The Jewel of Mirkwood
folder
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
145
Views:
9,670
Reviews:
361
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
-Multi-Age › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
145
Views:
9,670
Reviews:
361
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
The Last Decree of Lord Elrond of Imladris
Chapter 126
It had been the middle of the night when the messengers had arrived, three of them together riding but one horse. Elrond had been dozing in a char by the fire of the healing house when Elrohir had run in screaming for him. Almost the moment he’d seen his son’s face Elrond knew what was happening. The time had come. Gandalf had warned Elrond that it would be so and just as the Istari of old Mithrandir was never wrong. Having tended the messengers injuries Elrond had moved to the study all those councillors and guards still present called into the meeting. Elrond could hardly focus on what the messengers were telling him, maps covered with blood and mud now littering the table. Elrohir having seen his father’s distress was doing a fine job of taking his place, asking what questions needed to be answered and finding hope were many could not. Despite all the talk however the messengers had all still brought the same news, and just as Gandalf had predicted Elrond had already made his decision.
The orcs having tired of testing the borders of the elvan realms separately now gathered in mass upon the eastern flats. By the thousand they had flocked together, the underworld of Middle Earth had come out in force. The messengers brought tales of a sea of black, an army of many who chanted their war cries and made the ground tremble with their feet. A foul stench engulfed the air above the once pure grassy plains of the east, it’s vile putrid smell penetrating even the furthest reaches of Mirkwood and Lorien carried on the back of the wind. With the army had come the rain the sky weeping as it watched what was to come. Whether they were ready or not open war was upon them and it was now no longer a case of defence but rather attack or be attacked and die.
Elrond listened to possible solutions, which were thrown back and forth across the room. Hopeless, desperate solutions to a problem not easily fixed. There was but only one solution and Elrond knew all to well what it had to be.
Tired of hearing the councillors bickering and arguing around him Elrond stood sharply from his seat behind the desk instantly silencing everyone. There were no other options left open to them. With his arms folded neatly in the folds of his robe Elrond steadied himself as he had done before the battles past. With calm, collected grace Elrond gestured to Lindar who had been unceremoniously appointed scribe for the hastily brought together council.
“Let the message spread to all those able. Imladris is to war this eve and those capable of wielding a sword will gather their courage and meet in the stable yards as the sun rises in the morn.” Elrond then turned his attention to the three messengers who had come from the boarders together. “You will take this message to the Lord of Lorien, the King Mirkwood and to my steward Glorfindel of Gondolin. Tell them that Imladris is to meet our foe on the battlefield the enemy has chosen. If the other elvan realms choose not to join us under my command alone it will be left to fate what will happen to them. We will unite or we will die. If they do not join us then we will fight this alone and face our fate with swords in our hands defending our lives. Those who are not with us will die as traitors to their kin and forever have blood on their hands. With the coming of the new moon we will attack the force which threaten us… united or not.” An eerie silence hung in the air as Elrond came to an end his eyes meeting those of everyone in the room who now stared in ore at the mighty Lord that stood before them. A steward to the last great Elvan King, Elrond had proved his worth many times over to the elvan race but it was only now as he stalonalone facing the impossible that all who looked upon him truly understood his purpose amongst them. “Go now and may the valar be with you.” Almost immediately everyone in the room bowed respectfully to the elvan lord, even Elrohir lowered his head in acknowledgement of his father’s power. Scampering away like water rats the messengers left carrying with them the final decision in a future of uncertainty.
After all had left and only Elrohir had remained behind with Elrond, father and son stood opposite each other lost in the depths of their identically coloured eyes.
“Is there hope father?” The question from Elrohir was a simple one, just as the reply that answered it was.
“There is always hope Elrohir.” Elrond gently embraced his son memorising the warmth of the touch and praying that he would hold both his sons again when the war was over. When the embrace ended Elrohir took a step back and smiled proudly at his father waiting for instructions. Sensing his son’s need to be doing something Elrond contemplated what needed to be organized before voicing his instructions clearly, as a captain would do to his men. “All those who are to stay behind insure that they are housed within the last homely house with supplies and weapons should the unthinkable happen. What armour is left ensure it is distributed to everyone who will be marching with us tomorrow then ensure that you yourself are well armed my son.” Elrohir nodded and was about to turn to leave when he instantly remembered about something.
