Chapter Four: Making Decisions

Galithil, Legolas and Berior hurried from the door that led out of the family quarters and into the outer hall of the stronghold. As they passed the Great Gates, Galithil glanced longingly at the Green outside them. The morning sun cast long, dancing shadows on the grass. He would much rather be going there. Instead, he and his cousins walked straight through the empty entry hall and to the doors of the Great Hall.

"We need to speak to our adars," Legolas said to the guard.

The doors to the Hall were closed. Galithil felt both relieved and disappointed at that. If Uncle Thranduil was already holding court, which would certainly be unusual at this hour, then they would have to wait to apologize for going so far into the forest. Galithil wanted to get that apology over with. And he wanted to learn exactly how much trouble they were in now that the relief of finding them had faded from their parents' minds. But, at the same time, he was afraid to find out. Going so far abroad that they were attacked by spiders was a whole new world of trouble, Galithil expected.

"They are holding council," the guard said. He did not open the door, but Legolas did not move away from it either. Instead, he silently waited for the guard to open it, looking at him steadily the entire time. Galithil struggled not to laugh as the guard shifted uncomfortably, looked away from Legolas's gaze and finally reached to open the door. Legolas could always do that sort of thing. People took him seriously when they would only shoo Galithil away.  Galithil was only half glad for his cousin's success this morning as he followed him into the Great Hall after the guard.

Thranduil was sitting at a meeting table in the Hall, not on the throne, Galithil noted with a sigh. That meant the Council was only talking, and if that were so, their parents would almost certainly make time for them. Galithil grimly resigned himself to facing his father now.

"I wonder what Rodonon is doing here," Legolas whispered to him as the guard apologized for interrupting and announced the 'children' wanted to speak with their parents. Galithil glanced at the guard in irritation, and then looked at the table where his father and uncles sat. Legolas was right. Their tutor was there. Along with the King's full council. And a good many papers and maps. Maybe they would not be allowed to interrupt this meeting, after all. It looked important. And that made Galithil frown. Normally they were invited to listen to the proceedings of such meetings.

Legolas kicked Galithil's boot. He stopped staring at the papers on the table and realized their fathers were studying them. Galithil quickly removed the sour look from his face and attempted to adopt an appropriately penitent expression.  His brother, seated at the table next to their father, snorted in laughter in response to the change. Galithil maintained the presence of mind not to glare at him and was greatly satisfied when their father did.

"Adar, we would really like to apologize," Legolas said.

Thranduil nodded and waved them into the room.

Galithil stood up a little straighter and followed his cousins. There were no chairs available at the table, he noticed. Not that he expected to be invited to sit before they made their apology, but if there had been chairs to quickly slip into afterwards, they would have had a better chance of inviting themselves to the meeting.

"We used very poor judgment to go so far into the forest so late in the evening to gather the yarrow, Adar," Legolas was saying.

Galithil forced his attention away from speculation regarding the topic of the important meeting they had interrupted and focused on their apology, nodding along with Berior.

"We are very sorry for causing you so much worry and for endangering you and the guards when you had to come after us," Legolas concluded.

Galithil kept his expression serious, but inwardly he grinned at Legolas. His cousin was so good at thinking of all the right things to say to satisfy their fathers when they were cross. Galithil knew he would spend a lot more time doing punishments if it had not been for Legolas.

"One does wonder," Thranduil said, "why you did not turn around when Eirienil and Aewen did. You must have realized then that it would be best to come home."

"We should have done, adar," Legolas acknowledged. Then he fell silent and looked at the floor.

Legolas would not say the excuse they had discussed, because he did not believe it to be the whole truth, Galithil knew. So, he stepped forward himself. "It is just that we found so little wild ginger," he said. "And Nestoreth was so hopeful that we would come back with more, since we told her we would spend the day looking. There are so many wounded, with the increase in violence in the south, that we felt we could not come back with so little. And I remembered the yarrow patch that we found with Naneth earlier in the year. We thought we could make it there and back faster. But it was poor judgment and we are sorry," he concluded, repeating what Legolas had said.

Aradunnon regarded his son narrowly. "Yarrow is the only reason you went that far?"

Galithil nodded. "All we did in the clearing was cut the yarrow," he said, indicating Legolas and himself. That was true enough, Galithil thought. He had cut yarrow along with Legolas and Maidhien. If he had been hoping Berior and Brethil would spot the deer, that was beside the point.

"Is that so, Legolas?" Thranduil asked.

Galithil tensed. His uncle had them. Legolas would never answer that question. Not the way Galithil thought he should. Legolas could say perfectly honestly that he and Galithil had only gathered herbs. Why he refused to say it and so condemned them all to a more serious punishment, Galithil could not understand.

"Did you and your cousins only go to that clearing hoping to gather yarrow?" Thranduil repeated when Legolas continued staring at the floor.

Legolas looked sidelong at Galithil and remained silent.

"Brethil and I were tracking a deer," Berior burst out.

Galithil slumped slightly. They were done for.

