Chapter 10- The Truth

The sun had just risen, it seems no one got sleep that night, but from where we were and now with Star, we were able to track them to their cave, where it of course stank but also had treasures such as elven swords and weapons. I watched as the others buried a deposit of treasure in a chest as a deposit, I chuckled at their antics, the weapons were picked up, I had read over weapons but not specific ones so I was of no use of discerning which ones they were specifically however my Adar could. "I could tell you their names from the elven script on them but I couldn't tell you exactly what they are or their merits, Adar is best at that," I informed Gandalf and Thorin who was about to leave them behind simply because they were elf made, but Gandalf had advised against that.

The smell of carcases in the cave was so bad that I had turned off my sense of smell receptor, I watched and listened as did Star, it was only when he stood and growled a little did, I snap to attention so did the others. We made our way out, a few things seemed to have set Star off, I had noticed a sled pulled by rabbits… the description matching what I had heard about the Brown Wizard, but I also detected Orcs and wargs combing around from behind and trying to blind sight us, they were taking their time though, trying to properly detect us, we had collected the horses back up but that was pointless right now. Thorin was about to speak to me but I was looking through the mountain noticing what was slowly creeping up on us, meanwhile the old Istari had the worse timing to try and tell Gandalf something but can't quite remember.

They were off talking, I would have paid more attention however the orcs and warg pack making their way to our location was of my top priority, "Hawley…" "We'll talk in private, my chambers when we get to Rivendell," I said not leaving room for Thorin to say no or even yes, I saw the confused and slightly annoyed look on his face but he had relented by nodding his head in agreement. I leant over whispering "get on guard, orcs are coming from behind with their wargs," Star was growling his hackles rose, "too many," I whispered telling him not to rush off. "What's going on?" it was the main question everyone was asking, Gandalf and Radagast had been talking about something, Star was growing up a storm, Thorin was on alert as was I and the others seemed oblivious. "We need to go now, they have closed the gap," I began pulling out my arrow to notch it and ready for the warg about to creep into view, I shot it straight in the eye, the other coming from my blind spot was taken down by Kili. I nodded to him very appreciative, Gandalf and I knew the 'back entrance' was close as I nodded to him that was our best way of leaving unseen or harmed, however Radagast had agreed to run interference to steal their attention, claiming his rabbits were faster than any warg. Star snorted at that not really believing it and a little offended by the look on his face, I looked to them all, "stay silent and move as a unit, close and follow Gandalf and I, Star, I want you to lay low, you can't fit through the channel anymore," he whimpered a little, "can you keep an eye out for us?" he pepped up at my question.

His ears swivelled and he sniffed as we moved slowly, Kili and I with our bow and arrows as we stayed on alert, I too was able to keep a sharp sight on their location. I led them with Star as we used the rocks as cover, I had a map drawn in my mind that we would need to take to get to the back entry, however as we got closer it got harder to navigate. Radagast was fast and would corkscrew into an entirely different direction from where he was going to go to get away from the Orc pack, leading them on a chase. I had seen them off in the distance, the horses and elf signatures one specific being my Adar's, I smiled. As I held up a hand "be still, we will hunker down here, if sighted Kili and I will shoot them dead and Star will defend…besides, we have a wizard." I smirked as Gandalf gave me a questioning look considering I had a smirk that said everything would be okay.

And it was, the arrows flew as the sound of hooves and horses came through, I got up as did Star, moving forward, the others stayed on alert, "Adar," I spoke up the others looked to me in surprise, "Amira…I see you have company," I nodded as Gandalf came forward speaking in Sindarin "ah my friend it's been a while, we have need for refuge but also your help." Adar seemed surprised "well we do need to catch up, come along," I spoke to the others who were on alert still "come on," I waved them to follow and many gruffly followed us as we were shown in the front way all trailing behind the horses.

"Lady Amira it's good to see your return," I nodded "good to be back," many waved and welcomed all even the dwarves behind me, I smiled looking to them being a little uncomfortable. Once my Adar and the patrol party had disembarked from their mounts he had a bit more information relayed to him and he spoke off what they needed, I noticed Thorin showed much distrust in his person even after my father said he knew his grandfather and was friends with him and his condolences, on top of inviting them to dinner. I paused speaking in Sindarin "Father you may need meats in the dishes they are dwarves, perhaps breads, ale and cheese if there is any," I suggest "yes of course you are right my dear, see to it?" he asked his trusted advisor who nodded leaving to make sure preparations were made for dinner.

Some went straight for the meat and the breed, meed made them very lively and even though their manners were poor my father smiled enjoying the lively atmosphere, he seemed to have noticed I was not having dinner either. I went to him "I am going to freshen up, I will meet up with you and the others for the moon scripture reading," he nodded letting me leave.

