I just wanted to thank all of you that take the time to review. You really make my day, and I appreciate your continued support! As always let me know what you think even if it just spelling or grammar errors you catch, I am far from being good with those things. Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR! My goal for the year is to finish this story and possibly start it's sequel.
Chapter 21:
In which there is council given and an escape made.
Sara sat in a chair at a round stone table, her head in her hands as her brain hummed with the revelations from the mirror. There was so much to think over and hardly a moment to spare as she had followed the Lady Galadriel across the Elrond's gardens and up into a small round pavilion set high and surrounded by flowing water. The lady had said nothing more, but gestured for Sara to take a seat and so she had. Galadriel moved to look out over Rivendell, her back turned to Sara. What did it all mean? Sara could well guess what why the mirror did not easily show her images of Earth, but why some and not others. She had never known her parents or who they were. Sara had been left on the doorstep of her grandmother's as a young baby. Clarice Miller was not in fact her real grandmother, but when she had opened the door to her home to find a baby in a basket she had also opened her heart and adopted the child naming her Sara. Sara had been raised by Clarice but the older women had always insisted that she call her grandmother due to her age, but in truth Sara always saw her as her mother. Her grandmother had never hid the facts of how they had come to be family, and it had always bothered Sara not knowing who her parents were. She had often wondered why she had been left, imagining up great excuses and reasons why her parents could not, or would not take care of her; but in the back of her mind she always had a niggling fear but the simple truth was that she had not been loved or wanted, that she was a burden. As Sara had grown older the mystery of her parents had not diminished in her mind, but she had tried her best to not dwell on it.
After graduating high school she had remained at home attending a local college to get her Associate's Degree in General Studies and then had moved across the state to attend college at Eastern Kentucky University. To keep in touch, Sara and her grandmother have begun to read the same books together and then Skyped to talk about them. It had become their own private book club, and they read all sorts of books though the majority tended to be fiction and fantasy. Clarice loved The Lord of the Rings and had read them to Sara when she was a child. Together they agreed that their next book would be The Hobbit. They never got to read it. Sara had gotten a call while in class, her grandmother was in the hospital. Clarice's kidneys were failing and the doctors were not hopeful she would live long. On the day she died, her grandmother had given her the necklace. She told Sara how it had been around her neck when she found her on her doorstep and she had kept it for her for when she was a bit older. Unfortunately the necklace had been lost for many years and her grandmother had only very recently found it tucked away in an old forgotten box while going through some of her things. Sara had gone home that night at her grandmother's insistence and she had never seen her grandmother alive again. Clarice had been eighty seven when she died.
It has been seven months since the funeral and Sara still found herself crying sometimes for want her grandmother. She had stopped reading books for a time and never could bring herself to pick up The Hobbit again as it brought back painful memories of those last few days. A new fire burned in her now; Sara was determined to find her family, to reunite with them or confront them as the case may be. She had been searching for months now, going through old public records, genealogies, and even graveyards but she didn't have a name to start with. Heck she didn't even know her own birthday. The necklace was of no help to her ether as it was a simple pendant with an embossed "S" but nothing more, and there was no mark to show who had made it either. This whole mess in Middle Earth had taken her away any chance to find the family she longed for. Her one consolation from the mirror was that she was now sure she had loving parents at some point, for though she could not see the faces and expressions, the feelings of love and grief that accompanied the images had been palpable and Sara found her desire to finish the quest and return to Earth to find the truth of her past redoubled.
