Part 4 of More to The Story. It's about a family that are the key-holders and Gatekeepers between our world/Wizarding World and Middle Earth. Adventure, friendships, and love. Part 4 picks up after the final battle of The Battle of the Five Armies, with equal parts of books and movies with the crossovers. OC's and real characters.
Everyone is together, dwarves, humans, elves, witches, and wizards, either in Dale or in Erébor. However, Jordan's curse has finally take over and she has the hardest choice she will ever have to make: love for the dwarf she would spend the rest of her life with, or the life of her brother who is counting on her to rescue him.
I do not own anything from the Hobbit or Harry Potter; only the OC's and their story. All Harry Potter/Hobbit references and characters belong to J.K. Rowling, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Peter Jackson.
Chapter 10
Jordan had an idea of what Thorin wanted to discuss and the only way to prover her innocence would be if they took a trip to the library. Not to mention she betrayed her family, the company, and all the people she fought alongside with against the orcs and goblins. And of course, lying to everyone ever since they arrived in Middle Earth.
The Hall of the Kings was full of every dwarf, human, elf, Isteri, and Hobbit who were inside the mountain, all concerned at what King Thorin had to say. Would he forbid the wedding? What about the other Gatekeepers and elves? How were they going to survive the winter? Each person found a place to either sit or stand in the balconies or on the golden floor below to witness justice prevail.
Thorin took his place on the thrown and called for Jordan to the front of the group. The whole Gatekeeper family, Bifur, and the rest of the company all stood at her side. Ruben and Priscilla immediately flanking her. Fili and Kili wanted to join them, but Thorin signaled them to take their rightful places as his heirs next to him. Balin quietly assured them that everything would be alright, but even the most trusted advisor could not guarantee it. Only someone who knew Balin well could see the uncertainty in his eyes.
Clearing his voice, Thorin boomed, "Lady Witch Jordan Drake, you have committed great crimes of breach of faith against the Kingdom of Erébor, my nephew, our company, and your own family. You put the lives of people whom you claim to care about in great danger because of the curse placed upon you by our enemy. Your crimes are punishable by death. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Looking back in shame at her family, her brother in particular, she stepped forward to offer her repentance. They all tried to stop her but she would not hide or try to worm her way out of her fate. "I'm cured of the curse. But I'm-." She tried to speak aloud. Her voice broke again and the sound of it was still too strange for her to listen too. Her throat felt soar. In order to speed up this process and because she felt more comfortable, she raised her hands to communicate. But I'm not free.
Blair broke free from the family and stood adjacent to his sister, with his back to King Thorin, he spoke allowed what Jordan signed. He had been doing for as long as he could remember, translating for people who did not know what she was saying. It also made him feel better that he was between a possible threat and her in the case she needed to be protected. She had done it for him, now he was determined to do the same for her.
She took out her wand and held it out for Thorin to take. He looked at it with apprehension, knowing full well how powerful this small stick was. Obviously, Jordan wanted him to have it. But he could not use magic like her, so it was useless to him. He looked to Nicole and the rest of the Gatekeepers not sure of what to make of the offering. They all looked shocked and vulnerable. Clearly a witch or wizard without their wand was almost unbearable. As if they were all defenseless at her being wandless.
I plead guilty to all charges and wish to pay for my crimes. She went to her knees and looked to the floor and waited. She knew that she had taken him by surprise in more ways than one. When she could not stand the anticipation, she looked up at him, Please.
"Do you really want to die?" He asked gravely, finally accepting her wand.
After everything I've done, I already have. She replied. I just want to be completely free of this burden.
"So I would be doing you a favor by you facing your justice?"
Jordan was at a loss on what to do and could not hide her anger. My go-, I can't catch a break! I thought this was what you wanted! I'm sorry that I had to put you all in danger. But I don't regret saving my brother. I did what I had to do. If there had been another way, I would have done that instead.
Everyone was staring at them and their worst fears came true. Thorin glared down at her and unsheathed his sword. Fili lunged forward, and grabbed his uncle from behind. Kili stood completely frozen. Blair blocked Thorin's view of her, flanked by Ruben and Priscilla, and the rest of the family guarded themselves in every direction. Nicole held her children tightly in her arms, her heart breaking.
Thorin yelled to all them to back off, "stand down! All of you! Fili, let go of me!"
Jordan tugged on her grandparents' cloaks, asking them to step aside. Everyone but Thorin lowered their weapons, but they refused to put them away completely.
"I never wanted you to die. However, you brought this upon yourself. You lost the trust of the company, myself, and my nephew. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have had even known about Milhauke." His voice started out forceful, becoming shaky as he spoke, then finally softened. He touched the sword on either shoulder, then her head as he spoke, "which would have led to all of our deaths. Lady Witch Jordan Drake, I, Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thrain, son of Thrór, King under the Mountain, pardon you of all crimes."
