A.N. Happy New Year's Eve everyone! Or New Year, for those who are in other parts of the world. I hope this next year will treat everyone well, and that we may find some peace from the fear, anger, and sickness that has dominated this year. I know the US desperately needs some peace and unity. It has been four years since I published my first Hobbit story, and I am forever thankful for those of you who have followed me, and read my stories. Much love to all of you.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and plot points.
Danica stood over Thorin's unconscious body, with Dwalin at her back. They fought whatever spiders came their way, but they, and everyone else, were greatly outnumbered. Out of the corner of her eye, Danica saw one of the elves get poisoned, as well as Ori, Oin, and Bofur. Sobs were bubbling in her throat, and her movements were becoming less controlled. A couple of times, she nearly sliced Dwalin. Her heart was pounding so hard and fast, that she could barely breathe through the pain. Is this what a heart attack felt like?
"We have to run for it!" John suddenly came into view. With help from Dwalin, they lifted Thorin up onto John's shoulder, and then took off.
"What about the others?" Danica called, looking behind her. "We can't just leave them!"
As it turned out, her question and concern were unnecessary. They were cut off from the elves, and remaining Company, and surrounded. Danica yelped at a sharp pain in her leg, and realized that she'd been poisoned. The effects were almost immediate. A heavy veil fell over her eyes and body, making it impossible to hold up her own weight. Darkness flickered on the edge of her vision, and her spear slipped from her hands. Before she lost consciousness, she heard Bilbo's voice calling out to the spiders.
When her eyes opened again, it felt like it had only been moments. There had been no dreams in her poison-induced sleep, only darkness. She had only been awake for a few seconds, when she had to roll over, and vomit violently. A hand rested gently on her back, rubbing in slow circles. Normally, that would comfort her, but no wit only made her vertigo worse. Groaning, she pushed the hand away, and worked herself into a kneeling position.
"Easy. The poison is still in your system," Thorin's voice gave her some relief. At least he had woken up, and didn't sound too ill.
She gave another groan, and accepted the hand he held out to help her up. The moment she was on her feet, she had to turn away, and vomit again. It was just as violent as the first time, leaving her entire body shaking, and in pain. The sounds that had ripped from her throat were like a demon being dragged back to hell.
"She won't make it like this," Thorin said to someone, and though Danica agreed, she was unable to say so.
"I may have a way to help until we reach my father's halls," this time, it was Legolas she heard.
Feeling a new wave of sickness, Danica sunk back down to the ground. She managed to find a cool spot to lay her cheek, not caring about the dirt. Instead of rubbing her back, Thorin knelt beside her, and stroked her head. As that didn't make anything worse, she kept silent, allowing him to continue.
"What else can I do?" he asked, sounding helpless.
"Here," a cool hand took Danica's, and pointed to a spot between her thumb and forefinger. There was some indistinct talk, and then a larger, warmer hand took over. Thorin's. He gently massaged where the elf had pointed. Somehow, thankfully, some of the nausea began to ease.
Legolas returned not long after, with a couple of smooth pebbles. Using bandages, he placed the pebbles below her wrist, and secured them. The effect was almost instant. While she still felt sick and shaky, the worst was gone, and she no longer felt the need to throw up. Now, she just felt a deep ache and fatigue settling in behind her eyes, and in her bones. At first, she tried walking with the help of Thorin. It quickly became clear that she couldn't stand on her own legs. Though she weakly protested, Thorin lifted her into his arms.
"How did we escape the spiders?" she questioned as they kept moving. A quick glance earlier had shown her that the whole Company was once again together, with all of their guides.
Thorin's lips curved upward. "Ask our burglar,"
At the mention of his current occupation, Bilbo looked back at them, and then away as a blush stained his cheeks. "I just did what I could to lead the spiders away, so that the poisoned could be taken care of. Once all the spiders were focused on me, those who were still able to fight came behind and took advantage. It didn't take too long for the others to run away,"
"So humble," John said from behind them. "He was brilliant. Used his ring to go invisible, and strike at the spiders with his little sword. Pissed them off enough to forget their easy prey. Took out quite a few as well. It was damned impressive, to say the least,"
Some of the others added in their agreement, while Bilbo murmured something like, "It wasn't all that…" Tauriel filled in the rest of the gaps, saying that they had to wait almost a day for everyone to begin waking up. Danica had been the last to awaken, and had been the sickest. Typical. Still very weary, Danica rested her head on Thorin's shoulder until they finally reached the elven gate. Upon entry into the halls, Danica could feel Thorin's muscles tense, and gave his hair a stroke.
