Happy New's Year Even everyone!
I hope all of you had a great Christmas. So something very sad happend last Sunday, as I have mentioned I take care of animals for people along with my other job. One of the dogs I have been taking care of since 2009 died of old age while I was at work. I shall miss her!
She was almost fifteen years old!
Anyway enjoy the chapter!
King Thranduil paced back and forth in his throne room uneasy. When had woken this morning he felt the forest wield a great sadness, which could mean many things.
"Father" Thranduil turned around and was greeted by his son carrying a woman covered in blood. He recognized her as Lenora Black the daughter to his good friend Tobias.
"What has happened? Why is she covered in her own blood?" Thranduil demanded gently at his only child as he walked closer to examine Lenora's injuries.
"Tobias Black is dead as is the rest of his pack it appears only Lenora has survived" Legolas answered. Thranduil looked up to his son in alarm. Tobias Black was a fierce warrior of his people as was his daughter. His pack must have been outnumbered by something larger.
"Take her to the healers" Thranduil simply ordered his son who nodded. The prince of Mirkwood turned around and took the unconscious she-wolf towards the infirmary, while Thranduil ordered some of his other elves to prepare a room for their guest. He then went back to his throne and sat on it placing a hand to his face, it was rare for the King of Mirkwood to cry. The last time he did such a thing was when his wife died. Tears flowed down his face as he grieved the loss of his friend.
Later
The last thing Lenora had remembered was fleeing for her life. As she expected some orcs trailed after her, most likely angry she injured Azog. The orc would have those scars on his face until the day he died. She was on the border of Thranduil's domain and Bolg, Azog's son had finally cornered her. She was still bleeding profusely from her fight with Azog.
You will pay for the scars my father now wears she-wolf Bolg had snarled at her. Several Orcs surrounded her.
You and your sire will pay for killing my people foul offspring of Azog! Lenora had hissed back in elf.
Kill her! Bolg snapped at his fellow comrades. Lenora snarled not liked being cornered like a lone wolf banished from its pack. What happened next surprised both her and the orcs. She felt something hot suddenly spark to life into the palm of her hand and she looked down to see a small ball of flame looking back at her.
What magic is this?! Bolg demanded. Lenora had no idea what was happening but she closed her eyes and imagined more fire surrounding her. Some of the orcs screeched and Lenora opened her eyes to see several flames engulfing all of Bolg's comrades. They shrieked in agony as the flames burned into their flesh and eventually all of them fell to the ground burned to death. The orb of fire still hovered in Lenora's hand. She looked up at Bolg and she then smirked. She threw the fireball out at the orc and it caught flame onto his leg. Bolg knew he was outnumbered since his companions were dead.
We shall meet again she-wolf Bolg snapped at her before he put the flames out and turned around running. Lenora used that chance to finally enter Thranduil's forest and she walked until her body finally gave out. When she finally woke up, she didn't recognize her surroundings. The scent of elves filled her nose and she guessed she had been brought to Mirkwood.
"How are you feeling child?" came a familiar voice. Lenora looked at the front of the bed and there stood Thranduil himself. He was dressed in a beautiful silver outfit with his wood like crown behind him.
"I do not know" Lenora answered honestly. She looked down and took notice she wore a bandage like wrap strapless top around her torso. Her dress must have been thrown away due to it being soaked in so much blood. She wore dark brown elfin pants and her feet were barefoot. The she-wolf tried to stand up but she growled still feeling the pain from her wounds. Thranduil quickly hurried over to her side and placed both of his hands onto her shoulders pushing her back so she could sit back down on the bed.
"Most of your wounds are healed however some are still in the process of healing, you were almost dead when Legolas found you"
"I thank you" Lenora said. "I am sure you know by now my pack is dead as is my father"
Tranquil bowed and his head and stated.
"Indeed I do however" the elf king looked back up to the she-wolf. "Who would kill your father and your pack?"
"Azog" Lenora spat hatefully. Her blue eyes seemed to flicker to their golden orbs at the mention of the orc. "That bastard always hated sharing his domain with my pack I guess he finally had enough and decided a killing spree would suffice"
Lenora's body was shaking horribly in both grief and anger.
"My sword is gone for some reason Jura disappeared before I fought Azog"
Thranduil's eyes widened. He knew Tobias's wife when she was alive and what she was. Before her death, one of her fangs had been taken from her. The fang had been forged into Jura by his people.
"I am sorry" Lenora apologized. "Things have happened too fast for me to acknowledge them" Tobias's daughter bowed her head. Thranduil could only comfort her in the way he knew, he bent down to the she-wolf's level and took her hands into his.
