A.N. Well, good golly. Sigh. Will I ever stop apologizing for the length of time between my uploads? Getting ridiculous now. I hope everyone is doing well, especially considering the state of the world right now. We had a fire run through my home town, and some friends lost their homes. I know this is something that is happening in so many places right now, on top of so many other tragedies. Please be careful out there, everyone. As always, thank you so much for reading this story. It is still very important to me.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and plot points.
Dawn came quickly, and with it, an atmosphere of haste. Everyone dressed and ate within minutes, shouldering their packs before making their way into the frosty morning. Nearly every resident of Laketown was out, giving the Company a hero's send off. Danica didn't feel worthy of it. Especially when she saw Bard and his family. Their faces were worn, hardened from their time as captives. Though nerves filled her at the idea of speaking to them, Danica moved their way. Bard eyed her shrewdly, but not unkindly. Bain actually gave her a smile.
"I am deeply sorry for everything your family has been through," she began. "Are you going to follow the elves to Mirkwood?"
Legolas and Tauriel had offered to guide anyone who wished to evacuate back to the forest, in the likelihood of Smaug awaking and attacking the town. As far as Danica could tell, a lot of people had already packed, ready to flee to safety.
"My children will go, but I am going to stay and help protect those who cannot, or will not leave," Bard replied solemnly.
Danica nodded, knowing there had been some, like the Master, who were fed up with listening to a woman from another time. Their choice made Danica fear for them, but she understood. Maybe Bard would be able to kill the dragon before too much damage was done.
"My condolences on the death of your companion," Bain offered. "He seemed like an honorable man,"
A lump rose in Danica's throat, which refused to go down when she swallowed. "Thank you," she managed. "He was,"
Some of the hardness in their faces melted with sympathy. When Thorin called to her, she bid them farewell, feeling that they had all reached an understanding. There was a similar notion when she saw the elves waiting in front of the boat Tauriel's eyes met Danica's, and she gave a slight not.
'You can do this,' the nod seemed to say. Beginning to believe just that, Danica gave a small nod in response.
"We will do all we can to get as many out as possible," Legolas declared to them softly. "Once we know that the dragon has been vanquished, we will help them to Dale,"
"Thank you," Danica smiled, earnest gratitude in her words. "For everything,"
"I hope this will be a new start for our people," there was no trace of falsity or bitterness in Thorin's voice as he spoke.
Surprisingly, the same could be said of Legolas. "As do I,"
With the applause of the citizens of Laketown in the air, the Company stepped into the boat, and set off. The sun was just peeking over the horizon as they cleared the town, and slid along the still surface of the open lake. They all took turns rowing, but Danica's gaze remained on the shimmery reflection of the pink and orange sky on the water. The soft ripples made by the front of the boat were mesmerizing. When the brightness from the sun became too blinding, she finally lifted her eyes. Some of the details of the book had long since faded from her mind, including how long the trip up the lake was. Instead of a day, as the movie had suggested, it took two whole days to reach the River Running, and then another to their landing spot.
Horses and ponies were waiting for them, along with the men who had ridden them. The men were skittish, and refused to stay any longer under the shadow of the Mountain. That fear took out some of the positive energy from the others, and, with the dawning of the next day, their mood only dimmed further. Everything was dead and barren, and far too quiet. Only Estellia's rare calls that the way ahead was clear broke the stagnant air. She would fly ahead, then come close enough to call before going on the lookout again.
Deep down, Danica knew the way would be clear to the Mountain, but she could not help the paranoia that told her even her breath would reach Smaug's ears. Everyone else was equally as tense and quiet, especially when they reached terrain that was charred black, with the exception of the gray ash they stirred with every step. There was no break from the desolation, which extended all throughout the valley of Dale, and to the very steps of the Mountain. Despite the utter gloom around them, Danica was relieved that they didn't go through the ruined human city. The las thing she wanted was to see the remains of those who had died all those years ago.
"Once we reach the western side of the Mountain, we will take a short rest before searching for the hidden door," Thorin declared around midday.
Since everyone was tired and low in spirit, there were no objections. They silently made their way to the western side, finding an area that, surprisingly, had some grass for the horses and ponies to eat. Their eyes darted anxiously from the Mountain to the lake, as if debating whether or not they could make a break for it. Danica's eyes, however, went above them, to Ravenhill. The sight of it had nausea rolling in her stomach. She tried to control her facial expressions, but her shaking limbs betrayed her. Moving as steadily as her body would allow, she slid off her mount, and lowered herself onto the nearest rock. Most of the Company followed suit, easing some of their packs off the ponies so they could drink from the water bags.
"Are you alright?" Bilbo asked, leaning next to her.
"Yeah, I just…" her gaze remained on the ruined watch tower. "In one of the versions, they die up there," she kept her voice down, not wanting the others to hear.
Bilbo looked up, but there was no dread; only determination. "We will all do whatever we can to protect them,"
Thorin began walking over, so all she could do was give Bilbo a grateful smile. Her husband also took note of her pale skin, but instantly understood. Going to her other side, he put an arm around her shoulders, resting his temple against hers.
"Let's just focus on one thing at a time," he murmured. "We'll find the door, open it, and hope Bilbo can get in and out safely,"
Her nod was small, but enough to have him pressing a kiss to her head. They shared a water bag and some dried meat, then had everyone gather around.