She could not believe what she was hearing. Her breath caught in her lungs and she stared at him in awe. What?
Thorin looked around to his nephew, to the rest of the company, the Gatekeepers and all witnesses. "I have been given many second chances. Some of them occurred only because of you, Jordan. We learned after your disappearance that you never stole from us, and you were acting in a way as to save your brother. It was extremely risky, should Milhauke discovered your deceit too soon. You have already suffered a great loss with your parents; you have helped me and my people reclaim our home, saved me and my nephews from certain death, rescued your brother, and on top of all that you nearly lost your own life many times. I don't want to kill you. None of us want you to die, especially your family, and Prince Fili. In fact, I want to reward you by making you an honorary member of my royal court. As well as Karah, and the rest of your family." Looking to the rest of the Gatekeepers, "will you all please kneel next to Jordan?
The whole room was silently joyful. The heartwarming moment melted any hurt feelings that may have still remained. Side by side, the two cousins knelt before the King of Erébor, followed by the rest of the Gatekeepers. Balin and Glolin were the only ones fully aware of all of Thorin's plans, who had medallions made and ready hours prior to when the funeral was schedule. He motioned for the Durin princes to next to him, Fili on his right directly in front of Jordan, and Kili on his left in front of Karah. Each were given a medallion to hold.
Thorin cleared his throat and announced, "I, Thorin King of Erébor, dub Lady Good Witches: Jordan Drake and Karah Paisley, honorary members of the Royal Court of the House of Durin, the official wand carriers, and Seer and Musician." He handed Jordan her wand back, turned to Fili for the golden medallion, placing it around her neck. It was stamped with the Durin royal seal and sapphires, and a gold chain laced with blue ribbon. He also handed her a bead to put in her hair. It was also gold, only it had a music note decorated with sapphires. Thorin repeated the process for Karah, and Kili was beaming with pride. Her medallion was the same, but her hair bead was a diamond eye. The princes assisted them to their feet and the whole room cheered.
Thorin continued when the hall quieted. "And I dub thee, Ruben and Priscilla Gatekeeper, Royal Ambassadors between our kingdom and all worlds in existence and creation. Your titles will pass down your family line, whom will always be welcome in our halls. I will heed and listen to your council involving our kingdom and the other worlds; should we ever encounter such a time again where we will cross the gates."
Balin and Gloin handed him gold pins with the royal seal and attached them to Ruben and Priscilla's collars. As they were the heads of the family, they would be the only ones to receive them, until the time came to pass them on to Jeremy and Alicia, and so on and so forth. Thorin did have gifts for the rest of the family. Jeremy and Alicia received bags full of precious stones, and coins. Nicole was given a beautiful broach and necklace, made of silver and sapphires. Being a witch, she did not spend much time in the muggle world back home. However, she had seen many pictures of the queen of England, and thought this necklace belonged in her wardrobe. The children 'ooohed' and 'ahhhed' over their gleaming bracelets and wrist cuffs.
Next, Thorin asked the elven king to step forward. Thorin made sure to climb down from his throne, want to make sure they were on equal ground. He did not want there to be any chance for Thranduil to misinterpret him, or take offence. He may be feet shorter than the elf, but his presence strong, yet humble. "King Thranduil, I would like to make right a wrong that had been committed against you many decades ago. A note was found in the treasury logs penned by an assistant. He claimed to be the one to accept your payment, but falsified the documents in order to pay his own dept. He fled the mountain when the dragon attacked and saw your retreat. He returned to the mountain with intenions of retrieving the White Gems of Lasgalen, hoping it would persuade you to assist us. He apologized for his sins, hoping his death would be justice for his actions. With the deepest apologies of my own, and on behalf of my people, will you accept this necklace? By doing so, we are putting to rest this transgression. No matter your decision, Erébor will no longer hold prejudice against elves, we will allow safe passage through our lands, and will remain a peaceful neighbor, with no exceptions or demands for return favors. Should you choose to negotiate any further treaties or agreements with Erébor, it will be done under other obligations and orders of business."
Thranduil studied the dwarf, refusing to look at the jewelry. "So, are you refusing to acknowledge your actions made against me and my people just before we were all attacked? Do you think this necklace makes up for the blood of my soldiers spent in a battle against orcs and goblins on your soil?"
"No. Only to make up for calling you a liar over what we thought was lack of payment for the necklace. I apologize for being the first to do so and slandering your name to anyone who would listen. It should have been rectified decades ago. If there is more you require to compensate for your loss on this matter alone, you need only name it. I will do everything I can to see it done. As for your help in the Battle of Five Armies, I wish to honor those lost, negotiate a peace treaty, and trade agreements."
