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 6
The Gatekeeper women and children watched from a lookout the events in Erébor, along with the entire elf army, and some of the citizens of Laketown. Priscilla stood in the front of the family with Alicia and Nicole flanking her sides. King Thranduil sat on his elk proudly as he waited. When Bard reached the main gate alone, the company of dwarves under Thorin Oakensheild lined the battlement. It was too far to hear what was said, but they assumed things were going well when Bard came down from his horse and waked to the newly constructed gate.
All Jordan could think about was how she was going to get inside the mountain. She was getting desperate. She no longer worried or cared if Milhawke tortured her. She knew he was a little scared of what she would do to him. He took her promise of a painful death to heart if her brother was not well cared for. The curse brought so much darkness on her and her thoughts were beginning to drift in that direction without any encouragement. That part of her wanted to burn him alive because she could do it without her wand. She could silence him so his screams would not be heard, just like he had done to her. A sinister smile crept onto her lips and out of the corner of her eye, and she saw a black dot fly out of Dale heading east.
Karah's voice broke Jordan's concentration. "As soon as Dad and Grandpa get here, I was thinking we could go to the mountain. We could see Kili, Fili, Ori, Bifur, Bilbo, Thorin, and the rest."
Yeah, sounds good to me. Jordan answered, shaking away the horrendous ideas from her mind.
"Are you okay? How's your back?"
I'm fine. I'm just a little sore.
"Can I take a look at it?" Karah knew Jordan would not be able to tell her what the marking said. Perhaps if she played her cards right, someone else who can read them, could just happen to see and tell her what they said. It could be a clue to a way to break the curse.
No. Jordan shook her head and tried to turn her attention back to the mountain.
Priscilla was keeping a watchful eye on her granddaughter. She worried over her for many reasons, and apparently, she needed some form of assistance. "Are you hurt, Jordan?"
I'm fine. Jordan answered quickly, trying to keep her expressions respectful.
"We were attacked by orcs on our way here and one scratched her with a poisoned club." Karah reported, not willing to give up if it meant helping her cousin.
Don't be a tattle-tale! Jordan snapped.
Karah ignored her cousin. "Our friend, Tauriel healed her before the dragon burned Laketown. But it was infected and her bandaged should be changed."
Will you… Jordan was going to lose her temper when her grandmother cut her off.
"Let me see your back, dear." Priscilla insisted, going inside to their temporary home.
It's fine, grandma. Jordan argued as she followed, knowing it was not a good idea to cross Priscilla when her mind was set.
"If it's fine, then you should have no problem letting me see it." Priscilla used the tone dedicated for stubborn children, motioning Jordan to go first.
Jordan was more than begrudging her cousin for bringing it up and then ratting her out. She would not look at anyone as she carefully pulled up the back of her shirt. There was not choice in the matter and she wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.
"Merlin's beard!" Priscilla gasped when she saw the Black speech on her granddaughter's skin. "Alicia, come here!"
No, Grandma please don't… Jordan begged her not to tell anymore people.
Alicia came inside posthaste by Priscilla's urgency. "Yes?"
"Look at Jordan's back!" Priscilla pointed and held the shirt up.
Alicia's eyes widened. "Oh, Jordan!"
Jordan let them look at her for another moment before she roughly yanked away from her grandmother. It was already bad enough the pain she felt and the misery that came with the curse and she was the last of her direct family. She did not need or want their pity. As she stormed out of the house, she put her shirt back into place so not to show anyone else. Back to the lookout, she was just in time to see Bard and Thranduil returning from the bridge that gave passage over the river back to Dale.
The sound of loud crashing and the tremors of earth shaking drew everyone's attention back to Erébor. A hug bolder had been broken and dropped down onto the bridge crossing the moat. Now the only way in was by: swimming, flying, or luck that you could find big enough rocks to step on.
Bard immediately called attention to the people of Laketown and informed them of King Thorin's denial. Seeing the disappointment on their faces was enough to light an angry fire in him hot enough to rival Smaug. He called them to arms and found the armory of Dale. It was surprisingly untouched from the destruction and marauders. Elves and humans alike began training side by side for war. Thranduil ordered a tent to be set up for him in the open courtyard so he can work on a battle strategy.