A very nice and hot bath was exactly what I needed, and once Arwen knew I was home she came bursting into the bathroom, "your home sister!" I smiled as she didn't seem to care for my state of undress, "wish to join?" I was surprised when she did; she had been learning about humans and in doing so heard about how siblings bathed together, even though mainly when they were young, it seemed to be something she wanted to try. So we shared a tub, with flowers and milky soap as we sat facing one another, knees drawn to our chest as I relayed the events of my travels, she was hanging onto each and every one of my words. "So you're going to tell him" she almost squealed in excitement, I smiled "that is the plan…" however I hope he accepts me, if so I was hoping for him to agree to pick up where we left off in our courtship, especially with the information that he was to be facing a dragon in the near future… if he makes it their first.

A rap of knuckles on my door and a voice alerted us to our Adar wanting me present for the rune scripture reading, I had not notice time went so quickly, I got up drying and dressing as Arwen followed me. She hugged me wishing me good luck and advising I speak from my heart, I smirked knowing if all went well in my talk with Thorin then I may become his wife in the near future.

I arrived to the room with the moon stone it was large and with a cliff with waterfalls; they had finished eating and getting clean up. Elrond explained more about the process and how it worked for the others in the room, only after Gandalf stated this map was for academic reasons, which I felt terrible about the lie but my Adar was sharp. Bilbo, Balin, Thorin, Gandalf, Adar and I stood in the large beautiful room as we watched the Luna rays shine on the rock and placing the map down lit up the missing words. I read them aloud as my father had encouraged me too for my first time reading them and experiencing this kind of teaching, I watched the white colour light up and become readable.

"Stand by the grey stone by the thrush knocks and the sun with the last light shines of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole," I stood up straighter next to my Adar as he passed the map back to Thorin. I smiled however I was aware my father was suspicious and asking questions mainly off Gandalf "so you plan to march on Erabor?" he looked to me questioning "don't look at me, I was going to bring them here, I just so happened to be on my way here too," he gave me a look but I continued "plus I was going to see my King it has been a while." My Adar nodded his head in understanding but turned to Gandalf "you're not the only one who watches over middle-Earth," I stood straight knowing exactly what he meant, I looked over seeing that there were two others waiting and I had not actually had the pleasure of meeting them prior. 'I had chosen to leave it to my Adar and Gandalf after all I had other things to sort out as I looked to Thorin giving him a look.

He understood my unspoken words, we were to go to my room and talk about many things that we had not had the chance to previously. I took his hand as the others looked at us, Gandalf and my Adar had already taken their leave, "we need to sort some things out," I announced to the other two present still, Bilbo seemed awkward but Balin spoke up "we will re-join the others take all the time you need…just remember the plan Thorin." Thorin nodded to him, I had not been aware of any plan, obviously their own doing perhaps even Gandalf; it was not my father that would try to stop them on their quest but others.

I pulled him along still holding his hand, Thorin moved as we walked side by side, he looked at me noting I had not let him go and I did not want to either. I looked down to him, he was not as short as one would suspect, I turned into my open room, still smelling of soap and floral scents from the bath I shared with my sister. I closed the door and turned to Thorin, as I sat up on the bed getting comfortable, "you said you would tell me all your secrets…" "First off I want to know…do you still love me Thorin…for the person I am for being Amira Hawley not the being I am, not my looks not anything else other than my soul?" This was important for me to know, yes, I planned on telling him but I knew my love for him was true I needed to just hear it from him.

He frowned a little "of course I do…from the moment I saw you I have felt a pulse or magnetism to be with you always," that made my heart flutter as I smiled and nodded. "I planned on telling you when we met once more, my King knows as does Legolas and a few others…Gandalf knows and my adoptive family of course but not many others unfortunately, please keep a very open mind…" He nodded taking my words seriously as he still held my hand within his much bigger and thicker hand, it was warm and worn from many years of fighting and labour. I ran my fingertips over them to try sooth my own anxieties, he could always deny me and what I am… "Okay you see I am not from this world."

He frowned in confusion, so I continued "I arrived in the woodland realm chased by massive spiders, it was truly disgusting," I made a gross face as he smirked remembering I hate bugs and he lightly chuckled. We laid back more relaxed, he was high strung with the adventure and attempted murders on his trip I could not blame him however this was the most relaxed I had seen him in a while. "I was saved by the Greenwood elves, they took me in and taught me everything from this world and I reciprocated…there is no way for me to return home so I stay here, where I am happy." I looked down this next part was the hardest "I am…was Human," he nodded as if that much was obvious, "but I was transformed into what is called a cyborg," he tilted his head "a cyborg…I have not heard of such a creature."

I nodded "you wouldn't have… I am the only one like me, you see there was a portal made and it brought me here and I was sent because I cannot be killed…I am immortal no death will expire my life as I was made with materials stronger than any metal or gem you could imagine, a commit was what brought those materials and the immortal serum to my planet, the place that made me used those items. That is why I am so different; I am strong, fast…able to know where everything is in the mountain and when you would lose your way…" I smiled lightly showing vulnerability in my eyes, I am able to see through walls, terrain, beings, I can see further than most and I am unbelievably strong…I will never die and that was one reason why I found it so hard to say yes to your proposal."

