Author's Note: I'm rather satisfied with this chapter. :D

Chapter 41-The Silver Pool

Saliva dripped from the orc's teeth as it rushed at her. Dark blood dribbled down its sword and all around her, the agonized screams of battle echoed off the sky. She raised her sword and felt it fly out of her hand. The orc grabbed her about the throat and lifted her. It brought its snarling teeth closer.

Her eyes popped open and she stared at the darkness above her. Her breath came in short gasps and she felt her hands clenching at her sides. She lay there for a moment, the images still echoing through her mind.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to unclench her fingers.

An eternity passed as she squeezed her eyes shut and tried not to think. She forced herself to reach her hand out and grope for a match. Her fingers shook as she lit the candle on her bedside table.

She took a deep breath. The light helped—somewhat.

She slid her feet over the edge of the bed and sat there for a long moment. The candlelight flickered on the walls and all was silence.

She sighed. If she lay back down, she would only dream again. So she stood, and walked into the empty hallway.

Her little light lit a few feet ahead of her as her feet directed themselves across the path she knew so well now. Shadows stretched upward and moved like ghosts in the dancing candlelight.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

Soon she found herself standing at the front of Erebor. She saw a window ahead and moved towards it. She set the candle on the sill and leaned out, looking over the battlefield stretching out below her, silver in the moonlight. She touched the scar on her cheek. Pain flashed through her face. She jerked her hand away and winced.

She took a deep breath and looked back out, up at the sky this time. Stars twinkled far above her, far above the battlefield that held so many memories. It was so peaceful, here where there had once been such horror.

A noise echoed through the hallway behind her. She tensed, and knocked the candle from the sill. It went out and she stood in darkness. She clung to the sill and squeezed her eyes shut.

Footsteps approached, closer and closer. She forced herself to open her eyes and saw a figure, silhouetted in candlelight. As the figure came closer, its face came into focus.

She felt the tension drain out of her and she collapsed against the window. It was Fili.

"Oh—hi." She leaned down and picked up her candle, holding it as if it were still lit. "You're up too."

"I couldn't sleep."

Karra clenched her hand around the candle. "Me neither."

Fili approached her and stood looking out the window for a moment. "I'm to go to Dale tomorrow," he said at last.

"Oh?"

"I must meet with the king."

Karra let herself smile. "Still working out the whole treasure mess?"

Fili nodded. "Yes. I am." He dropped his eyes. "I know I'm not supposed to speak ill of the dead, but…"

"I won't tell anyone."

"I do wish my uncle would have left the situation in a less confusing manner."

Karra laid her hand on his, gently. "I don't know anything about politics," she said. "But surely—surely the meeting will go well tomorrow."

Fili entwined his fingers in hers. "You've been busy, haven't you?" he said. "With…women's work. Wedding preparations, I assume."

Karra nodded. "Yeah. I have."

"You haven't seen the city in months—it's really quite beautiful. I think you need a break, and a visit to Dale seems quite sufficient."

Months ago, he would have said this with a grin.

He looked so tired.

"Thank you," she said softly. "I'd love to go."

As soon as the sun shed its first morning rays on the plain, they were off, riding in a small embassy of dwarves. Karra rode beside Fili on a docile little pony.

They made good time across the battlefield. Before long, the walls of Dale loomed up before them, shining brightly painted in the cloudless morning sky.

"I can't see us being here all day," Fili said as they approached the gate. "It's merely a small matter, and we should be back within a few hours. But you'll be able to see how the city's coming along—they're doing quite well at rebuilding after this tragedy."

Karra sighed. "I'm sure they are," she said. "You sound so…diplomatic."

Fili raised an eyebrow. "And that's a bad thing?"

"No," she mumbled. "It's just…"

"Just what?"

"Nothing."

The people parted before them as they passed through the streets. Karra allowed her pony to lag behind as she took in the sights, sounds, and smells of the bustling city. She saw a figure making her way through the crowd.

"Karra!"

Karra pulled her pony to a stop and looked down. A girl with curly brown hair and twinkling brown eyes looked up at her.

"Britta!" She slid off the pony and gave her friend a hug. "I'm so glad to see you!"

Fili stopped and looked back. Karra motioned for him to go on. With a nod, he turned.

Britta grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "I want to show you everything!" she cried. "Oh Karra, this city is simply wonderful!"

"And I want to see everything! I haven't seen this city since the battle." At the word battle, she stopped and was suddenly aware of the crowd around her. "Only…could we go somewhere else?" She extracted her hand from Britta's grip. "I feel like…all these people…"

"Oh! Certainly. I can't hear myself talk!" Britta took her hand again and tugged her through the crowded streets and into a small park-like area. Karra took a deep breath and felt herself relax.

Britta laughed, her curls bouncing. "I must say, your future husband is certainly handsome," she said. "Oh! I should bow or something!" She dropped an impeccable curtsey. "Your majesty."

Karra laughed and held up a hand. "Please don't," she said. "I hate titles."