Sara's thoughts now turned to the images in the mirror she had not recognized. Many were frightening and she was sure the white faced orc would haunt her dreams for many nights to come, but the thing that scared her the most where the dead faces of Thorin, Fili and Kili. She did not know how to interpret the thing she had seen and part of her didn't want to. She was not sure what she should do to avoid the scenes of pain and suffering, or if she even could, or if trying would only cause them to come about as in Frodo and Sam's case. Galadriel has said the the mirror only showed what was possible in the future and that not everything that was seen necessarily came to be. Sara clutched head, her confusion thick but the thought of her new found brothers and Thorin's death terrified her. The image of Thorin pressing her to a tree kissing her burned itself into her memory and she felt a heat coil low in her stomach recalling it. Somewhere in a corner of her consciousness she was aware that her feelings related to Thorin were growing and it scared her. She could not get tangled up in anything like that here in Middle Earth; she would not be here forever and she knew she would only regret it if she did, but surely that was an unlikely future event. Thorin had only recently begun to speak to her with more than distant civility, let alone show any type of interest in her. Besides, she was hardly what a dwarf would consider attractive as apparently dwarves preferred their women with beards, well maybe all but Kili and Bofur. Kili's dead eyes swam into her memory and she felt the clamoring fear return to her, warring with all the other emotions that filled her to the brim. Sara could footsteps on the stairs leading to the pavilion.
"With or without our help the dwarves will march on the mountain. They are determined to reclaim their homeland. I do not believe Thorin Oakensheild feels he is answerable to anyone," said Gandalf's voice. "Nor for that matter am I." Sara lifted her head in time to see the wizard and Lord Elrond reach the top step.
"It is not me you must answer to," said Elrond nodding in greeting to Lady Galadriel.
"Ah," said Gandalf spotting the white lady. "Lady Galadriel, age may have changed me, but not so the lady of Lorien. Tell me, why have you called this council together?" It was at this moment that Gandalf spotted Sara and his eyebrows rose slightly in question at seeing her. She shrugged and gave a small nod in the direction of the fair elf lady.
"She didn't," came another voice on the steps. "I did." Gandalf closed his eyes a resigned look on his old face. Sara watched as another man reached the top step, clad all in white and carrying a long white staff. He looked to be just as old as Gandalf which was … well who knew how old Gandalf was. Ageless probably. Gandalf turned and gave a slight nod to the new cover.
"Saruman," greeted Elrond. Saruman! Warning bells sounded in her mind. Saruman the white wizard, the same wizard who would in future betray and capture Gandalf attempting to turn him to the will of Sauron. The wizard who would breed the Uruk-hai and lay waste to the edge of Fangorn Forest calling the wrath of the ents down upon himself. The wizard who would try to stop the fellowship at every opportunity. Sara sat up, now rigid in her chair as the white wizard spied her, a frown on his face. She would have to tread carefully here. It was not known when Saruman would be turned, perhaps he already had. Even if he hadn't, he would someday and every bit of information he knew about the future he would surely pass on to Sauron. She would have to be very careful indeed.
"Who is this? What is this young woman doing here at our council?" asked Saruman scrutinizing her.
"I wish her to be here, a party in our council," said Galadreil simply. The white wizard looked to the lady and relented.
"I do not pretend to understand your reasoning, my lady, but if you wish it." Gandaf stepped forward and placed a hand on Sara's shoulder.
"This is Sara Miller," he said. "She is one of Thorin Oakenshield's companions." Saruman sat down across from Sara and Gandalf to her right.
"You have been busy of late, my friend," said Saruman turning his gaze to the other wizard. "Tell me Gandalf, did you really think that these plans and schemes of yours would go unnoticed."
"Unnoticed," asked Gandalf.
"Indeed," said Lord Elrond who was now pacing slowly. "You had said nothing to me of the dwarves true purpose and design until this evening."
"No. No, I'm simply doing what I feel to be right," defended Gandalf. "I was going to tell you," he said turning to Lord Elrond. "I was waiting for this very chance, and really I think you can trust that I know what I'm doing."
"Do you?" asked Elrond seriously, pausing his step. "That dragon has slept for over sixty years. What will happen if you if your plan should fail; if you should wake that beast?"
"What if we should succeed?" countered Gandalf. "If the dwarves take back the mountain our defenses in the East will be strengthened."
"The dragon has long been on your mind," said Lady Galadriel looking to Gandalf from where she stood.
"It is true my lady," confessed the gray wizard nodding. "Smaug owes allegiance to no one, but should he side with the Enemy, a dragon could be used to terrible effect."
"What enemy?" cut in Saruman a bit impatiently. "Gandalf the Enemy is defeated. Sauron is vanquished. He can never again regain his full strength."
"Sauron doesn't need his full strength to cause all sorts of trouble in Middle Earth," muttered Sara quietly. The white wizard eyed her in irritation.
