The Middle Earth Wonderers (The Hobbit/LOTR)

Chapter 21.

I watched in confusion as the guards stepped back, releasing me. Thranduil leaned back in his throne, a slight smirk playing at the corners of his lips, his keen eyes assessing me with an intensity that made my heart race.

"Come closer, child," he said, his tone both commanding and inviting.

I took a hesitant step forward, the silence heavy between us. I could feel his gaze pierce through me, as if he could see the hell I had been through—my exhaustion, my despair.

"You have been through much, haven't you, child?" His voice softened, an unexpected gentleness weaving through his words.

"I... I lost almost everyone. My friend Ryan... Lulu... my father Mike... I..." My voice cracked, the weight of grief pressing down on me. "We're gonna die trying to get the dragon slayer title."

Thranduil's expression darkened as I spoke, and I could see the solemnity in his eyes. He understood loss all too well. "You have endured unspeakable loss and hardships. It is a burden far too heavy for one so young to bear." His voice was filled with compassion, a warmth that cut through the chill in my heart.

"I don't know what to do..." I whispered, feeling small and defeated.

His eyes softened further, filled with sympathy. He leaned forward slightly, a gentle firmness in his tone. "You need rest and healing, child. Both physically and emotionally. The road ahead will be treacherous and dangerous, but you cannot face it in your current state."

"And Hunter... he got bit by a spider," I said, gripping my head, trying to stave off the nausea rising in my gut. "I don't know if he's gonna live or not. Owlfolks are weak to poison..."

Concern flickered in Thranduil's eyes. "A spider bite, you say? And an Owlfolk? That combination is indeed precarious. Their bodies are particularly susceptible to the effects of toxins and poisons."

Suddenly, the weight of everything hit me like a wave, and I fell to my knees. "God, if only my father were here..." Tears filled my eyes as I clutched my head, feeling completely overwhelmed.

Thranduil's expression softened further as he watched my breakdown. "Your father is not here now, child," he said, his voice low and comforting. "But his memory is still with you. Though his presence is missed, his strength and guidance still live within you. You must find the strength to carry on, even in his absence."

He leaned forward, locking his gaze with mine, and for a moment, it felt like he understood everything. "You have the resilience and courage within you to face the challenges ahead, young one. Do not let despair and grief consume you. Rise, and let the spark of your father's legacy guide you."

Just then, I caught sight of one of the healers approaching, her face drawn with sadness. My heart raced, and I turned to her, a sense of dread washing over me. "Hunter... is he...?"

The healer shook her head, her expression solemn. "I'm sorry, child. The poison from the spider bite was too strong. I did everything I could, but... your friend Hunter has passed away."

My breath caught in my throat, and I felt the ground beneath me shift as despair clawed its way into my chest. I broke down, tears streaming down my face as the weight of my loss crashed over me like a relentless tide.

"I am truly sorry, child," Thranduil said, his voice gentle yet firm. I could see the empathy in his eyes, the understanding of what I was going through. "I know the pain of losing a loved one all too well. The grief is a burden so heavy, a heartache that can feel unbearable. But you must find the strength to carry on. Your friends who have passed would want you to continue, to honor their memory and their sacrifices."

I nodded, the tears blurring my vision, but deep down, I felt a flicker of resolve. I had to keep going, not just for myself, but for them.