CONTENT WARNING for Chapter 26: Rated M for Strong language, violence.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything created by Tolkein and Middle-Earth. This is for entertainment only.
Song for the Chapter: "Battlefield" by SVRCINA
Chapter 26 - Problems & Proclamations
I am not a warrior because I will always win,
But because I will always fight
Aurora slowed Egg down and brought him to a halt as she saw the treeline into the clearing. She looked to the guards at her side again, "Caspian? Will you do something for me?"
The guard looked at Aurora and nodded his head slightly, "Anything, Hiril Vuin (Beloved Lady)."
Aurora pulled the chain from over her head revealing Ondo Ilma to the guards as they stared at the stone, clearly in awe of the relic that was once thought lost. She held the chain out towards him, "See that the King gets this, please."
"Lady Aurora," Caspian hesitated as he looked at the sone, "If you choose to bestow this gift to the King then you can give it to him yourself when we—"
"Will you just indulge me, please?" She interrupted, knowing that she didn't have much time before midnight.
Caspian reached up and took the necklace from her and stored it in a pocket of his robes, "I will return it to you."
"Awesome," Aurora gave a weak smile and looked to the clearing again, "I should go alone from here…" She looked down once more at the guards, "Will all of you promise me something?"
"Whatever you ask, my Lady." Dusan had stepped forward.
Aurora took a deep breath and pulled a letter to from her saddlebag, handing it to Fintan. She felt a tear roll down her cheek as she thought of her next words, "Give this to Augustus and please… Take care of him."
Fintan moved toward her, took the letter and held on toAurora's hand, giving it a light squeeze, "On my life, he will be protected and cared for."
"Thank you," Aurora returned the squeeze and let his hand go, "Thank you for everything, all of you." The guards repeated the motion of placing their hand over their heart and bowed to her. She looked at each of them once more, giving them a nod before urging Egg forward.
Egg stood at the edge of the clearing for another long moment as Aurora fastened the quiver of arrows to her back and pulled her bow from her shoulder. She leaned over and wrapped her arms around Egg's neck. "I love you handsome," She whispered, "if I tell you to run, you run okay?"
She clicked her tongue lightly and Egg began walking towards the fire in the center of the clearing. She could see the silhouette of three figures against the orange glow; two of them seemed to slump over and were leaning against downed logs that had been turned into makeshift benches. Aurora felt dread in the pit of her stomach as the third figure rose from where he was sitting and walked to the side of the fire that was closer to where she and Egg approached. Aurora saw the fire shine in his eyes as a malicious smile spread across his face.
She felt Egg tense underneath her as they got closer to the fire and the man who had haunted her darkest thoughts for two years. In hindsight, she should have paid more attention to Egg's behavior towards Sam. He was always kicking and biting at him when he came to the stable. Aurora couldn't understand why Egg, the horse that was so sweet she would let her friends children ride around, hated Sam so much. The one time that Sam had tried to ride Egg he had bucked him off immediately and Sam broke two ribs. She stopped Egg several feet from the fire and her eyes were drawn to the unconscious figures of Priamos and Tauriel.
"Do not fear," she heard Sam's drawling voice, "they're still alive, as promised."
She looked back over to him as he stepped around the log and began walking towards her. Egg flattened his ears and tossed his head, taking a few steps backward and Sam chuckled softly. "I see that Egg hasn't changed much," he stopped walking and looked up to meet her eyes for the first time, "but you..." Sam took another step forward and Aurora nocked an arrow and pointed her bow at him. He stopped moving and slightly raised his hand in a mock-surrender but still held a smile that made Aurora begin to tremble, "You've changed quite a bit, haven't you?"
"Let them go," Aurora managed to whisper.
Sam chuckled softly, "I would, but they're unconscious. So now the question is, what are you and I going to do until they wake up?" He took another step forward and Rory pulled back on her bowstring, "Come on Rory... You and I both know you don't have what it takes to shoot someo—"
He took a step back as the arrow sunk into the ground by where his foot had just been. Aurora quickly nocked another arrow and pointed the bow at him again. When she spoke her voice held such an annoyingly indifferent tone that it would've made Thranduil proud, "You were saying?"
