The Future of Erebor

It was a few hours before dawn. Leah and Thorin were lying together on her bed, wound in one another's arms. Neither of them had slept due to the prospect of what was about to happen, but also the future that Leah had seen was swirling around both of their minds.

"You have endured so much for me over the years." What on earth did this statement mean? Ultimately, Leah knew that by giving her life to Thorin, it would not be easy. She sensed in her gut that there would still be challenges in their future - a Thorin from six years down the road didn't have to tell her that. A safer option would have been just staying in her home world, but her destiny didn't seem to want her to take the easy path. Safe and easy would have been just settling for a 'nice' man back in her world, getting married and having children with him, whilst working a simple nine until five job in an office. The powers above obviously didn't have time for that. Leah had been put aside to pursue so much more and actually make a difference.

Thorin had gone very quiet, Leah noticed. She shifted slightly to see that he'd drifted to sleep, his arms still encasing her protectively. Leah pulled herself from his embrace slowly, kissing him gently on the cheek. She took a moment to look at his face, still finding him incredibly handsome and to the point of making her tense whenever he appeared. They may have promised themselves to each other, but Thorin still made her stomach flutter and nervousness overtook her when he entered a room. At least for now, as he slept, he was at peace.

Leah got up, stretching her tired body. Mentally, however, she could not shut her thoughts down. Everything was raging around her head. Still dressed in a long nightdress, Leah disappeared through the door and decided to venture for a while, tracing the stone hallways. The atmosphere was clear and the air was cool, no signs of age or decay as she'd previously assumed there would be. Smaug had been housed in this area for many years and down below her, Leah could see the work which was going on to repair the damaged, and in some cases, completely destroyed pillars, walls and rooms. There was the sound of hammering, echoing and re-building went on into the early hours. The night group of workers took over at midnight, Leah had overheard Dain tell Thorin.

I'm going to rule this. Leah looked up at the beautifully crafted halls, gazing in complete awe at the handiwork of the dwarf race. She'd never quite seen anything like it back home; the architecture was magnificent. It made her wonder just how long it had taken to build Erebor into the mountain itself. The patterning which was etched into the foundations and the huge statues were astonishing in their detail and precision.

Suddenly a voice caught Leah off guard. "What are you still doing up at this hour?"

Leah shot around on her heel to see the round faced, red haired dwarf woman who had served her much of the afternoon. Her face was kind and her cheeks red, emphasising her good nature. Thick, curly hair framed her face and neck and fell down past her shoulders.

"I couldn't sleep," Leah said. "Too much on my mind to let me sleep. What's your name? I never caught it earlier."

"Neldra, Miss," the dwarf woman replied. "It was prophesied for many years that Erebor would be taken back, and now that is finally has, it is as though nothing has changed. There are still disputes going on between would-be rulers."

Leah put her arms over the stone balcony, looking down at the workers below who were tinkering at the stone. "I don't want to be a ruler, Neldra. I don't have any choice in this."

Neldra stepped up to Leah and looked at her with wide eyes. "There is always a choice, Miss."

"And if I don't take up the throne next to Thorin, he's already said that he will stand down. I can't be selfish enough to let him do that. I want to see him be the King. I just don't know if I can be a Queen. I saw my own funeral earlier and the way my children spoke of me, I couldn't believe that was me."

Leah noticed that Neldra never even batted an eyelid at the mention of seeing her own funeral. Was she aware of Leah's 'abilities'? "You can be any Queen you choose to be. And just by looking at you, I can see you'd be fair, never arrogant and maybe even work your way around Thorin at times to change his mind and bring a better change."

"You really think so?"

"My instincts are rarely wrong. I do not believe that Thorin is completely over his sickness, which also affected his grandfather, and he needs you at his side. Is there anything you may be needing? I really must be off now. I've chit chatted long enough."

"No, I'm fine. And, thank you," Leah replied with a smile.

Neldra bowed her head in courtesy and disappeared into the darkened halls, leaving Leah to her own thoughts. Those words of Thorin's sickness were stirring inside her, and she knew she had to be strong now. Thorin needed her strength. She sighed and felt tears fall down her cheeks and she wept. So much was resting on her shoulders now; if Thorin was still at risk of falling into his sickness, the future of Erebor was with her. She would have to act and King and Queen to make sure the kingdom remained safe. She'd seen Thorin before, affected by the Dragon Sickness, and it took away all reasoning. Greed, jealousy and wrath took its place.

Images of Thorin sat on his throne began to come forth, his head bowed low, clad in his golden armour with the crown upon his head.

You are nothing! She heard him shout. But then she asked the question, "what brought him back?"

And then the all too familiar white light and dizziness took hold, sending her travelling.

