Chapter 15
Kili let out a roar and leaped to Primrose's side.
"Uncle! No! You will not throw Primrose over the battlements," Kili said.
He grabbed Thorin and threw him away from Primrose sending him crashing into the wall behind them then caught hold of Primrose wrapping his arms around her, holding her safe. Fili stood in front of them protectively his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Have you taken leave of your senses? Primrose is your niece in law and my wife. We will leave as you said," Kili said.
He had decided he would rather leave if that would keep Primrose and their child safe.
"Get out of my sight. Both of you and don't show your faces here again," Thorin said coldly, getting to his feet.
Kili set his face and turning his back on his uncle led Primrose from the battlements. Fili following. The rest of the dwarves had watched in silence and looked aghast.
"Are we really leaving?" Primrose asked.
"Indeed we are. Uncle has lost his mind as we feared he would. We may have won the mountain back but Uncle seems set on making sure that no one else gets the treasure within. He is making the same mistake as Great Grandpapa made," Kili said.
"Smaug said that the Arkenstone would drive Uncle mad. He was right," Primrose said.
"I don't want to leave here but I don't know what else we can do," Kili said.
"We can go and join Thranduil and Bard and see what happens," Fili said.
So the three made their way out of Erebor and down to the tent where Bard and Thranduil were making council. There they told Bard and Thranduil what had happened.
"It is as we feared. Thorin has lost his mind.
"There is more I must tell. Thorin has exchanged messages with his cousin Dain via ravens and he and a host of war hardened dwarves are marching to engage with you at this very moment," Fili said.
Primrose looked aghast and wondered if war was inevitable and wished that Gandalf were there as he would know what to do. Suddenly an old man who had been sitting in the corner of the tent stood and cast off his wrappings. It was Gandalf. Neither of the two dwarves or Primrose had paid him any attention as they had assumed him to be one of the men from Lake Town.
"You have done very well Primrose," Gandalf said.
"This is no place for Primrose. Not in her condition. Not if war is upon us," Kili said.
"You must return to the mountain. I think you will find that Thorin is regretting his words and actions," Gandalf said.
"We will return tomorrow. That will give Uncle time to cool off and regret what he said and did," Kili said.
"Agreed," Fili said.
"If you go to Dale you will be given lodgings and food for the night," Bard said.
"Ok that sounds like a good plan," Kili said.
He and Thranduil arranged for an escort for the dwarves and Primrose and assured them that no one would attack them.
"I'm scared Kili, what if there is war. I'm in a very delicate condition," Primrose said, during the walk to Dale.
"You will be safe within the mountain," Kili said.
"What about you and Fili. You will have to fight. Won't you," Primrose said.
Kili and Fili looked at each other not knowing how to answer that. Erebor was their home so they would have to defend it if it were under attack.
"I don't want to lose you. I couldn't bear to lose you," Primrose said to Kili.
"Hopefully it won't come to that," Kili said.
The two continued to talk softly until they reached Dale. There they were shown to quarters and discovered that Alfrid, The Master's counsellor, had survived Smaug's attack on Lake Town. After Kili and Primrose had entered their quarters they discussed their situation and that of the people of Lake Town who had survived.
"I think the women and children should come to the mountain as they would be safe there," Primrose said.
"Uncle probably won't allow it. Unless he is back to his old self," Kili said.
"I am hoping when he realises how close he came to killing his great niece or nephew that he'll snap out of it and will return to his normal self," Primrose said.
"Me too and you're right the mountain is the safest place for the women and children," Kili said.
The next morning Kili, Fili and Primrose set off for the mountain along with Gandalf. The evening before Legolas and Tauriel had arrived in Dale with the disturbing news that an army of orcs headed by Bolg was marching on the Mountain.
"Dain will have to join with the men and elves and fight the orcs. They are our common enemy," Kili had said.
Fili and Primrose had agreed with this assessment as had Thranduil and Bard.
"Uncle will also have to put aside his differences with the others. The mountain must be defended from the Orcs," Fili said.