"I don't blame you," Britta said. "I would too. Still, you're royalty!"

"Not yet."

Britta giggled. "Technicalities. Now, your majesty." She shaded her eyes against the sun and pointed. "Over there is the marketplace. And over there is where I live!" The houses shone with happy radiance and Karra thought she caught a glimpse, for a moment, of what the city must have been before—before the dragon attacked. Britta, with her bouncing curls and ready grin, seemed an embodiment of the city's charm and bustle. She motioned to a nearby bench.

Karra followed her to the seat.

"So," she said, "you've been holed up in Erebor all this time."

"Pretty much, yeah." Karra sighed. "All the dwarf women either love me or think I'm not dwarvish enough to marry Fili." She waved her hand in the air in an exasperated gesture. "'You should grow a beard.' 'Your hair isn't long enough.' 'Everyone's going to be looking at you'—as if I needed to be reminded of that!"

Britta smiled. "I, for one, wouldn't mind the entire kingdom looking at me, as long as I looked nice." She ruffled Karra's hair. "Which I'm sure you will."

Karra flushed and ducked her head. "Yeah, thanks."

Britta put her hands on Karra's shoulders. "Karra," she said, serious for the first time that morning, "I want to come to your wedding."

"Well…" Karra laughed nervously. "I'd love for you to, but…I don't think non-dwarves are allowed to attend dwarvish weddings. You know, tradition. Lots of tradition."

"Oh, who cares about tradition?" Britta winked. "I'm sure you're breaking quite a few yourself. I will find a way to be there. I want to see you become queen of Erebor." She stood and curtsied again. "Your majesty."

Karra leaned against the cold stone wall and watched as the last of the king's attendants disappeared in the distance. "So he's really gone," she said softly.

Balin slipped his arm around her shoulder. "He's been planning this trip for weeks," he said. "As king, he feels it's his duty to see the operations at the mines. Which it is, of course." Something like a smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. "Although I daresay, it seems they've done quite well without him."

Karra sighed. "I wish he'd tell me things," she said.

Balin shook his head. "Ah, lassie. Being king is a lonely, busy job. And besides…" He smiled. "He's also been quite taken up with delving a home for you in his halls."

"Oh—there's that." Karra shook her head. "I'm sorry for not thinking of that. Still…" She looked at the road that led deeper into the mountain. "How long does it take to get to the mines and back?"

"Oh, it should take a week or so of hard traveling to get here. Which is why you'd best pack your things!"

Karra's eyes widened. "Balin!"

"We leave in a few hours. You'll travel with me instead of Fili to prevent any rumors of impropriety on your part."

Karra clasped her hands together and twirled around in excitement. "Oh Balin!" she cried. "Oh, thank you!" She threw her arms around his neck and tried to twirl him in a circle. He put a gentle hand on her arm.

"Go on—pack your things."

She clasped his hands and laughed. "Oh, I really wish Fili would tell me things!" she said.

The mountain held more cities, towns, markets, and inns than Karra had ever thought it could. The king and his attendants stopped at every town to examine the progress that the dwarves were making at rebuilding, and to be welcomed. Though certainly, the king did more of the examining, and the attendants did more of the being welcomed. The journey took longer than a week, for they were certainly not traveling hard. Karra and Balin meandered behind the company, always taking time to see the great architecture and wander through the towns.

One night, the entire company stopped early at a small town deep in the heart of the mountain. Fili's attendants left immediately to join the feast that would inevitably be held in the king's honor, but the king himself stayed back. He lingered at the door of the inn with Balin and Karra.

"I'm tired tonight," he said, and his voice was low. He looked pale and drawn. "I think I'll let my company attend this feast for me. You may go as well if you would like."

Karra shook her head. "No, I'd much rather go explore the town," she said. "I guess you wouldn't want to—no, I'm sorry." She tried to smile. "I know you're tired."

He looked away. "I'm sorry, Karra," he said softly. "Someday—someday I'll take you on a trip that doesn't involve business." He swung the door open. Karra and Balin followed.

"I guess I'll go ahead and reserve my room," Karra said.

The innkeeper sat behind a table, writing in a spotless leather-bound book. "Well, what is it?" he growled without looking up. "I've got work to do."

"We want two rooms," Fili said. "One for me and my councilor, and one for my lady."

The book and pen fell to the table and the innkeeper jumped to his feet. "Oh! Your majesty!" He bowed so low his beard nearly touched the ground. "Of course, my lord! At once!" He hurried down the hallway. "Here are your rooms—they're my best ones, as you can see! I do hope they will be sufficient?"

"Oh yes, my lord, quite sufficient." Fili reached into his pack and drew out a large, shimmering jewel. "Your pay."

The innkeeper snatched the jewel and stared at it. "Th—thank you, your majesty!" He bowed low again, his hands shaking. "Thank you…so very much!" He waved vaguely in the direction of their rooms. "Please report to me if your rooms are in any way insufficient, my lord."

