Now seems like a good time to apologize for my horrible grammar/missed words that happens throughout this story again. Oops. Also...I didn't plan on introducing them in this chapter but I couldn't help it. Time to meet the nymphs :D
Thranduil's elk was certainly familiar with Tauriel. He didn't glare at her for one thing. He allowed her to touch him.
Getting on him, lifting two other people atop him, and riding him were things the elk did not like however.
"If I had known he was going to be this much trouble," I noted as the elk walked on, stiff and fighting Tauriel's guidance, "I would have rather walked and arrived at the gates of Erebor in the dead of night."
"What's so important that you need to get to Erebor in a hurry?" Bilbo asked. The elk stuck it's hooves in the ground, causing Bilbo to bump into me and myself into Tauriel's back.
"Sorry." I muttered to Tauriel. "I need to be there before anyone else, and I need to get away fast so no one on a horse can come looking for me and stop me."
"And why would they stop you?" Tauriel asked.
"For one thing, they seem rather intent on going to war right now. My voice would be lost among their planning."
Tauriel nodded.
"And for another thing, they want to prove the other wrong." I added. "Which could be almost as bad as wanting to fight each other over money."
"Rue-" Bilbo was interrupted by another abrupt stall from the elk. "If you do not mind my asking…what is your plan exactly?"
"I received a little inspiration from Gandalf." I said. "He said to appeal to their better nature, and that is what I shall do."
"Are you sure that their better natures can be appealed to?" Tauriel asked me, tapping the elk gently on the side of it's neck.
"I realised that I have become good friends with a number of people. Dwarves, men, elves…"
"Elves? You just took Thranduil's elk without permission." Bilbo scolded me.
"The elk will be able to make it back by midnight." I said. "Another reason why we had to leave so quickly. And I suppose I don't have many elvish friends, but they certainly tolerate me, and we've never done anything to each other that really warrants harming one another."
"And what do you plan to do with this new knowledge?" Tauriel asked.
"I'm going to stand before all of them, and remind them that we were all once friends and allies. That we are above fighting each other. There are so many enemies out there, we do not need anymore."
The elk stopped again. I groaned. "Never mind the elk making it back by midnight. At this rate running there is quicker. We've made it more than halfway anyhow. I don't think anyone would come this far out on a horse to find us."
"Agreed." Bilbo nodded.
Tauriel stepped off and lifted Bilbo and I down.
"You win." I nodded at the elk.
The creature gave me one last, narrowed eyed glance, and then began to make a steady, but still magnificent walk back to the camp.
"We make for Erebor." I said, already walking toward the mountain, the sun nothing but a crescent on the horizon, the edge of the world bright red. "And we set ourselves on the front steps. Far enough away from the gate, but close enough so that when the Men and elves return they won't see us until they are closer to the top."
"We're not going back inside?" Bilbo asked.
"Given our exile, and the elf maid, going inside Erebor would not be a good decision." I said. I looked back at the hobbit. "We'll have to make due on the steps."
"So the three of us are going to argue against three powerful leaders and convince them not to fight?" Bilbo clarified.
"With any luck it might not end up being just the three of us." I smiled. "I sent word to the other nymphian colonies."
"You called forth an army?" Tauriel was surprised.
"I tried to." I nodded. "I sent a raven out with letters."
"Is there any hope of them reaching the colonies in time? And the soldiers coming in time?" Bilbo asked, sounding a little concerned.
"Maybe." I said. "Some colonies can't be too far away. It anything we might expect some help from the Southern tribe. My mother and father told me they were all brave, fierce warriors."
"They sound useful at a time like this." Tauriel said, quickening her step and making her way in front of me, checking the clearings.
"And the others?" Bilbo asked.
"The West is too far away to respond probably." I told him. "The North may though. My parents had interesting stories about them."
"Like what?"
"Mother used to say they had been gifted by Navestal."
"Are they?" Bilbo inquired.
"I don't know. I never met any. The only nymphs I met were those in my own colony, and one elderly man from the West that came traveling when I was a small child. He was from a temple, and he blessed the colony."
We carried on, and by the time we reached the foothills of Erebor it was dark outside. "Perhaps it's best we stay in the foothills tonight." Tauriel said. "They will not be able to see our fire from down here."
