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@sarafini
Thanks for understanding. 🙂
Absolutely dear. I apologize. Prayers for you and sending hugs. ❤️🙏🏻
Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
- Rank: Knight in Shining Armor
- Total Posts: 692
It’s no problem. I’m just now realizing how many people I forgot to tag. Lol. I’m also doing a lot better than Wednesday but my emotions are going in waves.
OOOOOO EUDORA NO!
I love and am slightly worried where this is going. XD
"...I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain..."
(Part of) Isaiah 45:19Part four!
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And it was a good thing that Alfred wasn’t any later. Bilbo and the dwarfs appeared soon afterwards and Bilbo began to hurriedly pack them. Once that massive job was done, Alfred saw the keys of the commander return to his belt.
Laughter filled the hall and the servants came upon the two sleeping men. The scolded them and then began to do their work.
“I’m afraid your brain is befuddled,” said an elf as he grasped Eudora’s barrel. “This one feels quite full, master.”
“I know how to work things,” he growled. “All those barrels are ready to depart. Get to work.”
Shrugging, the elf did what the master said. Alfred winced as each barrel fell into the water with a splash. He was glad that he wasn’t inside one of them. He escaped being found out and joined the rest of the elves in the merrymaking. Surprisingly, no one noticed the absence of Eudora. ‘Perhaps Bilbo’s luck is helping her out too,’ thought Alfred.
It was later that night when Eudora didn’t turn up for bed that Rowena and Eugene began asking questions.
“My, I haven’t seen Eudora all day!” Rowena exclaimed, taking off her cloak. “What is keeping her so long?”
“You are right!” agreed Eugene.
They looked at Alfred, who didn’t seem surprised at all. “I…well,…she’s gone for now,” he finally managed to say.
“What do you mean?” asked Eugene in confusion. “Surely she isn’t lost?”Alfred didn’t say anything.
“Don’t leave us out of anything!” cried Rowena. “Where is she?”
“Quiet!” ordered Alfred. He got up from the bed and stood beside the window. Nothing could be heard, save the sound of the river flowing. He shivered.
Eugene and Rowena joined him. “Don’t be angry, Eugene.” Alfred turned and looked into his brother’s face. He spoke so quietly that his siblings had to strain to hear him. “Eudora is in a barrel floating down the river with Bilbo and the dwarfs. They are headed for Lake Town.”
Rowena’s face look horrified, but Eugene actually smiled. “What a lass she is,” he said slowly. “I suppose that she’ll have a time of it. I only wish we could all have gone along.” Eugene paused and then his eyes lit up. “So, that’s how Bilbo managed it, eh? He’s amazing, that little hobbit.”
“Did Eudora give any message for us? Why didn’t she at least come to say goodbye?” Rowena searched Alfred’s face.
“She said to tell you that she loves you and that she’ll miss you both terribly. She thinks that if she goes to Lake Town, somehow she’ll be able to help us get home,” Alfred mumbled. “I couldn’t persuade her otherwise. She was bound to go.”
“What are we going to tell the elves?” Eugene suddenly asked.
Alfred sucked in his breath. “Oh my, I didn’t even think of that.”
Eugene’s face turned severe. “Do you know that you could have ruined our reputation? What if they find out that you knew how Bilbo and the dwarfs were going to get away and actually helped Eudora too?”
“I don’t know. I just don’t know. I told her not to go, but then we had a meeting with Bilbo….”
“You what?”
“We had a meeting with Bilbo. He came in here so we could talk to him. He told us his plan and Eudora liked it. We didn’t tell Bilbo what we were doing because we didn’t want to ruin the outcome of the book. I….”
They heard voices below the window and decided to go to bed and use their blanket to muffled their secret talk.
Eugene and Rowena received a full detailed account of all that had occurred from that morning to when Eudora’s disappearance was realized.
“We’re missing all of the fun!” sighed Rowena. “I wish we could have met Bilbo.”
“You might still be able to meet him,” said Alfred, but he didn’t offer anymore information.
“Let’s get some rest. We can’t do anything about anything tonight. I’ve a feeling that we should stay with the elves and pretend that nothing happened for a long while. I can’t wait to see what mood the jail captain is going to be in the morning!” and Eugene laughed for a full five minutes.
While her three siblings were sleeping in comfortable beds, Eudora was trying to get a bit of rest. It was almost impossible to do so. Every once in a while, something would land on her barrel, submerging it a little more than it already was. She feared that the river would come pouring into her barrel and drown her before she reached her desired destination. Every once in a while, she sipped small drops of water. It was the only comfort she had, besides the food, that helped to keep her spirits afloat. Eudora was startled by a bump and then, her barrel stopped moving completely. When nothing happened, she was able to fall into a restless sleep.
The sun was high in the sky when Alfred and Rowena awoke. A few hours before, Eugene had reported for duty.
“I’ve a mind to climb aboard the raft and help the elves bring it to Lake Town today,” Alfred said to his sister. “Then, I can help Eudora reach Lake Town faster. Maybe the elves would be kind enough to let me go.”
