Chapter 21:We Must Away 'Ere break of Day
The light of the sun was dim as it rose sleepily over the grey eastern sky.
As it climbed higher and higher, a gigantic pillar of smoke became visible, as it wafted from a blackened town and over the surface of a great grey lake.
That was the sight that greeted most of the survivors of Esgaroth as they scrambled to the shores of the great body of water.
Much despair did it bring to those able to look upon it, though not as much grief or stress as the searching for family and loved ones brought.
Children were screaming for their parents, who in turn were calling for them desperately. Others called for aid as they struggled, half-drowned, up from the water's edge, their burns or other horrific injuries impeding their progress.
Amongst all this anguish and chaos, a group of smaller but stouter figures were huddled about in a group, calling out desperately.
"Ariel! ARIEL!"
"Ariel come on! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
"Lass! Lass!?"
Fili, son of Boli and Dis, Heir to the throne of Erebor, held his breath as he, his brother Kili, Bofur and Oin all dashed towards the bank dragging the boat ashore as they went. Behind them Tauriel quickly helped Sigrid and Tilda out of the boat as it reached the shallows, Legolas following close behind, his eyes darting around their new surroundings for any sign of danger.
Many of the survivors of Esgaroth were starting to pull in on the small shoreline, tired, and covered in ash, soot and burns. Men, women and children were either shrieking out the names of missing loved ones or helping others pull their meagre possessions to shore, or else trying their best to tend to the wounded and the dying.
Still, the Elf prince could not spot the dark red head of hair he was searching for.
He turned back to watch the water, where Esgaroth lay in ruin, still shrouded by smoke, steam and the last of the dragons' flames.
So much death, so much destruction.
Hold on…what is that?
His brow furrowed as his eyes did a double take over a small patch of water just a little way to his right.
It looked like a raft made from the lid of some large wooden crate. On it, a person lay sprawled and unmoving.
Legolas sighed sadly at the sight. It was not the first body to float back after the attack. So many had washed ashore…and yet…
He narrowed his blue gaze as the raft floated slightly closer and something green shimmered over the surface of the grey waters.
"My Prince, what is it?" Tauriel asked worriedly from her spot with the two young human girls.
"Stay here. I need to check something." Legolas clipped and before anyone could stop him, he had pushed the boat back into the water.
With less living cargo on the boat, he swiftly reached the raft, his fingers deftly reaching out to grab it as the hull of his vessel lightly bumped it.
"By Elbereth." He shook his head with a soft chuckle filled with relief and exasperation as he got a good look at the raft's lone passenger. "You truly are a lucky one."
Her dark red hair was wet and plastered to her soot-covered face, and her green coat was so covered in dust and soot that it was almost black. On her hip, the sword Orcrist was still safely secured in its sheath which was now singed and burned. The only thing that seemed untouched was a long white wooden staff with a green orb, clutched tightly in her hands, one of which bore an ugly wrought iron ring with a green opal. Both the ring and the staff glimmered faintly as the girl began to stir, her green-brown irises slightly glazed as she blearily looked up into the grey skies above, then turned her head to stare at the boat beside her.
"Legolas?" she rasped.
"It is good to see you alive Calenhyrin," Legolas smirked, reaching a helpful hand towards her. "Come. Your friends are looking for you on the shore."
"Th-thank you" Ariel muttered as she took the proffered limb and clambered clumsily into the boat.
"Is everyone alright?" she asked as she tried to pick up one of the oars lying by her feet.
"Your dwarf friends are fine and Tauriel is looking after the other two human girls," Legolas answered picking up the oar and putting it behind him out of her reach. "Do not worry, they are all unharmed."
"And Bard and Bain?"
"We have yet to find them." Legolas shook his head sombrely.
Ariel sighed heavily as she looked around Legolas towards the ruined city behind him. The great dragon corpse smouldered and steamed as it and the ruins of the town sank into the surface of the grey lake.
She shut her eyes, eyes spilling over as the loud shouts and calls for loved ones reached her ears from the banks of the lake behind her.
All this pain, all this devastation. She had read all of it in the books but nothing could compare to the misery surrounding her.
"This should never have happened." She murmured through trembling lips. "Esgaroth…These people…all this suffering- I should have stopped Thorin-"
"Do not put any blame on yourself Calenhyrin." Legolas's firm but gentle hand carefully wiped her tear-stained cheeks. "You did what you could. And because of your actions, many lives that might have been lost are now saved."
"Yeah, saved…but now destitute. No food nor home." Ariel muttered bitterly as she hugged her staff closer to her.
"Nienna has indeed blessed you with a kind heart," Legolas said softly as he returned to rowing the boat closer to shore. "As awful as it may be to hear, this is not the first time the dragon has caused such wanton destruction to Esgaroth. And even if your dwarf friends had not disturbed his slumber, he would have found an excuse to pillage and plunder for his horde, if only to demonstrate his power over his domain. Yes, this is a terrible calamity. But take comfort in this. Even if Esgaroth is destroyed for good, you and the bowman have dealt a great victory for Middle Earth in securing the drake's death. Never again will he bring such fire and destruction upon the land. As for the people of Long Lake, their fate is in their hands now. Just as your fate is in your own to decide."
