Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

In a land of shadows	By : Nuredhel Category: -Fourth Age to Modern times and beyond > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 1448 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings, it belongs to Tolkien, and i do not earn any money from this work of fiction, it is solely written for entertainment and not for profit at all.I do not own Lord of the Rings, it belongs to Tolkien,

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Chapter Five: Spawn of darkness
There are distant voices
Calling out through the mist of time
“beware”they mutter
In a mirror image of ages past
The darkness awakens once more

They stared at a creature which was hard to describe, simply because it was so bizarre. The dead creature was almost four meters long and it wore a sort of armor made from plates of bone, pieces of wood and other materials. It looked rather weird but it probably worked. The body was shaped a bit like that of a huge ape, long arms and short legs and the creature had a very muscular physique. The hands were huge with long claws on the thick stubby fingers and the feet were as they had noticed rather huge with just two toes. The thing was stinking so badly they had to stay at a distance from it. The body wasn’t that bad, it looked a bit like that of a troll except from the fact that the entire torso was covered with scaly skin instead of normal hide. It was as if this creature was some sort of reptile and the head added to that assumption. The head was huge, but the shape of it made it rather clear that this creature lacked a lot when it came to brain power. It was mostly jaws and face and the skull didn’t have place for more than a walnut brain. It had a pair of very small eyes and it was obvious that this thing didn’t rely too much on sight, it had to be almost half blind. The nose on the other hand was rather developed and the face did remind them a bit of that of a baboon but it was more stretched out lengthwise. The jaws looked a bit like those of some huge canine but the teeth were certainly more of the shark type.
Oropher coughed. “Damn it, it stinks to high heaven, what in the world is this thing really?”
Celegeth was shivering. “They all looked the same, exactly the same.”
The creature had a very short neck but Celegeth had somehow managed to pierce its jugular and it lay in a huge pool of greenish blood. Legolas was studying the thing closer, he held a piece of cloth up over his nose and he was making grimaces. “It is hairless, and that skin is rather thick I think. It doesn’t appear to be intelligent but still it is wearing armor. And remember that weapon they found? Something is controlling them, something with more brains than this brute.”
Thranduil had to agree, he was almost fascinated by the grotesque sight. “This is almost like an orc, it doesn’t need to be smart, all it has to do is being deadly and this thing is just that. Look at those teeth, they are horrible!”
Oropher almost growled. “I’d hate to say it but I would prefer orcs any day, this thing is worse than any orc!”
Legolas nodded. “You are right, even the Uruk-hai of the ring war were puny compared with this fellow.”
Elrond was trying to comfort Celegeth. “We need to learn more of this thing, as much as possible, I think I will ask for the carcass to be transferred to the main colony on earth, they have better equipment.”
Thranduil frowned. “I don’t think everybody would agree on that.”
Elrond was looking a bit better now that he knew that Celegeth was alive but he was still pale. “I don’t freaking care, this abomination has to be put through a proper autopsy. It is the only way we can hope to learn more.”
Legolas grinned. “Yes, but I do not envy the poor bastards who has to do the job, I don’t think I ever have smelled anything this bad.”
They heard the sound of distant hoof beats and Thranduil sighed. “And here comes the cavalry I guess, prepare for chaos.”
Chaos did follow, just as he had predicted. Many were scurrying around desperately searching for their loved ones while others were staring in shock at the dead being. Luckily Glorfindel and Amroth were among the first to arrive and they managed to take the lead and shout orders which were followed by the crowd, and it was nothing short of being a miracle. Luckily a healer had followed the group and she was able to take care of Celegeth’s wounds. Legolas was really impressed by the young elleth’s courage and he knew that his friend really had found a true gem there, but one with sharp edges. Everybody was told to return to the palace where the meeting was being held and Thranduil saw that several did obey and returned to their horses. There was nothing more there, nothing to be done except mourning the dead and he knew that the inhabitants of the villages in the area would have to do the very unpleasant job of burning the bodies. He and Legolas stared with narrow eyes at the convoy of elves leaving the city and Oropher was clenching his lips together and his eyes were shooting fire. “It will happen again, and if it continues like it has then the next city to be attacked is most likely Tirion.”
