Gandalf's Apprentice

Chapter Seventeen: Prepare for Battle

***Leandra's POV***

Thranduil had his smiths working non-stop when I warned him about the orcs, the war. He had me fitted for royal armor. Elvish plate-mail, shoulder guards, plated boots a chest plate, a fire resistant cape attatched to the shoulders, he was taking no chances with me.

I was putting my hair up when Tauriel walked into my room. Her eyes widened and I let my hair fall, I picked up my sword and sheathed it on my hip.

"Yes?" I smiled.

"Legolas said you were still cheerful, after everything you've been through...that you still wear a smile that challenges the shining stars..." Tauriel's voice trailed, "He is attached to you, my Lady. Do come back alive, won't you?" She asked and I blushed slightly.

"He said that about me?" I asked.

"Yes...would you-...would you like some help with your hair? You still need to put on your crown, and I'm a swift weaver?" She asked meekly and I chuckled.

"Of course, Tauriel." I said kindly and sat down and she grinned. She got quick to braiding and I had a thought. "You've met Kili, haven't you?" I smiled.

"Ah...yes, Legolas mentioned your foresight. I have met him, yes..." She said cautiously.

"He's sweet, Tauriel. He's an archer, sort of the roguish type, absolutely adorable, and tall for a dwarf, don't you think? Plus, you never know, he could have anything down his trousers...or nothing." I smirked and she actually blushed a bit.

"You know much more than you lead on, my Lady." She said sheepishly.

"I do...do not give Legolas hope where there is none, I know how you look at Kili. The dwarf is positively smitten with you, enchanted, actually. He likes tall girls." I chuckled. "Legolas is fond of you, but I have seen his future and yours...believe me or not, that dwarf is meant for you...it's something real." I smiled more softly and she put my tiara on my head.

I stood up and turned to see Tauriel with teary eyes. "Thank you...my Lady...I needed that." She said and I nodded, giving her a brief hug.

"Hey, look on the bright side! I'm about to kill a dragon!" I laughed.

"How is that a good thing?" She asked with wide eyes.

"Because I'm gonna have a lot of fun killing it! Like do you know how big that thing is!? This is gonna be great!" I said excitedly and she couldn't help but to smile with me.

***

I went down to the dungeons, getting many sympathetic looks from guards and servants. I found Thorin's door, he came straight to the bars. I knelt in front of the door. "What's going on up there, Leandra? Are you safe?" He asked.

"Orcs are gathering in Dolgüldor...an army of great power to move on the mountain. The people of Lake Town are being evacuated to Dale for safety, the heir to Dale, Bard, has already been informed of his new title, he begrudgingly accepted when elves showed up at his door. I-...made a deal with Thranduil..." I cupped his cheek through the bars and tears gathered in my eyes.

"Leandra, what-" He paused when I leaned my forehead against the bars.

"I've arranged to go to the mountain and secure it, Thranduil will protect the mountain alongside your cousin Dain. An alliance of elves and dwarves to fight the armies of Dolgüldor and Gundabad. Once I've killed the Dragon...he'll release you and let you join the fight, to protect you from dragon sickness. He even agreed to give resources enough to rebuild a proper market after this. He wants to help, Thorin." I smiled and he was stunned.

"You've done all of this for us...we will never be able to repay you, I can never repay you," he gasped, then looked to the floor in thought before returning his gaze to mine, "Take the key, find the keyhole and kill that scaly bastard for my grandfather...swear that you will come back?" He asked and I looked at the floor this time.

"I'm sorry, Thorin." I held the key tight in my hand, I looked back up as tears fell and I never expected...that he would kiss me. He kissed me with passion that I never knew he had and I kissed back on a reflex.

He pulled away and I giggled as tears kept falling. "Why did you do that?" I asked with a smile now.

He kissed my forehead and looked away from me. "I care for you, alright? So, come back alive or I'll kill you...please?" He looked away, clearing his throat and I stood up.

"You should know...you're the only person that I ever saw as a king, Thorin. So...I shall try to return, Lord and King Under the Mountain, King of Carven Stone, Lord of Durin Sons." I smiled and put the key string over my head, letting it rest on my chestplate.

"Oi! Leandra! You look good in mail!" Fili shouted.

"Bring me back some Dragon hide!!" Dwalin yelled.

I laughed. "Bitch, please! I'll cut his heart out and cook it for the feast after this!" I shouted and the dwarves cheered.

That went better than expected...