As usual, just scroll down past all my ramblings to get to the chapter below.
Authors Notes: (Again, I know I get wordy so go ahead and scroll down for the chapter if you ever don't want to read this part…it's down there I promise 😊.)
I am so sorry this took longer than I expected. Life gets so busy, and it is the end of term so I have papers galore due before my next term starts right up again. No rest for the grad student.
It has now been an entire month with zero traffic stats which should not be as depressing as it is. Sigh. It is always nice to see when people are reading your story, and a bit sad to see a zero across the board. They are working on it, and I know people are reading…at least I know a few people are still reading this, lol. I have heard there are some other bugs readers are experiencing, so hopefully everyone is getting their chapter updates and are able to open them up. I shall continue to remain hopeful they will get it all sorted soon.
I am going to start putting shout outs at the bottom. Just to change things up. So I guess there is nothing more left to say but go ahead and read. See you at the bottom.
Chapter Twenty-One
In the west, Erebor stood barely visible through the heavy snows wracking the land unceasingly. Although…it was a wonder the heat exuding from the mountain king had not turned the lands into a desert wasteland mirroring Rhun. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE LEFT!" Thorin roared as he paced his office. Nyaunni simply sat on the desk, her legs crossed as she leaned back and watched her husband.
"I MEAN…she felt she had something she could offer to help Kili in Rhun, so she went to join them. I do not see why it is any different than the others leaving...or you yourself, Thorin." The ability to remain completely at ease during one of Thorin's infamous blowouts was, what some say, a special gift Nyaunni has. At the moment, nobody but the dam wants to risk being within seeing range of the furious dwarven king. Even Dis was keeping her distance after giving him her own telling off and reminding him how many times he has left HER behind in their past to do the same thing. But it just fell on deaf ears.
"Her father, is in a sick bed...nursing a limb removed in a battle not a week ago...and she thinks it wise to LEAVE the mountain and go out ON HER OWN to Rhun?" Thorin stopped and glared at Nyaunni. "And you let her?"
"I am not her mother, Thorin." Nyaunni growled as she glared right back at Thorin. "And Viltarra is an adult! She is not a child to scold and keep behind locked doors. She is a dam who has her own mind and can make her own decisions."
"SHE is a MOTHER, Nyaunni! And the future queen of our people! Had I been here, I would have FORBIDDEN her from leaving this mountain."
"FORBIDDEN?!" Nyaunni choked out a laugh. "Tell me, Thorin, how has that worked with ANYONE in your family? Or your bloodline for that matter?! Forbidden. Ha. I would have LOVED to have been in on THAT conversation. I think I can safely say Viltarra would have had none of it. She is as stubborn as any one of you. Need I remind you, that you once told me you forbade her from associating herself with the family once long ago?"
Thorin just blinked at Nyaunni and she smirked. "Mhm. And how well did that go, my heart?" She jumped off the desk and stalked towards her husband. "Forbidden to go near the family...yet she is now MARRIED to YOUR heir. Seems to me, like she has a very strong mind of her own and will do what she pleases. Besides..." Nyaunni stopped just before Thorin and ran her hands up his chest before she clasped them behind his neck. "...she does know Rhun, I spoke with both Tarrah and Vin myself. She will be an asset in that group. Plus Fili is missing. She has every right to go and help find him. If you were missing, you better believe I would be out there too."
"Nya...she has three young children."
"And Tauriel has five, including an infant of three months. An infant, who has been distressed since her mother left. Yet, you did not 'forbid' Tauriel from leaving. Why? Why is Viltarra any different than Tauriel?" She lifted a brow. "You are not playing favorites, are you?"
Thorin scoffed. "If I WAS playing favorites, I WOULD have forbidden Tauriel from going." He sighed and pulled Nyaunni fully against him. "How is Ithtiri?"
"Asleep last I checked." Nyaunni sighed. "Thorin, what is done, is done. Vin and Tarrah are alright with it, the children are all very well cared for, and Viltarra was not alone. Bofur went with her, and he will make sure she is alright. It's been nearly five days since she left, so by now, she is probably already with Kili and hopefully they are nearing Rhun as we speak. It is, what it is, now all we can do, is pray they are successful and come back home. How did things go with Bard?"
"Viltarra and I will be having words...and I will also be having words with my daughter as well." Thorin growled.
"Please invite me into that conversation when you have it, because it will make my day watching the pair of them put YOU in your place." Nyaunni chuckled as Thorin scowled. "You won't win this, Thorin. They are two very independent females who will always follow their hearts over your orders."
Thorin grumbled under his breath then pulled away after pressing a kiss to Nyaunni's head and huffing out something she could not quite understand before he answered her earlier question. "Things are tense in Dale but they are willing to help if it comes to it. Bard is still spending a lot of his time helping Sigrid recover. She has a long way to go...but she has a very strong willpower to overcome this, and I think she will. But with the winter storms it has made it difficult to seek out balms and medications to help her heal. I am going to have Oin put a few things together, but regardless, I think she will pull through."
"And any news from Thranduil?"
Thorin nodded, moving to the desk so he could pick up the missive laying right on the surface. "This came this morning. The prisoner has begun to speak...finally...and has given us a name. Katorylle. A female of whatever kind it is. Apparently, she was rather desperate for food, and only just gave in before sunrise this very day. She has also allowed the healers in to see to her wounds. One thing Thranduil mentioned, however, I am finding rather odd." Thorin ran his hands through his beard. "Thranduil mentioned she said Tauriel's name. How she could know that, I don't know and it worries me. Thranduil claims he will write as soon as he has more information, but that is all he has for the moment. The creature has said no more."
"Interesting." Nyaunni hummed. "Perhaps, it is not what it seems." She said thoughtfully, walking the room seemingly lost in thought.
"How do you mean?" Thorin sat at his desk, his arms resting on the surface as his eyes followed his wife.
"Well..." Nyaunni hummed. "...it is weak for the orc kind to give in to things such as base needs when captured. Veracious appetites they have, and will eat unceasingly…but they are taught that pain and hunger can be suppressed in battle and hostage scenarios. Thorin, I spent nearly two centuries around orcs, and one thing you learn is though they are hungry all the time...no amount of torture will get them to talk if they don't want to. If that...being...spoke because she was hungry, then maybe, maybe it has more weaknesses than it appears."
