- Chapter 28 -


Legolas walked down the dark corridor feeling slightly apprehensive about what he was about to do. The King was already in a foul mood, and the news that one of his guards left without approval to go after a bunch of dwarves that were no longer their concern only added to his anger. In a way, Legolas was glad to be rid of them and their issues. Let them go. Yet, he feared what their plan would bring forth, not just for the surrounding area but for the elves as well. The dragon Smaug hasn't been seen in sixty years, and the destruction he caused the last time was still evident throughout the lands. The elves had enough problems on their hands as it were, and he wished he knew how to make it all better.

What was Tauriel thinking, taking off like that? Always she had been one to follow the rules and do what was asked of her without complaint or hesitation. She always fulfilled her duty to the fullest and to the best of her ability. What was her sudden fascination with the dwarves? Why was she so drawn to them? Or maybe it wasn't the company as a whole...perhaps it was just the black haired archer. Of course he noticed the immediate change in her temper when the orc mentioned the young dwarf was hit with an arrow, and he'd overheard part of their conversation the night before in the dungeons. Something about him drew her to him and he just couldn't understand it.

He shook his head with frustration. It just didn't make any sense. He was a dwarf after all; hardly anything to get excited about.

But she's drawn to them too... he thought to himself bitterly as the image of the white haired she-elf crossed his mind suddenly.

His mind drifted to earlier when she was huddled on the floor, head bleeding, and he recalled how she recoiled away from him. The anger he felt then, at the sight of fear and hesitation in her eyes, was unusual for him. He didn't want her to be afraid of him but the fear was clear as day in her expression. To be dragged like that through the halls and then to have sustained injuries for reasons she at the time could not possibly understand, well, she had every right to be afraid.

It didn't take much to anger the King, but the behavior of the guards in charge with bringing the Princess to him for questioning was undeniably out of line, and he felt himself grow angry all over again. The three of them would be facing consequences but that decision would be left to the King; who declared earlier he would be dealing with them personally. Legolas hated to think what their punishment would be.

He heaved a quiet sigh. Shortly after being ordered to tighten the security of their Realm, the King disappeared to the healing ward. He'd taken the Princess to his office and there they sat for the remainder of the afternoon behind closed doors. He felt slightly irked about that too, but knew if the King thought he should know something then indeed he would be filled in when the time was right. Always it came back to the Princess, and just at the thought of her his anger deflated slightly.

His steps were light and hardly made a sound, yet as he approached the hangout his father could occasionally be found in, he was greeted with a slight tilt of the head but nothing more. Stepping up to the side of his father, his eyes shifted out into the world outside. The sky was dotted with diamonds and a gentle breeze drifted up to them from the valley below. Softly the treetops swayed back and forth; only dark masses in the night. The forest below was quiet, but Legolas knew there were extra guards taking up their positions. They couldn't afford another surprise attack but he had a feeling the orcs wouldn't bother them anymore. At least not tonight. They were hot on the heels of the dwarves and his mind shifted back to the task he was appointing himself; the reason he was standing here right now.

"I know what your going to ask," the King said softly, his eyes never leaving the starry sky above them.

"I can bring her back."

The King was silent as he pondered this and he nodded his approval much quicker than Legolas expected. "You have three days."

Legolas wasn't going to argue. Acquiring his father's permission to go after Tauriel and bringing her back had gone much smoother than he anticipated. But he knew it wasn't going to be that simple, and he waited until his father stated the rest of his conditions, whatever they were.

"Three days, and then you are to return; with or without her."

There it was, and Legolas tilted his chin towards his chest and quietly breathed in a deep breath as something in his memory stirred, and he tilted his head to the side thoughtfully.

"In three days, Durin's Day will be upon us."

The King's head turned towards him just the slightest, a frown creasing his forehead.

"The bells shall ring in gladness at the mountain King's return. But all shall fail in sadness, and the lake will shine and burn." The King recited the prophecy from memory and now even more so it was important his son return home quickly.

"Bring her home as quick as you can," the King said. "I fear what may come if you linger too long."

Legolas nodded once and as he turned to depart, he hesitated. Thranduil noticed, and he sighed.

