Chapter Twenty-Four: Laketown, A Quiet Moment, and a Hidden Door

Both sweetness and angst ahead, enjoy!

Bella scurried into Bag End, slamming the door behind her with her foot, her arms laden with her purchases. All of the omens had forecasted an early spring, but the wind was downright icy out there and the clouds seemed to promise yet another round of snow in the near future. She made her way swiftly to the kitchen, sighing as the warmth washed over her. Setting the bundles on the table, she moved over and stirred up the fire, adding a fat log to it.

She had only been gone maybe an hour shopping for a few necessities, but the wind had chilled her to the bone. Listening to the wind pick up and howl about the eaves, she was happy that she had decided to come straight home instead of stopping at the Green Dragon for a pint. This was not a night to be out and about on. Draping her scarf, gloves, and coat on one of the kitchen chairs, she mentally promised herself that she would put them away properly later. She then put together a shepherd's pie and put it in the perfect position in the oven to slow bake in order to allow the flavors to really meld while it cooked.

Putting away the other few odds and ends that she had bought, she scooped up her coat and accessories and made her way out to the hallway. She sighed as she glanced at the door, wishing wistfully for a knock and a dwarf to be waiting on the other side. She was so tired of being alone. Shaking herself briskly out of her melancholia, she hung up her coat, tucking her scarf and gloves in the pocket. No need for moping, she was whole and healthy, had a warm home and a hearty meal on the way. She was just fine.

Making a brief detour to the den, she grabbed the journal and headed back to the kitchen so she could keep a weather eye on her dinner. There would be no guests anyway, not with the way the wind was howling, so it was no use heating up the parlor anyway. No, this was an excellent evening to stay in, eat a hearty supper, and write.

Bella was still puzzled how they had ended up feasting at the grand hall with the greasy master of Laketown and his equally repulsive assistant Alfrid, a toad of a man if she had ever seen one. Bard had done his best to smuggle them in and keep their presence low key, but plans that the company made often went astray, usually when one Thorin Oakenshield was involved. So here they were, feasting and being feted as heroes and harbingers of future wealth.

Bard was understandably upset, worried about them waking the dragon and bringing Smaug's wrath down on them. She had seethed when the master had publicly shamed him for his ancestor's actions. And she was deeply disappointed in Thorin. He could've soothed Bard's worries or at least acknowledged them as valid fears from a man that had done his best to assist them, but he was too busy grandstanding trying to get support for the cause of reclaiming Erebor that was consuming him more and more every day.

Bella had wanted to pull Bard aside, to beg his forgiveness and understanding, to share how desperate the dwarves of Ered Luin's situation truly was. But loyalty to the company stayed her tongue and she knew that Bard would not heed or hear her words anyway, not after being shamed like he had been. So she had watched silently as he stormed off and prayed for Yavanna's protection over him and his family, who had been so kind to her and the company.

As the feast continued, Bella secluded herself in a corner, not liking how the master was leering at women. She wasn't sure that he even realized that she was female and she was doing her best to keep it that way. Kili had joined her, clearly feeling miserable and needing a break. Oin had done what he could for him, now they were in the wait and see mode. She didn't speak, figuring that he would talk if he wished. He shot her a grateful look and relaxed back against the wall, his eyes closing although she doubted that he was truly resting.

Bifur joined them shortly after that, clearly fed up with the clamor of the noisy feasting hall. He leaned up against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest in a clear guarding stance, grumbling in Khuzdul under his breath. Wishing that she could do something for her friends and feeling utterly useless, she quietly hummed a Shire lullaby, trying to soothe them.

Gradually Bifur relaxed enough to sit on the other side of Kili, although he still glowered at the feasters. Without opening his eyes, Kili reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently. He murmured, "I'm really glad that you said yes to Fili. You make him happy and I've always wanted a sister. I think that you two are good for each other, balance each other well."

She squeezed his hand back and leaned her head briefly on his shoulder. "I really do love him and for some reason he loves me too. And I always wanted a brother, it was lonely being an only child. But if I had to pick someone to be my brother, I would definitely want it to be you. Is there anything I can get you?"

