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TOTAL WAR ROME |
With the silence still in the air, and the warmth of fire radiated comfort upon the upcoming winter, the people's thoughts wondered about the hardships to come - the source of food and shelter - as the night continued on.
"The song - that you sang - was it a folktale among your kin?"
There said a voice behind her before she felt the stranger take a seat beside to her left, as he reached out for the warm fire - that was set in front - when the cold night added to it a terrible snowstorm. With the others away to attend to their duties, including Numerius, Estelle was left alone to rest and relieved from duty.
Surprised, she shook it off before answering the dwarf's question as she began, "Not really, it is mainly sung by sailors and the navy. I just thought the song fit how I felt - and how I reacted - to your song."
Fili displayed an interest in the navy - the aspect of the ocean - must have piqued the dwarf's attention as she was plagued by a series of questions, in which she answered them, as it ranged from the vast ocean and the ships that a sailor would board to sail the seas, and to the horrifying monsters that inhabit the dark seas.
"If you aren't typically a sailor, or having lived by the shores, how would you know about the seas and even come by the song you have sung?"
A long pause made Fili wonder if he had asked a sensitive subject, but he remained quiet - showing no signs a person would show to retract what has been said - instead he waited patiently, still interested to know why, and while remaining respectful he waited as Estelle pondered.
"My father was the commander of a legion, and when he was called for duty over the seas to Egypt, whenever he returns he would share grand tales. Terrible storms and thunders, waves as tall as giants, and large serpents. It's through him I learned much."
While Estelle shared her story, Fili maintained a peaceful silence as he listened intently - nodding at every word - before she concluded it as that.
"It's through him I became someone he can be proud of, and so can I."
A peaceful silence fell as both began to yearn for the feeling of home, then she felt a striking pain in her injured arm. Being seated to her left, Fili immediately attended to it, causing Estelle to watch him replace the bandage.
Through a series of sentimental talks with Fili, she felt it would be safe to tell him. The emotions she was feeling at that moment were overwhelming - mixed with the yearning for home and cold fever - she understood she was being reckless but she deemed it fine in her delirious state.
"But the men I lead wouldn't be…"
It was a whisper - 'this was it' she thought and she could still back down - but she spoke up again. Not loud, but enough for Fili to hear as she started.
"How could the men I lead - soldiers that respect me to follow my orders - would be proud to know if I ever let a secret that I withheld from them be exposed."
Confused, Fili paused in his administration on her bleeding arm, before he continued as he waited for her to say what troubled her. Unbeknownst that the secret she was going to reveal would be shocking. Until she cracked and confessed to no one but a dwarf; Fili.
"I am… a woman…"
He paused in his administration due to the shock at the revelation, her eyes watching him as he refused to make eye contact, before ultimately resuming attending to replacing the dirty bandage with a new patch. When he did finish, he caught her tear-stained eyes and said with confidence and reassurance, "Your men are more than an army of orcs could handle. They won't forsake you."
Then with a signature grin, he smiled at her before standing up and pulling away. "I believe what we have in common; us - dwarves, men, and elves - are that we can unite if we put differences aside. Your Legion as well."
As he turned his back walking away, she reciprocate a small smile as she watch his figure vanish among the folk that were walking around. Refreshed from having shared her secret with someone, she felt sleepy and at ease, as the stormy night went on until it went away and just a quiet night remained.
The night maintained that way until the legion prepared to depart before the break of dawn, something that has to do about wasting daylight; as Numerius said, barking out orders and out loud. Meanwhile, earlier during their departure for the ruins of Dale, the elves and dwarves; attended to their own goals.
With the dwarves heading directly to the Lonely Mountain, and the elves to investigate a place mentioned as the old place - Gundabad - the Romans were left with the people of Lake-Town on their journey to the city of Dale.
When the elves and dwarves split from the legion - both having offered their thanks - before continuing on and a scene unfolding by the shore with Kili and Tauriel with their moment until it was cut short. Unbeknownst, the other nephew of Thorin - Fili - watched Estelle on a high horse as she had donned on the mask she had dropped that night with him.
As both brothers shared a mutual feeling, to each their own interests, they parted from them and went to go to a lonely mountain that was long their home; Erebor.
TOTAL WAR ROME |
When the legion arrived at Dale, they were welcomed with prepared food and shelter, thanks to the work put in by the cohort and auxiliary that Cicero managed in advance before the legion's arrival. Without anything else to take note of - reports worthy to be reported - the day would seem to be peaceful.
Though it was brought up again, when Bard received the concerns of the folks of Lake-Town, despite the things that have been provided, there simply wasn't much to go around. Concerns over the food. Although there was an amount that was gifted to them, it simply wasn't a lot and would soon be gone, and asking for more from them would just be shameless. While Romans were generous enough - surprisingly enough - Bard could assume that it would be unwise when the officers were all in a state of caution. Especially when their legatus was injured.
With a heavy heart, he urged them to ration and keep strong, mustering and rekindling hope within them as his family suffered the same. With a brave face, he ushered on as he looked to Erebor where he could finally see over an old building in Dale. Then words from Numerius plagued his mind about the dwarves.
But he held on reservation, clinging on to the hope that Thorin would honor his words, and give them the golds that were promised.
When night eventually set in, and the legion rest inside the city of Dale, along with the people that once inhabits the city before building Lake-Town, Justinian was patrolling the street - mounted on his war horse - as he kept a presence of security and authority.
Just as he past by an alleyway as it led to an open area that overlook the Lonely Mountain, Justinian spotted him as he reined his horse to the man that had his back to him. Bard the Dragonslayer, so he heard the people chant the title. In honesty, Justinian believed the man earned it and that it was not just some fancy title, after all, it was only him that fought against the dragon and actually slayed it.
When the sounds of the hooves of a horse alerted Bard, he turned around to be met by the captain of the cavalry, before he faced the captain fully. "Captain."
Bard greeted, knowing the face of the man that led him to the commander and the officers, which granted him an audience and as well receiving much-needed aid through a form of reward. Yet he did not know his name. So in a way to introduce himself and get the captain's name, he started by offering out his hand for a firm shake.
Without missing a beat the captain took it.
"What are you doing out here, Bard the Dragonslayer?"
The captain questioned, before following the gaze of the dragonslayer to the mountain, and understood. Then a voice spoke up, from Bard as he asked. "You helped me, Captain. The people and my family would not have a lot to go around if you hadn't brought me to your commander and officers. It would be nice to know your name."
Feeling as though the captain would simply brush it off, he was content regardless, but he heard a name. "Name is Justinian. Cavalry Captain."
"If I may add, Dragonslayer, put your worries to rest. The dwarves we journey with were honest ones, although, a bit lacking in manners but not integrity. That is all I can say in their defense. However, if such wasn't the case then we will know tomorrow."
As both Justinian and Bard look off to the lonely mountain, prying eyes watched from the shadows.
TOTAL WAR ROME |