The amused expression faded from Sam's face and was replaced with a venomous glare that was all too familiar to Aurora. His darkened eyes met hers again as he spoke dangerously low, "You will not want to do that again."
"Why is that?" Aurora challenged, "What is stopping me from killing you right now?"
He raised one of his arms and Aurora saw movement in the treeline on the far end of the clearing. In a matter of moments, orcs had suddenly appeared along the treeline, there had to be near 100. Sam held her gaze as he slowly reached inside his robe and Aurora inhaled quickly as she saw him produce the thin black daggers. They were identical to the one that Legolas had pulled from Augustus.
"You recognize these, don't you?" He turned around and he slowly walked over to where the unconscious Captains were laying. Aurora tensed up as he ran one of the blades lightly along Tauriel's face, but didn't draw blood. He looked back up to Aurora, "I promised you that they would be returned alive... Do you want to be the reason that they return to the palace poisoned and clinging to life... like Augustus?" He smiled as he saw Aurora shudder at the mention of her brother and then he added, "So why don't you get off that horse, and come sit by the fire."
Aurora hesitated for several long moments and then lowered her bow and then dismounted. She raised her bow again and slowly made her way to the fire. As she sat down she tightened her grip on her bow once again.
Sam moved to the other side of the fire, never taking his eyes off of her as he whispered, "Good girl." He sat down across from her and continued, "Tricky thing, Morgul blades, aren't they? Such destructive power with the slightest cut... Did you get my flower?"
"You know I hate Black Dahlia's..." Aurora replied coldly.
"Ah yes how could I have forgotten," Sam drawled, "they were my favorite flower, not yours."
"So why did you get me a bouquet of them for my parent's funeral?" Aurora asked, remembering the horrible day, "they symbolize betrayal and bad omens."
"I guess you should've gotten the hint… Such a sad way for your parents to be brutally murdered," Sam smiled wide as the flames reflected in his eyes, "I hear that the stab from a Morgul blade is almost as unbearable as the poison itself."
Aurora let his words sink in. How did he know about the Morgul blades? Aurora's eyes widened as realization dawned. "You..." Her voice trembled as she whispered, "You killed them."
Sam watched as tears filled Aurora's eyes as the reality of what he had done sunk in. A slight smile forming at the corners of his mouth as he watched the shadows darken around her. At the sight of his smile, Aurora felt a burning rage rise up in her and before she realized what she was doing, she was pulling her bowstring back and she released the arrow directly at him.
Gandalf moved towards Augustus with lightning speed as he collapsed; clutching his chest and screaming in pain. The wizard wrapped his arms around him and guided him to the armchair in the grand parlor of Thranduil's chambers. Gandalf watched as Augustus relaxed slightly as the pain subsided. Gandalf quickly poured a goblet of wine and brought it back to Augustus.
Augustus looked up at Gandalf and took the goblet as he muttered, "You have to let me go after her. He's going to kill her."
"I am sorry lad," Gandalf sighed as he watched Augustus take a long drink of wine, "Although I am not required to follow orders he gives; I must agree with King Thranduil in this circumstance that you are to stay here. He will not let her die, I promise you that."
"I can't lose her, Gandalf." Augustus breathed as he took another drink of wine. He looked at the goblet suddenly feeling lightheaded, "This wine tastes awful."
"I'm afraid that is my doing," Gandalf took the goblet from Augustus as he tried to stand but stumbled back into the armchair, "You see... I added a powerful sleeping potion into your drink."
"You drugged me," Augustus looked up as he felt his eyelids growing heavy and he started to slowly close them, "you crafty bastard..."
Thranduil had never pushed his Elk so fast as he looked to see Legolas on his right. He could hear his soldiers in the trees above him and he could only hope that they would get to the clearing in time. He had sent half the convoy back to the palace to fortify and ready the walls for a potential attack. He ordered Tonvever to have Kasterren and all other healers standing by.
