Not a speck of sunshine broke through the thick snow clouds. The continuous fall of snow accumulated quickly as it stuck to the ground. It was for sure going to be a harsh winter. One to match the desolation that lingered around Erebor. Corpses were recovered quickly from the battlefield but it was increasingly difficult to uncover them from below the frozen snow. Orcs and wargs were burned behind the rolling hills and covered with snow in effort to keep the stench from polluting the air.
Dwarves were taken to a burial site deep inside the mountain. The original company joined Dain's soldiers in the vigil, and even some Laketown folk paid their respects. Their renowned leader, Bard, gave some well wishes to the dwarven company towards the fast recovery of the royal three.
Finally, elven bodies were respectfully given a last goodbye as they burned them at the darkest time of the nights, beneath the stars whose light managed to sneak past the clouds. They did not bury their dead as they believed their restless spirits sought adventure in an open world rather than in an enclosed grave. Some dwarves did bow as the pointy eared and tall bodies were burned. They kept their distance but their respect was appreciated, especially and surprisingly by the woodland king. Gandalf knew of the questioning looks the wood king threw at him. He was wondering what was of Tauriel so it was no surprise that his stride back to the mountain was stopped by the regal king.
"My lord" Gandalf bowed.
Thranduil stretched his hand, helping the wizard rise from his bow. No need of that.
"Gandalf, you should not bow to anyone"
The wizard rose a brow but a small smile took upon of his face. The king in front of him carried a serene presence yet the darkness at having lost so many lives of his kin brought upon an age that he had never seen upon him. His white hair blew softly in the wind and his black robes appeared much darker against the contrasting white color of the snow.
"Kind words. I thank you" Gandalf answered leaning on his staff. "What brings the pleasure of this conversation?"
Thranduil turned his head towards the mountain. His eyes glittered yet fell.
"How is she?"
Gandalf sighed. He was unsure of the extent of the king's knowledge on Tauriel's condition.
"She is resting and regaining her strength"
Thranduil shook his head. "I am no fool. The light she carries within her is blinding. Any elf would know"
The wizard stood there in silence not knowing which words to use.
"She was of course shocked to discover the existence of her babe but I must say that she is resting and feeling much better"
"Very well" the king murmured. "If there is anything I can do to help please inform me"
"She could use some food she is accustomed to"
Thranduil smiled at the wizard's wit.
"Of course. My kin and I will stay here a bit longer as we do have more provisions on the way"
And of course they had more bodies to uncover… but that was left unsaid but well known.
"I shall keep you updated on her condition"
Thranduil nodded once. "I hope your fellow dwarven friends regain their breath of life"
Gandalf tipped his head in agreement. They both left each other in a silent manner and each walked to their respective sides.
The wizard entered Erebor and was surprised to see many strong arms at work. They had started to reconstruct the entrance.
"Impressive" he called out to Lord Dain who had finished off giving instructions to some of his soldiers. They looked young yet strong so they would finish the task at hand.
"I want this place to start looking worthy of housing Sons of Durin"
Gandalf gave the lord a half smile. There was hesitation that the Lord noticed. With a hand at the wizard's shoulder he whispered reassuringly that they would wake up.
"May your words ring truth" was all the wizard said.
"They do" the lord responded and dismissed himself to yell out orders.
Gandalf made his way through the busy workers and busy entrance. Soon after he arrived in front of Tauriel's door. He wanted to make sure that she was still asleep. Perhaps after Galadriel's visit she might be deep in sleep for a few more days. After two unanswered knocks on the door he moved to walk away but the door opened. He almost sighed in discontent as he knew she would suffer more while awake.
"How are you feeling?" he asked as she stood there in front of him, half leaning on the door.
"Is he awake" she whispered rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her hair still shone but her skin appeared paler than before. Her eyes appeared sad and unlit as if they missed something in particular.
Gandalf shook his head and reached towards her. "You must keep hope"
It hurt him to say such thing as he himself did not store hope in his heart but he knew he must stay strong for her. She gave him a nod and closed her eyes.
"I miss him" was all she said before closing the door. Her ears heard his footsteps mellow out down the hall.
