Disclaimer: everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien save for the characters and events not in his works.
Personal responsibility
Personal responsibility
Personal responsibility
Personal responsibility
~Archive, Bullet
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
T.A. 2941
True to her word, once they set out again she melted back into the land, following, but not joining the company. Bilbo would glance back every-so often hoping to catch a glimpse of her, only to see nothing. Sometimes he even wondered if she really was following them at all. One time he looked over his shoulder, he fancied that he saw her in the distance, a dark shape moving after them. Gandalf was always quick to divert his attention from doing this too often.
Nearing a week of on-and-off rain, the company had had quite enough. The cloak Nuil had lent to Bilbo was soaked and only weighing him down on his pony. The hood helped when the wind picked up and carried the cold droplets, but the water still ran down his face from the top of his head. He dreaded to think of how Nuil was faring. She had no cloak.
The company had not seen the woman since her last appearance, and it grated on their leaders nerves. It made him furious when he had found out Nuil had given her cloak to the hobbit. Foolish woman, he growled to himself. She would catch a cold and be ill, and they would never know. Didn't she know that she was just like them? She wasn't above the elements, nor was she a master of them. Thorin would admit, grudgingly, that he had been short with the hobbit ever since this was revealed to him. But it was Master Baggins own stupidity that had been the cause.
The rain became worse around midday. They were all miserable.
"Here, Mr. Gandalf!" cried Dori. "Can't you do something about this deluge?"
"It is raining master dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain is done," Gandalf replied his voice laced with annoyance. "If you wish to change the weather you should find yourself another wizard."
"Are there any?" Bilbo asked curiously when Dori grumpily slumped back into his saddle without another word.
"What?"
"Other wizards."
"There are five of us. The greatest of our order is Saruman, the white. Then there are the two blue wizards-" he paused slightly, "-you know I've quite forgotten their names."
Bilbo nodded. "And who is the fifth?"
"That would be Radagast the brown."
"Is he a great wizard, or more like you?"
Gandalf was silent for a moment, seeming to chew on the words that he wanted to say but knew he couldn't. Finally he spoke, his voice carefully calm and seemingly bright. "I think Radagast is a great wizard in his own way. He is a gentle soul, who prefers the company of animals to others. He keeps a watchful eye over the vast forestlands to the East. And a good thing too, for always evil will look to find a foothold in this world."
Bilbo nodded. "Ah." He leaned back into the saddle, giving Myrtle an affectionate pat and turning his gaze to the woods. It was not long before his thoughts turned back to his cozy hearth and dry home.
"What do you mean you have forgotten their names?" Kili asked as he spurred his pony ahead to near the wizard. Everything about wizards was foreign to him, they seemed so odd and so strange. While he respected Gandalf a great deal, there was just something about them that seemed off. Perhaps it was Gandalf's overgrown eyebrows, and mysterious ways. It wasn't strange for a dwarf like himself to be a little leery of the wizard. Dwarves were always suspicious of new and strange things.
Gandalf looked over his shoulder, giving the young dwarf a thoughtful gaze. For Kili was by far, the most willing to ask him things that he didn't understand. The rest of the company usually grumbled under their breath about what they didn't understand, or take insult.
"Why, my lad, it is not that I don't know their names, for I once could recall them quite well," said Gandalf. "It is that I have not seen them for many long years, and as with time, many things can pass out of knowledge. I am sure once I meet them I would remember their names quite well."
"How old are you, exactly?" Kili asked, raising his eyebrows. He fully expected the wizard to only be about three hundred years old. However Gandalf pressed his lips together and didn't respond, looking ahead with a frown on his face. "Well? It can't be that long since you last saw them? Maybe age has caught up with you!"
"Kili!" Thorin barked from ahead as the wizard turned in his saddle looking miffed. "Enough."
Kili slumped in his saddle. "I was only curious."
Thorin nearly rolled his eyes. Nearly. He scowled at his nephew. Thorin almost sent him a kinder look, taking pity on the dejection written across Kili's face, until he caught the smile pulling at the corners of his lips. The little whelp. It was the same look he had shared with Fili that night on the outcropping of rocks, when they had teased their burglar about orcs. He turned, looking ahead, slightly exasperated, slightly amused.
Thorin looked up from his chair in the comfort of his home in Ered Luin. The heavy tome in his hands seemed to grow heavier as sleep threatened to take him. But his eyes landed on Nuil, Fili tugging at her skirt as she was sewing, silently spending the evening with him. She paused looking down to the young lad, a smile easily coming to her face.
"Fili?"
Her voice was gentle, never raised at the boy unless he was up to something mischievous. It was late at night and Thorin could not understand why he was awake. He had been put to bed a good hour ago. Dis would be very displeased to find out her eldest was bothering her friend- his aunt.
Fili's face was pinched, with fear and he looked on the verge of tears. Thorin caught the worried glance she cast over at him. Fili's blue eyes were full of emotion and brimming with unshed tears. As quickly as the smile had appeared on Nuil's face, it vanished replaced by a look of alarm.
