.

      Once her mother and her handmaiden had left to allow her rest, the sudden loneliness began to make her mind wander once more. Again and again the image of the prince’s face; aggrieved, afflicted and heartbroken, appeared to her. How could she possibly tell him the truth knowing the pain that she would ultimately cause? What if he would discredit the children? They were yet innocent and unborn and did not deserve such a terrible dishonour. How would it feel to grow with no father figure at all? Unless...no, she should not think in such a manner...What if Thranduil decided that he did want to be part of their lives? The disorder that would surely come about was unthinkable. And yet, she could not possibly blame him for wanting to be the father of his child, especially after having been denied another so long ago. The thought made her contemplate on whether or not it was what he truly felt; were he simply keeping his true feelings from her for her sake and the sake of his son?

   Weeping, she began to wander the halls aimlessly, keeping to the shadows of the pillars and nooks. She had not realised that she had wandered into the Garden of the Brook until she came across the very same tree that the Elvenking had ravaged her upon. The mixture of sensations she felt as she stood there, staring, unnerved her relentlessly. The need to feel his firm body against hers terrified her. After all that had occured in recent weeks, how could she possibly consider such a thing? But alas, the desire was there, and once more she could feel his hot breath against her neck as he thrust within her.    

   A gentle touch upon her shoulder startled her back into reality. Thranduil’s lithe fingers rested upon her, and she felt a sudden chill beneath all of her winter attire. Biting her lip she turned to look back at him. His crystalline gaze became almost desperate at such a display, for it reminded him of all the times she had done the same to arouse his desires.

   Inadvertently, he traced his thumb slowly along her bottom lip as their gaze deepened, just as he had done the first time they had found themselves within the garden.

“If only in another world…” He muttered almost to himself. Yet, no sooner did he say such words, did he withdraw his hand. “Goheno nin, hiril vuin.” His expression became dispirited.

“I feel your pain as deeply as you do now.” He wiped the tears that were trickling down her pale cheeks.

   “I am scared.” Adlanniel admitted finally, lowering her eyes in shame. “I fear the repercussions of what will happen when we tell Legolas the truth.”

   Thranduil sighed and nodded, understandingly. “But there will be graver repercussions if we do not tell him Adlanniel. Yes, life may continue on merrily as it once were for a while, but the guilt will still always be there. The desire will still always be there. You and I telling him the truth will be painful for all, but it will be the start of the healing process. And with you, and hopefully he returning to the Valley, you both can strengthen your bond and you and I can heal our own shattered hearts.”

   Sighing deeply, she nodded. “Fill the chalice of Truth. I must remind myself of that every day. Sometimes my mind wanders into the unseen and unknown.”

   “And so you must go rest. A weary mind and soul will do you no good.”

   “I doubt that it will ever change.” She replied as she turned and left to return to her room.

    Drinking some of the herbal tea her mother had left for her, she then collapsed onto her bed and fell into a deep slumber. Her dreams slipped into the lascivious; his hands were once more upon her; his kisses gliding up and over her skin as he crawled his way down her body, his tongue finding its way to her heated sex where he lapped at her deliciously.

    “Adlanniel? Adlanniel!?” A desperate voice called her. “Quickly Gwendalyn, she is burning up. Bring me some of that tea and a wet cloth.”

   “N...naneth?”

   “It is alright, pinnig, we are here.”

    “What…?”

    “You were screaming. A bad dream. Here,” Her mother lifted her head gently to offer her some of the calming tea whilst Gwendalyn wiped Adlanniel’s forehead.

    “It was a dream?” Adlanniel felt dazed.

    “A vivid one it seems.”

   “Did I....say anything...out of the ordinary?”

   Gwendalyn and Celebrian looked at each other before looking back down at Adlanniel.

   “No, not a thing.” Her mother replied calmly.

   Two days went by as swiftly as the winter winds and with the help of her mother’s herbal remedies, Adlanniel had managed to keep a relatively calm demeanor. Yet now was the day her fiance was to return home, and almost the entire palace had braved the cold and snow to turn out in the courtyard to greet their prince.

   Adlanniel took her place beside her mother and handmaiden whilst the Elvenking stood some ways from her with his butler and personal servants. Though she stole glances at his grandeur from time to time, he not once returned them or acknowledged them. It were for the best, she knew, but she could not help but feel more and more uneasy the closer she knew the prince was from home.

   Suddenly she felt a hand clasp her own, and looking to her side she saw her mother watching her. “Your beloved Greenleaf.” She reminded her gently. Adlanniel nodded and turned her gaze back towards the grand gate of the courtyard. It did not take long before the blasts of the horns began to resonate throughout the forest. Adlanniel felt her body weaken as her head swooned. The inevitable was almost upon her, and though she felt immensely overjoyed, she too felt a great and overwhelming dread.

   The great black steed cantered down past the returning battalion towards the gates of the mighty palace upon the hill. His sapphire gaze gleamed across the heads of all the elves that awaited his return until finally it fell upon the one he most longed to see. As he dismounted and made his way through the cheerful crowd, he greeted all those he could, edging his way closer and closer to his most beloved. Before he could reach her he came across his father, and greeted him warmly with his hand on his heart.

   “Ada, I am so pleased to see how well you have recovered.”

   “It is only thanks to your beloved, ion nin. Go to her, I am sure you are much eager to see her.”

   “We shall speak at length later ada.” He thanks his father before making his way over to his fiance. Formally greeting her mother, the Lady Celebrian, he turns to his beloved, tears of joy beading at his lashes. “Well, look at you! The mother to be!” He admires her ever growing bump as he places his hands gently upon it before cupping her face. “Oh how I have missed you, my darling.”

   Before Adlanniel had the chance to reply, the prince kissed her feverishly. She could feel the bile rise in her stomach from the guilt as his tongue swathed with hers.

   “Little dove, you have suddenly become cold, are you alright?” He pulled away from her with concern written upon his face. She gave a faint smile and put her hand out to the fluttering snow.

   “It is winter…” She jokes, making him chuckle softly.

   “That is true, and I apologise for having you all wait out here for me.” He looks to her mother and handmaiden apologetically.

   “We were all eager to see you, cund vuin, but indeed we must take Adlanniel inside. The cold is not good for your babies.” The lady Celebrian answers with a gentle smile. “There is a lot that the both of you, I am sure, wish to catch up on.”

     Sindarin - English

Goheno nin, hiril vuin - Forgive me, my lady

Naneth - mother

pinnig  - my child

Ada - father

Cund vuin - my prince

ion nin - my son