"What would you know of this? We speak of an ancient evil far older than you." Sara ducked her head under his scrutiny. Gandalf was watching her intently before he spoke again.
"Does it not worry you that the last of the dwarf rings should simply vanish, along with its barer," asked Gandalf. "We know what happened to all save one, but the fate of the last dwarf ring remains unknown. The ring that was worn by Thrain."
Saruman shook his head. "Without the ring of power the seven are of no value to the enemy," he said. "To control the other rings he needs the One Ring, and that was lost long long ago."
"But lost things can be found," said Sara.
"Must you interrupt so?" asked Saruman scowling at her. "Keep quiet if you must remain. What wisdom could you have that this council does not." It was quiet as Sara sat back in her chair arms folded.
"Let her speak as she will, she may know more than you think," said Galadriel softly.
"Gandalf, for over four hundred years we have lived in peace; a hard won watchful piece," said Elrond, striving to move the conversation on an away from Sara.
"Are we? Are we at peace?" asked Gandalf disbelievingly. "Trolls have come down from the mountains and are raiding villages and farms. Orcs have attacked us on the road."
"Hardly a prelude to war," said Elrond skeptically.
"Always you must meddle so," chided Saruman. "Looking for trouble where none exists."
"Getting captured and almost eaten by trolls and hunted by Orcs is plenty trouble in my mind. I don't think that those dead farmers and villages would call it Peace, do you?" asked Sara. She did not like the way that Saruman strove to undo all of Gandalf's concerns which to her were valid.
"There's something at work beyond the evil of Smaug; something far more powerful," said Gandalf lacing his fingers together and surveying the others before continuing. "We can remain blind to it but it will not be ignoring us, that I promise you. A sickness lies over the Greenwood. The woodsman who live there now call it Mirkwood and they say…" but Gandalf stalled not quite sure if he should continue.
"Well?" asked Saruman in what sounded to Sara to be a goading tone. "Don't stop now tell us what the woodsman say."
"They speak of a necromancer living in Dol Guldur, a sorcerer who can summon the dead," finished the grey wizard.
"That's absurd," scuffed Sauruman. "No such power exists in Middle Earth. This necromancer is nothing more than a mortal man. A conjurer dabbling in black magic."
"Who is to say that that power does not exist," asked Sara. "Do you know the full extent of Sauron's power yourself. Can you say for sure he does not possess that strength, now or ever?"
Gandalf reached out and patted her hand. "I also suspected that at first," he said. "But Radigast has seen…"
"Radigast!" expostulate the white wizard. "Do not speak to me of Radigast the Brown. He is a foolish fellow." Gandalf and Lady Galadriel shared a look and the gray wizard drew forth from his robes the same wrapped blade which Radigast had given him. Gandalf placed it on the table and it was as if the air grew chill.
"What is that?" questioned Elrond seriously as he came closer to the table reaching for it.
"A relic,' said Galadriel sharply. "Of Mordor!" Elrond pulled his hand away slightly but then reached forward and uncovered the dark blade. Saruman frowned at the object on the table.
"A morgul blade," breathed Elrond in dark reverence.
"Made for the Witch King of Angmar," said Galadreil stepping closer. "And buried with him," she added hesitantly. Sara recalled the witch-king as his death had been one of her favorite parts in the stories. What was his blade doing here; the same type of blade that would someday stab Frodo.
"This is not possible," said Elrond clearly upset. "A powerful spell lies upon those tombs. They cannot be opened."
"Then how did this get here?" asked Sara fearfully pointing at the dagger. The ring wraiths were terrifying creatures.
"What proof do we have this weapon came from Angmar's grave?" asked Saruman.
"I have none," replied Gandalf.
"Because there is none," said the white wizard, his voice inpatient. "Let us examine what we know. A single orc pack has dared to cross the Bruinen, a dagger from a bygone age has been found, and a human sorcerer who calls himself 'The Necromancer' has taken up residence in an old fortress. It is not so very much after all."
"But you don't know that the necromancer is human," pointed out Sara. "And that still does not explain how a dagger got out of a tomb that no one is supposed to be able to open."
