Two days later, Naya raced down the passage from their suite looking for Thorin. In the Great Hall, she asked everyone she met if they had seen him. Finally, she was directed to the Treasury. She had not been there since before the battle with the orcs and the change amazed her. Where gold had been strewn and thrown, there were now neat piles, barrels and bins of gold. And she noted that there was considerably less than before. Good, no one had left empty-handed!
Thorin was consulting with Balin at a huge table set up near the entrance. He looked up when he heard her racing footsteps. "Naya, what's the matter?"
"Thorin, why don't we go and see your mother? I know you felt bad the other day when we were talking about her." Naya grinned at him. She knew the answer, but it was part of the game.
"Because it would take months to get there and back and even though things are quiet now, I expect new folk to begin arriving in another few months. It's impossible." He wondered at her thoughtlessness.
"What if we could go and return in about three weeks? Interested?" She smiled a foolish smile at him.
"And just how would that be possible? Has Gandalf returned with some new powers of transportation?" Thorin said impatiently.
"Not Gandalf, Malda! I was just talking to her, bringing her up to date. When I told her how you wished you could see your mother, she offered to take us! We can be there in just a few days, stay for two weeks and return! What do you think?" She was bouncing now in excitement. Not only would Thorin get to see his mother, she would get to ride an eagle again.
"I thought they didn't take passengers any distance? That's why we got caught in that morass of Mirkwood. Not that I minded being dropped at the Carrock and meeting you, of course," he added quickly.
"I didn't ask. She volunteered. Apparently, she had her first chick last year and couldn't bear to think of your mother not seeing you in all your glory. She is checking with her mate to make sure he agrees and will return this afternoon to find out our answer. What should I tell her?"
Thorin was overwhelmed. He had believed such a thing was impossible and now it was being presented as not only possible but likely. He turned to Balin. "How would you like to be in charge for a few weeks, old friend? It might be a good way to start introducing Fili to his new responsibilities also."
Balin didn't hesitate. "An excellent plan. We will continue with our current activities until you return. I agree that more new people are unlikely for another month or more. The news of Smaug's death is only now reaching out into the furthest territories. Even those from Lake-town are unlikely to come in less than two weeks. Go and enjoy!"
Thorin and Naya grabbed each other's hands and raced back to their rooms. Once there, they began planning what to take. Weight was the biggest issue. They took only a bare minimum. Most of the items needed would be for the nights they would have to spend outdoors. The rest they could buy or borrow later.
"Do you want to leave tomorrow or the day after?" Naya asked.
"Let's make it tomorrow. It's still early enough today to finish a few things. The quicker we leave, the quicker we return. I want to be back before folk start flooding in." Thorin's excitement at the thought of seeing his mother was growing rapidly.
Early the next morning, they were out at the Front Gate waiting for the eagles. Malda had returned and confirmed that they could leave on this day. Her mate was only too happy to assist the King of Erebor. He was quite pleased with the prospect of a new aerie on the Lonely Mountain.
A crowd had gathered to watch them depart. Fili and Kili were front and center. Upon hearing that Thorin was leaving and that he would be nominally in charge (under the hawk-like gaze of Balin), Fili had begun to grasp the enormity of the change in his life. Never before had it been so real. He would be King of Erebor someday.
The eagles arrived. Thorin and Naya raced out with their packs and climbed aboard. The eagles did their drop and swoop that made Naya's stomach lurch. Thorin, who had missed his first time flying, gasped as his eagle plunged. He thought for a moment that his heart might stop beating, but Naya had explained the finer points of eagle flight and, after the initial terror, he settled in to enjoy the ride.
The hardest part was the cold. It was winter now and the air aloft was bitterly cold. They were both bundled up, but extremities still grew numb. Several hours passed before the eagles descended onto an outcropping to rest. There was a small stand of trees that Naya and Thorin stumbled towards for shelter. Thorin built a fire and they huddled together for warmth.
"This is colder than I expected," Naya managed to say through her chattering teeth.
Thorin hugged her close. "I found that burying my hands in the feathers helps. Maybe if you leaned forward more? Are you getting any warmer?"
"A little bit. It's mostly my face and hands. I will try to sit a little lower. Even as cold as it is, I still love it. Flying is so exhilarating. Are you enjoying it this time around?" She knew he had been saved by an eagle after his fight with Azog but that he had been unconscious.
