Chapter 67

ARINA'S POV

I woke to a hard knock on the door. Opening my eyes, I saw that Thorin was with me and I reached forward and ran my fingers through his short beard. Thank Mahal he had kept it that way. Another knock at the door had me sitting up. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and sighed softly as I tried to wake up. My eyes hurt from the crying and lack of rest.

"Yes?"

"MOTHER!?"

I grunted and sighed. "One moment, dear," I called, and then shook Thorin. "Wake up."

His eyes opened instantly, and slowly he sat up. I never got used to how he could just wake up and get out of bed. Getting to my feet, I fixed my braid and threw on a new change of clothes. Thorin did the same and ran a brush through his hair. We made ourselves presentable, and I went and opened the door. I was greeted by Akira throwing her arms around me and hugging me tightly.

"Oh! I've missed you!" she cried.

"Oh, darling," I hummed, hugging her back.

She smiled wide when she pulled back and Thorin walked over. "The feast is ready..."

We both nodded and joined her in walking down to the hall that would hold it. Fili and Kili were one of the first to see us and I saw the terrible sadness in their eyes. So Dwalin had got to them first. Reaching out, I took their hands tightly and we all stood there for a moment. Fili bowed his head quietly, and Kili had some tears in his eyes. The life we had all had together and the memories we shared with Balin were extremely dear to us. So many lives had been lost. I focused on the two dwarves in front of me.

"He will be remembered," Fili whispered. "They all will be remembered."

"They will," I promised.

"Amad!"

Lifting my head, I watched as Thane walked through the crowd and approached. He wrapped me up in a hug, and I returned it. Akira had wrapped her arms around her father's and was quietly providing him with comfort. She had never met Balin, but we had often told her stories of him. Ori and Oin were often talked about as well. Ori had helped me translate several books, including one written about shifters. The memories I had shared with him were deeply treasured. Oin had treated most of us for all types of injuries, and that almost made me smile. Tears came to my eyes instead, however.

Thane finally let go of me after giving a tight squeeze. "What's it like out there?"

"It is getting bad out there, love," I sighed. "I cannot stay. But if it comes to a fight, do everything in your power to protect this place. For now, we will not talk of war. We will sing and celebrate the life of those we had loved so dearly."

He dipped his head in a nod, and led us into the hall. Everyone cheered when they saw us, and Thorin took us all to the head table. We all took our seats before he rose and lifted his mug of ale.

"This is to Balin, Lord of Moria. To Ori and Oin," Thorin called out. "And for all those we lost in Moria! We will sing for them. We will celebrate their lives tonight. Know this, their lives were not lost in vain. We will make their sacrifice worth it! Erebor will not fall, and we will avenge them!"

The whole hall erupted into cheers and then the feast started. The dwarves sang for those we lost, and I found that I didn't have a heart to participate much. It was all still to raw. I kept picturing the tomb breaking and his skeleton showing itself. I kept my mind in the present as best I could, and Thorin was there. He was steady as always, even when he was struggling. I spoke with more dwarves than I could count and spent some time with Dis.

Thorin was mingling with the people, as were Thane and Akira. Fili and Kili were also doing something similar. We were all there for each other. Dwalin had sat with Gloin for a while before they finally approached me. I turned my attention to them, and Gloin bowed his head slightly to me. I laid a hand on his arm, not knowing what else to do.

"How...is Gimli doing?" he asked softly.

"He is well," I replied. "He fought bravely in Moria. As of now they are seeking refuge somewhere safe. I will join them again when the time is right."

"Good...that's good..."

"I'm sorry...Gloin," I murmured. "I did not know..."

"Ah, lass it is not your fault," he replied gruffly. "But...thank you..."

I laid a hand on his shoulder and watched as he turned and walked off. Looking at Dwalin for a moment, I took in his expression. He didn't look at me for a moment, but finally his eyes turned toward me. I pressed a kiss to his cheek and he reached out and hugged me tightly. The slight tremor to his body was all the proof I needed to know how bad he was hurting.

"Stay strong," I whispered.

Extracting myself from him, I patted his chest quietly. He gave a rumble of sadness, and his words failed to come out, but I knew. Walking away from them, I found Thorin and he immediately opened his arm to me. Slipping into his hold, I pressed my cheek against his shoulder quietly.

The feast lasted well into the night, but I didn't have the heart or the strength to stay up for it. I saw Akira to bed, and had to help Fili drag an unconscious Kili to his chambers. Tauriel was grumbling under her breath, but I knew she wasn't truly angry with him. He had drank so much I was worried he'd wake up drunk tomorrow. That gave me a smile as we plopped him on his bed. Fili went to bed shortly after seeing to Fiona and Ajax, and for once he was not as drunk as his brother.

Thane stayed with Dwalin for the night, and for that I was grateful. As I was walking back down the hall, Thorin joined me and he sighed tiredly. We were both ready for bed. He promptly shut our doors and locked them, making me chuckle. I watched him as he took off the crown and placed it in its usual spot. I tilted my head a little, seeing his expression was full of sorrow again.

"Do you wish to be left alone tomorrow?" I asked.

"No," he shook his head. "I will be all right. There are things that need tending. You relax tomorrow. Gather your strength, you need it."

"All of us are going to need all the strength we can get."

I sighed as I got ready for bed. Shedding my clothes, I was about to put on something when he grabbed me from behind. I couldn't help the squeak of surprise that left my lips, but soon I was giggling. He had also shed his own clothes, and it was the quickest I had ever seen.

"Do be nice," I hummed, and he kissed me.

