Note: Here's Chapter 12!
Chapter XII
Eruanna was about to leave when a guard raced up to her and her grandfather. "Hir nin! Hiril nin! Tauriel left!", he informed her.
"WHAT!?!", Eruanna shouted.
"The Prince followed her too", the guard continued.
"You mean to tell me that my father has gone off with that traitor? And to do what exactly?", Eruanna demanded.
"Something about hunting orcs and helping the dwarves. Tauriel said that you have failed to fulfill your promise about aiding the dwarves. She called you selfish", the guard said. Eruanna saw red. Tauriel had never been loyal to them anyways.
"Why would he go with her?", Eruanna asked, sounding hurt.
"We are both fond of her. He looks to her as a daughter or niece", Thranduil put in.
"I have to go", Eruanna said, shaking her head. She ran off with her dragons following her. They flew through the sky, staying as discreet as possible. She watched the dwarves get onto a boat with a man and Ceveniel swooped down. The dwarves cheered as Eruanna jumped off of the dragon and landed on the deck of the ship. Ceveniel and her siblings took a smaller form.
"Eruanna!", Gloin called. "You came back!"
"Aye, I thought we lost our dragon rider!", Oin put in.
The man rowing the boat looked on in awe and Eruanna faced him. She smiled at him, a tall mortal with shoulder length black hair and a brown coat. "The Dragoness", he breathed. "I've heard much about you but I thought it to be only rumors."
"My name is Eruanna Úlumiel", Eruanna introduced herself. "And as you can see, I'm perfectly real. You must be from Laketown?"
"Aye. The name's Bard", he said. Bard looked at the dragons. "They won't hurt me, will they?"
"No. Don't hurt us and they won't hurt you", Eruanna said with a smirk.
She went over to the dwarves and heard Dwalin grumbling about not liking Bard. "We simply have to pay him. Come on lads, turn out your pockets", Balin said. Eruanna watched them, cocking her
head. The dwarves all contributed some coins. "How do we know he won't betray us?", Dwalin asked.
"We don't", Thorin hissed.
"I wouldn't betray you. Not whilst King Thranduil's only grandchild and heir is on my boat", Bard called out. The Laketown men traded with the Mirkwood elves and feared the wrath of King Thranduil more than anything.
"There's a wee problem. We're ten coins short", Balin announced. The dwarves were quick to look at the one member who didn't contribute any money.
"Gloin. Come on, give us what you have", Thorin said.
"Don't look at me! I've been bled dry by this venture. And what have I seen for my investment? Eh? Nothing but misery and grief", the dwarf stubbornly proclaimed.
The dwarves all glanced Northwest and Eruanna followed their gaze. There, just behind the mist was a tall peak of a mighty mountain looking down on them. The first light of dawn hit the mountain. The dwarves stared at their ancient home with awe and wonder.
Gloin choked up and took out a coin filled pouch, giving it to Thorin. "Bless my beard! Take it. Take all of it!."
Bard came to the group. "Give me the money now", he demanded.
"We'll pay you when we get our provisions and not before", Thorin snapped.
"If you value your freedom, you'll do as I say. There are guards ahead", Bard shot back.
Out of the mist, a town loomed into existence. The buildings were large, brown and crooked with the golden glow of torchlights. As they moved closer, Bard hissed. "Hide in the barrels! Now!"
The dwarves all went in without hesitation. Eruanna was about to go in but Bard grabbed her hand. "Not you", he said. The group came to the dock and Bard went to converse with some people for a bit. Before Eruanna knew it, the barrels were being filled with fish while the dwarves were still in them. She sighed with relief that she didn't have to be in the cramped barrels.
They entered Laketown after a bit more sailing. It looked like a dreary place that was cluttered with houses. People were chattering. "Halt! Goods inspection!", a man called out. "Good morning Percy", Bard told the man politely. Bard gave the man his papers and the man stamped them. However, before Percy could hand them over another man grabbed it. "Not so fast!", the man said.
The man looked at Eruanna and then at Bard. "You brought a pretty she-elf, and barrels that are... not so empty." The man got in Eruanna's face. "What's your name darling?", he asked.
"Won't tell you", she told him. He growled at her and grabbed a fish. "Come now Alfrid, have a heart, people need to eat", Bard said. "Always Bard, speaking for the people", Alfrid snapped. "The fish are illegal", Alfrid said. "Empty them", he commanded the guards.
