Evelyn rode on Nightshade's back whilst Glorfindel ran alongside. The elf was fast and they were making good time. They had traveled through the night and dawn's light had long since passed, giving way the glaring brightness of the high sun. The trip was done in silence, though Evelyn could practically hear Glorfindel thinking and asking question in his head. For the moment though, he gratefully held his tongue as Evelyn silently said goodbye to the place that, for a short period of time, was home to her. It was the first home that she had in a long time, but, like her true home, because of her choices she would never be able to return. Before long, the entrance to Erebor was clearly in sight.
As they got closer to the doors, Evelyn pulled the hood of her cloak up and indicated for Glorfindel to do the same. He looked a bit ridiculous as the cloak we was wearing was an old one that Evelyn once nabbed from where it hung in Laketown. It was faded, tattered, and barely reached the top of Glorfindel's thighs. But, nonetheless he tucked his long hair under the fabric and pulled the hood over his head as low as it would go.
"Amends may have been made, but the dwarves are still not overly fond of elves," she stated dryly.
"That I am well aware of," he paused and Evelyn could tell he was looking around, checking for any signs of threats. "Tell me Elenya, is there a reason why we are at the Lonely Mountain?"
"There is someone I need to speak to."
"So how are you expecting to explain this to the short-folk?" Nightshade asked.
Glorfindel's head swung to look at the wolf who, to his knowledge, was making a low grumbling sound.
"I'll figure it out,"she replied.
Now Glorfindel was once again staring at Evelyn.
"You know he's going to think you're insane."
"I think it's too late for that," she chuckled lightly.
"Are you alright?" Glorfindel asked.
"Yes yes, I'm fine." Evelyn encouraged Nightshade to move forward, into the view of the dwarves guarding the front entrance to the mountain. "Just don't say anything, let me do what I came here for."
"Told you so," Nightshade was laughing, but Evelyn pointedly ignored the wolf.
The doors to Erebor were massive and a beautiful example of dwarfish craftsmanship. Four dwarves appeared to be guarding the doors decked in full armor with two bearing massive axes and two with large war hammers. They were typical dwarfish stock: near Evelyn's height though much broader, thick muscles, chain armor, and long beards tucked into their belts. They were glaring at the three approaching figures with obvious suspicion in their eyes.
"Halt," on ordered gruffly. "Who approaches Erebor with their faces shrouded?"
"Who we are is unimportant," Evelyn replied, her face still shadowed by her hood and the mask the she once wore hiding her face further from view. "I come to speak to Gloin, son of Groin. Tell him that Raven is here to see him."
"A raven?"
"No, Raven," Evelyn corrected the guard. "He'll know who I am."
The dwarves briefly broke out in whispers among themselves before the speaker turned to them once again.
"Gloin son of Groin is not in the mountain at this time. State your business or be on your way." He demanded once again.
This gave Evelyn a moment of pause. She knew that if he wasn't there, then that meant he was already traveling to, or at Imladris for the Council of Elrond. Now she had to find a way into the mountain without Gloin vouching for her. Weighing her options carefully, a few ideas popped into her head.
"I come to see King Dain. And who am I addressing?" She asked.
"Dwalin, son of Fundin. What business have you with the King Under the Mountain?"
Dwalin?! It must have been a lucky day for Evelyn. She knew that what she was about to do was risky. In fact, what she was about to do was precisely what had gotten her into trouble when she first arrived in Middle Earth. It was precisely the origin point of all her trouble that followed.
But, this time she wasn't a scared child.
This time she could fight.
This time she wasn't alone.
Evelyn gently stroked Nightshades fur for a few moments, relishing the steading comfort of the wolf. She slid her eyes to the side, watching Glorfindel stand there beside her, still and serene. He hadn't opened his mouth yet and appeared to be completely trusting Evelyn and following her lead. She wasn't alone this time.
"I have information that he would wish to hear, Dwalin, brother of Balin, son of Fundin, decedent of the noble house of Durin."
Her words had the expected effect as he bristled strongly. The other guards also appeared uneasy as they shifted back and forth.
"And how do you know these things, Raven?" He asked, his eyes squinting and his hand straying towards his axes.
"I know many things, Dwalin. I know that many years ago, you were the first dwarf to arrive at Bilbo Baggins' Hobbit hole wearing a dark green hood. I know that you now loyally serve Dain Ironfoot who I must speak with for the safety of Erebor. If I wished to cause harm, I could've entered through the secret way that your company once did, the western side of the mountain, up the stone stairs and to the smooth rock where a door stands, five feet high and the keyhole three feet above the ground. Smaug may had brought down the stones alongside it, but I daresay that I could find a way in, through the tunnels and to the bottommost cellars. If I am correct in all these things, they you know that I do not speak idly. Guard me as you wish, but I will speak to Dain Ironfoot."
