Before I begin the chapter I would like to thank Stella Lestrange for following the story.

So here is Chapter 5. Enjoy!

Nori was worried. It had been a year since Erebor was reclaimed. Many would have thought that the Company's hardships were over, but quite simply life was easier when there were only elves, orcs and Smaug to worry about.

Nori was not one to show it though. He had perfected the art of hiding his emotions. It was all thanks to his profession to be honest. Dori liked to call it years wasted while practicing thieving. But Nori preferred the definition of years spent training to become a clandestine expert.

After his parent's death, Dori had taken over as the head of the family. Ori was but a babe at that time. Life had been very hard in those days. Now Nori loved Dori and Ori and he was also aware of how much his brothers loved him. He and Dori spent decades caring for Ori. When Ori showed interest in writing and becoming a scholar, Dori had gone to Balin and begged, literally begged him to give Ori lessons. Ori had always been a shy dwarf and his brothers would have him no other way. The quest for Erebor had changed Ori, but his shyness and innocence remained.

Nori remembered that when he began thieving, Dori had always been critical. Ori was just happy when Nori returned home, not really caring about what Nori did as long as he came home in good health, and that seldom happened. The good health part that is. Dori had always accused him of ruining their family's image and reputation. Many dwarves advised him to disown Nori, saying that it would benefit him and Ori as they would no longer have the burden of a thief to bear. But Dori had outrightly rejected such ideas, making it clear that no matter what his brother Dori would never abandoned him. True enough, whenever Nori was arrested (usually by that oaf- no, former oaf- Dwalin) Dori would always be there to bail him out of jail, no matter how much it cost him. Sometimes Dori would already be at the jails waiting for Nori to be brought.

During previous years, Nori resented Dori for telling him to stop thieving and calling it an indecent profession. He used to say that Nori was wasting all his skills and knowledge. Nori hated him for saying that, but now he came to realize that the only reason Dori said such things was because he cared for him and could not bear losing Nori.

Once he had confronted Dori, after Dori had put Ori to bed, asking him why he hated Nori so much. Dori had just smiled at him sadly and said that he did not hate him; he told him that he just hated Nori's ignorance and blindness. That enraged Nori, before Dori told him of what losing Nori would do to Ori and what it would do to Dori. But Nori was stubborn and kept arguing while Dori was patient and just kept absorbing everything that Nori said without retorting. After a while Nori noticed that there were tears rolling down Dori's face and that broke his heart. What had he been saying to his brother to make him cry so? To make matters worse, Ori ran from his room and stood in front of Dori saying that Nori was a bad dwarf to hurt Dori and that Dori always told Ori that he loved Nori and that Ori should also love Nori because Nori cared about them, before bursting into tears. At that point Nori also wanted to cry but he held it in. He decided to leave but Ori clung to him begging Nori to stay. Nori then embraced his brothers and wept along with them. It was that night that Dori openly told Nori that the reason he wanted Nori to stop being a thief was because he loved his little brother.

And Nori was ashamed that he had not told Dori that he loved him too, even years after that night. Finally he told Dori this before the battle. Dori had hugged Nori, obviously forgetting his strength again. Mahal, it was a wonder Ori was able to bear these hugs. But then again Ori had always been the strongest of the three even if he did not openly show it.

He loved Ori. He loved Dori. He trusted Ori. He trusted Dori. He could not live without Ori. He could not live without Dori. Ori was one-third of his being. Dori was one-third of his being.

Mahal, Dori had actually given up his One for Nori's sake. He remembered all those years ago in Ered Luin when Dori worked as a travelling merchant. Dori had raised enough money to make the family respectable again but Nori still stole. Then she arrived. A dwarrowdam from Grey Mountains. Dori loved her. Dori wanted her. Nori hated her, she hated Nori. Ori didn't care. After a few months of courting her, Dori expressed his desire to marry her. She agreed, but on one condition. She would tolerate Ori but Dori would live with her in the Grey Mountains or in Ered Luin without the presence of Nori.

When Nori heard about this he wept. He believed his family lost. The next day he went to the dwarrowdam and saw her packing her bags to return to the Grey Mountains disgruntled. Later Nori learnt that Dori refused to marry her because of her hostility towards Nori. Apparently Dori had told her that he did not need her love but he needed his brothers. He would rather die from Smaug's flames than leave Nori. He had told the dwarrowdam to fuck off. Yes! Dori! Dori, of all people had said that.

