Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

From Broken Endings to New Beginnings	By : Argleena Category: -Multi-Age > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 747 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The following work is based on the fantasy world and characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien and I do not own them or profit from this piece of work. Original Characters are my own and marked as such (OMC, OFC).

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Thranduil finally brings those who who plotted against him to justice. He then returns to Imladris to the ones he loves.
Third Age, 110, Greenwood/Imladris
Thranduil rode his stallion into the secret passageway leading down into the hidden valley of Imladris, followed closely by Glorfindel and a mixed group of warriors and guards from Imladris and Greenwood. It had been a long nine months, but Thranduil was relieved with all that they had accomplished during that time. Now if only he could succeed with the one he loved, all could be right in his world. They both had suffered too much over the last century, they could do with some joy in their lives. He was also greatly looking forward to seeing his son. When he had travelled back home nine months ago, Legolas was left behind to “heal,” and “foster” in Imladris while Thranduil settled things at home. In reality, it was to spare the child from any danger and from sparing him seeing and learning things he could not quite understand taking place with his family at home. Legolas loved his mother and daerada, despite their neglect and could not yet sense at his tender age the darkness and danger that dwelled inside of them. He did not want Legolas gaining any more bad memories about his mother by witnessing the whole debacle that took place over the past several months in apprehending and punishing those involved in the sabotaging Thranduil and endangering the Greenwood.
After the evening of Elrond’s wedding, Lindir grew distant from Thranduil again. He hid away in Erestor’s and Glorfindel’s quarters for several days, until just before Thranduil left to return home a week after the wedding. They finally managed to reconnect and talk before Thranduil left. Sadly, they agreed, under Lindir’s entreaty, that they should not pursue furthering a relationship until Thranduil took care of the issues back home with his wife and father-in-law and deceptions taking place behind his back in the court. Thranduil fully planned to separate from his wife as soon as possible and annul the marriage contract. That would allow Lindir to have some time to think and during that time, he would decide whether he wanted to try and pursue a relationship with Thranduil again. Thranduil certainly hoped he would, he felt that was the only way he would feel whole again.
The only thing he asked of Lindir, besides taking time to reconsider their relationship, was to watch over his son while he was away. If Thranduil had to be away from his son for many months, there was no one greater he could wish for to watch over and care for his ion. He hoped that they could develop a bond. Legolas was charming and easy to love, and he had grown quite fond of Lindir who visited him often in the Healing Halls and sang him to sleep when he had bad dreams. It was Thranduil’s greatest hope that Lindir could begin to see Legolas as his own son, even though he was not of his own blood. He hoped Lindir would be able to move past Legolas’ parentage and the sordid history behind it, for he desperately wished to build a strong family between the three.
With great difficulty at having to leave his son and Lindir behind, Thranduil returned home with most of the group he arrived with, as well as ten marchwardens from Lothlórien (including the Lord and Lady’s adopted sons), Glorfindel and ten of his warriors, under the guise that they were going to do warrior exchange training. He left six of his guards in Imladris to “train” with the warriors there and to keep a watch over and protect his young son (and Lindir, but don’t tell Lindir he gave instructions as so). Erestor tried to wheedle his way into going, saying his strategic and investigative skills would be of use, however both Elrond and Lindir persuaded him to stay, insisting they needed him here at home.
Once Thranduil arrived back to the Greenwood he began a covert investigation utilizing the Marchwardens and Glorfindel’s spies and troops, along with a group of trusted friends and (some warriors, a few scholars and healers and two advisors he was certain were true to him). He knew he had to bring a justifiable case against the accused or he could be put in a negative spot with his subjects if they feel he indiscriminately gets rid of just any who oppose him, or tosses his spouse out when he found someone knew. He must present the evidence to his people of the egregious acts committed in their Woodland Realm. Plus, it would not be just Thranduil seeking retribution and and an end to the manipulative behavior going on behind the scenes. Almost every resident of Greenwood had lost one or more family members during the war just past, many Thranduil considered unnecessary deaths caused by the made up missive, concocted by Nostar.