Rowena smiled. “I would be glad to have you with Eudora. It would be much better. However, what if they think that you are an elf?”
Alfred laughed. “I’ll change like Eudora did and just tell them that I didn’t want to get my beautiful elf clothes wet.”
“You’d better hurry. I think I see them setting out already,” Rowena announced from her perch on the windowsill. Sure enough, several elves with paddles in their hands were crossing the courtyard.
“I don’t want breakfast,” said Alfred as he quickly removed his outer clothes. “I’m going to climb out the window and swing down. Good bye, dear Rowena. Tell Eugene. I am sure that he will very much approve of my idea. Now, don’t cry, please! Nothing will happen. Perhaps I’ll bring you back a treasure or a lot of treasure!” He hugged Rowena, who dried her tears.
“Don’t get hurt whatever you do! Tell Eudora hello when you see her!”
Alfred assured her that he would. He stepped onto the ledge outside the window and slid down one a carved wooden post. With a leap, he landed on the ground and dashed after the swift footed elves. They turned in surprise.
“Alfred!” exclaimed one in recognition. “What are you doing?”
“Please let me come and help you!” he said. “I’m very strong and I will help you get to Lake Town faster.”
The elf, whose name was Orion, looked at him up and down. “Where did the clothes that our King gave you go?” he questioned.
Alfred looked at his feet. “Well, I really thought that you would let me come and I didn’t want to get those gifts dirty. It would be a shame, you know.”
Orion laughed heartily. “Indeed, you are a wise boy. Come along, here is an extra paddle. I’ll need your help to get the barrels unstuck. During the night, they were grounded in the river banks”
Alfred got to work right away. He guided the barrels towards the elves, who were organizing them into a huge raft. One barrel was stuck fast between some tree roots. He yanked it as hard as he could and the force of it getting loose sent him into the river. He sputtered and splashed around, so glad that he was finally going to Lake Town too.
Back at the elf cave, Rowena and Angelica were talking. “I say, where is Eudora this morning? Is she not feeling well?”
“And Alfred,” came Legolas’ voice. “I have not seen him this morning.”
Rowena summed up her courage and said, “Alfred went to ask the elves if he could go with them to Lake Town. I haven’t seen Eudora this morning.”
Legolas smiled.“I’m sure she went along with him too. Well, I suppose that they will have an interesting time there. Don’t worry, Rowena. It won’t be long before they are back.” The three of them fell to talking of Lake Town. Legolas told Rowena that he had been there before. Suddenly, running feet could be heard and Eugene burst into the hall.
“I’ve the strangest news to tell you from the captain!” he exclaimed at the sight of Legolas. “All of the king’s prisoners have escaped and yet the cells are locked!!” Rowena could see a look of mirth hidden in Eugene’s eyes.
Legolas stood to his feet. “How could that be possible? Does the captain still have his keys?”
“He does!” Eugene said in an incredulous voice.
Eugene and Legolas left the room rapidly. An uproar stirred through the kingdom and all the elves searched the palace high and low for the missing dwarfs.
As soon as she could, Rowena found Eugene and told him about Alfred. Indeed, Eugene felt much better that Alfred was going to Lake Town with Eudora.
Two days passed and still the mystery had not been solved. Eugene and Rowena went to sleep on the night of the second day peacefully. For Alfred and Eudora, things were about to get exciting.
“Here we are!” Orion said to Alfred. The dark night about them made Lake appear to be a brilliantly lit kingdom from another world. The elves tied the barrel raft to the dock and hurried up the bank towards the city, forgetting Alfred entirely. Of course, Alfred didn’t mind this in the least and set about finding Eudora’s barrel.
Bilbo tapped him on the arm and the two spoke together for the first time since their bedroom meeting. “My friends are probably not feeling to well. Can you help me?”
Alfred nodded. “Of course.”
“We have to be quick about this and quiet,” Bilbo warned, looking over his shoulder every few minutes.
First, Bilbo and Alfred helped Thorin out of his barrel. He was very grouchy and mumbled some unkind words in Bilbo’s hearing. Undaunted, the little hobbit continued unpacking his friends with Alfred’s help. When the use of his legs returned to him, Thorin stumbled down to help too. Fili and Kili were found and they, being the youngest in the dwarf clan, began the task in earnest.
“My barrel had apples in it,” said Fili to Bilbo. Alfred was nearby looking frantically for Eudora’s barrel, but he overheard their talk. “I smelled apples the whole trip and every second I got more and more frustrated. I’ll eat everything in the town except apples!” he finished.
Finally, all of the dwarfs were safely on the bank. Even though Bilbo had helped them out greatly, they were not able to acknowledge their debt to him because of their great discomfort.
“Bilbo, I need your help. There’s one more barrel to unpack,” Alfred said in distress.
Bilbo looked quite puzzled. “I’m sure we got everybody out. There’s Balin, Dwalin, Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Dori, Nori, Ori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, and Thorin. Who are you talking about?”
“My sister Eudora, the one you met. She’s in a barrel too.”
