Chapter Twelve
The next morning, the Company begin their search for the side door, it took them pretty much of the day of finding it. By late afternoon, they stopped for a break. Mira, Amy and Jackson sat on a boulder munching on some snacks left over in their back packs. "I still couldn't believe I still have these considered what we've been through on the journey." said Amy. As for Mira, she sat and thought realizing they could be possibly meeting a dragon, she had regret of leaving her children behind in Lake Town.
But she wanted them with her. It was then Thorin addressed her about it that day. "Mira we need to talk." said Thorin. "What about?" asked Mira. "I don't thinks safe to bring Amy and Jackson to the Mountain!" said Thorin. "Why didn't you mention about this before we left, Thorin?" asked Mira sharply. "We had so much to do, on top of that, rescuing you from that man! We had no time to consider of leaving the behind!" shot back Thorin. "What do you expect me to do? Send them back? I'm sorry, I don't trust my children among strangers, especially the Master." snapped Mira angrily.
"Thorin, they might as well stay with us. We'll think of a way of keeping them safe without them getting noticed by the dragon." spoke up Balin. Mira nodded. "Alright, we'll let them go. As long as they stay close to us." said Thorin. As the afternoon progressed, leading into the evening, they Company found the side door, which was noticed by Bilbo. "You have keen eye sight, Mister Baggins!" said Thorin. "Shouldn't we wait for Gandalf? He did say he was going to meet up with us." said Bilbo.
"We cannot wait for the wizard, Mister Baggins." said Thorin. "Thorin's right. We can't. Something tells me Gandalf is delayed." said Mira, gravely remembered that she lost the wizard at Dul Guldur. And the Company pressed on as they arrived at the said area. The sun was now just setting as Thorin approached the Mountain wall, inserting his key into the door. Unfortunately nothing happened. "Am I missing something here?!" Thorin spoke loudly to himself, and he took out his map and looked at it.
"Stand by the grey stone where the thrush knocks-the light of Durin's day-shine upon the key hole-the Light of Durin's day.." Thorin read aloud. Then Thorin tried it again, but this time Nori and Dwalin charged at the door, trying to bash the door down themselves.
You are misunderstanding the translation, you idiots! Mira thought. "Face it, laddie. We missed it. We came all this way, and now we have to wait until next year." said Balin, sadly. Thorin frowned, sadness and anger clouded over him, as he slammed the key and map on the ground, and turned away, following the rest of the Company. "Wait! You cannot give up now! Don't do this, there is still time!" shouted Bilbo. Thorin glared at the hobbit and then looked away, continuing to follow the dwarves.
"You get your sorry asses back over here now! You misunderstood the map, for crying out loud!" Mira yelled at them angrily. Once it became dark, the moon rose, as the light of the moon shone down upon the door, and at the same time, a thrush flew to a small stone nearby, tapping on it. Suddenly to Bilbo, Mira, Amy and Jackson's surprise, a keyhole appeared on the door. "THORIN! The key! The key! Come quick!" cried out the hobbit. But Thorin ignored him.
Bilbo reached for the key, when he saw a boot stepping onto the key, as the hobbit looked up, and there stood Thorin, as he bent over to reach for the key. Thorin took the key, inserting it into the keyhole, and the door opened. Thorin led the Company into the Mountain.
"I cannot believe it-after all these years, we're home." gasped Thrain emotionally, tears falling down his face. "I know these walls-these halls-the stone! Chambers filled with golden light! Do you remember, Balin?" said Thorin softly. "Yes, laddie, I remember!" said Balin, softly, wiping a tear from his eye. "Oh my god, this place is beautiful." gasped Mira. Thorin smiled, as he took Mira's hand. "You just wait until its restored and rebuilt! Then, it would be even more beautiful!" said Thorin. Mira smiled back.