Thorin lifted a brow. "And how, will that help us?"
Nyaunni paused and looked to Thorin. "Maybe, not us specifically, but it does give us hope that these are not impervious unbeatable beings. It means, Tauriel has a chance."
Thorin sighed and pressed his fingers to his temple as a headache formed behind his eyes. "What are we going to do, Nya." He finally said. "I have to trust Kili will be able to find Fili. I have to trust Tauriel will get through this. I have to trust Fili is not lost. I just, I have the BOILING desire to take my entire army and march to Rhun, but it would leave this mountain defenseless. With the looming threat of Dol Guldur, I can't leave. But my children are out there, Nya. Alone. In the wilderness. There are parts of Rhun that not even I will go through."
Nyaunni smiled softly and moved to sit once more at the edge of his desk, leaning towards her husband. "Thorin." She said softly. "They are no longer children. Let them have the chance to prove themselves. You may be surprised just what they are capable of if you let them fly."
Thorin looked at her. He wanted to believe her. "Dis won't survive losing even one of them."
"Just Dis?" Nyaunni hummed, lifting a brow. She reached across and cupped Thorin's jaw tenderly. "I know how much they mean to you Thorin. I love them as well. They have the maker watching over them, of that I am certain. So if you can trust anything, trust Aule will keep them from true harm. You will see, by the end of next week, we will be receiving word they are all coming home."
"Your faith, is as strong as this mountain, Nya." Thorin whispered as he turned his head and pressed a kiss to her palm.
"My faith, is only what it is, because of this family, Thorin." She smiled. "Are you sure you don't want me to take Dajnel..."
"Absolutely not!" Thorin growled instantly, knowing what she was going to say. "And don't you DARE leave me here to go. I will put a seal on that stable before I even THINK you will do what Viltarra did."
"Viltarra did not just, run away, Thorin." Nyaunni rolled her eyes as she pulled away. "She counseled with her parents, and with Dis and I before she went. We made sure she had maps and someone with her before she left. I hardly call that running away."
"I am still surprised her parents let her go." Thorin leaned back in his chair, shaking his head.
"Let it go, Thorin." Nyaunni sighed. "You cannot change what was done, and if anyone had a say in her choices, I think her parents would overthrow your thoughts on the matter."
Thorin grumbled again but could not disagree. Despite being a high king of his people...Tarrah herself was a force to be reckoned with. If Nyaunni was reacting like this, he is sure Tarrah will be all to happy to give him a verbal tongue lashing both Dis and Nyaunni would be proud to be a part of. How...did he end up being surrounded by so many stubborn, hard headed, unpredictable, females? Yet he loved and appreciated them all.
"Fine." Thorin finally grunted.
Nyaunni smiled and moved around the desk to place another kiss on his lips. "I promise, I will at least let you know if I take Dajnel across the westlands to Rhun if things get worse over there."
"YOU BETTER NOT!" Thorin shouted. But Nyaunni only laughed as she left his office. "NYA!" He stood to follow her but stopped and instead, fell back into his desk chair with a curse. Mahal help him.
The days without Kili, Fili, Tauriel, and Viltarra were harsh and cold. The mountain was just not the same without the young royals filling its shadows with the natural warmth they bring. All of the children were having a difficult time of it, the older dwarflings trying to be strong for their younger siblings, but it really was difficult on all of them.
Dis had set aside her teaching position temporarily to act as full-time guardian of all her grandchildren for the time being. Tarrah helped where she could, but Dis told her to focus on Vin, and she and Nyaunni will care for the little ones. At least Vin was in no mortal danger. He just had a long road of healing ahead of him, and he needed Tarrah's support to get through this difficult time.
"Nan...what happens if mama can't come back."
Dis paused, looking over to Kilion who was sitting at the window watching the heavy snows fall. "Kilion, whyever would you ask such a thing? Your mother is coming back."
"But...what if she can't?" He turned, his blue eyes filled with despair. "I want mama." He finally said softly, his chin wobbling as great big tears began to fall down his little cheeks.
"Oh darling, come here. Come to nan." Dis said holding out her arms to her grandson. Kilion only hesitated a moment before he stood and walked to her, climbing in her lap and laying his head on her shoulder. "Now I need you, to try and push thoughts like that away." She soothed. Ithtiri stirred in her basket beside Dis, but she remained thankfully asleep.
Orin and Naufi lifted their heads to watch their brother. They had been quietly working on lettering Dis had assigned them. She had decided to not force any of them to go to their lessons, and instead, had all of their assignments sent to her so she could help them through it. It gave all the royal dwarflings a break from the murmurings and the questions others may confront them with. They did not need that right now, this was hard enough as it is without their classmates, or dwarves in passing making it worse. So all her grandchildren were spread through Kili and Tauriel's sitting room...some on the floor, some at Kili's sitting room desk, and some in front of the fire, with books and parchment in front of them as they worked quietly.
"We must try and be..." Dis paused. She was going to say 'strong', and it was on the tip of her tongue...but was that fair? Her grandchildren WERE strong. They were doing the best they could in this situation. In fact, they were doing better than Dis had expected. She could not fault them for acting out or having fears of what was to happen in the unknown future. She herself felt no differently than her little Kilion and often fell asleep with the same question on her mind...what will she do if they can't come back?
"...what I mean to say is..." Dis continued. "... there is no person in this world, who would try harder than your mother to get back home to you. She would fight death itself to get back. You need not worry about her not being able to return, because she will come back, my little one. Has she ever failed you before?"
"Never." Kilion said resolutely, and Dis smiled.
"Than do not doubt her now." She said as she squeezed him tightly. "We will get through this, you will see."
Dis held him as she stared off into the winter storm trying to force her own doubts and fears away. Every day was difficult on them all. The halls were filled with worrying talk as rumors of Nazgul and battles spread rampantly through the mountain. Their people were in no way a people who fear a fight, in fact they find great glory in their conquests. But Dis...Dis had been reading about these Nazgul, and no amount of dwarven strength or skill in battle could kill something that is already, essentially, dead.
As snowy afternoons, turned to snowy evenings, and the days slowly rolled by, Dis found herself almost on automatic as she readied the children each morning for the day, fed them, and sat them down for lessons. The younger children who were not in school, Dis and Nyaunni would try and entertain the best they could.