“And what of Legolas, father?” Elrohir queried softly genuinely concerned for the prince. Legolas was in no shape to fight along side his kin and in truth if things should fail he would not be safe in Mirkwood, yet his pregnancy was so far advanced that riding would pose a risk. Elrond sighed heavily and glanced down to his hands nervously. If there was but one part in all of this that Elrond did not understand it was Legolas. From his first knowledge of the prince the night he had been born Elrond had never seen what lay ahead of the child, his foresight clouded by mystery. Legolas was Elrond’s weakness and Elrond knew of little else to do but to put his faith in the Valar and their intended destiny for the young prince. “Ada?” Elrond snapped his attention back to the present and merely glanced up at his son in sadness.
“I do not understand what part Legolas Greanleaf has to play in our future Elrohir but I know in my heart I must give him a chance above all of us. We will leave him a horse and his weaponry and leave parchment telling him of which route Gandalf has taken to the dwarves in the mountains. With luck he will find the Istari before the child is born other than that his fate is in the hands of the valar.” Elrohir nodded understandingly already deciding to personally see to Legolas needs before their departure. The prince had been a friend to him since his arrival in Imladris and Elrohir had become quite attached to Legolas’ charm and innocents. He was an elf caught in the middle of confusion and Elrohir could only hope good things would come to the kind soul he called a friend.
“Very well Ada I will leave you to carry out what has been requested. I will see you at dawn in the stables.” Elrond smiled and once more graced his youngest son with a kiss to his head before watching as Elrohir disappeared from the study leaving Elrond staring at the rows of books that lined the walls in silence. With a deep sigh Elrond opened the draw to his desk and removed the single strung pendent that had once hung around Gil-Galad’s neck. Reverently Elrond caressed the green stone before fastening the pendent around his own neck and tucking it into his tunic. With the feel of the cool stone pressed against his chest a new sense of determination rose inside the elder elf and Elrond straightened his back with intention. “May the valar spare us.” Whispering his prayer to the silence Elrond strode confidently from his study towards his rooms to ready himself for what now lay ahead of him….
TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(A/N) Sorry it's only a short update but I thought this would be a good place to end momentarily until the next update. We're close to the end now as you can tell and it's all go. Hi Ho, Hi Ho it's off to war we go!!!!!!!!!!! Feedback is much appreciated and always kindly taken. Please I hope you enjoy what's left of this story when I post it and it's been a pleasure taking you all along for the ride.
Thankies
RIFF RAFF.
It had been the middle of the night when the messengers had arrived, three of them together riding but one horse. Elrond had been dozing in a char by the fire of the healing house when Elrohir had run in screaming for him. Almost the moment he’d seen his son’s face Elrond knew what was happening. The time had come. Gandalf had warned Elrond that it would be so and just as the Istari of old Mithrandir was never wrong. Having tended the messengers injuries Elrond had moved to the study all those councillors and guards still present called into the meeting. Elrond could hardly focus on what the messengers were telling him, maps covered with blood and mud now littering the table. Elrohir having seen his father’s distress was doing a fine job of taking his place, asking what questions needed to be answered and finding hope were many could not. Despite all the talk however the messengers had all still brought the same news, and just as Gandalf had predicted Elrond had already made his decision.
The orcs having tired of testing the borders of the elvan realms separately now gathered in mass upon the eastern flats. By the thousand they had flocked together, the underworld of Middle Earth had come out in force. The messengers brought tales of a sea of black, an army of many who chanted their war cries and made the ground tremble with their feet. A foul stench engulfed the air above the once pure grassy plains of the east, it’s vile putrid smell penetrating even the furthest reaches of Mirkwood and Lorien carried on the back of the wind. With the army had come the rain the sky weeping as it watched what was to come. Whether they were ready or not open war was upon them and it was now no longer a case of defence but rather attack or be attacked and die.
Elrond listened to possible solutions, which were thrown back and forth across the room. Hopeless, desperate solutions to a problem not easily fixed. There was but only one solution and Elrond knew all to well what it had to be.
Tired of hearing the councillors bickering and arguing around him Elrond stood sharply from his seat behind the desk instantly silencing everyone. There were no other options left open to them. With his arms folded neatly in the folds of his robe Elrond steadied himself as he had done before the battles past. With calm, collected grace Elrond gestured to Lindar who had been unceremoniously appointed scribe for the hastily brought together council.