Dwalin went very still at Evelyn's words. Part of her was surprised by how calm he was as he stared at her with a new light in his eyes. Beside her, she could sense Glorfindel staring at her from under his hood, probably wondering where such knowledge could have possibly come from. She figured that she would explain to him later.
"Tell me then, how did we discover the door?" He still held his axes, but he was now far more interested and seemed to be sizing her and Glorfindel up.
"Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the key-hole," she repeated the secret lines with ease. The Hobbit had been a favorite book of hers when she was a child and she had read that line many times, imagining discovering secret doors to a lost kingdom and vast treasures.
Dwalin turned and conversed with the other guards before reluctantly stepping down from his post, one of his fellows following him.
"We'll take ye to see King Dain, but one wrong move and the both of you are dead. Leave your... wolf outside."
"She comes where I go. Relax," she smirked under her mask as she and Nightshade pushed past Dwalin towards the door. "She isn't like the wolves who drove your company up the trees."
Evelyn, Nightshade, Glorfindel, Dwalin, and the other guard all made their way through the bustling tunnel of Erebor where dwarves traveled to and fro, some walking whilst others rode upon carts pulled by ponies. Glorfindel, even with his face and hair covered by Evelyn's old cloak clearly stood out as he towered above all the dwarves surrounding them.
The further they walked, the more Evelyn was amazed by the sights. The mountain was no longer a place of empty caverns and long forgotten halls, it was a city filled with life. They walked through a particularly large cavern which seemed to be some sort of market as stalls lined either side of the walkway. Dwarven merchants stood outside their stalls, hawking wares of cloth, weapons, and exotic foods from all around Middle Earth. The bright colors, boisterous atmosphere, and torch lit space assaulted Evelyn's senses. She hadn't been around so many others in such a long time.
When they arrived at a pair of ornate doors, Evelyn knew that they were at the throne room. Dwalin knocked and said something to the guards who quickly opened the doors.
"Remember," Dwalin growled from the side. "If you make one move I don't like, you and your companion are orc bait."
Evelyn didn't grant the threat a reply, but she saw Glorfindel nod his head in acknowledgment.
Then, they were in the throne room of Erebor. Sitting on a massive throne made out of stone was the Fifth King Under the Mountain. He was dressed in splendid shining armor with a thick fur cape over his shoulders. A broad crown sat across his stern brow which seemed to reflect the light of the Arkenstone above his head. He was broad shouldered and his hair was silver, but there appeared to be strength yet in his arms. A long and flowing beard was adorned with broad beads and his hands were clad in black leather gloves. Dain Ironfoot was every inch a dwarven King.
Evelyn resisted the wave of nausea upon finding herself once again standing at the foot of a King's throne.
You are standing, Nightwing, Nightshade's soothing voice echoed in Evelyn's mind. This time you are standing, not kneeling. You are not alone, I am with you always.
Evelyn scratched the wolf's ear in thanks.
"I've been told that you wish to speak to me. I suppose you have good reason to. From where do you hail?" He spoke gruffly, suspicion clear in his eyes.
"And who... would you suppose me to be?" Evelyn was forced to admit to herself that she was curious. This King Dain was looking at her with something unique in his gaze. There was a wary sort of caution, not the hatred or spite that she was used to seeing in the eyes of a king.
"Another messenger from Mordor? I have not yet come to an answer for Sauron's... deal," Evelyn noticed how at the mention of the name, several rather conspicuous guards tightened their grips on their weapons.
It was then that Evelyn recalled how, just a few months before the Council of Elrond, a messenger of Mordor arrived to offer Dain a deal in exchange for his information on Hobbits and the One. Dain was supposedly honorable and wise enough to know not to deal with Sauron, a streak of wisdom that Evelyn seemed to have lacked as of late.
"I am not of Mordor," she assured, one hand on Nightshade and the other on her blade beneath her cloak just in case he declined to believe her. "I come bearing a warning for Erebor. I know that you have already sent Gloin to Rivendell to consult with Lord Elrond, and I can tell you that he will return with warnings of Sauron growing in strength. You must be ready for war."
"You seem to know quite a bit about my mountain Miss..." he paused, waiting for Evelyn to give him a name.
"You may call me Raven. I assume that Gloin spoke to you of me."
"And how do I know that you are who you claim to be?"
"With this," Evelyn slowly drew forth the blade strapped to Nightshade's side. The dagger was long, deadly, and beautiful. Even from afar it was clearly a work of dwarves craftsmanship with the wrought silver of the hilt gleaming under the torchlight. Evelyn handed the blade to an approaching dwarf who brought the dagger over to Dain. The King held the blade carefully, his eyes and hands scanning it up and down as he inspected the sigil on the hilt.
