Hello! I have been working on this baby for some months now and my hands itch to upload it and see what people think. Yet before you proceed, there are a few things you MUST know!
1. My OC (Isis) is a witch/sorceress, meaning she's the child of a wizard and a human... yes, I made it up and yes, I know it sounds stupid, but you have to know she's not like Gandalf and the other Wizards that were send to the Middle Earth. She has a longer life-span than humans, but isn't immortal; she doesn't wield any other magic but the one she's born with - a.k.a. ice and its composing elements - water and air.
2. Since it's been a while since I watched the movies, some parts may seem misplaced or in a complete mess, but bear with me, pleaseee! I try my best to keep as close to the original plot as possible without retelling you the movie itself.
3. At first the main pairing was planned to be Thorin/OC, but eventually I changed my mind, so now it's Bard/OC but in later chapters... bear with me, please (again...)
And this is it,
Review And Enjoy!
~ Nikkitosa
The forest is silent. As I creep further into its debris I can't help but notice that all the wild life that used to flourish around here is gone. There are no birdsongs, no pesky squirrels dashing around and throwing nuts at you, no deer looking all dewy-eyed. Nothing. This disappearance of all creatures has been going on for some time now so I decided to investigate. Yet the deeper I walk into the once welcoming lush vegetation, the more I realise something is awfully wrong. With each and every day the forest dies a little – as if something is drinking it dry.
Cautiously taking a few more steps, I catch a movement far ahead. Squinting, I manage to distinguish a dozen creatures that remind me of huge spiders. A cold shiver runs down my spine just by the sight of them. Leaning over the rock I'm currently hiding behind, I barely manage to muffle my own yelp. There, near the river, those gruesome creatures are tearing apart a whole deer herd. Not eating them, just violently killing and disjoining them. For a second I look away, too disgusted to keep my eyes planted there, yet after taking a deep breath and chasing away the nausea I rise and hit the ground with my staff, making the space around me freeze. In a blink of an eye ten frost warriors jump from their hiding places and attack. Quickly I follow behind, pulling my sword from behind my back and swinging it at the first giant spider that comes my way.
In a few minutes time almost all of those abominations are dead, only two managing to get away. My group and I chase after them up to the very borders of the forest. Climbed on a huge rock I watch as they run away in the direction of a place I hoped would never bring trouble again. 'Dol Goldur.'
We head back as word arrived that someone has invaded my lands. The watcher, a frost canary, reported that a group of dwarves, escorted by a wizard and a hobbit were running away from Orcs. Upon hearing that I assemble all ten of my ice warriors and we race back towards my house.
True to the words of the watcher, the group that so recklessly entered my domains consists mostly of dwarves and, indeed, a wizard is escorting them. As soon as all fourteen of them get into the tidy cottage where it's safe and lock the door I run forward, followed close behind by my soldiers. The Orcs, despite being more in number are not prepared for the frost storm that hits them and so they end up scurrying away. Frowning I send four ice warriors after them, just to make sure they don't decide to return. Only then do I proceed with going home. Placing my staff and sword on my back, I give a signal to the rest of my squad to enter the house. They disappear through hidden tunnels and doors and soon from inside I can hear shouting, swords meeting with ice and the breaking of various, probably valuable, things.
"For the love of the Great Mother…" I mutter and take a few long strides, melting away the distance.
Tapping on the wood, where I know on the other side lays the wooden beam, I hear the distinguishable creaking noise and then a thud before with a light push the door swings open.
"Enough!" I command.
The reaction from my squad is immediate – they stop whatever fighting activity they were doing and only point their weapons at the unwanted guests. As I walk in and notice all the mess, my frown deepens.
"If this is your way of stopping by and saying hi, Gandalf, you are no longer welcome in my home. Or at least what's left of it." despite my rather dry tone, a smirk tugs at the corners of my mouth.
"I'm greatly sorry, Isis, but we were in a rather difficult situation." his mild voice sounds tired, yet genuine.
"Ah, noticed the little party group that came along." I nonchalantly say before picking up a painting from the ground.
Unfortunately the once magnificent piece of artwork is now in shreds. With a sigh I throw it in the burning fireplace.
"Dismissed!" the command quickly gets my squad moving.
The weapons are retracted and the warriors quickly take their places outside the house. Now I'm left in the living room with a bunch of dwarves and a troublesome wizard.
"Long time no see, Mithrandir." I whisper as I bow my head in a greeting.
"Too long if I may add. It's a blessing to see that you haven't lost an ounce of your charm and battle spirit."
With a chuckle I grab the tumbled over sofa and push it back up.
