[1] Mesmerized - The Elvish Ranger In The Company (Legolas)

⌘ 𝔾𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕓𝕒𝕕 ⌘

"Take only what you need. We have a long march ahead," Bard says as I walk beside him.

"Where will you go?" I look up to see Legolas here.

 "There is only one place," Bard replies, and walks up ahead. "The Mountain"

"You are a genius, sire. We can take refuge inside the Mountain. It might smell a bit of dragon, but the women can clean that up," I scowl. " It'll be safe and warm and dry... ...and full of stores... ...bedding, clothing... the odd bit of gold..." He says in greed.

 "What gold is in that Mountain is cursed. We will take only what was promised to us. Only what we need to rebuild... our lives. Here. Pull your weight," Bard hands Alfrid some sticks and walks back to Legolas and I.

"News of the death of Smaug will have spread through the lands," I say.

" Aye," 

"Others will now look to the Mountain... ...for its wealth... for its position," Legolas adds.

"What is it you know?" Bard asks us.

"Nothing for certain," I take a deep breath and gulp. "It's what I fear may come..." I look off in the distance and they both look at me curiously.

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As Legolas and I walk, Tauriel joins us. "You saw something out there..." She looks at us.

"The Orc we pursued out of Lake-town, I know who he is," Legolas replies.

"Bolg, spawn of Azog the Defiler. A Warg pack was waiting for him on the outskirts of Esgaroth," I explain.

"They fled into the North. These Orcs were different from the others. They bore a mark I have not seen for a long time. The mark of Gundabad," Legolas tells and I stop in my tracks.

 "Gundabad?" Tauriel asks.

"An Orc stronghold... in the far North of the Misty Mountains," Legolas tells her. And the orcs that killed my parents and aunt. Joy.

A Greenwood elf comes up to us on a horse. "My Lord Legolas," Tauriel and Legolas look at him. "I bring word from your father. You are to return to him immediately,"

"Come Tauriel,"  Legolas gestures for her to follow.

 "My Lord... Tauriel is banished," The elf says and we stop in our tracks.

"Come again?"  I ask raising my eyebrows.

"Banished?" Legolas asks. "You may tell my father... if there is no place for Tauriel, there is no place for me,"

"Legolas. It is your king's command," Tauriel tries to reason with him.

 "Yes, he is my King...but he does not command my heart," Legolas replies "I ride North. Will you come with me?" He asks, walking forward.

"To where?"  Tauriel asks.

"To Gundabad," Legolas replies. As they start getting on a horse. I walk up to them.

"I'm coming with you," 

Legolas looks hesitant but Tauriel nods. "She's a very skilled warrior, Legolas. You'd be a fool to not let her come," Legolas gives in and I get a horse of my own. And now we ride to Gundabad.