Primrose realised there was no question now of whether Kili and Fili would fight. She gripped Kili's hand tightly and smiled at him hoping to reassure him.
"When this is over, and our child has been born we will return to Hobbiton and see your uncle," Kili said.
Primrose nodded. He was talking as though he would survive the coming battle and that reassured her.
"Don't be afraid Prim. Both Kili and I are formidable warriors. We have trained for this since we were very very young," Fili said.
Primrose nodded and then she gasped seeing a dark cloud drawing nearer and nearer. As it drew close she could see that it was bats.
"Azog too is leading a host. The bats fly above them to keep the light out," Gandalf said, "We must hurry to the mountain at once," he added.
The four made haste and reached the mountain just as Dain's troops also arrived. At first it seemed that they would enter battle with the men and elves but Bard and Thranduil rode out to meet Dain asking him to meet with them. At the same time Thorin had come down to meet Gandalf, Kili, Fili and Primrose. Gandalf told Thorin what was happening and Thorin immediately told everyone to come inside the mountain.
"You two get into armour quick," he said to Kili and Fili.
"Can the women and children of Dale shelter here? They won't be safe in Dale," Primrose said.
"Tell them they can come here," Thorin said to Gandalf who departed immediately. Thorin followed Kili and Fili without a word to Primrose. Clearly he was still angry with her for her betrayal of him. Primrose went to the battlements to watch for the women and children so she could greet them when they arrived. The other dwarves greeted her and told her that she had done the right thing taking the Arkenstone and giving it to Bard and Thranduil.
"Aye Primrose undoubtedly Thorin wouldn't have given Bard or Thranduil their share of the treasure. He has no choice now though," Balin said.
"It was sad seeing his grandfather deteriorate into madness. I feared Thorin was going the same way but he seems to have snapped out of it now," Dwalin said.
He and all the other dwarves were in armour and seemed to be ready to fight. Looking out from the battlements Primrose could see the elves men and dwarves lined up to fight and the orcs and Goblins approaching them.
A short while later Kili and Fili joined them clad in battle armour and carrying swords. Kili looked magnificent in blue armour and Primrose smiled at him.
"You need to stay down inside the mountain no matter what happens. Stay with the women and children from Dale. I can see them coming now," Kili said.
He kissed Primrose softly and she hugged him not wanting to let go. She was still very frightened that he might die.
"I will be fine. I promise. I will come back as soon as the battle is over. I promise," Kili said.
Primrose nodded.
"Fight well my love. Show them that the line of Durin is not so easily broken," Primrose said.
She let go of Kili and slowly made her way down inside the mountain, tears pouring down her cheeks. It felt as though her heart was breaking as she didn't know how Kili would be able to survive. Many would die that day she knew that and there was every chance that her Kili might be one of them. Undoubtedly Bolg and Azog would be looking to kill him and Fili and Thorin as well to end the line of Durin. The women and children of Dale arrived then including one old woman who wouldn't show her face. When Primrose finally persuaded her to show her face she discovered it was Alfrid. The coward had dressed like a woman to avoid fighting in the upcoming battle.
"Get out and fight," she screamed at him, "My husband could be dying out there and you… you're hiding away too scared to fight. At least my Kili is brave enough to fight. If he dies because of your cowardice I will never forgive you," Primrose screamed.
The other women and Primrose drove Alfrid out of the mountain and once he was gone Primrose busied herself showing the women and children to quarters.
Most of the children were upset, worried about their fathers who were out fighting in the battle. Primrose helped their mothers comfort them, hiding her own fears as best she could. She then went up on the battlements to see what was happening. A terrible battle was being fought and there were bodies everywhere. Primrose retreated inside and sat with the other women. They could hear the sounds of battle and realised they would have to wait it out until the sounds of battle ceased. Primrose shared with the other women about how she'd met Kili and their wedding and her subsequent pregnancy. Some of the women wanted to go and fight alongside the men but Primrose felt that that wasn't a wise idea.
"Well it's better than sitting here and doing nothing," one woman said.
"Who will look after the children if you go and fight?" Primrose asked.
