The Fellowship reached the Iron Hills. Indeed their treatment had been as Durin had warned them. Until they were brought before the Lord of the Iron Hill. While most of the dwarves of the Iron Hills had moved on to Erebor, some stayed behind to continue to work the mines. In the 68 years since Erebor had been reclaimed these dwarves numbers had grown. Frerin the second was the Lord of the Iron Hills now.
They would not stay in the Iron Hills long. This was meant to be but a stop on the map and a supply stop as well. The Fellowship's need would be great for where they were now going so little was known and acquiring supplies might be hard. Frerin spoke at length with Gandalf and gave him a grievous warning.
"Dark things come from the east Gandalf." He said lowly. "Things we have no name for. Things far worse the children of Ungoliant. Always be aware. Always be listening. You will hear them long before you see them."
As they left the Iron Hills Gandalf rode in silence and pondered the warning he had been given. 'These must be the things Jeven had spoken of. ' He mused. Looking over his shoulder at the Avanati warrior. He hoped they would have no need to Jeven's skills yet something told him they would.
They traveled North of the Rhun. Encountering a few villages that dotted the plains before they reached a swath of desert. "The town I most recently inhabited is not far from here Gandalf. I would suggest we stop there. Replenish our water. We will needed it. Not to mention I know we will have shelter there. " Minogos smiled to the Wizard.
"Very well then. Lets go there. I also suspect you have another reason to want to go." Gandalf eyed Minogos. He said nothing just smiled to the wizard and rode ahead.
Glorfindel had not been to the east. He had heard tales of Cuivienen and the great journey to the west. Even met many of the original elves to awake on shores of the sea. This for him felt like a pilgrimage. Heading to the birth place of his ancestors. He if asked, would admit to being eager to see it all. Even more so he was eager to tell her about it. Finnola was never far from his thoughts.
He had never been so close to a female. Their bond was strong and he could feel her even now if he closed his eyes and thought of her. He was riding with a distant look in his eyes. It was Tauriel who would bring him back to reality.
"I can see you miss her." She had ridden up beside him and he had not even noticed . Her words made him blink and he looked over to the Elleth.
"Of course I miss her. He is my Goddess and I worship the very ground she walks upon." He said with a grin. "As much as I wish she could see all this with me I know she is better suited where she is . Protecting the Queen I feel is what she is meant for. "
Tauriel smiled gently. "I am glad she has you."
Her words made him raise his brows. "Even if I took her from your brother?" He asked.
Tauriel laughed. " You did not take her. Legolas pushed her away and right into your arms Glorfindel. You should thank him some day."
Glorfindel scowled. " Aye and start a fight? I think not. "
It was mid day when they were coming upon the town Minogos was leading them to. As they neared it was obvious the town he had left behind was now in ruins. He stopped his horse and stared at it. "Bynsarda." He said lowly and spurred his mount into a hard fast gallop. "Minogos wait!" Gandalf called after him but he heard him not. He had to slow when he entered the rubble filled streets.
The survivors huddling in the shadows. Fearful of him until he was recognized by one of them.
"It's the dancer. " He said. "It is safe . It's the dancer."
People began to come out from hiding. His companions catching up to him. He was stopped and looking on everything in utter shock.
He was having a hard time picking his route. Nothing was as he left it. He looked to the man who recognized him. "The tavern. Does it still stand. " He asked him.
" Yes it's ahead but Dancer..." Minogos did not wait for him to finish . He urged the horse on . Quickly as he could go. Having to jump rubble .
Gandalf looked to the man and smiled gently. "Tell me what you wished to tell him please. " The man looked down and sighed .
It was still standing. Only barely. The main part was there but the rest was burnt out and collapsing. He dismounted and went inside . "Bynsarda!" He called. "BYNSARDA!" He called louder.
It was then that a familiar girl looked around the door frame that used to lead to the kitchen. It was Pearl. "Minogos . " She felt a sob rise in her throat. " Penny come quick it's Minogos. " Pearl ran to him and threw her arms around him. Soon Penny joined her and they held onto him and sobbed.
