Gandalf, Daekano and Chrisandir rode up the slope towards Raven hill. It was a few hours before dawn would approach and there was little signs of activity in either Dale or Erebor. Sentries were present however they were quiet and most were exhausted after the grueling battle that took place the day before.
"Sariawen is going to kill me" Daekano grumbled as they reached the top of the hill.
"I don't think so Master Daekano." Gandalf replied, "She's too fond of you to do that."
Chrisandir gave a cry of dismay and urged his horse towards the slain soldiers. He dismounted quickly and bent down to examine their wounds.
"These were made recently… I would guess less than a few hours old." He said turning to look at the others.
Daekano was off his horse and disappeared into the ruined watchtower. He reappeared a grim expression set upon his face.
"It was Valse alright. Looks like he came by sometime after we left."
"Can you try and pick up the trail again?" Gandalf asked anxiously.
"I can try." Daekano replied.
Chrisandir and Gandalf waited for the young ranger to find any sort of trail possible. It took the better part of hour before Daekano found faint hoof prints. They were about to follow the trail when Daekano's horse gave a small neighing sound. Daekano turned in his saddle and grinned as Sariawen appeared with Tauriel in tow.
"Thought you boys could leave me behind?" Sariawen questioned.
"Your company is welcomed." Gandalf replied smiling.
"Shall you ladies be riding double or will you ride with me Sariawen?" Daekano asked.
"I'll ride with Tauriel… I'll leave you to be able to track down our wraith."
They set off briskly into the cold chilly morning air. For the most part Daekano stood scouting the area for signs of the wraith passing by. Every so often they would alter their present course and it soon became evident that it was leading towards Gunabad. They stopped for a small break and Sariawen revealed that she had pinched some food from the kitchen, earning praise from both rangers.
"Guren bêd enni im mîl lle (my heart tells me I love you)' Daekano said
Sariawen blushed while Chrisandir rolled his eyes and sank his teeth into the bread. Gandalf was just lighting his pipe when Tauriel had her bow, a replacement given by Legolas, knocked and drawn. She lowered her bow as Legolas appeared an amused smile spread across his face.
"Were you going to shoot me mellon (friend)?" Legolas teased.
"What are you doing Legolas?" Tauriel asked returning her arrow to his quiver.
"I've come to tag along on your adventure." He said, "Besides father thought it best if we had a representative from Mirkwood and Erebor." He frowned when he said the last part.
"Erebor?" Chrisandir asked raising an eyebrow.
Kili emerged behind Legolas he was leading a horse and a pony behind him. He grinned when his eyes settled on Tauriel and she looked away. Legolas frowned at Kili's expression he was in love with her and he didn't like the idea of a dwarf taking her away from him. Chrisandir gave a slightly irritated sigh, the more people who were apart of tracking down this wraith meant that it would draw more attention to themselves and alert the Nazgul that it was being tracked.
"Was this your plan all along Gandalf?" He asked when he noticed the twinkle in the wizard's eyes.
Gandalf began mumbling something unintelligent and blew out puffs of smoke out of his mouth. Chrisandir groaned quietly and shook his head in disbelief. He turned to Daekano who was whispering intently to Sariawen. He kicked Daekano in the shin and Daekano glared at his friend.
"What?"
"We have two more members."
Daekano looked up and his smile fell at the sight of the dwarf prince.
"Gandalf why is Kili here?" He asked in Adunaic.
"Because I have a feeling that we might be needing him shortly." Gandalf replied.
Daekano shrugged his shoulders and continued talking to Sariawen who was blushing furiously. Legolas and Kili were glaring at one another about something and Chrisandir looked bored. Tauriel shook her head and the strangeness of their party. She looked over at Daekano and Sariawen who were happily talking and laughing about something and she wanted to know more about them two. After all she knew very little about them two, let alone an elf courting a mortal. She knew that Thranduil disliked the idea immensely and wondering if the conversation the previous night was referring for her feelings for a dwarf.
"What you feel for him isn't real." Thranduil's voice echoed through her head over and over causing her to feel confused. She knew that she had feelings for Kili, after all she had defied her king's orders to save his life, raised a bow and rebuked him for wanting to retreat in the middle of combat. That had to mean that her feelings were real right? She sat quietly lost in thought wrestling with the possibility of a dwarf and an elf together.
"Tauriel are you okay?" Asked Sariawen drawing her from her thoughts.