When Thorin expressed his desire to reclaim Erebor, Nori thought that his poor king had finally lost his mind after years of hardships. He was in no mind to accompany Thorin. He watched as his nephews, Fili and Kili joined him, despite Dis's protests. His closest friend Balin and the former oaf Dwalin too. Oin and Gloin then owed him allegiance. They were followed by Bofur who accepted Thorin's idea and all but dragged Bombur and Bifur out of the crowd (was it even possible? One dwarf dragging Bombur?). Then Ori, sweet yet foolish Ori declared that he too would go. Dori immediately volunteered so he could 'mother hen' Ori for the duration of the quest. His brothers were going. They might die. Was life worth living without them? Mahal, no. Nori was going with his brothers. If he fell, they would fall with him. If they fell, he would fall with them. But Nori made a vow. None of them would fall. Thank Mahal they recruited Bilbo Baggins. Wouldn't have made it pass the Trollshaw Forest without him. Now that would be embarrassing. But Nori should not forget that he was riddled with parasites.

Now coming to his worries. He worried that the Line of Durin would perish for Thorin, Fili and Kili had been mortally injured and that Dain Ironfoot would become King under the Mountain. Thank Mahal that all three of them pulled through.

Next he worried about Bilbo. He worried that the hobbit would wish to return to the Shire and leave Erebor. Nori had grown quite fond of the hobbit and his departure would mean Thorin's heart would be broken and also that Nori would lose the wager. Thank Mahal that Bilbo decided to stay. But Nori knew that had Bilbo gone back, the Company would forcibly bring him back. He even felt a song coming and that was unusual.

Far over the Misty Mountains cold

To valleys deep and hobbits old

We must away 'ere break of day

To find our dear beloved bowl

Bowl? It's supposed to be hobbit. Okay, Nori was not made for composing lyrics, that much is certain.

Anyway…

He was worried when Bofur left on that fools quest to hide the Arkenstone. The bloody idiot went all the way to Forochel! Forochel! I mean who does that? Well, Bofur obviously but that's irrelevant. Still he was relieved when Bofur made the most dramatic of returns. The whole year he worried that Bofur's hat would find its way to Erebor indicating its owner's death. But Bofur came back and brought a damn dragon with him. That also worried Nori. He was afraid that Caliuen would go all Smaug on them or something. But he saw Bofur's affection towards her and realized she was his one. He had been shocked to learn of her heritage. But as Nori's saying went 'The friend of my friend is my distant ally'. Thorin welcomed her claiming Eru had told him to accept her. Nori just decided to abide by it.

Now came the political problems. After improving his health, Thorin rewarded the Company. Fili and Kili were declared Heirs under the Mountain. Balin was made Thorin's Royal Advisor. Dwalin the Captain of the Guard, Oin the Royal and Head Healer and Gloin the Royal Banker and Head of the Treasury. Dori was made Master of Cloth and Trade and Erebor's trade ambassador while Ori was declared Royal scribe and Head Librarian. Bifur and Bofur were made the Mine Foremen and Royal Toymakers. Now that was just sad. Making toys for nobility but they seemed to enjoy it. Bombur was made the Head of Kitchens and the Master of Forges. To be honest, Bombur controlled more than half of Erebor. Bilbo was made an Honorary Lord while Gandalf, yes Gandalf, was declared the Honorary Wandering and Meddling Guest. Honestly, Nori had no idea what Thorin was thinking when he said that. What good is reclaiming the Mountain from a dragon only to lose it to an angry wizard? As for Nori? Well he was the Spymaster of course.

All these positions brought a lot of opposition. Firstly, the dwarves of the Iron Hills wanted Dain to be king or at least the Crown Prince. However Fili was Crown prince and Thorin king. This led to the dwarves spreading weird rumors about them, instigating revolts and chaos. Nori handled that quite easily but what if Dain himself joined the revolts? Nori knew that many of Dain's advisors wanted him to be King and of course they would be plotting to do so. So Nori was trying to prevent any progress for a damn conspiracy ring.

Speaking of advisors, Balin was also a provisional target. Dwarves attempted to use him to manipulate the king. Huh, good luck with that. But then there were the ghouls from Thror's reign who demanded they be reinstated as Royal Advisors. But Thorin refused and they had to settle for seats on the King's Council only. It would only be a matter of time before assassination attempts began.

Nori wasn't as worried about Dwalin though. Dwalin could hold his own and quite frankly every dwarf in Erebor with the exception of a lucky twelve feared him. Oin too was not in as much danger because rebels understood the importance of good healers and Oin was obviously the best of the best with the exception of Lord Elrond, Gandalf, tree-shagging Thranduil and the Witch of the Wood, Galadriel. Gloin also could hold his own and his lad Gimli, well that was backup if you need any alright. The lad swung an axe better than half of Thorin's personal guards.