"Because you are immortal?" he sounded off like he was experiencing too much emotion, I nodded "if we were to have children they would die, I would watch them all die…" I looked down at my lap where I straightened out my dress. "But I was willing too because I love you so deeply, that is also why I planned on telling you what I really am…" I looked up to him as he was now standing and pacing as he processed the information. I continued to give him info so it would fill in the gaps, "I lived in a world where only humans exist…it is also a much larger world than this one, also there is technology and vast machines that can go to the heavens and beyond, send messages instantly to the other side of the world and travel to the other side of the world in less than a day. Before becoming this, I was a normal human, I never fought or killed, let alone picked up a weapon most people are like that, I only did when I joined the army, I trained, became strong and learned to fight and use weapons called guns, that is what I carry on me, blades and guns."

He had sat down on the single armchair, he looked to me as if weighing all of this, I had no clue what was going through his mind where he was at, what was the most important thing for him right in that moment. "Did you have family…in this previous world?" I shook my head no "I had parents, siblings but I died then I was changed and they all died, I had friends or work colleges but they always pass away…I never was married or had children as I died in a fighter jet accident when I was 27 years old…it went up in flames…terrible death." He looked at me weighing my words, I got down onto my knees on the floor in front of him looking up to him to "I promise I am not lying to you," he sighed "I know."

It seemed something else was on his mind "so where were you after we lost the mountain?" I swallowed "I fell into a deep slumber for 50 years due to takotsubo cardiomyopathy; it is commonly called broken heart; it is capable of killing a human who suffers tremendous loss." I looked down as I didn't really want to say him turning his back on me caused that, but in reality it did, I felt him turn my chin up to him and place his forehead against my own "I am sorry Mira," I relaxed sighing out as I heard him actually use my nickname "as am I…I," I realised I was crying, "oh jeeze," I whipped away my tears "I am actually a real softy you know…I was born small and weak when I was human-" "there is no need for you to apologise for that, I am sorry, I should have listened to you after all you spoke on our behalf, you stayed and helped us all, and I just…" now it was time for me to console him. "I feel bad, I feel like if I had told you…joined you then perhaps your father and grandfather would still be alive today, and Moria would have been reclaimed too."

"No needs to think about what if's…now we are going to Erabor to claim the lonely mountain…will you help me with that?" I paused looking up to him nodding, "Of course I will," "Even if your King forebodes it?" I continued to nod "if I leave yous I worry that perhaps one or more will perish…I hate seeing the loss of life Thorin," he nodded, he knew I could be gentle and soft, he saw that side of me long ago. He looked me in the eyes making sure I was not lying as I nodded my head to his unspoken question, his eyes darted to my lips and then to my eyes as he leaned in and I smiled before moving to join our lips.

It was heavenly…I had been wanting to do that for centuries and I finally got to, it was like going to a world that only belonged to us, nothing else was there but us two and the bliss that coursed through my being. I moaned as his hands held my waist and the other my jaw and I sat up more on my knees bring us closer in height as I ran my own hand through his hair and the other encircle him.

I woke to the sun shining through my open balcony doors, I was sore but so happy, I wasn't going to flush the serum through me for this ache. I looked over noticing the other half of my bed was vacant and I sat up looking around but he nor the others were present. I frowned but then remembered Balin mentioning a plan of some sort, it was actually hard for others to keep secretes from me but they managed this time. The night had been wonderful and knowing he loved me that much as I did him, we shared a passionate night, I had not worried about barring my life bearing organ, I hoped to nurture the Durin line within me.

I could still smell him on my sheets and pillow, he had stayed a while at least before leaving…but I found it strange he asked if I was to stay with him but then he left me behind. I sighed "I'll catch up to him later," another scan showed that Gandalf was leaving too, I closed my eyes replaying my romantic night over and over in my head, I had, had sex while alive but not made love before it was a massive difference especially for the first time, it had been centuries since I had experienced the act of sex, he had admitted to it being his first time, not that I could tell. I smiled like a cat that got its milk and then the canary; I rolled over pulling his pillow to my chest and smiled for once feeling like a schoolgirl and giggling. His scent was fresh and clean like the rich soil and spring wind, much like it did years ago but with a bit of coal, I moaned taking in his scent once more, I monitored my own body waiting for a confirmation on if I would be with child…I was patient…I could wait.

A knock on my door woke me and I noted the sun was high up in the sky "Iel are you up?" I could hear the light worry in my father's voice, "I am awake Adar," he opened the door but made a noise and closed it choosing to speak to me from the other side of the door. "You are sleeping nude my child," I smirked at his astute observation, "I spent the night with Thorin father…he accepted me," he was silent for a while "that is wonderful my little one…I thought you would have stayed with him…" I thought about it "he had asked me too…I think he just wanted to hear that I was loyal, but he left me behind." "Does that upset you?" I smirked thinking he sounded like a therapist "no not at all…I can easily catch up anytime, is it lunch time?" "it is…wish to join us?" I smirked "I would like that, just please give me a moment."