"How do you do it?" Ariel sniffed wiping her snivelling nose. "How do people like you and Gandalf make such wise statements about fate so easily. Like it's so simple to decide for yourself, to move on with your life."
"I do not know." Legolas shook his head with a soft weary chuckle. "Though I hardly think I qualify as wise when compared to Mithrandir. I am considered young by the standards of my kin, and he is almost as old as the world itself."
"No wonder your father was so irritated with me." Ariel rolled her eyes as she curled in on herself. "Me slapping him must have been like dealing with an infant throwing a tantrum. I probably should apologise once all this is over. Speaking of…I'm…I'm sorry I was such trouble before." She bowed her head low. "I know you were trying to protect me from the orcs but-"
"Nay, do not apologise." Legolas sighed. "You were trying to save your friends. And without a voice, it must have been difficult for you to explain the situation. On that note, I must say, it is good to hear you talking. It must have been distressing not being able to speak your thoughts for yourself."
"That's putting it lightly." Ariel snorted rubbing the bandages on her throat. For some reason, it did not feel as sore as before the dragon attack.
I must still be in shock. Once I go to sleep and wake up again, I'll feel like the living dead.
She thought as she turned around to look back at the shore. So many people, without home without food without protection…protection.
Ariel's heart froze in her chest as Yavanna's words echoed in her head once more.
"Calenhyrin?" Legolas frowned worriedly, his hands pausing mid-row.
"…I…I need to go back." Ariel whispered forcing herself to look the confused Elf Prince in the eye. "I…I need to go back to Dol Guldur."
"What?" Legolas blinked at her in bafflement. "What are you saying? Dol Guldur-"
"I know it sounds crazy." Ariel gulped her eyes fixed on the line of trees along the shore. "But if we want to win this war then I need to go back there and stop things if we are to stand a chance."
"War? Calenhyrin what are you talking about? There is no war! The dragon has been defeated." Legolas frowned, his entire body tense as the string on his bow.
"There will be one soon." Ariel sighed. "Legolas I…I saw the forces at Dol Guldur. I saw Azog and Bolg leading squadrons of orcs and wargs out of the fortress and to the North. They are headed to Gundabad on their master's orders."
"Gundabad?! You're certain of this." Legolas whispered fiercely hands gripping his now still oar in his hands with such force his already pale knuckles were the colour of chalk.
"I'm sure," Ariel muttered. "They'll be at the mountain in seven days."
"This necromancer must be one of exceptional power then." Legolas's gaze hardened with worry. "For the orcs of Gundabad are sworn to the Dark Lord Sauron and no…no one else…" His voice trailed off as his gaze fell to the dark opal ring on the young Istari's finger. It was still glimmering with that eerie green light, though it was weaker than before.
"No…" he breathed, worried blue eyes piercing straight into Ariel's hazel ones as if trying to catch one of them lying. However, she held his gaze unflinchingly.
"I'm sorry Legolas." Ariel sighed, running a hand through her wet hair. "I'm so sorry. I wish I could be joking but I'm not. He's back. I saw him".
She reached up and pulled her collar aside to reveal the red hand-shaped burn marks on her flesh. Legolas's face drained of all colours as she pointed out a large gap between the thumb and middle finger, punctuated by a short stump between them.
"No…But how-"
"I don't know." Ariel bit her lip her eyes now fixed on the mountain, where that said One Ring must now be sitting in the pocket of a small hobbit. "I don't know how he returned like this again. All I know is that he has and he's after the Lonely Mountain." She reached up to her neck where the burnt flesh tingled under her touch.
"It is a powerful stronghold," Legolas murmured thoughtfully. "If the enemy of old has truly returned and he seeks to take the Mountain then he will be in absolute control of the East and will have full access to the North and South."
"And the West." Ariel jerked her head towards the treeline next to the shore.
"And the West," Legolas repeated softly followed her gaze, lips pursed. "There must be something we can do."
"There is-" Ariel began to say but Legolas shook his head.
"I cannot let you go back to Dol Guldur." He muttered firmly "Not on my good conscious and especially not after what you have revealed to me now."
"I'm sorry what?" Ariel blinked in shock as he stared her down hard.
"When you were first captured by the enemy the only reason you were not killed in his lair was because he believed he could turn you to his will." Legolas's voice was as grim as his eyes which narrowed upon her warningly "Since then not only have you fought against his influence, but you have taken back your powers for yourself and openly declared yourself his enemy by defeating a dragon he had designs upon. Yes, you have proven your metal, but if this truly is the great dark lord of old then it would be folly to let you wander back into his waiting arms."
