The new chapter is here! Though there is a reason for it this time because I won't be able to upload anything on the weekend. So, I'll just give it to you guys now :D
Borys68: You are quite right, indeed. And after all, Amaroks can be quite wrathful ;)
Akilah Swiftblade: *snatches fish and runs away* I APPARENTLY JUST LIKE CLIFFHANGERS, SORRY, I'M NOT DOING IT ON PURPOSE! XD
kaia: There will be a slight (major) difference from the company's joining the war in this story from how it was in the book. I hope you'll forgive, and I hope you'll like :D You'll see what Tarya does :)
HeartofBruce: Oooh, thank you very much! I'm really happy you like the story so much! :D
Eruwaedhiel95: Aww, thank you so much! :D It always takes me a lot of time and effort to get the chapters exactly how I want them because it's not my native language, so I'm glad it's appreciated :D And don't worry, there are still quite a few chapters to go, though I have to admit we are approaching the end slowly but surely. But I'll warn you when we get too close :D
Also many thanks to ZabuzasGirl, Hiding in the Shadow and Dalonega Noquisi for your reviews!
And to those who followed and favorited!
I'll leave you to it, then ;)
Tarya was standing by the bannister by herself when she saw the darkness gather on the horizon, and she felt her stomach twist uneasily as the small hairs on her neck stood on end. She did not know what it was that was approaching but she could sense that it was bringing nothing but dread. And so she quickly rushed down to alert the others, and soon they were all gathered on the platform together, looking out into the distance.
"What is that?" Fili asked quietly from where he was standing beside her, though he didn't receive an answer, for none of them knew. Only when the wind that was now whooshing wildly and strongly over the lands carried over a scent that was unmistakable to Tarya did she finally speak up.
"Orcs," she breathed, feeling her heart sink, as she couldn't tear her gaze away from the horizon. The others shot her confused and disbelieving looks upon her statement. "Wargs and goblins, as well."
"This is impossible," growled Thorin as he looked at her and away from the darkness in the distance. Tarya returned his gaze evenly.
"Why should it be impossible? We knew that orcs were following us ever since we left Goblin Town. They have almost killed us in Laketown before we saw them going on northwards. They must have gathered in the mountains and now they are coming down on us."
Thorin looked at her silently for a moment before he released a deep breath. Tarya took a step closer to him, looking at him intently. "There is yet time to make council," she said, shooting a glance into the distant valley. "They are still at least a day's journey away, maybe less if they are riding on wargs."
Thorin was about to answer when trumpets sounded from down by the camps of men, and Tarya followed the dwarf-king's gaze as he turned his head, seeing a crowd of people hurrying up the narrow path to the mountain. Tarya recognized Gandalf at the front and she looked down at the wizard nervously as the group stopped before the gate. Beside the wizard, she could see a dwarf with a long dark beard and a very grim face, and she frowned shortly until she heard Fili's voice next to her once more.
"That is Dain," he spoke lowly, surprise evident in his voice as he looked down at the crowd. "Thorin's cousin from the Iron Hills. What is he doing with them?"
"Thorin!" Gandalf called up to them then and Tarya glanced over at the dwarf-king who had his arms crossed before his chest, staring down coolly at the people before his gate. "Surely you have already become aware of the darkness that is gathering in the distance. Orcs and goblins are approaching the mountain fast! There is need for council!"
Tarya looked over at Thorin, as he seemed to hesitate. His gaze was lingering on Thranduil and Bard who were standing near the wizard, but as he looked at Dain, his jaw clenched slightly. The grim dwarf then shouted something to the dwarf-king that Tarya did not understand, for it was spoken in Khuzdul. She shot Fili a questioning look and upon noticing it, the blond dwarf slightly leaned his head towards her.
"He says that the wizard speaks the truth and that war is upon us," he whispered into her ear uneasily and Tarya nodded curtly, bringing her gaze back to Thorin who sighed deeply, though he still seemed to hesitate. Tarya took a cautious step away from Fili who shot her a worried look as she stepped up to Thorin. The dwarf-king turned his head towards her upon noticing her approach and Tarya swallowed tightly as she held his gaze.
"You have to make a choice now, Thorin," she muttered, looking the dwarf-king straight in the eyes as he returned her gaze. "The time is upon us where we must all decide whose side we're on. I for one know whom it is that we should be fighting, and it is not the people that stand before your gate. You either barricade yourself within the dark halls of your mountain, or you will defend it and your kinsmen as a true king should."
