Happy Holidays!

Chapter 40

Maybe

I woke up early and saddled my horse. I sighed and closed my eyes. I suddenly found myself wishing I was back in Chicago. I could sense Legolas behind me.

"I need to know." I whispered.

"I know. And I know Erebor is one of the best places to find the answers you seek."

I nodded mounted the horse.

"I'll be back before Christmas."

He looked confused and I just smiled. I quickly explained to him what Christmas was.

"You know you're adorable when you're confused. I'll explain when I get back. I love you."

I leaned down and kissed him. We separated slowly and he stroked my cheek.

"I love you too."

I nodded and took a deep breath.

"Hya!"

Legolas' POV

I watched her go and sighed. All I could so was wait for her to return. And she would have a Christmas waiting for her.

Jupiter's POV

It took me a week to get over the mountains. The mountains had always been the most difficult part. I saw what I knew to be Beorn's house on the way. I got off the horse and led him towards the house.

"Beorn?! You home!? It's me, Jupiter. I was a friend of Thorin's."

I waited and then he appeared.

"I remember you."

I smiled and bowed my head.

"I'm sorry to say that I might have some bad news."

"Might?"

I nodded.

"I live two days away from Rivendell. Orcs have been wondering onto my lands. A few days past I found a wounded ranger on my land, he had very troubling news."

"What news?"

"He said something about dark clouds over Mordor. That they're always there. He said it was very unusual for orcs to come so close to Rivendell."

He growled and looked south.

"You had best come inside. It will be dark soon and it is not safe out here."

I nodded and led my horse inside. I followed Beorn inside and he sat down.

"Before the battle, I spoke with a wizard named Gandalf the Grey. At that time, there had been whispers of the dead walking in the mounts of Ruhdon. There are tombs there. Many years ago, these lands were ruled by a dark power. Dark days they were, war was waged and villages burned."

I thought hard about his words.

"Where is Mordor?"

"To the south-east. It neighbors the realm of Gondor."

I slowly nodded and stood up.

"This war…who won?"

"There was a last alliance of men and elves. They defeated the dark lord and as far as I know, that was the end of it."

"Something doesn't add up. If as you say they defeated this dark lord, how can all this be happening now?"

"That I do not know. I have heard rumors that he was not truly destroyed. That part of him survived."

I wasn't going to lie, his words scared the shit out of me.

"Do you know how he can be killed? And I mean killed for good."

"No."

I sighed and sat back down.

"I was afraid that would be your answer. Well unless we find a way, we're all screwed." I said softly.

We sat in silence for a minute.

"If you don't mind my asking, why is thee a chain cuff on your wrist?"

He looked at it.

"My people were the first to live in the mountains. Before the orcs came down from the north. The Defiler killed most of my gamily."

"The Defiler? Are you talking about Azog?"

He nodded and I clenched my fists.

"Some he enslaved. Not for work, but for sport. Caging skin-changers and torturing them amused him."

I looked at him sadly.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. But Azog is dead now. My friend saw to that."

"Yes I remember."

"He was a dipshit for letting himself get killed." I whispered.

"Tell me, do you honestly believe that? Do you believe he was a fool for giving his life to save so many others?"

I looked at him but I couldn't find a way to answer.

"Well, if you intend to continue to the mountain, you must rest."

I nodded but I still couldn't answer. There was something very wrong here. I barely slept that night and I got up early the next morning. I had breakfast with Beorn and then followed him outside.

"There is no need for me to tell you to be careful in Mirkwood. The Necromancer may have left Dol Guldur, but the darkness is still there."

I nodded.

"I know where to go. And if I obtain any new information about this, I'll be sure to come back and tell you."

"Good. Now go while you have the light."

"Thanks Beorn."

I rode off and towards Mirkwood.

Legolas' POV

It was the end of November. She had been gone for almost a month. Vardamir, Tindomiel, Atanalcar and Manwendil had come to visit. They were extremely worried when I told them what had happened.