He shook his head slightly, "No, I just want to sit quietly here."

A minute or two later, Fili made his way over, his expression anxious, "What are you both doing hiding over here, you should be eating."

She shrugged, "I don't like the master and Kili was kindly keeping me company."

Fili stiffened, "Has he said or done anything?"

Bella shook her head instantly, "No, but I don't like the way he leers at women. There's just something wrong about him."

Fili frowned but couldn't really refute her observation. He glanced around, taking in the crowded room. He offered quietly, "Would you like to go for a stroll, get some fresh air?"

She really wanted to, but hesitated, not wanting to leave Kili alone when he wasn't feeling well. Kili murmured quietly to her, "Go ahead, I'm fine."

Opening his eyes, he told Fili, "I'm just going to stay here with Bifur and rest. But you had both better be back in short order, don't linger, it's not proper."

Bella chuckled slightly at Kili lecturing Fili on propriety, although it warmed her heart that he was looking out for her. Fili offered her his hand and she allowed him to pull her to feet. She murmured just loud enough for the two princes to hear. "We'll be back soon, just need a couple of minutes away from this craziness."

Kili muttered, "You better." He then closed his eyes and settled back against the wall, faint pain lines bracketing his mouth and eyes.

Bella frowned worriedly but didn't say anything, instead slipping her arm through Fili's and allowing him to lead her out into the crisp night air. Once they were away from prying eyes, he rearranged their hands until they were walking hand in hand, their fingers woven together. She felt her muscles relaxing as they strolled, the tension that she had carried since freeing the dwarves slowly seeping away.

He seemed content to just stroll in silence with her, seeming to draw comfort and strength from her presence. She studied him in the dim light of the lanterns that they passed. Finally she saw a bench that sat overlooking the water, relatively private but still public enough that it would be all right for them to be alone at. She tugged him over to it and he amicably followed her over and sat when she indicated for him to.

However, she didn't sit, struggling not to pace. Finally she took a deep breath and said, "Fili, we need to talk."

Panic flashed over his face followed by disappointment before he carefully shielded his expression. He was quiet for several moment before meeting her eyes and saying softly, "Is this about earlier? Did I rush in too early?"

She looked at him, puzzled. before her brain caught up and her expression morphed into a horrified one, "Heaven's no! Of course not, Fili! I'm incandescently happy that you want to marry me. I promise you, I'm not going to change my mind."

He reached out and gently grasped her hands from where she was twisting them together nervously, "Then what has you so distressed, amralime?"

She took a deep breath, gathering her courage, before finally speaking, "I don't know how to say this tactfully, so I'm just going to say it. Fili, you're fuzzy."

Now it was his turn to look baffled. Running his thumb over her knuckles, he said slowly, "I don't understand what you're trying to say, Bella."

His touch steadied her and she offered him a small smile. "I'm making a muck of this, I'm sorry. You need to redo your hair. The trip down the river left it rather, untamed. I know how particular dwarves are about their hair, but we haven't really had a moment to set all of you to rights yet, things have been rather crazy. Plus." She could feel her cheeks heat slightly. "If it's not too brazen, I would like to learn how to care for your hair like you've cared for mine." Her blush deepened and she looked down at their joined hands before looking shyly back up at him. "Not to mention that I want you to have a betrothal braid as well, to let the world know that you are mine."

He froze, his eyes locked on her, burning with need and love. He stared at her for several heartbeats before blinking and swallowing hard. Carefully releasing her hands, he said hoarsely, "I would be honored to have you help tend my hair. Here, I've got a comb somewhere." Dragging his eyes away from her, he started digging through various pockets in search of his elusive comb. Finally finding it, he held it up with a triumphant smirk.

She reached out and took it, allowing her fingers to gently brush his and linger for a moment. She motioned for him to turn so that he was sitting sideways on the bench before moving up behind him. He set about tidying up his mustache braids while she carefully undid his main braids before gently drawing the comb through his golden mane. He froze under her touch when she just started before gradually relaxing as she delicately worked out all of the knots and tangles. Once she was completely satisfied that she had gotten all of the tangles out and it was as smooth as silk, she had him guide her through creating his braids.

