I want to start off by apologizing for not updating last week and being so late with the update this week. I am currently on week nine of my college semester and I can't tell you how bogged down I am with class work this week. I hope this extra long chapter makes up for it.
Anything the comes from the Hobbit belongs to J.R.R Tolkin. Only Adaira and my original work belong to me.
Without further ado. On to the chapter!
Mels xoxo
Adaira's POV
When I awoke once more it was to stone halls that I had come to know well by now, the Halls of my Forefathers. I sat up from the bed that I was laying down upon, finding myself in the same room I had awoken in when Mahal had visited me in Rivendell, and I blinked my eyes open several times as they adjusted to the dimness of my surroundings. I sighed out a deep breath and shook my head before sliding a blanket off of myself and bringing my feet over the side of the bed before rising, my bare feet instantly chilling on the stone floor. I was dressed in a dark blue velvet gown quite like the first I had worn when Mahal had first brought me here.
"Nathith," A familiar voice spoke and I turned my head towards the door as Mahal entered the room.
"Mahal," I greeted my Maker, bowing my head respectfully and he walked over to me. He was dressed in blue velvet like me with fur about the collar of his heavy robes. His hair was dark, eyes shining bright blue, and I realized that he looked like Thorin.
I had a theory that Mahal appeared to me in whatever form it was that I most needed, a grandfather or a father. At that moment with everything that had happened with Thorin so far, I needed him, I needed Thorin.
"This is the third time I have called you to my halls," Mahal said as he looked down at me and I remembered what he had told me when first we met. I would meet with him thrice more. Once I had met with him in Rivendell and another time the Misty Mountains, this meeting would be our last.
"The mountain, Erebor...you were right, our quest did succeed, but at what cost?" I asked Mahal and he sighed deeply, looking tired.
"Walk with me child," Mahal told me and he offered me his arm. I slid my arm through his and let him lead me from the room and we began walking down the stone hallways. "Erebor has weighed heavily on my mind for some time. Your quest was always meant to succeed with or without you. You have reclaimed the mountain, your homeland, but indeed the cost has been great. It is what comes next that you must be prepared for my child," Mahal told me and I frowned deeply at his words.
"News of Smaug's death will spread throughout Middle Earth. People will come looking...people who will want to see if the gold is now unprotected," I said as I reasoned through what Balin had said before I fainted and Mahal and I stopped walking, standing in the middle of the brightly lit hall.
"Indeed, but there is more. The gold has already begun to change Thorin, to twist his mind. It will test him, test all of you in the coming days. Smaug is dead, but count the costs. The mountain is won, but Thorin is…," Mahal said and I shook my head at his words, not wanting them to be true.
"Lost? He can't be. There has to be some way to help him. I've seen what comes next, what Lady Galadriel showed me in the water. I refuse to believe that we won back the mountain just to lose Thorin, or Fili and Kili for that matter. I won't allow it," I told Mahal angrily and he nodded his head before he put his hands on my shoulders and looked down at me.
"The Fate of Durin's line rests in your hands, child. You alone can determine the fate of your people. What happens next is up to you. If you do nothing you have seen what will happen. Thorin, Fili, and Kili will die, there is no denying that. There is still time to change their fate however," Mahal told me as he took my hands into his. "The darkness has made itself known. Even now in Dol Guldur it grows. If the mountain were to be taken once more, the darkness could spread to all corners of the land," Mahal told me and I frowned at that before looking up at him with wide eyes.
"Smaug knew about it, he said the darkness was coming. I've seen a battle, that's what is coming isn't it?" I asked Mahal and he only nodded his head slightly. "How can I determine the fate of my people, of Durin's line? I am one girl. I'm nothing special," I told Mahal and he smiled down at me.
"Many believe that it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not true. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Friendship, kinship, these are the bonds that people fight to protect," Mahal said as I remembered all the times I had stood in front of an enemy to protect someone I loved. "Why you? Why not you? Do you have any less courage than Thorin, any less strength than your One? Your people will need a leader if Thorin lets the Goldsickness consume him. War is coming, it is unavoidable now. Can you stand up and lead your people?" Mahal asked me and I frowned deeply, looking at our conjoined hands.
"Thorin was meant to lead our people," I said in a small voice and Mahal nodded as I looked back up at him.
"Sometimes it is about knowing when to fight and when not to," Mahal said then and I bit my lip as I remembered his words from our meeting in Rivendell. "It's about knowing when you must take charge," Mahal added and I nodded as I finally understood.
Our quest was always meant to succeed as Mahal had said, with or without me. It's what came next that I had already seen. War, a battle and if nothing was done, they would all die. Thorin, Fili, and Kili would fall in battle. Thorin was already changing, the Goldsickness already taking ahold of him. I had seen it in his eyes when he fought me in the treasury. If I did nothing they would die, but I had a chance to try. If Thorin was consumed by the Goldsickness he could not lead our people. The others would look to me and despite my fears...I would need to do what had to be done, for our people, for Durin's line.
"Can you lead your people?" Mahal asked me once more and I looked up into his eyes, determination filling me.
"Yes. It's more than us. This quest, it was about reclaiming Erebor to give a home to our people. They're counting on us. No one else can do it. I won't let Thorin endanger himself or others. If war is coming, they will need a leader and Thorin is...he is not himself. I cannot stand back and watch as he makes decisions that could potentially harm our people. I...I don't want the crown, but this isn't about what I want anymore. It's about doing the right thing. Our people look to us, to the Line of Durin, to protect them and that's what we'll continue to do," I told Mahal who beamed at me proudly.
"I chose you for a reason, Adaira daughter of Frerin," Mahal told me as he reached up and gently touched the side of my face. "I rarely make mistakes," He told me and I snorted at that and rolled my eyes. "It's time for you to awaken, child," Mahal told me and I looked up into his face curiously.
"Is this to be our last meeting?" I asked Mahal and he nodded before bumping his forehead to mine gently.
"Until you join me here in these Halls," Mahal told me and then he leaned in and kissed my forehead. "Be well," My Maker told me and the stone halls began to fade away back into a black void.
I opened my eyes a moment later as a noise awakened me. I stared up at the dusty canopy of a four poster bed, blinking as my eyes adjusted to the dim light of the unfamiliar room when I heard it again. It was a siren-like call, haunting and beautiful and I inhaled deeply, letting out the breath before I turned my head towards the loud snoring noise coming to my left. Dwalin was sitting in a chair on the other side of the bed which I was laying on, furs thrown over the top of me. I groaned, my whole body feeling bruised and I grunted as I lifted the furs which smelt musty with disuse up, and swung my legs over the side of the bed.
I started to get up, but as soon as I stood my legs buckled underneath me and I fell to the floor, desperately grabbing for the edge of the bed on my way down. I heard the snoring stop and then movement as I started to try and pull myself up off of the floor. I knew the moment my husband was awake when he stood, his chair scooting against stone loudly as he reached frantically towards the bed.
"Adaira!" I heard my husband shout as he quickly started to search the bed for me and I raised my hand up over the side of the bed and wiggled my fingers.
"Down here," I told my husband and he rushed around the side of the bed to me and scooped me up in his arms, picking me up and setting me back down on the bed in front of him. He looked worried and concerned and started checking me over for injury until I grabbed his hands in mine, stilling them.
"I'm fine," I assured my husband and he growled lowly under his breath at my words.
"No, yer not," Dwalin said as he started to try and fuss over me again.
"Stop, just stop!" I told him in irritation. I was not a doll, I wasn't going to break so easily. Dwalin took a step back from the bed at my outburst as I put a hand to my temples in frustration, feeling a headache coming on. I took several deep breaths before looking up at my husband who had his eyes on his feet, his hands clenched into fists by his side. "Birashagimi, mo chridhe. Mukhuh," I told my husband as I reached out for him and Dwalin looked up at me and took my hand stiffly. I pulled him towards me and he sat down beside me on the bed, relaxing. "I'm fi…," I began, but Dwalin cut me off quickly.
"Don't say yer fine. We both know that's a load of Orc shit," Dwalin quipped, not sounding angry with me, just frustrated and I sighed and put a hand on his arm before rubbing my hand over his.
"I'm...as well as can be expected given everything we've just been through," I amended and Dwalin sighed out deeply as he searched my face.
"Yah fainted. Scared me half tah death," Dwalin told me more gently than before, any irritation gone from his voice.
"I know," I said as I reached up and caressed the side of his face. "I'm sorry, mo chridhe," I apologised before leaning down and putting my head on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around my waist.