"Fili? What's wrong, mimel ze?"
Instead of replying he raised his arms up to her, biting his lip and turning his back to Thorin. Nuil's worried face turned to one of alarm and she pulled Fili up into her lap, cradling him to her chest. Thorin shut his book, looking to her for any sign that he was needed. He was not a fool, he could see his nephew shaking in her arms, small noises coming from him. The lad was crying. His face buried in the crook of her neck.
"Shhh, dear one, I am here," she said soothingly to him. Her hand rubbed his back as his tiny hands fisted into the front of her blouse. "Hush."
"A-Aunnie," Fili raised his head to look at her after several minutes of weeping. His voice shook and he wiped his nose with his sleeve. "Amadinh, I dreamed you left us. You never came back."
"Is this what has caused these tears, mimel ze?" she questioned her eyes filling with shame. Thorin swallowed, knowing that his nephew was dreaming of the night he had told Nuil to leave. It was his fault, not hers that Fili was crying. Slowly Fili nodded, sniffling pitifully.
Nuil pulled him to her, clutching him so tightly that Thorin was surprised the little lad didn't cry out. Her warm brown eyes fluttered over to glance at Thorin's briefly, he could see the wetness in them.
"I will never leave you, thakul mimel ze," she said before kissing the top of his golden hair. "Ever." Fili's arms wrapped around her neck and he lifted himself up to kiss her cheek, close to the edge of her mouth.
"Azyung zu, Aunnie," Fili said quietly. She gave him a smile.
"Azyung zu, mimel ze."
He blinked, dispelling the memory from his mind as he turned to look back over the company. His blue eyes swept over his dwarves, taking in their appearances. He was glad that the rain had stopped early that morning. After nearly two weeks of being wet and cold, the reprieve was welcomed and it showed. Bofur was laughing at something said between him and the hobbit. Thorin noted that Nuil's cloak was still wrapped around his shoulders. He had seen that same action so many times before . . .
He opened the door, exhausted from his day of work. It was not the straining work of a smith, hammering at iron and steel by hot furnaces, but it felt like it. Negotiating trade agreements, peace talks with neighboring villages . . . he was not suited for it. He was meant for the battle fields, and wars, not sitting in a room all day making peace and tolerating the preening and simpering lords who met with him.
Thorin stumbled, catching himself by shooting out a hand to support himself. Looking down at his feet he was pleasantly surprised to find his two nephews piled on top of each other, sleeping. Kili was pressed against Fili's chest, mouth hanging open and his hands curled around the cloak enveloping them.
He felt his heart warm at the sight. They had waited for him.
Bending down he lifted Kili into his arms. The lad let out a whine of protest, still firmly gripping the cloak. With a jolt of surprise he recognized the stitch work. Nuil's gift to them, the cloaks. It was Fili's, the golden embroidery glimmering in the faint light. Swallowing he lifted Fili into his arms, careful to keep the cloak within their grasps.
It had only been a few months since her departure. But it felt like ages. Her presence was missed, it was like a great hole had open up in their lives. It made the loss of Eurig even more painful. Thorin was constantly expecting her to be standing in the doorway of his study when he was up late working, with her body leaning against the door frame, arms crossed and intently watching him. Her chair at the dinner table was empty. He longed to speak with her again, hear her voice and taste the sweetness of her lips.
Thorin shook his head, gazing down at his nephews in his arms as they slumbered on. Kissing their heads he made his way to their room, setting them down in Kili's bed. They seemed to be inseparable, and he didn't have the will to part them. Kili curled up next to his brother, a hand coming to rest on his golden haired siblings braids. Thorin tucked the cloak around them. He put a hand on each of their heads and stared at them for a moment. Taking in their innocence, their peaceful faces. Then he pulled away.
He sighed.
Slowly his gaze alighted in his nephews. Fili sat in his saddle with a calm look on his face, gazing around at the flatlands intently. He looked back at his brother, a small smile tugging his lips. Kili was slumped over in his saddle, eyes shut and sleeping. Fili held the reigns of his pony, guiding him while Kili slept, snoring softly.
They reminded him of his brother, Frerin. Like Fili and Kili, they had shared a strong bond. In their early years, when they were barely able to lift a battle axe or raise a hammer, he and Frerin had been like bread and butter. Over time, their duties had pulled them apart, but they still had that bond. A lump rose in Thorin's throat but he quickly swallowed it. It was the past, there was nothing he could do. Thorin turned his gaze out over the land, thinking. He heard laughter from the company, but paid little attention.
When he reclaimed Erebor. That Lonely Mountain that he so desperately wanted to restore his people to. To have them stand tall and proud once more, to be respected and admired by all. He wanted the glory, he wanted to make his father and grandfather proud. Fulfill their dreams.
But what of his own dreams? A part of his mind questioned. Wasn't he entitled to some happiness? Did he not have a right to make himself happy? He knew it was his duty, to his kin and people. His duty as King. Yet he wanted what he had dreamed of for years, his own happiness. When all this was over and done, perhaps he would be given that chance.
His gaze turned to the land, wondering and secretly hoping.
