Chapter 2

The great hall was filled to the brink with women, children and wounded or eldery men. It was one of the few buildings that wasn't in complete ruins. it looked fairly liveable actually if all the ash were dusted off. Everyone turned their heads and settled their alarmed eyes at her once she entered with her elven soldiers. She must have looked mad, covered in sticky, smelly orc blood, along with two shiny elves at her side. She needed to clean herself, really.

"I thank you for taking me to safety... but shouldn't you return to the battle?" Sigrid carefully asked, turning around and looking at the elves, although she hardly had the courage to meet their eyes.

"The king has ordered us to stay by your side until further instructions," one of them said with a tone that suggested that he did not want any more questions.

So that was what he'd said earlier... she wished she could understand elvish. No doubt, the elves were annoyed that they had to babysit her rather than fighting in the war. Sigrid nodded and curtsied deeply before going off to find her siblings. She couldn't understand why the elvenking would dispatch his own guards to her like that but that was a question she had to ponder about later... if she gets the chance to. She knew she couldn't do anything right now either way. So she went around, asking for Tilda and Bain, the guards kept the distance but made sure not the lose sight of her. She could practically feel their eyes on her, it prickled her skin like small needles and she did her best to push away her rising discomfort. She walked along the seated and standing masses until a familiar voice reached her ear.

"Sigrid!" Tilda yelled and she barely managed to apprehend what was happening until she was on her knees, holding her sister close.

Tilda cried into her shoulder, she didn't seem to care much about her filthy state. Of course she wouldn't. Sigrid almost brokenly whispered her name, running her fingers through her hair, making sure that it was real. And it was, she had survived... Her own little Tilda had survived. She heard Bain's voice next and without letting go of her sister, she pulled him down to her and hugged them both. If they'd died... Sigrid left the thought unfinished. Her family was alive for the time being. She held them close and shed tears of relief on Bain's jacket.

To be seated within the sealed walls of the great hall, was loads better than to be out on the battlefield. Still, people sat with their children close and their head bent low, like they were awaiting their own execution. At any time, any moment, the doors could be breached and their doom would unmask itself. It was almost as if people were expecting such an outcome, powerless to do anything about it. Sigrid sat in sullen silence and slowly cleaned away the blood from her skin. One of the elderly women had handed her a bucket and a brush with clean, warm water. So she sat there and slowly coloured the clean water in a brownish shade as her skin regained its normal shade. She took the time to look over her wounds, specifically the large cut and bruise on her forehead. She cleaned it with her handkerchief, drenched in water.

She had rather quickly slid off her ring before Tilda or Bain could even notice the trinket, putting it away in her pocket. For some reason, she didn't want them to know about it, she didn't want anyone to know about it... Due to this however, the pain came back and blossomed as she prodded on her injures but that was expected. Sigrid couldn't help but wonder if this was even necessary since she knew that the bloodshed may not be over just yet. She pushed the bucket away, feeling clean enough. Apparently, before they got separated, Sigrid had managed to run straight into a metal signboard, explaining why she passed out so suddenly, as well as her bruise and terrible headache. Bain had taken Tilda and without much of a choice. They fled with the troll chasing after them and In the end, they ran into the elves who quickly took the beast down.

"We tried to get back to you but there were just too many people everywhere and more orcs were coming in from the place we had left you in... Please i'm sorry, i'm just so glad you survived..." Bain had told her with actual tears in his eyes.

She had hugged him once more for that, keeping her fingers curled in his mossy hair. "You did well, you have nothing to be sorry about Bain... Da would be so proud," she had whispered to him, doing her best to keep her tears at bay.

She had to be strong... strong for Bain because he couldn't take everything by himself and strong for Tilda because she was too young to bear such burdens. Now they took turns cleaning themselves and she watched with tired but alert eyes as Bain started scrubbing Tilda, slowly peeling away the dirt and dried ash she had on her hands and cheeks. Sigrid kept her hands in her pockets, holding the ring and feeling its never-ending warmth radiate through her weary limbs. She discreetly slipped it on and immediately started to feel a bit better. It was a comforting experience, like a warm hug of sorts. It felt at home on her finger.

"Why are there elves here?" Bain suddenly asked as he worked on their sister's skin.

She bit her lip, not knowing what to say. "They are here to protect us," she said with an air of finality, she didn't want more questions about the elves and their purpose for she knew she couldn't answer all of them... she hardly knew anything at all.

The fact was that they had been ordered to only protect her was something Bain didn't need to know, then they would both be unnecessarily clueless. Time passed and the noise from outside was slowly but surely starting to die down... but it wasn't gone completely. Earlier some of the women without children to care of, had gathered whatever weapon they could find and left with the intention of fighting alongside their men. She looked for a part of her that wanted to come with them but found none. She had seen her fair share of battle, she had already delivered her own justice. She had her younger siblings to look after, she couldn't leave no matter what and she sure didn't want to.