There was a heavy silence hanging over the group as Amarok and dwarf looked at each other, and it was after another moment's hesitation that Thorin slightly inclined his head at her and Tarya watched as he turned to look at his companions.
"Open the gate," he ordered darkly and quickly the dwarves complied. They rushed down the stairs and to the front gate, Dwalin, Bifur, Bombur and Gloin making to open it. Tarya lingered behind, coming to stand next to Bofur as Fili and Kili joined Thorin at the front, flanking him to both sides. And then the massive doors slowly started to open with an almost deafening creak as stone rasped over stone. Tarya took a deep breath as the light of the sun filtered through the opening gap between the doors and she could see the familiar tall form of the grey wizard standing out against the light, casting a long shadow on the ground.
"I was starting to doubt that this door would ever open again," Bofur whispered from beside her and the Amarok just nodded silently in reply. She hadn't thought that Thorin would open the gate to men and elves freely, but the danger of an imminent war finally seemed to be enough for him to come back to some sense. She flinched slightly as Bofur nudged her gently, making her move forward a bit with him so they could hear better what was being said.
"You are suggesting that I participate in a council of war with the very people that stole from me," Thorin stated, looking up at Gandalf grimly. Dain muttered something into his beard, sounding very displeased with the notion as well. The wizard just tilted his head slightly in reply.
"I am suggesting that you lay your differences aside for the time being, for matters of greater importance have arisen. Matters that cannot be ignored and that need a collaboration in order to be dealt with."
"You are speaking of a war," Thorin concluded and Gandalf nodded in reply.
"It is inevitable now, I'm afraid," the wizard said and Tarya pressed her lips together as she listened to his words. "Azog and his son Bolg are leading an army of orcs and goblins towards your mountain. If we do not fight them, they will overrun us and win dominion over the North."
Tarya felt a low growl rise in her throat upon the mention of the Pale Orc's name and she watched expectantly as Thorin stayed silent for a moment, his gaze wandering over the people that stood before him as he thought. It was a few moments until he finally spoke, his voice deep and serious.
"So it shall be," the dwarf-king said. "No matter whom I consider foe among you, the orcs are the enemies of us all. I shall forget our quarrels for the moment and will agree to council with you. Dwarves will fight alongside men and elves, though you should not think for even one moment that this is more than a temporary truce between us."
Gandalf nodded, as did Bard and Thranduil. Dain still seemed rather unhappy, though he reluctantly nodded as well and Tarya released a deep breath of relief.
"Very well," Gandalf said. "Let us make haste and form a plan, for time is running against us."
Dain was the first one to step inside the mountain, the others following slowly as Gandalf led the way inside. The grim-looking dwarf embraced Thorin in a short but tight hug as a smile played beneath his bushy beard. Tarya watched as he greeted his cousin before his gaze fell on Fili and Kili who were still standing beside their uncle.
"It is good to see the line of Durin healthy and strong in their rightful home again, though I wish we would have met under more pleasant circumstances," the dwarf spoke, patting the two dwarf brothers on the shoulders heartily. Fili inclined his head in thanks as Kili just smiled silently. Dain let his gaze wander over the company that stood behind the three royal dwarfs then, nodding in appreciation. "To reclaim Erebor with no more than a company of thirteen… A great feat indeed, cousin!"
"A company of fifteen, actually," Bofur stated cheerfully from where he was still standing beside Tarya and the Amarok's eyes widened slightly as the dwarf-lord's gaze suddenly rested on her, seeing her for the first time. His eyes narrowed slightly as he became aware of her presence.
"I have heard of your burglar, the fourteenth member was a hobbit if I am not mistaken," Dain spoke. "Though you do not look like one."
"That's because I am none," Tarya answered quietly after a short moment of hesitation, shortly glancing over and catching Kili's gaze in the process. Even though he had not spoken much to her ever since their conversation on the balcony the day before, the young dwarf shot Tarya a reassuring look now. He hesitated a second before he stepped away from his brother and walked over to her.
"This is Tarya," Kili said, looking at Dain as he arrived at her side, placing a calming hand on her back. "She has joined us along the journey and has become our fifteenth member."
