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Chapter VIII
Eruanna found herself walking around a battlefield. The corpses of elves and orcs were strewn around her. The Dragon Princess let out a cry for her people who had fallen. Looking up, she saw the scorched trees rising tall above her. They had no leaves covering their branches. Eruanna kneeled down and felt the soil. She recognized this place as Eryn Galen.
For everyone else, it would be Mirkwood, the cursed forest. But for her, the place of her brith would be Eryn Galen. A forest with so much potential.
"So much destruction", she murmured. Just then, she heard the crunch of leaves and looked up. The elf with long golden hair and starlit grey eyes was there, glancing at her with a sad smile.
He was the only one. Her dragons weren't around. Her people were dead. He was the only other elf.
"This is what shall happen", came a divine voice. It wasn't Sauron's but Eruanna could tell it wasn't the elf 's words either. "Unless you can stop it."
Eruanna took a step towards the elf.
"Only you can lessen the coming destruction for your woodland kin", came the divine voice again. A tall being with silver hair and dark blue eyes which almost looked purple came into view, dressed in white robes. Irmo himself had come and he spoke to Eruanna: "Sauron will try to corrupt you, child. But your greatest strength is your bond with your elemental dragons."
Eruanna woke up yet again, sweating.
"Urgent news from Mirkwood", Celeborn said. "Thranduil's spies have spotted a large force of Sauron's orcs heading towards their Kingdom. With the recent losses on their patrols, Thranduil is in desperate need of reinforcements."
Thranduil didn't communicate often with the other elven realms and when he did, it was never to ask for help. However, now the situation was so bad that Thranduil had to swallow down his pride and ask for assistance.
"We shall give them reinforcements then", Galadriel declared. "For Thranduil is akin to you, dear husband, and of the elves, he trusts no one more than he trusts you."
"My lady, we need our soldiers in case Sauron attacks us", their Commanding General countered. "Sending them to Mirkwood would not be wise."
Celeborn grew angry. "How can you deny aid to our kin?"
The General bowed his head. "It is not my favorite suggestion, Lord. But it is one I beg you to consider in such perilous circumstances."
"I'll go", Eruanna said.
"No, you will not", Celeborn responded. "I will not allow a descendant of mine to fall into darkness."
"I must. Lord Irmo himself granted me a vision. If I don't go with my dragons, Mirkwood will fall and everyone will be slaughtered. The elves of Mirkwood are still my people and I will not abandon my people." Upon hearing her great-granddaughter's words, Galadriel gave a small smile, both of admiration and sorrow.
"If she must go, then let her", Galadriel said, shocking her husband. "What!?!", Celeborn gasped. "Galadriel, you cannot possibly-"
"One cannot deny the wisdom of the Valar's foresight. Those who have, were brought to an early grave along with their people", Galadriel responded. "The only reason we have not been assaulted on all sides is because of Thranduil and his people valiantly giving their lives to protect us. If Eruanna is our only means of securing our defenses in the East, then she must go."
"You cannot keep me here when I know my woodland kin are in need of my help", Eruanna said, looking at Celeborn with fire flashing in her eyes. For Celeborn, it was one of those times where he saw his beloved daughter, Celebrian, in her granddaughter. Eruanna and Celebrian both had an iron will and a specific look they gave others when absolutely nothing was going to stop them.
If it was one thing that set Eruanna apart from the many leaders before her, it was her unfailing devotion to her people which had never been corrupted by greed, pride or lust. It was the very reason her people loved her so much. Elves knew she would sooner sacrifice herself for them rather than fall for a handful of gems or a mind clouded by pride.
Would there be anything stopping her? No, not with her headstrong, stubborn mind. Celeborn knew it.
"The whole reason my father went on the Fellowship was to make a difference. A real difference. The thousands of arrows he spent in defense of his Kingdom weren't going to take down Sauron and he knew it. If he can free the world from evil, I can at least defend our people from the darkness while he does so. I will not be sidelined during such a critical time."
"If you try to stop me, I'll simply sneak out when you least expect it", Eruanna crossed her arms. "I'm going."
Though he was very skillful in words, Celeborn could do nothing but admire his great-grandchild. He sighed and looked at her. "Very well", he finally caved.
Galadriel looked at her great-granddaughter and smiled. "Sauron will try to corrupt you, Úlumiel. But remember who you are. You are the Everstar of your people and our Dragon Princess. Do not allow yourself to be defeated."
"I will not. I swear it", Eruanna said.
Eruanna sheathed Angoruinë, her sword, and readied herself in her riding clothes. She ran out to meet her dragons. "Are we ready for battle?", she asked them.
Sûlion and Naurion let out roars of joy, for they delighted in battle and would be the first to fight. Faroniel, Helegiel and Ceveniel had looks of sheer determination. Eruanna mounted Ceveniel and felt a wave of confidence, renewing her resolve to go.
"We ride for Mirkwood. We must get there before Sauron does", she said. The five dragons leapt into the air and flew off.
