Chapter Twelve
They had escaped. Bilbo must have somehow gone unnoticed by the guards and freed them. Ayla couldn't have felt more relieved by the news and it showed on her face, in her eyes, how it lightened her mood. Thranduil, however, was feeling the opposite. He knew Ayla wanted the dwarves freed but she obviously couldn't have been the one to free them because she had been at his side (or more accurately in his bed) when it had happened. The only mystery was who had actually done it.
At that very moment, his son, Legolas, was in pursuit of the dwarves with Tauriel and a handful of the guard. He had confidence that his son would not fail. As he returned to his chambers, he found Ayla at his writing desk, turning the pages of one of the books he had previously read. She was sitting sideways in his chair, wearing only a silk robe of a dark red with gold trimming. The V of the robe exposed the skin between her breasts. Her legs were crossed at the knees, her naked thigh on display just for him. Her hair was damp from her bath and gathered over one shoulder, giving him an eyeful of her neck and the kiss marks he had left there. Her pose was seductive, as if purposely luring him back into the world of euphoria that was her body.
He walked over to her, catching her eye as she raised her head up and smiled warmly at him. Her lips were still red and swollen from his excessive attention just hours ago. Once he was in front of her he reached down and took the book from her and set it back on his writing table as he looked down at her, his eyes roving over her body appreciatively. He scooped her up in his arms and took her place in his chair while holding her on his lap. Despite the earlier upset with the dwarves escaping his dungeon, this temptress wiped away all thoughts of them the second her lips were on his.
He touched the side of her neck and slid down its length, tracing his palm down her chest, her soft skin warm under his touch. He groped a breast, giving it a teasing squeeze and earning a soft gasp from her against his lips. Her hands massaged the back of his neck and shoulders, kneading the knots in his muscles loose, getting a moan of approval from him. Thranduil slid his hand down her waist and down her naked thigh, stopping at her knee and then moving slowly up her inner thigh with the back of his knuckles. He grazed over the mound of her sex, feeling the heat as his fingers slide over the silky folds. The skin was smooth and much to his pleasure, hairless. He recalled Ayla once telling him how in her world it was preferred for women to have little to no hair between their legs. A fashion statement he greatly appreciated.
Ayla moved to straddle his lap while keeping her face close to his. Their lips brushed together softly, parting and bumping, breathing each other's air. His hands slipped the robe off her shoulders and he cupped her breasts, fully possessing the fleshy mounds with his broad palms, rolling his fingers over her nipples until her breath hitched in her throat, then scorching up the wall of her chest to her neck, hungrily pulling her mouth into his while she worked patiently at the ties of his breeches. After a deep, searing kiss he pulled his lips away and dragged them lightly down the length of her neck starting under her ear, his breath coming hot on her skin, the tip of his tongue tracing its way to her collar bone before nipping over her shoulders. She let out a breathy moan as his mouth worked on her, sending shivers rippling down her skin, hardening her nipples into little points as that bud of nerves between her legs throbbed insistently with the need to be touched. To be teased. To be brought to fulfillment.
Finally she freed the thick rod of his cock from his breeches that protruded tantalizingly from the flaps. In a swift move she slid off his lap and he was plunged fully into her mouth, the broad cockhead hitting the back of her throat as she lowered her body between his legs. His gasp sounded almost like a sob, and strong fingers immediately wound in her damp hair as she raked up his thighs with her nails. She looked up at him and swirled her tongue around the ridge of his cockhead, suckling and slurping, relaxing her throat in stages so she could manage as much of his length as possible.
Hooded eyes watched her, panting jagged breaths through open lips, and she took him in again and again, stopping when he was breaching the limits of her throat so she could breathe in the salty, musky scent nestled within the pale curls at the base. God, it smelled like pure man, lusty and carnal and heavy with the promise of sex. It only made her hungrier for him, made her more determined to feel him buck beneath her as she teased his cock to the heights of pleasure. His hips began to gyrate in time with the plunging of her head, his fingers tightening in her hair until the tension bit at her scalp. Somehow the little tinges of pain traveled directly to that aching between her legs, stoking the fire that burned there and called out to be extinguished by his crafty ministrations.
His enraptured, blissful face was a thing of beauty, enhanced to unnatural extremes by the increasing moans of desperation escaping his lips as his head rolled against the back of the chair. She wanted to get onto the desk and have him take her hard and fast, but there was something irresistible about seeing him occupying his spot behind his desk, ruling the room like a King on his throne, fully dressed with his crown upon his head while she was on her knees servicing him. It satisfied that little piece of her that wanted to have this proud King at her mercy, begging her for more. And the sight of him there made her moan as she devoured him, pressing her tongue into every groove, sliding along every vein, pushing flat and wide along the breadth of him while she sucked, simultaneously working her hand along the base of his cock until finally her King surrendered. His seed spilling into her mouth as she kept her lips around the head while her hand moved up and down, milking him for every drop until he was completely spent.
She swallowed his salty milk, not wasting a single drop as she pulled back and looked up at him as she licked her lips. His face was flushed pink, his lips parted as he caught his breath, his chest heaving up and down. His eyes were hooded as he looked down at her, the grey of his eyes darkened with lust. Ayla couldn't help herself as she gave him a saucy smile as she slowly stroked the shaft with just the tip of her middle finger. She knew well enough that things were only getting started between them, his semi-hard cock rising to full attention under her teasing fingers.
"You wicked woman." he said almost breathlessly, releasing her hair to stroke the side of her face with the back of his knuckles.
"Would you rather have me be a pious woman? Deliver sermons at your door instead of a service between your legs?" she said, seeing from the corner of her eye his cock twitching. She smirked as she placed both her hands on his thighs and leaned forward, flicking the tip of her tongue under the sensitive part of the head. She watched him, his eyes becoming a storm of lust and desire at her teasing. "Is that what you want, My Lord? A woman of virtue? Someone you are forbidden to have?"
Ayla pushed up slowly, purposely sliding up against the tip of Thranduil's hard cock. She slowly moved back to straddling his lap, continuing her teasing as she pushed her wet cunt against his length. Thranduil let out a strained groan, wanting desperately to just end the foreplay and spearhead straight into her slick mound; but he refrained knowing that the reward will be all the more sweeter in his patience. He placed his hands on her hips, massaging the flesh over the thin fabric of her robe. He could feel her breath coming out with strained control against his face, their noses barely touching as they looked into each other's eyes.
She was so warm against him.
The very scent of her arousal mixed with the floral perfume from the bath oils made him salivate.
"Well? Is that what you want?" she asked in a breathy voice.
"No," he said, "I want the wicked woman who drives me mad."
Hooking his hands beneath her thighs Thranduil stood up swiftly and deposited Ayla onto his writing desk. Like a savage he plunged himself into her and with great satisfaction heard her cry out in pleasure and watched her eyes go wide. Her hands desperately clung to his shoulders as he gyrated against her, plunging deep and rough, feeling no need to hold back. He brought his mouth to her neck, biting harshly on the sensitive skin and leaving new marks over the old. Ayla's legs wrapped around his hips, locking at the ankles to pull him closer.
"More." she moaned, "Don't hold back."
