S T A R L I G H T

C H A P T E R 26

C H A P T E R 26 - F A L L

~𝕞𝕪 𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘~

~𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕓𝕖 𝕦𝕟𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕞𝕖~

~𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕠𝕠 𝕨𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕖𝕕 𝕚𝕟 𝕞𝕪 𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕝~

The King had heard bad news perhaps every day of his time ruling, whether it was the precedents of war, famine or dangers of spiders lurking the land. It was always something negative- not to say bad things never happened, it just tended to be the bad overpowering the good.

It was the case this week.

"My King, the dragon Smaug has destroyed Laketown, Lord Legolas and Tauriel were present."

That was the first piece.

"The elleth travelling with the company was present during Smaug's attack on Laketown,"

The second piece of bad news.

Thranduil had sent guards to survey the situation, to bring Legolas back and announce Tauriels banishment. To ensure that blonde haired elleth was still breathing and alive to break his heart day in and day out.

After hearing the news of the dragon being provoked in her presence, it was enough to once more send the elven king down into a whirlpool of despair. Her leaving him and following the dwarves was one thing; at least he knew she was alive, wandering through Middle Earth. The thought of her being present during Smaug's attack was different entirely. The thought of her very existence being threatened was unbearable.

Especially considering he lost her to a dragon once before.

Sleepless nights became fretful days and Thranduil had found himself in a state of paranoia awaiting his messengers return. Unfortunately, the news that returned to his ears was not fortunate either.

"Lord Legolas has refused your orders on the grounds of Tauriel's banishment," the guard recited, noticing his Kings eye twitch at the news of his son. The guard continued, "there is no good news of the elleth in Thorin's company."

His mouth went dry at his words, hands gripping the hand rests of his throne until his knuckles turned white.

"Go on,"

"Your Majesty, she has not been seen since the attack," he continued to explain, relaying the unfortunate news, "the people of Laketown confessed to seeing her fall."

"Fall?" he gasped, eyes wide.

"The dragon fired at the town, at the elleth. Those who saw her say she was mortally wounded and fell to the water- the body is yet to be recovered,"

His eye twitched, shiver following up his spine, "the body?"

"Sire, from Smaugs fiery breath.. they believe the elleth has breathed her last." The guard in gold concluded, bowing his head wishing he was anywhere else. Why did he have to be the one to tell the King this news?

For several moments the king was silent. Stuck in his thoughts, his worries, his depression. However, one thought circulated more than others- Simbelmynë was dead. It was not the first time someone had told him she had passed, but this time he would need proof.

"Load up the wagons with food and drink, assemble our armies, we will send aid to Dale," he commanded as strongly as could muster.

With her she took pieces of his whole being and he had felt like something was missing since. He was incomplete without her. Thranduil was a fool for leaving it so long to run after her, chasing her, begging her to come back. He should've jumped from that balcony, not just sent his guards after her, perhaps then he would know she was safe. She would be in that castle with him.

Thranduil wondered if she would have retained her memory by now. The king only dreamed that maybe, just maybe, she would love him like she used to.

He'd believed she had begun to. That night before the company had escaped she seemed concerned, she wanted to be there for him and that night... Why had she truly done it all? To merely escape?

How could the king continue living without answers?

As the army of elves arrived to aid Dale, standing in perfect rows of shinning gold. King Thranduil appeared later past dusk, riding in on his elk.

"My Lord Thranduil, we did not look to see you here," the newly elected leader of Dale spoke up to the elven king.

"I heard you needed aid," he replied simply, gesturing behind him as a horse drawn cart filled with food and drink.

Bard watched on as the elves handed out food to the remaining peasants of Laketown, casting his eyes back to the king of Mirkwood. He looked up in appreciation, "I do not know how to thank you."

"Your gratitude is misplaced. I did not come on your behalf. I came to reclaim something of mine," Thranduil spoke with such raw honesty and... ferocity, his heart hungering. The kings jaw clenched, "I have questions regarding the company of Thorin Oakenshield. There was an elf travelling with them."

"You know of Bel?" the man quizzed, brows furrowing.

Thranduils head tilted, "Simbelmynë?"

"I did not know you were acquainted," Bard professed, arm crossing over the other.

"One could say the same," he gritted, " I did not come for pleasantries, I require information. Where is she?" the king practically demanded, holding his calm as much as he possibly could.

Bard shifted his gaze to his feet, shoulders slumping and a look of despair painting his face practically mirroring the Kings. He swallowed back the lump in his throat, "she is gone."

Bard expected the king to look at him with shock, instead he looked bothered, frustrated.

Because he had already been told that.

That was not what he wanted to hear.

"Tell me what happened," the king commanded, eyes narrowing on the simple man, practically daring him to lie.

"Simbelmynë was no match for the dragon Smaug," the dark haired man told, scanning the kings face as it grew sorrowful.

"You fear the worst.." Thranduil stated, still unconvinced.

Bard shook his head, "I know what I saw. Her mortal wounds, the fire engulf her, how she fell to the water; all with my own eyes. None could have sustained those injuries and lived."

"Where is the body?"

"We have not found one," he replied, concern tracing his features. Who be this king to be so interested in Bel? How did he know her at all? And more importantly... what did he want with her?

"Simbelmynë is far beyond ordinary," Thranduil suddenly spoke, his tone different this time.

He spoke as if in a dreamlike state. A euphoria. Another life he longed to get back to and defeat time along with it.

"Until there is proof, I refute you."

Bard frowned, "and if proof is found?"

"There are gems in those mountains that I too desire, have the dwarves refuse to return them; I shall have no choice but to retrieve them," the king replied, continuing, "willingly or unwillingly."

If he could not have Simbelymnë- then he would take the last thing left of her. The only thing they both remembered.

The white gems of Lasgalen.

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ur all gonna kill me next chapter... oops