The people were hesitant at first until one of the older women just huffed and stomped forward. The group watched in amazement as Percia calmly used the water of the lake to heal the woman's injuries. After that the wounded were eager to allow her to aid them. Several of the children came to watch, eyes wide with wonder as she worked. Already she could hear murmurs about 'magic' and 'unworldly'. Hopefully they would remain minimal, she didn't want to deal with people idolizing her, or gods forbid worshiping her. Her brothers would never let her hear the end of it.
"So you've finally seen the light and abandoned the foolish Dwarves," a cold crisp voice stated from her right.
Glancing she found the tall Elf leader who had originally captured their group in Mirkwood. "I have chosen to stay and help the people of Lake Town, while my friends go to make sure the others are alive and well. Once done I will make was to Erebor to see their home."
His eyes narrowed dangerously and she could see the anger within. Most would have backed down from him no doubt. But Percia had dealt with gods, faced down more than a few, including primordials; he would not intimidate her. However, he was doing an excellent job of pissing her off.
"This just proves how greedy and inconsiderate they are. Their actions have caused the destruction of the town and the death of many," he sneered back righteously. "They care nothing for the hurts they cause in their quest for treasure."
Something in the way he said it told her he was speaking of something else, perhaps someone. Yet she couldn't find it in her to care. She knew the dwarves, had fought and bled with them these many months. Was their quest completely altruistic? No. But she knew of the suffering they had gone through, the pain they had endured through the years. They had the right to try to get their home back. She also wasn't too sympathetic to a being that had thrown them in jail for simply traveling through a forest. She didn't see any 'No Trespassing' signs before entering.
"Which shows how narrow minded and bigoted you are," she snapped back. "If you were chased from your home and left to wander and settle in lands far less safe and prosperous would you not want the chance to reclaim what you knew as home? Especially when you have a wizard telling you 'now is the time'?" It was subtle, barely a change in his eyes, but she knew she had surprised him. "Yeah, that's right. There are larger forces at work here than just Dwarves, Men or Elves. There is a darkness coming, or have you forgotten about the orcs you battled on the river?"
"It does not justify wakening the dragon…"
"The dragon would have woken either way! Did you really think it would sleep forever? That it would never attack? I know you're immortal but surely you have not grown dense with old age," she huffed irritably. "If the dark forces are increasing in this world, do you not think they would have recruited the dragon to their dark purpose?"
"There is no force of such a magnitude," he denied fervently.
"You live in a dying forest, filled with giant spiders and sickened creatures, orcs found their way to your back door, in a fairly large group I might add, and you really believe the darkness is not growing," she scoffed at his clear refusal to see the truth. "Well I have news for you. I have it on very good authority those forces are gearing up for an attack."
"And whose authority is that? How do I know you are not trying to trick me as a plot by the Dwarves to divert our attention from their true agenda? Or perhaps you are trying to make yourself seem important now that they have left their plaything behind." His words were sharp and vicious to match the rising anger in his eyes.
Oh no he didn't.
She pulled up to her full height, which while not much still came off more powerful than most. It was about attitude not size, as Chiron had said.
"I do not need to justify anything to you, you pointy-eared wanker," she hissed angrily. "As for whose authority, I believe you know them as Mandos, Ulmo, Aulë, Yavanna and Vaire, also known as the Valar. I care not if you believe me, but I do care that you are still insulting me with your mere presence, so be gone Elf. Bother someone else."
"Do you know who I am?"
"Do I look like I care?"
"Prince Legolas," Bard's shocked greeting caught their attention. The blonde elf nodded at the man before shifting his gaze back to her, his stance straightening importantly with a smug look. Percia just gazed at him drily showing his title meant nothing to her. The elf scowled just slightly in displeasure before speaking to the man.
"Bard, I understand the people are turning to you for leadership." He phrased it like a question though it clearly wasn't one.
"Aye," the man sighed in frustration. "No one can find the Master and apparently slaying a dragon is grounds for becoming a leader."
"That would certainly make elections a lot more interesting," Percia murmured thoughtfully ignoring the looks she received.
