Found this image on Google and it suits my image of Aelfric perfectly! (c) ?

"Lady Adelaide!"

The quill in my hand slipped, drawing an ugly black line across the page. I scowled at the ruined text and puffed out my cheeks. Lord Aelfric didn't appear to notice and strode into my room. "Lady Adelaide, your friends have escaped."

I rubbed a hand over my face, his words barely registering. "What?"

Maybe getting up early to write wasn't the best decision. I was exhausted from the party the night before. I turned to look at Aelfric. I plunked the quill on the desk and balled up the ruined page into a tight ball.

"The dwarves have escaped." The elf repeated firmly to gain my attention.

His words struck like a hammer blow. Escaped. The Company left without me? Tears stung my eyes as I realized what it meant.

I'd been abandoned. Why? "Care to elaborate, my lord?"

"The dwarves were able to open their cells. No one knows how." Aelfric shook his head. "They gained access to the underground tunnels, using the empty wine barrels as watercraft to flee. My king, is livid with the events that have transpired."

I barely acknowledged what the healer said, draping my arm over the back of the chair. Things were progressing quickly now. Damn it. Stubborn dwarf. This is the worst time for Thorin to ditch me. How could I save them if I wasn't with them?

I didn't remember the gold lust taking Thorin this soon. He shouldn't be exhibiting signs of gold-fever until Laketown. Perhaps, things were different in real life versus the book. I knew things were bad between us, but I never imagined he'd up and leave me especially with elves. Thorin's anger ran deeper than I ever expected.

Aelfric took my hand, his long slender fingers a warm comfort against Thorin's betrayal. "Where has your mind drifted? What ails you, Lady Adelaide? Is your wrist bothering you?" His brow furrowed in worry. "How may I be of service?"

"I..." I faltered and stared.

Instead of his usual healer garb Aelfric had donned a set of polished steel armor. A quiver of arrows slung over his shoulder and a slim sword was strapped at his side. His golden hair was tied back from his face in a sleek ponytail.

"Why are you dressed for battle? Do you intend to go after them?" I demanded, sliding free of his grip.

Aelfric wore a grim expression. "The kingdom is under attack by Orcs. It is my duty to protect my people not only as a healer but also a warrior." He adjusted a strap on his left gauntlet, the bronze detail on the leather gleaming in the candlelight. "Fear not, you will be safe within the bosom of these halls, my lady." The healer bowed deeply at the waist. "Forgive me, I must hasten to the back gate."

Spinning on his heel he darted from the bedchamber quick as a gazelle. My gaze darted from the wardrobe to the open doorway, a plan forming.

Gandalf told me to trust my instincts. That's what I would do.

Unable to shed my dress without help, I pushed up the skirts and wiggled into a pair of leggings one-handed. The elves had returned my belongings not long after my arrival in the city. I donned my coat and checked the pocket to make sure I still had my mace. Surveying the room one final time, I double-checked the contents of my pack. Everything seemed to be in order.

OoO

Heavy footsteps marched in my direction, I hurriedly ducked into the shadows of an alcove, crouching behind a potted plant. A troop of well-armed elves stomped by in full armor, bristling with weapons.

Sinking lower, I flinched when something clanged in my pack. Peering over large waxy leaves at the retreating elves, I tensed when the male elf in the rear tilted his head slightly.

"What is it, Arlon?" A she-elf asked when he hesitated.

The male elf gestured sharply, his long pale hair swinging around his shoulders. "Move on."

"Yes, sir."

I sagged in relief. Good, they hadn't noticed me. Scanning the corridor, I emerged from my hiding place and headed in what I believed was city entrance.

After walking for five minutes, the first tree-root bridge came into view. Golden sunlight spilled from an opening in the ceiling. I crossed quickly, conscious of how out in the open I was. With most of the elves off fighting Orcs I had a narrow window to escape Thranduil's clutches.