"Legolas, Galithil and Maidhien only cut yarrow, but Brethil and I were tracking a deer. But we would not have gone so far after the deer if we could not have cut the yarrow."

"And whose idea was it to get the yarrow?" Aradunnon asked.

Galithil kept his head bowed, hoping to hide the fact that he rolled his eyes. "It was my idea, adar," he admitted quietly.

Aradunnon nodded. "I am pleased you were honest about that."

Galithil looked up. "It is also honest that we promised Nestoreth we would gather plenty of herbs and honest that we wanted to get the yarrow because we know she needs it. The yarrow in the garden is all used up."

"Even if you had cut the yarrow, shot the deer and returned home without incident, would you have been using good judgment?" Aradunnon asked.

"No," Galithil responded, resisting the urge to cross his arms across his chest.

Aradunnon sighed and stood, coming around the table to grasp Galithil by the shoulders. "Galithil, I understand how important it is to you to bring down your first deer." He grinned and threw a glance over his shoulder at Thranduil. "It is important to your Uncle and I to be the first at any hunt to get a deer. We have competed over that honor at every hunt for an entire Age." He paused to draw Galithil's gaze. "The men brought news of a serious situation that we must resolve, but once that is managed, I promise that I will take you hunting and we will stay out as long as it takes for you to shoot a deer." Galithil's eyes widened in absolute delight. Aradunnon smiled at him and continued. "We can ask Brethil's parents if he can come and Legolas and Berior are welcome as well, of course."

"Four deer," Thranduil murmured in the background. "Eight, most likely because the adults will be unable to restrain themselves from taking part in the hunt. We will have to think of a reason for a feast."

"You will be one of those adults, muindor nin, and it is never a problem to think of a reason for a feast," Aradunnon replied without looking at him. Galithil openly laughed at that. Aradunnon winked at him, but then his expression grew more serious. "But for now, there must be some consequence for your poor judgment last night."

Galithil's smile faded only slightly. No punishment would sting as much in light of the promised hunt.

"Put your bow in my room," Aradunnon said. "There it will stay for the next two weeks." He turned back to the table and looked at Thranduil and Celonhael. "I believe that is what we agreed on for all of them?"

"Yes, it is," Thranduil confirmed.

Legolas and Berior nodded their understanding. Berior did not even bother to try to appear repentant. He was still grinning ear to ear thinking of Aradunnon's promise. Galithil smiled at him. Legolas, on the other hand, avoided Galithil's gaze. Galithil studied his cousin as his father squeezed his shoulder and walked back to his chair.

"That is settled then," Aradunnon said once he was seated at the table. It was only then that Galithil noticed his father was sitting next to Thranduil. He usually sat at the far end of the council table, nearest the door to the Great Hall. He always joked sitting there was his way of protesting being imprisoned in a meeting. "Go to your lessons and we will see you at lunch."

"How are we going to have lessons if Master Rodonon is here?" Galithil asked.

Legolas latched on to that question, taking a step forward to look at the maps on the table. "Are you speaking to the Men?" he asked. "May we stay and listen to the message Lord Elrond sent to you rather than going to the library, Adar?"

Galitihl glanced at the maps as well. They were of Arnor. Then he looked at Thranduil to try to gauge his reaction to Legolas's question, but Thranduil was firmly wearing the unreadable mask that normally made Galithil fight not to laugh when it was turned on frustrated petitioners. It was not so funny when he was the recipient, Galithil decided. He really wanted to know what the men were doing carrying messages for Elrond.

"The Men told you they had a message for me, did they?" Thranduil asked. "Did they tell you anything of its content?"

Legolas shook his head. "Barad said he was bound to deliver it to the King, but he said he imagined we would eventually hear its contents, so that made us curious. Is it something you can tell us?" he asked.

Galithil did not hold out much hope. If they were going to be invited to stay, they would have already been invited to sit. But he admired Legolas for pressing his father. Even if it did not get them out of lessons, it was worth a try.

"I can," Thranduil answered. "The message said that Angmar has fallen. Its forces are dispersed and the Lord of the Nazgul has fled Eriador."

Galithil's jaw dropped and so did Legolas and Berior's.

"How?" Galithil blurted out. "What happened?"

"That is what we intend to discuss with Barad," Thranduil replied. "I am sorry, Legolas, but until I know the details myself, I cannot judge if all the discussion would be suitable for you to hear. We will summarize what Barad tells us for you at dinner. I promise."

Galithil drew a sharp breath to protest, but before he could speak, Legolas was already agreeing to that arrangement. Galithil glared at him and continued doing so as their parents dismissed them and Legolas turned his back to leave the Hall.

"Have you lost your mind?" Galithil asked as soon as the doors to the Hall closed behind them. "We should have argued. They might have let us stay."

Legolas scowled. "Ada never gives in when he has that expression on his face. You know that..."

"But Legolas! Angmar was destroyed? I wanted to hear that! You cannot tell me you did not want to hear that!" Galithil said, following on Legolas's heels. He had not slowed down since they left the Hall.

