Smoke and Mirrors

Fili tapped his fingers on his knee in thought. He narrowed his eyes at a tapestry of the sun and moon that hung in his aunt and uncle's room; why this piece he did not know. During a few short days, Amren, Lord of Belegost, had arrived along with Rorik, Lord of Nogrod. Most of the royal family had been injured during the Battle of the Easterlings, leaving most everything to Dís and Balin, who were all ready at their wits end with Amren's vicious pining to see either Thorin or Coruwen. Last time Amren was here, Fili about skinned him for his impudence. He was going to be good, and stay as far away from that man as he possibly could without hurting himself.

"You're going to lose," Kili taunted as he stared at the tapestry. Fili could not move to glare at his brother, but he silently did it. Why he engaged in Kili's silly little games made no sense to him. Out of nowhere, the door flew open with Dwalin standing in the doorway. "Hello, Mister Dwalin." Kili tore his gaze away, thus ending the game. Fili noticed that something was in Dwalin's hands. "What's that?"

"Where's your uncle, boys?" Dwalin asked urgently.

"With Coruwen," Fili replied quickly. Dwalin dipped his head to him, and left.

Kili glanced over at him. "Wanna go follow?"

Fili sighed, nodding. Kili leapt up, offering his brother a hand to help him up. His side had healed, but now it just ached. It was rather annoying when he tried to walk or move. Though it was better than being confined to a space with a broken leg, he thought. Together, the brothers ventured out of the room, following Dwalin's loud curses to a long corridor lined with various oak doors. The old warrior slipped into a door, leaving the door cracked open.

Big mistake to do with the sons of Dís following you.

Kili slinked in first and Fili after him. Coruwen was sitting on the edge of the bed in a morning dove grey dress with her hair braided back in various sections to cover the stark white bandages that covered her back. She looked up at Dwalin curiously as he held out an oblong, leather wrapped object to her. Her lean fingers hovered over the vermillion strings that held the leather loosely around the object. Her hand wrapped around the tassel and pulled it free of the leather. What was revealed shocked Fili.

A black scabbard embellished with gold markings depicting rising dragons with bronze fire leaping from their maws. A black leather wrapped hilt with touches of silver metal poking through the gaps before the pommel that depicted a jade green dragon eye.

"The Blade of the Dragon," Coruwen whispered wrapping her fingers around the hilt. The blade was pulled forth, quieter than the wind whistling through the trees revealing an ivory blade engraved Tengwar. Most likely the doing of the elves that had arrived beforehand. The ivory blade was in fact Smaug's tooth, polished and sharpened to a deadly point like a rapier. "It is light…"

"It is a dragon fang; do you think the bumbling creatures go walking around with a mouth full of iron blades?" Dwalin said as if it were obvious that it would be light. Kili snickered and Fili smiled at the cocky remark. Coruwen's melodic laugh reached their ears as she threw her head back in laughter. She hadn't laughed in a long time, at least to the point where her shoulder shook with mirth. Often, she would give bright smiles or soft giggles, but never had she truthfully laughed. Fili looked to Thorin, whose eyes brightened up as he smiled softly. The look of love was so bright in Thorin's eyes that it was like looking at another person. In one smooth motion, Coruwen handed the hilt back to Thorin, whose hand reached forward to take the blade.

The king's hand was not weighted down by the blade, nor did he even flinch when Coruwen's hand released his hand. Fili realized that Coruwen had handed the blade back to Thorin, but it was his injured side that had taken the blade. When Thorin had taken Orcrist, he flinched when the hilt lifted into the air. The blade was truly that light; possibly no lighter than a horsemen's blade. The king's eyes observed the blade, and one hand rose to run his fingers across the edge.

"A beautiful blade," Thorin commented proudly, "For a beautiful queen."

Coruwen smiled shyly at the remark, and took the blade back from her king. "Tis a mighty gift, and send my thanks to the smiths, Dwalin," Coruwen said with a bow of her head.