Legolas looked shocked. “Tirion is not just an insignificant little place, it is important. It controls the pass through the Pelori mountains, surely they cannot think about attacking there? The terrain is terrible for an attack and Tirion has walls too.”
Oropher still had a very dark expression within his eyes, he bent down and grasped a twig, made a simple map in the dust. “I hope I am wrong, but I saw that the tracks here just appeared, walls are no barrier from something like this. And it is on course with this city and the previous attacks. It is next, mark my words.”
Thranduil nodded. “I believe you adar, but do you think the others will?”
Oropher made a grimace. “I have no idea but I hope they will. Tirion is not prepared for an attack, but it contains many inhabitants and they have nowhere to go if something happens.”
Thranduil’s eyes got narrow, he looked a bit sinister. “The pass is important, I fear that this is the works of a very devious brain.”
Legolas sighed. “Right, I will go. I will warn them. If I ride hard I can get there by midnight.”
Thranduil grinned. “Yes, and do not be afraid to use threats, I know the head of the city council, the mayor, he is a weak ellon with a fondness for flatter and he is also terribly afraid of getting that pretty hide of his scarred. Put a dagger up in front of his eyes and he will listen, believe me. Tell him that I will come for him if he doesn’t obey, his father fought with us at Dagorlad, he should know what we are capable of.”
Legolas had to grin, he found some food and a wineskin in one of the houses that were still standing and then he got his horse and rode off. Thranduil looked until his son disappeared behind the trees, he felt extremely worried. If Tirion was to be attacked he had sent his own son right into mortal danger but there was little choice. If the council kept quarreling the way they had little would be done. Oropher petted his shoulder. “He will be ok son, he has fought just as hard as we did, don’t fear for his safety. If anyone knows how to survive this it is him. “
Thranduil frowned, he looked down. “I know but I still fear, I guess that is natural. “
Oropher smiled and his eyes were filled with tenderness. “It is, he is your son, you would not be half the man you are if you didn’t fear for his safety. I am very proud of you both you know. “
Thranduil could only smile at his father and he did really feel how much Oropher had changed. Perhaps this wise and gentle minded ellon was the person he was supposed to be in the first place but time and politics and the turns of fate itself had shaped him into something else, something far less likeable.
They found their horses and rode back to the council, they did not arrive until late in the evening and everybody was running around trying to find out what was going to happen next and what was to be done with the dead creature. Thranduil saw that some wizards already was working on opening a gate and bringing the cadaver through and he hoped that the people they had on earth would be able to find out more about this thing. The council members were assembled by some obviously stressed out servants and Finwe told them that the creature was to be examined and that they contemplated sending couriers to the cities to warn them. Thranduil smiled when he heard those words, a rather sarcastic grin which told everybody who watched what he thought about their reluctant decisions.
Food was being served and the elves were gathering in groups, loudly discussing this latest development and Oropher rolled his eyes. “Back in my days people did at least do something, they didn’t spend ages discussing the details.”
Thranduil had to grin. “So nobody made hasty decisions back then?”
Oropher had to laugh. “Oh, I know what you are thinking ion nin, yes I was too rash, I did not really think. I was tired of waiting and waiting even more, I wanted it over with. So yes, we charged a bit too early and we paid the price for that, it was my fault. “
Thranduil sighed and closed his eyes, they really hadn’t stood much of a chance, their warriors clad only in leather and old chain mail while the Noldor elves and the Numenoreans had real armor. No wonder they lost two thirds of their force. “But you learned right?”
