"Where is she?" Austen whispered harshly to Elanor as she looked at him everyone started to sit down again,
"Being difficult as always." Elanor responded but then smiled to cover up their slight panic as the doors at the end of the hall opened again.
Austen stood up quickly as he glared at the figure at the end of the hall.
There she stood…
Silence fell across the hall as her face was there, as clear as day.
Aurora…
Thorin quickly stood as he saw her, he couldn't believe his eyes. The woman he saw bloodied and beaten stood before everyone. The other dwarfs followed their King and stood at her appearance.
"Sorry I'm late." I spoke and walked around the left side of the table so I could sit on my brother's right side. I noticed the black-haired dwarf I stood against earlier was standing, staring at me. I looked at him for a brief second and then back at my brother, "my studies keep me busy." I smiled and walked down the room to my seat.
As I walk by the black-haired dwarf, I hear him take a breath as I move into the seat next to my brother.
Her dress was silver, it hugged her figure beautifully and enhanced her slender waist and strong shoulders. Her hair was back in a twisted braid, Thorin could smell lavender and thyme as she glanced at him for a moment. Thorin felt pain in that moment though, as her expression seemed blank. Unsure of him… almost as if she didn't recognise anyone.
"We thought you died." the hobbit next to the wizard spoke,
"Died?" I frowned, I looked at my brother,
"My sister here, she has no memories of her life before the last few months. We've been trying to restore them. But it's been difficult. Not even Aulton has been able to successfully get them back this time." Austen spoke as I looked down at the table, I sat on the chair as my lady, Halle pulled it out for me.
I noticed the black-haired dwarf wouldn't look away from me as I kept my eyes down. My brother noticed this and looked at him,
"Aurora, this is the King Under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield." Austen spoke and I looked up at him. My green eyes met his blue ones, I could see confusion on his face as I smiled politely at him,
"Pleasure to meet you, King Thorin." I spoke, those words seemed to pain him as he smiled sadly,
"The honour is mine, my lady." Thorin offered his hand, I gently placed mine in his and he lifted it to his mouth and kissed my knuckles graciously. I froze in place as his eyes didn't leave mine. I felt my heart jump as he let go.
I awkwardly smile and slowly moved my hand away as the men of the kitchen came out and served the food on the table.
Austen stood as the food was being placed,
"Feast, my friends. We will talk tomorrow about the situation, for now. We dine and enjoy each other's company." Austen spoke as I kept glancing at Thorin.
I took some food to my plate and Thorin would pour some wine for me as the ladies and men would leave the room after serving the food and drink.
"So, my lady, what do you remember or know?" Gandalf asked, getting to the point as the tension was starting to relax as the other dwarfs ate, but the majority stopped as I looked at Gandalf,
"I remember nothing before here. I was told I helped a band of dwarfs reclaim their homeland and I did die. But due to the gifts Austen and myself were given, I was saved. Aulton brought me back. I don't know why I can't remember my travels; we originally had our memories taken by Aulton until we were ready to return home. But now… my memory seems lost." I frowned and kept my eye contact with Gandalf as I spoke, "We think it might be because I can't reach the homeland… we hope that when we get home I will remember." I smiled sadly and looked around the table at the dwarfs. I knew they were the dwarfs I helped, and Thorin was the leader of them, "I'm sorry I can't remember your names. I truly am." I frowned; Austen put his hand on mine as I smiled sadly. "Here's hoping you help me get my memories back, once again." I took a bite of some food as Gandalf raised his wine glass.
The rest of the dinner was relatively lively, the dwarfs and my brother spoke a lot, about their work around Erebor and the city of Dale. They soon mentioned that eagles had started travelling to the city as I looked at Balin as he spoke about them, Austen turned to me and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Aurora trains all the birds and created that tower for them. They must know that you were at Erebor and visit the land." Austen spoke as I nodded,
"They probably do. Birds are very intelligent." I smiled and Thorin watched my movements closely as I smiled genuinely for the first time that night, "they are elegant creatures that have helped our people." I spoke,
"You seem to have them resting here on the edge of the forest." Gandalf spoke,
"Apparently the larger eagles saved us once. Since then, they found the tower and now rest there. We are going to build a second tower for them, as the current one isn't large enough." I smiled as Gandalf nodded, "I love flying with them." I admitted,
"But you don't leave the mountain anymore." Austen spoke as I quickly shook my head,
"No, not now that I've helped build the first tower. I'm studying and reminding myself about the land." I quickly spoke as I shifted in my chair.
