Disclaimer: I own nothing but my oc.
Chapter Twelve
Erebor
Panicked voices of the villagers came from the open door as Tauriel stood outside watching the sky. Sitting next to Kili as he gained strength remarkably fast. Tauriel rushed back into the house. "We have no time. We must leave." She instructed.
"Come on brother." Fili pulled him up as I went to gather a few things that were necessary. Tauriel helped the girls get ready when Bain stopped.
"We aren't leaving. Not without our father." He retorted.
"If you stay here your sister's will die. Is that what your father would want?" Tauriel sneered. Placing my hand on his shoulder making him look at me.
"Bain your father has placed guardianship of you three to me until his return. Now get your things and let's go." Demanding not backing down to his glare. Sighing turning around grabbing a few things then followed us to a boat.
Fili and Bofur steered along the ice forming canal. Tilda gripped my hand in fear. Watching in horror as the dragon's belly glowed orange just before fire from deep within itself spewed upon the village.
Amongst the chaos we collided with another fleeing boat. Items fell from the boat as a very portly man presuming that it was the master of the town shouting about losing his gold. Untangling ourselves from them making our way through the burning village. So much destruction and death fearing that we weren't going to make it out of here alive.
The dragon flew past us when the children started shouting da. Glancing over seeing Bard at the bell tower with a bow shooting arrows at the dragon. Kili shouted "He hit it. He hit the dragon!"
"No." Tauriel whispered.
"He did he hit his mark I saw!" Kili shouted once again.
"His arrows cannot pierce its hide. I fear nothing will." She said despairingly.
Bain stood up from the boat grabbing on to a crane swinging away from us. "Bain!" The girls and I called out for him.
"Leave him we cannot go back!" Tauriel demanded. Passing a dock standing up turning to look at the others.
"I'll go after him. Can you make sure that the girls are looked after for me?" Looking up at Tauriel. She just looked at me as if I was stupid. Guess I am for going after Bain in a burning village. "I love you Kili, Fili." Jumping off the boat onto the dock hearing Kili and Fili shouting my name.
"Ali!"
Racing after Bain as he stopped at a boat pulling something out of it. The black arrow that Bard pulled out moments before leaving the house.
"Bain!" Looking back at me holding the arrow making me nod at his reason for getting off the boat. "Come on we don't have a moment to lose." Running towards the bell tower just as the dragon flew close.
Climbing up the ladder of the tower Bain had difficulty holding onto the arrow from nerves. Taking it from him as we climbed. Reaching the top he called out to Bard. "Dad!"
"Bain what are you doing!? You were supposed to leave." Bard shouted.
"We came to help you."
"No nothing can stop it now!" Bard shouted.
"This might." Bain beamed as I passed up the arrow to him showing Bard.
"Can you keep moving? It's getting quite dizzy hanging on to the ladder?" Shouting from below Bain.
"Ali?" Bard asked. "Bain you and Ali go back. You get out of here now." He shouted.
"Dad!" Bain cried out just as the dragon attacked the tower. Clinging on for dear life as the tower started to crumble. Bain was hanging on by one hand while the other still held the arrow. Managing to jump and pull myself up as the ladder crumbled beneath me. Bard pulled Bain up as he shook from fear. Grabbing the arrow as I checked on the boy.
"You hurt?" Shaking his head still completely shaken from the situation. Looking up at Bard as he faced the dragon who landed in front of us, staring us down like we were his next meal. Which we probably will be if this doesn't work.
"Who are you that would stand against me?" The dragon snarled. Bard went for the bow only it was now broken. "Now that is a pity." The voice sending shivers down my spine despite the fires below us.
"What will you do now bowman?" The dragon taunted. "You are forsaken. No help will come." Climbing onto the burning buildings as they crumbled into the water. "Is that your child and wife?" Pulling Bain behind me as if that would protect him from the dragon. "You cannot save them from the fire. They will Burn!"
"Bard!" Shouting at the same time he took the broken bow placing it in the notches of the wood. Using Bain as his a crossbow. Kneeling behind Bain keeping him steady on his feet as the tower swayed.
"Stay still son. Stay still. You have him Ali?"
"Yes." Replying.
"Tell me wretch how now challenge me? You have nothing left. But your death!" He claimed as he roared. Feeling Bain turn to look at the dragon his shaking intensified.
"Bain look at me. You look at me." Bard took aim. "A little to your left. That's it." Letting the arrow fly Bain jolted against me. Bard pulled him into his arms then grabbed me as we held on to each other. The arrow hitting its mark. The dragon crashed into the tower sending us falling into the bone chilling water.
Losing sight of them. "Bard! Bain!" Shouting looking around. Nothing but the sounds of burning wood.
Shivering from the freezing water starting to make my way towards shore. Morning broke noticing a boat coming my way it was Fili, Bofur, Oin and Kili. "Hey over here!" Stopping as they helped me out of the frigged water. Kili pulling me into his arms, Fili flung his arms around us.
"Don't you ever do that to us again." Kili whispered in my ear as they held me. Closing my eyes as we just held one another. The warmth from the two helped my shivering.