The pain in her chest ached. Her mouth felt dry even as she drank water. It was as if a piece within her was dying away. She would fade soon. She knew it.
With a horrified gasp her hand covered her mouth as her other fell down to her stomach. If she would fade, her babe would never see the light of day. They would both die.
As she looked at the fire all of the thoughts that swam in her mind suddenly stopped. She could survive. She had to do so for the sake of the little being within her. Such treasured little gem had to have a chance at life.
She wiped her eyes free of tears and took a deep breath. "If you do not come back then I would have to fight"
Her voice sounded far away even to her own ears but she fought through the urge to cry and scream.
"I can feel the pain. It is so strong but losing our babe too would end everything"
The pain was too great and perhaps distance could diminish it. Perhaps that could be how she could give her babe every possible chance at life.
"Leave" she whispered and even then as she said that word it felt as if a thousand knives stabbed her. One look at the runestone on her nightstand table made her resolve immediately melt away.
"But I can't leave you" she cried in defeat as she grabbed the runestone and held it close to her heart. "I would be a fool to give up on you. You deserve my hope and my love and my everlasting gratitude for showing me the beautiful side of life"
And just like that a smile grazed her lips. Not a smirk, nor a grin, but a small smile. It warmed her soul and radiated out from within her as if she was floating in mid air among the stars. And if there was any pain then, she did not feel it because she was flying in the clouds, tightly wrapped around in his arms.
And before she could take another breath, the burning pain hit her so violently she fell backwards onto her bed. A scream left her mouth without her permission. And then her eyes closed as if they were never opened and sleep overtook her body as magic floated everywhere.
"He has awaken" Galadriel gasped as everyone shook the sleep away from their limbs. Elrond smiled softly as he also felt the energy of someone anew.
They all ran towards the chamber where the royals were kept.
The king took a deep gasp and opened his eyes. His vision was blurry, and everything seemed like a dream. Time moved slowly as if witnessing the scene. He could almost touch the other side of death yet life wrapped itself around him and it happened! Another breath filled his dry lungs. Soon he heard noises around him accompanied by a slam of a door.
Gandalf and everyone else froze as the once still figure moved.
"Thorin!" Bilbo was first to call as he ran to the king. More chatter followed along with surprised tears. Crushing hugs and pats on the shoulders descended on the king. Dain hugged his cousin and exclaimed that he had rather missed the quiet but now looked forward to his annoyance.
"Oh Mahal!" Balin whispered as he closed his eyes and said a quick prayer. Everyone watched in awe and disbelief.
Thorin looked around as confusion filled his eyes. His hand fell down to his chest looking for a wound but nothing was left. Only the memory was left as if it was a ghost where reality was not real.
"Not even a scar" Galadriel said as she laid a hand at his forehead. Thorin blinked quickly as the commotion around him was all too much to take in. Elves? What was happening?
"What has happened?" he asked tasting his own voice. It sounded bizarre. And then his eyes recovered and his sight focused.
"My nephews!" he hissed as he tried to get up but his weakened body struggled. It was as if his blood shifted and ran through his body too quickly. His head pounded and groaned at his efforts of seating up.
"You have to rest" Galadriel advised, pushing him down softly and ever so gently.
"Your body has been weakened greatly" Elrond followed.
Thorin shook his head angrily as he was not allowed to rise.
Gandalf came to him then and patted his shoulder.
"King under the mountain, you must be kind to those who returned you to this land"
Thorin took a deep breath as he looked upon his nephews. Lifeless and too still. Then his eyes moved to the elves next to him.
"We have used a magic that is as old as this earth" Galadriel began before Thorin could ask. "I have done everything I have within me to return you. Your nephews are strong. I have great hope they will soon wake"
"I could not start to voice my gratitude" Thorin whispered as he then sipped some water from a cup that the wizard held to his mouth.
"A simple thank you will suffice" Elrond said in a smile. "You have risked your life to put an end to a great evil, and that Thorin is a great accomplishment"
Thorin sighed in response but voiced his gratitude.
"How great is the pain they encountered?" he then asked as he looked over to his stilled nephews. His now beating heart ached. The pain of seeing his nephews with no life in them hurt every crevice of his soul.