"Nay. Now, pray tell, what brings you and your…." I look at the rest of the group, all their faces either a mask of cautiousness and distrust or straight hostility "… friends in my lands? Chased by Orcs, none the less."
"Ah… that's a rather long story." the wizard gives me one of his famous 'it's important but let's not talk about it right now' looks and I arch an eyebrow his way.
"I have enough time to spear to hear you out. But first – clean up this mess." and I nod towards the chairs that have been pushed over and all the things rolling around.
"Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."
After that last addition I go into the kitchen and check if everything is cooking nicely. After that I go to my room and after a quick washing-up and a change of clothes, go back down only to find everyone sitting around the table, which is finely laid with all the food and drinks that would be needed.
"I'm pleased to see you have made yourselves at home." I rumble and take my place at the head of the table.
"I hope you're not mad?" sensing my foul mood, Gandalf is quick the check if they haven't crossed a line.
"It's not every day I let someone in my house, let alone a bunch of dwarves. No offence. Yet tonight you are my guests, so I guess I'll take this as a peace offering after nearly destroying my home."
We all eat in an awkward and tense silence; only the occasional request for the bread to be passed interrupts the otherwise irritating atmosphere. When finally fed, I look at Gandalf expectantly, eager to hear what he has to say. Yet, to my utter amazement, he glances at one of the dwarves which seems to be the leader, as if asking him whether he'll be okay with what's to happen. Frowning I tap on the table and immediately all the liquids freeze.
Unfortunately one of the dwarves, a plum one with ginger hair, was taking a sip at that very moment, which resulted in the goblet sticking to his mouth.
"Gweth thwes twing away fwo mwe!" his frantic shout is muted by the bellow of laughter that erupts from the rest of the group.
Even Gandalf is smiling, despite his best attempts not to.
Yet the dwarf sitting right across of me seems rather irritated by what's going on. His blue eyes remind me of two icicles as his gaze travels around the table, finally stopping on me. 'Colder than the heart of a snowstorm. How fitting for a King.' I muse and with a sly smirk tilt my head to the side, indicating that I'm all ears for any upcoming discontent he may have. Yet he just glares at me before looking away, obviously not amused. With a low hum and a tap on the wooden table, all the drinks return to their natural state. The whole company seems exhilarated by what just happened, even the fellow whose drink froze in his mouth, and now all of them are looking at me, bombarding me with questions.
"How did you do that?"
"Do it again!"
"What else can you do?"
Everyone tries to outshout the others and soon the room is overtaken by a deafening cacophony. Gandalf tries to calm them down, but his voice is barely heard. And me, I just blink their way, not expecting such turn of events.
"ENOUGH!" a booming voice silences the dwarves in a second.
The table shakes after the fists of the dwarf in front of me make an attempt to cut it in two.
"Ah, better. Indeed, with less courtesy but effective none the less." Gandalf muses, running a hand over his greyish beard.
"Now, since we are all finally settled, how about the promised story?" I offer in a rather nice tone.
"Yes, yes, the story…" again the Grey wizard steals a glance at the dwarf on his left and that angers me, yet I make no attempt to voice it.
"Shall I start from the very beginning?" the wizard hushes as he lights his pipe.
"Of course – you know I like details." I smile yet the warmth doesn't reach my eyes.
The same dwarf, curse him, is now straightforwardly glaring my way! From across my table, in my house! 'The nerve!'
"I'm presuming you have heard a few things? Your ears always managed to catch what was happening far away from your lands." the knowing look Gandalf gives me makes me huff, yet nod in agreement.
"Ah. You have assembled this group in quest to reclaim something of great value." I make sure my voice shows nothing, as the dwarves are famous not only for their fighting spirit but their secrecy – someone who knows too much can easily be seen as an enemy.
"Indeed. This is Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thráin, son of Thrór. The rightful King of Erebor, the King under the Mountain. And our quest is to help return the Durin's folk its home. The prophecy will be fulfilled."
Silence falls upon us as I look Gandalf straight in the eyes in search of something he may not be telling me. Yet, his earnest stare leaves no doubt that he's truthful.
"You have gone mad, Gandalf." I whisper and shake my head in disbelief. "Do you really believe that 13 dwarves, a hobbit and a wizard can defeat Smaug!? Have you forgotten what befell Dale and Erebor?!"
I'm gritting my teeth, anger bubbling deep in me, as memories of those horrific days flash in front of my eyes. Days I wish I could forget. Days of death and blood and fire.
Thorin is about to say something, obviously infuriated by my words, but Gandalf interferes before the quarrel even starts.