"It'll be alright," she murmured softly.
The sound he gave was somewhere between a laugh, and a scoff. "It seems wrong for you to be comforting someone else when you are suffering so much,"
"Not so much," she replied, resting her forehead against his temple.
The tender moment ended quickly, as Thranduil came into view. Thorin set Danica on her feet, but kept an arm around her waist. Silence fell like a stone, with Danica barely daring to breathe. Icy blue eyes considered each of them carefully, before the elven king stood, and approached the ragged group.
"It appears your journey through the forest did not go smoothly, despite the help of my people," Thranduil's voice was cool and rich, and filled all the space around them. His gaze went to Legolas and Tauriel, demanding an explanation.
"We were ambushed by the largest number of spiders yet to be seen. They succeeded in poisoning some of the guards, and dwarves," Legolas reported.
"And the young woman, clearly," with the observation, Thranduil stepped closer, and looked into Danica's eyes. She tried her best to look strong, but knew she appeared as horrible as she felt. "The poison affects you more because of your small stature, and weak system. Elves and dwarves are more able to metabolize this toxin, but if we do not heal you soon, you could die,"
The way he said it waws so nonchalant, and Danica, herself, was hardly surprised. She felt like death warmed over. On the other hand, the dwarves immediately began yelling.
"Why did you not say so sooner?!" Fili accused of someone.
"If you can heal her, then why don't you do it?" Thorin growled.
Unfazed, Thranduil looked to the side, and nodded at someone. "Lay her down," he said, turning his attention back to his guests. "We need to slow the poison,"
Once on the floor, Danica focused on her breathing, as Thranduil instructed. Someone came up, and helped pour some kind of sweet and earthy liquid down her throat. It instantly soothed her body is it traveled through her stomach and veins. Soft, elvish words floated into her ears, working with the medicine to eliminate the pain and sickness. However, they also increased her fatigue, which she could no longer fight.
The way she went limp was frightening, but she finally looked free of pain, and some color was returning to her skin. There were still many broken blood vessels around her eyes, but he knew those would fade in a few days. An elf came to pick her up, but Thorin warded him off with a glare.
"She should be somewhere more comfortable to sleep," Thranduil said. "We have much still to discuss,"
Only once he was assured that he would be taken right to her did Thorin let the elf take her away. With everyone standing, Thranduil eyed him suspiciously.
"If I did not know better, I would say you are in love with her," the elf sneered.
Thorin bristled. "Clearly, then, you do not know better," he shot back. "Not that it is any of your business, but we are betrothed,"
"Fascinating," one of Thranduil's brows went up. "I did not know it was possible for a dwarf to love outside of his race,"
Refusing to respond to that, Thorin clenched his jaw, and said, "You mentioned we had much to discuss,"
An arrogant gleam lit the elf kin's eyes, for he knew how he had ruffled Thorin's feathers. "Yes, but I am curious; how did you all manage to get here if so many had been poisoned?"
"They have a halfling traveling with them, and he came to our rescue," it was Tauriel who spoke now. She told of Bilbo's tricking, and distracting the spiders. Her tale ended with, "We could all be dead if not for him,"
"And where is this talented hobbit?"
With some encouraging from Bofur and Oin, Bilbo stepped forward, his countenance meek. Just as he had with everyone, Thranduil kept his face impassive as he looked at Bilbo. Thorin couldn't help but feel some pride when their burglar stood his ground, and didn't shrink under the elf's gaze.
"Though I am not entirely certain why you were chosen to join this quest, it appears to have been a wise move," Thranduil commented.
"Thank you," Bilbo replied, though there was some uncertainty to his tone.
