Big thanks to DracoSly, SaMiLuCaS1954, WhatisDoneLEtItbe, jaejoong1 for following/favouriting.
Marina Oakenshield – Sorry for dragging it out so much. But this chapter will hopefully be nicer.
Bunny's daughter – Don't worry, this chapter has a good ending for you all.
Eruwaedhiel95 – Aww I'm sorry…but happier times are to come.
Celebrisilweth – Poor Kili. But don't forget there WILL be a happy ending I swear!
xRjctedPrincessx – I'm so sorry.
SaMiLuCaS1954 – Glad you're enjoying it!
DracoSly – Aww thanks! Nice to know it's still attracting people's attention. And with the exception of Bofur we seem to love the same characters! So happy you like both the story and Arianna's character!
A Last Chance
Kili blinked back his tears.
"Gandalf…you have to help her!"
Gandalf bowed his head whilst the rest of the company were muttering angrily to each other. Bilbo was the only one who seemed able to keep calm.
"What will this stasis do to her?"
"It will freeze her body. Her power will be halted in its tracks but so will everything else. It will appear to you as though she is dead."
A few of the dwarves faces brightened at the news Arianna had a chance. However Gandalf's eyes were already misting up again.
"But even this will take its toll on her body. Her injuries won't be able to heal and there is only so long she will last without nourishment."
"How long?" Kili's eyes never left Arianna's face. Gandalf gave a small sigh.
"The state she's in…a couple of weeks at most."
Kili couldn't hold it in anymore. He could feel Fili's arms around him as tears fell from his eyes. As more sobs came Kili tried desperately to breathe normally. He could already feel his chest tightening with each effort and his hands shook as he held Arianna's tenderly against his chest. He was aware of his mouth opening and closing like a fishes but Kili couldn't make any words come out. Instead he buried his face into Fili's chest and allowed his brother to rub his back gently.
"What…what happens if ye can't find a way to save her?"
Bofur pulled his hat off his head and began pulling at it nervously. All of the dwarves were staring up at Gandalf desperately and the wizard shook his head.
"Then her power will drain every last essence of life from her body."
Kili's whole body shook at this news and even Gandalf's calming hand on his back did nothing to relieve him.
"I'm sorry." Gandalf sighed. "I should have been with you. It is me who must be blamed for Arianna's fate."
Thorin bowed his head. "I am not entirely blameless Gandalf. Had I killed Azog when I had the chance none of this would have happened."
Pulling away from his brother Kili wiped the tears and snot from his face. Licking his lips he looked over at Gandalf.
"Will it hurt her?"
With a kind smile Gandalf shook his head. "No Kili. She won't feel a thing."
Swallowing the last of his tears Kili gave a small nod.
"Do it."
Gandalf pursed his lips before shutting his eyes and placing a hand on Arianna's forehead. Kili allowed Fili to hold him tight as the wizard began muttering under his breath. The dwarves watched as Arianna's skin paled and the rise and fall of her chest slowed until it barely moved. Licking his lips Gandalf stepped back.
"Is that it?" Thorin eyed the wizard who nodded. Not looking at any of the others Kili gently stroked her cheek. He flinched at the sudden coldness of her skin and as he saw her greying lips he could feel more tears coming on.
"Can I move her? I want her somewhere more peaceful."
"Of course lad," Oin nodded as he wiped his own eyes. Everyone stepped back as Kili slid off the bed before turning and pulling Arianna into his arms. As he did so the wound in his arm burned and he slid her back onto the bed with a grimace.
"Kili!"
Shaking his head Kili gritted his teeth. His arm had been aching ever since he'd carried Arianna back to Erebor. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Dwalin move to take Arianna.
"No!" Pushing Fili away Kili pulled his One towards him. Dwalin sighed.
"Kili…ye can't carry her in this state."
"I can and I will." Ignoring the burning pain in his arm Kili scooped Arianna into his arms and held her close. Tightening his grip on her clothes he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"I'll never let you go my love."
The dwarves all followed Kili as he carried Arianna to the room next to his. Gloin hurried to get the fire going whilst Kili and Fili wrapped as many blankets around her body as possible. Kili couldn't help but be reminded of the company's time in Rivendell. How Arianna had been dying in his arms. How each and every dwarf had sworn to hunt down the person who had done this to her.
Kissing her hand Kili went to kick his boots off and get into bed with her when Fili pulled him back. Opening his mouth Kili stared at the tear stained faces that looked back at him.
"Get some sleep Kili." Fili hugged him close whilst Kili shook his head.
"I won't leave her…not for a second."
"Kili…"Thorin placed a hand on his shoulder. "There's nothing you can do. Nothing any of us can do for her. You'll make yourself ill if you carry on like this."
