We'd Never See the Stars: Antebellum

All rights go to Peter Jackson and Tolkien respectively, I only own my OCs.

Five years after the Battle of Five Armies

Nina rolled quickly to regain her footing, whipping around and growling at her opponent. She gave her sword a little twirl, showing the confidence she was feeling as her anger rose. She would not be beaten this time.

Birds were chirping and the sun shone cheerfully around her in the clearing she was in, as if there was no duel happening and all was peaceful. It seemed out of place. She struck out at her opponent, grunting in frustration when he easily blocked her blow again. His only reply was the signature grin she had grown used to seeing. Today, however, that grin did not make her smile. It made her even angrier. She felt her limbs get lighter and as she fought her power grew. It was her anger fueling it.

"Nina!"

She ignored his voice as his concern grew. He knew what was happening in her mind. She growled again, swinging her sword faster and harder than before. Sweat dripped down her shoulders and forehead. She kept fighting.

Suddenly she was standing on a frozen lake, staring down Erich Arvandor once again. Except now she knew how to fight. She fought him hard, pleased when he struggled to keep up. Then he knocked her to the ground and grinned. She quickly moved to grab her sword and when she looked back up at him, he was holding a familiar dwarf. Her voice caught in her throat as she watched Erich shove his sword through the dwarf, and she screamed. It was Kili, of course, that Erich had killed. He dropped Kili's body to the ground as her anger finally consumed her. A jolt of power surged through her and a white light shot out from around her.

"NINA STOP!"

She gasped for breath, using her hands and knees to keep herself up. She looked up, and she was back in the peaceful clearing. She was not on a frozen lake, there was no dead dwarf, and there was no Erich Arvandor. There was only a familiar face groaning as he picked himself off the ground and sighed, looking at her with some pity.

"Nina, take deep breaths. Erebor was won back, the dwarves rule it. You destroyed Erich Arvandor and there is no more war."

"And Kili?" She gasped for breath as her eyes darted around, never letting her look at one thing too long. Her opponent set a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to focus on him.

"Kili is alive." She looked up at her opponent, and as her anger subsided she remembered that he was not her opponent at all. As her senses returned, she looked around to assess the damage she had caused. A few snapped tree branches, but nothing more.

"I am so sorry, Elladan," She addressed the man who was now helping her up. He gave her a tight smile.

"You always are, Nina," He rolled his shoulders and put his sword back in its sheath. She did the same. "There will be no trees left in Imladris if you keep this up." He gestured to their surroundings. They were silent as they started walking back to the fortress that was the Valley of Imladris until it came into view.

"I know what you're going to say," Nina mumbled when he paused in his walking and looked at her. She sighed. "But of course, you're going to say it anyway."

"You cannot keep letting your past haunt you, Nina, that is what holds you back. Every time you are winning one of our duels, your mind goes back to that battle and that dwarf. You must control your emotions, or it will cost you someday in a real fight." Elladan shot her a meaningful look before continuing to walk toward their home. Nina knew he was right. She was haunted by the Battle of the Five Armies.

When they returned, they were greeted by Lindir, a trusted Elf and friend of Lord Elrond, and Nina was allowed some privacy in her quarters. Once there she groaned, flopping onto her bed. Her muscles ached as she lay there, fluttering her eyes shut and listening to the constant roar of the waterfalls outside her bed chambers. She looked up, saw the familiar face grinning down at her and looking annoyingly perfect, and groaned again.

"I take it your training went well?"

"Just splendidly," Nina spat sarcastically. "Why does your brother insist on always telling me what I do wrong and never what I do right?"

"Because Elladan has always seen no use in praising someone when there is still room for improvement." The Elf maiden sat down on the bed next to Nina. Nina looked up to see Arwen smiling down at her, her long dark hair spilling around her in a flawless way. If Nina didn't like Arwen so much, she'd hate her for looking so perfect.

"Elladan should lighten up every now and then," Nina couldn't help but chuckle as she forced herself to sit up. Her sword, Macilril, slid off her lap and clattered to the ground. Arwen gave her a disapproving look for being so careless with the weapon, but it soon melted into a smile again. "So, what brings you up here?"

"You have a message, I wanted to deliver it myself," Arwen replied, her voice sounding more cautious when she spoke. Nina eyed her suspiciously. "It's from the kingdom of Erebor."

"Erebor?" Nina whispered, her voice having left her.

Ever since she arrived in Rivendell, she had awaited word from her dwarves that would at least confirm that her letter had been received. She had written a letter to all of them, with a separate message included for Kili where she explained what she was doing and hoped he would understand. She had also begged quite pathetically in the letter for him to write back so she could keep talking with him, but she had never gotten so much as a hello in reply. That was five years ago.

"It is addressed from the King Under the Mountain," Arwen confirmed, handing Nina the note. She eyed the other girl before deciding something in her mind and moving to leave.