Thranduil glanced over at Legolas once more and saw an expression that he was sure reflected his own. Rage and terror.
Ionneg (my son), Thranduil opened his mind to his son as he issued silent orders, you are to focus on Tauriel and Priamos. Get them out of the clearing and to the palace as fast as you can.
Legolas returned his father's glance, What will you do, Ada?
I will bring her home.
Aurora stared wide-eyed as the blood trickled down his upper arm where the arrow had caught him. He looked at her with a wild fury that she had never seen and before she could nock another arrow he was on top of her. His hands gripped tight around her neck and she grasped at his hands as he shouted, "You will not do that again! Do you understand, you stupid cunt?! You seem to have forgotten a lot of your manners in the two years I've been gone. We'll have to address that once we return to Dol Guldur."
He released her and stood up, breathing heavily as he watched Aurora gasp for air. He took several deep breaths as his voice evened out, "I have sacrificed everything for you, you bitch; and this is how you repay me?"
"Why Sam?" Aurora coughed out, "Why are you doing this?"
"The prophecy," He spoke directly, "Thranduil is a fool if he only thinks only a handful knows of it. I know that you will become a great Queen, but not through the light. Too long have elves sat by and been stepped on by a world we could rule if only they realized the power we hold. Darkness is not the enemy, Rory. I am only trying to ensure that you reach your full potential."
"You're insane," Aurora whispered.
"That is a matter of perspective," Sam spoke as he pulled the thin black daggers from his robe again, "I'm sorry you have to learn this lesson. But you must understand… Actions have consequences."
Aurora tried to scramble away as he strode towards her but he grabbed her by her braid and dragged her back towards the fire. She fought against him as he threw her next to the unconscious Captains. "Just remember," he gripped the hilt of the dagger again, "this is your fault." Without another word, he plunged the dagger into Tauriel's leg.
Both Captains jolted awake to the sound of Tauriel's scream. They both held expressions of terror as they took in their surroundings. Tauriel's eyes widened as she saw Aurora laying at her feet.
"This is what you made me do!" He shouted at her, "if you had just behaved as you were supposed to!"
"YOU FUCKING MONSTER! I am going to kill you!" Aurora shouted as she tried to stand up again, feeling the shadows darken around her.
She collapsed to the ground as she felt the back of his hand connect with her face. A moment later she felt herself being dragged back towards the fire once again. "Are we going to have to do this again?" She heard Sam ask in a frenzied tone, "Into the fire we go…"
"Please Sam," Aurora begged, "You're hurting me…"
Sam leaned in closer as he continued dragging her, "That's the fucking point!"
Aurora began to panic and thrash in Sam's grip as she felt the flames growing hotter on her back. "VARNO, SI! (Guards, now!)" She screamed above Tauriel and Praimos's shouts.
Aurora had expected three arrows but watched in awe as dozens flew from the treeline and struck the orcs. There was a stunned silence for a moment then Aurora heard the loud call of an Elk. Her head whipped back around and she saw Thranduil's silhouette emerge from the treeline, his armor shining in the moonlight.
His powerful voice filled the silent clearing, "Daug Eryn Lasgalen! Iston i vellas lin ne ndagor! Maetho i megil din na-nin a dago i chyth! (Soldiers of Greenwood the Great! I know your strength in battle! Draw your swords with me and kill the enemies!)"
"DISUM TAK RAD! (ATTACK THEM NOW!)" Same bellowed in Black Speech as the elves began their charge into the clearing. He grabbed Aurora by the throat and pulled her up so she was level with his face, the tips of her toes barely brushing the ground, "You will be his."
Aurora was losing her breath quickly so she moved quickly and she knew that she needed to act quickly. She finished pulling the dagger from her boot and plunged it into Sam's leg. He howled in pain as they both fell to the ground. She gave him one more swift kick to the face before she turned and ran for Tauriel.
