To Sow a Barren Land

Disclaimer: I only wish.

AN: This chapter takes care of another factor: the necklace. I haven't really put much focus on the actual birthing scene here but this too solves a much asked question. You'll see. Won't be long till The Last Alliance.

Thanks to all who have reviewed/faved/followed~


Chapter 7

Hooves clashed against the muddy ground as the riders tore through the forest in nigh time. They bore two torches lighting up only a small circle of forest in front. Darkness undeterred them. Light scared them.

Occasionally, the riders looked back over their shoulders. They settled their gaze around and scanned the part that they had just passed, as if to check if they were being trailed or not. Then they would look away and the rider in the middle would clutch his chest as their pace hastened even more.

The rider at the very end suddenly perked up. A frown crossed his face. It soon became smooth with an unreadable expression and his eyes flickered for a while before he looked back. Within seconds, his orbs went small like the tip of a needle and he quickly looked ahead as he felt a cold mist setting within him.

"Hey," he called out at which, the others hushed him and shot him irritated glances. The dwarf at the back shook his head. At that, those ahead of him faltered for a second and continued staring with eyes big, filled with questions which became bigger as the other said something in his native tongue.

Even in the dim light, the trailing dwarf could see their faces going ashen and the silence which fell between them got all the more ghastly as someone swallowed thickly .

The leader of the band ordered something in a hushed tone and as the middlemost dwarf fisted the clutch of his hood, the forest echoed with thumping of hooves which grew faster in tempo and harder in its beat.

From afar, shadow passed over the moon, slowly sliding over it before moonbeams again seeped into the forest. The west sky became lighter and a soft glow of orange spread over it which flickered for moments before the sky got covered in darkness yet again.


Thranduil was writhing in pain. Tears flowing freely from his cheeks, the elf used his hands as vices, clutching on to both his father and lover, gripping them tight each time a contraction ripped him apart.

Hours into the labour, he cursed and shouted at anyone who caught his attention and finally when the healer said he was ready, he screamed out in response, beginning to push with each surge of pain, grinding the other elves' hands in the process.

"Not much longer now," he heard Rainion's voice to the left and he glared up at him dangerously, opening his mouth to retort back before he formed them to a loop and squeezed his eyes shut while breathing out jets of air rapidly with another onslaught of contraction.

Sweat drizzled down from his skin, his hair plastered to his forehead and fat tears of pain rolled down his now blotchy cheeks. Thranduil was tired, he was hurting and he wept in impatience and agony.

At that point, he wanted nothing more than to get this over with. And considering how he refused to let the others go, his father and Rainion too wished for the same.

Finally, the healer announced, "I can see him crowning."

To Thranduil, those were the sweetest words one could ever hear. A cry broke through his throat and he pushed hard, feeling his entire energy leaving him and grinding his bones along the way.

Moments seemed like hours and the pain showed no sign of reducing. Thranduil's breaths were heavy and hot from the exertion that he felt. His voice was hoarse from screaming and no matter how many times he was dabbed with a cool water soaked cloth, he still felt like being crushed under the sheer pressure which never seemed to stop.

"One more push," he heard.

With the last reserves of his strength, he braced himself and pushed hard. Through his clenched teeth, another screech made its way out, soon transforming into a cry that seemed to fill the entire room.

Eventually, the scream died down and Thranduil fell back heavily on the pillows, panting loudly as his lungs desperately needed air. He felt someone wiping his brows with a cool towel and for a while he indulged in the soothing effect it produced.

Suddenly, his breath hitched just as his eyes flew open with a panic before he swatted away the hand and abruptly sat up. He felt a pair of hands steadying him and two voices, telling him to lie down. Thranduil shrugged away the touches and paid no attention to the concerns of his father and lover as wild eyes searched all over the room for something which was too precious for him to lose.

At that moment, his heart was shadowed with panic and fear and in his mind, only one thought came up in chants.

He shot a glance over to the elves beside his sides and the way his lips trembled against his pale face shouted out the unspoken question.

His eyes were huge and tearful. Fret darkened the vibrant orbs of blue and the more Thranduil thought about it, further the dread gripped his heart tight, causing it to skip many beats.

Then it happened.

The silence which covered the room was suddenly disturbed with a shrill wail.

For a while, Thranduil didn't react. He kept his gaze darting between both of the elves as the beating of his heart was still rapid and fearful.

However, when pure relief flooded over the faces of Oropher and Rainion, Thranduil finally let out the breath he didn't know he was holding and with much prayer to the Valar, he cast his gaze in front of him where the healer was busy finishing off with the necessities.

After the baby was finished being washed, she smiled at the three elves and gingerly handed the precious cloth-covered bundle in the arms of the awaiting father.

Thranduil was scared at first. His boy was so tiny and so delicate with the pink flesh and little features. Just like a glass doll!

But when he was guided to hold his baby, his fears subsided away and his eyes were filled with wonder as he took in the delicate form in his hands. The healer then stepped back and with a gentle smile at the other two elves, she declared, "Congratulations my lord. It's a boy."

He heard the others' breath hitch and Rainion congratulating his king on their heir. However all those seemed so trivial at that very moment and they died down from Thranduil's ears as his world solely focused upon his son.

