Hello, A giant welcome to you all. Here is the newest part of Calla's adventure, i know its not all that full of action or romance - but it is a filler chapter as the next one with involve the journey down the carrock and Beorn, so I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you all for your support and for your review! please, keep them coming ... anyway ... enjoy you lovely people!
"Erebor … The lonely mountain." confirmed Gandalf in a booming voice.
"Our Home …" whispered Thorin as he smiled at the far away peak.
Calla drew in a breath as her eyes scanned the picturesque landscape before her, the lush canopy of green trees, the glistening blue ribbon of a river, and there, in the distance stood the lonely mountain, its purpling rocky shoulders standing out against the stark blue sky. The sight truly was enough to knock the wind out of her lungs and ignite a spark of hope and happiness in the pit of her stomach, as a happy smile twitched at the corners of her lips.
Warmth enveloped her waist as Kili enclosed his strong arms around her in a protective embrace, his chin nestled into the top of her curls, and his thumb occasionally stroking over the flesh of her hand as she entwined her fingers with his. The group stood for what felt like an eternity basking in the face of their end goal, each member remembering key moments from the journey so far.
A light chirruping sounded through the air as a small, brown bird weaved its way through the company, its tiny wings barely missing the large brim of Gandalf's hat as its flew into the distance, its merry tune carrying away on the wind.
"A Raven! The birds are returning to the mountain!" Cried Oin, a little over excited for a dwarf of his age and stature, but everyone understood his eagerness, the prophecy was coming true.
"That my dear Oin, was a thrush." Corrected the wizard as he smiled down at the dwarf healer, his old eyes crinkling in amusement.
"Well, We'll take it as a sign, a good omen." breathed the Thorin, as he smiled down at Bilbo and Calla, his features becoming instantly softer with the change of expression.
"You're right." Agreed Bilbo, nodding his head contentedly, hooking his thumbs beneath the straps of his braces, and rocking slightly on his bare heels, "I do believe the worst is behind us."
Calla giggled and rolled her eyes, her cousin was the most easily swayed person she'd ever met. "If you have just jinxed us Bilbo Baggins, I will happily see you sold to a passing troll for their stew." the hobbit visibly paled, his eyes going as wide as dinner plates as he stared at his cousin, but instantly relaxed as she burst out into a fit of giggles, Fili and Kili joining in with the mirth.
"Uhm, Mister Gandalf?" questioned Ori, as he nibbled on his bottom lip and twisted his leather bound journal around nervously in his hands. "How are we to get down from here? Its very high."
"An excellent point my young fellow. It does seem we are in a quite difficult position." Agreed Gandalf as his old eyes scoured their surroundings for a way down from the rocky ledge. Many of the dwarves took this opportunity to lean over the edge, grumbling to themselves grumpily.
"What about the eagles?" Calla asked thoughtfully, turning her gaze up to the tall wizard, who nodded, his brow creasing in thought.
"A fair suggestion Miss Took." he fiddled with the tip of his beard absent-mindedly, "But I fear they may have gone out of their way for us already."
The tiny redhead shrugged her shoulders in recognition of the old man's statement, "all we can do is ask, no one ever got anywhere without asking."
"Fine words indeed my lady, I will see what can be done to help our current … situation. But for now I suggest we make ourselves comfortable. Get any wounds you may have sustained tended to. We will all need our strength for the coming journey ahead."
"We have something now to hope for." Gruffed Thorin, as he continued to stare out over the plains, his eyes burning with a fierce fire that his body was lacking as his large frame started to sag and waver with fatigue. Quick as a flash the would-be-king's nephews were by his side, each supporting his bulk by hoisting him between them.
"Come on uncle, you need to rest." Fili said affectionately as they began to lead their father figure back towards the area their little group had decided to seat themselves in.
"Calla? Are you coming?" Kili asked as he peeked over his shoulder to look at her, "You need to get Oin to look at that ankle."
She shot him a soft smile and waved her dainty fingers at him in a dismissing gesture, "I will be there soon. I want to stay with Gandalf and speak with the eagles."
The younger Durin heir nodded and continued on with his task, making sure that his uncle was propped comfortably against a long dead tree trunk.
When they were alone, a little way from the rest of the company Calla felt free enough to ask the grey wizard the question that had been boiling through her brain, "You called them didn't you?"
"What was that dear?" Gandalf asked, a jovial twinkle in his eye as he regarded the tiny red head who was, by some miracle, still standing after the damage her now swollen and purple ankle had sustained.
