The ice crunched underneath me as my possessed legs forced me to follow Thorin. The cold air raked itself down my throat causing me to wheeze. I could not let Thorin run to his doom, it felt like I had made a vow, a promise not to leave them behind. They were the only family I had, despite being reluctant to show it. I unsheathed my daggers as I neared the other side of the river. Ahead, the sound of clashing metal echoed through the ice and rocks, Kili was alive for the time being.

The icescape seemed abandoned, thorin had disappeared in the fog, leaving me alone. The metallic clangs of battle danced all around me with no point of origin. I decided to delve headfirst into the labyrinth of the ruins in the hopes of finding Kili.

I was shrouded in silence, and the panic began to set in. I sank to the ground as memories rushed before my eyes; fire, blood and the screams of children. I took cover behind a nearby rock as my lungs burned in my chest and my throat tightened, suffocating me.

"You must get up," a warm, distant yet familiar voice called to me "You will not perish here."

I obeyed the voice, scrambling to my feet. Fire flashed in my vision but no heat came. I could see the faces of terrified elves before me, eyes wide and striking; violet. Where were these memories from?

The horrid face of an orc dragged me out of my reverie, smacking me across the jaw with a club. Darkness shrouded the edges of my vision as I stumbled back. It roared in my face before throwing me across the space like a child with a doll. It smiled cruelly, waiting patiently for me to rise and fight. He was playing with his prey. I swiped a dagger from the ground and shuffled towards him. I swung, and I missed. He struck my ribs, knocking the air from me. Spluttering and coughing, I charged once more, this time landing a shallow hit across his face, scratching his eye. The orc screeched and cradled his socket. I took the advantage and swung once more, slicing across his chest. The cut was deeper than before. Just when I thought I was back in the fight the orc launched himself at me, lunging for my neck and squeezing the life out of me. I clawed at his hand in a desperate attempt to free myself. My vision pulsed in and out of darkness as the horrified faces of elves returned to me. Perhaps it was for the best that I could never regain my memories. Maybe the truth was simply too painful. I had no choice in the matter now.

"KILI!" The sound of desperation travelled through the expanse of the ruins. Tauriel had arrived. I wanted to call back, but I was barely clinging to life as the orc pushed his crooked sword to my side, ready to skewer me like a boar. Pain shot through my ribs but quickly dulled as a strange warmth spread through me.

"KILI!" she called once more, this time closer.

"TAURIEL!" Someone called back. I could barely make out the words, my life was ebbing away as the seconds passed.

"Caladhiel!" Someone called out to me. I tried to respond in my dizzy state. I was floating, drifting away into slumber. I welcomed it, exhausted by the recent events of my short and painful life. It was as if I was underwater, I could hear the occasional sounds of splashing, but it was distorted by the ocean around me. My feet hit the ocean floor first, then the rest of my body. My head was last to settle as I laid on the ground. Light started to penetrate the deep waters. My eyes couldn't adjust in time. Everything was a blur. Hues of blue and grey with a burst of orange hovered above me like a sunset surrounded by glaciers. As light gusts of air filled my lungs, the sunset left me and my eyes became heavy.

I was unaware of the battle occurring just three paces from my broken body. As Tauriel defended me from the onslaught of assailants, I was helpless. She did her best but was soon overwhelmed and forced to retreat from the hoard in search of Kili. All colour had faded from my face as my breathing became so shallow it was almost unnoticeable. Tauriel believed I had passed on and had no choice but to leave me behind and protect Kili. After all, he could still survive this. As the orcs chased after her, one booted me out of the way and down the hillside. I tumbled over rocks and out of sight, but still alive. Incredibly I hadn't lost a lot of blood, my main ailment was the starvation of air which had been returned to me thanks to Tauriel. As I settled halfway down the rocky hill, I drifted off into a slumber, unaware of the losses counted on this day.

The company searched for me in the ruins with no luck, I was lost to the world. Just another casualty of war, taken before my time. As they held the funeral for Thorin and his kin, the company paid homage to my sacrifice too. I belonged with them just as much as Bilbo had.

Legolas hadn't known me as long and yet still felt the weight of loss fall upon him. He felt his calling was not to cower behind the walls of Mirkwood and set off to find Strider and begin the next chapter in his life.

I was a stranger to most, those who would miss me barely knew me. I would not be written into history, long forgotten and loved by very few.

***

"There is to be a great feast tonight. Songs will be sung, tales will be told and Thorin Oakenshield, and the others, will pass into legend." Balin attempted to persuade Bilbo to stay but his request fell upon deaf ears.

"I know that's how you must honour him, but to me, he was never that - he was...to me...he was..." Bilbo stammered, unable to find the words.

Balin smiled in an attempt to set Bilbo at ease.

"Well, I think I'll slip quietly away. Will you tell the others I said goodbye?" It was Bilbo's way - never make a fuss.

"You can tell' em yourself," Balin said proudly.

Bilbo turned to see the others crowded in the doorway patiently waiting to bid Bilbo farewell. The air was still weighed down with grief and loss, but they chose to revel inThorin's life rather than despair in his death. The same went for the others who had been taken from them.

Bilbo attempted to ease the tension in the air, "If any of you ever passing Bag End, tea is at four - there's plenty of it. You are welcome anytime."

He was met with a bow in response and he smiled wistfully, "Eh, don't bother knocking."

They chuckled, the sadness lifted for a short time before settling back into sombreness once more as some shed a tear and waved goodbye to the hobbit.

Bilbo joined Gandalf and they began their journey back to the shire.