Part 3 of More to The Story. It's about a family that are the key-holders and Gatekeepers between our world/Wizarding World and Middle Earth. Adventure, friendships, and love. Part 3 picks up at the beginning of The Battle of the Five Armies, with equal parts of books and movies with the crossovers. OC's and real characters.
The Company and Gatekeepers are divided. Some of the company remain in Laketown with the younger members of the Gatekeeper family. The parents and grandparents are still missing. The danger of the dragon, orcs, and greed were on everyone's minds. What would become of them? Erébor? The Wizard and Muggle world? Nothing was certain.
I do not own anything from the Hobbit or Harry Potter; only the OC's and their story. All Harry Potter/Hobbit references and characters belong to J.K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Peter Jackson.
Chapter 15
Thorin carried René from the Gallery of the Kings to the only place he was for certain someone would be, the battlement. If the company would still listen him, he would summon them to meet him. He was unsure if they would come, but for the sake of everyone he cared about, he had to try. He did not have to walk far before he saw Balin, seemingly waiting near the gallery doors.
Balin was clearly worried and nervous to talk to him, "Your Majesty."
Thorin let out a big breath, "I'm so sorry, Balin. I should have never spoke to you the way I did, or said and did the things I did."
"and didn't do," Balin cut straight to point. He looked at the little girl in Thorin's arms. "We need to get this little one back to her mother. She has been beside herself with worry."
Thorin felt René's head fall in shame and embarrassment. "Yes. She has, hasn't she? Do you know where Nicole is?"
"I have an idea, however I'm not for certain." He made to walk away when Thorin stopped him.
"Balin," Thorin gently spoke, desperate for his friend to hear. "I broke it! The Dragon Sickness, I mean. I felt it about to take me completely, swallow me whole, but I broke free and escaped. Again, I'm so sorry for everything: for doubting you, ignoring you, putting you in a terrible position, and everything else in between and beyond. I promise to my dying breath and on the graves of my ancestors that I will fight the Dragon Sickness and never allow myself to succumb to it so easily if ever again."
Balin searched Thorin's eyes to see his soul, praying the old Thorin had returned and his words were true. It felt like an eternity but was only a moment before he truly believed his friend was cured. "I forgive you, Thorin."
"And when this is over and if I survive this, I want to draw up a decree that should I ever fall victim again, I am to step down as king and Fili take over. And I want the whole company to bear witness."
"It shall be done. I'll summon everyone to come to the battlement. You need to see what's happing outside."
"Thank you."
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Thorin and René approached the battlement and climbed back up the stairs. When they reached the top, no one had arrived yet. He set her down on a large bolder and secured the robe around her to make sure she would stay warm while they waited. Soon, Balin arrived with the company, the witches, and Gage. As soon as Nicole laid eyes on her daughter, she rushed to her and engulfed her in a tight hug and tears fell. Karah held Gage on her hip in order for mother and daughter to have a moment, until he squirmed and wiggled to join them. Karah set him down and he ran as fast as his little legs could carry him. Jordan came up behind Fili and took his hand. Karah wanted to do the same, only fury must have been building inside Kili as he was not holding back his words as he approached his uncle.
"I will not hide behind stone walls like a coward while others fight our battles! They are fighting for us and it makes my blood run cold watching our people die. It's not in my blood to be weak like this!" The youngest nephew implored him to understand.
Thorin could not be prouder of his nephew for standing up to him, "You're right. It's not in our blood to hide like thieves. We are the sons of Durin and we don't flee from any fight."
Kili searched his uncle like Balin had, wanting desperately to believe the uncle he adored had returned. When Thorin smiled at him, he knew. Taking the steps to bridge the gap between them, Kili and Thorin bumped foreheads like they did when he was a dwarfling.
Dwalin was next to address him. Their head-bump was much harder and it almost hurt. The act was a sign of reconciliation and forgiveness, the pain was justice. The best friends did not need words, and Dwalin trusted Thorin was back to his old self again.
Addressing the rest of the company, "I know I have no right to ask this of any of you. I have betrayed you all. I am sorry. I am going below to fight for our kingdom. Will you follow me one last time?" He looked to each member in turn to make sure they heard his words, ending with his oldest nephew. Fili smiled at Thorin and nodded. All of the other dwarves readily accepted Thorin and prepared to leave the mountain.
While the majority of the company prepared to break open the wall, Thorin took Nicole and the children aside. "I want to leave the mountain on better terms with you than our previous conversation."
Nicole wanted to speak her mind, "Thorin, I,"
"Please let me finish. There is not enough time to tell you everything. I don't want to waste what I have." Thorin begged the woman he loved. "I'm so sorry for everything I did and put you in a compromising position. I am sorry for my despicable behavior and demands. But I meant what I said. I do love you and I will fight to protect you from anyone who wishes to do you harm." Thorin did not want to say this next part, but this was probably the most important. "Once we are safe again, if you still wish to leave I will not stop you. I want you in my life, but only if you want to be there. I understand if you cannot stay." He carefully read her expression before he kissed her cheek, touched his forehead to hers. "Please wait until it is safe."