Eruanna whipped out her dagger and held it at his throat. Her dragons had hidden themselves under her cloak. "Don't bother."
"Folk in this town are struggling. Times are hard, food is scarce", Bard began. "That's not my problem", Alfrid snapped.
"It will be when people start rioting", Eruanna shot back.
Alfrid glared at her and raised his hand, commanding his men to stop. "Ever the people's champion, eh, Bard? "Protector of the common folk." You may have their favor now, Bargeman, but it won't last. The Master has his eye on you. You would do well to remember - we know where you live."
"It's a small town Alfrid. Everyone knows where everyone lives", Bard said.
Alfrid leans into Eruanna. "I wonder what it would be like to strip you and toss you into my bed", he said with a sadistic grin. Her dragons hissed softly from under her cloak and she glared at him. "I wouldn't wonder about that", she hissed, pressing her dagger to his heart.
They left for Bard's house and on their way there, a teenage boy ran up to them. "Da! Our house is being watched!", he said. "He's your son?", Eruanna asked. "Aye, my son, Bain", Bard said.
"All of you, into the lake and Eruanna with me", Bard said. Eruanna nodded to him and followed. People gave her strange looks while others looked at her with polite smiles and nodded their heads. "I have never seen an elf before", Bain said. "My sisters will be excited. I have two of them." "Thank you", Eruanna said to him as they entered Bard's house.
"Da! Where have you been?", a small girl came up to her father.
"Father! There you are! I was worried", an older girl came up to them. Bard embraced the two of them and they helped him settle in.
"Get them in", Bard said to Bain, who left immediately.
The two girls looked at Eruanna. "You're so beautiful", the younger one said. "Thank you", the Dragoness responded.
"These are my girls. My eldest one is Sigrid and the youngest is Tilda", Bard introduced them to her. "Girls, this is Princess Eruanna of Mirkwood."
"There is no need for titles", Eruanna said calmly.
Just then, Sigrid said something that shocked her. "Da - why are there dwarves climbing out of our toilet?"
One by one, the dwarves streamed in, soaking wet. "Will they bring us luck?", Tilda naively asked.
The dwarves were given blankets. Thorin gazed out the window and Eruanna saw the silhouette of a large crossbow. "A Dwarvish Windlance", Thorin murmured. The Princess looked at the weapon.
"You look like you've seen a ghost", Bilbo murmured.
"He has. The last time we saw such a weapon ... a city was on fire", Balin said. "Girion, the Lord of the City, rallied his bowman to fire upon the beast. But a dragon's hide is tough - tougher than the strongest armor. Only a black arrow fired from a windlance could have pierced the dragon's hide... and few of those arrows were ever made. Their store was running low when Girion made his last stand. Alas, to no avail."
"He's lucky Smaug was no elemental dragon like my dragons are. Otherwise, upon making contact with his scales, the arrow would have shattered", Eruanna murmured.
"You speak as if you were there", Bard said. "All Dwarves know the tale", Dwalin said.
"Then you would know that Girion hit the dragon - he loosened a scale under the left wing. One more shot and he would have killed the beast", Bain said.
Dwalin smirked. "That's a fairytale lad. Nothing more."
It wasn't long before the dwarves asked for weapons and Bard went to get them. The dwarves discussed among themselves whilst Eruanna sat down. She thought of her family, most prominently her father. Where was he and what was he doing with Tauriel?
Just then Bard came in and dropped a bag on the table. The dwarves looked through the contents and it wasn't long before they showed their displeasure.
"We paid you for weapons. Iron forged swords and axes!", Gloin said, angrily. "What iron forged weapons they have, it is kept in the armory", Bard said. "I say we take what we have. We've made do with less. I say we leave now", Balin said.
"You are not going anywhere", Bard said. "What did you say!?!", Dwalin cried out. "There are spies watching this house. You must wait until nightfall", he said, before leaving.
Eruanna still had her weapons, thank the Valar. She felt drowsy and Sigrid noticed. "You must rest", Sigrid said. The Dragon Princess smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be alright", she responded.
"You look exhausted Eruanna", Bofur put in. All the dwarves turned to look at her.
