Chapter 25
Night fell on the boat. Thorin's excitement could not be contained, for Erebor was just within reach. I knew he had dreamed of this day for many years. I stood alone on the deck and looked up at the stars. I began to sing softly,
O Orofarnë, Lassemista, Carnimírië! O rowan fair, upon your hair how white the blossom lay! O rowan mine, I saw you shine upon a summer's day, Your rind so bright, your leaves so light, your voice so cool and soft: Upon your head how golden-red the crown you bore aloft! O rowan dead, upon your head your hair is dry and grey; Your crown is spilled, your voice is stilled for ever and a day. O Orofarnë, Lassemista, Carnimírië!
"One does not simply sing such a sorrowful song." came a voice.
I whipped around and saw Dwalin there. I looked down and I heard him walk over.
"You may have fooled the other but not I."
I never could have imagined Dwalin could use such a gentle voice. I looked up at him.
"You can tell me you do realize this? I consider you a great friend to me and to that of my brother and the others. Tell me what troubles you." He said.
I trusted Dwalin, but I feared his reaction. I took a deep breath and nodded.
"You recall the dream I had of Thorin dying?"
"Aye." he said as he nodded.
I nodded and looked down.
"I possess the gift of foresight. What I saw…..was not merely a dream."
Dwalin's eyes widened.
"So Thorin…he will die?"
I looked back upon the dwarf.
"Not whilst I live."
"I do not understand."
I looked back to the stars.
"The elderly woman who gave me my mother's locket….she knew of my dream. She told me to return to her before we left. That night the dream changed. It was always Azog who killed Thorin, but this time….I would not let him die. I got in the way of Azog's blade and took Thorin's place, and killed Azog as well."
"Thorin does not know." he said.
"No! And you must swear to me you shall not tell him!" I said.
"How can you ask this of me? He loves you lassie more then anything in the world. Would you take yourself from him?"
"If it meant he would live then yes. I would die in his stead and not think twice of it! Do you know why Dwalin? It is because I love him." I said.
Dwalin was silent for a good while before he sighed.
"I shall keep your secret, but I hope you know…..this is not right lass."
He walked away before I could say anymore.
"You are wrong mellon nin. This is the only way to save him, for if he were to die….I may yet live but not truly. For without Thorin…life is not worth living." I whispered.
We met with the horse and ponies late that next day. The men of the Lake would not stay, not so close to the Mountain. In those parts it was far easier to believe in the dragon then in Thorin.
"Not at least until the songs and tales of old prove true." said they.
We spent a cold night near where our supplies had been stored. I was looking out across the fields to the Mountain, twirling my mother's locket in my hand.
"I amar prestar aen. Han matho ne nen. Han mathon ne cae. A hon noston ned gwilith." I whispered.
"What do you speak of."
I smiled.
"I should no better then to believe I could hide anything from you meleth." I said.
He chuckled and sat down beside me.
"You have been distant." he said.
"I have not meant to be."
"I assume the news of your father and mother…."
I placed my fingers over his lips. He looked at me and I smiled.
"For once….my parents have nothing to do with this." I whispered.
He moved my fingers and kissed my lips. I felt tears come to my eyes and Thorin pulled back. I gave him no time to ask me what was wrong. I hid my face in his chest and cried. I cried for a long while. Knowing what I had to do, that I would have to be taken away from Thorin…..it pained me greatly. Yet I stood by my choice. If it meant Thorin would live…..then I would gladly die in his place.
*The world has changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air.