Hiya, guys! I'm back like I said with another chapter since I have the day off from school - thank god. I'm going on a field trip tomorrow to see the To Kill a Mockingbird play. I can't wait! Any TKAM fans here?
I'd like to thank PagesFromTheBasement for favoriting and following! :) You're amazing! I'd also like to thank evenina for reviewing and following! You are like a super reader, you deserve a star! XD
I had to do tons of research for this chapter but eh, it's all worth it in the end.
Enjoy and don't forget to review!
Upon the next morning, I had found an outfit sitting on the trunk at the foot of the bed alongside a tray of food. I raised an eyebrow and approached the trunk slowly, confused. Náriel and Záriel rarely left out an outfit and food for me in the early morn… was this a trick? I shrugged it off, and quickly ate the food. Shortly after eating, I dressed into the outfit: a dark green kirtle with matching green boots and brown leggings. I pulled my hair into a quick ponytail and left for the Main Hall to find the dwarves.
"Maia, you're up early." Gandalf observed as he approached from a separate hall. I stopped in my tracked and turned to him with a smile.
"Of course, Gandalf." I nod to him as he stops before me, and leans lightly on his well crafted staff.
"I'd be careful roaming through Imaldris this morn…" Gandalf warned me and my brows scrunched together in confusion.
"Pray tell." I cross my arms over my chest and look the old wizard in the eyes. He looks past me for a moment before looking back down at me. What is making him so worried?
"Fili and Kili met Elladan and Elrohir… and I cannot say this morn will end well, but it won't end badly either." Gandalf laughs and pats me on the back before taking his leave. I walked to the Courtyard to find Lord Elrond mumbling curses in Elvish and pacing the floor. That's rare.
"Milord, what is the matter?" I ask as I swiftly approach him. He looks up and stops pacing the floor.
"Your blasted dwarves are bathing in the fountain!" He shouted, pointing past me. I turn to see the dwarves naked in the fountain, splashing each other and such.
"They're having so much fun!" I laugh as Bombur hops from the top of the fountain and lands in the water, splashing everyone. As Lord Elrond takes his leave, I hear someone scream my name.
"Maia!" A small cry rang out, and I turned to see little Estel standing there with a wide smile on his face. He ran towards me and I lifted him into my arms, spinning him around. Estel was a son to me, and I left the Shire as much as possible to visit him. Sadly, Náriel and Záriel weren't here when I had last visited.
"How are you, Estel?" I ask, as I run a hand through his dark, brunette hair.
"Ada made me a wooden sword, so I can start practicing with Elladan and Elrohir!" He exclaims and I smile. He has grown taller since I had last seen him, but the light in his eyes has not changed.
"That's great! Have you met the dwarves?" I ask as I place him down on the ground. He shakes his head and I turn to see the dwarves staring at us. I clear my throat and turn back to Estel.
"You'll meet them later when they're not so… busy." I hold his hand and lead him from the disturbing scene.
"Can you practice with me?" Estel begs, and I can't help but give into his cute pout and blue-grey eyes.
"Of course!" I smile, and I follow him to the practice ground. He hands me a wooden sword, and he grabs his own from the shelf. I decide if we were going to practice, I'd let him win - I couldn't imagine his face if he lost.
We choose our stance and nod to each other. He charges towards me and attacks, swinging his little wooden sword. I block his attack and I quickly counter attack, but he blocks my sword last minute. He swings aimlessly, and I roll out of the way to dodge the attacks. While I dodge his attacks, he trips me and I quickly grab him as I fall onto my back. He falls on top of me, and bursts into fits of giggles.
"You won, little one." I whisper, ruffling his hair. He lets out a yawn as I sit up and place him in my lap.
"I'm tired…" He mumbled, rubbing his eyes. I stand up and brush off the dust and dirt on my outfit before lifting him into my arms.
"I'll take you to your room and tell you a tale, alright?" I nod to him and he nods, resting his head on my chest. I carry him to his room which isn't far from mine and I place him on the bed. I tuck him in and sit down in a chair beside the bed. I start thinking of tales when my mind drifts to the dwarves.
"Let me tell you about the greatest kingdom in Middle-earth: Erebor. The stronghold of Thror, King under the Mountain, mightiest of the dwarf lords. Thror ruled with confidence, never doubting his house would endure, for his line lay secure in the lives of his son and grandson. Built deep within the mountain itself, the beauty of this kingdom was legend. Its wealth lay in the earth, in precious gems hewed from rock, and in great seams of gold, running like rivers through stone. The dwarves mined day and night for precious gems, and that is when they had found it… The heart of the mountain… the Arkenstone. Thror named it the King's Jewel and took it as a sign, a sign that his right to rule was divine. All would pay homage to him, even the great Elvenking, Thranduil, but the years of peace and plenty were not to last. Slowly, the days turned dark and cold. Thror's love of gold had grown too fierce, and sickness had begun to grow within him; it was a sickness of the mind and where sickness thrives, bad things will follow."
"What happens next?" Estel asks, and I chuckle. This child was impatient when it came to tales and legends.
"The first they heard was a noise like a hurricane coming down from the north. The pines on the mountain creaked and cracked in a hot, dry wind. It was a fire drake from the north - Smaug had come. This kingdom was nothing to Smaug; his eye was set on another prize for dragons covet gold, with a dark and fierce desire. Erebor was lost, for a dragon will guard his plunder as long as he lives. Thranduil would not risk the lives of his kin against the wrath of the dragon. No help came from the elves that day, or any day since. Robbed of their homeland, the dwarves of Erebor wandered the wilderness, a once mighty people brought low.
"What of the King's grandson?" Estel murmured as his eyes slowly came to a close. I could tell he was fighting sleep.
"The young dwarf prince took work where he could find it, laboring in the villages of men, but always he remembered the mountain smoke beneath the moon for he had seen dragon fire in the sky, and his city turned to ash, and never forgave, and he never forgot." I finished as a slight snore arose from Estel. I quietly stood and placed a gentle kiss on Estel's brow before leaving. I close the door behind me quietly and I turn to see Thorin standing there.
"You're great with children." He compliments as I walk past him down the hall. He follows and I growl to myself.
"Thank you."
"You know the story of my people - how?" He questions as he attempts to keep up with my fast pace walking. I stop and turn to him, giving him a dead look.
"It's a legend - everyone knows it."
"You should live in Erebor once we reclaim it and get everything settled." He suggests and I shake my head.
"No thanks, I have a duty to my people."I continue walking down the long hall of Chambers. I feel Thorin grab my hand and I squeak in surprise.
"So do I, and I need a Queen to rule by my side." He smirks, leaning in for a kiss.
"If you're have relationship problems you should go talk to Elladan or Elrohir, they'll teach you on how to be a gentlemen instead of a lustful ass who loves no one but himself." I push him off of me and run down the hall in search of Náriel and Záriel. This is bad.
Okay, I hope you enjoyed it! I loved writing this chapter although it was rather last minute. The fountain scene was a deleted scene from AUJ and evenina suggested I bring in Aragorn and Arwen but I believe Arwen was in Lothlorien by the time the Company was in Imladris :/ bu I still brought in Aragorn! :) Please review! It means so much to me, more than Starbucks coffee! And that's coming from a basic white girl. So... review?