"I am sure you remember the pain before waking up"
Thorin felt a shiver run up his spine. It was bizarre but he remembered a burning pain swimming in him and attacking any and every sense of peace. He took a deep breath and his eyes watered over at the thought of his nephews being in that deep pain where escape was not easy.
"I promised their mother they would be alright"
Bilbo grabbed his shoulder. "They will be. Give them more time. They are strong. They will get out"
Thorin sighed deeply and looked over at Gandalf and his serene face.
"You need rest" Galadriel then advised once more and when she saw the king ready to argue she shook her head and gave him a hard look.
"Your body has gone through intense trauma and pain. You need sleep. Please help him along to a soft and warm bed"
The dwarves shushed their chatter and began to walk out the door while Dwalin and Dain helped Thorin to his feet. Gandalf stopped to see Thorin laughing amongst his dear friends, his brothers. His smile grew and hope bounced against the blackened walls within him. There was indeed hope that they would all wake.
"Have patience" Galadriel whispered so only he could hear but even then she knew that Tauriel did not have much time left.
Galadriel opened the door and walked into the dark room. Her eyes darted to the left to see that the fire at the hearth had gone. With a flick of her wrist the fire roamed back to life, illuminating the room. The redhead laid at the bed, her eyes closed.
"Tauriel" she whispered, softly running her hand across the sleeping elf's forehead.
At her soft touch she awoke, gently opening her sleepy eyes.
"Is he awake?" Tauriel quickly asked but something in her answered that question before the golden haired elf in front of her could shake her head.
"However" she started. "The king has awaken which proves that our method has worked"
Tauriel sighed in deep relief and closed her eyes for a few moments. She shifted her sore body into a seating position.
"You are quite strong" Galadriel softly murmured with a small smile. Tauriel was going through a tough battle that not all were destined to survive. Yet here she was, fighting with every last drop of courage.
Tauriel gleamed at the compliment. "Thank you"
Galadriel shook her head. "There is no need young one. I only ask that you keep holding on"
She nodded, placing her hand at her stomach. "I have to hold on"
The grand elf's eyes fell down to look at her stomach.
"What would her name be?" she asked with a twinkle in her blue eyes. At this Tauriel's green eyes widened and a gasp left her mouth.
"Her?" Tauriel asked with tears at her eyes. The light within her shone brighter and hotter. It seemed to bring the color back into her cheeks.
"This little lass will be the bright light that will illuminate this kingdom" Galadriel stated running a hand through Tauriel's red hair as she cried softly.
"Tears of joy" Tauriel assured, wiping them away.
"More of those will come" Galadriel said with a slight hint of a promise hanging on her tone. She gave Tauriel one last smile as she stood from the bed and made her way to the door. And as she stepped outside the fire at the hearth dimmed enough to carry Tauriel back to sleep.
A soft lit darkness entangled around her, caressing her body and soul. She dreamed of a delicate small bundle being placed in her arms. The joy she felt could light the earth around her. But she felt a strong absence and at that terrifying thought, the fire at the hearth extinguished as if reading her mind.
"Eat more" Bilbo commanded as Thorin pushed away the plate.
"My appetite is not as strong at the moment" the king said looking around the room. "You are all staring at me like I'm going to disappear"
"We were afraid of that" Balin said in a painful sigh.
Thorin gave him a weak smile. "I'm here, old friend. Thank you all for not giving up on us"
"Never" the wizard was next to murmur. "You fought hard for this kingdom and you deserve to prosper within it"
Thorin bowed his head with utmost respect. "It is you who fought the hardest"
"I killed a few orcs" Ori announced with pride shining in his eyes. Everyone laughed as Dwalin petted the younger dwarf's head.
"Aye he did, and he hasn't stopped telling us every detail"
Thorin laughed wholeheartedly. "Thank you Ori"
At that, a sudden thought came to mind. "We must give the Laketown people some aid as well"
Gandalf quickly nodded putting down his pipe. "Lord Elrond has gone to announce that you have returned to us"
"Very well. We have the room to accommodate them so they can carry out this winter in warmth"
"I have many of my soldiers on the way to the Iron Hills" Dain said next. "They will bring back food and supplies"
"Thranduil also summoned his soldiers to bring us supplies" Thorin announced looking at Thorin with a careful look.