"I don't want yah to move from this bed until Oin returns. We don't…," Dwalin began and I pulled away from his side and looked up at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Dwalin," I said, cutting off the rest of his worried words and I cuddled closer to him then, not wanting him to see my face. I sighed slightly to myself knowing that I was going to have to lie to him. I knew why I had fainted, that was obvious. I couldn't have Dwalin worrying about me so much if war was really coming. I needed to get out of bed and start trying to fix what I could. "There's no need to worry. After our trek to the mountain, climbing all those stairs, and then battling Smaug, I was just exhausted," I told my husband which was a half truth. My body had just had enough especially since I was pregnant.
"I don't like admitting that I'm weaker than the rest of you so I push myself too far. My body just had enough. I just needed some sleep," I told my husband who stared down at me, mulling over my words and looking like he didn't buy it at first.
"Yer not weak lass," Dwalin finally said and I breathed a sigh of relief as he tucked me closer to him. "Are yah sure that's it?" He asked me and I nodded into his chest.
"I'm sure. I already feel better," I lied as I pulled back and looked up at my husband, smiling brightly. In fact I felt a bit sick.
"Yer color's come back," Dwalin said as he reached up and stroked the side of my face, looking a bit more relaxed. I nodded and squirmed out of his arms, crawling back up to the pillows and settling myself down upon them after fluffing them up behind my back and I lifted the furs up after crawling under them myself, patting the spot beside me.
"Come here," I told my husband and Dwalin looked tired as he kicked off his boots and slid in next to me on the bed. He pulled me close to him and I laid my head on his chest as he held me protectively. "Where are we?" I asked my husband curiously as I flicked my gaze around the room which was richly furnished, everything covered under a thick layer of dust.
"Dis' room. Thorin decided that we'd stay in the Royal Wing," Dwalin answered me and I nodded as I laid there, looking up at the ceiling.
"How long have I been asleep?" I asked Dwalin and he shrugged.
"Couple of hours," He told me, content to just lay next to me.
"Did Thorin share any plans with you for what is to be done next?" I inquired as I lazily played with some of Dwalin's chest hair which was poking through the top of his tunic.
"He's got the others searching for the Arkenstone," Dwalin informed me and I closed my eyes tiredly. It had already begun.
"I should get up then. It's not fair to be lazing around in bed when everyone else is searching for it," I told my husband and I tried to sit up but Dwalin pulled me closer to him.
"Yah can rest for a few more minutes. I'm still not convinced yer alright," Dwalin grumbled beside me and I bit my lip as I turned to look down at him. He had his eyes closed and he was rubbing soothing circles on my back. I crawled closer to him and reached up, cupping the side of his face and I turned his head towards mine and he opened both eyes, staring into mine.
I leaned down then and pressed my lips to his, thankful that we were both alive. When I pulled back, Dwalin had a hungry look in his eyes and his hand strayed from my back down to my butt which he squeezed. I grinned and rolled my eyes, leaning down and kissing him once more before I slid away from him. Dwalin sat up and reached towards me but I was already out of his reach on the other side of the bed. I looked down at the floor as I wiggled my bare toes on the stone and I reached up then, grabbing onto one of the bed posts before I pulled myself to my feet.
My legs wanted to buckle under me once more, but this time I was able to hold myself up. My legs felt like Jello and after a moment I began to get feeling back in them and I was able to stand without support. I sighed and took a few tentative steps and when I didn't fall I saw that as a good sign. My stomach did flip flops and I reached up and rubbed a hand over my belly before dropping it back to my side.
My aunt's old bedroom was beautiful. I stepped onto the dark rug and took a look around. Everything was covered in a layer of dust or cobwebs, but the furniture itself looked unaffected by time. It could probably use a good polishing and cleaning, but at least Smaug hadn't destroyed everything. I took a few more steps over to where a chaise lounge and a chair was, a fire glowing brightly in the fireplace. I trailed my fingers over the back of the chair, feeling the velvet and my fingers came back dusty.
I hummed slightly under my breath and walked over to the fireplace, bending down slightly and warming my hands and toes. I heard the bed move behind me as Dwalin got to his feet and I rolled my shoulders to ease the tension between them. Dwalin came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist and I smiled and turned my head towards him as he tucked his chin into the crook of my shoulder.
"Yah should stay here," Dwalin to me and I sighed and shook my head.
"I'm not going to sit back and let you all do the work," I told my husband, patting his arms and he let me go. I found my boots where Dwalin must have put them after taking them off and I grabbed them before going to sit on the edge of the bed so I could pull them on more easily. "I'll take it easy," I assured Dwalin, peeking up at him as I pulled my boots on.
"Yah better," Dwalin told me and I nodded, letting him help me to my feet. "Come on lass. Bombur will have something for yah tah eat," Dwalin told me and I let him lead me from the room.
We stepped from the bedroom into an even larger sitting room and Dwalin explained to me it was Dis' receiving room. Moth eaten tapestries were hung up on the walls and the room was elegantly decorated, but again everything was covered in a thick layer of dust. This room led out into the hallway which was large, Khuzdul runes decorating the walls. Dwalin explained to me that this was the Royal Wing and he pointed out the King's set of rooms, the Queen's which were rarely used, and what had been Thorin and my father's rooms.
My mouth fell open slightly in surprise as we stepped out of the Royal Wing and into the halls of Erebor. Erebor was cavernous and huge, the stone chiseled and designed in geometric shapes. The art deco designs in the stone were three dimensional. Once more, light filled the mountain, the others having lit torches through the stone halls. At first I had thought that living in the mountain would be dark and dreary, but the light shone brightly throughout the cavern, twinkling off of veins of ore and gemstones. It was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen in my life.
Dwalin led me through the halls, easily remembering the pathways of what was once his home and now could be again. I could feel a niggling sensation in the pit of my stomach and I smiled as I felt the mountain reaching out to me again. It no longer felt like a frightened child, but a constant presence that was happy to see me, like a very over active and eager dog. I no longer felt afraid of getting lost, knowing that all I needed was to rely on my Stone Sense to find my way.
When we returned to the treasury, we stood on an overlook and I took a deep breath and let it out as I looked out over the sea of gold. Thorin was watching everyone from an elevated position as they searched through the piles, flinging the gold over their shoulders or brushing it aside as they searched for the Arkenstone. Dwalin led me towards Thorin and I took a deep breath as I approached my Uncle, not knowing exactly who it was I was going to find.
"Thorin," Dwalin said as we approached and Thorin didn't even move or make a sound acknowledging him. I frowned deeply and saw that Thorin's face was blank and he was staring out at the gold, barely even blinking.
"Adad?" I asked as we drew closer and I finally heard Thorin hum in acknowledgement. I saw him barely turn his head to the side, but his eyes never once left the gold.
"Adaria," Thorin said, his tone void of emotion. "Good, you can join the search," He said and he finally turned away from the treasure, crossing his arms over his chest as he turned to Dwalin and I.
"There's been no luck yet?" I asked Thorin carefully and he shook his head.
"No, but we'll find it," Thorin told me before he turned back to the others. "Keep searching! The Arkenstone is here somewhere! Find it!" Thorin shouted to the others who were searching below and I heard them grumble as they increased their efforts. I turned to look over the treasure hold, scared that the gold would start affecting me too. I forced myself to stare at it long and hard and I felt nothing.
Thorin's eyes were cold and void of emotion and his mouth was drawn into a frown. He continued to stare at the gold and I saw something in his eyes, something that was not right. I had a duty to our people, but most importantly to our family and that duty was to help Thorin. I nodded, determination filling me. Lord Elrond had spoken to Gandalf in Rivendell about the madness that was said to run in our family, maybe he would know something about how to help Thorin. I kissed Dwalin on the cheek before he went to go help in the search and with Thorin distracted, I followed my Stone Sense, trusting that it would lead me to where I needed to go.
Third Person POV
It was early morning and on the banks of the lake, refugees and wreckage from Laketown started to wash up on shore, some of the wreckage still on fire. People were screaming and crying, running about and either helping the injured to shore or trying to save what little they could from the water. There were dead bodies washed up on the banks of the lake having long since grown cold and their staring eyes stared into the very depths of the souls of those who had survived.
"Will somebody help me? HELP!" Alfrid shouted then as he came crawling up out of the water. He clambered over a dead body, only to realize that the person was still alive. He rolled him over into the water, screaming as he flailed about in the water. "HELP!" Alfrid shouted again, making a spectacle of himself as he pulled himself from the water.
The air was cold, snow flurries falling intermittently. Without shelter from the cold, the survivors of Laketown were left to freeze out in the open, their clothing drenched. Some of the survivors begin helping each other and salvaging whatever supplies they could, knowing that come winter, come tonight, they all would need food, blankets, medicine. But where were they to get it? Their homes had been destroyed, their town laid to waste and ruin. On the banks of the lake, Tauriel was walking about with Sigrid and Tilda, trying to help the two girls look for Bard and their brother Bain. So far there was still no sight of them or Lyssaria and Tauriel began to believe that they had perished.
