A/N: So we have come to the end of The Desolation of Smaug. This chapter gave me a little trouble but I hope you like it; please let me know what you think. I know in the movie things happened much quicker but I extended the time line more like it was in the book, giving the company more time to reach the mountain once they left Lake-Town. There are some words and phrases in Khuzdul and the ones not immediately explained in the chapter are translated at the bottom. A big thanks to the Dwarrow Scholar for his help with some of the Khuzdul. Thank you to all the new followers and reviews. :)
The next chapter might be a bit late as I'm going to the opening night of Star Wars Friday so if I don't have it ready before then it will be late Saturday or Sunday before I can get it posted.
I also have a Pinterest board with pictures that were inspiration for this story. You'll find it under my username Robinbird79 and then the title of this story.
MyPetalHeart: I hope this answers your question.
ro781727: This should answer the first part of your questions. I hope it works.
As always, the genius is all Tolkien's and PJ's. I'm only a dreamer in their world.
Thorin lay in their bed, staring at the wooden ceiling. Once they had returned to their room, he had shown his wife just how much he loved her; the thought of how his name had sounded on her lips bringing a quick smile to his face. She had eventually drifted off to sleep, snuggled close to him, but his mind had been whirling and he'd eventually given up even trying to sleep. He kept his arms wrapped tightly around the woman laying across his chest, marveling in all that had come to him on this quest. Recovering the mountain had been his deepest desire for so long, the only thing that he had ever dreamed about. Now it was so close, no more than a few days walk from where he lay, its song trilling in his veins, and he had one of the hardest decisions to make. Could he risk the blessings that Mahal had given him? What if something happened to Rhae in the mountain? The thought of losing her caused his chest to tighten in panic; he could not lose her. This female who at first glance looked almost like a child but was no doubt all woman, containing such strength and fire and love within her, had brought so much to his life. She was precious beyond measure to him. He sighed, running his hands through her hair, knowing he could not delay in making this decision. Regretfully, as he did not know when they would have a chance to be together in private again, he rose, dressing quickly and slipping out the door. He needed to talk with Balin.
Rhae woke earlier than usual. Thorin was not in the room but that wasn't surprising. She had been aware of his restless sleep and she was sure his eagerness had woken him early. Thoughts of what all would happen that day had her throwing back the blankets and reaching for her clothes. The Master had provided them with some light armor though it was obvious the chain mail hauberk she'd been given was going to engulf her. She was right. Even over her tunic and leather jerkin it was baggy and fell to her knees. Nevertheless she cinched her sword belt tightly around her waist to hold it in place. As she was slipping into her boots nausea suddenly overtook her and she lunged for the basin, barely making it in time. She was glad she hadn't eaten yet. The door opened while she was still on her knees and she felt Thorin's hands on her shoulders.
When she was finished he helped her to the bed, handing her a cup with water in it. She caught the thoughtful, slightly apprehensive expression on his face. An uneasiness settled on her and she sat the cup to the side.
"Are you alright, Rhae?"
"Aye. This is nothing out of the ordinary for someone in my condition."
He nodded slightly. "I have been speaking with Balin this morning." She simply watched him, noticing that he was clearly a bit nervous. "Considering the uncertainty of what lies before us and the preciousness of what you now carry, we've decided it would be best if you stay here in Lake-Town until we have dealt with the dragon."
She stared at him in disbelief. "You cannot be serious."
"I am. I have discussed this with Balin and -"
"You cannot leave me here! I am your wife, a part of this company. I have traveled this long road with you to help reclaim the mountain."
"The situation has changed, Rhae."
"I am still me, am I not?"
"Yes, you are, but you are now carrying my child."
"I am not disabled."
"No but we cannot endanger the life of our child. Balin and I -"
"So the two of you have made all the decisions for me without even thinking about my opinion."
"For Mahal's sake, woman, do you not understand?"
His outburst surprised her enough that her mouth snapped shut. He ran a hand over his face. He had known how she would react, how angry she would be but when he had walked in their room and saw her retching over a basin he knew he had made the right decision. Now if he could just convince her without any blood being drawn. By the fire in her eyes that outcome was doubtful.
