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 12
Jordan waited for Karah to come back from her vision and listened to her tell of the horror to come. Karah also quickly explained the vision she had of Kili, Fili, and Thorin in mortal peril. All of the dwarves were wrapped up in the argument going on below that they did not notice the witches try to make sense of the visions.
"I don't know when these things will happen," Karah began. "But I won't let anything happen to my fiancé."
Wait a minute. What? Jordan was stunned. When did that happen? She grabbed her cousin's left had looking for a ring.
Karah pulled free and held out the necklace with the engagement ring dangling from it. "He proposed last night!"
It's beautiful! Why aren't you wearing it?
"It's too big for my finger,"
Ah, hello? Reducio?
"Okay, fine. He hasn't met dad to ask him first."
That make more sense. She was so happy for Karah she wanted to hug her. But they were interrupted by someone yelling.
Dain led his army marching down the side of the hill and perched himself with the boar on a bolder. "Good morning! It's quite a party, isn't it? But if you wouldn't mind just shoving off, we won't take any more of your time!" A satisfied smirk crossed his lips seeing the humans falter in their resolve to be brave.
Gandalf attempted to be civil to try to defuse the situation. "Welcome, Lord Dain. We are all friends here. Let us,"
Dain cut him off, "Gandalf the Grey Wizard! Friends, you say? When this faithless woodland sprite is blocking me from my kin, I don't see anything but ill will. Tell him to leave, or I'll water the ground with their blood!"
"War amongst Men, Dwarves, and Elves is waste of time, energy, lives! A legion of orcs is heading this way. Everyone must stand down and ready themselves for what is to come!"
Dais caused the company in the mountain to cheer once more. "I'll not stand down before an elf. If he doesn't move out of my way, he won't be smirking when I spilt open his pretty little head!"
Thranduil's smirk only grew, daring the dwarf lord to try. "Just like his cousin, he's completely mad."
"I guess it's on then!" Dain raised his warm hammer into the air, proclaiming his intention to fight his way to the mountain.
A dwarf somewhere in the ranks started the battle cry in Khuzdul, gearing up the rest of the army to fight. The elves closed in their ranks, archers swiftly marched behind the elves with body shields and swords. The company of dwarves in the mountain watched in amazement and cheered!
Karah looked to Jordan, knowing her vision was manifesting immediately. "This is it!"
The ground quaked. The ground beneath Raven Hill exploded with giant worm or basilisk like creatures slithering out, crushing the rocks in their mouths. An evil laugh cackled from atop the hill, which had been turned into a strategy base for Azog the Defiler. His command flags were clearly visible and his horns and drums directing his dark army. Orcs rushed out of the holes with their swords, clubs, axes, and shields. Trolls pulled catapults and other large weapons.
Lord Dain's army completely forgot about the elves and humans and turned their attention to the oncoming orcs. "To battle, Sons of Durin! The hordes of Hell have been unleashed! Destroy them! Send them back to which they came!"
The mighty dwarf army lined up, ready to meet the orcs head on in the middle of the valley. They forged a wall of shields and spears to stop the first line of orcs. It appeared they would be fighting alone as the elves and humans watched from afar.
From the battlement in the mountain, Fili's courage and desire to protect his home and family overwhelmed him. "I'm going over the wall."
Kili clapped his hand on his brother's should. "Not without me. Who's coming with us?"
The whole company agreed and started making their way to the rope Bilbo used to climb down. Jordan and Karah made no move to leave the mountain, instead trying to stop them.
Thorin glared at all of them. "Stand down!"
Ori chirped, "what?"
Fili was dumfounded. "Do you mean we do nothing?"
Thorin looked at his oldest nephew square in the eye and shouted, "I said stand down!"