Oropher nodded, there was a strange glimpse within his eyes. “Oh yes I did, dying does that to you son. “
He turned towards Thranduil and tilted his head. “I must confess something to you. I spent the time in the halls constantly expecting to see you arrive there, you were pretty reckless back then, I suppose I thought that you were the one to go first, not me. But how wrong I was, and I am very glad. “
Thranduil just bowed his head. “Yes you were, I am nothing if not stubborn. “
Oropher nodded. “Yes you are. I hope that will help you also in the future. “
Thranduil sighed. “So do I”
Legolas had been riding hard the entire afternoon and as the sun set he was getting closer to the pass. His horse was struggling now but he had not stopped anywhere to get another one, there were few places where they had reserve horses and he was seeing the lights from the city up afar now. He urged the panting horse forward into one last effort, he feared another attack already this night but prayed that it wouldn’t happen. Tirion was a very beautiful city with nice architecture and a lot of history and he knew that the inhabitants were craftsmen and merchants, very few were soldiers since it was no need for such in Aman. He rode through the city gates just before midnight and he stopped his horse in front of the city hall. It was a rather small but still impressive building made from a very pretty almost pink type of marble. A stable worker came forth and the ellon looked a bit pissed off when he saw the state of the animal. Legolas had to send him an apologetic grin. “I am sorry, but it was important. You should not happen to know where the mayor is right now?”
The stable worker could see that this was someone with power from Legolas clothing and the expensive horse. He bowed his head. “He is in his private chambers, just go to the door and the servants will take you too him. “
Legolas nodded and walked rather fast, he had a strange feeling of haste, as if he had the enemy right behind him right there and then. He knocked on the door and when a young maiden in a uniform opened he presented himself and asked to be taken to the lord of the house immediately. The elleth nodded and he followed her through a house which was elegant but yet simple. The things he saw were nice but not expensive, the owner had taste but not enough wealth to buy things which were too luxurious. He used his eyes, every detail was something he could use for later. He was brought to a study where the mayor awaited him, the ellon was rather young and he looked almost unfinished in some way, he had little experience and Legolas had to sigh to himself. This was an ellon who just had read about the battles of old, one who had only seen peace and prosperity his entire life. Those were always hard to convince, they refused to accept the presence of evil and saw only what they wanted to see.
The mayor was a bit short and his hair was very long and well groomed, he wore a very nice set of robes and Legolas keen eyes did not fail to see the fact that his fingernails had been polished and that the simple yet elegant necklace he wore had to be made from Mithril. It was expensive, but this ellon could probably not have afforded it himself. It had to be a gift but from who? Legolas stopped and bowed his head, tried to appear as if he was at least polite. “I am Legolas Thranduilion, I come with news from the council of the wise. “
Legolas saw that the other ellons eyes dilated a bit, he swallowed and there was something restless about his movements. Legolas had seen that kind of reaction before, he knew that many found him attractive. The necklace had to have been a gift from someone special, but not likely a lady. It was more believable that this ellon had gotten the necklace from a lover and Legolas already knew all he needed to know about the mayor. “I wasn’t expecting anyone from the council this early?”
Legolas smiled but the smile was a bit dangerous. “There has been some further development, there was an attack last night too, and we do fear that this city is next. “
The mayor flinched and Legolas could see that his eyes went wide, he was suddenly pale. “You cannot possibly be serious? Why would anyone attack us?”
Legolas moved closer to the mayor, he could see that the ellon had his eyes fixed on the two long knives he now wore at his hips. This fellow was afraid of violence, probably very feminine and easy to persuade. “Flesh mellon, meat!”
Legolas was suddenly standing next to the mayor who swallowed again and again, he looked very nervous. “The things that has attacked our cities is simply hungry, and they eat people. They do not care about gold or jewels, all they want is just…flesh!”
The mayor was shivering, Legolas voice was dangerous and low and the archer could clearly see that the ellon was struggling with a mixture of fear and arousal. He wasn’t wrong, this ellon was attracted to him and heck, he knew how to take advantage of it. He smiled, an almost inviting grin. “They kill everything, and eat it alive too. Wouldn’t it be a terrible if this was to happen to your city, or even to…you?”
The mayor squeaked, his eyes dark and Legolas sent him another vicious grin. “I have seen it, what they have done. Bodies so mutilated it was hard to tell that they once were elves. Horrible really. And the enemy had just appeared, out of the blue. By magic. Quite suddenly too, nobody had time to react. If it happened here it would be a bloodbath.”
He spun around, now he was facing the mayor and he was very close to him too, so close he could smell that the ellon had been drinking some very nice wine. “I am sure you don’t want that kind of responsibility on your hands? Or that type of blame?”