"Dani has the best idea of where the hidden door may be," Thorin began, speaking just loud enough for everyone to hear. "Fili, Kili, and Bilbo will go with her to find the path, as the four of them have the keenest eyesight," there were some nods and murmurs of agreement.
When he spoke again, it was directly to the four about to leave. "Once you have found the path, come back, and most of us will follow,"
It nearly killed him to let Danica go, but he knew she was well protected. The small group quickly faded from sight, and Thorin turned his eyes to Ravenhill. Danica had given as much detail as she could of how he died, in hopes that they could avoid it. Deep, instinctive fear chilled his blood, but so did an unshakeable sense of duty and purpose. While the purpose hardened like steel against the fear, he saw Estellia briefly land upon Ravenhill, and look down at him.
'If I end up there, you had better be with me,' he thought, feeling foolish that she may not hear the thought. However, she kept her gaze on him, then swooped down close enough for him to feel the air stir before flying after Danica.
"What conversation just went on between ya two?" Dwalin asked, finishing off a small piece of hard cheese.
Thorin let out a bemused chuckle. "I wish I knew,"
The fact that Durin's Day wasn't until the following day was the only thing that kept him from panicking as the sun lowered toward the western horizon. Bilbo led the small group back, excitement on his face. Without words, Thorin went to them, and the rest of the Company, sans Bofur and Bombur, followed suit. According to Kili, Danica had led them to the right area, but it was Bilbo who found the path. It was extremely narrow, and they would only be able to bring the ponies and horses part way. Luckily, there was a large outcrop where they would be comfortable. With enough rope, they would pull any necessary supplies up to the hidden door.
Upon reaching the top where the path ended, energy shot up through Thorin's feet, and through his veins. Home. This was home. Though they hadn't found the actual door, it was here. So close he almost felt as if he could just touch the mountain, and it would open up for him. Not wanting any disappointment, he fought the urge to run his hand over the rock wall. Behind him, he heard some of his men setting their packs down so they could start tying the rope to lower down.
"Thorin? Are you alright?" Danica's voice was soft; too gentle.
Despite knowing why she sounded that way, and what the reason for her concern was, a warm smile lifted his mouth. "It is more than I could have ever wanted; bringing my wife to the home of my fathers," he took her hand, drawing her to him. "The greatest of the dwarven realms, and soon to become the seat of power in the north,"
His warmth shone in her eyes and smile as well. "And wealth and trade will flourish, bringing the region to a glory never before seen,"
Though the timing and location were terrible, a hot wave of desire rushed through him at her words. Sensing the change, Danica's cheeks flushed. They both knew that nothing could be done, and so turned to help with lugging supplies up. Bofur and Bombur made their own camp below, the smoke from their small fire mingling with that of the fire Oin had begun. All of them were wary about waking Smaug, but they would die without heat.
Silence fell hard after dinner, and everyone tried to fall asleep as quickly as possible. It didn't take long for the snores to fill the air. Thorin, however, remained awake. Danica's back was pressed into his chest, her breathing steady, but not yet that of deep sleep. They were slightly apart from the rest of the group, sheltered by a small arch near the path. His yearning for her hadn't completely abated, and was growing now. He ran his nose along her neck, and up the back of her ear. Instantly in tune with him, she gave a soft sigh, and shifted her hips into his.
The need for silence in that moment had nothing to do with a dragon, but other sleeping forms. With a deftness that had come from their "honeymoon" phase, he loosened the front of her trousers, and moved her tunic out of the way. Before he even reached her center, she was grinding against him. To keep from groaning, he clenched his teeth together, and tried to focus on the feel of her on his fingers. Her heat was such a stark difference to the frigid night, that his fingertips stung with a pleasant burn until they acclimated. As a slid a finger against her most sensitive spot, her breath became more labored. A couple moments later, she buried her face into his other arm, which had been supporting her head.
Smiling at her desperate grasp for control, he dipped his finger inside of her, using deliberately soft strokes to tease. Her hips bucked a couple of times, and lights flashed behind his eyes at the sensations the movements created in him. When would he stop underestimating the power she had over him? Enough brain power remained for him to tease her just a little longer, before plunging two fingers into her. The sleeve of his shirt pressed against his skin as she bit down to stifle the small noises escaping her throat. Even in this position, not fully joined, they moved together. Thorin's eyes clenched as tightly as his jaw in the effort to restrain the growls that threatened break the still air. His fingers pumped harder and faster, spurring his hips to grind against her backside. Copying her earlier efforts, he latched his teeth into the strap of her leather vest.
Just as they had moved together, so they quaked together in climax. It ploughed into Thorin like a battering ram, making his fight for silence weaken. Low growls vibrated between them, harmonizing with the soft, mewling that was barely muffled by his arm. Her back arched, her legs trapping his hand inside as they both rode on the violent wave of pleasure. It could have been minutes, or hours until their bodies stilled, and they were able to catch their breath. When they felt like they could move again, they disentangled themselves from each other, and used rags to clean up. Fatigue made Thorin's eyes grow heavy the moment they settled within each other's arms. Danica's head was tucked beneath his head, her nose blowing warm air over his throat. Having satisfied his desire, the sensation was more reassuring than anything. He pressed a kiss to her head, savoring her peaceful sigh. A biological victory ran through his veins as he closed his eyes, whispering the promise of a much deeper triumph to be had the following day.