Thranduil released a near feral growl at her command, pushing her down on her back, knocking over one of the ink pots and sending a stack of papers flying in a chaotic mess. Ayla relished in her lover's unhinged desires, looking up to see the proud Elvenking thrusting into her like a wild beast in heat. His eyes were dark and glazed, lost in the moment and his lips parted enough to show his teeth clenched. Ayla could barely focus on every detail about him, feeling her climax building up as he continued to hit that one spot that only he could reach. She could feel her back arching in anticipation and knew that Thranduil was reaching him zenith, his grip on her hips clamping down.
And then it came: their release.
The two of them letting out their cry of ecstasy. Her inner walls quivering and clenching around his thrumming cock. They stared at each other, both catching their breaths and riding out the euphoric high of their love making. Thranduil's eyes roved over her, seeing her sprawled out on his desk, the front of her robe open and exposing her naked body like she had been a gift he had just unwrapped. Her breasts were rising and falling with each breath she took, her dusky nipples at full attention. His trailed over the length of her torso, down the smooth plains of her stomach to where they were still joined. The sight of himself still inside her was erotic and her watching him appreciate her body was erotic. She was the embodiment of erotica.
They took their time to recover, even going again for a third round by moving to the bed and savoring each other by going slow and gentle. Past midday they were clean and dressed and had eaten their lunch together in their favorite alcove that had the open air. The crisp autumn air seemed to make Ayla's spiced cider taste sweeter on her tongue.
"Lord Elrond had written to me over the years while you were raising Estel." Thranduil said, knowing to use Aragorn's second name to continue to keep his true identity safe even within his own realm.
Ayla looked at him with surprise, "He did? I had no idea. What did he write?"
"Nothing of ill repute, I promise." Thranduil said, seeing her relax back into her chair. "He mostly wrote about how willful your son can be, stating that the boy could only have gotten it from watching his mother doing much the same and mirroring it almost perfectly." He smirked at the sight of Ayla's cheeks flushing.
With an undignified huff Ayla crossed her arms and pouted. "Of all the things to remark about that's what he writes?"
Thranduil let out an amused chuckle. "Lord Elrond had written many good things about your mothering skills. I admit that reading about how you both were fairing had brought me much comfort."
Ayla's pout transformed into a smile as she sat up straighter in her seat. "Did he write about how Estel seemed to disappear at every chance he got?"
"No, I believe he left out that detail." he replied with an indulgent smile, urging her to continue.
"Well then let me tell you; the minute Estel learned how to walk it was nothing but endless chasing. And that kid knew an opportunity to run for it when it presented itself. You couldn't turn your back on him for a second before he was out of sight. He even disappeared when Lord Elrond was watching him for me. Said he found Estel on the other side of the pavilion trying to climb out of a window that had a hundred foot drop. This one time when Estel was three years old, Lady Galadriel had come to visit and we were walking together up a flight of stairs when suddenly she catches Estel after he had fallen out from a veranda over our heads. I nearly had a heart attack!"
Thranduil laughed, finding the story of a toddler falling from above hard to believe but it was clear that Ayla was telling the truth.
"Estel also had an odd habit of falling asleep in the most bizarre places. I once found him sleeping in the rafters of the banquet hall. Then there was this one time he fell into a fox hole and got stuck and thought it was good idea to take a nap."
"Odd indeed; but it takes a great talent to sleep anywhere."
Ayla let out a laugh, picking up her glass of cider and took another sip of it. Thranduil smiled, reaching out and taking her hand in his, holding it lovingly. Ayla looked at him, smiling back as she gave his fingers a light squeeze.
xxxxx
Later that afternoon Ayla was approached by Tauriel while she was sitting out in the garden, enjoying the freedom Thranduil was now bestowing upon her. Ayla took notice of the troubled look on the elf's face.
"You look upset, what's wrong?" Ayla asked.
"The orcs have gone after the dwarves and the one we captured said that one of the dwarves had been hit by a poisonous arrow." Tauriel said, "I think he was talking about Kili. If that's true then he'll die Please, he'll need you to heal him."
Ayla felt the blood drain from her face. Not her sweet little Kili. "I understand." she said, knowing her next decision was going to put her back in hot water with a certain King but she couldn't ignore the risk.
xxxxx
Legolas marched towards the gates, giving the order to close them and not permit anyone to leave or enter until further notice; but he took pause when it was revealed that Tauriel had gone out earlier, and Ayla was with her. Clenching his jaw, he left through the gate to go after the two women. Disobeying his King's orders…just like his mother.
That line of thought brought a smile to his lips.
xxxxx
"Kwenthrith, where is Ayla?" Thranduil asked. When he had returned after interrogating (then executing) the orc, Ayla was not in their chambers where he had left her. He had searched the library, expecting to find her there but only came across Kwenthrith, writing in one of her newest addition of her medical journals. The elf maiden stood from where she had been sitting.
"Forgive me, My Lord." she said, keeping her eyes cast down. "But I have not seen Lady Ayla since last eve. She was to meet me an hour ago but I had thought she was still with you."
"My Lord Thranduil," said a guard as he bowed in respect to the Elvenking. "Tauriel has left the Realm and your son has gone after her. What's more is that Lady Ayla was seen with Tauriel. Shall I send a team out to retrieve them?"
A surge of anger began to boil up deep within Thranduil's chest. "No. Send a messenger to tell Legolas and Ayla to return. Nothing more."
"And what of Tauriel?"
"She is banished."
xxxxx
Ayla covered her mouth and nose with her hand as she carefully walked over the blood soaked rocks, animal parts and bones were scattered around from when the orcs had come through. The smell of putrefying blood was slightly overwhelming. She followed Tauriel towards the rock edge, the river below leading out of the forest towards Lake-town. Ayla was rather grateful to be wearing sensible enough clothes and boots as she followed the nimble elf. Tauriel suddenly whipped around, her bow and arrow at the ready to fire. Ayla turned around, seeing Legolas with his bow and arrow at the ready. They both lowered their weapons.
"Tauriel, you cannot hunt thirty orcs on your own." Legolas said as he approached.
"But I'm not on my own." Tauriel said, smirking back at him.
Legolas looked at Ayla and then at Tauriel. "Lady Ayla is not a warrior."
Ayla sighed heavily, "Good grief, you're dense. You get that from your father." she braced her hands on her hips as she gave a pointed look at the prince. He seemed to understand as a slight smile appeared on his face.
"You knew I would come." he said before his smile faded away. "The King is angry, Tauriel. For six hundred years my father has protected you, favored you. You defied his orders. You betray his trust. And you have put my mother's life in danger." he said before speaking in elvish. "Come back with me…he will forgive you."
"I cannot go with you. If I go back, I will not forgive myself." Tauriel replied before turning away. "The King has never let orc filth roam our lands. Yet he would let this orc pack cross our borders and kill our prisoners."
"It is not our fight." Legolas argued.
Tauriel turned back to face him. "It is our fight. It will not end here. With every victory this evil will grow. If your father has his way, we will do nothing. We will hide within our walls, live our lives away from the light…and let darkness descend. Are we not part of the world? For once in my life, I am doing what I think is right."
"Naneth, you must convince her otherwise." Legolas said to Ayla, looking at her pleadingly with his eyes.
"Tell me, Mellon, when did we let evil become stronger than us?" Tauriel asked. Legolas let out a sigh as he thought about his choices, looking at both women. Ayla walked up to him, reaching up and holding his face in her hands gently.
"In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take." Ayla said, looking into his beautiful blue eyes that were almost like his father's. She smiled warmly at him as he closed his eyes, defeated by their words.