I nodded in agreement. "Good idea. We should rest. I have a feeling the army will be arriving shortly after daybreak."
Tauriel was very at home under the sky I noted. She grabbed her bow and headed off in search of game so we could have something of a supper. I gathered a pile of old branches and quickly started a decent fire. Bilbo was keeping watch, and collecting more firewood, when I wandered off a short distance.
What was I going to say to them tomorrow? I knew what I wanted to say to them, but I had to make sure it come out respectful enough not to anger them, and strong enough to convince them not to fight. And would they even listen? I shook my head. I could not think of one of the worse scenarios occurring right now. I would make them listen to me, whether I had an army at my back or not.
"Rue?" I was shaken out of my reverie.
"Yes Tauriel?" I looked up at the elf maid.
"You were mumbling to yourself." Tauriel said. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm only pondering over what I am going to say." I told her.
Tauriel nodded, understanding.
"You'll be there on the steps with me, won't you?" I asked, hoping I didn't sound as concerned as I was beginning to feel now. "I mean…you don't have to…you could join Legolas and Thranduil if that is what you want, but I'd much rather not be alone up there."
"I will stay with you." Tauriel nodded. "We cannot fight one another like this."
I let out a small sigh of relief. Tauriel held up a pheasant that she had shot down. "Brilliant." I smiled.
We walked back to our tiny camp, ate quickly, and then unrolled our beds to get a few hours of sleep. Tauriel took up the first watch, placing herself at the base of a tree and looking up into the stars every once in a while, then taking a surveying glance around us, and then glancing upward again.
I felt like I kept tossing and turning. I did sleep, but it was often interrupted by my mind buzzing itself awake and going over speeches, only letting me drift back to sleep when it had convinced itself everything was fine.
A few hours later I was woken by Tauriel. "My turn to keep watch?" I asked.
"Yes. I hope you slept well. You looked restless." Tauriel said, settling herself down by the small fire.
"Well enough." I replied, rising. "Did you enjoy the stars?"
Tauriel looked a little surprised. "I saw you a few times." I said. "They are quite pretty."
"Yes." Tauriel smiled her agreement. She had a very lovely smile. Kili would have loved to see it, I thought briefly.
I planted myself down at Tauriel's tree, and willed myself to attention. I couldn't let my mind wander away to diplomatic words right now. I watched the stars and moon as Tauriel had, and glanced over our area regularly. My watch had almost ended when the wind picked up.
Very quickly.
At first it was only a light breeze, that tugged softly at my hair. And then it became stronger, so that it tried to blow out the flames of our fire. Oddly it wasn't cold or anything.
And then it became very strong, howling in my ears. I glanced up to see dark clouds materializing and moving swiftly in the sky, covering the moon and stars. Thunder rumbled. By this time Bilbo and Tauriel had been awakened. "I think a storm's coming!" I shouted above the wind. "We should find better shelter!"
We grabbed our bags and weapons and ran out among the foothills, away from the tall trees and toward a few rock formations, hoping one would shield us enough. The wind and thunder increased again.
"This storm is coming on rather quickly!" Bilbo shouted over the thunder.
I looked up into the sky. For clouds compiled themselves together, swirling in an odd round formation. For a brief moment, the sky light up with lightning.
Lightning that had a distinct blue color.
I stood still, staring up at the clouds. What on earth had happened? That wasn't normal, for lightning to be so brilliantly blue. "Tauriel! Bilbo!" I yelled, notioning up to the sky. They both stopped for a moment and saw the strange lightning flash again.
"What on earth?" Bilbo said.
"It is unnatural." Tauriel said. "We should find shelter quickly."
No sooner had she said this the wind intensified above us. The clouds then began to spiral and descend. Tauriel grabbed Bilbo and I by the shoulder and ran us over the nearest covering. It was a sort of hollow in the ground by a tall piece of rock and was the closest thing to cave out here. "Get down!" She demanded.
I quickly sank down, curling myself up against the rock wall. The wind grew bolder yet.
"What's happening?!" I shouted to Tauriel. The elf maid stood briefly and glanced over to the approaching storm . She sank back into the hollow.
"The clouds are descending." She answered.
I dared to stand and peer out of our hollow. The clouds were spiraling and now avidly flashing blue and turquoise. And they were quickly forming a funnel down to the ground. I ducked back into the hollow.