"One more thing, you two," Dwalin interrupted. The king and queen gave him a puzzled look. Fili took in a muffled, sharp breath as Kili's elbow dug into his side. The younger brother cast a look of apology over his shoulder as Fili poked his bad arm. Now, was a terrible time to get caught snooping. But, knowing Coruwen she knew they were there; curse her elf hearing and sight. "Amren and Rorik had been demanding a meeting with one of the two of you since they arrived, something is wrong in the hills."

Coruwen sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging a bit, "Let me deal with Amren and Rorik. Thorin is still unable to move very well because of his side," She stated. A growl of objection was heard from Thorin, but Coruwen shot him a scolding look. "Though I admit I am not in the best of health currently, but Amren is no doubt driving Balin and Dís insane."

"Short trip, in fact," Dwalin replied flatly. "I am half tempted to smash his skull in."

"That would not be very proper, Dwalin, and as much as I despise Amren and his ilk; I have to honor him as a lord." She said smoothly. Her gaze was quite firm with one hand resting the bottom of the black scabbard on the floor, her hands resting naturally upon the pommel. "Believe me, if I had my way of things, I would let you beat him into a bloody pulp."

"All you need to do is ask, you know."

"If he gets out of hand, I might just take you up on that offer." The queen's gaze fell on the door. "Boys, come out."

Fili's heart sank as Kili stood. Kili helped him up and he sighed. Slightly shocked and scolding looks were sent their way. Coruwen smiled knowingly at them, walking up to them. Her slender hand rested on their heads, giving their hair a ruffle. Kili veered out of the way, smoothing down his all ready mussed hair. Fili willingly took the affectionate punishment and he tucked strands of gold back behind his ears as they fell in his eyes. He kept telling himself he loved Coruwen, he loved her, yes; somewhere deep within his heart he loved her. If she had been around when they were little, they would have not gotten away with much.

"Boys," Thorin said with a tad bit of edginess coming to his voice. Kili's eyes went wide with his shoulders slumping a bit. Fili gripped his brother's shoulder to walk into the room. He sat on the edge of the bed letting out a sharp hiss of a breath. The pain in his side was growing from a dull ache to a sharp knife like pain. "You should be resting, Fili."

"Uh-huh," He hummed through his pain. "What have you been doing for pain?"

"Not moving to the best of my ability," Thorin replied simply. "Best have Coruwen take a look at your side when she comes back."

"How long is her meeting with Amren going to take, Dwalin?"

Dwalin let out a scoff, "Only Mahal knows."

Kili sat beside his brother, wrapping his good arm around him. He gritted his teeth with his hand pressing itself against his side. Damn Easterlings to hell… Had he not gotten cut, he wouldn't be in the predicament. But what could he do?

Coruwen joined Dain, who was ignoring the shouting within the confines of the meeting room. The lord let out a puff of air as they entered the room feeling tensions only being to escalate. The meeting room was a large room with long banners formed of metallic silver and white with the white stitching of Erebor's symbol upon them. Three hung on each side and parallel with its triplet. Six chairs sat before a large engraved granite table that was adorned with swooping knots that together, formed a triangular knot. Dain noticed the blade of the queen in her hand that was resting within the grip of a silver belt.

"Lady Queen," Amren started, placing his hand on the table. Amren was quite thin for a dwarf, his beard thin and colored grey from age with steely grey eyes set into a thin face. He was dressed in garbs of dark blue and bronze. "Where have you been?"

"That is none of your concern, Lord Amren," Coruwen replied in a firm voice as she came to sit at the head of the table. Dain saw that look of firmness in her eyes land on the lord, and slowly, he sank down into his chair. Dain came to sit at her right side with his axe leaning against the chair's arm. He noticed Amren did not carry a weapon, meaning he had never seen battle. Stupid, blind fool was what Dain named him.

On the other side of Amren, sat Rorik, lord of Nogrod. He was quite broad shoulder and scarred heavily from battle. Dain knew Rorik well enough to know that he was a dwarf after his own heart. He found it slightly hard to believe that Rorik and Amren were related; cousins in fact. Rorik was gifted with a beard of black with a single white strip below his bottom lip, and his eyes a light green that were bright with the flickering remains of youth's light. The Lord of Nogrod was dressed in red and white; the colors of Nogrod.

