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.
Nicole wept on the floor in front of the blazing fire. Even now, after the death of the dragon, everything continued to fall apart. In the last hour, one of her greatest fears and regrets came to light and she did not know what to do. Everything seemed hopeless and despair took over her mind. Replaying the scene over and over, she could think of a million different ways things could have and should have gone differently.
After the witches arrived and Thorin had brought them to this chamber, he was just as he was back in Laketown; tender and caring by seeing to their needs and set them up in the royal wing. He was gentle with René and Gage, showing them where some toys were and lighting a fire in the hearth to warm them. Once the children were settled, he gave her a tour of the rest of the space. There were two smaller bedrooms with pictures and toys designed for children. The large master bedroom had its own fireplace, a king-sized bed with night stands and lamps, a dressing vanity, and wardrobes. All of them would have to be cleaned.
Thorin took it upon himself to build another fire in the bedroom. "I imagine René and Gage will want to sleep with you tonight. After everything that has happened and being in a new place would make anyone seek the company of others in the night. But when they are ready, they will have their own rooms."
"That's very considerate of you, Your Majesty. Thank you." Nicole nodded and warmed her hands by the fire.
"Thorin, please." He asked. "You never need to call me by my title."
"Alright, Thorin." Nicole blushed.
He smiled at her, falling more and more in love with her by the second. "I know these rooms need to be cleaned. I will send…"
Nicole cut him off. "That's not necessary. I can use magic to clean all this up. Watch." She pulled out her wand, waving, swishing, and flicking it as she murmured the charms and spells to make the room sparkle.
Thorin watched her with amazement and a strong sense of lust washed over him. He remembered when the company first met the witches in the troll cave and Gandalf guessed them to be magical wand-handling beings. When his nephew, Kili made the joke about having a wand Karah could handle, Thorin nearly smacked the back of his head. Now, seeing Nicole use her magic, being alone in a bedroom with all the temptation in the world, he understood the humor; he could not agree more about having a wand Nicole make magic happen with. She had no idea what she was doing to him, and it was driving him crazy.
It did not take long for the room to be cleaned and the temperature comfortable. Nicole remained well aware of Thorin watching her, but she assumed he was just watching the magic. She could not believe her sister and cousin had not use any while the traveled with the dwarves. Only the intense staring she felt on her back made her wonder if he had not really seen this type of magic before. She grew warm from the fire and a little embarrassed by the attention, so she began to untie her warm cloak. She was going to hang it on a peg she saw on the wall, but she felt Thorin take it for her.
"You are so beautiful," Thorin stated from behind her. His touch lingering on her shoulders and down her arms.
"You are quite handsome yourself," Nicole whispered, unable to be any louder due to the fear of her voice breaking. She looked over her shoulder first, to see if he was still there, then slowly faced him. It was like he was pulling her toward him without even reaching for her with his hands. For the first time a long time, she felt whole again. Her broken heart that she had put back together all by herself, was being permanently repaired with Thorin's. Like a shattered porcelain vase being held together with gold.
It is hard to say who initiated the kiss. Because neither Thorin or Nicole were really thinking about anything else but each other. Nicole's hand combed through Thorin's hair and the other wrapped around his back. Thorin held onto her hip and pulled her to him, her chest rubbing on his. Love drunk was the only way to describe the wonderful feeling. Responsibilities, thinking in general, even breathing was no longer considered. Thorin and Nicole moved as one, kissing and exploring each other.
They paid no mind to what was going on around them until they heard voices coming from the living room. Thorin growled under his breath when the kiss ended and the both looked to the closed bedroom door, expecting for someone to come looking for them.
It was then that Thorin remembered the upcoming battle. The weight of the mountain, his people, his birthright, were on his shoulders. Nicole did not recover as quickly. She smiled at him hoping to see him smiling back at her. Only he was changed, back to how he was at the battlement. Without a word, he stomped over to the door and opened it, waiting for her to go first. She immediately began to worry that she had done something wrong, offended him in some way.
Quietly leading the way, she walked to the living room and they found René, Gage, Karah, Jordan, Fili, Kili, and Bifur. Nicole felt like they all knew what had happened between her and Thorin. She did not regret it for a moment, as she had felt a happiness she thought was lost to her. Only her heart hurt seeing Thorin like this. He had already explained to her how she should not leave the chamber without a dwarf escort until she knew where she was going. Only his suggestion as it were, should have been warm and calming, instead were possessive. Like he did not want her to leave from where he put her or be around anyone else.
After he left, the crowd of witches and dwarves all shared the same worried expression.
Fili broke the silence, wanting to try to help everyone understand the situation. "The Dragon Sickness has taken him over, Lady Nicole, and he sees you as…"
"Apart of his treasure hoard." Nicole already knew when voiced her guess. "How did this happen to him?"
Fili began to quickly explain the sickness and how it affected his family. Kili and Karah tried to distract the children and got down on the floor to play with them.
"Watcha got there, Red?" Kili asked the little girl.
"Who's Red?" René asked, looking to her aunt for clarification. Karah only shrugged.
Kil answered, "you! You have red hair, so I'll call you, Red."
René pondered the nickname, really not sure how she felt about it. She was always sensitive about her hair, people picked on her because it was so vibrant. She merely nodded when she saw Kili's friendly eyes. She liked Kili enough to accept the nick-name. However, she vowed no one else would be allowed to call her by it.
Bifur was patiently waiting to talk to Jordan. He could tell she was hoping he had forgotten. Fat chance! She was like a daughter to him and quite protective. He cleared his throat to get her attention. Waiting expectantly, he stepped aside for their private conversation. Are you going to tell me what happened to your back, or do I have to guess?