"Good!" Kili flinched at Thorin's voice. "It should be me lying in her place. She shouldn't be in this mess! Not after everything she's been through for us, everything Jared did to her…"
He trailed off; aware that everyone's faces were trained on him. Shutting his eyes Kili braced himself for what would come.
"What do ye mean lad?" Bofur took another look at Arianna and Kili bit his lip. He couldn't tell them. It was Arianna's story to tell, not his. Besides; Kili wasn't sure he would be able to force himself through it. However the dwarves seemed to sense something had happened to their lass and Kili could feel them crowding round him.
"What did he do to her Kili?" Thorin's voice was low and as he saw the tears in his uncle's eyes Kili sighed.
"Promise me you never tell her you know. Promise!"
At this the others all nodded their heads furiously. Taking Arianna's hand in his Kili sighed.
"Before escaping from Jared, Arianna tried to run away a first time. Only she was caught and dragged back. Jared…he had her beaten until she was on the brink of unconsciousness."
Kili had been expecting to wave of muttered curses and threats. Dwalin's eyes couldn't have been darker if he tried and Fili was gripped Kili's shoulder hard enough to bruise his skin. Kili wished he didn't have to carry on the story. That it had ended there and Jared hadn't defiled Arianna the way he had. Looking over at her still form he forced his voice to work.
"He only stopped because he wanted her to be awake for what he was going to do. She was so defenceless! She couldn't do anything to stop him!"
"Kili?" Fili fixed him with tear filled eyes. "Kili he didn't..?"
As Kili nodded Fili's eyes widened. The other dwarves all looked at each other in horror.
"He raped her?" Bofur licked his lips nervously. Nodding his head Kili said nothing as tears fell down his cheeks. Thorin lowered his head before looking over at Arianna.
"I never thought I'd hear of someone worse than Azog." His voice cracked and before Kili realised it he had taken Thorin's hand. Smiling gently at him Kili wasn't aware of Fili pushing him towards the door until he was halfway across the room. Struggling against his brothers grip Kili strained his head to look back at Arianna.
"Please! Please don't make me leave her!" Kili cried out as the wound in his chest began to burn. Thorin's arms gripped him before he fell to the floor. Shushing him gently Thorin pulled Kili to his feet.
"Listen to me Kili. Get some sleep and allow your wounds to heal. Arianna will be right here waiting for you."
Kili shook his head when Fili bent close to his ear.
"Kee…I think the others want some time alone with her. At least give them that."
With wide eyes Kili stared at the figures that were now gathered around Arianna's bedside. As Bofur sat down on the bed beside her he gave a small nod.
"If Gandalf…if anything happens…"
Fili kissed his hair. "You'll be the first to know Kee. I promise."
Lowering his head Kili said nothing as he was led from the room. As the door swung shut the rest of the company all stared at the still form of Arianna. None of them seemed like they knew what to say. Bofur looked around at the others.
"Should we take it in turns?"
The others didn't even nod. Instead they began moving towards the door whilst only Bifur and Bombur stayed behind. Although he kept his head down Dwalin couldn't stop his shoulders shaking from the effort of keeping his tears in. Kissing Arianna on the forehead Bofur wasn't surprised when he opened his mouth only to burst into more tears.
"Oh Arianna."
He shook his head whilst Bombur gave him a warm hug. Bifur looked over at the others before talking softly to her in khuzdul. He and the others knew she wouldn't understand a word he was saying; yet Bofur and Bombur had never seen their kin more talkative. It was as though Bifur was telling Arianna everything he had wanted to say on the quest but never did. When he thanked her for saving Ori's life in Goblin Town tears fell down his face. Bofur wiped his own eyes before licking his lips.
"Ye were the bravest of us all Arianna. If I'd been through what you suffered I'd be dead by now. I'm sorry ye lost yer family…but maybe ye'll see us as a possible alternative?"
Ori couldn't stop crying. Dori held his brother gently whilst his eyes never left Arianna.
"I know I already said it…but thank you for what you did in Goblin town. You shouldn't have gone through that much pain for us. He's our brother and we should have protected him."
Nori sighed. "Arianna I…I need to tell you something. In Goblin Town…I took your necklace. I saw it and slipped it into my pocket. I never intended to give it back to you. But then I saw your cry. I don't think I've ever seen a sight more heart wrenching than that. I should have said earlier but I was afraid you wouldn't forgive me."
He took her hand. "I know I don't deserve it lass…but I'm so sorry I did that to you. I hope one day you can forgive me."
Ori just cried.