She heard the thunder of swords beginning to clash together as she reached Tauriel who was leaning into Priamos. "You have to help me get her to my horse, Priamos." He furrowed his brow and looked conflicted but he complied and picked Tauriel up and followed Aurora over to Egg. As it turned out, 75 Orcs were no match for 100 elves and the battle was quickly over.
Aurora jumped into Egg's saddle and Priamos handed Tauriel up to her and she turned Egg, gave a sharp whistle, and began galloping from the clearing.
"AURORA!" She heard Thranduil roar after her but she knew that she couldn't stop.
For the first time since entering the clearing she fully opened her mind to Thranduil again, I am sorry Thranduil, but I cannot stop. She has been stabbed with a Morgul Blade. Priamos is still by the fire.
Thranduil's eyes widened as he listened to her and he turned to see Legolas riding towards him, "Priamos is by the fire, see to him. Burn the Orcs and return to the palace."
"Aurora?" Legolas questioned.
"Tauriel has been stabbed with a Morgul blade, Aurora rides to the palace with her and I will follow." Thranduil turned his Elk.
"Min Hiril Vuin varno! (Our Beloved Lady's guard!)" Thranduil shouted as he began moving to the edge of the clearing. He looked up as Caspian, Dusan, Tonever, and Fintan rode forward. "Our Lady rides to the palace to save Tauriel."
Thranduil opened his mind and reached out to Aurora, We ride with you, Meleth nin (my Love).
Aurora only glanced back a few times to see Thranduil and her guards behind her during their ride back to the palace. Tauriel had grown cold and Aurora was afraid that she wouldn't make it back in time to save her.
"EDRA-ANNON! (Open the Gate!)" Thranduil shouted as they reached the main gate and Aurora cantered into the gate and stopped at the sight of Kasterren and several other healers jumping to their feet.
Many soldiers were watching as Aurora carried their Captain over the healer and spoke the words that all had dreaded as Tauriel was lifted down, "She's been stabbed with a Morgul blade. About an hour ago."
Kasterren quickly squeezed Aurora's hand, "We've got her, my Lady."
Aurora watched as Kasterren led the way into the palace and several soldiers followed behind her to check on their Captain. Aurora absentmindedly dismounted Egg and hugged his neck tight as she felt him breathing heavily. "Good boy," she whispered, "Good boy, Egg."
"Hiril Vuin? (Beloved Lady?)" Aurora turned to see Dusan standing behind her and she smiled weakly to see her guards safely returned. She looked behind him and saw Caspian leading Thranduil's Elk away as Tonever and Fintan led back the guard's horses. Dusan continued, "If you will allow me to return your horse to the stable. King Thranduil has informed us that he will escort you to your brother."
Aurora silently nodded and handed Egg's reins over to Dusan and Egg was led away to the stable. Aurora stood silently for several minutes as the adrenaline of the last few hours began to fade away. She felt a hand take her arm and she looked up to see Thranduil towering over her. He led her into the palace and they walked silently for several minutes as they navigated the corridors.
The silence was almost deafening to Aurora. How made was he? They walked into the grand parlor to find Gandalf sitting in an armchair reading a book.
"Mithrandir," Thranduil stated plainly as he released Aurora's arm.
The wizard stood up and smiled at the pair, "By the grace of the Valar… You gave us quite the scare, my Lady."
Aurora felt a pang of guilt, the first of many she guessed, and offered Gandalf a weak smile, "I'm sorry."
"Where is Master Augustus? Thranduil asked indifferently as he began removing his armor next to the fireplace.
"Oh… Well, he is sleeping," Gandalf shifted uncomfortably, "most likely until late tomorrow morning."
"I asked you to keep him in this room until we returned, Mithrandir," Thranduil reminded.
Gandalf nodded, "I am aware. However, Augustus was getting rather upset at being locked in here and the stress of having his sister be in peril… I took matters into my own hands to ensure he did not overexert himself."
