The day had come. The sun had risen, but the dust and smoke didn't let it be seen. Ethiriel woke up with a strong headache and some burnt ashes around and on her. While she was trying to remember what happened, started to get up. They had to be unconscious for at least a couple hours. Then, she realized Bard was not on her view.

-BARD?! - started yelling - BAIN?!

-Right here! - she heard from a short distance.

It was Bain. He was running into her, glad she was alive. 

-Where is he, Bain? - she asked.

Bain smiled, but didn't answer Ethiriel's question. He just turned around looking the same path he came into her. From the dust, Bard was coming into them. He quickly went to hug his son, giving him in addition a kiss on the check. Then, he looked at Ethiriel. She suddenly felt come stronger sensation in her heart. There was no pain, no fear. Bard got closer to her, just to see her face smile once again.

-So... Can we go and look for my sisters? - asked Bain, knowing he would break the aura - And then, you can do whatever you want.

-You're right - said Ethiriel, reorganizing the bow and some left arrows on her back -. We must see if people are ok and how many supplies they have.

Ethiriel started walking with a very strong steps. 

-Come on, we must find a boat or swim! - she said when noticed they were not walking by her side.

Both of them quickly followed her. 

Bard was so upset in the inside because of the tragedy they just lived. He knew that could happen. He knew it would. The ignorance of the dwarves had been their lost. All they had, was gone. The only thing he was praying for at that moment is safety for his daughters. 

They had to swim in the cold and quite long lake. Ethiriel had an eye the hole time on Bain. She was afraid he could not swim, but he did know. They hadn't arrived to ground, but their names were being screamed once or twice with a very enthusiastic tone.

-ETHIRIEL! - screamed Kili from a short distance now.

When they touched and felt the sand on their feet, they had to breath with some issues, because of the bunch of hugs they got around them.

-Ethiriel - heard from Tauriel.

-Tauriel, did Thranduil sent you to help?

-No - she said, with a very sad smile -. Im etya (I'm exiled).

-Am man?! (Why?!) 

-I did not accomplished what my Lord Thranduil wanted - she said with a very severe voice, until she saw Ethiriel's look and could not be strong anymore -. Thranduil wanted to close the gates of Mirkwood, he's acting like a coward. 

Ethiriel couldn't do anything else apart from giving her support. 

-Legolas is with me.

-Of course, he is - Ethiriel whispered.

Kili did not like that conversation. He decided it was now or never. He took Tauriel to another spot, far from the rest in order to get some privacy. What he had to tell her was very important for him. After that conversation, Kili sailed with his brother, Bofur and Dori with a very sad look and Tauriel, with the same face, was watching how the boat was becoming smaller and smaller.

The moment to decide what to do arrived. The solution: they had to reclaim Thorin what he promised to them, he had to give them a great bunch of Erebor's gold. Anyways, they had to find a new home. A new place to build their homes. And indeed, they did. They walked almost ten hours following Bard, and finally, Dale appeared. The ruins of a destroyed and burnt city touched their hearts. They stared at it for a moment in silence to honor the ones who died that day. Once they started walking again, their feet were already stepping in Dale's ground.

Everybody was searching for a place to rest. They left all the food supplies where Bard told them. They burnt the torches and made the beds. They didn't have enough food for everyone. People had to be considered and have some compassion to let the children eat first when it was time. 

Ethiriel decided she had to come back to the mountain and check out how the dwarves were. She had to tell him, to Bard. She entered to a room where a young woman told her he was in there. Ethiriel saw him talking with their kids. She waited until he finished, when Bard got up from his knees and was walking to the door, where Ethiriel was. When he saw her, their feet started to walk slower. 

-Bard - she said -, I must go.

-To them? 

-Yes.

-Are you going to ask them to give us what he promised? - asked her, referring to Thorin.

-I think you should do it. You lead this people now - she smiled.

-Right... - he smiled - And then... What?

-What do you mean? 

-Your mission with those dwarves was taking care of them until they get the mountain. They did, they have it. What are you going to do now?

Ethiriel, with a very strong but smily look, couldn't stare looking to another place if it was not Bard's face.

-I'll know when I'm not needed here anymore.

Bard smiled once again and whispered one "Then I think you won't go in a long time...". Ethiriel blushed, but did not looked away. There was a silence, but time quickly pasts, so they had to leave that conversation for another moment. They took one horse and it was Ethiriel who riding ahead. Bard was on her back. They followed an old and uncared path which took them directly to Erebor's doors. They found a not very pleasant surprise.

-Thorin, what are you doing? - asked Ethiriel 

-Protecting our home.

