My footsteps are heavy as I step onto the shore of the lake. People, or rather survivors in close proximity to me, fall silent as they gaze upon my defeated figure as I drag myself from the lake. My body and mind feel numb and my heart heavy.

The break of dawn is upon us and I shuffle onward until I find secluded spot. Letting myself fall to my knees, I drown out the noise to give myself a moment of solace, only to be snapped out of it too soon by my own shivers. It is then that my side starts to ache.

"Dear me, we have to stop the bleeding!" a woman of middle age calls out at she wraps a cloth around me, binding it at my waist so it covers the wound. I cringe at the notion, but feel thankful none the less. The wound will heal, I am sure. It is not deep enough to cause serious concern.

The kind lady helps me to my feet and I am finally getting aware of my surroundings and the situation at hand. These people have lost everything they had. The worst part of it is, is that winter is approaching fast. So many people have lost their lives and many more will soon. Suddenly a realization comes to me as I remember my friends. Did they make it out unharmed?

Shocking the lady, I tear myself free and climb on top of a barrel to search for them. My gaze fleets from left to right until finally I spot Tauriels' warm red hair in the distance. More difficult to see, but defiantly close to her, I can see the dwarves and the human girls. Before I can wonder about the boy, a hand clasps onto my wrist, making me jerk my attention towards the one standing next to me on the ground.

I almost sigh in relief and curse myself for being so jumpy as I look down into the blue eyes of Legolas. The gaze he returns is one of concern and weariness. "Therith, what has befallen you?" he questions, not moving his gaze from mine as I climb down the barrel. I stay silent as he looks at me expectantly and finally I am unable to hold his gaze any longer as the happenings return to me. "I can't say at this time." I sigh tiredly.

The answer doesn't seem to satisfy him judging from the look on his face, but thankfully he doesn't question further. I hardly feel like speaking of what happened so soon. Instead, we make our way over to the others.

When we get there, we see Tauriel speaking to Kili, my sensitive ears catch their conversation. "Come with me. I know how I feel; I'm not afraid. You make me feel alive." Kili confesses, making my eyes widen slightly. I had no idea that he felt so strongly about Tauriel. I could feel something between them the night before, but I didn't know the extent of it.

Tauriel looks away, her expression pained. "I can't.", she says before Kili reaches out to her, taking her arm. "Tauriel, amralime." he says, shocking her. "I don't know what that means." she breathes. "I think you do.", he counters, making her smile. I smile slightly at the sight, thinking it sweet, but frown when Tauriel freezes as soon as she senses our presence behind her, or rather Legolas', who doesn't seem to approve of what he's seeing. He really isn't fond of dwarves.

"Hîr nín, Legolas." she speaks up, without turning around. I make my way to the boat as Legolas speaks to Tauriel. "Get in Therith." Bofur urges, taking my hand to help me in. I shake my head, putting my other hand on his in a friendly manner. "I need to know, have you seen any sign of Gandalf?" I ask hurriedly. He shakes his head. "No sign of the wizard yet. I don't think he's coming."

I sigh disappointed. "He will, I'm sure of it. Go on ahead without me; there are no more dangers in the mountain. I will wait for Gandalf as I need to speak with him urgently. We will join you soon." I say, stepping away.

Looking back, I see Kili about to join the other dwarves, but he hesitates before rushing back towards Tauriel. He takes her hand and places a black stone into it, folding her fingers closed over it. She gasps and looks at him as he gets close to her face and holds her hands to his heart. "Keep it. As a promise." he tells her.

They smile at each other, though painfully and then Kili runs toward the boat. Legolas looks on, seeming slightly confused. Tauriel looks down at the stone in her hand, and then looks after Kili and the other dwarves in the boat. I can tell she's trying hard not to show her sadness, but her eyes say it all. From the shore, we look on as they row away.

Tauriel glances at me as I make my way past her. "You have fought." she states though her voice still low, making me halt. "Who did you fight when there was only fire?" she questions, making me finally look at her. Legolas too seems curious about this as I wouldn't answer him before. I glance back and forth between them before finally answering. "There was more than fire. I have fought, and still am fighting...until one of us dies." I reply stoically, walking off into the crowd before they can ask more.

Soon, I find myself helping the people move from the shore and towards the mountain, towards the ruins of Dale. I have not seen Legolas or Tauriel again and I feel guilty for not giving them a more clear answer, but at the same time I feel like I should not burden them with my problems.

Led by Bard, the father of the three children that housed me the night before, and the slayer of Smaug, the people settle down for the night in Dale. Lighting fires to stay warm and treating the wounded is our next priority and night passes slowly with little rest.

Before dawn arrives I walk the city perimeter. In the distance the sounds of rock upon rock has been sounding all night. I have watched throughout the night from my post as Thorin's company slowly but steadily blocked the entrance to Erebor. I don't quite understand his motives though. What or rather who is he trying to keep out? Is it that he's afraid? But of what?

That was not the only sound that sounded through the night though. If I listened carefully, I could hear feet marching. It was quite faint for a long time, but now its noise increases and I have come out of the city to see who will arrive.

Before long, the early morning sun is caught on smooth armour as an army of elves marches into Dale and gathers in the centre. They ignore me as I stand at the entrance of the city watching them march by. Confusion on why they're here is evidently seen on my face.

I look up as a certain figure rides past on a large elk. I haven't seen him before, but I know who he is. I bow low as he passes, feeling his eyes on me. I can only wonder what he might be thinking by seeing his prisoner walking around freely like this, even going as far as carrying a bow of his kin. No matter though. I have a feeling that more pressing matters are at hand.