"Very much. It's so interesting to see things from the air. It gives you a very different perspective. I also realized that we will beat Gloin back to the Ered Luin. He has barely started out. We will get to tell everyone that Erebor is ours again!" The thought pleased Thorin. Not only would he see his family, but he could be the conquering hero, too.
"I didn't realize that. How will everyone react to everything?" Naya didn't say it, but she meant about the mountain and their marriage.
Thorin knew what she meant. It had been a concern of hers from the start. "It may be a bit uncomfortable for you, Naya. Dwarves are rarely open to new ways, but I think they will come around once they know you and they hear of your deeds during the battle. Dwarves always respect and admire courage and resourcefulness. You have more than demonstrated both."
"I hope you're right," she muttered.
After two more cold days, they arrived near the foot of the Blue Mountains. The eagles dropped them off a few miles from the rising mountains. They didn't want to risk getting shot at. Naya and Thorin would meet them at the same spot in two weeks time. After many thanks to their feathered friends, the pair began the walk towards the town they could see climbing the side of a mountain.
At first they walked through a forest of towering pines. Naya breathed in the fresh mountain air. "I miss the forest, Thorin. It has been so long. When I lived in a forest, I couldn't wait to leave. Now I can't wait to get back."
Thorin looked at her sharply. Her eyes were unfocused and a little wild looking. He feared she was remembering her run at Long Lake. He would have to keep her focused on the here and now. As they walked, Thorin told her stories of his days here. He mainly confined his tales to his family and friends. His work had put food on the table and clothes on their backs, but that was behind him now. He preferred to look ahead.
"What is your sister like? Will she like me?" Naya worried about this most of all.
Thorin hesitated. "To be honest, Naya, I'm not sure. We will just have to wait and see. It won't be long now."
At last they reached the town. Dis lived in a house because that was what her mother preferred. It was a few blocks inside a sturdy stone wall. It was a cold day and most folk walked quickly past and paid them no notice. Those who did look failed to recognize Thorin's cloaked figure. They ignored Naya.
Thorin knocked on the door of a comfortable two story home. A few moments later it was opened by a female dwarf, shorter than Thorin but with his intense blue eyes. "Yes?" she said. "I'm very busy."
"Too busy to greet your brother properly, Dis?" Thorin laughed as he pushed his hood back.
"Thorin!" she squealed. "Where did you come from, and where have you been? The last I heard was a letter months ago saying you were going on a journey with that wizard Gandalf!" She reached out and hugged him tightly. Her eyes looked past his shoulder and saw Naya, but she did not acknowledge her.
"It is too cold to stand here and tell you long stories. May we come in?" He turned around and pulled Naya forward by the hand. "I want you to meet Valinaya Beorning."
Dis nodded brusquely at Naya. "Come in where it's warm, and tell me everything."
Naya noted that Thorin did not say, "My wife." However, she trusted him enough to know he must have his reasons. They followed Dis down a hall into a pleasant sitting room where a fire was blazing. Naya moved quickly towards it to warm her frozen hands. Thorin came up behind her and helped her remove her cloak. Dis watched this all with curious eyes. Her brother had never been very solicitous of others.
"How is Amad?" Thorin was anxious to hear this news before starting any storytelling.
"She's still alive. There has not been much change since you left. She has her good and not so good days. She's sleeping right now, so tell me your tale or I will burst! Where are Fili and Kili?" She motioned for them to have seats. Dis noticed that when Valinaya sat on the couch, Thorin did not hesitate to sit close to her. Was she his concubine? That would be a first.
Thorin began his tale. Knowing how impatient she was, he started at the end and told her that Erebor was regained and he was now king. She clasped her hands in pleasure and demanded details. After assuring her that Fili and Kili were fine, he went back to the very beginning. When he got to the fight with Azog, her face darkened. She was well aware of the orc's promise to kill her family. "I would have died then if it hadn't been for Naya," he said quietly. "She saved my life, Dis, more than once. We were married several months ago." He reached over and kissed Naya's still cold cheek.
Dis broke out angrily in Khuzdul. "Thorin, no, please tell me you didn't marry this foreigner! Not now when there will certainly be willing dwarf-women!"
Thorin turned to her angrily. "I did and even if all the dwarves in Middle-earth wanted to marry me, I would have none of them. They did not want me when I had nothing, they will not have me when I have everything. And," he stressed, "I love Valinaya and will have no one else." He also used Khuzdul to protect Naya from what his sister said.
His efforts were in vain. She had never told anyone, but since she had healed all of those dwarves and especially Bifur, Naya could understand Khuzdul quite well. She doubted she could speak it without lessons, but she knew what Dis said. She kept her face calm and pretended ignorance.
