Running hastily I cried out to the others, calling them to flee for their lives as the bells began to toil and screaming filled the air in ugly discordant sounds, a blast of fire released from the beast's belly which cut the town in half. I watched the bright blaze as it lit the night sky and finally I saw him. Smaug the great calamity, the terrible monster that had destroyed the lives of Dwarf and Man sixty years ago in a torrent of fire that had burned away precious lives both young and old. He was great and abysmal, draining all hope from the soul as one stood in his terrifying presence but I guarded my heart against such terror, gripping the hilt of my sword firmly as I watched his shadowed form swoop over Laketown, illuminated momentarily by the burning flames of red and gold.
With the blackened smoke filling the air I set off running, leaping over the rooftops and soaring through the air as more hurricanes of sound thundered overhead and Smaug roared once more, setting the long bridge alight so that no one could escape upon foot. We needed Bard and we needed him to be free from the prison that I could see he was locked away in. At these moments I truly saw my Sight as a gift, for I knew exactly where I was meant to be at that moment, allowing me to go straight to him. I swung down through the window, the barracks having been completely evacuated and with a pull of my sword, the ring caused Bard to fly to his door. "Who is there? You must let me out! The dragon is come and it will burn us all!"
"Be at peace bowman, I am come to free you." I announced, appearing before his cell door and he drew back in alarm, not expecting an elf to come to his aid. His brow furrowed, taking in my appearance and the pointed tips of my ears as with one strike of my sword I cut through the rusted and crude lock of the door and pulled it open, setting him free. "You must shoot down this dragon, Master Bard, for you do not know the disaster that it will bring should it live this night. You and you alone can do this, so I pray that your aim is true."
"Thank you, honourable maiden, thank you." He breathed, giving me a rushed bow before he ran from his cell with haste, racing to find himself a bow and arrows though I knew that neither would do him any good. He needed the black arrow, the one that his son Bain would bring him. With a constant prayer in my heart I prayed that the Valar would watch over and protect them as I ran back through the boarded walkways, lifting fallen people up to their feet and herding them to the boats, calling out directions as they abandoned everything in favour of their lives. A child was sobbing, screaming in confusion and fear so I swooped up the fair haired little boy, hand curling around the back of his head as I quickly rushed to duck down side street, the dragon soaring overhead and blasted apart the building behind us, the raging fire threatening to melt my skin though I hardened my gaze against it. Dark pools of mahogany burned with the flames, strangely losing all fear as I hastened to remove the child from danger and passed him into the hands of a woman in a boat as I leaped across, standing upon the bridge before making my way to return to the others.
"Asta! Asta this way!" Fili's voice caught my attention so I quickly whirled around, intending to run to them however I heard Smaug roar with colossal power and I froze, hand jumping for my bow as I saw him coming towards us with a glowing belly full of flames. Without hesitation as Sigrid and Tilda screamed the moment they saw the overpowering form of the beast I raised my bow arm so that my arrow lifted up towards the sky, not knowing anything that I could do, however I reasoned that the weakest part of the dragon's body would perhaps be his wings. Seeing no other option, I released my arrow and watched as it flew, holding a breath as Smaug prepared to release his breath of fire but when my arrow tore through his left wing he snarled, jerking violently so that the cyclone of fire spat in a wild direction, even up into the sky as Smaug roared in fury.
Although I had perhaps only angered the beast further, at least his attention was no longer upon my friends and the young children. "Hurry Asta! Run!" Bofur, Fili and Oin were all calling to me and the children joined in, waving beckoningly so I ran towards them, intending to join them and escape this place however as I leaped from one street to the next, Smaug's fire rained down all around me. My instinct was to cry out in fear at the painful burning sensation upon my skin, the flames too close to escape and in my alarm I fell back into the water with a crash, the icy folds enveloping me and pulling me down almost as if to embrace me in safety as I watched dragon fire burn overhead, causing the surface to bubble and rise in thick wafts of steam as I remained untouched.
