Chapter 26

All rights go to Peter Jackson and Tolkien respectively, I only own my OCs.

Blood. The metallic smell of crimson blood consumed the air as she overlooked the land below from the mountain fortress she stood in. She looked down at herself through tear filled eyes, briefly registering the new clothes she wore. The symbol she bore on her chest meant something, but she did not know what it was yet. Her golden hair blew away from her face in the slight breeze and she realized if the situation was different it would be a nice day. She moved to leave her spot, but the indescribable smell of blood and feces and the deafening roar of cries in anguish made her hesitate. She shook her mind of those thoughts. This was not the time for being a coward, this was the time to be a protector.

Four Days Earlier

Nina woke with a jolt, startled by her very unfamiliar surroundings. The night before had been a much-needed break from reality she thought, since she was able to spend it enjoying the dwarves' company. She had yet to see or speak to Thorin ever since they got to the mountain, but to her knowledge the four dwarves that came with her hadn't either. She sat up from her bed, looking around at her bedroom that she hadn't seen much of the night before from being in the dark.

The room was large and almost circular with a massive bed that practically swallowed her whole. Across from her was the fireplace, a gorgeous stone ensemble that was now filled with faintly glowing embers. She drew up the covers around her as a cool breeze hit her. She was in nothing but her underwear and a black tank-top that was under her outfit. When she continued her examination of the room she found that the walls were all stone and the few dressers in her room were all made of beautiful wood. Before she could observe anymore, her door creaked open and light poured in the room.

"I was wondering if you'd be awake yet," The soft voice of Kili sounded as he slid through the doorway and closed it again. He sounded excited, but as he looked around his eyes were full of sleep and Nina could tell he was still tired.

"Just woke up," She replied. "What are you doing awake?" She stretched her arms above her head and the sheet around her fell. Kili's eyes went wide and she frowned in confusion until she realized it had fallen. The dwarves had never seen her in something as "revealing" as a tank-top. She immediately grabbed the sheet and wrapped it around herself.

"May I sit?" He asked huskily. Nina swallowed nervously as she nodded, unable to look away from him. His expression was so certain, as if he had rehearsed coming into her room and knew exactly what he wanted to say. He sat on the side of her bed gently and faced her. "I wanted to speak with you about…the coming days."

"Oh?" Nina cocked an eyebrow at him, not following. Kili smiled a little and looked down, but it didn't last long before he was back to staring into her eyes.

"Obviously this mountain is big enough for more than thirteen dwarves and…well I know Bilbo will want to go home eventually but," He stammered anxiously. Nina thought she knew what he meant now, and she grew afraid. "Well honestly, I do not know where you are from, but I wanted to make sure you know this could be your home, if you want it to." Nina couldn't help the broad smile that spread across her face at his words despite her fearfulness.

"That's very sweet of you, Kili, but I don't think that we're out of the woods just yet," She shook her head gently. "The Elves aren't happy with the dwarves and I'm sure after what the dragon did to Laketown the Men won't be either, so Thorin will have that to deal with and I'm sure plenty of dwarves will be pouring in here in no time. I'm not so sure there's a place for me here."

"How could you even think that?" Kili gasped, setting one of his rough hands on her bare arm. "You are a member of this company, you saved our lives and become like family to us, and that is not something dwarves take lightly." He assured her. Nina smiled, knowing he meant well. However, she couldn't help but think of the huge battle looming over their heads. She remembered the basics of the Hobbit, and she knew there was a great battle happening at any time. She wondered if Erich would be a part of this battle, or if she would herself.

"Thank you, Kili, really." Of course, when she thought of the battle, she thought of the three deaths that came with it and suddenly she couldn't look Kili in the eyes anymore. He noticed, but before he could address it Fili barged in the room. "Thanks for knocking," She grumbled sarcastically at him. Fili shrugged it off.

"Thorin is gathering everyone in the main hall where we camped last night, and he's a bit uptight this morning so I suggest you two come along right away," He instructed. Nina sighed, wondering if Thorin would be just as strange as when she first saw him.

"Right, we're coming." She nodded quickly before realizing she was still "scantily clad" by dwarven standards. "Um, could I just have a minute to change?"

"Oh! Of course, my apologies," Kili stammered, his face going red when he remembered he was sitting very close to her on her bed. Fili clapped his brother on the back, increasing his embarrassment, and they left Nina to herself. She wasted no time in getting up, now fully awake, and she put on the black armor she had gotten from Erich.

