Chapter 27

The next several months passed by almost too quickly. The dwarves had started right in the beginning of winter on getting the mountain ready, and had also managed to fix the look out to be useful again. They were also talking of fixing Ravenhill, but I couldn't stand the place and wouldn't go near it. I had tried going up there twice, but I couldn't stomach being up there. They also knew they had bigger issues than a burned down look out. We had made it through most of the winter with no attacks on the city or the mountain which I found to be a good thing. Thanks to the meetings between Thranduil, Bard and Thorin they had established what needed to get taken care of first.

It had been many weeks before they ever reached any agreement on anything, and that was only because of Thorin and Thranduil. Bard was humble and quiet during the difficult part of it. It had been a nice not to be the only one rolling my eyes when the dwarf and elf had not agreed on something. When we had finally come to terms on what needed to be done, everything had at least gone smoothly. We had filled Erebor with everything we had needed before the snow became too great. The winter had been easy for us, and now that spring was coming, trade was starting all over again. We only needed a small number of dwarves to over see the trading and Thorin trusted none other those in the company. Everyone else he had divided to cover more ground, and fix what needed to be fixed. We had assisted in Dale for about a month, but the men of the city were far from helpless which was a good thing.

Thorin had said that his people would not travel through the harsh winter unless they wanted to, and the raven had said they'd make the trip in the spring, which was upon us. I looked at the melting river that ran down and in front of the city and past Dale, out into the lake. No one had gone down toward the lake since the dragon had died, and I didn't blame them. During the winter, I had spent much time increasing my power. Under Thorin's instruction, I also let Fili, Kili and Dwalin increase my skill with weapons. It was more like increasing their weapon skills. I only did it to make Thorin happy, just in case I couldn't transform in time, I'd at least have my weapons. Thorin didn't want to worry about if I could handle myself, even though I had been a skilled fighter to begin with. Crossing my arms as I watched Bard ride up the path, I smiled at the man when he got close enough. He bowed his head slightly and smiled back at me.

"Lady Arina," he smiled, getting off his horse and walking forward. "Good to see you."

"And you," I replied. "Thorin will be happy to see you. He is quite interested in rebuilding Esgaroth."

"Well that is quite the request," Bard said, offering his arm out of respect.

"Yes well, I tried to tell him to leave it, but he feels that it's something the dwarves and men should do," I sighed, taking it as we walked inside the city. "He wants to get everything truly going again and to make it easier on traveling. People are starting to come into Dale, I've seen it. Soon you will run out of room."

Bard chuckled at the comment and nodded his head. "Yes, I assume we would, he has a point there. If we can remove the body of the dragon, I don't see why not."

"The ice is starting to melt. I think it'll be easy for me to remove him. I can cast his body over the Grey Mountains," I replied. "Far from sight and mind, I'd say."

"Well, I guess I cannot refuse him then," Bard sighed, as we approached a table where Thorin was laying out some instruction to various dwarves.

"Probably not," I laughed, and it made Thorin look up from what he was doing.

"Ah, Bard," Thorin nodded to him as we stopped, and I let go of the man so I could walk up to the dwarf.

I reached up and kissed him on the lips, and walked off to go back outside to stay in the sun for a little longer since it had been covered for most of the winter.

Arina.

Tensing at the voice in my head, I closed my eyes for a moment to relax the shields in my mind.

Lady Galadriel. I have not heard from you for some time. I said in my head.

I thought you would like to know that Bilbo and Gandalf have made it safely back and also to make you aware of something. She said to me, and I opened my eyes to check my surroundings for a moment.

And what is that? I asked.

Sauron has returned. He had been banished back to Mordor, but I fear that it is not the last we will see of him. It may not happen for a long time, but you need to know he is out there. Orcs will start coming from Moria and I fear that one of your own wants to reclaim it. She replied softly.

Who? I demanded.

Balin seeks to take back the mines, and make his home there. I have seen it in his mind. You must convince him otherwise, Arina. Much lies at stake if you do nothing. They will lose many, the numbers are too great. Something evil lurks in the shadows. While it may not be terrible yet, it has the potential to be.

I nodded as she faded from my mind and turned my head when I heard footsteps. Fili was walking over and he sighed as he caught up to where I was standing. Part of me was glad that the Lady of Light didn't speak to me in riddles. She had done so once and I had walked away from her, which surprised everyone including Galadriel herself. Gandalf on the other hand, he never gave up and continued to do so.

"Uncle was wondering where you went. He wants you to join them in the discussion of removing the dragon's body," he said quietly as he joined my side.

"Ah, he can't figure that out alone?" I said with amusement. "All I have to do is carry the dead thing away. It'll be easy."

"I think it's just an excuse, honestly. He just wants you in his sight. Bard said he spotted some unwelcoming fellows in the city earlier today as well," Fili sighed looking toward Dale. "The price is still out there for Thorin's head on a pike."