The mayor shook his head. “Oh gods, no. But…are you sure it will happen here?”
Legolas gave him his most electric smile, the one that made the ellith swoon and his wife called his best party trick. The mayor stared at him as if he was hypnotized, sometimes the good looks of the house of Oropher was a huge advantage. “Yes mellon nin, the attacks has followed a straight line and this city is on it. So I strongly advice that you gather every capable ellon and prepare.”
The mayor looked a bit as if someone had dropped him from a great height, he was utterly confused. “I have no idea of what I should do? Where do I start?!”
“Find a safe place for the ellith and the children first and foremost!” A voice boomed from the back of the room and Legolas understood that this was the mayors father, he had fallen in the battle that claimed Legolas grandfathers life and this ellon had been re-embodied too. He was rather tall and dark and he had piercing grey eyes and a very military approach. Legolas let out a sigh of relief, this was an ellon he could trust. One which would do whatever needed to be done without asking too many questions. The tall ellon threw his son a rather tired look and bowed before Legolas, a deep movement which showed respect and reverence. “I am Vegylion, I fought alongside your father and daeradar, I am very honored to meet you. Please pardon my son, he is helpless when it comes to taking real action. His best moves both politically and otherwise are done among silk cushions and wine glasses. Back in the days we had a name for elves like him, but I will not insult your ears by using it. “
Legolas had to grin. He liked Vegylion, he was a typical ex-soldier and hardened by many battles. “Oh, I have heard it I am sure, my father’s vocabulary of obscene phrases is rather impressive.”
Vegylion threw his head back and laughed out loud. “Oh yes, I remember that. He took an arrow to his left buttock once, I was there when the healer pulled it out and I must admit that I for a moment feared that the very tent would catch fire.”
Legolas smiled. “Sounds like my adar yes, is there any places in this city which can be defended if we are right?”
Vegylion sent his son a menacing glance, the mayor was still staring at Legolas the same way a kid stares at a box filled with candy. “It is your father and daeradar who sent you right? The council could not find their own arse even if they were getting help! And making a real decision? Not within our lifetime!”
Legolas nodded. “Yes, they did send me. I agree with them, this city is in danger.”
Vegylion had a very determined look within his eyes. “We are quite a few veterans here in this city, about four hundred I think. I can assemble them all, and there are two hundred more spread through the smaller settlements within the pass. I would need a few hours but then they would all be here I am sure.”
Legolas let out a sigh, six hundred warriors. It wasn’t much but if they were any good they could indeed make a difference. “We have some vaults underneath the temple, they are solid and the doors very strong. We can assemble the ellith and the children there, with about fifty warriors the place should be rather safe.”
Legolas swallowed. “The enemy can show up pretty much everywhere, even within a sealed vault I guess. Is there any magicians here? Anyone with powers?”
Vegylion shook his head. “No, the only magic we have isn’t even magic, it is the huge mirrors we use to bring sunlight down here when the autumn and winter makes the pass dark.”
Legolas gasped. “Can they be moved?!”
Vegylion nodded. “Yes, but why? We only use them during festivals and such.”
Legolas felt a sensation of excitement rush through him. “The creatures has always attacked at night, they are light sensitive. If we use the mirrors and some huge fires it should keep them at bay.”
Vegylion stared at Legolas and his grin got wider and wider. “You are indeed your father’s son. Smart idea.”
Legolas saw that the mayor had sat down in a chair, obviously very disappointed that he no longer was the center of attention. He looked like a sulking kid really. “Is there an armory here somewhere?”
Vegylion nodded. “It is, allow me to show you. I just have to send someone out to gather the men, it won’take long. “
He rang a small bell and a servant came running, Vegylion shouted a few orders and the ellon left in a hurry, the ex-soldier sent Legolas a vicious grin. “I never made it to officer back on Arda, but now I can at least pretend as if I was in command.”
Legolas nodded. “I am sure you would have been an excellent officer Vegylion, one of the best.”