"So we will hear it," Legolas said softly.

Galithil's brow furrowed sharply. Then his face lit in understanding.

"But," Berior said, skipping forward. He had obviously also just realized what Legolas was suggesting they do. "We said we were not going to do that again after we almost got caught the last time. And especially now. Our adars are already angry enough with us. If they catch us spying..." he drifted off, leaving the punishment for that crime to the imagination.

"If we are very quiet and pay attention and sit on the back side of the door in case someone comes into the Hall through it, we will get away with it. We have a hundred times before. And Galithil is right. I want to hear this. First hand," Legolas replied.

Berior nodded to that and fell into place alongside him without further argument.

They walked quickly through the entry hall--it had a few people milling around in it now and Galithil could hear the guards explaining that petitions had been cancelled this morning--to the door that led to the family quarters. The guards opened that door for them and smiled at them as they passed through it. Once inside, they turned right and followed down a long corridor. On one side of this passage way were several doors leading to rooms that served as offices for the members of the King's Council, the Captain of the Capital Guard and the Captain of the King's personal guard. On the opposite side of the corridor was an apparently solid wall with no doors, decorated by a series of tapestries, one across from each office. They stopped in front of a tapestry that depicted a hunting scene, directly in front of Aradunnon's office.  Then they peered carefully down the hall in both directions, checking to make sure none of their fathers' assistants were lurking in any doorways. When they were certain no one was watching them, they ducked behind the tapestry. Galithil put his hand on the wall behind it and the stone gave way, opening into the Great Hall. They slipped through the secret door, pushed it shut behind them, turned, and Galithil's heart nearly stopped--someone was already sitting here on the floor, hidden by the tapestry that hung behind the throne.

"Eirienil!" he whispered as Legolas and Berior sucked in long, calming breaths and clutched their tunic fronts.

"Shhh!" she whispered back.

"What are you doing here?" Galithil demanded as he settled on the floor next to her.

"Same as you, of course. I asked to be the scribe for this meeting and Hallion said 'absolutely not' before my naneth even had a chance to think about it. But I want to know what the Men have to say as much as you do. Now be quiet so we can listen without getting caught."

Indeed, Barad's voice could already be heard in the Great Hall.

"Arvedui had warning that the attack was coming," the Man was saying. "He called on his alliance with Gondor for aid."

"Arvedui!" Berior laughed, stifling the noise with a hand over his mouth. "The Man is talking about Arvedui!"

Legolas and Galithil snickered quietly as well. The rather unfortunate name of the current King of Arthedain had been a source of amusement for them since they had first learned it. What king would name his son and heir 'last king'? It was horrible! The only thing they could assume was that the Men of Arnor had a very poor command of the Noble Tongue.

"But Barad speaks Sindarin well!" Legolas whispered. "How could they speak Sindarin as well as he does and still name their king Arvedui!"

"Well, his vocabulary and grammar are acceptable," Galithil whispered. "But that accent! Maybe he does not speak as well as you think." He said this last sentence imitating the man's flat accent.

"Shush!" Eirienil said, and the ellyn fell silent, still smirking at one another.

"...fighting these battles, Lord Eärnur could not come to our aid as quickly as Arvedui had hoped. When the forces of Angmar descended upon us, we were completely overrun."

"Your troops on the battlefield were overrun," Aradunnon clarified. "But surely not the ones fortified within your cities."

There was a moment's silence before Barad answered. "No, lord, I meant the city itself was overrun. The Witch-King came from Angmar with a force of thousands. We had no hope."

All traces of amusement faded from the children's faces as Barad spoke. Galithil leaned over to peek out from behind the tapestry. All the Elves, even Thranduil, were looking at the man with varying degrees of horror and pity.

“But you had warning,” Aradunnon said, his tone hushed. “The women and children…they, at least, fled the city in advance of the attack?”

Galithil covered his mouth with his hand when he saw Barad shake his head. “The King, following Queen Firiel’s advice, trusted aid to come from Gondor. He did not evacuate Fornost. When the attack came, we tried to ensure the escape of as many as possible…the Queen, for example, managed to flee to Mithlond with her sons and a few dozen others. I know there were other groups that made it to Lindon. But, the losses were heavy. Very few survived."

Galithil stared at Barad in wide-eyed silence and was surprised to see his father reduced to largely the same. Thranduil rubbed his hand across his face, his eyes closed.

"What does Lord Arvedui plan to do now?" Hallion finally asked.

"Lord Arvedui was lost. According to his sons, he escaped the battle and was driven into the Forodwaith. His oldest son persuaded Lord Cirdan to send a ship to rescue him, but that ship never returned. We understand that it sank, crushed by the ice, with Lord Arvedui on it."

There was another long pause.

"The oldest son," Thranduil said, glancing at Hallion and Rodonon, "what was his name? Aranarth?" Rodonon nodded. "Lord Aranarth is King of Arthedain now?"

