Gwen woke up when someone was shaking her. "Wake up, there are orcs nearby." It was Fili, whispering as he helped her up from the ground. "Where are Kili and Thorin?" She asked terrified, her heart pounding terribly and wanted to pull out her own sword. But, it was still in Mirkwood. Yes, sure, the elves had taken that away from her and she never needed it since then.

"They are hunting them down but we don't know how many there are. Stay with me." He whispered and Gwen followed him away from the fireplace and up to the hill, where they should meet Thorin and Kili.

Then they heard a scream. It sounded like Kili's. They both stood there in shock and then Fili turned to Gwen, he handed her one of his many swords and said calmly. "Stay here, if anything happens, then you climb up the tree. I am going to get you and then we flee all together."

The young woman nodded and looked around as Fili disappeared into the direction where the scream was coming from.

Everything was calm and there was not even a noise from an animal but then, she heard something crack. Her head jerked into the direction, her eyes widened and her heart sunk to her feet.

There were two orcs standing with blades in her hands and a wicked grin on their faces. Gwen was a skilled fighter; she had killed orcs in the past. But she never dealt with two at the same time and not with a sword that wasn't her own.

Her breath was going fast and heavy, she was nearly falling down since the ground was so slippery and of course she was scared.

They chased her down to a stream. Gwen heard their laughter echoing through the forest. She couldn't pass that stream, she had to fight against these orcs, or die while trying it. Desperately she looked around; maybe there was a chance to escape.

Gwen licked her lips; slowly she turned around and tightened the grip around the hilt, gritting her teeth, ready to fight them.

But she never had to, as she turned around, getting in stance two arrows hit the heads of the orcs and they fell onto the ground. With wide eyes she looked where the arrows came from.

Thranduil…

He was here, surrounded by two elven-guards who shot the arrows. Gwen took a step forward; she had to touch him to make herself believe he was here. But three dwarves arrived, slipping down on the hill. Thorin grabbed her hand and glared at Thranduil while Kili was making sure these orcs were really dead.

"Thranduil. You aren't needed here." Thorin said in a cold, angry voice. The King of Mirkwood chuckled slightly and shook his head. "I wasn't even worried about you or your nephews. My only concern is Miss Gwendolyn. "

"Are you unharmed, melamin?" Thranduil asked her, extending one hand to her and walked closer. Gwen just wanted to run into his arms but Thorin kept her close to him, the grip around her hand tightened. Thorin answered for Gwen. "Yes, she is. Now, you can leave already so we all can go home." The dwarf turned around and pulled Gwen with him. His nephews were following him in silence. The blonde woman turned her head and looked at Thranduil sadly.

"My King, we can still fight them. It would be over quickly." One of the guards said, pulling out another arrow. But Thranduil shook his head and turned around. "No. I think she made her decision clear." He walked to his elk and patted his head. "Let's go home again." Thranduil whispered, trying to swallow his tears and suppressing the pain in his heart.