The way
Smoking a pipe and sitting next to a still hobbit on a cold battered step was how Shayla found Gandalf. She sat on the left, with the wizard in the middle and Bilbo on the other side. They sat in silence as Shayla looked down and upon the field were they had fought moment ago.
The blood-stained ground was hidden by the many lifeless bodies adorning it and the swords of fallen soldiers. In a way however the battle still ensued. Cries of pain and of victory were heard as people found their loved ones alive and healthy or dead and lifeless, until there was silence. The silence of submission: of defeat from the long ago scattered orcs and victory from the others. The silence of knowing that your best friend might be dead.
Most of the blood had dried and gone black now, there were so many bodies: orcs, elves, dwarfs and humans alike. The horrified expressions were now gone form there face's. They looked to be a sleep now. Shayla could have believed it if not for all of the blood. How can so much blood come from those bodies? The holes in their skin told of a messy end.
Through all the bodies Shayla somehow managed to spy a Mirkwood elf. It was the one that had fought beside her only hours ago. His corpse now lay with the others, upon the cruel ground. A single tear rolled down her cheek. This field had been scared today, by death and sorrow. Shayla looked at her feet no longer able to look at the bodies.
Shayla turned to Bilbo he was still looking forward; he opened his mouth to say something but closed it again.
"It's not fair Gandalf" Shayla said in the silence, both Gandalf and Bilbo looked at her.
"What's not fair?" Gandalf asked.
Shayla paused "Everything."
Gandalf considered this but didn't agree or disagree, "It always get worse before it can get better. You should know this by now child." He said in the same calm voice he always used.
Silence retuned. For a long time they sat there, content in each other's company. It was Gandalf who was the first to speak.
"Its high time you return home, master Bilbo. Lady Shayla will you join us in the journey to the shire?" he asked.
Shayla nodded, "Ai, I would like that."
"Well then" Gandalf said with a smile. "Let us say our goodbyes and we shall meet back here"
Shayla nodded as the two left to say their farewells to the dwarfs, there was no one Shayla really wanted to talk to she just wanted to leave, she didn't want to see her brother, but there was one person that she had to see.
She got up and walked back onto the stained grass. It didn't take long to find Fraya near to Rayson's body.
Shayla stopped a distance away, not sure what to do. When Fraya saw her she looked up, but the accusing gaze had left her eyes replace just by grief. She walked over silently and hugged Shayla, a hug that dragged out for a long time. When they did part neither knew what to say.
"I've been banished" Shayla said awkwardly and simply.
Shock registered in Fraya's face, "The king banished you?"
"More or less" she replied
Silence
"I never meant for any of this to happen, it was stupid, if I could go back-" Shayla was cut off by Fraya.
"I know, I'm sorry for blaming you it was wrong and-"
"you had all the right it is true it is my fault"
"No!" Fraya said firmly. "It happened and you were there and it sucked, for all of us, but it wasn't your fault, it was out of your control."
Shayla was now annoyed why was she defending her? After everything that she did.
"I should have done something"
"You did what you could" Fraya replied
"I could have done more" Shayla whispered.
"No shay you couldn't have, we're immortal not perfect. I know that you never would have wanted for Rayson to die, and you would do all you could, and he knew that to."
Silence
Shayla noticed a silver chain around Fraya's neck that hadn't been there before. Fraya noticed Shayla staring at the necklace and she pulled on the chain. A silver ring fell down the length of the chain. It had a purple gem on top of it with two silver rings enclosing it.
"We were going to get married, he was going to propose after the war." She smiled "He said that 'This whole war looks really shit, but you're the least shit thing I can see.' I don't think he meant it to come out like that"
"Romantic as ever" Shayla said.
They both laughed lightly. It was good, he would have wanted it to be like this.
"I'm going to travel with Gandalf to the shire, I might help the people of dale after that, I'm not altogether sure of what I'll do."
Fraya nodded solemnly.
"You can come with, I you want to." Shayla asked lightly.
Silence
After a while Fraya spoke "I love you Shay, you're like a sister to me. I would never blame you for what happened, But when I see you it reminds me of him, it's just one of those things that really suck in life. I just need a break, not from you but everyone, I need to find my way again."
Shayla understood, really she did, and this would be best as it would lessen the chance of Fraya fading. But it still hurt that she would have to continue her journey alone. "I wish you wouldn't have to grieve alone." Shayla said sorrowfully.
"And if it were up to you, you wouldn't let me." Fraya replied with a smirk.
"I should probably go" Shayla said thinking of Gandalf and Bilbo waiting for her.
They gripped shoulders and Fraya pulled it into a hug.
"You take care of yourself, you hear?" Shayla asked
"You're just worried what you would do without me." Fraya replied.
"An awful lot." Shayla smirked.
Shayla then turned and began to leave, after a few steps Fraya called out to her. "Shayla" Shayla turned around to face her friend, "You and me, were family you know? No matter what happens on your journey, if its war that it would come to, I will stand beside you. No matter what. I promise you that, and don't you let me forget it."
Shayla smiled. She knew that Fraya knew she wouldn't give up that soon in finding peace with Mirkwood that easily. She nodded her head in thanks and left her best friend, it would be a long time until they next met.
Shayla met Gandalf and Bilbo where they said they would be. In silence they smiled at each other and started their long journey towards the shire. Each lost in their own thoughts.