Chapter 41
Christmas Surprise
I met with Fili the next morning. As always, I was greeted with a tight hug.
"Always good to see you Jupe. Now what brings you here?"
I explained what had happened and he stroked his moustache.
"This is troubling. I would think something like that would happen near here, not near Rivendell. Come with me."
I followed him deep into Erebor and down the stairs.
"Uncle kept certain things hidden away. He did not want Kili and I to find them. I think I understand why now."
We kept going down until we came to a dark wooden door. He took a rusty old key from his pocket and unlocked the door. He lit several torches and I looked around the room. I saw a lot of books and scrolls. A few enchanted weapons and one book in the very back of the room. Fili brought me over to it.
"When I was little, I found this book. I was just learning to read and Kili was still a baby. I was playing and I saw this book in uncle's room. He caught me trying to read it. I had never seen him so upset. I have a feeling you will find whatever you need in this."
He handed it to me.
"I can only hope that what you search for is not reality."
I nodded.
"So do I."
He left and I sat down in an old chair. I took a deep breath and opened the book. I found a chapter about Mordor and someone named Sauron. What I read was disturbing.
"Mother of god…"
I closed the book and leaned back in the chair. Reading about what happened, was what scared me. But I was relieved to know I was wrong. Everything would be fine. I put the book back, I never wanted to see it or touch it again. I left the room and locked the door. I had to take the key back to Fili.
"Jupe?"
He looked at me and I handed him the key.
"I was wrong."
He sighed in relief and I smiled.
"Thank Durin!"
"Fili do me a favor."
"Name it."
"Burn that book. Burn it and then drown the ashes. I can already tell that Kilia will be an adventurous one. Burn that goddamn book."
He slowly nodded.
"I trust your judgment, Jupe. I have only seen you scared a few times, and I can see your fear now. I want to protect my niece…Thorin would agree with you. You know you're a lot like him. He never showed his fear, not unless it was so great he could not contain it. I wish you could have known him better."
I smiled a bit.
"So do I. But he lives in you. And in Kili and Kilia. And someday in your children. Thorin isn't really gone. Not so long as there are people who love and remember him."
He nodded.
"You're right."
I looked in direction of the gate.
"I think it's time for me to go home. I told Thorin that if I ever have a kid, and it's a boy, I'd name him after Thorin. Thorin Elros Greenleaf."
Fili smiled brightly.
"I know uncle would have been honored by that. And I think that child will enter this world soon."
I gave him a confused look..
Legolas' POV
It was the morning of the twenty-fifth of December. Tindomiel and Manwendil were in the kitchen. I sat in the library with Vardamir and Atanalcar. I was watching Snowball play with his toy when Vardamir stood up.
"What is it?"
He slowly smiled.
"She's come back!"
I smiled and ran outside. There she was, her cheeks were rosy and a smile on her face. I took her off her horse and set her down.
"Merry Christmas Legolas."
I kissed her and then Vardamir and the others came out. There was something different about her. She was wearing a lovely cloak, no doubt a gift from Fili. Her tunic seemed little big. We went inside and I saw the smile on her face.
"Oh my god! It's beautiful!"
I put my hands on her shoulders.
Jupiter's POV
There was a beautiful pine tree there. Red and green ribbon were upon it with a few ornaments. The hall was decorated with pinecones and wreaths. I walked forward and looked at the tree. I took a deep breath and looked at Legolas.
"I have a gift for you." I said.
I walked over and reached into my bag.
Legolas' POV
She pulled a baby rattle from her bag. My eyes went wide and I slowly took the rattle.
"Are you…?"
"Yeah. I found out before I left Erebor."
At first I was not sure how to react.
"He looks as though he may faint." Manwendil joked.
I shook my head and then smiled. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. When I pulled back I stroked her cheek. Now I knew why she was wearing such a large tunic.
"In about three months Thorin will join the family."
I smiled and nodded.
"Thorin the third." I said.
She smiled and nodded.
"Thorin Elros Greenleaf. That's what I want to call him."
"It's perfect. Honoring both your father and a great king of the dwarves." I told her.
Vardamir came to us and he smiled at her.
"Father would be so proud of you, Jupiter. You've grown up strong and pure of heart. That is what he wanted for you."
Jupiter threw her arms around him and held him tight. I smiled at how happy she was. It was one of the happiest days of my life.