"These things can be answered later," replied Saruman, waving off her concerns. "The question of this dwarvish company however, troubles me deeply. I'm not convinced Gandalf. I do not feel I can condone such a quest."
"You cannot stop Thorin from taking back Erebor," said Sara quickly. "We must be allowed to continue on our journey."
"She is right," interjected Gandalf. "We cannot stand in their way, there could be catastrophic consequences." He looked to each of his companions in turn before continuing. "It could alter our future beyond all hope of repair." Saruman raised his eyebrows in disbelief.
"What could be more catastrophic then waking a dragon?" questioned Elrond.
"How could you possibly know of the future when we do not even understand the present?" added the white wizard.
"Perhaps it is time to reveal some of your secrets Sara Miller," said Lady Galadreil softly. Gandalf nodded taking Sara's right hand in his and carefully removed her glove and laid her hand on the table for the others to see. Lord Elrond leaned over to see but then took her hand in his, wonder clear on his face. Sara looked to Saruman to see his reaction but the white wizard said rigidly in his chair, face placid, giving away nothing.
"But this is…" said Elrond quietly.
"The symbol of the Valar," finished Galadriel.
"But how did you come to bear this mark?" asked the elf lord looking to Sara in amazement.
"It is a birthmark," she replied as he released her hand.
"It is just a simple mark," said Saruman from his chair, his eyes glinting. "It is a mark and nothing more. Certainly nothing to sway my opinion of your quest."
"It is much more than a mark," defended Gandalf. "Ms. Sara is from another world entirely and was sent here by the Valar."
"What proof do you have that she is what she claims to be?" asked the white wizard dubiously. "Did you see her appear here in Middle Earth yourself Gandalf, or did you simply take her word?" Sara reached into the folds of her skirt scowing. She withdrew her phone, pulled up a song and placed the phone on the table glaring at Saruman.
"Don't you believe in magic?" Sara asked the white wizard. He snorted in reply and she reached out to tap play.
"Do you believe in magic?" sang out her phone. Elrond's eyebrows climbed so high they almost disappeared into his hair. "In a young girl's heart, how the magic can free her whenever it starts and it's magic, if the music can move ya." Sara look to Gandalf who was beaming at her. Galadriel too, had a small smile on her fair lips as she listened. "And don't just hold tight that it never can lose ya, your feet start tapping and you can't seem to find if it's really real or just a state of mind." Sara leaned forward and stopped the music.
"You tell me, Saruman the White," she said looking him in the eyes. "When have you ever seen or heard anything like that at all in all of Middle Earth?" He pursed his lips. "I don't like being called a liar," she said simply. The white wizard did not answer her as Elrond picked up her phone.
"What type of magic is this?" he asked turning it over in his hands.
"It's not magic," answered Sara turning to the elf lord. "It is technology and my world is full of things like this. Almost every one where I'm from has one, even the children." He handed her back the phone.
"How exactly did you come to be here in Middle Earth and on this quest with Thorin Oakenshield?" asked The Lady Galadriel. Gandalf began to speak to recounting her story for the others with the occasional interruption for a question from Elrond or clarification from Sara. While the gray wizard spoke Sara watched Saruman carefully for any expression but he remained impassive. As Gandalf finished speaking the white wizard leaned forward addressing her.
"Gandalf has said that if we do not let the quest continue then our future will be in jeopardy, but how could he know such a thing?" he asked her his eyes flashing in the shadows of his face. Sara looked to Gandalf who blew out a breath and nodded hesitantly. Elrrond was regarding her with a strange reverence and Galadreil studied her expectantly. Saruman however, looked at her as if challenging her, daring her to reveal something. What could she say that would not endanger the future and yet still convince them she knew. She was not sure if there was anything she could say but she had to try.
"In my world there are five books that chronicle your world and some of its events," she began. "The Silmarillion tells of your past, a book called The Hobbit tells of current events, and three others called The Lord of the Rings tell of your future. I have read those three books." It was silent for a moment.
"Go on," encouraged Saruman. "Tell us of the future then."