"I have slept in holes by the wayside of the road," Fili said. "Any room you can provide me with will be quite sufficient."

The innkeeper staggered down the hallway, staring at the jewel. Fili shook his head.

"I don't believe he's ever seen such a large jewel in his life!" Karra said with a laugh. "Quite the benevolent king, Fili."

Fili sighed. "If I had been anyone else, he would have turned us out," he said.

Over the next few days, they traveled through sparsely populated towns and villages, and finally, on the evening of the fourteenth day since their departure, they arrived at the far edge of the kingdom.

They made their way through dark tunnels, lit intermittently with faltering torches. The walls here were roughly carved and still showed axe marks from long ago. Balin led the expedition now, for he was the oldest, and knew these halls the best.

Soon, they came upon a small mining town. Fili quietly informed his attendants that they were to stay here, and he would take his lady and his councilor on alone. Removing his crown, he gave it into the care of one of them.

The three of them walked on in silence for a while. Their footsteps echoed down the empty corridors and the echoes disappeared into the distance.

Finally, Karra spoke.

"Why did you leave your attendants behind?" she said.

"I wanted to go alone," Fili replied. "I want to see the mines as a visitor, not as a ruler."

"Oh."

They walked on for a while longer, letting the silence of the old caves envelop them. Soon, the corridor opened up and they found themselves standing in a large cavern.

Balin raised his torch and swept it around the space.

Pillars dripped from the ceilings and rose from the floor. Strains of gold ran through the stone, and crystals hung from above. All around were marks of old axes. In the center of the giant room glittered a silver pool, deep as the earth itself.

Karra caught her breath. "It's beautiful!" she cried. Her voice sent little echoes bouncing off the walls. She ran forward and peered into the pool. Her reflection shimmered back at her in golden torchlight. She looked back at Balin and Fili.

"This is a pool of many ancient legends," Fili said softly. "My uncle told me—" He stopped, and bit his lip. "I heard tales of this place," he finally said. "There are stories surrounding it. I'm sure Balin remembers many of them."

"Indeed I do." Balin looked around, a soft smile on his face. "It's said that if you stand by the pool long enough, you will wake echoes of old voices, voices from the ancient past. Some have even claimed to hear the voice of Durin the Deathless here." He patted Fili on the back. "Many have come here through the years to grieve, and to remember."

Karra perched on a rock at the edge of the pool. "And what else? Are there other stories?"

"Oh yes." Balin approached her and sat beside her. "Some have said that if anyone dares drink from this pool, they will receive life much longer than any dwarf." He shook his head. "But that's only a myth, of course. No such water holds that power."

Karra trailed her fingers in the water. Balin stood, and walked back over to where Fili was leaning against the wall of the cavern, his head downcast. Kara stood too and walked around the large pool, listening to the centuries-old echoes that she woke with every footstep.

She wondered if her father had ever walked here. She fingered the key around her neck.

"I hope this place is never mined," she said softly, as if to herself.

She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Across the room, she heard Balin and Fili conversing in soft whispers. She let the silence soak into her and felt its ancient calm spread through her, and she understood why many came here to remember.

She must have stood there for a while, for when she opened her eyes, only Balin stood at the far edge of the room.

She shook her head to clear her mind of the strange daze that had settled on it. "Where's Fili?" she asked.

"It grew late," Balin said. "He left to see the mines. That was his business here." He sat again by the pool and motioned to her. "Come, lassie. Sit with me." She approached him and sat. He smiled and slipped his arm around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder. "He had something to tell you," Balin said.

"What?" Karra murmured.

"He said that this place would remain untouched until the end of time."

Karra's eyes widened and she sat up. "What? Did…did he hear me?"

Balin smiled. "Did I mention that these walls carry the slightest whisper?" he said.

Karra walked softly down the dim hallway. It had been a week now since they had returned from their trip, and she had settled back into the everyday life of a woman in Erebor. The wedding preparations were few now—only finishing her robes, and waiting. But sometimes, she liked to escape from the titles, and the busy bustle of life. And the tomb of Thorin Oakenshield was a perfect place to go, with its peace, silence, and air of reverence.

The hallway opened up before her and she saw the line of tombs. She tiptoed forward through the sweeping chamber, looking up at the curving ceilings and the giant statues. She turned a corner into the crypt and saw a figure bent over the tomb.

She stopped, silent.

Beside the figure, lying on the tombstone, was a crown.

She stood there for a moment, careful not to make a noise. Fili kneeled beside the tomb, his head resting in his hands, the great figures of old overshadowing him. His eyes were closed and the torchlight flickered off traces of tears on his cheeks.

He tries to be so strong. For the kingdom.

For me.

As she stood there, leaning against the wall, she felt a strange warm feeling welling up inside her. Here was a Fili she had never seen before—a Fili so different from the silent, businesslike king she had seen in these last few months.

Turning, she tiptoed away. Her footsteps barely made a sound in the huge, old chamber.

I…I managed to make myself tear up. That's a bit of an accomplishment, if I do say so myself…