"What's that?" cried one of the company. Thorin stiffened, turning. It was Ori who had spoken. His hand was pointing at something coming towards them from the northeast. It was in the distance, moving fast. Thorin turned his pony, Minty, narrowing his eyes.
Kili jerked awake, blinking and rubbing his eyes as Fili drew closer to him. Gandalf frowned.
"It is on a horse," he murmured.
"What do we do?" cried Dori, panic in his voice. Several other murmurs joined his. Thorin grit his teeth. Of all the things that could happen-
"Move, there is cover ahead!"
The dwarves urged their ponies into a fast canter, over the flatlands. The beasts breathed heavily from the sudden exertion, some neighing with protest as they neared the edge of the wooded land before them. The rider was still following and gaining. Gandalf wheeled around.
"Into the trees! Be silent!" he commanded. Thorin glared at the wizard but the company did as he said, disappearing into the trees while Gandalf rode out to meet the rider. He scowled darkly, wondering what the wizard was up to. They watched as the horses slowed and whomever it was speak with Gandalf.
Thorin pressed his lips into a thin line, watching the exchange carefully. Dwalin came to his side.
"What do ya' think it is?" he asked gruffly.
"A spy, perhaps," Thorin growled. It could be any number of things, it could even kill their wizard and then what were they to do? His hand went to the hilt of his sword gripping it tightly while his other reached for his ax. Finally Gandalf turned towards them, leading the rider towards them. The company stiffened. Several yards before the trees the rider stopped and Gandalf called out.
"It is all right! He is a friend," Gandalf said. They looked to one another and then to the wizard, clearly not trusting of his words.
They slowly emerged from the trees, riding their ponies and giving the stranger wary and unfriendly glares. His clothing was dirty, covered in dirt and stains from things they really didn't want to know. Thorin found his appearance oddly familiar, brown hair and brown eyes strong nose and restless gaze. It almost reminded him of . . .
The man gave him a respectful nod.
"Hail, Thorin son of Thrain, son of Thror, King under the Mountain," he said once they had pulled their ponies to a halt. His company rested their eyes on him, shifting in their saddles warily. "It has been many long years since we last met."
"Nogoth, son of Nolen," Thorin inclined his head stiffly. "Indeed it has." He frowned then. "What brings you to these lands?" At this Nogoth nodded slightly.
"My sister often roams these lands," he said with a faint smile, "she is the only one who traverses them frequently, and my brothers bird has not been able to find her. Mayhaps you have seen her? She is often in the company of dwarves."
Thorin narrowed his eyes slightly. "How did you find us?"
"A vendor in Bree mentioned a group of dwarves passing through, followed by a woman resembling my sister," Nogoth replied. "It is not hard to follow a trail, though the rain has made it difficult. I lost her tracks shortly after the rain began, I had hoped she would be with you."
Alarm shot through Thorin. Lost her tracks? Did that mean she was not following them any more? He had known that she would not enter their camp again after the incident with the river, but he had at least hoped she would come and speak with him when the watch was on his shift.
Gandalf cleared his throat. "I believe your sister is still following us, Master Nogoth. If you stay with us, you may speak with her at nightfall."
"Why is she not with you?" Nogoth demanded, eyes narrowing at Thorin. "Why does she not have a pony, or travel with your company?"
Thorin grit his teeth together, furious that he was asking him these questions. He had no right. He knew nothing of the situation, nor what Nuil was planning or intended. Not that Thorin himself, truly knew all of what Nuil was doing. Dwalin huffed, muttering under his breath as Fili and Kili began to talk to each animatedly.
Gandalf sighed, seeing that Thorin and Nogoth were at a stalemate. Neither willing to speak or answer one another. "Come, let us find a camp for the night. Then we will begin our discussion, once a little food is in our bellies."
Bombur declared that that was a good idea and spurred his pony onwards. The company and Nogoth trailed after Gandalf and the fat dwarf, with Thorin bringing up the rear like a thunderous storm cloud.
Yeah. I know, LONG wait. I sincerely apologize. My life has gotten insane. Since the last chapter, I had to get stitches after an accident at practice, my teachers thought it was okay to give me tons of homework, had that really annoying summer/fall cold going around, and my brother is on the computer 24/7. Ugh.
I will also admit that I hit the dreaded writers block with this story. This chapter was so hard for me to edit because I got stuck on the one I am currently writing and I had a nightmare that Nuil turned into a MarySue(which is ridiculous), but also a little bit true. So I've sort of been avoiding this story and working on others, which I know is not cool. Plus I've realized that I'm not explaining things that well, and I'm trying to fix it, and make everything make sense. This probably doesn't make sense (fisting my hair and banging head against table). Writer Problems.
Thank you to my awesome reviewers,: RALover89, Comics4theFeels, The Penned Tekrid, Chilled Souls of the Forgotten, Sam0728, and Just4Me. I'll try to make things clearer and just better when I explain things in the story. I'm pretty bad at just glossing over information and not explaining. Without you all this story would probably be a whole lot worse.
As always, Read and Review!
~filimeala