Part 3 of More to The Story. It's about a family that are the key-holders and Gatekeepers between our world/Wizarding World and Middle Earth. Adventure, friendships, and love. Part 3 picks up at the beginning of The Battle of the Five Armies, with equal parts of books and movies with the crossovers. OC's and real characters.
The Company and Gatekeepers are divided. Some of the company remain in Laketown with the younger members of the Gatekeeper family. The parents and grandparents are still missing. The danger of the dragon, orcs, and greed were on everyone's minds. What would become of them? Erébor? The Wizard and Muggle world? Nothing was certain.
I do not own anything from the Hobbit or Harry Potter; only the OC's and their story. All Harry Potter/Hobbit references and characters belong to J.K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Peter Jackson.
Chapter 4
The sun was rising on the shores of Long Lake, showing the devastation and the desolation of Smaug. The present citizens of Laktown searched for loved ones. Survivors struggled to get themselves out of the freezing water; and sadly, not all were alive. Children cried, mothers comforted them to keep the family together, fathers worked to salvage what they could for their families.
The boat that held the dwarves, elf, the wizard and muggle family finally came to the shore. Tauriel helped Sigrid and Tilda out and immediately they began searching for their father and brother. The she-elf had lived for nearly 600years, and this kind of mass destruction and suffering was something she had never before seen. She was doing her best to keep her wits about her.
With the future completely unknown, Karah stayed close enough to the boat to keep her eyes on it, but away from the hysteria of the crowds. What should she do now? Where was Nicole? And Jordan? Did they survive the attack? Where should she go with the children? Or stay on the shore and wait? What of her parents and grandparents? Drawing comfort from Kili, the rest of the dwarves, and Tauriel was the only thing from keeping her from breaking down in tears.
The dwarves stayed next to their boat. They were planning to continue their journey to the mountain. They had too! Thorin was expecting them, or he would assume they died from Smaug's attack. Bofur and Oin were trying to compromise with the younger dwarves, with no such luck. Neither wanted to leave unless Karah and Jordan were coming with them.
Bofur spoke in khuzdul, trying to keep the situation calm. "We need to get to the mountain. The company needs to know we are alive. They will need our help inside to fortify it and then we can either send for the lasses or bring them and their family."
"I'll not leave until Jordan has returned." Fili stated, his eyes becoming dangerously possessive thinking about Jordan.
"Lad, she may no-." Oin began but Fili cut him off.
"Don't say it! She's not dead!" Fili nearly yelled and ready to start throwing punches.
Kili did not partake in the conversation. Instead, he left the dwarves and stood in front of Karah. "Come with us. It's not safe here and I don't want to live in Erébor without you."
Karah looked down at her niece and nephew. "I can't leave, Kili. I won't leave the children here."
Kili had a solution. "Bring them along! They can stay in the mountain. Thorin was smitten with them, he will welcome them."
"But what of my sister? When she gets here, she won't know what happened to us, and probably assume the worst. I have to wait here for her."
"Amrâlimê, please!" Kili begged. He stepped to her, holding her waist in his strong hands, and touching his forehead to hers.
"I don't know what that means."
"I think you do." He smiled at her, breaking down her hesitation little by little.
Their attention was broken by two people shouting and fighting. Kili growled under his breath, angry over always getting interrupted. If he had his bow and arrows or his sword, he probably would have eliminated both offenders. He was forced to pause his action when he saw René and Gage try to hide behind him and Karah. A woman, Hilda was her name, was trying to pass out blankets to help people get warm. And the uni'browed weasel chased after her trying to get one.
Alfrid was forceful in throwing his authority around, claiming to be the deputy master. "I said give me that blanket!"
Hilda ripped it free and shout back at him, "over my dead body!"
"That can be arranged!" He raised his hand to strike her down, only to be forcefully stopped, his arm being bent behind him painfully.
Bard appeared and whispered angrily into the whimpering man's ear, "it would be incredibly unwise to get on anyone's bad side, Alfrid." He saw Hilda hold a grateful smile for him.
Tilda was the first to see him. "Da!" She shrieked and ran with her sister to her father.
Bard opened his arms to his daughters, bringing them and his son into a tight hug. The reunion was so joyous and anyone who witnessed would not have a dry eye. Just behind Bard, Jordan was helping Nicole drop her broom in Karah's bag.
René looked around frantically hoping her mother. "Mama!" the little girl screamed and raced away with Gage, Karah on their tail. The small group hugged and kissed each other, drying tears and smoothing down messy hair.
Jordan stayed back out of the way, wanting her cousins to have their moment. Leaning on her own broom for support, she made eye contact with Tauriel. The she-elf stood alone, joyful at the reunion. Thank you for watching over them.
Tauriel smiled at her, "I don't know what you are saying."
Jordan did not care that Tauriel was so much taller than her. She dropped her broom and hugged her waist. Tauriel understood the gesture. After a moment of surprise, she bent down a little and hugged her back.
"Jordan!" Fili's voice cried out. When she spun around, she was nearly tackled by the dwarf prince and he held her tight. "You are not leaving me ever again! And I will never leave you either!"