Thranduil’s other concern was, while the Queen was not very popular among the people due to her snobby and caustic personality, elves nevertheless take marriages and bonds seriously. You cannot just snap your fingers and dissolve a marriage. Luckily, Thranduil never bonded or intended to bond with Erdolliel. Then he would have had to seek the Valar’s intervention; that wasn’t always easy to do. As it was, he had to prove that there was good reasoning involved in dissolving his marriage, otherwise the elves in his realm may lose their faith in and loyalty to their King. Thranduil wanted to be sure if Lindir ever did return home with him, it would be to welcome from the people, and exoneration, not to a hidden love and back talking gossip. He was done with others trying to dictate who he loved. Thranduil knew who his soulmate was and wanted to enjoy the rest of his days with him.
With the help from Imladris, Lothlórien and his trusted confidants, one early fall morning Thranduil’s guards with back-up from Glorfindel, Haldir, Orophin and Rúmil (the last three were there mainly because they couldn’t wait to see the look on Erdolliel’s face) took Erdolliel, Nostar, Tucagwathiel (wife to Nostar and Erdolliel’s mother) four junior counselors and a messenger into custody and placed them in the dungeons. Thranduil then gathered his people, and presented to all who had come to his summons the irrefutable evidence of their crimes, some of which included conspiracy to assassinate the King, indirect kinslaying for placing false battle orders in the King’s hand, falsifying military documents, espionage, poisoning of a child, bribery, conspiracy, perjury, incriminating an innocent victim and several other charges that could go on and on. This was a crime committed that affected many more beyond just the King. It involved everybody and the effects were far reaching and they deserved to know the truth of things.
Thranduil told his people they should take tonight to think on the accused and the indictments presented against them and what may have happened if these malicious individuals had overcome him and taken the throne for themselves. What dark things their evil ways would have wrought on the kingdom. Tomorrow he would hear from any elves that wished to provide any new or unknown information involving the case being presented. He would speak with them privately in the morning and that afternoon would provide all subjects of the kingdom who choose to attend, the additional findings that have merit. At that time, each individual present, from lowest servant to noble courtiers, would all be given the opportunity to pronounce in front of the court and the final counsel (and all present) what they thought a fair and just punishment would be, laying out examples that ranged from: no punishment (not guilty), to 100 years hard labor, to 200 years imprisonments, to banishment, etc… The counsel would take all suggestions into consideration and choose a punishment that both fits the crimes and parameters of punishment called for by the people of the realm. This was often the method used to determine guilt and punishment in a case involving the royal family as usually the King dictates guilt and sentencing. This way it shows the King open to being fair in his prosecution of the criminals, rather than being able to say, “hang them,” and be done with anyone who steps in the royal family's way. He was also giving the many victims a voice.
A few elves stepped forward with pertinent information, such as a locksmith being approached and offered a great deal of money for a set of keys to private areas of the house or maids who overheard Erdolliel bad mouthing Thranduil and saying she wished him dead, along with other overheard tidbits and small pieces of evidence.
When it came time to pronounce punishment sentencing, many were eager to include their input as the crimes affected almost all in Greenwood in one fashion or another. The suggestions were varied with very few not guilty/nones, except in the case of Tucagwathiel were suggested. It was determined, even by Thranduil, it was likely she had no idea what her husband and daughter were planning and had no involvement. She was devastated by what they did and even though released, after the shame of all that happened, she chose to leave and sail to be with her parents who dwelt in The West to heal. The others who said not guilty/no punishment were often from spouses, children or those very close to the accused. The rest of the subjects offered varied ideas, most harsh and long. After eight hours of hearing his people’s suggestions Thranduil went to meet with his private council, which included Glorfindel representing Imladris, Haldir representing Lothlórien, Galion his senchel and new chief council, as well as for elves he trusted of various professions (a warrior, his head of household, a loremaster from the time of the trees and a young but wise healer) discussed the punishment to be passed down.
