"Captain!" Bregolien called out, opening the flap of my tent.

"Hm?" I questioned, looking up from where I sat.

After the little face off between Thranduil and myself I had stormed out of the tent and went straight back to my own. I was irritated to no ends, after having seen the future of the King and Princes of Durin and Thranduil holding what happened years ago over my head, I let out more of my anger and was close to smashing one of the chairs in my tent.

Until...I came to a realization, I knew what I was going to do and I wasn't sure if it would actually work. If I didn't try then I wouldn't know if it could work, but I needed to take a chance.

And that, is how I ended up just fixing a chair by my suit of armor in the far back of the tent, sitting in thought, planning what to do next until Bregolien snapped me out of my thoughts.

"There are some people asking for an audience with you." Bregolien said with a smile.

I sighed before getting up from my seat and making my way out of my tent. I was greeted by a large group of elves in golden armor huddled together conversing with one another. Now, when I say large I don't mean fifty elves...there was probably several hundred elves in golden armor crowded together.

"Ahem." I said loudly, making myself known.

Instantly, the group of elves fell silent and all eyes were turned toward me, giving me their full attention.

"If Thranduil found you all here I think he would be absolutely livid." I said, smiling a bit as I just stood tall in front of my tent. "Is there a reason all of you are here and not with Thranduil?"

"We came here..." A female elf with dark red hair said stepping forward, nervously looking every where but at me. "well..."

"Speak up Caladwen." I said smiling, instantly recognizing the female elf.

"This is the group that I had mentioned back in your cell Captain." Idhrenion said, coming to stand beside Caladwen. "They wanted to speak with you."

"If you are all here to apologize, then there is no need for it." I spoke up, looking to the group. "I hold no ill will toward any of you. You were following an order by your king...you all did the right thing."

"You're far too kind Bellethiel..." Caladwen said, looking up at me. "but we regret never following you back to the mountain, we believed in your cause but we were too scared to follow. But...we will follow you now Captain."

I sighed and looked down at the group who all could not look to me or hold my gaze and I stepped down toward them. When I reached Caladwen, I placed a hand on her shoulder causing her to hesitantly look up and stare into my eyes.

"There is no need to feel this way any longer." I said smiling and looking to the group around me. "You are here now, willing to fight along side me...that is all that matters."

I bought her in for a hug and when I pulled away I greeted the entire group and welcomed them with open arms.

All throughout the night we were preparing for the war ahead. Weapons were being sharpened, shields and armor being enforced. And in the field in front of my tent, many of the elves sparred together while I overlooked the practices. Making sure that none of them overworked themselves and tire themselves out, I would want them in top shape and well rested if the army of orcs and goblins truly did come and wage war with us.

Before long, I had dismissed every one to relax for the rest of the day and I was in my tent for the most part, left with my own thoughts. Left to constantly replay the deaths of Thorin, Fili and Kili...and for a while it bought my spirits down. But the more I thought about it, the more I was determined to follow through with the plan I was piecing together in my head. Sure, it was all jumbled up and unorganized...it's hard to plan something out in war when there are many things that could go wrong. Many possibilities where things won't go according to plan, but I would just have to adjust and plan a different course. I formed many routes to take if certain things transpired, and prepared for any possibilities. But...no matter what...I planned to always have the three in my sights at all cost.

"Bellethiel." Mellimeldisiel's voice called to me through the tent.

I turned to see Mellimeldisiel walk through the tent flaps, she bowed to me and when she lifted her head...there was no smile. She was staring at me with a hard glaze, all dressed in her silver armor with a brown quiver hanging loosely on her left side, a sword in it's sheathe on the same side. And right behind her was Melda, Ainion's wife followed as well, dressed in the same armor attire.

"We came to help you dress." Melda said smiling, bowing before me.

"I do not think I need help getting dressed Melda, Mellimeldisiel." I said shaking my head.

"You'll need help with the back adjustments." Mellimeldisiel said and when I looked a bit embarrassed, she only laughed.

I was already dressed in my silk black tunic, already in preparation for putting the armor on, it was well fitted. The tunic was hugging my upper half of my body and after my hips it had flared out on the bottom. The bottom of the tunic extended down to my ankles, it was comfortable enough to have me move around and I knew it wouldn't constrict my movements. The bottom flared apart and was open, under the tunic was silk fitted loose pants that I had tucked inside of my simple, black armored boots and the tip of the boots reached to my knees.

"I suppose...I would need help..." I mumbled quietly.

Mellimeldisiel and Melda smiled to each other before walking forward and taking the armor off of the mannequin and began to fit it on me. The breastplate went over my head and rested comfortably on my chest, I could feel the cape fall to the ground behind me, falling just close to the ground. While they fixed and made sure the breastplate and the pauldrons wouldn't fall off I fastened the vambraces on my arms, securing them tight.

"The armor really suits you Captain..." Melda admired as she finished fastening one of the pauldrons on my shoulder. "you look very...regal."

"Thank you Melda." I smiled at the female elf.

"And the piece to fit it all together." Mellimeldisiel said, holding something in her hands.

