The Clouds Burst

He watched the first heavy drop splatter to the ground, raising a puff of dust into the still air.  Another fell, and another, pattering in a staccato rhythm on the parched earth in an increasing shower.  Droplets dripped and splashed through the trees, washing the dust of the long drought from the leaves.

He could feel the branches stretching skyward and the roots beneath his feet drinking in the life-giving water as it soaked into the arid soil.

Soaked to the skin, Thranduil raised his face to the deluge, listening as the trees rejoiced and life returned to the forest.

(Written for the Tolkien Weekly 'Water' challenge)