"Now, what is the reason you have been in need of me, Amren?" Coruwen stated, tapping her fingers on the stone chair's arm.

Amren cleared his throat, "You see, Lady Queen. My people have been seeing a great evil as of late. One of our elders has sensed a winged beast nearby the Grey Havens."

"It's not bats again, is it?" Dain asked, bored of Amren's fanciful thought. Winged beast? Those are impossible! Amren shot him a glare, but Rorik chuckled under his breath. "You told me once about bats, you were afraid they were going to eat you! They were merely fruit bats."

"They are not fruit bats, you idiot," Amren growled. "Should I remind you about your son's fear of the dark again?"

Dain's anger boiled in his veins. "Don't you mock my son!" He hissed as his hand curled into a fist out of anger.

"Gentlemen," Coruwen said over their anger with a hand gesturing to sit. She looked to Amren first, "Lord Amren, have any of your people seen this great beast, or heard it?"

"No, but we have heard its wings beating the mountain," Amren replied.

"Then it is not a threat should it only be passing by. It most likely is an eagle since Gwaihir hunts often in your land." Coruwen said smoothly. Her firm gaze fell on Dain, who felt small under her gaze. The look was identical to that of Thorin when he was acting as king. The aura of high order rolled off of her along with the aura of calm. She gave him a soft smile, but he could not decide if it was out of happiness or out of reprimand. Whatever the case, the smile of the queen faded as she sighed. "Now, Lord Rorik, what do you need my counsel for?"

"How did you know I needed counsel?" Rorik inquired, slightly dumbfounded. Coruwen leaned on the heel of her hand, letting out a quiet chuckle. Rorik let out a breath that became a sigh, "As my cousin speaks of darkness, as do I. A scream was heard late in the night of no earthly creature followed by a child's bloody scream. When we rushed to the aid of the child, all we found was a massive pool of blood along with a dagger hilt."

Coruwen's eyes went wide with intrigue and she leaned onto the table with knitted fingers allowing her chin to rest upon them. Dain, too, was intrigued by Rorik's claim of darkness, for it was quite horrific. Children and adolescents had been dragged off in the middle of the night by unearthly screams that struck fear into the hearts of many, and all that remained was a pool of blood along with a dagger hilt. Rorik brought forth a cloth that held one of the hilts.

Rorik slid it before the queen, who hesitantly removed the cloth to reveal a dagger hilt formed of worn cow leather and crude, dirty steel. Dain saw a strange set of runes upon the cross guard of the hilt which made her recoil.

"This blade is a Morgul-Blade, belonging to one of the Nazgûl. In fact, it most likely belongs to West man who became a wraith," Coruwen said covering the hilt once more. Dain saw pain flash in her eyes as the blade's hilt was covered again. "What you have been hearing is a wraith wishing to find his master, Sauron. The best course of action is to use fire and keep the children within an area protected by it. Wraiths fear fire along with water, and any element kept under the jurisdiction of the elves."

A shadow passed over Rorik's eyes. "My daughter, Sigyn was recently attacked by the wraiths and slain by them. I feel as if it was my fault she was taken and murdered in cold blood."

The queen bowed her head to him with a hand over her heart. "Then you have my condolences, my lord. To lose a child is most terrible."

Rorik bowed his head to Coruwen in respect. Amren rolled his eyes and Dain tapped his fingers on his axe's blade. He hoped Amren fell off of a ledge into the ocean. Or better yet onto the hilt of his axe. "We have heard news of the Easterlings attacking your city, my queen?"

"Yes, the Easterlings attacked us along with Lord Ironfoot when he was in the Iron Hills. If you desire to help us, then you have come at a bad time."

Rorik shook his head. "Though my cousin does not voice this, we know of the Black Easterling that arrived and attacked you along with the Elvenking." Coruwen nodded. "Where has the Nazgûl fled to?"

"Most likely to wherever Sauron is. I have been sensing great evil from the world for a long while, but the rising of the Nazgûl has just started recently, meaning something is wrong."

"What kind of wrong?" Amren snorted. "Elven prophecies are all false."

