Legolas and I had made it out of Mirkwood without anyone noticing. Even the horses we took with us were dead silent. I firmly believe that that wasn't the first time Legolas had snuck out of the kingdom. He doesn't answer me when I ask him about it so I believe he has done it before.

During our travel, I kept going back to Thranduil's exchange with me back in Mirkwood. At first I believed his unusual kindness was out of pity for what had happened to me. I then remembered the fury in his eyes when I brought up Tauriel and one question stuck out.

Was Thranduil replacing Tauriel with me?

Tauriel was Thranduil's go-to solder. He had depended on her more than he depended on Legolas. I could only imagine the betrayal Thranduil must have felt when he found out about Tauriel and Kili's little romance back in Esgaroth. Nevertheless, Legolas and I were on Tauriel's side and while Legolas didn't agree with every choice she had made, I did. Without her, I would be dead by now. She taught me combat and now I was prepared to fight on her side.

"I hate to be a pest," I began with a long sigh.

"That would be a first," Legolas cut in with a chuckle. I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

"Are we there yet? I'm bored out of my mind and believe me, you do not want to see me when I'm cranky and bored. It is not a good combo."

Legolas smirked. "You do not have to tell me that, Felicity. We have a few more miles to go but we'll be there before sunrise."

"You know, you guys should really start investing in clocks or something."

"And what is this clock you are speaking of?"

"A clock tells time. For example...um...". I looked around the sky, attempting to depict the time it could be. "It's about...maybe...one in the morning?"

Legolas raised an eyebrow. "If it were morning, the sun would be out."

I sighed. "Fuck it. I don't have the patience to explain myself."

When I first arrived in Esgaroth, I wondered what could have happened for such a place to look so broken. Just as I had thought it couldn't have looked any worse than before, Smaug's raid had left serious damages.

Remains of the houses that were once held up crumbled to the ground. A small handful of them stayed in tact. The streets were covered in broken piles of wood and architecture, making it nearly impossible for anyone to get around. Also, it was snowing. While I was used to snow and didn't care too much for it, I couldn't help but think about those without homes who were left on the freezing streets.

Bard's house had made out alright. A couple pieces of the house had made it's way to the ground but nothing serious. Legolas and I tied the reigns of the horses to a pole before making our way up.

"Hold my hand incase you fall," Legolas told me as he stuck out his hand. I smirked as I clutched on.

"You just want to hold it because you like holding my hand," I teased.

"Felicity-."

"Legolas."

Legolas sighed and gave me a small smile. "I would prefer you not hurt yourself. You are not all that graceful."

"You're kidding," I replied in a deadpan tone. "That's a lie."

We had made it to the porch and I knocked on the door. The door opened and Bard stepped out. He was stunned but collected himself very well.

"Tauriel mentioned you two were coming," he said sternly. He looked to me. "Glad to see you are alright. The girls will be happy you're here."

He let us inside and the moment Sigrid and Tilda saw me, they ran to me and I pulled them both into a tight embrace. I couldn't begin to express how relieved I was to know Bard and the kids were alright. His son even joined in on the hug.

"Where are the dwarves?" Legolas asked Bard. Bard cleared his throat.

"Left yesterday," he answered coldly. "Took the first boat they could get out of here and made their way to the mountains."

He mumbled something under his breath but I couldn't make out just what it was. I excused myself to find Tauriel.

Tauriel was in the bedroom I once stayed in. She sat on the edge of the side of the bed and looked out the window. I closed the door behind me and sat beside her. Her face was blank, deep in thought.

"Kili and I said nothing when he parted," she told me. "Not so much as a 'thank you' or any thing. Once word got out that their uncle reclaimed the Misty Mountains, they couldn't leave any faster."

I nodded my head. "Men. They don't care when you do and care when you don't. Funny how they think women are so complicated."

Tauriel chuckled and a long pause followed. Finally, Tauriel broke the silence and looked at me. "How long?"

"How long until what?"

"Until you can make it through a day without hearing their voice or seeing them in your head. Until it doesn't hurt anymore."

I wrapped my arms around Tauriel's shoulder and leaned my head on her shoulder. While it wasn't much of answer, she knew it was better than for me to lie. Many times I had asked myself the same question Tauriel had asked and even then, the answer was never known.

"We must travel to the mountains to get the gold that belongs to Esgaroth," Tauriel said. "The people need it more than the dwarves."

I nodded my head in agreement. "We'll get it. One way or another we will."

"You have a way with children," Legolas commented as I waved goodbye to another group of children. Legolas, Tauriel, and I had taken it upon ourselves to help those who were effected by Smaug's attack. I made sure the children were wrapped up in blankets and fed them some soup Sigrid, Tilda, and I had managed to come up with. Of course, Tauriel, Legolas, and I had to knock down the door of the mayor for him to help.

Needless to say, he was given much of a choice.

I blushed. "I cared for kids back in my world. Their parents would hire me for a night or two a couple times a month to watch their kids."

"Do you miss your world?"

My smile fell. "Everyday."

Legolas wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to his chest. His hand stroked my hair as he pecked his lips on the top of my head. Even in the smallest demonstrations of affection, Legolas made me feel so wanted.

Cheesy, I know, but it's true.

"Are we doing the right thing?" I asked as he snaked his arms from behind me and pressed his cheek next to mine.

"What would make you think such a thought?"

"I mean, we're pretty much betraying your father. Well, you are. I'm not particularly fond of him so it's whatever for me."

Legolas chuckled and nodded his head. "Some things that are right are done in ways that make it feel wrong, Felicity."

There was a long pause. "Legolas, has anyone ever told you that you sound like Yoda sometimes?"