"DA!" Sigrid shouted as she and her sister stuck close to Tauriel, turning about and trying to spot their father in the chaos. With every passing minute Sigrid grew more and more fearful and anxious.
"DA!" Tilda screamed, looking every which way and hoping to finally see her father.
"DA!" Sigrid screamed again and Tauriel drew close to both girls, ushering them away from the chaos, trying to keep them together. This place was no where for two young girls to be, dead bodies everywhere and people panicking.
"WHY ME?" Alfrid screamed up into the sky, now having made it to the banks of the lake.
There was screaming and crying all about, as people pulled the bodies of their loved ones out of the water and onto the shore. The dwarves, Oin, Bofur, and Fili, grabbed a boat and began to push it out into the water. They all had spoken and agreed that they needed to get to the mountain as soon as possible. While fire could still be seen coming from the gates of Erebor, they did not know if any of their kin had survived. Kili walked away from his brother after telling him he had something he needed to do and he approached Tauriel feeling a bit nervous. He couldn't leave her, not without speaking his mind, without telling her of his favour for her.
Kili was now sure without a doubt that Tauriel was his One. He could feel it, a thrumming within him every time he was close to her. She was unlike anyone he had ever met. He loved her, even if his Uncle would not approve of the fact that he loved an Elf, he loved her. She was like starlight, the most beautiful thing he had ever beheld.
"Tauriel," Kili said as he approached his One and she turned to face him, a gentle expression on her face.
"Kili, come on! We're leaving," Fili called to his brother. Fili did not like the way Kili stared at the Elf and while she had saved his brother's life, he didn't know if they could trust her.
"They are your people - You must go," Tauriel told Kili, reminding him of his duty, looking at him both sadly and guardedly, before she walked past him. Kili's face fell in distraught for a second and then he whirled around to face her again.
"Come with me," Kili said and Tauriel stopped up short, turning towards him, her eyebrows drawing slightly together in surprise at his request. "I know how I feel; I'm not afraid. You make me feel alive," Kili confessed his love to Tauriel and she turned her head away from him.
"I can't," Tauriel told him, conflicted, knowing that she had a duty too. Legolas was gone and Lyssaria missing and the girls could not be left alone in the midst of this chaos. She could not leave them, knowing how dangerous it would be for two young girls to be alone. Kili reached out and grabbed her arm then.
"Tauriel...amrâlimê,"Kili said and Tauriel looked at Kili in shock and surprise. She had heard that term before. In the cells, the bald Dwarf had called his wife that.
"I don't know what that means," Tauriel said, shaking her head slightly as she stared at Kili who was gazing at her with so much love and adoration on his face and he smiled at her.
"I think you do," Kili told her, knowing she was smart and Tauriel smiled at him and began to lean towards Kili slightly, not knowing what it is she was going to do, but wanting to tell him that she felt the same. She stopped abruptly however, straightening up and making her face go blank as she sensed someone approaching her from behind, someone she knew well. How could she not?
"Hîr nín, Legolas," (My Lord Legolas) Tauriel said, her voice steady as Kili looked with hostility over her shoulder at Legolas who stood behind her.
"Maewado i Naug," (Take your leave of the Dwarf) Legolas ordered her, not knowing why Tauriel lingered with them. "Boe i nadh egeno." (You are needed elsewhere.) Legolas told her and Tauriel looked at Kili for a few more seconds, then, torn by her duty, she began to turn away from him.
Kili sadly turned toward his friends launching the boat, kicking at the rocks, and he paused suddenly as he realized there was something he could give her, a promise. He could not leave from her now without knowing that he would see her again. He turned around and hurried back to Tauriel, taking her hand into his own and he placed his rune stone into it, folding her fingers closed over it. Tauriel gasped and looked down at him as she realized what it was he had given her and Kili got close to her face and held her hands to his heart.
"Keep it. As a promise," Kili told her and they smiled at one another and Tauriel nodded slightly, letting him know that she would return to him. Kili held her hand for a moment longer before he ran towards the boat, not wanting to be left behind for a second time.
Legolas watched the exchange in confusion while Tauriel looked down at the stone in her hand before looking towards Kili and the Dwarves in the boat. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as they parted, knowing he was taking the other half of her heart with him. She no longer doubted her feelings now. Her Fae had recognized him as the other half of her soul. When she healed him, their souls had connected for a moment. Yes, she could love him. Did love him. For now they must each follow their duty, but she would return to him. She made a promise. Kili looked back at Tauriel for several moments as their boat drew further away from the shore and then he began rowing once more.
Meanwhile on shore, the woman from Laketown who had helped Adaira hide from the soldiers and who had spoken about the prophecy hurried about, handing out blankets to the survivors as quickly as she could. Fires had been made with the wreckage of Laketown and while the sun was warm overhead now, as soon as the sun began to fall, many could die from exposure.
"These are dry. You need them," The woman said as she handed a blanket out to one of the survivors.
"Thank you," The man told her gratefully as he accepted it from her. Over her shoulder, Alfrid began pushing his way between people as he approached the woman.
"Oi! Give me one of them! I'll catch my death in this cold!," Alfrid demanded as he stalked slowly towards her, the woman bustling about and handing out as many blankets as she could.
"Oh, find your own! You're not in charge now, Alfrid Blackspell!" The woman called to him over her shoulder, no longer willing to listen to anyone who had anything to do with the Master.
"That is where you are wrong," Alfrid told the woman angrily. "In absence of the Master, the power cedes to his deputy, which in this instance is my good self. Now give me that blanket!"Alfrid shouted and he leaned forward and grabbed onto the last blanket she was carrying. She pulled back on the other end and they began to play tug of war over it while yelling at one another.
"Master's deputy? Don't make me laugh," The woman said as she finally managed to pull the blanket away from Alfrid before she began hitting him with it. "You're a sneak-thief, more like. I'll be dead, before I answer to the likes of you!" The woman told him and as she turned away, Alfrid grabbed onto her from behind.
"Maybe that can be arranged!" Alfrid told her angrily and he raised his hand to strike her, only to have someone else grab his upraised arm before he could bring it down on the woman.
"I wouldn't go turning on your own, Alfrid. Not now!" Bard warned Alfrid as he leaned in closely to him and Bard spun Alfrid around, and Alfrid tripped and fell over Bain's outstretched foot, Lyssaria pointing her Elven sword at the man with a sneer. Bain and the woman smiled at one another as Sigrid and Tilda came running out of the crowd, having finally spotted their father and brother.
"DA!" Tilda shouted, gasping as she pushed between two people and ran towards her father as quickly as she could.
"Come here!" Bard told his daughter, bending a bit lower and Bard grabbed up his daughters in a huge hug. He clutched them to himself as the townspeople looked on. Lyssaria still pointing her sword at Alfrid.
"You're alive," Sigrid said in relief as her father held her tightly to him.
"It's alright, darling," Bard assured his daughters, laughing as they held him tightly and Tilda opened her eyes to see Lyssaria and reached towards her. Lyssaria felt a bit awkward to intrude on the family moment, but she sheathed her sword and walked over to Bard, taking the girl's hand and smiling at her. The survivors around them began to crowd around the family and Percy, who used to check the papers of the boats entering town, stepped out of the crowd.
"It was Bard! Bard and the Elf! They killed the dragon! I saw it with my own eyes. They brought the beast down. They shot him dead, with a black arrow," Percy exclaimed and the people began cheering for Bard and Lyssaria, laying their hands on them both and exclaiming their thanks. Lyssaria looked around with a surprised face, not sure how she ended up here.
"You saved us all! Thank you," A woman said as Bard put Tilda down in front of him, the girl clinging to her father and still holding Lyssaria's hand tightly in her own. Alfrid suddenly appeared then in the crowd and he raised Bard's arm over his head, Bard turning to look at Alfrid with a frown on his face.
"ALL HAIL - TO THE DRAGONSLAYER! ALL HAIL - KING BARD!" Alfrid cheered loudly and everyone grew silent as Bard yanked his hand away Alfrid's angrily. Lyssaria scowled at the scum of a man, keeping the children safe as Alfrid, still with his hand up in the air, spoke to the crowd. "I have said it many times - This is a man of noble stock. A born leader!" Alfrid announced while Bard glared at him.
"Do not call me that! I'm not the master of this town," Bard told Alfrid who turned back to him and Bard looked around at the people who had gathered around him. "WHERE IS HE? WHERE'S THE MASTER?" Bard shouted angrily, wondering where the man who had brought this wrath and ruin was.
