Unfortunately, though, there seemed to be an impasse; one which lasted way longer in Liruliniel's eyes than it perhaps should've. No ground was given, and no ground was taken in an effort to keep orcs from their borders, or from the fortress. But likewise, a possible alliance did not exactly happen or be achieved with Radagast or his neighbour. All independently they went about doing what they all thought was right, for the sake of protecting their homes and themselves. It just meant that if anything, they became more isolated and insular. And that pained Liruliniel, it pained her quite a bit.

She may not be physically up for travelling, but in her mind and heart she still held onto hope that one day she would see the world again. But, even without the need to leave the kingdom, she still couldn't help but write to Khazad-dûm. Everyone else may be retreating into themselves and forgetting about the world beyond their walls, but she definitely wasn't. They were in trouble, and she explicitly said as such in her letter; for once not having Thranduil's help in writing it, she did it off her own accord, and she waited for a reply.

And she waited, and she waited, yet she did not get word back for many, many months. This dragged on as long as the apparent impasse with the enemy did. She received no reply, and she wasn't as ignorant to think that if she got one back that it would be kept from her. She did think this briefly, yet marching into the small room where letters were dealt and sent off from, it was clear the elf had no clue about a letter coming in from the dwarven kingdom.

He had been telling her the truth, Liruliniel could see it in his uneasy expression and tone, he didn't like confronting her or giving her replies to questions she'd rather have the opposite to. He wasn't lying, and he wasn't pretending to humour her. He genuinely had zero clue and no recollection of a reply coming in. This had worried Liruliniel. She did not think that Durin would ignore her letter, not like Thrór did to Thranduil's.

It wasn't a favouritism thing, but more of a social standing; she had gone to him, and she had spoken lightly and honestly to the dwarf-King. There were many things she thought dwarves held in regard, and that was honesty and frankness. Surely, he wouldn't ignore her? They may not have been friends, but they were civil, and he had not deterred her from visiting the kingdom if she wished it. Someone who did that, did not sound like the same who'd ignore a letter, especially if it was one of warning.

More months passed, one season practically bleeding into another and Liruliniel had come to realise that she had not received word from Durin for the simple fact that Khazad-dûm had been abandoned. She had had enough one day, the same day she received this news in fact and had plainly told Thranduil what she had done.

He had been less then pleased of course, not appreciating her going behind his back, but also not telling him any of the information she had told the dwarf. Liruliniel knew, she always had done, that telling him or anyone else about the information regarding the orcs and possible goblins homing in on the dwarven realm was pointless.

"You wouldn't go to their aid, so it does not matter now!" Liruliniel had rather rashly exclaimed while raking a hand tiredly through her hair, her sleeping patterns were all over the place and oftentimes would not sleep at all. But she would go for walks, silently she'd leave their shared room and just meander through the kingdom. Sometimes she had a destination in mind, other times she did not.

"That is beside the point, you knew all of this without sharing it; what if by chance something happened here? What would coming clean do then?"

Liruliniel had narrowed her eyes at that, "Hypothetical possibilities are different than reality."

Thranduil hadn't commented back, instead looking at her with an equally plain look. Something was troubling her and unfortunately her mixed up feelings on the matter were being taken out on him, and he wasn't entertaining it. "Then I shall make something of a reality to you. Khazad-dûm is lost." He said it so casually she felt like the air had been knocked out of her lungs as she double took. Thranduil just remained seated on his throne, because this whole confrontation happened in that room, thankfully with no one around.

"How?" She managed to find her voice, though it was broken and soft.

"Abandoned, no soul remains there. I have heard whispers about it on the wind, gossip here and there amongst our kin. No dwarf resides in Khazad-dûm anymore."

Liruliniel pushed her hands through her hair and kept both her hands tangled in the locks atop her head. She looked despairingly up at him. "And so it begins," she whispered, Thranduil tilted his head minutely over her ominous words. Lowering her arms she took a step back, "Two ahead, one beside us...we are being slowly surrounded and suffocated, and yet we will do nothing. That is why I didn't tell you, or anyone. You will see it as the dwarves asked for this, to be chased out of their home. You wouldn't risk our safety for a dragon, so why would you do the same for orcs and goblins? Anything I come to learn about a situation is wasted here, because we will do nothing...I'm sorry, but I can't do nothing." Liruliniel had said somewhat sadly.

Thranduil's expression was hard to pin down, he looked confused yet curious over the fact that she seemed to somewhat be talking more to herself than him. Liruliniel had bowed and left the room, and inwardly she snapped herself to attention. She walked determinedly down the corridor and clenched her hands by her sides. She was becoming insular too, without fully owning up to it. She had retreated inside through fear, yes, but because she could feel her strength ebbing away slowly.

She could be a hindrance, and she didn't want that. But at the same time, hiding away was so not her thing. Liruliniel mentally slapped herself, she was a fool. An utter fool. She was doing the one thing she had always vowed to herself would not happen, letting the darkness dictate her life. And here it was doing that! She did not venture out, she did not take part in guarding, she did not train as much anymore, she did nothing but dwell and loiter in the palace. She watched as everyone got on with their lives, and she was stuck. Stuck in this permanent state of existing but not really doing anything or being of use to anyone.

Enough! She thought determinedly, she did not get raised to be this simpering, in the background elf. She wasn't having it, Liruliniel somewhat resigned herself to the fact that this darkness may one day be her death, and though she wasn't in a hurry to meet it, she was in a hurry to chase it as much away from her lands as she could. She was going back outside, and she was going back outside armoured up and strapped with all weapons possible.

