From The Ashes

23

With the break of day came a whole new level of chaos. The destruction of the town had caused panic filled chaos, the fear of not surviving the night, the knowing that everything would be lost. But with the new day came the panic of finding family and friends, the fear of knowing that most what held dear had perished in the dragon-fire.

Walking the stony shores both Tauriel and Alassëa looked around with wide eyes. So many had survived the night it was quite surprising really. Sigrid and Tilda shouted out for their father and brother, their voices exclaimed out amongst so many who were already shouting into the air seemed like a wasted effort. Many people present rushed to the lapping waters and sought to helping those out who struggled, or seeing to the dead, or even passing useful objects to someone else awaiting on the shore.

Hearing her name, Tauriel looked to Kíli, behind him the dwarves were seeing to righting their boat. They had it in mind to leave before anyone could stop them. Not that there was anyone present who could possibly stop them from going. Giving the two room to speak, Alassëa, Sigrid and Tilda parted ways from her. Alassëa had to hand it to the people, they were very resourceful. They didn't seem to waste any time with setting up a rough camp. Fires were lit, and pots were suspended above them, things boiled within them. Food or in Alassëa's case medicine.

She had been pulled away from the children, but she had said that if anything came to light, come find her. She wasn't exactly moving away from the fire which someone had kindly lit for her. She couldn't help but think of the irony. These people didn't take a shining to her when she was in the town, but now that they needed some medicinal 'potions and magic' – apparently said by one person, who clearly mistook her for a wizard than an elf at that moment – they were now liking her very much.

Shrewd, she had quickly assumed. Still shrewd, yet they were banding together. At least, all were apart from Alfrid who was still trying to lord it out above everyone else. She sat stirring what little plants that had seemed to grow over here, or what got bought over, she had watched him as he hounded a woman who kindly gave out blankets. She was a good distance away that she couldn't hear the conversation which was happening, however Alassëa could spy him going to hit the lady, only for his hand to be stopped by an all too familiar figure.

Saying she was lost for words, and that her heart temporarily stopped was an understatement. The moment just heightened as Tilda's voice shouted out and she ran to wrap her arms around him tightly. Sigrid followed suit and pulled Bain into the tight embrace too. Bard held onto his children tightly, honestly he couldn't believe he was standing here with them in his arms. Looking around, he couldn't help but notice the looks which were being sent his way. He shut his eyes and leaned his head against Sigrid's, ignoring the sudden commotion around them.

Tilda broke apart then suddenly and looked from her siblings to her father and then darted off. Bard and Bain looked confused whereas Sigrid suddenly realised what she was doing. There was one person missing from their family reunion, and they had promised to come find her if anything came to light. Bard and Bain's reappearance was much light shed as humanly possible right now. Tilda came shuffling through the crowds again with her hand tightly latched onto one of Alassëa's.

"I said I was coming, really there is no need to pull me along!" She laughed while patting the small girl on the head. She was about to come over only to get Tilda suddenly pulling her up and around. Stopping suddenly, Alassëa hadn't failed to miss the cheeky smile Tilda sent her way before side stepping. Shaking her head she looked upwards, a little tired and sooty, but for the most part Bard and Bain both looked well.

Reaching up she carefully placed her hands against his face, as if she were afraid that through all he's been through, Bard would suddenly shatter like glass. She honestly was surprised that he was here, she had faith that he would be, but even with the task he undertook, her faith could have been hard to strongly hold onto. Tracing his features she gladly wrapped her arms around him when he pulled her into his.