I looked down at what she was holding and saw a really beautiful crown. It fitted around my head, obsidian in color, shimmering bright when the light hit. The point settled between my eyebrows, creating a heart shape as both sides curved up and outlined my face. There were tips of the crown that fell just about on my cheeks. And on either side of the curve it branched out and up. The top of the crown, the branches, were at least higher then my head. To me it reminded me of trees in autumn when the leaves fell off the branches, the strong branches that grew and reached to the skies.

I lowered my head as Mellimeldisiel placed it where it belonged, it fitted quite nicely. Mellimeldisiel smiled when I lifted my head.

"Reminds me of the old days." Mellimeldisiel commented, smiling longingly.

"You're look very intimidating Captain." Melda said smiling.

I laughed and began to tie the belt that was attached to the scabbard of my sword around my waist to my left, Ringil safely in its sheathe. My short swords tucked behind me on my belt, and a dagger tucked in both of my boots.

"Our friends are waiting outside." Mellimeldisiel said, lifting the flaps of the tent.

I walked out of the tent with Melda following close behind, my head held high as I looked at the army in front of me.

A nicker was heard and a slight bump to my shoulder bought me out of my concentration and when I looked it was a beautiful black stallion with a white star on it's forehead. Even though the body of the horse was fitted with protective armor I instantly knew who it was when the horse started to constantly bump my shoulder.

"Beinion." I smiled reaching up and holding the horses face close to mine, petting his forehead. "Where did you go off to after our run in with the trolls?"

"We found him close to Imladris." Mellimeldisiel said, patting his shoulder. "He entered into Rivendel and we knew he belonged to you since he had some of your clothing on a bag that was slung on him."

I smiled as he nuzzled my face before lightly pushing him away to address the army in front of me, now getting down to business.

"I want some of the healers stationed here along with some of the of our fighters." I said. "I do not know what is going to happen, but we cannot be too careful. Nestaron, I want you in charge from here. Saeldur, you will stay here as well along with a unit under your control."

I looked around and motioned for Veryan and when I found him I motioned for him to step forward.

"Veryan, you are assigned to my unit. If it is not too much trouble, please be my messenger and deliver any news or messages from our unit to here." I said, looking a bit sad at having asked him to do such an enormous task.

"I will do my best." Veryan nodded.

"Be ready to move out!" I called out, dismissing everyone.

I began giving orders, assigning a group to stay here in Dale with Saeldur, making sure that the healers were divided between Dale and my group.

"Nana." Beriohtarion called out, and I stopped talking to Saeldur and turning to talk to my nephews and my niece.

"Are you going to tell us to sit out again?" Balamaethor questioned, crossing his arms across his chest.

"You two..." I said about to tell them that they would be sitting out, but when I looked to Beriohtarion and Balamaethor I knew it was going to be useless so I sighed in defeat. "I want you to stay with me, and stick close. Do not leave my side, if you do and I find out then an orc army is not what you should be fearing when I find you two."

"Yes Nana." The two voiced out.

"Promise me." I ordered, glaring slightly at the two.

"We promise Nana." My two nephews said.

"And me?" Thenidiel questioned curiously.

"I want you to stay at Nestaron and Nestariel's side." I said placing a hand on her shoulder. "If I had my way, I would send you away this instant along with Beriohtarion and Balamaethor. But I know my brother...and if you are anything like him, then I know you will not leave. So I would feel safer knowing that you were away from the danger."

"What if they attack Dale?" Thenidiel questioned.

"Then you do your best to stay alive." I said, sighing nervously at even imagining my niece in danger. "Urúvion!"

The young male elf quickly came to attention and came to stand in front of me.

"I have a job for you Urúvion." I said looking between the two. "You are to protect Thenidiel here in Dale. Do not let anything happen to her, you are to protect her with your life. Anything happens to her, and you have me to answer to."

"Yes, Captain!" Urúvion voiced out a bit nervously and bowed to me.

I nodded my head in appreciation and when he left I turned back to the three elves in front of me. I smiled sadly at the three and quickly enveloped the three in a hug. Thenidiel between Beriohtarion and Balamaethor, and I tightened my hold on the three.

When I pulled away, I looked at the three of them and smiled proudly.

"I have raised you two, Beriohtarion and Balamaethor, since you were very little...I could not take over the role as your mother, because I would never want to replace your mother. But I watched you two grow from little boys to mature, full-grown, adults before my eyes." I said and then looked to Thenidiel. "And I have not known you very long Thenidiel, if I knew that your mother was with you I would have done everything possible to be apart of your lives. But I know you now and I am happy to have known you. Happy to have you as a part of this family."

I nodded my head and let out a sigh.

"I have said I could never be your mother...that I would never want to replace your mothers, but I will say this right now...I am very proud to be your aunt. And very proud to have you three as my children." I said. "Do everything you can to survive, and I will do everything in my power to protect you three, watch over you three like I have always been doing."

"Nana..." Balamaethor said as I saw his eyes water just a bit.

"You're speaking as if this is the last we will see each other." Beriohtarion said sadly.

"It is always a possibility..." I said sadly. "and I wanted to say what I needed to say. I need you three to survive, I could not bare it if I find out any of you three did not make it out alive. So do not do anything stupid."