As they journeyed towards Lake-town together, Legolas couldn't help but ask Ayla if she and his father had made up. "Is everything all right between the two of you now?"
"It was, but once he finds out I'm gone he might change his mind." Ayla said.
"Forgive me, My Lady." Tauriel said, her tone truly apologetic. "I did not mean to compromise your relationship with Lord Thranduil. Perhaps it is best that Lord Legolas takes you back home. I shouldn't have asked you to come."
"Its fine," Ayla reassured, "It's not as if I have never dealt with his temper before." Though she truly wondered if she had burned her last bridge. She hoped not and prayed to whatever deity that was listening to let Thranduil be merciful at the very least.
xxxxx
By nightfall they reached the edge of Lake-town, but unfortunately they were not the only late night arrivals. They could see the shadows of orcs creeping through the docks and over the rooftops. Ayla nearly froze in fear when she caught a glimpse of their painted markings, remembering them as the same markings on the orcs that had kidnapped her years ago. No, she wasn't going to be afraid this time. Kili needed her.
"Stay here," Legolas said to Ayla but paused at the glare she gave him and he cleared his throat nervously. "Then stay close."
Ayla nodded and followed the elves as quickly and quietly as she possibly could (she had no ninja skills). The night was cold and wet; the water-logged planks of the walkways were weak and slippery underfoot and more than once Ayla lost her footing but Tauriel would catch and steady her. Tauriel brought up the rear to keep Ayla's back safe as Legolas carefully navigated them, following the orcs, knowing they were after Thorin and his company. Screams from above were heard, screams Ayla recognized identifying agony and pain. Was it Kili? Her stomach dropped at the thought of her youngest godson dying. Other screams followed the first. Screams of fear. Screams of children! There were even sounds of things breaking and the screeching of orcs.
"Go!" Ayla said urgently. Legolas took to the rooftop while Tauriel took Ayla's hand and led the way up a flight of rickety wet stairs. An orc jumped down in front of them and Tauriel easily stabbed it in the chest with her dagger before entering the house and swiftly dispatching two more with little effort. From above, Legolas jumped down from the hole in the roof and joined in the fray. The two elves moved in perfect synch with each other as they killed the orcs one and two at a time while the dwarves fought back the orcs with whatever was within reach of them.
Ayla saw in the middle of the room a table where three children had huddled under, and seeing an orc heading towards them she ran forward and pushed him with her entire weight out the window. The sound of a gargling voice from outside rallied the rest away. Ayla whirled around and went to the table, crouching low to see three children hiding beneath it, two girls and a boy, their eyes and faces showing just how frightened they were.
"It's all right now, you can come out." Ayla said gently, reaching out a hand to them. The youngest girl reached out her hand to take Ayla's who pulled her out from underneath the table with her two older siblings following suit. Ayla looked them each over for any injury.
"You killed them all," said a boy, still stunned by the attack as he looked to Legolas.
"There are others." Legolas said, not looking at the boy as he headed towards the door. "Tauriel. Come."
"My Lady!" said Oin, surprised and relieved to see Ayla. "Kili! He's dying! Please help him!"
Ayla looked to see her godson lying prone on the floor, his face pale and clammy with sweat. She quickly flipped the table back onto its legs. "Bring him up here." she said, reaching down and holding Kili's legs while Oin and Fili carried his upper half. Kili let out a wail of pain as he was lifted onto the table. Ayla ripped the pant leg over the wound and instantly knew that he had been poisoned and that there was little she could do. She had no medicine and none of her usual tools.
"Tauriel." Legolas commanded before he left to go after the orcs. Tauriel hesitated before striding towards the door before pausing again when she heard Kili's groans of pain. She turned away, seeing Legolas already ahead of her, hunting the orcs and killing the stragglers swiftly. She stepped out the door but stopped again when Bofur came running up the steps with a handful of weeds that she immediately recognized and her eyes widened with hope.
"Athelas." she breathed, taking the weeds from Bofur.
"What are you doing?" Bofur asked, confused.
She looked down at him and smiled. "I'm going to save him." Tauriel returned inside, showing Ayla the athelas. Ayla gasped and let out a breath of relief as she smiled at the elf.
"Bring me a bowl of water and oil." Ayla said to the children. The boy and two girls searched around their ruined home while Ayla and Tauriel worked quickly in preparing the medicine. With the bowl, water and oil brought to them Ayla mixed the shredded athelas leaves in the oil and water, crushing them with her bare hands, squeezing the juice from the leaves and continuing to mix them until she was satisfied that they were wilted and saturated.
"Hold him down." Ayla said, and Fili, Oin and Bofur each pushed down a limb on Kili. The boy and two girls and Tauriel also held him down as Ayla touched Kili's wound, sticking a finger inside. Kili screamed as if he were possessed, writhing in pain as Ayla prodded and felt the sharp broken end of the arrow was still inside him. She pulled her finger out and looked at the boy. "Do you have anything like a plier? Something narrow enough for me to get the arrow out of his leg."
The boy nodded and ran out of the room, returning moments later with the very tool Ayla needed. Ayla quickly rinsed the pliers in water and then stuck the tip into the burning fire in the hearth to sterilize it, taking one of the fire pokers by the hearth and setting the head into the flames, knowing she will need to cauterize the wound once she got the arrowhead out. Returning to the table with the sterilized pliers she paused to look at everyone, seeing them all ready to hold Kili down.
"Keep him steady." she said, placing one hand on Kili's thigh above his wound and then pushed the bill of the pliers into the wound. Kili howled in pain again and everyone worked together to keep him flat on the table as Ayla dug the tool in his leg. With a steady and firm hand Ayla eased the arrowhead out of Kili's wound. "Quickly! Bring me the fire poker!"
Oin hurried to the hearth and grabbed the shaft of the fire poker, carrying it back to the table and holding it out to Ayla. Taking them from Oin, Ayla carefully turned the red hot tip down over Kili's wound and like she had down many times in the past, stuck the tip into the wound. The sound of sizzling blood and the smell of burning flesh was instant, followed by another howl of pain from Kili. It was only for a few seconds but the sound of Kili's agony felt like hours before Ayla pulled the hot poker out and dropped it to the floor behind her before grabbing a handful of the athelas mixture and applied it to the wound.
Tauriel's hand laid firmly upon Ayla's as she began to chant the spell of healing. A soft glow coming forth over the wound until Kili's cries slowly lessened until he lay on the table, still as the dead but still breathing with the living. Ayla was brought a needle and a spool of thread by the oldest girl, of which she went to work on suturing the wound after she had cleaned away the blood and dirt from the area. While she sewed the wound Tauriel stood close to her, staring down at Kili who was whispering weakling in his state. Ayla only caught a few lines but she recognized that Kili, in his slight delirium, was confessing his love to the elf. And from what she saw from the corner of her eye was that Tauriel seemed hesitant but she didn't leave or pull away, and it made Ayla think of Thorin and his confessions, and then of Thranduil, making her heart ache with guilt. Finished with suturing Kili's wound, Ayla wrapped his leg up with a torn cloth (wishing it were clean and sterile but beggars can't be choosers in desperate times).
Suddenly they heard the bell ringing, alerting the citizens of Lake-town to the approaching danger. They heard the distant cries of people, yelling of the dragon approaching.