Tarrah did often take Ithtiri and Vilia to both give Dis a break, and so she could bring them in to the healing halls to sit with Vin. Vin loved to hold his granddaughter who would babble and giggle in his lap and tell him little broken stories that made little sense but brought a smile to his face. Tarrah would watch as Ithtiri rested in her arms, too tired and hungry to fight the bottle she was given.
"Is there still no word?" Leotti asked as she stepped into the medical hall moments after the morning bell rang through the mountain. She just had her own appointment with the healers and thought she would drop by to see the couple before she went up to visit with Dis.
Leotti was another who had been doing her best to help take some of the load off the royal family. She and Ori opened their home to any of the children who wanted to come for a visit, stay the night with their boys, or just sit and talk if they needed it. Mostly it was the twins and Finli coming by usually with Toki in tow to see her boys...but since Dissah loved the library, she usually would walk to Leotti's shop with Ori at the end of the day and tell her all about the books she found while Leotti closed her own shop up. Leotti would then walk the young dam to the medical hall to see her grandparents or back up to the royal suites when she was finished.
As it was, Dissah was currently sitting on the bed beside her grandfather and baby sister, both dams happily finishing a bowl of warmed oats and honey. No doubt Dissah will be in the library at some point today.
"None." Tarrah sighed as she folded up one of Vin's tunics and set in in the bag she was packing. Oin had finally given him the okay to go back to his rooms. The healer would be visiting daily to watch for infection, but the likelihood was low enough for Oin to think it is time Vin can be in his own home again. "I think what bothers me most about it is, there is nothing that I can do about it."
Leotti nodded her understanding. "I am sure we will hear something soon, Tarrah, and I hope it is a message from Viltarra informing us she is dragging those troublesome son's of Durin home by the scruff of their necks."
Tarrah hummed her agreement, as she could not disagree with the fact. "I do hope Tauriel is alright, and Fili."
"Oh, I am sure they are fine." Leotti said brightly. "They may be trouble, but they have an odd amount of luck that keeps them somehow alive. I would bet we will hear something in the next day or so." She placed a hand on Tarrah's shoulder. "Trust me, Tarrah, Mahal is watching over them. If he wasn't...I am sure we would have lost them long ago."
Tarrah sighed and nodded, though she did smile when Dissah's giggles filled the room as she set her empty bowl down and moved off the bed to help her grandfather buckle up his boots. Vin tried to bat her away but she had her mother's stubbornness and huffed up at him. "Stop it, grandda, and let me help."
Vin just grumbled and watched as his granddaughter's little fingers carefully worked the straps in and secure them before standing and holding out her hand. "Ready to go home grandda?"
"More than." Vin smiled and accepted her hand, though he laughed when she tugged and tugged but he didn't budge.
"Come on grandda! Get up! Your legs work just fine." Dissah grunted as she used her entire body to try and pull the laughing dwarf off the bed.
When Vilia jumped up and began pushing Vin from behind, he finally relented and let it appear the dam tugging on him had actually helped. "Such a strong little lady." Vin chuckled. Tarrah and Leotti just watched, both rolling their eyes at the display.
"Me to!" Vilia called out tugging on Vin's tunic from behind. "Me strong too!"
Vin laughed and nodded. "You too my tiny gem." He had one arm in a sling, but his free hand...or remaining hand as he liked to call it, assisted the three-year-old off the bed.
Vin and Tarrah thanked Oin as they left his office, the healer giving final instructions and warnings to not lift too much and to get as much rest as possible. As soon as his limb is fully healed, they can begin talking about a prosthetic of sorts. Vin seemed pretty excited about having a hand that could double as a mixer...to which Tarrah again, rolled her eyes and pushed Vin out the door before he started making requests for a rolling pin attachment.
As the group made their way through the corridors, Vin could not help but stop before the currently slightly open main door to the mountain. Outside, he saw nothing but white. "By Mahal...I have not seen a winter like this in nye on fifty years." He looked worriedly to his wife who was holding Vilia in her arms. She read his expression easily, seeing the fear in his eyes as he glanced from the gate being closed to his wife.
"She is in Rhun, Vin. I am sure she is alright." With a echoing bang the door shut once more and the entire group shivered as a rush of frigid air swept past them.
"Tell me, is Rhun warmer than this?" Leotti asked, having never been herself.
"Mostly." Vin sighed. "A good portion of it is desert lands. Sands, sun, and endless heat."
"But the Northern parts of Rhun are quite lovely." Tarrah added. "It is still warm, but no warmer than our mountain. It is much different than the westlands, the markets are more colorful, flowers bloom year around, and the sky is filled with birds of all colors singing from morning to evening." She smiled softly, reminiscing of the place her and her family spent most of their life in. "And the air..." She paused and closed her eyes. "...smells like sweet spices and honey. I quite miss it sometimes."
Leotti nodded slowly, trying to picture it but just not being able to come up with anything. "I am sure it is lovely, but I think, I am happy here. Perhaps long ago, I would have jumped at the chance at leaving to see such a place...but for once, I can understand why my mother did not want to leave Ered Luin. Maybe...I am more like her than I thought." Her voice tapered off in the end and Tarrah readjusted Vilia to wrap her free arm around the dam.
"Now now, never say such a thing." Tarrah said sternly. "You are not your mother, Leotti. I cannot say I knew the dam apart from meeting her once long ago when we first entered Ered Luin...but I have heard enough about her from Tauriel, Dis, and yourself to form an idea of who she was...and you are not her. Just because you no longer have the desire to travel, it does not turn you into someone like your mother."
Leotti sighed and nodded. Being a mother had changed her in so many ways...she could never imagine her life without her sons. She smiled, pressing her hand to her abdomen. Ori did not know yet, but she just confirmed with one of the healers that she was carrying. It was quite a surprise they certainly were not trying, yet she was extremely happy about it. She was quite ready to be done when her youngest was born, but it seems Mahal had other plans for her.
Still, Leotti would never, in her life, imagine disowning a single one of her children. Even if one were to choose to move to another dwarven settlement...she would support them in their decision. Of course she would beg them to stay because they mean everything to her...but in the end, it is their choice to find a life for themselves.
