Jaynaé Marie

Chapter XVII: A Time Before Darkness (Pt. IV)

As I held council one evening in my study, life in the kingdom seemed to return to a sense of routine.Years had passed since the war and I had begun to restore my kingdom after many losses. I had started to become accustomed to being king; wearing the crown my father once wore. I had the most beautiful queen and raising two sons. Everything seemed as it should.

There were days when I longed for my father to come into the door and chastise me for anything. With my mother long since passed into the Undying Lands with her sister and many others, Eryn Galen was foreign to me beneath the vaulted wood carved ceilings.

Fëaluin stood beside me as always—true to his word and duty. Finëar carried on his duties—if only for his loyalty to my father and to keep himself to task and forget the pains of his loss of his only daughter, Sinomë.

Nimlúin, her daughter with her husband Fínduin, brother of Fëaluin whom died on the battlefield had begun to grow into a beautiful little elf.  Finëar spent as much time with her as he could for she reminded him of his Sinomë.

“I know you want to make a change in council,” Finëar said while reading. “It would be a good thing. Might I suggest Elmîr, Aramír and Aramoth as well.”

“Very well,” I said. “And with whom shall we find cover the borders of the North and South?”

“Nînuir has suggested Aldáros,” Fëaluin. “One of many orphaned by the war. He has come of age and quite a formidable warrior. There is also Randúmîr.”

“Fine,” I said. “They are still young. Do you think them ready for such a task?”

“Nimlos has the upmost faith in his abilities,” he answered. “And I myself have seen their skills. Swift with a bow and quick with a sword.”

“Good,” I said anxiously preparing to be with Êlúriel. “It that all for this day, then?”

“Yes, Thranduil,” Finëar said. He began looking down curiously on the floor. “I believe so. Thranduil, there seems to be something crawling beneath your table.”

I looked down to see a very familiar little elven child crawling swiftly toward me. I picked him up.

“Legolas, I see you have found your way into your father’s study.” He looked at me, his golden hair disheveled, falling around his face. He gave me a smile and pointed toward the door.

Peeking from behind was Ardôr, Tarthôn, Orísil, Elenadar and Elenatar.

“Enter,” Fëaluin said. They entered quickly and stood fearfully against the wall. “To what do we owe this visit, sons?”

“It was Elenadar’s fault, Father,” Elenatar began pointing at his twin. “He lost Legolas.”

“I did not,” Elenadar exclaimed. “I was looking after Tarthôn when he got away. It was your fault.”

“Tarthôn was with me,” Orísil said. “All the time.”

“They lost Aruilos,” Ardôr giggled.

“Who is looking after Nimlúin,” Finëar asked worried.

“Mother,” the twins said together.

“Tarthôn,” I asked. “Why are you not in your chambers with Legolas?”

“I am not tired,” he said. “Nana said we can stay with you tonight.”

“Yes,” Legolas said as he played with a lock of my hair.

“Oh, did she,” I answered. “Êlúriel, come in here, if you will.”

She entered my study slowly without a word but a smile. I handed her Legolas.

“I think I shall take my leave, Thranduil,” Fëaluin said. “Boys, come.”

“Tomorrow, then,” Finëar said. “I shall have Aldáros and Randúmîr in audience in the morning.” He bowed and left just as his wife entered the room.

“Your Majesties,” Nenduriel said. “I have been looking everywhere for those two. You realize this is far more than I can handle.”

“And you thought Elranduil and me were terrible,” I said.

“I was speaking of Elranduil and you, Thranduil.” Êlúriel handed Legolas to her as Ardôr, Tarthôn and Orísil obediently walked to her quietly. “I was rather hoping to have better luck with your offspring.”

As she left with my children, I tried hard not to laugh.

“So, how is my husband, this evening,” Êlúriel asked, putting her arms around my waist. I gently pushed her away and walked to my balcony.

“Êlúriel, why do you encourage our sons to stay with us so often? I think Tarthôn is well old enough to remain in his chambers as with Legolas.”

“I do not encourage them,” she said following me. “They ask it of me and how can I deny them?”

“Simple,” I said smiling. “You say no.”

“No? You can say no to your sons just like that?”

“Yes,” I said. “I love them but it is becoming rather crowded in our bed. And I cannot be with you, Êlúriel. Not when there are two little obstructions in my way.”

“But, Thranduil,” she began, looking sad. “I feel terrible if I cannot be with them should something happen.”

“That is what Nenduriel is there for, my dear,” I said sternly. “She has been doing this since I was born. I think she is well capable of her task.”

