Kili felt several eyes looking at him intently, he swallowed hard and gave a weak smile. Thranduil looked at the two rangers, who nodded their heads slowly. His gazed turned to the elf warrior who sat next to the Duinedain called Daekano. He was intrigued at how she had become a friend with the Duinedain. Legolas's voice drew him from his thoughts,
"So we have a Nazgul prowling around the surrounding area."
"Correct, we lost sight of it about a day ago and have had no such luck in picking up its trail. It doesn't help when Gunabad orcs marched for Erebor." Daekano grumbled he placed his pipe down on the stone floor.
"Who or what is this Nazgul looking for?" Kili asked curiously.
"Perhaps it would be wiser to move inside Erebor." Gandalf said rising to his feet, "we could use some food and refreshments."
"I'll get the horses." Offered Sariawen and Daekano followed her.
When they returned they all made their way down Raven hill. There were fires burning in Dale and sentries could be seen standing on what had once been a glorious city before Smaug had ravished the city and tainted it with his hatred and lust for riches. Before the lonely mountain where tents made up of Iron hill dwarves led by King Dain. Tauriel had yet to be inside the great dwarven halls of Erebor, she had heard the wonders and splendor that it once held that was before Smaug destroyed and claimed it as its new lair. As they approached the dwarves watched the progression of elves, men, a wizard and a hobbit make their way towards the ruined gates of Erebor.
"Laddy!" Came a cheerful call.
Kili turned to watch King Dain approach a look of happiness spread across his face, "you're alive thank Mahal. I thought you were dead, causing trouble in his halls."
"King Dain" Kili replied, "I'm alive but Fili…." He choked on his words as he felt tears weld in his eyes.
"I know laddy, Thorin too is gone. Curse those orcs." Dain said laying a hand on young Kili's shoulder,
The shock of the realization was only now coming to Kili. He had felt unmeasurable pain as he watched that monster kill his brother and throw his body down the cliff. He wanted revenge and had nearly died, only to be saved and taken away by rangers.
"King Dain would you please join us inside?" Asked Gandalf breaking the tender moment.
Dain looked at the tall wizard and nodded his head. While he distrusted the elven king and his son he had respect for Gandalf the Grey. They entered inside and were met by Dwalin and Balin.
"Kili you're alive." They exclaimed together.
Dwalin raised his axe at the elven king.
"Master Dwalin, Lord Thranduil is here for official matters. As one of Thorin's closest friends I suggest that you and your bother join in our meeting" Gandalf said, sighing at the stubbornness of dwarves.
Dwalin glared at the wizard but complied and slowly lowered his axe. He followed them into the throne room which was deserted for the most part. Balin ran off to get some food and drinks for them all. When he returned Kili relayed the events and Balin cast long look at Chrisandir and Daekano.
"Duinedain here in Erebor" He mused, "I never thought I'd see you folk so far away from the North downs and Angmar."
"News of a Nazgul appearing in Angmar is most disturbing and tracking him here was even more so." Chrisandir replied, "We must discuss our next moves."
"Our next moves?" Thranduil questioned raising an eyebrow, looking curiously at the Duinedain captain. His eyes wondered to Daekano, in the well-lit room his eyes widen at something he saw.
Daekano had a leaf shaped pendent around his neck, a courting custom of the Rivendell Elves. It meant that an elf maiden had chosen him as a partner. Thranduil's eyes darkened slightly before he turned his attention back to Chrisandir.
"Yes our next move." Chrisandir stressed, "A Nazgul is not some orc warrior, it drives fear into ones heart and often causes them to freeze and flee in terror. While we can't kill them we can dispatch them, however it is easier said than done."
There was a small commotion as a few dwarves appeared carrying large platters of food and mugs of ale and glasses of wine. All discussion of the Nazgul faded as they all dug into the food. Daekano was thankful for the fresh, warm food that was entering his belly. He took a large sip of the ale and gave a satisfying sigh. Chrisandir was silent as he chewed on the juicy succulent pork, the warm bread and cheese. For the rangers and Sariawen who had been eating nothing but cold rations for the past two weeks this was a nice change.
"There are two barrels yonder." Balin chuckled, "the one on the right is ale the other is wine, and there are signs as well."
After they had all eaten a hearty meal they turned to see a yawning Bilbo Baggins. Gandalf chuckled softly
"Master Kili, I believe it would be wise for you and Bilbo to retire we have a busy day tomorrow, much things need to be placed in order."