"Grab hold of something!" I shouted. "It's going to touch down any moment now!" I latched onto a piece of stone stuck in the ground, fitting myself between the stone and the wall. Tauriel and Bilbo did the same.
The wind was intense, so harsh I could hardly see with so much air being blown in my face and my hair being tossed in every direction. I only felt like I was going to be blown away at any moment.
And then it stopped.
Everything stopped and cleared in an instant. For a second I thought my eardrums had been blown apart and I simply lost all hearing. But then I opened my eyes and saw the stillness around me. I looked up and saw the stars, the moon, a wonderfully clear night sky. "Tauriel, Bilbo…" I reached over and shook their shoulders. "It's over."
"Thank goodness…" Bilbo sighed.
"It can't be over so quickly…" Tauriel said.
"Everything is quiet now." I assured her. "Look." I pointed at the ground and sky. "It's fine, just as it was fifteen minutes ago."
"Something that strange can't simply be over." Tauriel said, rising a little and pulling out a blade.
"Ah…now that wasn't as bad as the first time." A voice said.
This startled us in our hollow. There had been no one around here before.
"I quite agree. Well done Ander."
"Thank you." A young man said. "It's good to know someone appreciates me."
"It wasn't that flawless." Someone snapped. "We almost dropped out of the sky."
"Well it's difficult to do with so many people."
"Don't listen to her Ander. I think you did wonderfully." A sweet voice said.
"Shush." Another voice spoke. "As long as this mountain is Erebor, all is well."
"Rue, could that be…?" Tauriel asked.
I nodded, peering out of the hollow again. "Navestal…" I breathed. "It's them."
There in front of me was a crowd of people. They were my height. They were soldiers. They were nymphs.
"How do we know if it is Erebor?" Another snappy reply came. "And where is this girl you spoke of?"
I stepped out of the hollow, and started to walk toward them.
"I tried to get us as close to her as possible." Ander's voice came again.
"Well, then how come we're not inside the mountain?"
"Because," I called, stopping before them. "I'm right out here."
They turned around and saw me. I was able to get a better look at them. There were fifteen or so in silver garments. And then dozens more. Some in clothes and armour I recognized in design from my colony, others in rough leathers, almost all of these people with dark hair and eyes.
Three people stepped forward. One was an older woman with silvery hair and dress, another a man of equal years, and the third a young woman with pitch black hair and surprisingly violet eyes, wearing stiff leggings and a leather vest.
"Are you the last nymph of the East?" The older woman asked. "Rue, the one who wrote us this?" She held up the parchment with my letter on it.
"Yes." I nodded. "I am." Tauriel and Bilbo ran up beside me. "Who are you?" I asked.
The older woman smiled down at me kindly. "I am Mistral, leader of the Northern colonies. I received your letter a number of hours ago and quickly assembled the other colonies."
"Thank you." I said. "It's a relief to hear my letter was delivered safely."
"I give you my warriors." Mistral nodded, motioning to a dozen men behind her. "Of course, you must forgive me for not being able to fight myself. I was never well versed in battles, and it has been some time since I was able to move as fluidly as a warrior ought to."
"That's fine." I smiled. I looked over to the other two.
"I am Lord Icaron." The man said, giving me a respectful nod. "Leader of the West. I would be honored to fight with you in the name of peace. My men and I are at your disposal."
"Thank you." I nodded, glancing up at the young woman.
"Varis." Was the short reply. "From the South."
"Thank you all for coming." I smiled. "I am Rue, as you know, and these are my friends, Bilbo and Tauriel."
The two of them nodded politely behind me.
"Ah, an elf." Mistral noted. "Hana." She called.
A delicate young woman with soft brown curls and bright blue eyes stepped forward from the crowd. She stood beside Mistral and glanced shyly up at us. She then said a phrase in flawless elvish. She looked over at me and smiled, giving a small curtsy.
"Oh, you don't need to curtsy." I said. "I'm no leader."
"With your mission at hand, you may be quickly becoming on." Mistral smiled.
"What is it that you would have us do?" Lord Icaron asked.
"Tonight we camp in the foothills. Then we rise early and make our way up the mountain. A safe distance from the gate."
"Then we are with you." Icaron nodded. "Excuse us while we set up camp."
