"Do I know you?" Turi Baggins questioned the looming figure of the dwarrow who walked through her door. He was much taller than her, with a heavily tattooed head. She studied his braids. Ereborian dwarrow. Captain of the Guard. The name popped into her head without second thought. Dwalin.
"No." He said disgruntled. Turi rolled her eyes and let him do as he wished. He wouldn't hurt her. He was too noble. Turi stalked to her room to dress more comfortably.
Turi dressed in tight brown trousers and an emerald green tunic that complimented her mint coloured eyes. Her corkscrew golden curls fell wildly to her waist. She attached her favourite accessories, before deciding it was time to face her guest. There was a tap on the door. Make that guests.
Turi glided towards the front door. Opening it, Turi saw a dwarrow with snow white hair and beard.
"Balin, at your service." He bowed to her. Turi studied him. Why were the King Under the Mountain's muscles and brains in her home?
"Datura Baggins, at yours and your kins." She bowed in return. Turi stepped aside and let him in. Dwalin and Balin greeted each other, then began to raid her pantry. Turi huffed as the dwarrow princes arrived. Well this sure was some shindig.
She was fine until the quartet started messing with her stuff. The minute the brunette princeling touched something a shouldn't have Datura whacked him across the knuckles with a wooden spoon.
"Hey!" The youngster whined an indignant complaint as he pouted at the hobbit lass. Unimpressed, she settles him with a stern glare that reminded him so much so of his mother that he actually shivered.
"That's enough of tha', sugar." Her lilted accent rebuked him. The dwarrow winced as the lass set a strict glare at all of them. The fire in her eyes was almost literal. The dwarrow would describe her eyes as an orange sapphire. Flaring fire. They appeared to have odd layers and lines in the irises. Hobbits would (of course) correct them. Miss Datura Baggins' eyes were orange begonias. Everyone knew that. Everyone knew what it meant. "Now," Turi continued, "If there are gonna be more of you lot, you're gonna need to get the chairs for the cellar. You've started the food so that's all fine and dandy. The barrels are down in the cellar too. They're heavy-" Turi gave a predatory smirk as she mockingly purred, "But I'm sure big strong, fellas like you can manage." The dwarrow hastily nodded (they knew better than to anger a lass- especially one that reminded them so much of Princess Dis).
Some time after her smial was clean and prepared the quartet sat with the Mistress of the house sharing a drink. They younger dwarrow (cheeky and confident once more) were quick firing questions at her.
"Do your lasses all wear clothes like yours?" Kili's question earned him a smack upside the head by Dwalin but an amused laugh from their host.
"In wha' way d'you mean, sugar?" Mirth shone in Daturas eyes at Kili's mild blush. White embroidered cloth wrapped around her breasts, tird in a secure not at the back, the excess hanging down to the base of her spine. A deep purple skirt flowed off of her hips and down to her ankles. Her feet laid bare.
Kili's fingers figitted as he clasp them in front of himself. "Well, some- er-" He tried to not dig himself in a whole as he posed the question, "Some races would say your outfit isn't- uh- um- modest?" His voice got higher on the last word and his eyes visibly winced as the lad flinched into himself.
His tense jumped as the lass snorted a laugh, "Ye mean elves 'n' men." She gave him an easy smile that soon had him grinning carefree again. "Nah. 'Obbits are more like dwarves in that sense. Long as the naughty bits are covered-" She gestured vaguely at her chest, "Nobody really cares."
"Hobbits've got more sense than most then." Dwalin grunted with a boorish grin, drinking down more ale.
Turi rolled her eyes, "Not that that's difficult."
"I'd drink ta tha'." A familiar voice intoned from behind her. The people sat got up to face the owner of the voice. Eight dwarrow and a wizard stood crowded before them.
"Wha' ya lot playin' a'? Yer can nay jus' en'er someone's home withou' knockin' on the door." Dwalin reprimanded the crowd as he stalked towards them.
Turi placed a hand on Dwalin's arm to stop his advance. A cheeky smile slid onto her face as she eyed the new dwarrow. "They can if they've go' a key." She pranced forward before stopping in front of the star-haired dwarrow. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "'Ello, handsome." She smirked with a mellifluous voice. She winked at him.