Dwalin didn't know what to say. He'd asked to go in after his brother; knowing full well he wanted to be alone. He'd stopped wiping his tears away long ago and as he stared at the assassin he allowed them to fall. As silently as he could he walked towards the bed and stroked her hair from her face.
"I'm so sorry ye ended up here lass. Ye should have had a better life, with ye family. Ye mum and dad looking after ye and keeping ye safe. If I could bring them back I would…we all would."
Dwalin gripped his hands tightly. "I'm sorry I was so hard on ye at first. I honestly believed ye were little more than a stuck up assassin who didn't know her place. I've never been more wrong. Ye risked ye life for us so many times when ye barely knew us. And we'll be thanking ye every day for that."
Thorin and Fili didn't know what to say. They had left Kili asleep under the strict guard of Dwalin and Gloin. Fili gripped his uncle's hands tightly but he knew what was going round Thorin's head.
"This wasn't your fault uncle. You couldn't have stopped her from doing what she did."
Thorin bowed his head.
"You saved my life." His voice was so low Fili had to strain to hear it. Moving away from his heir Thorin knelt by Arianna's bed and took her hand.
"After everything I did to you…you probably didn't intend to save me in the process. No, it was Kili you were trying to save wasn't it?"
As tears leaked from his eyes Thorin bowed his head.
"You did save him Arianna. He's alive and waiting for you to wake up. We all are. You can't leave him. Not after what you two have suffered."
Kissing her warmly on the cheek Thorin got to his feet and looked over at Fili who took a deep breath and lowered his gaze.
"You've made Kili so happy Arianna. I won't lie he could be a nuisance at times. Many of us believed him too immature to go on this quest. But meeting you changed him in so many ways. He's given you his soul. If there's anyone you need to fight for right now it's him. This will kill him Arianna…please fight this. For all of us."
Fili's lip trembled as he stepped back into Thorin's arms. Rubbing his nephews back soothingly a thought stuck Thorin.
"Her necklace…what happened to it?"
Fili's eyes widened and he shoved his hands in his pockets. With trembling hands he pulled out the broken chain and shattered pieces. Wordlessly Thorin took them and closed his fist around them.
He would repay the debt he owed her.
As the days passed on Arianna's condition remained the same. Gandalf was trying everything he could think of, but the dwarves could see the fading hope in his eyes. None of them told this to Kili. He spent every possible moment by Arianna's side. Holding her and talking to her. He'd even had a makeshift bed brought in so he could sleep near her at night. Time and time Fili had tried to get him to leave the room and walk around Erebor. But each time Kili had put his foot down and said no.
He didn't dare leave her for a single second.
In truth Fili was surprised his little brother hadn't broken half the things in his room in a fit of anger. His only thought was that Kili didn't want to do anything that had even the slightest chance of harming Arianna.
Apart from Kili, the dwarves were also worried about Thorin. He had somehow locked him in one of the forges, yelling at anyone who tried to enter. None of the company knew what he was doing in there and more often than not they heard loud curses in both Khuzdul and the common tongue. Whatever Thorin had done to Arianna when under the gold sickness it was clear to everyone he was taking her condition harder than the others.
Even Legolas and Tauriel were hit hard. Both elves had waited until the last elven soldier had been well enough to return to Thranduil. Although the dwarves felt uncomfortable in their presence they didn't want the pair to leave just yet. It had been those two who had returned Arianna to them after Mirkwood and each company member felt indebted to Legolas and Tauriel.
Of course the dwarves also knew the other reason the pair were staying. Legolas's fear over how his father would take to the news of their courtship was clear for all to see. It was far easier to stay hidden in Erebor where they could wait until Thranduil had calmed down as well as watch over Lord Elrond's adopted daughter.
But as a week went by with no sign of saving Arianna the dwarves couldn't help but start to lose hope.
Kili didn't bother raising a hand to wipe away his tears. They blurred his vision so he didn't have to look at the emancipated figure lying on the bed beside him. As the days had gone on he'd been forced to watch Arianna waste away. Her vibrant hair now hung limply by her face and he could see the grey tinge around her lips and under her eyes. He knew she had only days left. The others hadn't told him but he could tell from their silence Gandalf hadn't gotten any closer to finding a way to save her. Taking Arianna's skeletal hand in his Kili kissed it firmly before placing it against his chest.
"I'm right here Arianna. Right beside you, the way it should always be."
Burying his head against the pillow Kili took a deep breath, "Please wake up? You've fought off everything else! Why can you not fight this?"
He was trying to hard not to get angry. He knew it was no one's fault. Not His, not Thorins and certainly not Arianna's. But it was so hard. Kili knew who the blame truly landed with. His fingers gently traced the wound in her side where Bolg's arrow had gone in. Even through her nightgown he could feel it. Under stasis none of her wounds were healing and Kili knew it was that which was killing her. Laying one arm over her body he gently rested his head against her shoulder.