I had managed to hold my breath, floating upon my back before I thought to kick with my feet and push upwards to gather more air. Around me everything burned and the screaming of voices melded into the raging crackles of the flames. Charred corpses floated in the water and I hastily pushed myself away from them, turning to swim back to the walkways and pull myself up out of the water, dripping to the bone and gasping for air as the thick plumes of black smoke washed around me, sparking embers glittering like bright fireflies before rising up into the night. Staggeringly I managed to force myself to move forwards, the water cooling my skin and keeping me from feeling the intensely fierce flames and their heat. Such death and desolation, it was like I were back in Dale when Smaug had first struck and I had witnessed his inferno from afar. I could not understand such nature as to wantonly deal out death over life as if it were cheap and easily bartered. With these thoughts rattling inside my head I emerged from the burning streets to a yet untouched part of Laketown, my eyes lifting to see two shapes up upon the bell tower.
Bard had the black arrow positioned upon his son's shoulder, the broken bow welded into two posts to draw back the string like a crossbow. In silent reverence and awe I watched, seeing Smaug face Bard with sneering tone, voice reverberating deeply so that even the burning buildings shook. With a final roar Smaug surged forwards, beating the wind with his great wings to soar forwards yet Bard did not shoot, waiting until the final moment to release. As the black arrow flew so did my heart, the constant prayer rising higher as it whispered silently upon my lips, watching, waiting, scarcely breathing until finally the arrow hit its mark.
With wide eyes I watched as the dragon convulsed and his flight threw him off course, raging in pain as he spiralled upwards into the sky, rising higher and higher until finally the glow of his internal fire died out and Smaug the Terrible descended from the skies, death claiming his soul with cold snatches yet as he fell, I gave a rush of breath before running for my life, diving back into the water so that when Smaug crashed into Esgaroth I barely escaped the weight of his serpentine body, swimming quickly to glide underneath the large wing and rise back to the surface. The night was over and dawn would soon be upon us, the first of the evils was overcome but now more danger approached us. With the dragon sinking further to the bottom of the lake I had no choice but to swim to shore, helping others were I could if they lost their strength until someone returned to claim them. Several slow hours passed before I finally was able to drag myself to shore, fingers curling into the pale sand with shaking body. Water was heavy to carry and I could feel it dragging me downward even as I crawled for land. "Asta! Asta Eleniel! Where are you?"
Voices, I could hear them calling for me, coming closer towards me. Lifting my head as I coughed for air I suddenly felt strong hands grasp me under both arms and drag me from the water, supporting my upper body before I was then turned over to find Fili and Kili were hovering above me with deep concern and fear in their eyes. "Fili…Kili…you're alright…" I murmured in relief, giving them as large a smile as I could muster. "Good. I am glad."
"Did you swim all this way?" Fili questioned and I nodded my head, resting my eyes for a moment as Bofur and Oin caught up, the former gripping my shoulders and patting my face to try and keep me awake as someone hurried to place their coat over me, trying to rub and pat me dry so that I would not take ill.
"Don't you go falling asleep on us now lass, you'll go into shock!" Bofur cautioned me firmly with Oin kindly beginning to ring out my hair from the vast amount of water it had collected. Feeling more awake and already beginning to regain my strength I nodded my head, sitting upright.
"Do not fear, I am alright I promise you. Where are the children? Tilda and Sigrid?"
"They found their father and brother, they're safe." Kili said to me as he reached down and gripped my hand, making me blink before I looked at him in question. "You saved my life by healing me, Asta. I swear that I shall repay this debt one day, until then I owe you my life."
"You owe me nothing, dear Kili." I answered him warmly, reaching up and brushing my fingers against his hair as we looked at one another directly. "At least I hope we may now consider one another friends. I should like that more than anything else in the world." All four dwarves grinned at me, smiling broadly before helping me to my feet, stubbornly ensuring that I was balanced and even then did not let go of my hands and arms too quickly, holding onto me until I was walking forwards and into the fray of sobbing and wailing survivors.
"We're going to the mountain to return to our uncle. Will you come with us?" Fili asked me but sadly I shook my head.
"There are things I must do here and I must find Legolas. I have to know that he is safe." I told them, facing them as they all stood in a line before me. "But we shall meet again very soon, I fear that our perils are not yet over and I must warn you of what you will find when you enter that mountain." Glancing around I lowered my voice, predominantly addressing Fili and Kili. "You will find your uncle, but he will not be the same. You must try to help him, draw him back from the brink and forgive him when the time is right." My message was cryptic and they did not understand it entirely, however I could give them no more by means of warning and ushered them to hurry, holding their boat steady as they climbed into it. One by one I placed a kiss upon their faces and spoke affectionate words of farewell, Oin and Bofur growing rosy cheeked at my parting kiss whilst the twins both grinned wickedly at me, surging forwards one after the other to both peck my lips with their own, Fili going so far as to grasp hold of my head in his hands and place a deep, ravishing kiss upon me which shocked me to the core. Astonished by their forwardness but nonetheless delighted with their open friendliness in their returned affections, I laughed brightly and scolded them for being so brash before then I pushed the boat off shore, helping it glide into the water until I stood knee deep in the silken waters.