"But you don't understand!" tears sprung desperately to Ariel's pleading eyes. "He has Gandalf and my mother captive. I-I can't just leave them-"
"Your mother?" the hardness in Legolas's face broke ever so slightly with pity.
"Nuldien the Red."
"Your mother is the Red Sorceress…" Legolas muttered, the pity in his eyes growing "No wonder the Enemy wants you so much. Even more reason for you to stay away from that vile place. It would be suicide to return."
"But Legolas-"
"It's a trap Calenhyrin!" the elf prince snapped over the top of her splutters, his hand reaching out to grab her as she jolted towards the edge of the boat. "Naruhiril has always been one of Sauron's greatest enemies, this everyone knows. You are her daughter, so he sought to corrupt you to hurt her. And now he has her in his grasp he is using her to bait you into returning so he can finish the job. Don't you see? If you return to Dol Guldur now then your mother ceases being useful to him. She will be as good as dead, as would you."
The Elf again began swiftly paddling the boat towards the shore, his grim face softening sympathetically as he saw fresh tears stream down her face.
"Goheno nin. I know I speak harshly, but it would be doing more harm than good if you were to return to that fortress. If the Enemy is truly the mastermind behind the fall of the Lonely Mountain then we need the Istari more than ever. The two Blue Wizards have been lost to us for centuries. And I have heard that Saruman the White hardly leaves his tower of Orthanc to fight alongside the free peoples anymore. Radagast the Brown, while active in these parts has not the power nor the will to defy the darkness on his own. Perhaps the combined efforts of Mithrandir and Naruhiril might be enough to challenge the great evil that befalls us. However, if they have been captured, then you must be kept as far away from the Enemy as possible. You are the only one only one recently who has seen him face to face, you know his plans and his designs. The Free People of Middle Earth cannot afford to lose you, not now when they need your aid more than ever."
"I…I get that…" Ariel sniffed wiping at her eyes. "b-believe me I understand that but…"
"I know." Legolas nodded gently "Believe me, I understand. More than you think."
There was silence as he continued to row the boat back to shore. He hated to add more burden to the young woman's shoulders, but she had to know what she risked if she should return to the enemy's hands. It was not just her fate she would change with her decisions. She was tied to the fate of this world whether she liked it or not.
Also, he did not think he could bear the guilt and shame he would feel having let the young woman walk to her death no matter how powerful she was. Not after all she had suffered.
He kept a close eye on Ariel as she turned around and saw Oin, Kili, and Fili at the water's edge relieved but sombre as Bofur excitedly rushed towards the waterline.
"Lass! Over here!"
Legolas quickly leapt out into the shallows to drag the boat ashore.
Ariel was about to follow him when the elf put a hand on her shoulder.
"No stay. You and your friends need to leave quickly."
"Yes. Before these people can come after us" Oin explained quietly before turning to the two younger dwarves beside him, who both nodded under the stern gaze.
"After us?" Fili frowned, only for another voice to answer quietly from behind his back.
"It was your kin that went into that mountain was it not?"
Fili turned and saw to his surprise the tall figure of Tauriel standing behind him, alongside Bard's two daughters Sigrid and Tilda.
All of them too were drenched from head to foot, even the elf, though she still somehow managed to look less dishevelled than everyone else, much to Ariel's envy. She was sure she looked like a drowned sewer rat.
However, she was quick to banish such thoughts as Fili made to answer her question.
"Yes…I suppose they must have".
"Then it would be wise for you to leave before people start wrongfully laying the blame of the dragon's coming on you five," Tauriel's eyes hardened even as she looked over Ariel's rather weakened state "Who knows what lengths desperate people will go to have their revenge."
Fili nodded though his face was grim. As the dwarves loaded the boat, Ariel was suddenly struck by how similar the expression was to Thorin's frown. It didn't help that they both had the same deep blue eyes.
Thorin…had the dragon sickness taken hold yet?
She was brought out of her concern by Sigrid blurting out:
"P-Please be safe. Please," she added in a murmur, her eyes going misty even as they glazed over to the ruined town in the distance.
Her home…all she knew…gone up in fire, smoke and ruin…
Ariel almost felt her heart break in two at the sight of the other girl's sadness and before Fili or anyone else could stop her she stumbled out to the shore and over to Sigrid, wrapping her arms tight about her.
"I'm so sorry" she whispered into the girl's ear. "You have been so kind to all of us, and yet we've only repaid you with such hurt. I don't know how we'll ever be able to make it up to all of you but rest assured we'll try and do our best. I promise."
She shut her eyes as she heard the other girl snivel close to her ear.
"Thank you,"
The four dwarves and Tauriel all watched on sadly as Ariel made to pat Sigrid's back lightly before pulling away, just in time for little Tilda to rush at her and bury her face in her stomach.
She hugged the little girl tight but only briefly since several strangers around their little group began to look in her direction.