"What is that?" Bilbo asked pointing at a wall that had runes and drawings it, showing a throne, and on top of a throne a stone. "That, Bilbo is the Arkenstone, the King's Jewel." Balin replied. "And that, Master Burglar, is why you're here." said Thorin. Balin instructed the hobbit to enter the Treasury to find the jewel and return to either Thorin, or himself. Bilbo nodded, as he walked towards the Treasury. "Are you sure he's going to be alright alone?" asked Amy. "He'll be fine." said Thorin, and now they sat and waited.
While waiting, Mira wanted to discuss the safety of Jackson and Amy. "I know a place where they could to stay in safety. The King's chambers." said Thorin. "Thorin, the Dragon is laying near the chambers." said Balin "Any other ideas?" snarled Thorin in frustration.
Suddenly, they could hear a loud rumble, and the Mountain began to shake. "Mother, I don't like the sound of that!" said Amy, softly. "Is that an earthquake?" asked Dori. "No, that my friends is a dragon!" Balin replied gravely. "He shouldn't be down there alone! Somebody needs to help him!" spoke up Amy. "Amy, he could do this alone. Bilbo can handle himself!" said Thorin. "But there is a dragon down there! He's going to get fried!" shouted Jackson.
"We'll give him more time." grumbled Thorin. "Thorin, you can't be serious! All this over for the stone that drove your grandfather mad. Is this worth risking someone's life for?" asked Balin. "I will not risk this quest for some burglar." grumbled Thorin. "His name is Bilbo." snapped Balin. "You're afraid." said Thorin, looking at his friend. "I fear for you, all of us. You're becoming what Thror had become." said Balin sadly. "I am NOT my grandfather." snapped Thorin. "Bull shit." Mira mumbled softly, thankfully Thorin didn't heard it. Dwalin however heard her, and smirked and nodded in agreement with Mira's remark
"I don't care. I'm going to help him!" shouted Amy. "AMY NO! Get back here!" shouted Mira, as she saw her daughter running off. "Amy you get back here now!" Thorin called after her. But it was too late, Amy already sprinted away. Thorin chased after her.
And the rest of the Company followed after them. Amy reached the treasury, and gasped as she saw the large, red gold dragon searching for Bilbo, while speaking to him. Amy tried to remain hidden as much as possible, as she remembered Dragons are smart, with great senses of smell, and they could smell a human in a distance. Suddenly Smaug stopped, as he glared at Bilbo. "Harboring humans now, Barrel Rider? I smell a human nearby, a human child!" spoke up Smaug. "Child? There's no child! She is left behind!" stammered Bilbo.
"Not only you're a thief, but a great liar as well! The child isn't the only one your harboring. You have dwarves with you, and another child and human!" snarled Smaug. "You must be mistaken, Smaug the Greatest Calamities. They all died coming here." spoke up Bilbo. Bilbo, you're not a very good at telling tall tales, you can do much better! thought Amy. Suddenly the dragon grew angry and inpatient, and began chasing Bilbo. Suddenly, the hobbit's eyes caught Amy standing. "Amy! What are you doing down here! RUN! DRAGON!" shouted Bilbo.
As the two began to run, they abruptly stopped when Thorin stood in front of them. "Thorin, we have to get out of here! The Dragon is awake, he's coming after us!" panted Bilbo. "The Arkenstone." said Thorin.
"Thorin, we can worry about the jewel later!" said Amy. "Thorin, we really have to go!" pleaded Bilbo. "The Arkenstone! Where is it?" demanded Thorin. "I don't have it, Thorin!" said Bilbo. Suddenly, Thorin took out his sword pointing it at Amy and Bilbo as they were about to move away. "THORIN! What in the hell are you doing?!" shrieked Mira, running towards them, standing in between Thorin, Bilbo and Amy. "I swear you lay a hand on them!" Mira threatened, and she noticed there was something different about Thorin, especially his eyes. "No." gasped Mira.
