"Kate...No!"
Thorin woke up with a start. It was in the middle of the night and they would go on closer to the mountain early in the morning.
He was breathing hard, his mind was circling around Kate. There was no way to catch any sleep so he got up and prepared his bag. He left the room and walked down into the living room.
"Lindsey...you should try catch some sleep"
The young girl turned around, she was sitting on the big sofa. "I can't sleep, Thorin...what if they...if they kill her?"
"They won't kill her."
"How can you be so sure?"
He sighed and sat down next to her. "I don't know exactly why they took her but Thranduil seems to have a plan. And he needs her alive for that..."
"What plan?"
"I don't know..."
They fell silent again, both looking into the flames.
"Do you think Thranduil will read your message?"
He chuckled. "He better does...he has to..."
She placed her head on his shoulder, and so they sat like this until the rest of the Company finally got up as well.
/
"My King, we got a message from the city. Shall I read it?"
Tauriel was holding the piece of paper while she watched Thranduil sitting on his throne. He looked down at her and gestured her to come closer.
"Give it to me. I'll read it on my own"
She handed him the paper and he unfolded it. A dark smirk showed up on his face while reading the message. He chuckled.
"That's exactly what I was expecting. Perfect..."
"What is it?", Tauriel asked curiously and Thranduil started reading out loud:
'We inform you, King Thranduil, that the dwarves with Thorin Oakenshield as their leader are leaving my city within the next two days. There is no need to fear their presence in my city anymore and I would be willing to start trading with you again.
In respectable greetings'
He looked up at Tauriel who was watching him curiously.
"Don't you understand?", he asked and walked closer to her.
"So...Thorin and the dwarves are gone. So what?"
"So what? Are you really that stupid?"
She was ashamed and lowered her head slightly. He took her chin and lifted her head up again.
"This is exactly what I was planning"
She frowned but suddenly her eyes widened.
"You plan to..."
"Exactly. I'm planning to take my army and head on to Erebor."
"You want to start a war?"
"Thorin has something I want...and I have something that he wants. There'd be no need for a battle. He can prevent this. This would be his chance to show how much this woman is worth for him"
Tauriel laughed.
"Just tell me and the soldiers will be ready to move", she said and he nodded.
"I give them five more days. It will take them around three days to reach the mountain."
He sat down on his throne again gesturing Tauriel to leave him alone.
/
"Thorin?"
Kili walked up to his uncle. They were standing at the ship's rail overlooking the landscape.
"Hmm?", Thorin turned to look at his nephew.
"I just...I just wanted to tell you that, whatever will happen...I will be there to protect you. And Kate. And Lindsey, Fili and the rest of them...until the bitter end"
Thorin could feel his heart warming but suddenly a cold hand reached for his heart, trying to rip it out of his chest.
"Uncle? What's wrong?", Kili was highly alarmed when he saw Thorin turning pale. He did not reply, he just reached out and pulled Kili into his arm, pressed him tight to his chest.
The young dwarf was surprised by this emotional outburst of his uncle and wrapped his arms around his waist. He was aware of a single tear rolling down his face, and hoped his uncle wouldn't see it.
Lindsey and Fili watched this scene and she could feel Filis hand grabbing hers, squeezing her lightly.
She looked at him. "You should talk to them as well...", she said but he shook his head.
"This is their moment. I don't want to destroy this. You need me now.", he replied and kissed her softly.
Thorin pulled apart from Kili and watched his nephew.
"I'm so...so...thankful to have you here, Kili. Both you and Fili. I always loved you like my own children."
"And you've always been more than just an uncle to us. I always saw you like a father. And I'm certain you will be a great father to your child as well!"
Kili knew this could hurt Thorin but he saw his uncles eyes lit up slightly.
"I'm trying my best...", he replied and patted Kilis shoulder before turning away again, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
They've been on the Long Lake for two days and as soon as they reached the River Running, they could see the Lonely Mountain towering grim and tall before them. But there was no joy in their hearts. The fear was too heavy, the fear what might happen to Kate and the unborn child.
At the end of the third day they finally reached the western bank and they left the boat. They were joined by horses and other provisions and neccessaries and ponies for their own use that had been sent to them.
They thanked the sailors and they left because they did not want to stay that close to the mountain with the dragon still inside.
The night was cold and sorrowful. Thorin watched Lindsey cuddled up to Fili.
His spirit was nearly falling but Dwalin sat next to him, placing his hand on the kings shoulder.
"We're all there for you."
Thorin nodded and gave his friend a tired smile.
"I miss her, Dwalin...I never thought I could feel like this..."
And to his own surprise he leaned his head against Dwalins shoulder, he was not even ashamed to show his inner feelings right now. All he wanted was Kate and his child back. And protecting his Company, his family.
The two of them sat like this for a while until they finally managed to catch some sleep.
"Bofur, are you awake?", Fili whispered.
"Bofur?", he tried once again.
"What's the madder, laddie?", Bofur grumbled.
"It's second watch now, it's your time!"
Bofur reluctantly got up and walked over to a tree trunk to sit down on it. He took out his pipe and watched into the night.
Fili let his eyes drift along the sleeping Company. He saw Lindsey cuddled into one of his coats and a smile curled his lips before he laid down next to her, pulling her into his warm embrace.
/
Kate woke up in the middle of the night.
She could feel a sudden wave of sickness washing over her. She tried to get up but she felt dizzy and she threw up on the floor.
Hot tears ran down her face. Her eyes searched the room frantically before recognizing a jug of water and a glass on the night table. With trembling hands she poured some water into the glass, spilling some of it.
As soon as the cool water ran down her throat she could feel the dizziness fading and she breathed in and out.
She took a few more sips and placed the glass back on the table to let herself fall down into the pillows. Her thoughts were rushing. What if Thorin and the Company come here...trying to get her out of this place? They would get killed by Thranduils guards. And what did that elf woman mean by saying Lindsey would not make it?
Kate could not hold it back any longer, she screamed. Screamed out into the darkness, tears running down her face. Her throat was starting to get sore but she did not care. She was angry, she was sad, she was missing her sister, the Company, and Thorin.
She did not even recognize that the door opened up and two arms embraced her. The elf gestured the guards to leave the room and shut the door. They left and Kate stopped screaming, now just crying, her head against the shoulder of the stranger.
"Uuma dela"
She stopped sobbing and looked up into a pair of very light-blue eyes, a beautiful face of a male elf framed by long blonde hair.
"What?...What did you say?", she whispered.
He gave her a light smile, brushed away her tears.
"I said you should not worry."
"Are you kidding me? I'm a prisoner in this castle!"
He pulled her in his arms again, she was surprised. Who was that elf?
"Prisoners don't sleep in rooms like this."
"So what am I?"
He shrugged. "I don't know about the plans of the king."
"Why are you here? Why are you treating me like this?", she asked suspiciously.
"I treat you like this because I'm here to help you...because I don't like what my father is planning"
She frowned and watched him carefully.
"Who are you?"
He gave her another warm smile.
"My name is Legolas. Prince of Mirkwood."
/
Hope you enjoyed this :)