"We won't." Beriohtarion promised.

Thenidiel suddenly reached out and took me into her arms, hugging me tightly.

"Nana..." Thenidiel said, her voice muffled as I heard her voice crack just a bit.

I smiled and gently pushed her away, taking the sleeve of my tunic and whipping away stray tears on her face.

"Do not cry gwilwileth (butterfly)..." I spoke gently. "there is no need for it."

"Captain." Bregolien said suddenly, coming up from behind us. "Thranduil's army is assembling, they're about to head to the mountain."

"Be safe Nana, Beriohtarion, Balamaethor." Thenidiel said sadly to all three of us.

"You stick to Urúvion and Nestaron." I said as Beinion was being led to me. "Do not leave their side, if the army comes this way, do your best...keep fighting."

Thenidiel nodded and I pulled myself up onto Beinion, taking the reigns and pulling it back causing him to stagger a bit.

"Gwaem (Let's go)!" I called out to the army in front of me. "Berio ven Eru a Tego nin/ven i Melain am mand (May Eru protect us and the Valar lead us to safety)."

My army went on the move with me leading the way on top of Beinion.

When we reached the main part of Dale, Thranduil's army was already marching toward the mountain. Thranduil, Bard, and Gandalf along with Bilbo were standing there, watching the army march forward.

"Daro (Halt)!" I called out as soon as we saw the army. I urged Beinion forward to the four.

"Bellethiel." Gandalf greeted finally seeing me.

"I see that you've decided to join us." Thranduil said not bothering to glance at me, his head held high.

"I am joining you not because of your needs, I am here because if you decide to attack that mountain, I will be there to defend it." I stated plainly.

"You look very different Belle." Bilbo commented, craning his head up to look up at me on my horse. "A good different I mean."

I laughed lightly and I motioned for my group to tag behind Thranduil's army and at the very back, Thranduil, Bard and myself rode behind with Gandalf and Bilbo following close behind.

We were the last to arrive at the mountain, the army of elves already lined up in front of the gates. In the middle of the army was the race of men and on the side I saw my own army separated from the rest to the side. Up on the top of the gate I could see the company all lined up like they had the day before.

I decided to follow Thranduil and Bard close behind and when we got close to the gate I stayed by the army while Thranduil and Bard got closer to the gates of Erebor. When I tried to look up to the gates, most of the company glanced at me, but the only one who couldn't look at me...who wouldn't look at me was Thorin. He refused to look at me and that upset me the most. Gandalf and Bilbo stood beside me and suddenly I saw Thorin bring forth a bow and let an arrow fly, the arrow hitting just in front of Thranduil's elk stopping their advance.

"I will put the next one between your eyes." Thorin called out, causing the company to cheer out loud.

I watched as Thranduil smirked and suddenly the army behind me began to move. I heard the clinking of armor and I took a glance behind me to see the army moving simultaneously. In one swift, flowing movement they lowered their bow, flipping it around and took out an arrow from their quiver and aimed it straight at the company. This action caused the whole company from above to duck down behind the gate.

"Hail Thorin!" Bard called out once more. "We have come for your answer. We will give you the Arkenstone, in exchange for what we are due!"

When Thorin did not answer, I had hoped that he had come to his senses over night, that what he was going to say was to just agree so we can concentrate on the bigger picture.

"What say you Thorin! Are we resolved! The return for the Arkenstone for what was promised?" Bard called out, repeating himself once more. "Give us your answer. Will you have peace...or war?"

Thorin, I noticed was looking nervously to the right of us, almost expecting something to come from over the hill. But when nothing came, I saw a sort of defeated stare...that he was just about to agree to Bard's request.

And then I saw it, a raven had landed on the gates and I saw Thorin finally had an answer for Bard.

"I will have war." Thorin called out, as he turned back toward the hill where he was looking.

I followed his gaze and saw a slight darkness in the distance, the sounds of the clanging of metal marching our way. The line got bigger and I saw an army headed in our direction, and not just any army...an army of dwarves. The closer they got I saw that there was someone leading the way, a large bulky dwarf riding on top...a pig?

"Ironfoot." I heard Gandalf whisper from beside me.

"Lord Dain..." I breathed out in irritation, having remembered that Thorin had sent a raven a few days ago, asking for some assistance.

Cheers erupted from the company up above and I rode to where Thranduil was, I stayed close to the gates of the mountain but rode into the front of the army.

"Ribo i thangail (Rush the shield-fence)!" Thranduil called out, causing the army to turn and head in the direction of the oncoming dwarf army.

"Do not raise your weapon!" I called out to the army. "No one makes a move to attack!"

"Who is that? He doesn't look very happy." Bilbo questioned, keeping up with Gandalf and myself as we began making our way toward the dwarf army.

"It is Dain, Lord of the Iron Hills." Gandalf spoke up. "Thorin's cousin."

"Are they alike?" Bilbo questioned up to Gandalf.

"I have always found Thorin the more reasonable of the two." Gandalf stated.

"Let us just hope he is in a listening mood..." I said, riding beside the army.