Zoor Se Dovahruth
Seven

-Faal Hahvulon-
The Nightmare

"Where did the dragon go, is he still alive?" the little small voice of the girl asked while twisting one of her curls with her finger. The man made no smile, nor frown, to indicate an answer. The little girl frowned while sitting up with a pout, "But Monah doesn't talk about the dragon anymore, right? She doesn't see him or hear him? Does she?"

"How about I just keep telling you the story?" the man suggested with a small chuckle, pushing the girl back down onto her pillow so that he could continue, "Thus far the dragon was cast out of Nirn and Monah had taken well to the advice given to her from her friends. It would at least help her with what was in store for the company next…

The next day before the sun was even setting in the west, Thorin called for the company to set up camp in a seemingly abandoned and destroyed farm house. "We'll camp here for the night. Fili, Kili, look after the ponies. Make sure you stay with them."

Keeva hopped off Penny and looked around for her Grey Wizard, only to spot him within the ruined home talking to himself. Keeva decided against going to seek him out. He looked more troubled now than he usually did and Keeva didn't want to make those worried thoughts worse. So instead she took to removing her pack that was hanging off the side of her pony and then went to help the Durin brothers gather up the rest of the animals.

It didn't take long for the frustration that Keeva had seen in the wizard to peek. She'd heard spouts of frustration from the house, her keen ears picking up on it before the dwarves and Master Hobbit had even noticed. She watched Gandalf angrily stomp off toward his horse, leaving not only Keeva behind but Bilbo as well. "Everything alright? Gandalf, where are you going?"

"To seek the company of the only one around here who's got any sense," the Grey Wizard shouted angrily. Bilbo looked profoundly confused as well as Keeva, "Who's that?"

"Myself, Mr. Baggins! I've had enough of dwarves for one day," Gandalf answered before taking off. Keeva felt rather helpless in that moment after the Grey Wizard left. He was, after all, the man that had found Keeva on her first day in Middle Earth. It was an odd sensation, as if she was being abandoned, but Keeva knew it wasn't like that. Not in the least. The dwarves and the hobbit were her friends as well.

Keeva's eyes travelled back up the trail that Gandalf had just come from, finding Thorin at the top. His stormy grey eyes met hers and she was sure the look of concern was etched deep into her features because Thorin cleared his throat, trying to look at anything else but her, "Come on, Bombur, we're hungry."

"Is he coming back?" Bilbo asked Balin. The white haired dwarf shrugged his shoulders unsure. Keeva let out a shaky breath but continued to help Fili and Kili after everyone began taking their packs up to the camp.

Keeva bit her lip nervously as she put Penny and Minty in the same pin. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something was making her stomach nervous. She could feel it out of reach, just like a word stuck on the tip of your tongue, never sure what was lurking in the shadows. But Keeva was praying Gandalf would come back soon. Perhaps that was the only thing that was truly bothering her? Kili nudged his brother while watching Keeva listlessly pet her pony. The brothers exchanged looks before they decided to see what the matter was.

"Is everything alright, Miss Keeva?" Kili asked, his eyes looking her up and down to make sure it wasn't anything physical. Keeva just forced a smile and shook her head, "Just worried about Gandalf."

Fili smiled after hearing her reason. The young girl had been quite fond of the Wizard and he couldn't blame her. He often noticed Gandalf dotting her with small little gifts, flowers really. Just to bring a smile to her face every day. It was a relationship he found more or less resembled that of a guardian and their ward.

"Gandalf will come back. Don't you worry," Fili insisted while placing a warm hand on her back. Keeva's eyes were caught in the sight of his misty blue ones and his wonderful reassuring smile was enough to make some of the feeling in her stomach dissipate. "How about you head back to camp and get something to eat. It's getting dark now. I'm sure he'll be on his way."

Keeva nodded in agreement and thanked the brothers as she walked away.

Back in camp, Bofur was handing Bilbo two bowls of soup while Keeva came into the light of the fire. Bilbo was standing next to the natural musician dutifully, "Here, do us a favor: take this to the lads."