I watched them leave, a hand going to my heart before spreading it towards them in farewell and they returned their own gestures, various grins being shared before they focused on crossing the lake. As they grew steadily smaller, I felt a presence appear behind me and immediately I was whirling around. "Legolas!" Immediately his face turned towards the call of my voice and with crushing relief, I rushed through the water. Kicking up a foaming spray I leaped forwards and grasped onto him tightly with my arms about his neck. The force of our colliding bodies was a welcome sensation and I found sanctuary in his grasp as his arms wound around my waist, easily lifting me off the ground. I poured my relief and joy to see him unhurt and alive into that embrace, clutching him so close to me that I crushed my own ribs and could not breathe but to feel his arms about me it was a worthwhile sacrifice. Eventually he allowed me to drop down and I continued to hold him close, eyes meeting one another's as I brushed my lips against his face with a heartfelt sigh. "You do not know how glad I am to see you."
"And I you, I saw the flames in the night and feared you to be consumed. You are not hurt?" He questioned, hands trapping my face to turn it left and right, searching for injury but I merely smiled and placed a kiss upon his palm.
"No, I am unharmed." I assured him before I then looked to the desolate people who were desperately attempting to raise a camp in order to provide shelter and warmth for all that had managed to escape Smaug's wrath. "But these people will need our help, there are many injured and I do not wish to see them suffer." With a smile reserved only for me Legolas bade me follow and together we diverted ourselves into the throng of woeful people, offering our help to heal and carry things, doing all we could until I eventually found Bard.
"Da! That's her, that's the lady elf who we told you about!" Tilda pointed excitedly towards me as I approached, my smile broadening and I opened my arms.
"Mae govannen pinig, your bravery last night was that of legend, you should be proud." I said to her as she rushed forwards fearlessly and I gave her a quick embrace, smoothing back her hair which was a little dishevelled. She beamed at me, eyes glinting softly as I gave her a final smile before I rose to my feet, greeting Bard formally. "Forgive me for not introducing myself before. I am Asta Eleniel, I am glad to make your acquaintance."
"My lady." Bard answered and bowed respectfully, ducking his head low but I assured him that such formality was not necessary as I was not of any particular rank to deserve such respect and so with humble acceptance he invited me to simply call him Bard, introducing his children to me also which he held close to him with fatherly pride. I greeted them also, Sigrid and Tilda both smiling at me whilst Bain also bowed politely as his father had. "I must thank you for your aid and for protecting my children. I owe you far more than you can imagine."
"There was once a time when I was young, smaller even than your youngest here." I said to him nostalgically, flicking my hand under Tilda's chin and she giggled at the friendly gesture. "When I faced death someone far stronger and braver than I came to rescue me. I see it only natural to protect the young and innocent. In addition, you extended your hospitality to a company of dwarves whom I am very fond of, so do not speak of debts and let us simply accept one another's thanks." Bard smiled to me handsomely and I inclined my head, noticing that the camp was beginning to be packed away. "You are leaving?"
"We must seek shelter if we are to survive the winter. There is nothing left for us in Laketown though we have salvaged what we can, people will return to search for their personal effects, but we must move forward and look ahead." He explained, murmuring quickly to his children to help pack things up so I fell into step beside him, walking at his side as he began to direct his people in what should be done, sending those that could walk to search for firewood nearby as it would be dry and easy to burn for fires.
"A wise decision. Allow me to help you." I offered, stopping as two men struggled to lift a barrel up into a wagon so I stepped to the side with Bard and together we lifted it up, staying to move the rest into the wagon where the horse snorted with a shake of its mane. I noticed that a few animals had indeed escaped but not many and they whimpered and brayed, searching for food and comfort so when a dappled dog came padding towards me with fearful gaze I reached down and eased away its fears, murmuring in elvish to calm it before it barked, leaping up to nuzzle my face whilst my hands stroked its fur. It walked away in better peace, allowing me to stand and turn to see Legolas walking towards us. "Legolas, this is Bard, slayer of Smaug the dragon. Bard, this is Legolas Greenleaf, son of King Thranduil who rules in Mirkwood." I introduced them both and they each gave gestures of greeting. Almost instantly his hand then reached out for me, placing it upon my shoulder where I was still damp from the lake water but he did not seem to mind.