"No Arwen, stay," Nina put her hand on the other girl's lap. Arwen nodded with a comforting smile and settled back in her spot on the bed. Nina sighed heavily before opening the note and reading it to herself.

For the Lady Nina of Lothlorien and Imladris,

You are cordially invited to the feast and celebration of the five-year anniversary of the reclaiming of Erebor, stronghold of the dwarves. You are invited as a guest of honor of his majesty King Fili, who would be delighted to receive you.

His majesty King Fili of Erebor

Nina smiled through her tears. A guest of honor of Fili. That couldn't possibly mean he hated her for leaving, could it? Not if he was inviting her to his celebration in Erebor. She looked on the back of the invitation to see the date and laughed to herself as she read the little note at the bottom of the invitation. The handwriting was far less dignified and beautiful than the rest of the note.

I hope to see you there, namad. It has been long enough.

He was still calling her namad, which could hardly be a bad sign in her mind. She thought about the prospect of returning to Erebor again. Perhaps it was what she needed to finally put the battle behind her, she thought. She had missed the dwarves everyday since she had left, especially Kili, and had wanted nothing more than a message from them. Any of them, just to know they still liked her. Arwen sat patiently beside her, bringing her back to the present. As much as she missed the dwarves, she couldn't regret her decision to come to Rivendell. She had made lifelong friends in Arwen, her brothers Elladan and Elrohir, and in Lord Elrond. And, to her surprise, she had developed a fondness for the stubborn Aragorn over the years. Though he called himself Strider now. It was a phase, she told herself.

"Good news, I hope?"

"Yes, I think so," Nina smiled at her friend. "I've been invited back for a celebration of reclaiming Erebor five years ago."

"I can think of no better news for you, mellon, except that perhaps the Prince of Erebor had been the one to send it." Arwen grinned mischievously. Once she had gained Nina's trust, Nina had told her everything about Kili and the company. Nina shoved the Elf's shoulder playfully.

"I can't help but agree," Her smile faltered a little. She hadn't had any word from Kili, despite her letter, and that didn't sit well with her.

"Come, it is time for our evening meal." Arwen gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze as she led Nina away to dress herself. That was one thing Nina thought she would never get used to in Rivendell. They always had to dress nice for dinner. Nice as in long, flowing dresses. Nina had found that hard to adjust to. At home, she could come down for dinner in sweatpants and no one minded, and even with the dwarves dinner was never a ceremony. Nina nodded and allowed the Elf to distract her from her thoughts about the dwarves as they decided on what to wear.

An hour later, the two women descended the staircase down into the dining hall of Rivendell, Nina following Arwen closely. She had learned how to be an Elf from Arwen; how to walk, how to talk (though she rarely talked like the Elves), and how to speak Elvish. Elladan, Elrohir, and occasionally Aragorn had taught her fight like the Elves, and Elrond had taught her everything she needed to know about Middle Earth and her position in it.

There was a dark power, and a ring that was bound to the dark power, and as Protector of Middle Earth Nina was responsible for keeping that evil at bay. The ring was long since lost, and she had to keep it that way. If the evil ever rose again, only the power she had, and the power of Galadriel herself, could give Middle Earth a fighting chance. It was her duty to protect the people of Middle Earth from any and all evils they may face.

"Ah, we were just about to send a search party for you two," Elrond's fatherly voice lit up the room as the two women approached.

Arwen greeted her father warmly and moved to sit, gathering the skirts of her flowing, soft green dress as she went. Nina greeted him next, holding her hand out for him to take as if it was routine. It was, for her. Being in the position she was in, there was no soul in Middle Earth higher in status than she was, besides the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. She bowed to no one, and even Elrond had to show her respect, no matter how many times she begged him not to.

"I lost track of time, forgive me," Nina smiled to him as he took hold of her hand, bowed his head, and pulled out a chair for her to sit. She wore a royal blue evening gown, the only one in all of Rivendell she truly liked and sat easily in it. Beside her was Arwen, across from her Elladan, and beside him Elrohir. Elrond sat at the head of the table, of course. Lindir hovered around them, ready to cater to their every need.

"Sore?" Elladan couldn't help but grin at Nina as she sunk into her seat slowly. She sent a cold glare across the table at him, knowing he was all too pleased to see that he wasn't the only one sore from their training sessions. Any pain he got, of course, was from her uncontrolled surges of power. Her soreness, though, was from Elledan utterly destroying her in a duel.

"Don't you worry, soon enough I'll be just as good as you and you'll have to watch your back." Her glare reluctantly twisted into a playful grin. She couldn't stay mad at him long.