"Halfway down the Anduin, with all our coin, I don't doubt. You would know!" The woman who Bard had saved answered Bard and she pointed at Alfrid who instantly looked scared. "You helped him empty the treasury," The woman accused as she pointed her finger in his face and forced him to back up as she threatened him.
"No - I tried to stop him," Alfrid said quickly and he raised his voice and addressed all the people, scared and pleading.
Liar!" A man shouted as Bard looked to Lyssaria and she nodded, pulling the children further away from the spectacle.
"You're a mongrel!" Another man shouted, more people yelling at him angrily and calling him a traitor while Alfrid hid behind Bard, keeping Bard between himself and the woman.
"I pleaded. I pleaded. I said, 'Master - NO!'" Alfrid said as people continued to yell abuse at him, Alfrid terrified as the mob rose up against him.
"Let's do away with him!" Someone shouted as Bard frowned as he watched everyone turn on Alfrid.
"Tar him!" Someone suggested and Alfrid looked around for something to save himself as someone shouted, "Hang him!"
"Think of the children," Alfrid said as he turned around and ripped Tilda away from Lyssaria and held her in front of him. "Will nobody think of the children?!" Alfrid shouted as Lyssaria whipped out her Dwarven blade and laid it against Alfrid's throat.
"Let her go!" Lyssaria shouted and Alfrid started shaking in fear. Tilda used the distraction to her advantage and angrily stomped on Alfrid's foot, forcing him to let go of her. Alfrid yelped in pain as Tilda ran back to Lyssaria who held her close, lowering her blade once more.
"To the tree with you!" A man shouted as people yelled for Alfrid's head and several men grabbed Alfrid and raised him up, preparing to hang him with a rope. Alfrid screamed in fear, unable to protect himself and Lyssaria turned the children away from the sight, none of them needing to see the lynching.
"Hang him high!" Someone shouted as someone else shouted. "Take him down!" Bard, unable to stand another minute of this, stepped in before anyone could harm Alfrid.
"Enough!" Bard shouted, pushing through the throng and over to Alfrid. "Let him go! Let him go!" He shouted, pushing back against the others and the people quieted down and let Alfrid fall to the ground with a heavy thud. "Look around you! Have you not had your fill of death?" Bard shouted in disgust as he turned about, addressing the mob.
"Aye," Alfrid answered, popping up at Bard's side and putting a hand on his shoulder to steady himself and Bard pushed him back down to the ground. "Winter is upon us; we must look to our own, to the sick and the helpless. Those who can stand, tend to the wounded. And those who have strength left - follow me. We must salvage what we can," Bard told them all before he turned and began to stride through the crowd, Lyssaria helping the children through to follow their father.
"What then? What do we do then?" The woman who had fought with Alfrid asked Bard anxiously, voicing the fears that everyone had.
"We find shelter," Bard answered her and the crowd began to murmur before they followed Bard as he walked away. Once Bard had put some distance between himself and the others he turned back to where Lyssaria was leading his children towards him. He frowned as he watched the Elf, realizing that he didn't even know her name. "I cannot thank you enough for what you did," Bard began as the Elf stopped in front of him, his children watching the exchange curiously. "I do not even know your name," Bard said with a slight smile playing at his lips and the Elf smiled at him.
"I am Lyssaria, daughter of Nordri son of Gorin at your service," The Elf told him with a bow of her head and Bard frowned deeply at that in confusion, those were Dwarven names.
"You're a Dwarf?" Bard asked the woman and she nodded with a smirk.
"My mother was an Elf, Idriel of the Woodland Realm," The woman, Lyssaria told him and Bard nodded in understanding now.
"You saved us, saved Bain, my daughters. There is nothing I can give you," Bard told Lyssaria with a frown on his face as he realized that he was in her debt and she shook her head quickly.
"There is nothing you need to give me. Your people needed help. I will not stand idly by and watch people suffer when I have strength in me yet. I'm not a healer, but my Dwarven half means I'm stronger than the average Man. I wish to help you," Lyssaria told Bard and he chewed his cheek for a long moment.
"Normally I would say no, but we need all the help we can get," Bard finally told the woman and she nodded firmly.
"Lead on," She told Bard and Bard nodded, feeling like a little weight had been lifted off of his shoulders.
Adaira's POV
I followed my Stone Sense, easily getting lost in the wide open halls. Even though Smaug was dead, I still was wary as I crossed over bridges and down halls. I kept waiting for something to jump out at me from around a corner. I took deep breaths, laying a gentle hand on my stomach and rubbing it. I somehow found my way back to the Royal Wing and then came the next part of my plan which included snooping around. I ducked into the King's Chambers knowing that they would be empty with Thorin in the treasury.
Dust covered everything, making me sneeze as my footsteps kicked up dust which had not been disturbed for quite some time. It would definitely take an army of cleaners to make Erebor inhabitable again. What I was looking for was paper and a pen. I had a letter I desperately needed to write. Like Dis' rooms, this room also had a receiving room, but through one door was the bedroom and another was an office of sorts. The work of a King was never done after all.
There was a gigantic wooden desk in the room which was covered in paper that was yellowed with time. There was a thick rug on the floor and the room was decorated in very dark colors. It seemed very uninviting and a bit cold. I lit a fire in the hearth after setting the torch I carried into a sconce on the wall and soon the cold room began to warm. I approached the desk and began shifting through the papers, knowing that it was now or never. The records drew my attention and I sat down in the comfortable chair behind the desk, a puff of dust arising and I snorted to clear my nose before I began reading.
Some missives were typical things I expected to find in a King's study. They spoke of mining plans, or how much ore had been smelted, the current wealth of the mountain. Some were political in nature, speaking of meetings between the Dwarven Lords of decrees that Thror had been writing. What worried me the most was Thror's own writing. It was clear from his words in some of the letters and other documents that he was exceedingly paranoid. One parchment I found seemed to be a diary of sorts and from it I learned that Thror had begun to even think that his kin were against him.
It was clear that his mind had continued to deteriorate within the months leading up to the Sacking of Erebor until he made no sense at all. I sighed heavily and rubbed my temples, my head starting to throb either from the dust or the situation alone. I grabbed a piece of blank parchment and a quill, thankful to find ink that had been tightly sealed and was still usable and began writing.
Lord Elrond,
I, Adaira, daughter of Frerin, son of Thrain, son of Thror, Heir to the Line of Durin, beg for your assistance. We have reclaimed Erebor, Smaug is dead, but there is much still to fear. Thorin had fallen to the strain of madness as you called it that affects our line.
He is not himself. I know he is changing. He has threatened one of the members of our Company already and even went so far as to fight me, his kin, when I protected them. He now has us searching for the Arkenstone with such intensity that it scares me.
If anything can be done for him, I ask, no beg, that you help him. I fear that this madness will only grow stronger the more time he stays in the mountain. I will lot let him fall like my great grandfather.
Humbly yours,
Adaira, daughter of Frerin, son of Thrain, son of Thror
Princess Under the Mountain
I sat back once I was finished writing my desperate plea for help and sighed heavily before rubbing at my eyes. I had to hope that Lord Elrond might know a way to help Thorin. I would not give up on him. Even if I had to keep fighting, even if Thorin did not want help, I would keep fighting until he was himself again. I folded up the letter and lit a candle, dripping candle wax over the seam in the paper so it would stay closed.
I rose then, dousing the fire and candles and stealing from the room. The next task would be the most difficult. I had to send this letter without Thorin finding out about it. I did not know how he would react if he discovered me with it or discovered my fears. I knew from what my father had taught me that the ravens of Erebor would send letters if you asked them nicely. I didn't know what that meant exactly, but my father had told me that there was a rookery in one of the North guard towers.
As I exited the King's Chambers I gave a shout as I walked smack dab into someone. I quickly hid the letter behind my back as I straightened up, trying not to look guilty and I sighed in relief when it turned out to only be Balin. He seemed relieved to see me as well and I put a hand to my chest to calm down my racing heart.
"There you are namadith," Balin said, smiling a little and I nodded as I lowered my hand to my side once more. "Dwalin sent me looking for you lass," He added and I sighed, knowing that I probably was worrying my husband. After all Erebor was a very large place and there were all sorts of dangers present. We still hadn't been able to inspect the mountain for damages yet.
"Sorry, I needed to get out of there," I told Balin as I shook my head. "I…," I began, not knowing if I should voice my fears to Balin or not. "I'm worried about Thorin," I finally said and Balin nodded, sighing deeply himself as his face turned grim.
"As am I. He is not himself," Balin told me, shaking his head and I nodded in agreement.