"As are we." Mistral nodded. "Ander?" A young man, also with brown curly hair and blue eyes came forward. "You and your sister may go with the men and set up camp as well."
"Yes Grandmother." They both nodded.
Varis turned and walked away. "Are you setting up camp as well?" I asked.
"No." Came the blunt reply.
"What?" Bilbo asked.
"What are you doing then?" I inquired.
"I'm taking my warriors up the mountain." Varis replied. "We shall see you in the morning."
"Would it not be better to stay together?" I asked. "Truly you don't mean to sleep on the steps?"
"We've dealt with worse." Varis said.
"Varis-." Icaron started.
Mistral stopped him. "Ander will speak with her. He has been among the Southern tribe before. He knew Varis before she came to leadership. He will convince her."
Mistral and Icaron pardoned themselves. I turned back to Bilbo and Tauriel. "My goodness…" I breathed. "Can you believe it?"
"No. I've never seen anything like this before." Bilbo said. "Armies dropping out of the sky…"
"I'm just happy it won't be only us standing in their way now." I said. I smiled at them. "We are powerful I'm sure, but we wouldn't have looked very intimidating."
"Agreed." Tauriel said. "They seem to like you."
"Most of them." I nodded.
"That Varis looks like quite the character." Bilbo observed.
"She is fierce, but all of Southerners look like that." I replied, glancing over the broad-shoulder leather bound men. Many of them were rough-housing already.
"I wouldn't enjoy meeting her on the battlefield all the same." Bilbo shuddered.
"It looks like someone's coming to see you." Tauriel said.
I turned around and saw Hana approaching me. "Yes?" I asked her.
Hana made to curtsy but stopped. "Lady Mistral wishes to inform you that Varis has decided to stay with us in the foothills tonight."
"That's good news." I nodded. "We should set up camp again as well."
"You may join us." Hana said.
"Oh no, we wouldn't like to intrude on your warriors." I said.
"Oh, you wouldn't be." Hana assured us. "There's only twelve of them."
"Twelve?!" Tauriel, Bilbo and I all gasped at the same time.
"Yes." Hana nodded.
"But…it's a war…and…twelve, are you sure?" I stammered.
Hana nodded. "And Ander will probably fight too."
We all stared at her. "You must be joking." Tauriel said. "Thirteen warriors is not an army. It's not even a full hunting party."
"Oh, you speak the common tongue." Hana said, with a smile. "I suppose my translational services are not needed then. And an army of twelve or thirteen is fine in the North."
"This is not the North." Tauriel said, seriously, but with kindness. "Numbers will be as important as skill."
"We are skilled though. We're a very gifted tribe." Hana replied. "Come." She invited. "I'll show you."
We followed her, very curious now.
"Hana, you're making friends I see." Her brother, Ander, said as we entered their portion of camp. He held up a silver cloak. "Grandmother said not to let you catch cold." He came up and tied the cloak around her shoulders.
"I'll be fine." She said, giving a friendly smile. "They wish to see the gifts our soldiers have."
"Ah, do they now?" Ander glanced us over, grinning broadly. "Prepare to be amazed. They're remarkable. Shall you make the announcement Hana?"
"Oh I couldn't…" Hana said.
"Leave it to me." Ander nodded. "Everyone!" He said, loudly and enthusiastically, turning toward the Northern nymphs. "If we could have a demonstration of the brilliance of the Northern tribe?!"
Quite a few of the silver clothed men laughed at Ander. Mistral appeared to roll her eyes at her grandson's outgoingness, but grinned nonetheless.
And the strangest…and yet the most amazing thing happened that evening. The twelve men rolled up their sleeves, baring their forearms. They pulled daggers from their belts.
And then cut across their forearms.
My eyes widened at their wounds, Tauriel had a similar reaction. Bilbo paled at the sight of blood.
And then their arms healed. The blood stopped and was absorbed by their skin. The wounds shrunk into thin white scars and these too faded. After only a moment, their forearms were perfectly fine.
"Unbelievable." I gasped.
"Something tells me you'll have no problem being heard tomorrow." Bilbo said.
I glanced around the camp at the brave warriors who wanted to follow me.
Now I only needed to work out what to say.
Coming up with names is harder than I thought. I hoped they sounded good. Haha. I love them all. Who's going to be your favorite? ;)