Shadow: I have had "The Last Goodbye" stuck in my head for a week now. That is both a good thing and a bad thing, I suppose. It breaks my heart every time I listen to it. Also, do forgive me for the delay in chapters. My Grandmother fell down her steps a month and a half ago. She fractured her knee and fibula, as well as opened up several deep wounds on both knees and her face, so she has been at our house and we have been taking care of her. She went back home last Thursday finally able to manage on her own again. Anyway, I only own Elva, Aerin, and Isil. All other characters belong to Tolkien, New Line Cinemas, and Peter Jackson. Enjoy!
Chapter 13: Don't Tickle the Sleeping Dragon
The sun was nearly set by the time the company had reached the top. The Dwarves gazed in excitement. They had made it just in time. However most of their looks turned into confusion. Nothing looked like a door would. There were no cracks in the stone wall, no key holes could be seen. Nothing indicative of a door. But Thorin was not dissuaded by the obvious lack of entrance.
"This must be it." Thorin exclaimed. "The hidden door."
The company gathered on the ledge as Thorin faced them triumphantly.
"Let all those who doubted us rue this day!" He grinned, holding up the key.
Thorin's excitement rallied the company and they cheered with their leader. Elva glanced up at the sky. The sun was setting, but they had made it.
"We have a key." Dwalin stated beginning to tap on the stone. "Which means that somewhere there is a keyhole."
"The last light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole." Thorin mumbled to himself glancing back at Dwalin with a smile.
Moments passed with nothing to show for the warrior's searching. And soon Thorin began to grow worried. The sun was still setting, and the keyhole could not be found. He had Nori go over to attempt his hand at finding the door. The thief was well skilled at breaking in, so he had the best chance of finding it. The light continued to wane and Thorin ordered them to break the door down if they had to. But all that ended up breaking were the weapons they slammed against the stone. Elva knew it was useless, as Thorin did as well. But his fear and worry made him desperate. For Dwarven doors would never open by force. And thankfully one Dwarf had still kept his head.
"It's no use!" Balin called. "The doors are sealed. They can't be opened by force. Powerful magic on it."
And as the old Dwarf spoke, the last of the light faded away behind the mountains. Thorin looked over the map, distraught. They had failed. Their long journey and many dangers had brought them to Erebor, but had not allowed them to enter. They would be forced to wait for the next time the secret door could be opened.
"The last light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole." Thorin frowned in despair. "That's what it says. What did we miss? What did we miss, Balin?"
He looked to his old friend for comfort and wisdom on what to do next.
"We've lost the light." Balin sighed, shaking his head. "There's no more to be done. We had but one chance. Come on lads, it's over."
Elva stood in place as the Dwarves began to file back down the stair in defeat. Something was wrong. Thorin was right, they were missing something. Something very important. But what was it? The runes stated that the last light of Durin's day would shine upon the keyhole. That was certain, it had been read numerous times by different people. It was Durin's day, the last full moon of autumn, just before winter began. The moon would be full that night, and winter would begin within a month. She only half noticed Bilbo remained behind with her, mumbling to himself the riddle on the map.
"The last light… the last light." She heard him mumble.
And that was what it took for her to understand the missing piece. She glanced up at the moon which was hidden behind a cloud. Of course! The sun was not the only light in the sky.
"Thorin, you must come back!" She called out to his mind.
"There is nothing left for us there." Thorin replied irritably.
"But there is!" Elva insisted. "Our dear Hobbit is much cleverer than we give him credit for. He has solved the true meaning of the riddle. The last light is not the light when the sun sets, the last light is the moon. It is rather obvious when you remember that most hidden Dwarf doors are sealed with moonlight magic. As the doors to Moria, so also the hidden door to Erebor. We ought to have figured that out with the moon runes, they were the clue we did not see. It is moonlight that will shine on the keyhole."
The wolf woman felt Thorin's excitement return and pulled her mind away. She turned her attention to the Hobbit who had finished figuring out the riddle as well. He called down to the others to come back, stating what Elva had previously told Thorin. But she figured he could have his victory. She grasped his face and kissed the top of his head.
"You, dear burglar, are wonderful." She grinned. "Quickly get the key."
Bilbo nodded and whirled around, searching for where Thorin had dropped the key. Thorin marched up the path with the others behind him in excitement. They were just in time to stop Bilbo from kicking the key over the edge of the cliff they stood on. Thorin picked it up and smiled fondly. Their quest had not failed. Elva grinned as he inserted the key and unlocked the door. Though, through her excitement she still remembered the sleeping danger that waited inside. The door opened with a gentle push, but Thorin could not quite muster the ability to step over the threshold.
"Thorin." Balin said, tears in his eyes as he remembered their home, but he could not finish as his emotions took over.
Their fearless leader rested a hand on his old friend's shoulder for a moment before finally entering the halls he had not seen in decades. Slowly the others began filing into the home they had not stood in for much of their lives. Elva was the last to enter, letting them all have their moments of joy as the old stone walls welcomed them home once again. Gloin read an ancient script over the door in the hall which told of the place they were entering. It depicted a throne with a glowing jewel set in the above the throne.
"Herein lies the seventh kingdom of Durin's folk." Gloin read. "May the heart of the mountain unite all Dwarves in defense of this home."
"The throne of the king." Balin explained to Bilbo, who looked confused.
"And what's that above it?" He asked.
"The Arkenstone." The old Dwarf replied.
"The Arkenstone." Bilbo nodded in feigned understanding. "What's that?"
"That, master burglar, is why you are here." Thorin turned around.