"By wrong, I mean war, Lord Amren. In suggestion, if you do not desire to have Lord Dain, or worse my husband, strangling you then keep your tone in check around me. I maybe an elf, but that does not mean you treat me as such." Dain mentally smiled at her reprimand. He would gladly choke Amren if she let him. "I am positive that would please him a great deal, and my husband would kill any man without a second thought should they threaten me. If neither does jump at you immediately, then I will am I clear?"

"I meant no disrespect, lady queen."

"Thank you," Coruwen let out a heavy breath. "Now, I do not when Sauron will proclaim himself known, but should he do so then war will spread across all of Middle Earth. No place will be safe, not even the city of Gondor will be safe."

"Gondor?" Dain asked in slight disbelief. "The city is a stronghold, it cannot be breached."

"Not without fire and steel, Lord Dain. I have a sinking feeling that war will come to the city when madness and a coward's meek shadow come forward."

"Is there such a man?"

"There are, but they must be poisoned from their heart outward until rationality is all but spent. The Nine are a perfect example; nine men gifted with Rings of Power doomed to die. Just as seven were made for the dwarf lords under their halls of stone."

"I remember those rings, they were vile things," Rorik muttered.

"The last dwarf ring bearer was Thorin's father, Thrain. The Grey Wizard, Gandalf, found his body in Dol Guldur tortured and malformed. He no longer took on the appearance of a dwarf lord, but of a creature whipped into submission by shadowy forces." Dain couldn't believe it; Thrain was tortured to death by cruel forces. He wondered what Thorin thought of that, or even if Coruwen had told him. Knowing her, she had and calmed his grief. Regardless, Dain's heart gave out a painful jolt at the news. The queen's eyes flicked over to him and they were slightly sympathetic. She placed her hands on the pommel of her sword, coming to stand tall before the three lords. "Now, is there anything else you need of me before I take my leave?"

"No," Rorik and Dain said.

"Lord Amren?" Coruwen inquired looking at the lord. Amren's hands tightened into fists, a signal to Rorik and Dain that something was wrong. The queen tapped her scabbard on the floor so it let out a soft crack. Amren jumped, releasing his tight grip. "What is the matter?"

"N-Nothing, Lady Queen," Amren murmured.

"Right, Lord Dain are you going to accompany me back?" She asked as she departed the hall. Dain glanced over his shoulder and then at the distraught Amren. He was torn a bit, but decided to stay with his fellow lords. He gave her a shake of his head, to which she bowed her head to.

Once out of sight, Amren collapsed to the floor in a heap causing Rorik to jump for him. Dain rose from his seat coming to kneel before the lord of Belegost. Amren twitched in short bursts as his hands curled inward so tight that the skin turned white. Rorik took Amren's arms, dragging him out of the hall.

"What just happened?" Dain asked indignantly as Rorik went in search of a healer. Dain knelt at Amren's head, pressing a hand against his forehead. The man was hot; ungodly hot as if he were struck by a fire. The Lord of the Iron Hills was dumbstruck, how could he be fine one minute and then be like this? "Amren, damn it, snap out of it."

"Step away from him," A voice shouted. Dain glanced up to see Dís and Oín storming up the stairs with Rorik hurrying after him. Dain did as he was ordered, allowing Oín to get a closer look at Amren, who was convulsing on the ground appearing like a fish out of water. Oín put two fingers to Amren's forehead, halting the dwarf's movement be sheer force. The healer hummed and removed his fingers. "He had a stroke, strange."

Dís eyed the healer curiously. "That is physically impossible, that is simply unheard of for our people." She said in a hurried voice. She was right; dwarves rarely had such problems and for one to have it meant something was gravely wrong. "Then again, Amren's people are of lesser descent."

"That would have nothing to do with it," Rorik snapped. Dís glanced back at Rorik, who had protective anger igniting in his green eyes. "Amren's descent has nothing to do with anything!"

"Rorik, calm down," Dain said. Rorik let out a short breath. "Oín, let me help you get Amren show where safe."

"Right, thank you, Dain," Oín replied with a short bow of his head. He hefted Amren up, finding him very light for a lord and followed Oín to a room where they could process over Amren's condition easily. He left Rorik and Oín alone with Amren to find Coruwen once more. In his search, he heard a strange, deep bark like cough emanating from a hallway. He poked his head around the corner to see Coruwen leaning against the wall with a hand over her mouth as she shook from coughing.

