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It was hard to wake up the next morning. The physical and emotional strain of the previous days mini war had been exhausting. As my groggy eyes blinked open I could only think of how in the world my body and soul would be able to handle the battle of five armies. If I survived all the fighting who knew if I'd wake up the next morning. I could hardly swing my legs over the bedside. I wanted to sleep for a week. A shout made me abruptly jump awake, it wasn't a very good feeling.
"You'd better be awake in there! We are getting ready to go so you'd better be ready to see us off!" The voice trailed down the hall. It had been Kili. Right, everyone would be heading to the mountain to await Durin's Day. I'd already given them the clue about their secret door so getting in to the mountain wouldn't be too difficult for them. There was just a constant shiver in everyone's bones over a particular dragon awaiting everyone beyond those doors. I slowly got up and dressed myself.
The night before everyone had begun arguing about if I should be going to the mountain with them or if it would be too dangerous. It was a silly thought because no matter who I stayed with we were going to encounter the dragon I'd told them. But I would be staying at the Lake with Bard. He'd need the emotional support. I'd joked that if it got too hot here I'd just take a swim in the lake. Everyone had hesitantly laughed at the morbid joke. The lake was hypothermia waiting to happen. Tauriel and Legolas would be staying as well. We would be aiding Bard in any way we could.
Everone had been packing all morning. They weren't in too big a hurry as the mountain wasn't far off and Durin's Day was not going to pass them in a hurry. Bombur had made everyone a "last meal" with the supplies we had from Lake Town. Our meals from then on would be on the go again, travel food, until we could establish Erabor. I took a random seat as dwarves started filing in for food. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits despite the job ahead. Food always seemed to make them happier. I tried to join in but I was still moving slowly, still not quite awake. I wondered to myself if I was just a wimp for being so worn out and sore from yesterday. When breakfast was over the dwarves went back to the rooms to suit up.
I decided to go for a walk around Lake Town. Tauriel had hurriedly come to join me. She looked slightly edgy. Legolas had begun walking our way but when Tauriel tensed upon his approach I'd turned to him with a shooing hand.
"Girl's only, sorry!" I said. Legolas stopped looking miffed. I rolled my eyes, "We're going to have girl chat so you can't join us," He hardly batted an eye before turning on his heels. Mustn't be his cup of tea, I laughed to myself. Tauriel let out a small breath.
"I thank you," she whispered. I nodded as we headed onto the docks. When we were far enough away from sensitive elf ears Tauriel spoke.
"Legolas is fond of me," She stated plainly. I paused and stared at her for a second. When she didn't seem deterred I continued walking. She was silent for a moment, "His father does not approve." Another slight pause, "I do not approve." She finished definitively. I looked at her with surprise.
"You don't like him?" I asked, honestly curious. Her and Legolas would be quite the match, strong and beautiful. She shook her head.
"He is my friend, but that is all I see him as." I scrunched my nose.
"Have you told him?" Tauriel looked to the sky and breathed in.
"I have not," She said, "Legolas has not told me his feelings either. I have found someone that does interest me now, that is why I worry." She said with a raised eyebrow, she was being mischievous. I grinned at her.
"Who would that be?" I played along. Tuariel tsked.
"You will have to guess," She said smoothly. I crossed my arms at her games pretending to be clueless.
"Perhaps… Bard?" I asked. She almost laughed.
"Hmm, that's not close at all," she waited, "Uh, wait, is it one of the dwarves?" I asked feigning shock. Her grin widened, "Oh hoho! Hmm, Does he have brown hair?" she nodded, "Handsome little devil with a blonde brother?" she half nodded before jumping at me.
"You already knew!" She gasped in smiling shock. I shrugged.
"Yeah, sorry, I wanted you to still be excited to tell someone." I explained She beamed and put a hand on my shoulder.
"Thank you." I nodded and we talked about crushes for the last half of our walk. Eventually a question came my way that I wasn't expecting.
"Well then, who is it you fancy, Sharae?" I almost laughed.
"I can't even think about stuff like that right now." I told her sadly but faces flashed through my mind, "Every time I think I feel something my thoughts turn to more serious matters and how they are the more important thing at hand, like trying to keep everyone alive." I finished solemnly. Tauriel looked ahead of us to the shining lake.
"Mmm. But opportunities come and go and those who would have comforted us should not be set to the side in our times of need. Time may go on and on and when you finally realize the peril will not end but that life must go on it may have already passed by. Do not push away feelings of love for another; you will be burying yourself in the process." She turned to smile at me. I stared back at her in slight awe. She was much wiser than I originally believed… and she was right, "Is there not one who brings you comfort even in the harshest times?" I thought for a moment. There were a lot of people who brought me comfort here. I still wasn't sure that meant anything more, "Who are you comfortable around" She egged on. I had to think for a second.
"Well, I know a few people I feel really safe around…" She nodded, wanting me to continue, "Well. I suppose I feel safe with Fili and Kili around. And I always know Thorin will protect me. Bard as well, he's really easy to talk to." I mumbled. Tauriel smiled quickly.
"So there are some bachelors of interest!" She teased, "You just don't go stealing my prize though," she laughed. I laughed with her. I didn't plan to, and I really was still wondering how my own feelings were about everyone. I'd never tried to look further into them. Perhaps I should start looking closer. We finished our short walk to see everyone outside the Inn checking each other and rechecking supplies. The Windlance had been perched above the door for quick access. It stood in my view like a promise of destruction. Legolas was across the dock looking at the Lonely Mountain. We joined him in silence. The dwarves readied their boats and before they were off Bilbo rushed over to me.
"Be safe," I hugged him.
"I was just about to say the same," He pulled away with a smile, "I will see you at the mountain." He joined the rest of the group. Fili was making his way over to me while his brother was laughing with Tauriel. His crooked grin warmed my cheeks. He pulled me into a warm hug.
"The risk to you worries me more than all other. You've no fate to protect you. Keep a strong head on yourself and don't do anything stupid." He said into my shoulder. When I released him I noticed his face had turned to worry, "I'd better see you at that mountain when the ash settles." He shot me another quick grin before giving me a deep bow and turning for the boats. Kili's boisterous laugh pulled me from my thoughts.
"Goodbye, Sharae! Remember what I've taught you and if that Bowman starts getting cold feet you show him who's boss, eh?" He joked patting me on the shoulder and then a farewell hug.
"Be safe over there," My words followed behind his parting figure. He waved a hand at me. Everyone else seemed much too preoccupied with getting the boats ready and keeping their minds on task to say goodbye except for Ori who waved furiously from a boat. I prayed in that instant that I would never have to see those spirits fail and that Erabor would become a place of love, not loss.