"I need to find the rookery Balin," I told the older Dwarf, knowing that Balin would know where it was, having lived in the mountain. "I can't tell you why. I trust you, but the less people who know the better. If Thorin finds out you won't have to lie to him," I told Balin and he looked slightly confused and I pulled the letter out from behind my back, showing it to him. "I'm not giving up on him Balin, I'd never give up on him, but Thorin needs help," I told Balin and he nodded in understanding.
"I'll take you there lass," Balin told me and I smiled and let him lead me away from the Royal Wing. Balin led me over many walkways and we began climbing stairs as he led me to the North side of the mountain. "I can't say if the ravens will carry your missive or not," Balin told me as we climbed up even more stairs and I sighed deeply.
"I have to try," I told Balin and we walked out into the open air where many wings fluttered. Sitting on perches that were built into the very stone of the mountain were dozens of ravens, the Ravens of Erebor. They croaked and squawked as we entered the rookery together.
Balin had explained to me on our way up to the rookery that usually there was a Master of Ravens who kept them and cared for them, fetching a raven for the King when a message needed to be sent. I took a moment at the top of the stairs to catch my breath before I walked out into the open brisk air. It was cold and I could certainly feel that the weather was changing. Winter was upon us now. One of the ravens caught my eye as he was sitting on a perch that was in the center of the room. He was a raven of great size and the top of his head was bald. I approached the perch, slow in my movements so as not to scare any of the birds.
"Go on lass," Balin encouraged me and I looked back at him, nodding. Balin had explained that some of the ravens were capable of speech and that they were exceedingly smart.
"Hello," I said in a soft voice as I came to stand in front of the aged looking raven and he began to croak as he turned his head towards me and I saw that his eyes were somewhat clouded.
"Queen! Queen!" The raven croaked as it peered at me.
"I'm Adaira, Heir of Durin's line," I said as the raven bounced up and down and suddenly the rest of the ravens began squawking loudly around me, their wings rustling as they began croaking, "Queen!" in many voices. I frowned and turned back to look at Balin who was watching the exchange with a look of surprise on his face. "Balin?" I asked the older Dwarf and he shook his head, having no explanation for me. "Thorin is King Under the Mountain. I'm not a queen," I told the raven, turning back to the bird.
"Durin's saviour," The raven croaked at me and I started at the words.
"I need to send this letter. It's important. I...I need help," I told the raven as the other ravens settled down and grew silent.
"Rok," The aged raven croaked out then and the wings of one of the raven's fluttered and it took off in flight off of its perch and flew over to the perch in front of me.
"Roäc," The other raven croaked as it bounced up and down slightly next to the older raven.
"Fly message for Queen!" The aged raven said, fluttering his wings slightly before he peered at me. "Roäc knows," The aged raven said, staring at me. "Mahal shows Roäc," He said and my eyes widened in surprise as I realized what he meant. I held up my letter and held it out towards the raven who I assumed as named Rok and he squawked before grabbing up the letter in his beak.
"This letter is for Lord Elrond, Lord of Rivendell's eyes only," I told the raven who bounced up and down before he turned around on the perch and ruffled his wings before taking off in flight and sailing out into the grey sky.
"Lord Elrond?" Balin asked as he walked up behind me and I nodded as I turned around to face him.
"I know how Thorin feels about Elves, but Lord Elrond knew of whatever it was that affected Thror. You've seen what Elven healing can do," I told Balin as I pulled down my tunic slightly and exposed my shoulder, showing him the scars from when I had been attacked by a Warg."I have to hope that Lord Elrond might know a way to help Thorin," I told Balin who was frowning deeply and Balin sighed before nodding.
"For Thorin's sake I hope that too," Balin told me and we shared a long look before I turned my eyes back skyward where Rok was disappearing in the distance.
Third Person POV
Fili, Kili, Bofur and Oin paddled as fast as they could to cross the lake before nightfall. They all were unsure of what they would find when they reached the mountain. Beyond the lake they began traveling towards Erebor, crossing through the desolation of Smaug and passing through the ruins of Dale. Fili looked at the ruins grimly as they passed through them, the images of the dragon fire from the night before replaying in his mind. He encouraged the others forward, taking charge and allowing them only a little time to rest before he pushed them forward once more.
They had no supplies and no weapons, but as much as he pushed them to continue, he had to remember that Kili was still healing. Kili trudged on, brave faced, but he often grew pale when the pain became too much, limping along and Fili was forced to call for them to make camp for the night. He tried to calm himself, not wanting to worry needlessly, but he was anxious, fearing for his Uncle and Adaira as well as the others.
Their journey to the mountain took two days and finally as they crested the last hill and approached the gates, they stopped in shock and fear as they saw the destruction caused by Smaug when he smashed through the front gate to fly out of the mountain. The four of them looked at one another, sharing a look of fear before they began to sprint into the mountain, through the destroyed front gates.
"Hello! Bombur? Bifur? Anybody?" Bofur called out, his voice echoing in the silence. The darkened front entrance to the mountain was uninviting. There were no signs of life, no indication that the others had been this way.
The four carefully navigated the ruined front entrance and began to clamber through the halls, looking for their kin. Fili and Kili shared a worried look as they continued on through the mountain, worrying about what they would find. Erebor truly was a spectacle to behold, but now it looked grim and dark. As they ran down a staircase, heading in the general direction of the treasury without knowing they were, Bilbo ran up towards them from another part of the city, having spotted them while he had left the treasury to get some air. Thorin had been driving them on all morning and Bilbo needed a moment to collect himself away from prying eyes.
"WAIT! WAIT!" Bilbo shouted to the others, trying to stop them before they got any further into the mountain, before they got to the treasury.
"It's Bilbo! He's alive!" Oin shouted in surprise and relief as the Hobbit came careening around the corner towards them.
"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Bilbo shouted as they met each other in a corridor and the Dwarves stopped up short as Bilbo quieted his voice. "You need to leave. We all need to leave," Bilbo told the Dwarves earnestly and Bofur and the others frowned at him in confusion.
"We only just got here?!" Bofur told Bilbo with a frown of confusion on his face.
"I have tried talking to him, but he won't listen," Bilbo said desperately, trying to get them to understand the danger.
"What do you mean, laddie?" Oin asked, his hearing trumpet raised to his ear.
"THORIN!" Bilbo answered him loudly before looking around quickly, afraid of being overheard by the Dwarf in question and he put his right hand on his hip while he raised his left to punctuate his words. "Thorin. Thorin. He's been down there for days. He doesn't sleep. He barely eats. He's not been himself - not at all. It's this - It's this place," Bilbo said, clearing his throat as he pointed up and waved his finger around to indicate that he was talking about the mountain. "I think a sickness lies on it," Bilbo said and as the Hobbit spoke, Fili looked past him and saw something that caused him to wrinkle his face in consternation.
"Sickness? What kind of sickness?" Kili asked Bilbo worriedly and Fili walked past the group and started heading further down into Erebor as he noticed a golden light ahead of them.
"Fili. Fili. Fili!" Bilbo shouted after the blond haired prince as he and the others ran after him, trying to stop him.
As they continued heading down, a golden light began to become visible on the walls where down below the torches were lit. As they rounded a corner they all stopped short at the sight of Smaug's treasure, heaped so high over the floor of the cavern that the ground was barely visible. As they stared out at the sea of gold, the sound of gold coins clinking together reached their ears and they all turned and saw Thorin, dressed in ornate robes and covered in jewelry, striding slowly out of a doorway.
"Gold - Gold beyond measure. Beyond sorrow and grief," Thorin said, speaking softly to himself. He looked strange, possessed almost and the Dwarves looked down at him in surprise, Bilbo's mouth forming a tight line. Thorin looked up then and saw the others standing there. "Behold - the great treasure hoard of Thror," Thorin said, his voice strange and Fili looked down at his Uncle who was not himself. Thorin suddenly flung something high into the air to where the Dwarves were standing on a stairwell landing, and Fili caught it. It was a giant blood red jewel. "Welcome, my sister's sons," Thorin said in that same strange tone as he placed a hand over his chest. "...to the kingdom of EREBOR," Thorin finished, holding out his arms.
Just as soon as he was done speaking, Thorin turned away from them and began to mutter to himself as he continued to walk amongst the gold. Fili and the others looked at Bilbo who nodded, confirming that this is what he meant. He led the others to where the other Dwarves were and Balin who was sitting with Dwalin and Adaira at a long table turned around as soon as they entered the room.
"Balin!" Bofur said in excitement at seeing the older Dwarf as Dwalin rose from his seat and rushed to greet the others.
"Kili!" Dwalin said before he hugged Bofur tightly, clapping him on the back before he rushed to greet Oin as well.