The ellon grinned. “I was an officer for about three minutes, the man above me in rank fell for an orc’s arrow and I was replacing him when another son of a bitch managed to hit me in my head with an axe. At least it happened fast, I didn’t feel any pain. I was just pissed off when I realized that I wasn’t in my body any longer and then Mandos was calling me to him and I just had to go, but by Sauron’s arse how eager I was to continue fighting.”
Legolas made a grimace. “Well, if our assumptions are right you may get your chance after all.”
Vegylion threw a glance at his son. “And you, you stay here and make sure that all the womenfolk go to the temple. And I mean all of them, and those ellon who doesn’t fight too. I guess you fit into that category but I am warning you, you will be the last one to enter the vault, the real women will go first!”
The mayor cringed and nodded, he was obviously afraid of his ada and Vegylion was mumbling something Legolas barely heard but it was enough to make the archer blush rather vigorously.
Vegylion walked down into a hallway and then they left the building. The night air was chill and very pleasant and Legolas enjoyed it a lot. They approached a building placed next to the wall, it wasn’t big but the walls were thick and the door was locked with a huge and very complicated mechanism. Vegylion had the key and got the door open, the air was stale and filled with dust but Legolas stared at the walls with awe. They were covered with weapons and he could see that they were ancient but still very sharp and strong. He turned his head towards Vegylion who grinned and had a proud expression upon his face. “How the heck? These are amazing?”
Vegylion’s smile was so wide he showed all of his teeth. “I know, it is a long story but these weapons were made for the war of wrath, somehow they ended up here due to some miscommunication or blunder. And I am very glad that they did!”
Legolas saw that everything was covered with dust and still they were shiny, he swallowed hard. He carefully took a sword out of its holder, it was just perfect and so beautiful. “They really knew how to make them back then.”
Vegylion’s voice was a bit sad and Legolas nodded. “How many of the men do you think are archers? We will need them on the wall. “
He could see many quivers packed with arrows, and there were bows there so beautiful he was just aching to try them. “A third I think, they haven’t lost the touch at all. I can promise you that.”
Legolas tried to count the amount of weapons and Vegylion grinned and opened a small black book he found in a desk by the door. “No need for that my lord, I did that years ago when we discovered this cache.”
He opened the book. “We have three thousand arrows with armor piercing tips and three thousand with normal hunting tips. We have five hundred good bows but I guess that we can use half of them. The other half are too damaged by the ravages of time I fear. We have six hundred sets of long knives and five hundred sets of daggers. Two hundred long axes and war hammers and then we have about seven hundred swords of different types. And then we have some crates with different smaller things but I doubt we’ll need them.”
Legolas had a very determined glimpse within his eyes. “We will be able to deliver quite a punch I am sure. If we are to go down we will go down fighting!”
Vegylion just smiled. “I know we will my lord, these ellyn will fight to the very last drop of their blood has fallen!”
Legolas sighed. “Let us pray that it won’t come to that.”
Vegylion petted his shoulder. “Yes, but we will be prepared, fear not!”
A few hours went and Legolas noticed the activity within the city, elves were rushing towards the temple bringing food and smaller belongings and even though they were afraid it all went very orderly. There was no panic and Legolas saw that the gathered veterans helped out as much as they could. The armory also held some armors and they were a bizarre sight since they were made in a style that had gone out of use ages ago. But they were still useable and when the warriors had put them on Legolas had to admit that the sight was one to behold. He could see the pride in these soldiers eyes and Vegylion had put one armor aside for Legolas too. It was obviously made for an officer and it was almost black with beautiful patterns in gold and mithril. It had to be worth a fortune but Legolas felt a bit humbled when he put it on with the help of one of the warriors. This was in fact a relic, something which should have been put on display for all to see, like a piece of a past long gone. He wasn’t sure if he was worthy of wearing this but then again, it could possibly save his life and so he accepted it gracefully and hoped that he would make the one who made this proud.
