Disclaimer: J.R.R. Tolkien owns everything save for the characters not within his own works.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
The morning air was cold. Laketown was far behind them, the cheers faded in the wind. Nuil sat in the second boat with Bilbo, Bofur, Bombur, Kili, Fili, Oin and Ori. They wore shining armor that was far too large on them. But the crimson cloaks gave them an air of majesty. Nuil was glad for the extra warmth, even if it was a tad bit extravagant.
The Master would not waste such finery if he did not expect full payment in return. Which he did, judging by the look on Thorin's face before they had left.
Thorin stood at the prow of the first boat, eyes trained on the mountain before them.
He had approached her this morning, pulling her aside to embrace her and tell her that he was sorry for the night before. That he had a lot on his mind. But he did not bring up his dream of Irmo nor her time in Mirkwood. It was almost as if nothing had happened.
Bilbo's sneeze cut through the air, and Nuil gave him a worried look while Oin began to search through his bag. "When we get to shore lad, we'll brew you a nice cup of tea-"
"We won't have time for that, Oin," Thorin said looking back towards them. "We must reach the mountain before nightfall. Master Baggins will have to wait."
Bilbo miserably rubbed his nose with a handkerchief. Nuil rubbed his back soothingly while Fili gazed at Thorin's back in worry.
The ground rose steadily as they approached the mountain, the plants withered and dead from the changing of seasons. If the tree stumps had been smoking and the air filled with black clouds, Nuil would have believed she had stepped back into her memories.
They ascended a ridge, Nuil kept her head bowed most of the time, walking beside Bilbo. But when he gasped she looked up and her breath caught in her throat. Before them lay the ruins of Dale, the once great city of men. The once proud towers were broken, roofs destroyed, walls crumbling. She remembered when it had once gleamed in the sunlight, bustling with people and trade.
Tears stung her eyes.
"What is this place?" Bilbo asked.
"Dale," she breathed, fully aware that she sounded close to tears.
"Aye," Balin murmured. "Now it is ruin. The Desolation of Smaug." Nuil swallowed thickly, willing her tears away when she looked towards Thorin. He was looking at her, eyes sad, but then he looked away and towards the mountain. Nuil frowned.
"The sun will soon reach midday. We must find the hidden door before it sets. This way." He turned to lead them down from the overlook, but Bilbo stepped forward with his brow furrowed in worry.
"Wait! Isn't this the overlook? Gandalf said to meet him here, on no account were we to-"
"Do you see him?" Thorin asked tightly. "No. We have no time to wait upon the wizard. We are on our own." He turned away and they followed silently. Nuil pressed her hand to Bilbo's shoulder comfortingly, but he shook his head and continued onward. Nuil had a sinking feeling in her stomach. With one last look at the city of Dale and over the overlook she followed the company.
Where was Gandalf? Why wasn't he there?
Bilbo found the way up, the great stone statue of a dwarven king leading them up the side of the mountain to a ledge where they gathered. The sun would be setting soon, and the sense of urgency fell upon them. Thorin stepped forward, facing the rock face.
"This must be it. The hidden door."
He turned to face them, looking far happier than he had in a long while. "Let all those who doubted us, rue this day!" He held the key in the air, beaming while the company cheered. Nuil smiled. They were here. It was almost over and they would soon be in the mountain.
Dwalin approached the rock face, feeling the surface. "There must be a keyhole somewhere," he murmured.
"The last light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole," Thorin said, glancing at the setting sun and then the wall. They could not see a key hole. "Nori." The dwarf moved to the wall and began tapping against it with a spoon and listening with a glass cup, an item he must have taken from the Masters dining set.
The sun was still setting and they were no closer to finding the keyhole. "We're losing light," Thorin said.
Dwalin began to hit the wall.
"Stop that, I can't hear when you do that," Nori complained. Nuil glanced worriedly at the sun, as if began to disappear.
"Break it down!" Thorin commanded.
The others went at the wall with their weapons. Nuil stood with Bilbo, frowning. Last light of Durin's day will shine upon the keyhole. Why wasn't it visible yet?
"Come on!"
A moment later the sun winked out beneath the horizon, leaving the sky darkened, but not completely dark. The company stilled. Thorin stared at the wall, mouth hanging while Balin's shoulders sank. They didn't open the door.