"Bombur!" Bofur shouted in joy as his brother raced to greet him and Adaira sprung to her feet and rushed at Fili and Kili.
"Nadads!" Adaira shouted and the others moved quickly away as she jumped at Fili and Kili, the two Dwarves catching her up tight in a big hug and Adaira buried her face in Fili's chest, inhaling deeply, her arms wrapped around his and Kili's necks.
"Adaira!" Fili and Kili said in unison as they hugged her fiercely and tears welled up in Adaira's eyes as she pulled back from their embrace and began patting their chests, looking them both over for injuries. "I was so worried," Adaira said, her voice cracking slightly and Fili pulled her into a tight embrace once more and kissed the top of her head.
"We're here. We're safe," Fili assured his sister before looking down at her and frowning as he noticed that Adaira was wearing a dress of deep blue velvet and heavy robes trimmed with fur. One her forehead sat a circlet made of gold and she wore many beads covered in gems as well as ropes of pearls and gold about her throat and rings of all sorts on her fingers.
"We need to talk, now," Adaira hissed in a whisper to Fili and Kili and their eyes grew wide as they saw the fear in her eyes and Fili nodded, allowing himself and his brother to be led away from the others.
"What's going on? Bilbo said Thorin…," Fili asked Adaira quickly as she pulled them into a room off of the one they had just been in.
"Is not himself. This…," Adaira said and she gestured to herself. "...he's insisted that I wear it and I don't want to agitate him. Thorin threatened Bilbo, he fought me when I tried to stop him.," Adaira told Fili and Kili whose expressions turned grim, the two brothers sharing a look of disbelief. "He will not eat or sleep. He spends all his time amongst the gold. I don't know what to do anymore. I'm trying to help him, but he will not listen to me," Adaira said, running her fingers through her short hair and Fili could see the bags and dark circles under her eyes, her grim face and pale skin color.
"Bilbo said he was sick," Kili said with a frown of confusion and Adaira nodded hurriedly.
"Goldsickness. Uslukh-satas, Dragon sickness," Adaira told them, shaking her head as she sighed out in frustration. "Thror our great grandfather was consumed with a lust for gold. I've read letters he wrote before the Sacking of Erebor. He grew increasingly paranoid, especially of his kin," Adaira told them, her voice low, almost a whisper.
"This is Thorin we're talking about though," Fili reminded his sister and she nodded earnestly.
"I know. Ever since we arrived here he's been like this. I'm afraid," Adaira said and that caused both Fili and Kili to frown deeply as they took in the fact that it didn't look like Adaira was sleeping herself. She looked frazzled and on the brink of crying. Neither of them had ever heard Adaira admit she was scared before. "It's not just Thorin. The others are changing too. Dwalin, he's been more possessive of me, more protective which makes no sense as we're safer here than we were during our entire Quest. I…," Adaira was telling them in a hurried whisper and before she could finish Dwalin walked into the room behind her.
"Yâsith," Dwalin said and Adaira turned around quickly, and Fili frowned more deeply when he noticed Adaira plaster a quick smile on her face which did not reach her eyes. Dwalin looked at the two princes with an odd expression on his face, his arms crossed over his chest and he began walking over to the three of them. Dwalin reached out and placed a hand on Adaira's shoulder and Fili and Kili noticed her wince slightly as Dwalin's grip tightened rather possessively and he began to shoot dirty looks at the two of them.
"Mo chridhe," Adaira said, her voice steady as she looked up at her husband, hiding her wince of pain as his fingers left bruises on her shoulder with his tight grip.
"I thought I asked yah not to leave my sight," Dwalin snapped at her and Fili's eyebrow rose slightly at how very unlike Dwalin Dwalin was acting.
"I know. I was just welcoming Fili and Kili. I'm sorry to have worried you," Adaira told Dwalin quickly and she reached up and gently rubbed his arm, Dwalin finally letting her shoulder go.
"Come on. We're supposed to be searching for the Arkenstone, Thorin's orders," Dwalin said gruffly, shooting another nasty look at Fili and Kili before he wrapped a possessive arm around Adaira's waist and began leading her from the room. Adaira looked over her shoulder at Fili and Kili as she was led out of the room and both men nodded, understanding what she meant now.
None of the newcomers had time to relax or settle in. After a hurried lunch Thorin ordered everyone to search for the Arkenstone, everyone except for Adaira that is. Fili watched as Adaira was ordered to remain at Thorin's side by the Dwarf himself. All the Dwarves began to comb through the piles of treasure, searching for the Arkenstone. As Fili carefully trudged out onto the treasure, trying not to slip as the coins began moving, he wondered how they were meant to find the Arkenstone amongst all this gold. It could take years. The Arkenstone could be buried anywhere beneath all of this treasure.
"Any sign of it?!" Thorin shouted after no more than half an hour had passed.
"Nothing yet," Dwalin shouted from where he was searching the pile of gold.
"Nothing here," Nori shouted back from where he was fanned out over the gold
"Keep searching!" Thorin demanded and Adaira took deep steadying breaths beside him feeling sick to her stomach.
"That jewel could be anywhere!" Oin shouted what they all were thinking.
"The Arkenstone is in these halls - find it!" Thorin demanded once more as he looked down over the treasure hold from where he and Adaira stood on an elevated staircase.
"You heard him - Keep looking!" Dwalin ordered the others, his mind fuzzy and overwhelmed. The longer he spent time in the mountain the more his thoughts began to cloud and all he could think about was Adaira and keeping her safe, even from herself.
He needed to have her next to him, he wanted to run his fingers through her hair, to shower her in gold and jewels. He wanted her away from the others and their wandering eyes. She was his. No one else could have her. He trusted her with Thorin of course, Thorin was his King and Adaira was his heir. What Thorin said was law, at least for Dwalin. He would follow Thorin to the end.
"All of you - No one rests until it is found!" Thorin ordered and he turned away from the treasure. Bilbo, who had come to check on Adaira, looked down awkwardly upon hearing this. Adaira looked up from where she had her hands on the balcony, her hands clutched in a white knuckled grip and she turned to the Hobbit who gestured over his shoulder and she nodded.
"Adad," Adaira said and Thorin's head snapped towards her, his eyes dark and cold. "Could I go get some fresh air for a moment?" Adaira inquired and Thorin shook his head.
"No, you will go nowhere in this mountain alone," Thorin told her and Adaira nodded, her face falling slightly.
"I could take her," Bilbo piped up then and Thorin's eyes snapped to the Hobbit and Thorin peered at him, walking closer almost threateningly. "Really, it'd be no trouble," Bilbo added, as Thorin stopped advancing towards him and stared down at him almost menacingly.
"Very well," Thorin said after a long moment of silence and Bilbo saw Adaira let out a deep sigh of relief from behind the Dwarf.
"Thank you," Adaira said, walking towards Bilbo and she laid a gentle hand on Thorin's shoulder which he stared down at and she quickly removed it. "I won't be long," She added and Thorin made a noncommential sound in the back of his throat before returning his attention to the gold. Adaira put her head down and gestured for Bilbo to start walking and before long Bilbo was hurrying to keep up with her as she walked away from the treasury as quickly as possible.
As soon as they were out of the room, Adaira fell back against a wall and put a hand to her stomach and one to her forehead and she sank down against the wall, sliding down to her butt as Bilbo heard her choke back a sob. Bilbo hurried back to her side in an instant and knelt down next to her looking worried. Adaira began to cry and Bilbo tried to hush her, knowing that they weren't alone.
"Come on, let's get you outside," Bilbo told the young woman and he helped her to her feet and led her out to the ramparts of the front gates, near the hole Smaug had made in the wall. Bilbo carefully supported Adaira and they walked out into the open air.
"I'm sorry," Adaira apologized to Bilbo, her tears drying a bit.
"There's no need to apologize," Bilbo assured Adaira, spotting a place for her to sit down on some of the rubble from the front gates. Bilbo helped Adaira sit and he knelt down at her side.
"There is. I can't...I don't know what I'd do without you right now Bilbo. Thorin and Dwalin, they're both not alright and I-I," Adaira stuttered, tears welling up in her eyes again and she put a hand over her stomach. Bilbo frowned as she did so having noticed in the last two days that she repeated the gesture often. "I'm so tired, Bilbo. I've been trying with Thorin, but he won't listen even to me," Adaira said as she rubbed a hand absentmindedly over her stomach and Bilbo frowned.
"Adaria…," Bilbo began, the woman in question looking up at him and sniffling. He knew he had to be delicate, but Bilbo needed to know. He was beginning to put two and two together as he was standing there with her. Adaira had been sick lately, constantly throwing up, she had changed...crying more easily and now seeing her with her hand over her stomach. "Are you...are you pregnant?" Bilbo asked Adaira in a whisper and her eyes widened in surprise and she looked alarmed, instantly rising to her feet, her hands falling away from her midsection.
