The King and Dragon Lord

Ch. 6

I, Tauriel, and Legolas have been riding for a full day now. Occasionally stopping at some watering holes for the horses and walking so we wouldn't overwork them.

"I think they've already got there," Legolas said. We all looked at each other and there stood the forest of Mirkwood.

We rode closer to the forest and we stopped just outside of the old forest road. Legolas and Tauriel got off of their horses.

"Wait. We're leaving the horses?" I was still sitting on Aro. Legolas walked up and looked at me.

"We have to. Darkness still fills the forest and if it can drive any race crazy imagine what it'll do to the horses."

My heart sank but he was right. I hopped off of Aro and followed Legolas and Tauriel into Mirkwood. Heading north to the home of the Woodland Elves.

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We got to the home of the Woodland Elves. I had slipped on my hood right before we got to the entrance and the guards escorted us inside. Legolas in front of me, Tauriel behind me. Thorin and the company were already here and they were talking to Thranduil. I thought we were farther behind them.

Once we got close enough, Thranduil looked at us. And so did all of the dwarves. I caught eyes with Thorin and he gave me the "really?" face. We stood next to the company.

"Legolas. Tauriel." Thranduil walked over to us. He looked at me. "Don't be afraid ranger." When he said that my body straightened and I lifted my head. When I pulled down my hood Thranduil's eyes widened. "My my my. I wouldn't think I would ever meet a dragon lord."

I laughed in a cocky manner. "Why does everyone keep calling me that?"

"Despite being raised by Elrond you sure are very cocky." My face went blank and my jaw clenched. "Shall we continue to talk our trade?" Thranduil looked at Thorin as he walked over and sat on his throne.

"Wait what trade?" I looked at Thorin.

"He didn't tell you?" Thranduil asked. Thorin looked at him as if he wanted to kill him.

"You're not getting her," Thorin said threatening as he moved in front of me.

"Me?!"

"Why yes ranger." I looked at Thranduil when he spoke. "Your....gift would be at the most value to me." He looked at Thorin. "Seems the dwarf is even greedy over a half-elf. Maybe this..." Thranduil pulled out a glowing blue stone. "...will change your mind."

Thorin's eyes went wide. "Isn't that the Arkenstone?" I asked when I looked at Thranduil.

"The King's Jewel yes. The heart of The Lonely Mountain."

Thorin walked forward a little bit. I put my hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Thorin. I heard of what the stone did to you. It drove you mad." Thorin continued to look at the stone. He turned his head slightly towards me and his eyes met mine for a second.

When he looked away he took a deep breath and stood up straight. "I do not need that cursed stone." He responded harshly. When Thorin turned away and started walking off, everyone followed. Thranduil didn't bother calling out to his son.

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When it got to the evening, we had all ate our supper but Thorin didn't so I decided to take some to him.

I found him above the entrance to Erebor, as usual. "I brought you something to eat." I held out the plate and he looked at me and took it.

"Elrond said that your curiosity has always been an issue." I stopped when Thorin spoke.

While I turned and walked back over I was laughing. "Yes. Yes, it has." I stood next to him and nothing was said for a few seconds. "But that's not why I followed you guys."

"Why did you?" Thorin asked as he took a bite of his food. He continued to look out into the land and the City of Dale.

"Abandonment." I tried not to sound as shameful and embarrassed of it but Thorin looked at me as if I didn't need to be.

He laughed a little. "That's ironic considering you're a ranger."

A small grin formed on my face and I laughed a little but that only lasted a few seconds when my focus turned to the direction of Mirkwood.

"Nex. What is it?" Thorin looked in that direction and back at me.

"Nothing bad for once." I focused on it a little bit more. I could hear more from the distance than I could see but my sight helped a bit. "Ha! My god, it's Bilbo and Gandalf." They had a horse and a pony and were approaching quickly.

I and Thorin ran and met them at the gait.

"Mr. Baggins," Thorin said as he hugged Bilbo.

"Gandalf." I smiled.

"I know it's nice to see each other again but we need to discuss some things." Gandalf looked at us worried.

Thorin looked at me worried also and it seemed as if he knew what Gandalf wanted to talk about.

We all headed into a chamber, that was on the level of all our rooms, and Bilbo went to go get the rest of the company.