Bilbo looked beat. “I’m going to speak to the guards. You and Nori can look for her. I’m sorry. I can’t waste another second while we are in danger.” He searched Alfred’s face for an answer.
“That’s fine. Thank you, Bilbo.”
Nori, interested greatly in Alfred, was glad to help. Bilbo, Thorin, Fili, and Kili together climbed the hill, crossed the dock, and entered the little shack where the guards of Lake Town laughed and talked.
“I am Thorin, Son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the mountain!” came a loud commanding voice across the water to where Alfred was bending over a small barrel.
“I found her!” he exclaimed to his companion.
Soon, Eudora emerged and balanced herself on the raft. “Well, I never, never in all my life had a more interesting journey! I’m feeling quite well, thank goodness.”
Nori and Alfred helped her ashore. “What’s that you got?” questioned Nori, pointing to the bow Eudora had.
“I got it from the elves’ armory. I think I will need it here.” She hid it quickly.
“What is going on now?” spoke up a very sick Bifur.
Silhouetted against the darkening sky were many figures making their way to the town.
“I suppose that Thorin is going to go talk to the leader of this town,” said Gloin thoughtfully.
Before long, lights twinkled from all of the houses and many glad voices could be heard. The water echoed and reechoed with joyful songs.
“It sounds like we are going to be welcomed here very kindly,” Eudora observed pleasantly. “I am glad. I have finally reached Lake Town.”
Sure enough, Eudora’s prediction came to pass. Kind folks came down to help the travelers. They brought them into a lighted hall and Eudora gasped at the sight. A huge feast was being enjoyed. Food was bountiful and covered all the tables. Perhaps best of all, though, she finally could speak with people of her own kind.
The master of Lake Town was having a discussion with the dwarfs and Bilbo while at the same time, the elves were becoming angry. These dwarfs were the prisoners of their king! Orion turned to Alfred with a quizzical look. “How did your sister get here?”
Alfred smiled quickly. “We have lived with your people for a while now and some of your magic has influenced us.”
Orion, not too pleased with this explanation, sent off a dispatch to the Woodland King.
Eudora drew closer to have a better look at Bilbo and Thorin. They were talking to the master earnestly. “The songs that your people are singing are coming to pass right as we speak,” said Thorin proudly. “You will see. Someday in the near future, these rivers will run with gold and the land Dale with prosper once more like in the days of my fathers.”
The master did not want to believe this message, but his people were wildly singing the songs and dancing in the streets. To keep control of his city, he allowed Thorin and his companions to enjoy the bounty and rest in his flourishing town. He dismissed them
Alfred, with Eudora next to him, stepped up and bowed before the master of Lake Town. He looked at them with an interesting gaze. Some of the people about him stopped their merrymaking and watched curiously.
“Who are you and where are you from?” the master asked in a curious yet kind voice.
“I am Alfred son of Duke Montgomery from across the wide ocean. My sister here is named Eudora, after a great princess of my people.”
Eudora came forward and curtsied. She made sure to keep the stolen articles hidden.
The master and the people smiled. “I hear from the elves that you have dwelt with them for some time now. They rescued you in their forest. How did you come there?”
Eudora spoke up. “Sincerely, sir, we do not know. It was a dark night at the Montgomery castle and we suddenly found ourselves in Mirkwood. My brother Eugene and sister Rowena remain with the elves. Alfred and I heard of your town and we wanted to come see its greatness. Perhaps you will be gracious enough to let us dwell with you until our time to return comes. I..” she stopped, then tried again. “I wanted to live with a people like my own.”
Her speech softened all hardness and the people welcomed them into their hearts and homes. That night they slept in a tall wooden house with a very kind family who had four children. “Sleep well, dear one,” said the mother of the house. “Tomorrow will bring more sunshine.”
Back in the elf palace, Rowena started awake from a dream. She had seen terrible things and she was breathing hard.
Eugene rolled over. “Are you alright, Rowena?”
“I had a terrible dream!” she said in a frightened voice. “There was a huge dragon that filled the sky and burnt up a whole town! Oh, my, I’m so glad that was a dream.”
Eugene sat up a little straighter. “Maybe it won’t be a dream for Lake Town. One of the elves told me that he still believes a dragon is living in the Lonely Mountain.”
“Do you think that he, I mean, the dragon will get all the dwarfs and poor Bilbo?”
“No, that couldn’t happen, not with Gandalf.”
“But, Gandalf wasn’t with them at all. Don’t you remember?” Rowena fixed her night cap and went to the window. She drew in her breath. “Eugene! Come!”
He joined her and they watched three elves come swiftly up the river and jump onto the bank. They disappeared behind the magic door and the children raced to their own door and opened it a crack.
Fifteen minutes later, Legolas came for Eugene. “The King sends for you,” he said. “A few messengers have come and reported that our prisoners are safely at Lake Town after being escorted in empty barrels by our own folks, unknowingly of course.” He shook his head and nearly smiled. “I should have guessed that. But, never mind. The deed is done.”