KIli protested but after a stern look from Dwalin he shut his mouth and carried Bilbo to an unoccupied tent. When they were gone Sariawen spoke,
"Well played Gandalf."
"Thank you Sariawen, I'm glad to see one person appreciates masterwork when it happens." Gandalf beamed, "Daekano would you spare some pipe weed?"
"Certainly." Daekano was thoughtful for a moment, "would you prefer Longbottom leaf or old Toby instead of pipe weed?"
"My… what a selection" Chuckled Gandalf, "A little old Toby would be excellent."
He handed over his pouch as Gandalf filled his pipe and lit it. After a few moments he blew a beautiful smoke ring which floated up into the cavern.
"Now back to business, I think Thranduil has reached the same conclusion that this wraith is after the young prince."
Tauriel's eyes widen in fear at the news, as did Dwalin, Balin and King Dain's.
"Yes I reached that conclusion, Thorin Oakenshield is dead along with his successor prince Fili leaving young Kili to inherit the throne of the Lonely Mountain."
"Indeed, however I'm afraid that Kili will not be inheriting Erebor." Gandalf spoke drawing protests. Daekano excused himself as he went to refill his mug but before going he grabbed Sariawen's glass and went off whistling.
Thranduil seized this opportunity to ask a question that had been on his mind of late.
"I see that Daekano wears a leaf necklace, if my memory serves me correctly it is a gesture of being chosen, a token of courtship amongst Rivendell Elves."
Chrisandir smirked and Sariawen felt her cheeks flush deep red. She quickly composed herself and replied in a calm manner.
"Yes I am well aware. It has been a long tradition of ours. When we enter courtship there is an exchange, the female gives a leaf necklace that they are given at birth, their name is inscribed on it to the male, while he gives something in return."
"Do you know what elf would give herself away to a mortal?" Thranduil asked disgust was thick in his voice, he cast a sidelong glance at Tauriel who glared back at him.
"One who truly loves him." Sariawen replied frowning slightly wondering where the Elven-king was taking this.
"But a mortal? Someone who will fade away in a blink of an eye. They are like flies on the wall compared to us."
"I'll let you know that Daekano is a brave Duinedain, he can be rash and reckless at times but at other times a real leader, fearless, kind and compassionate." Sariawen retorted angrily, "Who would love someone like him? Me, an unworthy elf who still wonders why I deserve the love of such a person."
Thranduil was taken aback at Sariawen's words.
"I…" he paused as he watched Daekano returning, "This isn't over." He finished.
"What isn't over?" Daekano asked handing back a glass filled with wine to Sariawen.
"Nothing." Sariawen murmured.
Daekano cast suspicious looks at everyone, Legolas shifted his legs uneasily and refused to look the young ranger in the eyes. The dwarves were all looking amused and Tauriel had a curious and murderous look about her. Not sure what to do he took a large sip of beer and waited for Gandalf to continue talking.
"I know you dwarves will oppose this idea but please listen to me and only speak when I am finished." Gandalf glared at everybody, except the rangers, once he was satisfied that they would be compliant he continued to speak, "As I was saying Kili shouldn't inherit the throne, not yet. He is young and the actual prospect of him becoming king under the mountain were very slim as Thorin, had he lived, might've produces heirs. If he failed then Fili would take his place and his children after him. I think we should let King Dain here either become King under the mountain or act as a temporary ruler"
"What you say is right." Balin said after a long pause followed, "Kili is a great warrior, however he is young by Dwarven standards I fear he isn't ready for the throne. I agree we should think about Dain as becoming the king."
"If I may be so bold to speak my mind." Chrisandir spoke, "who becomes king doesn't really concern me. Nay we have more pressing matters. There is still Gunabad that must be dealt with swiftly before its forces can be built up again. We must also seal the passageway that leads to Angmar to stop orcs from Angmar aiding Gunabad. While it cuts us from retuning to Angmar quickly it means that the Nazgul is forced to reveal itself."
"Yes dispatching the Nazgul must be our top priority." Thranduil agreed.
"But what does it want with Kili?" Asked Tauriel.
"That I cannot say." Gandalf shook his head in thought and released another smoke ring into the air "in the morning I want to survey the area perhaps I can shed some light into our missing wraith."
They all stood and rose and King Dain marched off flanked by Dwalin he was giving orders for the night watch to be doubled and to tell Dale to do the same. Thranduil left with Legolas they were discussing something softly that no one else heard.