"My cousin wishes me still to come visit." Leotti finally said as they entered the golden floored throne room. "In nearly every letter he asks when I and my family will come to visit. At first, it was hard with the boys being so young, and then with Ori and his training in the library. I was nearly about to arrange for travel plans this spring to stay there through the summer...but I am afraid I must put it off once again."
"Oh?" Tarrah hummed, nodding to the guards as they passed. "Still not ready?"
Leotti chuckled. "I really do not relish giving birth on the road...or in another mountain."
Tarrah paused then turned a beaming smile at Leotti. "You're with child again?" She said happily.
"Mhm. I have had my suspicions...but the healers only just confirmed it with me this morning. It is why I was in the medical wing so early, I wanted to speak to someone before I got busy with my place...but I think I will keep the shop closed today to digest the information and the surprise. I have yet to tell Ori though, so if you do not mind this staying between us I would appreciate it. Though I may tell Dis while I am up."
Tarrah set Vilia down as the hit the top of the steps and quickly pulled Leotti in for a tight hug. "I am so proud of you." She whispered to Leotti. She had grown very fond of the little dam whose shop was only a few doors down. Leotti and Tauriel were the ones to break Viltarra out of her shell, and to accept her for who she was. Just for that, Tarrah would have loved Leotti. But this dam, was something special despite of what she had done. She had a brilliant mind, especially for business, and a natural warmth that had you wanting her around. Not to mention it was rather entertaining to listen to her and Fili go at it whenever they occupied the same space. She kept him on his toes, and she loved that about her.
Leotti tightened her hold on the older dam and pulled away. "Thank you, Tarrah." She said and they turned to catch up with Vin and the two tiny dams as they had continued into the royal suites.
However, just as they were all about to enter Kili and Tauriel's suites – assuming that is where everyone was – the door slammed open and Finli came racing out. He was running so fast, he nearly ran Vin completely over, Tarrah having to move to catch her husband before he lost his balance.
"SORRY GRANDDA!" Finli yelled over his shoulder as he continue to run, a streak of black and white flying just beside him as the pair did not stop as they raced into the main sitting room and out the door.
"Hammer and tongs, what in the name of the great maker was that about?!" Tarrah huffed.
"Was that Kaw with him?" Leotti asked as she quickly moved to step into the room. "Dis?" But the room was seemingly empty.
The door to Tauriel's bedroom was open and upon inspection, Tarrah only found little Kilion still sound asleep completely enclosed in Tauriel and Kili's comforter. She smiled and let him be, shutting the veranda door that had been slightly open. Tarrah knew they kept it that way as they waited for Kaw or Umyra to return. Well, now that he is here there is no need to keep a chill in the room when there is a little one resting. Glancing at the clock, she guessed the rest of the family must all still be in the kitchen. It was well past breakfast, but they were likely either just finishing or cleaning up.
"I will stay with Kilion, Tar. Go see if you can find Dis." Vin said as he sat in the large chair beside the bed. Finli was likely in charge of watching his baby brother but if Kaw had come to bring news, they could not fault him in his excitement to deliver whatever message Kaw had. When she was about to argue, Vin lifted a brow and gave her a look. "I think finding out what is going on with our daughter and her wayward husband is a bit more important than getting me into a bed. I promise not to exert myself. Go."
Tarrah sighed and nodded. "Do not move from that chair, or losing a hand will be the least of your troubles."
Vin snorted but shewed his wife away, who along with the two little dams, followed Leotti to the kitchen to see if the rest of the family was gathered there. They must have been right, as Nyaunni was currently walking out the door with Karrah at her side. The pair only stopped when they noticed who was in the hall. "Oh, lovely, and just in time." Nyaunni said happily as she scooped Vilia up into her arms. "Who wants to help gam feed the chickees while we wait for lunch? Hm? We had some hatch just before sunrise this morning in the warm box and Karrah and I were just going down to check on them and help out for a bit while Dis and the others are cleaning up and making cookies."
"Can I come with you, gam?!" Dissah asked. "And can I help feed Uri and Dajnel? It is their feeding time too, right?"
"Go ahead gem." Tarrah nodded. "Nyaunni, have you heard anything about a message? I could have sworn I saw Fin running with Kaw just a moment ago. He nearly barreled Vin over on his way past."
Nyaunni looked concerned. "Not a word. I left Finli in charge of Kilion since he was having a bit of a lie in this morning. Dis said he had night terrors all evening and was more interested in sleeping than eating so she let him be. Is Vin alright? How is he feeling this morning?"
"Vin is fine, he is sitting with Kilion at the moment. Oin only just now cleared him to come home as long as he rests, and a chair is just as good as a bed for the moment. We didn't want to leave Kilion alone." She paused in thought. "If you don't know anything about it, then I doubt Dis knows."
"Not about this, and we both know Finli would not leave his brother in any other situation. He is far more responsible than that." Nyaunni sighed. "I really do need to feed the animals, three of the stable hands are sick, and one got a good kick in the gut from one of the ponies and has been told to rest the day. I also promised Naufi I would feed that chicken he loves, Skrunt I think he and Orin call it. How it is still alive, only the maker knows. Not a feather on it, yet it keeps on going. We keep it separate from the other chicks...I can't have it breeding, we could end up with a whole flock of sickly, featherless, birds." Nyaunni sighed. She looked torn between marching through the mountain to find Finli so she could hear the message for herself, or doing her responsibilities first. "The animals must be tended to." She said after another moment of indecision. "Fin is probably going straight to Thorin which is likely who Kaw was told to speak to. Did he seem upset?"
"Not at all, he was smiling…"
Nyaunni beamed again. "Then, it must be good news." She felt a weight lift from her shoulders. "Kaw would have only delivered his message to Thorin, but I am sure Finli likely got something out of him…something to give him hope."
"I suppose we will know soon as well." Tarrah hummed, glancing at the door leading down to the throne room where Finli disappeared. She too wanted to race the hallways to hear that message herself, but she thinks Thorin was headed to the war room and nobody but the guards and a select few, like Dis and Nyaunni, are allowed up there. As the future king after Fili, even Finli has clearance to go up. So, it would be a waste of her time to run after him. "I will let Dis know. Why don't you take the girls with you, and I will help Dis with the boys and Ithtiri."
Nyaunni nodded and smiled. "It is nice to have you and Vin back home, Tarrah."