"I'm sorry Tilda. But I guess this is goodbye for now," she whispered, kneeling so that she was level with the younger girl who snivelled a little as she looked up at her, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Will we see you again?"
"I don't know, but I hope so" were the words floating through the older girl's mind, however, she was quick to bite her tongue.
Instead, she smiled.
"Of course…And when we do we can draw together again."
"Promise?" Tilda's eyes widened so they were like big wells of blue.
"Promise," It was all Ariel could do to not start blubbing herself as she pulled away.
Now many of the bedraggled and now destitute townspeople were beginning to right themselves and make sense of their circumstances.
Time was running short, Ariel noted as Fili and Bofur began helping Oin shift the two girls' belongings from the boat. Once she was inside she watched sadly as both Sigrid and Tilda picked up their gear and began rushing away down the shoreline, both screaming out and searching for their father and brother.
"DA! DA WHERE ARE YOU?!"
"BAIN! BAIN!"
"Kili! Come on we're leaving!"
Ariel blinked as Fili's yell hit her eardrums and quickly turned to look.
Whilst Fili, Bofur and Oin were pushing the boat into the water Kili was standing there gazing at Tauriel with such a dazed expression that Ariel thought he'd been hit in the head by a frying pan.
Oh god…you've got to be kidding me…
She watched, torn between amusement and worry as after a couple of mumbled words from the young dwarf she tried to turn away. But Kili quickly grabbed her hand and said something.
Whatever it was it had the power to turn the elf's pale face as red as a strawberry, though Ariel was pleased to see that whatever Kili had said had not repulsed her, but rather flattered her.
But even as Ariel did her best to watch, something green moved in the corner of her eye.
It was Legolas, his face stiff and light blue eyes burning with fury as he made to speak in elvish to his kin.
If Ariel had thought that Tauriel had looked uncomfortable before, it was nothing to the rather stiff face she now made at her prince's rather stern command.
Kili also ground his teeth as he glowered at his rival, but he did not let it stop him from pressing something into Tauriel's hand and smiling up at her as he whispered a few more words.
Tauriel smiled warmly down at the dwarf before her, who grinned like he'd just gone to heaven and back.
However, despite her pride in Kili's joy, Ariel could not help but feel pity for Legolas who quickly looked away from the tender scene as if it were the sun burning his eyes.
Unbidden the words of Yavanna floated in her mind once more:
"Every day he worked hard to perfect his craft so that he may win her heart, but every day she did not recognise his affections for what they were. And so, he grew restless and impatient, and a sadness grew in him."
Ariel sighed softly to herself, the sound catching the Elf prince's attention. As he did, he caught her eye and for a moment she saw, reflected in those kind bright eyes, sadness, hurt, and dejection all rolled into a swirling mass of blue.
But then quickly it was gone, hidden behind an icy mask, one, Ariel noticed, very much like the one King Thranduil often wore.
I guess it doesn't matter what race you are. Unrequited love sucks.
"Legolas," she murmured as she approached him quietly.
"Yes?" he frowned at her worried expression.
"I…I'm sorry, I know you've done a lot for me already, but can I ask you for one more favour?"
"Yes Calenhyrin, anything." Legolas nodded swiftly, only too eager to have an excuse not to watch Tauriel and Kili continue to stare longingly at one another as they exchanged drawn-out goodbyes. It was enough to make even his strong stomach turn.
"I need you to tell your father the truth about Dol Guldur and Gundabad," Ariel muttered softly bowing her head so that her mouth was hidden from the dwarves' sight by her long red hair. "Everything I told you. I know he does not care much for Thorin or my friends but the battle that is coming is too big for any of us to deal with alone. I will…I will try to convince Thorin to send word to the Iron Hills for more reinforcements, but I doubt they will be enough to defend the mountain on their own."
"You mean to ask for aid from Ironfoot?" Legolas sighed, doing his best to keep the relief out of his voice even as it flooded through him. So, she was not going back into the arms of the Enemy? Thank the Valar.
"He is Thorin's cousin." Ariel shrugged. "And I don't think he'd want to risk his family's treasure falling into the hands of the orcs do you?"
"Even so, I do not think it would be easy to convince him to work alongside my father." Legolas murmured. "Nor would it be easy to convince my father to fight alongside dwarves. I am afraid he still harbours resentment for recent events."
"I know, but even if he hates dwarves, then at least he can come to the aid of Esgaroth right? I mean, look at these people. They aren't warriors. They wouldn't last a day against any of Sauron's forces." She gestured around at the destitute masses around them.
"I doubt they would even last an hour against a small rogue squadron of goblins." Legolas nodded bitterly. "However, even if he does send aid for the humans, negotiating a military alliance with my father and the dwarves will still be very difficult. Yours and your friend's escape from your cells is not a slight he will forget in a hurry."
"What if I told you I could get him the Starlight Gems he wants so badly?"
"You know about my mother's gems?" Legolas's eyes widened.