He wrapped an arm around each of them and lowered his head to theirs. "Where is Byn?" He asked softly .
Their bodies tensed and their tears began to fall harder. "They took her. " Penny sobbed. Gandalf appeared in the doorway and saw him holding the two girls. Each of them sobbing violently in his embrace. Gandalf had been told by the man what happened . He had been told the Dancers woman had been taken.
Soon the entire Fellowship was inside the ruins of the Tavern. A group of people had gathered outside. Minogos sat with Penny and Pearl on the ground before him. "It was like any other night." Pearl began. "Then the alarm bells rang. The city was over run by orc and bugs . Large bugs. With armor and a claw for their mouths. Byn ... " Pearl trailed off and more tears streamed down her cheeks. "Byn pushed us into cool storage and told us to be silent and not come out no matter what we heard. I was peeking from the cracks in the door. I saw her fighting and for a moment I thought she would beat back any who entered. "
Pearl broke down into uncontrol able sobbing then and Penny took over. "It was the biggest orc I ever seen Minogos. He was going to kill her but this dark mist rolled into the room and stopped the beast from slaying her. I couldn't understand all the words it spoke but I heard the name Drannor. That's when the orc hit Byn really hard. She fell and he took her. They took many that night. "
He looked at both of them and his hands slid under their chins making him look to his purple gaze. "You are both very brave. Byn saved you and now I will go get her back. "
Gandalf looked at him and grumbled. "Minogos we have a mission."
When Minogos looked to the wizard there was a look in his eyes that made the Maia's blood run cold. "I will go no further with you if you say I can not go save her. I will leave this Fellowship now and damn this mission."
Gandalf sighed. "Do you know where she is?" He asked serious in tone.
"I have a very good idea. She is with the same one that tried to take the Queen."
Glorfindel stood with his back against the wall. His arms crossed over his chest. " I will ride with you Brother." He spoke up and now Gandalf looked to him and scowled. Glorfindel shrugged to the wizard. "I can not in good conscious continue on knowing that his woman could still be alive. I will go with him. "
Gandalf threw up his hands and turned around . "Very well. Go save her . Then meet us on the road to Cuivienen." He walked from the building and into the street.
Minogos looked to the two women. "You need to take what coin you still have. Gather as much food and water as you can. All of you need to go west. You need to seek out the new City of Lasgalen on the southern border of the Greenwood. Both of you seek out a Tavern owner named Maarten. He is a fair man. He will treat you well. " They nodded to him. "I promise you if she still lives I will get her back."
He looked to Glorfindel and they walked past Tauriel and Jeven . Glorfindel paused. "If we are not at the river crossing in two weeks time go on without us. The mission is important."
Tauriel nodded to him. "N- eithel nin mellon lothron i galad -o i elena beri- cin. (be well my friend may the light of the stars protect you.)"
Glorfindel smiled to her and rest his hand on her shoulder. "Lothron i galad -o i elena beri- cin sui eithel (may the light of the stars protect you as well.)" He said and walked out.
Ryu had been trying to prepare everything for herself so she could leave with everyone else. She was struggling. Shadow and Shade stood to the side watching her. She kneeling in the middle of the floor surrounded by her things. Clothing neatly folded on the floor around her. small boxes filled with accessories . She trying to figure out what she actually needed to take.
She had never packed for herself like this. Yes she had been on long journeys before. She was always property and only had what was given to her by her owners. Plus she was scared. She would be going into a war zone. One in places that had never treated her well.
Shade was trying to comfort her. "We feel your fear." Shade approached and lowered down beside her. "This time is different. You have family. You will be protected. You have us. We will fight for you too. "
Her head down she nodded gently. She knew all of this but it changed nothing. Shadow and Shade both looked to the open door and saw Legolas standing there in silence.