Once she had clasped the last clasp in place, she reluctantly allowed him to create his own betrothal braid, the intricacy of it well beyond her current skill level. Once he had finished it, she ran a tentative finger down it, marveling at it. She couldn't help smiling at him and he grinned at back at her before standing and saying rather breathlessly, "We'd better head back inside, before they send someone looking for us."

She sighed and reluctantly agreed, slipping her hand into his. She admitted quietly, "I wish that it could just be like this forever. I can't help but feel like something awful is going to happen and that we won't be able to do anything to stop or prevent it. There is a shadow looming and it's going to eclipse us all."

He stopped and turned to face her, using his free hand to gently cup her chin and lift her face to meet her gaze. His words were just as quiet as hers had been, "I'm not saying that there won't be challenges, love. But we have to cling to hope, otherwise evil will win before we even begin. When I set out on this quest, it was to secure our people's future, their happiness and security. But now? Now I do this for us, to secure our future. And we have a future, Bella, even if I have to take on the Valar themselves to make it so. So take heart and hope, ghivashel."

She reached up and cupped his face, her heart so full she could barely speak. "I will hope for our future then. I love you, Fili. Our future together is something that I want more than anything."

He kissed her chastely, quickly pulling back. "You are my reason for living, love. Now, let's get back, I really don't want Kili to come looking for us. I'm worried about him, about that wound that he took. Orc weapons are notoriously filthy."

Bella nodded, "He's not doing as well as he'd like us to believe that he is. Let's hurry."

They quickly made their way back inside to where Kili was still sitting, his posture slumped and expression pained. He seemed to feel them watching him and opened his eyes, looking around. He offered them a grin, but it was a shadow of his normal one. He eyed them approvingly and teased, "Glad to see that you got your hair under control. You looked like a fuzzy duckling, nadad."

Fili scoffed, releasing Bella and going to sit by him. "As if you're any better, little brother. You're just lucky that your dark hair doesn't show it as easily." He pulled the comb back out and set about grooming Kili's hair.

Bella sat on his other side and took his hand, noting the lack of protest that the younger prince would normally make over Fili's fussing. She tried to distract him, "If you thought that he looked fuzzy, you should see my hair after a summer rainstorm. Hobbit hair is notoriously difficult and after a thunderstorm my hair is nigh on unmanageable. Part of why I kept it so short."

Kili frowned at her, "Your hair is lovely, namad. It's a shame that you've had to keep it short, but Fili will help you tame it until you manage to learn the knack. Won't do to have you running around with short hair. Ludicrous."

She snorted at that and reached out to check his forehead for fever. He was warmer than she liked, but he brushed it aside. "Don't fuss, it takes more than a small wound like this to slow me down. I'll be right as rain come morning."

Watching Fili carefully untangle his brother's hair, Bella prayed that Kili was right.

He was not better in the morning, but visibly worse. So much so that Thorin stopped him from boarding the boat, commanding him to stay behind. She would've applauded his care of Kili, if he had not phrased his command in such a way as to break the young dwarf's heart. "Not you, we must travel at speed and you'll slow us down."

Bella gaped at him, unable to believe the words that had just come from the king-in-exile. Kili didn't comprehend it as well as he gave Thorin an uncertain smile, "What are you talking about? I'm coming with you." Thorin's resolve seemed to suddenly fully sink in and he protested, "We said that I'd be there when the door was open, when when we first look upon the halls of our fathers."

Thorin shook his head and lowered his voice, "No Kili, stay here. Rest. Join us when you're healed."

Kili moved back, almost crumpling in on himself, his heartbreak plain on his face. Oin scrambled from the boat, scowling at Thorin. "I'm staying with the lad, my place is with the wounded."

Fili moved over to Thorin, his expression a mix of determination and upset, "Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain, tales you told us. You cannot take that away from him! I will carry him if I must!"

Thorin said sharply, "Fili! One day you will be king and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin."

Fili glanced between Bella and Kili, obviously torn. She didn't hesitate, just said firmly, "Stay."