"Well look who it is," Nori smirked back, "A pre'y li'le poison." His arms were around her waist. The crowded dwarrow (and wizard) were confused by the interaction. Clearly they were missing something.
Turi playfully slapped his chest, "Oh you swee' talka." She rolled her eyes just as teasingly, before she pulled away.
Turi slid in front of Ori. "Hiya, dove." She greeted, with an uncommon (for her) softness in her eyes. She gently pushed some hair back from his face. This gathered some startled gasps from the surrounding dwarrow, but Ori didn't even flinch.
"Hi, namad." He replied, that adorable little grin of his plaster on his face. That sentence raised even more eyebrows; curious looks were shot at Nori, rethinking that hole interaction. On further inspection they were certain the lass held no marriage braid (nor ring like the men folk used).
Datura ignored them all as she gave Ori a mock stern look, "Now, wha's the point in all your fancy wri'in' skills if you don' even wri'e me a letter?" She raised her eyebrows as he ducked his head. "Hm?" She pressed. Ori pouted at her. Rolling her eyes and tutting, Datura pulled him into a hug, "Silly little dove."
Ori relaxed as he translated the words from 'Datura-ish' into 'everybody-else-speak'. "Missed you, too." He mumbled in her ear. She merely sighed.
Once Ori had unwrapped himself from around her, Datura sidled over to Dori. They studied each other for a moment. "What has happened to your hair?" Dori suddenly demanded, "It's a mess!"
Turi grinned at his henning, "'Ello to you too, dearest."
Dori's hands fluttered about her as he fussed. "Your thin. Have you been eating enough?" He demanded, his eyes narrowed at her.
"Yes, Dori." She said with a (fake) put upon sigh.
Dori hummed suspiciously. His fingers carded through her hair, "This is going to take hours to comb." He groused. Turi rolled her eyes at his tutting. She loved the fuss pot truly (did not mean he had to be told). With a final glance over, Dori hurumphed but released the lass.
"Food?" Turi grinned. Nori grabbed her hand and dragged her to the table. She didn't mind. The feasting was a merry affair, where she also got the names of the new strangers: Gloin, Oin, Bofur, Bombur and Bifur. The strangers cast many an odd look at the brothers and Turi but none cared. They acted like they always did, like family.
Turi clapped along sarcastically to their song about things she hated; honestly, she was just glad that she didn't have to do the washing up. The merriment was cut short by three heavy and foreboding knocks on the door. The room fell silent.
"He's here." Gandalf rasped. His voice was hushed in the silence, filling the void with deep senses of dread and hope.
Datura rolled her eyes at the theatrical display. 'This ought to be fun.' She thought acrimoniously. Strutting up to the door, the hobbit lass swung it open with little finesse.
The looming dwarrow had to duck slightly to enter the smial. Datura eyed him as he swept in and immediately addressed Gandalf, "Gandalf." He greeted with a regal nod. For someone much shorter than the wizard, he adequately looked down his nose at him, "I thought you said this place would be easy to find. I lost my way, twice." Datura snorted indignantly at that. It was a straight road from Hobbiton to Bag End. Thorin, for Datura figured that must be him, gave her a side eyed glare before continuing, "I wouldn't have found it at all, had it not been for that mark on the door."
Datura gave Gandalf an unimpressed look, "You marked my door?" Gandalf refused to look her in the eye. Datura sighed, "Great I'm gonna 'ave gossipers 'ere by dawn."
This time Thorin did look at Datura. He stalked towards her, circling her studying her. With a bored expression on her face she allowed herself to wonder of what he was seeing, thinking. A short (to him- average of a hobbit) hobbit, with corn coloured curls down to the base of her spine, dull green eyes, floaty clothing. His face showed that he wasn't impressed.
"So, this is the hobbit." Datura could practically feel the scorn in his voice.
"Ah yes," Gandalf interluded, "Datura Baggins, allow me to introduce-"
"Thorin Oakenshield." Datura drawled, bored of all the hoo-ha.
Thorin eyed her critically, "Tell me, Miss Baggins, have you done much fighting?" Datura didn't answer, she just stared at him. He felt unnerved for a moment. It was if this female had judge him and found him lacking. In fact, that is exactly what had happened.
Datura, as a rule, tried not to have expectations or hope (she found both things simply led to disappointment). But she found that she had expected more from the dwarrow whom had installed such loyalty in the dwarrow closest to her heart. She found him tactless and full of animosity instead. Disappointing.
