Aaaaaaa! I'm so sorry! It's been a while! I planned to get back to this when I got back from my convention but I got food poisoning -_- No fun, my friends, no fun. Anyways, here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy. I've started on the next chapter already so hopefully that one will be posted soon. I'm also thinking of another story that would take a while to finish so I might be splitting my time between this one and that, if I choose to write it. We shall see.
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine but my imagination.
Enjoy!
The night air greeted them with a soft breeze and twinkling stars. Bella felt as if her lungs may burst from sprinting all the way from the hall and up many flights of stairs. She staggered out into the open air along the cliff where they had discovered the door, collapsing to the ground. Sharp rocks poked at her legs through the skirts of her dress. She ignored the dull ache in her limbs from the lack of oxygen, uncomfortable feel of the rocks and the burning in her lungs as she panted, warm air passing over chapped lips.
Gasping for breath and clutching at his chest, Balin stood by the door, leaning heavily on one arm with his head bowed. They'd raced through the great halls of Erebor back to safety while echoes of Smaug's fury and the rumble of falling structures followed them. Slowly raising his head to assess the weary hobbit collapsed on the ground, Balin wobbled over to kneel beside her.
"We'd best keep moving, Lass, and get away from this mountain until Thorin and the other lads have taken care of that beast," Balin wheezed out, eyes watering slightly. He looked completely exhausted, his age showing tremendously through the façade of the warrior outer shell he wore. The joyful light that had shown so brilliantly in the tears he'd shed when Thorin first opened the secret door into Erebor, now chased away by a hopeless dim.
Bella felt like she'd been trampled by pack of wargs. She looked a fright; singed skirts, soot covered face, sweat rolling down her forehead, hair falling all over in an array of singed curls and tangled knots. She'd watched Balin hobble over to her, noting his arm shake while he bent down on his knee before her, saw the dead light in his eyes. He'd given up on his belief for a reclaimed homeland. Bella felt fear chill her bones. If Balin had given up, did she dare to hope that they would be able to complete this quest alive? Did she risk allowing her thoughts to stray towards the possibilities of death and depression that lurked in the shadows of her heart?
Shaking her head, she stared hard at Balin, eyes narrowing, mouth forming a firm line. "Balin, everything is going to be fine. Thorin will survive and the others will slay the dragon. Please do not give up your belief in this quest, because I promise you, I will not." As she spoke, Balin's eyes darted around her face as though the words she spoke were also floating in the air between them as a visual element. A tiny spark of light fluttered ever so slightly in the old dwarf's eyes and Bella felt her own courage grow at the prospect of hope returning.
Balin gave a short nod, saying nothing, but offering his hand to help her to her feet. She slid her fingers into his palm, feeling the rough exterior of many years hard labor gently scraping her much softer skin. Hands grasped firmly, the old dwarf pushed himself back onto his feet, carefully helping the hobbit stand and keep her balance while she shook out her skirts.
The two, finally situated properly once more, began to make their way towards the hidden stair case built into the design of the enormous dwarf statue standing guard of the mountain. Balin began working his way in between the rocks that lead to the edge of the statue when a terrible cry erupted into the night.
Bella shot back, staring outward but seeing nothing aside from the dark mountain side. Gaze locking with Balin, Bella felt her heart begin to race and before he could think to stop her, she dashed back towards the doorway. She heard Balin's shout, full of fear, but ignored it, sprinting as fast as she could towards the stair well. She had to find Thorin.
The hallways echoed with the sound of flesh slapping hard against the stone path as she raced back to the last place she'd see Thorin. Faintly behind her she could hear the sound of Balin's labored breathing and boots pounding down the hallways after her. She'd just made it to the entrance of the forges when she heard another shout that did not belong to Balin. Skidding to a stop, Bella looked across the chamber, Balin slowed to a stop next to her, both staring out towards the source of the noise. Running across the pathway were Ori and Dwalin. They seemed to be headed towards the front of the mountain; the Gate. Dwalin reached back, grabbing Ori's arm as they rounded the corner and disappeared through a doorway. Balin quickly took Bella by the hand, pulling her towards a staircase that lead to a stone path stretching diagonal that would lead them towards the Gate.
They followed the sounds of the other's boots and distance shouts to a large hall leading straight out into the night. Balin came to a halt staring in horror at the destroyed entrance of Erebor. Bella, who'd lost her balance slightly when Balin suddenly stopped, looked over at him, a bit annoyed now. She felt her glare soft immensely with the look on his face though. She wanted to say something to comfort him but the words would not come. Instead she placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to show him comfort the best way she could manage. Balin's shoulders slumped, his jaw falling open with a look of defeat in his eyes.