The elves did not do much to stop the ladies as they left, instead they re-sealed the doors and stayed by the gate, guarding it. They looked to be conversing with each other but of course she couldn't understand their words. Sigrid decided to try to talk to them, she felt that she needed to express her gratitude more, they had actually brought her here safe and sound. The very same old lady that had offered her the necessities needed to clean herself before, had another bucket filled with cold water directly from the deep well. Her blue eyes smiled at Sigrid as she came up and asked for two cups of the refreshments.

"You don't need to ask honey, It's for everyone," she said with a smile that took great endurance to wear at times like these.

Her wrinkly hands handed her two wooden cups and she gave the old woman little grin in return, trying to hide her nervousness. She crossed the room with the cups, her siblings watching her like small hawks. She tried not to spill too much of the water as she oriented towards the stoic elves. They shone, giving off the usual luminous glow. Standing out like two silver and golden towers amongst the dull grey and brown of the scenery. She was reminded of their scarred but nonetheless handsome king. Well he was an elf after all, a pretty face came with the package. Was she going to ask them if they knew anything about that scar? No, no way, that would be rude... it was too much of a personal question and certainly not one to ask his soldiers. She had to mirror their respect for the elvenking as much as possible. And that meant to not be perceived as prodding or prying.

"My lords..." she started as she came to an halt before them, looking into the small slits in their helmets that revealed their eyes. Both a stunning blue. "I have brought you refreshments, i thought you might be thirsty... After all, it is important that you maintain your strength in these trying times."

She bowed her head in respect whilst wondering if the speech was a little too much. The elven men didn't give her an answer first, it was a short silence but it was enough for her to worry. To her relief one of them took of his golden helmet, and a perfectly structured face looked back at her. She was taken aback by his beauty.

"We thank you, little lady," he said and Sigrid recognised him as the first one who had taken ahold of her on the battlefield.

"My name is Andaer and this is my cousin Herion." He gestured to the quiet elf by his side, probably the one she had talked to before since he didn't seem as polite a his companion.

Andaer took the cups and handed one to his cousin who finally seemed to make up his mind and took his helmet off as well. They both had long brown hair that looked so even that it was hard to imagine that they'd been fighting a war recently. Even though they looked alike, there were obvious differences. Herion's hair were a shade darker, as were his eyes.

"My name is Sigrid and I'm no lady but i'm flattered at the title, sir," she gave a polite laugh, not full of mirth but at the same time not dull and forced either.

Andaer turned out to be the more talkative one as they sat down. She was happy that the conversation went smoothly enough. Herion on the other hand, sat quietly and sipped on his water, whilst plotting world domination it seemed.

"So you don't know why your king dispatched you to me?" she asked as they came upon the subject, hoping for some information.

"No but we are in no position to question his command, it must be for a well-thought out reason..." Andaer answered, scratching his head in thought.

She was about to agree when Herion suddenly chimed in: "It better be, what was he thinking... taking us away from where we are the most needed."

The elf sported a sour expression as he spoke, like he'd just swallowed a lemon. His more extroverted cousin was notable irked by this.

"Herion! Orders are orders and you are obligated to follow them," Andaer bit out with a scowl. His light blue eyes softened a bit as he took his companions almost irritated fidgeting. He sighed and closed his eyes.

"I know it's hard for you to sit cooped up here whilst our kin are out there facing evil but you have to understand that the king always have a good reason for his actions. His wisdom and insight far exceeds that of our own and we have to respect that. It is during a crisis like this that insubordination can have chaotic consequences... The first step to order is trusting our king." Andear finished of his little speech with a small smile, a gentle one.

Herion didn't seem convinced and neither did he seem surprised at his cousin's defensive and definitive stance.

"I know all that! I just think that we should have more room to criticise his decisions, honestly what kind of purpose do we serve up here?" he rather bitterly retorted.

"I hope you know that we have no choice but to trust his decisions, he's been around for far longer than us and with age comes insight... as I said insubordination is not favourable no matter what shape it takes. Besides, you should think twice about doubting our king in such a open environment, cousin." Andear lowly answered, calm with authority as he placed a hand on Herion's shoulder.

Herion himself inspected the floor with great intensity before he straightened up and fixed Andear with a look that was rather hard to interpret.

"I apologise for my words... My loyalty to the king is never ending and I know that I should think of how I express my thoughts. You know i'm just worried anyway so this conversation is useless," he said, taking gulp from the water.