"Your mother…so that's why he's so desperate for them back. Makes sense." Ariel hummed but quickly shook herself. "Yes, your father told me about them. He offered our freedom in exchange for them. But I never got to give him my answer to his deal."
"So, you would offer to return them in exchange for aid from the Woodland Realm? Even though Thorin Oakenshield would do anything to keep them for his hoard?" Legolas felt his heart clenching in his chest. Just when he thought he had spared this young woman from entering one dangerous maw she was dashing into yet another.
Are all humans this reckless or is it just you? He sighed to himself with fond exasperation, though out loud he said:
"You do realise, what you risk stealing from such a dwarf?"
"I know." Ariel sucked in a deep breath. "But it's a small price to pay to save the lives of goodness knows how many people."
Legolas shook his head. Ariel could see the torment in his eyes even as he looked around at all the destitute people of Esgaroth. Already so many lives were lost, what use would survival be if they were going to be wiped out anyway?
"It is true, if you should retrieve the gems of my father's house, it would be of great help in securing an alliance with him." the Elf Prince grimaced "But I've seen dragon sickness before, and its victims are ruthless in their obsession. No matter how highly Thorin Oakenshield regards you, I guarantee you will be in danger of his wrath once he knows of your betrayal, no matter how justified it may be."
"No more than any other burglar." Ariel folded her arms. "Besides…It would be safer than me running off to Dol Guldur again, right?"
There was a pause as Legolas looked her up and down. He was unsure if this woman was the most insane human he had ever met or the bravest.
Probably a mixture of both. The elf snorted softly, remembering how determined she was when fighting the orcs and the dragon.
"If you want my opinion, the safest place for you right now would be in the halls of the Woodland Realm recovering and resting. But I have the feeling that even if I dragged you back there, you'd find some way to be in the thick of trouble."
"Bold of you to assume you could drag me back." Ariel rolled her eyes. "You think what I did to you in Lake Town was bad, you ain't seen nothing yet your highness."
Legolas chuckled and Ariel shook her head to herself as she sighed.
"Sorry, I know this is a lot to relay to your father. Gods I wish I had a pen and paper, maybe that would make it easier-"
"You can read and write?" Legolas blinked in surprise.
"What? Oh, yeah, yeah I can." Ariel glanced down at her toes as the elf prince stared down at her perplexed. "I know, I know. I probably should have mentioned it back when I first woke up."
"It would have made communication a lot easier." Legolas quirked an amused brow, only to pause as his blue eyes were drawn to Tauriel and Kili as if by a jealous magnet.
Ariel felt her chest clench with sympathy as she followed the elf prince's sullen gaze upon the pair.
The dwarf and the elf were continuing their soft conversation, barely heeding the rest of the world around them. They were so immersed in their connection that they did not pay heed to the pain in their onlooker's bright blue eyes.
It eerily reminded her of the last time she had seen Aragorn.
Gods Aragorn…it had been only nearly three months since she had last seen him in Rivendell, she hoped he was alright. She missed his friendship. He had a reassuring presence and was unafraid to speak his mind when it mattered.
He must be with his people by now, learning the ways of the wilderness. Ariel pursed her lips as she looked at the elf prince beside her.
Both Aragorn and Legolas were so young by the standards of their kin and yet bore so much weight on their shoulders already. And on top of that, their hearts would be burdened for many years by loneliness before the bonds of the Fellowship would ever form.
Before she could think, Ariel found herself reaching out to gently squeeze Legolas's arm. She was not sure what she was doing. It was a simple action she had often done for her brother Ian whenever he was feeling down and it never failed to bring him out of his gloomy thoughts.
She supposed she could not bear to see someone like the elf prince who was usually so strong and steady suffer alone like this.
"Thank you Legolas... For everything…" She gave the surprised prince a small comforting smile.
There was a pause as all the rest of Ariel's companions and Tauriel turned to watch the exchange in shock.
Oin and Bofur exchanged shrugs of confusion. Fili was frowning at Legolas with narrowed suspicious eyes. Kili stiffened nervously in his spot, unsure of what was happening.
Tauriel was by far the most nervous. Despite her immense power, the Istari girl was young and ignorant of many things in their world. Touching elvish royalty with such familiarity, even if you had earned their respect, was a risky move.
However, to the elleth's great astonishment, her prince's blue eyes softened considerably as he returned the young woman's smile with a small one of his own. It was not one of the usual ones he wore when putting on a front for diplomatic reasons either. It was a true smile of appreciation and warmth as he clasped the young woman's hand in his and murmured in soft Sindarin:
"[May the Valar protect you and your kind heart, Calenhyrin."
Despite his aching heart Legolas allowed himself a small smirk as the young woman pulled away and blinked up at him like a confused baby owl.
"Uh…thanks." She flushed, embarrassed by her clumsy lack of grace. Damn, why were elves always so elegant about everything? It was not fair. "Uh…by the way I never did say…uh…my full name is Ariel, Ariel Brooks…"
"Ariel Brooks…daughter of the sea," Legolas hummed to himself. "It is a good name for one who has travelled so far." he made to bow in the fashion of his people, one fist against his breast and his head bowed "Goodbye Aeariel. We will meet again soon I hope".