"Axe or sword?" Thorin pressed on, ignoring the discombobulating look, "Which is your weapon of choice?"
Dully Datura raised her eyebrows at the dwarrow. 'Regal arse' she thought bitterly.
Thorin snorted, "I thought as much. She looks more like a grocer than a burglar." He laughed harshly after the sentence.
Dori barely had enough time to grab Ori's arm to stop him charging at their king. He never stood a chance at catching Nori. Nobody insulted Datura in the Ri's presence. Not even their king.
Luckily- or not so luckily depending on who you ask- Datura grabbed Nori's arm before he could pass her. Exuding the calmness that the shaking Nori needed, Datura pushed him gently behind her. Once he was there she forcefully pulled his arms and wrapped them around her waist. She the leant gently back against his chest, allowing the enraged dwarrow to bury his face in her curls.
Thorin couldn't mask the shock he felt at the action. Datura sent him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. In an overly sweet voice Datura spoke: "I wouldn't insult me in front of my family, honey. They get a bit defensive. Yes, I have experience fighting. My weapons are knives and daggers- they're easier to conceal. A burglar must be a poor thief if they lack how you expect them to look instead of normal, plain. And lastly, whilst I was once a burglar," Datura sent a glare at Gandalf. Staring at him she hardened her tone, "I am now retired." Gandalf had no look of regret.
Thorin, at least, looked as if he felt guilty. He looked her in the eyes and said, "My apologies, Miss Baggins. I let my frustration out on you and it was undeserved. My sister would have whacked my head with her skillet if she were here."
Datura raised her eyebrows again, "I assume the most honourable Princess Dis is looking after your people whilst you and her sons prance about the Shire?"
Thorin wasn't sure he'd say they were 'prancing' anywhere, but then he noticed the look of humour and cheek in the hobbit's eyes and chose simply to say, "Yes. She is."
Turi smirked, "At least you left the one who has any sense in charge." At this point Dwalin couldn't help it anymore. He started guffawing boisterously. Dwalin's laugh set the others off and even Thorin was smiling sheepishly. Ori had relaxed and Dori had released hi grip. Nori, too, had relaxed, but he enjoyed his time cuddling his hobbit.
Datura shrugged Nori off and took his hand instead. "Let's get you some food." She told Thorin with a smile.
A dive into the second pantry, a quick make out session and a fed dwarrow later, Datura wanted an explanation. But apparently she had to wait for Balin and Dwalin to question Thorin. 'A quest that is theirs alone?' Datura studied the dwarrow as she thought. This best not be what she was beginning to suspect. "What is this about?" She finally asked.
"Turi, my dear, let us have a bit more light." Gandalf instructed.
Datura snorted, she wasn't impressed. "Get it yourself. You know where the candles are." Gandalf gave her an unimpressed look that she readily returned, before he began pulling candles out of the drawer next to him. Gandalf then took out a map.
"Far to the East, over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak." Datura could feel herself paling. Erebor. They were going to Erebor.
"Oin has read the portents and the portents say it's time." Gloin announced loudly.
"Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountains as it was foretold. When the birds of old return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end." Oin nodded as he spoke.
"Erebor." Datura said in a tone that made the gathered dwarrow wince. It was a voice they had all heard from the female folk in their families. It was not a tone to cross. The room fell silent. Datura rose from Nori's lap and turned to face the three brothers. Only Nori would look her in the eye. "You're going to Erebor."
Ori and Dori looked away, they didn't like the pain and fear in Turi's eyes. Nori stared at her. "Yes." He told her. It was the first time many of the dwarrow had heard him sound serious.
"Are you insane?" She bit out. She studied his face, "Why?"
"Our king called. We answered." Nori told her straight. She didn't even glance over at said king. "Our people aren't surviving in Ered Luin." He told her softly. "You would do the same."
"No I wouldn't." She told him bluntly.
"You would." His voice was quiet, at some point he had stood up too. "Because there are children starving, there are people who need help. You always help." He took her left hand in his right.
"Not always." She didn't break eye contact. "Not when I'm holding something important." She held up their hands, squeezing tight. "If I'm holding something precious I run and I run and I don't stop. I don't stop until the darkness is gone and forgotten. When I'm holding something I love, I run."