Don't make promises you can't keep. Jordan knowingly smiled. She lovingly pressed her forehead to his, relieved to see he was fine. The firmness of his embrace was so comforting, until it carried on longer than normal. When she tried to back up, he held tighter, almost possessive.
"I do promise, because you are coming with us to the mountain." Fii picked up her broom and took her elbow to bring her to the boat. There was something different about him. Anger, fear, and frustration would be understandable. This was different. He was not being rough with her, he was just forceful.
Jordan let him lead her, because her eyes were locked on the mountain. She could feel anxiety build in her, knowing somewhere inside the mountain, was the book she needed to save her brother. She was so close! All she had to do was follow Fili and get inside. She could 'Accio' the book once she was in the right place, get out of the mountain, unlock the gate, and save Blair. Not realizing she was actively leaving her family, hearing Karah and Kili's argument broke her train of thought.
Kili pulled Karah as well. "You too! All of you are coming with us."
Karah did not want to fight Kili, but she had to insist otherwise. "We can't leave! The rest of our family is still out there somewhere. We were to meet them in Laketown. If we go to the mountain, we may never find them."
Nicole was still trying to calm her children. Hearing the discussion of leaving, she decided it was time to speak her thoughts, and surprisingly they all listened. "Our magic can help these muggles. And with the help of elvish magic, they can heal those who are hurt." She looked to Tauriel, pleading for her support.
Tauriel was about to walk over to Nicole and Karah to start forming a plan, when she stopped. Recognizing a presence behind her, she addressed him in her native language. "My lord, Legolas."
The elf prince seemed to appear out of nowhere! He looked over the odd group, seeing the terrible suffering of these people. In his opinion, there was no one but the dwarves to blame. When the Dragon Slayer passed him, he motioned for Tauriel to wait while he spoke to the man. "Where are you leading these people?"
Bard filled is arms with tools and wood to pack and take with them. He felt the weight of leadership on his shoulders. His children and the people of Laketown needed him to be strong, wise, and to keep them level headed. He wondered if stopping Alfrid execution was indeed a wise choice. A small part of him wished he had let them do it. Only he knew it would benefit no one. Right now, they had many preparations to see to if they hoped to survive. "There is only one place, and I fear we won't make it there before nightfall. We will take refuge in Dale, until we can claim what Oakenshield owes us to rebuild."
Tauriel listened to the conversation, confident in Bard's ability to care for these people. She would stay and help if she could, only she noticed Prince Legolas behaving strangely. When Bard left them, she walked up to him, "What do you know?"
Legolas continued to study the horrific scene around him. There was not much they could do with just the two of them. He did not want to frighten anyone so again he spoke to her in their tongue. "We must take leave of these people. We cannot help them. But we can be of help elsewhere. Come, time is wasting."
"Where are we going?"
"I followed an orc out of Laketown. His name is Bolg, and he is the spawn of Azog the Defiler. There was a warg pack waiting for him outside of Esgaroth, then went north. These orcs are different, wearing the mark of Gundabad."
"Gundabad?" Tauriel repeated. "How can this be? That stronghold is in the northern Misty Mountains. Why would they come here?"
The sounds of horse steps echoed, and another elf voice called out to them. "My Lord Legolas!" It was one of their loyal guards, Indo. "Your father wishes for you to return to him."
Legolas nodded, "we will go there first. Tauriel-."
"I'm sorry, my Lord." Indo shook his head, knowing this would not be received well. "Tauriel has been banished."
"Excuse me?" Legolas held his fury back, anger biting from his voice. "You can tell my father that I won't return without her."
Tauriel felt her whole world fall apart. Now she understood how these humans felt of losing their home. Hearing her friend fight on her behalf gave her hope, but this was not the time. "Legolas, he is your king. You must go to him."
He looked back to his friend, "he may be my king, but he is my father first. And he can't command how I feel." Turning back to Indo, "tell my father what has happened to Laketown and aid is needed. The humans are marching to Dale. Have food, clothing, and other supplies delivered there."
Indo bowed to Legolas and rode away.
Legolas watched the elf leave, confident he will relay the entire message. "Tauriel, will you ride with me to Gundabad?"
Tauriel nodded, knowing she could not forsake him a third time. She appreciated him asking her, rather than commanding her, despite not having any power over her with being banished from his kingdom. She looked to Nicole, Jordan, Karah, and the dwarves. "I must go. I will return as soon as I can."
Nicole could not to ask more of Tauriel, she had already done so much for all of them. She had no idea what was said between the elves; she only knew it was not good news and Tauriel looked nearly inconsolable. "Thank you for everything you've done for us. You will have a place amongst us when you return."
All the children and witches hugged her. Each dwarf thanked her with a handshake or a gentle smile. Legolas watched the farewell, unsure of what to make of the sight. Seeing firsthand the rare comradery between the races is the only way to prove it happened. He chose to give them some privacy by finding his steed and mounting. When she was ready, he gently kicked the horse and rode toward north.
"Lads," Bofur saw this as an opportunity to make their own departure. "We have to leave now."