Sigrid took Eruanna's weapons and placed them next to the bed. She then laid her down. "Rest now", she coaxed Eruanna. Her eyes felt so heavy, she couldn't help but fall asleep under Sigrid's soothing voice.
"Eruanna"
Eruanna stood up and found herself in a golden field, surrounded by trees. "Lothlórien", she murmured.
"You remember well", came another voice. She whipped around to see her great-grandmother, Galadriel, standing before her.
"Great-grandmother!", Eruanna flung herself into her arms and they embraced fiercely.
"Sweet Eruanna, how are you?", Galadriel asked.
"I'm fine", Eruanna said softly. She frowned. "No you are not. Tell me, child, what bothers you?"
"It's my father. He went with Tauriel to hunt orcs. But she's never been trustworthy and I have my suspicions", Eruanna told her. "We don't even have Gandalf with us."
"Mithrandir's mission has led him elsewhere", her great-grandmother said. "As for your father, no harm has come to him as of now."
"Thank you", Eruanna said softly.
"Stay strong, sweet Eruanna. Stay strong and come back to us. We miss you deeply", Galadriel said, kissing her forehead.
"I miss all of you too", she breathed.
Eruanna felt herself being shaken awake. She looked to see Sigrid above her.
"Eruanna, the dwarves...", she said softly. Just then, Bard stormed in. "Da! I tried to stop them!", Bain cried out.
"Where are they?", Eruanna muttered, standing up. "I have to find them."
"I'll go with you", Bard insisted. She smiled at him. "I can handle myself", she responded, grabbing her weapons.
"No, you can't go alone", he said.
"Very well, then come on", Eruanna responded. With that, they both raced out the door and across Laketown.
"I remember this town in the great days of old - fleets of boats lay at harbor - filled with silks and fine gems. This was no forgotten outpost, no forsaken town on a lake. This was the center of all trade in the North!", Thorin's voice rang out. The cheers of the people of Dale were resounding.
"I would see those days return - I would re-light the great forges of the Dwarves, and send riches and wealth flowing once more from the Halls of Erebor!", Thorin pointed in the direction of the mountain as the cheers rose higher.
"DEATH!", Bard shouted. "That is what you will bring upon us. Dragon fire and ruin. If you waken that beast it will destroy us all."
"You may listen to this naysayer but I promise you this, if we succeed all will share in the wealth of the mountain. You will have enough gold to rebuild this place TEN TIMES OVER", Thorin's voice got louder and louder.
She looked at him and something felt off. "He won't keep his promise", the Princess murmured so silently. Her great-grandmother's voice rang inside her head.
"Dragon sickness may yet take him. You must be vigilant, Eruanna. Your feelings are correct. Thorin Oakenshield may not keep his promise."
"All of you, listen to me - you must listen!", Bard called out as everyone fell silent. "Have you forgotten what happened to Dale? Have you forgotten those who died in the firestorm ... and for what purpose? The blind ambition of a Mountain King so driven by greed he could not see beyond his own desire?"
Eruanna couldn't speak. Couldn't think. She closed her eyes. She could hear the people of Dale screaming as the dragon fire scorched them alive. Leaving ash, blood and bones. How many died because of that cursed dragon?
Eruanna opened her eyes and the people and dwarves talked over each other, screaming and yelling.
"Now, now ... we must not, any of us, be too quick to lay blame ... Let us not forget it was Girion, Lord of Dale, your ancestor who failed to kill the beast!", the Master of Laketown pointed at Bard as the people quieted down.
"It is true, Sire, we all know the story. Arrow after arrow he shot, each one missing its mark", taunted Alfrid. "I even heard that King Thranduil", he pointed at Eruanna. "Her grandfather watched them all die!"
"You have no right, no right to enter that Mountain", Bard said to Thorin. "I have the only right", Thorin said darkly.
"I speak to the Master of the Men of the Lake. Will you see the Prophecy fulfilled? Will you share in the great wealth of our people? What say you?", Thorin asked the Master of Laketown.
"What prophecy?", Eruanna thought. She heard Galadriel's ancient voice again.
"The Lord of silver fountains
The King of carven stone
The King beneath the Mountain,
Shall come into his own.
And the bells shall ring in gladness
At the Mountains King's return
But all shall fail in sadness
And the lake shall shine and burn."