SoulBlind

Chapter 20

Getting over the wall was easy. Though I thought I would have a hard time getting past the guards, they didn't pay me any mind. I walked right past them.

"You!" I heard behind me as was trying to decide which way to go.

I recognized the accusing tone and turned with a glare. "Yes?"

Alfred approached me a disgusted look on his face. "You've got a lot of nerve coming back here."

I quickly whipped out my sword, the point an inch away from his throat. "And you have a lot of nerve existing" I rolled my eyes. "Tell me where Bard and Thranduil are.."

Alfred stopped and nodded to the left before I sheathed my sword and walked that way. Alfred looked around before running in off, his ego clearly damaged. I found the tent quickly but I hid just out side as I heard Gandalf.

"You...her soulmate?" Gandalf scoffed. "Galadriel did not go brought all that trouble to make sure she would be a strong independent woman just for you to be her soulmate."

"Oh really? It sounds like she made her perfectly for me. But I think she could've avoided trimming her ears..." Thranduil growled. "Why do you fight this anyway? It doesn't matter who she was raised to be, she would still be my soulmate."

I listened more but Gandalf seemed to hesitate. "It doesn't matter."

"Right...you've come to warn us of this coming battle.." Thranduil said, his shadow pouring a drink.

I wanted to go in but I found myself tuck in thought. What did Galadriel have to do with me? Or raising me? I let out a breath of frustration. No...just go in there. It doesn't matter. I pushed myself, one foot in front of the other. Pretend you heard nothing except about the battle.

"I don't know why the dwarves would insist on fighting. There's not enough of them." Bard said.

I stepped into the tent.

"But there will be. More are coming." I said.

"Andriel..." Thranduil said, just off to the side.

I avoided his gaze, knowing what it would do to me if I looked at him. But I couldn't avoid his hug. I felt his arms pull me in tightly. This was worse than looking at him. I lost my composure completely, wrapping my arms around him and taking in his scent. The butterflies in my stomach fluttered in protest as I pulled away a bit, but not entirely leaving his arms.

I looked over at Gandalf an Bard. "I have come to give you something that...may or may not help."

As I set the Arkenstone on the small table in the middle I noticed Gandalf had been avoiding looking at Thranduil and me embracing.  He was hiding something. But I couldn't help it for now. I'd have to find out later.

"What right do you have to give this to us?" Bard asked approaching to look at it closer.

"Bilbo took it as his fourteenth share. I am delivering it to avoid any problems that may cause." I sighed. "Bilbo believes he will give you what your owed to get it back."

"You don't seem so convinced." Gandalf said.

"No. But I've changed a lot of things. A lot of things that...may change the outcome of what I know to come. Hopefully for the better. And if anything else it buys time. Which is what we really need." I said.

"Time for what?" Bard asked.

"Time to avoid you all killing each other before the orcs get here." I said looking to Thranduil, meeting his gaze. "Gandalf is right about the orcs. And no...a storm is not just a storm." I looked back to to Bard. "But if you both really want to go to war with Thorin...then this is your best chance of avoiding too much bloodshed."

Gandalf nodded. "Then that is probably the best course of action."

Gandalf didn't seem to agree like he claimed but probably figured there was nothing else to be done about it, much like myself. He left the tent. Bard nodded and followed behind him leaving me alone with Thranduil.

"I have to go back..." I said turning away, my chest tightening in protest.

"I think not." Thranduil said before scooping me up and carrying into another room that was attached to the tent.

Thranduil set me down at the foot of a surprisingly well made bed before taking my wounded arm. I winced from the pain.

"How did you get this?" Thranduil asked with a stern tone.

"Fighting orcs. It's just a scratch..." I said shrugging.

Thranduil had a pained look in his eyes  as he unwrapped it. He stepped away for a moment, asking a guard for clean bandages. The guard came back with them quickly before Thranduil knelt down in from pant of me and wrapped the cut with them.

"I wish you hadn't have left me...you had me worried." Thranduil said. "Please...don't leave me again. I don't know what I'd do without you."he looked up, tears in his eyes.

My heart seemed to break at the sight. I never thought I'd ever see him like that. I figured he'd me mad. But...I guess that's just what he would rather show the rest of the world, rather than show how much pain he's actually in. After that look I knew I wouldn't have the strength to try and go back to Thorin.

"I'm sorry...I won't do it again." I said.

Thranduil let out breath he seemed to be holding in, tears falling own his cheeks as he pulled me into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and held his head against my chest, gently kissing the top of his head.