When the baby became calm, there was pure joy sparkling in Thranduil's eyes and he looked up at his companion, gleaming with pride. Rainion smiled, his eyes too brimming with tears.

"He is healthy but since he arrived early, we must keep a close eye on him for a few more months," the healer added and when her words were understood, she left the room, giving the family their privacy.

Thranduil caressed the little blond head gently and held his child close. A smile broke across his lips as he sighed and closed his lids, thanking the Valar for the little miracle they had performed. Years of sadness, empty trials and bitter tears now all concentrated on the tiny bundle squirming in his arms.

At last, he was a father. He had a child.

Thranduil's face fell slightly when the elfling was taken in the arms of a wet nurse. The disappointment soon vanished into marvel as he whispered blissfully, "Our son...Rainion, we have a gorgeous son."

With that, he closed his eyes again and as the day's exhaustion took hold of him with full force, Thranduil soon lulled into a much deserved sleep.

He missed the Silvan's loving look transforming into that of restraint as Oropher's calm eyes became huge with lapped surprise. He failed to see how shocked his father was as the king's eyes darted between Rainion and himself while his lips trembled with unvoiced demands.


Across the darkness, a dwarf ran with scurry feet. He didn't look back from where flashes of orange lit up the trees momentarily. However just as the light disappeared, the forest grew even darker. Ghostly screams bounced off from the trees. Clangs of swords drowned away by the horrifying screams and screeches, making the dwarf cringe and clutch his chest each time they entered his ears.

His eyes were wide and terrified. He dared not look neither back nor down. His sole focus was to stare ahead and run like he had never run before. In the process, the dwarf stumbled and almost nearly fell. He quickly recovered himself each time and as he did, the grip on his chest became tighter as he ran for his dear life.

Suddenly, his ears caught a wild growl and he whirled around in pure horror. All the while he kept his feet kept going, never having the galls to stop before turning sharply to face the front. However this time, he couldn't keep his balance as he tripped over a rock and fell flat on his chest.

He groaned painfully and rested his eyes on the floor of mottled leaves to gather himself. The dizziness he felt disappeared the moment he caught something right in front of him. Something that was not supposed to be there at all! Immediately he frowned, realizing that it was probably a fate worse than what his fellow riders had suffered. As seconds passed, his face cracked with helplessness and failure when it became clear that there was no escape for him.

His breaths came out in shudders and he slowly raised his gaze. When they fell upon the being in front of him, he clutched his chest out of pure instincts. His eyes widened massively before he squeezed them shut and grit his teeth. His cheeks were wet with flowing tears as a cold and harsh dread took over his whole form.

Curling his fist into tight balls, he let out a whimper, fear distorting his face even more. His lips moved and instead of a tone, all that came out was a quivered rasp which grew sharper with the imminent danger.

The familiar sound of unsheathing scratched the uncomfortable stillness and the dwarf prayed fervently as fat tears wetted his face.

Lips began moving fast. The rasp grew shriller. His prayer was left unfinished when his rasp stopped abruptly, followed by a sharp intake of air. The fist gripping his chest shook a little and after a few seconds, his fingers slowly unfurled. His body went limp and the life in his eyes quickly withered away as the dwarf lay in a pool of blood.

Another sound of sheathing followed and once more the night was draped in quietness, speaking nothing but eeriness and foreboding as the fallen dwarves lay on the forest floor, smeared with blood and carnage.

But they fulfilled their task. One final time, they obeyed their king.


The doors to the study burst open and Thorin strode in like a storm, nostrils flaring and face reddened with urgency. An advisor followed after him, muttering that the king was asked not to be disturbed but Thorin promptly ignored him as he walked up to the main desk.

"We are doomed," he said without wasting any time.

The grimness in his voice drew Thrór's attention. He sat up straight and with a quiver in his tone, asked, "What do you mean?"

At that, Thorin's face grew graver. He looked at the other darkly and with a tone matching his demeanour, he said, "The necklace is nowhere to be found. It is hidden well. But all of our warriors were killed. All but one! He barely escaped with his life from the orcs."

"The orcs?" Thrór repeated, his eyes flashing with worry which only increased as Thorin nodded.

"They were returning when an orc pack attacked them. The survivor managed to stay hidden. He said, the orcs were killed as well by an army of elves. The war is starting. But Grandfather, they elves...they noticed how few dwarves were there. How lightly armed they were. They know it is us."

A slow frown appeared on the dwarf king's temple which soon drilled furrows. The panic which flashed on his expressions earlier washed away quickly. Hopelessness seeped in.

Finally, the king looked away from the other and stared blankly on his desk.

"Then we are doomed," he said in a hushed tone which spoke of how lost he felt at that moment.

Like Thorin, Thrór too placed his hopes on the fact that the Necromancer was on the top of the elves' priorities. They hoped that with time, this would be forgotten. However, it was merely wishful thinking.

After the war, they'd come. Erebor wouldn't be spared. Thorin knew his family wouldn't be spared.

Their fate was sealed and it'd only be by the grace of a miracle that the elves would now spare them. "Mahal save us."


AN: No, they didn't name the baby yet but it will serve me better for what I have planned. If you have any doubt, feel free to ask me.:) Please review!