When I awoke in Thranduil's tent I found it to be night but dawn was not too far away, I could feel the lightness of the air and the shifting in the breeze. Someone had dressed the cut on my arm and my weapons lay propped against the chair that Thranduil had sat upon. Touching my head I found that my hair had been completely undone as well so that it fell in long tresses around my shoulders save for the single braid with the clasp from Bifur. Rising to my feet I left my weapons where they were, seeing no need to reclaim them just yet as the battle was obviously won. Outside the entire plain was still a hive of life, bodies being reclaimed and I flinched back from the sight briefly before I began to carefully make my way forwards, the bodies of the orcs being tossed into large piles which would be set alight like pyres whilst the dead of my kin were ceremoniously carried away. Mournful songs of my brethren filled the air and I felt a tear escape as I breathed in the pain and grief of the losses. There was sadness, but there was joy also for we had claimed victory. From within Erebor I could see golden lights flickering whilst the dwarves pulled their own back into the mountain for healing or burial.
Looking down I used my foot to push aside an orc to reveal an elf who was still breathing though only barely so I called over a healer, removing the helmet and lifted his head to rest upon my leg as someone came hurrying to my side, assessing the wounds and stabilised the archer upon the field as others walked around with torches for light and I held the one that the healer had carried, giving him the best light I could as he worked before the wounded soldier was carefully carried away to a wagon to return home. I wandered the desolate field, searching for a friendly face until a hand finally came upon my shoulder. "Are you not still tired Eleni?" Legolas asked and I exhaled softly, turning around to lean into him naturally with his arms rising to hold me tentatively.
"I have rested enough, is there anything that I can do to help?" I asked but Legolas assured me that I had done plenty already and that I should look after myself but I did not wish to stand idle, so I decided to offer my services to the people formerly of Esgaroth and help with their own wounded. Legolas stayed by my side, never straying far as we went into the city of Dale where the work continued. There were plenty injured and just as many dead, everyone sporting their wounds however those had survived displayed them with pride, declaring themselves true warriors and already beginning to write songs of the feats they had achieved in the battle of the five armies.
"Father has returned for the moment as there was much to take care of, however he told me before he left that he had rescinded your banishment." Legolas said to me as I wrapped a bandage around the leg of a sleeping young man. "You can come home, Eleni."
"I do not think I will be coming home, Legolas. At least, not for very long." I said to him quietly, rising up to move on as his face fell.
"Man pennich?"
"I mean that there are still things that I must do out in the world, Legolas vell nîn. With the shadow that tainted these lands banished, I can see more clearly than ever before. There are places that I must see, people I must meet and I must do these things otherwise I shall regret my choice later." Before I could move to tend to another of the injured, Legolas took my arm and drew me back to him, looking at me with a questioning and slightly hurt expression.
"Are you certain? I have only just found you again, Eleniel. My heart would grieve to let you go again so soon." Unspoken feelings burned between us and I revelled in their wonderful embrace, heart overflowing with song and dance as I stood in the warm and liberating presence of the one I have loved since I was very small. "Where would you go?"
"First I would go north to seek a dear friend of mine before then crossing the mountains and travelling south to Gondor. If father permits it, you could journey north with me. I should like to introduce you to my friend, he is someone that I know will one day mean a great deal to both you and I." Legolas frowned slightly before then smiling minutely, knowing better than to ask. With his hand upon my head he kissed my brow, murmuring into my ear that he would seek his father's blessing but would go with me regardless of his answer. I in turn assured him that I would not go right away as I would like to return to our home and spend some time there once more in freedom.