"This was not an easy decision. Your skills have proved invaluable again and again during our journey." She snorted in derision but he ignored it. "I do not want to leave you here. The thought of being parted from you is maddening but I cannot risk your life and the life of our child. If something should go wrong in the mountain, that baby will be the last of the line of Durin." He looked at her, his eyes slightly pleading for her understanding. "I am already risking the lives of my sister-sons. I can not risk the lives of the woman I love and our child."
Rhae took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Thorin, I promised that I would stay by your side no matter what comes, that I would help you fight the sickness that curses that gold. You talk about how you can't stand the thought of risking my life or the baby's life but how do you think I would feel if I lost you to that darkness?"
They were both silent for a while, each thinking on the other's words, seeing the sense in what had been said but unable to come to a decision. Thorin knew that time was against them; the company would be leaving within the hour. He had to get her to agree.
"I would rather risk myself than you," he whispered, tipping her chin up until she met his eyes. "Khuzd tada zazin ma katakhthizi, ma zatakyili d'asukh galkh. You are kurduyê, gayadê, ulkhudê and I could not live if you were not by my side." She had no clue what he had said first but she recognized the last three words: my heart, my joy, my light. A shaky breath escaped her and she ran a hand through her hair. She was not a lone Ranger any longer. She had to take into consideration the feelings of others even if it went completely against her own desires.
"I will do as you ask." The reluctance clear in her voice but Thorin felt relief wash over him. He pulled her into his chest, bringing his lips to hers. She sighed into and enjoyed the sensations it gave her though she pulled back a moment later to look him in the face. "I do not like this at all but I can see your point."
"I know you do not like it. You are a warrior at heart but thank you." She simply nodded. "I would say one thing more. You don't have to agree to this but it would ease my mind if you did." She glanced at him warily, wondering what other unwanted surprised he was about to spring on her. "If something should happen to us, would you please return to the Blue Mountains and my sister? Dís would take care of you both." This wasn't what she had expected at all but she had no reason to deny him this request. If something did indeed happen she would be left quite alone; the thought of finding refuge with his sister was welcome.
"As you wish." She came to her feet. "It is time to go. I'm sure the company is waiting."
Bilbo glanced at the line of dwarves as they walked towards the dock. "You do know we're one short. Where's Bofur?"
Rhae looked behind her, scanning the company and realizing Bilbo was correct. Now that she thought about it she realized she couldn't recall seeing him the night before or this morning in the inn.
"If he's not here, we leave him behind." She frowned at Thorin's words. He was already going to be one short since she was to stay in Lake-Town.
"We have to if we're to find the door in time. We can risk no more delays," Balin agreed resolutely. Knowing he was right, she nevertheless shook her head in regret.
It seemed like most of the town had turned out to see the dwarves off. They called out blessings and encouragement to the company as they reached the pier and the boat that would take them across the lake. Rhae stood slightly to the side with Thorin, watching as the company began boarding the boat. She was still feeling a bit irritated with the dwarf king though after cooling down she really could at least see his side. It didn't make her change her mind - she was perfectly capable of going with them - but it did keep her from arguing further. She turned to say something but was stopped when he reached out, grabbing Kíli's arm he was passing.
"Not you. We must travel with speed. You will slow us down."
"What are you talking about? I'm coming with you," Kíli said incredulously, a smile on his face. It was clear he thought his uncle was joking but Rhae had caught the look in Thorin's eyes.
"No." The word seemed to echo. Fíli, already in the boat, turned to watch what was happening between his uncle and brother, unable to believe what he thought he had overheard.
Kíli frowned. "I'm going to be there when that door is opened, when we first look upon the halls of our fathers, Thorin."
"Kíli, stay here with Rhae. Rest. Join us when you're healed." He tried to keep his voice low and gentle however there was no mistaking the underlying iron in his tone. Laying a hand on his nephew's shoulder he smiled reassuringly but Kíli's face betrayed his utter shock.
"Are you sure about this? You realize what you're taking away from him?" Rhae asked quietly as Thorin turned to board the boat.
"I am."
Oin climbed back onto the dock. "I'll stay with the lad. My duty lies with the wounded."
Fíli finally spoke up. "Uncle, we grew up on tales of the mountain. Tales you told us. You can't take that away from him!"
"Fíli -"
"I will carry him if I must!" Rhae winced at the desperation in his voice.