"Have I ever not been?" he smiled, and pressed our foreheads together. "I've missed you."

"And I you," I whispered, my voice tender.

He kissed me again, and our lips moved together just as wonderfully as the first day we had ever kissed. I hummed in happiness, glad that he had not been taken from me. Thorin pushed me back onto the bed and moved between my legs. He showed me for hours, just how much he had missed me.

I stayed in Erebor for a month before Galadriel contacted me. When she did, I was immediately on the move. I went over things for three days before it was time for me to go. I had delayed it enough since she had contacted me. Thorin stood on our balcony, and I looked at him quietly. I looked over the valley, and down into Dale. All of this could disappear if we didn't win this war. Our home would be gone, all those we cared for gone. I shifted slightly.

"If I should hear anything, I will return," I said softly.

"There are much larger things at stake," he rumbled, running a hand through my hair. "You have a greater involvement in this than we do. Be safe. I have no doubt you will do your best to protect us. But do not worry too much, we are protected here."

"You know I'd gladly die for you all," I answered, leaning into his touch.

"You are not allowed to die. Not without my permission," Thorin grunted, and I smiled.

"Then same to you, my King," I hummed.

He smiled at me, and pressed our lips together. When he stepped back, I nodded and turned into an eagle and took flight. Galadriel had given me a brief path of travel, but I knew that things could change at any moment. They were attempting to cross toward Mordor, near the beginning of Gondor.

The travel took me two days, and my tracking skills proved to be just as useful as they had been years ago. I flew toward Argonath, only to find traces of a battle there. Dead bodies littered the ground, and I tracked the scent of Aragorn. Frodo had gone across the river, but the others had not followed. What had happened?! The scent I followed turned me toward Rohan, and I flew well into the night.

When I found them, I was greeted by Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli only. Circling above, I dove down toward them and landed behind a large rock. Pushing my transformation to human, I walked out quietly and approached Legolas who was keeping watch. He turned toward me, and a relieved smile graced his lips.

"We thought you would not be returning," he murmured softly.

"There were things I had to tend to," I replied quietly. "Grief is a heavy thing."

"Aye, it is."

"What happened?" I asked seriously. "Where is Boromir? Merry and Pippin...and what happened to Sam and Frodo?"

"Sam and Frodo had to continue toward Mordor alone. We can no longer help them," Legolas murmured. "We were attacked by a new group of Orcs. Uruk Hai Orcs are different, they are a new race. They can travel faster and during the day. Boromir was killed defending Merry and Pippin, but the hobbits were taken by them. So, we are tracking them."

I sighed sadly at that and looked at the fire quietly. The loss of Boromir didn't bode well for Gondor. I knew he had been important, but I wasn't sure just how important. I decided to stay up with him for the rest of the night, not feeling the least bit tired. We didn't speak, and instead fell into a comfortable silence. I didn't know what this meant for the future. What were we going to do? The others woke up before the sun rose and Aragorn looked at me in surprise.

"Good to see you too," I mused.

"And you," he chuckled, while Gimli suddenly hugged me.

I laughed, but soon we were running after the group that had taken the two hobbits. I followed their pace for most of the day and we came across a large rock formation. Gimli was not fairing very well with this type of pace. Dwarves were natural sprinters, only for short distances. That made me grin, but more pressing issues had me holding it in.

"Rohan," Aragorn murmured, looking over the land. "Home of the Horse Lords. There's something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures. Sets its will against us..."

The Rohirrim couldn't possibly allow these creatures through here. I had never met Eomer, Captain of the riders. He was also nephew to the King of Rohan, but I had heard many things of him during my visit to Rohan. Eomer was extremely loyal to Rohan, and firm on protecting the lands from evil. I had met the King's son Theodred, and he had been a kind soul, but he could fight just as well as any. Legolas ran ahead of us, and scanned the land before us.

"Legolas, what do your elven eyes see!" Aragorn called.

"The Uruk's turn northeast!" he called, and his voice faltered. "They're taking the hobbits to Isengard!"

"Saruman," I hissed under my breath.

I rushed forward and jumped up next to the elf, and glared a little. I didn't want to risk transforming just yet, something told me it would be unwise. What was the point of this if using my powers would be useless!? I had never been afraid to use them before, why was I struggling now? Grunting to myself, I looked over the land and glanced back at Aragorn.

"If they are taking them there, then it is safe to assume that Saruman wants the Ring for himself. The Uruk's think that one of them is Frodo," I sighed, tensing dramatically.

"Best we keep moving," Aragorn grumbled, running forward.

I glanced back and noticed Legolas helping Gimli up some rocks. The scene almost melted my heart, but we didn't have any time for me to have a feelings moment. Turning, I ran after Aragorn and again he set up a pace that had Gimli falling a little behind.

"They are half a days journey," he breathed. "If we can keep moving, we may yet catch them before they get to Isengard."

"And what if we do catch them?" I demanded. "We may yet be to tired to take on this group."

"Well, do you feel like helping?" he asked, with some amusement.

"Ah, I feel like such a Queen," I complained, and he laughed.

We ran through the night and as the sun rose, Legolas looked at it. He seemed uncomfortable as the orb rose, and when I looked it was red. I wasn't sure what that meant to him, but from the way he looked I could tell it wasn't good.

"A red sun rises," he finally whispered. "Blood has been spilled this night."

"Don't say that," Gimli gasped. "We don't need to hear that."

I'm on a roll! Thank you for all the reviews on the earlier chapters! I appreciate it! Keeps me moving.

As usual, Misty *bows* thank youuuu very much! :P

Until next time!