"I see," he was now looking at Evelyn with a new light in his eyes, a type of curiosity and something close to amusement. "So you are the mysterious informant who he spoke so highly of. He claims you performed many feats... I didn't picture you... thusly."
"I know not what he claims of me, but you've seen the results of my work and my words. Several weeks back, the dead pack of orcs and wargs."
"That was you?" The King leaned forward in interest, his voice a bit incredulous. "My soldiers couldn't find a single blade mark, but it looked as if they had been blasted to pieces. How did you do it? Was your companion with you?" He gestured to Glorfindel as he spoke.
"I was alone, and how I killed them is none of your concern. Merely take the incident as proof that what I say is true."
"You make a convincing argument," he sat back in his throne, placing a hand to his chin as his eyes flickered between Evelyn and Glorfindel. "But I find trouble in taking the words of one who conceals their face."
"If I may," Glorfindel looked at Evelyn who, after a bit of thought, gave him a slight nod to go ahead. She wasn't sure how much longer she could play this game with the King and if Glorfindel thought he could help... then it was worth a try. "I believe master Dwalin may remember me." As Glorfindel spoke, he pulled down his hood to reveal his face. "I met him when the party of Thorin Oakenshield traveled to Rivendell, bearing a map for my Lord Elrond to read and elvish weapons forged in ancient city of Gondolin where I once resided."
"Ah, Lord Glorfindel," Dwalin gave a broad smile. "Of course I remember you. Why didn't ye say something at the gate?"
"I did not think it wise to announce my presence out in the open," he replied easily.
Dwalin turned to King Dain.
"I can vouch for the elf, your Majesty. He is a Lord of Elrond's house," Dwalin gave a short bow and Dain nodded in acknowledgment.
"Well then, Raven," Dain handed Evelyn's blade back to the dwarf who passed it down to her. "You bear Gloin's sigil and your companion bears Dwalin's trust. I shall hear you say your piece."
Evelyn inhaled deeply. Seeming to sense Evelyn's unease, Dain, much to the shock of several of his guards, dismissed the majority of the dwarves in attendance at court. They all shuffled out of the room, closing the grand doors of the throne room behind them and leaving only the King, Dwalin, Evelyn, Nightshade, and Glorfindel. Only then did Evelyn finally worked up the courage to speak.
"Sauron grows in power, this, Gloin will tell to you when he returns from the Council. But I can tell you this; in mid March, Sauron's Easterling allies will launch an attack on Dale. They will need you and your warriors to aide them."
"We have good relations with Dale, we would not abandon them in the wake of an attack," he replied stiffly.
"I know, but a few days before the attack on Dale, Mirkwood will be attacked," Evelyn ignored the way Glorfindel's head openly swung in her direction at the mention of the place. "Dol Guldur will open its gates and Sauron's ilk will invade the Woodland Realm."
"And you come to me with this news why?" The words had a hint of accusation, but the old dwarf seemed more curious than wary.
"I have no standing with the men of Dale and I am not welcome in Mirkwood. I suggest," she paused a moment. "That for the good of Middle Earth, you send warning and a few warriors who you can spare to Mirkwood... they are unprepared for war."
Evelyn could feel Glorfindel's eyes burning a hole into the side of her head, but she ignored him. She knew that what she did must have surely weakened Mirkwood's strength. Mirkwood was supposed to win, but they were down a fortress and a King... not very good odds. Despite her hatred for Thranduil, she knew that Mirkwood was a strategical advantage to Sauron. If it fell... then who knows how the war would turn.
"That is grave news indeed," the King looked thoughtful. "And if I am to send a messenger to Mirkwood bearing this news, what will I tell them?"
"Whatever you please," she said with a shrug of her shoulders and feigned indifference. "Although..." her voice wavered slightly as her facade began to crack.
Dain seemed to notice this and in an instant he was on his feet. Evelyn reeled back, one hand planted on Nightshade's hackles as the wolf growled, the other on her blade. Glorfindel reached a hand out and placed it on her shoulder, but she could hardly feel it as adrenaline rushed through her body.
"Easy," Dain murmured, one hand out in a placating gesture. "I mean you no harm." He paused and said something to Dwalin in Khuzdul. The other dwarf nodded and moved to the far wall, opening up a small side door. "I believe that this conversation is one not suited for a throne room. Come."
Evelyn, shocked by the sudden warmth of the dwarf's tone, warily followed the King into the small room. Nightshade raised her nose and gave a cursory sniff before deeming it safe, and thus the party all sat on stools around a stone table.
Getting away from the throne room had an instantly calming effect on Evelyn. Despite being underground, she suddenly felt that she could breath again. Just as she was getting her bearings, Dwalin returned from an alcove and set several tankards of dwarfish ale on the table. Dain took a large gulp of his before setting it down with a satisfied sigh.