"One day you will be king and you will understand. I cannot risk the fate of this quest for the sake of one dwarf, not even my own kin." There was a moment of painful, awkward silence as Fíli looked between his uncle and brother. Rhae saw the decision in his eyes before he even made a move to leave the boat.
"Fíli, don't be a fool. You belong with the company," Thorin ordered, grabbing his nephew's arm.
"I belong with my brother." He shook off his uncle's hand and joined his brother where he stood with Oin's help on the side of the dock.
The musicians struck up a tune as the Master climbed onto a hastily erected platform. He began to address the crowd but Thorin turned to her and everything around them faded into the background. His blue eyes were shining with eagerness and she knew everything in him was straining to get to the mountain. She would not cling to him even if she wished to.
"Mahal tadnani astû, sanzigil tamkhihi astû," she said carefully, hoping she remembered the words she'd had Balin teach her earlier. Surprise and then pride flashed through his eyes and he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"There are no words to describe how much I love you, Rhae." He kissed her deeply, savoring the taste of her while he could. A loud cheer from the crowd signaled the Master's speech was over and Thorin reluctantly parted from her. "I will send for you as soon as we have secured the mountain." She found she couldn't get any words passed the lump in her throat so she merely nodded and watched him climb into the boat. He didn't break eye contact with her as Nori and Dori pushed the boat away from the dock and into the canal. All the dwarves, save Thorin, smiled, bowed, and waved at the people as they began paddling away. The dwarf king and Ranger remained fixated on one another until the distance between them made it impossible. She looked at her companions, noticing the misery on Kíli's face.
"Ah! So you missed the boat as well?" a cheerful voice said behind them. Bofur stood there, outfitted in his new armor.
"Where have you been?" she asked with a grin.
He smiled sheepishly. "Asleep as far as I can figure," he replied with a smile.
She could only shake her head. "Come. Let us return to the inn. There is nothing to do now but wait."
They didn't make it back to the inn. Before they'd gone very far Kíli slumped against his brother's shoulder, his face pale, his eyes feverish.
"We'll never get him back to the inn like this," Oin muttered. Rhae glanced around, trying to get her bearings in the jumble of ramshackle buildings.
"Come with me," she instructed, leading them in a different direction. In much less time than it would've taken to return to the inn they were knocking on a familiar door.
"No. I'm done with dwarves. Go away," Bard scowled when he saw who was standing there. He tried to close the door but Bofur stuck his foot in the way to stop him.
"Bard." Rhae's quiet but stern voice caused the man to pause. He hadn't noticed her at first and couldn't understand why she was on his doorstep and not with Thorin.
"Please, Kíli's sick. He's very sick," Bofur pleaded. Bard hesitated but a hard glance at Kíli showed how ill the dwarf really was and he stepped aside to allow them in.
"Thank you," Rhae told him, relief clear on her face.
"Stryker!" Sigrid cried, rushing down the stairs. "What are you doing here?" A moan from the floor answered her question.
"Sigrid, get some blankets, pillows," her father ordered. The dwarves were trying to cover Kíli with their coats to try and stop his shivering. When the girl returned, they bundled him as well as they could while Bard put another piece of wood on the fire.
"He's burning with fever," Oin said. "Bring me my bag and some water."
As they watched the healer work, Bard pulled Rhae aside.
"What happened to him and why are all of you still here?"
"He had a leg wound that's been paining him since we arrived though I do not know what is causing this illness. Thorin insisted he stay until he was well as there is no way Kíli could travel in his present condition. As to the rest of us, Oin is a healer and Fíli wouldn't leave his brother. Bofur enjoyed the ale and wine a bit too much last night."
"And you?" The man didn't miss that she'd left herself out of the explanation.
"Thorin requested that I remain here until they secure the mountain."
"I find it hard to believe that the dwarf would let you out of his sight let alone embark on this mission without such a skilled fighter."
"He would not risk my life or the life of the child I am now carrying. I am to wait until he sends for me." Bard stared at her in shock. For a moment he felt a flash of compassion, or possibly respect, for the exiled dwarf king. To be more concerned for the lives of those closest to him showed deeper feelings than the man had thought possible. Perhaps his greed hadn't wiped him completely clean of common sense.
Bard sighed. He hadn't wanted to see another dwarf and now it seemed he would be shackled with four of them for at least a few more days. "You are welcome to stay here as long as needed."