Jordan knew there was no getting out of this conversation. She appreciated he did not make her show him. We were attacked by some orcs when we were escaping Mirkwood. One scratched me with a poisoned club and it got infected like Kili's leg. I'm okay now. Tauriel, the elf captain, she healed it for me.
But it looks like you are still all bruised, he pointed to the dark spots on her skin. Wait, is that…
Karah butted into the conversation, Kili and Fili right behind her. "It's Black Speech. We think it's part of her curse. Actually, it sort of saved us from the orc that attacked her. The curse strangled and killed it immediately."
At least it is good for something. How are you feeling now? No lies, be honest! Bifur demanded.
Jordan insisted and smiled, I promise I'm fine.
He kept his fatherly persona when he addressed the witches. I am glad you both are here. I've been very worried for you. I nearly pulled my axe out when we left you in Mirkwood. He started to get teary eyed and choked up. I've never met my One or ever had children, or really ever saw myself in a parent position. But I see you both as like my daughters. I want what is best for you. I'm concerned for your well-being and safety. And I want you to know you can come to me about anything. And Bofur, Bombur, Dwalin, and the rest of the company all feel the same way.
Jordan couldn't say anything. Instead, she just hugged him.
Karah took her turn, "the feeling is completely mutual, Master Bifur. When someone is free to show us around, Jordan, Nicole, and I could start working on rebuilding the mountain. We've been practicing on Dale and have perfected our skills."
Bifur pulled himself together. I'm glad your sister and her children are here with you. I can't wait for this to be over so I can meet the rest of your family.
Jordan broke out in a grin. You'll like Grandma and Grandpa.
Kili joined the conversation. "We will have to assign them chambers when they arrive." He took Karah's hand and kissing the back of it. He smiled at her until he caught sight of Bifur glaring at him. He had the respect enough to not look so smug, but he did not let go of her hand. "We have to go to the treasury. But I will be back once we decide on the night watch. We can spend some time together."
"Are you asking me out?" Karah asked bashful.
Bifur just rolled his eyes and walked to the door. He had seen enough, and would wait for the young dwarves to join him outside the chamber.
Fili came up next to Jordan and touched his forehead to hers. "Can I see you later tonight?"
Jordan nodded and smiled. I'd like that.
"Get some rest, I'll be back soon." He kissed her before he left, pulling a reluctant Kili behind him.
Both Jordan and Karah were starry eyed as they watched the loves of their lives see to their duties. Nicole thought it was sweet and glad to see them so happy. As soon as the door was closed, Fili opened it again because Bombur and Bofur had arrived with a cart of food. None of the dwarves could stay with them because the feared what Thorin would do. Once the children were fed, their food coma was making it hard for them to stay awake. It was decided Nicole and children would all stay in the master bedroom. It was the cleanest and cozy warm from the fire. However, before René could go to sleep, Nicole was going to have the long talk with her daughter.
Karah and Jordan offered to help put Gage to bed. It did not take long, then they excused themselves to their own rooms across the wing. They wanted to doll themselves up for their dates. Plus, they did not want to be around when René received her punishment. Nicole thanked them and asked they come back to her room when they returned so they could form future plans, and to hear the juicy details for their night.
René had been on pins and needles since her mother arrived in the mountain. She was well aware of how much trouble she was in and was dreading the punishment. She wanted to beg her aunt and cousin to not leave her alone with her angry mother. Only she wisely decided to not make matters worse.
Nicole crossed her arms over her chest, and motioned with her eyes for her daughter to sit on the couch. She chose not to speak until her daughter did, wanting to keep her temper under control.
René could not stand the silence anymore. "How did you know where I was?"
"I had a suspicion where you had gone when I could not find you, your dad's wand, or your bag." Nicole watched her daughter fidget. "Then it was confirmed by the elf archers. They could see you climbing up a rope on the side of the mountain, without a harness, or a net!" Her voice become more and more shrill and severe. "You could have fallen to your death pulling a stunt like that! You are grounded, young lady. And when we return to Dale in the morning, you will be like my shadow and will do any task I see fit without any argument. Is that understood?"
"We can't leave yet! Mr. Thorin hasn't taken the medicine. If he doesn't take it, he won't get better!" René exclaimed, pleading her mother to understand. "We have to help him!"
"I don't think we can help him."
"You haven't even tried!"
"René, stop yelling or you will wake your brother. Now, listen to me." Nicole tried to explain. "What is making Thorin sick isn't something that can be fixed with a potion. It's more like a curse and only he can break it."
René's heart sank and her eyes filled with tears. "A curse like daddy had?"
Nicole was hesitant to answer. "I don't know."
"We have to help him!" René's desperation was escalating.
"It's not that simple." Nicole tried to explain and rubbed her temples.
"Nothing ever is, is it, Mama?" René's face went from fear to anger and accusation. "You didn't do anything to help daddy when he was cursed either! You said the same thing then, that it wasn't simple and now he's dead!" the little girl was screaming. "It's your fault! You didn't stop him from going to Egypt! He was supposed to be home with us! And when he did come home, you didn't save him from the curse. He died because you didn't do anything about it! I won't let that happen to Mr. Thorin too!"
She ran out of the chamber and Nicole couldn't to stop her. It was like she had been stabbed by the truth. The shock of hearing her daughter say her own dark thoughts out loud brought her to tears and began to sob. She had always blamed herself for her husband's death. She could not find a remedy for him until it was too late. Even then, her remedy would not have worked. He was cursed by an ancient Egyptian wizard for opening a vault meant to be kept sealed. She could not save him. She failed him, and she was going to fail her daughter, her son, her family, and Thorin.