"So do I…goodbye Legolas," Ariel nodded and waved as she hoisted herself back into the boat. As she began to float away she saw to her relief, that the smile had not left the elf prince's face as he watched her and her friends disappear into the mist and smoke.
"THORIN! THORIN!"
Thorin Oakenshield looked up quickly to see the small figure of Bilbo Baggins as he waded waist-deep through a sea of golden treasure.
His face was one of great elation even as Thorin helped drag him up as he stumbled.
"Bilbo, what is it? Is it the Arkenstone? Have you found it?!" Thorin's voice was desperate almost pleading. But Bilbo didn't notice. He was far too excited to pull his sleeve from his wrist.
"Look," Thorin rolled his eyes but followed the hobbit's instruction.
There on the Hobbit's wrist was a green band of vines. It was glimmering faintly of green, and the single white blossom growing from it was in full bloom, as fresh as the day Bilbo had found it.
"But…that cannot be…" Thorin breathed as he grabbed the Hobbit's arm for a closer look.
Oh, but it could…and about time too.
Bilbo pursed his lips as he glanced sidelong at the gold around them.
It was so splendid and glorious and yet…
And yet…it all felt wrong…
Just like how Mirkwood had felt sick, something dark and foul lay over this treasure. What it was Bilbo couldn't guess, but Thorin didn't even notice it.
Indeed, every time he looked at the gold his eyes got misted over and distant, like he was looking at a long-lost love.
He was doing it right now, as the glinting below distracted him momentarily from Bilbo, who bit his lip and shut his eyes tight.
Ariel wherever you are I hope you can get here quickly. I'm not sure I can handle this on my own…
It was late afternoon when the wooden boat hit the north-most bank of the river. By then it was safe to say that everyone was exhausted.
"I say we all get some sleep" Bofur panted as they dragged themselves over the sandy ground.
"We need a fire" Oin grumbled as he made to rub his knees.
"With what? There's no wood to burn and no way to burn it!" Fili frowned as he looked about them.
All about the five of them was a barren wasteland of grass and rocks. Not a tree even in sight.
"We can use the boat," Ariel grunted as she helped Kili hobble up to his feet. Though his wound was healed he still found it painful to walk, and when he did it was with a rather big limp.
"The boat's all wet Lass," Oin growled gesturing to said wooden tub, but Ariel was not deterred.
"Not the planks in the middle, the ones we sat on, They're mostly dry. We can probably cut those off with my sword and I know Bofur's got a piece of flint in his pocket and Fili you've got a knife. Plus, there's loads of grass if we need extra fuel-what?"
"Are you still sure there ain't any dwarrow blood in yer lass?" Bofur chuckled weakly in jest.
There was a very pregnant pause in which Ariel quickly looked down to the ground her face stricken as she mumbled.
"To hell if I know what the hell I am anymore?"
Fili's brow furrowed.
"Ariel what-"
"Don't!" Ariel snapped almost wincing at her harshness. "Don't…" she repeated a little softer "I'll explain later…let's get that fire going ok? I'm freezing my tail off."
The dwarves all nodded, though they all exchanged worried, confused glances. But none of them could come up with an explanation this time.
They worked in silence for a couple of hours. Ariel and Fili chopped up the wood of their boat while Oin tended to Kili's wound and Bofur busied himself with sorting through the contents of the single pack they had taken with them for some food. To their great fortune, they had found a loaf of bread, some cheese a long sausage and a few small apples.
Ariel had been worried about Tilda and Sigrid back on the other side of the lake having no food. However, Oin assured her that before they had parted ways he had made sure the young human girls had taken a fair share of supplies, so that was some comfort.
Besides, now that the humans were making camp on the opposite bank they might be able to pull even more supplies and safe shelter. Ariel could see the temporary shanty town right now in the clear afternoon light, a grey mass against the green and yellowing grass by the water.
She snorted bitterly to herself as she strode along the bank. Behind her, the voices of Fili and Bofur bickering over how to light their campfire became a soft muffle in her ears as her eyes glazed over the shadow of the blackened ruined town that still stood on the water. Amongst the ruined buildings that still somehow stood, he could see the faint outline of a gargantuan reptilian body stretched out and coiled upon it.
All this misery and destruction and all for a stinking pile of gold
The day was waning into the evening a little bit further down the shoreline as Legolas did his best to search for any forgotten survivors amongst wreckage and ruin. Tauriel was taking care of the young human girls Tilda and Sigrid, helping them and many other women and children band together for safety as the waifs and strays of Esgaroth began to set up camp on the banks of the Long Lake.
By the Valar so many lost and wandering.
Frowning he quickly made to crouch by an overturned rowboat, pulling it up easily with his elven strength to peek underneath.