"I am pleased to hear that" he said with a hesitant tone but then he gave him a smile. "I will personally thank him as soon as I regain more strength"
"Good, very good" the wizard said and then a more serious expression fell on his pleasant face.
"There is something else I need to discuss with you"
At this everyone shifted uncomfortably in their chairs. Dain occupied himself with eating and Bilbo moved twice in the comfortable cushioned chair. Thorin looked around with a raised brow.
"What is it?" he asked and Bilbo was the first to speak up.
"It concerns Kili" he started and at the mention of his youngest nephew, Thorin's face turned to that of deep concern.
"Is he not expected to wake?" he asked as held his breath.
Gandalf quickly shook his head and dismissed the horrible possibility. "No, no, he is expected to recover as well, both your nephews are, but there is something that you must be aware of"
"Don't leave me in the dark too long" Thorin sighed.
"We have a… guest" Gandalf began to explain. "A certain guest in one of the bedrooms"
"She…"
But Thorin interrupted Gandalf before he could finish.
"The elven lass" Thorin whispered. He briefly remembered the way the redhead elf had saved Kili when they were trying to escape in the barrels. He swallowed thickly and steeled his gaze. The looks they had shared between each other was that of infatuation. Thorin should have known from the start.
"My nephew is the most reckless soul I have yet to meet" he hissed as he shook his head.
"Thorin" Gandalf whispered. "She has saved his life countless times"
"She cured him of the black magic of the arrow" Bofur then said as Thorin's eyes widened.
"Black magic?" he asked.
Bofur nodded. "Aye, she told us that it was a Morgul shaft and she used her own light to cure him"
Thorin couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"And she also saved him from the spiders" Bilbo noted, nodding as Thorin looked at him.
"And she fought with us at the battle" Ori proudly announced.
Thorin blinked as he looked around and even Dain was comfortably seated back, not batting an eye.
"And" Gandalf began once again with a careful tone. "Kili loves her as she loves him"
And then the energy shifted in the room to that of a great suspense. Bilbo held his breath as he turned to look at the expression that Thorin wore. His eyes were wide and he seemed to be at a lost of words. And then he dragged his hands down his face and deeply sighed.
"Of course it would be Kili to fall in love with an elf" he half hissed, half chuckled.
Everyone laughed as well, joining in what appeared to be just a normal conversation among friends.
Gandalf looked relieved that Thorin was not steaming at the ears in rage but rather a quite understanding look fell upon him. The dwarf who now sat in front of him was vastly different from the one he sat across that table and shared a dinner with so long ago.
"Where is she?" he then asked as he looked to Gandalf for an answer. "She must be devastated"
His concern was met with incredulous eyes but his company of old friends smiled at him. Gandalf only hoped that he also welcomed the news he would disclose next with the same calm demeanor.
The wizard opened his mouth but closed it as he found the proper word and courage to say the next sentence. It would shock everyone in the room as no one was aware of Tauriel's condition.
Gandalf was about to speak up for the second time when he was abruptly interrupted by Galadriel. It was as if she suddenly appeared in the room as no one had heard the door open or close. Nevertheless, everyone bowed their heads respectfully.
"Tauriel is resting in one of the rooms at the end of the hall" she announced looking at Thorin and then at the wizard who went back to smoking his pipe.
"He does not know?" she asked out loud as Thorin sat there confused.
"I have been told about the romance between my nephew and the elven lass, yes" Thorin said looking at the Lady of Light.
Galadriel's eyes turned to Gandalf who was happy enough to not be the one to announce the news of Tauriel's and Kili's child. Galadriel rose an elegant eyebrow at the wizard who then huffed.
"There is another piece of information that you must know" he began hoping that Galadriel would take over from there. But one good look at her and he saw the beginnings of a smile forming at her lips. Mischievous.
"What information?" Thorin asked as he looked around the room at the equally confused faces. It seemed that the elf and the wizard were the only ones who seemed informed.
Gandalf took a deep breath. "Well, your nephew is going to be a father"