“And I am not,” she began angrily. “Am I not a good mother?”

“This has nothing to do with motherhood, Êlúriel, “I began. “Elranduil warned me of this. How long did it take for Ardúin to allow Ardôr and Orísil to remain with her? Orísil is nearly as tall as Fëaluin’s sons now.”

“This is has everything to do with motherhood, Thranduil.”

“You are a wonderful mother. I just would like to have some time with my wife. Am I asking too much?“

“Thranduil, please,” she said. "You are acting more like a child than Legolas.”

“I apologize,” I said angrily. “It would appear you have forgotten how he got here. Sadly, I have not.”

Êlúriel glared at me with a fierce look.

“Is that all I am to you, Thranduil,” she asked. “It that all you want from me?”

“Oh, do not begin this again,” I said. “You know that is not all I want from you. If it were, I would be quite disappointed as I have not seen it for some time.”

“I beg your pardon,” she asked. “You grow more petulant by the day. They are our children, Thranduil.”

“I know my children well. How can I not? I see them every morning and every night. Do not make this about them. This is about us having some time to ourselves, Êlúriel.”

“What do you call this,” she said callously. “This is time. Not what I would have liked but I was not granted an audience with His Majesty.”

“Êlúriel,” I started. What is the matter with you? You know you do not have to ask for an audience. Why do you say such things to me? I do not need this right now.”

She looked at me as she were about to cry. I couldn’t help but hold her. I loved her more than life.

“I apologize, Thranduil,” she said softly. “I want so much for Tarthôn to feel loved. And Legolas adores him so.”

“Tarthôn feels loved,” I said. “I assure you he knows he is loved. Both of them know we love them. But, Êlúriel, I do not want two grown sons in my bed some day lying between me and my wife.”

She started laughing.

“Thranduil, you are being ridiculous,” she said looking at me. “You honestly think I would keep them there that long?”

“Yes. From the looks of it, I fear one day their wives will join us as well.”

She kissed me tenderly.

“Not even I would want to wait that long to be with my husband,” she said. “Though there are times when you can be as much a handful as they are.”

“How would you know,” I asked pulling her closer to me. “You have not had to handle me for so some time.”

We began to kiss again. It felt like an eternity since we had been so passionate. Our lips parted and I still felt her breath escape me.

“Does this mean the boys have to stay in their chambers for the night,” she asked.”

“If it is what you wish, I will have Nenduriel bring them to us.” She kissed me again.

“No,” she said. “I think tonight they should be fine, Thranduil. Yes. They should be fine.”

As we kissed, it was as wonderful as it always since the first time. We were lost in each other again and I never wanted to be found.

“I love you, Êlúriel,” I said. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too,” she said. “I need you right now.”

“Good,” I said, kissing her again. “I need you as well.”

We did not make it to our chambers but in the morning, two familiar faces were looking down at us.

“What are you doing, Ada,” Tarthôn asked confused with Legolas at his side.

“On the floor,” Legolas asked. “Ada and Nana are down there, Tarthôn. Why?“

“That is a very good question,” a voice said from across the room. It was Elranduil. “Boys, off to breakfast. Ardôr and Orísil await you.”

“Did you find Aruilos,” Tarthôn asked.

“Yes we did. Eventually. Off with you both.”

The boys left quickly.

“I cannot wait to speak of this with Ardúin,” he said smiling, leaning the table. “And you know she is going to tell everyone.“

“Elranduil, now,” I said. He left us alone, laughing out the doors. Êlúriel kissed me.

“I would to like request an audience, with His Majesty, if I may?”

I lightly pushed her as she began laughing.

“Request denied,” I said.

It would be one of the last times I would ever hold my wife in my arms again.”–Excerpt from TKWR:BII The Saga of Thranduil by J.M.Miller 6-6-16

Mothers and their children. Êlúriel wants to keep Legolas and Tarthôn close. Thranduil wants time with his wife. As another elf is introduced (named after my cousin that died recently in Sindarin), the boys of the court are growing up quickly and love to play. Elenadar and his twin Elenatar, sons of Fëaluin, Aruilos, son of Nimlos, Ardôr and Orísil, sons of Elranduil and of course, Legolas and Tarthôn. There are little girls, too, but today belongs to the mischievous antics of Thranduil and Êlúriel and the boys before the time of shadow returns again. Be prepared. There will be a parade of action and dwarves coming--including one from Ered Luin whose two sons will fight with their uncle Thorin in the battle of the Five Armies. 😏 There lies secrets beneath the forest--as book ii comes to an end. Book III will answer some.