Aurora arched an eyebrow at Gandalf, "What did you do to my brother?"
Gandalf looked away from Aurora as he spoke, "I might've slipped a sleeping potion into his wine."
"You drugged my brother?" Aurora asked incredulously, "You crafty bastard…"
Gandalf smiled weakly, "The seems to be the consensus."
Before Aurora could reply to Gandalf, Thranduil spoke up, "Mithrandir if you could leave Aurora and me," then he added in a lower tone, "We have much to discuss."
With one more nod to both, Gandalf left the room and closed the door behind him. Aurora watched silently as Thranduil removed the last of his armor and stood now in only a simple tunic, leggings, and boots. He kept his back to her for several minutes and Aurora watched as his shoulders slumped forward. She thought to move towards him when he suddenly turned around and looked at her with an intensity she had never seen before. Tears streamed down his face as he slowly began to pace the parlor, clearly trying to maintain his composure.
"How could you do this, Aurora?" He whispered.
Aurora sighed heavily and began mirroring his movements, "What was I supposed to do, let them be killed?"
Thranduil stopped walking in circles and looked directly at her. She could see the anger building in his eyes as he suddenly shouted, "I could've lost— I almost lost you tonight!"
"I told you before you left that I would not allow anyone else to die because of me!" Aurora replied harshly, "I will be damned if more innocent blood is spilled because of me."
"It is not because of—"
"YES, IT IS!" Aurora shouted. Thranduil stated at her wide-eyed as he noticed the shadows of the room darken around her, "Why can no one see that every bad thing that has happened since I arrived in this world is because of me!" Aurora began to cry as she continued, "If I had never come to Greenwood Tauriel wouldn't have been stabbed and she and Priamos wouldn't have been kidnapped! Your guards would not have been brutally murdered! If I hadn't come here Vynladae would still have her parents! If I had just had the good sense to die in that fire two years ago none of this would've ever—"
In two strides Thranduil was towering over her once again, his hand cupped her cheeks and his thumbs covered her lips so she couldn't finish. "If you had never returned to Arda I would've never found you. If you had not come to Greenwood I would not know what true happiness feels like when you smile up at me in the morning and sleep in my arms at night. That is the reason I am angry. Not because of what has happened because of your arrival. Evil will always find a way to rear its monstrous head. I am angry with you because I was almost denied the chance to tell you that I…"
He trailed off unable to finish his sentence. His finger traced the outline of her lips as she looked up at him.
She closed her eyes and whispered, "Tell me what?"
Thranduil leaned down and pressed his forehead softly against hers, "You must have guessed by now, Meleth nin (my Love)."
Aurora looked at him for a long time. Of course, she knew... She felt it too. She placed a soft kiss on his lips and looked into his eyes as she whispered, "Gi melin, Thranduil. (I love you, Thranduil)."
Thranduil stared at her in shock, not only because of her use of the Elvish language but at what she had said. He felt his heart sore as a smile spread across his face and he wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around. He set her back down and caressed her cheek softly, "Le i velethril e-guil nin, Aurora."
She smiled up at him, "I have no idea what you just said."
He chuckled softly, "You are the love of my life, Aurora."
Without another word, he caught her lips in a heated kiss that caused her to gasp in surprise. One of his arms wrapped around her waist as the other opened the bedroom door and led her back into the room. She wrapped her hands into his hair as he slid his tongue into her mouth. He shivered as she ran her fingers along his ears as he pressed her against one of the posts of the canopy bed. He ran his hand down her waist and over her hip until he grabbed her thigh and pulled so that it wrapped around his hip. As he started kissing down her neck he pressed into her and elicited another deep moan from her.
She moved her hands down his chest and ran her hands along the hem of his tunic until she finally lifted the fabric over his head and tossed it to the floor. She continued running her hands over the plains of his chest and abdomen as he kissed her mouth once more in a desperate kiss. He mirrored her motions and lifted her tunic and tank top over her head and inhaled sharply at the sight of her in only her bra and leggings.