René let go of her mother's hand and hugged Thorin tightly. "Please come back."
Thorin pulled out the necklace she gave him back in Laketown for her to see, "On this lucky charm, I promise to do all in my power to return. Do you remember what you promised me?
She nodded, "to be brave and listen to mama."
"Thank you." Thorin was about to leave and stopped with Gage held out his fist. Thorin bumped it and smiled at him. He was about to turn when the little boy took his turn with a hug. "Listen to your mother." Looking back to his angelic diamond, "Be safe, please."
Nicole stopped him from leaving. "I want to help. I saw what looked like an infirmary. I'll be there waiting for you to come back and anyone who needs medical care."
"Thank you," Thorin accepted the terms. Over her shoulder, he called to the other witches who were helping get the wall open. "Karah and Jordan, I'd like you to stay behind as well. Your healing magic and skills will go a long way to help those who are wounded."
Both Karah and Jordan were torn by this request. They could fortify the mountain and make it safe for those who needed protection. However, they wanted to help in battle and stick by their loved ones. Their magic could save a lot of people's lives by taking out as many orcs as possible.
Karah turned to Kili, "I'm coming with you. I'm not letting you out of my sight until this battle is over."
Kili pulled her into his arms, "Karah, I'm asking you to please stay here." She made to interrupt him so he kept speaking. "I know you had a vision about me, and now I know what I could be facing. But if you were out there with me, I would not be able to do my duty knowing you were in danger. Please put your skills to better use here than on the battlefield."
Karah wanted to argue or even beg him not to go. Only she could see the conviction in his eyes and she made her decision. "Okay I'll stay for the time being." That was as good as he was going to get.
Thorin was keeping an eye on Jordan and thought over their encounter in the Gallery of the Kings. The black speech marks were no longer visible and her eyes were back to normal. He knew it was not her fault Azog had come to the mountain. Azog wanted Thorin's head, and she did not betray them to the Pale Orc. Her curse would not allow her to speak of it, however she vowed to break it or die trying. She had to protect her family and she came to the mountain for a purpose. What could it be? How could her coming to the mountain keep her family safe? When did she decide to come to the mountain? Did she plan this from the very beginning? He had no way of knowing right now and it was not the time to find out. When the fighting was over, he would address this issue
Jordan crossed her arms over her chest and had a stubborn stance, practically screaming her resolution. Fili could tell there would be no convincing her to stay behind, so instead he tried a different method. "Will you protect them? Use your fire to keep the door secured. There is a chance an orc could get by us and hurt your cousins."
That did it. Jordan was prepared to ignore Fili and follow him into battle. She was still fired up from her nightmare with Milhauke and finding the general location of the book, she could use a good fight to relieve some tension. She wanted to do something good and make sure Fili knew how much she loved him. Only, when he asked her to protect someone, it changed her resolve. It almost made her feel guilty. Okay. She nodded to him and promised she would stay. She felt more eyes on her and assumed Bifur wanted to talk to her. So, she kissed Fili right on the lips before anyone could stop her.
Bifur coughed to get all witches attention. He pulled each of them and the children into a tight bear hug and kissed their heads. Stay safe, lasses and laddie.
"We will, Bifur. You too." Karah hugged and kissed his cheek.
Jordan nodded and also hugged and kissed him. Her chest was getting so tight thinking about the near future and what would happen between them when she left Middle Earth.
The plan was set. Nicole, the children, and Karah left to go to the infirmary. The company, dressed in their armor, readied themselves to fight, their battle cries on the tip of their tongues. Bombur had found a war horn and went to a safe opening to announce the company's entrance to fight. The sound was loud and bold. It brought hope into the hearts of the light, and fear into the hearts of darkness.
Jordan had retrieved her broom and bag from her room, and waited in her position for the signal. Knowing this could very well be the last time she sees Fili with affection for her. He was standing on Thorin's left at the front, his sword in one hand, a shield in the other. She permanently engraved this memory into her mind, wanting to hold onto it until the last of her days. She nodded to him, and saw Thorin signal her to open the wall.
She mounted her broom, kicked off from the ground, and hovered next to the rope she was to cut. Pulling out her wand, she severed the line holding the bell tied back. It swung forward and plowed into the stone wall, knocking it down like it was made of pebbles. The heavy pieces fell and created bridge over the mote and the company took off running toward the battle.
Jordan landed and put the broom away. Her wand was still out and she ignited her other hand with fire. She was ready for anything that unwisely thought it was a good idea to come near this mountain.