"It seems she has become a bit more than that," the dwarf-lord replied thoughtfully, looking at the way Kili was touching her before his gaze swept up to the braids in both their hair. Tarya felt the strange need to step away from the brunet dwarf under Dain's scrutinizing gaze, but Kili just brushed his hand up her back in reply to the dwarf's statement, placing it on her shoulder and squeezing slightly. Dain shot a short look over to Thorin who just crossed his arms over his chest, not saying anything as he returned his cousin's gaze evenly. The dwarf-lord nodded slightly.
"Very well," he smiled wanly beneath his beard, sending Kili and her a short look. "In that case, I am sure we will have time to get to know each other a bit better when this is all over, Tarya."
The Amarok just nodded in reply, managing to send the dwarf a small smile before he turned around and followed Thorin to where Gandalf had led the others. Tarya watched them go, a nervous knot building in her stomach as she thought about the battle that was descending on them quickly. As she felt Kili's hand slide down to her waist, pressing her slightly against his side, the only thing she could think about was that when she had joined this quest all these months ago, she had never imagined it to end in war.
It was already late when Kili walked through the dark corridors of the mountain. Fili and him had been asked to join the council of war during the day, and it had only ended about an hour ago. Together with Bard and Thranduil, the dwarves had made a plan to fight the oncoming orcs and goblins. They would separate into three hosts. The elves would man the Southern spur of the mountain while the Lakemen and half of Dain's men would be on the Eastern spur. The Company would man the very front of the mountain together with the remaining dwarves of Dain's army. They hoped to trap the orcs between them like this, attacking them from all sides. Though they did not know if their enemy was in sufficient numbers to overrun the Mountain itself. If they were, their plan would be perilous, and the orcs might be able to attack them from behind and above. But there was no time to make any other plan, for their enemy was approaching fast and would reach the mountain by tomorrow.
Kili had come out of council with a heavy heart, talking quietly to Fili about what would await them the next day already. None of them felt ready for war, even though they were both able warriors and had been trained for battle their whole lives. But this was not the same as a fight on the training field back home in the Blue Mountains, Kili knew, this was war. Death and peril were the faithful companions of war, a fact that burned in Kili's mind as he walked along the stone corridors on his own.
The halls of Erebor were now filled with dwarfs of the Iron Hills, the low murmurs of their deep voices echoing off the walls and filling the halls with life as they prepared to walk out into battle with them the next day. Most of the company was gathered in the main hall with them, enjoying talking to kinsmen after all this time of only having the same people around. Fili had joined Dwalin, Nori and Ori who had formed a little group of their own and Kili had lingered with them for a moment but not for long. In truth, there was only one person that he truly wanted to talk to at this time, and this happened to be the only one he could not spot anywhere in the hall.
And so Kili was now wandering the corridors alone, looking for Tarya without having a single clue where she might be. He just followed his nose, hoping that she had not gone too far from the others. He had pushed away his disappointment in her that had lingered ever since she had told him the truth about Bilbo's plan, any hard feelings about that now laying forgotten somewhere in a dark corner of his mind. For if this was the last night before war, Kili wanted to spend the remaining hours with his beloved, knowing very well that it might as well be the last time.
Kili wasn't sure how long he had been walking when he finally found her. More by luck than anything else, he turned his head to look into an empty room as he walked by it, stopping abruptly as he saw the silhouette of a small figure within it. The young dwarf quietly entered the room, frowning slightly as he saw that Tarya was sitting next to a wooden chest, her legs folded beneath her. The Amarok didn't seem to notice him as he walked up behind her, though he was sure that she heard his footsteps. As Kili looked over her shoulder, he saw that she was holding a small wooden object in her hands, her fingers carefully tracing over its details. Upon second glance, Kili realized it was a small figurine; a wooden toy bear that had surely once belonged to a dwarven child that had lived in these quarters.
He slowly crouched down next to her, looking at her from the side as her gaze was fixed on the toy in her hand. Kili didn't know what she was thinking, but her eyes were distant, as if her thoughts had carried her far away.
"Tarya?" he murmured quietly after a few more moments, and the Amarok blinked shortly as she was ripped out of her thoughts before she looked up at him. Kili gave her a small smile, glancing down at the wooden bear in her hands. "What are you doing here?"
"Thinking," she replied in a low voice, turning the toy in her hands as she spoke. She hesitated a moment before she sighed quietly. "I – there were too many people down in the hall… too many gazes and voices. I just needed to be somewhere quiet, so I came up here."