"Thank you again. I am well aware that you probably hoped to have seen the last of us." She gave him a knowing smile and returned to Kíli's side.
.
Later that evening Rhae stood outside the door of Bard's house, staring at the Lonely Mountain in the setting sun. They had probably reached the other side of the Long Lake. Had they camped for the night or had Thorin pushed on? How long would it take for them to reach the mountain and would they even be able to find the door? She wanted to be with him, help him, support him. It was not in her nature to be left behind, unable to be in the action. All she could do was wait and hope.
"Why must your dwarf enter that mountain? Is his greed for gold so strong that our lives mean nothing?" She didn't even look at Bard as he came to stand next to her.
"It is his birthright. It is his home. The dwarves did not choose to leave Erebor, they were forced out, leaving many of their own behind to burn, unable to save them. They were forced out into a world that refused to help them and they have struggled to survive. He has yearned to return for over a hundred years." Thinking of her conversation with Fíli in Thranduil's dungeon she continued. "The hope of one day reclaiming it has been like a flame inside him. If he were to lose that, let that flame go out, he would fade. We have traveled far, suffered through much, so Thorin can return Erebor to his people."
"But if they wake the dragon...I have heard the songs, the prophecy; I know what happened to Dale. If they wake that beast we will all die." Rhae finally turned and met his eye, her face hard.
"If Thorin and his dwarves are not successful, if Smaug is not defeated, it will be better to die now than face what is coming." Confusion crossed the man's features. "You do not know much of the goings on in this world, Master Bargeman. There are worse, darker things coming and you will welcome the might of the dwarves then."
The days passed slowly. Kíli had slipped into a deep but restless slumber, rarely waking. Oin would give him more feverfew when he was lucid but it only seemed to be keeping the fever down, not getting rid of it. He was at a loss as to what to do for the lad. Rhae and Fíli had taken to sitting outside in the evenings, just staring at the mountain, lost in their own thoughts. They talked of everything and nothing, finally comfortable again in each other's presence. He shared stories from his childhood in the Blue Mountains and she told him about her extensive travels around their world.
"Did you enjoy all the traveling?" Durin's Day had fallen and they were standing at the balcony railing, staring at the mountain, knowing that their future was hanging in the balance at that very moment.
"Yes, I suppose so. It is all I have ever known. I am thankful for the knowledge I have gained from the life I've led, the people I have met. All of that would have been denied to me had I followed the path of most females, marrying, staying home, and raising babies."
"But that is the path you are now on." She contemplated Fíli's words for a moment.
"In a way. I am married and I will be raising a child but I do not think life in Erebor will be anything like life in towns of Men. Here I will be allowed to be myself. I will not be forced to sit knitting by a fire while my husband makes all the decisions. Your culture is not so stifling for females even though they are protected and cherished so fiercely." She smiled at him as they both recalled her irritation at the beginning of the quest over how protective they had been. "Dwarves see females as equals and not as mere property. I don't expect Thorin to chain me to our home."
"Most do not have such a favorable view of our race."
She snorted in amusement. "Can you blame them? You are a proud, loyal, honorable race but all anyone else has encountered is the secretive, rough exterior. They only see what's on the outside, the tough shield every dwarf carries, and do not bother to wonder if there is more than meets the eye. I have traveled a long way with you and have gotten to know you well. While I never thought ill of your race, my time among you has given me insight I would never have been allowed otherwise. And I am grateful for that beyond words. We may have suffered much but I have never been so happy or content in my life."
"Are you truly happy? Everything in your life has changed and will continue to change once the mountain is reclaimed. Will you miss being a Ranger?"
"Thank you for your concern, Fíli but I assure you, I am happy. Will I miss the life I used to lead? I will probably miss being in nature, living by my wits and my bow, sleeping under the stars. But miss that solitary life? No. It was quite a while ago that I realized I would never be able to return to it. Traveling with the company gave me a family I never had, dear friends that I cherish. Before we'd even arrived in Rivendell I knew I had finally found contentment and happiness I hadn't even been aware I was missing. So no, I will not miss my old life."
He opened his mouth to say something else but a scream from inside interrupted him. They rushed back through the door to see Kíli trashing in pain on his makeshift bed. His face was covered with sweat, his hair matted to his head. Fíli rushed to his brother's side, trying to hold him still.