This thing that was trying to take their home from them, was not going to win. She was one elf, yes, and she couldn't rightly make much of a difference, but going out meant information, information meant that she could send it to someone who would listen, and, in the meantime, she would be doing something.

She had always wanted to help those that shared their world alongside her own kind, and she had lost sight of that for a fair few years. She could say it was for many reasons, but it was because she was scared, and she was being somewhat selfish. She had lived in peace for so long, quite happily so alongside Thranduil, but no, she was putting her foot down. She was a fighter and so help her any all-higher beings in the world she was going to try her best to give the spiders and their nightmarish accomplice a reason to back off.

Her going back outside involved mainly hunting out Radagast firstly. The wizard did his own thing to protect the land he inhabited, and she wished to know more. She had asked if it was safe to venture further, and Radagast had been somewhat confused before she simply mentioned the bear. Elf guards had seen it, some even heard it and reported back. Radagast had been hesitant, he didn't wish to send her off to her possible death, but Liruliniel was adamant. She didn't believe much, if anything had changed from that meeting years ago about what the next steps for protecting their home was.

Doing this alone was ridiculous, that she could admit, but she was at her wits end. Radagast had merely pointed her in the right direction, he had not come with her. Through fear, or something else, she didn't know, but she thanked him all the same and ran off quickly. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive as usual; she could hear scuttling around her and the chitter-chatter of animals she'd prefer not to see. She didn't encounter spiders, or anything else on her way and in fact, when she finally saw the home that Radagast had instructed her to, she wasn't expecting it to look so quaint.

Likewise, the owner of said house was not expecting visitors...that was an understatement, especially when the door swung open and Liruliniel was practically glared down at. Never the tallest elf, but now she felt downright miniature. "You are a long way from your halls," the rich accented voice spoke somewhat condescendingly at her.

Liruliniel sighed, "You are Beorn, correct?"

"I am, and you are?" He still stood in the doorway, though even from where she stood, she could hear animals from within.

"Someone who's fed up." Beorn raised an eyebrow at that, Liruliniel stuck out her hand. "Liruliniel."

"Just that, nothing more?" Beorn seemed to question her quizzically. He looked sceptically at her hand yet seeing as how she wasn't lowering it, he enveloped her much smaller hand in his. Liruliniel looked confused over his words, "Even I, who live so secluded here, have not missed the whispers of a found Princess from a forgotten land and time."

Liruliniel sighed again and hung her head, her gauntlet covered arm going back to her side once Beorn let her hand go. "Who I am is not important, not really. The thing that is important, in the long run, is the trespassers in our home." Beorn was not exactly in Mirkwood, but he was on the outskirts enough to be close to the forest itself. It felt refreshing really, to be outside of the claustrophobic woodland, Liruliniel could admit that much. She felt like she could actually breathe out here.

"It is important if a group of rallying elves are going to come searching for their runaway Princess."

Liruliniel rolled her eyes and scoffed, she crossed her arms and shifted her weight on his doorstep. Looking at him plainly, she raised an eyebrow, and all the while Beorn just looked down at her oddly. It was clear he did not know what to make of the elf before him, he didn't have contact with them, or any and he was quite happy with that.

"I am not their Princess as such, am I? And they won't come here, not for me. But I have come here, to talk to you."

"Why?" Beorn's response was short and sharp.

Liruliniel turned and walked away, he was clearly not going to let her into his home. She looked around the lush green fields, shielding her eyes with her hand she glanced to the side. The looming shadows of the mountainside could be clearly seen. "Because I want to know if you wish these creatures gone, just as much as me. And if so, maybe a plan could be made to truly rid them of fully entering the forest and getting to where they need to go. As yet, at the moment, many still slip by us. They use the spiders as decoys, you see. Quite happily, and quickly they throw themselves at us, it is distracting as it is irksome. You and I both know where the orcs are going, and I do not know much about you, other than what Radagast has said; but I know you are strong, and I also know I wouldn't want to cross you." She laughed nervously, looking up when he joined her side.

She only heard him because his footfalls quietly crumpled the soft grass and the material of his simple brown trousers moving as he walked towards her. She had never met a skin-changer before, Beorn was not exactly what she expected, or was he? She didn't know. Taller than her by far, he was probably taller than most elves; long greying brown hair trailed down his back, his arms were basically both of hers put together and then some, tall and broad, strong and serious, Liruliniel was under no illusion she was with someone who was both smart and deadly.

Beorn just gave off this aura not to cross him, but yet, also seemed polite enough to entertain talking to her. His tone was low, but it wasn't rough and crude. He was polite to her, and she to him. "You are working alone, and not with your kin." Beorn stated, his caramel-coloured eyes looked over the field before his home before looking down at her. "Why?"

Liruliniel frowned, "Because I am going to get them involved. I am sick and tired of sitting and seeing nothing be done. I am fed up of watching as my home is destroyed and parts taken from me. We may be fighting a losing battle, but I am sure we won't lose if we fight this together. How else do you think there was success last time? Hiding away is not going to achieve anything, and I'm done with hiding. I trained for years to fight to protect those closest to me, and the war hit me hard, Beorn...I can only use that as a reason to not get involved for so long. I am not using what happened as an excuse anymore, because I know those that I lost, would be somewhat ashamed of me for doing so. I am a fighter, so I am coming back to fighting."

"Warrior Princess, that is intriguing." Beorn mustered thoughtfully, he placed his hands on his hips and looked down at her with narrowed eyes. "You are not like them."

