Between Duty and Love

1050 Third Age -- "About this time a shadow falls on Greenwood, and men begin to call it Mirkwood." (Return of the King, Appendix B)

". . . fell beasts came hunting, and cruel and evil creatures laid there their snares . . . Mirkwood it was called, for the nightshade lay deep there, and few dared to pass through . . ." (Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age)

Part One -- Mithrandir's Arrival

For Elven footsteps, they were loud. Heavy strides pounded into the stone floor as the border guard rushed towards the throne room.

He threw open the doors and nearly collapsed in front of the king of Greenwood.

"Gracious, dear boy, I could hear you a mile away."

"Your highness," the exhausted Elf gasped. "We have fallen into another trap. This one possibly the worst of all."

The king's eyes widened. "How many this time?"

The guard's head shook, trying to regain his thoughts. "Ten, at least. Many more are severely wounded. Two are not expected to live to see dinnu."

Stunned, Thranduil nodded. "Thank you, lad. You are dismissed. I have thinking to do."

The guard bowed, and slowly walked out of the room.

Thranduil slumped in his chair and massaged his temples. Ever since Greenwood the Great fell under darkness, more and more had died because of orc or spider attacks. The only thing that gave him strength was Legolas, his only child. When the Queen died, Legolas became his entire life. Nothing made him happier than seeing his son running through the forest laughing.

Another knock at the door snapped him back into reality. "Minno."

An elderly man, dressed in grey and bearing a staff, walked into the room. "Suilaid, Aran Thranduil Oropherion."

The king's mood improved. "Mithrandir? Mae govannen! What brings you to Greenwood?"

"'Mirkwood' would deem more appropriate, as it is called by Men these days. I was nearly attacked by giant spiders on my way here, on more than one occasion."

"And for that, I apologize," the Elven king replied earnestly. "Long have I been trying my hardest to prevent such attacks, but to no avail. I do not know what to do anymore. I have lost ten guards this morning, and many more are wounded. These past few months, the death toll has reached over one hundred. Even one in my realm is too many."

"I agree, and that is precisely why I am here."

Thranduil breathed a sigh of relief. "Hennaid veneg le, Mithrandir. I am willing to do anything to be rid of this evil."

The elderly man nodded. "Good. We shall start tomorrow morning. Until then, I believe that I am in need of a good meal and long rest."

"And that you shall have," Thranduil said, smiling. "Tolo, we have much to discuss."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

dinnu -- lenitited form of tinnu, "starry twilight, early night"
Minno -- "Enter"
Suilaid, Aran Thranduil Oropherion -- "Greetings, King Thranduil son of Oropher."
Mae govannen! -- "Well met!"
Hennaid veneg le -- "A thousand thanks to thee"
Tolo -- "Come"