Chapter XV

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Trespassers.

It has been years since anyone, naive and desperate, would have such a courageous heart to tread where dangers would lurk behind dark shadows - under the dense forest of Mirkwood - where the trees brought the night to a sunny and bright day. It was a dark place, and the fogs were worst than black smoke.

A dark place, where evil things nested and made a home, like the Fell Spiders that have taken root over the dark, and corrupted part of Mirkwood to the south. Until, it began to continue its advance up north; to the capital city, of Halls of Thranduil.

With such skirmishes between the Fell Spiders and Silvan Elves of the Woodland Realm, it came as an absolute as it was a shocking surprise to be brought news that trespassers were discovered crossing their lands. Especially as the current situation was not ideal for any wandering wanderers or trading merchants. Moreso, when it was the band of dwarves led by a familiar face.

Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, and grandson to Thror.

Thror…

The Dwarven King of the lonely mountain, who led a prosperous age for the kingdom of Erebor and Dale. Until a truth became evident about being 'friends' with dwarves. Greed.

A limitless hunger for an abundance of wealth and fame - that by achieving so - has brought about the ruins, and death upon them. The destruction of their home, and people. Because of a certain ill king under the mountain.

However, if memories served just. Thranduil, he himself had offered a fair warning - words that had experience - but ultimately ignored by what the treasure that Thorin's grandfather may summon. A liar, Thranduil becomes if he ever said what happened to the dwarves did not bring him pleasure and satisfaction.

In the eyes of Thranduil, Elven King of the Woodland Realm, the dwarves of Erebor merely 'reap what they sow' through the series of events that happened to them. Had Thorin's grandfather kept measure about the massive, and endless greed for hoarding treasure. Perhaps what befell them may have been avoided.

Maybe. If Thror did not lust for the white gems he had serviced the dwarves to forge into a necklace - as a gift to Elariaeth - and stole it for themselves. Perhaps, when the serpent - Smaug - attacked the lonely mountains, the sense to uphold the integrity of the alliance between the Dwarves and Elves may have given Thranduil reasons to assist the dwarves.

Maybe. He is still uncertain if he would, even if the dwarves had not stolen the necklace.

But those white gems, where it made the world of dark and grim be brightened. The only thing left that tied him to his late wife. He would have gone to war over them, had he not been soothed by Elariaeth to avoid needless as it was a pointless war of bloodshed. That was, until she died in Angmar, to which all reasons became empty and null.

By then, he would have led an army to Erebor for that necklace. Until dragon fire drove the dwarves away from their home and;

Treasure.

Treasures that had Thranduil's late wife's necklace. The thief owner traded for another, as the Serpent Smaug, hoarded all the treasure and trinkets within the lonely mountain.

With an army over the top of a hill - overlooking the chaos and ruins below - he evidently decided then to leave and turn the army over than face the dragon in which he and his army could do little against. Mixed with guilt and satisfaction. He retreated from helping the dwarves.

As he was ever haunted by the only remainder that belonged to Elariaeth. Untouchable, and far out of reach in a lonely mountain that is guarded by a great serpent. Inside grand halls of wide pillars of stones, away from grasp and touch.

But now, why would he?

When standing before him was a woman that's the spitting image of Elariaeth. Hair is as dark as an empty sky on a great night. Eyes as brown and chocolate as were the branches of strong trees.

However, her eyes were not the same as Elariaeth who was soft and loving, instead in contrast to the woman, she had a sharpness and a guarded look to them. It was evident that the woman did not trust him, and the thought that Elariaeth would be, or be distrustful about him made the heart that have been cold for centuries squeeze and hurt.

Although it was not Elariaeth, of which Thranduil was aware. It was difficult, more so when it has been nearly an eternity since he could see her. Even more so, when the immense longing for Elariaeth overwhelmed Thranduil.

With Thranduil's sense overwhelmed by emotion, he did the unthinkable.

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While it was a nuisance, to be furthered delay by being held captive than they already were by the tough terrains, and had to navigate through it. It came both as a shock and wary when she laid eyes on the Elven King; Thranduil, of the realm of Mirkwood.

Furthermore, based on the interaction and history between the Dwarf Heir and Elven King, it was safe to say the King of Mirkwood was not an easy individual to trust by words. However, it is by the perception that reasoning, and maybe bargaining maybe an option, maybe.

Though. When he first laid his eyes upon her own, those pair of ice-cold and unsympathetic eyes softened, as he was apparently taken aback. But she was unsure, and so she cared little. Until now;

As she was embraced into a warm hug - cloaked by security and love - that which she felt.

In any other situation, she would have pulled away - smack the hands and throw a fit - but she didn't. Instead, an unsavory decision on her part was tempted to action, as she indulged the warm embrace.

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Despite being aware that the woman was not Elariaeth, Thranduil didn't mind if he could find peace in her - the woman whom he barely knows - in an illusion to find comfort and solace.

But. Thranduil had more than enough control over himself, as he knew that would be a fairytale, yet still, he let a chance - a selfish opportunity - to prolong the tranquility he felt over the countless years since Elariaeth's long departure. Until he seemingly broke the silence.

As he put a distance between them, but never removed his hands from her arms as he feared she'll disappear, as he is quick to say;

"You may not be the woman who I see you as,

Nor do I wish to force it to be that way."

He became silent once more - as eyes as silver starlight stared intently onto her own - before he started again.

"But without you ever truly knowing,

You have brought me much more peace and solace than you'd ever know…

Therefore, I release you and your companions, as well as Thorin's Company…"

Then with that, Thranduil finished.

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Surprised and baffled by such a turn of events, Estelle could hardly believe that Thranduil; Elven King of the realm, to set trespassers free. Especially when a dwarven companion had spit and raised his voice against a King under and within his halls.

Slightly put into a state where she was speechless, she could only give a small nod before she gained her tongue, and replied properly. "Thank you, your Grace."

To which Thranduil responded.

"I am not a monster that the dwarves see me.

I only merely want to protect my people.

To join the battle against the serpent.

The blood of elves was needless in a fight that was already over.

Thorin and his grandfather never understood. Nor could they see."

It was obvious from the start as it was within her character, Estelle absorbed in information and reacted against any relation to what she knew. From how Thorin viewed Thranduil, and then how Thranduil saw what Thorin is not able - truly brings out the control Estelle had - when she goes to make a conclusion.

But that did not mean that she forget how easy it was for Thranduil to break his oath.

However, that did not also mean that Thranduil was heartless and only harbored hatred, and destruction to the dwarves. He had reasons, though it did not exclude what he decided.

Just as she was about to leave, Thranduil called out to her by her name.

"Estelle.

You are truly like her,

Elariaeth.

A strong woman,

Not because you are.

But because you had to be.

Just like her."

Then in an instant, he swiftly turned his back to her as he began to walk up the oak stairs to the throne in grace. As she resumed to walk her way to the prison and fetch her men and the dwarves.

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