"I get that a lot, shockingly a lot, believe me."

"What do you have in mind?" Beorn was curious, he didn't know what it was about her or what she said, but he sensed no ill will from her, and just plain honesty. He was a good judge of character, or he liked to think after so many years. Liruliniel stood in her armour, with a small but tired smile on her face and looked up at him hopefully aiming to get him to agree to what she suggested.

"Years ago, there was a discussion about when the orcs were first spotted on our borders. I stated that there were a few numbers who would see fit to protect our lands. I am sorry, but I named you as one without you knowing. The same went for Radagast," though hearing that had Beorn rolling his eyes with a sigh. Liruliniel laughed, "He tries his best!" She defended the wizard, and that she strongly believed. "The orcs, still after all these years do not fully know the lay of the land, but likewise, though technically on the same side, they fear the spiders. You can see their tracks sometimes totally avoiding where particular nests are." She paused, looking about herself and just taking to sitting down cross legged.

Beorn just blinked at her casual nature, yet he soon sat down opposite to her. Did she often come off this casual with everyone? It was an odd change for him; most regarded him coolly and hesitantly. With good reason, yes, but even still it was nice to be treated normally for once. "It is because they are vicious, and they go for anything."

Liruliniel raised an eyebrow and placed her hands on her knees, she looked at him knowingly. "And this is my suggestion, two birds with one stone as it were. We need to get rid of both, but why not pit the two off against each other? They freely use the spiders against us, but why can we not do the same? Drive them in, drive them towards the webs and the nests, the spiders are vicious as you said, and in defence of their homes they will attack anyone, and anything. See who is left, if any, and finish them off."

"Swift and precise. But what if it does not work?"

"I have not seen you when you are changed, but I imagine you are quite terrifying. Even I would run, and well, in the past I was not one for running but I may run nowadays." She admitted with a shy smile. "Beorn, you are out here on the frontlines, you see them venture near, and you know the paths they take."

"Some are on wargs." Beorn said, he watched as Liruliniel's face dropped. "Your plan is rudimentary at best. Simple, but it could be effective. Somehow, I do not think I would be the problem here though. It is your kin. They are secretive, and they keep to themselves. Persuading me is one thing, but persuading them? I do not envy being in your position right now." Beorn said, smirking a little over the pout which appeared on her face.

"Our Captain, she is my friend...she took the previous one's position when he died in a raid." Liruliniel said slowly, Tauriel had been promoted when Eruaran died in a fight some years back. "She isn't one for injustices, and actually I believe she shares my view. This isn't just about our little piece of land, Beorn...it's about a bigger whole, one which is so much larger than us. They cannot be allowed to continue gathering in numbers in the old fortress, but to stop them I cannot do it alone." Liruliniel admitted, lowering her head sadly as she sat in silence. All she could hear were birds singing and the wind breeze by, another autumn was heading their way, and quickly at that.

"Chase them in, leave them to it. If any come close, I will kill them. Those that do not die will either die by your hands, or the spiders."

Liruliniel looked up sharply, "You will help?"

Beorn smiled, a slightly bitter thing but honest. "You have nerve for one so small." He deduced, his way of saying yes without actually saying it. But what he said was right, not many came here, least of all alone regardless of the number of weapons strapped to their person.

"You're just really tall, Beorn." Liruliniel smiled with a quiet laugh. Beorn tilted his head yet let out a heavy sigh in agreement. He patted his knees and stood up slowly, towering over her again as she shot up too. "I am uncertain whether we will have much contact really. We patrol quite often, and no doubt will see the outcomes of your handiwork." Liruliniel took a step back and bowed to him before turning and running off.

She did wave a hand over her shoulder as a thanks and farewell. She resisted halting or slowing down as she came upon the outskirts of the forest, yet with one last lungful of clean air, she jumped through and up a tree with a heavy exhale. The fresh air from moments ago was gone, and what replaced it now was a stale, stagnant smell of musty earth and dirt.

She felt uneasy, and she had done ever since coming outside. Always she felt like something was on her heels, chasing her through the gloom of the forest canopy. If she looked over her shoulder, she wouldn't see anything but the path she left behind. It was as if whatever was following her, hid at the last second and as soon as her eyes were forwards again, it was back to breathing down her neck.

Truly, Liruliniel had never felt so uneasy and uncomfortable outside before. It was a feeling she wasn't accustomed to, always she had sought safety and peace in amongst the trees. And now, even as she skipped and jumped from branch to branch, she didn't feel safe at all. Did she regret coming out? No, no she didn't regret it because she felt like she was actually doing something. Something that could hopefully benefit them all.

Did that mean others agreed with her? No, not by a long shot. Thranduil's reaction to seeing her suited up was to stare coolly at her, his expression utterly blank and his eyes staring hard into hers. He radiated unhappiness and displeasure, he was annoyed, but Liruliniel would go further and say he was downright angry. She didn't have time to muse over this before he marched towards her in the corridor, grabbed her gauntlet covered forearm and practically hauled her away and out of sight.

If she was going to get berated, at least he was being so kind as to do it in private unlike last time. That was a small mercy, and in fact, Liruliniel felt different from that last spontaneous moment. Something in her had turned steely, she didn't like arguing with him, and both knew it just hurt themselves, but if he was coming for her, she was going to have answers for whatever he shot her way.

He practically barged a door open and slammed it shut behind them, Thranduil let her go and paced away only to turn back with a stormy expression, slowly walk back to her. "I am struggling to find words to use, which will not degrade what intelligence and sensibility you have."

