Note: This chapter will bounce back and forth between Thorin and Thranduil. Let's begin with Thranduil, shall we, as I have already begun this tale with the Dwarf King.

Late Morning fell over Middle-Earth like leaves falling from trees in Autumn: fast and beautiful.

Thranduil had retired to his private office to look over the treaties between Dale and Erebor so he could figure out how to boost trade and quicker transport as a way to connect the three kingdoms together. He was so deep in thought until he heard a knock on the door. "Enter!" He called.

Looking in that particular direction, Thranduil gave his undivided attention to his new captain of the guard when he entered. "Milord." The Elf bowed before him.

"What is it?" Thranduil asked, blue eyes landing on the letter held in the captain's hand.

"You have been sent a letter from Bard The Dragon Slayer."

"The King of Dale?" Thranduil asked.

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"Why?" Thorin asked from the seat behind his desk in his private office.

"No idea." Dwalin shrugged, having been the one to receive the delivered letter from Bard's personal messenger. "I wasn't told.

Thorin snatched the letter from Dwalin while the Company - including Bilbo and Dis, had gathered close before him while he opened the letter.

"I wasn't aware The King of Dale was so….sentimental." One of the Dwarves said while Thorin pulled the folded piece of parchment out of the envelope.

"Does the envelope give any indication who the letter is from?" Dis asked.

Thorin shook his head no while he unfolded the letter, but furrowed his eyebrows at how the letter began.

"Well read it." a lot of the Dwarves urged their king.

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"What does it say?" asked another Elf when Thranduil furrowed his eyebrows.

Thranduil read the letter aloud.

"'Greetings, my Lord -

My name is Raven. I am writing this letter to you, kind sir

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"'As a way to not only boost morale and trust for all three kingdoms, but also to personally let you, my good sir, know that The King of Dale has ever so graciously appointed me as his advisor and emissary not only for Dale, but also for Mirkwood and Erebor……'"

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"'Should you ever need help with problems you feel are beyond your limits…….'"

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"'I possess the ability and skills to do just that.'"

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"'However, my good sir, I advise you not to judge my appearance so rashly. My looks may deceive you, as I am a woman with the physical appearance of a human…….'"

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"'But as King Bard - two hours ago, had pointed out to me, I reminded him of Gandalf The Grey, and I agreed with my gracious Lord, for we Mages; political correct word to describe Witches and Wizards - are very unpredictable; always getting a glint in our eyes when we get an idea in mind others may not…..understand, as we Mages think of ideas and solutions that will last long term……..'"

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"'I look forward to our first meeting, my good sir. I wish I could write more information regarding myself, as I am sure you are curious by now……'"

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"'However, my good sir, I fear this letter would turn into a book, and I'm sure - as a noble king such as yourself, you are very busy balancing your duties while running your esteemed kingdom as you see fit. So I will enclose more information in person when you wish to…….require my esteemed king, Bard, for my help, when the time comes…….'"

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"'Until then, my kind sir………'"

"'Raven.'" Thorin and Thranduil concluded in unison, (in separate kingdoms.)

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Thorin refolded the letter and slid it back into the envelope. Everyone had been stunned into a shocked silence. But taking in all of the looks on the faces before him, Thorin knew they were all thinking the same thing - or something similar to what he himself was thinking. Finally, the silence had been broken by none other than Bofur himself.

"Well, that was……unexpected."

"Bard has a woman to be both his advisor and emissary." Balin pointed out as if him reiterating the very words written in the letter held a huge significance greater than what was read aloud.

"We know, Balin." Thorin finally spoke. "I was the one reading, remember?"

Balin only chuckled. "Apparently you all missed the letter within the letter we just heard."

"Care to elaborate?" Thorin questioned, not really in the mood for any riddles.

"Raven - in her own words, practically told us she is the future key to Dale, Mirkwood and Erebor's survival."

Thorin's eyes were the first to light up with a lightbulb above his head. "Now I remember. She said she has the skills to help us beyond our ability."

Balin nodded. "She is the key for the future survival of all three kingdoms."

Thorin pulled the folded piece of parchment out from the envelope to unfold it once more.

"What are you doing, brother?" Dis asked while Thorin dipped his quill pen into the bottle of black ink before scribbling across the letter's backside.

"Sending a reply letter."

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Thranduil flipped the piece of parchment over to reveal the blank backside. He snatched up his own quill and after dipping its tip into the black ink, began neatly writing a return reply.

"Milord?" Thranduil's captain of the guard broke the silence while the king wrote his reply across the bare parchment.

"Have the first hawk ready to deliver my reply to Dale," Thranduil ordered in a heartbeat. "This woman is the key for the future survival of all three kingdoms."

"Yes, milord." The Elves scurried out of their king's private office to carry out his command.

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"Ready a messenger Raven," Thorin ordered non to hesitantly.

"It will be done." Balin said then he and the others filed out of Thorin's private office.

Thorin read over his reply letter once more. He wasn't sure if he was mellowing out or if he was growing soft. He remembered when he would put any woman at arms length - having there be only a few dwarrodams in all of Middle-Earth, protecting women had always been his number one priority no matter the species. But now, as he scanned the letter he had finished writing, Thorin wondered if he was mellowing or going soft, or if the woman was just a good convincer. He didn't know.

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Thranduil read over his reply letter once more. He wasn't sure if he was mellowing out or if he was growing soft. He remembered when he would put any woman at arms length all because protecting women had always been his number one priority no matter the species. But now, as he scanned the letter he had finished writing, Thranduil wondered if he was mellowing or going soft, or if the woman was just a good convincer. He didn't know.

(Both) One thing was for sure, Thranduil and Thorin were definitely curious about the woman who had practically told him she was the key to the future of all three kingdoms. Hope surged within his heart.