My friend surprised me with tickets to the early screening of the Desolation of Smaug (Dec12). Her reasoning was not only for being a fan, but to prompt faster updates (since it's been 2 weeks since the last one). I think she's trying to tell me something ;)
Thank you for all the lovely reviews (and patience)! You guys are truly inspirational!
The next chapter is already 50% complete, so expect the long expected update this weekend.
How had it come to this?
Éla stood in a small, opened tent watching blurred contours of elves and men hastily entering and exiting the provisional meeting area. The flaps continued to float in mid-air from consistent winds as each faction made preparations. All plans to parley with the King under the Mountain were put on hold as a new threat had risen. Dain and the dwarves of the Iron Hills had arrived.
A messenger had come to notify Bard and the Elvenking of their advancements along the eastern shore. Éla knew their motives far better than any other race; Dain would not stop until he reached the mountain. Dark orbs blinked back the haze as the bowman re-entered the tent in what appeared to be fury, despite the smile spreading over his disconsolate face.
"Fools!" Bard took up place next to the Elvenking idly examining a map which proved of no interest to him. "They think they can march up to the mountain when their right flank is covered by our archers!"
The bowman took turn to gaze upon the map of the surrounding area sprawled on the table, hovering over its image as he leaned forward on his hands. "They know nothing of war above ground."
"Dwarves are quite capable of fighting above ground, Master Bard." Éla spoke in a neutral tone, calmly reminding them of her presence. Their plans with the dwarves of the Iron Hills didn't concern her. If they chose to engage in battle, then that was their doing. She would have no involvement yet still felt the need to speak a few words of caution. "Do not underestimate those of Durin's Folk. Our warriors have had more experience fighting outside the mines than our kin."
"There is no room for them to pass against our numbers unless we move position." Thranduil said with elegance unknown to the female dwarf. He was sincere and wanted to avoid a battle that dwelt over a little gold. He had more grace than that. "Let us hope for a resolution."
"If you won't let them pass, war will be upon you whether you want it or not." Éla cautioned. She tried her best to remain neutral among the discussion but with Dain having knowledge of the Arkenstone's current handlers, it was a recipe for imminent disaster.
"What about another try for a parley?" Bilbo asked shyly. He remained reserved, but the hobbit was slowly finding his voice and expanding beyond his comfort zone. The thought of war worried him more than the fate of those barricaded with little rations among gold. Even though he was banished, he didn't want to see any harm befall his friends and new acquaintances.
"Sending scouts back to the mountain is pointless." Bard stated all too bitterly. "Your king has made that clear if arrows are to fly upon our men every time they approach before two words are spoken."
He switched his gaze to Éla. If he was attempting to intimidate her, it failed. She didn't need to be reminded of their growing frustration in regards to Thorin. What did they expect? He was a dwarf who would keep the mountain shut from the outside world until he got what he sought.
Éla swung an arm towards the flaying fabric. "Would you have me speak with Dain, then? Perhaps my presence will show peace and they may halt their advances."
"No." Gandalf intervened as he stepped into the circle of leaders. "They will be alarmed if you're seen behind elves and men."
Bilbo hung his head low in concentrated defeat, as did the bowman.
"Curse the stubbornness of dwarves." Bard muttered under his breath.
"Gandalf, there must be something that can be done." Éla pleaded, ignoring the crude comment.
If they couldn't give reason for her to stay, she had already convinced herself to make way for the mountain in search of Thorin to put an end to this. Her head throbbed from thinking too long as it was. A fight would break out amongst themselves before Dain could march his army another hundred yards.
The wizard pondered a partially formed idea in their free moment of silence. "There may be one thing you could do-"
Without warning, all eyes shot in the direction of the camp. Bard and the Elvenking drew their weapons upon hearing the faint whistling of bows being strung and bodies scrambling into defensive positions. They ran out after in pursuit of their men. Gandalf caught sight of the female dwarf turning grey as a battle cry echoed over the grounds.
"What was that?" Bilbo jumped from his seat, the dwarvish language unfamiliar to him. Éla's body went taut from words spoken in ancient tongue.
"They're preparing to strike."
