Author's Note: Well guys! This it it! The end has come! Do enjoy and many thanks to those that have stuck it out this long! I hope to write more fanfics, but for now I think I shall take a little break!
Niera flew over the citadel looking down at the glistening white stone. She watched her parents make their way up through the levels of the city and her eyes spotted a man with some guards come out of the main doors in to the court yard, that must Lord Ecthelion, Niera thought. She nodded to her brother and they guided the dragons down to the court yard just as her parents and the Royal Guard arrived. The dragons alighted, but Thorin motioned to Niera to stay where she was, she made a face but stayed put.
Freya looked back at her children, nodding in thanks to her son, then she turned her attention to the Steward of Gondor. Ecthelion was a small man, but he built himself out with furs and cloaks, he wore his hair greased back and long past his shoulders, his eyes were grey and cold and his complexion was pale grey like his eyes. He approached the company of dwarves flicking back his furs from his hand with a waving gesture before clearing his throat, "Welcome, welcome your majesties," He bowed low, too low in fact, Freya gave a look to Kili, "It is an honour to have you here in Minas Tirith, you are very good to travel all this way. I trust you had a pleasant journey, and I see you brought the dragons, very good…"
Ecthelion was cut off by Freya, "My Lord. I thank you for this warm welcome but we have been travelling for a long time and we are very tired."
"Oh, of course, of course! My apologies your highness. Of course please come this way, I will get my squire to show your guards where they can rest." Ecthelion beckoned them in to the throne room.
Freya turned around and signed for Niera and Thorin to come with them, then she and Kili followed the Steward in through the doors. Niera gasped as the great doors opened to reveal the throne room, the floor was white marble and black pillars rose from the floor to arch their way across the room towards the throne. The throne itself sat on top of a row of stairs in the nave of the Hall. Lord Ecthelion took the steward's seat that was at the base of the stairs and made out of black wood. Niera stopped behind her family and Lord Ecthelion cleared his throat again, "Your majesties, I will have a squire take you to your quarters where you can rest before the feast tonight." He motioned for a small, tweedy looking boy to come forward, "Take the King and Queen to the east wing please and see to it that they have all they require, the feast shall be starting after sundown." They took their leave and followed the squire out of the hall. As they left Niera took one last look back to the throne room, Lord Ecthelion was gazing after her and her family with a greedy look in his grey eyes, Niera narrowed her dark browns eyes at him and thought, I'm keeping an eye on you Lord Ecthelion.
They arrived back to their quarters after the feast, Freya asked for warm water to be brought for her to take a bath. The maids brought in orange scented water for her and poured in to the bath that looked out over the city. Freya thanked the maids and waited until they left and shut the door. She removed her itchy dress and left it in a pile by the door, she smiled to herself and wiggled her toes against the cool stone under foot, it was a relief in the mid summer heat. She padded over to the bath and dipped her finger in, it was a perfect temperature, she slid in to the bath feeling all her muscles relax in the warm water, it was bliss and for a few minutes she forgot herself, she forgot all her stresses and worries letting the water take her. But her thought's were broken by the door softly opening, and familiar footsteps, Kili. He took a small stool and sat behind her, "Penny for your thoughts?" He asked, dipping his hands in the water and rubbing her neck and shoulders.
Freya smiled and rolled her head, then took a breath, "I have no idea what Ecthelion wants, it is putting my nerves on edge."
"Freya, please my love, you worry too much," Kili said, leaning down to kiss her neck.
"I can't stop Kili, this is our family he is playing with, it is Erebor too, I cannot just stand by," Freya said her voice failing her.
"Hush my love, please, relax it has been a long journey," Kili comforted her, "Come, get dry and you need to sleep." Kili stood and left the room leaving Freya alone, she slowly got herself out of the bath and dried herself with a soft towel. She pulled a soft silk tunic over her, she opened the door to the bedroom where Kili was already in bed, it was a warm night so his chest was bare, Freya smiled and lifted the blankets and he lifted his arm so she could curl up beside him. She let out a small sigh, Kili looked at her, "What?" He smiled.
"It feels like that night back in the goblins cave," Freya said, "When we lay together before the goblins came for us."
Kili narrowed his eye brows, "Well that is a rather unusual feeling."
Freya sighed, "I hope I am wrong." Then let sleep take her.
Niera was woken in the morning by a maid, she looked up out of bed a rubbed her eyes, taking in this strange woman in her room.
"Oh Good Morning Princess Niera, my name is Roma, Lord Ecthelion assigned me to be your hand maiden for your stay here," Roma smiled at Niera, waiting for a request.
Niera sat up properly in bed and looked at the young woman; she couldn't have been more then twenty years old, she was small for the race of men, she was rounder then most people her ample hips showing out of her maids clothes. Her face was kind though, full of trust and joy, her cheeks were full and rosy with shining green eyes and a shock of red hair. Niera smiled at Roma, "Good Morning to you too, where is my brother?"