"It will feel nicer to have our children home." Tarrah sighed. "But thank you. I am very grateful for Oin, but, I am happy to be out of the healers wing and I think Vin will recover better here." She gave Nyaunni one last smile, watching the dam herd her granddaughters out of the wing as they all talked excitedly about how long it will be before their mother and father come home…assuming that is what the missive is about.
She then turned with Leotti as the pair stepped inside the kitchen, Tarrah shaking her head and Leotti chuckling at Dis who was yelling at Orin for eating raw dough.
"Dis, I think we have some news." Tarrah said as the door shut behind her, every pair of eyes in the kitchen landing right on her as she told them what she saw.
Thorin scowled as he stalked the halls of his mountain. No word whatsoever in nearly a week from any of his children. Dis was having a hay day with the silence, and Nyaunni has threatened multiple times to use Dajnel to fly to the east to find them. He had to keep reminding his wife, quite frequently, that she herself said they were not ready for such long distances, but the excuse was only holding on by a thread.
"Any news on Dol Guldur?" Thorin asked as he entered the war room in the guards halls where Aeodhen, Balin, and Dwalin were pouring over a map. This, was what his days were filled with now. Constant meetings on strategy and research as they prepared themselves for the worst, while hoping for the best.
"Our ravens show activity pickin' up." Aeodhen said. "Yeh sure we can no' jus…march there and take it?"
"Gandalf said not to." Thorin grunted. "There are forces in there, we cannot defeat, not with the weapons we have. Things not of this world dwell in that place, he said, creatures who cannot be killed by everyday mortal weapons."
"Mahal help us." Balin sighed. "So what…"
"POP!" Thorin stood as Finli came racing into the room, interrupting whatever Balin was about to say. Thorin at first thought the worst, wondering if Finli had somehow felt something happen to one of his parents, but when Finli only gave him Kili's broad smile, Thorin let out a deep sigh of relief. He relaxed even more as just behind Finli, the black and white raven belonging to his nephew and elven daughter soared into the room.
"Uncle!" The raven croaked as it landed on Thorin's shoulder, then nuzzled his hair. He ruffled his feathers, then relayed the carefully spoken message Tauriel had given him.
"Well that is one thing ta celebrate." Balin said with a small smile.
"Agreed." Thorin nodded. "Alright. Her suggestion is to leave Dol Guldur alone until she gets back as she has more intel on internal affairs, and I am inclined to trust her judgment." He leaned thoughtfully against the stone table as he looked over the various maps and parchments scattered across its surface. "Dwalin, send a message to Thranduil and let him know to expect to see his people and his son returned soon."
The large dwarf nodded and left the room while Thorin gave a few more scattered orders to inform Bard and to send another group of ravens out to fly over the fortress. He will do as Tauriel suggested, but he still wanted regular insight of that place as often as possible. He was going to send Kaw back out, but the raven looked a bit haggard, so he instructed Finli to take him to be fed and given proper rest before he is to fly back out with a message to his nephews and his daughter.
For now, Thorin had plans to make, and a family to inform. His children are coming home. Finally…something to look forward too.
"Are they safe? Where are they? How far are they away? Are you certain Kaw said nothing more?"
Thorin rolled his eyes as Dis came running up to him, Ithtiri tied to her chest which when she was awake, was one of the few ways to keep her from crying so loudly, the entire mountain heard it. His little granddaughter was having more than a little difficulty with her mother being gone and Thorin could understand why. What made it worse was her complete distaste for the bottle. Fortunately, she only had to wait a little while longer, Tauriel was on her way back.
Thorin was heading back across the golden floored throne room after giving the news to the family moments before. He lifted a brow to his sister who was practically running at his side to keep up with his brisk walk; she was clearly unhappy with the lack of information he had already given her.
Nyaunni wasn't home, she was in the stables with Dissah, Karra, and Vilia while Dis had been trying and failing to get Ithtiri to once again, take a bottle. Unless she was desperate or tired, she absolutely would not take to it...but somehow, Thorin was always able to get her to take it. As such, he had Ithtiri's crib moved to his room so he could feed her at night and in the morning while Dis remained with the boys in their own chambers.
Ithtiri was chewing on one of her fingers, soft coos coming from her as she contently sucked on her hand. Thorin paused and expertly took his granddaughter from the sling she was sitting in, Dis helping to unstrap her before looking back up at Thorin expectantly.
"I don't know much Dis." Thorin finally said. "For good reason, Tauriel did not send a written message, only a verbal one. But I know they are coming back so I am assuming they are all safe."
"Assuming?!" Dis growled.
"That is all I can do, anai. Once Kaw is rested, I will see about getting some more information. Until then, I know as much as you now." Thorin sighed, rocking the infant silently for several minutes before handing Ithtiri back to Dis. "I need to go see about getting a missive prepared to send with Kaw as soon as he is rested. I will see you at dinner, Dis." He gave her a small smile then turned on his toes to leave. However, before he went more than a dozen steps, the dwarven king suddenly lost his footing when his boot hit something slick on the gold beneath him and he crashed unceremoniously to the ground, hard.
"THORIN!" Dis cried as Ithtiri let out a wail when Thorin cursed, loudly, trying to get up only to fall again.
"Oops." A matching pair of voices said.
Thorin turned blazing blue eyes to two sets of matching emerald-green, blinking at him from where the twins they belonged to were crouched a few meters away. They watched him for a few seconds, then they both grinned widely as they stood up straight.
"Sorry pop!" Orin said, his dark copper brown hair as unruly as Kili's. "I didn't know it would spread that far."
"I think it worked TOO good." Naufi said eyeing the ground in thought. "A little certainly goes a long way."
"BOYS!" Thorin roared as he tried to stand only to fall again.
"The nosegoul has no chance here." Orin turned excitedly to his twin. "HA! Dwarves for the win." He high-fived his brother who nodded excitedly…at least until they too fell to the floor after accidently stepping in their own mess.
They tried to stand, but just like Thorin, slipped right back down to the golden floor. "LOOK POP! HAHAHA! We're stuck too!" Both twins held their stomachs as their laughter rang through the throne room.