-By closing the entrance to everybody? 

-Who are you to tell me what is wrong and what is right? Just because you're an elf you think you know everything?

-No, but she's right - interfered Bard, getting off of the horse and staring at Ethiriel's side -. You must be truthful to your own word. You must pay what you promised. 

-Pay? - laughted Thorin - To who? To men with a so corrupted vision that when they hear the word "gold" in a sentence, they say "yes" as quickly as flying bird. 

-You promised! - yelled Bard, now angry when he understood Thorin's intentions - Now... we have nothing! Because of you! Because of your arrogance! You own us what you promised!

Thorin did not say a word after Bard's. His face got even angrier than he already was. Then he started catching rocks and putting them on the top of the amount quicker than the rest.

-Thorin, it's Ethiriel. What are you doing? - whispered Bilbo to him, something that Ethiriel could hear easily. 

-She's no one to us - said severely looking at Bilbo's eyes but then, he started to catch Ethiriel's -. So, you are not welcome. 

Ethiriel couldn't avoid the little hurt she felt in her heart, but she knew Thorin wasn't really speaking by himself. It was the dragon sickness. It was obvious he got it. He was wearing golden ornaments, a golden crown and a cape made by a wolf's fur. Ethiriel understood she could not be there. Bard couldn't stare at it and not say anything.

-Why are you treating her like this? She did nothing else but helping you. 

Thorin did not say again no word. His face could speak by itself. Bard understood he would give no piece from the Mountain. He whispered to Ethiriel to sit on the horse again, because she could not stare there the hole day and night waiting for mercy or compassion. They had to come back to Dale the same way they had gone: with nothing. Bard got even more upset when he saw Dale's people, with no supplies and no comfortable beds. The moment they arrived to the major building, they found a very interesting surprise.

-Thranduil - Ethiriel called him when she saw his back.

The elvish king turned around quickly recognizing that voice. 

-What are you doing here? - she asked.

-I could ask you the same thing - replied with a very ironic voice -. Shouldn't you be with those dwarves? Let me guess... They expelled you, right? They don't like having an elf around.

He smiled. Enjoying Ethiriel's suffer.

-That's not what happened - defended her Bard.

-Of course not - he smiled at him -. It was that dwarf, the one he thinks he's a king. The sickness of the gold got him. He must be already thinking his own people are conspiring against him. 

Ethiriel looked around. The great elvish army Thranduil brought with him to Dale, also brought many undesirable questions to her.

-Why did you bring an army?

-I told you. There are some jewels of my property in that mountain. I'm going to get them one way or other. 

Ethiriel and Bard were not happy about it. If there was other option before war, they'd gladly take it. Unfortunately, what could they do against a king? Thranduil would not be afraid of getting rid of them in a second. They looked each other's eyes. They quickly understood that they both wanted something to happen before any bloody battle.

Apparently, their prays were listened.

-THRANDUIL, STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!

The voice Ethiriel heard made her feel somehow protected and secure.

-Mithrandir! - smiled Ethirirel.

Quickly returned the same loving smile, but he had in mind other things to stop first.

-You are not going to attack that mountain, Thranduil - he said, severly, almost anxious.

-Who are you...? - the elvish king asked with a very antipathic voice.

-He's Gandalf, Gandalf the Gray. One of the five Istari - intriduced him.

-A Maiar...? - smiled Thranduil - Well, they pressume of great power, when actually...

-There is no time for such things! - interrupted an upset Gandalf - Azog! Azog is coming!

-Orcs? Whe can destroy his crew in a breath.

-This is not a crew, Lord Thranduil. This is an army. Azog is not a simple great orc. He's a commander. A captain. He is leading right now a great army of orcs, armed with no fear.

Thranduil didn't add any other words. His eyes were looking at Gandalf like he was still trying to believe him.

-Let's speak where we are not listened. We better don't scare people - said Gandalf, already looking for a lonely place with his eyes.

The sun had past as fast as a rabbit and the sunset was coming. Ethiriel did not stay away from Gandalf or Bard at any moment. The four of them found a place when Thranduil ordered to his servents to build a war tent.

-Quick, you must tell your soldiers to focus on the army of orcs - said anxiously Gandalf.

-I'm not telling to anyone anything - said Thranduil -. I cannot believe what you say. You're just trying to distract me from my intentions to get those gems. I want them, I'll get them. There's no war can stop me. I asked correctly to that dwarf you helped to give me those jewels if I helped him. I proposed him even when they assaulted into my kingdom.

-For Durin's beards...! You are even more stubborn than the same Thorin Oakenshield! -

-And my people... - interfered Bard - Thorin promised to give us some of the gold he keeps in there. We need it.

