A/N
Yay, here is another chapter! From now on, the timelines will collide with eachother, meaning one chapter may contain both Várar and the dwarves.
I also want to ask you guys what pairing you would like to see happening in the future. I already have a pairing in mind, but I am just curious.
And last but not least, I would like to thank my reviewers for their reviews. Thank you! I am glad you like this story. I am trying really hard to make this story apealing and original, so to know you like it, motivaties me to write more.
A Change in the Air
Várar stares at the darkening sky as she stands on a thick branch. The stars are shining brightly this night. But it is not the bright stars that has caught her attention this evening. No, there is something in the air that she cannot explain. Something strange.
She pulls the hood of her coat higher, letting it cover her face more as the cold winter wind blows softly. It sends shivers down her spine. It will not be long, before the winter is making place for spring. Only a few days left. The first flowers have started to bloom already, as the days have grown warmer. But the nights still are cold and Várar slightly regrets coming out here.
But it almost seems something is calling out for her. She can feel it in her blood. She can almost hear a voice whispering to her in the wind. And though it seems like a vague whisper, it is combined with a strong feeling she cannot resist. It is that whisper in the wind, that strong feeling something is coming, that has made her come out in the dark.
Her eyes trail down the trees, her home not far below. She can hear the water move beneath her, as it breaks free from its icy prison it had been for the past months. The chattering of elves the only other sound she hears.
'Várar,' a voice calls out for her and she searches through the branches for the person. 'What are you doing up there?'
Várar climbs down a little, to see who is calling out for her. She already knows it is Tauriel, but it doesn't hurt to see her face. So only when she is face to face with the she-elf, she answers her question.
'There is a strange breeze in the air,' Várar says as she jumps down the last branch. 'It almost feels as if something is calling out my name, the voice moving through the wind.' She closes her eyes as the wind softly blows in her face, moving through her hair. 'Something big is about to happen.'
'Indeed there is,' Tauriel agrees. 'That is why you must come with me. The mithrandir has returned and is asking for you.'
'Gandalf has returned?'
Tauriel nods and signals for her to follow her as she turns around. Várar quickly follows her, curious for why the wizard has returned and asked for her. Somehow she has a feeling it has something to do with the change in the air.
Fíli and Kíli stare at the dark-haired dwarf in disbelieve. How can he be serious? Isn't it their home as well? Aren't they his heirs? He can't forbid them to come along, he just can't!
'Uncle, you cannot be serious,' Kíli says, staring at his uncle. 'I understand why Gimli cannot accompany you, but I don't understand why we can't either. Both of us are of age and capable warriors. You need us to come along.'
'Kíli, I need you here, to take care of our people. Both of you,' Thorin adds, looking at his eldest nephew.
This journey will be a dangerous one, Thorin knows it will be. That is why he will not let his nephews accompany him. But the closer the time comes to leave, the more persistent his nephews become. He understands why they want to come along. They want to help reclaim their homeland. But Thorin cannot risk their royal line. If he is to die, Fíli has to be around as his heir.
'Then let us at least come to the meeting at the Shire,' Fíli suggests. 'That is where you will meet this hobbit, a burglar. By then you will know whether Dain is with us or not. I understand you do not want to risk the Line of Durin to perish, but what harm is in it to be present at that meeting.'
Thorin thinks about it for a moment. To have all three of them present, might persuade the burglar to agree to come along. It will make the journey less dangerous for the lads. Perhaps he should give them a change to prove their worth. But only if they can pass his test. Ofcourse his final decision will depend on the answer of the hobbit.
'Come one, Thorin,' Balin says, looking at Thorin, then back at the lads. 'They could use some adventure. And who knows, perhaps they will learn some responsibility. You and I both know it comes with age and experience. Let them have a little taste of it.'
Thorin looks at the white-haired dwarf, then at his nephews. Balin is right, they do need to learn their responsibility. Fíli more so than Kíli, if he is to be his heir. That is why Thorin has put more effort into training the fair-haired dwarf, than his darker-haired brother. Kíli is next in line after his older brother. So he has less responsibilities than his brother.
'Fine,' Thorin says after a moment of silence. 'But only if your mother gives you her blessing.'
Thorin looks over at the said dwarrowdam, who is cleaning the dishes. But as soon as she is mentioned, she stops with what she is doing. Dís turns around, the knife she was cleaning still in her hand as she points at her two boys.
'You bet I am going to give them my blessing,' she says, a frown on her face. 'They are way to reckless. This will be an excellent moment to work on it. Especially you, Kíli.'
The two young dwarves begin to protest, disagreeing with their mother. Fíli is anything but reckless. Kíli is, but he isn't! He knows his responsibilities. Fíli is about to say something again, only to close his mouth. His mother has given them her blessing. They are going to join uncle to reclaim Erebor!
'I do not need to work on – oof,' Kíli is silenced by his older brother stomping him in the side. With a glare he turns to Fíli, but the looks his older brother is giving him says enough. 'I, er, I mean... I am a little reckless, I guess. Perhaps mother is right. Perhaps this journey will make us less reckless?'
Thorin tries not to smile as his youngest nephew smiles sheepishly at him. He will regret agreeing to let his nephews come along. He just knows it. But deep inside, Thorin also knows he will need them, for when things go bad. He will need their keen eyes and ears. At the young age of seventy-eight and eighty-three, the lads are capable warriors. Strong and fast. But still he fears for their safety.
'Well, it is settled then,' Balin says, clapping his hands. 'You will leave for the meeting tomorrow, the rest of us will leave for the Shire in a week.'
'Aye,' Thorin agrees, then he turns to his nephews. 'But, the both of you will travel together. No one is to guide you to the Shire. If you are to make it in time, you can come along. If you don't, then you will return back home. Am I making myself clear?'