"We are starting to get some right nasty looks from the humans." Oin added worriedly. "They were quick to turn on one of their own. I suspect we dwarves won't be as lucky if we stick around much longer."
Fili still had Jordan's bottomless bag over his shoulder. Taking her broom, he struggled to shove it inside for safe keeping. Then he reached for Jordan's wand. She stepped back to keep it out of his reach. Dark controlling thoughts slithered into his mind demanding he act quickly. He knew that she would not willingly part from it and fight him. He experienced her anger the last time he took her wand and he was ready for it. From the way he saw it, she should be worried about him! He was still furious with her for leaving him in the boat when they were fleeing Laketown. If he had control of her wand, she would do what he told her. If he had to pick her up and tie her to the bench of the boat, he would! He cherished her, his treasure, and he would not part from her. She was his! He will keep her safe. She will come to the mountain with him and he will force her to…
He suddenly stopped himself just in the nick of time. He did not even realize his enrage face inches away from hers still trying to take her wand. His conscience brought him out of his dark thoughts. What was happening to him? Force her? How could he do that? He could not force her to do anything! If he took away her freedom he was no better than a slave master! His treasure? Jordan was not some nonliving piece of rock or metal he could keep in a treasure horde, like a dragon. Dragon sickness…No! He will not fall victim to this evil. He will overcome it.
As gently as possible he released her to put some distance between them. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what to say…" Fili could see the fear and hurt written all over Jordan's face. She must have believed him because she wrapped her arms around him and tightly hugged him. "Believe me when I say that I want you by my side, but will not force you there. Please come to me as soon as you can. If I have to come here for you, I'm bringing Bifur with me."
I will come. Jordan signed to him with a smile. Tell Bifur that I'm okay. Please don't tell him that I took off again. He will be really mad. I promise to join you soon. She kissed him before helping him climb over the side of the boat.
Gage had broken away from Nicole and demanded that Jordan pick him up. He held out his small fist to Fili, who promptly bumped it.
"Keep your aunty safe," Fili asked softly.
"Okay," the little boy answered.
Leaning down, Fili kissed Jordan once more. It devastated him to leave her, but he had to prove to her and himself that he trusted her. Gage wrapped a free arm around Fili's neck and pressed his forehead to his.
Kili was too focused on trying to convince Karah to come with him to notice his brother stopping himself from being overtaken by the dreaded family curse. Or that Fili had chosen to let Jordan do her will and was preparing to leave without her. Kili did not want to accept Karah pulling away from him. "Please don't do this."
Karah held his hands in hers. "Kili, listen to me. I want to go with you, but I am needed here. You and Fili must go because Thorin is going to need you both. I had a vision back in the Misty Mountains. I think he will succumb to Dragon Sickness. Go to the mountain and keep him safe."
"How do you know about Dragon Sickness? No, never mind. We can talk about it on the way!"
"We can't go right now. We will come as soon as we find our family and these people are safe." Karah assured him. She put her hands on either side of his face, pulled him to her and kissed his forehead. "Trust me, I will come to you. Go! We will see you soon."
Kili reluctantly went to the boat and paused. He turned back around and took Karah's hand, placing a token with the runes carved into the stone. "My mother gave this to me, making me promise to come back to her. Promise that you'll come back to me?"
She studied the stone and the runes she could not read. "With my whole heart, I promise I will come to you. I love you, and nothing will stop me from being with you."
He stared at her for a moment letting her words sink in. The corner of his mouth twitched up and he came down hard on her lips. He wrapped one arm over her shoulder and the other around her back to trap her body to his. "I love you too. I'll be waiting. Don't be too long."
"Aunt Karah?" René's small voice called as she pulled her mother along. "Can't you send him a patronous? Mama has been doing it to Grandma and Grandpa. You can tell him you're okay and when you will be coming to see him."
"Of course! René you are a genius!" Karah could not believe that she had forgotten! The little girl beamed with pride from the praise. "I will keep you informed by my patronus!"
Kili had heard the term before and yet to have seen it. "What is a patronus? I swear woman, you keep confusing me when you tell me these things without explaining what they are!"
Karah took out her wand and grasped Kili's hand. "Expecto Patronum!" a silver mist flowed from the end of the wand, forming a graceful swan. It flew around them and landed like it was swimming in a pond. "I will send her to you to let you know when we are coming."
Jordan watched the happy magic, sorrow filling her head and heart. Gage snuggled into her arms, unknowingly comforting. She felt eyes on her and looked to see Fili waiting for her to show him hers. I can't summon a patronus. I can't even make the mist.
"How come?" He asked carefully.
I haven't had many happy memories. Only until recently, since I came here and met you, has that begun to change. You've made me very happy.
"Truly?"
She only had time to nod when Bofur interrupted. "Come on, lads!" He and Oin had given them as long as possible. "If we don't go now, we might not be leaving at all."
Karah helped Kili into the boat, and Jordan pushed them away from shore. The whole family's goodbye waves were sad and worried.
"Be safe!" Karah shouted to them. "I love you!"
"I love you too!" Kili shouted back.