"We need to leave." Ayla said, quickly turning to the children. "Come on! There's no time to pack. Put on your warmest clothes and let's go!" She then turned to Kili, helping him sit up. "We have to leave."
"Come on, brother!" Fili said, helping Kili stand, forcing the young dwarf into alertness.
"Put on your coats, we have to get away as fast as we can." Ayla said, helping the youngest into her jacket. "What is your name, sweetie?"
"Tilda." the youngest said, looking at Ayla with large eyes full of questions and curiosity. "Sigrid is my sister and Bain is my brother."
"It's very nice to meet you, you may call me Ayla." she said with a smile, trying to reassure the girl that everything was going to be all right, even though they were all in serious danger.
"We're not leaving. Not without our father." said Bain, trying to be brave even though his voice had cracked with panic.
"If you stay here, you sisters will die." Tauriel said, turning to look at the boy. "Is that what your father would want?"
With the children dressed as warmly as possible Bofur led the way down to the boat below the house. Ayla made sure the children got on and then the dwarves before turning to Tauriel. "Get them to safety." she instructed.
"My Lady?" Tauriel grabbed Ayla's arm. "You can't stay behind."
"Their father has yet to return." Ayla said, "He must be held up somewhere in this town."
"I cannot let you risk your life. I will never forgive myself if you were to get killed." Tauriel said, "Please, I'm begging you. Don't take that risk. For once think of yourself!" Tauriel stepped closer to Ayla and whispered; "Do not let our King return to despair."
Ayla conceded, unable to refuse as she looked at the boat with the children and the dwarves. She worried if the boat will be able to keep them all afloat. "Let's get out of here quickly."
It was risky in the small boat with so many aboard. The dragon flew over the town as the people desperately tried to evacuate. Smaug breathed down his fire upon the town, the angry spew of flames incinerating everything in its path. All around them the town burned and the poor people screamed and ran in fright.
"Da!" Bain gasped.
"Da!" the Sigrid screamed as all eyes turned upward at the bell tower where they saw Bard, shooting his arrows at Smaug.
"He hit it! He hit the mark, I saw it!" Kili said.
"No," Ayla said sadly, knowing that Bard's normal arrows couldn't do anything.
"The arrows are not strong enough to pierce its hide." Tauriel said, "I fear nothing will."
"Only the black arrow from the old days can." Ayla said, remembering Girian in Dale, firing his black arrows when Smaug attacked.
Ayla nearly had a heart attack when Bain jumped out of the boat and ran across the docks. Ayla and Tauriel held the girls back from following after their brother while Bofur and Fili worked quickly and carefully to row the boat out of danger, but they continued to look up at the dragon, its size massive and the fire it breathed burning the town.
"Leave him! We cannot go back." Tauriel said.
"Bain!" the youngest cried.
"Keep rowing!" Ayla instructed, holding little Tilda tightly against her chest though her mind went to Legolas and hoping he wasn't in the town. Or at the very least managed to escape the burning carnage.
As their boat headed towards the open water of the lake Ayla looked back, seeing Smaug had landed on the destroyed town, slowly creeping forward toward the tower. She gasped sharply when Smaug took to the sky again, struggling to ascend to the sky, his chest and throat alight with fire before suddenly going out like a candle. His massive body then fell, crashing into the burning town and sinking to the bottom of the lake that was to be its grave.
The dragon was dead, but it felt like a hollow victory.
xxxxx
The dwarves were pushing their boat back into the lake, intent on heading across it to Erebor. Ayla didn't try to stop them, knowing that whatever she had to say wouldn't change their minds, especially when her part of their journey was over.
"My Lady," Fili said, looking up at her. "Thank you for everything. For saving my brother's life."
"I didn't do it alone." Ayla said, looking over her shoulder to Tauriel and paused when she saw Kili speaking to the elf. The look on Tauriel's face was one of surprise and warmth, a look Ayla was familiar with. Smiling, she turned back to Fili, thinking it best to not pry too much at the moment since there were more important matters to address. She touched Fili's cheek, rubbing away a charred smudge with her thumb. "Look out for your brother, Fili, and together look out for your uncle if he survived the dragon."
Fili nodded, "I will. I promise, auntie."
Ayla smiled down at him and bent forward to hug him tightly. Kili walked over to them and Ayla pulled him into their hug.
"Do you remember what I told you both when I left?" Ayla asked, pulling back to look at them both.
"To not just be good but to do good." Kili said.
"That's right," Ayl said, "Stay safe."
She followed them to the water's edge and watched her two godsons, Oin and Bofur row away across the lake. Ayla then began to help bring in the injured onto the shores. She stopped to look around, seeing how devastated the people were. How is it that she manages to know two men in her life to simply let such destruction happen? Ayla jumped when she felt cold hands clawing up her leg and looking down she saw a pale man in all black clawing up her leg and screaming like a toddler throwing a tantrum. He reminded Ayla of a drowned rat. She tried to get him off of her until he was suddenly kicked away. Looking to her right was Legolas.
"Don't touch her, filth!" he hissed, pulling Ayla away from the shore.
"Legolas…" Ayla said before slapping his arm, surprising the elf prince. "Where the hell were you?!"
"I had gone after the orcs." Legolas said, raising his arms up in defense.
"That's not an excuse to suddenly drop in, kill a few orcs and then go running off into the night! I was worried!" Ayla yelled, slapping his arm again.
He placed his hands on her upper arms, mostly to hold them down from striking him again. Her slaps stung. "I'm sorry. Really. But I'm fine." He could see that she wasn't done with her scolding yet but it was obvious that she was distracted by the townspeople. "You can't stay out here, please return home where you will be safe."
"You know I can't, not when these people need help." Ayla said stubbornly.
"Please," he said, lowering his voice. "Naneth."
"No, I'm staying."
He drew her into a tight hug. "Then stay safe." he said into her ear before pulling back and looking her in the eye. "Promise to return home to father, Naneth. You are the only balm to his soul." Ayla smiled, touching his cheek. "I will stay at your side and keep you safe."
"At least you're easier to reason with than your father." she said, earning a soft laugh from him. The drowned rat from earlier was harassing a woman handing out blankets to the people and had grabbed her, raising a hand to strike. Ayla was about to intervene when a man got to them first, stopping the rat and throwing him aside.
"Da!" the girls cried happily as they ran past Ayla towards him. Ayla gathered that he was their father they had been calling for. His children embraced their father tightly in relief. Ayla stepped closer, looking at the man's face and wondering why he looked so familiar.
"It was Bard! He killed the dragon! I saw it with me own eyes!" said one of the townspeople, getting everyone's attention as he approached Bard and his children. "He brought the beast down! Shot him dead with a black arrow!"
Black arrow. Could he be Girian's descendant?
The people all crowded and cheered, thanking Bard for his heroics.
"All hail to the dragon slayer! All hail King Bard!" cried the drowned rat. The people all grew quiet as their gaze turned hateful and bitter at the man. "I have said it many times! This is a man of noble stock. A born leader!"
"Do not call me that." Bard said, "I'm not the Master of this town. Where is he?! Where's the Master?!" he shouted, looking around.
"Halfway down the Anduin," said a woman, "With all our coin, I don't doubt. You would know," the woman continued, pointing at the rat. "You helped him empty out the treasury."
