Chapter Nine
Mira's POV:
I had the most difficult time saying goodbye to the Company. Especially to my children and Thorin. Thorin had promised me he would look after them while I'm gone, as well as the rest of the Company. "Gandalf, if something happens to Mira, I will hold you accountable!" Thorin warned the wizard, but Gandalf blew Thorin's warnings off like it was nothing. He was rather used of the dwarf's ramblings. Soon it was time for Gandalf and I to depart, and I wept a little as we rode away from the Company, as I looked back at the fifteen sad faces looking at me.
We stopped at Beorn's home first, returning his ponies to him. Beorn looked at me, wondering why I wasn't with the Company. Gandalf explained the situation to him. Beorn looked at the wizard as if he lost his mind. "Gandalf, she has children, whom would raise them if something happens to her?" snapped Beorn. Beorn didn't like the sound of this plan at all, but Gandalf assured I would make it through this test after all. But the problem is, I have the slightest idea where we're heading, and I dreaded it as well.
After leaving Beorn's home, I wanted to ask the burning question to Gandalf that had been running through my mind. "Gandalf, where are we going precisely?" I asked the wizard. "Dul Guldur. We are needed there." Gandalf replied. I knew that name and place, and I shuddered. How could he? Why in the hell is he leading me there for? That place is extremely dark and dangerous! I rather face three dragons than to face what was to come in that horrible place! It was too late to back out now, I had to do this.
Several days and four hours later, we arrived. I felt disappointed that we had to leave behind the horses, and had to go in on foot. As we entered, Gandalf was already further ahead of me. "Gandalf, slow down! I can walk fast, not that fast!" I called out to the wizard. Suddenly, I could feel my amulet glowing. Suddenly a voice spoken to me through the amulet:
"Make to the dungeons of Dul Guldur, and rescue a lone stranger!" the voice spoken to me. I didn't understand what the voice had meant, but I followed its directions anyway, although I was supposed to be with Gandalf. The voice guided me to where the dungeons are at. Luckily I made it to the dungeons, without getting noticed-well at least for now, until an orc saw me standing in the middle of the hallway.
"You! Human! What are you doing here?!" barked the orc. Suddenly he took his cell keys, opening the dungeon door and threw me inside, as I am now locked up in the dungeon cell. "The master will hear of this!" snarled the orc, and he walked away. Master? I hope he wasn't referring to what I think he's referring to? I thought. Here I was, locked in a dungeon. Now I felt angry at the amulet for leading me into the dungeons. "Thanks a lot! I'm trapped here because of you!" I snapped at it.
"Who are yer talking to, woman? I thought I was the only crazy one here." said a gruff voice from behind me. I slowly turned, and I saw a short old figure sitting on the floor, and he stood up. He appeared to be a dwarf with a long, dark beard with a lot of grey in it. "You're a dwarf!" I exclaimed. "Of course I'm a dwarf, child! I'm the only dwarf here! Who are you?" asked the old dwarf. "Mira, Mira Van Buren." I replied. "What is a woman doing in these parts anyway? You shouldn't be here." said the dwarf kindly.
"Gandalf wanted me to help him here so I can take a test. He had to pull me away from my friends and family just to do it." I replied sadly. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. The very next time he speaks to you, don't listen to him!" said the dwarf. I laughed.
"You remind me of someone I know who said that once, but quite differently. He always says 'Don't trust wizards, they cannot make up their minds'!" I said. The dwarf laughed. "And who is this friend of yours?" asked the dwarf. "Thorin Oakenshield!" I replied. The moment I mentioned Thorin's name, the dwarf's eyes lit up in delight. "You know my son! How is he?!" cried out the dwarf. I stood at the dwarf, in shock and surprise, realizing whom I am actually talking to. I was speaking with Thorin's father, Thrain!
"Yes, yes, I know Thorin well. And by the way he's doing fine. They're heading to Erebor as we speak." I said. "He shouldn't be doing this. We should get out of here, and stop him!" said Thrain. "Why?" I asked. "There is danger in that mountain, and its not just the dragon either." spoke Thrain. "What do you mean?" I asked. "My grandfather was cursed with madness the moment he entered the treasury, and I fear its going to happen with either Thorin, Fili and Kili." said Thrain, sadly. "Oh, Thrain." I said softly, as I knelt beside him.
I took his hand. "We're going to get out of here, Thrain. I don't care what Gandalf says, we're going to get out of here, and catch up with the company, and my children." I said. "Children? You have children?" asked Thrain. "Yes, Thorin is looking after them for me." I replied.
"Well that's nice of him." said Thrain. I stood and thought over what to do next, when suddenly the amulet began to glow, as a voice spoke to me again:
"Close your eyes and chant these words, you and your friend will become invisible, and able to walk through walls!" The voice instructed me. And so, I done what the amulet told me to do, and chanted an incantation. And to my surprise, the spell worked, as Thrain and I become invisible. "Thrain, are you well enough to join me as we get out of here?" I asked the dwarf. "A little. I'm still banged up from the Necromancer's beatings." Thrain replied. "Don't worry, we'll get out of here safely! Follow me!" I said, as we left the dungeon, walking through the bars without a problem.
No One's POV:
Mirkwood
The Company find themselves locked up in the dungeons of the Wood elves. Amy and Jackson ended up sharing a cell with Thorin, by Thorin's request, as he made a promise to Mira he would look after the twins for her. He would allow no Elf to lay a hand on them. "I miss mom, Thorin. I wonder what she is doing now." said Amy softly.