"Oh Prince Thorin is with Donal," Roma explained as if Niera should have know exactly who she was talking about. Niera nodded and began to get washed and dressed.
She walked out of her rooms with Roma, "Shall we go to your brother? He and Donal should be waiting for us in the court yard, we can show you around Minas Tirith."
Niera smiled, "Yes that would be kind of you." But what she was really thinking about was where her parents were she hadn't seen them since the feast last night when Freya had come to send her and Thorin to bed. But she followed Roma out in to the white court yard, her brother was there, with the infamous Donal, and by the look of him he was defiantly Roma's brother, the same fire red hair.
"It's nice to meet you Princess, please follow me and I will show you and the Prince the city." Donal smiled warmly at Niera and took the lead of their small group, Niera look one last look to see if her parents would appear, but no such luck, so she followed the rest of them down to the city.
Meanwhile in the palace, Freya was waiting for Kili to get ready. She stood thoughts of what as going to happen ran through her mind, the door opened and Kili stepped out looking rather handsome in his black trousers and blue tunic. He smiled at her, "Ready?" She nodded and linked her arm in Kili's and followed the squire to Lord Ecthelion's rooms. The oak door was opened wide, the Steward was sitting at his desk, Freya noticed on a podium something was covered with a cloth. "Ah your majesties, please take a seat," Ecthelion gestured to the chairs by a table. Freya and Kili took a seat, Freya straightened out her tunic and waited for Ecthelion to begin.
"Well, as I said to you last night you are very good to come all the way here," Ecthelion smiled at them. But what choice did we have, Freya thought. Ecthelion continued, "I have news for you, and only you can be of assistance…." The doors opening cut off Ecthelion in mid sentence.
"Hail Ecthelion, son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor," All of them whipped around to see Gandalf striding across the room. Freya smiled and rose. "Hello there young Freya." Gandalf embraced her and grasped Kili's shoulder. Ecthelion looked in shock at the arrival of the grey wizard. "Do go on Lord Ecthelion, please." Gandalf took his hat off and gave it too a waiting page.
Ecthelion blinked a few times to get himself back together and then continued, "I have had word from some where that is in dire need of help."
Freya looked at Kili to Ecthelion, "And you want Erebor to help? You know we cannot."
"No my Queen, not Erebor, your children, and their Dragons." Ecthelion said , his eyes glanced over to the silk covered podium.
Freya froze, "Why? Why do you need them? They are children Ecthelion, nought but children."
"It is not me my Queen," Ecthelion said gently.
"Then who is it?" Kili rose from the chair, even thought it was just a dwarf he was tall, Ecthelion took a step back.
"Please your majesties." Ecthelion looked to Gandalf for help.
"My Lord, I am as curious as they are. Who in their right mind would want children to help?" Gandalf cocked an eye brow at the Steward.
Ecthelion looked at the people in front of him; Freya looked angry, her narrow sky blue eyes boring in to him, Kili seemed to be furious almost shaking in anger, Gandalf on the other hand was looking curiously at the podium. He took a breath, this was it, and too the rooms shock, a deep humming noise came from the podium, it was time. He crossed the room and stood by the silk cloth, the other's moved towards it looking at black silk cloth. Ecthelion placed his hand on the cloth and a voice whispered across the room, Freya looked at Kili then to Gandalf, she looked back to see a black ball sitting on the podium, the light reflected off it, it oozed black magic.
Gandalf took a step back, "Ecthelion where did you get this? It isn't safe, not all are accounted for."
"It was hidden deep in the vaults Gandalf. I dreamt about it one night; I dreamt that I walked down to the very door and it saw ir gleaming before me, it spoke to me Gandalf, it told me of dragons and wolves and war. I knew that Freya and Kili must come." Ecthelion went quiet, Freya could see that this was a man that had seen horrors beyond this world.
"So why the Palantir?" Gandalf gestured at the black gleaming ball.
"For communication old wizard," An unfamiliar voice echoed around the room making Freya jump slightly.
Gandalf didn't budge, "And why do you require communication? Who are you?"
"I am called many names Mithrandir, not unlike you, names are meaningless at the end." The voice replied.
Freya looked at the ball, "The end? What do you mean by this?"
"Well Freya, daughter of Thorin Oakenshield, the end comes for us all, some sooner than others, he comes in war, he comes in hunting, he comes in sleep. Death needs no names." The voice spoke.
"Death? Are you threatening us? Is that why you are here?" Freya took a step towards the podium.
"Not at all young one, I am merely telling you that death comes to us all," The voice hissed.
"And I say to death, not today." Freya crossed her arms, Kili grinned slightly.
"You have spirit I see, Ecthelion bring in the children." Ecthelion signalled to the guards, Kili and Freya whipped around and looked towards the door. Niera and Thorin were beginning brought in, Niera was struggling in the grip of a knight and Thorin was being dragged by his heels. "Now," The voice spoke again, "You will listen." Kili and Freya looked from their children to the orb, what choice did they have?
"Yes, just don't hurt them," Kili said, looking at his children.