"No, he is not. He joined with Elves from Lindon and Imladris and Men that Lord Eärnur eventually brought from Gondor to drive the Witch-King out of Fornost. But even with the Witch-King gone, the city was destroyed and fouled by Angmar's occupation. Aranarth did not resettle it, nor does he have a population capable of building new cities and defending them. He has decided it is wiser to settle for a simpler existence and lead the remaining Dunedain in the north as their chieftain. Arthedain is lost, but we feel some satisfaction in the fact that Angmar was destroyed and the Witch-King defeated as well."

Galithil watched his father and Thranduil exchange a grim look in response to that news.

"Well," Thranduil finally said softly, when he looked away from Aradunnon. "Arvedui's name turns out to be fairly appropriate, it seems."

Galithil could tell he was about to say more to conclude the meeting, but Barad, who was looking down at the table, nodded and spoke before Thranduil could continue. "Malbeth certainly proved his wisdom and foresight in this instance."

"Malbeth?" Thranduil repeated.

Barad looked up at him and smiled sadly, his mood still grim from the topic they had been discussing. "It was Malbeth the seer that suggested Lord Arvedui's name. You surely have heard that story?"

Thranduil glanced again at Hallion and Rodonon. Both shook their heads. "I fear not," Thranduil answered. "Though I admit we did find your king's name somewhat...well, ill-conceived to be perfectly candid."

Barad's smile brightened to frank amusement. "Without knowing the reason for it, I imagine you must have wondered how well the men of Arthedain speak Sindarin," he joked.

Behind the tapestry, someone snorted and Galithil grinned.

"Malbeth was a wiseman in the court when Arvedui was born. He said that Arvedui would either become the ruler of a great realm or else Arthedain would fail and many lives of men would pass before the Dunedain arise and are united again. Either way, Arvedui would be the last king of Arthedain. And Malbeth was correct--Arthedain fell."  

"Maybe," Thranduil replied solemnly, "but I hope that Malbeth was not correct when he said that 'many lives of men shall pass' before the Dunedain arise again. There are no words to express our grief over the losses that your people have suffered. The Woodland Realm is all too familiar with the devastation the Evil One can inflict. Perhaps when the Dunedain unite to fight it again, all the peoples of Middle Earth will join them and end this suffering once and for all."

Barad smiled, but his smile was once again sad. "I had hoped that would be something I would live to see. Now I fear I will not." He shook his head. "But I will live to see my sister and her new husband. And thanks to your aid, so will all my brothers. For that I am very grateful."

Thranduil nodded. "There is nothing in the world more precious to me than my son and you helped him. I am very happy to do whatever I can to help your brother in exchange. And once he has healed, I will see to it that you have horses for the rest of your journey to Dale, along with an escort there."

"Thank you, lord," Barad said with a bow. "We are in your debt."

Hallion stood, walked the man a few steps from the table and called for a guard to escort him out.

Galithil ducked back behind the tapestry. He and his cousins looked at each other for a long moment.

"Not only was Angmar destroyed, Arthedain was as well," Galithil finally whispered. "An entire kingdom! Imagine the army it must have taken to destroy an entire kingdom."

"It is a terrible pity that the Men from Gondor and the Elves from Lindon and Imladris did not come in time to save Fornost," Berior said.

"But it is good that they could eventually manage to defeat Angmar's army together," Legolas commented. "That seems hopeful, at least."

"Especially given that we have similar evils in this forest," Eirienil said. Then she stood. "We should go to the library and do the lessons Master Rodonon left for us. Before we get caught here."

The ellyn stood as well and Legolas laid his hand on the door to open it, peeking out to see if anyone was in the corridor.

"I am going to see if Maidhien got in much trouble with her adar," Galithil said once they were through the door. He took a few steps in the opposite direction from the library. "If Rodonon is going to be in the Great Hall with our parents all day, we have until tomorrow to finish anything he left us."

Legolas frowned and shook his head. "I am going to the library. I have had enough trouble for one day."

Galithil groaned, but followed his cousins.

*~*~*

"It is tragic," Dieneryn said. "Their entire kingdom lost. So many of their people."

"Lost to poor leadership," Engwe responded, his tone cool.

Dieneryn looked at him askance.

"I agree," Aradunnon said softly, causing Dieneryn to swing a reproachful look on her son. He frowned. "Thranduil did not return from Mordor with any more of our people than it appears escaped from Fornost, but this realm did not fall into ruin."

Thranduil waved his hand, forestalling the argument. "Aranarth has made the decision that he deems best for his people and his realm. It is not our place to judge him." He looked around at his council. "It is our place use this information wisely to ensure the safety of our own realm."

"I do not see how the fall of Arthedain impacts this realm," Celonhael replied. "Except to eliminate a source of trade, but our trade with Arnor had has always been limited to the point of being non-existent."

Golwon nodded his agreement and everyone looked to the King for an explanation. Everyone but Aradunnon. He looked to Thranduil for permission to speak. The King granted it with a single nod.

"Yesterday evening, Thranduil and I spoke with Morillion and Ostarndor," Aradunnon explained. "They explained that orc attacks and incursions into the forest on the western border have increased significantly this season. More importantly, Ostarndor reported that there is an evil presence in the southern forest."