Bella glanced back at the doorway, assessing the damage. The entire structure had been demolished by the dragon. Stone blocks carved into beautiful architecture had been ripped apart, leaving nothing but rubble piles of broken blocks laying in a cloud of dust around the gaping hole in the wall, making the bridge and ruins of Dale visible from the entrance. She noticed the others then, some were standing by the entrance but the others remained out of sight. Dori and Bifur stood closest, both looking mostly unharmed. Just beyond them she could just make out three figures that looked like Ori, Nori and Gloin.
She slipped hand from Balin's shoulder and began her way over the debris littered floor, clambering over the jagged rock and twisted metal strewn around the room. She reached the entrance, stopping beside the two dwarves. Dori's braids were falling out, the tips singed. His clothes were singed as well, torn and blackened by the dragon's fire. Bifur was in a similar state, singed hair and clothing. He leaned heavily against the essence of what used to be a great wall. Their eyes were transfixed toward the sky, almost reverent looking. She gently pushed past Dori and Bifur, who didn't so much as glance at her briefly, then begun to hurry across the bridge, ignoring the tugs on her skirt as she passed jagged pieces of stone sticking out.
She took in the night sky, filled with bright twinkling stars, gaze falling upon the bridge where the next three stood. Nori and Gloin stood closer to her, facing away, faces raised to the horizon. Gloin looked a bit ruffled, singed about the ends of his hair and beard but alive. Nori was sporting a deep gash on his hand and the magnificent triangular hairstyle he wore was now falling around his shoulders. The tie at the back of his shoulders where his hair pulled into a braid seemed to have been broken at some point, allowing the long hair to tumble free. Bombur sat a few feet away on a fallen pillar, staring upwards as well. She hadn't noticed him at first since the remainder of another pillar a few feet back hid from view. Her eyes fixed on the youngest of the company. He stood at the end of the bridge, hands no doubt wringing in worry. Bella walked past Nori and Gloin, neither giving her any notice, much like the others. Bombur did notice however and watched silently while completed the maze across the bridge and stopped beside Ori.
Ori was visibly shaking slightly; however, his gaze was not fixed on the night sky like the others, but upon the top of a small hill where stood two more figures. Bella approached him carefully, not wanting to spook the poor lad. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, making him jump in surprise and snap his head towards her. His eyes were enormous and it was obvious, despite her best efforts, she'd frightened him, if his heavy breathing was any indication. It was then she was reminded how young the dwarf was; how much softer and gentler he was compared to the rest. She prayed that this would be the last of life threatening experiences for all of them. Smiling apologetically, she turned to peer at the last two figures.
At the end of the bridge, standing on top of the hill facing out towards Dale were Thorin and Dwalin. Both looked alive and well. Dwalin's arms were burnt a bit and he leaned heavily on his left leg. Thorin, standing at the top of the hill, clenched his fists at his sides, hair catching in the breeze of the night. His shirt had become untucked, tears and burnt spots along the fabric. From the look of the muscles in his neck and shoulders, he was beyond tense, much more so than any of the others. Dwalin glanced over at him, gaze lingering there a minute before looking to the ground. Thorin hadn't moved a muscle, stalk still, watching the sky.
Gulping, she took a steadying breath, slipping away from Ori's side and taking her skirts into her hands, she began her climb to the top of the hill, mindful of the gagged rocks poking out from the ground. She could see more clearly, the burns on Dwalin's arms were much worse than she'd first anticipated and the leaning was explained when she saw the gash in his right calf. He'd clearly gone head to head with Smaug at some point in their attempt to kill him. Making a mental note to treat his wounds when they got back to the mountain, her gaze fell upon the King. From his stance he seemed to be alright, minor singes and cuts but a closer look would reveal the knots in his shoulders, the weary shake of his legs, barely there but still present, threatening to crumple him to the ground any second. She watched his back stiffen slightly as his rib cage expanded, taking in a breath; perhaps he'd bruised a rib or broken one?
She'd finally reached a bit of a ledge that would require her hands to help grip onto the grass in order to make it all the way to the top. She looked helplessly down at the material bunched in her hands. How was she going to climb on all fours when she still needed to hold up her skirts. As she contemplated this new dilemma, a soft throat clearing above her made her jump. She looked up, surprise turning to understanding as she took in Dwalin standing at the ledge with a hand extended down towards her. He looked down at her, a fierceness in his eyes she hadn't seen before from previous fights. As not to make him angry or lose the opportunity of his help, she gripped his hand while her other gathered the excess of her skirts.
