Living with Death

Chapter 2

A Bad Omen

Seltariel woke up before dawn, stretching she got dressed and went to make breakfast. Starting the fire she first began the tea before starting on the eggs. They were done rather quickly and she got two plates out for her and Randur, putting the eggs and toast as Randur appeared in his riding gear. They got ready to eat when they heard the familiar baby cry from upstairs.

“Oh my she’s up already!” Seltariel groaned as she climbed the stairs to retrieve her beloved child who is now two years of age. When she went into the room though, Elen was different. She seemed to be frozen, not moving a limb, but she was crying and screaming. Seltairel rushed to her and tried to pick her up, but gasped as she saw the child's eyes a pure white instead of her usual black.

“Randur!” She called, whens he received no answer she screamed louder, “RANDUR!” He appeared moments later, his eyes huge in fright.

“What happened?” He asked running to his wife and child. Seltariel shook her head vigorously and tried to explain, “I-I-I-I I don’t know! I came in and she’s just like this!” Randur wasted no time, sprinting out of the room and out of the house he made a beeline to the healers ward. Once there he called to the nearest healer for help with Elen. Many healers followed him back to his home, once inside they went up stairs and examined the baby while the two comforted each other down stairs. They waited anxiously for what the healers had to say, and after about twenty minutes they came down, the eldest one spoke for them.

“You’re child is asleep now, she seems fine, it could have just been a nightmare.” Seltariel didn’t take that as an answer however.

“But her eyes turned white when they are suppose to be black!” The healer nodded in acknowledgement and tried to explain, “indeed they are, and some times when elven eyes change colors based on certain things, especially as a child. Most of the time they get darker and lighter based on mood or fear and peace. Though we have never seen a child with pure white eyes it must have been because she was very frightened of the nightmare and nothing more.” With that the healers left the house, closing the door behind them.

For the next couple of days they kept a close eye are Elen, if she was frightened at all or scared of anything that could have triggered the nightmare, but she was always laughing and giggling. On the third day it was an odd day for everyone, no one knew why, but it seemed like something was going to happen. Then sure enough, in the afternoon, came a deafening cry and the trees creaked against the hard gust of wind that suddenly came. Thranduil heard this from his throne and memories of the sperant war came rushing back to him. He knew what was coming, a dragon.

“Get everyone inside now and close the gates!” Thranduil demanded from his guards, his shouting silencing the whole kingdom. They did as he commanded, shepherding everyone who was enjoying the forest inside and shutting the gates. Thranduil now went to the balcony over looking the Lonely Mountain and Dale. There he saw the fire breathing beat; his scales bright red and eyes the color of his flames. Thranduil watched in horror as the dragon destroyed all of the beautiful city, a giant column of smoke showing the amount of damage.

“I warned you Thror. I told you what would happen if your greed got to you.” Thranduil hissed as he clutched the railing of the balcony.

“Ada, what is it?” Legolas appeared at the door his eyes showed fear that Thranduil has not seen in a long time. Thranduil turned and dropped his eyes at the sight of his son, but he breathed out, “Dragon.” Legolas gulped and started to step towards the balcony to get a better look, but Thranduil stopped him. He didn’t want his son to see the devastation.

“No, don’t look, go get the men ready to march on Erebor.” Legolas nodded and quickly left the room, rushing to gather all able men. Thranduil re-entered the room and saw his armor and weapons over in the corner of the room, he thought about putting it on, going to battle with his people, but he decided against it. He rushed down the steps and saw his army ready, lined up and prepared to march. He then saw his elk by the gate, getting on him he noticed Legolas with his armor on, leading his elk to his son he blocked him from getting in the head.