While Bilbo turned to leave, Bombur tried to take more soup from the pot. Keeva giggled when Bofur smacked his brother's hand away, "Stop it, you've had plenty."

Bofur then found Keeva waiting next to him patiently for her share. "Ah, there you are. I had wondered if you'd gone off with the lads. Keeping Fili company, hmm?"

Bofur then handed the wide eyed girl her bowl and chuckled. He loved the way her cheeks would flush red out of embarrassment whenever it came to silly little things. It was quite obvious to everyone in the company that she was quiet fond of teasing and playing with the golden haired dwarf. But it was even more obvious that Fili was overly fond of the girl. The dwarf couldn't deny it even if he tried. "I- I was just helping them with the ponies is all."

"Riiight, lass," came a mischievous call from Dwalin. Keeva turned around to gawk at the balding dwarf, "Don't give little ol' Fili's hopes up. The poor lad doesn't even realize how smitten he is."

Keeva's face was just about as bright has her hair and she quickly took a seat next to Balin so that she could escape the light chuckles from around the campfire. They enjoyed her company but enjoyed it more to see her squirm. She was always so calm and collected, perfect traits for a warrior and even better for a huntress. But it was a treat to see her at a loss for words.

After dinner was finished and pips were being brought out to smoke, two pairs of footsteps were quickly making their way up the hill toward their camp, "Thorin! Thorin!"

Keeva's head popped up from her makeshift pillow to find Fili and Kili coming into the light of the fire. She sat up though after something caught the light of the moon in the distance, something metallic… something gold. But it was gone in an instant, the shadows taking up the night. "Thorin! It's Bilbo. There are trolls in the woods. They took some ponies - and Bilbo, he went in to sneak them out!"

Kili was out of breath after trying to get all of that out, his cheeks heavily tinted from the rush of blood in his veins. Thorin stood immediately, taking up arms, and the other dwarves followed. Keeva stood, grabbing for her bow and arrow but was stopped by their leader, "Keeva, stay and watch over the camp."

Keeva's brows furrowed confused, "What? Why? I can help."

Thorin's dark stare was serious, causing the resolve in the girl to waver, "I need you here. Do you understand?"

The dwarves were all staring at her then. She shifted in her spot uncomfortably and nodded. But she wasn't going to let him leave thinking she was happy with his orders, "Yes, my lord."

Thorin didn't let her words bother him that much, or at least that's what she though, because he hurried off into the forest with the rest of the dwarves immediately after the words had left Keeva's lips. Angrily, Keeva took a seat upon a log that was set in front of the fire.

Did Thorin think her weak? She wasn't if that was the case. She could hold her own, slashing throats and shooting hearts was nothing to her. But there she was sitting in front of the fire and watching their camp while the boys were off fighting trolls. In all honesty, Keeva was just dying for a battle. The feeling was itching at her, to sink her blade into something that she loathed.

That was it. She was going, no matter what Thorin told her. She was her own person and she wanted to help. Sitting and watching the camp wasn't help, especially when there were trolls nearby. Trolls! By Talos – there were Trolls!

Keeva stood, snatching up her ebony blade as well as her bow and arrows. Slinging them over her back and shoulders, Keeva took off with her blade in hand. The makeshift stables for the ponies were practically demolished. Some of the ponies were on edge, shaking lightly in the pale moon sky. Keeva walked over and took up Penny's snout, petting it lightly to calm her, "Don't you worry, little Penny. I'll have those trolls gone before you know it."

Penny seemed to enjoy the sound of that. She whinnied lightly and nudged Keeva's hands to get going. Keeva smirked, taking the pony's advice and hurried into the forest. It didn't take long for Keeva to find the light source of a large fire past a few trees. The snap of a twig caught the young girl off guard, too slow to turn around and look…

"You're growing clumsy," said a low voice while pressing a knife to Keeva's throat. Keeva knew that voice anywhere, even though she'd only heard it once, she knew exactly who it was. Her breath hitched as her hands gripped tightly onto the solid arm that held the blade at her neck.