"The door is sealed," Balin murmured.
"No!" Thorin shouted, looking at the map in his hand and the key in his other. "The last light of Durin's day, will shine upon the keyhole . . ." He looked at them, looking lost and devastated. "That's what it says. What did we miss?" He looked at Balin, who shook his head. "Balin, what did we miss?"
"We've lost the light," he said. "There's no more to be done. We had but one chance. Come away lads, it's over."
"Wait a minute!" Bilbo cried, looking at them in shock. "Where are you going? You can't give up now!" Thorin dropped the key, ignoring Bilbo. "Thorin. You can't give up now." Thorin shoved the map into Bilbo's hands. He approached her, the last one standing on the ledge besides himself and Bilbo. Nuil tore her eyes away from Bilbo, letting Thorin take her hand and lead her back to the steps.
"Thorin," she said softly, "Bilbo is right. We have not come all this way just to turn back."
"You saw it, Nuil," Thorin murmured, eyes downcast.
"It does not mean that our quest is over," she went on.
"We lost the light."
"There is another door, the main door!" She pleaded, grasping at anything. "Smaug hasn't been seen in sixty years, surely he won't notice us enter through there."
Thorin sighed and grasped her by her shoulders. His shoulders were slumped, eyes full of disappointment. "It's over, Nuilweyil," he told her firmly.
Nuil broke out of his grasp, suddenly furious. She jabbed him in the chest with her finger. "You listen here Thorin Oakenshield!" she hissed. "You have spent your whole life dreaming of this moment, fighting for it and bleeding for it. You cannot give up merely because one secret door is shut! I have not come all this way to turn back. I have not come all this way to see you give up!"
He stared at her, shocked and surprised.
"Even Bilbo is fighting for this! Why can't you?!"
Thorin opened his mouth to reply, but Bilbo's voice cut through the air excitedly. "Come back! Come back! It's the last moon of Autumn!" Thorin did not wait, bounding up the steps, Nuil following. When she reached them Thorin was holding the key and staring at the shining hole in the wall. The rest of the company came running after her, staring in amazement.
Nuil watched Thorin approach the wall, putting the key into the keyhole and turned it. They all heard the lock turn, and Thorin pushed on the door. It grinded from disuse, but it opened. Nuil held her breath as Thorin entered, breathing, "Erebor."
Balin followed, moved to tears, "Thorin."
Thorin placed his hand on Balin's shoulders and then touched the walls of the darkened passageway. "I know these walls. These halls. This stone." He went in further. "You remember it, Balin. Chambers filled with golden light."
"I remember."
They all filed in. The dwarves looked at the engravings while Nuil approached Thorin. Although she was not a dwarf, being surrounded by the familiar stone sent a thrill down her spine. This was her home too, where she had grown up the most, where she had lived with her family.
"Herein lies the seventh kingdom of Durin's folk. May the heart of the mountain unite all dwarves in the defense of this home," Gloin said, drawing her attention to the engraving above the door.
"The throne of the king," Balin said.
"What's that above it?" Bilbo asked staring at the engraving of the throne and stone above it.
"The Arkenstone," Nuil murmured reverently.
"The Arkenstone. And what's that?" Bilbo asked. Nuil smiled slightly, at his curious question.
Thorin looked away from the stone walls. "That, Master Burglar, is why you're here." The hobbit clearly blanched at that. Nuil felt for him, yet she knew that was why he had joined. Not that Bilbo joined the company in the knowledge that he was to retrieve the Arkenstone. But that was why the dwarves had sought him out. Bilbo nodded slightly, while Balin took him by the elbow and further down the tunnel.
Nuil watched the pair disappear around the corner, worry lingering in her gaze while Thorin told the rest of them to get some sleep. When he turned back to her, Nuil tore her attention from the the tunnel to meet his gaze. She was glad to see that instead of looking crestfallen and upset, he looked happy and full of life. Nuil smirked at him.
"I told you not to give up," she said, raising her brows and pressing her lips together. Thorin looked down at her, raising a brow.
"Aye, you did."