For once, Jordan and Karah were in complete agreement with Thorin and grateful that the company obeyed. Everyone turned to look back to the fight in despair at not being allowed to help. The Dwarves were ready, sturdy as a stone wall, and completely alone. Gandalf could be heard over the rumbling of the orc army, demanding King Thranduil help in the fight. Something must have convinced him, as he ordered his army to rush beat the dwarves to the front line with the dwarves and be the first to engage. It was no secret Thranduil hated dwarves, but his hate for orcs drove him to start removing their heads.
Soon, the only ones left behind were the humans. They were not warriors or fighters. They were fishermen and unsure of what to do. Seeing the dwarves and elves engaged with the orcs gave them courage and were ready to join them when they heard another war horn and saw another orc army making their way to Dale.
Bard ordered the humans to fall back to protect the city. But they were behind the orcs. Giant trolls were loaded with boulders and catapulted them to the walls, creating opens for the orcs to swarm into the unprotected city.
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In Dale while the negotiations are going on, Ruben and Priscilla were doing their best to keep everyone calm and safe. Priscilla, Jeremy, and Alicia worked their magic together to continue to rebuild and fortify the city. Ruben took charge in organizing the humans of where they should be in case of attack. When they felt the ground shake, all four of them began to rush to the outer wall in order to see what was happening.
As soon as the orcs appeared, Priscilla wanted to blanket the city in protection charms. She knew it would be a hard choice, but someone had to make it. "Ruben, order everyone to the middle of the city. You, Jeremy, and Alicia must find Bain, Sigrid, and Tilda, and get everyone inside the magic wall. If they don't they will not be protected from this evil."
Ruben did not understand what she was saying. "What are you talking about? What wall?"
Alicia knew exactly what her mother-in-law meant. "I'll stay with you."
"Me as well, mother." Jeremy insisted.
Ruben still had no idea what was going on. "Well I'm not leaving you three here and hiding anywhere!"
Priscilla was running out of time. "No, listen to me! Ruben, please call everyone and lead them to center of the city where it will be the safest. Jeremy and Alicia, I want you to go with them. You will make a magical fortress with spells and charms from the inside. Make sure the children are with you before you start the spells. Or they will not be able to get inside."
Ruben was still not agreeing to this plan. "What about you? I will not leave you behind!"
"I have an idea, please trust me. I will protect this city and the people I love inside of it." Priscilla proclaimed. "However, I need your help. Lead the people away from the danger. With my magic, I will transfigure the stone into knights to fight for them. But I want them out of the way. And when the time is right, I'll going to that mountain to find the rest of the children."
Bam! Crash! Thud!
Giant boulders crashed through the outer wall. One smashed into a watch tower.
Jeremy wasted no more time and pointed his wand to his neck to amplify his voice. "People of Dale! Head for the center of the city to the Great Hall! Run and do not stop until you are inside!" He grabbed his wife's hand and he and Alicia led by example.
Priscilla pulled her husband to her, "I love you. Help these people. Keep them safe!" She kissed him hard on the lips.
"Come back to me!" Ruben demanded, "promise me you will come back to me."
"I promise!" Priscilla answered. She turned back to the holes and saw the orcs approaching outside the walls. She raised her wand before her, with all the strength she had and the love only a mother could have to protect her family, she summoned the great stone from the ruins of the city. "Piertotum Locomotor!"
Giant stone suits of armor emerged from the walls, or up from the rubble stones in the ground, and down from tall peeks in buildings. They were armed with weapons of all kinds, anyone who stood before them with evil intentions would not walk away unharmed. They rushed to the streets to protect the city.
The orcs finally reached the city and stormed all the streets. Thankfully, the first set were completely empty of people, and they encountered only the stone knights. Their screeches of shock and battle cries were met with fierce and swift ends. Only the orc army never ceased to end. Priscilla could see it would take more than just her stone army to stop this battle. She prayed the reinforcements from the fighting in the valley would make haste, and that her son and daughter in law would be able to protect the rest of the city.
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Nicole and Gage had been ready to leave the chamber for an hour. Bombar had come to see what he could do for unlocking the door. The lock was ancient, and he did not know what to do. He left them, promising to return with Balin or Thorin to let them out.