"I was wondering when you would come to finish the job," Keeva told him with a weak smile. Her mind was reeling, trying to bide time and figure out how to get away from the man she knew was there to kill her. "But how on earth were you able to get to Middle Earth?"

"Long story short," he muttered into her ear, his breath teasing the skin and sending shivers down her spine. A feeling she never wanted to feel from him again, "Alduin sends his regards."

Keeva hissed in fear of that name but knew she needed to act now. The young woman took the risk to press her neck into the blade so that she could swing under Bedastyr's arm and then throw him over her shoulder. The blue robes of his outfit fluttered in the air as he fell into the solid trunk of a tree.

Keeva bent down for her blade that she'd dropped out of surprise before a dagger was thrown at her, dodging it. Keeva ran for a tree, jumping up and grabbing onto the branch above and then swung herself up just in time to miss the swinging sword at her feet. She ran to the end of the branch and jumped onto another, much thicker, branch from a neighboring tree and turned to slash at the assassin that was in midair. Keeva cut deep into Bedastyr's thigh, causing him to miss his mark and roll off the side and to the ground.

Keeva jumped up higher, finding limb after limb safer than the last and like a moth to a flame, the assassin followed, throwing another dagger for her head, which she easily jumped out of the way. Keeva climbed as far as she could and reasoned she'd made a poor move for now she was trapped. Looking all over for an escape, Keeva spotted a lingering branch on another tree nearby and took her chance, leaping for the limb. Just as she thought she could touch the bark of the tree, she began to fall, limbs and sticks scratching and tearing at her skin as she fell through the air. Her landing was broken however. The grown from underneath of her only startled her more as she found his muscled arms clutching her close. Keeva struggled and though it seemed he wouldn't let go, her last resort was to elbow him in the stomach. His hands let go immediately.

Keeva, crawled away, her legs still a bit wobbly from the fall. Finally, on her feet, Keeva withdrew her bow and cocked and arrow, her finest skill. Bedastyr stood up, holding his stomach and backed up, his one free hand above his head signifying his defeat.

"What do I have to do for you to leave me be?!" Keeva shouted angrily. Her eyes were fierce and the wild mane of her hair made her even more feral. Bedastyr dropped his mask for the first time since Keeva had set eyes upon him. He had a square jaw line, it was strong and masculine and his deep blue eyes only helped make the squirmy feeling in Keeva's heart worse with the smirk that was drawing on the assassin's lips. "You could die for starters."

"You know that's not going to happen," Keeva warned, her eyes glaring and starting to glow in a particular way that Bedastyr had never seen before. It reminded him of an animal's eyes peering at you in the night. "I'm not the one that is going to die tonight."

"Bold words for a woman," Bedastyr commented dryly. Keeva spat at his feet, which only got him to take a step closer to her. Keeva's bow rose just a little as a threat, to keep him away, "You're a Firok Munfahliil and I will have my Nahkriin."

"You're starting to sound like them already," Bedastyr joked darkly, the smirk on his face becoming malicious. Keeva's eyes lifted questioningly, "What are you talking about?"

"Dov, Dovah, Dragons, whatever your little half-breed heart desires," Bedastyr droned while snickering, "Every day that Dragon is inside of you, the more and more you will lose yourself to their kind."

"That's not possible," Keeva hissed, "Alduin removed the dragon's soul!"

"Oh, but my dear," Bedastyr tisked, walking around her like a predator ready to pounce, "don't you hear him inside of you? When you stare into the fire, it's like something is captivating you, forcing you to watch, to listen? Alduin may have removed the soul once, but he can always put it back again. That dragon is a nuisance for a reason and Alduin isn't stupid enough to let him run around freely in Skyrim. Not after what he's done…"

The fraction of a second that Keeva dropped her arrow was the mistake of letting Bedastyr in. The blue assassin rolled forward and tackled Keeva to the floor. She was pinned, her hands above her head and a blade at her throat. "It's a shame such a pretty girl like you must be killed. Otherwise, I would have tried my hand at you long ago. Such a wild and untamed spirit. I would have liked that."