"You are wondering how she took the news," he said, surprising his son with a knowing look. Thranduil knew the topic of the white haired she-elf would come up sooner or later. His son was after all, bound to her, and it would only be natural he show some concern towards her. He almost laughed at the entire situation, knowing fully that Legolas was still drawn to Tauriel, hence the reason he was asking permission to bring her back. Sometimes bonding was a little more complicated than one might care to admit.

He did not like his wife much when he met her, but they had bonded the first time they laid eyes on each other. Oh, the years they could have had together if only they were eady from that first moment. Years later, their love grew and he hoped that his son wouldn't have to wait so long for his mate like he had for his. The years they might miss...

He would let his son go after Tauriel, and let fate in that department play out as it may. He knew Tauriel did not share the Prince's affections, and that much was obvious now, otherwise she would have not gone after the black haired archer.

Love could be cruel.

Now, Legolas was looking at him with a slight frown, waiting to hear how the elleth took the news of her companies departure without her.

"I expect when Thorin dismissed her she deemed that would be the end of their journey together, so it did not come as a big surprise they did not wish to take her with. However, the appearance of the hobbit seemed to confuse her the most, as did their grand escape."

"She knew about the hobbit but never said anything?"

"She said they lost him in the woods and had feared the worst for him, so she did not feel the need to mention it."

"The dwarves never mentioned a member of their party was missing either."

"Perhaps they did not think we would take the time to search," the King said dismissively. "And they would have been right; we could hardly send out patrols to look for one hobbit."

"I did not think hobbits ventured so far from home."

"It is not natural of their kind to do so, but not completely unheard of. Leave it to Mithrandir to collect strange companions. She is resting now, and being kept under close watch."

"You think she will try to leave as well?"

"She will not be alone long enough to try."


Shyloh tossed and turned all night. After having a good cry, she crawled in bed and tossed her tear drenched pillow aside, switching it for the spare. How could they do this to her? How could they leave her behind? After everything she did for them, after everything they went through, they simply up and left.

They didn't even try to find me.

But, perhaps her time with the dwarves really was over. Perhaps she reached the end of the line as far as they were concerned. Thorin hadn't been crazy about the idea of bringing her with from the start, and she was an elf. What more could she offer them?

Now what?

Being a ward of the King didn't exactly come with a lot of benefits. After her meeting with Thranduil, she was checked once more by Galdiron, who she actually liked a lot despite his stern looking approach, and then she was shuttled back to her room and locked inside where her supper was waiting. She only ate half of it before pushing it aside and heading to bed. Sleep refused to come, despite being up since yesterday morning, and she kicked the sheets off her legs in frustration.

Passing her time in the halls of the Woodland Realm was going to greatly test her patience and sanity.


"You look troubled mellon nin."

Thranduil looked up from his stack of reports with a frown. "That is nothing new."

Galdiron sat down in a seat before the King's desk, not waiting for an official invite to join him. Long had the two elves been friends, and over time he learned to read his Kings's different facial expressions – not that there were too many to begin with – but this new look troubled him greatly and he mirrored the King's expression.

"More so than usual." He knew when he could press him for information, and when he couldn't, but he hoped tonight the King wouldn't be so closed off from speaking with him.

Thranduil sighed and turned back to his stack of work. Constantly there were new issues arising that demanded his attention. Border patrols, council meetings, trade agreements; the ever constant threat to their borders and his peoples safety. It never ended.

Sensing Thranduil would not be so eager to speak of his issues, Galdiron decided to speak freely.

"My new patient is equally troubling," he said lightly, but the King did not take the bait. "She speaks little but yet when she does speak it is hard to ignore her words, even if they are simple and few."

"You speak of the Princess Shyloh," Thranduil said matter-of-factually, not looking up from his work. "I agree, she is troubling."

"She reminds me of someone I know."

"She reminds me of my wife."

Galdiron was not expecting that, and he blinked in surprise at the King's words. Speaking of the late Queen was not something many in the Realm did anymore; they knew how it affected their King, but for Thranduil to bring it up like this was definitely unusual. The King stopped writing and leaned back in his seat as if he only just realized he spoke those words out loud.

Then suddenly he stood, and crossed the space to the cabinet along the wall slowly. Pulling the cork off the top of a bottle of wine, he poured two glasses. Turning, he handed one to Galdiron who accepted it willingly.