Nina thought vaguely that she shouldn't dress like she had when she was mind controlled, especially when she faces Thorin for the first time, but she couldn't muster up the energy to care about finding new clothes. Even if she could, she doubted any dwarrowdam clothing was left behind in the mountain that would be near to her size. She looked at herself through the standing mirror in her room and it registered just how terrible she looked. Her outfit was alright but a little baggy in some places, her hair hadn't been washed in god knows when and it certainly showed, and her weight had dwindled just enough to make her look different than she used to. And that bothered her. Not to mention her smell, which would have mortified her except that the dwarves smelled worse.

Shaking her head clear of those thoughts, she focused on making her way out to the others. She couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful walls around her as she went, and she wondered briefly if what Kili said would be true, about her living there. If the battle went as it was supposed to, the three Durins would not live there anymore but the rest of the company would still be there. Would they want her? Then of course, she thought about if the battle did not go as it was supposed to. What if the Durins lived? She thought about it and paused in her walking as that hope fluttered through her. If Kili lived…things could be different. She could be different, they could be different. She wished for that so much that it made her chest ache so she kept walking, faster now. She couldn't deny that she cared for Kili a little more than she was supposed to care about a dwarf. But he was fated to die, as Galadriel had cruelly reminded her, and Nina couldn't let herself become close with him. It would make the whole thing that much more heartbreaking.

Before she could muse anymore, Nina reached the company. They all stood around and their mood had changed drastically from the carefree and joyous mood of last night. Backs were slightly hunched like puppies that were afraid of getting yelled at, and they had huddled together as if they were seeking protection from something. Their eyes were wide and cautious, Dwalin's even being a little shiny and moist. Some swallowed nervously, some twitched, some shifted their weight uneasily, but one thing about all of them plus Bilbo remained the same. Their eyes were trained unyieldingly on Thorin.

"Those who are not fortifying this gaping wound in my kingdom will be searching for the Arkenstone, and when it is found it must be brought to me," Thorin sneered. He looked unnatural to Nina. She had never seen him before, but she knew the old Thorin was not like this. She could hear it in his voice. He was hunched over like the others but in more of a paranoid and vicious way. His eyes were wild and frantic, never focusing on one spot too long before darting away. It was as if he suspected everyone was going to betray him. The others were silent. In her study of Thorin, Nina hadn't even noticed that Fili and Kili were missing from the group until they came back, each pushing a wheelbarrow full of large stones no doubt to repair the gaping hole Smaug had left.

"I want this fortress made safe by sunup. This mountain was hard won, I will not see it taken again," Thorin growled, gesturing to the Durin brothers. Nina was surprised to say the least when Kili abruptly dropped his wheelbarrow and looked to his uncle with a mixture of despair and anger.

"The people of Laketown have lost everything! We should be taking them in from Dale and helping them, not blocking them out like this!" He protested, causing the others to look to him in shock and fear. Thorin stalked over to his nephew, painfully slow.

"Do not tell me what they have lost. I know well their hardship. Those who have lived through dragonfire should rejoice, they have much to be grateful for." Thorin growled, turning slowly from his nephew's gaze toward the city of Dale not far from them. Nina's stomach turned at his heartless words, so sarcastic and cruel. And yet, somehow, they stirred pity in her for Thorin. The words were full of too much emotion to be his own. She had a suspicion that when his people were killed and driven from their home by Smaug, perhaps others had said those callous words to him. "MORE STONE!" He ordered harshly, tearing her from her thoughts. That was when his gaze fell on Nina, and she had forgotten how much in plain sight she was.

"Um, hi." She awkwardly squirmed under his gaze. He turned to face her fully, and his face was full of nothing but contempt. It took her back a little.

"You, traitorous little rat," He spat at her. Nina took a few steps back as his words flew out and stung her. Kili shifted a little at his uncle's side and his gaze turned dangerously dark. Fili rested a hand on his brother's shoulder to steady him and no one else dared to move. "You betrayed us and joined Azog, you tried to stop us from escaping the filthy Elves!"

"No Thorin, I—"

"That is 'Your Majesty' to you, you worthless girl!" He screamed over her words and Nina teared up despite herself.

"Please listen, my mind was being controlled I couldn't control my actions. I am better now and I'm so sorry if I did anything to—"

"You're sorry?" Thorin laughed bitterly. "If it weren't for your treacherous ways perhaps my nephew wouldn't have been wounded during our escape."

"Uncle!" Fili shouted in a warning tone, still holding back a now murderous looking Kili. Thorin rounded on him.