With an air of dismissal, Thranduil looked up. "Against my better judgment, I, and my people, will house you as guests. Lord Elrond is widely respected, though I do not always agree with him. However, we are in agreement that something needs to be done about the traitor, and she will only show herself with you on the road. She has already arrived in Laketown, and likely whispered poisonous words into the Master's ears,"
"She has demanded that Danica and Dillinger meet her in the Master's Mansion," Thorin said, gesturing to John.
"Another traveler," Thranduil mused. "How many of you have walked this earth, I wonder? No matter. For now, we must focus on the one intent on destroying this world as we know it,"
Thorin shared a look with Dillinger. Now was the time, but Thorin still wasn't sure if he could stomach asking for help.
"We have a plan," Dillinger spoke, instead of Thorin. "A plan to foil hers, and take out the orcs who are with her. But we would need your help,"
Satisfaction showed clear on Thranduil's features. "Then, you are in luck. As it happens, I am acquainted with a man from Laketown, who I aware of the danger, and wishes to stop it. Also, I would be willing to make a deal with you, in exchange for my assistance,"
There it was. Anger grew in the pit of Thorin's stomach. Not yet trusting himself to speak, he clenched his jaw again. Elven, and dwarven king stared each other down. No one else moved, or even seemed to breathe. Danica's face flashed through Thorin's mind, turning some of the anger into guilt. This was likely the only way to beat Rachel, and then to get to the mountain. He struggled with himself for a little longer, then let a breath out through his nose.
"I know what it is you want," he growled. "You will have the Gems of Lasgalen if you help us get through Laketown,"
"Agreed," Thranduil's lips curved upward. "I will be waiting in Dale after you have reclaimed the mountain,"
The threat was only lightly veiled, and Thorin could hear Dwalin growl behind him.
"Ya may as well bring your army with you," Dillinger chimed in. "There's going to be a great battle for the mountain. If you want your gems, you'll have to fight thousands of orcs for them,"
For the first time since they arrived, Thranduil looked troubled. "then, even if you manage to reclaim the mountain, there is no guarantee that you will keep it,"
"As long as we're able to get back on track, the orcs will be defeated, and the dwarves will succeed,"
Dillinger's confidence was assuring, but Thorin knew there were still many variables. "When she is better, Danica would be able to give you what details you may need,"
"Very well," Thranduil nodded. "My people can take you to some rooms, so you may freshen up, and get some rest. Tomorrow, we can go over your plan,"
No one protested, for they were all filthy and exhausted. When the elves led them down a hall where they would be staying, there were only three rooms. The males would all split between two of them, and Danica inhabited the other. After showing Thorin which room was Danica's the elves left. As they had already expected the numerable guests, there was soap, water, and other supplies available. While the others began figuring out who would bathe first, Thorin went in to Danica. Her room was dimly lit with a few candles, and an elf maid was just finishing tucking her into the bed. Upon hearing Thorin's footsteps, she stood, and curtseyed.
"The lady has been cleaned, and further medicated. She will sleep comfortably for many hours," before Thorin could even thank her, she slipped from the room.
He knelt by Danica's still form, putting a hand on her forehead, then her cheek. She was cool, but not so much as to be concerned. Her face was free of all discomfort and stress, making her look so much younger than she was. It almost made him feel guilty, like he was stealing a young maid who should go to a younger, less battle-hardened man. But then, he knew that she had chosen him, and he doubted he would ever be able to let her go. Kissing her brow tenderly, he quietly left the room to go throw in is lot for bathing. He intended on sleeping beside Danica, but would not do so as filthy as he was.
Once he was finally able to do so, he doubted he'd bathed so quickly in his life. Dressing simply in some of the clean clothes left for them, he went back to Danica's room. Slipping beneath the silken covers, he was reminded how sore his body actually was. Any adrenaline had now worn off, and aches radiated through every fiber of his being. To comfort and reassure himself, he turned on his side, and draped an arm over Danica's waist. Even in sleep, he knew that he would be able to feel her presence, and hoped it would be enough to stave off the nightmares.