"From his description, I thought Sauron might abroad," Thranduil said. "Now that I have heard what happened in Arthedain, I wonder if the orcs that are crossing our borders escaped from the battle in Fornost. And if the presence Ostarndor felt was the Witch-King, as the Men call him, fleeing from Angmar to his master."

"In either case," Aradunnon concluded, "the situation in the southern part of the realm has declined dramatically."

"When I heard this news yesterday," Thranduil said, "my initial reaction was to call for a discussion regarding relocating the southern-most villages."

"Now it seems no discussion is needed," Engwe interrupted. "The Evil One and his servants are on the move and have already destroyed one realm this year. Let us ensure that this realm is not the next. We should not make the same mistake Arvedui made and ignore the signs that it is time to evacuate people from destruction's path."

Thranduil continued studying the map before him. He did not need to look up to know how his council was reacting to that statement. But he wanted to hear the argument. "I admit the same thought has occurred to me," he said. "I would like to hear discussion on this matter, however."

"Well, my lord," Golwon said. "Nindir has already sent me a letter indicating that he would like to move his village from south of the mountains to a position directly north of them. He said he has scouted this location and found it suitable. I was going to ask for your leave for him to move in council today. I assume he has it?"

Thranduil looked at Golwon and nodded. "What of the other villages that are still south of the mountains?"

Golwon drew a long breath. "Selwon might be persuaded to move if approached properly," he said. "He is reasonable. Pellion is less so, but I believe I could convince him. I could speak to him myself. In person.  But then there are Leithor and Maethorness, my lord. They are hopeless cases."

Thranduil did not bother to conceal a grimace in reaction to Maethorness's name. "She will never move," he said.

"And she should not have to. The warriors can keep these villages safe, my lord."

Thranduil had expected to hear that argument, naturally. But he had not expected it from Dolgailon. He glanced up at his young nephew. Dolgailon was not looking at him. Instead he was looking at his father, who sat unexpectedly silent.

"The warriors cannot keep the orcs from crossing the western border,” Engwe exclaimed. “They cannot keep the spiders away from the Path, for pity's sake! They are stretched too thin. The front we defend in the south is two hundred miles across. If the villages pull back to the north of the mountains, the warriors need only to defend the territory to either side of them to fence the orcs. The mountains are a sufficient barrier to prevent enemies from crossing over them into the north."

"I am well aware of the complexities of defending the southern part of the forest and the strategic significance of the mountains, Uncle. I commanded that patrol for a hundred years." Dolgailon turned to his father. "Send me back, Adar. I can manage the orcs and eliminate the need for retreat. If we pull back to the mountains, we will lose the Forest Road."

"The Forest Road is a symbol at this point, nothing more. No one travels across it. Even the dwarves use the Path," Engwe said.

Thranduil looked at Celonhael.

"That is true, my lord. We have collected no tolls for travel across the Forest Road in years. I can provide no justification for defending it," he said quietly.

"Even if they were being paid, tolls are no justification for warriors to die," Engwe said. "There is nothing to defend south of the mountains."

Dolgailon blew out a frustrated breath. "Except the forest and Elves that live in it! Golwon has already said Leithor and Maethorness will not move and he is correct. I will be very surprised if he can persuade Pellion. They stay in the south to protect the forest...."

"Except they cannot even protect themselves," Engwe said. "They should be made to move if they will not do so willingly. For their own safety."

Dolgailon frowned severely at that suggestion. But Thranduil spoke before his nephew could make a retort.

"I would like to hear Aradunnon's thoughts," he said, looking steadily at his uncharacteristically quiet troop commander. "Do we have enough troops to continue to protect villages south of the mountains while still protecting the other borders? Would sending Dolgailon back to his command in the south help resolve this situation? Did keeping him here this long to captain the training program contribute to it?"

Aradunnon sighed. "I do not doubt that sending Dolgailon back to the southern border would improve the situation at least somewhat. Ostarndor is a good captain, but for all his youth, Dolgailon is far better." He paused and looked at Thranduil. "But I cannot continue to defend eight hundred miles of borders and roads when some are so heavily contested. I must concur with Engwe that the best choice is to move the villages and use the mountains as a barrier. The Southern Patrol can manage that and we will be able to fortify the Western Patrol without sacrificing safety on the other borders."

Dolgailon stared at his father with his mouth open. "With respect, commander, you cannot be serious! If the Southern Patrol pulls back to the mountains, the orcs will walk into the forest in the southwest unchecked until they have great enough numbers to overwhelm the best defense we might mount to the east and west of the mountains."

"I am not saying we will abandon our forays into the south to cull their numbers," Aradunnon responded evenly. "Indeed, we can have more hunting parties if we have less territory to close off. I stand by my recommendation," he concluded.

Thranduil studied his brother a long moment. This was definitely not the way he had expected this discussion to play out. "Very well," he said. "Golwon, tell Nindir he may move immediately. Do you have people you feel confident can sway the other leaders to move?"