Dis backed down from her brother's anger. "I'm sorry, Thorin. I will respect your decision." However, she was not at all happy about it. Vali whatever her name was would have to prove herself to her personally!
Thorin continued on with the story and Dis found herself admiring Naya at least a little bit for her part in saving Thorin from the dragon sickness and all of the soldiers during the battle. She listened raptly to the entire tale. "I can't believe it. After all this time, you finally did it. Erebor is ours again!" She sat back in her chair with a grin on her face.
"It is indeed. We came to make this visit so that we can be home again before many new settlers arrive on our doorstep. I will spend some time over the next few days letting people know that I am seeking skilled artisans to help rebuild Erebor and Dale. Do you think there will be much interest?" Dis had always been involved in all the comings and goings of the town and dwarf halls. If anyone could answer this question, she could.
"It's hard to tell. I am sure that folk will listen, but it is so far to go. And they would have to give up what they have here." Dis suddenly realized that this would be a decision she would have to make someday. "I will help as much as I can." She didn't say it, but she doubted his new wife would be an asset in this area. "There is a guild meeting this evening. Why don't you come and break the news there? Most of the craftsman will be in attendance. They will spread the word."
"That is excellent. We have two weeks before we have to leave. I will spend my time convincing them it is a good idea," Thorin said. "The promise of gold and fine jewels to work with will draw many, I think."
"You came all this way for only two weeks? And if all of this happened around Durin's Day, how can you even be here now? It's too far!"
He told her about Naya's friendship with the eagles and how they had offered to carry them so Thorin could see his mother one last time. "Speaking of Amad, can we see her now? I have waited long enough."
Dis rose. "Follow me. She was alright this morning, but you never know." She led the way down another hall to a small, window-lined room. Naya remembered that Thorin's mother loved the outdoors and thought she must enjoy this room. Seated in a chair by another cheerful fire was an elderly dwarf with a shawl around her shoulders, apparently gazing at nothing.
"Amad? It's Thorin. I've come home." Thorin knelt beside the chair and placed a hand on her arm.
The old dwarf's eyes turned at his touch and voice. "Thorin is that you?" Her voice was soft and hard to hear.
"Yes, it is. I want you to meet someone." He motioned for Naya to approach. "This is Valinaya, my wife."
Naya knelt down at her feet so that the old dwarf could see her better. "A wife? You got married, my boy? I'm so happy for you. I always thought you should have someone to love. You always seemed so lonely." She reached out her hand and touched Naya on the shoulder. It may have been her imagination, but Naya thought she heard the chirping of a bird.
Thorin's mother seemed to regain a bit of strength from the contact. Her head lifted higher and she peered more closely at Naya's face. "Hmm, not a dwarf, I see. My son always surprises me. You must be very special."
"She is, Amad, she is. She saved my life and," he hesitated, "helped me regain Grandfather's throne."
The new light faded from her eyes at these words. "Erebor. How I wish I had never heard that name." She turned to Naya. "Although when I first went there, I loved it dearly. Someday I will tell you."
"I would love to hear your stories," Naya said. She could definitely hear a bird somewhere in the room. There was more to Thorin's mother than met the eye.
They chatted for a few more minutes, but they could see that the old dwarf was growing tired. "We'll see you tomorrow, Amad. Have a good rest." Thorin kissed her tenderly on her cheek. She smiled up at him but didn't speak.
Dis had returned to the sitting room. When Naya and Thorin entered, she told them the meeting was in two hours, just enough time for them to eat something. "Nothing fancy, just plain dwarf food." She had no idea what this person was used to eating.
"That has served me well all these months, and it's not cram! Do you know Bombur? He has been our cook and is quite good at it," Naya assured her.
"Bombur? You've had to survive on his cooking. I am much better than he, I guarantee it!"
And she was. The meal was delicious. Not being cooked over an open fire gave it a big advantage, but even without that it was better than most anything they had had except for the victory feast. "This is delightful, Dis. You are better than Bombur by far," Naya worked a little flattery into the conversation.
Shortly after dinner, they walked over to the guild hall, closer to the center of town. As soon as they entered, Naya started becoming uncomfortable. It was a massive building, but the ceilings were lower than in Erebor or her father's house. Also, there was a big crowd milling about inside, both dwarves and men. Even though she was taller than many, she felt intimidated. Thorin kept a tight grip on her hand which helped.