"Where will you go?" Legolas asked Bard as the three of us continued to walk through the camp.
"There is only one place that we can go." Bard answered with a glance towards the mountain though I saw his gaze focus upon Dale. There was little else they could go with so many people and no way of finding good shelter in the coming days of cold and frost, however an odious little creature of man with oily hair and yellowed teeth spoke up, his mere voice making my skin crawl in disgust as he slouched forwards.
"The mountain! You are a genius, sire. We can take refuge inside the mountain." The man looked like a drowned rat and I did not care much for the greedy glint in his eyes and the insufferable tone of conceit that he carried. "It might smell a bit of dragon but the women can clean that up. It will be safe, warm, dry and full of stores, bedding, clothing...the odd bit of gold." His end suggestion made my eyes snap towards him, my hand moving to grasp him in warning but Legolas smartly caught my wrist, murmuring under his breath in lulling elvish to calm me as Bard shot the uncouth human a dark look.
"What gold is in that mountain is cursed. We will take only what was promised to us, only what we need to rebuild our lives." He announced before moving forwards so with a gentle pull Legolas and I walked forwards to join him once more.
"News of the death of Smaug will have spread through the lands." Legolas warned and Bard nodded his head and sounded his agreement though his attention remained turned towards his people and helping them to pack up their camp. "Others will now look to the mountain for its wealth, or its position." My eyes flickered towards him and I paused a moment, knowing instantly what he meant and Bard halted too, turning to face Legolas with a look of furrowed concern.
"What is it you know?"
"Nothing for certain. It is what I fear may come." Not knowing exactly what Legolas meant Bard drew himself up slightly, brow still furrowed so I offered him a smile.
"See to your people, Bard, for they will look to you now and your strength will prove vital to them in these coming days." I counselled him wisely, reaching out and took his arm to give it a reassuring squeeze. "Take care of them and do only what you think is necessary to keep them safe." Dipping his head to accept my guidance he stepped back, giving us both a bow so Legolas and I dipped our heads in return before Bard parted ways with us, leaving us to walk alone. "Where did you go? Were you able to hunt down the pack?"
"The orc I pursued out of Esgaroth, I know who he is. Bolg, a spawn of Azog the Defiler." Legolas began to inform me as I pictured that monstrous looking orc that I had seen upon the water gate, the one leading the hunt upon Thorin and his kin. "A warg pack was waiting for him on the outskirts of Esgaroth and they fled into the north. These orcs were different from the others, they wore a mark I had not seen for a long time. The mark of Gundabad." The mere name made my blood shiver as I recognised the name.
"The fortress in the north? It stands to reason it would be so, the wargs that they ride are a distinct species to that area but what purpose would Bolg have for retreating?" I wondered aloud. "His goal was to kill Thorin, it is the quest that has driven Azog for many years now to ensure that the line of Durin was destroyed forever. I do not understand his reasoning for abandoning his task so quickly." Stopping for a moment I reached out and held onto Legolas in preparation, bowing my head slightly to try and seek the answers with my Sight. I saw a rush of mountain terrain, however when I came too close to the red ironed fortress that rose up like a dagger tip, my head suddenly pounded with pain and I moaned sharply at the sudden sensation, making Legolas grip onto me more securely.
"Eleni?"
"Something clouds my mind, it does not want me to see what is happening at that place." Hissing slightly I opened my eyes in alarm, the dark brown orbs returning as I then breathed. "Legolas, there is a darker force at work in this world. To keep me from seeing beyond my own eyes…it has never happened before."
"Hush, calm yourself little starling." Legolas chanted warmly to me, his hand at my waist whilst the other stroked the back of his fingers down my cheek. "Do not be afraid." Slowly inhaling I nodded my head, murmuring my thanks to him as I became entranced by his features and the beautiful glow of his soul which was shining more vibrantly than before, the way it used to when I was a child. His hand stopped at my face, resting against my chin before slowly turning over and his head leaned into mine, lashes brushing against our cheeks but once more we were halted by the sound of galloping hooves, our heads turning to see a messenger from Mirkwood arrive with us in his sight.