"I can't," she said looking to Gandalf. "Or I should say I won't," she amended. "The events that will take place are of extreme importance to the fight between good and evil and I would not want to alter them in any way; who knows if a small change would tip the scales. I will tell you this though, should you stop Throin and his company the whole of Middle Earth may fall. We must be allowed to continue to Erebor. Perhaps this is why the Valar sent me to persuade you to let them go on."
"Why must the company be allowed to continue?" asked Elrond frowning. "What is so important?"
Sara shook her head. "I can not tell you. It is too dangerous at present," she said, gazing fixedly at the white wizard. "It would not do for any information to reach Sauron so I intend to tell no one of the events of the future unless I deem it necessary to bring about that same future. If the Valar had wanted you to know all they would have sent the books to you and not me."
"You are wise to keep your own counsel Sara Miller," said Galadriel.
"Thank you," she replied. "I will say this though, I may not know everything but I believe it would be best not to dismiss Gandalf's concerns. It does not sound like nothing to me."
"You believe?" commented Saruman. "Do you not know?" He looked interested now as he leaned toward her.
"No," she replied. "The events I know of are still some sixty years in the future. I never read The Hobbit or The Silmarillion, but I have read enough to know that Thorin must be allowed to continue." The council was quiet for a long time and Sara sat back in her chair slipping her gloves back on and tucking her phone back into the pocket of her dress. It was well past midnight and she could not stifle her yawn. Saruman's eyes flicked back to her.
"Perhaps we should continue this tomorrow," said the white wizard getting to his feet and leaning on his staff. "There is still much to discuss ere Thorin Oakenshield and his company leave and I for one wish to think over tonight's discussion." He turned to Sara. "For now the dwarves should remain here. Perhaps we can find a way to aid their quest." Maybe it was just her knowledge of who he would become in the future but she felt his expression did not reflect his words. He nodded to her before taking his leave and climbing down the steps and out of sight, Elrond following behind him. Sara and Gandalf rose to leave but just as they reached the steps Galadriel called after the wizard.
"Mithrandir, a word?" she asked. He looked down at Sara.
"Can you find your way back Ms. Sara?" he questioned.
"I think so," she replied not really sure.
He must have sensed this. "Your room is over there." He pointed across the dark and garden to a few lit windows. "If you are unsure wait for me at the bottom of the stairs and I will see you back." She nodded and began to descend down the long winding stair. The night was chill as she reached the bottom and she regretted forgoing her coat to go to dinner. She could see the windows Gandalf had pointed out and not wanting to stand around in the dark night she began her way back tentatively. She had made it through the gardens and could see Elrond's house once again when a tall figure stepped out of the shadows to her right. The white wizard peered down at her his look unreadable
"Ms. Miller," he greeted cooley. She nodded. "Are you lost?"
Sara was not sure but she was not about to tell him if she were. "No, I can manage on my own," she replied making to move past him but he stepped in front of her blocking her path. "Did you need something?" she asked.
"I do not fully believe you Ms. Miller," he said caressing his staff. "I am not convinced you truly know the future. I believe it a scheme hatched to deceive the dwarves into allowing you to accompany them and thus claim a portion of their gold."
She glared up at him and folded her arms. "The dwarves are not aware I have knowledge of the future," she said simply. "They didn't need to. It was enough for them that the Valar sent me to aid them in retaking Erebor."
"Perhaps, or maybe they simply wished the companionship and … services of a female."
"Yes," she said sarcastically. "That's definitely it. After all Gandalf only had to threaten to abandon them if they didn't bring me along. Now if you will excuse me." She tried to get around him but again he blocked her path. "Is there something you wanted other than to insult me over and over?"
"Convince me you speak the truth," he ordered. "Tell me what you know of the future and I will see to it that your company leaves Rivendell, refuse and your quest ends here."
"I don't have to convince you of anything," she said trying to step around him but his hand shot out gripping her upper arm with surprising strength. She glared up at him. "If I'm being honest," she said scathingly, "I don't trust you. Lady Galadriel was right to suggest Gandalf should be the head of the council and not you." She must have hit a nerve for his face twisted in anger.