His cousin gave him a small smile that seemed to say more than what was visible. "I am too..." was all he said back and thus both of them seemed to sink into their own thoughts.

Sigrid furrowed her brows, her gaze had stuck itself somewhere onto the shine of their golden armour. She hugged the ring on her finger, it almost pulsed.

"Your king will prevail, I can feel it."

She didn't know why she said that as they both met her eyes, looking a bit confused. But she really meant it, it was a clear feeling in the pit of her stomach, Thranduil will not lose this war. It was a difficult feeling. It was hope beyond hope but she had never felt so sure about anything before. It felt as if it was a fact of the universe.

"We shall not lose hope," she remarked softly, her smile trembling from an onslaught of emotions.

Herion was the one to speak up first, he looked beautiful with smile on his face, he should really do that more often as it made him stand out. The strange glow around him nearly sparkled like small gems.

"I admire your hope, my lady... Maybe being stuck here has its perks for otherwise we wouldn't have met the lovely Sigrid of Laketown."

Her cheeks grew red like a tomato, red like her ring as she processed his words. Andear just rolled his eyes with little grin. At least now she had confirmed that Herion didn't hold any kind of distaste towards her as she had at first presumed. If anything, he seemed guilty that he wasn't out helping his people. They sat and talked for a little while more and she got to know the elves quite well. They had grown up together in the woodland realm and only been to Dale two times before. When it still had been a prosperous city, before the terror of Smaug. Andear was the older one, coming up on 1003 in November, whilst Herion had just turned 709. She felt strangely out of place with her young age of 18.

In the end she bid the fair elves farewell for the time being as she noticed her siblings needed her. ... Sigrid braided Tilda's hair with her torn fingers. Numb but functional nonetheless. Bain frowned at the ground, sometimes sneaking glances at her. He knew something was up but if he'd taken note of the ring, he sure hadn't said anything about it. He was smart and Sigrid was actually quite proud of him. Who wouldn't be? He'd aided in killing Smaug and there was dried orc blood on his sword. Half of her was sick with worry and the other half basked in pride for him. He was strong, he had always been but his battles will leave scars and she hoped she would be there to heal them all. Or at least try to...

They sat like that for hours and Tilda had -despite everything- fallen asleep on her lap. She sat leaned back on the hard wall. Bain sat with his sword in his lap, nodding off from time to time. He was exhausted, she could tell. Everyone was. She decided to take this moment to inspect her ring, even though she had already done it for some time now but she just couldn't get enough of its beauty and wonder. It's funny how she'd already decided it was hers... She noticed that it was a bit dirty. Sigrid slid it off, turned towards the cleaning bucket and rinsed it off before returning it to its rightful place on her slender ring finger. It's strange how it seemed to have moulded itself after her slender fingers for it fit so perfectly.

This ring had to be magic, there were no other explanations for the wonders it did to her. The warmth, the numbness... the fact that it shimmered like a sunlit gemstone, its rays kissed her fingers in an orange-redish hue, it reminded her of a flowing liquid or a dancing flame. All at once there came bangs from the door and Herion and Andear sprung automatically into action. She jumped and automatically held Tilda close, covering her ears. The little girl woke up with cry latched in her throat. Bain almost frantically clutched his sword, his eyes awake and aware.

"Who goes there?!" Herion shouted, as he and his cousin stood side by side with their helmets on and spears raised.

"We've won ladies!" an overly cheerful voice shouted back of obvious Laketown accent. Sigrid could hardly believe it, she had almost expected it to be orcs and she slowly but surely let Tilda go as her sister sat up.

"Lena? Honey are you alright?" another voice broke out behind the gate.

"Sigurd?" A younger woman responded somewhere from Sigrid's right.

The elves unlatched the door and it was swung open by a bunch of victorious fishermen, many of them wounded but happy nonetheless. The people clashed with each other in hugs and kisses and Sigrid and her siblings had to move away from the onslaught. The air smelled of blood as they came out of the enclosure, she held Tilda's hand, telling her not to look at the corpses. Herion and Andear was in the front of the lead, calling out in elvish for their kin. Another mass of people came up to meet them and later elves on horseback rode up as well.

Her two elf friends strode up to their people and they already seemed immersed in a conversation. She was glad they finally got to see one of their own at last. Sigrid looked around and her heart almost stopped as she noticed a familiar face in the crowd.

"Da!" she yelled as she took her sibling with her to embrace their father.

As she stood there in his arms, she cried like a little girl as her family was reunited. It was as she stood so closely held in his arms, that the realisation hit her hard. He had made it through, her father hadn't fallen. In way, she'd gone about trying to prepare herself for a different outcome. Now it all just spilled out of her, the stress and the hurt. Everyone was fine, they were alive. Her family was still whole. Still.