Liruliniel quirked an eyebrow, "You can call me an idiot, a fool, I won't get offended." She had already called herself one earlier, what difference did it make?

Thranduil shook his head slightly, "Even that doesn't cover it."

Liruliniel's heart pinched, perhaps she was wrong then. If he saw her as more of a fool, what upstaged that she didn't know, then that truly did hurt her. "Would it make it better, if you knew I went outside like this for a reason?"

"No." Thranduil was very firm on that matter. He didn't care for her reason; he cared that she went behind his back and didn't tell him she went out at all. They had both shared concerns on her venturing outside, it was why she no longer actively did so; the oppressive nature of their homeland weighed her down, it took her energy and forced her almost immobile at times.

Being outside and struck down like this meant she was an easy target; there were enough enemies now in their woodland that one or both could take advantage. If they did, and he didn't know she was even out, what would he do? How would he survive that loss?

Liruliniel frowned, she pushed past him and Thranduil's reaction was to shoot her an icy look. "I can't take it anymore! I am sorry, I cannot. You may be happy for me to dwell within the palace walls and do next to nothing, but I am not. This feeling of restlessness has been growing in me for years, and I opted to ignore it, because of you and for you. The last thing I would want is my actions to bring you pain, but I can't ignore it anymore..." Liruliniel threw her armoured arms in the air before turning away from the window in this random room they were in and looked back at him.

Thranduil was only half turned, looking more over his shoulder at her with narrowed eyes than actually looking at her fully. "I can't sit back and watch the same thing, day in and day out. I can't freely attend meetings, knowing that it is the same stuff talked about each day too. It is all the same, and there is no change. So yes, I went behind your back and have hopefully put into place a way to solve at least one of our problems. Beorn the skin-changer and I have come to an arrangement, one which doesn't really need much of our intervention at all.

The orcs choose to walk a trail near his home, he guards the surrounding area and has said that those he does not kill, he will drive in. Once in, purposely they will head in the direction of nests, they avoid those areas usually and seem to think we will not use the spiders against them because we're not so petty...I can be quite petty, and I am not ashamed to sink to that low. The spiders and orcs will fight; whoever is remaining we can deal with. It is pest control at its best. Simple, yes, but it should work." Liruliniel explained with a small shrug as she recited more or less her whole plan of action as well as giving hint to what she had done with her day.

"It was not your place to do such a thing," his tone was low and serious as he finally turned on his heels and looked at her fully. Liruliniel's expression dwindled, he was still angry with her, she could tell. "For someone so loyal, you have tendencies to be incredibly disloyal."

Liruliniel felt the air rush out of her as she almost staggered over hearing that come from him, Thranduil just remained rooted to the spot as he watched her back off to lean against a wall for support. She looked utterly hurt by those words, Thranduil felt a weight drop within him, he felt awful for saying it too. Yes, perhaps he was aiming to lash out and hurt her in return, it was childish, but he didn't know what else to say or do. Times like this just didn't go well with speaking sense to her, because she would not listen.

He didn't mean to clearly hurt her, but at least she now hurt like he did over her sneaking about without him knowing. "Not just to me, the one who you could trust above all others here, but to those who are otherwise in positions of leadership. Tauriel, for one as our Captain, Imrathon as well, you have gone behind their backs thinking their decisions and ideas are worth nought in comparison to what you could come up with. Liruliniel, you are smart, but do not think you are above them and me in thinking up ways to protect us all here, along with our home. You may have learned underneath some of the wisest elves, but you are not one of them. You believe you know best, without actually opening up and talking to us. Do you think Tauriel will agree to your plan? That she would divert from tactics and routines, just to appease you and this idea that you concocted on your own? I do not think so, somehow." Thranduil said, all in a simple tone, somewhat condescending to her and about her and he had to stand blank faced and watch as she sagged more against the wall.

His words were a heavy blow to her, and he could see that. It would be awful of him to say he didn't mean any of what he said, but some words were true; he did mean some of it, too much actually. "You should've come to me first, with this convoluted plan of yours."

Liruliniel frowned slowly, her eyes were burning a little and her heart was thumping away in her chest. She was surprised she couldn't physically hear it echoing in the room. "So, you could call me more than a fool, degrade and patronise me some more? No, no I think not. I talk to you, I tell you the bad things I see, and feel are coming and yet again, you've reverted back to doing nothing. Your father wouldn't do nothing! That is why I did not come to you, yet again, because you are opting to do nothing! I am sick and tired of sitting back and watching nothing!

We have all become so self-reliant, so incapsulated within ourselves that we are stuck in a loop, and no one here can see it! Am I truly the only one who can?! I told you that we had two enemies in front and one beside us, and you have chosen to do nothing! Khazad-dûm has fallen into ill will, Gundabad are marching orcs downwards and to us; why are we not doing anything?! We have an army; we have enough to stop the small numbers from coming here. Gundabad-"

"Stop naming that place." Thranduil all but seethed. "Do you not think I know what is going on beyond our walls? Do you honestly believe I am that ignorant, that naïve? You are saying we are all so within ourselves, coming from you that means little because you are the prime example of this. You opted to close yourself off from all around you. And only now, because some dwarf kingdom has been abandoned, do you opt to pay notice to the world again. We have been struggling for years, Liruliniel, and you just didn't see it. Do not speak more of possible fighting, least of all that place, I do not wish to hear it. I am doing what I believe is right for us all, if you only listened and looked about yourself, you'd know that."

Liruliniel gritted her teeth, here came another impasse, both too stubborn to back down from each other. "I think you're in the wrong." Just keeping to themselves and helping themselves was more or less everything she was against.