Bedastyr bent down low, his hips rocking into hers and his nose brushed against the skin under her ear, down her jawline and then finally his lips pressed firmly to the hollow of her neck. He breathed her in and she could feel a smile draw on his lips, "Terrible thing, your little dwarf didn't get a chance. He would have loved to taste you."

Keeva whimpered, her eyes becoming darker as the blade was pressed down harder. "See you in Sovngarde, my dear."

And it was like a void of darkness engulfed the clearing as the blade made a cut into her skin. A hiss of pain came from above her then a mute shout – one, even though was mute, gave off a sense of agony. The weight of the assassin lifted and before Keeva could open her eyes to see what happened, the hum of a deep and malicious creature urged her to sleep.

Back in the forest, where the dwarves had taken on the trolls and had almost become their dinner, the sun had risen as if the gods had willed it and Gandalf had taken that chance to save his companions. With the trolls turned to stone, Gandalf looked around happily and began to count, "Oin, Gloin, Ori, Nori, Dori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dwalin, Balin, Fili, Kili, Thorin, Bilbo and…"

Gandalf looked around him, not spotting his shadow anywhere amongst the company. "Where is Keeva?"

Nobody answered him, too preoccupied in getting back into their traveling clothes, until he asked the question again, this time more seriously, "Where is Keeva?!"

Thorin strolled over calmly, his grey eyes staring up at the wizard with no worry, "She's watching over the camp, like I ordered her to."

Gandalf hummed, slightly satisfied but the feeling of unease was still hovering in his thoughts as Thorin stared the wizard square on, a question still on his mind, "Where did you go to, if I may ask?"

"To look ahead," Gandalf answered, his eyes wandering into the shadows of the forest past the dwarf that stood in front of him. "What brought you back?"

"Looking behind. Nasty business. Still, they are all in one piece," Gandalf insisted. Each dwarf was brushing themselves off or pulling their shirts and other such apparel on. "No thanks to your burglar."

"He had the nous to play for time. None of the rest of you thought of that," the Grey Wizard countered. He was beginning to find Thorin's mistrust taxing. Thorin looked slightly regretful after Gandalf's comment but turned to the trolls to hide what was passing over his eyes, "They must have come down from the Ettenmoors."

"Since when do mountain trolls venture this far south?" Thorin asked, unsure of Gandalf's assumption. Gandalf began to shake his head reminiscently, "Oh, not for an age, not since a darker power ruled these lands."

The two shared a meaningful look. It was one that was more of a struggle to remember what those darker times were. Gandalf's gaze returned to the trolls, his thoughts coming vaguely through his features, "They could not have moved in daylight."

Thorin looked around the grounds, Gandalf had brought up and good point, making him think over that tiny little detail, "There must be a cave nearby."

Before Thorin went wandering about in the woods for the cave, Gandalf cleared his throat and nodded back in the direction of the camp. "We should check on our Rose first."

The company of dwarves travelled back toward the camp, not only to pack up their belongings and gather their ponies, but to retrieve the one person they had left behind to keep watch. Needless to say, Thorin was ready to hear an earful from the young woman he asked to remain behind. He knew Keeva was rather cross with him for leaving her out of the battle, especially with the last words she had left with him. But Thorin not only needed the camp looked after but also felt protective for the girl. He didn't want to see her hurt and that was his way to keep her out of harms' way. If only he'd known what had happened while they were gone, maybe he would have chosen differently…

Bofur and Ori ran ahead after seeing a form lying on the ground past a bit of shrubs on their way back. While the others were still struggling to walk, Ori and Bofur were scurrying around looking at the form.

"Thorin?" Bofur hollered, a fear within his voice, from within the brush. The sound of his voice had the hearts of the other dwarves skip with a surge of panic. Something must have happened. The rest of the party began to sprint. "Gandalf!"

