Chapter 5

Three Parts Fool

Thorin's POV

I heard Caladhiel speaking Elvish. I looked down and found her looking to the east. A few tears rolled down her cheeks. I knew she was saying good bye to someone she loved.

"Caladhiel."

She looked up at me.

"You will not die today." I said.

She looked shocked but nodded slowly.

"Fili!"

Gandalf tossed a flaming pinecone down to him. He helped the others ignite more and we started to throw them at the orcs and wargs. They yelped when their coats caught on fire and I started to smile. But then the tree fell backwards. Lin screamed and Fili kept a tight hold on her. Dori and Ori were hanging onto Gandalf's staff for dear life. There was no way for me to help anyone, not even my own daughter. If I moved I would risk making the tree fall. I saw Thorin look at Azog. He stood up and then started to run down towards him.

NO!

"No!"

I saw my daughter run by, the pain in her ankle forgotten.

"Lin no!" I shouted.

I saw Fili pull himself up. I looked back to see Thorin thrown onto a rock. Lin ran forward and stood ready to fight.

Thorin's POV

I saw Lin in front of me.

"Take one more step and you die!" she hissed.

Azog laughed at her.

"Lin….run." I said weakly.

She did not move and I tried to reach for my sword. Pain wracked my body and I stopped moving. An orc came forward and she jumped up and somehow snapped it's neck. More were coming at her, then I saw someone small jump one of the orcs. That was all I remembered.

Lin's POV

I would not let them hurt Thorin! Bilbo stood beside me and I looked at him.

"Take care of Thorin. I shall take care of the orcs." I said.

"No, we must work together." he said.

I nodded and more of the orcs started to come forward. I jumped up and kicked one in the face. Several of the other dwarves. I smiled and then went to Thorin. My mother was already at his side, trying everything she could to help him. She looked up at me and then Bilbo crashed into me. I looked back to see Azog and his wolf beast coming towards us. My mother was in front of us in seconds. Speaking in a language I did not understand.

"~Take one more step and I shall tear you apart!~" she hissed.

I had never seen my mother so vicious. He came forward but she blocked his swing and forced him back.

"~You will never touch Thorin or my child!~" she snarled.

She threw him back and he ordered his orcs to kill her.

Caladhiel's POV

I would destroy them all! Before I could do anything, I heard a shrill cry from the sky. I looked up and I had to smile. Gwaihir and the great eagles had come. They attacked the wargs and orcs, grabbing and throwing some of them off the cliff. I saw Lin with Fili and knew she was safe. I ran back to Thorin and put my ear to his chest. His heart was beating but it was faint.

"Just hold on Thorin. Hold on." I whispered.

One of the eagles came for him and I took his sword. Fili, Lin and Kili were safe on another eagle. One of them picked me up and dropped me onto the back of another one with Bilbo. As we all flew away, I heard Azog roar in frustration. I smirked and then looked ahead. I looked at my daughter and then looked for Thorin.

"THORIN!" Fili shouted.

Thorin was still unconscious in the eagle's talons.

Do not die!

The eagles flew to the Carrock and there they set us down. Lin ran to Thorin and dropped to her knees. She listened for his heart and looked relieved so I knew she heard one.

"Thorin!" Gandalf said.

He rushed forward and knelt down.

"Thorin?"

I walked forward.

"Allow me."

Gandalf stood back and I knelt down.

"Menno o nin na hon i eliad annen annin, hon leitho o ngurth." I said softly.

His eyes slowly opened and I smiled.

"Welcome back." I said.

"The Halfling? Lin?"

"Both are safe. Do not sit up too fast."

He sat up and Fili and Kili helped them stand. He looked at Lin and Bilbo.

"What were you thinking Lin?! You could have been killed! What would your have done then? I think your mother should have had you stay in Rivendell."

She hung her head. I remained silent, then he looked to Bilbo.

"You nearly got yourself killed!" he walked forward. "Did In not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild? That you had no place amongst us?"

Bilbo also hung his head. Then I saw Thorin smile. He pulled both of them into his arms.

"I have never been so wrong in all my life!"

I smiled and so did the other dwarves. I did not miss the look passed between Fili and Lin. I knew Fili was a good and noble dwarf, even if he was quite a bit older than her. Then again he was still quite young for a dwarf.

"I am sorry I doubted you, both of you."

"No I would have doubted me too. I am not a hero or a warrior, or a fighter like Miss Lin." he paused and then smirked.

"Not even a burglar."

We all chuckled at that.

"And I know I am still quite young."

I smiled at my child with pride. She had grown so much since we had arrived here. As the eagles flew away and held a hand up in farewell. Gwaihir flew in front of me.

"It has been a pleasure Lady Caladhiel."

I bowed.

"The pleasure has been mine my lord Gwaihir! It was truly an honor to see you again. May your aerie receive you at your journey's end."

He bowed his head and then flew off with his people. As we watched them I saw what had drawn everyone's attention. It was Erebor. I smiled but then I saw the vast forest of the Greenwood. I sighed and looked away.

Later that night, I wandered into the forest at the base of the Carrock. I touched the bark of the trees and sighed.

"Before…" I turned and looked at Thorin. "When we were in the trees on the cliff, who were you saying good-bye to?" he asked.

I looked to the east.

"My husband."

"I knew not that you were married."

I kept my eyes on the ground.

"I have time to hear it." he offered.

I looked at Thorin. His blue eyes were full of kindness and some concern. I nodded and we sat down at the base of the tree.

"It was many years ago. As you said, I was indeed one of Thranduil's people. I always followed my king, but I made my own decisions as well. This was what made my husband fall in love with me. I still love him so much. Leaving him…nearly killed me, but at the time I knew it was the right thing to do."

"What caused you to leave him?" He asked gently.

I closed my eyes.

"An argument. A very terrible argument. I wanted to help someone, and he would not let me. After about 50 years, I knew I had made a mistake. But I had no way back. My heart broke every day. When Lin was born, things were a little easier, but not by much. Being so close to him now after all these years…."

I did not know how to continue. He put his hand on my back.

"I am certain he still loves you and wants nothing more than to have you back."

I smiled sadly and hugged him. He put an arm around me and pat my back.

"I cannot understand your pain, but I will help in anyway I can."

"Thank you Thorin. You are a true friend. And thank you for always being so kind to my daughter."

"You are welcome. You too are a very good friend to me and you have my trust. I have grown very fond of Lin. She is a brave girl with a noble heart. All fine qualities. You raised her well." he said.

I smiled

"Thank you."

We separated and he smiled.

"I shall always be here for you and Lin." he said.

I kissed cheek and gave him a grateful smile. I heard a twig snap and immediately went on alert.

Lin's POV

I walked around through the woods and smiled. Middle-Earth was a beautiful place. I knew someone was following me, and I knew who it was. I smiled and looked over my shoulder.

"Hello Fili."

He came out with a smile.

"Lin. I was worried so I followed you."

I smiled and walked back to him.

"I did not mean to make you worry. Would you walk with me?"

"Well I cannot say not to such a pretty lass."