I saw Thorin smirk as he looked at me,
"So, you don't leave here?" Thorin asked and I looked at him,
"No." I quickly answered as I looked at the dwarf. I glanced around at the other dwarfs and they seemed to cotton on to what he was saying as I saw a few of them exchange glances, especially the two who laughed at me knocking down Thorin earlier.
He knew I was lying as he leaned forward and put his hands together on the table,
"Not even to walk amongst the town?" Thorin questioned again,
"Nope. The people know that I'm trying to learn and regain my memory. So, I study and practice to fight." I explained as Aulton coughed at the end of the table,
"You don't need much training. You seem to have a talent for fighting." Aulton spoke, he exchanged a look with Thorin, as if they both knew I snuck out without my brother knowing.
"It's too dangerous for Aurora to go out now. As she's trying to learn her earth and water manipulation abilities again." Austen spoke as I nodded. Austen was very protective over me, not possessive or anything… he feared losing me. I think whatever happened to me at the battle of Erebor terrified him. Austen would have nightmares of the battle; I would hear him waking up screaming and I would hear Elanor trying to calm him in the middle of the night. They were amazing together.
The rest of the dinner was uneventful, we moved to an upper part of the mountain that had an opening looking over the town below. I didn't have much to drink but the dwarfs enjoyed the music and the ladies and men dancing.
I sat to the side by the balcony edge and watched the people dance and party below, whenever we partied, they followed suit. It was beautiful, sometimes I'd sneak down to the party with the people. Tonight, I needed to be present. I rested my chin on my hand as I looked at the kids playing below, their parents were dancing and having fun in the centre of town. It was nice to watch.
I heard a stool move next to me and the Dwarf King looked over the edge with me,
"That party looks better than ours." Thorin spoke as I smiled,
"The people drink, dance and sing more than here." I spoke as Thorin looked at me, I didn't look away from the people as I tilted my head to the side,
"What's wrong with here?" Thorin asked,
"Nothing. It's just suffocating. I like being around my people and I want to help them." I spoke, "I can do more for them being out there than being locked in my room." I frowned,
"Is that why you sneak out to fight orcs?" Thorin asked, I froze and looked at him,
"I have no idea what you are talking about." I shook my head and sat up straight, Thorin smirked at me, it caught me off guard as I studied his face. I sighed and looked back out into the night, "Austen is overprotective…" I frowned, "if he knew…" I looked down,
"He can't stop you. The Aurora I knew wouldn't let anyone boss her around. She even denied this King an order." Thorin spoke as I looked back at him. I closed my eyes for a moment.
"Throw him over the rampart!"
"No."
I looked at Thorin and frowned, I couldn't remember it. Just flashes as I took a breath,
"I wasn't in the right frame of mind then but… you still denied me." Thorin spoke as I looked at him. I looked back at the party in the mountain and saw my brother was talking with Gandalf and Bilbo, he seemed influenced by the alcohol as I knew he'd be falling asleep soon.
"How about we go somewhere else? I know a party better than this one?" Thorin asked, I looked at him, Thorin nodded his head towards the people below as they started playing violins and flutes. I looked at my brother and then at Thorin, he offered his hand to me, and I took it.
Thorin pulled me along the balcony and as we got to a door, I pushed it open. I looked back and Gandalf clocked us leaving and turned my brother away from us, so he didn't see us leave.
I led Thorin down the stairs and out a side door of the mountain. We walked together down the streets as fireflies danced around the air. Appearing at the centre I moved to a bench with Thorin, and we watched the people dance. Their hands joined as they danced in the circle,
"Your people seem happy." Thorin spoke, I nodded,
"Apparently, they were just barely surviving when Austen and Aulton returned with me. They helped rebuild as I recovered and when I woke up, I used my earth and water abilities to help them with their crops and rebuild their houses." I explained as I watched them dance, Thorin listened while he looked at me, "I never thought that we'd be able to make such a difference." I admitted as Thorin looked back at the crowd,
"You made a lot of difference." Thorin spoke as some women recognised me. I didn't look away from Thorin as I was confused by his words. I obviously made an impact to the lives of the dwarfs of Erebor.
"My lady!" A young teen ran over to me and took my hands as the men started to play a new song. The music was upbeat and happy as I smiled as the girls brought me to the edge of the fire, I spun around and stopped.
"Look how the light of the town;
The lights of the town are shining now;
Tonight I'll be dancing around;
I'm off on the road to Galway now." I started singing as a few other women joined me.
"Look how she's off on the town;
She's off on a search for sailors though;
There's fine fellas here to be found;
She's never been one to stay at home." The women sang with me as we took each other's hands and danced in a circle.