His sharp blue eyes squinted as he lifted the wood to reveal shadows.
In those shadows a small figure was huddled in a ball, shaking and shivering.
Yet another child…goodness so many lost little ones.
His heart almost broke as carefully he lifted the wooden boat higher allowing the grey light of day to shine through.
There was a frightened little gasp and, for the briefest of moments, Legolas caught sight of a pair of bright eyes glimmering ever so faintly in the dark.
He lifted the boat a little higher again.
What he saw nearly made his heart still.
It was, as he had suspected, a child hiding in a huddled mass of dirt and grime, a girl. She was so small she must have been barely seven years of age if that. Her skin under the soot was pale and smooth and her dark brown hair was matted and wet and plastered to her face nearly hiding the two pinpricks of dark warm honey amber that were her eyes.
But that wasn't what had Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of the Woodland realm shocked.
No.
It was the small pair of pointed ears on either side of her head.
Very elfish pointed ears…but that was…no…that could not be…
How did an elvish child end up in Esgaroth?
Was she lost? Had she been found by the townsmen and brought to a refuge, or had she been stolen from her home by rogue smugglers or traders on the lake?
Whatever the case, she did not seem to understand him when he tried to greet her in Sindarin.
Indeed, she seemed to shrink away from him bewildered.
Strange? Legolas thought to himself. Did she not understand basic Sindarin? Was she deaf? No, she seemed to hear him speak. Hmm, perhaps she did not know any form of elvish but why?
Maybe she's an orphan taken in by a human couple? Legolas reasoned. So far nothing else made sense to him.
"Hello there little one." He tried again softly in common speech doing his best to smile kindly. The little girl stared at him, her eyes wary and frightened as she took in his appearance, however, she seemed to recognise his words.
"My name is Legolas. What is your name?"
The little girl paused, swallowing deeply before opening her mouth.
"Mirien" her voice sounded like sweet tiny bells, even in her fear, which was slowly growing as she looked at their surroundings, searching for something with her eyes "Where…Where is my mama? Is she with you? Where is she?"
"I do not know. You are the first I have found here in this place. I saw no one else."
Legolas's face softened with pity as the little child's eyes watered and began to spill over.
"But…but…she said she'd be here…she said she'd find me! She promised! She promised!" and with that, she began to wail. "Mama! Where's Mama?!"
The sound wasn't loud, nor did it grate on the nerves, like the usual screams of distressed children. Rather she sounded like she was filled with a thousand years of misery.
Without pausing to think, Legolas reached forward and scooped the small child into his strong grip, patting the dark head of hair gently as he murmured to her in soft Sindarin.
Mirien did not struggle against him, indeed she clung on tight to his tunic and buried her crying face in it.
She could not understand his words, but oddly enough she found she could understand the comfort and sympathy behind them.
She knew she was safe.
It was almost an hour till Ariel, Fili, Kili, Bofur and Oin were able to get a small fire up and running and an even longer hour till it was hot enough to burn through the slightly damp wood of the boat they'd used.
Once that was done they all settled down to sleep around it…or most of them did.
Ariel lay awake, her back to the fire and her face buried into the grass beneath as she gripped her left arm in a vice.
The marks on it were burning again.
But then again, she reasoned, they always had burned even after their escape from Mirkwood.
Over time she'd learned to ignore it but tonight it was stronger than ever.
She bit down hard on her lip, doing her best to choke down the whimper that was stuck in her throat as horrible images floated over her mind.
Fire…fire everywhere…a deep booming voice snarling and sneering down at her and pain…searing agonising pain…it was-
"Ariel?"
Ariel squeaked; the sound muffled as a large hand made to clap itself over her mouth from behind.
"Shh…it's me, Ariel…it's just me" A voice whispered in her ear and as she turned over Ariel breathed a huge sigh of relief.
"Fili-"
"What's wrong?" Fili murmured as he made to stroke her hair from her face.
"N-nothing" Ariel spluttered, but Fili just raised his eyebrows.
She breathed heavily.
"Fine…I just…I was remembering last…last night…" she stopped short, gripping her arm tighter.
Fili quickly reached and tore her hand away before her nails could dig through her still slightly damp coat.
"Shh," he hushed her gently when she struggled against him. "Shh Ariel, Ariel listen to me. Just listen to my voice. It's alright."
Ariel felt her eyes burn with tears as she felt his hand cup her cheek tenderly.
"I'm sorry" she mumbled over the top of his cooing. "I'm sorry I know you mean well but I just…I just-"
"I know" he whispered stroking her hair. "I know."
There was silence as they both stared at one another, the light of the golden fire illuminating Fili's face.
Ariel noticed that it was just as pale as hers and his eyes were red, though from fatigue or sadness, she could not tell.