"It appears you are having trouble Mellon." He said softly. Ryu looked up then . Her dark eyes shimmered in the light tattling on the tears that threatened to fall.
He just smiled to her and stepped forward. Carefully each step took him through the stacks of clothing without disturbing them. Shade drifted back and Legolas took Shades place. "Could both of you give us sometime and close the door." He spoke softly to them . Perhaps he was what she needed and they both left the room and gently closed the door.
Her hands were in little fists that pressed into the tops of her thighs. Her head and lowered back down. Ashamed of her tears. He shifted so he knelt as well. His hands taking one of hers and he lifted it to his lips and kissed each small knuckle. He could feel the fear coming from her. Along with confusion.
"Tell me what is wrong." He spoke gently to her. While in the time that had passed since Lorithir's death she had gotten better. There was still turmoil in the fae.
"I do not know what to take. " She began her voice quivering.
"I can help you with that." He said softly.
Her hand now held by both of his. "I am terrified of where we are going. I have been there Legolas. There is only pain there for me."
Now her shoulders shook with her tears. He released her hand and he moved her things out of the way so he could kneel more in front of her. His hands cupped her cheek and he lifted her face so she was looking at him. "I can help with that too." He smiled tenderly.
Her eyes locked with his. His blue eyes just seemed to draw her in. As he looked into hers the endless depths of her dark eyes seemed to swallow him and he wanted to be swallowed. She leaned in and wrapped her arms around him. He released her soft cheeks and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap and held her tightly. There was something there. Something growing between them. Something he had never felt before.
She felt it too. She could not explain it. This feeling of completion she felt when he was near. Like all those empty places within her soul were filled and that fear began to lessen when she was in his arms.
He just held her until the tears stopped. Her body began to relax in his embrace and even then he did not let go so easily. Nor did she. It wasn't until his legs began to tingle and go numb that he whispered against her ear. "I must move. My legs will be useless soon. " She giggled and let him go. When she leaned back he gently wipes the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs.
She slid from his lap and he adjusted how he sat. Then he suddenly reaches out and pulls her back to his lap . "I did not say I wanted you to move." His arms encircled her and held her closely. His lips pressed to the softness of her cheek. Tasting the salt of her tears upon them. Her back against his chest. Soft hands caressed over his strong arms.
"When I am with you I am not afraid anymore. " She confessed and he smiled.
"Then you will always have to be with me." He said with a smile.
"I do not think I would mind that so much." She said in a whisper.
He felt his heart skip a beat. When he closed his eyes there was only he and her. His fea reaching out for her. He could feel it. His eyes opened and shifted to look to her profile. Her eyes were closed and she had a glow about her. Then as he closed his eyes again he felt her, touching his fea. Just a small caress of it. A bond was beginning to form between them. Yet not completed.
Now he understood what he had begun to feel. Everything he had experienced before was love but not for the one that was supposed to be with him forever. His fea had been waiting for her. Her eyes opened as did his. She lay back in the crook of his arm and they looked to each other. "Marry me." He said. The words just coming out before he realized it.
She nodded. "I ... yes. I will. " Her lips trembling. He smiled and kissed her .
Thranduil was busy with packing as well. Galion generally tends to do this but he needs Thranduil's opinions on things. Thranduil sat with his swords. He was working on sharpening them as Galion went through things to pack in the large trunks. Ninnel was trying to get Juniper interested in packing but Juniper was only interested in spending time with her children.
"Ninnel just throw some of my dresses in a trunk. Maybe some of my warm things and that's it. If I could go naked I would." Juniper said exasperated.
This made Thranduil smirk. Galion was holding up two robes for Thranduil's approval. "Just throw whatever in the trunk Galion." He tried Junipers approach. Galion just glares at him.
Orist walks over and pulls himself up into Thranduil's lap. "Show me Adar." He said and was watching Thranduil working the blade over the whetstone. He was growing so fast and wanting to learn new things.