He was worried Bifur may lose his temper as the previous Mine Foremen from Thror's time and older dwarves of the Iron Hills believed the position should be theirs. They thought of Bifur to be stupid as he could only speak in Khuzdul. However Bifur had infinite patience and him losing his temper was as likely as Dori becoming an assassin. He worried about Bofur because many believed him a traitor at having hid the Arkenstone and having forged a friendship with the Dunedain ranger's Chieftain. He worried about Bombur. The fat dwarf could easily be targeted but as he controlled the kitchens and supplied food, that was unlikely.

But most of all, Nori worried about his brothers especially Ori. He trusted too easily and that may lead to his downfall. It wasn't that he did not worry about Dori as well but Dori was no one's fool. He could hold his own better than anyone in Arda. Be at the wrong end of his slap and you'll be shaken for months. Nori remembered of how Dori had slapped him once. His jaw still hurt!

Nori worried about Bilbo. He knew that the hobbit and Thorin had feelings towards each other. He also knew that many dwarrowdams would try to catch Thorin's eye which incidentally was not going to happen because both eyes were firmly trained on the burglar. Nori smiled. He wondered if he should tell Bilbo that Nori had stolen and demolished Bilbo's Grandpa Mungo's chair. On a serious note, many would attempt to harm Bilbo either to clear their path towards the King or to hurt Thorin.

There was always the threat of folk with evil intentions from Dale coming to Erebor but Nori trusted Bard. He also worried about visiting elves. To be honest, the only times he felt comfortable was when the prancing prince ling Legolas Greenleaf or that Tauriel visited. There was the ever present threat of an invasion or attack.

But this was not his greatest worry. He worried mostly about something he had seen in multiple places in Erebor. It was a transparent white figure perhaps a ghost or some other supernatural spirit. But it created considerable tension. As far as he knew, and that was very far, this thing had only revealed himself to him.

Nori was sure that it was not from the world of the living. He remembered the words of Radagast the Brown. What sort of intentions did this creature hold? Was it a creature at all? Why had it revealed itself only to Nori? He hoped Gandalf would stop by so that Nori could ask him about it. But more than that Nori eagerly awaited the arrival of the elves of Lothlorien for he believed that the Witch Galadriel would be the best to ask for help.

Nori had never seen the creature's face. He first saw it deep in the mines. A pale figure floated through the mines and Nori followed it entranced. This happened quite a few times until Nori grew suspicious. Now he followed it only to get answers regarding what it was, what was it doing here and how to kill it?

Recently, he had been having some nightmares if you wanted to call them that. He found himself in a tower which was disturbingly similar to the dark tower of Barad-Dur. There he would see the figure from afar and it would say in a melancholic voice

The dwarf was hissing, its pride dented

The spy is rattled, its doom imminent

Join the force of Geytyar, and save yourself from impending doom

He would then see the creature extend a disheveled hand inviting Nori to join it. Before he could, he would see the Lady Galadriel not the Witch Galadriel who would say

Fret not, my dear Nori

For we all have something to fear

Join it and go to your doom

Fight it only with the power of the moon

For only you can save the wandering folk

From a foe invisible to those unseen

He would then awaken from the dream sweating and shivering. These dreams meant something and he would know only when Galadriel arrived. But Nori was the sharpest dwarf in Erebor if not the sharpest dwarf in Arda. This thing was the most important threat to the wandering folk, the dwarves he realized. Apparently only Nori held the power to stop it. That too the power of the moon, whatever the hell that is. But he assumed all this from the words of Galadriel in his dream. Was it a smart thing to do? Would attempting to end this foe result in getting his attention away from what goes on in Erebor?

Nah. He had a network of spies for such situations. Not just in Erebor, but some in Mirkwood and Dale as well. Yes, he worked with men and elves for that Nori believed was the only way to win. An alliance or preferably friendship with the other free peoples of Middle-Earth. The elves that worked under him reported similar sightings near the fortress of Dol Guldur.

This thing had an obvious connection with the fortress. He remembered the Necromancer. Was it related to this thing? Was this thing thee Necromancer? He would have to work with his spies in Mirkwood, Galadriel and unfortunately that loony Brown wizard, Radagast to find out. Oh, and a human of course. Because that is the only way to win. AN alliance of men, elves and dwarves. An unbeatable combination. A so far invincible combination. But would it always prove successful?

Maybe it would, maybe not. And that was what worried Nori.

I apologize for the rather short chapter but I wanted to continue Nori's plot with the arrival of Galadriel and other elves. Meanwhile I want to write something on Bagginshield is what the next chapter involves.

Anyway feel free to guess whom it was that Nori saw.

Please review

-The Noise of Thunder