"No. I tried to stop him!" the man said as the people quickly turned and he hid behind Bard. "I begged. I pleaded." The people were not buying into his lies and grabbed him, screaming for rope to hang him from a tree. The man screamed, trying to wriggle away as he was being carried off to his death until Bard intervened, stopping the madness.
"Let him go! Let him go!" Bard shouted, quieting the mob. "Look around you! Have you not had your fill of death?! Winter is upon us. We must look to our own. To the sick and the helpless. Those who can stand, tend to the wounded. And those who have strength left follow me. We must salvage what we can."
"What then?" another asked. "What'll we do then?"
"We find shelter." Bard said. Bard rushed his people to take what they could to prepare to leave. "Take only what you need. We have a long march ahead." He walked around, helping his people prepare to leave. His steps leading him towards where Ayla, Legolas and Tauriel stood.
"Where will you go?" Legolas asked, looking at Bard.
"There is only one place." Bard said, while the drowned rat followed him around like a lost puppy.
Ayla turned her head towards the mountain, knowing that Fili, Kili, Bofur and Oin should be arriving to the mountain within a few hours.
"The mountain. You are a genius, Sire. We can take refuge inside the mountain." the rat said, "It might smell a bit of dragon, but the women can clean that up. It'll be safe and warm and dry and full of stores, bedding, clothing…the odd bit o' gold."
Bard turned sharply around at the rat. "What gold is in that mountain is cursed." Bard said, "We will take only what was promised to us. Only what we need to rebuild our lives."
"News of the death of Smaug will have spread through the lands." Legolas said, stepping up to Bard. "Others will now look to the mountain…for its wealth and its position."
Bard turned to look at Legolas carefully. "What is it that you know?"
Legolas glanced at Ayla and Bard's eyes followed, having seen the woman helping his injured people. "Nothing for certain. It's what I fear may come." Legolas left Bard's side and walked back to Ayla who turned to walk with him. Tauriel joined them, noticing the brisk steps her prince was taking.
"You saw something, didn't you?" Ayla said.
"The orc I pursued out of Lake-town, I know who he is." Legolas said, "Bolg, spawn of Azog the Defiler. A warg pack was waiting for him on the outskirts of Esgarith. They fled into the north. These orcs were different from the others. They bore a mark I have not seen for a long time. The mark of Gundabad."
They stopped walking and a coldness spread through Ayla's veins. The memory of the orc stabbing her in the stomach that horrific night, killing her baby and nearly killing her with it if not for Thranduil.
"Gundabad?" Tauriel said in shock.
"An orc stronghold in the far north of the Misty Mountains." Legolas said, he looked back at Tauriel and Ayla.
"My Lord Legolas…" they turned to see an elven messenger on horseback approach them. "I bring word from your Father. You and Lady Ayla are to return to him immediately."
"Come, Tauriel." Legolas said.
"My Lord…Tauriel is banished." said the messenger.
"Banished?" Legolas asked, feeling rage building up in his chest. He will not suffer insult from his own father for banishing Tauriel. "You may tell my Father that if there is no place for Tauriel, there is no place for me."
Tauriel stepped up to stand behind him. "Legolas…it is your King's command." she said softly.
Legolas turned to look at her. "Yes, he is my King…but he does not command my heart."
Ayla smiled at his words, her heart warmed by such a corny line. "Legolas, go and investigate the north," Ayla said, "When I was in Rivendell after Thorin and his company arrived I was in council with Lord Elrond, Gandalf, Saruman and Lady Galadriel. Gandalf had said something about an enemy returning and even had evidence of a Nazgul blade that shouldn't even exist. Then there was something Gandalf said about seeing to a lead on the enemy before we entered the forest."
"Then I will go." Legolas said, looking at Tauriel. "Will you come with me?"
Tauriel looked to Ayla who nodded her head in approval before turning to follow Legolas. Ayla turned to the messenger who held out his hand to her to take. She reached up and took the offered hand and was easily pulled up onto the horse behind the messenger.
"You're leaving us?" came Bard's voice. Ayla turned her head to see Bard with his three children clustered close to him. "There are still injured people who need a healer now more than ever. You are the only one here who has the skill to help them. I've seen your work. Barely a day has passed and already nearly half the injured are back on their feet. You cannot abandon us now."
"Bard, is it?" Ayla asked, getting a nod of confirmation from the man. "I'm sorry but I have to make sure that my friends are still alive." Ayla said, before speaking to the elven messenger. "Take me to Erebor first."
"But My Lady, the King has commanded—"
"I know what the King has commanded; I am merely requesting a detour."
"Of…of course, My Lady."
"I will meet you in the ruins of Dale." she said to Bard before riding off.
xxxxx
By horseback, Ayla arrived just on the outskirts of Erebor. Seeing it so barren and lifeless pulled at her heart as she remembered once was the road from the gates to Dale were full of beautiful trees and flowers. She dismounted from the horse and looked up at the messenger.
"Tell the King that I will be waiting for him here, and that he must bring aid. Food, water and medicine." Ayla said, knowing this was only going to piss Thranduil off even more, but it was worth it if it will help the people of Lake-town and to help persuade all parties from going to war. After all, Legolas was right to say that others will come. This was not the first time she experienced disasters leading to war, and she had a sinking feeling that this was exactly the path that she was unfortunately sliding down on.
"Yes, My Lady." the messenger said, though he looked uneasy in leaving her there alone. Ayla smiled up at him reassuringly.
"I'll be fine." she said, "Oh, and do tell Kwenthrith to come. I'll need her help."
As soon as he rode away Ayla carefully made her way down the rocky slope, losing her footing a few times and sliding down the gravel, scraping her hands and ruining the threading of her clothes. It was of little consequence to her as she made it onto the old road that led her to the doors of Erebor. She saw the rubble that was once the front doors into the mountain, and she could just make out shadows in the entrance of the waning daylight where a new wall was being erected. No one seemed to take notice of her as she got closer until she was practically at the wall that she could easily climb over. She brought two fingers to her lips and blew, whistling loud enough to suspend all activity and get everyone's attention. She nearly laughed when she saw their heads look over the wall.
"Lady Ayla?"
"It's her! Lady Ayla is here!"
"You gonna let me in or are girls not allowed in your club house?" Ayla joked.
"Climb up here, lass!" Balin said, tossing down a rope. Ayla grinned as she hoisted herself up with the ropes, using the cracks and climbed up the six feet of wall.
Reaching the top, she climbed over the wall with very little grace and sat back with an exhausted "Why are you barricading yourselves in? The dragon is dead." Ayla said.
"Thorin ordered it." Kili said, fidgeting nervously as he gave a quick glance to his uncle.
"That still doesn't answer my question." Ayla said, looking at Thorin who stared back at her. "You have your mountain, isn't that enough?"
"No. The Arkenstone has yet to be found and I need to make sure that my legacy is safe and secure." Thorin said.
Ayla looked around at everyone, seeing how they remained unusually quiet. But it was clear to Ayla what they were all thinking as she looked back at Thorin. "For the love of—have you lost your sense of humanity?" A silence fell over everyone as they all looked nervously between her and Thorin. "The people of Lake-town just lost everything and you're in here barricading yourselves in over a stupid rock?! From what I have heard you promised those people a share in the wealth! The least you can do is give them enough to rebuild their lives."
"What other choice was there?!" Thorin yelled, "To barter off our heirlooms, our legacy in exchange for food and clothes!"