"Yes, she reminds me of her, too." He sipped his wine slowly, savoring the rich flavor.

Never had he had a bad glass of wine when he sat with the King, and felt himself fortunate enough to share in the luxury of the fine drink. Their mutual love of wine was no secret, and many nights were spent savoring the sweet aromas and taste of it; often times talking about nothing, and sometimes they talked as if they were solving world peace. They knew each other as elflings, and Galdiron's father served under Orophor during his reign as the Royal Healer as well before the fall of the King. When Thranduil was crowned King, Haldiron felt the call of the sea and departed these shores in search of healing himself. His son, Galdiron, was quick to rise to the task of being the Royal Healer, and took much pride in his work.

Now, they sat quietly, savoring the flavor of the red wine they sipped.

"I wonder if I might take it upon myself to continue the Princess' education, at least, since she will be here for a while I presume?"

The King looked at him with another frown. "What education would that be?"

"Healing of course," Galdiron said, but the surprised look on the King's face told him that he had no knowledge of her being a healer. "I take it you did not know she is skilled in the art?"

"I did not know," the King said flatly. "Healing you say? Just how skilled is she?"

"Her knowledge is impressive. When I learned her Uncle was Lord Elrond and that she studied healing under his guidance for the past two years, I admit I was eager to speak with her about it."

"You have apprentices already under your guidance, need you take on more work?"

Galdiron's eyes flicked pointedly to the sack of papers on the King's desk and he raised his eyebrows. "Coming from someone who never stops working I feel my plate is exceptionally empty."

"Perhaps I need to assign you more work."

"She would hardly be work, but consider it something for her to do to help pass her time here. I dare say being locked up in a room day and night gets old quickly."

"She has only been here a few days. The moment the road to the West is clear she will be going back home. I would not get too attached to her if I were you."

Galdiron smiled. "As you have already done?"

The King frowned again. "I've done no such thing."

"If you insist," Galdiron said, but he knew better. "The road West will not be clear for sometime. I'm told that orcs heavily patrol the lands between the edge of the wood and the Mountains. Either way, I feel like she needs something to do. She mentioned she enjoyed reading. We have an extensive library that she could put to use."

Thranduil sighed again and swirled the wine around in his glass. "I do not believe you will drop the topic of this matter so quickly."

"Young minds thirst for knowledge," he said simply. "Perhaps she will find comfort by joining the ladies of the court for a meal, since her own party has departed without her. I imagine she is lonely, perhaps she will meet an ellon. A union between Rivendell and the Woodland Realm would be most beneficial to..." his voice drifted off as he saw the look in the King's eyes change suddenly, and then it was gone as quick as it appeared. "Or perhaps she has already met someone?" He knew he was treading dangerous waters, because the look on the King's face hardened.

The King sipped his wine.

"I see," said the healer cautiously. "And just who is this person?"

"You ask many questions mellon nin," sighed the King. "If you must know, I fear their union - if there is to ever be one - will not be for a long time yet."

"So it is our Prince that has caught her heart, is it?"

"They bonded at first sight." The King grew quiet and so did Galdiron at this announcement.

The healer looked at the King carefully. Aside from the King and Queen, Galdiron didn't know many others that felt the bond at first sight. Sometimes it took longer for the bond to form, and sometimes it never happened at all.

"Am I to assume they have not accepted it?"

"As of now they have not." The King's face was drawn tight.

"I wonder how her parents will feel about this? That is, if they are still on these shores?"

"She has no parents on either shores. Her closest kin is Lord Elrond."

Nodding, Galdiron pondered this. "Either way, a union between the two would be something to look forward to."

"Until the two of them acknowledge it, it will not be spoken of by either of us."

Galdiron nodded again, remembering how long it took Thranduil and his wife to finally come together. Sometimes love takes a little longer to take hold.


Bilbo looked out over the outcropping of rocks from their perch on top of Ravenhill. His eyes widened in disbelief as the final embers of the dragons fury flickered into the night; licking upwards from the crackling rooftops of Laketown.

The dragon was dead.

While there were many that would rejoice at such news, Bilbo only watched sadly as the town of men burned. Fili, Kili, Bofur, Oin; their fates remained unknown. Looking down at the town though, Bilbo couldn't help but feel their fates were sealed with the wrath of the dragon. Little hope now remained for their companions.

