Saving the Sons of Durin

Thand Toloquë

A/N

Wow this chapter is super long, sorry! But I couldn't find a good place to end it:)

- hawkins_2000

~ Part Eighteen ~

Ellía sat alone at the top of Erebor's gate, looking out at Dale and the army of elves that lined the streets. She wished that Galadriel would use this rare, solitary moment to appear to her and give some guidance on what she should do, but her grandmother did not come. The only person the came out of the darkness was a nervous looking Bilbo.

The hobbit did not notice her presence as he quickly began to fiddle with an old metal loop, secured in the stone wall. "You should be inside. Out of the wind." Ellía called out, frightening the poor halfling. "No, I-uh, I needed some air. The place still stinks of dragon. What are you doing out here?" Bilbo stuttered. "I'm waiting to be relived of my night-watch shift." She said as she looked around him to a rope had been fastened to the old metal loop.

Her eyes widened a bit as she realized what he was doing. "Bilbo, he'll kill you..." she hissed as she hurried over to stand in front of him. "What else are we to do? Fourteen against a whole army of elves and men? Do you truly want to fight your own people?" Bilbo whispered back. Ellía sighed and looked down at her boots, shaking her head no.

"At least let me come with you. You shouldn't have to carry this burden alone." she whispered and looked back at his face. "No, I can sneak to Dale and back quicker if I am alone. Plus, if we both go missing, the only non-dwarf members, Thorin will get suspicious." He told her as he began to check the knot he tied. Just as she was about to argue with him, someone cleared their throat behind them

The duo spun around to see Bofur giving them a knowing look. "The elves have been moving their archers into position. The battle will be over by tomorrow's eve. Though I doubt we will live to see it." The dwarf said to them as he came to rest his arms against the edge next to Ellía. "These are... dark days." Bilbo responded as he shot the elf a worried look.

"Dark days indeed." Bofur murmured, glancing between the two. The dwarf was silent for a few seconds before saying, "No one could blame two souls for wishing themselves elsewhere." Ellía took a deep breath a pushed away the creeping feeling of homesickness as Bofur walked a bit closer to Bilbo and looked up in the sky. "Must be near midnight. Bombur's coming to relieve Ellía. It'll take a bit to wake him..." He said casually as he sent them both a look and started walking down the steps.

"Bofur... We will see you in the morning." Bilbo said quietly. Bofur turned around and looked at them fondly. "Goodbye Bilbo, Ellía." He said gently before continuing on his way. "Go, now. If anyone asks I shall say you turned in early." Ellía urged him, snapping him from his thoughts. "I will be back before anyone wakes." Bilbo promised as he threw the rope over the wall. "Be careful, Bilbo." She whispered as he began to climd down the rope. The hobbit sent her a quick nod before quickly making his way to the ground. Ellía kept the bow and arrows Kili had found for her ready to fire, just incase she caught movement of an archer aiming at her defenseless friend...

~~~~~

Ellía had been awoken by Fili gently shaking her shoulders. "It is time." He told her quietly as he held out a hand to help her stand. She accepted his offer and was pulled to her feet. No words were exchanged as he helped her slip into a few pieces of light armor that Dori and Oin had all but forced her to wear. Once she was ready, Ellía followed Fili to the top of the gate where everyone else was armored and looking down at the massive number of elves, as well as some men.