With our immediate future decided we returned to helping with the wounded though I could do very little concerning herbs and the like, mostly only being able to bandage wounds and clean them as my fingers were not made for stitching flesh as they were not made for stitching fabric. At least I was of some use until much later when the sun had risen high and I heard my name being called. Tilda came running to me first, throwing her arms about my waist as I turned which earned a light hearted laugh as I lifted her up into my embrace before putting her down again, greeting Bain and Sigrid also who were all helping to share out food and provisions. They chattered in excitement of everything they had endured, the terror now replaced by the safety of memory and pure thrill of excitement now that the danger had passed. It was being said by the townspeople that they wished Bard to be their king and that he was already making plans to ready them for winter, however as the children spoke to me of how proud they were of their father, a dwarvish horn blew to announce itself to the people, drawing all eyes towards the procession that was making its way up to the great hall where Bard emerged. Legolas and I looked to one another before I gathered the three children and brought them towards the front of the crowds so that they could see, but when I saw the huge wagons carrying chest upon chest almost overflowing with gold, I felt my stomach drop in shock as the dwarves escorted the treasure with pride.
The people all cheered, almost weeping for joy as the payment that had been previously promised to them was finally honoured, the wagons of gold then being followed by silver and bronze. "Thorin kept his word." Legolas said in equal astonishment as we looked to one another before back to the procession that continued to come, filling the space with the treasure which had Bard almost in a state of fainting until he proclaimed that they were saved and began to arrange that the treasure be moved to the most secure location. Having more knowledge of Dale than anyone else present, I stepped forwards and approached Bard, leaning towards his ear to murmur quietly, offering to show him where the treasury of Dale was located.
I knew that it had been ransacked by Smaug and therefore broken down, however the vault itself remained predominantly intact and was very defendable, making it perfect to store the treasure so Bard had it all moved, the dwarves lending their strength to the people as they sang their praises. "Elf maiden! Would you be called by the name of Lady Asta?" A dwarf called to me, riding upon a goat and I turned, bowing my head in greeting to him.
"That is my name, what is it I can do for you?" I asked however the dwarf merely slipped off his goat and knelt down before me, touching a fist to the ground as he spoke with utter reverence.
"My king asks that you meet with him as soon as you are able, honourable lady. King Thorin wishes to speak with you and also invites you to join him in the celebratory feast that is to take place a week hence." He delivered the message before rising up, clapped a hand to the heavy bracer upon his arm before then steering his steed away. Unsure of how to respond I frowned, wondering what Thorin could possibly need from me. Perhaps he wishes to ask that I am alright and share a goblet of wine to make peace between us and perhaps even depart as friends. That would bring me great joy.
"Will you go to him?" Legolas asked me and I nodded my head.
"I do wish to see how he and the others are faring. You say that Bilbo and Mithrandir are under the mountain as well, yes?" Nodding his head to confirm I began to walk away, intending to simply walk to the mountain however Legolas took my hand, giving me an affectionate smile as he placed a kiss upon my skin before leading me forwards in a slight daze, taken by surprise by his gesture and I almost stumbled.
"Can you ride?" He asked and I managed to answer him though I stuttered initially, slightly flushed still but I recovered myself forcefully as he brought me to the stables and saddled a horse for me. He offered to go with me, however I reasoned that the dwarves might not like him being present when the invitation was extended only to me, they were still very private people and he agreed, telling me to come back swiftly. "Are you certain that it is safe?" He asked, referring to the brief madness that Thorin had endured.
"I will not be harmed, vell nîn. They are my dear friends." I promised him before deciding to leave him in a stupor this time. With a quick movement I sealed my lips to his, firmly kissing him in the privacy of the stable but before he could react I turned and mounted the horse, leaving with lyrical laughter on the air as I rode to Erebor. The gate remained open from where the blockade had been shattered but it was heavily guarded but as I rode forwards then dismounted, one of the dwarf warriors took the reins of my horse and the others parted, allowing me through. It was not as I remembered. Crumbled stone and burned pillars cracked from where they had first been brutalised by a dragon, yet as I walked I could not help but smile as the lights glimmered even in the furthest reaches of the caverns. Two dwarves turned and marched ahead of me, seemingly leading the way so I followed them, gazing at my surroundings until I was brought down further into the halls of Erebor.