Bofur's voice had been off, deeply concerned as he was trying his best to lift the girl's head up from off the ground. Fili seemed to be ahead of the others as he ran over to Bofur on the other side of shrubbery. Just around the plant life he stumbled upon a very unconscious Keeva lying in the arms of Bofur. Fili dropped to his knees next to Bofur and began checking all over for any sort of wounds. Bofur brushed away the wild red hair from the girl's neck and pointed dreadfully, "This was the only wound I found so far."

Thorin and Gandalf made their way through the throng of dwarves that surrounded the body, Bilbo trailing right behind, "Is she alright?"

Fili began pulling up the right sleeve of Keeva's shirt after finding blood on it. There were deep gashes on the sides of her torso but scratches littered her arms. Fili paused his ministrations to turn the small thin arm over in his hands. There on the underside were pink plump burn marks that seemed to be in an odd and malicious language, "Gandalf?"

The Grey wizard's gaze ventured away from the cut on her neck to the arm the golden haired dwarf had his fingers trailing over, the ugly angry words on the half-breed's arm clear and visible for all to see – and to Gandalf's surprise they were glowing red. No more were red orbs flittering about the words as if an old magic had once resided there. The magic had returned, angry and vengeful as ever.

That mark was secret, dangerous, and for no one's eyes but Keeva's. Gandalf had made it clear to the girl that she had to keep it hidden until he could get her to Lord Elrond. Gandalf snapped at Fili and pulled the sleeve down, hiding the symbols securely, while also giving the dwarf a pointed look. "You would be wise to forget what you saw."

Fili's brows furrowed with a suspicious feeling growing in his stomach but didn't try to question the wizard. Gandalf knew something about it, but Fili knew asking the wizard wasn't going to be of any use. If he wanted to get the answer he was going to have to ask directly from the horse's mouth.

Fili wasn't the only one to have got a glimpse of the mark. Thorin and Bilbo had glanced over after Fili had called for the wizard. Just before Gandalf had slapped Fili's hand, pulling the sleeve down, the two had the chance to find the impression of something on the skin. Fili and Thorin kept an eye on the wizard carefully as they observed him place his withered hands over the girl's eyelids. He whispered a short incantation and Keeva shot up strait with a gasp.

Fili took hold of her as she shook, taking deep rigid breaths and gripped him like a fierce nightmare was still having its way with her. Thorin bent down then, placing a comforting hand on her back, "Miss Keeva, what happened?"

Keeva shook her head weakly, still trying to gather the precious air around her into her demanding lungs. Only one word was able to escape her lips, "Blue."

Fili wasn't sure what significance that word meant but the look in his uncle's eyes said he knew all if not the whole meaning. "What is it uncle?"

Thorin would not answer immediately but he took hold of the girl by the shoulders and gently pulled her out of Fili's arms so that he could see her face, "Keeva, you need to tell us everything."

The blue orbs, nearly the color of the sky that morning, gazed up into the stormy grey eyes of her leader. They looked vacant one second and terrified the next. But she stared at each dwarf for a few seconds before returning her attention back to Thorin. "Not now. Please – not now."

Everyone held their breaths as she sat up on her own and brushed her fingers through her wild hair and clutched onto her head, pain flashing in her eyes only for a mere second. When she gathered her baring she tried to stand on her own, only to have help from Thorin and Bofur.

"Let's get you cleaned up, lass," Bofur insisted with a look of concern. Bofur's words rung through her deeply and she leaned on him as he helped her walk back to camp. Fili and many other dwarves of the company watched on as their friend and companion struggled with each step.

Keeva was trying her hardest – with all the strength she had in her – to keep her emotions in check. Though on the inside she was screaming, terrified and among all else devastated to find out that her curse was back. She couldn't break down. Not now. That was why she'd told Thorin no. She knew if she said one word - just one - that she wouldn't be able to go on. And she didn't want her friends and companions to look down on her for that. Keeva would just be reliving her nightmare of her parents.

Shaken by the thought, Keeva hugged Bofur ever closer as the smoke of the dwindling fire from camp came into view. Up the hill, Bofur set the girl down on her bed roll and Oin came just in time with his medical kit to patch up the gashed on her side. It was the only thing he could do for her.

