It had felt like Autumn had slept for only a few minutes before she was woken up from her slumber. Bard shook her gently, making her look up groggily.
"How long have I been asleep?" she asked, yawning.
"A while actually," Bard said, "The elves from Mirkwood are here. They brought food and water."
Autumn was now in sitting position, a smile forming on her face but it quickly faltered.
"What is wrong then?" she asked looking at Bard's glum expression.
"King Thranduil has brought an army of elves to wage war against the dwarves for a handful of gems," Bard explained, "I am about to leave to try and reason with Thorin. Do you wish to join me?"
Autumn nodded and quickly got up, brushing herself off. Bard mounted a white horse and she followed on the same white mare. They rode through the dead, empty plain and towards the mountain which now had a stone covered entrance.
"Hail Thorin, son of Thrain!" Bard called out when he noticed the dwarves heads popping up from the stone wall, "We are glad to find you alive beyond hope."
"Why do come to the gates of the king under the mountain armed for war?" Thorin yelled so Bard and Autumn could hear.
"Why does the king under the mountain fence himself in?" Bard asked, "Like a robber in his hole?"
"Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed," Thorin spoke.
"My lord," Autumn called out,"We have not come to rob you, but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with us?"
Thorin nodded, and stepped away from the platform. Bard and Autumn dismounted the horse and crossed the bridge in front of the gate. As they approached the blockade, a raven flew out of the opening above the gate, cawing loudly. Bard noticed a hole built into the blockade, and Thorin strode up to the other end of the hole.
"I'm listening," Autumn could hear Thorin say.
She stood next to Bard, but could not see through it as it could only fit the head of one person.
"On behalf of the people of Laketown, I ask that you honor your pledge," Bard said, "A share of the treasure so that they might rebuild their lives."
"I will not treat with any man while an armed host lies before my door," Thorin said angrily.
"That armed host will attack this mountain, if we do not come to terms," Bard threatened.
"Your threats do not sway me," Thorin said calmly.
"What of your conscience?" Bard asked, trying another approach, "Does it not tell you our cause is just?! My people offered you help. And in return you brought upon them only ruin and death!"
"When did the men of Laketown come to our aid, but for the promise of rich reward?!" Thorin spoke, his calmness disappearing.
"A bargain was struck!" Bard said angrily.
"A bargain?" Thorin yelled in a rage, "What choice did we have but to barter our birthright for blankets and food? To ransom our future in exchange for our freedom? You call that a fair trade? Tell me, Bard the Dragonslayer, why should I honor such terms?"
"Because you gave us your word," Bard said, pleadingly, "Does that mean nothing?"
She heard nothing from Thorin after Bard spoke. She exchanged a confused look with Bard until Thorin yelled, "Be gone, ere arrow fly!"
Bard slapped the rock angrily and was about to walk away when Autumn stopped him.
"Wait," Autumn said, grabbing his arm, "Let me try."
She approached the opening and called out, "Faedra?"
Faedra soon appeared at the opening, her hood over her head but not enough to cover her entire face like she would do in battle. She looked at her, no emotion on her face which was no surprise to Autumn as Faedra was quite good at hiding her feelings.
"Please Faedra," Autumn said, "A deal was struck with the dwarves and the people of Laketown."
"If Thorin does not wish to honor his word then so be it," Faedra said, "The Laketown people are none of my concern."
"Faedra," Autumn said more pleadingly, "You of all people know how important it is to honor your word. Please just speak with Thorin. Try and persuade him to honor his deal. There will be no need for war then."
Faedra looked at Autumn's pleaded eyes.
"War is upon us whether Thorin honors his word or not," Faedra said, "There is nothing I can do to change that."
With that she disappeared behind the wall, her footsteps fading away. Autumn looked forward in pure shock. She left feeling upset and angry at the same time. They both mounted the horse and rode back towards Dale.