Nicole was seething in anger, "by all means, bring His Royal Majesty! He's the one who locked us in here! And when I see him I'm going to,"
Gage interrupted her, "do what, Mama?" He looked started to see his mother so upset.
Nicole looked down and softened her expression. Her son was already scared for his sister, she did not need to frighten him more. "Please hurry, Master Bombar. I need to find my daughter."
"I'll be back in a jiffy." He called through the door. He took off for the main gate like a giant bear was chasing him. When he arrived, he saw Thorin descending the stairs, the rest of the company staring dumbstruck at him. "Your Majesty, someone has locked Lady Nicole and her son inside their chamber."
"Yes, I am aware." Thorin growled.
Bombar sighed defeated. He knew Nicole guessed it was Thorin who did this, he just hoped it was not true. "Her daughter, Little René, is missing. She wants to be released to go find her."
Thorin turned to him, a glimpse of the old Thorin came out, "René is lost?"
"Aye, Your Majesty. We need to find her. She could be anywhere in the mountain."
Thorin looked back to the battlement. "Balin, bring me Nicole and Gage. Dwalin, Nori, Gloin, Bifur, and Oin, stay on the battlement to keep watch. The rest of you, find René. Bring her to me and her mother in the throne room."
Everyone watched him walk away, muttering to himself and looking all around as if something would jump out at the shadows an attack him. The company split up as commanded and the witches stuck to Fili and Kili. Their goal was not only to find René, but learn their way around the mountain.
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Thorin walked the stone bridge to the empty broken seat in the heart of the throne room. In the prosperous and glorious days, this hall was magnificent! It was in the center of the mountain, and several stories high; and so wide there were large windows to the outside for sunlight to gleam on the gold and precious stone imbedded into the rock. The sculptures of dwarves and the architecture were so detailed, it would take years to see and study every different piece of art.
Even in all the years of abandon and dragon occupation, it was still beautiful. There were things needing to be repaired. One of them was the place the missing Arkenstone would rest. Something had cut into the stone, perhaps Smaug's claw. And as soon as it was returned from Bard, it would be back in it's rightful place, anointing Thorin son of Thrain as king.
He raised his chin high, as if daring anyone who could be watching, to challenge his birthright. It was time for him to take it, stone or no stone. He was the king, and soon all would bow before him.
The door opened and Dwalin came stomping in, "they are dying on that battlefield, Thorin. How can we forsake them?"
Thorin heard him, but when they locked eyes, it was if he was just noticing his cousin in the room. "We must fortify places deeper in the mountain to protect the gold. They are storage places deep underground. And Nicole and the children can be put there as well. Yes, that is what we will do."
Dwalin snapped, "are you listening to me? Dain is surrounded and everyone is being slaughtered out there!"
Thorin's plans for the treasure's safety were clearly his only priority. He rose from the throne as he thought out loud. "A treasure of this magnitude cannot be counted in lives lost. Life is cheap. So, it is worth all the blood spent and will spend protecting it."
"And what of the lives of your people? Or the life of your One? Or her family?" The bald warrior's breath left his lungs with is disbelief of what his best friend was saying. "You sit here in these vast halls with a royal crown on your head, and yet you are furthest away from being the king you were in banishment."
Thorin step back up the stairs, sneering down his nose. "How dare you speak to me as if I were a lowly lord? I am the King of the Dwarves! Your king! No longer Thorin Oakenshield groveling for scraps." Every word he spoke brought him deeper into the dragon sickness. He pulled a gleaming sword from its sheath on his hip and swung it wildly. He moved as if he was intoxicated, drunk by the gold.
Dwalin easily dodge the sword, glaring at the dwarf he hardly recognized. He heard the door had opened soon after he arrived and sensed who was watching. "You have always been my king, and you used to know that. But you are blinded by dragon sickness, you cannot see what you have become. Or what you are about to lose."
Thorin pointed the sword at Dwalin, "get out, before I kill you for your faithlessness."
