Melantha of Tir'Inath: The Barbarian Queen (ON HOLD)

Arrival At The Twillight Of the Battle

Gandalf, clearly frustrated at his failure to convince the Elven King that this time, something truly terrible was taking place in the East, spoke once more:

"If my words cannot move you to see reason, I think that this letter will."
"Whom is it from, that I might be interested in reading what they have to say?", responded the Elven High Lord, acid in his tone.

"Your wife's sister, Thranduil. Melantha, although now I hear they call her Lilith, Queen of the Night" called in a half a cry Gandalf.
"That is not possible. I only met her once, while she was still in Rivendell, still part of our world. Now you tell me that SHE, sent you, a letter. How does she know of you, Mithrandir, since you do not travel, as you say in the East? ", replied Thranduil.

"Who is this... Melantha, you are speaking of Gandalf? How is anything that she says of any importance?", required Bard, the new Master of the People of Lake Town.

"It is," said Gandalf, tiredness too easy to discern in his voice, "because there is no one else that roams this sphere like her. For she is the daughter of a mortal princess and a wizard. Half Istari, half human woman. She is a being of immense power and probably the only one whom we can trust from this part of the world, where Evil was first rooted."

"And what can she possibly want?" inquired a puzzled looking Bard.

"She and all her people are traveling Westward, seeking residence to the wild lands of Rhovanion, from where her mother, Princess Raena came from. She speaks of the very same things you, Mithrandir have been raving about all this time. How am I to believe that this is not something that you created in order to convince us that a simple cloud is actually a typhoon? "  Thranduil sneered.

At that moment, a strange sound tore through the muffled noises of the crowds, Elves and Men. Then, a female voice was heard, arguing with one of the guards." I demand to have an audience with your leaders. My people and I have come too long a way and instead you tell me that I am nothing but a savage?"

Gandalf jumped from his seat and rushed outside, calling at the same time: "Let her through! Do you not know whom you are addressing? This is the High Lady of the Tir'Inath, the Liberator and also the sister-in-law of your KING!"

Melantha's shoulders eased as she recognized her kindred's voice.

"Mithrandir! "she exclaimed and hugged him tightly." Never have I ever hoped to return to these lands or gaze for myself  upon the Lonely Mountain again. Is it true, Uncle, that the Great Fire Drake is dead? "
" Nor have I hoped to see you again here, after all those centuries, my dearest. It is true indeed and the man who put an end to Smaug's reign of terror is right before you, Lady."

Melantha turned her haunting violet eyes from the Elven Lord to the man who stood next to him. He was handsome, there was no doubt about it, but there was something in his gaze that spoke of a steady flame and of sorrow that lied untold.

He bowed his head in a gesture of respect towards her and spoke: " I am indeed the man who killed the dragon and I only hope that I have done more good than harm. It is an honor to have you here, your Majesty."

"Oh no", Mel said, "please, there is no need for such formalities. Call me Melantha. We are no better than any other refugee here. It took us five months to reach the Valley of Dale and in that time we have faced extreme conditions and hardships. We are all equals in times such as this.
So-"
Before she could finish her speech a little ashen head appeared from behind her skirts. It looked frightened from one unknown face to the other.

Bard knelt down and offered the young girl a small apple, welcoming her to the Valley of Dale. Melantha smiled and sent the girl away with one of the handmaidens that had accompanied her into the Elven Lord's tent.

"Who was that, may I require?" asked Thranduil, his acidic tone still there.
"Mine. My daughter, Ziraella. Is there a problem?" Melantha shot back.
"No, of course not." said Bard, before Thranduil could snap something horrible.
"What is your purpose here, Lilith, as I hear that you are now called?" said Thranduil, more curiosity than contempt in his voice.

"Simple. A new life for me and my people. We were requested by the Dark Fortress of Dol Guldur to pay a blood payment each year. Seven virgins and seven lads no older than twenty-and-a-one years of age, as a sacrifice to Morgoth. The rest of the 12 High Lords bent the knee but my people and I couldn't bring ourselves to do that. So we were faced with two options. One, be slain like animals. Two, exile. We chose, obviously, the latter. We were headed for Rhovanion but news of the Dragon's death reached us midway and after the army we saw Azog amass at the Dark Fortress, we made the decision of heading here instead. Make a last stand with you for a fair trade. Our only term for our full help is this: Give my people the Withered Heath and the Island of Dragonstone. My mother's family's ancestral seat, for my people and I to begin anew. I think they are both uninhabited. It shouldn't be such a loss to you, Mellon. "
" No, it is not indeed. I have no objection to you moving to those lands. They are long dead. But it has been too long, Lilith . Way too long. Why now? Why return now? "

" Because only now was I forced to leave my father's lands. Because I have a daughter, and as any mother I need to do all I can to secure her a good life. You know that better than anyone. My sister left you alone with a son. You know the burden and the responsibility of it all. "
" So be it then. Welcome home, Melantha."

" Thank you, my lord Thranduil. I must insist however that you heed Gandalf 's words. This is not a mere storm. I have spent 500 years in Tir' Inath and I am not ashamed to call this great city my home. The Orcs are now controlling it and it will not be long before they head Westward to reclaim the Dark Fortress and make the foul Kingdom of Angmar rise once more. You need to be prepared. All of you. "she finished.
" Why do that? Why warn us? You left this place a long time ago. Don't tell me you still care about what happens to us, Melantha. " asked Thranduil with a tone that indicated a well covered... blame?
" Unlike you, I have not let grief blind my judgement, Thranduil. I still care, for your wife was my sister, the only living thing that didn't treat me a monster while I was still living in the ever-so- civilized West. I would not bear watch all those she loved burn down to Ashes. I simply couldn't. And if you don't believe me, fine don't. But believe Gandalf. ",  Melantha replied with eyes flashing silver.