"Ah Lady Tauriel of Mirkwood would you be so kind as to take Sariawen into your care for the night?" Gandalf asked.
"It's just Tauriel, Mithrandir" She corrected, "I would be honored."
The three men watched as the two females wondered off leaving Balin, the two Duinedain rangers and Gandalf alone. They sat quietly everyone was deep in thought on the implications of a Nazgul in the area. Balin stood up, stretched then made his way back to the entrance of Erebor.
"How fares the north?" Asked Gandalf breaking the silence that had washed over them.
"It fares alright." Chrisandir replied, "However more orcs have been seen in Angmar causing trouble for our kindred."
"More foul creatures are seen and there is an uneasy, dark feeling that can be felt." Daekano added.
Gandalf nodded his head, "I can imagine that finding a Nazgul is disturbing. I'm curious to how you found out its name."
"It was an accident, our chase after the wraith led us deep into Angmar. We were cautious not to draw unwanted attention to ourselves. We stumbled upon an orc war party trembling with fear, they were discussing something intently and as we were fighting them they kept telling us that Valse would succeed."
Gandalf remained silent for the rest of the night his mind was going through all the reasons why a Nazgul would come to Erebor. There was something about Kili that it wanted, something that he couldn't put his finger on. It was frightening that the Duinedain had lost its trail. Daekano and Chrisandir wondered off to find a place where they could sleep.
Tauriel and Sariawen stood on the parapet of Erebor watching the glows of the numerous fires burning brightly. Neither of them were tired when they left the meeting and decided to watch the stars.
"How did you become friends with the Duinedain?" Tauriel asked curiously.
"When I was younger I wanted to explore our world. I was curious and spent hours reading about our world, about Rohan, Gondor, Bree and the Shire. When I was old enough I joined the military and became a warrior for I knew that the roads that I wanted to travel were not for the ill equipped. When I was three-hundred years-old I asked Lord Elrond where he would recommend me to start my journey and he told me to start in Bree, go visit the Shire and then try and find the Duinedain. I took his word and visited those places they were beautiful to see and explore. The Shire was nice and a beautiful area to visit, people were friendly however their lives seemed somewhat dull in my opinion. I had slain orcs that came down from the mountains and plagued the lone lands, I wanted adventure and the Shire couldn't bring me that. So I hung around Bree for a while and met a young Duinedain, Daekano." Sariawen sighed remembering those days.
"How old was he?"
"Daekano? Why he was only thirty at the time a young, brash and reckless ranger." She chuckled at the memory, "He was quite friendly and told me that he was returning northwards and that if I wished to learn more of the Duinedain that I should accompany him. So I did, he told me about himself and it was quite clear that he was smitten on me. I of course ignored him, I had no interest in him at the time…"
Tauriel laughed softly as Sariawen finished her tale, drawing a wide grin from her new found friend.
"Did he really say that?" Tauriel asked after she finished laughing.
"Yes he did, I was moved and after he nearly died for the hundredth time I realized that I cared for him more than just a friend."
"What did he give you?" The question puzzled Sariawen for half a moment.
"In the exchange you mean?" Tauriel nodded her head and Sariawen continued, "He gave me this." She pulled out one of her blades and handed it to Tauriel who inspected the craftsmanship.
"It's beautiful." She said turning the blade around she swung it around in an arc and admired the feel of the blade, "there's no name?"
Sariawen laughed, "He was unprepared when I gave him my necklace."
Tauriel laughed and smiled at Sariawen
"So you and Kili?" The question caught Tauriel off guard
"We're just friends." The words sounded so unconvincing.
"I'm sure." Sariawen replied, "I can tell there is something going on between you to."
Tauriel sighed, "I know Kili has deep feelings for me and I think I return them but I don't really know…" She frowned as she remembered what Thranduil had told her.
Sariawen remained silent she would help Tauriel if she asked but unless she did so she wouldn't interfere, it wasn't her place.
On the ridge that led up to Raven hill a patrol of men paused to take in the sight of their new home. They sighed wondering how long it would take for them to rebuild Dale and make it a glorious city once again. A sudden fear gripped their hearts and they all fell trembling to their knees. Out of the darkness emerged a figure. It was clothed in black robes its face shrouded in darkness. The faint light of the torch made the figure even more sinister. The men could only watch as the newcomer cut them down one by one. Once satisfied Valse looked down, he felt hatred rise in his chest as he wanted to tear this kingdom and claim it for his master. However there were those that lay within the mountain that posed a threat to his plan. He turned around and disappeared into the night.