Dragon Fire (Thranduil Fan-fiction) #Wattys2016

Chapter 49: Half Promises

Mantheniels POV

I stood outside the tent after Falasdir and the prince had left me. Unsure of what to do when I heard loud voices coming through.

"You cannot expect me to be okay with this. Why is she even here? Should you not be protecting her?"

It was Elunir and from the sound of his voice, he was in a heated argument.

"It was not exactly my choice. If it had been, I assure you I would have sent her far away from here. Back to Rivendell if I had to." Thranduil's voice drifted through and I felt the tiredness of the day and the trip. I had not had a moments rest for every time I closed my eyes a nightmare greeted me.

"Thranduil." Gandalf starts but he was cut off abruptly.

"Do not speak to me, Mithrandir. Nothing you will say will convince me to let her go out there." Thranduil hisses and I find myself immobile as the fighting insued.

"Thranduil. I implore you to see reason. If they do not see her on the battlefield, they would least likely hurt Tauriel or Turwaithiel. She needs to be in that group. She is one of the best fighters and light on her feet! They would get in, save them, and get out!" Gandalf exclaims and I hesitate all the more.

"Perhaps we can think of another way." It was Elrond who spoke this time and no one spoke for a few moments.

"There is no other way. We must go through with this plan." A dwarf.

"I agree." Bard?

"Then I will be in this group as well." Elunir announces causing my worries to increase.

"We would need you in the front, Elunir." Lord Elrond says.

Silence.

"No, I will be with my sister. I must ensure her safety." He argues and I hear a glass breaking.

"Are you mad? You are actually agreeing to this?!" Thranduils voice rose from the tent, causing me to flinch lightly and the rest of the soldiers at camp to watch the tent warily. I turn away, almost wanting to walk away from them when I am met with Flinars green eyes. He gives me a hesitant smile and I let out a frustrated sigh before turning to face the tent again.

"You want me to be okay, in sending my son and the woman I love to their possible death?" I hear Thranduil say and it was enough for my heart to break. Legolas too? Why were they putting him into such position? How selfish!

Woman I love.

I could feel the heaviness increase as I myself tried to hold back the tears.

"Thranduil, you are not the only one that cares about them."

"Really? Because it quite seems like it." He hisses, venom in his voice.

"Perhaps we can think of another way then?" The dwarf suggests.

"I will take no part in this." Thranduil snaps before silence filled the tent again. I felt hot tears in my eyes as the tent flaps open and I am met with blue eyes that I have missed dearly. He stops then, his scar was visible and we stare at each other for how long, I did not know. Before the pain surfaced in his eyes and he looked away from me. I felt the crack in my heart as he briskly walked away. I did not stare after him. I close my eyes and take in a shaky breath before entering the tent. Knowing very well in my heart that I was going to agree with their plan.

They were all quiet when I entered. I wiped the tears away and stared at the broken goblet on the floor. Wine had spilled on the carpet and I could not help but smile bitterly at it.