He picked her up with such ease that for a moment she hadn't realized he had done it until she wrapped her other leg securely around his waist. He kneeled onto the bed and moved them to the top and set her gently against the pillows, the whole time he never stopped kissing her. She brought her hips to meet his as he began to grind against her, their hands exploring each other as the heat from their bare skin touching fueled their passion further.
He kissed down her neck again as his hand came up to gently cup her breast in his hand. He moved his thumb over the fabric where he could feel her and he groaned low as he continued to kiss down her collarbone to the spot between her breasts. He slowed his pace to place languid kisses on her as he looked up to meet her eyes.
She looked at him with desire in her eyes as she circled her hips underneath him. She cupped his cheek and pulled him up to meet her mouth once more as her hand caressed the plains of his stomach again. She hesitated for a moment and then rolled him over so she was straddling his lap. He sat up and held her close and captured her mouth as they moved against each other in a slow and sensual rhythm.
Aurora could feel her bud twitch as he pressed against her and she could feel the fire building in her core. Thranduil could feel his pressure building as he continued to grind against her. Her fingernails traced lines down his back and he moaned against her mouth. His hands held her thighs close to him as he moved her harder against him and she tossed her head back as the fire in her core ignited and she moved faster, rolling her hips with expertise.
His hand drifted up the inside of her thigh and traveled between her legs and Aurora kissed him deeper to muffle her cry of pleasure. His thumb moved over the fabric where her bud was with such expertise that she almost fell apart at his first touch. She broke their kiss and stilled herself.
"Thranduil," she whispered and pushed herself away from his chest, "Thranduil, wait…"
He met her eyes and saw conflict in them as she looked away from him. He cupped her cheek and moved her face to meet his gaze once more, "What is wrong, Aurora?"
Aurora shook her head and sighed heavily, "Nothing… I just — I want our first time together to not be right after… I just… I want it to be—"
"Perfect," he whispered and nodded his head, "You're right. The adrenaline of the last few days and almost losing you have caused my mind to not think things through."
Aurora slid off his lap and sat with her legs folded on the bed next to him. She laced her fingers with his as she spoke, "Are you mad?"
Thranduil's head snapped in her direction and his brow furrowed, "I could never be mad at you for stopping something that you are not ready for. I should have stopped before it got to this point and for that, I am sorry, Meleth nin (my Love)."
"No apologies," Aurora looked up at him and smiled, "We both want this; so when it does happen it will be perfect because we are together, Vuin nin (my Beloved)."
He leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her lips and he whispered, "Together."
He walked down the darkened tunnel corridor and pushed the door open to reveal Priamos pacing the small room.
Priamos looked up at him as he entered and instantly dropped to one knee and bowed his head, "Duath Aran nin (my Shadow King)."
"Stand, Priamos," he said as he moved over toward the Captain.
Priamos allowed his emotions to take control for a moment as he spoke his mind, "When did taking my finger become a part of the plan?"
"Do forgive me Priamos," The figure sighed as he sat down, "Samindiel tends to be… overzealous. I will deal with him accordingly, gweston (I promise)."
Has he always snored this loudly? Aurora thought as she sat with her legs propped up on her brother's bed, I wonder how many blueberries I could toss in his mouth before he wakes up...
She hadn't slept well that night and after hours of tossing and turning she decided to get out of bed. She had been careful not to wake Thranduil as she left a note on her pillow for him and crept from the room.
She had seen her guards in the hall and, to their great discomfort, hugged each one of them and was relieved to see that they had all made it back to the palace. They had informed her that, except for Tauriel, there had been no injuries during the battle.
As she walked down the hall, Caspian spoke up, 'Hiril Vuin (Beloved Lady)?" She looked at him in response and he pulled the delicate chain from his pocket and held Ondo Ilma out to her, "Returned to its rightful owner." Aurora smiled as she took the necklace and placed it around her neck, feeling the familiar comfort of the stone against her heart.
