There was no longer time to stall. Soon, traffic would increase around Lake Town, whose people were struggling enough already, and would surely increase even more around the mountain.
It didn't take long to pack. The supplies that Thranduil had brought had been distributed among the few survivors.
Only a few elven tents still remained standing. In one of them, Tauriel sat, eyes blank.
"You have not packed."
"You banished me." Her voice was sad and low.
"Do you think to stay here?" Thranduil sighed. Everyone had mistakes to fix, even him. "What more can the mountain offer you now?"