"I can speak to Pellion," Golwon said, thinking.

"My wife once lived in Leithor's village before we were married and they are still friends," Celonhael said. "Perhaps she and I could convince him."

"That is a good idea," Golwon agreed. "I will send my assistant to speak to Maethorness. Poor thing," he added under his breath. "I am not sure who we can send to speak to Selwon. I believe a letter from you, my lord, might be enough to persuade him. He is increasingly uncomfortable with the dangers that surround his village and he has mentioned to me that he no longer sees any benefit to living so far south."

"I will compose one and have it delivered then," Thranduil responded. "This is settled," he said, standing. His council stood as well. "Thank you. This was a difficult decision, but I am confident we have made the best one for the safety of this realm. I will see you at dinner. Aradunnon, please stay. I would like a word with you."

His councilors bowed and drifted from the table, speaking quietly. All but Dolgailon. He strode quickly from the Hall.

Thranduil watched him. Then, when they were alone, he turned to his brother. "I would have expected you to be the one stalking from the room after this conversation," he said, sitting and gesturing for Aradunnon to do the same.

Aradunnon dropped into the chair next to Thranduil. "I would have stormed out if you had not ordered me to stay," Aradunnon joked tiredly. "I do not like this decision anymore than Dolgailon does." He looked down. "But I can no longer deny it is the one I must make. I fear that I have denied it too long."

"Thankfully, we have suffered no major loss of life to justify that fear," Thranduil said. He reached over and placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. "I understand how difficult this decision was for you. This is the first time the choice to pull back was yours. I know that pain, muindor nin. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your support. I was questioning this decision until you spoke."

Aradunnon nodded. "I know. I could tell. You feared you were reacting to the mistake Arvedui made. You are not overreacting. This is necessary. Dolgailon would understand that if he had seen that colony of spiders a hundred paces from the Path. The warriors are stretched too thin. It is time to address that. I hate having to move villages, but we must."

"I only hope they will move," Thranduil said, leaning against the back of his chair.

"I believe I can help you with that also," Aradunnon said. "As you pointed out last night, the largest village in the south is my own. It does not have to move for the repositioning of the Southern Patrol to work, but it would be best if it did. I will go there myself and tell them the village must move further north. The people there will do as I bid and it will set an example to the other village leaders that we are asking to move."

"Sometimes you amaze me, little brother," Thranduil said with a grateful smile.

Aradunnon laughed and shook his head. "I hate this, Thranduil. Nothing would make me happier than to have Elrond send Imladris's army to drive Sauron and the orcs out of this forest. But since that is not possible, I will stand with you to protect our people. I do not want to see the people in my village overrun as Fornost was."

"Neither do I," Thranduil agreed. "Now I have one last item I want to discuss with you regarding who will carry my letter to Selwon."

*~*~*

Galithil strode along the path to Maidhien's cottage, happy to be in the forest. The trees sang a joyful song in the warm sun and Galithil felt it echo in his heart. He had done the barest minimum amount of work on the lessons Rodonon had left them and then fled, leaving his cousins behind in the library, still working. If they wanted to wear themselves out writing essays, he was not going to follow that example.

He grinned when he walked into Maidhien's yard. She was sitting on a stool with a mound sewing next to her. Her brother and cousin were a few feet away cleaning skins.

"Is that your punishment?" he asked, plopping down next to her.

She glared at him and he laughed, knowing how much she hated sewing.

"What is yours?" Anastor asked, purposefully slopping some of the fat he scraped off the skin in Galithil's direction.

Galithil picked it up and threw it back at him. "We are not allowed to carry our bows for two weeks," he said.

Anastor made a face. "I would much rather clean skins for an afternoon than lose my bow for two weeks," he said.

Noruil nodded vigorously.

Galithil only smiled at them. "It will be difficult," he conceded. "But I can live with it, especially since Adar made another promise. He has to go to the borders to speak with some of his captains, but when he returns, he is going to take my cousins and I hunting. He says we can stay out until we all have taken down a deer--no matter how long that takes," he said airily.

Anastor almost dropped the skinning knife he was holding. "You are lying," he exclaimed.

Galithil only shook his head. "Ask my adar if you do not believe me," he replied.

Anastor put his hands on his hips. "You told your adar you were only gathering herbs. If he knew about the deer, he would not be so anxious to take you hunting. Maybe Noruil and I will tell him."

Galithil did not doubt for a moment that they would. They had also not taken down a deer and he knew they would do anything to get one before he did. But their threat held no power since Berior had already confessed about the deer. "No, our parents know about the deer. We told them. That is why Adar is taking us hunting. He said he understood how important it is to us." It was all Galithil could do not to laugh out loud, Anastor looked so jealous.

Maidhien nudged him. He looked at her and caught a wicked gleam in her eye. "Tell them about the spiders, Galithil. They do not believe me."

Galithil did laugh now. "What? You mean about the two spiders my cousins and I killed? What about them?" he said.