"Don't play coy with me, old man. That was either impeccable timing and luck, orchestrated by someone with power. And seeing as we've had precious little in the way of luck … I see no other conclusion."
"How observant of you, young Took. I do indeed know the Eagle lord of old. And they were more than willing to produce aid to an old friend."
Loud woosh-ing sounds filled the air as three large eagles started to glide towards them, their giant wings making even the canopy of trees rustle loudly. "They really are beautiful creatures." Calla marvelled quietly as the came to rest before them, huge yellow talons gripping into the stone, and their haunting golden eyes fixed on the figures of the wizard and his hobbit companion.
"Greetings Mithrandir," boomed the eagle at the head of the trio, his feathers were coal black, with the odd smattering of white around his eyes and the tips of his wings, giving him a very distinguished and wise appearance. "It had been a long while since you strayed into the realms of our territory. Well met."
"Well met indeed my old friend. And I am grateful for your timely arrival. My friends and I were facing almost certain death." Gandalf replied, his voice kept in a hushed tone, so as to not disturb the group that sat not too far off.
"Almost? Ori and Dori were dangling off the cliff edge." Calla commented, her eyes never leaving the golden orbs of the majestic eagle, that were now fixed on her tiny frame.
"Ahh, the brave one who threw herself at the pale orc. Greetings my lady, I am Gwaihir, Lord of the eagles." he inclined his head in what Calla took to be the giant bird form of a bow. She just stared at him for a few seconds longer before remembering her manners, bending her legs as much as she could into a curtsy without causing further damage to her injured ankle.
"A pleasure to meet you my lord. I am Calla Took … of the Shire … and I am most grateful for your timely rescue."
The giant bird ruffled his feathers and puffed out his mighty chest, his heart swelling at the words of gratitude.
"I'm afraid we must ask more of you my old friend." Gandalf asked quietly, his stone coloured eyes fixed on the eagle's gold ones. The large creature dipped its head gracefully, allowing the old man to continue his question unhindered. "We are making our way towards The lonely mountain. Would you and your people be obliged to aid us further by taking us on ahead?"
Gwaihir ruffled his feathers again and scratched agitatedly at the ground beneath his feet. "We will take you as far as we dare. The men, they do not take kindly to us flying over their stone cities. They believe us to be thieves, preying on their sheep and cattle. I will not risk my kin in this manner. But we will take you as far as we can in safety."
"That is most gracious of you my old friend. Our company will be both grateful and relieved." Gandalf nodded with a wide smile, causing the lines in his leathery skin to deepen with mirth.
Calla felt her heart soar, upon hearing the eagle's ascent. A large grin spread across her bloodied face, but the joyous expression quickly faded as a pang of hunger rippled through her belly with a loud rumble. She quickly hugged her arms around her waist and glanced at the regal bird apologetically, but all his eyes seemed to do was glitter with humour.
"And we will continue to provide our services" he spoke quieter this time, his gaze glued to Calla, until he turned his head to address one of his companions, "Belleram, our new found friends will need fire wood and food. See what further aid we can provide."
In a flurry of wind and chestnut feathers, Belleram swept into a low bow before taking off into the horizon.
As night fell over the rocky outcrop, the sounds of a roaring fire split through the air, accompanied by the appetising aroma of roasting meat. The dwarves sat huddled together, talking in hushed tones as their leader slept, Oin's poultices helping to hurry along his healing process.
Calla herself had a thick layer of the herbal smelling cream coating her ankle and various other wounds that had needed their healer's dire attention. The heady smell was overwhelming and she buried her face into Kili's chest as she reclined into him, her nose appreciating the scent of spice and leather that was her dwarf prince.
Kili ran his fingers through her tangled mass of crimson curls as she nuzzled further into his chest, trying his hardest not to giggle when her shuffling feet caught his elder brother, who had become her foot rest, smartly in the kneecap eliciting a grunted curse in Khazdul from the blonde. He was truly happy his little half-ling was back in their company, where she belonged, and more importantly at his side.
A warm flush of pride had shot through his entire body as he had watched the hobbit cousins throw themselves at Azog and his minions in defence of his wounded uncle. But the feeling was of course quickly over taken by the bubbling fear that there was a chance he was going to lose her again, and that feeling made his throat dry up and his stomach churn.
"Its nice to be back with you smelly lot." Calla joked as she let her dark eyes scan across the faces of their companions, their expressions relaxed and happy, emotions that had been awry since their brief stop in Rivendell.
Kili chuckled, his chest rumbling with the deep sound, and placed a soft kiss into her curls, "It's good to have you back."