The Gatekeepers did not participate. Instead, they chose to continue what Nicole had been managing the day prior, putting the ruined city right again. There were some parts that would need a stone mason because the structures were completely missing. They fixed roads, walls, roofs, anything they could. They may not be joining the fight, but at least there would be a safe place to retreat to when the humans, elves, and dwarves came to their senses.
Priscilla had sent another patronus to her husband and son. She had to chuckle every time she did it because it was an elephant and they were not native to the wizard community she was born into, nor Middle Earth. It tended to startle people! Her family had taken a trip to a muggle zoo when she was a child and saw the strength and power of the giants, latching on how they represented wisdom, compassion, family love, patience, authority, and pride. They had been her favorite animal ever since and was joyous when she discovered it was her magical guardian.
Ruben and Jeremy had been gone for weeks searching for their lost granddaughters. It turned into a wild goose chase trying to locate them! Now that they were safely returned, Priscilla needed her husband by her side in order to make united decision about what they were going to do next. Even though their belongings had been successfully saved from the inferno, their home in Laketown had been destroyed. The house itself had not been important. They had settled there in order to keep an eye on the Lonely Mountain.
Many years ago, Priscilla had read in tea leaves prophesizing about the fire drake inside the mountain awakening once again and destroying everything in its path. She also saw a great battle with no clear outcome of the winner. Only the loss of many lives. It did not take much effort to convince Ruben to move once more. He had been itching to leave their home in Gondor, still plagued with losing his friend, Milhauke the day they celebrated their anniversary.
To say losing a friend is hard, is always an understatement. Ruben and Milhauke had grown up together and loved each other like brothers. Ruben searched for his friend for months, not finding a body or trail to follow. It was like he disappeared into thin air. After coming home alone, he decided it was time to leave and move somewhere else. That's when Priscilla told him of her tea leaves. Relocating was like a breath of fresh air.
-X-
Jordan had not signed to anyone for the rest of the day; still angry with Karah and trying to avoid her grandmother's observant eyes. Every time one of them came near, she dropped what she was doing to find something else to work on. Currently, she was trying to make water flow from a fountain mounted on the outside wall of the great hall. She heard the annoying weasel, Alfrid, shouting at someone from the stairs next to her to leave Dale immediately. She almost hexed him just because she felt like it and wanted to take her fury out on something; until she saw who he was shouting at. Gandalf!
"Who's in charge here?" the grey wizard demanded to know. He sized up the man still sporting a large uni-brow whom was sneering at him. Deciding the man was not worth any more of his time, he spotted Jordan Drake. "Lady Jordan! You're here! Where is your cousin? And the rest of the company?"
Bard emerged from inside Thranduil's tent. "Who are you?" he called out, seeing an angry Alfrid and joyful Jordan.
Gandalf quickly introduced himself, grateful that Jordan had come to his side, showing her support of him. "I need to speak with you over a matter of great importance. Everyone in Dale is in danger!"
Suddenly, a loud crack like thunder snapped and echoed over the city. Everyone stopped moving and looked to the sky to see if a storm was brewing. It was bright blue and the sun was shining bright, no chance of snow or rain. Once they all looked down again, they found two new men dusting themselves off, as if they had traveled a long distance.
Priscilla, followed by the rest of the family, rushed to the courtyard, immediately recognizing the sound. "Ruben!" She shouted and hugged her husband tightly and kissed him.
Alicia did the same with Jeremy, and then allowing the men to make their rounds through the family. When they came to the missing granddaughters, Ruben practically collapsed on Jordan. Jeremy held his daughter as if he would never let her go again, tears clouding his eyes.
"Where have you been?" Jeremy asked, holding her head gently in one hand, wanting to make sure he was not dreaming.
Karah's answer was muffled by his shoulder. "All over Middle Earth."
"Thank the four founders you're both safe! But you are so grounded!"
Ruben was still holding Jordan when he locked eyes with his wife. "What is going on here?"
-X-
Inside the tent, Thranduil, Bard, Gandalf, Ruben, and Priscilla were in a turbulent council.
Gandalf was not ashamed to show his fear and frustration. "War is coming! I've just come from Dul Guldor and an army of orcs is on its way. Our enemy has summed his full strength and is marching here."
Thranduil was not buying it. He poured himself a glass of wine, then gestured to everyone else. Only Bard and Priscilla accepted. "I can see you've never had dealings with any of the wizards of Arda. They are like winter thunder on a wild wind rolling in from a distance, breaking hard in alarm. But sometimes a storm, is just a storm."
