Chapter 54
I paced the room, and attempted to gather my thoughts. It was very unsettling, what had happened and it irritated me. The door opened several minutes later, and I turned to prepare to yell but Thane poked his head inside the door. His blue eyes shined nervously, knowing that I had been upset. I couldn't be angry with him, and a hum left my throat.
"Amad?" he asked softly.
"You can come in," I said gently, unable to turn him away.
He slipped through the door and came over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I hugged him gently, and sighed for a moment.
"I am fine," I assured him, as he leaned back.
"Are you sure?" he questioned.
"Yes," I nodded. "Let's go find your father."
"He's waiting with the others in the study," Thane nodded. "He said he wasn't about to come in here after your orders."
I chuckled at that. "Well at least he was being smart this time."
Thane giggled quietly, and took my hand so that he could lead me to where they were waiting. When I walked in, Thorin, Dwalin, Fili, Kili and Tauriel were there. Dis joined us shortly after only so that she could take Thane. I wanted to keep him with me, but I knew he didn't need to hear about all this just yet.
"You found something," Thorin rumbled.
"Aye," I nodded. "Thranduil was correct. The Nazgul did take over the fortress. They are attempting to rebuild it."
"What did you see?" Fili asked.
"I've never been in contact with them before, but Thranduil says that we can't kill them," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "He doesn't want to risk war right now, because of that. He'd rather build a strong defense against them if the time comes to fight them."
"What about your dragon form?" Kili looked at me.
"I..I've encountered some problems," I said uneasily.
"What?"
I looked at Thorin then, and as he stared at me I saw understanding bloom in his expression. He nodded his head quietly, and crossed his arms.
"You were having trouble before," he rumbled.
"A dragon no matter how it is made, is always pulled toward darkness. I find that I am no exception," I said quietly. "The Nazgul almost caught me in it, but I was able to fight it. If I am to use the dragon, it will be only if I I truly have to."
"Do you think they will move to attack soon?" Thorin asked seriously.
"They have not the numbers, nor the strength to come at us right now," I shook my head. "Our only challenge would be the Nazgul, and right now I think we will be safe. Let us keep an eye on the fortress, and let it be at that."
I knew they were displeased with the answer, but that was the best I could give them. I couldn't go in and kill the Nazgul, I wasn't powerful enough. Whatever could kill them was a mystery to me. I sighed quietly, and rubbed a hand down the side of my cheek. Fili and Kili left the room after being dismissed by Thorin, and after a moment it was just the two of us there.
"Are you truly confident that they will not attack?" he asked, his voice low.
"If they did, we would do what we'd have to," I replied. "But like I said, they do not have the forces. Fighting Nazgul is the same as fighting a dragon with a sword. It is futile to fight them without knowing if they can be killed."
Thorin ran a hand over his face for a second, and I watched as the worry and anger appeared in his expression. He looked older than his years for that moment and I reached out and took his hand gently.
"Sometimes I wonder if it is truly worth being King," he muttered. "But then again I would not let this fall on Fili's shoulders. Or Thane's."
"We will stand united against Sauron if he decides to strike. Dale and Erebor have a strong army, and Esgaroth is doing well. We will prevail, you will see," I said gently.
"You sound so sure," Thorin chuckled.
"I am not," I smiled. "But it is what I am good at. I will not stand by and do nothing. If I must be the shifter I once was, then I will be. If we have to take Thane somewhere safe, then we will. But I do not think we will be fighting just yet."
Thorin nodded his head quietly, and reached out to lay his hand on the back of my neck. I let him draw me forward and our foreheads touched for a moment. I sighed and then lifted my head to press my lips to his. He returned the kiss, letting our lips glide together for a moment. A hum rumbled in his chest when he pulled back, and I gave him a soft look.
"We'll get through whatever is thrown at us," I nodded. "Sauron is not yet powerful enough to strike. That's why I was wanted in chains. A shifter is just as deadly as a dragon, especially if they are powerful enough. If there was a chance of an attack, I'd hope I'd be warned."
"In any case, I think it'd be wise to send out a raven, to those we call ally," Thorin rumbled. "Let them know, and if assistance is needed, we may yet be of help."