The gold and the jewels can wait! Don't you understand?! We'll all die on the first attack from a dark and reborn power. A darkness we all thought it died with the great war in the 3441 of the second edge.

At the same moment Gandalf ended pronouncing that sentence, his eyes rolled until he found Ethiriel's face. She was understanding what Mithrandir was trying to say.

He's back - whispered with fear the wizard.

Ethiriel felt something in her heart. Her breathing felt harder to get and his eyes weren't watching properly. In her head started to see those images she'd never forget until her lasts sighs. Gandalf felt Ethiriel's pain. He got close to her and smiled, showing his compassion for her.

-You were there, didn't you?

-I remember it as if it was yesterday - she answered.

-What are you talking about? - asked Thranduil, adding indifference at the end.

-The Great War - Ethiriel answered -. The war of the ring. I was there. I felt something when I was remembering the horrifying moments.

-You feel that... because in your inside you know he survived. It's your instinct as Captain of the Forest Guardians.

Ethiriel looked at Gandalf and he could see the fear in her eyes, even when she was trying to seem unbreakable. He also saw the same worry for Ethiriel in Bard. He tried to contain himself, getting away his eyes from Gandalf, but it was late. Gandalf saw something. Then he looked at Ethiriel again.

- Av-'osto... (Don't be afraid...) - said Gandalf with a smile.

He walked some steps away for walking in circles. Then, he continued explaining.

-I had to leave Thorin and the company in order to investigate what was going on. Another wizard, Radagast, started to feel the darkness in Mirkwood. He found a Morgul daga when a specter fought against him.

-A specter? - laught Thranduil.

-Yes, Thranduil. A specter. And not a simple one. It was one of the nine.

-Impossible - interrupted Ethiriel -. They were burried in the dark with an unbreakable spell.

-Radagast and I had no other option than go and watch by ourselves, that's why you, Ethiriel, were asked to helped the dwarves. Once we were there, we knew the spell was broken. There was no bodies, no dagas, no rings... Only open coffins made of stones. Radagast insisted something evil was growing in Dôl Guldur. Something that made your kingdom and your forests sick, Thranduil. You sure noticed.

-The spiders... - whispered Thranduil for himself.

-I have seen what was in there by myself. I've been a prisoner, and I saw with my own eyes legions of orcs coming right here. Azog leads them.

-Why do they want the mountain? Because of the gold? - asked Bard, already nervous.

-The position.... - realized Ethiriel - Right? If the orcs get the mountain, their Lord would have a very good strategic position. Erebor is in the north side and it is exactly side by side with Mordor.

-You're right. Something is coming. This is not about gold, dragons, simple missions... This is about everybody's existence. Sauron is back, he lived and survived through the shadows. He never left this world. The White Council has seen it by its own. Saruman, the most powerful wizard, is already taking care of finding him. He scaped from Dôl Guldur when I was rescued by Lady Galadriel, Lord Elrond and himself. I came here as quickly as I could to warn you all. Your armies must be used to protect everybody and we all need to find warriors. The most we find, the better.

-Are you done? - laughted Thranduil - This story is terrific, but not of my business. Once again, you're just trying to distract me from my goals. I don't care what you believe you saw. Sauron is dead.

-No, he's not, you stubborn elvish head!

-Careful, wizard. I can cut your throat and you won't realize.

-Stop this! - said Ethiriel - What are you doing, Thranduil? It is your business! You know what happened in the battle for the ring! You weren't there, but you know! Your own soldiers still try to forget it, but they can't! What are you going to do? Close the gates and live in the darkness? Such a thing shouldn't be done by someone called king!

Thranduil stood up in front of Ethiriel with a very furious eyes and his hand upon his sword. His acts made Bard act like a shield. He quickly stood up between them, facing Thranduil's anger.

-I don't know you think you are, but you won't be allowed to talk to me like that - whispered Thranduil.

-Uhm... Uhm... Ex... Excuse me...! - they heard a new voice.

Gandalf could recognize that voice if he'd hear it in another thousand years.

-Bilbo Baggins! - he happily yelled - What are you doing here?!

-Gandalf! - he smiled - When did you come back?

-Today, my friend.

-Is this the creature who freed my prisoners from my cells? - asked Thranduil.

Bilbo felt the saliva going down his throat and he tried to explain himself over all the feelings he had in that moment.

-We could say I came here to bargain.

-Bargain what? For your life?

-No. Bargain with this.

In the same moment Bilbo said that, he showed from his blue jacket the Ark Stone. Everybody showed the same surprise in their faces.

