Fire and heat licked against skin.
Gold burned and shimmered.
Big, gleaming, coal black eyes seared with hate and greed and fury.
Scales gleamed redder than the fire.
Claws reflected the flames brightly, too brightly.
People screamed.
Ovila just stared with an open mouth and eyes wide with fear. Her hands shook, scrambling for the weapons she never went far without, but she was in her nightgown and she was alone but for the horrific beast bearing down on her. Its wings reminded her of bat wings, but bigger than her house and Kili's put together and she couldn't move. Her feet felt as though they'd been welded to the ground and her legs felt weighted with lead. Terror made it hard to breathe and her hands frantically searched for something, anything, that could be used as a weapon, but she was completely unarmed and she didn't know what to do.
The dragon let out a deafening, screeching, hair raising roar and, with its mouth an open, gaping, red cavern, it rushed towards the Dwarven girl. She screamed and finally regained the use of her legs so that she could run. The gold kept moving beneath her feet, though and the coins slithered out from underneath her and left her to scramble desperately for balance. She was whimpering like a frightened babe, grasping uselessly at whatever she could in a vain hope of claiming her balance back, and tears pooled in her eyes and blurred her vision. Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest and she cried out as she fell down the mound of gold and towards the waiting mouth of Smaug the Terrible.
With a final scream, Ovila jerked upwards and the dragon and the gold was replaced with the dim, early morning light filling her normal bedroom. She just gasped for breath, hand against her heaving chest, hazel eyes wide, and she knew she would never get back to sleep, just as she hadn't for the past two months. So, the blankets were thrown back and her nightgown was discarded to be changed into breeches and a tunic with a belt fastened tightly around her middle. The usual braids were quickly put into her hair, her favourite two axes hung from her hips, and she took her leave. Her feet were stuffed into her well worn boots and she left the house to walk through the quiet streets of her home.
Dark marks coloured the skin beneath Ovila's eyes and her skin was paler than it normally was, due to her lack of sleep lately. If she wasn't thinking about Baltil, she was dreaming about Smaug and the destruction he had wrought and still could. The signs may say to go back to Erebor and claim it for their own, but her instincts and her heart screamed against it and she resented Thorin for taking so many she loved and cared for on this death wish of a quest. It worse that she was being left behind and would have no idea what was happening to those people, even Thorin. Thorin may be her biggest enemy at the moment, but she still respected him greatly and still wanted him to be safe so that she may call him her King one day. The dark feeling that settled in her heart gave her doubts of her ever bending the knee to Thorin and she just prayed that she would, at least, call Fili King and Kili Prince.
"Ovila," a voice called and Ovila paused, shaking away her thoughts, as she turned her head to see a gently frowning Balin. "You're up early," the elderly Dwarf observed and Ovila managed to flash a quick smile. "Are you training with Dwalin?"
"Not today; he's helping Fili, Kili, and Ori prepare for Erebor," Ovila answered as she approached Balin and inclined her head politely. "I thought I might see if there are any jobs that could take me away for a few days," she answered, not realising that was what she wanted until she'd said it, and concern deepened the creases in Balin's face.
"You can't run from your fears, Ovila child," Balin said gently and Ovila averted her gaze, ashamed. "I know Thorin forbade you to join the quest or follow us," he stated and a sharp frown abruptly took over her expression. "You need to trust those you love."
"I do," Ovila wanted to sound defiant and firm, but the words came out tired and almost defeated. "It happens to be others I don't trust."
Balin had to smile slightly at that and he reached out and squeezed her forearm. "Then trust that Kili loves you enough not to leave you alone," he said softly and a hard lump formed in her throat. "I have to get to the Academy, but feel free to drop in if you ever feel you need a little quiet," he offered and took his leave.
Ovila watched Balin leave and she sighed roughly, rubbing a hand down her face. She had no doubt that Kili would do all that he could to return to her, but the question of it being possible weighed heavily on her mind along with something else: would a butcher's daughter truly be permitted to marry a Prince? Kili, Fili too more than likely, would fight for her, would fight for them, but Thorin might change his mind about the appropriateness of her marrying his sister-son and want a political marriage for his younger nephew. That thought threatened to break her, above all else, seeing Kili sharing his life with another, giving another children, calling another his wife, frightened her and, despite how she knew Kili would vehemently deny any such thing happening, it still terrified her.
Caldin frowned as Ovila and Kili argued outside the house and their voices were loud enough to carry inside. They were fighting about Erebor, which was all they seemed to do nowadays, and Thondi glanced uncertainly at the window to catch a glimpse of the pain on both the young Dwarf's faces. As the days went past, the closer the departure date got, the harder it got for the pair of them and they were struggling to work out how to cope with it all. Thondi looked away when she saw Ovila punch Kili's shoulder and Kili winced and put a hand to the abused spot. He softened when he saw the helplessness fill her eyes and she suddenly wrapped her arms around his middle and hugged him tightly.
With a soft sigh, Kili rested a hand on the back of Ovila's head, threading his fingers through her blonde hair, and she had to squeeze her eyes shut tightly to prevent tears from escaping. Her fingers curled into the back of his shirt and her face pressed into the crook of his neck with whispered apologies tickling his skin. He knew most of her anger was bluster and fear, words spoken without meaning, and he knew how scared she was about him, Fili, Ori, and everyone else leaving. Nothing he said made it easier, nothing anyone said made it easier for her, and he didn't know what to do to make her happy again. It felt like it'd been months since he'd seen her happy and he smoothed her hair down with another sigh.
"Will you marry me?" Kili asked abruptly and Ovila's head snapped up so fast she almost headbutted him.
"What?" she spluttered and he grinned at the startled expression on her face.
"I want to marry you and call you my wife, is that really such a surprise?" Kili laughed and Ovila stared at him, eyes still moist. "We could arrange everything before I leave," he suggested with a grin and she suddenly felt very choked up.
"You want to get married in Erebor," Ovila argued in a surprisingly soft tone and Kili pressed his mouth onto hers in a light, gentle kiss.
"I do, but you're...tense-"
"So you think marrying me is going to take care of that?" Ovila interrupted and Kili winced, realising his fatal misstep. "Promise me one thing," she said suddenly and he was shocked at the lack of anger in her face, rather worry shone in her eyes. "We will get married in Erebor," she said quietly and he frowned slightly. "You'll get through this stupid quest and we'll get married, no matter what anyone says."
"No matter what anyone says?" Kili repeated. "Everyone that matters supports us."
Ovila hesitated, biting her bottom lip, and then she forced herself to smile. "Yes, of course," she murmured and Kili didn't quite believe her. "I'm just so scared and so worried about you all leaving and kind of angry that I can't go too, so getting married will probably make that even worse and we should wait, do it properly," she stated, resting her hands on his chest, and she kissed him before he could see that her smille was strained.
"Are you sure?" Kili frowned and Ovila just smiled and pulled him inside for dinner.
As she turned her back on him, her smile faded to be replaced with an uncertain expression.
Gold burned and shimmered.
Big, gleaming, coal black eyes seared with hate and greed and fury.
Scales gleamed redder than the fire.
Claws reflected the flames brightly, too brightly.
Fire and heat licked against skin.
Ovila could only scream and watch helplessly as Kili was engulfed by the flames.
And I live. Thank you so much for your continued support, I deserve none of it, but thank you and I hope you enjoy this latest installment :)