They determined that all involved would receive 400 years of daily servitude/unpaid mid to hard labor with nightly lockdown supervised by Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn in Lothlórien, who offered to help take in the prisoners for punishment if need be. They had a program in their realm for the very few elves that do commit serious crimes and they have staff available to keep guard over the guilty individuals . After that time was served, Nostar and Erdolliel must sail to be judged and serve further rehabilitation in whatever way the Valar best see fit. At that time the other five convicted may choose either to sail of their own volition and face anything more the Valar may expect from them as penance for their sins, or they may remain in Middle Earth if they are not ready to leave, however, may not enter Greenwood or Imladris where their most direct victims reside. If they show good and reformed behavior, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn may offer them paid positions and a place to stay in their realm to restart their lives, or they may choose to send them elsewhere where others may take them in if their behavior isn’t up to par. If, after 400 years there is still cause for concern, another trial will commence with the possibility of extended or altered sentencing. If the subjects refuse to perform their mandated duties in Lothlórien, they will be sent back to Greenwood to serve double their sentenced time in Lothlórien in the lower dungeons, with only their basic needs being attended to. They also agreed that the King’s marriage contract be annulled and their marriage was dissolved. Legolas would still be recognized as a legitimate heir and Thranduil would be free to bond or remarry. For the most part, the people of the realm were happy with the penalties issued, except for the few extremists who either cried for certain individuals to be set free, or for harsher punishment, usually by those who had loved ones that perished during the maligned Battle at Dagorlad. Many were also outraged at the danger Erdolliel and Nostar placed their sweet little prince Legolas in.
Once the traitors had been dealt with, Thranduil spent the winter months reorganizing his court and advisors and building his relationship up with his people, where in the past in the suffering of his grief and under the manipulations of others, he was often a moody and stoic king, now he began to make a true effort to get to know his people as King and better serve their needs. He also planned to bring his people out of the isolation that his father had trapped them in, refusing to seek assistance from other realms. Thranduil promised to bolster relationships with other realms and open up more. He also made public plans to welcome a Legolas home with a celebration to try and help alleviate some of the stress when he leans his mother and grandfather are gone and when he inevitably hears rumors of what happened. Thranduil wanted to try and wait until the elfling was older to explain exactly what his naneth and daerada did, but the way that gossip and exciting news spread, he was bound to learn sooner rather than later. Thranduil would tell him in time, hopefully with Lindir there to help him.
He was secretly also making arrangements for Lindir to return, in hopes that his greatest wish would come true and his love would come back to him. He kept it a secret for now, as he knew that there was a decent chance Lindir would turn him down, being too broken by the past, to settled in his present and too fearful of the future. He had readied a beautiful music room full of polished wood and marble, designed to provide perfect acoustics for Lindir’s music. It would also pose as a study for the fair minstrel, then if he wished he could continue administrative tasks and assist Thranduil. The room was stocked with all his favorite instruments, sheet music, parchment and any supply or musical accoutrement one could imagine. Also inside there were two cozy arm chairs, one large and one small sitting off to the side. Those would be for Legolas and Thranduil to sit in and to be with Lindir when they so desired, listening to him practice his beautiful music. This was one of the few rooms that had a window in the palace of the caves, so Lindir could get the fresh air he so loved. Above ground walls in the cave were far and few between. He also made sure all Lindir’s favorite foods were in stock and had a wardrobe filled with clothes made of the softest and finest materials available. He had golden rings made and if Lindir would have him, he would wed and bond with his love, and he commissioned anything else he could think to make his beloved songbird smile. He even (grudgingly) made Lindir his own private room, close to the royal bedchamber in case he decided to come back but also wanted to hold back on their relationship for a while. Thranduil prepared for many possibilities, but dearly hoped for the one where Lindir ends up in his arms every night for eternity.
Thranduil and his guards along with his visitors and prisoners began their journey in early spring, as soon as the roads and paths had clear enough to do so. They dropped their prisoners off in Lothlórien with the Marchwardens, then headed swiftly to Imladris, driven on by an anxious Thranduil and Glorfindel, both looking to return to those they loved. Thranduil became more and more nervous the closer he came to Imladris. He almost felt like a young elf with his first crush again.
As Thranduil approached the courtyard, he saw Legolas wiggle his way out of Lindir’s arms, who had been holding him, and Legolas ran to him with abandon jumping into Thranduil’s arms. Thranduil was overjoyed to have his ion back in his arms. He was also glad to see Lindir looking after his son as he requested him to do. Thranduil wasn’t above using Legolas to help worm his way back into Lindir’s heart and then back to Thranduil. In all reality though, he did want Lindir to fall in love with Legolas almost as much as himself. He wanted Lindir to be a father with him to Legolas and share in the child’s love. He felt tears form in his eyes and joy spread through his heart to be near the ones he loved again.

Translations
ion- son
dearadar- grandfather
naneth- mother
- 12
- 13
- 14
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From Broken Endings to New Beginnings