Revawen - Story Day

Well, I'm finally going to do it and post some fanfiction. Y'all seemed decently interested when I took my last survey, so I figured it was worth a shot.

As some backstory, this isn't meant to be super accurate to the Lord of the Rings books or movies. I draw from the books for some worldbuilding and the movies for some character building, but I mostly drew on my imagination, which is why it isn't totally accurate. Don't hate me. XD

The Prompt

This story came out of my tired brain at the end of a long sprinting session with some friends. I had run out of creative ideas, so I decided to plagiarize Tolkien and write a fanfiction about why Thranduil is so protective over Legolas in the Hobbit movies. Ergo, it has no prompt other than exhausted creative juice. XD

The Story

The Elves of Mirkwood were known for their sharp blades and lesser wisdom when compared to the more solemn Elves of Rivendell and Lothlorien. Not everyone understood the reason for their “hastiness”, though some more haughty Elves claimed it was because almost the entire population consisted of Silvan Elves - lesser folk than the Sindarin or few Noldor of Middle-earth. Yet they were ruled by a Sindarin king, Thranduil, proud and suspicious of many. His realm was a prosperous one, full of singing and bright streams that defied the darkness of the wood beyond. Were it not for Thranduil and his folk, Mirkwood would have long ago fallen prey to the evil forces that dwelt in the fortress to the north: Dol-Goldur, a shelter of wickedness.

Thranduil’s Sindarin wife, Larawen, had died in a battle nigh on three hundred years prior to the making of this tale, leaving him one son and one daughter. The son, Legolas, grew tall and strong, loving his homeland and aiding his father in keeping the woodland realm clear of the vile beasts that streamed from Dol-Goldur like a poisoned river. The daughter, however, loved to wander abroad with strange folk, hooded and cloaked, seeking adventure and knowledge in the wide world around her. Her given name was Londiel, but her folk called her Revawen - Maiden who Wanders.

Revawen often came home at the changing of the colors, in order to celebrate the Autumn Feast with her kinsfolk and relate her doings to her father and brother. Her fair face would light with an inner fire as she described her adventures, spinning a wondrous tale of exotic places with towering mountains and shining cities, of folk with queer habits and queerer dress, of languages long-lost that were still spoken in some far-off land.

Her father disapproved of her venturings, but chose not to stay her ever-moving feet, fearing that if he kept her confined, she would grow to hate his protection. Little did she know that he often sent Elves he trusted along with her on her journeys, swift and silent, staying out of sight but always ready to leap forward and protect their king’s daughter should the danger warrant.

It never did. Revawen was over a millennia old and knew how to handle her two short-swords well. She was skilled in the areas of scavenging and building fires, of finding shelter and food. Her eyes always feasted on the new places she visited, yearning for more.

So it was that eventually Revawen’s peregrinating feet carried her so far away, her father did not hear news of her death until many months had conspired. Struck with a grief so heavy it became a fury, he sent hundreds of his soldiers to that distant land where she had been slain by cruel Men, ordering them to slay all they came across until they found the one man whose name had been brought back to Thranduil as the slaughterer of his beloved.

Yet even when the vengeance had been taken in full, Thranduil’s heart still ached. His love of gold faltered, for it never failed to remind him of his daughter’s sunny locks and her bright smile, replaced by a love of gems which seemed to be made of pure starlight. And he kept his son at home, not daring to let him venture too far abroad.

Until the Dwarves came.

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If you don't know the story of the Hobbit, especially from the movies, you probably have no clue what I just wrote. Sorry 'bout that. XD

However, if you are aware of the worldbuilding and characters in here, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Should I do more fanfiction? Why do you think Thranduil became so protective? Was it Legolas' mother's death that stoked that, or was he just a naturally protective person? How cringey was my take? :P

Until next time,

Take courage, pursue Christ, and smile while you still have teeth!! ^_^

-Joelle