Chapter 17: Chapter XVII
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With several clashes, and arrows being released to puncture flesh and create wounds, cuts, and stabs bleeding blood as a battle continued down by the stream.
When the dwarves eventually escaped through the river in their barrels, Thorin looked back to the prince and an acquaintance - Estelle - who watched them float away.
Thorin had many questions that were raised, but with so much time having gone by, there was no time to think, and waste when there were only a few remaining days left. He had to get to Erebor. However, he spared a thought; had Estelle aligned with the Elves?
He dearly hoped that wasn't so.
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"Your men are safe."
Estelle heard from Thranduil, who waited for their return by the gate, a sight that must have been unusual as the son reacted with surprise written over the elf's face. But, she quickly returned to her interest in the status of her men. Then as if knowing how her mind worked, Thranduil beat her to it before she could even ask.
"It would seem that they are loyal to a fault; an admirable feat, when it is so scarce among the races of men. Yet, it is not the case applied to you and the men you lead. Please, enter and I will lead you to them."
Without really much of a choice, nor did she feel forced, Estelle chose to follow behind the King alongside the elf prince and the female ranger while the other troops were dismissed. Again, when she was introduced to the nice wonderful halls of Thranduil - her eyes widened as she took in the view - wondering if she would ever get used to such a grand sight.
"When the dwarves escaped, supposedly by a halfling who stole the keys to the dungeon from my guards. It was then your men decided to stay despite the doors being unlocked. For the sole purpose to rescue their leader, it is the most worthy of respect to honor, and duty. You are blessed to have those from your men."
Estelle absorbed what Thranduil had to say, as the King led them - not to the prisons - but to a hall that served a long table that had the most appetizing food and fine wine. Seated on the chairs were her men who maintained a stoic pose and expression, until her figure evidently came into their line of sight.
"Legatus!" the legionnaires all called out, and by the look on their faces, they sustained a few injuries, which she; gave a sharp glare towards Thranduil. Understanding the boiling anger by the darkening expression on her face - a frightening sight at that - Thranduil responded by explaining what had occurred.
"They fought their way through many of my guards; bare-knuckled and unarmed, though that did not deter them. It was a struggle for my guards to secure them and get them to settle. It would seem telling them that you were not kept in another cell was difficult for them to believe."
Thranduil finished, and based on the look Estelle has after his explanation, Thranduil secretly took a few glances and glimpsed at her relieved face and beauty. 'It is almost as if it was Elariaeth.'
Then her eyes opened and she had a sternness to them, something Elariaeth never had - for being a person who opposed war and death - and in Estelle's eyes; they have become accustomed to the fires of war and death.
'It was not Elariaeth.'
"I am grateful you have granted my men mercy, King Thranduil." Estelle offered her thanks with a meaningful, and a courtesies bow as she began to round her men. Especially since it seemed Thranduil had already had them prepare the legionnaires' armor, weapons, and large shields.
"Before you follow the dwarves, I invite you to a 'welcoming' with an orc we captured by the stream."
He said nothing more than that, as he let Estelle decide on her own before he received his answer when her eyes and beauty looked upon him, and then a nod. With that confirmation, he turned to lead them, but not before as a helmet obstructed the beauty of the woman in which she donned.
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"Out there in the vast ignorance of the world,
It festers and spreads;
A shadow that grows in the dark.
The sleepless malice as black as the oncoming wall of night,
So it ever was,
So it will always be,
In time all foul things come forth."
The Elven King of the Woodland Realm gave such a speech as he walks a nonchalant walk as he circled the orc, a blade kissing its neck as the young prince held it with Tauriel and Estelle an audience to the scene.
Then the young prince, Legolas in turn demanded an answer. "You were tracking a company of thirteen dwarves, why?"
Finding its captors rather amusing, though not so for its situation, the orc responded with a chuckle. "Not thirteen, not anymore. The young one, the black-haired archer. We stuck him with a Morgul shaft. The poison in his blood; He will be choking on it soon."
"Answer the question, filth!" Tauriel demanded as she stared daggers at the orc on its knee, but received insult; in the word of dark tongue. Before the blade reminded the orc just what was held at its throat. "I would not antagonize her."
"You like killing things, orc?
You like death?
Then let me give it to you!"
At once Tauriel launched at the orc after her line, her daggers drawn and ultimately prepared to spill orc blood until she was deterred by Thranduil's stern command before she was dismissed from the scene.
Quiet as most times, Estelle merely watched as the situation unfolds, watching as the back of the she-elf walked, and went down the stairs. Before her attention went to Thranduil, who began, "I do not care about one dead dwarf. Answer the question. You have nothing to fear. Tell us what you know, and I will set you free."
"You had orders to kill them, why? What is Thorin Oakenshield to you?"
Without a moment to spare, Legolas queued in as he tug at the orc to speak, as it did as expected after weighing, and considering the King's proposition.
"The Dwarf-runt will never be King!"
"King?" Puzzled and surprised by such a statement stunted Thranduil and Legolas, saved for Estelle, who took a step forward to get a closer look at the orc - showing interest - at what else the orc had to say and babble.
"There is no King under the mountain, nor will there ever be! None would dare enter Erebor, whilst the dragon lives!" Legolas exclaimed the sole reason the mountain has been kept alone for decades. But in return, the Orc; smaller than most with razor teeth on display, shouted at the young prince who held him.
"You know nothing! Your world will burn!"
"What are you talking about? Speak!"
Having enough of the Orc's play around the bush, Legolas demanded once more, and in turn, it seemed the Orc is more inclined there to finally drop the masquerade.
"Your time has come again, my master serves the One."
With that declaration alone, Estelle witnessed a flicker of fear stirred within Thranduil albeit not Legolas, who was merely listening and attempting to decipher what the arc was meant to relay as it continued;
"Do you understand, now elfling?
Death is upon you. The flames of war are upon you!"
What was laughter became gurgles before a single loud thud thumped as a head fell to the ground. With an almost annoyed and frustrated look, Legolas asked with sarcasm "Why did you do that? You promised to set him free!" In return, Thranduil responded with wits and sarcasm as well. "And I did. I freed his wretched head from his miserable shoulders."
As both father and son argued, Estelle gave a blank look at the decapitated head of the Orc before shooting a spit at it in disrespect. "My men and I are leaving." Quick to turn from the unsightly view of the putrid flesh, Estelle, and her men fell in line as she leads them to the outer Elven gates that faced the Lonely Mountain.
With hearing what the Orc had to say, and what could be expected, Estelle fears a total war was brewing, and they were caught in the midst of it. It would do well for her and the legion if they could just get it over with their deal, and Estelle's promise to assist the Dwarves - to get what they came for and fulfill their oath - before the fires of a brewing war catch them in its destruction and death.
Thranduil remained aside, allowing the race of men through them before Legolas asked him what the Orc mean by the 'flames of war' in which snapped Thranduil in shape and seemed to possess a hurry state like Estelle.
"It means they intend to unleash a weapon so great it will destroy all before it."
The Elven King began with hurried steps, as he voiced out his orders.
"I want the watch double at our borders, all roads, all rivers. Nothing moves, whereas I hear of it. No one moves into this kingdom, and no one gets out."
Not exactly against his father's orders to tighten the security and border, Legolas went to do as the King wished and goes on to execute it based on his father's command without a word or hesitation.
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