The day remained peaceful as they neared the Blue Mountains. It was clear a storm was on its way and would definitely halt any further traveling on Elerin's part. It made her shift slightly, something Thorin noticed as he placed his hand on her shoulder. Just outside the new Dwarf village, Elerin stopped her horse and got down so she could help Fili off the pony.
"You are coming with us, aren't you?" Fili asked as he looked up at Elerin.
Those blue eyes tugged at her heart, reminding her of better days. Days when Dwarves did not hate her or banish her from their homes. She had no say in the matter when Thorin put his arm around her shoulder and led her into the village.
She frowned at the area, wooden homes and gardens with rough paths that led to different areas. There was nothing Dwarvish about the village, except the Dwarves. There were Men as well, casting judging looks at the dirty Dwarves or scrutinizing all the wares at a stand. She had forgotten how wretched Men could be.
"Momma!" Before Fili could run, Elerin grabbed him by the collar, letting a crowd of Men walk by before releasing him to see his mother.
Elerin smiled when she saw Dis pick up her son, holding him tight and kissing him. There were tears in their eyes, Fili clearly relieved to be home, and Dis happy to have her son in her arms once more.
"When did Dis grow up?" Elerin asked with a sad smile.
The dwarrowdam favored Thorin in many ways, though Grey had yet to find her hair. She was still too young to have as many wrinkles as she had, but as Elerin had always been told, children will make you age quicker. A frown came to the dragon's face when she saw how dirty Dis was. When the dwarrowdam was younger, there was no way she would even let a speck get on her, but now, she was covered in what looked to be like mud.
"Dis makes pottery," Thorin told her. "It's the only craft she was willing to take."
That brought a smile to her face, until Fili pointed at her, which made her want to run from the village. Dis' eyes grew large as she placed Fili on the ground and ran to Elerin. The Dragon braced herself from the intense hug that was coming her way, only to have someone else grab onto her leg.
She raised an eyebrow at the boy that was hugging her leg. "Fank you fo saving Fiwi."
She kneeled down, coming eye to eye with the lad, "You are very welcome, bahith."
She smiled as he tried to wrap his arms around her neck, but couldn't quite reach. Gently grabbing him, she slowly stood, keeping him in her arms and holding him close to her, his large brown eyes sparkling with wonder.
"Release my son, azzani!"
Elerin's heart pounded when she saw the dwarrowdam rushing at her, sword in hand. Knowing Thorin would catch the lad, she tossed him, letting the sword hit her in the chest. All went silent when the blade shattered, and Elerin fell to her knees trying to catch her breath.
"Momma, she rescued me!" Fili cried out as he rushed to Elerin's side.
"Do not touch her, Fili! She is cursed!"
The lad gasped, jumping away from Elerin just as she got to her feet, and rubbed her chest. "I told you, Thorin. I am not welcome here."
Fili frowned as he looked up at her, "Why? If Uncle likes you, then you must be a good person."
She managed a smile as she kneeled to the dwarfling's level, "I do not believe that is my story to tell. Though, I do believe your uncle and mother would have two very different stories to tell. I must return from where I came, bakani. Mahal guide you and protect you. I look forward to the day when our paths cross again."
Standing once more, she looked at Thorin before looking at the archers and soldiers that surrounded her. She gave a short bow to him, "I take my leave, Lord Thorin. May our paths cross again with better company."
"I told you not to call me that, bahani," he said firmly, though his eyes betrayed his amusement.
"Goodbye, mabanrûn."
She walked back to her horse, and easily mounted it, turning away from the Blue Mountains. She had hoped for time with the Dwarves, especially Thorin and his young nephew. Dis was hard headed, more so than her brother. Elerin had been the keeper of every first born in the line of Durin, giving Thorin more faith in her, despite her lack of help when Smaug attacked.
She shook her head, forcing the thought of Erebor from her mind. She could not remember how long it had been since the Dragon attack, but it still brought pain to her heart. Her anger toward the Elves surpassed even the Dwarves, though her anger was to the Elves of Greenwood alone. She had found peace in the halls of Rivendell and forests of Lorien.
She did not return to the village where she had met Fili, but continued south, taking the months of long travel and weariness to Gondor. There was enough room in Osgiliath to house a simple traveler with no background and no past. Who could say no to a woman that could craft swords of the finest quality, in Men's eyes, or create blankets to warm someone even on the coldest nights. She found a new life on the edge of Mordor, and for once in many lifetimes, she was happy.
She did not count the years since her visit to the Blue Mountains, her time there long forgotten, as well as the children. Then, the world seemed to stop. A terrible pain erupted in her chest, her hands shaking, unable to hold the fabric in her hands. Anxiety and fear that she had not felt in many years took her, sending her running as fast as she could from the city of Osgiliath. With no Elvish magic to withhold her, her skin began to turn black as large scales, easily the size of a child began to grow as her body slowly took a beast form, black wings larger than most houses sprouting from her back sending her to the air.
Never before had she flown at such a desperate speed. The enormous beast suddenly dropped to the ground. As her feet touched the ground, the Dragon body exploded, sending flame and scales across the plains. In the middle of the fire, the human body sat on the ground, panting from the extreme flight.
She fell onto her back and stared at the smoke filled sky while the distant whinnies of horses came closer. Elves. She was near Rivendell. With a light chuckle and a relieved breath, she closed her eyes. Lord Elrond was an honorable man. He would take care of her, and he would take care of Thorin.