"There's nothing else I can say to you Arianna. No words can describe what you are to me."
Shutting his eyes Kili squeezed her lifeless hand. He could feel her ribs bones pushing against his arm and the thought made him shudder. He had never known her this thin. Even when they first met she hadn't been this bad. Kili knew he wasn't in a better state. The others had succeeded in getting him to eat, but anything more than a small meal a day and Kili refused. He knew it was stupid. Punishing himself for Arianna's condition wouldn't make her better. But he knew he wouldn't be able to live without her. Before all of this Kili couldn't even imagine a time without Arianna.
But each day he knew that time was getting closer.
"Arianna? I've never asked anything of you before and I hoped never to do it. But…just one thing. Don't. Leave. Me. Please don't leave me. Whatever is going on in your body just…fight it! Fight it and come back to me."
Shaking his head Kili gripped Arianna's body hard as tears fell from his face and stained her nightgown. She was so small it was like he was hugging himself. Curling up beside her Kili wished more than ever he had never gone on this quest. That he had never met Arianna. Right now Kili would rather be without a One than face the prospect of losing her forever.
"Wha..?" Kili looked up as a soft blue light filled the room. Holding Arianna close against him he blinked several times in the hope he was just imagining the sight. As a tall, willowy figure began walking towards him Kili did his best to keep himself between the figure and Arianna.
"Do not be afraid young Kili."
Kili's mouth dropped at the elf. Her blonde hair trailed down her back whilst her blue eyes bore into his skin. Even though the blue light had faded he could still see a faint glow around the elf. She gave him a soft smile before walking round to the other side of the bed.
"Who are you?" Kili didn't need an answer to that question. Even he had heard the stories. The elf smiled warmly before reaching out a hand to Arianna. Out of pure instinct Kili snarled and pulled Arianna away. The elf flashed him a glance and Kili found himself relaxing.
"I am Galadriel." She placed a hand on Arianna's forehead.
"What do you want?" Kili couldn't tear his eyes from her. She was one of the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen. No doubt Thorin would throw a fit if he knew an elf had suddenly appeared in the walls of Erebor.
Assuming Thorin snapped out of his grief Kili thought. Galadriel stroked Arianna's face.
"She has not long for this world. Her power is too great."
"Can you save her?" For the first time in days Kili could feel the hope building up inside him. Nodding softly Galadriel looked over at him.
"I can remove the stasis and absorb her power."
At this Galadriel shot Kili a warning look. "She will never again be able to wield her magic. Once it's gone it can never be returned to her."
None of that registered in Kili's mind.
"But it'll save her? She'll wake up?"
At the sight of that dazzling smile Kili kissed Arianna's hand and nodded firmly.
"Do it. Whatever it takes to save her you will do."
He looked down at his beloved. "She never wanted her magic anyway."
As Galadriel placed a hand over Arianna's forehead Kili could feel a wind start to pick up. Shutting her eyes Galadriel began chanting and as the wind got worse Kili had to grab hold of Arianna's still form. Her skin was still pale but now Kili could see the rise and fall of her chest more clearly. He opened his mouth when a bright white light began to engulf Arianna. Holding her tightly Kili could still feel that reassuring presence next to him. But all he could see was the figure of Galadriel as the white light flew from Arianna's body and into hers. With a gasp Galadriel broke off her chant and staggered backwards.
"Such a power." She muttered. "For one so young."
Kili wasn't listening. He gazed frantically at Arianna's face in the hope he would get to see those blue eyes once again.
"She's not…has it worked?"
Stroking her face Kili could feel the heat radiate from her skin. But her lips were still grey and her face covered in a sheen of sweat.
"It's not worked!" Kneeling over Arianna he grabbed her shoulders.
"It hasn't worked!" Angrily he spun round to find Galadriel grinning at him.
"Do not fear Kili. She is perfectly safe. She needs time to heal from her wounds; for even I cannot heal those."
"But she'll be alright? She'll wake up?" Kili licked his lips as he stared at Arianna. When Galadriel didn't answer he turned round only to find the room empty of any life.
"I…" He trailed off with his mouth open. Biting his lip Kili shook his head before lying back down next to Arianna. Her skin no longer felt like ice and he could feel her wounds starting to heal through his bond. Kissing her cheek Kili gently shut his eyes.
"I'll be right here miz sanazyung."
Translation
Miz sanazyung – My Perfect love
OH MY GOD THE FEELS! My heart is going out to every single one of those dwarves right now! But hey, who better to save the day than Galadriel? And at least now we have a slightly happier ending so there's is that! Let me know what you all think xx
