p class="MsoNormal"Please give me comments and like and follow my story to show support. I currently have no idea about the perception of this story. Like am I describing too much, are the conversations unnatural. This chapter is a bit of an interlude, so not much happens. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"There wasn't much celebration to be honest. Once I had safely returned back down to the ruins of Dale, the remaining people of Lake Town were already starting to regroup. Everyone's faces were covered in soot and ashes, most of them were spotting different degrees of injuries. But at least, there weren't screams anymore. There was a serene silence, we were all commiserating. The horn of lament and victory was blown from the tallest remaining walls of Dale. There was no celebration, we simply stood there, watching the sunrise. The devastating battle had lasted an entire day, not too long, but not short. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"A second horn sounded next, coming from the castle under the mountain. They added harmony to the sound of man. None of the thirteen dwarfs had perished in the fight, however badly injured they were. The house of Durin had finally reclaimed its rightful crown and place. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"emspan lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Seven years later…/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt has been seven years since the Battle of the Five Armies. Seven years since Uncle Thorin claimed his throne of King under the Mountain, seven years since my father became King Bard, Lord of Dale, five years since the Mirkwood elves, the dwarfs and the people of Dale reforged their alliance. The cities have never been more peaceful and prosperous in the near century. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd today is my twenty-first birthday. My birthday celebration was held in the halls of the Lord of Dale, Kili and Fili attended and brought their uncle's blessings and gifts along with Tauriel from Mirkwood(Thranduil). I was offered the job as scribe and librarian in the Dwarfan castle. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/spanspan lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family: DengXian; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""/spanspan lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Come on little Sylvie, accept uncle's offer, as princes of Erebor, we implore that you must join our scholars in renovating our libraries," Kili said, giving his infamous dough eyes, "we need your expertise. Also, I need you because I'm bored in the castle, Fili is handling everything as heir to the throne and I'm just the spare."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"As long as you don't set a fire when I'm working and burn all my books, it'll be my honour to accept King Thorin's author." I said, mock-bowing. Then, I smirked mischievously, "Then do I get to learn the language of the dwarfs? I know only dwarfs are allowed to but you know it is my ambition to learn all the languages of Middle-Earth. We could have secret code when speaking."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThat night, we partied, played songs, sang songs, and danced to songs. I had to kick Kili under the table to prevent him from throwing his plate. We had plenty of fine wine and food. Father presented me with a necklace made of silver which was designed in the form of two triangles connected with an arrow. I got a new blade from Kili. It was so well-balanced. I promised to take good care of it. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"(I realize that I'm babbling at this point, but this marks an important day and it shows that I have a good relationship with the dwarfs and everything is perfect for me both physically and mentally)/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"emspan lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"15 years later…/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"It was my thirty-sixth birthday. But, the peculiar thing was, I haven't aged a day since I was twenty-one. People were starting to ask questions and were more severe in their judgement of me. Since my father had become the Lord of Dale, the scrutiny had somewhat subsided, plus my contribution during the war, however, ever since my younger siblings started to grow older than me, they started to notice and point whenever I appeared. Therefore, I often spent my time hidden in the deep halls of either the Dale Library or Erebor Library. Kili would often visit when he was not meeting Tauriel. Most often, he would be hiding from Princess Dis in the library. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"But today, I had made a grand decision, a bold one that my parents would definitely not agree to. During the afternoon, while Kili emwas /emhiding from Princess Dis once again in the library, I told him of my decision. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Kili?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""hmm" he hummed, absentmindedly playing with his beard which took him so long to grow out compared to the other dwarfs. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""I'm going on an adventure soon," he swiveled around to look at me stunned. I could hear the crick of his bones with the speed he spun his head. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""What? Where? Why?" he asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""I want to find out why I'm not ageing, why my skin is impenetrable, why the sky listens to my emotions," I stared at him determined, "And none of the books here in Erebor, nor Dale, nor Mirkwood hosts the answers. I must travel away from home in order to discover my identity." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Kili's eyes soften in empathy, "And do it as you may." He then jokingly punched my arm, "I knew one day you would finish all the books in this library. You little bookworm. Our collection of books would not sate your curiosity for long." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"I mockingly rubbed my arm and punched him back, "yeah, can't believe it actually took me that long to finish."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Go if you must, I'll be back here. You'll know where to find me if you need me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Promise to keep my family safe ok Kili? I've left them a letter telling them of my departure, since I know they would not allow me to go. Could you give it to them after I've left?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Wait, are you leaving tonight? On your birthday?" Kili stared disbelievingly at me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"I nodded, "My bag is all packed." I reached behind my work desk and produced my traveling sack. From within, I took out the carefully sealed letter and passed it to Kili./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Kili took the letters, placed them down and then said, "Wait, let me grab something for you." Then proceeded to run off, slamming the great library doors on his way out. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"A few moments passed and he came back with a small pouch. He dumped it into my hands and it was heavy. "Here, extra coins in case you need more money, you can never have enough when you travel." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"I tried to refuse, "Look, as the princess of Dale, you should always provide enough to make yourself presentable. Take it as a precaution. Also, in which direction will you travel?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Professor Wright gave me a map when he passed, he said that wisdom lies in the West where many ancient beings dwell. I shall start my quest westbound." I winked at Kili, "Hopefully, I wouldn't get lost on the way." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Yeah, we all know your sense of direction. Which is terrible."