My journey took me all the way back to the silver forests of Lothlorien, where I was once more reunited with my kin. I was gladly received by Haldir, the brother of my heart, who greeted me softly before he and his brothers fell into step beside me as to be my guardians and escorts to Lady Galadriel, who had anticipated my return. I spoke with her and the Lord Celeborn for a great length of time, conferring with them of what needed to be done and the preparations that were necessary for the war that was now swiftly looming upon the horizon, born upon dark wings of fate and destiny. There was no avoiding this conflict. I needed to return to my father, Thranduil, for our people in the Greenwood were to face the threat of Dol Guldur and the orc forces that would soon split in order to attempt a complete annihilation of our people on both fronts, but of course we would not allow such a thing to happen. Lord Elrond had already sent us reinforcements, he too having shared a vision of what was to come, and once I was certain that all messages were clearly expressed and shared, I continued further north in order to stand by my father's side on the battlefield. He embraced me upon sight, sweeping me into his arms and blessed my safe return as he murmured a thousand thanks to the Valar for my safety and I basked in his presence, which had been greatly missed. "You are returned to me, my daughter, but not upon a happy hour. What news do you bring from our kin?"
"All are prepared for war, ada, and it affects us all. Every race will have their foe and field of battle to contend, so we must face our own here and now. The war will be brought to us soon, we cannot afford to be taken by surprise." I informed him dutifully as he stroked at my hair before he then assumed his kingly façade and bade me walk with him through the halls of my childhood home, where I spoke to him of everything that I had seen and knew that was to come so that we could best rally our defences. There was still time left to be had, and so in the pocket of stagnant motion, the momentary pause before the outbreak of battle, I rode hard further north to bring the tidings of war to the Men of Dale and my friends in the Lonely Mountain.
Thorin received me as the old friend I was, rising from his throne as I was escorted with an honorary guard down the long walkway to the vast open chamber where he sat in regal glory. His hair had become whiter with age, very few traces of the thick ebony mane he had once carried remained but still I could see the glint of his spirit still in his eyes that made me see him as younger than he appeared. To me, he was always Thorin Oakenshield, and in my mind's eye he remained as I had first saw him as a young prince all those centuries ago. "Our dear Asta, you are come at last. It has been years since you last graced these halls with your presence. Your beauty and radiance remains as ever constant as the stars above." Thorin's voice rumbled expressively as he spread his hands wide in order to bring me into his embrace, kissing me upon my smiling cheek as I beheld him.
"I come as your friend and ally in these dark times, my dear Thorin, and to warn you of the army that will soon darken your doorstep. Sauron will send the easterling army in a confrontation to smite you, your people and the people of Dale from this world, and march over the Misty Mountains in a bid to obliterate the people of Men in Gondor and Rohan at the final battle that will decide the fate of us all. The ending of this age is nigh, we must look to our bonds and strengthen our defences if we are to hold. Most cherished friend of my heart, I beg of you to heed my council." Despite the gravity of my words, Thorin's eyes never once dimmed as he remained holding my hands before him, squeezing my fingers a little more firmly as the rest of the former company gathered, familiar faces all coming into view as my voice drew them closer.
"The last time I did not heed your warning, we lost a great many of our brothers to the chasms of Moria." Thorin murmured softly and my heart ached at the memory of that time. I had arrived in order to plead with Thorin and Balin, begging them not to attempt to reclaim Moria for it was far too lost and overrun to be regained, but Balin was determined to win back their ancestral home, and Thorin did not stop him despite my warnings. "Never again shall I make such a mistake. Come, friend, and tell me all. We shall take council together in the War Room." Then with a shout of power and authority, Thorin ordered that all the clan chiefs and generals be summoned together, including those of the Iron Hills and the emissaries from the surrounding colonies and a messenger be sent to Dale to request the presence of King Brand, the grandson of Bard the Bowman.
My entire body went lax with relief to know that Thorin would head my words, and as he brought me with him into the grand chamber where we would discuss battle strategy and tactics, I was able to take a moment to relish in the company of my old friends, some not having changed a single ounce. Fili and Kili were as mischievous looking as ever, though they had grown taller and stouter than since I saw them last, with lustrously thick beards that were beginning to grow past their waists. To Gloin I shared his son's words, which made him nod with pride and approval as I told him of Gimli's feats in battle, even outscoring my own husband in their kill count against the enemy. There were choruses of jokes and laughter as I easily fell back into the rhythm of their characters, Bofur even swinging me by the hands in a dance as we relished in our reunion until the chieftains arrived and we had to assume a degree of decorum for the discussions which followed. My warnings and visions were readily accepted, and with an insight as to how the enemy would move Thorin was quick to decide upon the battle strategy, though he entrusted leadership of the army to Fili, who remained his heir.
