AT- Attack Outside Mirkwood Ch.1

"So it has been quite the problem, I don't know what to do with it anymore!"

"Well what are we to do? We can't exactly go into a war over something so petty. Our forces are required to stay in the city, not go off raiding a village."

"They have not done their job of defending the forest! They must do something they're good at!"

I looked between the two men arguing with my friend beside me. I sighed at their arrogance of butting heads. Most elves know that things should be talked out, not yelled.

"Aliki what do you think?" I turned my head to see Tolenda waiting for an answer. I uncrossed my arms and folded them behind my back.

"Well for one they need to stop screaming. Secondly they're thinking that the only ones who can stop the thievery from going on is the army but that's not true. I know this is a small providence with an even smaller defense system, but they should look to outside help."

"I wonder why they haven't thought of that.... These two men are rather nonsensical. I can't believe they are the elders. Towan is the most stubborn if you ask me."

"I thank you for your support," Towan sarcastically said and he glared at my small friend. She flashed him a smile and a giggle trying to avoid the look he gave her. "You two don't need to be here and listen in on our quarrel. Begone." He waved his hand at us before turning around.

"But we were told to bring you this letter!" Tolenda ran forward holding out a folded up paper without a seal or envelope. Hopefully I did the right thing.

Towan raised an eyebrow at the unofficial letter and unfolded it. He squinted as he read softly muttering the letter aloud.

"For the leaders of this village, I offer aid and support to the issue you are currently having. If you wish for a permanent solution, respond with a letter of your own and give it to my messenger."

He lifted his eyes from the letter and looked directly at me. I hope he hadn't seen through my plan! I looked away and fumbled with my fingers behind my back.

"Aliki," he grumbled. Oh crap he knew didn't he?! "Where did you receive this letter?" I opened on of my clenched eyes and looked at him.

"A-a friend of mine gave it to me. He knows of a way to rid the dwarves from raiding this village."

"And what way would that be?"

"I don't know." I avoided his look yet again. It appears as if he hadn't seen through my plan after all. "All I know is is that he would do a permanent solution and could even rid you of the dwarf village as well."

"What power must he possess to do this act?" Towan put his finger to his chin pondering on the idea. "Aliki give me time to discuss this with Malande. I will call for you when we have decided. How much longer to you plan on staying in the area of the Mirkwoods?"

"I'm in no rush so I really haven't a clue. As I've said, I'm just roaming the vast world of Middle Earth traveling wherever I desire."

"I see. Well then, could you please give us some privacy?" I bowed my head and left the room not sure if Tolenda would follow. As I slowly closed the door, I sighed. I wasn't too confident in my plan, but there wouldn't be a chance in which I would lose. Regardless of their decision, I planned to go through with this. But if I got their approval, then the danger of me being hunted down would be reduced to barely anything. I was too young to be driven out of the homes of my fellow elves.

In this village, things are much simpler than that of the rest of the Mirkwood area. It wasn't covered in the lavish architecture that elves are so proud of, nor was it exactly the richest. The homes were simple and the jobs were focused on the earth of the land. Tending to the forest around us, maintaining small fields and gardens to be sold and such activities were the ways of life here. I had wandered into Mirkwood on my travels and heard of a small town tucked away within the brush of the trees. I found the lifestyle here to be rather interesting.

However, the peaceful life of the people were being tossed about in mischief. Passed Mirkwood are the mountain ranges and in the middle of the two landmarks is a town that stands for the main attraction of the area. Esgaroth is a large city that is the center for trade between men, elves and dwarves. There is a long river that connects the three allowing easy travel between the communities. In other words, the many races that visit Esgaroth can easily reach the woods. This includes the dwarves known for their greed.

As of late, people have noticed things to be disappearing slowly but surely. At first it was small knick-knacks such as a bracelet or necklace, but soon it was more major. The official treasury had been infiltrated. The town had tightened security yet the problem persisted. Obviously it was assumed to be a member of the town, but a scout had noticed someone sneaking off with his wallet. He followed the thief and came across a camp of dwarves and the many items that were missing. The camp was later abandoned, but the stealing did not stop. Over time and investigation, it was found out that the dwarves were traveling through out the woods grabbing what they could to take home. In some twisted sense, they were hunting. As a man goes out into the forest to catch a deer, these creatures came to steal our gold.

Seeing as the town is a small one, the protection force wasn't enough to find the dwarves home and take back what belonged to us. The nearest village was at least two days away and they are just as small as us. Basically, we were out in the edges of the forest with no way to find a reliable aid. That's where my plan came in. I knew of a way to send a single person on the mission with no chance of failure. Correction, I found a creature that could carry out the mission. A creature that is dying out in the land of Middle Earth. A creature who pillaged villages and took treasure as a mere hobby.

A dragon.

I only need the elders' approval to send the dragon out or else it would be hunted down and killed and I wouldn't want it to get killed. Correction.

I wouldn't want myself to get killed because this would be the first time I ever pillaged a town.