She opened her eyes to look upon Thorin standing in the centre of the hall, his eyes wide in panic and he seemed to be pulling himself from some unseen force along the ground, when suddenly he pulled the crown off his head and threw it across the room. But as he did so, he looked upon Leah. And in that second, his face changed, turning into a smile. "You came back!" he exclaimed.

Leah ran across the hall to him, stopping before his form. He was still smiling but seemed unsure of what to do next; he raised his hand and stopped. Leah knew that he had been in love with her back then, but she didn't wish to change their first kiss. It had been the catalyst for all the events which had come later; it was the dream that had been recurring for weeks afterwards. She took his hand and placed it against her cheek.

Then she took him into an embrace. "I love you, Thorin," she whispered to his ear. "I'll always fight for you. I'm just sorry if I don't always find it easy."

"My..." Thorin began; she could tell the deepness of his voice whenever he was about to say those words.

"Don't say anything. You'll see me again when you win the battle. Tell me then."

The bright white light took her again, and gradually she felt Thorin's form dissolving away from beneath her arms. She opened her eyes to find that she was back on the balcony, overlooking the workers. "My love?" a voice came.

Thorin was stood behind Leah, dressed in just his breeches. Her breath stuck in her throat momentarily as she looked upon his muscular frame, and she felt the fluttering in her stomach.

"Where did you go on this occasion?" he asked.

"How do you know when I've travelled?" Leah replied.

Thorin smiled. "I just know. You forget," he began, moving in closer to her and placing his hands on her waist, "that as my One, and I as yours, we have been bound in more ways than one. I can always tell many things from the set of your face."

Leah placed her hand against his chest, feeling a slight shudder radiate through him. "It was when you came out of the sickness."

"I thought that was the last time I would ever see you. You disappeared from my embrace, but I remembered your words. And held on to see you. You said you will always fight for me. Has something been said to make you utter those words?"

"No..." Leah said.

"I do not believe you. You fear that the sickness will come upon me again, don't you?" Thorin reached up and brushed her cheek with his hand.

Leah looked down. "I'm scared, but if it means I have to personally find the Arkenstone and destroy it, then I'll do it. I won't see that happen to you again. I'll lock away every piece of gold if I have to, Thorin." Tears were streaming down her cheeks again. "I will not watch you go through that."

"And that is the Queen who will be remembered generations from now," Thorin said. "You have the strength inside you, but you need to see past your fear and believe it is there."

"You know I'd never walk away from you. I've promised, and I'd never break that. It's as good as our wedding vows.

Just before dawn, Leah and Thorin dressed themselves ready for their departure, and went to collect the others. By now they were eager to leave and despite having already arranged to meet in the armoury, decided to get all the members of the group together.

Leah collected Fili and Kili, whilst Thorin went to find Gandalf and Bilbo. As Fili was leaving his room with Leah and Kili at his side, Neldra appeared. "I wish to be alongside you, Miss. I have trained in combat as a younger lass, and intend to be of service to you." She was dressed in a thick over jacket and breeches, and held an axe at her side. "I have even prepared food parcels for us; I snuck into the kitchens especially." In her other hand she held a large leather bag, which she raised for emphasis.

"How did you know we were leaving?" Leah asked, her voice becoming a whisper.

"I've heard you all talking, and I believe that no threat should come to the line of Durin. Thorin and your children should take the throne. That creature who has been the cause of so much destruction needs to be killed. I want to see his death."

Fili chuckled. "See? We're not the only ones who believe in you, Leah."

"Neldra, if you wish to come with us, then who am I to stop you? Thank you. It means so much to me," Leah said, looking down at the dwarf woman before her. "You're kind when you needn't be."

Leah caught up with Thorin, who had Bilbo and Gandalf at his side.

"Neldra wishes to join us and has put together some food," Leah announced.

Thorin looked at the dwarf woman suspiciously, not recognising her from anywhere before they'd arrived in Erebor the day previously. "And what has she done that would warrant my approval?" Thorin snapped.

Leah scowled at Thorin and stepped up to him, allowing them to be eye to eye. "Wanting to be with us and fight Azog should be enough, Thorin," Leah said boldly. "You're too suspicious of anyone you don't know. It's a wonder you even took to me."

A very slight smile crept onto Thorin's face at Leah's words and his eyes travelled down her face towards her lips. "If you trust her then I shall allow it, although grudgingly."

"You do most things grudgingly," Leah mocked.

The group walked as quietly as they could towards the armoury, noticing that there were very few guards on duty at that time. Once inside the armoury, the group dispersed to prepare themselves. Thorin already had Orcrist at his side and made sure he picked Leah's weapons specially for her.

"I am aware you do not know fully how to use a sword yet, but this one looks a trusty weapon," Thorin said, picking up a lighter sword which had runes etched into the blade. He then chose a belt and scabbard, tying them securely around Leah's waist. His hand stopped at her waist and he looked into her eyes. "Are you sure you wish to do this?"

"I'm sure," Leah replied.