The small glimpses of the future that I was able to see were enough to give us an idea of what was to come, but the overcoming shadows that would hold the true future from my sight caused me great concern over the fate of us all. I did not know who would live and who would die, and I felt a great sense of fear that soon, I would be laying the bodies of my friends to rest in tombs of marble stone. "It is no dishonour to die upon the field of battle, Asta. For some of us, we have lived far longer than we ought and are ready to lay down our lives for the defence of our home." Thorin said to me as I admitted my fears to him, walking by his side through the grand halls of Erebor which I had come to know so well in the past decades where I had always been a welcomed friend. "Indeed, I should have fallen long ago, and only stand today because of your actions."
"It is easy for the person who is accepting death in comparison to the loved ones who must contend with the aftermath. It is far more painful for us who must endure the absence of our dearest friends and beloved ones." I answered in turn, the silken rustle of my gown joining the sound of Thorin's strong, solid footfalls as the echoed throughout the glimmering halls.
"Do not weep for those whose time has come." At his words I winced deeply, unable to continue moving forwards as I felt a pain akin to my heart being wrenched by a cold, unfeeling hand within my own breast as I scarcely was able to take air. Sensing my distress, Thorin smiled gently and turned, gaze seeking me out though they struggled to see as well as they did in the past. Still they contained that bright flicker that I so admired, and as I brought myself before him and knelt, my hands naturally rose to frame his bearded face and smooth aside the wrinkles that had aged his tough hide. So strong, so solid, like the mountain in which he ruled, but the edge of frailty that began to creep into his image struck a fear in me that I did not wish to accept.
"I would wish for you a hundred more years to live, and a thousand more beyond that. If I could share my gift of immortality with everyone upon whom I bestowed my heart and love, I would do so willingly and without hesitation, with you chief among the number." I told him sincerely as the warmth of his skin fed through to my fingers and chased away the cold feeling of dread that I carried, for I knew that these would be the last days that Thorin Oakenshield ruled as King Under the Mountain. "Were it in my power, I would smite this blight upon our land by my own hand rather than risk your fate upon the battlefield." Taking my hands in his own, Thorin leaned closer to me and drew in a deep breath, using his other senses in order to memorise my presence since his sight failed him. Tender lips came to rest upon my own, framed by the decorative beard and tickled my skin everywhere it touched as Thorin expressed his deep love and affection for me whilst also attempting to offer me comfort.
It was a pure and unaffected love, one that we had shared for many years and allowed a serenity of understanding to pass between us, unchanged and unaltered in all the time we had known one another. Thorin saw me as I was, as I saw him as his true self, a deep and intimate knowledge of one another's faults and weaknesses as well as our strengths that very few people knew beyond us. He was dear to me, and I was afraid that after this war I would no longer be able to return to his side and speak for hours at length, or walk through these halls in his company, to share in the happenings of my adventures as we had done so many times in the past. Like Haldir, Thorin was one whom I trusted with my life, and it pained me to know that I would soon lose him to the irreversible affliction called Death. His kiss was a final farewell, this much I knew, so I savoured it for as long as it lasted until he released me from it, and instead brought his brow to meet mine. "I do not fear the end, nor the fate that awaits me beyond death. You are named a friend of all dwarves, Asta Eleniel. When you walk between the veils of the world, know that I shall be with you there." His words made my heart ache all the more, forcing me to close my eyes against the realness of our final parting as I bowed my head to rest against his chest.
"And I shall be with you, in the moment your final breath escapes you, I shall be by your side. You will not be alone, my beloved." Our vow taking form in a sacred word of promise, our lips met one last time in order to seal such a vow so that it could not be undone, as was the way. The love we felt was void of romance, but fulfilling in a way that made it feel like an ever burning flame that would have endured the tests of time. I could not bear to let him go, but I knew that I must and so I left Erebor with a heaviness in my head that felt like a rock that would pull me into the earth as I returned to my people, looking back one last time to see Thorin standing amongst our company of friends, brothers, and I knew that this would be the last time I saw him alive.
He was smiling, and I could not help but admire how kingly and regal he looked upon the ramparts with the crown of his people sitting atop his iron grey hair and the golden threaded robes that clad his still muscular frame. It were as if he knew I was looking at him, for his smile deepened and he placed his hand over his heart in order to bow his head in a final farewell, leaving me with that image burned into my mind for me to carry forth unto the battlefield. I would remember him as he was, now and forever, and once he had given his life to protect his people and his home, Fili would then take his place as King Under the Mountain, as was his destiny. He would lead his people well into a new age of peace and prosperity, for Thorin had taught him by example, and no better example could have been found in all the kingdoms of Middle-Earth.