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Kili walked with me towards the west mountain tops of Erebor, there we parted ways and I started my journey to discover my true identity. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"There wasn't much celebration to be honest. Once I had safely returned back down to the ruins of Dale, the remaining people of Lake Town were already starting to regroup. Everyone's faces were covered in soot and ashes, most of them were spotting different degrees of injuries. But at least, there weren't screams anymore. There was a serene silence, we were all commiserating. The horn of lament and victory was blown from the tallest remaining walls of Dale. There was no celebration, we simply stood there, watching the sunrise. The devastating battle had lasted an entire day, not too long, but not short. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"A second horn sounded next, coming from the castle under the mountain. They added harmony to the sound of man. None of the thirteen dwarfs had perished in the fight, however badly injured they were. The house of Durin had finally reclaimed its rightful crown and place. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"emspan lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Seven years later…/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt has been seven years since the Battle of the Five Armies. Seven years since Uncle Thorin claimed his throne of King under the Mountain, seven years since my father became King Bard, Lord of Dale, five years since the Mirkwood elves, the dwarfs and the people of Dale reforged their alliance. The cities have never been more peaceful and prosperous in the near century. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd today is my twenty-first birthday. My birthday celebration was held in the halls of the Lord of Dale, Kili and Fili attended and brought their uncle's blessings and gifts along with Tauriel from Mirkwood(Thranduil). I was offered the job as scribe and librarian in the Dwarfan castle. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/spanspan lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family: DengXian; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""/spanspan lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Come on little Sylvie, accept uncle's offer, as princes of Erebor, we implore that you must join our scholars in renovating our libraries," Kili said, giving his infamous dough eyes, "we need your expertise. Also, I need you because I'm bored in the castle, Fili is handling everything as heir to the throne and I'm just the spare."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"As long as you don't set a fire when I'm working and burn all my books, it'll be my honour to accept King Thorin's author." I said, mock-bowing. Then, I smirked mischievously, "Then do I get to learn the language of the dwarfs? I know only dwarfs are allowed to but you know it is my ambition to learn all the languages of Middle-Earth. We could have secret code when speaking."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThat night, we partied, played songs, sang songs, and danced to songs. I had to kick Kili under the table to prevent him from throwing his plate. We had plenty of fine wine and food. Father presented me with a necklace made of silver which was designed in the form of two triangles connected with an arrow. I got a new blade from Kili. It was so well-balanced. I promised to take good care of it. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"(I realize that I'm babbling at this point, but this marks an important day and it shows that I have a good relationship with the dwarfs and everything is perfect for me both physically and mentally)/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"emspan lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"15 years later…/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"It was my thirty-sixth birthday. But, the peculiar thing was, I haven't aged a day since I was twenty-one. People were starting to ask questions and were more severe in their judgement of me. Since my father had become the Lord of Dale, the scrutiny had somewhat subsided, plus my contribution during the war, however, ever since my younger siblings started to grow older than me, they started to notice and point whenever I appeared. Therefore, I often spent my time hidden in the deep halls of either the Dale Library or Erebor Library. Kili would often visit when he was not meeting Tauriel. Most often, he would be hiding from Princess Dis in the library. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"But today, I had made a grand decision, a bold one that my parents would definitely not agree to. During the afternoon, while Kili emwas /emhiding from Princess Dis once again in the library, I told him of my decision. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Kili?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""hmm" he hummed, absentmindedly playing with his beard which took him so long to grow out compared to the other dwarfs. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""I'm going on an adventure soon," he swiveled around to look at me stunned. I could hear the crick of his bones with the speed he spun his head. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""What? Where? Why?" he asked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""I want to find out why I'm not ageing, why my skin is impenetrable, why the sky listens to my emotions," I stared at him determined, "And none of the books here in Erebor, nor Dale, nor Mirkwood hosts the answers. I must travel away from home in order to discover my identity." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Kili's eyes soften in empathy, "And do it as you may." He then jokingly punched my arm, "I knew one day you would finish all the books in this library. You little bookworm. Our collection of books would not sate your curiosity for long." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"I mockingly rubbed my arm and punched him back, "yeah, can't believe it actually took me that long to finish."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Go if you must, I'll be back here. You'll know where to find me if you need me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Promise to keep my family safe ok Kili? I've left them a letter telling them of my departure, since I know they would not allow me to go. Could you give it to them after I've left?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Wait, are you leaving tonight? On your birthday?" Kili stared disbelievingly at me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"I nodded, "My bag is all packed." I reached behind my work desk and produced my traveling sack. From within, I took out the carefully sealed letter and passed it to Kili./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Kili took the letters, placed them down and then said, "Wait, let me grab something for you." Then proceeded to run off, slamming the great library doors on his way out. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"A few moments passed and he came back with a small pouch. He dumped it into my hands and it was heavy. "Here, extra coins in case you need more money, you can never have enough when you travel." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"I tried to refuse, "Look, as the princess of Dale, you should always provide enough to make yourself presentable. Take it as a precaution. Also, in which direction will you travel?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Professor Wright gave me a map when he passed, he said that wisdom lies in the West where many ancient beings dwell. I shall start my quest westbound." I winked at Kili, "Hopefully, I wouldn't get lost on the way." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;""Yeah, we all know your sense of direction. Which is terrible."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Kili walked with me towards the west mountain tops of Erebor, there we parted ways and I started my journey to discover my true identity. /span/p