-Bilbo... what are you doing? - asked Gandalf - Why doesn't Thorin have this?

-Because I found it, but I didn't give it to him.

-You betrayed him, then - laughted Thranduil.

-No. No. No. I do this because of him, and for him only - replied quickly -. Thorin is not the same since we got in the mountain. He's touching and walking over the gold. Always with the gold. He's angry. He thinks one of us wants to steal from him. He treats them like servants, not like friends. I've brought this here to you in order you could bargain with him. You give him the stone, he'll give you what you want.

-Gandalf, - called him Ethiriel - It's the dragon sickness. Bard and I have watched it by ourselves this morning.

-Indeed, it is - whispered very sad.

Moments later, Gandalf asked Bard to found a comfortable place to sleep for Bilbo, because he deserved it. Everybody left Thranduil's tent except him. Ethiriel felt the need for a walk. The night came already and the moon was rising higher through moments. Ethiriel sat down in a ruined window made of stones at the beginning of a high cliff. While she was looking the moon, Gandalf started to get closer to that window. Ethiriel already noticed him, so he sat on the other side.

-We have very severe problems here. We have a king under the mountain corrupted by gold, an elvish king corrupted and a bunch of men starving and freezing. They must understand from now that the fight is not only about them, but the middle earth.

-Yes, but as always, male are weak. It doesn't matter which race. Men, dwarf, elf... When they feel power, they want more.

Gandalf noticed that Ethiriel's words had the same pain as she was feeling inside.

-How was the mission? I guess you accomplished it, as always. They have the mountain, and Thorin could be a king sooner. You did well, Ethiriel. Why do you feel blame?

She did not answer because she didn't want to say any other harmful words. Not even for people who deserved it.

Is it because you two are in love, the man called Bard and you? - asked Gandalf with no regret and no fear.

Ethiriel's face could say eveything she was thinking about.

-Don't you worry, my dear - smiled Gandalf -. I'm no one to say what is wrong or right when we speak about feelings. I'm not saying it could be accepted for some people, but at the end, it's your choice.

Ethiriel hadn't have to give any explaining to him in order to feel better. Gandalf said eveything it had to be said.

-You have a choice - the voice tone of Gandalf changed to a very serious one -. Your mission here is done. You should go and tell her. She's resting in Rivendell. Unless... you feel it is not true.

-What do you mean?

-Thorin got the mountain, but he's now in danger... - whispered the wizard taking from his pockets a long pipe - I would not ask you this if there was other option, but we are running out of them right now. So, I see myself forced to ask you to be here tomorrow and fight. Because there will be a fight.

-I'll be there, Gandalf. I wasn't planning on going to anywhere.

-Good - he smiled -. So... Tomorrow can happen a lot of things, but we know for sure they will be good and bad. If I had to somebody important to me... and a war was coming the next day... I'd sure feel the need to tell that person a lot of things.

Gandalf's skills about discretion weren't so good as he thought. Ethiriel smiled and laughted.

-What? - he said in a very funny tone - I didn't say anything. These elfs... So proud and stubborn.

Gandalf walked away while he was smoking and keeping the role of an angry wizard. Ethiriel smiled once again, until she saw Bard's looking at her. He had his arms crossed and a face of a grateful man to see again that smile. He was at some meters away from her. The square with people and tents were giving them distance. He was at the entrance of the major building. He kept looking until he had to got in the building in order to make his children sleep. His steps were slow and his hand were playing with each other. He got close to his kids and kissed every one of them on their chicks.

-Father, can we have a chat? - asked Bain.

-Now? Aren't you tired? - he smiled and Bain denied - Alright, then.

Bain guided his father into a lonely and lightless corner.

-Father, do you love Ethiriel?

-Bain! - he slightly yelled at him.

Bard felt embarrassed that his own son had more courage than himself.

-Why do you want to talk about his right now? - whispered Bard.

-Because tomorrow we might die.

-We won't die, Bain - said Bard, hurt to hear his son saying those words -. Don't say such things.

-No, father. We might have. We don't know. So, if you don't spent time with her and be by her side, you might regret tomorrow.

Bard smiled.

-We know. My sisters and I. We saw how you look at her. You only had those eyes with one person: mom.

The silence could speak by itself. The memory of that woman was sad but happy.

-I'm so proud of you - whispered Bard -. For everything. For this, and for what you did in Esgaroth.

They hugged strongly.

-Promise me tomorrow you'll keep an eye on your sisters.

-I'll do.