"Yeah…." She replied weakly.
"I called you several times and got no response."
"I was thinking that's all." Tauriel replied and noticed that Daekano was gone, "where'd Daekano go?"
"He went ahead with Gandalf and Kili, apparently they have some idea." She replied not meeting Tauriel's eyes.
"Sariawen what are they doing?" Tauriel demanded.
"Look it was Gandalf's idea" Sariawen defended, "Gandalf wants to use Kili as bait to draw the wraith out of hiding."
Tauriel's eyes widen like saucers, her face displaying immense worry. Sariawen regretted telling her the truth. Legolas and Chrisandir stood watching neither of them dared to let their emotions show. Tauriel looked at all three of them angrily.
"You just let them take Kili and use him as bait?"
"Not exactly." Chrisandir spoke cautiously he knew he was treading on thin ice, "it was more like he volunteered to be bait."
"You told him about the Nazgul?"
"No exactly." Legolas spoke for the first time, "look Tauriel why do you really care, he's just a dwarf –"
"Just a dwarf!?" Tauriel was furious now and Chrisandir found that the ground was in need of studying. Sariawen smirked as the elf prince shifted his weight uneasily.
"I thought you'd have more sense in you Legolas. Just a dwarf." She spat.
"Tauriel calm down mellon." Sariawen said, "Gandalf and Daekano are with him, they won't let anything happen to young Kili. I know Daekano and he will fight to the death before Kili is killed."
Tauriel took a deep breath and remained silent though her eyes continued to cast murderous looks at Legolas. They sat waiting for a number of hours before any news reached them. The sun was descending when the trio returned exhausted.
"Bother Valse." Gandalf remarked mounting his stead and took off riding towards Erebor.
Daekano climbed onto his horse wearily and followed and soon the others joined them. Sariawen rode alongside Daekano and demanded to know what happened. It turned out that they had spent a fruitless number of hours exposing Kili while Daekano and Gandalf waited in a concealed spot, ready to rush the wraith when it turned instead the only thing it drew was frustration.
Kili sat relived that was still alive, he still didn't understand what the big fuss was about or what úlaer (ring-wraiths) were. He steered his horse so that he was riding beside Tauriel.
"How are you holding up?" Tauriel asked softly.
"I'm going alright, I can't believe my brother and uncle or gone…" Kili choked back tears, "it's even stranger that I'm not in a daze or in a state of depression."
"It will come" Tauriel said, "things have been busy of late, but when it settles down the feelings will come but I will be by your side." She said smiling at Kili.
"Thank you." He whispered.
That night they buried Thorin Oakenshield and Fili son of Dis under the mountain in their respectable tombs. Kili stood watching and crying as they lowered Thorin, his uncle, his 'father', his king into his tomb. Balin began reciting an ancient dwarvish prayer to Mahal. Next he watched as his brother, partner in crime, friend was next. He stayed there his eyes closed trying to comprehend the fact that they were truly gone, that they weren't coming back. Everybody had left leaving him alone,
"I'm sorry Uncle." He whispered quietly, "I failed you and Fili."
"No you didn't" A soft voice spoke and Kili looked up to see Tauriel standing beside him, "You fought bravely Kili, there was nothing you could've done."
"I could've taken the upper levels." Kili said,
"Don't speak like that Kili." Tauriel replied she placed a hand on his shoulder.
Kili remained silent before he composed himself and turned to Tauriel.
"I believe there is to be a celebration for our victory and in honour and memory of Thorin and Fili. Would you join me?" He asked shyly.
"Yes, I would like that very much."
When they arrived back in the main hall they found it was filled with men and women, children, dwarves and elves all having a merry time. However tension could be felt between the dwarves and elves. Thranduil, King Dain and Gandalf were talking at a table and from the looks of it things weren't pleasant. Kili found a table for himself and Tauriel to sit at and they watched as people danced. Daekano arrived setting two mugs of ale on the table and handed one to Kili.
"To Thorin Oakenshield may he rest in peace" he raised his mug up and Kili did the same and they both took a drink.
"Where's Sariawen?" Asked Tauriel looking around the room.
"I don't know I do believe she went off somewhere in Dale." Daekano said shrugging his shoulders then licked his lips as dwarves arrived and placed a roast pig, bread, cheese, nuts and fruit onto the table.