He went to go to the dock and Thorin grabbed his arm, hissing, "Fili, don't be a fool, you belong with the company."

Fili looked at Bella, his eyes begging her to forgive him as he said firmly, "I belong with my brother."

She offered him a tiny smile and small nod, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. His eyes seemed to promise that he would find his way back to her before breaking their gazes and turned away, yanking his arm from Thorin's grasp and joining Kili on the dock. As they slowly rowed away, Kili seemed to be distraught, gesturing for Fili to go while Fili just shook his head no firmly. Right before they rowed out of sight, she saw Bofur join their small group and let out a small sigh of relief that the hatted dwarf was at least alive.

Praying to Yavanna for healing and protection over the dwarves that she had come to love as family and especially on the one that claimed her heart, Bella slowly turned until she was facing forward, facing the mountain that held the fate of the dwarves one way or the other.

Thorin drove them hard, desperate to reach the hidden door before sunset. She scrambled along as best she could, but she was in poor shape after all of their misadventures and often lagged behind, much to their leader's displeasure. She ignored his disparaging comments, too caught up in dealing with the maelstrom of her own thoughts to bother listening to his angry tirades.

She was reeling over the fact that very shortly she was going to have to face a dragon. It had seemed all so far away when they had discussed it back in Bag End, but now they had reached Erebor, a miracle in and of itself, and she could not hide from her task any longer. Then there was Kili. He had looked so sick that morning, even though he was doing his best to be strong for Thorin and the company. She couldn't begrudge Fili for having chosen to stay with him, decades of caring and protecting his little brother ingraining the instinct in him. She only prayed that Kili was doing better.

And she was loathe to admit it, but she resented Thorin greatly at this moment, for forcing Fili to have to chose between the quest or his kin. Not only doing that, but doing it in such a high handed and autocratic manner. Thorin had never been an overly demonstrative dwarf, but at the beginning of the journey, his love for his nephews was clearly evident. But he had become a dwarf consumed, obsessed with reclaiming Erebor. She couldn't see how his drive to fulfill the quest at all costs and his grandfather's gold sickness were all that different. She grimly prayed that she was wrong, but had a nagging feeling that she wasn't.

Not to mention that she missed Fili. She reached up and traced her betrothal braid. Somehow he had become her whole world in such a short time. He was supposed to be here beside her, hiding his concern behind teasing to lift her spirits, assisting her gallantly over the uneven ground. She had come to rely on his steady strength and strong heart. He was supposed to be here, he and Kili both, excitedly sharing with her the tales that the had grown up on about Erebor and it's marvels. They would boast about entering the lonely mountain and tell her how they would face Smaug singlehandedly, even though she was the one who was contracted to steal, um, liberate the Arkenstone from him. As the day passed, Fili's hand would get tighter on hers as his anxiety grew about her entering the mountain, but never so tight that it hurt. Yes, this was all wrong.

It was afternoon when they reached the base of Erebor and Bella flopped onto the ground, ignoring Thorin's bellow for them to find the hidden stair. She was breathing harder than she wanted to admit and was feeling slightly lightheaded. Crawling to her knees, she dragged off her pack and dug through it for a bite to eat. One of the dwarves called something and she looked up, trying to see what they were up to.

Instead of the dwarves, one of the enormous dwarven statues caught her eye. Something was odd about it. Focusing on it, she tilted her head and abruptly broke out laughing. The dwarves turned and stared at her like they thought that she'd lost her mind, but she simply pointed at the statue. Thorin ran over to look, grinning widely when he saw the stairs and told her that she had keen eyes. She rolled said eyes and took a hearty bite of the roll that she had pulled from her sack.

Thorin permitted them enough time for a drink and to grab some food and then they were off, climbing the numerous stairs. At least these stairs were sensibly sized, unlike those of the Carrock. The memory of Fili and Kili passing her back and forth while teasing surfaced but she pushed it firmly aside. She needed to focus on the here and now, find the door, enter the mountain, reclaim the Arkenstone, and then return to Laketown and those they'd left behind. That became her mantra as she climbed the never ending stairs.