It took only moments for Thorin to be recognized. This worsened Naya's discomfort because now everyone began crowding in closer. Thankfully, just as she thought she couldn't take it anymore, the meeting was called to order. The three of them took seats near the front. "Are you alright?" Thorin asked her worriedly. "You seem tense."
"There are so many people here, Thorin. I don't think I'm very good with crowds this close."
He could hear the tremor in her voice. "Take a deep breath. They have an agenda to work through, then I will update them on our successes and then we can leave. You'll be fine." Part of him doubted this, but he wasn't going to say it. "If you feel too bad go outside for some air."
She nodded and did her best to focus on the events on the dais. A dwarf with a magnificent white beard walked to the podium. "Welcome, fellow craftsmen and guild members. Tonight's schedule will be briefer than originally planned due to the unexpected return of Thorin Oakenshield." A murmur ran through the crowd. Not everyone knew Thorin was in the room. The dwarf continued on with the agenda and Naya's attention wandered.
The other dwarves in the room were all staring at her and Thorin. Some were whispering to each other and those further away were pointing in their direction. Her anxiety began to rise again. She wanted to grab Thorin and hug him, but knew that would make things worse. Right now, they did not know what to make of her presence, but hugging a dwarf would not look good!
Dis was sitting on her other side. "Don't let them bother you, Valinaya. Dwarves are as bad as old hens when there is something that interests them. They do this all the time. Once Thorin starts to speak, they will only have eyes for him." She felt a little sorry for the foreigner. Dwarves could be quite intense at times. Naya gave her a grateful smile and tried to relax.
Finally, the agenda was finished. The silver haired dwarf stood and called for attention. "I now present Thorin Oakenshield." Thorin rose to his fee to a round of applause and walked to the dais. Naya felt naked with him gone from her side.
"Friends, neighbors, fellow craftsmen, I will get straight to the point. After many years of exile and hardship, our stronghold of Erebor has been reclaimed. Smaug is dead!" The dwarves leaped to their feet and the room erupted into shouts of triumph. This was the last thing they had expected!
It took several minutes, but finally order was somewhat restored. During the tumult, many dwarves had rushed towards Thorin. Naya and Dis were forced to leave their chairs in the crush of people. They took refuge along one of the side walls. With all the activity in the room, the physical temperature rose. Naya could take it no longer. Turning to Dis she said, "I have to go outside for some air. Tell Thorin I'm sorry." Without waiting for Dis to answer, she bolted toward the door and disappeared. Dis stared after her but made no attempt to follow.
On stage, Thorin was living out a long time dream. He was in front of all his friends, neighbors and a few competitors and he was King of Erebor! So many times he had dreamed this dream. So many times he had faced disappointment. Now was his time. Now it was real. He gloried in the adulation and praise. He failed to notice Dis and Naya getting shoved aside.
Dis waited for Naya to return, but she didn't. After awhile, Dis walked outside the door into the cold of the night. No Naya. She rounded the nearest corner, but there was no one anywhere. She returned inside and waited for a bit of calm. It was more than an hour since Thorin had made his announcement and still the room was chaotic. This was the biggest event since the loss of Erebor! When another fifteen minutes had passed and Naya did not return, Dis pushed her way through the crowd to reach her brother.
Tugging on his sleeve, she finally got his attention. "What is it, Dis, can't you see I'm busy?" he grumbled at her. Silly females always interfering in his fun!
"Thorin, I'm worried about Naya. You know, your wife? (She said the last part in a quiet voice. No need to ruin his evening more than necessary.) She went outside a bit ago and I can't find her."
"Naya's gone?" It was like a glass of cold water in his face. "When?"
"About a half hour or so, maybe more. She said she needed air. I wouldn't worry, nobody would hurt her. Maybe she got lost; she doesn't know the town."
Thorin started to push his way through the crowd. "Dis, you stay and answer any questions. You know most of the details. Tell them I will come again tomorrow if they like." He continued to shove his way toward the door. "Talk to Dis, I have to go." He finally reached the door. Grabbing a torch, he ran out into the night.
Naya was nowhere to be found. He called her name, knowing there would be no answer. He ran back to Dis's house, but there were no lights in the windows. His heart in his throat, he headed to the edge of town. Following the path they had taken just hours earlier, he ran toward the forest, shouting her name. Almost at the edge, he tripped over something in the path. He bent and picked up the dress Naya had been wearing at the meeting. His worst fears were true. Naya had gone wild.