"You can't tell him, Bilbo. Any of them," Adaira pleaded with him quickly and Bilbo raised his hands to shush her, trying to calm her down as she stared at him fearfully. "Dwalin's possessive of me enough as it is, if he knew…," She continued frantically and Bilbo hushed her again and got her to sit back down.
"I promise, I won't tell anyone," Bilbo assured her and he saw Adaira sag in relief, her face falling. "Are you?" Bilbo asked the woman and she nodded, playing with the sleeves of her heavy robes.
"Yes," Adaira breathed in a very quiet voice and Bilbo frowned grimly and sat down next to her. "Two months now at least," She added before shaking her head and Bilbo's eyes widened slightly before he nodded in understanding.
"And no one else knows?" Bilbo confirmed and Adaira nodded firmly.
"I figured it out for myself the day before we left Laketown. Bard...he knew, at least he suspected and I realized he was right. Deep down I knew that I had to be here when you all entered the mountain. If Dwalin knew he would have just forced me to stay behind so I didn't tell him and now I can't even if I wanted to. Not with everything that has happened since we've gotten here. Not with Thorin and Dwalin acting like they are. I was told that the gold would test us, but I didn't think this much. I don't know who I can trust," Adaira told Bilbo, putting her head in her hands and Bilbo ignored the part where she said she was told the gold would test them for now and he put a hand on her back, trying to comfort her.
"You can trust me," Bilbo told the woman and she laughed at that and looked at him, lowering her hands from her face.
"I know. You're the only one I trust right now, Bilbo. You're a Hobbit, you're not a Dwarf. You're a child of rolling hills. You value food and cheer and song, not hoarded gold," Adaira said and Bilbo nodded in agreement and Bilbo grew curious then.
"You're not...that is to say, the gold doesn't seem to affect you like it does them," Bilbo said and Adaira nodded, grimacing as she plucked at one of the thick golden chains glittering with gems that was strung about her throat.
"I absolutely hate all this. I could care less about the treasure. Not after seeing what it's done to my family," Adaira told Bilbo bitterly before she shrugged. "Maybe it's because I didn't grow up like a typical Dwarf," She added and Bilbo nodded in understanding. "I hope the Arkenstone is never found," Adaira said then with a look of hate on her face. "I hope it's gone for good," She added bitterly and Bilbo frowned as he looked down at his hands in his lap, thinking back to his encounter with Smaug, when he was standing near the Arkenstone and Smaug was speaking to him.
"I am almost tempted to let you take it, if only to see Oakenshield suffer, watch it destroy him, watch it corrupt his heart and drive him mad," Smaug had said and Bilbo recalled when Smaug had growled and extended his neck to eat him. He had put on his ring and slipped away, but unseen by Smaug, Bilbo had grabbed the Arkenstone and hidden it in his tunic before Smaug began angrily breathing out his fire.
"Adaria," Bilbo said, deciding on something then and there and checking that no one was watching, Bilbo reached into his tunic and pulled out the Arkenstone. Adaira gasped as she stared down at the stone which was glowing with patterns of light from within.
"Bilbo...that's not?" Adaira asked him in disbelief and Bilbo nodded in confirmation and he went to offer the stone to her and she shoved his hand away from her. "No, I don't trust myself. Not after what I've seen. Thror, my great grandfather...his love for gold only grew more fierce after that cursed thing was found," Adaira said vehemently shaking her head.
"I don't think it was a gift to our family line, I think it cursed us," Adaira said she stood and walked to the edge of the ramparts before turning back to Bilbo and walking towards him, shaking her head once more. "You can't give it to Thorin, Bilbo," Adaira told him firmly, her eyes looking wild for a moment. "If he knew you had it for all this time...he's paranoid already and he's already threatened you," She added and Bilbo nodded in understanding.
"I won't," Bilbo assured Adaira and her shoulders sagged in relief once more and she sighed deeply and rubbed her temples. "Try not to worry," Bilbo told Adaira as she sat beside him once more. "It's not good for you or the baby," Bilbo told her and Adaira nodded, looking grim.
"None of this is good for a baby," Adaira agreed and Bilbo tucked away the Arkenstone once more as Adaira turned her attention skyward. "Please Rok, I'm counting on you," Bilbo heard Adaira murmur to herself and he frowned, not knowing what she meant by that.
Third Person POV
By the shores of the lake
Bard had worked side by side with the self called Dwelf Lyssaria for the last two days, trying to get the survivors and whatever supplies they could scavenge ready for the trek. Bard was grateful for Lyssaria's help. She looked after his children when he was needed elsewhere and it was not lost on Bard that his youngest daughter Tilda had grown exceedingly close to the woman. At night as the children laid down near the fire, blankets piled up on the three of them to keep them warm, Lyssaria would tell stories to them, trying to brighten their spirits.
Tilda had particularly come to like the story of Beren and Lúthien, about a mortal man who had fallen in love with an Elf. Lyssaria was unlike many women that Bard had ever met. She was witty and had a good sense of humor, but she was strong too. She knew hardship and yet she did not turn away from theirs when it was not her own. Bard and Lyssaria sat beside the fire at night side by side to keep warm and they spoke late into the night before lying down side by side to share a blanket on the hard ground.
On the third day, the people of Laketown, still camped by the shores of the lake, began to pack up their supplies, getting ready to leave. While Bard did not wish to be the new Master, did not wish to be a leader, the people of Laketown were looking to him now. He saw the fear in their faces and while his first thought had been to refuse them, he knew these people needed his help.
"Take only what you need. We have a long march ahead," Bard told the people as he walked through the camp with a stack of wood under his arm, Lyssaria trudging behind him with her arms stacked full of dry wood as well.
"Where will you go?" Legolas asked Bard, the man stopping up short at the Elf's question and Bard looked across the lake at Erebor.
"There is only one place," Bard answered Legolas' question before he continued on and Legolas shot his cousin a look as she followed after Bard.
"The mountain! You are a genius, sire," Alfrid said, having heard Bard, the man skulking about after Bard most of the time the last two days. We can take refuge inside the mountain. It might smell a bit of dragon - but the women can clean that up. It will be safe and warm and dry, and full of stores, bedding, clothing...the odd bit o'gold," Alfrid continued as Bard and Lyssaria bent over and took stock of their supplies.
"What gold is in that mountain is cursed. We will take only what was promised to us - only what we need to rebuild our lives," Bard told Alfrid firmly before he dumped the bundle of sticks he was packing into Alfrid's hands. He took the bundle of sticks that Lyssaria was carrying and began to walk off as Alfrid walked over to an old woman who already had a load of sticks, dumping the sticks Bard had just dumped on him into her arms.
"Here - pull your weight!" Alfrid told the old woman and suddenly he felt a presence behind him and Alfrid turned his head to find Lyssaria glaring at him, her arms crossed over her chest.
"You should pull your own," Lyssaria told Alfrid before glancing down at her sheathed swords and Alfrid got the hint and reluctantly grabbed the entire pile of sticks from the old woman's arms.
"News of the death of Smaug will have spread through the lands," Legolas said as Lyssaria approached her cousin and Bard who stopped in his tracks once more and nodded in agreement. '
"Aye," Bard agreed, his eyes on the distant mountain and his expression grim.
"Others will now look to the mountain - for its wealth, or its position," Legolas told Bard, drawing in closer to the man as Lyssaria frowned deeply and stood on Legolas' other side.
"What is it you know?" Bard asked Legolas at the Elf's implication.
"Nothing for certain. It's what I fear may come," Legolas answered the man before he looked off into the distance with concern for a long moment. He frowned before turning to look over his shoulder at his cousin as he began to walk away. "Lyssaria, tolo."(Come) Legolas ordered, not waiting for Lyssaria as he sought out Tauriel.
"You should go, you've done more than enough to help us already," Bard told Lyssaria as he turned to look at the woman who was frowning deeply, feeling conflicted.
"I'm not going anywhere," Lyssaria finally said, looking up from her feet and turning her silvery eyes upon him. "It's...complicated. Legolas is my kin, my cousin," She told him and Bard's eyes widened in surprise while he frowned in confusion. "My mother was King Thranduil's sister. She was banished because she married my father, a Dwarf, because she had me. I…," Lyssaria began to say and Bard cut her off before she could speak further.
"Go, you have a duty to your people as well," Bard told Lyssaria, not wanting the Dwelf to leave, but knowing that he could not keep her here when she had her own kin waiting for her.