"Asta! It really is you!" Laughter ricocheted off the walls and in the blink of an eye both Fili and Kili had grasped my arms, leading me forwards and dismissing the guards to lead me themselves. "We were worried about you, you know, that stuck up pointy eared king of yours just carted you off limp like a boneless fish and no one would tell us whether you were alright or not." Fili said to me as Kili grinned.
"When we heard that you were up and about, uncle had a messenger sent with the convoy to Dale to find you, we're glad you came so swiftly!"
"Of course, I also wanted to ensure that everyone was unharmed. Was anyone hurt? Valar forbid one of you perished." I said quickly however their smiling faces reassured me that naught was ill.
"Everyone lives, though Balin complains of a stiff back and Bofur has a bump or two but nothing more than that." They assured me, making me hurry my step as they brought me down the halls and across bridges, somehow managing to navigate the vast complexity of the mountain with ease until finally we came to a store house where inside stood Thorin, speaking in Khuzdul to direct his people as supplies were being brought inside. "Uncle! We have her!"
"Fili, Kili, tell me you did not pull our guest by the arms all the way down here." He sighed, touching his brow in slight despair before he spread his hands and bowed his head, wearing a simple tunic and thick studded belt as he ordered his new kingdom. He looked very noble just the way he was, even without the crown. I would recognise him as a king anywhere, for it was clear to me that only one such as he had the true bearing of a monarch simply by the way he stood. "My apologies, thank you for coming with such haste."
"King under the Mountain, it is an honour to be welcomed into your halls." I answered politely before then Thorin requested that we absolve with formalities, asking that I address him by his name rather than his title as his nephews walked with us.
"You have my everlasting gratitude for saving the lives of my kin as well as my own, my lady. I should have trusted your word from the very beginning, forgive me for my stubbornness."
"All is forgiven, Thorin." I assured him, lifting my head as we entered a small dining hall for private audiences where a fairly large feast had been set up, the entire company as well as Mithrandir and Bilbo being present. Upon entering several of the dwarves leaped up, cheering my name and saluting their drinks as my mouth dropped slightly in surprise, not expecting to be invited to dinner. The hall was small and intimate with great roaring fires upon the hearths and the crystal lanterns glistening with flickering flames within whilst the tantalising scent of food rose around me, causing my stomach to rumble with hunger. Everything looked utterly delicious and I wanted to tear into the largest piece of meat I could lay my hand upon. Although meat was not often eaten by my kin, I still retained a greater taste for it and that hog roast looked as if it were begging to be consumed.
"Will you join us, friend?" Thorin asked, holding up his hand palm up in polite request, however his address caused a bright beam to spread across my lips as I placed my hand in his and let him lead me to the table. There was much merriment and music, the wonderful smelling food being poured over and swiftly consumed and although there was a sizable portion of meat, I noticed how Thorin had ordered specific foods that would be more to the taste of an elf, a gesture that I thanked him for though I ate my fair share of every dish to hand. It had been so long since I had simply stuffed my face that I dispelled with all airs of politeness and grace in favour of simply diving into the feast and making merry with the dwarves, matching their own rambunctious fervour as the hall swelled with the sound of music, merriment and laughter.
It appeared that I had finally earned the unconditional trust of the company, all of them formally welcoming me and praising my prowess in battle despite it being my first real fighting experience save for the few scuffles in the mountains and the chase down the river after the orcs whilst they rode in the barrels. Mithrandir smoked his pipe as Bilbo sat next to Thorin in a seat of honour whilst I was given the other to his left, the seats that would usually be reserved for Fili and Kili however they were happy enough so long as they had food and ale to partake of and I could not help but think that these seats were meant to portray something, so when I leaned closer to Balin and asked him in whisper, he explained that the seats either side of the king signified the most important person present other than the king or the most distinguished of guests. I was touched by the gesture and furthermore gladdened as Thorin poured me the wine himself with soft words and a kind expression that did not reveal one whit of madness that he had previously endured.