"Can you not do something?"
Oin shook his head. "I need different herbs, something to get rid of his fever."
"I have nightshade, feverfew..." Bard said, searching through a bag but the healer shook his head.
"They're of no use to me. Feverfew has only kept his fever from raging, it hasn't taken it away. Do you have any Kingsfoil?"
"No, its a weed. We feed it to the pigs."
"Pigs? Weed? Right." Bofur hurried towards the door. He pointed at Kíli. "Don't move." The dwarf then bolted out of the house. Rhae took the rag and bowl of water Sigrid was holding and sat next to Kíli, slowly mopping his brow, hoping to cool him off. Once again she wished she had received training in more than just fighting and politics.
"I do not know -" Oin's words were cut off by a low tremor, the reverberations causing dust to fall from the ceiling.
"Da?" The fear was plain on Sigrid's face.
"It's coming from the mountain!" Bain cried from his spot at the window.
Fíli and Rhae looked at each other, realization dawning on them. A cold chill ripped down her spine. He left his brother's side, walking up to Bard.
"You should leave us. Take your children. Get out of here." In that moment Rhae could see the king he would become one day and she wished Thorin was there to see it as well.
The man shook his head. "And go where? There is nowhere to go."
"Are we going to die, Da?" Tilda whimpered.
"No, darling."
"The dragon, its going to kill us," she persisted.
Bard looked at his children in silence, his gaze eventually flickering to the three dwarves and female as well. In a quick movement he reached up and ripped down the metal rod that had been used to dry plants. Rhae stared at the tip in amazement; it was a black arrow. She met the man's eyes, his decision clear.
"Not if I kill it first." He moved towards the door. "Bain, come with me. Sigrid, look after your sister." He paused and looked down at Rhae. She quickly stood. "If the dragon attacks, there is a boat at the bottom of the stairs. Get my family to safety." She nodded and he was gone.
"The dragon is coming, isn't it?" Tilda asked quietly. Rhae pulled her into a tight hug, trying to comfort the girl.
"I do not know but we will not leave you."
Bain returned a little while later, telling them about the guards chasing his father.
"Your father is a wise man. I am sure he will be alright." Rhae tried to reassure the children but a growing feeling of trepidation was growing in her belly. There had been another tremor or two since the first one but as yet there was no sign of the dragon. The worry was eating away at her. When Bard had revealed the black arrow she had allowed herself a flicker of hope but now? That hope was trickling away at an alarming rate.
"I think I heard something outside. Maybe its Da!" Tilda spoke up. Sigrid stepped out the door to check. There was another noise right above their heads and the dwarves looked up at the ceiling cautiously.
Sigrid's scream had them jumping to their feet. Rhae's blood ran cold when she saw the orc burst through the door. The noise above them began a cracking and another orc dropped from the roof. It suddenly seemed like there were orcs everywhere. Oin grabbed the closest thing at hand, a stack of plates, and threw it at the head of one. Tilda picked up another plate and tossed it at the orc advancing on her.
"Get down!" Rhae yelled, pushing the girls under the kitchen table. She swung the heavy pan she'd found on the counter at the orc's head, dropping him to the floor with one hard blow. Cursing the fact that their weapons were upstairs she grabbed a cooking knife from the counter as well, spinning to stab at an orc crawling through the window. She saw Bain grab one of the kitchen benches and swing it at the creature rushing him. Fíli and Oin were each grappling with orcs and she took a place near the table the girls were hiding under, slashing at anything that came near her. One of the orcs got a hold of Fíli and tossed him to the side, unfortunately right into Rhae. In the split second it took for them to get back to their feet the orc had flipped the table away, leaving the girls without any cover. Before she could lunge at it, however, a familiar figure dropped through the hole in the roof, dispatching the filth before his boots had hardly touched the floor.
"Legolas!" Rhae cried in surprise. He just gave her a quick glance before wading into the orcs, his blades flashing. Kíli's scream had her jerking around in time to see the red-haired elf throw a knife into the throat of the orc grabbing at his leg. With the arrival of the two elves Rhae felt her panic disappear and she launched herself into the fight with renewed vigor, knowing they would be victorious. She spun and stabbed, still clutching the cooking pan in one hand, using it occasionally to bludgeon any orc that approached on her left side. After only a few more heart pounding moments the few remaining creatures rushed out the door and disappeared, the sound of their guttural language echoing in the air.