"I do not have a people. There are none who would accept a Halfbreed," Lyssaria told him, shaking her head and Bard drew a bit closer to her.
"They accept you," Bard said, looking to the people around them who were also looking at her for leadership and guidance ever since it was known that she helped to slay Smaug, not just him. "We do, the children and I," Bard added and Lyssaria quirked an eyebrow up, looking down at her feet once more before she looked up at him through her dark, long lashes.
"Do you wish for me to go?" She asked Bard then, catching the man off guard by her forward question and Bard realized that he didn't want her to leave. He had come to enjoy their nightly discussions these last two nights and having someone he could tell his burdens too...it had been quite some time since Bard had someone he could talk to to share his worries and fears with.
"No, but I will not keep you here for my sake," Bard finally admitted and Lyssaria smiled pleasantly and if Bard wasn't mistaken, blushed slightly as well.
"Then I will stay," Lyssaria told him and she leaned in slightly towards him, her lips falling open slightly and Bard inhaled leaning in as well, but the moment was broken by Legolas' shouting for her once more.
"You should at least see what he wants," Bard told Lyssaria, leaning away from her and she sighed deeply, nodding.
"I'll come back," Lyssaria promised him and when she turned to walk away from him Bard reached out and caught her hand in one of his own. She stopped and quirked her eyebrow at him and Bard raised her hand to his lips, kissing the knuckles of it before letting her hand go. He smiled at her and Lyssaria's answering smile assured him that she would indeed be back.
Third Person POV
Close to Erebor
Azog rode his white Warg at the head of a vast company of Orcs, all armed for battle. They clanked as they walked behind him armed to the teeth and ready for the blood and flesh they had been promised by their new Master. They were crossing a rocky plain, the Lonely Mountain, their destination, in the distance. Azog's host was vast and of a great number. Orcs like this had not banded together in such a number since the Battle of Azanulbizar. Bolg, riding his Warg, charged in from the direction ofLaketown to deliver his message to Azog, his father.
"Woodland Elves!" Bolg shouted to Azog in the Balck Speech of Mordor. "The King's son two She-elfs. They tracked us down to Laketown.," Bolg continued as he rode out in front of Azog on his own Warg before reigning up beside him. Azog raised his arm, the hand which Thorin cut off now replaced with a large blade, and the legions of Orcs stopped at his command.
"And you killed them?" Azog inquired of his son, pointing the large blade attached to his arm at his son as he circled around him on his Warg.
"They fled squealing like cowards," Bolg answered his father who growled as he continued to circle around him.
"You fool! They will return with an Army of Elves at their backs!" Azog spat at his son, disappointed in him and Azog looked to his host of Orcs, thinking. "Ride to Gundabad," Azog finally said, Bolg looking at him with slightly widened eyes. "Let the Legions come forth," Azog ordered and Bolg grunted in assent and rode off. Azog turned and faced his Orcs, raising his bladed arm. "Elves! Men! Dwarves! The Mountain will be their tomb!" Azog shouted then he turned around on his white Warg and began riding towards Erebor. "To war!" Azog shouted and his army of Orcs walked forward with renewed bloodlust.
Third Person POV
By the shores of the lake
Tauriel and Legolas strode through the Laketown camp, Lyssaria catching up to the two of them easily saw a fear in Legolas' eyes and Legolas told her that there was much for them to discuss. Legolas looked back at his cousin for only a moment, frowning before looking forward once more. Why was it that both women were taken with a race that was not their own?
"You saw something out there," Tauriel stated quietly as she walked beside Legolas and Legolas nodded ever so slightly.
"The orc I pursued out of Laketown - I know who he is. Bolg - a spawn of Azog the Defiler. A warg pack was waiting for him on the outskirts of Esgaroth. They fled into the north. These orcs were different from the others. They wore a mark I had not seen for a long time. The mark of Gundabad," Legolas explained to Tauriel, the red haired elleth's face falling and she stopped in shock and turned to Legolas.
"Gundabad?" Tauriel asked him while Lyssaria raised her brow and Legolas continued for both of their benefits.
"An orc-stronghold in the far north of the Misty Mountains," Legolas explained and Lyssaria's mouth turned down in a deep frown.
"Azog was hunting the Dwarves since before they arrived at Rivendell. If his son, if Bolg, was sent after them as well this bodes ill," Lyssaria commented and Legolas and Tauriel looked to her, Legolas nodding in agreement as a horse rode up behind the three of them then.
"Hîr nín, Legolas," (My Lord Legolas) The Elf from Mirkwood addressed Legolas as he reined up his horse behind the trio, Legolas turning to the Elf who spoke to him, "Celin 'winiath o adar lín," (I bring word from your Father.) The Elf informed Legolas who just stared at the Elf. "Cân i hi danwenidh na le," (You are to return to him immediately.) The Elf told him and Legolas looked at Tauriel and his cousin and nodded his head in the direction of the Elf.
"Tolo, Tauriel, Lyssaria," (Come, Tauriel, Lyssaria) Legolas told the two women and he began to walk towards the Elf.
""Hîr nín," (My Lord) The Elf addressed Legolas once more, stopping him in his tracks. "Edlennen Tauriel. Sui na-i Halfbreed," (Tauriel is banished. As is the Halfbreed) The Elf announced to Legolas also reminding him of the other woman's status and Lyssaria rolled her eyes while Tauriel's face fell, her mouth opening in shock at the news of her banishment.
"Edlennen?" " Banished?" Legolas asked the Elf in surprise before his face hardened. "You may tell my father: If there is no place for Tauriel, there is no place for me," Legolas told the Elven messenger and Tauriel walked over to Legolas' side, sighing deeply.
"Legolas. It is your King's command," Tauriel reminded her friend, her head down in submission and her voice soft. She had always done her duty, had always been loyal to the King even when she felt his decrees to be unjust, but she would not let Legolas throw away the relationship he had with his father for her.
"Naw aran nín, mal ú-gân innas nín." (Yes, he is my King. But he does not command my heart.) Legolas told Tauriel and Tauriel looked down at Legolas' easy declaration of his love for her. Legolas turned and walked away from the Elven messenger with that being said. "I ride north. Will you come with me?" Legolas asked Tauriel, Tauriel following him and Lyssaria joining after shooting a very rude hand gesture at the Elven messenger from Mirkwood.
"To where?" Tauriel asked Legolas in confusion as Legolas strode off, his eyes hardened and expression blank.
"To Gundabad," Legolas answered her and Tauriel stopped up short.
"I…," Tauriel said before she looked to the mountain, knowing that this may bode ill. It was she who had told Legolas that they had a duty not to let eveil grow stronger than them. She could not let Legolas go alone and she saw that he was determined to go. It would mean it would take longer for her to keep her promise to Kili. "...yes," Tauriel finally answered Legolas who was frowning at her. If Azog had been hunting the Dwarves since before Rivendell, there was nothing to say he would stop now that they had reclaimed the mountain.
"Lyssaria?" Legolas asked, turning to his cousin and she shook her head.
"Goheno nin," (Forgive me) Lyssaria told her cousin and Legolas nodded, having already known that this would be her answer. "My place is here. I'll only slow you down. These people need me," Lyssaria added and Legolas looked his cousin up and down before letting himself smile at her a little.
"I thought you false at first, but now...now I would call you mellon," (Friend) Legolas told the other woman and he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Na lû e-govaned vîn," (Until next we meet) Legolas told her and he placed a hand on his heart as he looked down at the shorter woman.
"N'i lû tôl. Galu," (Until then. Good luck.) Lyssaria told Legolas before she reached out a hand towards Tauriel the other woman placing her hand in hers. "Guren niniatha n'i lû n'i a-govenitham," (My heart shall weep until I see you again) Lyssaria told the other woman and Tauriel squeezed her hand with a smile on her face.
"Novaer," (Farewell) Tauriel told the woman with whom she now considered a kindred spirit.
Tauriel and Legolas rode out of the Laketown camp on Legolas's white horse while the townspeople, carrying their possessions and stretchers with their sick and injured, began the long trek around the lake and toward the mountain. Lyssaria held Tilda's hand in one of her own, talking with the young girl as they walked to try and keep her mind off of what was going on around her. Hopefully if the Dwarves were still alive they would be welcoming of some guests, Lyssaria thought as she looked around at the displaced citizens of Laketown. Oh, who was she kidding, this was going to end horribly.
Khuzdul-
Nathith- Daughter or literally girl that is young
Birashagimi- I'm sorry
Mukhuh- Please
Adad- Father
Amrâlimê- My love
Namadith- Little sister
Nadads- Brothers
Yâsith- Wife
Gaelic:
Mo chridhe- My heart