That was something the women hadn't thought about. As the day wore on and the sounds of battle continued the women shared stories and comforted each other. Primrose's thoughts were never far away from Kili and she constantly wondered what he and Fili and Thorin were doing and if they were still alive. Finally the sounds of battle abated and Primrose went up to the battlements to see what was happening and for the first time had reason to feel positive. The orcs and goblins were fleeing and men, elves and dwarves were chasing them. There were still many skirmishes going on but Primrose could see Tauriel approaching the gates so hastened to make her way down there hoping Tauriel had good news.
When Primrose reached the gates the other women were behind her also eager for news of their loved ones.
"We need your help. There are many wounded. Can you come and bring bandages and other supplies," Tauriel said.
"Yes of course," Primrose said.
She and the other women hastened to collect the necessary supplies then headed out through the gates to attend to the wounded. Primrose was hoping to find Thorin and Fili and Kili so she left the other women attending to the wounded and began to search for the two. After a short search she found Thorin. He was lying on his back in a pool of blood and was still alive but only just. He looked up as Primrose came up beside him.
"Primrose it is good to see you. I go now to the halls of waiting to sit beside my fathers until the world is renewed. As I now leave all gold and silver and go now to where it is of little value I wish to take back my recent words and actions and part in friendship with you. If Kili is still alive please look after him and keep him safe," Thorin said.
Primrose clasped Thorin's hand and smiled at him.
"All is forgiven dear Uncle. I am sorry that your time is at hand but I am glad that we are parting as friends," Primrose said.
She held Thorin's hand as it grew limp, tears streaming down her face, her grief overwhelming her. A short while later Kili who had been searching for Fili and Thorin came upon the two. Exhausted and tired he could only stare in disbelief at Thorin's body before joining Primrose his tears mingling with hers.
"H… have you seen your brother?" Primrose asked.
"No I haven't. Have you?" Kili asked.
"No," Primrose said.
"We must search for him. He is now King under the Mountain. But first I must strip Uncle of his armour and weapons. It is our custom. And I must send word so his body can be taken back to Erebor and prepared to lie in state," Kili said.
Some other dwarves had arrived on the scene and after stripping Thorin of his weapons and armour Kili had them transport him back to the mountain.
"Now we search for Fili," Kili said.
The two returned the way they came and began a careful search for Fili. He had become separated from Kili during the fighting so it would not be easy to find him. Finally they spotted him lying very still face down. Rushing over to him Kili carefully turned him over then looked at Primrose, tears running down his cheeks.
"My brother… my brother… why Mahal why," Kili cried out, collapsing beside his brother.
His body shook with sobs and he refused to be comforted. Primrose was devastated as well and she began to sob again. The two held each other close as they cried for Fili and for Thorin. Finally Kili slowly began removing Fili's armour and weapons tears running down his cheeks. It was the hardest thing he had ever had to do.
"Mahal should have taken me. Not him," Kili burst out.
"Don't ever think that my love. What would I do without you?" Primrose asked.
The two discovered that Fili had been stabbed through the heart. Death would have been instant for which both were thankful. Fili would not have suffered any pain.
"Did… did Uncle suffer before he died?" Kili asked, afraid of the answer.
"He was still alive but barely when I found him. He apologised for his recent actions and words. He may have been in pain but I don't know. He had many wounds which he was bleeding from," Primrose said.
"Mahal he must have suffered greatly," Kili said.
He began to cry again the mere thought of his uncle suffering upsetting him greatly.
"He is at peace now my love as is your brother," Primrose said softly.
"Mama will be devastated when she hears the news," Kili said, through his tears.
"Mahal Kili I've just thought of something. Both Uncle and Fili have passed to the halls of waiting. Have you realised what this means?" Primrose said.
"What does it mean?" Kili asked.
"You're the King. Thorin's crown passes to you. You're Kili, King Under the Mountain," Primrose said.
"What?" Kili asked, looking very confused.
Primrose realised that he wasn't taking in anything she said so gently assisted him with Fili's armour and weapons.