Thranduil set the large sword carefully to the side. "Alright ion nin. Lets get something more your size. He looked over the table and choose a Junipers dagger. "Now you sprinkle a little water onto the stone. " Orist dipped his fingers into the small bowl of water and sprinkled the water upon the stone. "Now put your hands on mine and watch." Orist did as told and watched everything Thranduil did.
Juniper looked over from where she sat on the floor with Melian. Her brows creasing with her disaproval. "He is too young for that Thranduil." Her voice rose in protest.
Thranduil spoke without even looking to her. "No he is not. Look at him Melamin. He is paying attention and I am being careful. "
She sighs and looks down to Melian. She was beginning to pull herself up and take a few steps. Plus she was beginning to talk. Though her words were very few. She knew Nana and Ada and the word no. By the time they made it back Melian would be walking and talking. Her wings would probably even be formed . The bulbs on her back were already beginning to erupt. Though she seemed to have no pain from it. Minol said it would be painless.
Legolas came into their room. Ryu beside him. He held her hand. " Ada, Naneth. " He began .
Juniper looked to them. She was surprised that he called her Naneth.
"I know this is a really bad time. I know we are leaving soon. Before we go I want to be betrothed to Ryu. I want to marry her but I want to do it the traditional way and she agreed."
Thranduil removed the dragger from the whetstone and placed it out of the way. He placed Orist down. The elfling understood something important was happening. He was very bright for his age. Thranduil now looked to them both. His face emotionless. Juniper was just as wide eyed as Galion and Ninnel. All of them silent and looking at the two love birds.
"Galion leave the packing. I can do that. You need to arrange a betrothal ceremony for two days hence. " Thranduil said as a smile began to form on his lips.
Galion looked like he was about to faint. Ninel reached over and steadied him. Juniper squealed in delight and bounced up with Melian in her arms. She darted towards them and first hugged Ryu then Legolas. "I am so happy for you both." She was simply bubbling over with joy.
Legolas looked to his Adar who was now smiling. He was also happy that one of his children were doing it the proper way.
That evening Thranduil sat the large dining table within his private dining room. He sat with Elrond and his sons, Eomer and his captains, Adnir sat with Feren.
"I have met with the leaders of the 3 tribes in Lasgalan. They agreed to fall under my command. They will act as commanders of their own troops and follow my orders. I am fine with that." Feren spoke with authority. Adnir would remain commander of the elven troops and fall under Ferens command.
Elrond looked to Feren and nodded. "My troops will fall under your command as well Feren. I agree that you should lead. "
Eomer grumbled a bit and looked at Eothain his captain. Eothain nodded. "Well then we agree to follow Ferens command as well. "
"What of Lorien?" Elladan spoke. His eyes on Thranduil.
"Celeborn is on his way as we speak. He has agreed to also follow Ferens command. " Thranduil answered with no emotion on his face. "The dwarves of Erebor refuse to follow Ferens command . I know what a rogue leader can do in a battle. It would not be to our benefit nor theirs. " Thranduil was speaking from expereince. "They have agreed to protect the northern realms. As we leave they will begin to patrol the woods along with those that we leave behind. For that I am grateful. I am also grateful for their weapons and armor. They have managed to equip us as well as most of the men of Lasgalen. "
Elrohir looked to Thranduil. " What of the orc that are now under your command Thranduil? Do you expect us to fight along side filthy flea ridden orc?"
Thranduil looked on Elrohir with lifted brows and widened eyes. Elrond noticed that tale tell twitch of Thranduil's cheek and looked to his son . "Elrohir have you forgotten your own history and your manners?" Elrond immediately admonished his son. " I fought along side orc in the last alliance. Orc that hated their master and managed to break free of his hold on them. Besides these orc as I understand were never under his influence. These are a completely different breed of orc and as I also understand they are more like us than orc."
Elrohir sat back in his chair and looked ashamed of his words. " Forgive me Lord Thranduil I spoke out of place."
Elladan hit him rather firmly in the arm then. "I will give you a lesson in manners later brother."