"But she would not find answers in Lothlorien." Tindomiel said.

I frowned.

"She would go to Erebor." I whispered.

"What?"

"Erebor. If she could not find anything in Lothlorien she would go to Erebor."

"She will be alright. She is well trained and she said she would come back before this…Christmas." Atanalcar said.

I nodded. Snowball jumped onto my lap and I smirked.

"You miss her too. She will be back any day now." I said.

I scratched him between the wears and he purred, leaning towards my hand.

"I hope that you will stay. I know she would be happy to see you when she gets back."

"Of course!"

I smiled and looked at Snowball again.

"What do you think?"

He just looked at me with a tilted head.

Jupiter's POV

I rode straight up to the gates of Erebor and jumped off the horse. The guards bowed and welcomed me. I ran through the mountain looking for Fili. I eventually gave up and knocked on Kili and Tauriel's door. Tauriel answered and smiled when she saw me.

"Jupiter! I did not know you were coming."

"It was last minute."

I hugged her and she let me in. Little Kilia came out.

"Look at you! Do you remember me?"

She shook her head, but smiled shyly.

"Kilia, this is your godmother, Jupiter."

She wobbled forward and smiled at me.

"You're so big now, and so beautiful like your mommy."

She had her mother's burning red hair. She ran back into the other room and I chuckled.

"She'll be the most beautiful girl in the mountain."

"Kili says that."

"Well it's true."

She smiled.

"What do we owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?"

I looked over.

"I don't think we should talk about that right now. Not with her in the other room."

A troubled look came to her face.

"~Is everything alright?~"

I guessed that Kilia couldn't speak Elvish yet.

"~Honestly I'm not sure. I came so I could pick apart the library. I'm looking for something on that war years ago. The last alliance of men and elves? Have you heard of it?~"

A strange look replaced the worried one.

"~Only in passing, I know enough to know it's not something people usually talk about.~"

I nodded and Kilia came back out. I smiled and she held out a little bead bracelet.

"For me?" she nodded and I smiled. "It's beautiful! Did you make this all by yourself?"

She nodded and I chuckled. I let her put in on my wrist and I looked at it.

"Perfect! You're good with your hands aren't you? Just like your daddy."

"Oh yes she is. She loves to take things, break them, then try and put them back together." Tauriel told me.

I laughed a little

"What about Legolas and yourself?"

I looked at her a bit confused.

"What about us?"

She nodded to Kilia.

"Oh. Maybe one day. I don't think either of us are ready yet. But one day we will. I want to. I'm just worried."

"About?"

I sighed.

"The way George and Isabelle treated me. What if there parenting methods-"

"Stop right there Jupiter Greenleaf."

I immediately shut my mouth. She looked dead serious.

"Listen to me. You could never be like them. Never. I know you well, and I have seen who you really are. The first time we met you were helping everyone around you, even though you did not know them. Your heart is so full of love and kindness. I never want to hear you talk like that again. Never doubt yourself, Jupiter."

I just stared at her. I didn't really know what else to do. Then again…

"You really are a mom."

She laughed with me and then I nodded.

"I promise I won't. Thanks Tauriel."

She smiled and I gave her a hug.

"Jupiter?"

I looked at Kilia.

"What's up cutie-pie?"

She giggled.

"Play with me."

"Well how can I say no? Come on."

She led me to the back and I sat down on the floor with her. It always made me smile to see a happy child surrounded by love.

"Y-You be the dragon and I will be the prince." she said.

"Okay then! Is the prince coming to save the princess?"

She nodded eagerly and I smiled again.

"Well lets hope the prince has a sword of dwarves steel! Because dragons are tough ones, they are."

I was able to make her laugh and smile throughout the day. I played hide and seek with her, always letting her find me of course. She was so full of life, it made me happy.

Maybe I am ready to be a mom. We'll see…