From The Ashes

38

"And where do you think you're going?" Naturally walking along the streets of Dale, Gandalf's form was still rather clear and obvious to spot. Beside him Bilbo stopped walking and looked around with a bemused expression. "Up here," both of them looked upwards. Alassëa leaned against a high wall and looked down at them. When neither went to reply she rolled her eyes, moving away from her leaning position she walked down the stairs and turned to stop in front of them. Looking from one to the other she frowned and rolled her eyes. Slowly shaking her head, she realised what was happening. "You're leaving," she stated with a gentle sigh. "Wait, you're leaving without saying farewell? Did you not think I would notice you gone?" She frowned sharply at the wizard.

Gandalf chuckled lowly and held a hand up in defence. "Now, now, Alassëa, it wouldn't be the first time we've parted ways without saying farewell, would it?"

"It's different now though." She stated while shifting her weight from one leg to the other. Her sudden mortality would still mean she'd age slower than most. But who was to say that they'd ever cross paths again? As far as she could guess, Gandalf would have no business up this way. Bilbo looked between them and coughed awkwardly, he felt somewhat forgotten in this sudden conversation. "I at least thought you'd be decent enough to wish to say farewell!" She exclaimed with mock drama, smiling lightly, laughing and shaking her head, he looked at her with wide eyes. Bilbo was feeling left out, but now he just felt somewhat awkward. "I hope you both have a safe journey back home." Alassëa smiled between the two of them. "I take it you have parted ways from Dain and the other dwarves?" She couldn't help but smirk at the sight of the luggage which was sort of strapped to Bilbo's person.

"We have," Gandalf said heavily, Alassëa looked away from the treasures Bilbo was carrying to him. She looked a little confused while stepping to his side as they commenced walking down the street. "With some trepidation. None of them seemed to wish Bilbo to leave, as such."

"They couldn't wait to part ways with me when we first met." The hobbit couldn't help but chime in seems they were talking about him, while he was right here beside them. Alassëa leaned past Gandalf and sent a smile to him. Bilbo could rightly remember the hesitance some if not all of the dwarves first showed him when they first met. Honestly, he never expected them all to become so attached. He was going to miss them all terribly.

"Opinions tend to change when you've made friends." Alassëa said while crossing her arms loosely over her chest. Shaking her head slowly, she looked to Gandalf. "Yet they seemed fine with you leaving? Oh, Gandalf...what a lasting impression you have made on them." Alassëa said while placing a hand to her mouth to try and hide her growing smile, she was also trying to keep her laughter in.

Bilbo slowly smiled too and let out an awkward cough, that disguised his laughter quick, well he thought until Gandalf shot a look between them both. "Hm, yes, well," he said awkwardly with a thoughtful hum. He walked in thought for a few moments more, he was trying to decide whether to actually continue on, yet eventually decided against it. Shaking his head he looked to Alassëa, "What are you doing?"

She raised an eyebrow at the sudden question. "Taking a break from dressing changes." She explained as simply as she could. Truth be told, one person she was tending to had sadly passed on, and she needed to get out of there and get some air before she had a possible breakdown. Life lost was never something she'd get used to, not that anyone could get used to such a thing. Even though the man was so heavily injured, he showed signs of recovering, only to take a horrid turn for the worse. His last moments were full of pain and delusions. Shaking her head sadly, she looked to them both, they were looking at her curiously. "As to what I'm doing right now, I'm escorting two visitors to the gates."

"That is very kind of you." Gandalf smiled and nodded his head down at her.

"If I didn't you'd leave without saying anything." Alassëa said while smiling thinly. "Say, are you passing Imladris?" She questioned suddenly while looking to Gandalf with an expectant look.