"Aren't you glad that Bilbo remained behind, looking while you-"
Thorin suddenly embraced her, pressing his lips firmly to her own and effectively silencing her. His hands pressed into her hip and back of her head. Nuil wrapped her arms around his back fisting in his hair. Mahal! It had been ages since he had kissed her like this! He broke away from her, only to hold her tightly, face pressed into her neck.
"Well," she breathed, nearly laughing, "that was unexpected. Are you alright, my love?"
"I am happy, Nuilweyil. Very, very happy," he murmured before pressing a kiss to her neck and pulling away. He smiled at her, and she smiled back.
It could not have been midnight when a long rumble filled the air, and the mountain shook. Nuil jerked awake, sitting bolt upright as the others looked around. Thorin stood by the mouth of the passageway, arms crossed and staring into it. Fili gripped her arm, worriedly. Kili sat wide eyed beside his brother.
"Was that an earthquake?" Ori asked timidly.
"That, my lad, was a dragon," Balin said. Ori paled and so did Fili and Kili. The rumbling and shaking continued. Nuil stood as Ori looked at the passageway worriedly.
"What about Bilbo?"
"Give him more time," Thorin said.
"Time to do what?" Balin demanded, pulling Thorin away from them. "To be killed?" Nuil followed, but did not intrude.
"You're afraid," Thorin accused.
"Yes, I am afraid. I fear for you. A sickness lies upon that treasure horde. A sickness that drove your grandfather mad," Balin replied.
"I am not my grandfather."
"You're not yourself. The Thorin I know would not hesitate to go in there."
"I will not risk this quest for the life of one burglar," Thorin spat.
"Bilbo. His name is Bilbo," Balin said firmly. Thorin jerked as if the mention of Bilbo's name had burned him. He pressed his hand onto the wall of the passageway. Nuil made herself known then, touching Balin's shoulders. For a moment, she thought she saw something flicker in his eyes. Confusion perhaps, maybe even a possessed look.
Then without a word he took off down the passageway, ignoring her and Balin's shocked shouts. Nuil barely spared a glance a Balin before following Thorin down the dark passageway. She could hear the others behind her, their feet thudding against the ground, echoing off the walls. Smaug would surely hear that- but maybe not, the mountain was already shaking.
Nuil ascended the stairs, breathing heavily as a shocked voice reached her ears. She knew it was Bilbo, because Thorin's was much deeper. The passage ended at the top of the stairs and she was greeted with a massive amount of gleaming gold. There was so much of it, rising up higher and higher in the great hall before her. Gems glittered, drawing her attention. Nuil felt her breath catch.
It was so beautiful. And it was right there, waiting for her to reach out and touch it. Reaching down Nuil picked up a gold coin, rubbing her thumb against it, completely enthralled. Never before had she seen so much gold.
"Thorin!"
She twitched, the voice echoing through her head. It was familiar. Tearing her gaze away from the coin in her hand, she froze upon seeing Thorin and Bilbo. Thorin had the tip of his sword pressed against Bilbo's chest, giving the hobbit a menacing look while backing him towards the ledge. "Thorin!"
Nuil glanced down at the gold coin in her hand, opening her palm and tilting it to the side. Her hand shook as she let it slide, and then to fall with a clatter with the gold at her feet. She needed . . . to help Bilbo. Taking a determined step towards the two she froze once more, Thorin turning at the same time while the rest of the company arrived.
Smaug turned, his great glowing eyes trained on them, before he lunged forward. "You will burn!" he roared. The dwarves yelled in terror as Thorin grabbed the front of Bilbo's coat and pulled him towards a passageway.
"Come on!" he yelled as they followed him. Nuil flew by Thorin, grabbing Bilbo as Thorin took up the rear. Smaug roared again and this time a wave of heat chased after them, the flames latching onto Thorin's coat. Nuil cried out in alarm as they entered a small room, helping him pull if off and kick away. He grabbed her arm before heading towards another passageway.
"Come on!"
Nuil didn't know how long they ran for, all she knew was that it grew quiet, Smaug's roars simmering down to growls and then nothing. The hairs stood up on the back of her neck as they came to a bridge, the ones crossing over the gap that overlooked the market. Now it was empty.
"We've given him the slip," Dori whispered.
"No, he's too cunning for that," Dwalin murmured, looking out warily.
"So where to now?" Bilbo asked, still catching his breath.
