Jaynaé Marie

Chapter VIII: Winds of War (Part I)

“Father led us toward our southern borders and I realized we were going toward the on of the highest peaks of our tallest mountains.  From atop the small plateau, one could see Mordor. Why we rode in that direction was an enigma but I knew it was something my father commanded. I glanced over to Êlúriel’s face seem far more serious than I had seen before.

“You do not look well,” I said quietly. “Do we need to return home?”

“No,” she said placidly. “I know where we go, Thranduil.”

Finally, the group stopped. I noticed my father speaking with Eldôr, Nendúril, and Galdúmîr. Elranduil motioned for me as my mother, Valdúril and Ardúin rode toward Êlúriel.

“Come, Êlúriel,” Ardúin said quietly. “There are more pleasant places to see.”

Êlúriel and I looked at one another for a moment. She looked away and rode off with the others. Her glance gave me a coldness I could not explain. As I rode over to Elranduil, I could see a darkening of the skies from a great distance.

“Morgoth returns darkness to this world again, for I can see Sauron doing his evil,” Father said. He seemed unable to keep his eye from the darkness as his face showed a fear tormented by anger.

“I do not wish to fight this. But there is no choice.”

“I got word from Lórien,” Eldôr began. “From the west comes Círdan.” At that name, everyone looked at my uncle in horror.

“There is a name I have not heard in some time,” Galdúmîr sighed. “War comes to us again. For Círdan would not come so far from Mithlond for naught.”

“There is far more than war, Galdúmîr,” Oropher said looking at me and Elranduil sadly. “From the west he comes with the race of men. One I do not find a fondness. There lies in him a darkness that I have always found in Men but this is something darker.”

“What is going to happen, father,” I asked.

“Death, Thranduil. The plains of Dagorlad will drown in it.”

There fell a horrific silence. I noticed the faces of everyone become more grave. No one dared speak. Elranduil looked at me in desperation.

“When,” I said breaking the silence. “When will this come to pass?”

“Worry not, Thranduil,” Eldôr said calmly. “The time has not yet come forth. I wait word from Imladris on this matter.”

“You wait for Imladris,” Oropher asked. “You of all elves should know that what comes from there comes from Lórien. Never shall the two be put asunder. They are joined by blood to each other and to Men.”

“Lord Elrond I find to be forthright in his actions,” Eldôr said gently. “With much respect, Oropher, he shows the most promise.”

“There will be none that know of peace from within for years to come,” Nendúril said. His face much like his daughter’s. He seemed see something we could not. “This evil can never rest for it depends on the failure of strength. There are many in this world that have not the strength to defeat what lures them with their own desires.”

“I know, Nendúril,” Oropher answered. “And we shall pay a great price. Let us go.”

He turned and began riding away with the others. Only I remained with Elranduil.

“We will go to battle, then,” I asked for validation.

“Yes, Thranduil. But if I can make a better world, then I shall. For Ardúin is expecting.”

I looked into the darkness that seemed not to reach to the borders of Eryn Galen. I rode away with Elranduil. What promise the day held was filled with sadness. All I could think was how long I would have with my beloved Êlúriel before I had to face an evil for which I was ill-prepared to fight.

As I rode alongside Elranduil toward the palace, I caught sight of Êlúriel standing alone overlooking a valley. I motioned to one of the soldiers and dismounted Sûldúmîr. The soldier took his reins and continued to follow Elranduil. Nearby, Eluin quietly grazed.

“Êlúriel,” I called. She turned to look at me.

“Thranduil,” she answered. “I know you will go off to war.”

“Did Mother tell you this,” I asked leaning against a tree next to her.

“No. I have always known. Might I tell you something?”

“Of course,” I said. “Please.”

She looked at me, her complexion drained of color and deeply saddened.

“Remember I told you of my mother and how she died,” she began. “But I did not mention that while hidden within that cavern, I fell asleep. I saw many things. As a child, I did not understand them. It was not until I saw the shadow that I realized all that I was shown. I saw many frightening things, Thranduil, but I also saw you.”

“Me,” I asked. How could she see me as a child? She began to reveal her true self.

“I did not know it was you until I came into the forest that day. I was meant to find you. And I am very happy that I found you. I love you very much.”

She walked to me and I held her close. I kissed her forehead gently. Her body seemed to quake. Something was scaring her terribly.

“Do not worry about this now, please,” I begged. “I do not want to think of it myself. I have lived with the stories of our past told to me since I was a child. I never thought I would have to face it, but I must, but not now. Now I just want to be with you for as long as I have.”

She stopped shaking and looked up at me. The color had returned to her face and she was my Êlúriel again. I kissed her lips and everything seem right again.

“Are you happy, Thranduil,” she asked.

“You know I am. Why would you ask such a question?”

“I just like to hear you say that you are,” she said smiling. “I love the sound of your voice.”

“It is not too deep of you, Êlúriel?”

“No. It is perfectly resonant. It is perfectly Thranduil.”

She kissed me tenderly. As we were becoming lost in one another again, I pulled away gently. I noticed a light rain begin to fall.

“I think we should finish this at home,” I said.

I went over to Eluin and mounted her. Taking Êlúriel’s hand, I pulled her up front. As we rode toward the palace, I thought of everything she told me. I decided not to ask for anymore than what she said that day. I feared many things she may have seen. What if I were to die? What would become of my beloved Êlúriel? I tried to rid myself of the thoughts as we neared the stables. Once inside, the rain fell harder. Once we dismounted, a stable hand took Eluin away.

“Do not leave me, Thranduil,” she said. “Not yet.”

“Never.”

We began to kiss passionately. I began to forget what she might have seen. I just wanted to be with her. I do not remember how long we were there, but if it had been forever, I would have given my immortality for what turned out to be a moment.”–Excerpt from TKWR:BII The Saga of Thranduil by J.M.Miller 2-16-16

Shorter, but nonetheless important as the shadow of Mordor rises and a war looms on the horizon. Eryn Galen will change forever and so will all of Middle Earth.⚔📗🏹