"Home you'll go and it's there you'll stay
And you've work to do in the morning
Give up your dream of going away
Forget your sailors in Galway." I sang and turned away from the group as men joined the group and linked arms as we spun in a circle, I then linked with the next woman, and we skipped in a circle.
"Téir abhaile riú, téir abhaile riú
Téir abhaile riú Mhearai
Téir abhail gus fan sa bhaile
Mar tá do mhargadh déanta" the group held hands and moved into a closed circle and then danced back out and turned once more.
"Come now and follow me down
Down to the lights of Galway where
There's fine sailors walking the town
And waiting to meet the ladies there
Watch now he'll soon be along
He's finer than any sailor so
Come on now pick up your spoons
He's waiting to hear you play them WHOOO!" I moved to the centre and skipped my feet to the beat as the violins and percussion played.
"Here today and she's gone tomorrow
And next she's going to Galway
Jiggin' around and off to town
And won't be back until morning" the women sang as I suddenly saw Thorin in the group dancing, he didn't know the rhythm or how to follow but the other women helped him as I laughed.
"Téir abhaile riú, téir abhaile riú
Téir abhaile riú Mhearai
Téir abhail gus fan sa bhaile
Mar tá do mhargadh déanta" the group moved to the centre again and pushed Thorin into me as I took his hands, they moved back out and turned again. The music lifted and the group danced together. I tried to teach Thorin a few of the steps as we were in centre until I grabbed his hands and smiled at him as I continued the song.
"Off with a spring in my step
The sailors are searching Galway for
A young lady such as myself
For reels and jigs and maybe more
Stay here and never you mind
The lights of the town are blinding you
The sailors they come and they go
But listen to what's reminding you
Handsome men surrounding you
Dancing a reel around you" I skipped around Thorin as I sang, and the women danced with their male partners.
"Home you'll go and it's there you'll stay
And you've work to do in the morning
Give up your dream of going away
Forget your sailors in Galway" I took Thorin's arm and linked as I moved in a circle with him. Thorin seemed to enjoy the dance more as we got into it.
"Téir abhaile riú, téir abhaile riú
Téir abhaile riú Mhearai
Téir abhail gus fan sa bhaile
Mar tá do mhargadh déanta" we joined opposite sides of the circle and skipped to the middle with the group again.
"Listen to the music flow
I'm falling for the flow of home
I'm home to dance till dawning" the women sang. "Téir abhaile riú, téir abhaile riú
Téir abhaile riú Mhearai
Téir abhail gus fan sa bhaile
Mar tá do mhargadh déanta" I stopped in the centre again as Thorin was left with me in the centre one more time as I took his hands and we spun together,
"There you go!" I laughed as Thorin looked over my face.
"Stay a while and we'll dance together now
As the light is falling
We'll reel away till the break of day
And dance together till morning" the women sang, "Téir abhaile riú, téir abhaile riú
Téir abhaile riú Mhearai
Téir abhail gus fan sa bhaile
Mar tá do mhargadh déanta
Téir abhaile riú, téir abhaile riú
Téir abhaile riú Mhearai
Téir abhail gus fan sa bhaile
Mar tá do mhargadh déanta
Do Mhargadh de - do mhargadh déanta" I danced to the edge of the circle after letting Thorin's hands go and I curtsied, Thorin bowed lowly as I smiled at him. The musicians carried on with another song, the women crowded around me and pulled me away to talk as I kept trying to hush them, they knew my brother didn't want me to leave but I would sneak out to party.
I sat down and saw Thorin was watching me from a distance as I smiled at him, I didn't know what relationship we had before. But I could see he cared for me; I was conflicted though. I didn't know how much he cared for me, and I felt sick in my stomach because I couldn't remember him, guilt riddled me.
Thorin disappeared as I had lost sight of him for a moment, I sighed and looked back at the women as they gave me some gifts they'd made for me, a necklace, a new cloak to hide in, a flower crown from one of the daughters as I crouched down to allow her to place it on my head. These people were too kind and caring.
The women went quite a few moments later as Thorin appeared behind me, I looked back and smiled at the dwarf,
"I don't mean to interrupt." Thorin spoke,
"It's okay, King Thowin, we are done with Auworwa." A little girl, Claudette smiled at Thorin as he looked at her,
"Am I okay to speak with her alone?" Thorin looked at the girl, the older women chuckled as I smiled to myself,
"I guess." Claudette nodded, "be nice to her!" She added as I smiled, I put the cloak over my shoulders and the necklace on as I chuckled.
Thorin gestured away from the party, and I moved with him, we walked to a side street, and I walked into a park.