The surrounding dwarrow felt as if they should have looked away from the raw desperation and love on the lasses face.
"I can't run." Nori's voice was barely a murmur, "Not this time."
Datura rested her forehead against his, "How are you supposed to defeat a dragon?" He didn't answer. She never expected him to. "Okay." She whispered. The two sat down, Datura on Nori's lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and refused to let go.
"How do you plan on getting passed a dragon?" Datura addressed Thorin this time. Her tone was light but it held an undercurrent of steel.
"We have a wizard!" Kili cheered, "Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time." Datura snorted at that.
"Oh well, No, uh, I-I wouldn't say..." Gandalf floundered.
"How many then?" Dori cut in sharply.
"How many what?" Gandalf replied.
"How many dragons have you killed?" Dori retorted dryly. "Give us a number." The prim and proper dwarrow's voice was filled with sarcasm.
Suddenly there was a clamor of pandemonium before Thorin stood, "Shazara!" The dwarrow silenced and sat down again. Datura found herself mildly impressed by his heartwarming inspirational speech.
Balin had to be a stick in the mud and go ruin it though (i.e. he was realistic), "You forget the front gate is sealed. There is no way into the mountain."
"That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true." Gandalf then pulled out an all too familiar key that made Datura's blood run cold.
"How came you by this?" Thorin said in reference, taking the key.
"That is what that was about." Datura snarled icily, green eyes glaring at Gandalf's grey. "You sent me to Hell for a key that would get my family killed." Gandalf didn't even look sorry.
"You got this? How?" Thorin demanded, looking at her intently.
"I'd suggest you go on a walk Gandalf. My family get slightly protective and Ori turns into a bit of a berserker when truly angry." Gandalf looked about to argue when Datura glared at him.
"I'm sure I shall be fine." Gandalf said imperiously.
"On your head be it." Datura bit. She could feel Nori's curious gaze burning into her. She stood and pulled Nori up with her. She quickly and efficiently removed all his knives and placed them in the middle of the table. She then walked Nori around the table and sat him between Dwalin and Thorin. "You will need to hold him down." She warned the guard. She was so serious that Dwalin didn't and rogue, he simply nodded cautiously. Datura nodded to him and moved back to hers and Nori's seat. "Dori. Hold Ori." She snapped. The eldest brother didn't hesitate, her merely wrapped his arms around the youngest Ri, effectively restraining him.
Datura looked at Thorin, "I got it from Moria, in the heart of Khazad-dûm."
Nori's reaction was immediate. He tensed then tried to launch forward. Dwalin barely held on. He hadn't expected that. "What the fuck were ye doin' in Moria?" Nori snarled at her.
"Gandalf sent me. For that." She nodded her head at the key. In the corner of her eye, she could see Ori vibrating in Dori's arms, quietly beginning Dori to release him so he could kill Gandalf.
"Was there a body? Was it on a body?" Thorin asked softly.
Datura knew what he was truly asking. Who he was asking about. Of course she did. She took pity on the king, "No, honey. The only dead there were orcs." Thorin breathed out heavily in relief. Ori was shaking by now, his rage fully taking hold. Dwalin was having an increasingly hard time holding onto Nori. Datura prepared herself for this wasn't the worst of it.
"How did you get past the orcs?" Fili asked with youthful curiosity.
"Wasn't the orcs that were the problem." She smiled bitterly. "I could burgle orcs easy."
"What was the problem then?" Kili couldn't keep the question inside, he was to curious.
A snarl graced Datura's lips, a dead look entered her eyes. "The Balrog." The room fell silent apart from Ori's murderous threats. Ori was far past shaking now and it was taking all of Dori's strength to restrain him (especially when he too wanted to kill the wizard). What scared Datura, though, was how still , Nori had become.
Bofur with his lopsided grin tried to ease the tension as his joyful voice questioned: "Wha's a Balrog?"
Datura averted her attention to the miner. "A Balrog is a demon of Morgoth." She explained matter-of-fact-ly.
"Nothin' much then?" Bofur teased, masking the twinge of fear in his eyes.
"Nah. Nothin' at all." Datura agreed with a smile and a shrug. She returned her attention to Thorin. "I retired after that job though. There's somethin' 'bout a demon tha' puts a girl off."