I wrinkled my nose. A faintly swampy smell hung in the foyer, a fug of rotting vegetation and stagnant water from the still pools beneath the root bridges.

For once I had a bit of luck and the front gate was open, a lone elf standing guard. Taking a deep breath I sprinted outside, pumping every ounce of energy I had into my limbs to cross the bridge.

"Wait!"

I glanced over my shoulder and saw the elf heading in my direction. My boot heel hit a patch of wet leaves and I skidded. Teetering, I tipped precariously toward the foaming water and jagged rocks below.

At the last second a hand grabbed my shoulder roughly, jolting my bad wrist and hauled me back.

Heart racing, I hugged my bound arm close to my side. A rock tumbled off the bridge and disappeared into the churning mist.

I gulped at the distance from where I stood to the bottom of the ravine. The elf guard had saved my life.

"Are you mad? Running across the bridge is dangerous!" The male elf scolded, brown eyes glittering with anger.

Shrugging off his hold, I backed onto solid ground, the first line of trees tantalizingly close. "I've decided to leave. With my friends gone I have no reason to stay here."

"There are Orcs crawling all over the forest. It isn't wise to go off alone."

"What choice do I have?" I shot back.

We both knew Thranduil wouldn't spare any of his guards to escort me to Laketown. When making a decision, he always weighed human lives against his own kind and viewed them less. 'Mortal' equaled 'worthless' in the elf king's eyes.

Tramping through Mirkwood again didn't thrill me, but I had to go it alone. I didn't have another choice.

Expressionless, the elf crossed his arms over his chest. "If you think I will disobey my king's orders you are mistaken." His eyes narrowed. "I have no wish to harm you. Come with me peacefully and there will be nothing to fear."

I retreated several steps closer to the forest. "No."

"Very well." The elf said in a flat tone. In a flash he drew his bow and aimed an arrow at my heart. "Turn around slowly and head toward the gate."

"Mae govannen!" A clear confident female voice cut across the din of the waterfall, saving me from making a stupid and dangerous decision.

The male elf and I spun toward the gate where a slight red-haired she-elf emerged. She strode confident across the narrow stone bridge without the same trouble I had.

"Tauriel, mae govannen." The male elf said.

Tauriel pressed a hand to her breast and bowed her head. "I need to go on patrol to make certain the Orcs are gone." Her green eyes flickered over me. "Why have you stopped the king's guest?"

"Lady Adelaide has not been given leave from our halls." The other elf replied.

"I see." Tauriel said.

Seeing an opportunity, I pushed past the male elf. "I need to get to Laketown. My friends are traveling there."

The she-elf averted her gaze. "I know."

I knew she had feelings for Kili. If I had to take advantage of that emotional weakness, so be it. Curling my fingers around the strap of my pack, I leaned forward on my toes. "If I don't get to them, they'll die. I have to be there to stop it."

"Of what do you speak?" Tauriel demanded, her face intense.

"Let's just say I haven an...inkling of future events and leave it at that, please."

"Tauriel-" The male elf began.

Tauriel shook her head, a barely perceptible movement. "I will take you to the edge of the forest." Her gaze was steady. "From there you will be able to find your way."

Relieved, I nearly hugged her and only resisted the impulse at the last second. I rocked back on my heels. "Thank you."

Tauriel motioned for me to follow. "Let's go."

I darted after her, sprinting to catch up. "I'm Adelaide, by the way."

The she-elf smiled faintly. "Tauriel. Well met, Miss Adelaide."

OoO

Tauriel kept a grueling pace as we hurried through the forest. It had rained overnight turning the ground into a slog. We kept to the higher dryer ground, but it was still tough going. My leg muscles ached from constantly jumping over roots and other forest debris.

Tauriel suffered no such ill-effect being an elf in her prime. Air sawed in and out of my lungs like razor blades. Only a few years shy of middle age I was feeling the effects of our flight. I couldn't take this much longer.