"You killed them all," Bain said in between gasped for air. Rhae dropped the knife and pan and hurried over to the girls, helping them to their feet, and wrapping her arms around them comfortingly.
"There are others," Legolas announced, striding back to the door. "Tauriel, come."
"We're losing him!" Oin cried, panic lacing his voice. The red-haired elf looked down at Kíli in shock, then over at Legolas who was waiting at the door.
"Tauriel." They stared at each other for a moment, then he leapt over the balcony outside and was lost in the darkness. The other elf moved to follow him but a moan from Kíli stopped her in her tracks. Rhae could see the conflict on her face. Bofur reappeared at that moment, a bunch of weed clasped in his hand.
Tauriel, startled, turned to him with knives raised but lowered them when she saw that it was not an orc. Her attention was grabbed by what the dwarf held in his hand and she grabbed it from him.
"Athelas," she breathed.
"Hey, what are you doing?" the dwarf cried.
"I'm going to save him." She hurried back into the house, calling for help and a bowl of water. Tilda filled a bowl and brought it to the elf while Fíli, Oin, and Bofur lifted Kíli onto the table. He was thrashing in pain, his face deathly pale. Tauriel had finished ripping apart the Kingsfoil into the water and approached the table.
"Hold him down," the elf ordered. She pulled out a knife and ripped open the leg of the dwarf's trousers. Rhae, standing next to her, heard her sharp intake of breath, and glanced down at the wound. It was black and festering, thin ribbons of darkness spreading out from the original puncture. Ice filled her veins; she knew what caused this. Tauriel closed her eyes and pressed the soaked herbs into Kíli's wound.
"Menno o nin na hon i eliad annen annin, hon leitho o ngurth," she began chanting. At her words Kíli screamed again and thrashed even harder. Sigrid and Tilda each grabbed a leg to help hold him still. Tauriel was still chanting, repeating the prayer over and over. Rhae saw the amazed look on Fíli and Oin's faces as they watched the elf. She could only shake her head, knowing what was going through their heads. Perhaps this would convince them that not all elves are out to get them. Eventually Kíli began to calm, his eyes clearing and the paleness lessening on his face.
"You can release him now," Tauriel said gently. Everyone stepped away from the table, hearts still racing. Fíli slumped onto a seat in the kitchen, relief pouring through him. The others followed him, leaving the elf to finish cleaning and binding Kíli's leg.
"I've heard tell of the wonders of elvish medicine. That was a privilege to witness," Oin said in wonder.
"We would surely have lost him if it were not for Tauriel," Rhae told them. "His wound, I have never seen it but I have heard tales. That arrow was not from this world. It was a Morgul shaft and only elven healing can fully cure its wounds." She looked at Fíli. "Your brother is very lucky." Tauriel approached them cautiously.
"Your brother will be fine," she told the blonde prince. He bit his lip and bowed his head to her.
"How did you know?" Rhae asked, looking up at the she-elf.
"One of the creatures we captured after your...escape...he revealed that one of the dwarves had been pierced with a Morgul arrow."
Fíli came to his feet and stood before Tauriel. "Thank you for saving my brother. I am in your debt."
"There is no debt, Prince of Erebor," she replied with a slight smile.
There was another tremor, this one louder than the previous ones. Another sound filled the air. Rhae could've sworn it was a savage roar. People began screaming outside and the occupants of the house rushed to the door. What they saw was terrifying. There was fire and light emanating from the now broken open gates of Erebor. Thinking of the roar she thought she heard, Rhae raised her eyes to the sky and her breath caught in her throat.
"Mahal save us," she whispered, catching the attention of those around her and they all followed her gaze.
The silhouette of the dragon flitted through the clouds.
Khuzd tada zazin ma katakhthizi, ma zatakyili d'asukh galkh: A dwarf that can't endure the bad, will not live to see the good.
Mahal tadnani astû, sanzigil tamkhihi astû: Mahal guide you and mithril find you. (basically good luck in a farewell)
Menno o nin na hon i eliad annen annin, hon leitho o ngurth: May the blessing that was given to me be sent from me to him, may he be released from death.
Revised/Edited April 2016