"You denying them their promised share makes you no better than when Thranduil turned your people away." Ayla said pointedly, practically seeing Thorin's hackles rise at being compared to the Elvenking. "But keep your wall if it makes you feel better about yourself. But how does the rest of your crew feel? Is your King being just for allowing his greed and paranoia to cloud his judgment?"
"You have no right to question me!" Thorin yelled.
"I have every right! And so do your people!" Ayla snapped back, rising to her tired feet. "There's a reason why I was against this quest in the first place. I was afraid of what this place would do to you—has already done to you. I didn't want you to end up mad like your grandfather."
"I am not him!" he screamed.
"Look in a mirror, you already are." Ayla said.
Silence fell over them all. Ayla's words echoing in Thorin's ears, rattling him as he began to lose his composure. Looking around at all the eyes that stared back at him Thorin turned away and hurriedly left the scene but not before throwing the order to continue with the wall over his shoulder. Ayla huffed as she rubbed her temples.
"Legacy my ass." she tsked, placing her hands on her hips. "I'll go after him." She hopped down the piled rocks to go after Thorin when Balin stopped her.
"Lass, if you can, help him before it takes control of him." he said, "This place…you were right to be afraid of what it will do. Please, help him see his error. Help him be cured of the sickness."
"I will do my best, Balin. That's all I can promise." Ayla said. She turned away and again returned to the task of going after Thorin. It took her awhile to navigate the dizzying roads of Erebor, the memories of the past flooding back. She ducked her head through a doorway and finally found Thorin, standing inside a room where the gems were stored. He was at a table where more gems had been piled on top of the dusty stone surface.
"Thorin…" Ayla said softly, slowly approaching him. The look on his face as he stared at the glittering stones, it was a look she recognized in his grandfather when she had observed him one evening, wandering around his treasury and fondling at the gold. It was painful to see it on his grandson. When she was close enough she reached up and touched his shoulder, though the pauldron of his robes were so thick it was doubtful he felt her touch. "Thorin." she said again. He finally looked up at her and in the dim light she could see the shadows under his eyes. He obviously wasn't sleeping, his obsession depriving him of rest.
"Ayla…forgive me. I didn't want you to see me like this." he said softly.
"Its fine, I understand you're frustrated. You're just under a lot of stress. You need to slow down and take a breath. When was the last time you slept?"
"Did the elves treat you well?" he asked.
"Of course they did." Ayla said, "Thorin, you need to rest."
"Come, sit down, I have something to show you." he said, taking her hand and leading her to a bench. Ayla sat down, worried that he was entering the manic phase of the sickness, she will need to tread lightly. Thorin went to a chest and opened it up, holding up a necklace of diamonds as he looked at her. It was a stunningly beautiful necklace, but Ayla felt that it had been tainted by Thorin's sudden madness as the fever was quickly taking root in him.
"Thorin, will you not talk to me?" she asked, her concern for him only growing.
"The white gems of Lasgalen," he said, as he approached her with the necklace. "I know of an elven lord who will pay a pretty price for these." his eyes flicked up to Ayla's as a crude grin appeared on his face. "Originally made as a gift for his queen." His face then darkened as he tossed the necklace aside into a pile of other diamonds before suddenly grabbing Ayla's head, forcing her to look at him, startling Ayla as she looked into his wild eyes. "He cannot have my queen!" He crushed his mouth onto hers and Ayla immediately pushed him away as she stood up, eyes wide in shock and disgust. He looked back up at her, his eyes dark and unfamiliar.
"This isn't you, this place…it's obviously making you sick." Ayla said, feeling afraid of the dwarf, her friend, for the first time. She may be taller and possibly faster than him, but if he got a hold of her again, she knew she wasn't strong enough to push him away a second time.
"I'm perfectly fine," he said, still leering at her. "But it's clear to me that you were sent by them…sent by that elf traitor!"
"I came on my own, Thorin. Listen, please, the people of Lake-town are on their way here. They need shelter and supplies; they don't have anything more than the clothes on their backs. Show them that you're a King of his word. Show them that you have honor and mercy."
Thorin's leer softened and then changed to one of shame as he looked down. Ayla began to hope that she was finally getting through to him as she slowly approached him. In the past she wasn't very good at talking people down from a ledge, but over the years she got quite good at mitigating conflicts. Once she was in front of him she reached down and took his thick hands.
"You're a good man, Thorin. You're honorable and I know deep down you want to help those people because you've been in their place before."
He let out a shaky breath, his thick fingers gently squeezing her hands. "Thank you, Ayla, for helping me see clearly." Ayla felt some relief as she smiled down at Thorin, seeing the dwarf she knew returning when suddenly his hold on her hands were tight, beginning to hurt the bones in her fingers. He pulled her down, catching her off guard as she was forced to her knees; a sharp yelp escaped her when she felt a pop in her right knee. "I see clearly that you're trying to take me for a fool!"
He pushed her down on her back, the back of her head hitting the stone floor and making white lights flash in her eyes as he straddled her stomach, his hands holding her shoulders down, pinning her in place. Ayla struggled, mentally kicking herself for letting her guard down when she should've known better. As she had feared, he was too strong for her physically as he glared down at her, the wildness back in his eyes.
"For years I've loved you! Pined for you! I give you my heart and all you've done is stamp down on it!" he yelled, one hand found its way onto Ayla's throat, squeezing her airway. She clawed at his wrist and frantically tried to push him off of her as his hand slowly crushed her windpipe. "It is my turn to take from you!"
Tears stung her eyes as she struggled to get free. Her vision was beginning to blur and her lungs burned, aching for air as her frantic struggling grew weaker by the second.
"Thorin, stop! You're killing her!" came Bilbo's voice and suddenly Thorin was pulled off of Ayla. She sucked in a breath of air and coughed as she rolled onto her side and pushed herself up. She touched her neck, still able to feel his hands there as she looked back at Thorin. Bilbo was at her side, helping her sit up and patting her back and the strange headache was creeping back into Ayla. Balin was also there, standing by Bilbo, looking down at her with worry and then at Thorin who was being held back by Dwalin and Fili and Kili.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Dwalin yelled, still holding Thorin back with his nephews.
"Uncle! What has gotten into you?" Fili asked, "Ayla is our friend!"
"It's best you get out of her, lass." Balin said, helping Ayla to her feet.
She didn't argue and quickly left without a word to spare, his behavior was too aggressive and out of character, the madness in his eyes scared her.
"Are you satisfied now?" Balin asked as he looked at Thorin who seemed to be calming down. "You attacked Ayla! Out of everyone here in this room you attacked the one person who came to help you! You have changed, Thorin! We all can see that."
"She came here to help us, uncle!" Kili said, "She is our only chance of avoiding war with the humans."
"Don't you care enough to realize that you are creating a rift between yourself and your friends?" Balin asked. When he got no response from Thorin, the elder dwarf shook his head in disapproval and left him there, and he was joined by the rest.
Left behind, Thorin could only thing about finding the Arkenstone. To him finding the stone took priority over mending what was left of his relationship with Ayla.
xxxxx
Ayla sat out by the wall, her neck sore from Thorin's crushing grip and her right knee ached from when she fell on it. She knew a bruise would appear within the next few hours and would take a day or two before it vanished. It had definitely been a long time since she felt actual fear for her own safety. It was a dark echo of the days when Thorin would get violent with her, leading up to her falling to her near death. Regardless of what his intentions were, it had scared her. She felt it was too late to reverse whatever is happening to Thorin.