Nodding my head, I walked out of the room with him and let him go and do what he needed to do. I went to find Thane again, and sighed quietly as I thought things over. Hopefully, war wouldn't come to our land for many years.
THORIN'S POV
He found that after the meeting with Arina that he was unable to focus. It worried him immensely that she was having trouble with her dragon form. The last thing he wanted, was for Sauron to get his hands on her. If the Nazgul somehow found a way to get to her in dragon form, he knew they'd be done for. He sent out word to the others, and soon found himself in the library. He wanted to know more about the Dark Lord. Thorin always prided himself with being well educated, but during the time of peace it was like no one wanted to speak of it.
Thorin sighed, and sat down with a few books on Mordor, and anything else he could find on Sauron. He read about how the rings had all been forged, and about the elves when they became aware of what Sauron had been up to. He also read about the rings given to the dwarves. It blew his mind, and finally made sense to him. Thror's madness was from the ring he had been given. It had never gone away; the greed, and the need for gold. Thrain had never had the chance to go crazy, having been taken from them so suddenly.
He had never received the ring from his father, so instead he had just been cursed with the gold sickness. That had come solely from the dragon, and his desperation had made him weak. It was almost a comfort to know that he would never fall into that type of madness. As he read, he began to understand the elves a little better. He read about the battle where Sauron had lost his ring to a man, and the corruption that followed after.
Arina probably knew as much as any elf, having had access to Lord Elrond's library for so many years. He had been a fool not to take advantage of reading. Amusement flooded him then. He wasn't even supposed to be alive, but from the grace of the Valar, Arina had been able to save them. Sauron's rising was going to happen no matter what. As long as the Ring existed, then the Dark Lord would search for it.
ARINA'S POV
Over the course of several months, we kept our eye on Dol Goldur and the ones that occupied it. Orcs had moved across the land, but it had been nothing like the Battle of the Five Armies. Their numbers were low, and any who ventured too close to the Greenwood were killed. Thranduil had kept in contact with us over that time, and we had even received word that Balin had successfully taken Moria.
I tried not to speak of it, but Thorin had assured me that all was well with Balin. Moria had not been terribly over run, and the numbers he had taken into the old dwarf kingdom had been enough to take it back. Part of me still twisted in anxiety at the thought of that place, but I only assumed it was because of the memories that were there. We had lost so many dear to us.
I had spent many days in Dale, helping Bard with things and also taking my leave of the mountain. I needed fresh air every now and again. Sometimes the mountain would choke me, and I'd have to escape. I had to remind myself that Bard was human, and we didn't have as much time with him. He was already getting up there in age, but he was healthy. His son would be a good King when the time came.
Wrapping up in a blanket, I stepped out onto the balcony after I saw Thane to bed. The cool crisp air cleared my head. For a moment, I found myself missing those who had been lost to us. Sighing softy, I watched Dale for a moment and used my good eye sight to see the guards keeping watch. It was amazing how much time had gone on. I couldn't even recognize this place. Feathers fluttered, so I watched the raven come into sight and land quietly.
"How fairs Rohan?" I asked softly.
"Well. The Orcs are moving closer toward here, so for now the land is safe," he said, clicking his beak together.
"Good," I nodded, reaching out to stroke his feathers. "You've done so well, Chief. Thank you."
"Of course, My Lady," he chirped, puffing his chest out.
Watching him fly off, I turned my head when I heard footsteps. Thorin set his crown on its shelf and sighed to himself. He looked more exhausted than usual, and I hummed. Turning, I walked inside and shut the doors firmly. He looked up at my entrance, and he gave a gentle smile.
"Meetings?" I asked, teasing.
"As always," he hummed. "Why is my wife not warming my side of the bed?"
I laughed, and kissed him. "Because I didn't want to."
Thorin chuckled gently, and wrapped his arms around me. "Well then, let's go to bed. I'm sure there is much more to do tomorrow."
Stick with me, I am going to have to be jumping a good chunk of years to get to where i am going. There was a time of peace while they waited for the Orcs to rise again. I have a vague idea as to what I'm going to do, I'm just waiting for it to take shape haha.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