Faedra stood at the top of the wall, the wind blowing the front pieces of her dark hair. She stared out into oblivion trying to decide on a choice that she alone had to make. Night had fallen and Faedra offered to take a full night watch. She heard shuffling to her right and noticed Bilbo walking silently towards the wall. He looked down, looking like he needed to go down because his life depended on it.
"Where are you going at such a time?" Faedra asked, only moving her head to look at Bilbo.
"Oh...um...nowhere…" Bilbo said, "Nowhere special."
He was about to turn, but Faedra stopped him.
"Is it safe?" She asked, now looking forward.
"I-is what safe?" Bilbo asked, acting confused.
Faedra spun around, giving him a look that he knew what she was talking about. She pulled out some elven rope she kept with her and tied it on a hook. She tossed it so it ran down the wall and she looked at Bilbo.
"Go," Faedra ordered, "Keep it safe. Be sure to not return with it."
Bilbo gave her a nod of understanding and thanks. He quickly climbed down the wall as Faedra watched him run over statues and stones. He disappeared in the darkness and she pulled out her necklace. She knew what she had to do.
Finally composing herself, she pulled out her sword and in the hilt of the sword a small dagger was hidden. She pulled it out and took off the necklace that all assassin's bore. She held it up in front of her and started spinning the dagger around the necklace. She started chanting something in elvish, speaking with great power and leadership.
As she spoke the crystal started to glow as did the dagger. After the last line she pointed the dagger into the air and a burst of light shot out of it and exploded in the sky. It disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. She stared on, knowing there was no turning back now, and sheathed her sword. She put her necklace back on and all she could do now was hope they would arrive in time.
She heard a small whistle of an arrow flying through the air and put her hand up in front of her chest, catching it. The tip was less than an inch from piercing her heart, but she did not seem fazed. She pulled out her notebook, scribbling something on one page. She ripped it out and stuck it on the arrow that almost killed her. She aimed and fired into the air.
Autumn sat with Bard as Bilbo explained the reasons why he brought the Arkenstone. Suddenly her necklace started to glow and it lifted up in front of her face. Thranduil, Bilbo, and Bard stared in surprise and awe.
"Bring forth the assassins of Middle earth," She heard the voice of Faedra speak in her head, "Your leader is calling for you all to come forth, to join me on the battlefield. Come and stand with me one last time, at the great kingdom of Erebor."
The light died down and she noticed everyone around her looking at her confusingly, except Gandalf.
"What was that?" Bilbo asked the question everyone had on their minds.
"I have been summoned," Autumn said, "Faedra has summoned the assassins, to fight with her. Which could only mean…"
"War is coming," Gandalf interrupted.
"Yes, but I do not believe it is a war against dwarves, men, and elves," Autumn said.
"No Autumn," Gandalf said, "It is not."
"Faedra must have a good reason to do this," Autumn said, "She has only ever summoned the assassins once and that was to wage war against a kingdom that was kidnapping and abusing others like me."
"How many more are there?" Bard questioned.
"Too many to count," Autumn spoke, "The assassins are like the shadows that protect people, elves, and dwarves, even when they don't know it. They will travel from town to town or stay in the same place. Some travel or live in the woods. Others will travel in groups. No one assassin knows the true amount, not even the leader herself. The only thing we all know is that we are all loyal to our master and to one another, no matter how much one despises another."
Bard nodded his head in understandment. An elf guard suddenly appeared at the entrance of the tent.
"My Lord," he said, "We spotted something strange at the mountain."
Thranduil walked out of the tent, everyone else following behind.
"What is wrong?" Thranduil asked.
"We saw a flash of light, My Lord," another elf spoke, "Then this was shot from the mountain."
He handed over a slip of paper with a hole through it.
You are fighting the wrong battle,
King Thranduil
"So is this really what she believes?" Thranduil asked himself.
There was a silence in the air, waiting for the king's response.
"We march to the mountain at first light," Thranduil commanded, "The dwarves are out of time."
The elven guards nodded and Autumn and Gandalf shared frightened looks.