Pulling away as Bofur pulled me into one of his death hugs. "Had us worried you did lass." Even Oin hugged me. Fili dug out a blanket that was in one of the packs. Praying that Bard and the kids were all right.
"Kili when you left the others were the girls alright?" Looking at me he nodded.
"They were with Tauriel when we left. Why did you take responsibility for them? They are not yours?" Kili asked.
"I have always had a soft spot for children. Besides I made a promise to Bard to look after them if something should happen. I always keep my promise."
"Then shall I replace that braid?" Kili asked looking at my hair.
"Let's get to the others before you do that brother okay?" Fili suggested. We laughed as we landed on shore once again heading towards the mountain and the others.
Walking in silence for most of the day when we stopped for the night to make camp. Kili took my hand. "I am sorry for not realizing your feelings when I was speaking to Tauriel. No one is more precious to me than you love."
"Oi!" Fili called out from making a fire we chuckled.
"You know what I mean." Kili responded to him.
"Kili I just don't want to be the one that you will regret." Placing a hand to my face making me look at him. Giving me that smile that always melts my heart.
"My only regret I could ever have is letting you get away." Looking into his eyes seeing that he spoke the truth. Kissing him before settling down next to him as Fili came over. Kissing him before falling to sleep in their arms.
Finally, after a week of traveling we made it to the mountain. It was more spectacular than I could have ever imagined. Crossing the bridge Fili started running through the entrance. Following him inside looking around seeing no one. A sensation of dread filled my insides praying that the others are okay.
"Hello!" Bofur called out leaving an echo as the only sound. Waiting for a reply when we didn't get one. "Bombur! Bifur! Anybody!"
Deeper into the mountain we roamed searching high and low for our companions. Still no sign of anyone. Looking around at the kingdom of Erebor no signs of the living almost as if it was a tomb instead of a kingdom. Then I heard a familiar voice. "It's Bilbo." Seeing him running up to us. But something was wrong he didn't look happy.
"Wait! Wait!" Bilbo called. "Stop! Stop."
"What's wrong?" Asking him feeling the dread seeping back into my stomach.
"You need to leave. We all need to leave." He warned us. Looking at the others in confusion then back to the hobbit.
"We only just got here." Bofur stated confused by Bilbo's reaction.
"I've tried talking to him but he won't listen." Bilbo explained.
"What do you mean laddie?" Bofur questioned.
"Thorin! Thorin he's been down there for days. He doesn't sleep, he barely eats. He has not been himself not at all. It's this place. I think a sickness lies on it." Bilbo explained what has been going on. Fili walked past him looking at Kili and I.
"What kind of sickness?" Kili asked. Following Fili as he ran down the passage way. We all followed as it lead the way to the treasure trove. So much gold, jewels as far as the eyes could see.
"Holy cow," whispering under my breath staring down at everything. Sounds of crunching reached our ears. Coming from below on the gold making us look down. A voice muttering as it grew louder and louder. A figure stepped into view as the voice grew in volumes.
"Gold. Gold beyond measure. Beyond sorrow and grief." It was Thorin. He looked upon us, a sensation skirted down my back as my eyes locked with his. Then they turned away from mine to the others. "Behold the great treasure hoard of Thror." Tossing a gem as Fili caught it. "Welcome my sister-sons to the kingdom of Erebor."
Bilbo led us to the others as they were happy and relieved that we were alive. Getting hugs from everyone as well as kisses for me on the cheek and forehead from the old dwarves. Even a big bear hug from Dwalin which I didn't expect at all.
But our joyful reunion was short lived as Thorin came in the room. "Now that we have more hands and eyes let's get back to searching." Thorin demanded. The others sighed and followed him as I stayed back with Bilbo.
"What are we searching for?" Whispering so he could only hear me. Bilbo glanced around making sure that no one was around.
"The Arkenstone." He whispered to me.
"Ali!" Hearing Kili call me rushing away from Bilbo to see him and Fili waiting for me. We started searching for that jewel.
"What's so important about this gem?" Asking them when they shushed me so Thorin didn't hear me.
"The Arkenstone is the king's jewel. Whoever has the stone shows to the whole realm that he is the rightful king." Fili informed me.
"But I thought royalty is given by birthright. So making Thorin king no matter what and you the princes." It was so utterly confusing by this whole stone issue.
"Yes you are right but the jewel clenches the title of king. And uncle wants there to be no fight about who the rightful heir of Erebor is." Fili finished as we continued looking for it.
Many hours passed looking for that blasted jewel. Growing weary and hungry sitting on a corner of a pillar not covered in gold. Picking up a rather large Garnet staring at my reflection. Sighing tossing it to the side getting up needing to get some fresh air. Leaving the treasury wondering the empty cold halls finally finding what looked to be a lookout tower. The chilled air was a welcome to the heat that searching for a lost jewel gave. Sitting out there for a while until someone came behind me.
"Ali?" Looking over seeing that it was Kili and Fili. Giving them a small smile, turning my attention on the scenery in front of me. "Ali what is the matter?" They seemed worried about me as Fili took my hand in his leading me to a bench that they sat on. Sitting between them glancing at them. They too looked weary from searching for the last few days.