Dwalin took a step back, preparing for an attack. He was stunned by the words spoken by the dwarf who had been like his brother all his life. In a way, Dwalin could see the old Thorin warning him to escape while he still could. Only the sick Thorin was poisoning his heart and mind. Turning his back, Dwalin walked to the door. If Thorin did indeed try to kill him, he at least would not have to look at him while he tried.
Balin, Nicole, and Gage had witnessed the nearly the whole conversation. Balin did not want Nicole to enter the hall. With Thorin so unstable, and how angry Nicole was at him, there was no telling what would happen. Dwalin locked eyes with his brother, could tell what he was thinking, and agreed.
Nicole must have guessed but was not having it, "Balin, Dwalin, I need you to stay with Gage outside, I want to talk to the king."
Balin whispered to her, "My lady, I don't think that's a good idea."
"I must. Please keep my son safe. And if René is brought here, keep her out as well." Kneeling down to her son, she hugged and kissed his head. "Behave for Mr. Balin and Mr. Dwalin, Gage." He nodded his promise and took Dwalin's hand.
She watched them leave, Balin quite reluctant to let her alone with Thorin. Dwalin did not look back at his friend, only promising to keep her child safe. She squared her shoulders and told herself not to show any fear. Because she was scared of Thorin. He threatened to murder his best friend, defiantly proclaimed the treasure worth more than the people who were fighting and dying for him. There was no telling what he would do next. Clearing her nervous throat, "Thorin?"
He was making his way down winding stairs when he stopped at the sound of her voice. He smiled and enjoyed seeing her come to him. She was his angelic diamond, forever his. Soon she would be his wife. And he started fantasizing her with him, making love on a bed of gold. The only thing she would be wearing is the jewelry he decorated her beautiful body. He let his eyes wonder from her head to her toes and back again. He was ready to embrace her until he saw the look of fury and determination on her face. "Welcome to the throne room, Nicole. It is good you are here so I can give you a tour and you can become acclimated to it."
"And why would I need to be acclimated to this room?" Nicole stopped at the base of the stairs, crossing her arms in front of her.
"Because when we marry you'll be the new queen of Erébor." Thorin graciously explained. In the future he will not bother with any explanations. He will simple announce his decisions and everyone will simply obey. He held out his arm for her to take and go with him.
Nicole did not hide her defiance or confusion, "No."
He paused with his arm still out. He assumed she was answering his offer for the tour. "We should at least stay here until René is found. I ordered some of the company to bring her to us. I supposed can wait to do the tour with the children as well. They will inherit titles upon our marriage and will need to be well aware of this kingdom." He sat on the throne while they waited.
"No." Nicole repeated more firmly. She could see Thorin's pleasantness slipping away with each word she spoke. "I'll not marry you. Me and my children will not be staying in this mountain. As soon as my daughter is returned to me, we are leaving immediately."
"I forbid your leaving."
"I don't care and you can't stop me."
They glared at each other for a long moment, both waiting for the other to look away.
Thorin tried another approach, "Nicole, I cannot allow you to leave the mountain while there is a war going on outside. It is not safe for you or anyone to leave. I will protect you and your children at all cost."
"So you acknowledge there are people dying for your cause while you sit here, hiding and protecting a pile of shiny rocks?" Nicole spat at him. "You don't care about me, my children, or your own people. You only care about this lifeless collection of earth. I will not allow you to use me, René, and Gage to justify your actions." She spun on her heals and stormed out of the hall, ignoring Thorin's shouting.
The king stood, his breath raging out of his lungs. He demanded Nicole to stay with him but she left him anyway. He would not let her leave the mountain. He decided he would find the little girl and use her to force Nicole to stay.
He whirled down the spiral stairs to the Gallery of Kings below the Throne room. The floor was still covered with a layer for gleaming gold. He was making his way to the opposite door when his thoughts started running wild and his head was spinning. The gold was so intoxicating him again, making him feel drunk and nauseated.