"You've been saying that ever since you got here, Nina." Elrohir smirked. She hated when the two brothers ganged up on her. It was true, she couldn't hope to beat either of the two in a fight without using her powers. But even they would admit that she had come a long way in her training. She was a good fighter by Elven standards, at least, with one sword. There was something about training every single day for five years that made a person good at fighting.

"Let her be, Elrohir," Elrond scolded them lightly. They nodded their defeat and focused on their food. It was salad, like it always was, and Nina found herself not as annoyed by that fact now that she had been there for so long. Salad and bread got less irritating when it was your only option, she had discovered quickly.

"Nina has had a message from the dwarves of Erebor, father." Arwen piped up, ignoring the look Nina shot her for revealing the news. Elrond's face twisted into his signature concerned frown.

"What kind of message, Nina?"

"Um," She stammered, unsure of what his reaction would be to the invitation. "It was an invitation to a feast. It's in a few months' time, if I left soon I would make it."

"So, you will go to the mountain?" Elrond wasn't too pleased that she seemed to have made up her mind already. His sons exchanged anxious looks.

"Yes, I don't see why I couldn't," Nina answered far less confidently. Elrond sighed, rubbing his hand over his face.

"I am not sure this is the best time for you to be planning a long journey."

"Why not?"

"You are in the middle of your training here, and if you leave now it will be a long time before you could return with the travel distance." He reasoned.

"I think this is a very good time to go," Nina argued back. "I have not seen the dwarves in five whole years, and now is as good a time as any to see them again. I have learned a lot here, and I am grateful for everything you have taught me, but I don't think I will have peace if I do not go." She stared at Elrond for what felt like an eternity before he sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"If it is so important to you, then you know whose permission you must obtain first." He cocked an eyebrow at her, and she inwardly groaned, knowing exactly who he meant.

After dinner that evening, she climbed the endless steps onto a terrace that felt very familiar for her. A bright moon shined on it just the way it had years ago when she first stood on it. That had been the night she met her mother. Now, though, she knew what to expect on this terrace. She sighed and smiled up at the Elf standing regally on the edge of the terrace, overlooking Rivendell.

"Nina, how is your training?" Galadriel smiled back as she turned to face her daughter, a long white dress pooling around her as she moved. Nina gave an awkward chuckle.

"Apparently not good enough for Elladan."

"He is hard to impress, I would not take it to heart," Galadriel gave her a little smirk. Nina nodded her agreement. "What did you need me for?" She reminded Nina of her purpose for coming. Nina and Galadriel had become very good at communicating over the past five years, so good at it that Nina could simply broadcast a need to see her mother and Galadriel would be there. It was useful, considering Galadriel lived in Lothlorien and Nina lived in Rivendell.

"I am requesting permission to travel to Erebor," Nina held her breath as she waited for the rejection she was expecting. Galadriel frowned and soundlessly stepped down to be closer to her daughter as she considered the request.

"Why now?"

"King Fili invited me. There is a celebration happening, since it's been five years since the mountain was won," Nina forced herself to meet Galadriel's eyes. "I want to be there, Galadriel. I think that going back would help me with…my problem."

"I will not pretend that I do not know the struggles you have had ever since the battle," Galadriel gave her a pitiful look. Nina hated that. The Elves in Rivendell always looked at her with pity. "Do you really feel going back would bring you peace?"

"There is a chance, yes," Nina nodded eagerly. Galadriel sighed as she came to a decision.

"I will give you permission," She began, Nina smiling excitedly before Galadriel held up a hand to stop her. "But, as the next Protector of Middle Earth, you cannot show favoritism toward the dwarves. You will pay a visit to King Thranduil of the Woodland Realm before reaching Erebor." Nina's shoulders slumped and her face twisted into one of disgust.

"I seriously hate that guy and you know it."

"You cannot hate our people, Nina. He is an Elf, though he is very different from us. And above all, his people are of Middle Earth, and you are tasked with protecting them. You may go to Erebor if you first go to Mirkwood."

"Fine," Nina grumbled, knowing by now that there was little use in protesting when Galadriel made up her mind. "But I won't enjoy it."

"Perhaps you could visit the men of Dale as well, I believe they are led by the man who slayed the dragon."

"Bard," Nina perked up as she remembered the man. She remembered standing in Laketown as it burned when Bard courageously stood up to Smaug, ultimately killing him. It seemed like ages ago. "Yes, I can see him."

"Then it is settled," Galadriel smiled softly. "You must leave tomorrow if you are to have time for all three peoples. Inform Lord Elrond that I have given you leave, and he will find you an escort." Nina nodded, finding herself excited at the prospect of travelling again. She enjoyed her life in Rivendell, but she also felt a little cooped up there, with no room to breathe. She left Galadriel after that, rushing to find Elrond and inform him of the news.

The next morning was a somber one, all the Elves looking like they were going to a funeral as they lined up to see her off. Nina smiled at them all, hoisting her pack a little higher on her shoulder as she went. Arwen looked as if she might cry when she saw her, causing Nina to stop.

