By: Kaitlin - iWolfAngel Editor: William F. Chapter 6 White Light

Angel's heart stopped, her eyes looking down at the red surface of the waterfall. She dared not to look up, afraid of what she would soon see, though she knew it had to be done. Slowly, her eyes shifted upwards as she stood, following the trail to the source. Ahead, she saw the corpse of Azog, laying on his back, with Orcrist buried deep in his chest. "Thorin won!" Angel gasped as a glimmer of hope sparkled in her eyes. Standing straight, she examined the area, before reaching the souls of Fili and Kili, standing over their uncle in sadness, while Bilbo held him close. Her heart sank as it shattered, her arms slumped as she stepped closer. Angel felt defeated, lost, alone, betrayed. As she reached him, she noticed that he and the brave hobbit conversed still, though the king was fading. Angel looked to the sky, and with her intent, the clouds parted, though the sun dimmed. Within the exposed space the moon was soon revealed. Angel took in a deep breath, then looked to Thorin as she exhaled. A beam of light came floating down onto the king, his eyes brightened. Fili and Kili both looked to her.

"What are you doing?" Fili asked softly.

"Giving him a few more seconds to be with his friend..." Her voice cracked with sorrow, but within the light of the moon, the kings eyes brightened as he continued to talk. Through his pain, the king smiled at the hobbit, whom cried and begged him to stay, but fate had it's way, and beneath her moonlight, he passed. His soul gasped as it separated from his body, the ground began to tremble. Thorin sat up, out of his vessel while his kin crowded him, Angel turned her head to face down the river. The rumbling of the earth was caused by an army of orcs that rushed their way. The king caught sight of them also, but he didn't need to say a word. Angel was filled with rage, the dwarf king who had stood by her was taken, and soon she could never see him again. She felt betrayed, her steps were light as she walked toward the slew of orcs as they trampled the ground, the land went even darker, only the moon providing a dim glow. Her body shook as she stepped out of the fade. 'How could they do this?' She thought in rage. Her body lost it's color, turning a brilliant white as she strode forward. 'I did all they asked,' Angel growled under her breath as her eyes went void of color, but instead of white, they darkened to an overwhelming black. 'And still they torture me,' the gold in her hair faded to a silver flame, taking only a few more steps before halting. "You are not taking Bilbo from me too!" She snarled, her wings illuminating the area around her as they spread wide. Angel extended her arm and the moon behind her seemed to shine ever brighter. The army was approaching quickly, she felt the eyes of the souls and the hobbit resting on her back, but that did not stay her fury. From the moon a great beam of blinding light fell upon the enemies before her, it consumed their body's as it shot through them. Within seconds the light dissipated back into the sky, leaving nothing but the ash of foul orcs that once were. The ice lay untouched, though darkened with soot, the rampaging army was destroyed. Angel turned to face her companions, she still resembled moonlight as she looked over their shocked faces. The clouds recovered the sky as the night fell back down below the curtain, the sun returning to it's original place. As the darkness lifted, white and black petals began to fly off her in the soft breeze, carrying her to the veil while lifting the white moonlight from her hair, eyes and skin. Angel's rage subdued as her eyes met Thorin's. He had a slight grin as he looked her up and down, her wings folded behind her nervously, though their immense size could not be hidden. He began walking toward her, as did she in a shy manner, her eyes slightly tearing. As they reached each other Angel dropped to her knees while Thorin threw his arms around her, she buried her face in his chest as she gripped the back of his shirt.

"Shh, my lady. Do not cry for us, we are free." He whispered into her hair before kissing her head softly. Angel bit her lip, holding back her sobs as Thorin helped her to her feet. She stood straight and nodded to him as he stepped back, Fili and Kili stood behind him. Thorin folded his hands in front of him, looking at her with pride.

"Sons of Durin," she began with a shaking voice. "Your lives have been stolen from you much too early, and now you linger in the veil between the living and the dead." They all smiled as her voice became stronger again. A smile grew on Angel's face. "Though no longer do you have to. I have been sent from the Man of All to guide home your gentle hearts, into a glorious land, filled with enchantment, and love. There you may find the kin you have lost, and friends whom you have never forgotten. There you may rest in a paradise of complete serenity, no more hurt, or torment. You will be safe, and happy there." Angel explained, smiling as the dwarves cheered. "Shall we begin our last journey?" She chuckled.

"Yes but, how are we going to get to this land you speak of?" Fili asked with a single brow lifted. Angel looked from one side to another, and as her gaze fell over the land, small Sprites appeared from every crack and crevice. They began surrounding them, to the amazement of the dwarves. Angel giggled, then tapped her feet on the icy ground. The frozen water began to turn white under their feet, spreading through the land as shy sprites began to spin around them. Angel stepped closer, bending on one knee, opening her arms. "Come here, my friends, I'll take you home, to the White Lands." Angel's voice was hushed. The dwarves looked to each other, shrugging as they embraced her. Angel's wings stretched out and encased them all in a ball of feathers. Light could be seen through them, and a vortex sounded outside of the sphere. Her wings opened, revealing them to a choir of angels that stood around them. To their side, enormous golden gates rested shut, and beyond them were other souls, singing and laughing, dancing and resting in a wonderful place that seemed to pull them in. The dwarves looked around as Angel stood, they sauntered towards the gates as the angels around them watched with glee.

"So this, is life after death?" Thorin asked, looking towards Angel. She nodded, sadness began to fill her again as he smiled, turning back to look through the gates. She knew it was selfish to want to keep him with her, but she couldn't help it. The group of angels opened the gates as off they were lighter than air, offering them a tour of the land, which they agreed to immediately. Angel stood back, as the others crowded the dwarves, but before they left, they stopped, turning to wave at her one final time. Her eyes filled with tears once again, but she forced herself to smile and wave back, trembling in the weightlessness of the land. A hiss caught her attention, she looked to her side to see Sraet and the Dust standing side by side, awaiting her company, and they did not look happy.