"It was never my intention King Kili, but I shall tell what is," The voice said quietly, "I am known as the R'hllor or the Red God, I rule over fire, I see the future and past. In a far off world right now there is a fierce war, a war that needs to be ended and ended fast. The dead have risen and are walking, hell is being unleashed, and we need your children and dragons to stop them." Once R'hllor had finished speaking there was a silence in the room that was filled with tension.
"So you want my children to travel miles away to some land I have never heard of in to a war that isn't our own?" Freya asked the God.
"Yes, I am." R'hllor replied.
"This is insanity," She turned to Gandalf, "You cannot believe what he is saying can you?"
Gandalf cleared his throat, "I have heard of this land, Westros, before but it was many years ago now. R'hllor, why do you need the young ones?"
"The answer is simple Gandalf; if they do not come, Westros will most likely be lost to the army of the dead." R'llor answered a if he was simply talking about the weather. Gandalf noticed Ecthelion slip out of the room, it was only him, Freya, Kili and the children now.
Freya ran her hand through her hair, "Do my children have a say in this matter?"
R'hllor chuckled, "Of course they do, but it must be the right one. I have seen the future, and the future for Middle Earth is uncertain, a dark power is rising Mount Doom is firing again. You have felt this Gandalf have you not?"
Gandalf gave a slight nod, "R'hllor, if you have some compassion, release the children from their guard." The god conceded, Niera and Thorin bolted towards their parents. Freya caught them both in a hug and hugged them both tightly.
"Don't cry Niera, please, it will be alright." Freya comforted, she could see Thorin was trying to be strong and he stood beside his father, he was of equal height to him now.
"Lord R'hllor, will me sister and I be saving people if we go?" Thorin spoke, much to the shock of everyone.
"This boy has courage. Yes, you will be, you shall save them all." R'hllor said to him.
"Then mother we must go." Thorin turned to Freya.
"Thorin, how can we be sure, this world of an unknown?" Freya said.
"Is it proof you need well then hear you go." R'hllor said. A black smoke drifted out of the ball, it crept across the floor and towards the group. Freya saw wolves howling, men dying, dead men walking and death, death all around. "So now, is that the proof."
Freya didn't know what to think, she knew now her children had to go but she wanted them to stay, why should they have to fight another war? She made up her mind, "Lord R'hllor, I see the hardship, the death and suffering, but I cannot willingly let my children go."
Suddenly the room darkened, they all looked around in panic, "You will not let them willingly go? Then they shall go by force." Freya let out a blood curling scream and collapsed to the ground, Kili screamed too and fell to the floor.
"Please, sir, please, stop this, stop!" Niera dropped by her mother and cradled her head, tears started to fall down her face.
"Only if you will swear," R'hllor shouted over the screams.
Niera looked to her brother, "We swear, we swear."
"Swear it in blood, or it means nothing to me." Niera and Thorin reached for their daggers and before the Red God cut across their palms.
A laugh came from the orb, "Now, go to your dragons, King Stannis is waiting for you."
Niera looked down at her mother, "I am so sorry mother, I love you." She hugged her tight.
Freya whispered, "It is alright, nothing to be sorry about, go my girl, Ember will protect you and so will Thorin." Niera went to stand she saw Gandalf was pinned to the wall by a guard. Then she realised what was going on, Thorin was half way across the room, it was like all the sound was muted and everything moved in slow motion. R'hllor laughed and Niera screamed, Freya and Kili were lifted in to the air, their back arched and Freya's hair flowing downwards, Niera saw her mother reach for her father's hand and grasp it tight. Then black smoke flowed out of their mouths, life leaving them. Niera screamed and went to run back, only to be held by Thorin, "No Niera, stay here."
"Thorin we can't! Mother! Father! No! R'hllor, you're insane! How could you?!" Niera sobbed.
As Kili and Freya's bodies hit the ground R'hllor laughed, "Because you needed no reason to stay, you are blood bonded to the cause now."
Gandalf looked from Kili and Freya to Niera and Thorin, "R'hllor, end this madness, let them go, they will go to Westros."
"Well on your head be it old man." R'hllor's cackling laugh echoed around the room and then faded.
Niera was sobbing in her brother's arms, Gandald came over and shook them, "Come on!" He dragged them out to the court yard where Ember and Elendil were waiting saddled. Gandalf had to lift Neira in to the saddle and strap her legs in, Thorin clambered on to Elendil's back.
"What are we to do Gandalf?" Thorin asked.
"You must go, and quickly, I doubt R'hllor will leave you for long if you flee," Gandalf told him. "Now please, fly you fools!" He cast his arms up, the dragons roaring and taking off in to the sky.
Through the floods of tears Niera took one last look at the world she knew, the places she loved and the people she loved more than life itself. It was her and Thorin now and their dragons. She looked back at the White City and wiped the tears from her eyes, she would get The Red God if it was the last thing she did, she would face death and say "Not today." Ember roared and Elendil roared in return, it was this life now, flying, and as long as she had Ember she would keep on fighting.