"Hîr nîn, Legolas. Celin 'winiath o adar lín." The messenger brought word from Thranduil, he must have already heard that Smaug had been slain. Word travelled swiftly, it seemed. If I were to guess, father had sent scouts after Legolas and I once it had become apparent that the both of us were missing from his halls. Quickly I looked to Legolas as the messenger continued, announcing that he had been ordered home. "Cân i hi danwenidh na le."
"Tolo Eleni." With his hand dropping to take mine Legolas intended to draw me forwards so that we might return home together in order to plan our next move, to perhaps even take more guards with us northward in order to investigate Gundabd, however the next words that uttered sadly from the messenger's lips shocked us both to the core into a silent stupor though my heart felt like it had once more broken and now wailed inwardly without restraint.
"Hîr nîn. Edlennen hîril Eleniel." I was banished. Thranduil had banished me from my home, my first true home where I found love and companionship and safety. How could he do this? How could he do such a thing to me? "My lady Eleniel is to leave immediately and return to Lord Elrond in Imladris and never return." Losing my breath I dropped Legolas's hand, falling back a step as I clutched the aching pain within my chest, feeling the hurt and betrayal rush to the surface though it did not manifest in tears as I was still too dumbfounded by such a decision but before I could lose all control and break, Legolas seized my arm and drew me closer to him, furious eyes latched onto the poor messenger.
"You may tell my father that if there is no place for Eleniel in our homeland then I too shall leave and never return, for my place is by her side and nowhere else." This stoic declaration was enough to startle me out of my shock, recovering my breath as I grasped Legolas's shoulder and murmured under my breath in haste to try and make him see reason and take back his words, pleasing as they were to my ears.
"Do not be foolish Legolas, you cannot ostracise yourself for me. He is your father, your king. Your place is with him and your people. Do not worry for me, I shall be alright no matter where I go, so long as I know that your thoughts are with me." I said to him coaxingly, relaxing next to him as our eyes met to try and make him heed my wisdom. "And he has asked you to return to him."
"Naw aran nîn, mal ú-gân innas nîn." His wholehearted words silenced me and I drew back as I searched his face in earnest for the hidden meaning behind them. My heart pounded with hope, searching his earnest gaze as his eyes fixated on me and looked nowhere else, conveying their truth as loudly as his spoken word. Thranduil was his king, but he did not command his own heart. I wanted to hope, dared to believe but I was hesitant to do so in such a time of confusion whilst my feelings were running rampant inside me in the wake of one shock and heartbreak after another, both good and bad. I wanted to demand that he explain himself, to commit the truth in his own words however when the messenger asked if Legolas was certain of his decision, Legolas waved him away.
"Dartha." I ordered with a jolt, breaking the connection between myself and Legolas to address the messenger before he could turn away and leave, knowing that despite all the uncertainty within my heart, there were still tasks to be done. "When you return to King Thranduil, inform him that there are those in need of food, medicine and aid. Please, tell him that the people of Esgaroth have nothing and bid him help them." I requested and the messenger dipped his head respectfully before then riding away, leaving both myself and Legolas alone together as I then turned to him with a weary sigh, shaking my head in exasperation. "Legolas, you should not have done this." I said to him solemnly as I took his hands in mine. "You cannot abandon your home and people over nothing, it is your place to be with your kin."
"My place is where I choose it to be and right now, it is by your side." He responded simply before starting to stride away. "I shall ride north to Gundabad and seek answers. I wish for you to remain here where you will be safe, stay with the people and await my return." Legolas was so quick to stride to his horse and mount up that I barely had the chance to grasp his leg and the reins as he drew up the horse's head, gripping onto him securely so that he could not escape me so easily.
"You mean to go alone?"
"I shall travel faster if the horse carries just one." He replied simply but fairly, his hand resting upon my head and smoothing aside the fearful look I wore. "Starling, I shall return as swiftly as I am able. Please, for my own peace of mind, remain here where I know you shall be safe." With a soft sigh I nodded my head and then kissed his hand whilst gripping it tightly, releasing my grasp on him as I stepped back in order to let him go without argument.
"Noro lim, Legolas." I said to him as I continued to place distance between us. "And be safe." With a flicker of a smile upon his face Legolas tapped the horse's flanks and surged forwards, riding away with a flicker of his hair upon the breeze as I watched him go, waiting until he was out of earshot before continuing. "Though here is where the true danger lies."