OK this is a revamped chapter, but it does change LOTR a bit, but that's the fun of fanfic!
Chapter 8: Conspiracy
The Gondorians left at dawn to return home, although Prince Larin loitered near Grace's bedroom window until the last possible moment. Thorin listened from his own chamber and smirked when guards escorted the prince away—but not before he dropped a small roll of parchment over her sill. Thorin itched to know what he wrote and worried that, somehow, he might be convince her to join him when the quest was done. Meanwhile, the dwarves prepared for Saruman in the morning. They decided on their parts last night after Thorin woke them up and explained the situation.
"Now remember," Balin said, his white beard wagging as he pointed at each eager face, "no funny business mind. The life of the lass is on our shoulders and we need to do right by her."
Fili poked Kili, and they laughed so hard that their hands clutched their sides. This was more like it. To tweak Saruman was a delight they thought they would never have in their lifetime.
"I never liked him anyway," Fili said.
"What I would give to see his crabby face after what happens," Kili said.
Grace was less willing to play her part. She could not understand why such a scenario was necessary. Confronting Saruman was the best solution, she was sure.
"I do not understand why I must hide," she told Thorin as they walked in the garden. "Would it not be better if we stood together and faced him?"
He was about to reply when she winced and pressed her fingers to her temples.
"Grace?" he asked, his worry plain on his face. "What is the matter?" She shook her head and winced again. He took her hand, and they closed their eyes.
Let me see what you see.
Images appeared of a moving curtain of light. The elusive evil approached but feinted at the last moment. The curtain of light curled with it, whipping out of the way, and curving to encircle it, excepting the last edge that came into contact with the dark force. Thorin opened his eyes and understood. She put her hands to her head in pain.
"Come here," he said with his arms open, and he rubbed her head and massaged her temples until the pain subsided. "Do you understand what we saw?"
She shook her head, and he nodded with his lips pressed together. He could not comprehend the enormity of the battle, the brilliance of her people, nor the depth of evil that approached, but he saw enough to understand her part in it.
That explains much.
"I have been a warrior for many years," he said, "and there are tactics in battles. Your people chose then not to confront the evil head on but work together to surround and contain it, leaving it no hope of escape. Do you understand?" She nodded after trying to imagine what he described, but aftershocks of pain clouded her mind. "But you did not follow their lead and confronted the evil directly, a battle you could not win on your own." He thought back on her two other confrontations and realized that she had handled them both in the same manner.
"I expect that is how you came to us," he said, "and now we have the same situation here. I am asking you to trust me to do not only what is right but what is best."
"I do trust you, Thorin," she said. "I will be ready." He looked down and heaved a sigh. He knew he had no right to ask her, but he could not leave it alone.
Grace, I have no right to ask, but I must know what Prince Larin wrote. What did he want?
He invited me to Gondor after I kept my promise. I think he wishes to start anew.
"No doubt," he said under his breath.
Will you go to Gondor when all is said and done?
Looking up and scrunching her mouth, she thought through what he asked and, more important, what he meant. She pulled her hands away and turned toward him.
"You are concerned about this, are you not, Thorin?" she asked. "I do not need to read your thoughts to know. No matter. He wishes me there for his own purposes, most likely to form those bonds we spoke about. However, I would not be there to serve or be useful, so I see no need to go."
He dropped his head in relief and shook off his anxiety.
"We must get ready now."
"I will prepare," she said and then hesitated. Leaning forward, she touched his cheek. "I saw two elves do this, and it seemed comforting." Stroking his cheek, she kissed him near his ear and squeezed his hand. "Did I do it correctly?"
He nodded, too stunned to move. With a pleased smile, she walked away with her hips swaying in a soft, yellow gown.
Thorin put his hand on his face. He sat there stunned, too weak in the knees to stand and too aroused to stay seated. Her kiss burned on his cheek, and his heart hammered in his chest. He would not move until he was sure that his passion was under control.
This is going to be a long trip.
Meanwhile, Balin and Gloin stationed themselves on a bench underneath Saruman's mullioned window and enjoyed a heaping plate of sausages.
"Did she now?" asked Balin.
Gloin leaned in as if telling a secret. They were enjoying themselves more than they ought, but it was not everyday that one hoodwinked a wizard. Balin stifled a laugh at his shifty eyes and furtive demeanor. The red-headed dwarf relished his role as conspirator, and Balin had to hide his wide grin behind his hand.
"Don't lose yourself in the role, Gloin. He won't see us you know."
"Aye, but there's no harm in acting the part. I can't just sit here. My voice won't come out right."
"Just imagine you're trying to negotiate interest rates. That would work." Balin held his hand on his stomach to keep his merriment under control. "Are you ready?" Gloin rubbed his hands together, lowered his voice, and jerked his head up to the window to catch Saruman's attention.
"She did, indeed, just as she was talking with Lord Elrond. She stopped and said that she heard voices," he said with a wink at Balin.