“Let the message spread to all those able. Imladris is to war this eve and those capable of wielding a sword will gather their courage and meet in the stable yards as the sun rises in the morn.” Elrond then turned his attention to the three messengers who had come from the boarders together. “You will take this message to the Lord of Lorien, the King Mirkwood and to my steward Glorfindel of Gondolin. Tell them that Imladris is to meet our foe on the battlefield the enemy has chosen. If the other elvan realms choose not to join us under my command alone it will be left to fate what will happen to them. We will unite or we will die. If they do not join us then we will fight this alone and face our fate with swords in our hands defending our lives. Those who are not with us will die as traitors to their kin and forever have blood on their hands. With the coming of the new moon we will attack the force which threaten us… united or not.” An eerie silence hung in the air as Elrond came to an end his eyes meeting those of everyone in the room who now stared in ore at the mighty Lord that stood before them. A steward to the last great Elvan King, Elrond had proved his worth many times over to the elvan race but it was only now as he stalonalone facing the impossible that all who looked upon him truly understood his purpose amongst them. “Go now and may the valar be with you.” Almost immediately everyone in the room bowed respectfully to the elvan lord, even Elrohir lowered his head in acknowledgement of his father’s power. Scampering away like water rats the messengers left carrying with them the final decision in a future of uncertainty.
After all had left and only Elrohir had remained behind with Elrond, father and son stood opposite each other lost in the depths of their identically coloured eyes.
“Is there hope father?” The question from Elrohir was a simple one, just as the reply that answered it was.
“There is always hope Elrohir.” Elrond gently embraced his son memorising the warmth of the touch and praying that he would hold both his sons again when the war was over. When the embrace ended Elrohir took a step back and smiled proudly at his father waiting for instructions. Sensing his son’s need to be doing something Elrond contemplated what needed to be organized before voicing his instructions clearly, as a captain would do to his men. “All those who are to stay behind insure that they are housed within the last homely house with supplies and weapons should the unthinkable happen. What armour is left ensure it is distributed to everyone who will be marching with us tomorrow then ensure that you yourself are well armed my son.” Elrohir nodded and was about to turn to leave when he instantly remembered about something.
“And what of Legolas, father?” Elrohir queried softly genuinely concerned for the prince. Legolas was in no shape to fight along side his kin and in truth if things should fail he would not be safe in Mirkwood, yet his pregnancy was so far advanced that riding would pose a risk. Elrond sighed heavily and glanced down to his hands nervously. If there was but one part in all of this that Elrond did not understand it was Legolas. From his first knowledge of the prince the night he had been born Elrond had never seen what lay ahead of the child, his foresight clouded by mystery. Legolas was Elrond’s weakness and Elrond knew of little else to do but to put his faith in the Valar and their intended destiny for the young prince. “Ada?” Elrond snapped his attention back to the present and merely glanced up at his son in sadness.
“I do not understand what part Legolas Greanleaf has to play in our future Elrohir but I know in my heart I must give him a chance above all of us. We will leave him a horse and his weaponry and leave parchment telling him of which route Gandalf has taken to the dwarves in the mountains. With luck he will find the Istari before the child is born other than that his fate is in the hands of the valar.” Elrohir nodded understandingly already deciding to personally see to Legolas needs before their departure. The prince had been a friend to him since his arrival in Imladris and Elrohir had become quite attached to Legolas’ charm and innocents. He was an elf caught in the middle of confusion and Elrohir could only hope good things would come to the kind soul he called a friend.
“Very well Ada I will leave you to carry out what has been requested. I will see you at dawn in the stables.” Elrond smiled and once more graced his youngest son with a kiss to his head before watching as Elrohir disappeared from the study leaving Elrond staring at the rows of books that lined the walls in silence. With a deep sigh Elrond opened the draw to his desk and removed the single strung pendent that had once hung around Gil-Galad’s neck. Reverently Elrond caressed the green stone before fastening the pendent around his own neck and tucking it into his tunic. With the feel of the cool stone pressed against his chest a new sense of determination rose inside the elder elf and Elrond straightened his back with intention. “May the valar spare us.” Whispering his prayer to the silence Elrond strode confidently from his study towards his rooms to ready himself for what now lay ahead of him….
TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(A/N) Sorry it's only a short update but I thought this would be a good place to end momentarily until the next update. We're close to the end now as you can tell and it's all go. Hi Ho, Hi Ho it's off to war we go!!!!!!!!!!! Feedback is much appreciated and always kindly taken. Please I hope you enjoy what's left of this story when I post it and it's been a pleasure taking you all along for the ride.
Thankies
RIFF RAFF.