"Let go of me, Dwalin." Turi's eyes flashed to Nori. His voice was so wrong. Quiet and dark. Dwalin looked at her unsure of what to do.
Datura nodded at him, "Let him go."
Nori was by her side in seconds, his eyes dark as the studied her. Datura eyes her family. "Kitchen." She told them, and before the others in the room knew what was happening, the Ri's and Datura had left the room.
Ori literally pounced on her when they got into the kitchen. He wound himself around Datura like a house cat. The hobbit pet his hair whilst he calmed down. Dori put on the kettle. Nori fiddled with one of his knives- he'd taken several back as he left the dining room.
They were quiet as they drank their teas. Ori paced, working off his angry energy.
Eventually he sat down. And the group stared at each other.
"Moria?" Nori asked.
"Erebor?" Datura retorted with a challenging look. Nori nodded.
"What happens now?" Ori said, his body leaning against Nori's in exhaustion.
Datura grabbed a pitcher of water and tin. "You drink and eat those cookies." She instructed.
"You're as fussy as Dori." He complained fondly.
Datura snorted, "Nobody is as fussy as Dori."
Dori gently smacked her upside the head, "Hush you." Datura laughed softly. The family relaxed and the tension eased. "Y'all really wanna do this?" Datura asked with a sigh. All three nodded or acquiesced in some manner. "Fine." She groaned.
A few minutes after that the Ri brothers entered the dining room again. Thorin wondered where Miss Baggins had disappeared to.
"I 'ssume you got a contract." Her voice behind him made Thorin jump.
'Burglar indeed' Thorin thought. "Balin." He instructed.
Balin rose to his feet and handed her the contract, "It's just the usual summary of out-of-pocket expenses, time required, renumeration, funeral arrangements, so forth."
Datura nodded before reading the contract over carefully. She gave Gandalf a look when she was done. "I don't accept gold as payment." She told him, "You know that."
Thorin eyed her warily, "What do you accept?"
"Information, secrets and the like." Thorin's eyebrows flew up his head and Balin squinted at the lass. She returned her attention to Gandalf, "You'd best have something good for it to bring me out of retirement and face account dragon."
Balin whispered to Thorin before the king nodded, "We could teach you Iglishmêk." Balin offered.
Datura didn't break her gaze away from Gandalf, "I already know it. Gandalf paid me with it years ago."
"That was not his to give." Thorin groused.
"True. But the secrets I aquire often aren't the givers to give." Datura shrugged. "Well?" She pressed, raising an eyebrow at Gandalf.
"I shall tell you who your father is." He said mildly. Everyone in the Shire knew that Belladonna Took had had an affair and cheated on Bungo Baggins. Evryone also knew that this affair consummated Datura Baggins. But nobody knew who the affair was with- including Datura Baggins herself.
Datura's face contorted into a glare, "You told me you didn't know who my father was. You lied."
Gandalf had the audacity to look affronted, "I may have misled-"
"No." Datura cut him off. "Misleading us insinuating something and letting someone believe a none truth. What you did was lie." Her voice was hard.
Gandalf sighed, "Yes. I did. But I will tell you as payment for this."
Datura snarled at him, "You'd best right up as contract then. I'm not in as trusting nor forgiving mood."
Datura looked away from him and returned to her seat in Nori's lap. "When did we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning." Thorin answered her. Datura nodded. The group all talked for a while longer.
"Idiot." Turi admonished Nori teasingly after an amusing story from Bofur.
"Somebody's gotta ask so I'll do it!" Gloin exclaimed loudly, "Are you ttwo married.
"Oh there's an idea," Nori smirked. "Marry me?"
The dwarrow (minus Dori and Ori) waited in anticipation. They didn't expect Datura to start laughing. "You wish." She teased Nori.
"Everyday." He teased back with a wink. Turi laughed more.
Turi stood up, "Time for bed?" She offered her lover a hand.
"Of course, m'lady." He took it with a mock bow kissing the back of her hand.
Ori's face contorted into an amusing look of disgust, "Sleeping outside suddenly sounds very appealing."
Turi kissed his cheek as she passed him, "Go ahead if you think it will help." She winked. Ori's nose wrinkled more, making Datura laugh again.
