I sat on the rocks of the lakeshore as I watched Tilda, Sigrid, and Rieka play in the water not too far from me. The girls giggled as Rieka once again splashed them with water. Her fur had been cleaned already, thanks to the girls, and now they were just having some fun.
It was a happy sight, seeing the two girls play, after such death and destruction. It reminded me of when I was younger, before the destruction of my home, but that had been more than three millenniums ago.
I looked up at the sky to try and determine what time it was. The sun was well above the horizon by this time, but not yet noon. I suppose it was time to head back to the camp.
"Sigrid, Tilda, we best head back now," I called to the girls. They looked up at me, disappointment on their faces, but they did as they were told.
By now, my ankle felt much better, so I could walk on my own now, though with a bit of difficulty. Sigrid, Tilda, and Rieka joined me as I limped toward the camp. The limp was barely noticeable, but still there.
When we got back to camp, I was surprised to see Legolas and Tauriel speaking to Bard. The dwarves were nowhere in sight, so I assumed they went to join their kin at the Lonely Mountain.
"Girls, why don't you go gather supplies? I have a feeling you will be leaving soon," I said to Sigrid and Tilda, trying my best to have a cheery voice.
"Are you not coming with us?" Tilda asked sadly. I turned to look at her, surprised.
"Did you want me to come with you?" I was shocked, to say the least. In the past years, not many had wanted my presence.
"Of course! You said you didn't have a home, and neither do we. We can find a home together!" Tilda said excitedly. Sigrid placed her hand on her sisters shoulder, a small smile on her face because of her sister's enthusiasm.
"What she means to say is that we would love it if you would stay with us." Sigrid's voice had a slight hopeful hint to it.
I thought about her offer. It had been a very long time since I had found a set place to live. I've always traveled Middle Earth with only Rieka, and I loved it, but the prospect of having a place to stay excited me. It had been a long time since I had left Lothlórien, the closest thing I had to a home. Perhaps it was time to settle down.
I desperately wanted to say yes, but when I looked to where Bard, Legolas, and Tauriel were speaking, I hesitated.
"Your offer is tempting, but I can't make any decision quite yet," I finally said. Tilda looked disappointed, but Sigrid, ever the teenage girl, seemed to understand my hesitancy.
"Come on, Tilda, let's go help," Sigrid said, dragging off her little sister towards the other townsfolk.
Rieka looked up at me and cocked her head as if to ask a question. I sighed and kneeled down so our faces were at the same level.
"I don't think it's time to settle down yet, we still have work enough to do in our world. Maybe in some years, but I promise we will eventually." I scratched her behind her ears, her favorite spot.
Standing up, I walked over to where Bard and the elves were having their conversation. Alfrid was there too, but I hadn't seen him before because of the way he was hiding behind Bard. It seemed that the greasy little man was scared of Rieka and I. Good.
"Where will you go?" Legolas asked when I came up to stand beside Bard. I shared a look with Bard, reminding him of our conversation from earlier.
"There is only one place," Bard looked to the mountain and, more importantly, Dale.
"The Mountain? You are a genius, Sire. We can take refuge inside the Mountain. It might smell a bit of dragon, but the women could clean that up. It'll be safe and warm and dry, and full of stores, bedding and clothing, the odd bit of gold," Alfrid interrupted, annoying me and everyone else.
"I do not believe that would be wise, Alfrid Lickspittle," I spoke up before anymore idiocy escaped his mouth.
"What gold is in that Mountain is cursed. We will take only what was promised to us, only what we need to rebuild our lives." Bard gave the stack he was holding to Alfrid, who then shoves it into the hands of an older woman.
"Here, pull your weight," the man sneered. I glared at him, then took the wood from the old woman and gave it back to Alfrid.
"Why don't you pull your weight first?" I suggested, giving him a sickly sweet smile. The woman gave me a grateful smile, then scurried off before Alfrid tried the same trip again. The short man glared at me, then left to do what he was told.
"News of the death of Smaug will have spread through the lands," Legolas said solemnly. I nodded in agreement with him.
"Aye," Bard said with a sigh. He looked tired and unsure what to do.