"You are lying!" Anastor repeated even more forcefully.

"No I am not. You can ask any of the adults that came after us. Ask your own parents. They all saw them. Legolas, Berior, Brethil and I killed the two spiders you ran from. And then we went and got your sister away from the Men."

"The Men were friendly," Noruil retorted.

"True, but it still took and arrow or two to make them that way and to convince them to let go of Maidhien," Galithil said. "I imagine it was our braveness in battle that our adars want to reward with this hunt," he added, pleased with himself at Anastor and Noruil's obvious fury. Maidhien was openly laughing at them.

"It was no battle. Those two spiders were probably old and dropped out of the trees dead on their own before you even shot at them," Anastor began to argue. Then he spotted his father and uncle coming down the path from the stronghold. They had their heads together and were talking animatedly. So much so, that they did not even notice Galithil in the yard. "Adar, is it true that Galithil and his cousins killed two spiders?" Anastor asked as his father passed him.

"What?" Dannenion asked, looking away from Dolwon to focus on his son. "Yes, it seemed so. Their arrows were in the spiders when we found them, at any rate."

"Told you," Galithil chimed.

Dannenion turned on him and scowled. "You! Get out of my yard. I never want to see you with your arm around my daughter ever again. Do you hear me?" he asked.

Galithil blinked and looked at Maidhien. Then they both looked down at the several feet of grass that separated them. He did not have his arm around Maidhien. He was not touching her.  He shrugged, but he did not move. He had learned long ago Maidhien's parents yelled a lot, but their words were rarely backed up with actions.

Dannenion had already forgotten him and was again speaking to Anastor. "Your uncle and I are going south for several weeks," he began in a firm voice. Galithil recognized it as the forerunner of the 'behave' speech. He had heard that speech often enough from his own father.

"Why?" Anastor asked.

"On a mission for Thranduil," Dannenion answered.

"Not possible," Galithil interjected before he thought.

Dannenion turned around to glare at him. "I told you to be gone," he snapped. Then he faced Anastor again. "We are taking a message in his name to one of the village leaders and we will be helping that village move further north. Thranduil is making a number of villages move, even Aradunnon's."

Galithil's gaze snapped to Dannenion.

"You must behave yourselves and help your naneths while we are gone," he was concluding.

"Can we come with you? We want to help too." Anastor begged.

"And see the southern part of the forest that you are always talking about," Noruil added.

"No," Dannenion said flatly. "You are staying here and helping your naneth and that is the end of it," he said.

Anastor and Noruil continued to plead with their fathers, with little hope of convincing them. As he listened, Galithil wondered if what Dannenion said was true, and, if it was, if he could persuade his father to let him help. He was sure there was something he could do and he really wanted to go.

*~*~*

"Adar?" Galithil said, knocking lightly on his father's open office door.

Aradunnon was sitting at his desk, reading through reports. He gestured for Galithil to sit down without looking up from his reading.

"I was not sure if you would be sending orders tonight," Galithil said as he entered the office and seated himself across from his father. "I heard you were going south. To your village."

Aradunnon let the report in his hand fall to his desk and he looked up at the ceiling. "Gossip is flying particularly fast today. I wonder why," he muttered.

"Is it true? Is Uncle making you move the village?" Galithil asked.

"My suspicions are confirmed," Aradunnon said to himself before facing Galithil. "No, that is not true. The King is not making me move the village. I suggested to him that I would move it for the safety of the people that live there."

Galithil shrugged. "But you are going south?"

Aradnunnon frowned slightly and leaned forward, fixing Galithil with a serious expression. "Do not shrug as if the difference between your uncle 'making' me do something and me doing it voluntarily is nothing, ion nin. I do not want your association with Dannenion and Dolwon to color your perception of the way Thranduil manages this kingdom." Galithil said nothing. He only looked at his father with as patient an expression as he could muster. Aradunnon sighed. "Yes, Galithil. I will be going south for several weeks. Possibly as long as a month. But I have not forgotten the promised hunt. It will happen. Never fear."

Galithil nodded. "I know adar. You always keep your promises," he said matter-of-factly. Then he leaned his elbows on the desk and looked at his father eagerly. "Can I come with you to the village? I want to help and I want to see the village again."

Aradunnon shook his head. "Galithil, I am moving the village because I feel it is too dangerous where it is. Do you honestly think I am going to take you to it under those conditions?"

"Then what if I go to where ever the village is moving and help there? It must be safer there, if that is where you are moving them," Galithil suggested quickly. He knew what his father's response to this request was going to be, so he had planned another line of attack in advance.

Aradunnon smiled. "That is well argued, I admit, but the answer is still no. I am sorry, but the south is very dangerous right now, as you must surely recognize after fighting spiders only a few paces south of the Path. This is simply not the time. You can help most by remaining here, staying safe and helping Engwe while I am gone. He will need someone to copy orders for him just as I do."

Galithil made a disgusted face at that prospect. He enjoyed copying his father's orders every night because he liked spending time with him. He relished the opportunity it gave him to ask his father questions or just talk as they worked. Engwe was not someone who invited conversation or someone with whom Galithil wanted to spend time.