Kili and Daekano set to work carving the pig and loading their plates up with food. Tauriel laughed at them and stuck to the bread and cheese. She frowned wondering where her new friend was. Chrisandir arrived at the table, his expression serious.
"Daekano, do not over drink, we march on Gunabad tomorrow."
"Me drunk?" Daekano snorted, "pfft never."
"Regardless I would like you sober for tomorrows attack on Gunabad. King Dain has summoned more dwarves from the Iron hills and we will march with two hundred dwarves, Thranduil has even lent some aid and is sending his son tomorrow to be in charge of the elven soldiers."
"Don't you worry about me" Daekano replied biting into some tasty ham, "I'll stick to two mugs."
Chrisandir nodded his head and took a seat next to Kili. They sat quietly watching the dancing and eating the hearty meal before them. True to his word Daekano only drank two mugs of beer then stuck to water. He frowned wondering where Sariawen was, after all it wasn't like her to miss out on a party or was it? He tried to think if he had missed an important event or if she had given any signs that she had no intention on coming. He felt Chrisandir knock him on the head.
"What?" He grumbled then followed to where Chrisandir had his mug pointing.
Daekano turned and his mouth dropped open at the person he saw. Sariawen arrived at the party her hair was flowing behind her and she was wearing a beautiful black and dark blue dress, which had intricate black designs over the blue. She was beautiful, no she was drop dead gorgeous. Her eyes wondered about the room and settled on her ranger and she smiled at his expression.
"Go dance with her" Chrisandir laughed nudging Daekano to his feet.
Daekano stood up and made his way over to her.
"Hiril vuin lle Ni gellweg an gin cened. Ci bain sui in elin (my lady I am joyful for seeing you. You are beautiful as the stars)"
Sariawen blushed furiously at his comment and planted a kiss on his cheek causing him to grin. Daekano could feel a dozen eyes on him but he ignored them.
"Would you care to dance?" he asked nervously.
"Of course, I wouldn't dream of missing a dance with my ranger." She said playfully.
Daekano placed a hand on her waist and used the other hand to take her hand. They danced slowly talking quickly amongst themselves and laughing all the while. After they danced for what seemed like ages they stopped and made their way over to their table.
"Your dress looks amazing." Tauriel commented.
"Thanks, I made it myself." Sariawen replied smiling at her friend.
Daekano's mouth fell open, "You what?"
"I made it myself, well I had some help from some young women of Dale, one was King Bard's daughter."
"How?" Daekano asked curiously, "we've been fighting orcs and other sinister things for the past few months. When do you have time to sew?"
Sariawen grinned at Daekano, "not telling."
Daekano sighed but his eyes twinkled with amusement. Sariawen glanced at Tauriel then looked at Kili who was fidgeting with his hands. Sariawen nudged Daekano and made a gesture which he recognised.
"Lady Tauriel… er would you like to dance?" Daekano asked wondering what Sariawen was planning.
"Yes… but I'm afraid I'm not too good." She said looking at Kili who was staring at her.
"That's fine, I can teach you."
They went off dancing and Sariawen seized the moment.
"Master Kili, you clearly love her."
"I know, but would it work I mean I'm a mortal. She will live forever and ever unless she dies fighting, but I will fade from this place and join Mahal. To top it all off, our people hate each other." He said sadly shaking his head.
"I know your concerns Kili, trust me we've had to work it out ourselves."
"You and Daekano?" He asked curiously.
"Yes, we've had to deal with similar issues, however he is a Duinedain and is a more approved choice when it comes to mortals but it is rare nevertheless. You should talk to Daekano about it sometime."
Tauriel was thoroughly enjoying herself, Daekano had taken things slowly and had taught her a simply yet fun dance. Daekano felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned to see Legolas standing there.
"Mind if I dance with Tauriel?" He asked politely.
"Not at all." Daekano replied gave a slight bow to Tauriel then headed back over to where Sariawen was sitting.
Upon returning Daekano sat down beside Sariawen and talked to Chrisandir about their plans for tomorrow. After a few minutes Daekano noticed that Kili was staring intently at the interaction between Tauriel and Legolas.
"Go ask her." He encouraged, "otherwise you'll lose you chance."
Kili took a deep breath than rose and approached Tauriel. Legolas reluctantly let Kili dance with Tauriel and walked away slightly angry at having to let her dance with that dwarf. Kili and Tauriel danced together for quite some time talking about everything that had happened since they parted on the shores of Lake Town. They stopped dancing and made their way back to the table where the others were sitting.