"Until you are well you may stay here" Lenora looked up and into his fierce blue eyes.
"I thank you my friend"
Lenora's injuries ended up taking a month to heal. In that time she spent time amongst Thranduil's people. The she-wolf mostly spent her time either reading or watching Legolas spar with his fellow elfin kin. The last time Lenora had seen Thranduil's son was five years ago, she had to admit the young elf was handsome. One day Lenora watched Legolas eying a red haired female elf. The female elf was Tauriel, Captain of the Thranduil's guard.
"You fancy her young one" Lenora teased the blonde prince sneaking up behind him. Legolas nearly jumped out of his skin at her voice.
"You frightened me milady I forget you skin changers can be silent when it comes to walking" Lenora only smirked. Today she wore a black dress that went to her feet, the dress was had straps on the shoulders, it was cut low in the middle showing her matching black pants and brown boots. Her hair was loose. Legolas was wearing his usual goofy armor.
"I did not mean to scare you" Lenora stated to Legolas. "But do not deny you are attracted to Tauriel I see it in your eyes elfling"
Legolas's face turned red confirming her statement.
"I don't know what you're talking about" he denied. Lenora only chuckled before she heard Thranduil clear his throat. Both Legolas and Lenora turned to the elf king. He was dressed in dark red robes.
"Lenora may I speak with you?" he asked. Thranduil offered his hand out to the she-wolf.
"Of course my friend" she accepted his hand and she bid farewell to Legolas, whose face was still flushed.
"There is someone who can help you locate your mother's blade" Thranduil admitted a few minutes into their walk. Immediately Lenora turned to Thranduil her blue eyes widening.
"Who?" Thranduil released her hand and turned to her.
"Have you heard of Gandalf the Grey?"
"Indeed I have"
Lenora had heard many tales of the wizard but never met him.
"Where can I find him?"
"At the moment he is in the town of Bree a city outside of The Shire"
"From here that will take at least five days on horseback alone"
"Which is why I suggest you leave tomorrow if you feel like you must your wounds are all healed"
Thranduil was right, but he was wrong about one wound. With her fight with Azog, Lenora got scratched by his sharp nails and a vertical scar now lay underneath her left eye. The scar was a reminder that she fought to protect her father against the orc. Lenora was silent for a second thinking. She wanted to reunite with her blade badly and she felt it was her time to move on from Mirkwood.
"Very well" she finally said to Thranduil.
"I will give you a horse to take with you until you tire of her, she will find her way back to my domain" Thranduil explained.
So after a well rested sleep, Lenora bid her farewells to Thranduil and to the rest of the elves of Mirkwood. She was given a chestnut mare with a black mane and tail. She still wore the same clothes from the night before. Her other sword rested in its scabbard around her waist, while her bow and arrows were packed away along with other supplies. On her way out of the forest she passed several large spiders. Lenora had seen these deadly arachnids that spoke the black language many in her thirty years of life.
The spiders knew what she was and they dared not approach her, if she wanted to she could easily kill one of them and eat it. The next five days passed without incident and by the time she entered the town of Bree, her rear was sore from riding her mare. It was raining when she finally came upon the city. She quickly stopped by the nearby stable and paid the humans caring for the horses their fee, before heading towards an inn. Once in her room, Lenora stripped out of her rain soaked clothes and had a hot bath.
She didn't care if she was nude when she came upon her bed; she was tired and needed rest. Her stomach woke her up in the morning and Lenora mentally scolded herself for not eating. The innkeepers recommended a nearby tavern that had good food and headed there. The tavern wasn't that crowded since it was late morning. Lenora took a table by the fire and ordered a cup of warm tea. She needed the stimulant to wake up; she planned on finding Gandalf today. As the waitress brought her the tea, an elderly man took a seat in front of her. Lenora frowned at the human in front of her; he seemed to be in his late seventies. He had long grey hair and long matching beard. He held a unique staff perhaps used as a walking stick. He wore light grey robes thus probably earning his name.
"You were looking for me" the man greeted.
"You're Gandalf?" Lenora asked still skeptical.
"Indeed I am it is an honor to meet the child of Tobias and Katla Black" the wizard replied.
"You knew my mother?" Lenora demanded surprised her voice rose. She blushed as several people looked to her. "My apologies but my mother isn't spoken of often" the she-wolf admitted. Today Lenora wore the same kind of dress design only it was sapphire blue, underneath she wore dark grey pants and black boots, and her hair was in a braid. Gandalf simply smiled and waved her apology off with a hand.