Eugene dressed and left. When he returned, he told his sister that the king had set him in charge of the prison and that the chief guard had been fired from his position. Evidence was against the captain and wine master for their carelessness that evening of the great feast.
“I’m still worried about that dream,” Rowena said after Eugene had finished.
Both lying awake, Alfred and Eudora were having a similar conversation. “I’m worried about something,” whispered Alfred.
“About what?”
“The destruction that is destined to come to Lake Town.”
“Did you see Bard yet?”
“No.”
“I did. He is very tall and strong. Whatever comes to Lake Town won’t hurt us if he is with us, just like you wrote down.” Eudora smiled in the darkness.
“I sure hope so. Be looking for that thrush. I don’t always notice things like that sometimes.”
“Oh, I’ll make sure!”
Two weeks went by quickly for all of the children. Rowena and Eugene were kept busy, being employed in the king’s business. Orion and the other elves embarked on another trip and so the four children were able to communicate. Eudora helped out the mother of the family with her daily duties. She learned many useful things about how to run a home. Never before had she been given the opportunity. Alfred went fishing with the men and made several friends with the young boys there.
One evening as Eudora was bringing a huge basket full of fresh bread to the dwarfs and Bilbo, who were living in near the town square, she overheard them talking with one another. “We have stayed here long enough,” Thorin told his companions.
Bomber looked a little disappointed. “We’ve suffered so many hungry days on this journey that I’m afraid I’m still not back to normal strength. Are you sure we should start again so soon?”
“Forgive me,” began Fili, “but I think Thorin is right. We need to go. The sooner we figure out what is going on in that mountain the better.”
“We leave tomorrow, then,” Thorin announced formally. “Bilbo, please tell the master this. I would appreciate it if he would be willing to offer some aid.”
Bilbo left the room in a hurry and bumped into Eudora, who by now was lost in thought just outside the door. “Goodness gracious!” exclaimed the hobbit. “I didn’t know that you were there. I beg your pardon.”
“It’s nothing, Bilbo. I was eavesdropping so I deserved it,” Eudora said with a little laugh. Bilbo smiled and darted away. Eudora was about to finish her duty when a jolly group of townsfolk came pouring around the corner of the street and spilled into the open alley beside the house. She stopped to watch them. They sang of prosperity, rivers of gold, and of silver and other such gems. Thorin’s brows became thunderous, but he remained composed as Eudora brought in the bread.
“Thank you,” Nori said. “You heard of our plans no doubt?”
Eudora nodded. “I hope that all goes well and that you accomplish what you began,” she said, setting the basket down on the rough table.
“For a while it seemed as if we would never arrive. Now we are at the foot of the mountain, though it does look more foreboding than I thought it would.”
“Do you believe anything bad lives up there?” asked Eudora next.
“SSSHHH!!” Dwalin exclaimed suddenly. “It’s not good to speak of such things so loudly. To answer your question, Smaug…curse him….still inhabits the land and the great halls of our fathers.”
“Who is Smaug?” asked Eudora in a mere whisper.
Thorin, who had been busy eating, looked up. “You haven’t heard of him, young maiden?”
Eudora shook her head.
Balin and Dwalin snorted. Fili and Kili coughed. Bomber hick-upped. Bifur and Bofur cleared their throats. Gloin and Oin growled. Ori, Nori, and Dori just looked at each other.
Finally, Thorin stood up. “It would take me hours to tell you of the story that we hold with us each day as we near the Lonely Mountain. Smaug, the great dragon who we hope to conquer, lives there. He killed our people, destroyed our work, and stole our treasure. We are going to revenge.”
Eudora’s eyes grew wide, not in terror, but in great interest. “Well,” was all she could say.
At that moment, Bilbo appeared and entered the house. “I’ve spoken to the master and he says he will send you with food and ponies for the journey and will help you get to the bank of the river adjacent to the mountain. He told me to tell you specifically, Thorin, that he will bestow you with help on the promise of some payment, which he said will come from the mountain. In any case, I….”
Thorin growled loudly. “That’s all I need to hear. Thank you, Bilbo. Come and eat.”
The hobbit joined his companions shrugging. Eudora stared at him a little longer. It seemed that he was given all the little nasty jobs that nobody wanted. ‘Oh,’ she thought, ‘I forgot. He is their professional burglar.’ Then off she skipped to the docks to look for Alfred.
The following morning brought a bit of a stir to the already excited crowd. The dwarfs and Bilbo prepared to leave and were helped along on their journey by a number of individuals. Alfred volunteered to help in the process of bringing the company as close as the Lake men dared. He was secretly wishing for something else too.
Finally, when Thorin, his fellows, and the ponies full of baggage were safely brought to shore, Alfred decided that if he was going to ask his question, he’d better do it now. He sought out Bilbo. “I would really like to join you, Bilbo. You know what kind of a boy I am. I will help you very much. You see, I’ll be able to show you…..”
“What’s this about?” questioned Dwalin. The others gathered round.
“He was wanting to come with us,” explained Bilbo.
“Not necessary,” Thorin said in a decisive tone.