Bilbo glanced around him a moment in confusion. All of the Dwarves looked at him expectantly. He was to go in, find the jewel, and bring it back to Thorin. He swallowed nervously before following Balin further into the hall. Elva came along, if only for moral support. She carefully threw her mind out into the dark halls of Erebor. Immediately she brushed against a dark presence. Elva reeled her mind back as a spike of terror surged through her. Yes, Smaug was there. But thankfully he still slumbered. If the Hobbit could keep quiet as he had been before there would be no trouble. The trio stopped just outside of the main hall.
"You want me to find a jewel?" Bilbo questioned.
"A large, white jewel." Balin nodded. "Yes."
"That's it?" The Hobbit stated. "Only I imagine there's quite a few down there."
"There is only one Arkenstone." Balin told him in earnest. "You'll know it when you see it."
Then he turned and continued into the hall. Bilbo and Elva followed behind. But only a few steps later Balin paused.
"In truth lad," He sighed. "I do not know what you will find down there. You needn't go if you don't want to. There's no dishonour in turning back."
"No, Balin." Bilbo cut him off forcefully. "I promised I would do this… and I think I must try."
This brought a chuckle from Balin. And Elva smiled fondly at the little Hobbit.
"It never ceases to amaze me." Balin smiled.
"What's that?" Bilbo asked.
"The courage of Hobbits." The old Dwarf replied. "Go now, with as much luck as you can muster."
"And do not worry, Bilbo." Elva told him. "I will remain with you in your mind if you need anything."
"Oh, and Bilbo." Balin stopped him as he began down the steps. "If there is in fact a um… live Dragon down there, don't wake him up."
With that gentle reminder, Bilbo continued down the steps. Elva followed Balin out of the hall, and left Bilbo to his own devices.
"He'll be just fine." The old Dwarf comforted her.
"So long as the Dragon does not awaken, yes." The wolf woman nodded.
"So the Dragon is there?" Balin paused.
"Yes." She nodded again. "And I am afraid for Bilbo."
"So am I." Balin agreed.
They met the others outside once again. Elva sat by the doorway watchfully, her mind trained on Bilbo's presence. Suddenly she felt the darker presence of Smaug envelop the king's hall. The Dragon had awoken. Only a moment later the fog she had noticed surrounding Bilbo in Mirkwood presented itself again, and she had trouble finding him again. With the Dragon awake Bilbo was in much greater danger. A cold fear gripped Elva's heart. Everyone she cared about was now in terrible danger. Smaug was a force far beyond any of them. Without Olorin there they stood little chance if the Dragon decided to leave the halls; which was likely his next path after killing their Hobbit. Elva was going to lose everyone all over again. She opened up her heart, and fate was going to rip it all away. The wolf woman did not realize that she was shaking until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Elva." Ori comforted her. "Everything will turn out alright."
Before she could reply the sound of thunder came from below them and the mountain gave a shudder. The others stood up and looked around wildly.
"Was that an earthquake?" Dori asked worriedly.
"That, my lads, was a Dragon." Balin stated plainly.
Just as Elva was about to break down a calming feeling washed over her. She knew it was Nienna there to give her comfort.
Do not let the darkness win over the light.
The wolf woman all at once felt less panicked. Something inside of her seemed to click, and she knew they had to go in and save their Hobbit. If she did not do something, then yes it was obvious she would lose everything. But her journey had taught her how to have courage, and how to fight for what she loved.
"What about Bilbo?" Ori asked, beginning to become worried himself.
"Give him more time." Thorin ordered.
"Time to do what?" Balin demanded. "To be killed?"
"You're afraid." Thorin accused.
"Yes, I am afraid." The old Dwarf agreed angrily. "I fear for you. A sickness lies upon that treasure hoarde, a sickness that drove your grandfather mad."
"I am not my grandfather." Thorin growled, turning away.
"You're not yourself." Balin snapped. "The Thorin I know would not hesitate to go in there…"
"I will not risk this quest for the life of one…" Thorin cut across Balin, giving a momentary pause as he realized he had said the same thing about Kili. "Burglar…"
"Bilbo." Balin frowned at his old friend. "His name is Bilbo."
Elva snarled as she rounded on Thorin, enough was enough.
"I have no claim to have known you for many years." She growled. "I have no claim that I know you because of our close relationship. I met you less than a year ago. But I do know that you are not the same Dwarf that I know came on this journey in the beginning. The Thorin that I knew back then had his company's best interests at heart. He distrusted me and worried over any time I spent alone with anyone out of your sight. He was willing to take shelter with Elves to get the answers he needed and put his difference aside long enough to be cordial. The Thorin I knew then would have immediately put his life on the line for his friends; for a burglar he did not even know. That Thorin was willing to stand between me and a murderous Goblin when you did not even completely trust me, let alone see me as a friend. Where is the Thorin that was concerned for me when I was wounded by Azog's Warg and went after a rampaging Bearman? Where is the Thorin that I told my past to and did not reject me? You have changed, Thorin Oakenshield, and not for the better. The closer we have gotten to Erebor the more your focus has shifted. You left Kili behind at Laketown, but not because you were thinking of his healing and safety, but because you did not want the quest to fail because of his injury. And now you would leave Bilbo to the wrath of a Dragon for what? To find the Arkenstone? Is a jewel worth a life? Thorin you must return to yourself, we must go in there after him. He needs our help."
This last movie is going to kill me. The date of my death with be 17- Dec- 2014. Hope you enjoyed! Until next time,
Namárië