A.N. Sorry it's taking me so long to update! As I've said before, in the middle of performance season, and I've been working on a couple of other projects. Not to mention dealing with two toddlers. Lol. I'll keep trying though! Thanks for all your patience!
ChelseaSW6: It seriously be so frustrating to deal with that. Lol. But thanks for understanding the warrior culture side of things!
carolina tarinescobar: Muchas gracias!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my original characters and plot points.
Danica had taken in every bit of land they crossed with enthusiasm. The weather remained fair most of the way, allowing everyone a little relief despite the severity of their mission. It also gave them the ability to move with haste. The longer it took them to reach the trapped dwarves, the less likely they would find any. A fact that weighed heavily on Fili and Kili. They were serious and focused most of the time, only lightening up when they felt the morale of their soldiers dipping, or when they looked back and saw Danica beaming at the landscape.
"It's so different when you see it with your own eyes," she said when Kili made a comment about her observations. What she didn't say was how different it was to be seeing the world as a free person.
"One day, maybe you can go beyond the Misty Mountains, or as far south as Gondor," Fili commented. "There are times when Thorin has to travel to meet with other rulers and dignitaries. You could accompany him, and see more of the world,"
She smiled, but the happiness was short-lived as she heard some grumbles from the soldiers behind her. There were still plenty who were more than a little skeptical about her relationship with their king. Trying to let it all roll off, she kept her head up, so they wouldn't think their sniggers got to her. If she was going to marry Thorin, and live by his side, she would have to get a thicker skin. Looking up, she saw an approving glance from Fili. He knew how hard she had been working to find a place in their society.
It had begun to rain when they reached the foothills of the mountains. They made camp when it started getting dark, not wanting to take the treacherous mountain paths at night. Everyone was anxious, wanting to get their people to safety, if there were any left. Danica stayed near Oin, going through all of their supplies to make sure nothing was missing. He was also quizzing her on how to take care of the numerous wounds they may encounter. Danica looked at the bandages, salves, and tools, and felt a sadness clutch at her heart.
"What if they didn't survive?" she asked, softly enough so only Oin would hear.
Oin looked up at the mountains, then back at her. "Our people have faced worse odds and survived. Di̒s is also a strong, capable leader who will do whatever she can to protect those under her care,"
Danica had a brief moment of feeling intimated, before pushing it aside. "If she is anything like her brother, I do not doubt it,"
"There are times I am more afraid of her than I ever would be of Thorin," Fili said with a smile. He took a seat beside her, with Kili sitting on her other side. "She's the fiercest woman I've ever met,"
"Don't worry though," Kili encouraged with a wink. "She will be so relieved that Thorin found someone, that your race will be of little consequence,"
The brothers gave a laugh with enough mischief in it to redden Danica's cheeks. Oin shook his head, but smiled as well.
"Ignore them, Lass," the older dwarf advised. "They are just jealous, for they have no better affection than their own hands,"
Nearly all the dwarves laughed at that, and though Danica smiled, she felt trapped by testosterone. Fierce or not, Di̒s would at least be another female, plus whomever else may have been with her. Perhaps she could even make a true female friend. It would be nice to talk with someone who actually understood the way her mind and body worked.
"Now, when we all head up there, you two will be toward the back of the group, with some soldiers to guard your backs," Fili had broken up the laughter to go over plans for the next day, and turned his attention on his healers. "We will need you to be ready to patch up as many as possible who can walk down the mountain. There will be ponies waiting for those who cannot,"
Oin nodded, and began packing up the supplies. Danica watched, chewing on her lip.
"Fili? How bad do you think it will be?" she asked.
He sighed, sharing a look with Kili. "There is no knowing for sure, but it will not be easy. Many had already died by the time we received their raven, and they will be short on food and water. The killing of them has become a game for the goblins. All we can hope for is that the game has become boring,"
From what she knew about orcs and goblins, that was unlikely. With all of that in mind, they tried to get some sleep. Danica lay with her eyes wide open, staring at the cloudy sky. She had missed Thorin since the moment they left, but now it was even worse. Danger lurked beyond the dawn, and she was beginning to wonder why she left in the first place. All she wanted was to be safe in his arms. Somehow, she managed to fall asleep, remembering all the times he had kissed her.
She dreamed of Erebor. At least, she thought it was a dream. The maia had taken her Sight, but this felt so much like one. In front of her was the door to Thorin's chambers. It was dark out, which meant he would likely be in there, either attending to paperwork, or already in bed. As if she had commanded it, the door opened to reveal Thorin, sitting at his desk, bent over some papers. His brow was pulled in concentration, and she could see the tension in his neck. Oh, how she wanted to kiss and massage it away. She took a step forward.
'You cannot,' a voice said. Danica recognized it as the maia. 'He will be able to see and hear you, but you are not physically here,'
'Why did you bring me here?' Danica thought. 'This is not something I could have done on my own, even when I had my Sight,'
'Your heart is aching. So is his. Tomorrow will be a test for you, and what comes after will a test for him,'
Fear filled Danica. 'Were we ever meant to be together?'
'That is part of the test,'
'Whose?'
The maia did not answer, but Danica thought she knew. Trying to hide the fear and despair, she walked closer.
"Thorin," her voice was soft, but it had him whipping his head around. His face showed shock first, then brightened with delight.
"Dani," the quill dropped from his hand just before he stood and moved toward her. She put a hand up, and stepped back before he could fall through her.
"My physical form is not really here," she said sadly. "The maia who helped us in Rhûn brought me here to see you,"
Shoulders falling ever-so-slightly, he reached out to tough her hand, but it passed through with less resistance than waving through smoke. He sighed, then looked into her eyes.
"I miss you," he said. "Every day, it is a constant ache in my chest,"
His words warmed her, even though they were sad. "I miss you too. It was my last thought before I fell asleep,"
"Have you reached the mountains?"
She nodded. "We will be going up to the caves first thing in the morning,"
Concern flickered in Thorin's eyes. "That's why the maia sent you, isn't it? Tomorrow isn't going to go well,"
"I don't know,"
"Why else would she bring us together like this?"
Everything Danica had been trying to hide escaped, but she kept herself as much under control as possible. "She did say this would be a test for both of us,"
He shook his head, crossing his arms. "Will our lives ever be ours? Not the playthings of someone else?"
She wanted to reach out and comfort him, but there was no use. All she could do was be a pillar of hope and strength.
"No matter what happens, I promise that I will return to you. Everything that has happened couldn't be for nothing," she waited for him to look into her eyes before smiling. "Besides, we still have to get married,"
Finally, his lips lifted again, and his gaze went to the marriage braid. "That we do," he moved closer to her. "Be safe. I do not want to live any more of this life without you,"
"I love you," her voice was thick with emotion, and a lump rose into her throat.
"I love you, Dani,"
His smile faltered slightly when her vision began to darken, so she knew she was fading. However, she tried to hold on to the hope that had been in his eyes. Just before she woke up, she heard the voice of the Maia again.
'Be strong, and have faith,'
She woke with the dawn lighting the sky in pink and orange. There was a small break in the clouds, be she could see a storm darkening the horizon. The dwarf who had been on watch saw her, and gave her a small nod before waking everyone else. Fear clenched her heart as they broke their fast, then began their climb. Her hands shook a little, but she walked with purpose. Whatever met them in the mountains, she would be ready. She had to be.