Balin put a hand on Alfred’s shoulder. “This is a job to be left to dwarfs and burglars,” he explained, winking at Bilbo. “We can’t accept your offer at this time.”
“That means,” interpreted Nori, “that you are not recorded in the agreement that was signed way back in….”
“The Shire,” Bilbo interrupted, “ at my house sitting around a nice fire, eating bacon and eggs, and drinking beer, and…”
“Enough time has been wasted already,” said Thorin impatiently.
Bilbo looked up at Alfred. “I’ll see you again, hopefully.” They both turned and looked at the mountain looming against the sky.
“Thanks, Bilbo, for everything you’ve done,” said Alfred.
He looked a little puzzled but said, “Not a problem.”
Alfred walked down to the men, who were waiting for him on the shore. It was going to be a long time to have to wait, knowing all that was going to happen. ‘At least I’ll be with Eudora when the dragon comes,’ he thought to himself.
Indeed, the time seemed to drag by for everyone. Weeks seemed to crawl. For Eugene and Rowena, life was a bit more merry. They enjoyed the joyful elves and learned how to do many things. The king often called them into his hall to tell of things that happened long ago in their land. Late at night, they would sit with Legolas and other elves listening to tales that they had never heard before.
One dark night as the year was drawing to a close, Eudora and Alfred decided to walk down to the lake for a change. They were tired of sitting indoors listening to the prophetic songs that the family sang each evening. Silently, they slipped out a back door and headed for their favorite spot on the dock.
Eudora pulled out the paper and read it quietly. As they sat there, thoughts of their old life began to trickle back to them.
“I wonder what mother and father are doing,” Alfred said.
“I sometimes wonder that too.”
The night wind soon chilled them and they began to walk towards the welcoming lights of the city. Someone brushed passed them.
“That was Bard,” exclaimed Eudora.
They turned and watched him make his way to where they had come from. And that is when they noticed. Eudora grabbed Alfred’s hand. “There’s a red-gold light on top of the mountain! It is getting bigger. Look!”
Alfred then realized that death was coming. “That is the dragon,” came his barely audible voice.
People rushed passed them as the beautiful light filled the river and lake. “The prophecies are true!” they shouted. “Here is the gold coming to us!”
“No!” Alfred shouted back. The crowd forced the children nearer to the Lake. They heard a man cry out, “This is not gold! The dragon has awakened and is coming to destroy us!”
Indeed, it was clear to see that the gold river was really the reflection of the terrible dragon Smaug. People in shock watched for as long as they dared as the huge beast came flying through the sky towards the city, growing more gigantic every minute. Eudora reached for her bow and arrow just as Smaug came into clear view. He landed on the bank of the river and sniffed.
“Into the water!”
“Get into the boats!”
Men were yelling commands and people were trying to get away. Then, Smaug lifted his great self into the air and whirled down upon the town. He tail nearly set all of the houses aflame. Everyone that was able filled buckets and tried to stop the fire but it was no use. The dragons circled again and this time, the town was set on fire beyond repair. Eudora screamed and almost plunged into the lake.
“Eudora!” Alfred yelled above the fray, catching hold of her. “We need to follow Bard!”
Coming to her senses, she suddenly felt something hit her shoulder. Alfred’s eyes were wide and she hesitantly reached for it. It started to speak in a beautiful tongue that both children could not understand.
“This is the old thrush!” Alfred realized. “Come, let us find Bard!”
They left the main crowd and followed a dark shadow as it fitted an arrow into a bow and pulled back. Fire seared the ground around them as the dragon again swept the town. More men began to shoot their arrows, but their efforts were futile. Eudora could clearly see that the arrows bounced off of the dragons skin and landed in the lake. By now, the town was burning rapidly. Almost all of the inhabitants that hadn’t been hurt too badly were near the water, including the master.
“Eudora,” Alfred said. “Follow me. I saw Bard enter the town.”
They tried to catch up to him and his men, but then they saw the dragon. He was looking straight at them and coming lower than ever. Eudora could see his red eyes glaring. It was then that she realized the old thrush was gone. “Alfred! Where do we hide?” she cried aloud before she fell into a faint.
Alfred was scared stiff. He watched as the deadly monster grew closer and closer. “We are going to die!” he said and hid his face. But, the dragon never reached them. Eudora awoke and Alfred sat up wonderingly.
The dragon was groaning dreadfully and twisting and turning in the sky above the middle of the lake. He hissed and great fire bellowed from his throat. Then, he fell out of the sky, limp and motionless, into the Lake and was extinguished forever. A great cry of relief arose from the survivors. Then, weeping enveloped the town.
“We’d better go help,” Eudora said finally. “The fire is burning the town to the ground and the poor people have nowhere to go.”
The thrush landed on Eudora’s shoulder one more time that night. He seemed to sigh in relief. Then, singing happily, he flew away towards the mountain.
“I wonder if the dwarfs and Bilbo are yet alive!” thought Eudora suddenly.
Alfred smiled. “They are for certain,” he said. As they ran, the people took up a cry and the name of BARD echoed and reechoed in the night.
Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
Oooooo I like where this is going… XD I’m not confused this time, yay!
"...I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain..."
(Part of) Isaiah 45:19@gwyndalf-the-wise and @anyone else
Okay so here’s some charrie photos! This is 17 year old Eugene.
Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
Oooooo I like where this is going… XD I’m not confused this time, yay!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤩
Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
…I forgot Eugene was a guy… *facepalm*
I like the photos!
"...I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain..."
(Part of) Isaiah 45:19Hello KP!! I’m finally back! Hope everyone is doing well. I don’t know who to tag here besides @gwyndalf-the-wise .
This is part five!!!
————————————————————————————————————————
Next morning, Rowena and Eugene took a nice walk on one of the elvish paths. They talked of many things and were quite startled when a messenger came up to them swiftly.
“Smaug the great dragon of Lonely Mountain has been defeated!” he burst out. “He came last evening and attacked Lake Town. It has been burnt to the ground. One third of our people are either hurt or dead. Bard, a great man with us, shot the dragon and he is forever drowning in the lake. Please tell all of this to the King of Mirkwood. We need help to rebuild before winter sets in for good. Thank you.” And the man left just as quickly as he came.
The look on Eugene’s face was full of anxiety and distress. “What if Alfred and Eudora are among the slain? Who would have thought…” he grabbed Rowena by the hand and the two of them retraced their steps at breakneck speed. The magic door gave way and the two slipped inside.
“King of Mirkwood, whom the people call the Woodland king! I have an urgent message from Lake Town!” exclaimed Eugene the minute he entered the King’s hall. Legolas stood to his feet immediately.
“What is the message?” asked the King.
“Lake Town had been burned to the ground by the great dragon Smaug!”
Gasps escaped some of the folk who stood rooted to the spot by the sudden interruption of Eugene.
“Indeed, much damage has been done by the unearthly beast,” continued Eugene. “The messenger told me to ask you and your people for aid so they can get rebuilt.”
“Where is the dragon?” Legolas questioned.
“One named Bard shot him and the beast is, as the messenger described it, drowning forever in the lake,” replied Rowena. “We are very anxious to know what has become of our sister and brother, for they both are there.” With that, she turned and hurried away for fear of crying in the presence of such a host.
The king looked upon Eugene with compassion. Then, he instructed his soldiers to prepare to bring aid to Lake Town. “We will start on the journey tomorrow,” he decided.
As Eugene absorbed the king’s words, he noticed a new expression cross his face. One of greed, of fame, of fortune suddenly being offered him. Of treasure at his fingertips. Legolas saw the look too and turned away. Eugene couldn’t take it any longer and he departed quickly. In his mind, he saw a vision of all the dwarfs and the little hobbit being roasted by the dragon’s breath. Then, he also saw his siblings perishing from the dragon’s power. Lastly, he saw the Woodland King adorned in all of the treasure that that mountain could bestow. It was too much.
Rowena and Eugene were called upon that evening. The king told them that they were going to be allowed to join the folks that were to travel to Lake Town. “I myself will also be among the crowd,” he informed them.
They traveled rapidly. Three days after the deadly dragon had demolished the town, the first of the elvish host could be seen crossing the Lake and arriving at the island town. By the evening of the fourth day, all were present. Rebuilding began in earnest.
Eudora and Alfred watched the procession quietly. “I wonder of Rowena and Eugene came along,” said Alfred. “I am sure that they begged to do so.”
“They probably think we are dead,” said Eudora dryly. “I hope they aren’t sick with worry.”
“OH!” came a loud cry. “THERE THEY ARE!!!” Rowena was running towards them. Soon, all four of the children were hugging and crying for joy.
“So, the dragon didn’t get you,” said Eugene, for his own comfort’s sake.
“Of course he didn’t!” Alfred exclaimed. “Why would he have?”
Eudora smiled. “I’m glad we are all together now. This is how it should be.” The four of them looked at the Lonely Mountain.
“It does look foreboding,” Rowena agreed. “I am glad that the beast who mastered it is gone.”
“What about Bilbo and the dwarfs?” asked Eugene. “Are they still alive?”
Alfred looked around to make sure no one was in hearing. Then he whispered, “Yes, they are alive, very much alive. They didn’t get hurt one bit. Right now they are at Ravenhill, an old lookout that was made many years ago.”
“How do you know this?”
Alfred shook his head. “Don’t worry about that so much. Just make sure you don’t speak a word about what I told you. It wouldn’t be good for..for the general population and the elves to hear.”
“The Woodland King has his mind on all that free treasure up there. He suspects that the company is long gone,” Eugene whispered.
“He’ll find out the truth soon enough,” Alfred nodded. “We can’t say a word about anything that we know because it will ruin the book.”
“Well,” said a voice. The children looked up into the face of Bard.
“You are the man who killed Smaug!” said Eudora.
He nodded grimly. “Time for talking and reminiscing will come eventually. Right now, we must hasten to repair what we can of the town. Come, we could use all of you.”