"Others will now look to the Mountain for its wealth or its position," Legolas continued.
Glaring, I elbowed him in the ribs and muttered, "Not helping, princeling."
Bard narrowed his eyes at us, "What is it you know?"
"Nothing for certain. It's what I fear may come," Legolas looked out towards the forest. He was right, it was only a matter of time until the more unsavory creatures came to claim the gold of the mountain.
Bard sighed, his weariness and worry clearly evident with the sound. I put my hand on his shoulder, smiling kindly. "Do not worry. Focus on getting your people to safety, everything else will fall into place."
"Thank you, Lady Farren." Bard put his hand on mine, some of his worry melting away.
"There is no need for formalities, Bard. I've told you to call me Farren." I shook my head slightly and removed my hand. Bard only smiled at my reply and walked away.
When Bard left, Tauriel finally spoke up, "You saw something out there?" Her question was directed to Legolas, but I knew of what she spoke.
"The Orc I pursued out of Lake-town, I know who he is. Bolg, the spawn of Azog the Defiler. A Wargpack was waiting for him on the outskirts of Esgorath. They fled into the north. These Orcs were different from the others, they bore a mark I had not seen for a long time. The mark of Gundabad." Legolas spoke quietly so the townsfolk would not hear and panic.
At mention of Gundabad, my hand involuntary grabbed the handle of my sword. I had not heard that name for many years, and for a good reason.
"Gundabad?" Tauriel asked, too young to remember the name.
"An Orc stronghold in the far north of the Misty Mountains," I answered for her. A chill ran down my spine as I remembered all that had happened at the cursed fortress. Legolas remained silent; his mother had died there, and the memory still haunted him and his father.
The sudden sound of a racing horse interrupted any further conversation. We all looked up to see an elf riding at full speed towards us. I knew him to be Feren, an elven messenger for the king.
"My Lord Legolas. I bring word from your Father. You are to return to him immediately," Feren said as he stopped his horse in front of us.
Legolas looked at me, a silent question on his face. I shook my head no; I wouldn't be returning with him. There was still much I needed to do here.
"Come, Tauriel." Legolas went to follow Feren back to the Woodland Realm, but Feren made no move to leave.
"My Lord…Tauriel is banished," Feren spoke up. We all looked to him in surprise. Tauriel, banished? The king must have been furious to take such action.
"Banished?" Legolas asked cautiously, shocked just as much as the rest of us. I could already see the gears turning in the prince's head, trying to decide what to do.
Tauriel was just as shocked, and heartbroken. I put my arm around the young elf in comfort as tears threatened to fall. She had been kicked out of her home quite roughly, and I was willing to do what I could to help her.
Legolas seemed to have finally come up with a decision when he spoke again. "You may tell my father if there is no place for Tauriel, there is no place for me."
"Legolas, it is your King's command," Tauriel spoke up, wiping away her tears. She was a strong elf, I had a feeling she would do just fine.
Legolas turned back to Tauriel and spoke directly to her. "Yes, he is my King, but he does not command my heart."
I smiled, proud of the prince. He was finally thinking for his own, and it made me glad. But there was something else there I found hard to identify, some emotion I was unfamiliar with. I had perhaps felt it before, but never for another elf. It was strange and I wasn't entirely sure I liked it.
Feren looked over all of his, an annoyed look on his face. How I loved to cause trouble for the king's servants, and Feren was no different.
"You may leave now, Feren. And tell Thranduil I may not return for quite a while," I said cheerily. The elf shot me a glare, than rode his horse back to where he had come from.
"I ride north. Will you come with me?" I had thought Legolas had been talking to Tauriel, but it appeared to be both of us.
"To where?" Tauriel asked.
"To Gundabad," Legolas answered, facing the direction of the fortress.
"I still have much to do here, princeling." I gave the prince a sad smile, then stepped away from the two elves. "Perhaps we shall meet again, in times to come." Before I turned to leave them, I bowed to the prince, my sad smile turning to a smirk.
"Until we meet again," the prince confirmed, then he and Tauriel took their leave to find horses.
"Until we meet again," I muttered.