"Just tired." They each took a strand of hair placing their braids back in it again. Kissing the back of my head once they finished. The actions felt so relaxing that I almost fell asleep until yelling 'To the Gates!' could be heard throughout Erebor.
Rushing to the entrance of Erebor Thorin looked at us. "Get this opening closed. Start building a wall." He instructed. Looking at him then at the others as we were all shocked that he would even mentioning blocking the entrance. "Do it now I say!" Everyone started grabbing debris wedging stones to make a wall. "I want this fortress made safe by sunup. This mountain was hard-won. I will not see it taken again."
"Kili, Fili say something. This is ridiculous." Whispering to them as they nodded.
"The people of Lake-town have nothing. They came to us in need. They have lost everything." Kili implored to his uncle.
"Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well enough their hardship. Those who have lived through dragon fire should rejoice. They have much to be grateful for." Standing looking out of the city of Dale and the refugees that took shelter there. Turning around "More stone. Bring more stone to the gate!"
Bilbo and I just stood there watching as the dwarves continued to build their wall. Shaking my head turning around not wanting to be around as they build up their defenses against the people of Lake-town. Bilbo followed me leaving them be.
Finding a spot sitting down my head against the wall. I must have fallen asleep when someone shook me awake. Looking up seeing it was Bilbo. "Ali wake up something is happening at the gate." Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes getting up rushing to the gates with Bilbo. Once there we saw Thranduil's elven guards standing on the outer parts of Dale.
"What on Middle-Earth?" whispering under my breath so only Bilbo heard me. Then hearing hoof beats and coming around a bend was Bard. He was alive my face lit up seeing that he was alright. "Bard."
"Hail, Thorin, son of Thrain. We are glad to find you alive beyond hope." Bard greeted Thorin.
"Why do you come to the gates of the king under the Mountain armed for war?" Thorin demanded. Sighing at his reaction to seeing the man who helped us when we first met him after Mirkwood.
"Why does the King under the Mountain fence himself in like a robber in his hold?" Bard questioned earning a snicker out of me placing my hand over my mouth to keep from being heard.
"Perhaps it is because I am expecting to be robbed." He countered. Rolling my eyes at his stubbornness.
"My lord we have not come to rob you but to seek fair settlement. Will you not speak with me?" Bard asked. Thorin nodded towards him as he left the wall. Bard dismounted his horse coming closer to the wall.
They spoke in whispered tones trying to hear what they were speaking about but couldn't make it out. Kili put his arms around me rubbing my arm whispering things like "He will make things right." Fili took my hand in his lacing our fingers together. I hope he was right that Thorin would do the right thing for the survivors of Lake-town.
Thorin moved away from the wall looking at us standing behind him. Then he said words that had me thinking he was an idiot. "Be gone! Ere our arrows fly!"
"No why would you do that!" Shouting wrenching out of Fili and Kili's arms earning a glare from Thorin.
"What are you doing?" Bilbo questioned him. He to earn a glare from Thorin. "You cannot go to war."
"This does not concern either of you." Thorin explained.
"Excuse me but in case you haven't noticed, there is an army of Elves out there. Not to mention several hundred angry fishermen." The others turned to look at Bilbo I have never seen him like this. "We are, in fact, outnumbered." Thorin smiled making me step back.
"Not for much longer." Bilbo looked at me as I shrugged seeing as we were both in the same boat of confusion.
"What does that mean?" Asking them in confusion.
"It means, Master Baggins you should never underestimate Dwarves. We have reclaimed Erebor. Now we defend it." Shaking my head leaving everyone there. Needing to be alone to gather my thoughts. Hearing a loud rumbling than crashing knowing only too well that they destroyed the bridge to the mountain.
"Gandalf where are you when we need you the most?" whispering to myself.
A few hours later hearing metal clanking coming from within the mountain. Making my way towards the ones that I called family seeing them dressed in armor, weapons at the ready. Ready to go off to a worthless war. As Fili and Kili came up to me. Kili held out his hand for me. Refusing to take it he just grabbed it pulling me aside and away from the others.
"Are you daft?" Hissing at them as we watched the others make their way to the gate. "You both know as much as I do that this is a terrible mistake. Fighting for what? For gold?" Shouting at them. Tears stung my eyes as I fought hard not to have them spill over. Kili pulled me into his chest but it was a cold embrace since he was wearing armor. Feeling Fili touch my shoulder then my hair.
"Ali please stay here in these walls where you will be safe. I would never forgive myself if anything were to happen to you."
"Neither would I." Fili exclaimed causing me to look at him. He gave me his signature grin making my insides flutter.
"Once this is over we want to marry you. To start our new life here in Erebor and even start our own family." Kili kissed me with all his might then Fili.
"Fili, Kili come we are needed at the front." Balin called from behind us. Each taking turns kissing my head leaving me standing there.
"Don't do anything stupid." Whispering knowing already that they were already doing something very stupid as was the whole company.