"Listen now Lass," he leaned forward, a kindness in his eyes that Evelyn first saw in Gloin. "I've known my fair share of trouble, and I've seen a wee bit of it myself. I know the look of someone on the run and I understand that the elves of Mirkwood can be... unpleasant." He paused, his eyes scanning over Glorfindel who had politely taken a sip of his ale and Nightshade who was leaning against Evelyn's side. "Now, I think you're trying to do the right thing, and I think you're speaking the truth. If that's so, then I'll send my most silver-tongued emissaries to the Wood King's home and I'll have em spin a tale with warnings of all the dangers you've told without you in it. But, I need to know that I'm sending him honest information. I've been King for a while now, and I've learned to judge honesty from lies. To do that, I need to look you in the eyes as you tell me what you say is true. And if you're honest with me, the elves will never know it was you who came to me with this warning, that I'll swear on my beard."
When he finished his speech, King Dain leaned back in his chair and took another long draught of his ale. Beside her, Evelyn could feel Glorfindel with his eyes ever on her, always watching. She took a moment to think, to let her own eyes wander the small chamber carved into the bedrock of the mountain. She took a few seconds to ponder what this little meeting room was supposed to be, how many secrets the grey walls and flicker torches had heard. It was a strange thing, how quickly the King Under the Mountain could move from his ornate throne to a simple stone stool, how he could move from cold to warm in a few seconds. Stranger still was how easy it made Evelyn feel.
I think the short-folk are honest, Nightshade's voice floated into Evelyn's head.
You think we should trust him? she silently replied.
I sense no deception, and he is a friend of White-beard. White-beard has not deceived us, why should his King?
With Nightshade's words in mind, Evelyn slowly raised her hands. She pulled away her hood and then hooked her fingers beneath her mask, bearing her full face for the Dwarfish King to see. She then leaned forward, mind made up and task set she placed both palms on the table to ground herself as she spoke.
"Mirkwood and Dale will be attacked mere days apart. Sauron is growing in power and is a great threat to the Free Peoples of Middle Earth. If you do nothing, then Mirkwood will likely be overrun and Sauron may then be able to use the Elvenking's Halls to launch attacks on Erebor. You must be prepared for war on both fronts, or all may be lost."
For a long while, Dain looked into her eyes. Unlike Sauron's shadowy figure who seemed intent to shirk from her gaze, the Dwarfish King met her eyes in determination. When he saw something, what it was Evelyn didn't know, he nodded his head and sat back, gesturing for Dwalin.
"I believe ye, Raven," Dwalin handed the King a piece of parchment and a quill. Dain began to write as he spoke. "I will do as I said, messengers will be sent to Mirkwood with a small troop of what warriors I can spare. As for you, I take it that you and Lord Glorfindel won't be staying long?"
"It's best if we leave immediately."
"As I thought," he nodded, half to himself. "Then I'll have a horse found for Lord Glorfindel and bags packed with provisions for the journey that I'm sure you two have ahead. May Mahal be with you, wherever you go."
"...thank you," Evelyn finally managed to choke the words out.
Dain merely gave her a firm nod and one look that may have been the dwarfish equivalent of a slight smile. From there, Evelyn and Glorfindel were whisked away through a series of side tunnels. By the time they emerged at the gates of Erebor, a horse bearing a saddle and laden bags was waiting for them. Dwalin offered a rough goodbye, and they were off.
They traveled west for some time. It wasn't until a few hours after the mountain disappeared from view that Evelyn emerged from the haze of her strange encounter with the King Under the Mountain. She didn't know where the kindness and sudden shift in demeanor came from, but in that moment she understood why Tolkien had claimed Dain Ironfoot to be a wise and noble king.
As if sensing her thought, Glorfindel spoke.
"Very few would be capable of bridging the ancient grudge between the Sindar and Dwarves. King Dain is one of the few."
Evelyn nodded in agreement, Nightshade's smooth gate rumbling beneath her as they shirked the boarders of Mirkwood long into the night.
"It's a shame that by the end of war, he will be dead," she said softly, more to herself in contemplation. Despite his gruff manner, the dwarf was far closer to what Evelyn always imagined a King to be before meeting Thranduil.
"Pardon?"
Evelyn sighed, remembering the books that she once loved, the characters that she never forgot in the wake of meeting actual beings of flesh and blood.
"When the battle turns against them, King Dain Ironfoot will stand above the body of King Brand of Dale, defending the slain man and dying upon the steps of Erebor. If all goes well... the tide will be turned by their sons."
Glorfindel fell silent, seeming to ruminate on her words. But, Evelyn knew that it was about time. He was certainly curious about the apparent wealth of knowledge that she had on Middle Earth's past and future. She had to explain it all to him. He had to know.
The question of course was... how would he react?