She looked to Gandalf, but the wizard had no answers except for his curious gaze which settled over her. His keen senses picked up on something unseen to the naked eye.
"Wait here." He ordered before vanishing outside amongst elves and men.
Bilbo cemented his footing as the ground beneath began to rumble. He held onto the rim of the wooden table with one shaky hand as thunder rang through a darkening sky. Even the table began to shake lightly and so he hung on with both hands as if the ground would be swept from under him at any moment. Éla was unfazed by it all. Nerves pulsed through her, releasing anxiety at an unhealthy level yet she found herself unable to move once more.
Suddenly, with a clash of lightning shocking both hobbit and dwarf, the ground settled into a state of tranquility. Éla blinked and slowly walked over to the table, resting on a stool. She felt a little lightheaded but the feeling passed within seconds of sitting down. Bilbo breathed a sigh of relief only to hear the wizard's booming voice call upon the dwarf lord in the valley. They noticed the darkness spread with every passing moment.
Few minutes passed and Gandalf hastily returned to the tent with Bard, the Elvenking and their new accomplice: Dain. Éla quickly vacated her seat and stood to attention after spotting the dwarf lord.
"It's time to put all differences aside." Gandalf began. "The Goblins are finally upon us, as is Bolg of the North."
"Bolg?" Bilbo questioned. He'd never heard of the name before but quickly clammed his mouth shut with the hefty dwarf eyeing him suspiciously. It was an intimidating experience to stand in the presence of another dwarf lord, especially one who wore thicker armor than what he'd seen among Thorin's company. Bilbo briefly forgot that the dwarves of the Iron Hills knew of his crime, if one would call it that.
"Son of Azog the Defiler. An orc astride a white warg." Gandalf explained, then turned to Dain. "He is most dangerous and will seek revenge."
"I did not know orcs could procreate." Éla said in wonder. The dwarf lord was oblivious to her attendance until she spoke. Curiosity and ire overwhelmed him that a female of their race took part in this council.
Gandalf nodded. "The world works in mysterious ways."
Her face scrunched in concentration. She distinctly remembered Thorin's muttered gasp after their narrow escape from the goblin tunnels. "Wasn't Azog the one we saw on the cliff?"
"Thorin mistook Bolg for his father." Gandalf then gestured to the dwarf as if to introduce him to her and Bilbo. "Azog was slain by Dain Ironfoot in the Battle of Azanulbizar."
Éla bowed her head marginally in respect. Dain only glared between her and Bilbo with beady eyes before subjecting his forward views.
"I am aware of this burglar," he pointed to Bilbo with a sharp stare, mindful of what had gone on before his arrival, and then turned to address Éla with a look she couldn't quite comprehend, "but not you."
"This is Élarinya." Gandalf quickly explained. Time was running thin and introductions were not necessary. To Dain, he appeared offended that a female dwarf stood with them.
"I am one of Thorin's companions." She said cautiously, not sure what to make of him. Her response seemed to have upset Dain even more and Gandalf had had enough.
"He is your king and you will address him as such."
"Let us not begin a quarrel between ourselves." The wizard advised. "We must get into position."
The thunder that had continued to rumble in the background ceased and the leaders vacated outside. A cloud of bats swarmed low across the valley, blocking out the dim sun and flew over the side of the mountain. Bard grabbed his bow and slung his quiver over his shoulder.
"To the mountain!" He called. "We must hurry and take place while there's still time!"
Elves and men rushed in pursuit of their leaders and Dain returned to organise his army on the eastern shore. Gandalf faced his two remaining companions. Sorrow crept over his old features, but a twinkle still shone in the corner of his eye as he gazed upon the hobbit and female.
"I will not ask either of you to take part in this battle."
Éla grabbed a discarded sword that had been set aside and took it firmly in her hand. "I believe fate has brought us together for a reason."
"For Aule and new friends," she looked at Bilbo and smiled one final time, "I will do what I can to protect what we've come so far to cherish."
Gandalf returned the friendly expression, unsheathed the long sword from his belt, and faced the old watch post, Ravenhill. "Follow me."
Éla followed a few paces behind Bilbo before coming to a halt. She waited half a second until they were a short distance ahead before changing direction and followed the men towards the mountain's Eastern shoulder.