Feast and March

Woodland Realm

The entryway to the halls had huge stone doors that were closed and secured by magic. The Elvenking's Halls was a cave system in northern Mirkwood, in which King Thranduil and many of the Elves of Mirkwood lived during most of the Third Age. The great cave had many passages and wide halls and was more wholesome than the goblin tunnels in the misty mountains which Tiberius heard from the dwarves as they entered the hall with him. While most of the Elves lived in the woods the king's halls served as his palace and treasure vault and was also a fortress for the Elves in times of danger.

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Tiberius POV

I entered the room and observed the surroundings. The throne room of Thranduil was a great hall with pillars carved from the living rock. I see the king sitting on it as we entered.

"Welcome men from Rome and Thorin's company, I would like to thank you for looking after my family and people during your journey and wish to serve you with our greatest food and wine, after that I invite you to rest in my home after the feast, please enjoy your stay here." King Thranduil welcomed us while sitting on the throne with an elegant voice.

We bowed except for the dwarves and sit on the chairs near the table and started the feast. Melody sits beside me and recommends dishes which she says is delicious, she places food on my plate as I smiled at her while tasting the dishes. I feel like my mouth explodes from the rich taste and continued to eat as Melody place more food on my plate when suddenly I spot the king coming near our table.

"Melody would you please show our guests in the wine cellar? While I have a conversation with the prince."

Melody nods and hugs her father before leaving with some of the Praetorians and dwarves excited to drink fine wine made by the elves.

"You have a good daughter King Thranduil," I say to him as he sits where Melody used to.

"She is my adopted daughter, my wife saved her from orcs when she was a baby, she was poisoned as she escaped from the pursuit of the orcs, by the time I found her she was dead but was hugging Melody to prevent her from freezing. She is very special and important to me and would do all I can to protect her from harm and any fools who break her heart." Thranduil stares at me while smiling.

I adjust the cloth in my neck and felt hot from the stare as I feel the elven king's aura directed at me.

"I'm sorry about your wife...Cough...How is Bombur, your majesty?" I asked him trying to change the topic.

"Ah yes he is awake but will need some rest, he lost all his memories during the time when he entered the Misty Mountains but he will be fine, is the food to your liking?"

I nod at him and we have a conversation about my past and information about the legions situation, we have a good conversation until he said to me I should give up helping the dwarves quest. I said to him I made an oath to help Thorin and won't go back on my word.

"They aren't like you oath breaker." Thorin's voice can be heard and the whole room turned silent.

Thranduil glanced at Thranduil with a neutral face: "If your grandfather wasn't so greedy we would have assisted you back then."

Thranduil argued with Thorin while the dwarf screamed about breaking their alliance oath. Thorin being so furious unsheathed his sword and attacked the elf king, the king easily deflected his attack and brought down the dwarf. The other dwarves and Bilbo attacked while the elven guards fought back and the dwarves in the wine cellar heard the sound of clashing steels went back to the throne room and joined the fray while I and my men stayed silent as we watched the dwarves being taken to the dungeons. I see Melody being escorted by elven guards towards her bedchambers. While me and my men were brought to our rooms with a heavy escort.

The next day I went to meet the elf king with the dwarves in the throne room to discuss their release and forgiveness for their rudeness during the feast that he generously hosted for us. The elf king looked at them and said.

"You have a noble quest dwarf, a quest to reclaim your homeland and slay a dragon, I will release you and the others and even help you in your quest, on one condition. There are gems I too desire in the mountain, white gems of pure starlight which belong to my wife and stolen by your people. Give me Lasgalen and I will help you."

Thorin refused and they were taken back to prison, I tried to plead but was rejected. I went back to the legions camp and stayed there for the night. I secretly prepared the legions to siege the city when news came that Thorin and the others escaped. Legolas came to the camp and asked me if I know something while I honestly rejected knowing nothing about how they escaped.

When I came back to my tent I saw a note from Bilbo telling me to continue our journey and meet them in Lake-town, I was curious how they escaped and sent me this letter but I focused on preparing the legions to leave tomorrow. I bought some supplies from the elves but the King limited on how much we can buy. The king sent Bombur to us who don't recognize us but believed our story being allied with Thorin, the king sent him to us because he wasn't involved during the fight during the feast.

The next day we marched towards Lake-town and I see Thranduil and Melody not far from the legions watching us with Legolas leading some elves watching us in suspicion, riding my horse towards Melody I said my goodbye while holding her hands.

"I'll be back for you okay?"

"I feel something bad will happen on your quest, I want to join you." She asked me with tears in her eyes.

"NO! you shall not, I lost my wife and won't lose you!" Thranduil shouted and drag her crying daughter back to the city.

I watched her figure as Thranduil dragged her back towards their home hoping I would meet her again soon. With renewed spirit and determination to finish the quest quickly, I commanded the legions to march faster. As nightfall came we set up camp while setting a perimeter around it.

"Damn not one female elf slept with me!" Darius screamed at disappointment.

"Better luck next time at least someone was lucky right your majesty?" Garen smirk looking at me.

I remained silent as I think of Melody and looked towards them: "Double the speed of tomorrow's march I want to finish this quest and slay that dragon quickly and go back to woodland."

They nod after seeing my serious face and went back to their tent to rest while I sleep dreaming of Melody while I hear a growing sound of whispers reminding me about something that I must take but I chose to ignore it.