"My lady?" Dain inquired walking towards her. Coruwen gasped, trying to move away to hide her hand but coughed once more. Her shoulders shook from the cough and Dain reached up, placing a hand on her shoulder. "What in the world is wrong?"

"Getting over," She coughed. "Smoke inhalation." Her voice was hoarse from coughing, and he glanced down at her hand to see blood. His eyes narrowed up at her, forcing her to look away. "Do not tell Thorin, I beg of you."

"You're lying about the smoke," Dain said accusingly.

Coruwen calmed her rapid breathing by placing a hand over her heart. Dain had never seen her so pale before. In fact, she had lost all traces of color in her skin aside from the pink in her lips. She let out a breath that sounded like a wheeze. "If you tell Thorin, he will worry."

"And he has every right! You sound like you're dying."

"This can be calmed with medicine, but swear to me that you will not tell Thorin, at all," her blue eyes locked with his. Deep within, he saw great concern and the dire need of him to not speak a word. "Dain, please. I have told no one else of this matter, and I am placing my trust in you."

The drop of tone made his blood turn cold, and he dipped his head to her. "I swear to you that I will not tell my cousin of this matter." She smiled at him. "What made this come about?"

"I can only guess that I became prominent when I inhaled smoke in the battle against the Easterlings, but elves cannot contract this disease." The words became drowned out by the bark like cough, and the elleth fought each time she drew breath. "I was suppressing it by sheer will early on, but now it has gotten worse to where I have had to drink a medicine to control it." She covered her mouth as a cough came again and upon her hand came blood. He frowned at the sight knowing that if Thorin knew, he would no longer allow her any freedom. That was the way Thorin worked as any man would. Coruwen was Thorin's jewel, just as Florence was his. If Florence was stricken by this, she would be confined to his halls until her death came. This, in reality, no woman or man would want awaiting their death. "I am in belief that it came along when I gave away my immortality."

"You did that?"

"Aye," She said proudly. "Why would I not have?"

"Just curious to why you would do such a thing. I mean, elves pride themselves with their immorality."

"I do not believe that is true. Thorin is the man I chose to love, and I know he is aging thus I gave my immortality to a necklace that he wears around his neck. It will prolong his life until I die."

"Then what?"

"Age will take him eventually after I pass away."

"So, by all rights you are mortal?" Coruwen smiled sadly at the floor as she curled her bloodied hand. Dain's heart gave out small sad twinges throughout him as she bowed her head in agreement. "Love makes fools of even the elves, eh?"

She walked out of his line of sight back to Thorin and the boys with a strange, strong gait. He would not tell anyone of what just occurred; in fact he would take it to his death if it was meant so. The queen of Thorin Oakenshield had bade him to tell no one; not even her husband, whom she loved dearly enough to give away that which her people prided themselves with. She was strong, but in a far different way than he would have guessed.

Fili wiggled beneath Kili's gentle touch as he prodded the stitched wound on his side. The door opened as Coruwen reentered and the dwarf heir's heart let out a sigh of relief. Her blue gaze fell on his current state, and she looked at Kili curiously. Coruwen released her blade, setting it beside Orcrist, so she could come to his side. Fili felt her cold hands touch the stitched wound with gentle fingertips that made him wonder if she was even touching him.

"It is simply healing, Fili," Coruwen told him as she passed a hand over his gold hair. He picked up his head, placing it in her lap. Her thin fingers ran through his hair, slowly untangling his braids that he had loosely made in his half awake state that morning. He shut his eyes at the touch, but listened to her speak with Thorin about Amren and Rorik.

"Rorik has been hearing the Nazgûl of the West late in the night, according to him Sigyn was killed by them," Coruwen stated in a semi hushed voice. Fili didn't want to hear that at all, Rorik's daughter, Sigyn was quite nice when they were little, and in fact they had met upon several occasions when Belegost and Nogrod would hold meetings. In an attempt to hide from the sound, Fili buried his face into Coruwen's dress. He heard her sigh, passing her fingers through his hair again. "I threatened Amren since he refused to listen to me during the meeting."