"You know I'll be back," Nina frowned as she grasped Arwen's hands. Arwen forced a smile through her teary eyes.

"If you do come back here again, I do not know how long it will be before then." Her voice was tight as she forced it to work. "I wish you all the happiness in the world, mellon."

"I wish the same for you, Arwen, but don't worry. We will see each other again; I am sure of it." Nina insisted, chuckling awkwardly as she tried to push down the feeling that Arwen was right, and it would be a long time before they did see each other. She moved over to Elrond, holding her hand out for him to take as he bowed.

"Arwen is right, Nina. I fear that this journey will take you places you are not expecting it to," Elrond warned. Nina nodded in return. She knew that Elrond was right when he made predictions. She only hoped the places he spoke of were good. When he spoke again, his voice was much lower. "I am sending Arwen back to Lothlorien for a time, I think it will do her good." Nina nodded again, knowing better than to argue with Elrond about his daughter.

"Goodbye, Elrond, I'll see you when I get back."

"I know." He smiled one of his fatherly smiles at her, and Nina couldn't help but return it. She started to leave when Elrohir caught her eye.

"What?"

"Just be careful, please," Elrohir instructed her as he tensed up. She frowned as he moved closer to whisper to her. "You have my brother with you, do not get into anything dangerous." Nina nodded her head as she understood what he meant. Elrohir and Elladan reminded her of Fili and Kili in the way that they were protective of each other. She decided to hug him, and he reluctantly accepted. Elves were not big huggers, she had learned.

She shot him a grin as she left, joining Elladan, who was waiting for her with three horses. She got on hers' with some help from him before he mounted his own and took the reins of their pack horse. They gave Rivendell one last look before they headed off, out into their next adventure.

"Are you alright?" Nina asked him as they rode, finally breaking the silence between them. Elladan sighed as he continued scanning their surroundings.

"I am, why would I not be?"

"Because yesterday your life was normal and now you're being forced to come to Erebor with me," She blurted out before she could plan her words. Elladan turned face her, a reluctant smile starting to spread across his lips.

"I was not forced, Nina, I volunteered."

"You did?"

"I did," He replied. "Father needed someone to guide you there, and I knew I would have constantly worried unless I took you myself."

"I'm flattered," Nina teased. "But I warn you. I can be a little annoying to travel with."

"I have known you for five years Nina, if you were going to annoy me, it would have happened by now." That made them both laugh a little as they went, falling into a comfortable silence. Their thoughts were filled with what lie ahead, neither of them knowing just what exactly that would be.

Fili leaned against the stone wall overlooking Dale and squinted, straining to see the activity below him. He eventually gave up on the effort, his eyesight never having been too wonderful with long distances. He took a deep breath, enjoying the peace and moment of solitude he was getting for the first time that day. He rubbed his temples with his fingers to relieve the stress of planning his celebration. It was still a few months out, but he already had to send out invitations and plan lodgings for his guests. His invitation to Bilbo had just been sent out with a raven, and he sincerely hoped the hobbit would accept.

Interrupting his thoughts was a raven flying into view, fluttering and fighting the wind before settling on the stone wall next to Fili. He smiled at it and reached his hand out to give it some grain, his gift in return for being a messenger. The raven crowed a few times, and Fili's smile grew. Just like any other dwarf, he understood the language of the ravens and this one brought good news. He sent it off to do as it pleased as he sighed in relief. Nina Bailyn had accepted his invitation and was on her way to Erebor. He immediately stopped smiling when footsteps sounded behind him. He turned around quickly.

"What are you smiling about?" Kili frowned lightly, a little smile of his own forming because of his brother's apparent happiness. Fili waved him off.

"Nothing, just watching some children in Dale being mischievous," He lied. He knew he would have to tell Kili that he invited Nina eventually, but it didn't have to be now.

"Well, you are needed in the throne room, Dain has made some changes to his invite list for your feast." Kili replied, his smile leaving as he returned to his usual serious nature. At least, it was his usual nature ever since the Battle of Five Armies. Fili sighed.

"Dain can wait another moment," He brushed him off. "Why don't you come with me to Dale this afternoon, we can visit the marketplace. I hear they have some new stalls since the last time I was there." He stepped forward, closer to his brother. His eyes pleaded with Kili, but as always, Kili just shook his head.

"My place is in the mountain; I have no need to go anywhere else." Before Fili could argue the matter, Kili had turned around and left again. Fili sighed, running a hand over his tired face. Yes, it was a good thing Nina was coming back to Erebor.

Author's Note

Here it is! This is the sequel to We'd Never See the Stars. I hope you all enjoy it, I am excited to see where this story and these characters go!

As always, let me know what you think and until next chapter!