Chapter Twenty
Four months later…
Erebor.
Frerin and Thror recovered amazingly well after their injuries, now they are up and moving again. Thror had been assigned to over see the miners, while Frerin had been supervising those working in the forges to keep them busy. Cyril had been waiting patiently for her husband and the others to return home. That same day, Dis entered Cyril's chambers. "We got a letter, its from Thorin!" Dis announced waving the parchment in her hand. Cyril took the parchment, and read it.
Dearest Cyril and Dis,
We are heading our way home now, as I finished this letter. I will inform you all that I found out from Gandalf. The news is quite dire, and its best for me to tell all of you in person. How are the twins, are they recovering well? I miss you very deeply, and we'll be home soon.
Love always,
Thorin
Cyril smiled as she read the letter, but frowned again, as she wondered how bad the news was that Thorin had found out. Four more weeks went by, Thorin and the dwarves arrived, as Dis and Cyril greeted them. She noticed there was one dwarf missing from the group, which was Gimli. "Where's your son, Gloin?" asked Lady Dis. "He's going on a quest with four hobbits, Legolas, Thranduil's son, and two men and Gandalf. It has to do with Bilbo's ring, which now his nephew has." explained Gloin.
Cyril remembered Bilbo mentioning having a nephew and heir as well. Although she had never met Frodo, she felt very worried for Frodo and the hobbits, realizing this quest they're going on is far dangerous than anyone imagined. Cyril then turned her attention to Thorin, and she hugged him tightly. "You looked distressed, my love! What concerns you?" asked Cyril. "Lets talk about this inside, shall we?" asked Thorin. Cyril nodded.
Later that same evening, everyone gathered in the private living area, and Thorin spoken to them about Sauron's rise again. "But he hasn't been seen in years! How can this be possible?!" exclaimed Nori. "He's after Bilbo's ring, Nori." said Thorin. "The poor lad.." said Dori. "Bilbo is fine, he is safe, he is in Rivendell, and he no longer has the ring in his possession, as he passed it on to Frodo." said Thorin.
And Thorin continued explaining the quest to the dwarves. "You cannot send a hobbit to Mordor! He'll never make it!" shouted Nori. "Nori, he was chosen to do this, and like his Uncle, he is brave. I've met the lad myself, he's not such a bad little chap." said Thorin. "He's not going alone is he?" asked Bofur. "No, he's not going alone. Gimli has volunteered to go, alongside with Thranduil's son, Legolas, and two men, Boromir of Minas Tirith, and Aragorn." said Thorin.
"Aragorn, Isildur's heir?" said Bombur. Thorin nodded. "What about the orcs then? Are we safe?" asked Dwalin. "For the moment yes. But Gandalf informed us to stay on high alert, and make sure Erebor is heavily guarded. We have sent word to Brand, to keep Dale and Lake Town heavily guarded as well." said Thorin. Everyone nodded. "Cyril, where are Thror and Frerin?" asked Thorin. "They're in their room resting, dear." Cyril replied.
Thorin nodded , and he left the room and headed towards the twins room, to speak with them. Later that evening, Thorin returned to the chambers, joining Cyril in the bed. Thorin climbed into the bed pulling Cyril into his arms. "They are happy to see me, and we talked quite a bit. For now on, they will not leave the Mountain unless I say so." said Thorin. Cyril agreed with that.
Three years later…
Age was taking its toll on Thorin and Cyril both, as well as their health. It was the same time that Thorin had been still mourning for the deaths of his closest friends, Balin, Oin and Ori. One day, word had been sent to Thorin and Cyril of the elves leaving Middle Earth, and Bilbo and Frodo were the two whom also be going with them. Thorin turned to Cyril. "Cyril, we must join them." said Thorin. "Thorin, why can't we just continue our lives here, and pass on naturally?" asked Cyril, as she sat in her chair, sewing.
"My best friend is going to leave, I will never see him again." said Thorin sadly. "Oh, Thorin!" said Cyril gently, placing her hand on the dwarf's shoulder. "I'm torn in two, Cy. I don't know what to do now." said Thorin. "Thorin, we should go." said Cyril. "What shall we tell the family?" asked the dwarf. "We need to tell them gently and delicately. Especially your sister." said Cyril. "We will make the announcement tonight." said Thorin. That same evening, Thorin and Cyril both made their announcement.