"She's probably out in the wild somewhere, only Mahal knows what Gandalf is having her doing." sighed Thorin. "Do you think we'll meet up with her again, eventually?" asked Jackson. "Don't worry, we will meet up eventually!" said Thorin. They sat quietly in the cell, and Amy could hear Kili and the Elf Captain talk. "What's so funny, sister?" asked Jackson, when heard Amy chuckling. "Kili's got the hots for the ginger she elf!" said Amy grinning. "Hey, I saw her first!" snapped Jackson.
"Sorry, that is Kili's girl. Isn't that a shame, brother? Besides, there are others in Middle Earth whom would love to have a piece of Jackie Jack!" joked Amy. "Hey stop calling me that! You know I hate that name!" snapped Jackson. "What name?" asked Fili. "My brother's nickname is Jackie Jack!" Amy called back, and the other dwarves laughed at this, even Thorin laughed. "Hey! Stop it! I hate that name!" snapped Jackson furiously. Then he glared at Amy. "You're going to be sorry for this, Amy!" sneered Jackson.
"What are you going to do Jackie?" challenged Amy. "Alright, the two of you that's enough. I don't think your mother would be too pleased if she saw you know." said Thorin, sternly. "Yes, Thorin." said Jackson and Amy together.
An hour later, they could hear a familiar voice coming from outside the cell. "Amy, Thorin, Jackson!" the voice called out to them. Amy and Jackson looked up, followed by Thorin. And they could see Bilbo standing outside their cell. "Bilbo!" Amy exclaimed running to the cell bars. "I have a plan of getting us out of here!" said Bilbo softly, as he took the keys and unlocked the cell door. "Bilbo, how did you get the keys?" asked Amy. "No time to explain, we must get going!" said Bilbo.
After Bilbo released the rest of the company, Bilbo led them down into the wine cellar. And they could see many wine barrels in front of them. "This is your plan of escape?" snapped Dwalin. "You're going to get us all drowned!" said Bofur, sharply. "Its either in the barrels, or we'll end up here for the rest of lives, which is it?!" snapped Jackson. "Into the barrels, now!" Thorin demanded to the company. And the Company listened to Thorin's demand, as they climbed into the barrels. "Jackson, Amy, you're with me!" said Thorin.
Jackson and Amy nodded as they climbed into the barrel with Thorin. Once everyone is in the barrels, Bilbo pulled the lever, releasing the barrels into the river.
Mira's POV:
It had been hours since we had left Dul Guldur, and Thrain advised me to make for Lake Town, so we could find an Inn to stay in. "Do you have any gold to help us pay for the stay?" asked Thrain. "Yes, I do. I earned it from placing a bet." I said smiling at the Thrain. "Placing a bet on what?" asked the dwarf. "I will tell you on the way to town." I replied. Thrain nodded, as we begin our journey to Lake Town. As we approached, we saw two guards on look out. "Halt! Who goes there?" called out the guard.
"They must not know who I really am!" whispered Thrain. "What should I do then? Change our names?" I asked. "Yes." said Thrain. "Hello my name is Elvira Weather bee, and this is my dwarf companion from Ered Luin, Orin Silver forge! We are lost and hungry, and need a place to stay for the night." I spoke up to the guards. "Of course, please follow me! I'll show you to the nearest Inn!" said the first guard. "Thank you!" I said, and we followed the guard into town. "There's the inn!" said the guard.
We entered the Inn, and tried to book a room, but unfortunately all the rooms are filled. "Damn it! What are we going to do now! We have no place to stay!" I said loudly.
Suddenly, I saw a man dressed in a brown coat and dark hair approach me. "You're new around here! Who are you and where you from?" asked the man. "My name is Elvira Weatherbee, and my dwarf friend here is Orin Silverforge. We traveled all the way from Gondor." I said. "Gondor?! Wow, you have been traveling quite some ways. You are welcome to stay at my home if you wish!" said the man. "I beg your pardon, we accept your offer, but we never got your name!" I said kindly.
"Its Bard. I'm the bargeman here in Lake Town." the man replied. That is Bard! The Bard the Bowman! He's the one who will be slaying Smaug! I thought to myself as I recognized the name. We followed Bard to his home, and we entered, as we are greeted by his children, Sigrid, Tilda and Bain. Bain appeared to be the same as Jackson (I can see those two would become great friends) and Tilda, who appeared a few years younger. Sigrid was the oldest, and she reminded me a little bit of Amy.
Bard and the children offered us fresh clothing and baths, and later, we joined them for supper. I didn't know whether I should tell Bard the truth or not, so its best that I kept my identity a secret for now. "But you're a human, why are you interacting with dwarves?" asked Bard. "Because he's been working as my blacksmith and done such a great job on making weapons for me!" I replied. Thrain smiled at me.
She's a very good liar, I like her! thought Thrain. After supper, Thrain and I stayed up a little bit while the others went to bed. Thrain noticed the courtship beads in my hair. "You're courting my son, are you?" asked Thrain. "Yes, he asked me while we stayed in Rivendell. But when we first met, however, we wasn't on good terms, but he began to warm up to me later down the road, and my children. I wonder what they are doing now." I said, with a sigh. "Hopefully not doing anything stupid." said Thrain. I laughed.
"My son sometimes have a lack of good judgment and a lousy sense of direction, and stubborn at fault, just like my father." said Thrain. "Well don't tell him that!" I said, grinning. "No, I wouldn't. He would just argue with me. I miss that. I miss someone to argue with." said Thrain. "You can argue with me." I said jokingly. "No, I wouldn't do that to you, lass. I can imagine you had your share of arguments in the past." said Thrain. "Oh, boy do I ever!" I said.