Kilion, who came down the steps, peaked around Dis, his blue eyes blinking tiredly at his manically laughing brothers. He then stared at his grandfather who was still trying and failing to get up. It got worse when the guards at the bottom of the steps came to help their fallen king, only to fall and take Thorin, who was finally about on his feet, back down to the ground with them.
Dis sighed. Those two were Fili and Kili all over again. "BOYS!" Dis said sternly. "What did you do? And tell me you did not just say Nazgul?"
"Us…?" Naufi asked innocently. "Whatever do you mean nan?"
"Last night they said they were making a trap." Kilion yawned. "For the nosegouls."
Thorin lay back on the gold floor, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose as he sought for reasons why the maker loved to test him. He gasped as two solid bodies of weight jumped on him, and he looked up to two pairs of emerald eyes looking down at him.
"Do ya need help up, pop? We can help." Orin said sliding off Thorin but slipping on the ground as his feet touched the floor. "Or maybe not." He laughed as he slid several feet away right into a statue.
"DIS!" Thorin roared. He glanced at his sister who…was laughing. Great. "Do you mind…helping out here, sister?"
"Thorin, I heard…WOOH!"
Thorin sighed as the voice of his wife came followed promptly by the sound of her crashing down to the ground.
"GAM!" Karra yelled, grabbing her sister before they got too far into the room.
Unfortunately, Vilia had been in Nyaunni's arms, but the dam's reflexes were quick enough to keep the toddler from also hitting the ground. Instead, Vilia's little giggles mixed in with Naufi, Orin, and Dis's laughter as she bounced on Nyaunni's chest.
"Look, everyone is laughing. I don't think we are in trouble, brother." Orin said through bouts of his own laughter.
"Oh, no. You are in MINE deep trouble." Dis chuckled. "And, you will be scrubbing this entire floor free of…whatever you decided to put down on it."
"The WHOLE floor?" Naufi said, finally sobering. "By ourselves?"
"By yourselves." Thorin grumbled in confirmation before Dis could.
Nyaunni set Vilia down, not bothering to try and stand. Instead, she slid herself to Thorin who grunted when she hit him. She lifted herself and leaned over him to look down at his face. "It is pretty amusing." She said, her azure eyes brighter than they have been in weeks. Like the rest of them, she was worried sick about their family.
"We got word from Tauriel today." Thorin said, his hand instinctively brushing some of her tight curls from her face as she hovered over them. "They are coming home soon."
"They found aunti Tauri? And Da?" Karra asked excitedly.
"Mmm." Thorin hummed in affirmation. "I do not know when they are arriving, but, at least they are coming home."
"Well if that is not a reason to be happy, I do not know what is." Nyaunni said softly before she pressed a kiss to Thorin's lips. "Do you need help, Thorin?" She said with amusement alight in her eyes.
"Not if you're just going to laugh at me about it." Thorin grumbled.
"Well then…everyone…your pops new permanent lodging, is the throne room floor. You must now and hence forth, visit him where he lies. I will make sure Balin and Litin make note of it so they can bring your business here, so you don't miss anything. Oh, and would you like me to have this be your tomb as well, Thorin?" Nyaunni smirked at her husband's deepening scowl.
"Pop, up!" Vilia had made her way across the floor as well by now, and was sitting on her bottom, tugging at Thorin's hand. "Up, up, up!"
"Pop has TRIED to get up." Thorin sighed looking over at her. He growled, then snatched her up and threw the little dam up in the air high above him, finally smiling at the giggles she filled the hall with as he caught her and repeated the action several times.
Eventually, the guards and the family were able to get up off the slick, golden, floor. Though it did end up requiring them to drag themselves towards the statues, and use the stone figures to pull themselves up to their feet. Dis ordered buckets and brushes to be sent in immediately and had the area blocked off so no other innocent dwarves fall victim to Naufi and Orin's shenanigans. She then spent the next two hours supervising her grandsons who were still laughing as they scrubbed the gold until it was a mirror surface again.
While they scrubbed, she learned the substance they used was a mix of the bacon grease from yesterday's breakfast, some oil from Fili's stores of blade polishes, and some of the extremely potent, and very light lubricant used throughout the mountain on everything from mine carts to the gears in the gates. They somehow bound it with a fourth ingredient they refuse to share to make a mixture so slick and so light, it not only could barely be seen…but would make a walk across a slab of pure ice seem like a stroll on a cobblestone path mid-summer in comparison.
When they were finished and making silly expressions in the mirrors surface, Dis called them for dinner...but not before cupping their cheeks gently, and telling them under no circumstances, where they to EVER do something so foolish to even consider trapping a creature like a Nazgul. Their actions, would have not only gotten themselves killed, but likely, made the mountain and their entire family a target. "Those beings kill first, then ask questions later Naurfaer, Thorin." She said using their full names, which nobody ever did lest they were in REAL trouble. "Do you understand what you could have done?"
This sobered the twins immediately. "We never meant for that, nan. We were just…we thought it could help. If we cannot kill them, then, we can trap them and keep them in the dungeons forever."
"And draw the attention of things far worse than them." Dis sighed, shaking her head. "One day, it will be your responsibility to aid in ruling this mountain. The choices you make, the actions you take, will not just affect you or even this family…but they will affect everyone in this mountain, and possibly, our people as a whole." Dis brushed her thumbs across their cheeks as she tried to understand their desire to aid the family. "I know you are trying to help my darlings, but next time you decide to do something like this…talk to one of us first?"
"Yes nan." Naufi and Orin said.
"And I will be telling your parents." Dis said leaning down and pressing a kiss to both of their heads.
"Awwww." Naufi grumbled. "Can't we just keep this one between us?"
"No." Dis chuckled. "If you aren't willing to accept the consequences…don't do the deed."
"She's relentless." Orin grumbled.
"SHE raised your father and your uncle…and has a lot of practice with this kind of thing." Dis patted their cheeks then turned and smiled at Kilion who was sitting on the throne currently halfway through the plate of cookies Dis had given him. He was such a well behaved dwarfling, her little Kilion.
"LADY DIS!" Dis whirled around from her grandsons to see a guard racing in. The boys must have done a good job cleaning the floor because they did not so much as slip even a bit as they ran into the hall. "Where is the king! Somethin' is coming!"
