⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Predator or Prey
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE.
⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
The shouting and wailing of the many people that escaped LakeTown reached Selene's ears as she trudged up the shore. Her ripped dress clung onto her skin, dripping water where it left a long trail after her as she continued to trudge up the shore.
She breathed shakily, letting her eyes roam over the unconscious bodies that spread around the new land they were on. Husbands, wives, children and the elderly all cried out over each other, running toward several different bodies. A few were dead, their skin burnt until they were as dark as coal; or dead because they tried to swim across a freezing, large lake.
Selene did manage to aid a good amount of people across the lake. After her battle against Smaug, she helped a few stragglers who could not make it out of the town with their families - including Bard and Bain. She let them sit on her back, while she used her large body to swim across the lake. When they came across a few others from LakeTown, Bard welcomed them to ride on her.
"Selene!" The dragon-woman heard a feminine voice call out. She turned to her right, to see Tauriel and Bard's two daughters next to her.
They all met halfway, Tilda's small frame slammed into Selene's lower body, where she felt hot tears touch her bare wounded stomach, where her dress was ripped in the middle. Selene let herself comfort the young girl, stroking her hair softly as she gazed at Tauriel.
"You're hurt." The she-elf pointed out, eyeing the open wounds on Selene's body.
She had a long, deep scratch across her nostrils to the corner of her mouth; three claw-like marks from the side of her neck and on her collarbone; cuts and bruises scattered around her arms, and the large gash on her stomach.
Selene did not understand why the elf worried so much about her. Elves did not like her after all. She was surprised when Tauriel showed her kindness after Kíli healed. And she was surprised, yet again, when Tauriel pointed out her wounds.
When Tilda pulled away, Selene patted Sigrid's shoulder to show the older girl a little comfort as well, before replying to the elf, "They will heal."
"Is the dragon dead?" Tauriel asked, leading them away from the others.
Selene sighed softly, "Yes. Bard helped me kill him." Images from the battle flashed in her mind. She remained calm when she felt a tingle on her nose, where the image of Smaug gnawing and her dragon's snout appeared.
"Selene!" Bofur called, running up to her as fast as his short legs could let him. "We must go now." He pointed over to the boat where the other dwarves stood.
The woman grimly nodded, turning to the girls and bid her goodbyes. Tilda's eyes welled up with tears again, before she wrapped her arms around Selene's body, weeping softly.
"Tilda," Selene bent her knees to reach the girl's height, "Do not cry. You will see me again." Her thumbs softly stroked Tilda's cold, wet cheeks while giving her an encouraging smile. "Be strong. For me." She ruffled the girl's hair and stepped away as Sigrid led her sister away to find their father and brother.
When Selene walked away to join the dwarves, Kíli replaced her spot to talk to Tauriel. She could easily tell the two were quite fond of each other. Especially, Kíli, who had fallen for the elf ever since the elves of Mirkwood caught them in the forest weeks prior.
Once Kíli finished his time with Tauriel, the four dwarves and the skin-changer took off.
***
"Hello?!" Bofur had his hands cupped over his mouth as he continued to shout. "Bombur? Bifur? Anybody?"
The five stood close by each other. It was eerily quiet and something did not feel right about the kingdom.
When there was no response, they all moved further into the kingdom hoping it would help their friends hear them. If they were alive.
"Wait!" A familiar voice yelled out. "Wait!"
"It's Bilbo! He's alive!" Oin said, smiling when Bilbo appeared from a doorway.
The hobbit was quick on his feet, rushing toward them with his hand out. "Stop! Stop! Stop." He stopped in front of them, breathing heavily to catch his breath.
"Bilbo?" Selene rose her eyebrow in confusion. She did not understand why he was such in a hurry.
"You need to leave. We all need to leave." The hobbit said, eyeing each of them in a warning.
Bofur wore a puzzled expression. "We only just got here."
Bilbo shook his head, "I've tried talking to him, but he won't listen."
"What do you mean, laddie?"
"Thorin!" The hobbit blurted out. "Thorin... Thorin. He's been down there for days." He used his finger to point below him. "He doesn't sleep. He barely eats. He's not been himself. Not at all. It's this- It's this place." He pointed all around him, "I think a sickness lies on it."
"Sickness?"
Selene's sharp eyes landed on Bilbo, while he nodded at Kíli.
"What kind of sickness?" added in the dwarf.
"The Dragon-sickness..." Selene breathed out. She couldn't believe it. Smaug was slain, and now Thorin was becoming the one thing he said he would not be.
All but Fíli turned to look at her. Shock written all over their faces.
If it were true, Selene knew there would be no cure to save Thorin from falling deeper into the sickness. It worried her.
Shouts for Fíli broke her out of her thoughts. One by one, they all followed the blond dwarf when he suddenly broke into a sprint down the many stairs in the kingdom.
They all stopped in their tracks at the sight before them.
Gold.
Mountains and towers of pure gold.
A small figure below caught their attention. They watched him pick up gold and toss it back amongst the others.
"Gold." It was Thorin. "Gold beyond measure. Beyond sorrow... and grief."
They watched him take a few steps, before he paused and looked up. He stared up at them. His eyes squinted, scanning each of them carefully.
But, when his eyes met Selene's she watched how his face shifted into a cold, distant look. His jaw clenched tightly as they stared at one another, neither of them backing down. This Thorin was different from the one she knew before he left with the others to the mountain.
His attire was entirely different. His attire was made for a king, and if clothing could speak, Thorin's clothing would say it loud and clear. Thorin had changed. And Selene was going to figure out a way to save him from falling deeper into the sickness that Smaug left behind.
hey all! i know it's been a while. i had to take a break and look after myself because i've been going through so much for the past couple months. so, i apologize for that but i'm back now to get back into writing and updating my books :)
i can't promise an update every week like i used to, but just know that i'm trying and will update whenever i can.
hope you enjoyed! 'til next time, xo