"Yes, I'm still very aware of that. Which is pointless because Azog and Bolg are dead," I nodded. "We had such a good winter, I know that they'd eventually come up here. The weather kept them at bay for a while. Spring is upon us. I'm sure your kin from the Blue Mountains will be making their way back here."

"Yes, my mother included," Fili smiled. "I don't know if I'd be terrified to see her or happy."

"Be happy, because you aren't dead," I laughed. "She can't be mad with you alive and well. You and your brother both."

He laughed at that as well and so I sighed and turned to go inside, giving into the request he had been sent out to make. We walked together back inside and to where Bard and Thorin were discussing what needed to be done.

"Removing the dragon will be easy," I said, as I approached the table. "What more is there to discuss about his removal? I must wait until the ice is at least melted fully before I can do anything. That will be another week or more."

Thorin looked at me, arching his brow when I fell quiet. I couldn't help but smile when Fili edged to the side of the table and away from me for the moment. Reaching out, I pointed to the map, and put my finger on the grey mountains.

"That's where he'll go. It will take me at least a full day to dispose of him," I stated firmly. "And was this just an excuse to keep me out of trouble?"

Bard laughed at that, unable to help it. Thorin let a small smile grace his lips at my remark, and he laid his hands on the table and looked at me.

"What gave you that impression?" he asked softly.

"News of some...unwelcomed visitors has reached my ears," I said amused, and Fili crossed his arms and wouldn't meet Thorin's look. "Oh come on, you think you'd keep that from me?"

"I guess not," Thorin said, completely not amused.

I smiled and looked down at the map for a moment and then sighed as I thought about what Galadriel had said to me. Moria to the southwest of us, and I didn't enjoy reading that on the map. Tilting my head a little, I looked back up at Thorin.

"Where is Balin?" I asked, catching him off guard.

"He is seeing Dain off with half of his people. They are returning home. He is letting most stay until my people return," Thorin replied. "Why?"

"Would you rather I get in trouble?" I asked, as I turned to walk off.

"I'm sure you will whether I like it or not," Thorin replied crossly at my back.

I laughed, and headed through to the golden hall where I saw Balin speaking with Dain. They shook hands, and Dain turned as I approached and he beamed.

"Oh, Lady Arina," he smiled. "I am glad to be able to say farewell to you. Take care of Thorin and everyone will you?"

I let him take my hands and kiss them, while I smiled. "Someone has to," I laughed.

"Of course," he grinned, and I watched them head off.

Balin smiled as they went, and I looked at the old dwarf. "It is sad to see them go," he sighed.

"Yes," I nodded. "I need to speak with you. About something that has been lingering on your mind. Care to speak of it?"

"What do you mean?" Balin asked, not meeting my gaze.

"Your thoughts of Moria, Balin. You should cast it aside. Do not go back to those mines. I mean it," I said firmly. "If you do this, you will die."

"How do you know?" Balin said, looking at me in surprise.

"I was in touch with Lady Galadriel today, she is urging me to make you change your mind," I said grabbing his hands. "Something evil lurks in the mines, and it's not just Orcs. Do not go. By staying here, we are changing something huge. Thorin would not have you leave his side while he still draws breath."

"I have thought of reclaiming the mines," Balin admitted quietly. "But if you surely mean that it'll be my death then fine, I will stay."

"On your honor, promise me," I said firmly.

"On my honor," he nodded, giving my hands a tight squeeze.

I felt my shoulders relax, and I smiled at him. We walked off together, to rejoin Thorin as he walked Bard out, now that they were finished talking. I watched Bard get on his horse and then turn the animal so he could face us.

"The men that were in the city were quickly banished, but keep your eyes out," he said. "I'm sure that's not the last we've seen of them."

"I will, thank you," Thorin nodded, and watched him canter off. He then glanced down at me. "I have received news that my kin have left the Blue Mountains in great numbers. They should be here by the middle of summer."

"That is good news," I agreed. "I hope their journey is safe."

"As do I," Thorin sighed. "Everything is ready. We have worked hard all winter to prepare the mountain, and it's done. We finally have everything cleaned up. It was much easier not having to worry about the mining tunnels with your help."

I smiled a little and we turned to head back inside when movement on the rocks caught my attention. I quickly made out the figure of a man as he scrambled to hide. Thorin hadn't missed it either, and he jerked his head to the right as well. I shifted my eyes, not giving away that I had also seen the other one who was hiding.

"There are two of them," he rumbled.

"I'm really tired of people trying to kill you," I sighed, as his hand rested on Orcrist. "We had such a nice winter."

He chuckled slightly as we stood still, and I sighed loudly. "Should we kill them or should I terrify them?"

"Both sound equally tempting," Thorin replied with a smile.