"I did know your mother she was a beautiful woman it is a shame you never got to know her you have her eyes" Gandalf complimented the she-wolf. Lenora felt her face turn red even more. It would seem this man was no threat. The waitress came back and took Lenora's order and when she left Gandalf continued.
"I know why you have sought me out young daughter of the earth, you seek your sword"
"You are correct Jura is most precious to me and I want to find it Lord Thranduil says you could locate it can you?" Lenora inquired as the waitress brought back her food. Her breakfast consisted of cooked salmon and a biscuit she wasn't that hungry but needed some food to eat. "Can you help me?"
"I can but doing the proper locating spell I need something else that of your mother's or once belonged to her" Gandalf explained and Lenora nodded.
"Where would be a good location to perform this ritual?" Lenora asked waving the waitress over so she could pay for her tab.
"I take it your staying at the nearby inn?" Gandalf asked as the waitress came over. Before Lenora could give the waitress the proper amount of gold, Gandalf shook his head.
"I will take care of it my dear you still need the gold you have" Lenora was touched by his generosity and she replied. "Thank you my lord Gandalf"
Gandalf chuckled and said back to her kindly.
"Just call me Gandalf my dear" at those words Lenora trusted the wizard. Then she and Gandalf stood up and walked back to her room. His suggestion of performing the locator spell in her room was a wise choice; she didn't want to be pursued by the orcs. Lenora rummaged through her bag and pulled out a dagger with the same design as Jura's on the blade's handle, according to her father this dagger had been her mother's before Jura had been forged. Lenora took out the dagger from its sheath and handed it over to Gandalf.
The blade itself was a different color; it was gold and had outlines of flames on it. Gandalf took the blade from Lenora and placed it on the floor in front of him. The top of his staff began to flicker as he began chanting to what appeared to be elf. Lenora didn't recognize this elf language it most likely was that of another clan's. Gandalf then used his staff and tapped it several times around the dagger in a circular manner before the light on the top of his staff became brighter. Lenora's eyes widened as the floor beneath her became a map of Middle Earth in the staff's light. She had seen many maps of her world at her home, her eyes widened when a small orb of flame hovered near the mountain range outside of the city called Laketown.
"I was afraid of this" Gandalf muttered as Lenora bent down to get a closer look. "That orb of fire represents Jura and it's inside the Lonely Mountain my dear"
"The Lonely Mountain?!" Lenora exclaimed horrified. She knew where this was going. Her father had told her of how the Lonely Mountain was also the home of Erebor that used to be a dwarf kingdom residing the outskirts of Dale. Dale had been burned down and destroyed by none other than the dragon Smaug. He was a fire drake from the north and he scared the people out of Erebor as well as killing many. The dragon took possession of all of the treasure that was once owned by the dwarf king Thror, the dwarf was well known for his greed of gold.
"So you tell me I must go into that creature's home to retrieve my beloved blade?" Lenora demanded gently as the map of Middle Earth disappeared. Gandalf held onto his staff slightly tired for using his magic.
"I am afraid so my dear" Lenora cursed and turned around. She closed her eyes and remembered the night her pack and father were murdered. She could still hear the screams from the women and children and the yelp of her father being stabbed in the heart by Azog. Several tears flowed down her face and she quickly wiped them away with her arm and she turned back to Gandalf.
"I do not care about the dragon that lives in that mountain if my sword is there I will retrieve what is mine"
Gandalf chuckled kindly and he walked over to her placing a hand onto her right shoulder.
"You have both your parents fire, they would be both proud of you child"
Lenora took the wizard's hands into hers.
"I thank you"
In the Lonely Mountain
Over the past month Smaug had moved the sword he had found to many places and every time the blade in its scabbard would somehow magically transport itself from one place to another. Tired of chasing the weapon, the fire drake of the north placed the sword onto a wall by its strap. The strap had been hidden and using his teeth he carried the sword and placed it so it hung carefully from two iron hooks. The sword hadn't moved since and Smaug was pleased. Still the dragon was curious about the blade; he sensed its magic and felt it was powerful calling to its owner. At the moment Smaug was sniffing the blade and a flash made him move backwards. He felt a slight burn on his snout and he growled.
Apparently the sword didn't like being touched by none other than its wielder. Smaug simply shook his great head before turning around and headed back to bed to sleep underneath his many amounts of gold. Unbeknownst to the dragon the sword's owner was on her way from the town of Bree towards his home ready to retrieve her precious blade.
More of how Lenora uses fire magic will be addressed later. She will most likely meet Smaug in the next chapter depending how I want to write the next it. If you guys are going out tonight please be careful!
Happy 2016 and please review!