"We're not too far from the western guard room. There may be a way out from there," Nuil said. Thorin looked at her and then nodded, stepping out onto the bridge.
"We'll go there, come on," he said. "Quietly now."
He still held onto her arm, keeping her close, while crossing the bridge. They did not see Smaug as they made their way towards the western guard room. Bilbo rubbed his red nose as their feet disturbed years of dust as they crept down the corridor, leading to the guard room. The door greeted them and gladly they entered the room.
Nuil stifled a shocked gasp at what met them. Bodies. Countless bodies piled and laying on one another. Dwarrowdams and children, a few warriors. She pulled her arm away from Thorin to cover her mouth. Dust covered their decaying bodies, mummified from the stale air, eyes sunken and lips pulled tight. Nothing was said as they all filed in, Thorin approaching the all that once held the door.
Now it was blocked, caved in with rubble and debris. There were marks upon the stone, as though they had tried to dig their way out.
"That's it then," Dwalin murmured solemnly. "There's no way out."
"The last of our kin," Balin said looking at the dwarrowdam beside him sorrowfully. "They must have come here, hoping beyond hope." Nuil moved through the bodies, feeling ill at the sight of them. They had come here, seeking freedom, seeking a way out and escape from Smaug. Only to die here, from starvation and in fear of the dragon finding them. Her knees buckled at the sight of the children, clinging to their mothers, emaciated.
"We could try to reach the mines," Balin went on, "We might last a few more days." The others shared bleak looks while Thorin stared at the caved in doorway. His fingers clenched, before he spoke.
"No. I will not die like this. Cowering, clawing for breath." He turned to face them, determined. "We make for the forges."
"He'll see us," Fili murmured glancing back the way they had come.
"Not if we split up," Thorin said.
"But we'll never make it," Dori said looking at his brothers before giving Thorin a skeptical look. Nuil took a deep breath, knowing that the plan could mean their early deaths. Some of them might not make it should Smaug find them. Thorin's words worried her also, these dwarrow did not mean to come here to die like they had. They had been trapped, hoping for their people to come back and free them.
"Some of us might. Lead Smaug to the forges. We kill the dragon," he then looked at them all, pointing at the ground as he spoke. "If this is to end in fire, then we will all burn together."
Nuil looked at Thorin, her chest tightening. It was suicide. Would he risk their lives, his nephews, just to seek revenge? His eyes gleamed, he looked almost fevered, angry. They silently began to file out of the guard room, stunned by Thorin's words, but not questioning them. What else were they to do? Sit back and die?
She was last to leave, eyes straying over the bodies. What misery they must have felt in their last hours. Hoping for their kin to find them and free them from their tomb. She could have been like that, sealed within the mountain. Luck had been on her side, and she had found an opening to claw her way out of. Turning away a face caught her eye.
Beardless, unadorned. Straight dark hair, thinner.
Mahal no.
Nuil slowly turned back, breath catching, knees weakening. That face, at one time had smiled lovingly at her, had smoothed her hair and kissed away her tears. Sang to her before bed at night. A cry left her lips, echoing off the walls. She fell her her knees, hands fisting in her hair.
No. No, no, no, no, no, no.
She vaguely heard hurried footsteps, voices and then a sudden hush. The company had returned. But she didn't care, nothing mattered.
"Nuil?"
A firm hand landed on her shoulder.
"Nuilweyil?"
Nuil shook her head, hot tears overflowing and running down her cheeks. This could not be. What had she done to deserve this? What had her family done? It didn't matter, not yet, that a child clung to her skirt and her arms were wrapped comfortingly around the child. A sob escaped Nuil's lips. This had been the fate she had not imagined.
The fate of her mother.
So I somehow had the time to write these past couple days. Pretty emotional I believe, it was definitely something I've had written in notes for a while. This is definitely not a good chapter for Nuil, especially towards the end. Yeah. Writing this was also hard too, because it was so draining. We're nearing the end of The Desolation of Smaug, but luckily the BOTFA comes out in a few months.
Where I will sob loudly and eat gallons of ice cream after watching. Pretty sure it's going to be scaring.
Thank you to my reviewers! I know I haven't added a lot of Bard and his family (especially since his family is so adorable) but hopefully you'll forgive me that omission. Hope you enjoy and not get too sad . . .
~filimeala