"You speak of things you cannot possibly comprehend," he hissed, his hand clenching painfully on her arm. "What could you possibly understand? You are a mere mortal doomed to die. Tell me of the future!" he commanded. She gasped in pain as his long fingernails began to cut into the soft flesh of her arm. There was the sound of heavy footsteps approaching rapidly.
"I won't tell you," she spat angrily trying to wrench her arm free but his nails cut even deeper. "Let go of me!"
"Ms. Sara!" thundered a deep and familiar voice from behind the wizard. Thorin stood on the path just outside the villa, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face as he took in the scene before him. Saruman released her reluctantly and straightened a placid look sliding onto his old face.
"Until we meet again Ms. Miller," said the wizard cooly his eyes flashing.
"Come Ms. Sara," called Thorin glowering at the white wizard. "It is late, I will show you back to your room." Sara stepped around the wizard who watched her go a wary look on his face. She came to stand by Thorin who jerked his head for her to continue past him. She did not look back but soon enough he caught up to her and began to lead the way. They walked in silence for a while before he stopped and drew her by the elbow into a small alcove. He looked up and down the hall and seeing no one turned to her. "Are you quite well Ms. Sara?" he asked.
"I'll be okay," she said rubbing at the pain in her arm. Her hand came away wet and she looked down at her palm slick with her blood.
"Did he do this?" Thorin asked as he took her arm into his hands gently. Small rivulets of blood trickled from where the wizards nails had dug into her soft flesh. She nodded quietly. Frowning deeply, he drew a cloth from his pocket and tied it snugly over the small cuts.
"I do not like or trust that wizard," rumbled Thorin. "He is a swine." He rubbed a large thumb mindlessly over her makeshift bandage.
"I can definitely agree with you on that," she said. He looked down the hallway again still holding her arm gently. "I'm just relieved you were up again. Thank you for helping me get away."
"I was not merely awake," he said looking down into her face now. "I was looking for you." She looked back up at him.
"How did you know where to find me?" He pulled his hand away and folded his arms over his chest.
"I've had Nori keeping a watch on you this evening," said Thorin. "He saw you follow Lady Galadriel to that pavilion and informed me when you left." He turned and drew his furred cloak from behind a set of heavy floor-length curtains behind them.
"Why were you looking for me?" she asked watching him shrug into his cloak.
"We are leaving," he said simply. "Tonight."
"That's a good idea," she replied. "That council did not go as well as I think Gandalf hoped."
"The elves?" he questioned.
"No, I think they are convinced. It's Saruman."
He nodded his face darkening before her looked at her again. "If you do not wish to depart in a dress I suggest you change and quickly before someone catches us."
"Change?" she spluttered. "But where and into what?"
"Behind the curtain and into your own clothes I would presume," he replied, pointing at the tall curtain behind her. "Your pack and cloak are there." She drew the curtain aside and found her pack and coat just as he had said. She looked back at him a bit uncertainty. He seemed to read her mind. "You need not fear me," he said smirking. "I will be watching the hallway. Quickly now." He turned his back to her and she slipped behind the curtain and prayed no one was outside the window looking in as she drew the dress over her head after retraving her phone. Luckily the window was set into a curve giving her a small space to move in. She quickly found her dark blue jeans and her plain black T-shirt and put them on, and she was glad for the window seat as she didn't have to balance to put on her shoes and socks. She emerged, shrugging into her coat and tapped Thorin on the arm.
He glanced back at her "Much better," he said. "Are you ready?"
"Just let me grab my bag." She was startled when Thorin suddenly grabbed her and dragged her behind the curtain, perhaps a bit too quickly for as he backed into the small space the window seat caught him in the back of the knees and he found himself sitting. She opened her mouth to speak but he saw this and quickly drew her down onto his lap clamping a hand over her mouth. He held her tightly and Sara sat very still staring up at him listening but she could hear nothing. Gradually the sound of footsteps reached her. They were quick and light and Thorin became rigid holding his breath as another set of footsteps approached. These sounded to Sara to be coming from the opposite direction. The first pair of footsteps quickened and neared them rapidly and Thorin drew her back further against him and away from the curtain for the sound seems right on top of them. Suddenly the curtain was pulled aside and a small face peered up at them, shocked eyes wide. Estel, it was little Estel out wandering the halls again. Sara noticed a hunk of bread in his hands and she couldn't help but smile. He looked over his shoulder in panic and faster it seemed then she could blink Thorin had shifted her over and pulled the boy to him now covering his mouth as well, the bread falling from the boys hand to the floor. Estel looked up at him shocked and confused but Thorin gave him a small reassuringly smile and the boy seemed to relax into the dwarf. They could hear the footsteps approaching closer and all three were tense as they passed by their alcove quickly. When all was quiet again Thorin released them and Sara got to her feet quickly.
