At the same time, in Lake-town—
A deep roar rolled across the water.
It came from the direction of the Lonely Mountain.
The sound was distant, but powerful enough to carry through the cold night air. The wooden structures of the town creaked slightly as the echo passed over the lake.
People stopped what they were doing.
Conversations died.
A few turned toward the dark silhouette of the mountain in the distance.
"…Did you hear that?" someone asked quietly.
Another roar followed.
Louder this time.
The sound carried across the water again, heavier, angrier.
In Bard's house, the noise reached them clearly.
The room fell silent.
Tilda looked toward the window, her expression uncertain. "What was that?"
Bain stepped closer to the doorway, listening.
Sigrid frowned slightly. "It came from the mountain…"
Bard didn't answer immediately.
He was already looking in that direction, his expression hard.
"That wasn't just a sound," he said quietly. "That was a warning."
"They woke it," he muttered.
Outside, more people had begun to notice. Some stepped out onto the wooden walkways, staring toward the Lonely Mountain. The night felt different now—tense, unsettled.
"Where is he? Didn't he say he would take care of it?" Bard asked, his eyes fixed on the distant mountain. The echo of the dragon's roar still lingered over the lake, making the silence between each sound felt heavier.
"He said he was going to the mountain," Wanda replied, calm and unbothered, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary.
Bard turned toward her fully now, his expression tightening.
"You're not even worried?" he asked. "That is a dragon."
Wanda didn't answer right away.
Natasha spoke instead, her tone steady, grounded.
"I don't know him that well," she admitted, her gaze still on the mountain, watching the faint glow that came and went in the distance. "But I've seen enough."
Bard waited.
"When he says he'll do something," she continued, "he does it. No hesitation, no second guesses. He doesn't leave things halfway."
Her voice carried quiet certainty.
"If anything, he's too good at it," she added, almost dryly. "The kind of person who makes everyone else look like they're not even trying."
She exhaled slowly.
Natasha had to admit it, even if she had no intention of saying it out loud.
Luke was a playboy. That part was obvious. He was annoying, shameless, and had a habit of saying things that made no sense at the worst possible moments. Half the time she wanted to shut him up just to get some peace.
But at the same time, she couldn't ignore what she had seen.
When it actually mattered, he was reliable.
Not just strong—but dependable in a way that didn't leave room for doubt. He didn't hesitate, didn't second-guess, and more importantly, he didn't let the people around him get hurt.
Especially the women with him.
That part wasn't an act.
Her gaze shifted briefly toward Wanda.
As long as Wanda was here, nothing was getting close to this town easily. And if Luke had left her behind while going to face something like a dragon, it meant he was sure things here would remain under control.
Which, knowing him, probably meant they would.
Her thoughts lingered for a moment longer than she liked.
He even tries that nonsense on me every chance he gets…
A faint irritation crossed her face, though it didn't last.
And the worst part is… it actually works sometimes.
She let out a slow breath.
…Sigh.
Stayed single all this time… just to end up falling for a scumbag whose house is already full of women.
Natasha folded her arms, her expression settling back into its usual calm as she pushed the thought aside before it could show on her face.
Wanda gave a small, easy smile.
"Don't worry," she said. "We're both capable too."
Her tone was light, but there was confidence behind it.
Still, she didn't think that kind of situation would even happen.
Because of Luke.
He had appeared when they were in danger, didn't leave them behind, and gave them a place to belong. A home. A family.
That was enough for her.
She trusted him.
And she loved him more than anyone in the world.
Tauriel watched the two women quietly.
There was no hesitation in them. No doubt. The way they spoke about Luke wasn't forced—it was natural, like they had already decided where they stood.
Complete trust.
She frowned slightly.
What kind of man makes someone trust him like that?
From what she had seen, Luke was… strange. Annoying, careless with his words, always saying things that made no sense. He didn't act like a warrior, didn't carry himself with discipline, and half the time he looked like he wasn't taking anything seriously.
If anything, he felt unpredictable.
Irritating.
And yet—
They trusted him without question.
What do they see in him…? she wondered.
Tauriel leaned back slightly, her eyes drifting toward the direction of the mountain.
Maybe she hadn't seen everything.
That thought stayed with her.
Because no matter how she looked at him, there was something about Luke she couldn't fully understand. And that uncertainty didn't push her away—it pulled her in.
That was why she hadn't left.
Even though she could have.
She was curious.
About him.
About what he really was.
*****
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