Chapter 6. Humiliated by death.
A few days later, the Forest King suddenly sent messengers to the Grey Mountains. Despite the aggressive neighbors - orcs and dragons - at that time, there still lived there at random. Lord Zelenolesia decided to order dwarf jewelers a luxurious women's apparel made of silver and white stones. Messengers carried with them parchment - the king himself depicted what kind of apparel he represents. If skillful masters think up more beautiful - the customer gave them complete freedom. As long as they made a precious harvest for the autumn harvest festival...
"I'll try to forgive... - Thranduil thought, looking at the starry sky. Then, also in August, there was a bottomless sky over Imladris, and myriads of stars whispered to two Eldar about love ...
The Lord of Zelenolesia called for a counselor.
- The queen left a note before she left," the king began looking away, "where it was said that she and her companions were leaving Imladris on the first day of autumn. So, tomorrow...
- And what is it, my lord?
- I want to meet her...
- A commendable decision! Now there are no urgent matters requiring the presence of the king in the palace. And when you meet your wife, you will make it easier and safer for her. And also... But don't be angry, sir! But it is easier to reconcile away from home. But on what road will they go?
- Ellerian wrote that she would come back the north way, just as we drove back then... Together... Remember when Lord Elrond advised not to lean on the passes at this time of year?
- And where is this note?
- I ripped it apart," Trandil confessed. And then he added. - But I remember it literally.
- Then all is well, my lord. When do you expect to leave, tomorrow?
- Yes. You need to take the same horses that Ellerian and her companions left on - low, tough, equally easy to overcome mountain trails, forests, and swamps. We will not take a big detachment, there is no need to draw attention to yourself, fifteen warriors will be enough.
- Well, I will give all the necessary instructions, and tomorrow at dawn we go on the road.
* * *
We stopped for the night at the beginning of the ascent to the pass. Forest elves were dozing around the campfire. Horses chewed on the grass, taking advantage of the opportunity to eat enough before the long journey through the mountains. Istanen stepped on duty. Time was approaching dawn, everything was calm. Suddenly, the king came out from under the cloak, and, approaching the advisor, clenched his hand:
- Istanen!...
- Yes, sir!
- It seems to me that they are somewhere close... I can feel them...
- My lord, I listen all the time, but I don't feel anything yet.
- Ellerian is still my wife! Whatever happened between us... And with her, my son. I have to feel much better. I also feel like they're in trouble...
Then Trandyl suddenly twitched and began to climb up the rocks. Istanen and the others had no choice but to follow their crazy king. The advisor was a little bit tired, but Thranduil, having reached the crest of the mountain, suddenly froze, convulsively clinging to the stones. A group of forest elves found themselves with him in the blink of an eye. Looking over the ridge, all the Nandor stopped in fright, hiding behind the stones. The counselor looked incessantly into the gap between the two boulders:
- Lord, they were there... But they... What to do?!
From here, from a height, the sheep fortress of Gundabad was clearly visible. It wasn't empty or dead anymore, but it didn't scare the forest elves so much. Those they were looking for were on the northern slope of the mountain. Almost all the soldiers from the Queen's escort were killed. Their bodies, burned, twisted in unthinkable poses, were scattered all over the slope. Few of the defenders of Ellerian who survived tried to find refuge among the rocks and at least somehow hide their queen and baby in their arms. And above them, slowly descending, a dragon circled. Not too big, but still his armor was beyond the power of the shooters of the detachment of Ellerian. Their quivers were empty. And swords, even Noldorsky quenching, are useless against the dragon because it hits the flames at a distance. Now the ugly monster will hit with a stream of fire, and the Forest King will have no wife or heir...
Thranduil slowly got up, taking off his shoulder bow.