"I understand your unwillingness to see that beast woken up once again, but the signs are clear – Smaug will be defeated and the Mountain will return to its rightful King."
I close my eyes and rub my temples, feeling a headache forming and a recent sickness resurfacing. It first appeared when the forest started dying and those spiders started taking root here; the more they came closer to my home, the worse I felt. Gritting my teeth I take a deep breath and look at Gandalf. His calm, pleading eyes beg me to at least show understanding and not kick them out. Not that I ever would, yet that look makes me wonder what exactly is going on. 'He knows something is wrong.'
"You know that I, more than anyone who's not a dwarf, want to see Erebor free from that slimy creature's grasp. But with what power will you manage to kill it?"
"We have our ways, witch. Do not bother your consciousness with such things." it is Thorin's snide remark that catches me off-guard.
Narrowing my eyes at him, I hiss back:
"Do not forget you are in my home, dwarf! And I do not take kindly to such tongue. Either keep that mouth of yours shut or you'll sleep outside."
There's a dangerous flash in his eyes and I can almost see the dark clouds forming over his head, yet I ignore him, knowing that further words will only worsen the situation.
"I find it noble that you are going to try to reclaim Erebor, I really do, yet apart from shelter for the night and food, I'm not sure I can't offer you anything else."
By the sound of that, I notice a spark in Gandalf's eyes disappearing and strange sadness taking its place. Yet he doesn't argue or comment, just nods and hushes the dwarves to where they have laid their sleeping-bags. It's hard not to notice the disappointment and anger in them as they pass me by and go to the other room.
"Gandalf. May I have a word?" I call after him.
He just nods and I lead him out of the house through the back door. The night's veil has fallen and bathed my garden in its colours. In the distance I can spot an ice solder, hiding in the crown of a tree.
"I'll be honest, as I know you already know, if not have guessed. Something is going on, Gandalf. Something is killing the forest and tries to banish me. I came across giant spiders today – we chased them to the borders of my lands. They headed to Dol Goldur." I whisper the name of the abandoned fortress, afraid that someone may hear us, despite the fact that we are the only ones around.
The Grey wizard puffs at his pipe and his eyes dart around, as if studying the surrounding. Only now do I notice his distressed face, stiff posture and the worry in those otherwise mild eyes of his.
"He was defeated long ago, Isis, never to return." his voice is rasp and low, as if he's trying to convince mostly himself.
"Yet this dark magic can be no one else's. " his silence worries me, as it can only mean this is not the first time he hears of this. "What have you seen, Gandalf?"
"Nothing. But Radagast send one of his messengers. He told me what he saw."
"What?"
"The same spiders. He followed them."
"Let me guess – they led him to that forsaken fortress?" I wrinkle my nose in disgust.
"Aye. He said… he said he saw the Necromancer there."
We fall into silence, lost in our own thoughts. That's until a rustling is heard. I quickly jump up, ready to attack whoever it is. Yet one of the ice soldiers comes forward and stiffly nods his head in acknowledgement and greeting.
"Report!" I bark at him, my previous bad mood getting the best of me.
"The spiders returned, yet we killed them. The source of the darkness is still unfound. Most of the inhabitants of the forest are either dead or gone." his flat, emotionless voice slips between his barely parted lips.
"Dammit!" I curse and start pacing around. "And the Orcs?"
"They still have not returned."
"Are you expecting them to?" Gandalf speaks and I almost jump out of my skin, completely having forgotten about his presence.
"They were no ordinary Orcs. I have seen their type – hunters. And it seems like you and your company are their target. I'm smart enough to put two and two together, old friend. They will be back and soon."
Without another word I turn back to the ice warrior and command him to return to his place and prepare to defend the borders when the enemy returns. After he's gone and it's only Gandalf and me I turn to him and for a first time let my mask fall.
"I'm worried Gandalf, and I know you are too. By sunrise this place will be surrounded by those hideous creatures."
"Indeed." he puffs at his pipe and looks at me with that expectant look of his.
"One of my warriors will get you all out of here and back to your path. Where exactly are you leading them, if you do not mind me asking?"
"Rivendell. We have questions and the elves there may have the answers."
"I can imagine you have not told them that? It's common knowledge that dwarves despise elves for what they did when Erebor fell."
"Ahh… Thorin will live through it somehow." the look in his eyes tells me that Gandalf will bend earth but go to the elves, despite Oakenshield's protests.
Smirking at his determination and clear irritation with the conflict between the two races I nod my head.
"I know it's not common of me to go against what I said, but I will. It's been too long since I isolated myself here. It's high time I do something productive."
"But what about your home?" despite his best attempts to hide it, the victory and hope in the wizards eyes brightens his whole face.