Elerin hadn't felt so much pain since she was in the presence of the Valar. Her entire body ached to the point she almost couldn't move. Still, she forced herself from the bed, stumbling a bit as she looked around the white room. The fresh summer breeze made the curtains flutter and tugged at her new clothing. It had been a while since she had worn pants. While in the world of Men, she took their custom of wearing a dress, and she had run out of Osgiliath in one.
Despite the darkness of Rivendell, someone was still awake, laughing and singing. Her bare feet made no sound as she stepped out of the room, walking to the balcony that overlooked Rivendell. Below, an orange glow emitted light, revealing thirteen shades. Dwarves.
Shaking her head, she headed back into her room and carefully climbed back into the bed. She could talk to Thorin in the morning.
When she woke, her body felt even heavier, but again, she forced herself from the bed. The dawning sun washed her room in yellow, as well as the rest of Rivendell. She couldn't fight the smile that tugged at her lips as she looked over the kingdom once more. It was so open, so welcoming. The warmth of summer only added to the wonder of the realm. It was perfect in every way. Yet, it still wasn't home.
She did not bother to change as she left the room, her feet pattering against the cool stone. Breakfast would be ready soon. Her feet stopped when she heard something metal move behind her. The sudden overwhelming pressure on her side knocked the breath from her lungs and threw her to the ground. She sneered up at the bald, tattooed dwarf who was glaring menacingly down at her.
The anger subsided on her part, though the dwarf held his furious gaze. She got to her feet and rubbed her side where he had hit her as hard as he possibly could with his war hammer. "I think that is the first time I've been hit with one of those. That was not a pleasant experience, and I ask you to not repeat it."
"You wretched beast, you deserve death after what you did to us!" He roared, his booming voice echoing throughout the halls.
Her eyes moved to the floor, "Perhaps I do deserve death, but that is not your place to decide. I answer only to Thorin Oakenshield. If he wishes me dead, I believe the Valar will find a way to make it so."
Over the years, she could feel her memories of Erebor changing when she dreamed. Maybe she could have stopped Smaug from destroying the kingdom despite the fact she had been sold to Thranduil. King Thror and his son, Prince Thrain had agreed to sell her. The magic of the Elves in Greenwood had surpassed that of the loyalty to the line of Durin, since the line had betrayed her. She could only wonder if she truly did have the strength to help them. Her guilt was placed in the unspoken thought: if she had the strength, would she have helped?
"What on earth is going on?" A tall, old man asked as he approached the growing group.
Five angry Dwarves had shown up, all with weapons drawn, ready to attack the woman. When her gaze met the Wizard's, he gave a relieved sigh, "Elerin. It is good to see you are still an ally of the line of Durin."
"I have no say in the matter," she replied dismally. "Yes, I answer to Thorin, and Thorin alone, but that is only if he wants me here. You must understand that."
Gandalf sighed, a disappointed look on his face as he looked at the Dwarves, "It seems the truth has yet to be told. Why haven't you told them?"
"It would not matter if I did. Dragons carry lies and deceit and greed. My words mean nothing and leave nothing but a shadow of suspicion."
"And what about Thorin? Has he said anything?"
"I do not know. Even so, I am banished and to be killed on sight should a Dwarf find me near the kingdoms or king."
"What's going on?" A young dwarf with blond hair asked as he walked up, to join the group, duel daggers drawn.
Elerin almost moved toward him, but took a step back instead, swallowing hard as she bit back words to greet him. Fili, bakani, had grown so much since she had last seen him. His blond hair had braids as well as his mustache. His bright eyes weren't as innocent as they had been, evidence of experiencing battle clear in his eyes, but they were still just as bright.
"Ah, Fili, I'm glad you joined us. Could you get Thorin? There's an old friend he should like to see."
The other Dwarves protested loudly, trying to stop him as he rushed off to get his uncle.
"I do not believe Thorin will be as happy to see me as you would think, Gandalf," Elerin told the Wizard. "We may have parted on good terms, but things change with time."
"Dwarves do not forget someone's kindness, especially yours. Did you know your bed rolls sold so well in Osgiliath, a merchant bought most of them and carried them to the Blue Mountains where he sold them at a low profit? The Dwarves here have them."
A dwarf pushed through those that stood before Elerin, his burning blue eyes widening when he finally understood why his nephew had rushed him. "Elerin?"
The saddest smile Thorin had ever seen showed on her lips as she gave a bow, "It is good to see you, my king."
For the second time, her breath was knocked from her lungs, though not as badly as when the war hammer hit her. The strong embrace had caught her off guard, but nonetheless, she smiled, managing to prevent tears from leaving her eyes. Someone was finally happy to see her. Someone was finally happy to see her as a friend, not a weapon.
She could feel his fingers in her black hair, pulling her closer to him as he struggled to keep composed. "You came. You came."
With a watery smile, she pushed Thorin back, holding his face in her hands, "There is no force in Middle-earth that could stop me from seeing you take your throne, mabanrûn. You know I would go into that mountain and kill that Dragon for you if I could."
A large smile appeared on his lips as he rested his forehead against hers, "There's a map that shows a secret door in. We can return home."
bahith- young friend
azzani- evil one
bahani- treasure
mabanrûn- survivor
bakani- ray of light