Kaylee Arafinwiel - Love and Loss on the Plain of Battle

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

 Author: Kaylee Arafinwiel
Title: Love and Loss on the Plain of Battle
Rating: PG for mild description of a dead character
Theme: hearts and flowers
Elements: lost love, violets, heart of gold
Beta: Cathleen
Author's Notes: General Rochendil is an OC from Emma's and my Thranduil stories.
Summary: On the Battle Plain, a General muses about his youngest warrior, and they both grieve for lost love.
Word Count:



The soldiers often said their Prince had a heart of gold, which matched his hair. He was kind and loving, though stubborn, and often mischievous. And, as the older officers were often wont to remark, he did not respect the chain of command easily. But he loved freely and easily; that much was sure. Oh, it was not romantic love, not in one so young. He was the greenest of Lieutenants now, marching off to war, one of the youngest in their unit.

The General heard these whispers, and laughed wryly to himself. He was glad to have his Prince, his young Lieutenant under his command, for they loved one another, as an uncle will love a favourite nephew and the young one will love and respect his older relative. It was a strong bond, a nearly paternal and filial one; a more faithful, truer love in the Prince's heart was only to be found between the Prince and his esteemed Adar, the King of Greenwood the Great.

For Oropher was the noblest of the Sindar, in the Prince's eyes; his truest love at such a tender age. His Adar, his hero, his beloved sire who everyone respected, as they should. Even the Men in their alliance bowed their heads respectfully when Oropher drew near.
But it was not to last. For in the most terrible battle of the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men; the Battle of Dagorlad, Aran Oropher rode forth in a desperate charge, meant to herald victory.

It only brought his death.

And as Thranduil wept over his father's bloodstained corpse, he lay a wreath of violets upon Oropher's breast, mingling the purple with red.

"I love you, Ada...until World's Ending and beyond." He turned his head away, and the General gathered him close.

"Oh, my boy...my dear boy." General Rochendil's eyes stung with tears as he held his protege close and they wept over his fallen friend and King.

The object of their love was lost. But their bond of love was not, and never would be.
The End