So many dead. What have we done?

Sighing, Balin gave him a sad look before turning away and following his kin back to the front gates. There was nothing more they could do here. Bilbo's feet felt rooted to the spot for only a few moments longer. Reluctantly, he turned away from the burning town and followed the dwarves back to Erebor. Thorin was in the lead, and already he was halfway to the entrance of their newly reclaimed home.

Assuring himself that the rest of the dwarves attention were not on him, he briefly touched the lump inside his vest pocket, reassuring himself that what he took earlier was still there. He meant to give it to Thorin, but for whatever reason was unable to bring himself to do so.

Why? Why did he not just hand it over? It was certainly not his to keep, but something was causing him to keep it hidden. He had no explanation for it.

Sighing, he wished Shyloh were here. If they ever needed a friendly face it would be right now. She always made things feel like they weren't quite so bad. How guilty he felt when he departed the Woodland Realm without her. Perhaps if he tried harder, she would not have been left at the hands of the elven King. What would happen to her? What would they do to her? Such betrayal. There was no way the others could have survived such an inferno. Their party was growing smaller by the minute.

Her absence from the company certainly had its downfalls. She knew how to handle Thorin's foul mood swings and helped him see sense. Now, it was as if Thorin didn't exist anymore and his eyes greedily sought out the stone which would make him rightfully the King of Erebor.

Only, the stone wouldn't be found in the halls of the once great kingdom, at least, not where it was expected to be.


"You will offer them aid?" Galdiron asked after the announcement was made to the council members. Usually he was not asked to attend council meetings, but for whatever reason the King asked that he be present.

"Yes, already the wagons are being loaded with provisions," the King said mildly.

"But you also go to war?"

The King's eyes narrowed but he also ignored the question. "You will ride with us Galdiron. Select three others to be your aids. I have no doubt the survivors of Laketown will need the help of a healer."

"Yes my Lord. I might ask that you allow me to bring Lady Shyloh."

"That is out of the question," the King said sternly, and some of the council members shifted in their seats uncomfortably. "She is to remain here within the safety of these halls."

"She is skilled, and well trained. They will need the best hands we can offer."

"Which is why you will be going."

"I have worked with her the last couple of days, my Lord, and have no doubt that she will be able to handle the tasks set before her."

"It is not the tasks she will have to perform that set my mind on edge."

"My Lord, you will have an entire army there to protect her if need be, surely Galdiron speaks truly when he says she is more than up for the challenge," Nonaro interjected from his seat on the King's other side. The council member looked to Galdiron for confirmation and was met with a firm nod.

"I would not have suggested otherwise if it were not true," Galdiron said with the utmost confidence.

"I do not think it would be wise to take her," Iamben said quickly from his seat across the long rectangular table. "She is not a healer of this Realm, nor does she represent us in anyway."

"I agree, I thought we were going to send her back into the West once the roads were clear?" wondered Cabriel as she leaned forwards in her seat.

"I think she should go," Nimdis said, folding her hands on the table in front of her. "I am curious to see if the techniques used in the West can match our own."

Galdiron stirred in his seat and frowned heavily at the elleth. "Lord Elrond is a master healer, one of the best there is. I myself studied alongside him when we were in our youth. There is no need for competition between the east and west when it comes to healing techniques."

Erist tilted his head to the side. "If she goes, it would show the alliances are still strong with our kin in the west."

"We are strong allies with Rivendell already, we do not need to prove that to anyone, much less a half burned city of Men and a handful of dwarves," Cabriel argued, her face drawn into a tight frown.

The King was silent as he sat back in his seat, his mind feeling even heavier the longer the conversation dragged on. He trusted Galdiron wholeheartedly, but still, it did not make his decision any easier. He rubbed his fingers over his temple in frustration.

Legolas has still not returned...

"Feren," the King said suddenly halting the debate, and his aid stepped to his side.

"Yes my Lord?"

"Ensure Lady Shyloh has everything she will need to ride with us. She will need her weapons returned," the King ordered. "We leave at dawn."


So sorry if your head is spinning with all that happened in this chapter, but there were lots of different tidbits of information I felt were important. Plus it keeps things interesting :)

Thank you for the reviews as always! I love knowing some of you are enjoying this story and it's very encouraging.

-S