"I feel old Fili…" she admitted after a long pause "I feel so drained…all this wandering, fighting, scrambling for my life…I just want…I just want to go back to my bed…I just want to sleep on my old lumpy mattress with the flat goose-feather pillow with a dent in the middle, just the way I like it, wrapped up tight in my favourite blanket"
"And would this blanket happen to be green by any chance?"
"Of course. Green's my favourite colour…"
"I had not noticed" Fili smirked, chuckling softly as he received a small slap on his chest.
However, Ariel's pout quickly turned into a small smile of her own as she rolled over onto her back to look up at the stars above.
"What's yours?" she asked softly and when he quirked an eyebrow she added "Your favourite colour?"
"Red…" he rolled over onto his back to match her position "Like the kind you get in the autumn…"
"Is that favourite season then?"
"Yes." He nodded. "Where Kili and I grew up in Erid Luin, we had a few tall maple trees and every year without fail they would drop these bright red leaves on the ground. Bright as rubies. I used to love to collect them for the colour. Many other dwarves thought it was strange, even Uncle found it odd, but my father didn't mind. Though he was just a simple coal miner, he liked the trees too and used to bring me one whenever he came home…that was until he…"
Ariel looked up in time to see him sigh softly.
"Forgive me…I'm not used to talking about such things like this."
"It's ok…" Ariel whispered "If you don't want to tell me you don't have to. Though I don't know why you're embarrassed about collecting leaves. Last I checked there's nothing wrong with that"
"For humans that may be the case" Fili muttered "but amongst dwarves, it is most odd. Even from a young age, most dwarves prefer to work with metals and gems. It is part of who we are. Our crafts are the essence of our purpose and our culture…"
"I still don't understand." Ariel frowned "I mean yes I get dwarves have a close bond with rock and stone. But isn't that still a part of the earth? Just as the trees, the grass and the plants and animals are?"
There was silence as Fili digested her words, his hand petting her dark locks soothingly.
"I guess I never thought about it like that…" he mumbled as he poked her cheek "That elf prince was wrong" he whispered up at Ariel who was watching him worriedly. "You are not a faun…nor a wolf…you are a fox."
"A fox?" Ariel frowned and he nodded, smiling ever so slightly.
"You are friendly but shy, smart but you hide before you can be seen. Not to mention you are quite a fetching sight." He added with a small wink.
"Hmm…very funny" Ariel raised her eyebrows only for Fili's smirk to widen.
"Whoever said I was joking?"
Ariel and Fili laughed only to stiffen and fall silent as their ears suddenly pricked for noise.
They listened closely, but all they could hear was the crackling of the fire and the grunt of Oin as he turned over in his sleep.
"Could be the wind" Ariel whispered after a minute of silence.
"Somehow I don't think so" Fili's eyes narrowed. "Stay down."
Gingerly Fili sat up his hand creeping slowly down to his right boot from which he slid out a small but sharp dagger.
The grass rustled again only this time Ariel could faintly hear the thumping of boots on the ground.
Heavy man's boots and were those the sound of a horse's footsteps as well?
Despite Fili's warning, Ariel carefully pushed herself up to sit, holding her staff tight in her hands.
She looked to her left, only to see Fili glaring in the opposite direction.
She followed his gaze and gasped.
There just beyond the light of the fire was the shadowy figure of a man leading an equally strong dark horse.
The man was tall, garbed all in dark rugged but practical clothes that almost seemed to melt in with his dark skin. On his hip was a large, sheathed sword with a silver hilt that glinted faintly as he stepped into the light.
At the sight of the weapon Fili leapt to his feet, gripping his dagger tighter in his hands. But the stranger was quick to put up a hand.
"Peace master dwarf, I do not wish harm on you or any of your friends. Especially her."
His voice was soft but deep with a slightly gravelly tone, one that was strangely familiar to Ariel even as she looked up into his face
Was it just her…or were the stranger's light brown eyes very similar to her own?
No…but it couldn't be…
She stood up ignoring Fili's hissing at her to stand down and walked over to the strange man whose gaze softened as she came close enough to reach out and pull the dark green scarf he had wrapped around his mouth and nose.
"Dad?"
Ariel's eyes widened in shock.
Celegon smiled warmly down on her.
"Hello Ariel"
And there we have Chapter 21! Not gonna lie was a bit inspired by the timing of the Rings of Power Season 2, if only because clicking on the trailer prompted the Insta/YT algorithm to show me a lot of older (and better) LOTR/Hobbit stuff on my feed. Not that I'm complaining. Any excuse to watch the old-school LOTR-related content is great!
So yeah, Ariel is getting the ball rolling and has enlisted Legolas to help her play politics. Because of this, there will be some changes to the BOFTA film events namely Tauriel and Legolas's role (since Ariel's intel means they don't have to waste time travelling to Gundabad). Mirien is an OC who will have a part to play later on so keep your eyes peeled ;)
And now Ariel is meeting her father again after so long.
If you liked this chapter and this fic, please keep reading, reviewing, faving and following. Each review especially is welcome.
Thanks
FuzzyBeta