"What did you tell him?" Thorin inquired.

"I told him that should he speak ill of me or of our family that I would either let you or Dain hunt him for sport. That or I would personally allow his blood to be the first my blade ever touched." Coruwen replied with a small huff of anger.

He heard a chuckle come from Thorin, and he internally smiled. Serves Amren right to be put in his place, stupid lord of Belegost anyhow. He felt something nudge his head, which made his eyes open. The light burned for a second when he looked up. He could see the darkness of his uncle's hair in the background that was blurry, but above him was Kili's dark brown head trying to push him out of the way. Fili wasn't going to let Kili take all of Coruwen's attention. Deep within his chest, he growled.

Coruwen giggled and placed a hand on Fili's forehead. She had both of her nephews' heads in her lap as she spoke to Thorin. Her beloved smiled softly at the sight of the boys, and he rose to come to her side. When she saw Kili's breathing deepen, she looked to Thorin, who was stroking Fili's head with the back of his hand.

"Thorin," Coruwen said quietly. The king's attention glanced up from Fili to her curiously. She was going try to speak to him in the language of her people in the hopes of the boys not hearing. "Do you ever desire children of your own?"

Thorin narrowed his eyes out of puzzlement, which then became overwhelmed by a grave sorrow. She slid Kili's head off of her lap so she could reach for him as he became quite solemn. He looked to Fili. "It has passed through my mind as the ages have passed. The boys are as close as I can come. But in my heart, I wish for children I can call my own. The boys have done that and then some with ease."

She was surprised he managed that much of her mother language. She took his face with one hand bringing his cobalt eyes to her own. They were so dark with self grief that she could not bear to look upon him in this state. Coruwen placed a soft kiss on his forehead. In that brief moment, he shut his eyes accepting the gesture as one of love. She agreed with his statement, for in her heart she desired children of her own. Fili and Kili had become adopted sons in her time with Thorin, and were even thus when they weren't bound by marriage or any ties other than friendship. She had remembered several of her friends back in Lothlórien becoming married and bound at a young age, even younger than her, and carrying children within them after being married for a few years. Her memory drifted to when she walked outside with her father one day and saw a young elfling playing with their father. The sounds of the elfling's laugh plucked several unused heartstrings.

"Coruwen… What is wrong?" Thorin asked.

"You and I agree upon the matter then," Coruwen replied softly as she wound her fingers into Fili's gold mane of hair. She had delicately unraveled his braids thus allowing it to be free of its bindings. "Even when I was with you on the adventure here, the boys still treated me as if I were their own aunt."

"They love you," Thorin said simply, reverting back to the common tongue. "Just as much as I, but in a different regard." His voice was les gentle as it was earlier, it was quite firm. Her heart hurt hearing his tone change that quickly. She shut her eyes for a brief second, feeling a cough come forth from her lungs. She prayed to the Valar she would not start coughing again. Coughing hurt and tired her greatly. "I did not mean to hurt you…"

"What do you mean?"

"You are clearly unsettled by me," Thorin walked toward her taking her chin with two fingers. "What have I done to upset you?"

"You have done nothing."

"Coruwen, tell me." He took her hand in his, placing it over his heart. Within, she could feel his strong heartbeat which was so familiar to her now. The look in his eyes was pleading for her to tell him what was wrong. He trusted their spiritual bond, which surprised her. Maybe it was because he had lost her for now the second time because of a Nazgûl. "Love, speak to me…"

"I keep hearing a child's laughter in my mind. One that I heard long ago with my father, and now that I think about it. It makes my heart ache," Coruwen whispered. Thorin kissed her knuckles, and then raised her hand to his forehead. "Do not let it bother you; it was only a silly thought of mine."

"It was no mundane thought," He lowered their conjoined hands, his thumb gracing the ring upon her right hand. His eyes were still shut with his thoughts slowly piecing together. "To be graced with a child would be most gracious, but our kinds cannot mix in that way. You told me yourself. It can never happen."

