Faedra and Thranduil stare at each other for what seemed like hours, not daring to break eye contact. Faedra was the first to speak.
"Is there a reason I am here, King Thranduil?" She asked.
"Is there a reason why you waste your precious time with a company of dwarves?" He asked back.
"I have my reasons," she answered, "None that you need to worry about."
Thranduil just smiled, "I figured you'd say that. So I came prepared."
He circled around her before speaking, "I heard you have a liking to that little elf. Is she a friend? A sister?"
"If you as so much touch a hair on her head, so help me I will…" But Faedra was cut off.
"Perhaps if you behave I will not harm her," Thranduil interrupted.
Faedra huffed, but accepted. She would do anything to protect Tara.
"Now that that's settled," Thranduil said, "Perhaps you will like to answer the question once more."
"I'm doing it for a friend," Faedra answered, staring at the floor.
She has never felt so weak by someone from her own race.
"And who is this friend, if I may ask?" Thranduil said.
"Gandalf," Faedra answered in a whisper, "The Grey."
If it weren't for his elf ears he would not have heard her.
"I figured as much," he said, "This seems like something he would do."
Thranduil waved his hand and the guards left the throne room. Faedra stayed kneeling, her hands resting in her lap, her head down. Her hair, now out of its braid, covered her face.
"They would be proud," Thranduil spoke.
"Who?" Faedra asked confused.
"Your parents," He answered.
Faedra tensed at the mention of her parents. She knew Thranduil knew them, as her father and he grew up together. They were the best of friends, inseparable as children, loyal to one another, like brothers.
"Your father especially," Thranduil continued, "He was loyal to a fault, would risk his life to do what's right."
Many have told her that she earned her loyalty from her father and love from her mother. Though she was cautious, unlike her father. A tear ran down her cheek at the memory from her parents. She heard the running of feet and a guard came up to stand behind Faedra.
"The dwarves have escaped," The elf yelled.
Faedra looked up at Thranduil in shock.
"Take Faedra to her room," Thranduil ordered, walking past him.
He stopped next to him whispering in his ear, "And be sure she does not escape."
The guard nodded and he grabbed Faedra's arm. She yanked it from him.
"I can walk thank you very much," she snapped.
The guard led her through the twisted paths to her old room. More guards circled her as they reached closer to the room. She could defeat them and escape, but her gut told her to stay. As soon as she step foot inside the door behind her closed and locked. She walked towards the balcony, but the doors were locked as well and the windows had bars on them.
All she could do was sit and wait, hoping the dwarves escaped safely. It wasn't long before she heard the click of a lock and the door swinging open. An elf guard stood at the entrance and gestured for her to follow. She followed just behind the elf, not uttering a single word before reaching the throne room. When she had walked up the steps, however, an orc lay headless on the floor before Legolas and Thranduil.
"What did he mean by 'the flames of war'?" Legolas asked as Thranduil walked past her.
"It means they intend to unleash a weapon so great it will destroy all before it," Thranduil said, sheathing his sword, "I want the watch doubled at all our borders. All roads, all rivers. Nothing moves but I hear of it. No one enters this kingdom, and no one leaves it."
Faedra looked at Legolas confused and he shared the same reaction. Thranduil had apparently had a lot on his mind, making him forget about Faedra. So, she followed Legolas as he walked towards the front gate. He explained the conversation he had spoken with the orc and Faedra's eyes widened.
"Your father is right," Faedra said, looking ahead, "A weapon strong enough to wipe out all of Middle-earth."
Faedra looked at Legolas and she could see a tinge of fear growing inside.
"Close the gates," Legolas ordered, "Keep it sealed by order of the King."
They both turned and were about to walk away before being stopped by a guard.
"What about Tauriel?" An elf guard called out.
They both stopped short quickly.
"What about her?" He asked, not turning around.
"She went into the forest armed with her bow and blade with two other elves," He spoke, " They have not returned."
Faedra and Legolas exchanged looked before they quickly approached the guards.
"What did they look like?" Faedra asked harshly, "Speak!"
"I do not know," He said sheepishly, "They were cloaked with their faces hidden. All I know is that they are both female."
Something shiny caught the corner of Faedra's eye and she looked to the left. She walked towards it and picked up a tiny coin. She immediately knew who they were.
"We must go, Legolas," Faedra ordered.
"We cannot," Legolas said, "The King has ordered…"
"Remember on the night of your wedding," Faedra cut him off.
He seemed a bit taken aback, but nodded.
"What did Amara say to you?" She asked, more calmly.
"She said, 'He may be my King, but he does not control my heart'," Legolas spoke.
"And what is your heart telling you right now?" Faedra asked again.
He thought about it and turned, walking away.
"Where are you going?" Faedra yelled after him.
"You are going to need weapons if you are to join me," Legolas called back after her.
She smirked and they ran to the armory. She strapped on all her weapons and noticed a bag hanging in the corner of the room. She grabbed it, slinging it over her shoulder.
If Kili is sick he will need medicine Faedra thought.
They quickly ran out of the palace, just as the guards started to shut the doors.
"Leave them shut and let no one in," Legolas ordered before following Faedra down the path and into the dark woods.
They followed the trail the three elves had left behind. It didn't take them long until they came into a small clearing of the river and found three figured peering down the lake. The pulled out their bows and aimed at them. The three figures immediately whirled around, their arrows aimed.
"We thought you were an orc," Tauriel spoke in elvish.
"If we were orcs," Legolas said, "You all would be dead."
"I wouldn't say that," A familiar voice sounded beneath a blue cloak.
They both unhooded themselves and Faedra smiled.
"Amara, Lia," Faedra said happily, embracing them both in a hug.
They quickly hugged and Amara approached Legolas.
"It has felt like eternity since I last saw you," Legolas said, a smile playing on his lips.
Amara rolled her eyes, "It has only been a few weeks, no need to ruin the happy moment."
Legolas smiled and leaned in for a kiss which she gladly returned. He gave her a quick peck on the lips and headed towards Tauriel, so that he may speak with her privately. Amara joined back with her old friends as Faedra explained what had happened so far. She left a few details out like Azog and the odd vision in Mirkwood. She didn't want to worry them any further than needed. Amara looked back at Legolas who had a conflicted look over his face. He nodded and said something she could not quite hear.
"We will join you," Legolas said.
Amara smiled and gave him a jumping hug.
"Ok lovebirds," Lia said, "We should travel as much ground as we can. We need to reach Laketown before the dwarves leave for the mountain."
They all nodded in agreement and headed off on foot. Faedra led the way as she knew all the shortcuts, having been through here so many times. They barely stopped to rest, even when night had fallen. The only time they stopped was when Faedra had to stop and think which way to go. When they had arrived at Laketown, orcs were climbing the roofs of the houses.
"This is going to be fun," Amara said happily.
"Right," Lia said sarcastically, "Nothing says a good day like killing a bunch of orcs in your book."
Amara just scowled at her making everyone chuckle.
"We need to find the dwarves before they do," Faedra said.
A shrill scream of what sounded like a child pierced the night air. They headed towards the sound and found orcs ripping into an old house. The elves, and Lia, looked at one another and nodded their heads. Quickly they darted towards the house, joining the battle.