Thranduil tilted his head as he went to turn away to the door. He looked sparingly at her before he turned away completely, "I don't wholly care." He said while hearing a quiet pained noise from her, Thranduil fought against the need to apologise for being so blunt, and he knew she felt the same, he could feel it tugging within him at that invisible but very obvious link they shared. A knock happened upon the door before he could open it, "Enter." He said calmly, not betraying his feelings or thoughts in his voice.

Both watched as an elf guard opened the door and looked at the pair. They were unaware whether anyone heard their words, but the elf looked at Thranduil worriedly. "The dragon, sire. It has been spotted crossing the Misty Mountains, it is heading this way fast."

"Gather everyone, tell them we leave immediately." Thranduil said while walking forwards towards the younger elf, he stopped and looked at Liruliniel though when she moved quietly after him. "You're staying."

"But-"

"Do not even try to persuade me otherwise, Liruliniel." Thranduil's tone was deadly serious, it was a tone that she couldn't recall having directed her way before.

It made her freeze, her eyes widened, and a chill ran down her spine. She felt hollow, disheartened and a bit scared really. One of those few times had happened where he was showing the control over the short anger span had slipped, and it was aiming right at her. Seeing her stop short, Thranduil just turned away and tried to erase the pained look on her face from his mind as he followed the elf out of the room.

Liruliniel stood there and left a few moments later, she paused when she could distantly hear the marching of boots; rushing onwards she managed to run up a flight of stairs and open a balcony door, just to see the army being led outwards with Thranduil at the head. She felt uneasy again, shutting her eyes she gripped onto the railing of the balcony and just lowered her head, her many braids were back and the one they all fed into fell over her shoulder.

She felt disjointed, an inner turmoil was rushing through her, and she watched as the last sight of golden armour could be seen before turning and entering the palace again. Were Thranduil's words right at all? Liruliniel couldn't help but think they were, at least to a point. So, he thought she was just some naïve elf who ignored the obvious and did whatever they wanted, when they wanted?

Liruliniel didn't think she was that foolish, her actions had reasons behind them, and they weren't selfish reasons either. Not saying his actions were selfish, but...Liruliniel felt lost, again, and she didn't quite know what to do. The dragon was heading towards Erebor, and she had unwittingly already figured out one dwarf kingdom had fallen, and now she had to stay here with the knowledge of knowing another one was about to follow suit.

=

The dragon's trail was lost quite quickly, the wake it left was quite obvious though; busted and bent trees from it either flying too low, or the beats of its wings inflicting a harsh wind to be flown downwards, the foliage did not stand a chance. It didn't matter if they lost sight of it though, because they all knew where it was heading, it was going to the one place which Thranduil had thought he'd never return to. It wasn't like he was expecting to be greeted with open arms if he ever returned. Far from it, he'd expect the gates to be shut and him barred entrance.

It didn't matter now, Thranduil had had experience with drakes, he knew what to expect with them and what they could do. Yes, he did not fight the one which had dealt him damage on the battlefield, but he knew full well what power such creatures could harbour. Such power that could be unleashed so easily and readily that a second thought wasn't even cast. They weren't mindless creatures acting on impulse, there was intelligence behind their actions and if anything, this dragon heading towards the Mountain was proving that perhaps it was acting on both sides.

As an impulse it was being pulled and called to the dwarven realm, the gold would be too great a treasure to ignore and shun or at least leave unchecked and hoarded by the dwarves. A race that would surely be looked down upon grimly by such a massive beast in more ways than one. But also, what intelligence led it to this, or was behind such an invasion was something Thranduil was struggling to piece together. He didn't see what intelligence there could be, other than turfing the dwarves out of their home and taking what was theirs, for its own.

The marching boots around him echoed out amongst the trees and forestry around him. His own focus and eyes were on the path ahead, the twists and turns they took, missing Esgaroth completely to get to the outcropping and overlooking hills that were beside Erebor. Even before they broke the cover of the forest, they could all see black smoke trailing upwards into the otherwise blue sky. They were too late to do anything, not that Thranduil was going to fight a dragon, but they were all very aware that they would be walking into an inferno. And that was putting it incredibly lightly, Esgaroth was untouched, the distance between it and the Mountain proved uneventfully boring to the dragon it seemed.

Dale, however, didn't have that luck. What was once a beautiful, peaceful city of Men was now a wreck and a twisted nightmarish parody of what it once was. The light brickwork of the buildings was scorched a horrible black, charcoal grey colour. Roofs were destroyed, some just barely intact but not by much. The majority of the buildings looked like they had caved in already, what happened to the people in within was uncertain, but it was clear the outcome wasn't good.

How anyone could escape this, Thranduil did not know. But even as he slightly tilted his head, he could hear frantic screams and running feet, people were alive by some miracle from above from the higher powers of the world. How they would ever recover from this, he didn't know, they would no doubt relocate to Esgaroth, and Thranduil doubted they'd be wholly welcome there.

The city was on fire, the blackened smoke mingling upwards into the clouds and covering the area in a hazy smog. The smell of the smoke, plus burning building materials and unfortunately those caught in the flames was unbearable almost. The smell sickening and as unpleasant as the city itself. But the trail of fire led straight towards Erebor and its heavily guarded stone gates. These no longer remained, what seemed to take a few to struggle to open had been so easily smashed aside as if they were made out of sand. The broken dark stone laid cracked and segmented around the doorway itself, small figures could be seen running out of the remnants, so it seemed some had survived here too.