Alfred balanced on one of the high poles on the dock to get a good look at all of the help that had come. He was amazed. The shores were full of gray clad elves. He searched for Legolas’ face among them. Instead, he found the King. He was speaking with Bard and the master of the town about something important. Then, he saw Legolas helping several women get a fire started so that they could cook some food for their tired and cold children. Before long, he had launched into the tale of the dragon in Legolas’ hearing.
Eudora and Rowena took turns stirring a bit of stew over the open fire. Eugene was busy with the king’s business. And so a few days passed swiftly by in this manner: preparing food, building wooden huts, and organizing the march to the mountain.
One morning, a trumpet blast awoke Alfred out of a deep sleep. “Today we are leaving for the mountain!” he exclaimed flying out of bed. Eudora joined him in his hurrying and before the clock struck six, they were both out of their shack ready for anything. Eugene and Rowena rose with the elves and followed the same procedures as their siblings.
Before the groups separated into camps, the four were able to speak to one another. “Whatever happens,” Alfred said in a sure voice, “I will make sure we get back here again.”
Eugene shook hands with his younger brother. “I always knew you had pluck, but I never imagined you to be tested this far. I see you have endured.”
Alfred smiled. “I have to, you see. Eudora depends on me.”
Eugene lowered his voice. “What happens if the Woodland king tries to attack to dwarfs and Bilbo?”
At the mention of that dilemma, Alfred just shook his head sadly. “We have much to learn, Eugene. I can’t tell you all that will happen, but just trust me. Everything will turn out alright. We’re going to have to sum up our best courage possible. We will need it. The dragon is dead, but more evil is even now encroaching upon us. People will die. We must stay strong for the girls.”
His brother took this speech very seriously, trying to decipher what it all meant. “So long for now, Alfred. I’m with Legolas’ folks if you need me. I assume Bard won’t camp too far from his allies. Rowena will be safe here with Eudora.” Eugene glanced in his sisters’ direction. They were having some words of their own.
“Don’t get too excited, Eudora,” Rowena was saying. “And don’t do anything foolhardy. You can’t leave me here alone. You aren’t going with the boys.”
“What do you mean? Of course I’m going with the boys!” Eudora said rashly.
“Where are the women or elf ladies who are going? There aren’t any.”
“I’ll dress up like a Lake town boy,” Eudora shot back.
“Does Eugene still have the clothes that the king originally gave him?” asked Rowena curiously. A plan was also forming in her mind.
“Yes,” he answered. “They are in my tent.”
“I’ll dress in them. Then, we’ll be able to go with the boys! Quick!”
Surprised, Eudora watched her sister take off. She had never seen Rowena act so quickly. She herself darted away to the house they had stayed at and dug around for an extra set of clothes. Clothes of any kind were few and far between, but she managed to find a sufficient outfit for her cause. She hid the bow and arrows once again under them. Eudora had a feeling that her weapons would be useful in the near future. Alfred took in his sisters’ decision with great intensity. “Sister, are you ready for anything? Do you really want to come? You know there will be dangers, great dangers. We may not come out alive.”
“I am ready, just like I said, for anything,” said Eudora promptly.
Rowena agreed with her. “We are going with you no matter what.”
“Very well, then,” he said. “Let’s join the groups so that nobody will suspect anything.”
So saying, the pairs departed from each other. Another trumpet sounded and the troops began to march. Rowena found it difficult to keep up with the elves, but Eugene made sure to help her. Everyone was too busy with their own thoughts and the organization of the army to worry about lost children from another world. Eudora found herself engaged in carrying a large shield of one of the warriors. Alfred served Bard in numerous way.
Days of weary traveling past. Each hour the mountains loomed closer and closer. Then, they reached its roots. Elves and men poured into the arms of the mountain and filled the valley, which contained the ruins of Dale. Eudora and Alfred stood upon a large rock that jutted out of the mountain side and studied the landscape. It sure looked as though a dragon had inhabited it for many many years. Birds were flying in huge quantities in the sky, as if something had awakened them. Eudora pointed to the north. “See those huge black birds? Those are ravens.”
Bard stood beside them. “The dragon has not slain the company. Look at the wall. They have fortified themselves in very well.” He seemed to be talking to himself. “Alder,” he said quickly to one of his men. “Tell the woodland king that I am sending a message to the dwarfs to ask what they have shut themselves in for. I am also going to ask for the payment that they promised.”
Alder saluted and hurried to accomplish his task. Alfred spoke up. “Sir, I’ll take your message to them. They are probably not in the best of moods right now. I fear they have heard of our coming and have built that wall for such a purpose as you may expect.”
Bard looked at Alfred. “I’ve been watching you help with our people and our town. I have heard your story and I believe that you would make a good messenger. You know how to use your head very well. Yes, I will send you to be the spokesman.”
He led Alfred down the steep slope. Eudora saw Alfred join several others and make their way to the wall. A head appeared at the top and loud voices could be heard faintly in the breeze. Whoever was speaking from the wall was very angry. Thorin! Of course! The thought flew to Eudora’s mind. What had he said when Bilbo spoke of payment? She nodded. There would be a battle! That is what her brother had meant when he said trouble! Would the dwarfs and Bilbo just starve to death in there? If they were to fight, they were drastically outnumbered.