When she finally reached the top, cursing stairs heartily, she saw Thorin running his hand over the rock, a reverent look on his face as he murmured, "The hidden door." But then he had to go and ruin it by turning around and smirking while holding up the key, boasting about how everyone who doubted them would rue it. Apparently she was the only one who didn't share the sentiment as the other dwarves roared their hearty approval.

The sun was swiftly fading so the dwarves started searching immediately for the key hole, their desperation increasing by the minute. Then Thorin called for them to break it down and they did their best, causing their weapons to break. Bella hissed her disapproval, having to duck the flying scraps of metal. Finally Balin halted that nonsense, informing them that such a hidden door could not be taken by force, powerful magic had been used in it's creation.

However, this endeavor had taken the last of the sun with it. Thorin's expression transformed into one of disbelief and he looked like a lost child. He cried no as the final sun ray faded. He read slowly from the map, his voice broken, "The last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole. That's what it says." He turned a pleading expression to Balin, needing his most trusted advisor's wisdom. "What did we miss, Balin? What did we miss?"

Balin looked like he had aged decades in mere moments. Sorrow filled his voice as he said quietly, "We've lost the light, there's nothing more to be done. We had but one chance." He turned regretfully away from the broken monarch. "C'mon lads, let's head back."

She called softly, her voice pleading, just above a whisper, "You can't give up now."

They ignored her, heading for the stairs. Thorin opened his hand and let the key drop from his limp grasp and then turned away, pushing the map into her arms as he passed her. Fili's words the night before about hope came back to her and something within her snapped. Scooping up the abandoned key, she whirled and faced the departing dwarves.

Her voice firm, she drew herself up to her full height and called, "Come back here right this instant."

Thorin paused and looked back at her, bitterness in his voice, "It's over, burglar. Give it up."

She shook her head, feeling her braid tap lightly on her cheek. "No, get back here right now. We have not crossed half of Arda and survived everything that wanted to kill us only to crumple up at just another obstacle. Get back up here and figure out what happened and where exactly the door is. Tell me this, Thorin. Are you truly king under the mountain or simply a spoiled dwarfling who caves as soon as things become hard?"

He stormed back over to her, his eyes burning with rage. "How dare you? You have no idea what I have done for my people, the sacrifices that I have made, and you have the nerve to call me a weakling!"

The hobbit lass that she was at the beginning of the journey might've quelled at his anger, but the journey had tested her and reforged her into something new, something stronger. So she didn't back down an inch from his anger, remaining toe to toe with him. "You say that you have held your people together, no doubt through situations that others called impossible." She shoved the map back into his hands. "Take another look, figure out a way. Don't give up and walk away until you know that you have exhausted every last possibility, run through every possible scenario. I have followed you, prove to me that my faith in you was not misplaced. That I was not wrong in leaving my very heart behind to follow you up this mountain."

She abruptly became aware of the rest of the company was gathered in a half circle around them, watching the pair of them anxiously. Determination and a wary hope reentered Thorin's eyes and he turned to Balin, clearly planning on going over the map again. Feeling uncomfortable under the scrutiny of the other dwarves, she walked away over to the wall and started to examine it, although she honestly had no clue what she was looking for. A thrush landed by her foot and she greeted it quietly, having missed the wildlife around the mountain, all of it having been driven off by Smaug's presence. The thrush seemed to chirp a greeting back to her before picking up a snail and starting to smash it against a rock to break it's shell.

Hearing the low murmur of voices, she was trying so hard to hear what they were saying that she almost missed what happened. The thrush tapped again right as the moon came out from behind a cloud, it's cool silvery light illuminating the mountain side. If she hadn't been admiring the moonlight playing over the rock, she would've missed the appearance of the key hole.

Instead, she was so excited she could barely speak. She called excitedly, "Thorin, quick. The key! Moon, it's the moon." Thorin had started her way as soon as she'd spoken and she fairly danced out of the way as she cried, "The last light of Durin's Day is the moon. It makes so much sense, Durin's Day is the last full moon of autumn. It was moon runes of the map. Of course it's the moon."