"Voices?" Balin asked. "She's not going daft now is she, poor wee lamb?"
"No," Gloin said after chuckling into his hand. "You missed the point as usual. She's heard her people. They're a calling for her."
The window above opened a crack. Gloin stood up and said to the crack, "We'd best be saying our goodbyes because she's going home!"
Listening under the window, they heard a flurry of activity, grinned at each other, and stole away. Saruman threw open the door and ran into Dori and Bombur, whose combined shape wedged him against the wall.
"Out of my way!" he said, blocked at each twist and turn. After wresting his robes away from them, he hurried down the corridor, all the while grumbling about doltish dwarves. Flinging the door open, he ran into Dwalin and Ori who were waiting outside.
"Are you coming to say your goodbyes as well, Master Saruman?" Dwalin asked, "Such a shame that she has to leave, but family, well, just nothing replaces it, does it now?"
Flustered, he said nothing in reply and hurried down the stairs. Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel bowed their heads in Grace's direction and stepped back. The dwarves chorused their goodbyes and good wishes. Grace stood in a clearing in front of a thick hedge and held her swords crossed over her head. They grew brighter and glowed with golden light.
Saruman gasped and rushed toward her. "Wait! Wait!" She tapped her swords together, and a brilliant flash blinded him. When he looked up, she was gone. "No!" Thorin turned toward him looking downcast. Elrond and Galadriel sighed in sympathy, and Gandalf shook his head.
"Speed your way home, my lady," he said while looking up at the sky. Saruman marched forward and grabbed him by the arm.
"How could you have let this happen? A priceless opportunity gone!"
"Opportunity? What opportunity?"
"Bah!" Saruman said with disdain. "You have clearly smoked too much leaf if you do not understand what we lost. She was the key to untold powers." Gandalf turned and stared into his face.
"The acquisition of power is not in our domain, Saruman."
"Of course, of course," said the white wizard in a placating tone, "but knowledge is all I am seeking, the understanding of her powers. Surely, you must see that."
Gandalf stroked his beard. "I've heard that Minas Tirith has a large collection of documents in its repository on ancient legends…." Saruman's eyes lit with greedy fire.
"Yes, yes, that is true," he said, "we must go there at once."
"But I am to accompany Thorin on his journey," Gandalf said. "I've no time for this."
Saruman put up a hand. "No, I insist. The dwarves will do very well without you. We must leave at once." Taking Gandalf by the elbow, he trotted him away while outlining his plans. As they turned the corner, Gandalf looked back and winked at Thorin. Kili and Fili poked their heads out from behind the hedge.
"Can we come out now?" Kili asked.
"You may," Lord Elrond said, "but they must leave first, so Lady Galadriel will take her to a safe place until they are gone."
"Good," Bofur said, "can we eat now? This was hard work, and I'm hearing voices in my stomach."
Lord Elrond nodded, and the cheerful company went off in search of food.
"Who says wizards are the only ones with magic, eh Balin?" Gloin said, and they erupted in laughter.
Meanwhile, Thorin found Gandalf in his chambers. Though they had their differences, Thorin was thankful for his support. It was no small thing, he realized, for Gandalf to side against his old friend and mentor.
I hope he does not rue this decision later.
"I trust that you will keep him occupied for some time," he said with a smile.
"Yes," Gandalf said, "I will do my best, but he has mentioned the palantir stones, which worries me greatly."
"Does he have one?"
"No," Gandalf said while stroking his beard, "but I must contact our council. His behavior since meeting Lady Grace has been most erratic. Then I will join you. Meet me at the low foothill at the start of the mountain pass. "
Looking down at the dwarf prince, the wizard frowned and put his hand on his shoulder.
"She's dangerous, Thorin," he said. "You saw what she did without thinking. I will bend to Lady Galadriel's plan, but you may be taking on a dragon of another kind here. She doesn't understand or have any control over the power she has. Not to mention that she has the emotions of a child. She could kill you and the company, or much, much worse."
Thorin had had similar thoughts himself, but he came to the same conclusion every time.
"Therians are supposed to act for the greater good," he said, "and, so far, we've seen nothing to the contrary." He held up his hand against Gandalf's protest. "She means no harm, and her integrity and intelligence are beyond question. She will learn quickly enough. Who knows? She may tip the balance in our favor.
"I wish you safe journey, Thorin Oakenshield," he said, " and joy at the end. I hope one day to come and see you as King Under the Mountain."
"Yes, and you can pay your respects to my queen."
In his mind there was no other possible outcome, and Gandalf shook his head, seeing that making Lady Grace his wife was not just as important as reclaiming the Lonely Mountain. No words would dissuade him now.
Their passions will be their undoing. Dwarves are more unmovable than the rock they love. He nodded with fatalistic resignation. He could not give his blessing, but he offered his hand.
"You have a long road there, my friend," he said, "but you have all my hopes that it ends well—for all of us."