"You should be in bed young one," whispered Thorin softly.
"I know," said Estel hanging his head a bit and making no effort to move from the dwarfs lap. He looked up at them puzzled. "What are you two doing hiding back here?" Thorin and Sara glanced to each other but Estel spotted Sara's pack on the floor. Slowly he and then Thorin stood. "You're leaving aren't you?" said the boy gloomily.
"Yes we are," said Sara nodding. Estel hung his head.
"Do you have to go?" he asked feebly.
"We must go," said Thorin.
"I will miss you," confessed Estel quietly. Sara pulled him into her arms, hugging him and placed in a small kiss atop his head before holding him at arm's length. "We will miss you too," she said ruffling his hair. Thorin pulled fourth one of the small braids from behind his ear and slipped the bead off the end and folded the boys fingers around the silver bobble. Taking Estel by the shoulders he looked him in the eye.
"Stay safe young Estel and perhaps someday we will meet again." Thorin was surprised when the boy launched himself into his arms and squeezed him tightly. The dwarfs hand fell to the boy's head but then he froze listening. Once again drawing both Sara and the boy close to him he gestured for silence, and the three of them hid listening intently as familiar voices approached.
"I tell your brother he is out of bed again," came Elrohir's voice.
"Indeed, but he is not in the kitchen," said Elladan. "Though they do they show signs of having been raided, but there is far too much food missing for Estel to have carried it off on his own." Sara looked to Thorin with suspicion and he rolled his eyes and nodded admittingly. The two elves were very close now.
"Something is afoot, and I for one won't rest until I find out what it is," swore Elrohir. Thorin tensed as the footsteps stopped outside their alcove.
"Where would you suggest we begin brother?" asked Elladan. Sara's stomach give a most unfortunate gurgle.
"Did you hear that?" asked Elrohir and Sara could hear them step closer.
"Yes, someone is behind that curtain. Come let us find out who." Before the elves could pull back the curtain Estel looked to Sara and Thorin one last time a smile on his face and slipped around the edge of the curtain and into view.
"It's only me brothers," said the boy.
"Estel," chided Elladan. "You should be in bed."
"I was hungry," replied Estel meekly.
"You are always hungry," said Elrohir affectionately. "Come let us get you back before your mother finds out."
"Wait brother," said Elladan's voice. "You have forgotten your bread." The two behind the curtain looked to the ground to see the bread half out of the curtain near Sara's foot. Slowly, quietly Thorin drew her closser, pressing her tightly to him as she stood on his feet trying to keep herself away from the curtain. A hand fished for the bread and they held their breath.
"Here you are," said Elladan. "Now, quickly to bed with you." Thorin and Sara listened as the three disappeared. He still held her to him and was looking down at her now, an odd expression passing over his face. She watched his adam's apple bob as he swallowed thickly. The scene of them kissing in the mirror came to her mind and she looked away her cheeks beginning to heat and her breath to catch. His arms tightened almost imperceptibly around her waist and when she looked up again he was still gazing at her fixedly.
"Mr. Thorin?" she asked him.
"Just Thorin," he said breathily not taking his eyes off her.
"Thorin, shouldn't we go?" The tension in the air seemed to pop like a soap bubble and he let her go hastily. She took a step back looking at the floor. He cleared his throat and went to check the hallway once again. She grabbed her pack from the window seat and slug it on her back. The curtain parted and Thorin nodded to her.
"Quickly, let us find the others," and with this he turned leading the way and once again. Quietly she followed him through Elrond's dark halls and out into the night air.