"What I want, you cannot give me. These gems belonged to my wife, whom is no longer living, and my son has left my side. I don't even know where he is for certain." Thranduil answered bitterly, realizing the foolishness of his desires. "Having this necklace in my possession will not fill their void."
Little René quickly stood up and walked over to the king. He ignored her for a moment, until she tugged on his sleeve. He was so much taller than her, she barley came up to his knee. "Your Majesty, can I show you something?" She took out the magic mirror from her bag and handed it to him. "All you have to do is tell it who you want to see. It will show you."
The elf king peered down at the small human and accepted the mirror. At first, all he saw was his own sad reflection. In the past, he would have accepted the necklace without any thought. But with Legolas gone now too, what did a few shiny pieces of rock matter to him?
"Go on, tell it!" René gently prodded him with excitement.
He did not want to show any kind of vulnerability in front of the humans, and especially the dwarves. He was about to hand the mirror back to the child when he felt Galadriel enter his mind. Don't throw this chance away, Thranduil. This child means you no harm or have any ulterior motives. Ask the mirror to show you your son.
A moment went by before he swallowed his pride, speaking in Sindarin, "show me Legolas Greenleaf," Thranduil quietly asked, expecting the mirror to fail.
He was wrong. His image blurred and a new image of his son and Tauriel took its place. It was if he was walking alongside them in what appeared to be the northern boarders of Mirkwood. Legolas had listened to his father and was heading north, looking for the Rangers. He appeared to be faring well, as was Tauriel. This did his heart good. Thranduil needed to see his son was alright even without him being by his side. Blinking back tears, he handed the mirror back to the little girl.
She shook her head, "you keep it. That way you can see him whenever you want. When I'm older and learn how to do it, we can send him a message with my patroness, if you want. I don't know what it will be, but I hope it will be a unicorn!"
Thranduil did not know what a patroness was, but he could trust that the little's offer was genuine. She wanted to help and make him feel better. "I'd like that very much, thank you young one." Turning back to Throin, he slightly bowed his head. "King under the Mountain, I will accept your offer of the gems. And would like to negotiate trades and a treaty, at the earliest convenience."
Thorin smiled and bowed. In a loud voice he proclaimed, "All elves, humans, witches and wizards are to be welcomed in the halls of Erébor. We shall rebuild our kingdom, as well as assist in the reconstruction of Dale and Esgaroth. And help rid Mirkwood of the dark creatures inhabiting it; restoring it to the rightful name of Greenwood, should their leaderships allow."
Bard and Thranduil smiled and bowed their acceptance. The hall erupted in cheers and clapping. Everyone was ready to put the past behind them, start a new future, and begin and rekindle friendships.
"And lastly, I'd like the company who helped in the reclaiming of Erébor to please step forward." The dwarves all stepped up, but Bilbo and Gandalf stayed back. Only when Thorin pointedly stared them down did they join the rest of the company. "It is because of you all, that we are even here today. As promised, one fifteenth of the mountain's treasure is to be awarded to each of you, as well as award you all with the highest of honors. Each of you are now nobles of this kingdom, and will henceforth always be addressed as 'Lord'."
Cheers and clapping echoed off the stone walls. No one seemed to have any disagreement by this declaration. Except for Gandalf.
"You Majesty, I thank you for the high honor you have bestowed. However, I must decline the title and the riches. I am Gandalf, the wandering wizard, and I will not benefit from helping a friend. I only ask for a warm welcome, a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and drink to quench my thirst upon my visit."
Bilbo also graciously tried to decline. "I am a simple hobbit. We do not have titles of nobility in the Shire. And I need not to take any treasure, for it is for my friends whom I cherish, and wanted to help them in any way I could."
Thorin only smiled at his friends. He promised to honor their wishes in front of everyone. He did not want to sully their honor by enticing them into changing their minds. He silently decided he would slip as much treasure into their belongings as he could without their notice when they departed. Only when they were too far away to come back, would they discover his gifts.
Turning to the rest of the witness in the hall, "The doors of Erébor are always up to our friends and allies. We have a long road to recovery in putting this land back to right. But we can do it. We will do it. Thank you all for being here to witness the beginning of a new era. I welcome anyone who wishes to stay and help in the rebuilding. Please see one of the members of the company and tell them what job or project you'd like to employ. Many hands will make light work, and our kingdoms will come together soon."
Again, the hall filled with cheers and clapping. Everyone seemed at peace with Thorin's decision regarding Jordan. No one was prepared, let alone wanting, to witness an execution that day. Instead, all the dwarves, humans, and elves were elated for a future where they all live a safe and secure life from here on out.