“Who are you?” came a squawking voice.
Eudora jumped and almost fell from her perch. A raven was speaking to her. “I….I’m Eudora,” she stuttered. She took off her leather hat and her curling golden hair escaped and hung down her shoulders.
“I am Rickrack, one of the old ravens that dwelt here before Smaug destroyed it. I and my fellow ravens are busy bringing messages for the dwarfs. Who are you with?”
“I came with the men from Lake Town, but I do want to see Bilbo again and the dwarfs. I fear that they are going to bring trouble on themselves.”
“Are you a spy?” questioned the raven seriously.
“No,” answered Eudora.
The raven nodded his hoary head. “We have been very busy bringing messages to Thorin’s relations. They are even now coming on in full force. Dane and his five hundred warriors armed from head to toe in iron are marching here. I hope that things will go well. My great-great-grandfather advised Thorin to be careful, but his head is so full of treasure that he cannot think straight.”
Eudora took all this information in with interest. “Where did you come from?”
“We have lived in quiet for many many years. Now that we have been liberated we are ready to help our old friends. See that look out tower up there?” Rickrack pointed with his wing to some stone steps and a large stone that stood out from the boulders. “That’s called Ravenhill. My great-great-grandfather used to live up there. He is dead now, but his son, who is my great grandfather still lives. I must be going. It was good to meet you. I hope we will see each other again.” Rickrack flapped his wings and landed on Eudora’s shoulder.
“I hope to see you again too, Rickrack. You are the first raven that has ever befriended me. I wish we were in happier circumstances,” Eudora answered. “I’d better get back to camp.”
Rickrack took off and joined several other ravens. Eudora tucked her hair back up under her hat and carefully made her way down the mountainside.
Alfred forded the Running River, which had its beginnings in the Lonely Mountain. With him were several men and elves, including Eugene, who were carrying the colors of their troops. Alfred shifted the large shield that he carried. It was heavy. Bard and the Woodland king walked behind them. They reached the fortified wall and hailed the inhabitants. Thorin’s grim face looked down at them. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” His voice was so severe that Alfred shrank from it.
“We are the armies of Lake Town and the Woodland King!” Bard informed. “I am Bard of Lake Town. By my bow and arrow, the great dragon Smaug has been defeated. Even now he lies silent in the lake. I have come to request the share that was promised to the master of Lake Town.”
A few more heads appeared. Alfred recognized a few other dwarfs. Then, he saw Bilbo peaking over too. Thorin didn’t skip a beat. “You can leave immediately. I will not comply while these armies are here, encamped against the mountain. The elves have no reason to be joined to you. We do not owe them anything. LEAVE!”
Bard strode up to the fortress. “We understand. But, we will not leave the mountain until we come to an agreement.” For the time being, the company headed back to their camp. Alfred lingered just a minute and watched the heads disappear behind the wall. It was saddening to think of Bilbo being trapped in there. He marched on with the others and listened carefully to Bard and the Woodland King as they discussed the possibilities.
“I’m not going to turn around and leave you alone up here,” said the King, justifying himself. “If those dwarves don’t comply, we will stay camped here with you until they all starve or come to a fair agreement.”
Bard stroked his beard thoughtfully. “I see that Thorin has become madly possessive of that treasure and I do not think that anything will deter him from keeping what he wants. There was this certain light in his eye that I didn’t notice before, as if the thought of something is burning him up inside. I say, King, that we wait a few days and then send a few of our people to see if he has rethought his rash actions towards us.”
The Woodland King nodded. “I agree.”
While all this was going on, Rowena was helping set up camp. She was getting tired already and she was afraid that she would be found out sooner than later. But, she worked with a will and when darkness fell, she was content to sit in the darkness and listen with interest to the elf songs.
The music they played on their golden harps floated on the breeze and entered the mountain where Bilbo was sitting in silence. He was trying to stay out of Thorin’s way because the later was in a terrible temper. Some of his fellows picked up the harps that they had found in the treasure and began to sing songs of their own. They weren’t as joyful as the elvish songs and Bilbo wished he could join the merry folks outside under the stars. Grasping the arkenstone under his pillow, he fell asleep, dreaming of eggs and bacon.
Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
XD these siblings are going to be very disappointed when they go back to reality… I guess they’ll just have to reread the book. =p
*salutes your return* I’m doing much better this week. =) How are you doing?
"...I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain..."
(Part of) Isaiah 45:19XD these siblings are going to be very disappointed when they go back to reality…
I know, right??!!
I’m doing well, thank you for asking. Glad you are doing better. I just got home from work and am trying to eat a little supper before bed and then I have to go back to work early in the morning. Lol. Adulting is awesome. 😏
Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
Glad you’re doing well! Heh. Adulting…*stares into the future apprehensively*
"...I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain..."
(Part of) Isaiah 45:19
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