All the while, the rest of the dwarves packed up camp and saddled up the ponies. Thorin watched Oin clean the poor girl from afar as he also was supervising over the rest of the dwarves – to make sure nothing was left behind. The wizard wasn't even going to trouble the girl for information either. In fact, Thorin was sure he was avoiding her at all cost.

Thorin's eyes traveled over to her arm, the blood had seeped through the cloth like dry skin craved water. He knew Fili had gotten a good look at what had been on the girl's arm. Whatever it was, Thorin did not feel easy about it.

Keeva gave Oin a forced smile after sitting up, his handy work already making her feel much better. "Thank you, Oin."

"Any time, my dear. We'll change the bandages tonight after we set up camp," he told her as he packed up his supplies. Keeva quickly began to pack up her own so that she could get it onto Penny. But Kili was at her side, picking up her pack before she could even touch the leather of the bag. "Don't worry about it."

Kili smiled at her cheekily and tied the bag to Penny's side. His eyes glanced over at his brother, "I'll do anything to make him shut his mouth."

Keeva glanced over at Fili after his brother had nodded over in his direction, "He may not say much now. But deep down, I know he's concerned. Don't keep him waiting Miss."

A light flush covered the young girl's cheeks. Her gaze caught hold of Fili's and she could see the concern in his blue eyes. She curiously wondered, out of all the dwarves, why Fili so concerned.

He would have loved to taste you.

Keeva shuttered, her eyes leaving the dwarf's as she turned to hop up on her pony. She could still feel Bedastyr's lips on her neck and it took all the strength in her not to whimper in fear of the nightmares she knew she was going to have that night. Fili was her friend. Whatever Bedastyr had tried to tell her just wasn't true. He wanted to scare her and she kept reminding herself of that. "Are you feeling better, Miss Keeva?"

Fili's voice was true and encouraging as Keeva eyed him once more. He held a reassuring smile on his lips, trying his best to stay strong for her. Keeva swallowed hard and nodded. But the unsure look in her own eyes was the only thing stopping him from leaving her side. Silently she was thankful he hadn't left. If anything, Fili would try his best to make her feel better on their continuing journey and that alone made Keeva feel a little better.

The rest of the company hopped onto their ponies and set off for the cave that the trolls took refuge in.

Talos is a hero-god of Mankind, worshipped as the protector and patron of just rulership and civil society.

Dragon Language Glossary:

Monah – means 'Mother'

Firok – means 'Bastard'

Munfahliil - means 'Manmeri/Breton'; Manmeri is a derogatory name for Breton because they are a mixed breed of Atmoran and Aldmeri (Man and Elf), So Manmeri literally translates to Man-elf

Nahkriin – means 'Vengeance'

A/N: This chapter is like a baby to me. I put a lot of thought and time into it. Re-wrote even the ending and parts of the scene between Bedastyr and Keeva to fix the flow of the story, I'm sure you all will enjoy this version much better. I know I'm happier with it, especially the scene with Bedastyr and Keeva. I am – fond of his character, though that sounds rather wrong. He's a very dark character but I think it is because of my fondness for the inspiration – the Breton Assassin in the Elder Scrolls Online trailers – that influences my love for Bedastyr.

Keeva's weaknesses will start playing a major influence in her decision making now that she's had Bedastyr make another attempt at her life as well as other – things. So hopefully you all will enjoy what I have planned out. I really hope so.

I'm updating this a day earlier because I would like to use most of my Saturday sketching up the rest of my concept designs as well as my jewelry designs for an Airstream commission. Ughhh and then to give a presentation to the executives on top of that! I get all nervous, bubbly, and just flabbergasted thinking about it.

Anyway, I want to thank Akiluna and Ithilya for their reviews. I'm really glad you had a lot of fun reading the last chapter. I can't wait to write what I have planned for Fokeinvokul. He's an interesting individual who still has a lot of malice left in him to act upon. I'll try my best at keeping up a regular update but some up-coming dates might hinder that for a week or two. I'll try my best though.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Hobbit or Elder Scrolls. Any character that is not familiar is of my own creation.