"What will you do now," Legolas asked, deciding it was better to focus on Bard than the infuriating girl. Even if she did have some sort of strange powers.
"Well with Percia's help we've managed to heal everyone we can, so we'll gather our supplies and head for Dale. Percia has offered to help some volunteers look for more supplies in what is left of the town while I get the others moving to the city," he explained tiredly.
"And were you warned of the coming Darkness," the elf queried with a sly look to Percia.
"I have not told him because I was unaware he would be in charge," Percia answered snippily. Bard gazed at her in worry. "Now that I know who is leading the people I can inform him. And before either of you ask, Dale is still a good choice because it has solid structures that can be fortified for the protection of those that cannot fight. It likely has some old arms left, yes?" Bard nodded thoughtfully, considering her words. Percia shot a glare at the Prince before turning to Bard. "As 'his annoyance' mentioned there is trouble coming. On our journey here Azog, the Defiler and his orcs pursued us. Once we got to Mirkwood." She paused seeing the very minute flinch the prince gave at the name. "We lost him temporarily. However after we… left the confines of Mirkwood we were set upon by another Orc."
"Blog, the spawn of Azog," Legolas filled in. "He was the one to attack your home in search of Oakenshield. Unsurprising as this group brings nothing but trouble."
Percia rolled her eyes at the emphasis the elf put in his words but pushed on. "I was informed by the higher powers of this world that there is a very bad encounter coming. I believe Azog will be marching on the mountain with an army, and his son will likely bring his own forces," she explained calmly. "I would not put it past them to attack your people also, however I do not know of any other place that would be able to be easily fortified for their safety. Unless 'Princess' here has a suggestion?"
Legolas glared at her but remained silent. He knew his father would not allow the refugees into their kingdom and logistically it would be better for them to use the ruins of Dale. Didn't mean he would outright agree with the aggravating girl.
Bard watched the interaction between the two. He wasn't sure how they knew each other or what they had said before he came over but there was definitely animosity between the two. He knew it would not do anyone well to insult the prince of Mirkwood, he was Thranduil's youngest after all and many had felt the wrath of the elf king when he deemed their behavior towards any of his children to be wanting. But Percia was the daughter of a god, even if it wasn't one from this world. She certainly had powers he'd never seen anyone, elf or not, use. Perhaps it would be best to simply stay out of their… whatever it was they had going on.
What mattered was the safety of his people and more importantly to him, his family. Percia had a valid point. With Lake Town in practical ruins Dale had better hope for them to protect themselves. Truthfully the Orcs would attack regardless of where they set up, it would simply be a matter of when. He also knew the elf King would not welcome them into his kingdom, nor would the people consider entering the woods to be a better option. Dark things had infested it these last decades. No, Dale was their best hope. With any luck Thorin survived and would hold to his end of the bargain and help them as they helped his people.
"We will make for Dale. I'll start people searching out the strongest buildings and what is left of the armory. Can you take a group to scavenge the old town for supplies," he asked Percia trying to sound more confident than he felt.
"Of course."
"The men I will send with you will know the way to Dale." He turned to Legolas. "Are you going back to your kingdom?"
"No, I will be going North," the prince responded calmly. "I lost Blog in that direction. I will scout to see if these rumors of a possible army are true."
His eyes landed on Percia daring her to tell him not to follow through with his plan. For her part Percia said nothing, knowing for some that seeing was believing. If the elf wanted to waste energy riding north that was his problem. Besides, she wasn't sure the Elves would be involved anyway.
Bard shifted uncomfortably as the two continued their stare off. Finally the prince looked away when his companion came towards them. Legolas shot Percia one last glare before wishing Bard luck and stalking off, his redheaded soldier following with a confused frown. When Bard turned back to the girl he barely caught the hurt look she shot the redhead but it was gone too quick for him to call her on it. Yes, he had definitely missed something.
"So who's coming with me?"
Shaking the thoughts away Bard focused on the present. Right now he needed to secure supplies and shelter for his people. He could worry about the undercurrent of drama later, or better yet have his daughters suss it out and inform him if he needs to worry about it.