"Gandalf has appointed me as the overall leader of this skirmish since we know where the passageway lies. He also believes that I will be able to rally the troops if the úlaer shows up."
"What is my role?" Daekano asked.
"I want you to scout ahead and look out for traps or other unpleasant surprises." Chrisandir replied nervously looking at Sariawen.
"As long as he comes back to me in one piece I'm fine." She replied, "but if something happens to my ranger, you'll answer for it Chrisandir."
He nodded his head, knowing that she would carry out her threat.
The sun was rising over Erebor when Chrisandir began to prepare his soldiers to march. His force numbered three hundred the majority of them were dwarves accompanied by a hundred elves under the command of Legolas. Tauriel was present and Sariawen stood next to Daekano and Chrisandir. They watched as King Dain marched over to the small army.
"Chrisandir, as my representative for this force, I choose Kili." He said gruffly, "You listen to me dwarves, you are to listen to prince Kili."
There was a loud chorus of acceptance of leadership by the dwarves as they waited for Kili to arrive. When he did he looked magnificent, he was donned in dwarvish armour. He looked older and wiser as he stood in front of the company of dwarves. The dwarven soldiers erupted with cheering and shouting and raised their weapons to Kili. When the noise died down Chrisandir blow his horn and the small force began to march towards Gunabad. Daekano rode ahead of the others keeping an eye out for orc ambushes or scouting parties or any signs of danger but there was none, all was quiet. He rode back to Chrisandir and reported his sightings.
"Chrisandir something is up." He said, "I think it would be wise if we reach Gunabad but make camp for the night."
"Very well Daekano I will trust your judgement on this one. I don't fancy walking into a trap with tired soldiers. However it might be better if we make camp here tonight then march on before dawn and strike our foes down quickly." Chrisandir spoke then gave orders for the company to halt and make camp. Sentries were place and a war meeting was held in a large tent.
Daekano, Sariawen, Tauriel, Legolas, Kili and Chrisandir sat inside the tent, a large map spread out on the floor. There was some food that they ate as they discussed their battle tactics.
"I will take the left wing and focus our attack on their left flank as well as establish the few catapults that King Dain was able to get for us and destroy the passageway that leads to Angmar. I want Legolas's elves in the centre and pick off as many orcs with their bows as possible. I want the dwarves to hold their position until I give the command to storm Gunabad, however it might be heavily fortified so we may have to rely on our siege equipment to give us an advantage. If possible Daekano I want you and Sariawen to take a small force of elves and try and enter inside and assess the situation and guide us in."
"That could get ugly quickly." Daekano said, "We have no real idea how many orcs remained in Gunabad and whether or not they have trolls or reinforcements from Angmar."
"If we can do significant damage with the catapults we will be able to utilize the dwarves." Kili added, "We will make a shield wall and slowly advance on the orcs."
"I will provide cover from archers and thin out their ranks with our Mirkwood longbows. Chrisandir has a point, we need to have some forces on the inside directing our attack otherwise we might lose significant numbers which could be easily prevented." Legolas added.
"I'll go pick out a small force then." Daekano sighed and left the tent in search for those who would place themselves at great risk. Leaving the others to finalize their strategy.
The army awoke before dawn and began marching towards Gunabad after a few hours they arrived to find the ancient fortress quiet, filled with an eerie silence. It sent chills up and down Chrisandir's spine as the silence daunting, where were the orcs? He frowned as they moved into position, perhaps they orcs fled when after their defeat at Raven hill. But no, orcs bred like flies, they were vermin and pests that unless dealt with would bred like cockroaches under stones. There was no darkness, nothing sinister in the air which indicated the presence of a Nazgul but perhaps it was hiding its presence waiting for something or someone, his eyes turned to Kili who was organizing his troops for battle. The dwarves stood anxiously gazing at the large fortress in front of them. Already a shield wall was formed and the Elven archers stood motionless their bows raised with arrows knocked.
Chrisandir took one last moment to survey the surroundings before he raised his hand. He watched as Daekano, Sariawen and Tauriel and a small elven force slowly and stealthily made their ways towards the fortress. Chrisandir motioned for the catapults to fire at the ridge then grabbing his horn gave a great blast that echoed through the fortress stirring hope within this small army. They raised their weapons to the skies and gave a war cry. Chrisandir watched as rocks were hurled towards the mountain pass.