"Not this time!" Gandalf gritted out, hands on his hips.
Ruben intervened on the Grey Wizard's behalf. "The number of orcs has grown considerably, and they are no ordinary clumsy dark creatures. They have been bred and trained to fight. Something, or someone, is behind this. Whether we know for sure if they are marching this way, it would extremely foolish to not prepare as if they were."
"But who would be behind this? And why now?" Priscilla asked and then quickly explaining her tea leaf reading many years prior. "Is it possible the tea leaves and these strange occurrences are related?"
Gandalf's pacing became an outlet for him as he explained where he had been. "Lady Galadriel sent me to Dol Guldor to investigate a Necromancer. It was no mortal man playing with dark magic, but Sauron! He has returned and has been building his strength and forces. We forced him to reveal himself with the Company of Thorin Oakenshield set out to reclaim their homeland. Azog the Deflier was meant to intercept them and kill them, so they would never reach the mountain. Sauron wants control of the mountain for the treasure within as well as its position. It's the gateway to reclaiming Angmar in the North. And should he succeed, all of Arda will fall into darkness."
Thranduil appeared to be relaxed in his chair, only his eyes give a slight impression he was worried. "And where is this army, Mithrandir?" Gandalf stood silent, unsure of the answer. "So you don't know for sure if they are in fact headed this way?"
"Why do you doubt me? You think I'm making this up! Why…" Gandalf was cut off.
"Your dwarf friends are held up inside the mountain, keeping their treasure and gold as hostages. I think you'd say anything to save them." Thranduil sneered. "I do admire your loyalty to them as they do not deserve it. But it does not persuade me from abandoning my reasons for charging the mountain. I hope you can understand that, Mithrandir. You started this, I'm going to finish it. Your friends are out of time." He stood up from his chair opened the flap to the tent. "Feren! Give the order to the archers, if anything moves on that mountain, kill it."
-X-
Outside the tent, the rest of the Gatekeepers waited to hear what would happen. Bard came out, needing some air to think properly and process everything he learned.
"Bard, what happened?" Nicole asked and handed him a cup of water.
"We attack at dawn." Bard answered, drinking some of the water, and splashing some on his face.
"What? Why? Surely that can't be the only solution! Thorin…" Nicole argued.
"Thorin Oakenshield denied us aid!" Bard snapped. He was not angry at her despite him taking it out on her. "My hands are tied here, Nicole. My people, my family, won't survive this winter without his help, and he's refused. He's been cursed by the treasure with gold sickness and attacking is our only option to force him to keep his word."
"If he's sick, then give him medicine." René suggested once she was at her mother's side.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple." Bard's tone softened for the sake of the children listening. Looking around, he saw Jeremy, Alicia, Bain, Sigrid, Tilda, Gage, Karah, and Jordan all plagued with fear and anguish. He did not want to do this, but he was not naive enough to believe he would like every decision he would have to make as leader for his people.
Gandalf busted out of the tent. "You, Dragon-Slayer! Do you truly agree with this? Would you willing trade the blood of dwarves for gold?"
Bard rubbed his face in frustration. "I don't really believe it will come to that. There are fourteen of them, and hundreds of us. They know they won't win."
A familiar voice called out from the night, "that won't stop them!" Everyone turned to see who spoke, making it easy for René to slip away unnoticed.
For the first time in weeks, Gandalf was relieved. "Bilbo Baggins!"
-X-
René listened to the adult conversation intently. It was too confusing to figure out. Adults always made things confusing! If Mr. Thorin was sick, why couldn't mama give him medicine? She knew it tasted horrible. Whoever made it obviously never ate a cherry before! She decided that since the adults will not help Mr. Thorin, she will! No one was paying her any attention as everyone was focused on the curly light brown haired fellow who just arrived. The hobbit was so different from anyone she had ever met, even shorter than Thorin, who was just a little shorter than her mom, who was very small for a human.
No one was paying her any mind so she took her chance and ran home. She was so quick and quiet she could rival a hobbit. It took her a moment to find her small bag her mom gave her at her last birthday. Her stuff was cluttered all over and naturally the bag was on the floor beneath all of it. It was just a normal bag, but it was spacious with many pockets. Then she dug through her great grandmother's bags and started pulling things out. She could not read very well so she just took anything that look like it could possibly be medical stuff. She found the first aid kit, other supplies, and a medical handbook. She may not know what some of this stuff was, but she watched the old people enough to know where to find the information she needed. She hopped that once she got there, one of the dwarves, Kili or Fili, could help her. Now she just needed one last thing… her father's wand.