Thorin stared at the key hole, relief and disbelief clear in his expression. Stepping forward, he slowly lifted the key and carefully inserted it, his breath whooshing out when it entered the mountain without issue. He turned the key and then pushed on the rock face, revealing a door that swung noiselessly open. Balin said shakily, tears in his eyes, "Thorin."

Thorin rested his hand on Balin's shoulder when the white haired dwarf couldn't continue. He met Bella's gaze, his eyes filled with both apology and gratitude.

Dipping into her best curtsy ignoring the fact that she wasn't wearing a dress, her eyes never left Thorin's as she said warmly, "Welcome home, Thorin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, king under the mountain."

This seemed to steal his breath and he looked away, but not before she saw a suspicious shimmer in his eyes. Releasing Balin, he breathed, "Erebor."

As if unable to believe it, he tentatively stepped into the mountain, the first dwarf to do so since the mountain had fallen.

Bella hung back as the rest of the dwarves slowly filed into the mountain as well, staring at the open door in disbelief. They had done it, they had actually done it. They had made it to Erebor and managed to open the door. Now all that was left to do was steal from a dragon.

Bella carefully sanded the ink before closing the journal, her nose telling her that the shepherd's pie was just about ready. She shivered as she realized that the wind had picked up even more while she had been distracted with her writing. Rising to put away the book, she prayed that all travelers had found a safe place to hole up for this storm. It was promising to be a nasty one.

Fili and the rest had pushed hard to reach Rivendell before the storm broke, Bifur's head wound letting them know that it would be a serious one. They had pushed hard for two days, barely stopping to rest just long enough that their ponies didn't lame before continuing on. They reached the valley right as the wind picked up, the first snowflakes starting to fall.

The elves had welcomed them warmly and noting their exhaustion, had quickly led them to rooms to rest until the evening meal, with the option of having food brought to them if they were still weary. Fili had barely managed to pull off his boots and collapsed onto the bed before he was out. When he woke at last, several hours had passed and it was nearing evening.

Taking advantage of the bath to soak off the road grime, he thought back to his latest dream. He had forgotten how ill Kili had been, how worried he himself had been that he would lose his brother to an infected wound. He thanked Mahal yet again for sparing his brother's life and for his brother's One who had saved him. Looking back now, the early signs of Thorin's sickness were clear to see, but it had been hard to separate it all out from the stress of the journey at the time.

However, despite the danger and anxiety of that part of the journey, he knew that he would cherish him memory of his time with Bella in Laketown. When she had been so nervous, his heart had dropped to his feet, sure that she was going to tell him that their relationship was a mistake. Instead, he had been blessed with a gift beyond belief.

Caring for another's hair was one of the most intimate gestures of care and love between a couple. He hadn't said anything to Bella, not wanting to pressure her when she was already so uncertain about their relationship. Instead, he contented himself with caring for her hair and promising himself that someday he would tell her about it. So when she had come to him and told him that she wanted to care for his hair, his heart had nearly beat right out of his chest. He could tell that she still had no idea of the depth of the gesture, something that made it even sweeter, oddly enough. She wasn't caring for his hair because it was something that couples did, she wanted to care for his hair because it was taking care of him. He would've gladly shaved himself bald at that moment if that's what she had wanted.

He sighed, letting his head fall back against the rim of the tub. Everything that he'd seen in his dreams had shown that they were truly in love with each other, even not knowing that they were Ones. So what had happened?

Notes:

Bella doesn't take any nonsense from anyone, lol. Also, it was odd seeing the dwarves so disheveled after their river trip, they were always so conscientious about their hair and attire.

You know, it never sat right with me, the dwarves giving up and walking away so easily. I mean, they hired a hobbit, crossed half of Arda, dealt with elves to get the moon runes read, fought off orcs, goblins, and wargs, locked up and escaped, all of it on a make your head hurt intense deadline. And then they're like, whelp, didn't work, we're off, laters. I guess it's supposed to convey despair, but I am a very stubborn person and I will do everything, including move the mountain, before I would give up.

Ahem, shuffles nervously. Sorry for the rant there, I'll be quiet now.

Next Chapter - One insufferably smug Smaug and Laketown burns.