"These lands will hold no more. If I stay, I'll get sucked in as well. And why die here when I can be helpful elsewhere?" I try to joke, yet my throat clenches painfully.
"Everyone who remembers those dark days also remembers what you did to protect Dale. No one will blame you for not being able to take on a drake on your own." the soothing tone of his voice manages to aid my nerves, yet guilt still lingers.
"I could have tried, done better. Only if I knew, if I had read the signs sooner."
"The blame is not on you, Isis. You fought well and saved a lot of innocent lives. That's what you should be happy for, not those you didn't manage to reach."
I nod and take a deep breath. Within a minute I have made my mind and look at Gandalf.
"Tell me what you want me to do – go see what's hiding in that fortress or help your group?" my voice is no longer weak and shaky, but determined.
"For now stay here and fight away the Orcs, win us some time. If I'm not mistaken, you won't be on your own." his smirk makes me raise an eyebrow in a silent question.
Yet he doesn't say a word, just pats me on the shoulder and gets back in. I, on the other hand, stay outside for a little while longer, admiring the stars.
"You have a wonderful garden." a shy voice comes from behind me and I jump up.
Turning around I notice that the hobbit, Bilbo, has sneaked behind me. Smirking his way and nodding I offer him to sit next to me.
"You indeed are living up to your reputation of a burglar, Master Baggings. I never heard you coming, and I have a keen hearing." he blushes at my remark and starts fiddling with his fingers all the meanwhile trying to apologize.
"Worry not, I'm not angry at you. I just stated the obvious. Gandalf has thought well to bring you along to this quest."
"Well… yeah… you see…. I'm not a thief…."
I laugh at his bizarre reaction. He seems taken aback, a little bit shocked, but soon laughs along.
"Master Baggings, you seem to not know your own worth." I smile his way.
For a second he seems amazed and I raise an eyebrow his way.
"Is something bothering you?"
"No.. I-I mean… Well back there you were rather cold towards us. Not that I blame you for that. If someone burst into my home like that… well, never mind… " he stops, puffs and closes his eyes, as if concentrating on what exactly he wants to say. "What I meant to say is that now you seem a lot more approachable and less… icy, so to say."
His sheepish smile combined with the badly hidden worry make me chuckle.
"I'm after all the Ice Witch, Master Baggings. It's almost expected of me to be icy towards those who I do not know."
He nods his head in agreement, as if not having thought of it that way.
"So it's true. That you created and command those … creatures. Ice warriors?"
"Ah, indeed. I see Gandalf spoke of me to you."
The young hobbit only nods, while intently studying his feet.
"What did he describe me as?" I inquire, curious to know whether Gandalf portrayed me as a complete ice queen.
"He… He… He said you were rather straight-forward and stubborn. But have a good heart and may help us, even if it's just with shelter. He also said you control the ice?" his last sentence is almost whispered and he looks at me with the corner of his eyes, waiting for a reaction.
I'm sure my sudden laughter is the last he expected, because his confused expression does no good in making me calm down.
"Oh, that old bag. He depicted me pretty well in only a few sentences." I manage to whisper after regaining my breath.
"Oh my, so it is true!? I have never heard of an ice bender before! Why are there no stories of your kin, if I may ask?"
"Because there's no such kin, Master Baggings. I'm the only one left. And there are no tails about the likes of me because we were too secretive to let the others know of our existence. That's partly the reason why we disappeared I believe- there was no one to help us because no one knew we were even there. I'm sure my kin beats even the elves and dwarves in this matter." Despite the sad smile on my face I somehow manage to laugh a little bit at the last part.
"Oh, I'm truly sorry to hear that."
"Why so?"
"Because it's sad… They were your people, they deserved to be saved. Any life deserves to be saved and cherished."
I'm left amazed and gaping at the words that come out of the hobbit's mouth and it takes me a minute to compose myself and smile at him.
"You do indeed have a huge heart, Bilbo Baggings. And it's because of the likes of you I still have hope that this world may turn out to be a better place."
He smiles and blushes at my comment, obviously not used to such words directed his way.
"Thorin Oakenshield and his company are really lucky to have a Hobbit as yourself with them. Now go rest, as tomorrow may prove to be a long and tiring day."
We enter the house and with only a silent nod as a farewell, we part ways. He returns to his sleeping-bag near the others and I go to my room.
Sleep, for a first time in a while, comes easy and fast. I do not dream of burning buildings, screaming people, dwarves trapped in a mountain or a fire breathing dragon. This time I do not dream of what had been, but of what may be. For I now have a new purpose to fight.