The daylight was returning and the danger was over for this night but there would be other nights and Legolas helped with the huge mirrors. They placed them on top of the city hall and gathered as much firewood as they could, then they lead all the horses and cattle out through the gates and let them loose. It was better that the animals were allowed to run off than staying there to be killed if the enemy was to show up. They placed quivers on top of the wall and on the tallest houses, the best archers were placed there and Legolas had made sure that every bow had been tested before it was delivered to anyone. Just to be sure every archer had been given two bows and some young ellyn had volunteered to refill their quivers. The city was as ready as it could be and Legolas could just pray that they didn’t have to fight, that the fifth attack had been the last one.
Back at the council the arguing and fighting had continued and nobody was able to agree on anything. Finwe was close to giving up on the whole thing and Thranduil and Oropher just wanted to leave and go home. This new day had brought nothing but more tension and some had started to demand that the Valar reacted and did something to protect their realm. Some Istari had showed up and tried to explain that this came from a world in which their powers were useless but some didn’t listen to this. Thranduil and Oropher sat with Amroth and his friends when Glorfindel showed up again, he sat down by their table and nodded, his eyes were a bit dark and he looked either grumpy or just plain angry. “I have spoken with the ones in charge of governing the cities of this area and nobody is willing to do anything. They won’t prepare the inhabitants or arm them, they won’t even consider the possibility of real danger. Damn, they are like horses wearing blinkers.”
Thranduil sighed. “Exactly, they haven’t seen anything of what we have been through, to them death and destruction is just words, they have no experience with it. “
Glorfindel ran his fingers through his long golden mane. “I am ready to fight, I really am. And I know many others who are aware of the danger we are facing, if there are more attacks it will turn into a nightmare. There will be panic, these realms are filled with people who just cannot comprehend the situation at all.”
Oropher smiled, a sad grin. “Yes, we are sitting ducks, a feast! To these creatures it is the equivalent of arriving to a table which has been prepared for them. Food everywhere. “
The golden haired warrior sighed and leaned his chin into his hand, he looked tired. “I have spoken with one of the wizards, something has happened on earth. Two Ce’agar warriors had obviously tried to stop these creatures and they were pulled along with them to earth, one was dead but the other one is still alive. They hope that he can tell them more. Your daughter is with him Thranduil.”
Thranduil almost gasped, he sat up as if someone had stuck him with a needle. “What? Ravenne?!”
Glorfindel nodded. “Yes, the warrior is none other than their leader, Narriar. If he makes it the wizards has agreed to send an expedition to Lithui. I have volunteered already, I have wanted to see that world since it was discovered and perhaps we can do something real instead of sitting here listening to a whole lot of quarreling.”
Thranduil felt his heart skip a few beats, his daughter was involved in this too? He didn’t want that, not at all. “This Ce’agar, do you know anything at all about him?”
Glorfindel sighed, made a grimace. “No, very little, he is their leader like I told you and I guess that means that he is one hell of a warrior. I am looking forward to meeting him in fact.”
Oropher frowned. “But I know that those elves regard us as weak and useless?”
Glorfindel just grinned. “Yes, so I am looking for an opportunity to prove to them that they are wrong.”
Thranduil leaned forward over the table. “Have they looked at the creature yet?”
Glorfindel grimaced and leaned back, he yawned. “I don’t know, they probably are cutting away right now as we speak. It was huge so it isn’t done in a flash. “
Oropher looked at his map again, he suddenly grasped his wine glass and placed it onto the parchment, moved it up and down while he was mumbling something incoherently. Thranduil stared at his father with a puzzled expression on his face. “What are you doing?”
Oropher turned the map around. “I just realized something, it isn’t just the size of the cities, it is the distance between them too. Look, there is no more than a hundred miles between any of them, it has to have some sort of significance. “
Glorfindel snapped his fingers. “Time! It is about time!”
Thranduil raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”
Glorfindel was practically beaming with energy. He grasped another piece of parchment and made a sort of drawing. “Look, this is earth or Arda, this is Lithui in the middle and this is Aman. We know that time is the same here and on earth, sunrise and sunset are at the same time right? But Lithui doesn’t have a sun or moon, it could be that it revolves at a different pace than our worlds?”
Oropher swore, Thranduil stared at his father with disbelief, he had hardly ever heard him using such words. “Of course, we are idiots! They use the same point of origin each time but our world and earth has moved a bit since the last attack so they arrive at a different location. Then we do know they come from one place in Lithui, not the whole damn world.”