"I am counting on you to make sure he does not send any insane orders in my absence," Aradunnon said with a conspiratorial look in response to Galithil's expression. "You can tell Hallion about anything he does that is too mad."

Galithil laughed at that and shook his head. "Uncle Hallion is not going to listen to my appraisal of Engwe's orders. We both know that." He paused and adopted a pleading expression. "Please adar. I really want to help you move the village."

Aradunnon raised his eyebrows and leaned back in his chair. "Why?" he asked mildly.

Galithil frowned. "Why?"

Aradunnon gave a quick nod. "Yes, why? Why are you so interested in helping move the village?"

Galithil looked down and he thought about that a moment. Then he shrugged. "I do not know. Because it is important to keep the villagers safe, you said. And because there will certainly be a lot of work. Your village is very big, and so the more hands the better." He looked around, trying to think of more reasons.

"And because you want to go south," Aradunnon prompted.

Galithil nodded. "That is true. I have not been south since I was very young and I want to see how it has changed. And it would be fun to go help you do something important."

"An adventure," Aradunnon suggested.

"Yes, it would definitely be exciting to ride all day and camp in the forest and then arrive at the village the next day. I remember that was fun when we traveled there before. And now I would be old enough to help watch for enemies while we rode. And it has to be interesting to pack up and move an entire village. How do you even do it? I would really like to see that."

"And if you helped, you could boast to Anastor and Noruil about your adventure," Aradunnon said.

The excited expression faded from Galithil's face and looked up at his father, scowling.

"Can you honestly tell me that I am incorrect?"

"Very well, I cannot go," Galithil said picking up one of the papers on his father's desk. "Do you have anything for me to copy tonight?"

Aradunnon took the paper from his son's hand and tossed it back on the desk. "Galithil, I am not saying that it is necessarily wrong for you to enjoy boasting to Anastor and Noruil. Boasting is unbecoming, but it is also a natural activity for boys your age. Anastor and Noruil are unpleasant children, given everything I have seen of them. Of course you would enjoy boasting to them. I am simply asking you to be honest with yourself about your motivations."

Galithil slumped against the back of his chair. "What difference does it make as long as the end result is good? If I help move the village, I am doing something useful. Something important. So what does it matter if I also want to do it because I want to have an adventure or boast to Anastor. Or because I like helping you do your work," he said, looking up at his father sidelong.

Aradunnon came around from behind his desk and pulled a chair next to Galithil. "I thoroughly enjoy sharing the parts of my work with you that I am able to share," he said, leaning down with his elbows resting on his knee to look at Galithil eye-to-eye. "But even so, it does matter what all your motivations are for doing something, even if the end is good. First of all, just because some of your motivations are noble--like helping move the village to keep the villagers safe--good intentions will not keep you safe if some of your motivations, like wanting an adventure, make you forget the danger you would be placing yourself in. Did you not just learn that you could be killed by spiders while collecting medicinal herbs too far along the Path."

Galithil nodded without looking at his father.

"Second of all, you are the King's nephew, and because of your relation to the King, whether you like it or not, you will be expected to do what serves this realm, not what serves your own interests. Therefore, you must learn to be aware of and question your motivations. And you must start learning that sometimes you must put the needs of this realm ahead of your own needs."

"But by helping to move the village, I am helping the realm."

"Only if you are not killed or injured doing it. And the southern realm is currently very dangerous."

"My cousins and I managed the spiders alone. I would be safe with you."

Aradunnon pulled his son into an embrace. "I appreciate the confidence, ion nin, and I would like to have you with me. But as much as I would like to take you with me, I would not be serving this realm or my family if I allowed harm to come to you because I selfishly took you with me into situations that you were not ready for. In the same way, you would not be serving this realm if you put yourself or others in danger to satisfy your own desires to see our village again, or have an adventure, or whatever else might motivate you to go south." He pulled away and held Galithil by his shoulders at arms length. "Please respect my decision on this and I promise I will find more ways that you can help me serve this realm that do not put you in danger if you truly wish."

Galithil sighed and nodded his head silently.

Aradunnon studied him for a long moment. "I think I will write my orders to the border patrols in the morning. It is too late to send them tonight even if I completed them. Tonight I would prefer to spend some time on the Green. Would you like to accompany me?"

Despite his disappointment over not being allowed to go south, Galithil looked up at his father with a grin tugging at his lips. "Are you going to join in the games?"

"I might be convinced to do so," Aradunnon replied with the mischievous expression that always made Galithil laugh.

*~*~*

Adar/ada - Father/ dad

Naneth/nana - Mother/mum

Ion nin - My son

Muindor nin - My brother

AN: Sorry about the delay in this chapter. I was taking the comprehensive exams for the degree I am doing in school. Also, in case you did not know, the story Barad tells about the Battle of Fornost and the destruction of the Kingdom of Arthedain is all canon. You can read the basics of it in the appendices of Return of the King.