"Auntie," Kili said softly, him and his brother coming to check on her. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, just a little rattled." she said, her voice was weak and raspy.
"Our uncle, he's not like that normally." Fili said, "It's this place, I think."
"It is this place." she agreed, standing up. "Don't take this the wrong way, boys, but I hope the Arkenstone is never found. It's not going to do anything but make your uncle's condition worse."
"Why would you say that?" Kili asked.
"Because it drove your great-grandfather mad. And I see the same thing in Thorin." she moved to head towards the wall, intent on leaving. She couldn't stay in the ruins of Erebor, she couldn't risk staying near Thorin less she wanted to tempt fate and see if he will attempt in killing her. He might actually succeed. She climbed up the wall, seeing that it was almost complete.
"Wait, where are you going?" Kili asked.
"You're not leaving us, are you, My Lady?" asked Ori.
Ayla turned to look at the dwarves. "I can't stay here. But I promise you, I'll do what I can to prevent a war from happening. Take care of each other." She climbed down the wall and once on the ground, she walked (actually limped) back towards Dale, already seeing that the refugees from Lake-town had made camp and lit fires. Night had already fallen and with only her jacket to keep her warm it wasn't enough to keep the cold from seeping into her bones.
When she finally arrived into the ruins of Dale, she walked past the refugees, squatting in buildings that still had roofs over them, huddled around fires to stay warm. She walked up the cobbled streets, the echoing memories of the past ringing in her ears as she navigated her way around the ruins. She stopped every so often, checking on the people who were injured and sick, taking note that they had no food or water. The poor people wouldn't last three days in the cold and she just hoped that help will come soon.
"You are a strange woman," Bard said as he walked up to Ayla while she was wrapping a man's arm with a dirty rag (unfortunately). "You appear human but you know elven medicine."
Ayla laughed lightly, ignoring the scratchiness in her throat from her injury. "You're right about that, I am very strange and I know elven medicine."
"Thank you," Bard suddenly said, "You're not one of us from Lake-town but you stayed after our home was destroyed to help."
"I stayed because your people lost everything, and none of them have much knowledge about plants that can help them." Ayla stood up once she was done with the man's injury, wincing when her right knee gave a painful twinge before she moved on, looking around for others who needed help. Bard followed her, watching her curiously.
"Those elves that were with you, they listened to you. Why is that? Why would they listen to a human?" he asked, grabbing her shoulder and turning her around to face him. "Who are you?"
She smiled, figuring she will humor him as she kept on walking. "I've been called many names in the past; witch, healer, Teacher of Medicine, The Surgeon, Speaker of the Elves, Friend of the Dwarves, the most common I've heard though is Mother of Mercy." she stopped and looked back at him, seeing the disbelief on his face. "But you may call me Ayla."
"Mother of Mercy…that's nothing more than an old wives tale. A figure for mothers to pray to for their sick children to recover." Bard said.
Ayla shrugged her shoulders. "You asked who I am, and I told you."
"The Mother of Mercy is said to be an elderly woman, you are clearly not."
"I just take care of my skin. Too much sun actually ages you." she joked, "You don't have to believe me, but I have no reason to lie."
"If you are friends to the dwarves, then you know of Thorin and his company?"
"Yes, and don't bother asking for me to speak to him, I've already tried." Ayla said her previously light mood now heavy as she touched her sore throat. "He won't listen to reason."
He nodded his head and stopped her by putting a hand on her arm. "I feared as much. I knew he would go back on his word. But thank you again, and for also keeping my children safe."
She stared at his face and couldn't help the smile curve her lips. "Now I know why you look familiar." she said, looking at Bard. "You're Girian's descendant. You look very much like him."
"How would you know that? That was decades ago." Bard said.
Ayla's smile grew. "He was a good man, too, much like you. He cared for the well-being of his people."
Most of the severely wounded had been gathered in the old city hall, cloistered together around lit fires for warmth against the oncoming winter. It broke Ayla's heart to see an entire town uprooted from their homes again, seeking shelter as their lives were forever changed.
She could barely sleep that night, her mind too full of thoughts and scenarios of everything that can go wrong and everything that had already gone wrong. It felt like an eternity for the sun to finally rise and that was when at first light she noticed an army of elves filtering through the city, sneaking up on the poor humans who were still asleep. Yet the sight of their gleaming armor brought Ayla some sense of comfort knowing the Thranduil answered her call for aid. It wasn't until a few hours later when the people began to stir was when their presence was made known. Bard had come out, seeing the army of elves and saw Ayla had already been up before him.
Ayla walked ahead of him, the elven soldiers turning to let her pass and then returning to their original stance. Bard followed after her as she made her way across the pavilion. Once he was past through the wall of elves he saw the Elvenking riding up upon a magnificent great elk. He watched as the Elvenking halted his steed in front of Ayla. As he got closer, he began to catch their conversation, the tone between the two and the way they spoke to each other was too casual for acquaintances. He couldn't see Ayla's face as her back was to him but the look in the Elvenking's eyes was a look he recognized because he himself had the same eyes for his wife before she passed: love. Unfettered, pure love. And the very second the elf's eyes flicked up to meet Bard's they were instantly steeled over and cold, sending ice through his veins.
He faced and killed a dragon and would not cow before the Elvenking. "My Lord Thranduil, we did not look to see you here." Bard said, still perplexed as to why he and his army were here.
"I heard you needed aid." Thranduil said as he motioned to one side and a cart of food driven by two elves came into view. The people from Lake-town were slowly coming out, relieved to see the help they were receiving.
"You have saved us. I do not know how to thank you!" Bard said.
"Your gratitude is misplaced. I did not come on your behalf. I've come to reclaim something of mine." Thranduil said, looking straight at Bard. He signaled his soldiers to begin their march. He looked at Ayla who just shook her head in disappointment.
"You will go to war over a handful of gems?" Bard asked incredulously.
"The heirlooms of my people are not lightly forsaken." Thranduil said.
"We are allies in this. My people also have a claim on the riches in that mountain." Bard said, "Let me speak with Thorin."
"You would try to reason with a dwarf?" Thranduil asked.
"To avoid war? Yes." Bard said.
"I've already told you, he won't listen." Ayla said, "He no longer recognizes his friends from his enemies." Ayla turned away and walked towards the cart where she greeted Kwenthrith warmly, hugging the elf maiden.
"I'm glad to see you're safe." Kwenthrith said.
"Please tell me he's really not here because of those stupid diamonds." Ayla said quietly.
"They're more than just diamonds to our people, but I understand your point. I just hope that lives will not be lost this day." Kwenthrith said.
Ayla sighed heavily, wishing for this headache to just end or simply just hope to implode. Either way, she didn't want to see another war over something as petty as gold. She's already had her fill. She heard the patter of hooves approaching her from behind, alerting her that Thranduil was approaching. She turned and looked up at him.
"Thank you again for coming." she said, trying to hide the hoarseness of her voice.
"I will say that I was rather cross with you for not returning by my command. Of course, then again, it is you after all." he said, seeing Ayla smile. "But I must admit I was intrigued that you had the nerve to send my messenger back with this request for aid."