The dragon wasn't interested in those who were managing to slip its grasp apparently, and why would it be concerned? It was moving into a treasure horde that had already been built up by a mad king, who by looks of things from Thranduil's position on the hill, had survived too. He remained stoic and watching with his army around him, they were all equally looking blank faced, readying to hear a command and move into action.

No order came, Thranduil was not going to make a move and risk unnecessary deaths of his people. Why would he? The dwarves bought this upon themselves, if Thrór had listened; if he hadn't been so blinded, pig-headed and ignorant to the warning which came to him, then this wouldn't have happened. They'd still have their home, they wouldn't be running from a dragon, they wouldn't be watching as others around them were burned and killed by fire.

Thranduil turned away, much to the clear aggravation on Thorin's face as he looked upwards to him. He didn't have the time to dwell on the petty feelings and the anger which was no doubt raging through the dwarf-Prince, Thranduil was taking his army home. Even a blind man could see there was nothing he could do here; there was nothing anyone could do. Once a dragon had a horde and settled on it, it would not move for anything, or anyone. The dragon had moved into Erebor, and in Erebor it would stay for the foreseeable for all Thranduil could see and tell.

Of course, the return home unscathed and all intact had sceptical looks sent their ways. Not that Thranduil was about to explain his actions, or reasons. He dismounted and left someone to take care of his steed while moving out of the stable area and back up into the palace. He had to be the bearer of bad news to Liruliniel, although she already knew the outcome, she didn't need to be physically told anything.

Thranduil couldn't help but feel his stomach twist a little, the thought of confronting her after their last conversation had him feeling increasingly uncertain. They had both said things they did not mean, but to face each other after this cataclysmic event...Thranduil didn't know how that was going to go down.

With steady steps, he made his way upwards and toward their room. He mutely pushed the door open and shut it behind himself without looking away from the room before him. Much like in her own, Liruliniel had taken to placing her armour on that rickety mannequin in the corner of the main living space, this was now back in place. All the plates buckled on and knives in their places.

However, Thranduil did note that the two-handed sword was missing in action, so she was still armed and clearly not present. He turned and moved to the bedroom; he swept the light-coloured trail of his robe out of his way as he did so. Empty, the bed was made and Liruliniel was not in here. Not that he expected her to be, now that he knew she had a sword on her person.

It made sense, he supposed, that after their last conversation that she'd wish to blow off some steam by training. Though, Thranduil was not expecting to come upon an empty training room. He was the lone figure walking across the vast ground, he looked out at the area where archery took place, nothing. Looking upwards and around at himself, Thranduil turned and rushed somewhat out of the room.

That was two places down where she would possibly be. Something inside him was turning cold though, the invisible link between them was pulling at him, his heart precisely felt like it was in a vice. He didn't feel right. He couldn't describe it but even before he got to the garden, he knew she wasn't going to be there. Thranduil could feel it, she wasn't here.

He felt winded, though physically he didn't appear affected as he stared long and hard at the small cluster of white blooming flowers. He could almost hear Thalion reprimanding him on fighting pointlessly with his sister, again. "What have you said to her now?" He'd no doubt ask with a bored expression, waiting to hear the reasons for falling out.

Thranduil wouldn't tell him honestly of the indirect name calling, Thalion would see that as petty and unnecessary. Not only that, but he also knew his friend would be ashamed of him, stooping to that level especially seems in hindsight, Liruliniel's task was done with good intentions.

Thranduil felt like he was chasing a ghost down the winding corridors of the palace, each corridor led to somewhere Liruliniel wasn't. Each room he peered into, was every other elf but her. Thranduil was starting to grow ever more concerned, if she wasn't here, where was she? Thranduil turned on his heels and marched down the corridor, his feet quickly sped down the stairs as he walked onwards, perhaps someone knew where she was? After all, he and the army had been gone for a fair few hours, Liruliniel would've surely socialised while he was gone?

Thranduil watched the younger elf before him jump, he didn't mean to startle Anameleth, but he had sort of crept up on her while she sat quietly reading in one of the many open spaces near a balcony. "No, sorry, I haven't seen her. Why, what's the matter?" Anameleth replied curtly and politely to his question if she'd seen the missing elf.

"I just wished to speak with her, if you see her, tell her I'm looking for her." Thranduil said with an air of indifference, yet inside something plummeted even more. He sought out others who may know where she was, Tauriel seemed clueless Liruliniel wasn't in the palace and Caladhiel hadn't seen her for a few days.

There was perhaps one other who'd know where she possibly was, and Thranduil went off to find his son. He stood and waited near the gates when a guard told him that Legolas had gone out on a patrol. Thranduil's blue eyes flickered over the small number in the company, Liruliniel not being one of them.

Legolas, as intuitive as ever, sensed something was amiss with his father. He tried not to look too concerned in front of the others, not wanting to alert them that their king wasn't right, but his eyes still looked worriedly at his father. Legolas tilted his head and walked alongside Thranduil when he merely turned on his heels when his son got close.

"What happened with the dragon, did anyone get hurt?" Legolas questioned, thinking it was this that had caused his father to look so unsettled.

And he did, Legolas had not and could not perhaps remember the last time Thranduil had looked like he did now. It wasn't just worry, there was something disheartening about someone so strong looking suddenly so vulnerable. It was a look which his father rarely had or shared. Legolas supposed the last time he did, his mother passed away. But Thranduil did truly look unsettled, something was causing him to feel discord, and Legolas didn't know what he could do to help, or what to say to ease him. His father wasn't known for freely accepting help, verbal or otherwise.