The firmness returned to his voice as he walked away from her. Coruwen could sense his grief through her spirit, but could do not deny that their kinds could not mix that way. Her gaze fell on Fili, who was asleep in her lap with one hand flopped over the side of the bed's edge. She wondered what it must have been like to have these two as young children. No doubt they were mischievous and rambunctious. She twisted strands of gold blonde hair around her fingers weaving them into messy twists that would unravel as soon as she released them. She felt something nudge her hand; she looked down to see Kili's face tucked beneath her hand like a small puppy or kitten. A soft smile came to her lips as she stroked his hairline.

"Dís used to do this with them," Thorin stated from his chair. Orcrist was resting beneath his hand like a scepter while his other hand was curling around the arm of the chair. She saw his jaw tighten as he moved Orcrist around to rest on the side of his chair. His side was in pain again… "Fili has become rather attached to you as of late."

Coruwen played with strands of Fili's hair flipping them into his eyes. "He is my lion prince, just as you are my dragon king," She teased. Thorin leaned on the heel of his hand averting his gaze from her. "Thorin… I only tease."

"You've said millions of times…"

"You protect me like a dragon protects a jewel." She knit her fingers loosely together with the tips resting on Fili's shoulder. The dark blue eyes of her beloved flicked over to her. "Hence the nickname, love." She saw him roll his shoulders a bit as if he were writhing. "Come over here and rest; you are clearly causing yourself distress."

"I am fine," Thorin muttered.

"Thorin, please, you are only going to cause yourself more discomfort." He stood, slightly hissing under his breath. She reached out for his hand, which he took. She slid Fili's head off of her lap to move to the other side of Thorin. He sat where she had previously been with her sitting behind him. "You and Fili will end up causing yourselves more harm by the end of this."

"I suppose we deserve it, after getting caught by those damn Easterlings." Her fingers graced his jaw drawing his gaze backward to her face that was lined with concern. Still her touch made fire spread across his skin, though it was nowhere near as strong as it once was many years ago when Erebor was still in shambles. He had contended with Thranduil possession of her, which made him feel slightly childish when he thought about it. Her arms wrapped around his waist with her hands resting over his heart. She laid her chin on his shoulder and her gold hair brushed up against the back of his neck. He flicked his gaze over to her as best he could, meeting her blue eyes which were innocent and pleading him to rest. He placed a light kiss on her temple, which she responded with a soft kiss on his jaw.

"You need to rest," She said gently. The care and gentleness of her voice made a cold shiver race down his spine. Her heart was in her eyes as she spoke to him. "Do not worry about our people, for I will keep an eye on them."

"What of your back? Does it not hurt?" She placed a finger against his lips to shush him. He could still see the lingering love for him glowing in her eyes and he did not speak when she removed her finger. One slender hand slid from around his waist so it could take his face. Her hands were soft and smooth despite wielding a bow for years.

"It hurts, but I ignore it. I ignore it because I have people who need me," She told him. "You are in no shape to be running around for extensive periods of time. Let me handle everything for once, I beg of you."

"You did it earlier, what harm could it do?" He whispered. Thorin glanced down to see her right hand resting on his waist. Upon her right band was a single gold band with a simple diamond set into it with the engravings of a dragon's jaws opening just before the jewel. His band held the same engraving but no jewel. He felt her lips press against his cheek softly before she slinked away from him. He watched her leave the room, but he heard frantic words coming forth followed by her firm voice. He picked up the conversation between her and Lord Rorik, but what little he caught was hurried and full of panic.

"Amren… fell down and became ill," Rorik said frantically. "I cannot leave without Amren; it is out of the question."

He heard his wife's voice become gentle telling him to find Dain or Dwalin. A series of footsteps was heard behind Coruwen's voice nearing his room. The steps seemed familiar, but belonged to no dwarf. His eyes narrowed at the doorway when he caught sight of silver blonde hair and dark green. Thranduil stood in the doorway with his attention turned over his shoulder at Coruwen. His mind reverted to old ways when he hated that elf. It was his fault his wife was still injured because of Khamûl. He withheld his deep desire to stab the Elvenking in the back when Coruwen appeared.