Glorfindel nodded eagerly, his eyes were shining. “If we can calculate how much Lithui has moved in comparison to earth and Aman we can also guess exactly where in Lithui they come from.”
Thranduil’s eyes got narrow, there was a strange fire of determination within them. “Right, and who are better at this than the Istari? We have to get their attention!”
Glorfindel got up and he grinned widely. “Yes, I am sure of this, I feel it in my bones. That is how we can achieve our goal and stop this.”
They all got on their feet and stopped one of the wizards who were about to leave the room. They showed him the drawings and the Istari’s face showed a peculiar mixture of shock and embarrassment. This was something they should have thought of, not some warriors. He promised to tell the others of this discovery and off he went as if his robes were on fire. Glorfindel grinned widely. “I hope they get the picture!”
Oropher looked a bit doubtful. “So do I, but I am not so sure that it will change anything. If I know them right they will use weeks just to agree on whether or not this is a fact.”
Thranduil sighed. “Ada, I fear that you are right about that.”
He stared out of the window, it was still daylight but soon the evening would come and then the night and his thoughts was with his son in Tirion. Were they preparing? Did they stand a chance at all? He wasn’t sure about anything anymore and he thought about Nireariel and their home. Their home was far south of the pass in the forests of Orome and there was no reason why it should be attacked but he had a strange sensation of fear still. As of now the attacks had followed a pattern but what if that pattern was broken? Then nobody could know where the next attack would come and there were a lot of elves in new greenwood, a lot of animals too. If these creatures really was after meat it was plenty of it there and he closed his eyes and tried to assure himself that everybody was safe. It was just that a tiny voice within his head told him they weren’t, that he should have been there with them, done his duty as a father and husband and protected his family and realm first and foremost. The rest of Aman shouldn’t be his concern at all. Oropher saw the expression within his eyes and grasped his shoulder firmly. “I know son, but don’t worry. Nireariel is stronger than you think son, she will protect them, I know she will. She know you had to go, and she understands.”
Thranduil smiled but the smile never reached his eyes. “I know ada, but I cannot help it. I should be there with her, not here with this bunch of….nitwits!”
Oropher had to laugh. “You always had a way with words, yes, nitwits. Fear not, I am rather sure that our home is the safest place to be right now, all other cities here are possible targets and I would feel a heck of a lot better wearing a good armor and carrying my old sword. At least I would feel as if I am ready. “
Thranduil made a grimace. “I heard from Elrond during the break, he sent a courier. Celegeth will be ok, they have fixed her but she is in shock still. Amazing that she managed to kill that thing.”
Glorfindel’s eyes were narrow and his mouth pressed together. “She did well, she reacted out of sheer panic but she did the right move. I think the throat is the weak point of those monsters. And since they appear to be less gifted when it comes to intelligence I would guess that the best way to take them out will be to go for them two and two at a time. One can distract the beast while the other strike. “
Oropher nodded. “I agree, one should never try to kill one of those monsters alone, but either with arrows from afar or with a longsword. I would not like to get within reach of those claws.”
Glorfindel got a wry grin on his face. “As long as they aren’t on fire I won’t back down. I will never flee from an enemy. “
Thranduil just mumbled. “As if any of us would do that.”
Oropher stared at the crowd. “The meeting is over for today I think, they have only managed to agree on the conclusion that travel between the cities is to be restricted. This is moving forward with the same speed as a slug, or running tar!”
Glorfindel nodded. “I don’t know with you my lords, but I plan on getting a good meal, a bath and then I will go to bed with my sword by my side. If you are wise you will do likewise. One can never be too sure, we might wake up in the middle of an attack or not at all!”
Thranduil sent the warrior a rather dark glance. “True words mellon, keep your weapons close.”
Oropher sighed and shook his head slowly. “I never thought that I ever would have to take my sword to bed here in Aman, she was a regular bed partner back on Arda but I do prefer my wife. “
Thranduil had to laugh. “So do I ada, so do I.”
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In a land of shadows