Thranduil merely shook his head, his straight hair waving slightly as he did so. "Do not concern yourself there, nothing happened. The dragon took the Mountain, and the only ones who were hurt were those who did not heed our warnings." Thranduil said coldly, Legolas frowned. He sounded more disjointed in his tone than usual, Thranduil was often aloof, but this was something new.

"Something is bothering you, what is it?" Legolas stopped and turned to look upwards at his father when his eyes went downcast and he stopped walking too.

Tilting his head, Thranduil's eyes flicked sidelong down at his son. He hadn't turned to face him fully, so all Legolas got was somewhat icy eyes looking at him within an expressionless face. "Have you seen Liruliniel?" There was something more lingering in his tone, Legolas could see he was trying to be nonchalant on the matter.

But there was a hint of something in his voice, he was bothered by not being able to find his other half, Legolas could see it plainly. It pained Legolas, but he shook his head. He couldn't put his father's unease to rest, "I haven't, I'm sorry. When was the last time you saw her?"

Thranduil looked onwards down the corridor, the elves around them paid no mind to them chatting away to one side. Inhaling deeply, Thranduil shook his head, he couldn't simply reply to Legolas's question because Thranduil did not wholly remember the room exactly, just that it was the first empty one he came across. "It does not matter; I am sure she will come out from where she's hiding eventually." Thranduil shrugged and commenced walking again, his words didn't deduct from the unsettled feeling building within him even more, nearly all consuming him with this almost nauseous worry.

"Did you have a fight?" Legolas asked quietly, he was uncertain how his father would react to his question.

Thranduil paused in the middle of a step and glanced over his shoulder before facing forwards again and walking off. He didn't even answer him, which was something he was used to at times. But his eyes said enough, his father looked hesitant, fearful even that something had clearly been said that couldn't be taken back. He looked around and frowned, if his father couldn't find her, then he wouldn't have any better of a chance. Yet he turned and made his way down the opposite corridor, he would try anyway.

Thranduil however was evidently exuding an aura not to approach, question or even look his way because those he passed awkwardly diverted their gazes. He was unsure what his outward appearance was like, he mused whether without him knowing his expression mirrored his feelings. But, in fact, his expression was stony, although his eyes fiercely glared onwards at nothing in particular. He was stumped, as awful as that was to say, he was stumped.

Hearing passing elves' comment that they could even spy the smoke on the horizon from the balconies had Thranduil pausing. He turned and looked at their retreating forms before his eyes snapped onwards as his head sharply turned and he walked off with a sudden realisation.

He couldn't believe he didn't think this before. Where was a better outlook to the scenery than the balconies within their realm? The outlook where she had first seen the image of the burning city in her mind. Thranduil went on foot, swiftly and quietly he ran as soon as his form entered the tree line. The last thing he needed was someone spotting him and raising an alarm that he's gone walking off without a guard. Thranduil ducked past low boughs and jumped over prickly, thorny bushes before slowing when he heard the rushing river which ran throughout their home.

Turning and looking to the side, he slowed his pace and stepped lightly as ever onwards. Thranduil felt relief wash over him, like someone had just literally dumped water from the river over him. That cold relief sunk within him contently, because there she was. Liruliniel was standing there near the drop off of the waterfall, even from where he was standing Thranduil could see her shoulders shaking loosely. Silmacil was hanging off her sword belt, instead of it being strapped across her back, from what he could see she hadn't had to use it, thankfully.

Any and all thoughts and feelings of apprehension about their last confrontation, Thranduil pushed it all aside, because he could not stand here and watch her cry anymore. He had always hated seeing her upset, he always had done ever since they were children. If she was sad, he wished to know why, and if he could help. Without knowing it, he cheered her up without even trying at times.

Thranduil continued on silently, she may have been fast, able to outrun and dodge out of the way of him, but he had the silence. Making his way closer without her knowing was easy, really very easy. Even when he was behind her, she seemed none the wiser. Thranduil looked over her, the height difference making it easy to do so. He could see the smoke rising on the horizon, shaking his head he reached up and paused for a moment.

Sneaking up on her wasn't going to end well, her instincts would surely kick in first. "I told you to stay, to spare you having to see this sight up close." He spoke first before finishing his previous action, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her back against his chest. The warmth of her was comforting and Thranduil's eyes slid to a shut as he buried his face against her hair, which she had all loose and cascading down her back. Having her within reach and in his arms was an indescribable feeling. He had been scared that she had left.

He felt her moving, he lifted his head away as she looked up at him. Thranduil lifted up a hand and brushed his thumb under one eye and then the other, she looked distraught. "Did any survive?" Her voice was hoarse, broken even at the thought of everyone perishing.

Thranduil nodded slowly, "There are survivors."

"Where will they all go?" Liruliniel's eyes trailed from his and stared longingly at the trees around them.

"The Iron Hills and Esgaroth, no doubt." Thranduil presumed, where else were the mortals and the dwarves going to go? Those were the nearest settlements for both their races equally.

Liruliniel's face scrunched up slowly, Thranduil shushed her only to have her turn in his arms and bury her face against his chest. "I am sorry." She peeked up at him, though her smaller hands stayed clutching onto his tunic. "I am sorry, for earlier. I never meant to offend you, or make you believe I did not trust you." Liruliniel was looking up at him tearily before shutting her eyes and burying her face back against his tunic. "Díheno nin, Thranduil."