Elrond now changed the subject. "I also here we will be celebrating in a few days Lord Thranduil." This shook Thranduil from his dark thoughts. "Indeed . Legolas has requested a Betrothal Ceremony before we leave. He has hopes of Marrying when we return."
Eomer grins. "That reminds me of something. Sorry who is the lucky Lady?" Thranduil lifted a goblet of wine and took a drink. "My wife's sister . Ryu." He answered and the door flew open. Juniper rushed in having felt Thranduil's anger. She expected to see a fight when she entered but there was no fight. All those gathered stared at her.
Thranduil too stared at her. "Is something wrong Melamin?"
She blinked and shook her head. "No. I .. uh... It's nothing. So sorry to interrupt." She began to back out of the room . The doors handle in her small hand.
"We are finished here Melamin. There is no need to leave." Thranduil eyed her. He had a pretty good idea of why she had come the way she had.
Sheepishly she stepped back into the room . Leaving the door open. Her small steps carry her towards where He sat. She smiled to those gathered. As she reached the side of the King his arm curled around her waist and pulled her against him. "If that is all then I suggest we adjourn. " He spoke rather calmly . It was in agreement that they were finished and they began to rise and file out. Once they had all left Thranduil pulled his queen into the warmth of his lap. His arms around her and he buried his face into her hair.
"You felt my anger and came quickly." He said in a whisper.
She shifted in his embrace so that she could look at him. Other worldly eyes stare into his. "I did. What had you so upset?"
With a smile he lifted her from his lap and placed her to sit on the table before him. Frankly he did not care if it would be seen as uncouth for her to sit on his table. Small bare feet rest on the tops of his thighs . His fingers caress over her small toes.
"Elrohir said some things that upset me. " He said softly. There was still a bit of tension within him. He could not hide how he felt from her.
"What did he say?"
His hands slide up her calves and rest on her knees. "For better or worse the people of Lasgalen are my people. There has been some very hard work put into building the city. Legolas and Feren have done an amazing job. To hear anyone disparage what are now my people in my new city upsets me."
She reached out and pressed her small soft hands to his cheeks and lifted his head. So she could look into his eyes once again. "What was said?"
He shook his head. "It's the oliphant in the room. " He sighs. "The fact there are orc counted among my people now. It's going to cause some bad feelings. It's even bothered me . I do understand Elrohir's feelings though. Their Naneth was captured by orcs. She was tortured . They did terrible things to her. Her sons tracked them down and rescued her but the damage had been done. She sailed for Valinor soon after."
Her hands fell away from his cheeks and rest atop his. "These are not those orc." She spoke softly.
"It does not matter. Melamin they spent centuries hunting orc and killing them. Whole dens of them. The females and the children included. I can understand this kind of hate. It was at the hands of orc that Legolas' Naneth perished and my Adar. Not to mention so many of my subjects. I do understand. It's hard to look past that hate Juniper. It's very hard to look at any orc and think them good."
She tilted her head back a bit and looked to him. He found his eyes drawn up to hers.
"Well then . We will just have to work on changing some minds." She said with a smile. "You have met them. You have spoken with them. How do you feel about the orc that are your subjects?"
He ran his hands further up her thighs and under her dress. His fingers squeezing gently at the flesh. "I find them anomalies. They do not appear to be much different from myself. They have hopes and dreams just like we do. They just want to live in peace and raise their children. Like we do. It is hard for me to call them evil. I know they aren't. Old prejudice die hard Juniper. There was a time that I hated Dwarves just as much as I hated orc. It has taken a lot for me to work past that."
"well you see. Its not impossible. Just because something is hard doesn't mean its not worth it." She spoke and smiled to him.
His hands slide further up her flesh until he was cupping her backside in their firm grip. He pulled her to him and she fell gently into his lap. He rose up and walked to the door. "Lets get some rest Melamin. Tomorrow is a new . Lets see what it brings."