"Aurora…" Thorin spoke as I sat down at a bench, I put my hand on the stone seat next to me and Thorin moved next to me,
"Yes, King Th-" I started,
"Thorin… call me Thorin." Thorin spoke as I looked away for a moment but nodded, "I don't know how much you remember, if anything. I just want to say, it's great that you are back with us." Thorin spoke as I smiled sadly,
"I'm sorry, I can't remember. But I can tell I touched everyone in your company, that I brought something to each one in your group." I smiled with a frown, I looked away and pulled the cloak around my body, "it's so frustrating." I leaned forward and hugged myself, "I wish I knew who I was, I wish I remembered what we went through." I held my head as I tried to think.
I looked at Thorin and could see he pitied me. I sighed and looked away,
"We will help as best as we can." Thorin spoke as I nodded, I heard something in the darkness as I sat up and looked to the edge of the forest. Thorin stood up and looked in the same direction, he offered his hand to me, "that was you in the forest earlier, wasn't it?" Thorin spoke quietly, I looked at him and nodded,
"Yes… don't tell Austen." I spoke as Thorin looked at me for a moment,
"I won't, but you need to." Thorin spoke gently as we hear another twig snap. We both looked together and suddenly a bird few out as we took a breath.
I looked away and sighed,
"We should head back." I spoke as Thorin nodded, he offered his hand to me as I took it and followed him back to the cave side door. I led Thorin through the corridors and as we walked through, I saw my brother walk out the main hall with Elanor. I grabbed Thorin and pulled him in a separate room and quietly closed the door as my brother was walking with Elanor to their room.
I sighed as I looked back at Thorin, he was leaning against a table as we had entered the library. Thorin folded his arms as I smiled,
"I'll tell him… at some point." I spoke and walked into the library and Thorin watched me walk away from the door, I traced the shelf with my finger and looked at Thorin.
"Can you tell me about our adventure?" I looked at Thorin, confusion visible on his face as I moved to the table and sat down. Thorin moved around to the chair next to me and I pushed it out, he sat down and looked at me,
"Has Austen and Aulton not told you anything?" Thorin asked, I shook my head,
"They weren't there for the entire journey… and… Austen struggles to talk about it. I don't think he's coping well." I sighed, Thorin nodded,
"The final battle wasn't one anyone would like to recall…" Thorin sighed, "Your death… if I didn't push you away in those final days. You would still have your memories, I'm sure if it." Thorin spoke as I just listened.
"It all started at Bilbo Baggins' home, in the shire… when I entered the home of the hobbit. I saw the most beautiful, strongest woman I was ever going to meet." Thorin eyes didn't break contact from me. I just listened to him, "she was a force to be reckoned with, stood up for those in need and cared for those who needed the care. Her skill with a bow was beyond anything I'd ever seen and every day she impressed me further." Thorin looked down at my hand on the table as I turned towards him in my seat. "She saved me, and my company, many times. But in the end… we were unable to save her." Thorin frowned as I saw the pain in his face, I realised now that Thorin more than cared for me… he loved me… guilt clouded my mind as those feelings weren't reciprocated now.
"Thorin… I…" I stood up, sighed, and moved back, Thorin looked sad and looked down, "I want to remember, I really do… give me time…" I look at the dwarf. I put my hand to my head.
"Don't cry for me… smile… it's a beautiful… smile."
I look at Thorin as I fall on my knees and hold my head, Thorin quickly moves in front of me as I turn my head to the side.
"Aurora… I'm sorry. I don't mean to upset you." Thorin spoke,
"I know… I'm trying to remember but…" I felt like something was blocking me.
"You sounded sad so I thought I would cheer you up."
I felt my brain fog as I heard a voice.
"YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER! I WON'T LET YOU!"
I saw bright orange eyes glaring at me as I moved back and hit the wall.
Aurora had collapsed in Thorin's arms he held her as she was shaking violently,
"Somebody! Someone help!" Thorin yelled, some of the ladies of the hall ran in and went to Aurora's aid. Gandalf came in with Aulton and the guardian lifted her on the table as she continued to shake.
"What were you doing?" Aulton asked,
"We were talking." Thorin answered,
"About what?!" Aulton yelled; his voice boomed throughout the room in anger. Aulton's outburst would terrify a normal person as the ladies and men of the halls cowered suddenly, Thorin just looked at him.
"About how we met." Thorin answered, Aulton's face softened quickly, and he nodded at Gandalf.
Gandalf leaned down towards Aurora's ear and placed his hand over her eyes. He whispered some words and her body stopped convulsing. Gandalf stood up and looked at Thorin, the other dwarfs piled in, and Gandalf looked at Aulton.
Something was very wrong here…