Ten minutes later I stumbled to a halt, panting heavily. "Tauriel, I need a break."

The she-elf scanned our surroundings and nodded. "Very well, a brief respite."

My legs were jelly as I sat down on a fallen log. Tugging at my sleeves, I peeled the fabric away from my sweaty skin. I drank deeply from a waterskin Tauriel offered to me.

Sunlight filtered through the trees casting dappled shadows on the thick carpet of leaves on the forest floor. The same eerie quiet pervaded the clearing, danger crouching in wait. Plugging the waterskin, I returned it to Tauriel. "Thank you."

Tauriel nodded distractedly. "Come, we need to reach the edge of the forest by nightfall."

I dusted my leggings off and stood. The muscles in my legs still quivered from exertion. "Right. Orcs and giant spiders."

"We slew most of the Orcs." Tauriel said as we started walking again. "The prince and I took one to the king for questioning and his words troubled me."

I'll bet. Since they presaged Sauron's return. Which is why Thranduil was so quick to behead the orc before Legolas realized the gravity of the creature's mocking confession.

After another hour of walking, the sound of churning water reached us. Tauriel followed the sound, breaking through the trees onto the bank.

We ran along the shore until the current slowed. Tauriel caught my elbow. "Wait here."

The she-elf nimbly navigated the slippery cluster of stones. Tauriel knelt beside a pile of bloody rags and the carcass of a deer.

A soft gust brushed against my skin as someone passed me. I barely blinked and Legolas was standing behind Tauriel. The she-elf quickly spun around and aimed her bow at the prince.

Legolas spoke in Elvish.

Leaning against the trunk of a birch tree, I settled in to wait how things played out. Would Legolas haul us back to the king? Or would he let us go? I had no way to predict how my presence might change this part of the story.

Tauriel and Legolas did not converse long. Both elves darted back to shore where I waited. "The plan has changed. We will take you to Laketown." Tauriel told me.

I compressed my lips and nodded.

Our party had gained a new companion. Legolas largely ignored me as we traveled. He said nothing when I called for breaks, but he fairly vibrated with impatience.

I kept going until I couldn't walk anymore. I collapsed in a circle of trees, stretching my legs out in front of me. "Stick me with a fork. I'm done."

"What?"

"Its just a saying where I come from." I explained, noting Tauriel's confusion.

Legolas stalked around the clearing. "The sun is nearly set. This place will make an adequate camp for the night."

"We cannot linger." Tauriel argued. "We must reach Laketown before the night wanes."

"Peace, mellon. We will reach the town on the morrow." Legolas said, resting a comforting hand on the she-elf's shoulder.

Tauriel closed her eyes briefly. "I'll gather some firewood." Without another word she disappeared into the thicket.

I understood her urgency. Kili had been struck by a poison arrow. More than anything I wanted to catch up with Thorin and the others. Make sure that he was okay. Ask Thorin to forgive me for not trusting him. Explore the tenuous connection between us and see where it led.

Legolas and Tauriel started a fire. From a pouch on his belt the prince produced a piece of Lembas bread. We each took a portion. I was surprised how full I felt after one bite.

At the edge of the camp the elves spoke in low voices. Neither seemed interested in conversing with me so I curled up on a patch of moss, using my pack for a pillow and watched the dancing flames until I fell asleep.

OoO

We pushed harder the next day. The vastness of Mirkwood impressed upon me with every mile we traveled. Dark fell before we reached the edge of the forest. The three of us emerged onto a frost encrusted field.

Thick clouds of smoke hovered above the lake. The massive form of a dragon cut through the air, roaring in triumph. Laketown was burning. Even from this distance the heat pressed against my skin like a furnace. Terrified screams pierced the atmosphere.

A tear rolled down my cheek as the gravity of my error descended upon me. I'd fucked up big time.

Mutely, I watched the town burn as ash spiraled down from the sky.