Careful not to hurt the hobbit, he pulled her up with great strength, letting her toes skim over the rocky terrain until she stood safely in front of him. His hand griped hers in an iron grip against his chest. Slowly, Bella wriggled her hand free and she took a few steps back. He watched her every move, critically analyzing if she would threaten either of them. Finally, his gaze softened and he simply watched her with tired eyes. Bella gave him what she hoped was a reassuring look, turning towards the stony dwarf standing just ahead.
Gingerly stepping around the sharper rocks, Bella reached his side and craned her neck around to see his face; eyes glazed in a fixed glare, lips parted, heavy breaths huffing out. He didn't look himself in the slightest. It was almost as if he was in a trance, a trance that she couldn't predict the outcome of when he woke from it.
Pushing aside her new concerns, Bella reached out, brushing her fingers along the back of his hand. It seemed she'd startled him judging from his violent reaction. He shot away from her hand, spinning to face his attacker, Orcrist raised in hand, eyes wild, teeth bared. Bella stumbled back a few steps, watching him with wide eyes. He simply stared at her for a moment, then gradually his arm lowered, fingers slipping from around the hilt of the blade, letting it fall to the ground with a loud clang. His eyes began to clear of their haze, replaced by a look of amazement, as if he'd never seen Bella before and she was in fact the most peculiar creature. He shook his head, looking at the ground for a minute, blinking hard.
"Thorin?" Bella asked in a soft voice, taking a hesitant step towards him. He lifted his gaze to her again, a relieved smile stretching across his lips.
"My Bella," he said finally, voice hoarse, "you are alive," finishing in a whisper. Bella felt tears of relief spring to her eyes, rushing forward into his arms, nose assaulted with the smell of smoke and sweat. He wrapped her in a tight embrace, burying his face in her curls. She couldn't fight the exhausted feeling washing over her at the realization that Thorin was alive. He was whole and warm and he'd kept his promise.
Pulling back, she placed a hand on his cheek, "You kept your promise. Thank you," Bella whispered, blinking hard in a vain attempt to stop the beginning flow of tears. Thorin's gaze softened, his fingers brushed along her jaw, he offered his own small smile.
"I told you I would. I did not think you doubted me so, my dearest," he said, essence of amusement evident in his voice.
A light chuckle passed her lips, but was cut short when a terrible screech filled the night. They both tore their gazes away, staring past Dale, towards Lake Town. The city was ablaze with fire, glowing brightly against the darkened horizon. Far above the city an enormous dark shadow moved through the air, flying towards the sky when suddenly it began to fall back towards the earth.
Bella moved towards the edge of the hill, gasping as realization hit her. "Smaug," she breathed.
Dwalin rushed to her side, watching in disbelief as the great dragon fell out of sight into the blazing city. Bella felt relief flood her body. She turned, shouting back towards the others, "Smaug! Smaug is dead! I saw him fall!" A bright grin decorated her lips when her words struck the others and they began running towards the hill. She turned with a bright triumphant look on her face, watching the city burn. It was then that it hit her, hard, right in the stomach.
"Fili! Kili! Bofur! Oin! Oh Valar, no!"
Bella felt horrified with herself. She was celebrating the supposed defeat of the dragon with the rest of the company who stood around, cheering and pounding each other on the back, while their companions still remained in the burning city. She feared the worse.
Squeezing out between Nori and Dwalin, She looked frantically for Thorin but he was nowhere to be seen. He wasn't celebrating with the others. Stretching up on her tip toes she assessed the group of rowdy dwarves, none being the King. Turning back towards the entrance of Erebor, her eyes caught movement.
Thorin was walking briskly across the bridge towards the entrance of the mountain. Balin moved forward to great him, warm smile on his face but he stepped quickly out of the way, smiled faltering to a frown of confusion, when Thorin hurried past him, disappearing into the shadows. Bella hiked up her skirts, trying to look as dignified as possible as she slid herself over the tall ledge, landing with a stumble, before cantering down the rest of the hill and across the bridge. Balin was still staring in the door when Bella reached him.
"Where'd he go?" she asked, panting slightly.
Balin didn't even turn or look at her as he answered in a distracted voice, "Throne room, I'd expect."
Bella didn't wait for an explanation of where to find it, nor did she ask. Leaping over a large stone, she ran back into the kingdom, ears straining for the sound of boots or yelling or anything that would lead her to the King.
Favorite, Follow and Review! I absolutely love hearing from you guys :) I'm writing future chapters as they come to me. Still looking for good inspiration in the next few chapters. Cheers!