"He just came through an hour with Nyaunni. I will get him." Dis said. She picked up Ithtiri's basket where it sat beside the throne with the infant sound asleep inside. Then she ushered her grandsons up the stairs. "Nan! Who is coming? Is it mama?" Orin asked.
"I do not know dear, just, keep going alright?"
Dis pushed the dwarflings…well technically dwelflings, but one wouldn't know by looking at them…up into the main sitting room as she called for Thorin who came from the kitchen, Nyaunni just behind him.
"What is it Dis?" Thorin asked.
"The guards said something is coming." Dis said. "They seemed rather alarmed."
Thorin turned and jogged into Kili and Tauriel's chambers, into their bedroom past the sleeping black and white raven, and out onto the terrace. He peered over the edge, ignoring his sister and his grandsons who all ran out to join him, including Finli who had been just reading on his parents' bed.
"What's going on? Pop?" Finli asked peering over the banister. "Who is that?" He pointed to the distance where a large black horse could be seen carrying a rider all in black.
"Dis, get the children inside." Thorin said whipping around to his sister and his wife who came in with the girls; they were just eating lunch. "Take them to Tarrah and Vin's room. You are not to come out, none of you. Do I make myself clear?"
"But who is it pop?" Naufi asked. "Are they coming to the mountain? Could they get into the stables? Can I bring Skrunt up?"
"DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR NAURFAER!?" Thorin growled not having the patience to deal with the questions being rapidly fired at him.
Naufi's eyes widened, unaccustomed to his grandfathers tone…at least not being directed at him or his siblings. He nodded and Thorin brushed past him.
"Come on darlings. Let's go." Dis whispered shutting the door to the terrace so Kaw doesn't get out, and rushing them out to the sitting room and around the other hall where Vin and Tarrah's rooms were. When she entered, Tarrah was at the door clearly about to leave.
"Vin has just woken up! Those draughts Oin gave him always knock him out and he was feeling some pain so I gave him one when he was settled in bed this morning." She said with a wide smile. "But since he is awake now, I was just coming to get the children to cheer him up...I think now that he is in our home, he is having a difficult time processing the true reality of it all." Tarrah paused and looked at Dis and Nyaunni. "What's happened?"
"The Nazgul are here." Dis said in a hushed tone. "We need to get the children into the room."
Tarrah's eyes widened. "The Nazgul!?" She breathed and took Vilia from Nyaunni, leading them to the bedroom where Vin was indeed awake.
As they ran in, Dis counted heads. There were so many little heads. When Ithtiri began to wail again, Dis sighed and pulled her from her basket and began to sway as she tried to sooth her.
"What is happening?" Karra asked, pulling Finli, Orin, and Naufi into the corner while Dis, Nyaunni, Vin, and Tarrah chatted over Ithtiri's cries.
"Nan said it's a nosegoul." Orin said.
"Nazgul you simpleton." Karra rolled her eyes. She looked across the room at her sister Dissah who was climbing on the bed to sit beside Vin. He tucked her into his side right away as Dissah began telling him all about a story she had been reading.
"Finli, Karra, come help with the little ones." Dis said, knowing Ithtiri tended to calm for Finli and Karra was a good distraction for Vilia who was looking around the room in a confused daze.
"I need to go down to get Skrunt." Naufi said to Orin. "He's sick and gets confused really easily. If he gets out of his pen, he'll get lost and won't survive the wilds. Nobody looks after him but us and gam. I just know since she is up here, they will try to leave him out to get lost because they hate him…and then just blame the nosegul or whatever is coming. I wish mama and da would have let me keep him up here, but Kaw and Umyra don't like him and kept pecking at him so they said he is safer down there. But they're wrong, and they don't care about him like I do."
"That is not fair…" Orin whined. "…I should go down with you."
"Well we can't both go." Naufi said. "And I said it first."
Orin grumbled but nodded. "Fine go get him and I will cover for you. But once you get him you better get right back up here, or pop will have your beard. Oh, and I want to know EVERYTHING you saw!" With a nod from Naufi, the pair made a quick plan, then bumped heads in agreement.
Naufi smiled and nodded that he was ready for their plan to begin and watched as his twin brother ran into the bathroom complaining of stomach cramps. He waited a few minutes, then asked if he could go to the bathroom as well.
"Use the one in the room, Naufi." Dis said trying and failing to find a wrap to use to change Ithtiri.
"I will go get what you need from Tauriel's room." Nyaunni said standing and leaving the room. She ruffled Naufi's hair in passing, telling him to stay put.
"But Orin is in there and he has been taking forever." Naufi groaned. "If I don't go soon, I will have an accident."
Dis sighed. "Fine go." She said eyeing her grandson. "But make it quick."
Afraid his nan would change her mind if he hesitated, Naufi quickly left the room, ran to the bathroom, shut the door from the outside hard enough they could hear, then quietly raced out of the room. He had to be quick if he was going to get to the stables and back up before they noticed he was gone. He will figure out what to do with Skrunt when he gets back up.
Naufi did not slow his pace as he ran through the sitting room and out the royal chamber door. He paused when he saw the guards lining the throne room below but no matter, Toki had told them all about the time he took Fin. All Naufi had to do, was climb a bit, get along the ledge to the upper floor, and he can get right past them. They all seem occupied anyway.
"Do not shoot, do not attack, do not engage." Naufi could hear his grandfather order. "We cannot kill this creature. We will see what it wants, and with any luck, it will leave once it realizes they will get nothing from us. Understood?"
There was a round of 'Aye!' that rang into the air of the large throne room and then the guards were filing out with Aeodhen at the head. Naufi easily hid in a shadow, then at the right moment, snuck out the door when two guards were distracted strapping shields that were as tall as they were to their arms.
Naufi then raced down the empty hall to the stables where he could hear orders being called out there as well. Several guards and the few stable hands working that day were bringing in the animals who were directly outside, and securing them in their pens.
"Yer life is worth more than a chickens or a rams...so if it don' wan't ter come in...leave it. We will bring it in when we get the clear." One of the stable hands ordered. Naufi thinks his name is Ivurk, or something like that. He and gam are friends but he keeps saying Skrunt ought to be sent to the afterlife.
"I bet he will make sure Skrunt is left outside." Naufi muttered to himself. They had made a special area for the featherless chicken to peck at the frozen ground from the safety of a box he was enclosed in. Leotti had even made him a little sweater to wear since he had no feathers. Nyaunni made sure to put it on any time he would be set outside, then take it off when he was inside the warm stables.