"The Lord of Belegost had a stroke," Coruwen stated with her gaze falling on him. He narrowed his eyes at the statement finding it hard to believe. He shook his head, but she shut her eyes for a brief moment. "He is currently a catatonic state."

"Then what of Rorik? Amren's wife will skin him if Amren is not brought back to Belegost," Thorin replied. "She will worry."

"Do not tell her right away then," Thranduil interrupted. Thorin turned a dark gaze to the ellon. "Glare at me if you will, King under the Mountain, but what will you tell the Lady of Belegost? You cannot expect her to let her husband's state to simply slip away."

He bit the inside of his cheek to prevent dark, foul curses from slipping free. He desperately wanted to chew out Thranduil for such an insolent remark. Coruwen glanced at him, and then back again before she shook her head at him. The look she gave him was one of slight reprimand.

"Thranduil, Thorin I beg you not to fight right now," Coruwen said. Thranduil looked down at her quizzically. "Watch your tongue when it comes to the affairs of my people, Elvenking."

"Of course, my lady," Thranduil muttered. The elleth disappeared out of sight heading up the steps of the corridor to find her advisor and sister in law. Thranduil took a hesitant step inside the room, giving the king a grave look. "Khamûl has been sighted heading towards Dol Guldur."

"And this concerns me, why?" Thorin replied shortly as his side gave out a painful twinge. "My people are in a state of panic still because of the Easterling attack… You wish to hinder me with simple things like that?"

"Listen for one moment," Thranduil stated sharply. The edginess in his voice made Thorin growl because of the elf's attitude. "Your people cannot hide forever especially with your wife. She will be hindered should the Dark Lord rise again."

"Thranduil do not spout lies…"

"Am I not; I care for your wife as one of my own children. Sauron's minions would not be called forth once more if he wasn't planning on rising again. Mithrandir and Radagast both have battled against the Witch-King of Angmar and they have seen Sauron in a semi corporeal form named the Necromancer. Sauron is alive, Thorin, son of Thrain. My people have suffered because of his dark prowess, and your people are going to suffer because of the Easterlings. We need to put this stupid rivalry aside…"

Thorin looked up at the Elvenking in shock. He had held a great grudge against Thranduil, but to put it aside for the sake of their people's lives… Was an idea that never crossed his mind. The Elvenking's green eyes were stricken by a deep grief. In his heart, he felt the need to put aside their differences. It would be good for both races, for one way or another they would have to end up working together to stop the impending darkness should it arise.

"I will gladly put it aside," Thorin stated. Thranduil stared at him in shock. "What must we do?"

Thranduil bowed his head to him. "Great King under the Mountain, you are most venerable. We shall wait until the world has begun to take its first breath before we think of taking action."

"And when will that be?"

"I do not know, for the Istari surely do not. Should Sauron anger me enough, I will cast him out of my forest since he has tainted the tree of my father with his poison."

"Understandable…"

Far to the west lies a great, ruined fortress upon the Amon Lanc with a mighty winged beast sitting precariously upon the top with its long, silver scaled tail wrapped around the tip of a tower. The creature's leathery wings were folded against its back in rest with its long, neck curled in a slight u shape in slumber. Its wedge shaped head was patted by a slender, metal gloved hand. A figure, tall and broad, sat in a throne formed of pillars. It wore a long black cloak with one eye staring out into the world. The cloak was still, but the hand swept back so it could cradle the figure's head. The figure's eye was amber with flecks of fire red and it was no human eye. It was the eye of a great Maia that watched a second cloaked black figure come walking towards it.

The second figure bowed low with its black cloak pooling at its feet. "We serve you, my Lord Sauron," The figure hissed with the s sounds becoming elongated like a snake. Eight other figures stepped free of the shadows like phantoms taking corporeal form. "Command us."

The serpent with wings raised its mighty head and let out a grumble deep within its chest that sounded like gravel being crunched by horse hooves. The creature's master raised his hand pointing to the West.

"Ride," A third figure chirped.

The second figure turned on his heel and stormed out of the fortress. "Find the Ring," It hissed. "Do not stop until it is found."

A/N: Hope you guys liked it, and I would like t hear from you guys what you think!

Please review!