Her mother was very clear when she told René, she was not allowed to have it until she was eleven years old and on her way to Hogwarts. But since she probably would not be attending Hogwarts anymore, she figured it would be okay to start using it now. Luckily, Nicole was fairly organized and it took no time at all to find it.
Just as she was about to pull her hood over her head and leave, she caught sight of the magic mirror. The handle was sticking out of the bottomless bag, so she nicked that too. "Show me Thorin, please?" She almost forgot her manners!
-X-
Bilbo was led into the tent to speak with Thranduil, Bard, Ruben, Priscilla, and with Gandalf for support. He really did not know what to expect and was nervous to actually be face to face with the elf king. Sure, he had been in his presence many times while the company was locked up in his dungeons, but Thranduil was unaware of him the whole time. Or so Bilbo thought.
"So, this is the Halfling who stole the keys to my dungeons right underneath my guards?" Thranduil guessed, pointedly looking at Bilbo.
"Yes, well, sorry." Bilbo shrank a little under the frosty gaze. Breaking away and gaining some courage, he dug into his pockets. "I came to give you this."
Thranduil's eyes widened with amazement. He had not seen the Arkenstone in decades. "The Heart of the Mountain, the King's Jewel. And worth a king's ransom."
Everyone in the room was mesmerized by the most prized gem of Erbébor. Its inner light glittered like water in the sun, snow under the stars, rain upon the moon. Any light that fell on it turned into countless magnificent white and rainbow sparks.
Bard was the first to break the hypnosis, "how can you give this to us? Why?"
Bilbo sighed defeatedly, knowing what his consequences were. "I took it as my share of the treasure. I'm doing this for my friends. Dwarves can be obstinate, pigheaded, and difficult. They're suspicious and secretive, with awful manners. However, they are also loyal, brave, and kind. You will find no better friendships then that in a dwarf. I've become quite fond of them, and will do anything I can to save them. And they know it. Now, Thorin has been infected by Dragon Sickness, and he values this stone over everything. I believe he will give you all what you are owed in exchange for the Arkenstone's return. This way there is no need to fight. I also hope that it will break him of this feverish intoxication."
Everyone glanced at each other having their own silent conversations. Most of them never truly thought they would lay eyes on the magnificent stone. It was obvious how any living being would covet the Arkenstone. However, it would not fill the bellies with food or shelter them from the winter; it could only help them bargain for it.
Bard was ready to do anything to avoid putting his family and friends through war. "We will speak with Thorin one last time at first light."
Jeremy barged into the tent, quickly losing his nerve. "Mum! Dad! René is missing! We can't find her anywhere!"
Ruben moaned, "Oh not again."
Priscilla shot to her feet. "Where could she have gone?"
"Nicole thinks she went to the Mountain, to give Thorin medicine for his 'sickness'. Her bag is missing, with Marshall's wand, and medical supplies."
Ruben turned to the elf king. "Stand your archers down!"
Thranduil stood from his chair and made the order to watch for the child near the gate. "It would seem that foolishness must run in the family."
Priscilla did not take kindly to this, "the desire to help someone in need is not foolish, You Majesty. It takes great courage to perform acts of compassion and kindness; for they are never too small or insignificant. It makes the spirit grow and strengthens the soul. Our worlds need more of that."
Thranduil gave no indication he listened to the witch's proud statement. "My expert archers will not harm the child should she be spotted entering the mountain."
Ruben bowed his head. "Thank you. We will leave immediately to retrieve her."
"No, you will not." Thranduil ordered. "No one else will go to the mountain. If you all truly believe Thorin Oakenshield can to be trusted, the child has nothing to fear. Although, if anyone else was to go to him, he may use them to counter our bargain with the Arkenstone."
The Gatekeepers stormed out of the tent, knowing there was nothing they could say or do to change the elf king's mind. Gandalf and Bilbo were right behind them, talking quietly to each other about plans to send the hobbit home. Bard stood awkwardly. He had no idea what to do. One of his family members had taken a great risk in leaving the safety of Dale, and she could ruin everything they were negotiating for. Only, she was just a little girl who wanted to help. It was making him nauseated thinking over all the possibilities the morrow could bring.