"Have some respect!" Thorin warned back. Tears were streaming down Nina's face by now, and Thorin only seemed to enjoy it. "She is the reason for our hardships, and now she dares to dwell in my kingdom?!" He roared frantically as he rushed toward her. So much happened in the span of a single moment. Thorin ran at Nina, Kili broke free from Fili and ran toward Thorin, and Nina covered her face in fear when it became clear Thorin was going to hit her. But the hit never came.

Instead she felt a swell of power and a familiar blue light shot out, flinging Thorin across the floor. Everyone stopped in their tracks as he got up, looking beyond furious with her.

"Thorin I didn't mean to do that, I don't know how that happened," She held her arms out and desperately tried to restore peace, but her accidental stunt had severed any connection they had in Thorin's eyes and she could see it.

"GET OUT!" He gestured wildly to the hole of an exit. Kili stood between her and Thorin.

"She's not leaving, Uncle. She saved my life in Laketown and we cannot be ungrateful and cast her out now." Kili said, his voice leaving no room for argument. Nina was both shocked and a little touched that he was standing up to his King and father-like figure for her.

"Uncle, it's Nina." Fili added softly from beside the king. Thorin's eyes gained clarity for a split second before the wildness returned, but in that clarity, he made his decision.

"I never want to lay eyes on that girl again. If she stays out of my sight she can stay, but if not, she must leave at once." He growled before ordering for more stone and storming out of the room. The others made their way cautiously to Nina, who had stopped letting the tears fall down her cheeks and tried to look strong.

"Are you alright, lass?" Balin asked softly. She could only nod.

"We'd better get to work on this then," Bofur offered after a silence had stretched around them.

"I'll search for the Arkenstone with Bilbo in the treasure hoard a little later in the day. Thorin has no doubt retreated to it now and I think it's best we leave him to himself for a while," Balin directed before they all started getting to work. Kili turned around to face Nina and he felt his heart break a little for her. He was looking into her blue eyes that were raw and red with tears that she was trying very hard to hold back. It took everything she had not to sob right then and there, and he could see that. She was also visibly shaking, but he wasn't sure if that was from her burst of power or fear of Thorin. Or both.

"If you guys don't mind, I'm just going to go for a walk for a few minutes, I'll come back to help later." She croaked, loud enough only really for Kili to hear. He nodded with a sigh, knowing she was shocked by his uncle's behavior. He was too.

"Take your time, Nina." He replied softly, offering her a tight and strained smile as she nodded. He wanted more than anything to hold her tight and make her feel better, to cup her cheeks in his hands and kiss her until she was her happy old self again. But he knew by now that these things weren't what Nina wanted. So instead he let her walk away.

Dark clouds swirled around the accursed place as Gandalf hung languishing in his cage in Dol Guldur. He had lost track of how long he had been held prisoner there, but he did know that ever since his first and only conversation with a strange young man concerning Nina, Gandalf felt with more urgency that he needed to get back to the company. He began chanting something, an old speech that he hoped desperately would free him.

"I wouldn't bother if I were you," Speak of the devil. The young man from before strolled into the room as though he had all the time in the world and there wasn't an Orc army preparing for war in the levels of the fortress below them. "My master is far too powerful to allow you to escape. Besides, who would I have to talk to if you leave?" He gave Gandalf a wicked grin.

"Who is your master?" Gandalf demanded sharply. The man thought about what his answer should be for a moment.

"A being of so much immense power you could not fathom it if you tried," The man beamed with wicked pride. Gandalf sighed tiredly. He was too old for these young dramatic people.

"I doubt he is as great as you say, no one could be," Gandalf countered. The man looked offended at that suggestion and puffed out his chest.

"He is greater than any wizard of the light could ever be, a man so powerful he defies death!" The man exclaimed passionately. Gandalf let go a small grin. He had gotten this young man to say just enough that Gandalf could discern that his master, the very Necromancer Galadriel had sent him to investigate, was Sauron. Of course, his joy was short-lived, considering that it meant Sauron was striving to get control of Nina's powers.

"Interesting."

"I'll ask you once more, wizard," The man spat, his confident façade starting to crumble ever so slightly. "Is Galadriel planning to make Nina Bailyn the next Protector?"

"You may do what you like to me, I shall never help you in whatever you are trying to do with that girl," Gandalf insisted. The man growled, his green eyes flaring in anger as he nodded and stormed off. Gandalf took a deep breath, and resumed his chanting, albeit quieter this time. An Orc approached him with a menacing growl, and Gandalf barely had time to brace himself before the Orc threw his cage around the room. Gandalf cried out in pain but was soon shocked into silence when he saw her.