Nori smirked, "We'll be quiet." He teased his little brother. Dori appeared behind the couple and slapped them both up side the head.
"Ow!" Nori complained, a pout painted on his lips.
"Oi!" Datura mock glared at Dori.
Dori gave them both stern looks, "Be nice to your brother." He growled at them both. Neither were particularly bothered by the reparation, both used to it. Nori shrugged and Turi grinned.
She leaned over and gave Dori a kiss on the cheek. "Night." She said, before dragging Nori to their room.
"They're not married?" Balin questioned Dori. "Does the lass not want to?"
Dori ignored the critical tone, "They will marry when they're ready."
"You seem certain she will accept his suit." Thorin noted.
"They're in love. Turi has made it clear she will eventually marry him when she feels ready." Dori sighed. A silence fell over the dwarrow.
In their room, Nori held Datura, her head resting against his chest. "You were gone longer than usual." She told him.
"Winter was hard." He hedged.
"Everyone okay?" She checked. She looked up in his eyes.
"Everyone close." He nodded.
'Translation' Datura thought, 'lots of other people died.' Datura pulled him as close as possible.
In their silence they heard the first hum. The voices drifted in to them.
"Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,"
"Sing to me," Datura whispered to Nori.
With his voice low he joined his kith and kin:
"We must away, ere break of day,
To seek our pale enchanted gold.
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells,
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
Forancient kingandelvish lord
There many agleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught,
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.
On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, on twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.
Far over the Misty Mountains cold,
To dungeons deep and caverns old,
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.
Goblets they carved there for themselves,
And harps of gold, where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.
The pines were roaring on the heights,
The wind was moaning in the night,
The fire was red, it flaming spread,
The trees like torches blazed with light.
The bells were ringing in the dale,
And men looked up with faces pale.
The dragon's ire, more fierce than fire,
Laid low their towers and houses frail.
The mountain smoked beneath the moon.
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled the hall to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.
Far over the Misty Mountains grim,
To dungeons deep and caverns dim,
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!
The wind was on the withered heath,
But in the forest stirred no leaf:
There shadows lay be night or day,
And dark things silent crept beneath.
The wind came down from mountains cold,
And like a tide it roared and rolled.
The branches groaned, the forest moaned,
And leaves were laid upon the mould.
The wind went on from West to East;
All movement in the forest ceased.
But shrill and harsh across the marsh,
Its whistling voices were released.
The grasses hissed, their tassels bent,
The reeds were rattling--on it went.
O'er shaken pool under heavens cool,
Where racing clouds were torn and rent.
It passed the Lonely Mountain bare,
And swept above the dragon's lair:
There black and dark lay boulders stark,
And flying smoke was in the air.
It left the world and took its flight
Over the wide seas of the night.
The moon set sail upon the gale,
And stars were fanned to leaping light.
Under the Mountain dark and tall,
The King has come unto his hall!
His foe is dead, the Worm of Dread,
And ever so his foes shall fall!
The sword is sharp, the spear is long,
The arrow swift, the Gate is strong.
The heart is bold that looks on gold;
The dwarves no more shall suffer wrong.
The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.
On silver necklaces they strung
The light of stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, from twisted wire
The melody of harps they wrung.
The mountain throne once more is freed!
O! Wandering folk, the summons heed!
Come haste! Come haste! Across the waste!
The king of friend and kin has need.
Now call we over the mountains cold,
'Come back unto the caverns old!'
Here at the gates the king awaits,
His hands are rich with gems and gold.
The king has come unto his hall
Under the Mountain dark and tall.
TheWyrm of Dreadis slain and dead,
And ever so our foes shall fall!
Farewell we call to hearth and hall!
Though wind may blow and rain may fall,
We must away, ere break of day
Far over the wood and mountain tall.
To Rivendell, where Elves yet dwell
In glades beneath the misty fell.
Through moor and waste we ride in haste,
And whither then we cannot tell.
With foes ahead, behind us dread,
Beneath the sky shall be our bed,
Until at last our toil be passed,
Our journey done, our errand sped.
We must away! We must away!
We ride before the break of day!"
Nori and Datura clung to each other for a while. Their eyes met and with broken desperation their lips slammed together. In raw desperation of hurt and pain the two comforted each other in the most passionate way they could possible. They held each other close. They would never let go.