When they did, the one whom had taken the hardest was Lady Dis, whom felt enraged of hearing this. "I will not let you go, Thorin, neither of you!" bellowed Dis. "My dearest sister.." began Thorin.
"Thorin, I understand you miss Balin, Ori and Oin, but aren't you going a bit extreme?" asked Dis. "I am not going extreme!" snapped Thorin. "I won't let you leave us! And that's final!" barked Dis. "Look at us, Dis! Both of us, are up in our years now, and haven't much longer to live. We both had agree to choose to finish the rest of life in Valinor with Bilbo." said Thorin, and he turned away. Dis stood and bowed her head. "Oh, that's it is it?" said Dis.
"My dear sister, continue with your life. You have Fili and Kili too look after, and their children, and our children, and their children after them." said Thorin gently. "Excuse me for a minute, while I have a talk with Fili and Kili alone." said Dis. Thorin nodded, as he watched his sister walk over to her sons. Thorin turned his attention back to Cyril. "What do you suppose Dis is talking about with Fili and Kili, Thorin?" asked Cyril. "Not a clue, Cy." sighed Thorin.
Later that same evening, Cyril had finished her packing, as well as Thorin. "We will leave tomorrow morning." said Thorin. Cyril nodded. Suddenly, the door of their chambers opened. Lady Dis entered. "You're not going alone." said Dis. Thorin and Cyril looked at Dis in surprise. "I'm coming with you." said Dis. "But sister-!" began Thorin. "I've made my decision, nadidith!" said Dis.
Later that day, Thorin, Dis and Cyril announced their farewells to the family, and it felt quite bittersweet. The ones whom took it the hardest was Thror, Frerin, Fili and Kili. After the bittersweet farewell, Thorin had decided to leave that very night, to save from causing any more pain and sadness than they have already. It been days since they had traveled, and saying farewell to Erebor, just as they left.
During the few times they had stopped to camp, it was usually after Dis and Cyril went to sleep, Thorin would stay awake at night, plucking and strumming on his harp gently. He had a sheet of parchment and quill sitting out next to him, as he was working on composing a song. A new song of their latest adventure. Thorin decided to sing it once they reach Harbor, when they sail out. There were a few times Thorin would get stuck on a few lines, but he continued composing, words continuing to flow from the quill onto the parchment.
Four days later, they arrived at the Harbor. They could see Gandalf, Lady Galadriel, Lord Elrond, and Celeborn, alongside with five hobbits, one of them, Cyril and Thorin both instantly had recognized. "Thorin! Cyril!" exclaimed Bilbo. Thorin and Cyril approached the hobbit. "I'm so glad to see you, my old friend!" said Thorin, as both hobbit and dwarf hugged.
"Are you ready for another adventure, you two?" asked the hobbit with a grin. "We're more than ready!" said Thorin. "Wait!" called out a voice, as everyone turned and see Lady Dis running towards them. "And you're bringing your sister? This is a surprise!" said Gandalf. Dis laughed. "Life will never be the same without my brother, Tharkun!" said the Dwarf Princess. "We are leaving, Come!" said Celeborn. Thorin, Cyril an Dis followed the elves on board, and they observe the bittersweet farewell between Frodo and his friends.
Bilbo stood as he watched Frodo being the last one to aboard ship. Soon, the ship began to move. Thorin turned to everyone and he announced that he had finished a song he had composed on the way to the harbor. Thorin brought out his harp, placing it on his lap, as he began to play and sing. The words is beautiful, and he sang of leaving his old home, he worked hard to reclaim, and to begin a new life as age had taken over.
Everyone sat and listened attentively, and Cyril however, smiled, wiping a tear from her eye. Bilbo grinned. "Is that where you learn your songwriting skills from Uncle?" Frodo whispered. Bilbo smiled and shrugged. "Maybe." the hobbit replied.
When the song ended, there was a long applause afterwards. Cyril approached Thorin, wrapping her arms around her husband. "Now, we finish the last stages of our life together, as husband and wife." whispered Cyril. "I wouldn't have it any other way!" said Thorin smiling at Cyril, as he leaned towards her, brushing his lips onto hers, embracing her in a deep, passionate kiss.
END