Kili nodded in understanding as he sat down beside her, shoulder to shoulder, and he watched as her fingers trailed lightly over the wooden bear's paws. Tarya stayed silent for a while and Kili waited patiently, knowing that there was more to her being here than simply the need to escape the mass of dwarves down in the hall. And his thoughts were confirmed when the Amarok eventually spoke again, her voice nothing more than a whisper in the quiet room.
"I'm afraid, Kili," she breathed almost as if in shame, her gaze set on the bear in her hands as he took in a deep breath. He reached out for her then, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his lap before she could protest. Kili looked up into her face as she avoided his gaze, her eyes still trained on the little toy in her hands. The young dwarf gently took it from her, causing her to glance up at him. Kili could see her eyes shimmering with a thin veil of unshed tears and he wrapped one arm tighter around her as his other hand reached up to gently grab her chin, forcing her to hold eye contact as he spoke.
"I am, too," he admitted lowly, letting his thumb trail softly over her jaw. He let his gaze wander over her face, taking in her beautiful features in the dimness of the room. "We are going to war tomorrow, Tarya, there is no shame in being afraid of that. We would be stupid not to be."
Tarya took in a shaking breath, her fingers digging slightly into his shoulders and Kili felt his heart clench at the sight of her distress.
"I have to admit, I am not as afraid of the battle as I am of losing you. And if I didn't know how stubborn you are, I would ask you to stay within the walls of the mountain tomorrow, safe from all harm," Kili muttered and saw Tarya open her mouth to reply but he just shook his head with a small rueful smile. "But I know that you would not listen."
"Because I would rather die by your side than live a life without you," the Amarok murmured quietly, and Kili shortly closed his eyes as he nodded. He could understand that, for he felt the same way about her. And even though he would have liked nothing more than to know her safe, he knew that he could not stop Tarya from joining the battle tomorrow. So he would not try.
"None of us will die," he sighed quietly, trying to convince himself as much as her. "We will get through this as we have gotten through everything else before."
"But if – " Tarya started, but Kili cut her off as he let his hand drop from her face to lay it on her waist, pulling her further into him.
"No," he interrupted sternly, the hand behind her back gripping the wooden bear tighter as he held it. He refused to think that he had no future with Tarya. After everything they had been through, he would not let their life together be taken away, not even by a war. The small bear in his hand suddenly felt heavy as his thoughts carried him to a future where she was his, truly and officially, where they had overcome all difficulties that life was throwing at them. A future where he would be whittling a small toy like the one he was holding for a child that was theirs, and he realized that this was what he wanted. He wanted Tarya; he wanted to give her a home, and have a family with her.
Taking a deep breath, he looked up at her as she still sat on his thighs, gazing down at him questioningly. She did not speak of death or war anymore, apparently sensing that it was not doing either of them any good. Kili swallowed tightly as he looked into her bright golden eyes, and he carefully put the wooden bear on the floor beside them before he placed both his hands on her cheeks, letting his thumbs trail lightly over her cheekbones.
"When all this is over," he started lowly, leaning in so his nose brushed lightly against hers. His stomach did a nervous flutter, causing the young dwarf to stumble on his words. "Could you… I mean - … would –"
He broke off, lightly shaking his head to focus his thoughts on what he was trying to say.
"What?" Tarya coaxed softly when he did not continue for a moment, and Kili sighed deeply, trying to calm his nerves before he slowly started to speak again. He could feel her warm skin beneath his fingertips, and as he looked into her eyes again, he tried to concentrate solely on that. On her being by his side, as he wanted it to be for the rest of his life.
"Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
Tarya merely stared at him for a moment as he looked at her expectantly, feeling his stomach do nervous twists as he waited for her to speak. Slowly, the Amarok lifted her hands from his shoulders, bringing them up to cup his face gently, her fingers trailing lightly over his stubbly cheeks. Kili leaned into her touch with a quiet sigh, holding her gaze when she finally answered.
"Amarok are not familiar with the concept of marriage," she said and Kili felt his heart sink at her words, his eyes widening slightly as he waited for a rejection, but Tarya continued before he could say anything. "But I do understand what it means to you."
"I am yours, Kili, now and for always," she murmured with a loving smile and Kili felt his heart flutter at her words. "I will never love another as I love you and I will stand by you as long as I live, no matter what. And if you wish to marry me, I shall be more than happy to be your wife."
