I bandaged the wound of a newly arrived elf, it had been about three weeks since the battle. Thranduil had recovered and you could literally see how much he had changed, everyone could see it. He laughed more and more often a real laugh, his relationship with Legolas was getting better and better every day. Slowly it was time for me to return to Erebor. I tightened the bandage, which elicited a growl from the elf.
Then I remembered something I really wanted to know "Tell me, how is Erebor?" I could imagine that every single dwarf was busy rebuilding.
The Elf in front of me held his arm a little "The Dwarves are busy rebuilding their kingdom, but they as well as Tal will soon run out of food."
I nodded, I had thought something similar. But I also already had an idea how to solve this problem. I made my way to the throne room, by now I was finding my way around the halls pretty well and not getting lost all the time. Thranduil was having a conversation with the captain of the guards "Was that the last group?" Thranduil had reduced his dramatics by a hundred percent lately. He was wearing black leather trousers today with a red top and a starry crown with some green leaves stuck in it.
"Yes my king." replied the captain of the guards. Most of the Elves had arrived back weeks ago and only a few still had consequences from the battle to show.
"Thank you Feren." Thranduil nodded to the Elf, his eyes falling on me "Leona, I see the healing chamber can manage without you." he grinned.
"Yes it will have to in the future." I walked up the steps to the ledge "I'm going to head back to the Erbor and I have an idea I think you should hear."
Thranduil sent Feren away with a wave of his hand and lolled elegantly, the two words completely contradicting each other but Thranduil somehow managed to look the same, onto his throne "Let's hear it."
I leaned against the table a little "The dwarves are about to run out of supplies and you said you wanted to prove to Thorin that you had changed." I paused for a moment before continuing "Nothing would show that better than if you came with me and gave them supplies and maybe helped a bit with the rebuilding." I could literally see the cogs turning in his head.
He frowned "That's a good idea in itself, but what makes you so sure the dwarves will accept my help?"
I grinned, "Leave that to me."
A slight smile crept onto the king's face "I will arrange everything." he stood up from his throne "But Leona." he turned again "You organise the meat."
Grinning, I nodded. The very word made my mouth water. The Elves in the Bleak Forest, were not pure vegans like the Rivendell Elves, but eating meat is just not in the Elvish nature. I watched Thranduil as he beckoned a guard to him and had a short conversation with her. Whereas before there had been fear in the guards' eyes when they talked to Thranduil, now there was only respect. The guard walked away quickly, as far as I could tell, in the direction of the kitchen. I made my way to the armoury to get a bow and arrow, for I would have to kill the meat first. On my way to the armoury I passed many elves who nodded at me, many of whom I had treated. Searchingly I let my gaze glide through the armoury, after a short while I discovered the bows. The bow was not my favourite weapon for fighting, but for hunting my sword was quite unsuitable, after all we wanted to eat the meat in the end and not have to scrape the remains of a dismembered animal. Lost in thought, I stroked my mother's sword, which Thranduil had me bring back as soon as he was strong enough to shout orders through the area. I reached for one of the bows and ran it over its twisted string. I cocked it for a test, it came easily to me. I grabbed some quivers, shouldered them and made my way to the hall where the carts were kept. After all, I couldn't drag all the animals back alone. After I had chosen one, I had two horses harnessed to it, a black and a chestnut, and clicked the reins. As I drove out into the Bleak Forest, I looked around in amazement. Since the battle, the sickness of the forest had evaporated more and more; if just a few weeks ago anyone who had strayed even a step from the path had been lost in this forest, now the air was clear again. Wind brushed through my hair and my ears caught the sound of various forest animals. I stopped in a slightly larger clearing. I grabbed two quivers, hung them crossed over my back and also took a few metres of rope for traps.
After laying some traps on the ground for smaller forest animals, I crept through the forest with a tense bow. I listened for every little sound. A crackling sound drew my attention to a huge stag. Unsuspectingly, it was eating a few leaves from a tree. As slowly as I could, I raised my bow, took aim and let the arrow fly. I hit the stag in his left eye, where I wanted, he was dead instantly. I quickly ran to him and knelt beside the dead animal "Hanna mellon, albeth lenn." I murmured before pulling the arrow out of him. I gently stroked the animal's eyes shut and then lifted it over my shoulders. With a light rumble, I placed the stag on the cart. I slapped a hide over him, this would keep the other animals away. I decided it was time to go through the traps. I left the bow and arrows in the cart and took a knife instead, with which I could cut the ropes of the traps. Without the slightest noise I went back along the path from before, there had been some rabbits and squirrels in the traps, even a fox. I cut them all loose and tied them together by the feet after thanking them for their sacrifice. The sun was about to set, I decided it was enough for today, my haul wasn't too bad anyway. I sat down, one leg drawn up, on the coachman's lead and clicked the reins. Just before I drove out of the forest, I caught a glimpse of Erebor. My heart contracted with longing for Kili and the others. But I also smiled at the thought of seeing them again soon.