"We need to GO NOW!" shouted Balin, and they began to run. "Balin, take Amy and Jackson to safety, and take Mira with them!" Thorin instructed Balin. Balin nodded. "Come on, we need to get you three to safety." said Balin. Mira nodded, as they followed by Balin. Balin lead the three to a long hall way, filled with doors that are rooms. Balin took them to the first room, which was the King's chamber, and they entered. Mira gasped as she looked around the chamber in amazement.
"You will remain here, for safety. One of us will come for you, when the dragon is gone." said Balin. "Balin, this place is beautiful. Is there where King Thror resided?" asked Mira. "Yes, and soon it will be Thorin." said Balin. "Where's Thorin's old room?" Mira asked.
"Just a couple doors down from here, lassie." said Balin. Mira nodded. "Thank you for leading us here. Keep us posted about the dragon!" said Mira. Balin nodded, and he left. "Check this out!" beamed Jackson, as he picked up a crown. "Jackson, put that down! You're not supposed to be touching that!" Mira snapped at her son, as she snatched the crown from Jackson, putting it up to where it was sitting. "Do not touch anything in here, without Thorin's consent! Is that understood?" demanded Mira, firmly. "Yes, mother." said Jackson softly.
"Wow! Look at the painting! The one in front much be Thorin's grandpa! The one wearing the Raven Crown!" said Amy pointing at the pointing, which shown King Thror, his son Prince Thrain, and next to Thrain is three younger dwarves. Amy laughed. "The one next to Thrain has to be Thorin!" laughed Amy. "A very young Thorin! Look how young they are! The other two must be Frerin and Dis." said Mira. "Mother, you chosen quite a handsome dwarf." said Amy, grinning. "That's funny how Kili almost resembles Thorin." said Jackson.
"You know what, he does." said Mira. After looking at the painting for a while, Mira suggested they would rest for a while, until they are needed. While Jackson and Amy dozed off, Mira remained awake, as she sat in front of the fireplace, looking into the flames.
Suddenly Mira's amulet began to glow. My amulet is glowing again! But why? Mira thought. Suddenly, she could hear a voice speaking to her. This time, it didn't belong to Aaron. It was older male voice, deep and gruff. "Mira Van Buren, the woman whom has won my grandson's heart, and savior of the family!" said the voice. Mira looked around the room to find the source of the voice, and to her surprise, she saw a dwarf with a glow about him. He was much older with a long white hair and beard, and blue eyes. Mira gasped as she recognized the dwarf. "King Thror?" Mira gasped.
"Yes, my child, I am he." said the dwarf approaching Mira. "Of all people have to appear is me! Why?" Mira asked. "You've been sent here for a reason, Miss Van Buren, and hope you uphold your promises." said Thror. "What has become of Thorin? He has changed, your majesty!" Mira asked. The late dwarf king's eyes saddened. "Mira-this is all my fault. I was the first whom fell under the sickness, and because of that, I lost the kingdom to a dragon." said Thror.
"And that same sickness is effecting your grandson, Thror. I seen it in his eyes, and its scaring me." said Mira. The Dwarf took Mira's hands. "That is why you are here, Mira. To save my kin from their fates, and Thorin from the sickness." said Thror.
"This task is going to be difficult, and I promise I see that I will save your family." said Mira. "He loves you very much. I've been dead for years, lassie, but I see everything that goes on from the skies." said Thror. "Everything?" asked Mira. Thror smiled. "Everything." the late dwarf king replied. "I also saved your son from Dul Guldur, he has survived. He's with Thorin right now as we speak. They're planning to kill the dragon." said Mira.
"Mira, the main reason why I am here is for you to deliver a message to my grandson. You must tell him soon as you see him." said King Thror, and he whispered some words in Mira's ear. Mira nodded. "I will do that, Your Majesty." said Mira. "Please, just call me Thror. We're going to be family anyway!" said Thror, smiling at her. "I will tell him! Farewell, Your Majesty!" said Mira. "Farwell, Miss Van Buren!" said King Thror, and he disappeared.