Bain went back to his sisters' side and the three of them went to sleep. Bard couldn't. He tried to sit and close his eyes and maybe have some sleep, but every time he tried, Ethiriel appeared on his head. He stood up again and walked for a while inside the building. In there were quite a lot of people in the great room. There were separated and lonely rooms, but no one had the need to feel alone those moments. Bard decided to take that walk outside. Everybody was already sleeping: elfs, hobbits, men, dwarves, wizards...

Bard walked through the place. Trying to think of any other thing if it wasn't Ethiriel. He couldn't see her now. He mustn't. He was afraid of the possible thoughts of his people or any other creature. He felt sad. Bain was completely right. He needed to tell her at least something. Anything. His eyes decided to look up and find her than keeping the look on the ground. But he didn't have to make any effort. Ethiriel found him first. They were looking at each other, keeping a distance of a few steps. They smiled. Bard was the first one to walk into her.

-Lovely night - he said, joking.

-Sure - she replied.

Bard stopped in front of her.

He smiled at her while she was quite.

-What? - he asked.

-I'm just looking at you - she said.

-Why? - he laughted.

-Because I might never see you again...

-Why do you say that? Are you afraid of your fighting skills? - he tried to joke.

-No. I'm afraid we tried to avoid what we are.

Bard's face could not be smiling any more. She was right, but they felt so happy when they pretended everything was right that didn't even care.

-I'll fight tomorrow - she said -. I'll be here. But when I'm done, I'll go, with no farewells. I won't even ask if you ended up dead or alive.

Her eyes were teary.

-Don't do that - he whispered -. Please.

Bard got some bravery and touched Ethiriel's face to make disappear the first tear she dropped form her eyes.

-I must.

-No, you don't - he felt anxious -. If you do that, I won't get away from you while we are fighting. So I'm the one who's not going to leave you and the one who's going to protect your back. I'll do the same thing you did for me when I shot the dragon. I'll find you. I'll protect you.

Bard's tone was anxious. The only though of losing Ethiriel caused in him a very nervous reaction. She shushed him by taping his mouth with one of her hands. Then she got closer, only the distance of a breath was separating them.

-Bard, I love you - she said -. I do. I promise. But we are going to nowhere. I have a duty and now you do too.

Once Bard took away slightly Ethiriel's hand, he said:

-I don't want you to go.

-And I don't want to go neither.

-Then don't.

-It's not that easy. We serve, and I serve Lady Galadriel.

-Then, I'll speak with her - joked.

-Sure - she smiled.

Ethiriel had enough pain. She did not want to continue telling him that they were not possible. She didn't want to suffer anymore. She had to feel at least it was worthy. Bard was only staring at her eyes, feeling happy and honored to see them. It was Ethiriel who stole from his lips a passioned kiss. She grabbed slightly his face and closed their lips in a kiss collapsing their breaths. Both hearts were now fulled and pleased. When they separated, they wanted even more. Bard kiss her again and again. Ethiriel could not stop the smile growing on her face.

-Stop it - she laughed in whispers.

Bard looked surprised for a moment, something that scared a little bit Ethiriel.

-What? - she asked.

-Your laugh... It's the most lovely thing I've ever heard.

Ethiriel was feeling very different. It wasn't only love, but a warm sensation. She felt like kisses weren't the only thing she wanted to give him. She took one of his hands and guided him. They walked for a minute until they arrived in front of a ruined door. It was a very little house where Ethiriel passed part of the night. There was no one in there.

-Where are we going? Where are you taking me? - he laughed.

Ethiriel did not answer. She just turned around to see him. Bard noticed very quickly that her eyes were looking at him differently. That made him blush. Ethiriel started to open her shirt from the top. She just showed the beginning of her pale breast. Bard's face completely changed. He look at what she was showing, and then her eyes. He understood what Ethiriel wanted.

He got closer and, with a delicate caress, his hand started to touch her neck and then the entrance of her breast.

-Your skin - he whispered -... It's so beautiful.

Ethiriel got his hand again and both got in the house. It was dark, but they could completely see because of the moonlight. Ethiriel kissed him, and then his neck. While she was spreading kisses, her hands were freeing Bard's hair from being tied. She touched his face and hair. They felt very passionate. Bard started to take Ethiriel's corset off and she was taking his jacket and shirt off. Ethiriel knew Bard was the most handsome man he had ever seen.

There was an old bed up floor which Ethiriel knew about. So she told him. Bard grabbed Ethiriel as quick as he could and went upstairs as she said. When they found it, Ethiriel took off her shirt, boots and pants. Bard got closer and kissed her chick. Then, her nose. And then, her lips.

-I love you, too, Ethiriel - he whispered.

They made love. They did it as it was the last time. They did it with no fear, no regret, no shame.