'Aye, uncle,' Kíli says enthusiastically.
'We will not let you down,' Fíli promises.
'How far along do you think we are?' Kíli wonders, as he scans the area. 'Durin's day will soon be upon us.'
'I don't know, Kíli,' Fíli answers truthfully. 'But the sooner we get there, the better. This place gives me the creeps.'
Kíli agrees. Gandalf had been right about the forest being enchanted. The air has a thick feeling, almost suffocating him. He looks at the other dwarves, as the sleep. The have only spent a in the forest, and he wishes to leave as soon as possible!
Something moves in the distance, though he can not see what it is. Without a fire to light their camp, it is nearly impossible to see anything but the dwarves next to him. The first few days they had tried to built a fire during the night, hoping it would keep away the dark creatures dwelling in the cover of the night. But after three nights, they stopped building a fire. It seems to be drawing those creatures towards them more, than without a fire.
Next to him, Fíli turns his head towards another movement, clutching his sword. There is something in the trees, he just knows it. He can feel the eyes of whatever is watching him. He has felt them from the moment Bofur woke him up for his shift, and even now, when the sun is about to rise, he can still feel those eyes on him.
'Let's wake the others,' he suggests, turning his eyes from the trees. 'The sun is about to rise. Soon we will be able to see again and uncle wants to move as fast as possible.'
Kíli nods and kicks the sleeping form closest to him. A grumbling Gloin turns around, not het ready to wake up. After another kick to his legs, the ginger-haired dwarf growls dangerously at the young prince, daring him to kick him again.
Soon all dwarves are up and ready to go, as the sun is shining above them. But even as the sun is shining brightly in the sky, the forest still lingers in darkness in most places. The light being blocked by the trees. Still there is light enough to see ahead of them.
'Well then, let's get moving,' Balin says as he turns to face the others. 'Bofur, Bifur, Gloin and Nori, your four will carry Bombur during first.'
With a grumpy 'aye', the said dwarves make their way over to the sleeping dwarf, muttering as the lift him up. Why did it have to be the heaviest of them all to have fallen into the enchanted waters? All eyes now on Thorin as he leads the party on. The dark-haired dwarf looks around, feeling the ground with his axe, before determine the way. He calls out to the others to follow him and they are on their way again.
With each step Thorin feels around for the path, wanting to make sure he does not linger from it. But with each step he takes, it gets harder to concentrate. He feels tiered, his head playing games with him. But he continues anyway. He has to lead his people out of this forest!
Something moves in the shadows, the movement too fast to notice. Eyes are watching their every step. He has noticed it from the moment they entered the forest. Insect eyes, predator eyes even curious eyes of innocent creatures. But he can never keep them apart.
'Is there no end to this accursed forest!' Thorin yells out in frustration as they rest for a while.
What time is it even? Is it still morning? Is it afternoon already? He doesn't know. They will need the sun to determine the time, but it nowhere to be seen. His eyes scan the area as the others try to catch their breath. Again he sees something move in the shadows, just ahead of him. Bright blue eyes are looking straight at him, framed by a familiar freckled face with auburn hair.
'Gefn,' he whispers quietly as he stands up.
He rubs his eyes, hoping he isn't seeing things. But as he looks again, the face is gone. Why had it looked so real? He didn't even know he still remembered her face after all those years. But apparently seventy-nine years is not enough to forget her face.
'What was that?' Thorin whispers again, hearing something from the same spot he thought to have seen Gefn. 'This way!'
Voices! He can hear voices! Thorin can hear clearly now as he moves closer and closer. The hobbit is calling out to him, saying something about the path. But Thorin doesn't hear the lad, and neither do the others as thy follow their leader.
Fíli hurries after his uncle. Something has caught his attention as well. Did he hear someone giggle? Really, giggle? Who does that? Not that it matters. Someone – or something – is out there. It could be a trap. Then again, Gandalf did say elves live in this forest. Maybe they have come across some elves!
Only one way to find out!
Várar watches from a distance as the strange group moves through the forest clumsily. The leader using an axe to stay on the path. A smart choice, but what are they doing in the forest anyway? Who are they? What are they? The more she studies them, the stranger they get.
There are fourteen of them, thirteen off them with beards. Some strange, some funny, a few what could be called normal and one that could hardly be called a beard. The males – she thinks they are male - are walking around heavily, except for the smallest of them all. The smallest is also the strangest, wearing no shoes nor boots as he walks around on his big, hairy feet.
Várar giggles as the watches them rest for a bit. They seem so disorientated! The leader shouts out in frustration. Should she help them? Maybe they are harmless? No! Strangers are dangerous! Even if they are funny to look at. Some even cute for some strange reason. But that is probably because she has never seen someone of a different race, with the exception of Gandalf.
Suddenly she notices the leader is looking straight at her and she is unable to move for a moment, just staring back at him. Only when he rubs his eyes, does she dare to move. Without a second thought, Várar turns around, running away from the strangers. She has stayed too long!
It doesn't take her long to reach her own company of feasting elves as they sing songs and drink some wine and dancing around the fire as the sun is starting to set. She has stayed away for too long indeed. With one last glance over her shoulder, Várar enters the clearing, still a little shaken up by the strangers in the forest, praying they haven't seen her and continue their own way.
One thing is for certain though. She had been right about the change in the air.
A/N
Well, guys, that's it for now. It is almost midnight here. Anyway, I hope you don't mind me skipping a lot, but I was afraid it might get boring if I were to enlong their meeting any longer. Just let me know what you think of this chapter - or story so far. I love reading your reviews and feedback is welcome as well.
I do have one last question before I go. If I were to write a Jack the Giant Slayer story, would you read it?