I glanced at the one I had seen, and I tensed slightly seeing him draw back an arrow.

"Duck," I hissed, and suddenly pushed my transformation into a dragon.

Over the winter, I had made the change easier and quicker until I was able to take the shape in just seconds. Stepping over Thorin, I blocked him from view and roared. The sound brought everyone to attention and I saw several guards come to the front gate at the noise.

"Come down here, both of you," I snarled loudly. "I promise you, that arrow will not make it to him."

"That's fine," the man smiled, standing up into view.

I swung my tail then, not forgetting about the other man who had hidden. I swept his feet from under him, and heard him tumble down to the even ground below so that Thorin could take him on. I moved forward and came right up to the man who was still hiding in the rocks.

"You have seconds," I said with a hiss. "You will leave here. And you will tell others that a dragon guards Thorin Oakenshield, King under the Mountain. I will burn you to the ground if I hear otherwise. I have your scent; I will find you wherever you go."

I watched his face pale and he gulped a huge breath of air, before he was suddenly running. He dropped his bow and fled back the way he came and I waited until I knew it was safe to turn human again. Thorin had killed his other attacker, and he turned to me with a heavy breath when I approached him.

"Can you really find him where ever he goes?" he asked, cleaning his sword in the melting snow.

"Hmmm, I don't think so," I laughed. "But he doesn't know that. I think the threat worked well enough."

Thorin smiled at that, and led me back inside the mountain after we made sure that everything was safe. The guards were now on high alert, looking for any movement that seemed wrong to them. I had to talk to Thorin about what I had been told about, but I figured I could wait till we were alone to speak with him. I could smell something being cooked, and was sure Bombur was hard at work making a massive dinner for everyone here. We were well stocked finally, on all we needed for at least a few months.

I helped set things up for dinner, and kept my eye on Fili and Kili so that they stayed out of trouble as they came around to help. We made a table for the company, and then cleared one that Bombur instructed us to so that he could place the food at. Bofur was playing his flute and I could hear some singing going on. There had been a lot of that in the last few months. It was nice to have so much lifted from our shoulders that songs started again. I paused at the end of the table as the threat of Sauron lingered in my head. If all of what Galadriel feared was growing, I was going to have to be the warrior that they needed, not the caretaker I preferred to be. I blinked, and realized Kili was saying my name so I looked up.

"What?" I asked.

"Are you all right?" he asked, seriously coming over.

"Yes," I sighed waving it off. "Got lost in a thought, that's all."

"Usually when you get lost like that we end up being in trouble," Fili chimed in when he came over. "Are we in trouble?"

"You're about to be," I warned them quietly, making them both smile. "Now go help Bombur get all the food out, off you go. Get out of my hair."

I watched them leave, and sometimes I thought they were younger children than the capable warriors they actually were. They could both be so annoying, but give them a sword and they'll cut you in half before you can blink. Sighing, I went to find Thorin and it led me to the throne that had been fixed months ago. He was sitting there, deep in thought so I walked over and reached out to run my fingers through his long hair quietly. I brushed his cheek with my knuckle and waited for him to lift his head to look at me.

"Dinner should be set by the time we get back down there," I said gently. "Something is troubling you. What is it?"

"It's nothing," Thorin replied softly, as I knelt in front of him.

"I am a shifter, my king. Being a shifter means my senses are extremely heightened and I'm good at reading you," I answered looking at him. "I know a lie when I see one."

"I worry for my people, Arina," he finally admitted. "The journey that they are making is not going to be an easy one. I fear for their safety."

"Thorin, there is nothing you can do from here," I pointed out as I rose to my feet. "Have faith that they will make the journey safely. They are not unprotected, you have many warriors and Rivendell is watching. I am sure they will make it here."

"Always so confident about things," Thorin sighed, tilting his head down so he looked at my hands after he grabbed them.

"If you start doubting now you are only going to drive yourself into a hole. Now come on you stubborn dwarf," I sighed crossly and tugged. "Let's go eat. I'd like to hear the story about the trolls tonight. You cannot put it off any longer."

Thorin groaned as he rose to his feet to follow me back to the hall. Every time I had asked, he had glared daggers at Bofur as the other dwarf went to go tell me, but had promptly thought otherwise when he had caught his King's stare. We sat down at the table with the others after food was put on it for us and the rest on the table we had also provided. The hall was loud; filled with laughter, singing and shouting.

I have to split this up into two chapters. But anyway, I do have a plan, it isn't going to be peaceful forever! :)

Thanks for all the reviews and favorites and follows! Like I said, Frerin was such a character. I enjoyed making him. Check out my other story if you haven't already. Better Days is BEFORE this story. Gives you insight to Arina and life before the quest. :D

I'll try to get the next one out quickly. I'm getting married next month, so I'm a little busy!