Tales were told and songs were sung, Bofur pulling me from my seat to dance as the music played before Fili and Kili joined in, taking their turns before I then drew Bifur into the fray, beginning to make various hand signals as I spoke as we had become used to, however he then spoke in plain common tongue with sparkling eyes of mirth. "Away with that gesturing nonsense, dance lass, dance!" My face was such a picture that everyone roared with laughter as I finally noticed that the axe was gone from Bifur's head until I too was overcome with bright laughs that filled the air, dancing with him until one by one, the more energetic of the dwarves claimed a dance. Even Gloin danced with me, fairly drunk by the ale that he had consumed which made him a little clumsy with his feet but his hand gripped my side securely and held my hand aloft as we danced about the hall.
Eventually I persuaded Bilbo to join me, enlightened by the fulfilling exercise as I drew him from his seat and danced with him until he found his footing, skipping and tapping his feet as the others clapped, stamped and pounded their drinks to the rhythm as even Mithrandir joined in, taking a turn with me with a wizened chuckle whilst still holding his pipe in the other hand. It felt wonderful to dance openly and with such a free spirit, spiralling lightly upon my toes which caused the skirts of my dress to flare outwards and my sleeves to float elegantly until I once more dove back into the dancing and the weaving with the others, Fili even grasping me by my waist and lifting me up into the air with a sudden rush which caused me to squeal from surprise and joy. We each danced until the last note was sung, all of us nearly breathless and more than one immediately dove for a deep glug of ale to whet their throats and recover a little more energy. I wanted to stay long into the evening however I had promised Legolas that I would return to him soon and I knew that my people would be ready to leave for the woods again before long and sure enough, a messenger came to tell the king that the elves were leaving and were waiting for me.
"Alas, we must part for now." Thorin announced, rising to his feet and informed the others that it was time for me to leave for the time being. The others did not want me to go, begging that I stay for a while longer but Thorin gave a stern toned command and so I was embraced numerously and told that by no means was I to not be there for the celebrations next week where our current feast would be made to look like a mere appetiser compared to what was to come. Warmly I bade my goodbyes, embracing Bilbo and Mithrandir and sharing polite kisses upon cheeks to each person in turn, though Fili and Kili both got to me first with another heavy plant to my mouth where the tickle of their bears made me grin despite myself, giddy from the wine and ale as I blinked a little dazedly at them both as they laughed and winked, kissing me against upon either cheek before I was then released and allowed to return to the surface with Thorin who escorted me himself all the way to the great dwarf doors. "Farewell Asta Eleniel, until next we meet." His rich voice thrummed through the daze of alcohol which made for a pleasant buzz through my head as I blinked at him, feeling is warm hands enshrouding mine.
"Next time, you must dance with me too." I decided firmly, slurring a little with my words which earned a light chuckle from the king who stood before me. He promised that he would certainly dance with me at the feast in seven days time, so long as I too promised not to become too drunk as I was now before he received a change to share a dance with me. To this I hummed and gave his hands a squeeze, the cool night air rousing me from my tipsy blur in order to bid a proper farewell to Thorin, my friend whom I would cherish from this moment until our last. "Be at peace, lord kin. I wish you warm days and cool nights, may the stars watch over you until the time of our next reunion." Leaning down to his face, Thorin looked at me closely as I brought my forehead to his, standing before him with our hands still bound together.
So at peace did I feel that I almost fell asleep where I stood, however a gentle murmur from Legolas roused me enough to draw away and return to him where he had been waiting patiently for me this entire time. seeing that I was slightly drunk, my love pulled me into his arms and placed me before him upon the horse so that we could away back to our own home, where I could rest further and begin to erase any memories of pain and sadness whilst I had dwelled there before, and look forward to a new time of great joy and happiness.