Thranduil leaned his chin against the top of her head and shut his eyes, he couldn't stand here and look at that smoke anymore. His arms wrapped around her tighter, Liruliniel welcomed it by pressing herself closer to him. "I do," how could he not forgive her, really? "Only if you are gracious enough to do the same?" He asked, feeling her nod quickly against its buried position. Thranduil rubbed a hand up and down her back, "Shall we head back?" He asked while looking down at her, he could feel her shoulders had stopped shaking, her crying had seemingly ceased.

"Yes, please." Liruliniel practically peeled herself away from him but cast her face over her shoulder. "All those innocents..."

"Ceno nin," Thranduil said quietly, he placed a hand to her cheek and made her look at him. "Ceno nin, Liruliniel." He held onto her hands and started backtracking, Thranduil knew these lands well and trusted his footing not to mislead him and trip. By doing this, it meant he could make sure she wouldn't keep looking back at the sight of Dale burning, and the horrible thoughts of what was going on in the Mountain would soon follow, he knew it.

When he was sure they were far enough away, he stopped and turned. Liruliniel looked up at him a little sadly, Thranduil also noted how she was slightly dragging her feet. With a small sigh, he paused, which had her looking at him curiously only to let out a yelp when he slipped one of her arms around his shoulders. Thranduil leaned down and literally swept her off of her feet. Liruliniel was carefully hoisted into his arms, she hardly weighed anything and Thranduil would be lying completely if he said he didn't find enjoyment in this.

One hand rested in between his shoulders and her other came to rest above his heart. It was so steadily beating away, strongly at that as Thranduil's slow pace meandered them through the forest. Liruliniel just looked at him, Thranduil glanced at her now and again and got a small smile from her. "Le i velethron nîn, Thranduil."

His feet paused then, his face turned to look at her with slightly wide eyes, he didn't know where a proclamation of love came from, but something inside him felt incredibly warmed by her words. "Iston, Liruliniel." Of course he knew.

"Thranduil?"

He sighed and looked upwards as he commenced walking again. "Ge melin, guren vell."

Liruliniel let out a quiet laugh, "You make speaking of love sound like a chore." She knew he didn't mean it, but he wasn't exactly open with his feelings at the best of times. Thranduil's eyes just slid sidelong at her dully, Liruliniel smiled more. "We are really fine, aren't we?"

Thranduil blinked and his eyes looked up at the break in the trees which led towards home. "Fighting is normal, Liruliniel. We have argued before, and we have been fine afterwards. Words were and are said in an effort to hurt each other, but how much do we actually mean in the heat of the moment? We were both coming from what we perceived as the right place, doesn't mean we were actually right." Thranduil said measuredly and thoughtfully while her arm moved from over his shoulders. She huddled against his shoulder and the crook of his neck as her arm joined the other in her lap, she was holding Silmacil out the way the best she could.

"Did I worry you?" Liruliniel thought over his words and silently agreed, she knew that he would know she'd agree too.

"I couldn't find you."

"I know you were opting to spare me, but I needed to see it. I cannot explain it, I know what happened and what was to happen, yet I needed to see it just to be sure. It's like a compulsion, I don't know...just to clarify I was right, I suppose?"

"I should've known you'd find yourself outside somehow." Thranduil mused in hindsight going outside should've been his first port of call.

"I am sorry for not listening, again."

"I understand, Liruliniel. There is no need to apologise." He understood what she meant, she didn't need to apologise for this viewing moment.

"You didn't see it, did you?"

"Fleetingly." Thranduil said while approaching the doors to the palace, he'd gone charging out the stables and entered back through.

"And?" Liruliniel was curious, as much as the vision had haunted her, she wished to know.

Thranduil walked up the stairs back into the complex corridors and halls. They did get strange looks sent their ways, Thranduil, expressionless as ever and eyes staring intently at anything they landed on was carrying a close eyed Liruliniel who, from the outside, looked asleep and content in his arms, a small smile on her face. "You were right. It is a monster." Thranduil whispered, placing a gentle kiss to her temple and shutting his eyes as he finally made it back to their room, he listened to her let out a hum and nod her head.

"A monster who has taken over Erebor."

Thranduil laid her down on the bed, he rested the two-handed sword against the wall before sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked at her and nodded, "It has."

"What now?" Liruliniel asked, she pushed herself to sit regardless of how comfortable she was.

Thranduil thought over her question, his eyes looking at her sword for a long time before he sighed. Looking back at her, he tilted his head and ran the back of his hand over her cheek. "We carry on, it's all we can do."

Liruliniel nodded and went to lay back down, though she looked at him pointedly. Thranduil shrugged himself out of the robe before straightening out his tunic and removing his crown too. There was quite a bit of time before mealtime, he didn't intend to go to the throne room and give a report of what happened. No, instead he laid down beside Liruliniel and pulled her back against his chest.

His much taller and longer former managed to curl up around her smaller body with ease, she was enveloped comfortably against him with an arm under the pillow to support her head, his other hand stayed against her stomach gently. Liruliniel's own hands went to find his, a hand entwined with his under the pillow and her other rested against the hand on her stomach, and that is how they remained; in silence, and comfortable with each other and so close to the other that they both found themselves giving into sleep regardless of the time of day.

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(A/N: Oh, more nostalgia! These two were originally written over my birthday! I mean what else was I meant to do in lockdown, other than update? Editing this story is literally a nostalgia trip in more ways than one.

Inventory:

Forgive me - Díheno nin

Look at me - Ceno nin

You are my love - Le i velethron nîn

I know - Iston

I love you - Ge melin

Sweetheart - Guren vell

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Edited: 3/July/2025