"Why pass up an opportunity to upset dwarves?" Ayla said, clearly being sarcastic and seeing the hint of a smirk appear on his face, making Ayla a bit weak in the knees (especially since she had injured it less than ten hours ago). Thranduil moved on as his soldiers positioned themselves strategically upon the walls of Dale, facing Erebor. Erecting tents for both soldiers and the refugees.
Bard returned from the gates of Erebor on horseback with a disappointed look as he halted his horse in front of Thranduil. Clearly his plea with Thorin did not go as planned. "He will give us nothing."
"Such a pity." the Elvenking said, not at all surprised. "Still, you tried."
"I do not understand. Why? Why would he risk war?" Bard said, looking back at the gates in time to see part of a statue being dropped, destroying the bridge that linked up to the front gate.
"It is fruitless to reason with them. They understand only one thing. We attack at dawn." Thranduil said, turning his elk around and slowly heading back into the ruin city. "Are you with us?"
Bard dismounted his horse and looked around, seeing the elves helping his people, some even attending to the sick and injured with medicine and clean dressing. He saw Ayla among his people, tending to a young girl's injured leg that had a long laceration down the side of her shin. He watched in fascination as she cleaned the wound with clean water and applied a dark paste to the wound and then taking a needle and thread, she sutured the wound closed and the child did not cry in pain.
"You truly are the Mother of Mercy." he said as he approached.
"If that's how you want to see me, then so be it." Ayla said, still suturing the wound, weaving it closed with such skill and efficiency that the stitching was even and no blood leaked out from the wound.
"Are you a witch, then?" he asked.
"How dare you!" Kwenthrith said in Ayla's defense. The elf surprised Bard as he did not notice her presence until then. Strikingly beautiful as her kind was, with dark hair and violet eyes, staring at him fiercely in defense of her Lady. Bard admired such loyalty the elven maiden had for the healer.
"I could be a witch." Ayla said with a shrug of her shoulders. "But as far as I can tell, I'm just as human as you are."
"A human with odd alliances." Bard said casually.
Kwenthrith stepped forward in Bard's line of sight with a cold glare. "She is not some common human like yourself."
"That's enough, Mellon." Ayla said, "How much opium paste did you bring?"
"Hopefully enough." Kwenthrith said, still glaring at Bard.
"My Lady," said another elf as he approached them. "Lord Thranduil has requested your audience in private."
Ayla tied off the thread with a secure knot before she stood, cleaning her hands off with a wet rag as Kwenthrith took over and wrapped the child's leg. Ayla looked to Bard; her expression was gentle but also guarded. "Instead of wasting your time on me and my 'odd' alliances, how about you spend it on your people? They're inexperienced and they will need all the guidance their leader has to offer." she tossed the wet rag at him, of which he caught, and walked away with her elven escort.
Kwenthrith finished wrapping the child's leg and stood up to face bard again, still looking at him with dislike.
"I meant no offense, my Lady." Bard said.
"Lady Ayla may be quick to dismiss such names but I do not. She is a great healer that deserves the respect of all." Kwenthrith said before haughtily walking away, leaving Bard in her wake.
xxxxx
Ayla arrived to the Elvenking's tent; the flaps were drawn down for "privacy," leaving him and Ayla alone. Ayla resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the décor in the tent; it was mindboggling as to why he would need so much stuff when they were clearly on the brink of war. There was even a separate attachment of his tent that had a bed! Was that even necessary? How long was he planning to stick around? It was better to not ask, feeling like she will lose control of herself and let her eyes roll. But she couldn't fight against the idea that instantly popped into her head of them both naked and making love for everyone to hear. Why the hell did he have to be so magnetic that she could never get too far from his gravitational pull?
It also didn't help that he had removed his armor and was dressed in his silver robes with the black leaf patterns that looked too heavenly on him. And the silver crown wrapped around his head only added to his beauty. Wrapped around his shoulders hung his red velvet cloak, reminding Ayla of the cold and it made her shiver.
"Tell me," he began calmly as he poured wine into two goblets. "Why did you leave this time? And why should I forgive you?" he carried the goblets in his hands, handing one to Ayla.
"This time it wasn't out of spite." she replied, taking a sip of the sweet and tart ruby liquid, feeling it already warming her chilled body. "Tauriel came to me, she asked for my help."
"And why would she ask for your help?"
"One of the dwarves, Kili, was poisoned by an orc's arrow. He would have died without medicine." she looked up at him, showing him that she wasn't lying. "I had every intention of coming back; I just didn't foresee the dragon attacking Lake-town. And then the people needed help…" she let out a tired sigh. "I couldn't leave them to die."
"Hmm…as I have said before, your heart is too big and your net is too wide."
She couldn't stop the giggle that came up from her chest, those words he said to her that night before they made up resonated within her, reminding her that once her heart wasn't big enough and her net was too small. She looked up at him again, seeing him smile at her and knowing that he wasn't angry this time.
"Did I mention how grateful I am that you came?" she asked, playing coy.
"In words, yes," he said, clearly catching on as he stepped closer to her where she could feel his body heat radiating off of him. "But perhaps you can show me your gratitude." Ayla's smile grew as she raised her face up to him as his came down, their lips touching tenderly.
His skin was almost scalding against her cold lips, but they quickly warmed up the longer their lips remained touching. His warmth lured the rest of her in as she pressed herself up against him, feeling one arm wrap around her waist and a firm, hot palm pressing against her mid-back. Pulling back, he took their goblets and set them down on the table before picking her up and walking over to his chair. Sitting on his lap and with both hands free, she cradled his head in her hands as she continued to kiss his perfect lips. His hands roamed up her back, one sliding down her side to rest on her hip. He moved his mouth down her chin and to her neck only for her to yelp in pain and jerk away.
He looked at her with concern while her eyes were cast down and a hand gingerly on her throat. Ayla had completely forgotten that Thorin had choked her in his fit of mania, having been preoccupied with tending to the wounded and sick. Thranduil carefully pulled her hand away to see her neck, a low growl of anger coming out at the sight of the purple bruise. He didn't need to ask who gave her the bruise.
"Oakenshield will pay dearly for this insult." he said, lightly tracing a finger on the delicate skin. Ayla had no words to defend Thorin, she had tried to reason with him and in turn he tried to kill her. "That dwarf preached about honor and yet he did this to you…to a woman he claimed his undying love to." Ayla's eyes flicked up to his, locking with the cool grey of his eyes.
"I knew the risk; I just didn't realize how quickly the sickness took hold of him. He isn't himself." she let out a long sigh and dropped her head to his shoulder. "All this trouble over something as petty as gold." she said, shivering slightly despite the warmth he radiated. "But is it really worth fighting over? Let them keep their treasure and save your people from a pointless fight."
"It has become more than just a grudge over a chest of jewels." he said, wrapping his velvet cloak around her. "He dared to lay his hands on you. To leave such a mark on your skin…that I cannot allow to go unpunished."
"I just wish it didn't have to come to this…to war."
"For you, nin mel, I will give them one last chance." he said.
Ayla raised her head to look at him and smiled. "Thank you," she said softly, leaning forward and planting a kiss to his soft lips.
He touched his forehead to hers, the metal band that was his crown felt cool against her forehead. Their noses lightly brushing each other. It was these quiet moments with him that Ayla treasured the most, no words needing to be said as they simply basked in each other's company. The touch of their hands intimate, resting on each other's hearts, needing nothing more than to feel the gentle pulsing reverberating through their chests.