"Thank you," she whispered and squeezed his hand, "All of you are joining me for lunch today so I can thank you for what you did for me last night," She saw them preparing to object so she quickly added, "If any of you argue I will just throw food at you until you eat it." Without another word, they continued down the hall until she had reached her brother's room.
Now, Augustus began to stir and slowly opened his eyes to see Aurora smiling at him, "Why are there blueberries in my mouth?"
Aurora shrugged as nonchalantly as she could manage as she popped another piece of fruit into her mouth, "I don't know what you're talking about..."
Augustus rubbed his eyes as he groaned, "I think I got roofied by a wizard last night..."
"That's because you kind of did," Aurora confirmed.
"Why did he-" His eyes shot open as memories of the previous night came flooding back. He
suddenly flung himself at Aurora and pulled her into a tight hug, "I am so fucking mad at you! You could've at least let me come along so I could stab him..."
"If it makes you feel any better… I stabbed him in the leg," Aurora chuckled at Augustus's shocked expression, "after shooting him in the arm with an arrow."
Augustus gave his sister a high-five and Aurora told him everything that had occurred the previous night. Aurora shifted uncomfortably after a long silence and Augustus asked, "What else aren't you telling me?"
"Sam confessed something last night," Aurora took a deep breath, "He said that he— that he was the one who killed mom and dad."
Augustus stared at her for a long moment, "Are you sure?" He whispered, "Maybe he was just trying to get a reaction…"
Aurora took her brother's hand, "Augs… He knew about the Morgul blades."
Don't be alarmed to wake and not find me next to you.
The events of last night have caused my mind to race so much that sleep evades me.
I've gone to sit with Augustus until he wakes up.
I hope you slept well, Vuin nin (my Beloved).
Yours For Always,
Aurora
Thranduil read the letter again as he sat behind his grand desk in his study, a slight smile tracing his lips. The Council Lords were still taking their seats. Gandalf and Legolas were deep in conversation.
"We will begin," Thranduil spoke dryly and strode over to the long table, "First and foremost… Captain Priamos left the healing halls this morning after approval from Kasterren was given. Tauriel, although still unconscious, is fighting the poison of the Morgul blade with a fervor that almost ensures a full recovery. Kasterren informed me that, due to the celerity of her actions, Lady Aurora truly saved Tauriel's life last night."
"Happy news indeed," Gawain spoke up, "and how does the Lady fare this morning?"
"She is processing everything," Thranduil spoke matter of factly, "she is currently with her brother. But I would like to continue her lessons today, and I believe Master Augustus has work to do with Legolas. Perhaps tomorrow, Lord Sankrovyn, we can begin her other lessons."
"Of course," Sankrovyn nodded, "I will have everything prepared."
Thranduil took a deep breath and held his indifferent mask in place, "Although we did not lose any more elven lives last night, may the Valar be praised, I would still like to hold a feast of Remembrance for the losses we have suffered."
After another hour of discussing usual Kingdom business, Thranduil excused Gawain and Allistair to prepare for their lessons with Aurora later in the day. As Legolas, Gandalf, and Sankrovyn watched the King they noticed his brow furrow slightly as he spoke again, "I fear that the darkness may be beginning to settle in Aurora…"
Legolas and Sankrovyn's eyes widened and Gandalf lowered his head, "I thought I felt a shift last night… What did you notice?"
Thranduil explained further "Aurora and I argued after we arrived back to the palace, about her actions of last night. At one point she shouted in despair and I watched as the shadows darkened around her…"
"Surely this can be remedied?" Sankrovyn asked, "stopped before she falls too far."
"Of course it can," Gandalf explained, "But how I cannot say."
"I may have an idea for that…"
The four all turned to see Augustus standing in the open doorway with a warm smile on his face.
A/N: What a fun battle, right? Everyone loves to kick the shitty ex-boyfriend in the face, right?
Any guesses what Augustus's idea will be to help his sister?
Hoping to post again this weekend! Please continue to R&R so I know that you are still enjoying the story!
XOXO - P