A beacon of hope, the beautiful Galadriel approached in a simple white gown and bare feet, her ring of power shining brightly in the dark fortress. The Orc took her approach as a challenge and rushed at her, but with a smirk she sent it flying back as a shockwave of power and white light flew from her hand and travelled for miles around. Gandalf only remained conscious long enough to register that Galadriel was carrying him out of Dol Guldur. She walked but was stopped in her tracks by a hauntingly familiar voice.

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,

Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone…

"Nine for mortal men doomed to die," She finished in a shocked whisper. She could hardly believe her eyes when she saw the images of the nine Nazgul pulling out their weapons and heading for her. She stumbled back, trying to think of a way to keep Gandalf safe from them when she tripped over a statue and fell back, the unconscious wizard in her lap.

"You cannot fight the shadow, even now you fade. One light alone in the darkness," Sauron scoffed, for by now she knew it must be Sauron that she was encountering. But he was wrong about one thing.

"I am not alone."

"Are you in need of assistance, my Lady?" Saruman the White strolled out, as if he had been waiting for his cue to enter. He swung his staff and battled the Nazgul figures and was joined immediately by Lord Elrond with his sword. Confident that her partners would win the battle, Galadriel focused on Gandalf.

"Mithrandir, come back to me." She coaxed him with a kiss to his head as her power gently transferred to his weak form. He promptly awoke, gasping for air before taking in his surroundings.

"He is here!" He exclaimed to warn her. Galadriel nodded sadly down at her old friend.

"Yes, the darkness has returned." She could only think of what they had planned for her daughter, and what they had done so far. But Galadriel had seen Nina in the town of men, and she knew that Nina had fought off the darkness. Nevertheless, Sauron was powerful, and if he truly wanted Nina's powers then he would never leave her alone. Interrupting her thoughts, Radagast pulled up in his sled and urged Gandalf to join him.

"He is weak. He cannot remain here, it's draining his life," Galadriel instructed Radagast. He nodded and helped her transfer Gandalf into the sled. The efforts were draining her as well, even if she didn't care to admit it. Gandalf grabbed her arm with an effort and begged her to come along, but she sadly wrenched her arm away and urged Radagast to leave. She had unfinished business here.

"Sauron!" She heard Saruman gasp in shock when she turned back to her companions. They were shielding their eyes as they stood before a massive flaming eye—the eye of Sauron. Galadriel felt dark anger swell within her and she mustered up all the power she had and stood before the Eye.

"The time of the Elves is over; the Age of the Orc has come!" Sauron declared menacingly. Galadriel, however, did not agree with that.

"YOU HAVE NO POWER HERE, SERVANT OF MORGOTH!" She exclaimed, rising in the air surrounded by her blinding power, her voice booming. "YOU ARE NAMELESS, FACELESS, FORMLESS! GO BACK TO THE VOID FROM WHENCE YOU CAME!" With a final blast, the Eye went hurtling through the sky and away from all living things, for the time being. Galadriel returned to her normal self and collapsed, but Elrond caught her gracefully.

"We were deceived," Elrond gasped as she leaned against his leg.

"The spirit of Sauron endured," She gasped for air. "He will flee into the east."

"Gondor should be warned, they must set a watch on the walls of Mordor." Elrond advised.

"No, look after the Lady Galadriel. She has spent much of her power; her strength is failing. Take her Lothlorien." Saruman instructed. Elrond nodded begrudgingly, but Galadriel shook her head firmly.

"I must warn my daughter of these events. She must know what dark powers are seeking to devour her. Her greatest choice is fast approaching, I must go to her." She insisted. Saruman looked reluctant, but Elrond had always been closer to Galadriel and he nodded.

"I will see to it that you get there safely, and afterward you must rest in Lothlorien." He conceded. Saruman sighed and agreed, and Galadriel staggered into a standing position to start off for the Lonely Mountain with Elrond. She had much to discuss with her daughter.

Author's Note

I am sorry that it's been so long, but I had a seemingly never ending family emergency, and I am trying my hardest to get these chapters out for you. We are in the home stretch, based on my plan I'm thinking this story has about four chapters left before its end!

I am considering writing a sequel to this, so if anyone wants to give their opinion on that idea go for it! As always, please review, I love hearing your feedback!

Until next chapter!