Kili felt a happy smile pulling at his lips as he quickly pulled her flush against him and kissed her fiercely, chuckling into their kiss upon hearing the little surprised squeak that left her mouth.
Tarya sighed in content as she sank against Kili, revelling in the feeling of his strong arms around her as they kissed. For a moment, she allowed herself to push the worries and fears of tomorrow into a dark corner of her mind, instead enjoying the time that was still left until the next morning arose.
A soft groan left her as Kili's hands travelled from her face down to her waist, one arm wrapping around her and pressing her even further into his body. Tarya could feel his muscled chest against her soft one through both their clothes, and her hands found their way into his hair as the brunet dwarf let his tongue travel over her lower lip before she granted him entrance. A warm shiver ran down her spine as Kili deepened their kiss, and she couldn't quite tell whether the low moan that echoed through the room had come from her or from him.
Tarya held on to the dwarf's shoulders as he let himself tilt backwards, bringing her with him as he lay on his back. It was just a moment later that Tarya felt the room spin as Kili turned them around, never breaking their kiss as he now came to lie on top of her. One of his hands was still on her waist, squeezing gently as the other was placed next to her head, supporting his body as to not burden her with his whole weight. Tarya felt him press against her as he pulled away from her mouth, instead trailing numerous small kisses over her cheek and down her neck. Tarya closed her eyes as she felt his fingers pull on the fabric of her tunic, revealing her shoulder to him. Kili pressed another kiss to her neck before his mouth moved to her collarbone and Tarya opened her eyes as he kissed her there, long and intensely, no doubt leaving a mark that would last until tomorrow.
It was then that Kili lifted his head, his eyes shortly set on the mark he'd left on her before he gazed down at her with dark eyes. Tarya brought her hands up, softly brushing them over his cheeks as she smiled up at him.
"I love you," he breathed throatily, his gaze travelling over her face as if he was trying to memorize every feature it had to offer. "You have no idea…"
"I think I do," Tarya smiled gently, pulling him down to plant a soft kiss on his lips. "I love you, too, Kili."
The brunet dwarf sighed against her lips, placing another lingering kiss on them before he rolled off of her, pulling her with him. Tarya snuggled against Kili's side as his arms wrapped around her, his grip a mix between possessive and protective. The Amarok placed her head on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat and letting it soothe her. She did not know what horrors tomorrow would bring, did not know how all this would end, but she knew that whatever may happen, she would face it together with Kili. And that was all that mattered.
"You know, I think mother will have a heart attack once she joins us and finds out that her youngest son has gotten betrothed," Kili eventually spoke, his voice low and calm in the dim room. Tarya chuckled quietly, turning slightly so she could look at him. As her front was leaning against his side, half on him, she placed her arms on his chest and laid her head on them, gazing up at the dwarf that smiled warmly at her.
"Tell me about her," she murmured as one of his hands gently brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear. Kili grinned lightly.
"She's lovely," he said. "A bit headstrong, but who isn't in this family, really?"
Tarya grinned at that, tilting her head in agreement. "I'll fit in perfectly, then."
"Indeed," Kili chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest beneath her, making her smile. "You'll like her. She worries for me as much as you do. She thinks I'm reckless."
"I agree," Tarya replied, grinning as Kili feigned an indignant look at her. He wrapped his arms a bit tighter around her, smiling as she leaned into him.
"I guess she has never forgotten that time when I jumped down the butcher's roof back home in Belegost and broke my arm. My reputation was sealed that day," Kili said and Tarya raised her eyebrows at him questioningly.
"Why did you do that?" she asked in confusion, though she already had a suspicion as a cheeky smile came to play on the dwarf's lips. He glanced down at her, his eyes dancing with mirth.
"Fili bet I wouldn't dare to do it," he answered with a small shrug and Tarya rolled her eyes in feigned exasperation, not able to keep the small smile from playing on her lips. Kili chuckled quietly. "It cost me about two months of healing but him his wooden training sword."
Tarya shook her head with a smile before she placed it back on his chest, listening to him as he continued to tell her stories of his home, of his mother, of him and Fili and their antics when they had been children. The night passed as they talked, exchanging stories and kisses as they both tried to ignore the imminent threat of death as morning drew closer.