Naufi peaked into the large, main, area, but everyone seemed busy so he was able to go stall to stall, pausing and looking sadly at his mother and father's absent horses. He did miss them…his parents. They will be home soon though, pop and Finli had said so. He also patted Dajnel on the nose as she looked down at him, giving a soft chirp and nuzzling his shoulder.
"SHH." Naufi huffed to her. He quickly grabbed an apple and shoved it at her knowing it would keep her quiet as she went by. Naturally, she took the bait and happily crunched her treat as she sat back in her stall.
Shaking his head, Naufi focused back on his task. Dwarves were running in with rams and ponies, herding chickens, geese, and roosters in as they went. But he saw no signs of Skrunt anywhere. He had to be outside, since his indoor pen gam and da built for him just beside Maryn's stall was empty. All he had to do now, was to get outside, grab his little friend, and run back in. Should be easy enough.
With so many distracted, Naufi was able to get out the door just as easily as he thought. "Skrunt!" He called quietly as he ran to where his pen usually was...but it was not there. He paused as he frantically searched for his chicken that seemed to be nowhere in sight.
"WE'RE CLEAR!" Someone called.
"DID YEH GET THA' BLASTED PENNED BIRD?" Naufi heard Ivurk yell out.
"AYE. PEN IS INSIDE BY THE RAMS."
Naufi froze as the sound of scraping followed by the BOOM of the stable door being sealed and locked shut filled his large, dwarven, ears. His emerald eyes widened in fear. He had never been locked out of the mountain before. Suddenly, the idea of getting his chicken didn't seem like his best idea.
The small dwarfling was about to go running back to the door when he heard hoofbeats drawing ever nearer. With his heart racing, Naufi dove for the courage every son of Durin ought to have, and edged around the mountain. He was already out here, he might as well see what was coming. He doubted they could hear him anyway if he went back and pounded on the door, with all the racket from the animals stomping, baying, and crowing inside.
Probably against his better judgment, Naufi silently walked through the bushes and trees towards the mountain's entranceway.
Thorin stood on the balcony, Dwalin, Balin, and his guards on either side of him in full armor. Nobody was allowed outside the mountain right now…not even the armored guards. But on the balcony over the entrance, they all stood with shields, axes, bows, and all. There were also lines of guards at the entranceway behind the main door ready and waiting to protect, if necessary. Thorin was taking no risks with his home and his family.
"Do you know if it speaks common?" Dwalin asked as three black horses carrying shrouded Nazgul approached the gate. Not one, not two, but there were THREE of them. This was worse than Thorin had anticipated.
Along with them, were what appeared to be human guards in masks and armor Thorin had only ever seen in the far east lands. There were no orcs or goblins, but as it is only mid day, he is not surprised by that. He growled when he saw several flank off on either side, riding around the mountain as if scoping the area.
"We will soon find out." Thorin whispered to Dwalin as he leaned over to watch the horses coming towards them. "Aeodhen, order a team to go to the east and west gates. They appear to be breaking off and searching the mountainsides. Everyone is inside, correct?"
"Aye." Aeodhen nodded. "All gates are shut up and everyone ordered inside. We jus' got reports back from the stables tha' all are in and accounted for." He then turned and called down to his leaders, ordering a group in khuzdul to hustle to all gates leading outside the mountain. No entrance is to be unguarded. He then returned to Thorin's side just as the creatures and their pet humans stopped at the bridge leading to Erebor.
"We seek, the one called, Oakenshield." A whisp of a voice hissed.
"That would be a yes, brother. They do in fact speak common." Balin said to Dwalin. Thorin gave them a look and they focused on the group below.
"I am he. Why came you here?" Thorin called. Across the paths and through the gently falling snow, he could see Dale shutting up their walls. Smart move.
"To speak…of peace." The creature said.
"You take from the lands we are allied with, then come asking for peace?"
The horses stamped the ground and Thorin could hear the clank of the armor their shrouded riders wore. The Nazgul seemed to be communicating something silently among each other as they did not answer Thorin right away.
"We come, to make an offer than." The voice hissed.
"What have you got, that would ever sway us?" Thorin growled, his hands braced on the stone as he stared into the faceless creature.
"Gold…perhaps…the promise of great lands." The voice said sweetly. "We can give you…all that your people need to be the greatest race in arda."
"And for what price?" Thorin glared down at them. "So you can control my kingdom? So we become naught but slaves to you and your master? Get away." Thorin said. "You have nothing we could ever want. Tell that creature you serve that neither Erebor nor her people will ever be his."
The Nazgul hissed up at Thorin. "Do not make us ask again." It warned. "The next time…we will not be so…charitable."
"Be gone!" Thorin roared down at them, then turned to leave. However, he paused when his insides turned to ice.
"POP! POP!"
"NO!" Dwalin said nearly falling over the banister.
Thorin raced to the ledge, his hands gripping the stone so hard his knuckles were white. In the hands of one of the human guards, was one of the twins. Blue, he was wearing blue…Naufi. Naufi had been wearing blue today, his brother, green.
"NAUFI!" Thorin ground his jaw. "RELEASE HIM!" He roared.
"LET ME GO! POP!"
"The next time we come…perhaps…Oakenshield will be more willing to bargain...as it seems we have something he wants. We will give you...time...mortal, to decide." The Nazgul hissed up at Thorin before he reared his horse up and shot off across the snow covered ground and back towards the forest; the humans and other Nazgul following close behind him.
"SHOOT!" Aeodhen called the bowman.
"NO!" Thorin said. "You might hit Naufi. "GET THE GATE OPEN! RELEASE THE GUARDS!" Thorin ordered.
"We canno' kill them Thorin!" Balin reminded him.
This could not be happening. Thorin stared into the distance, watching them take his grandson.
Throwing his armor aside, Thorin raced down the steps to the stables. "GET THAT DOOR OPEN!" He said just as Nyaunni ran in.
"Naufi is missing, Thorin!" She cried. "Dis is beside herself. He said he was going to the toilet, but when she went to check on him because he had been gone for too long, he was not there."
"He got out Nya." Thorin growled. "WHY IS THAT GATE STILL CLOSED!" He roared to the guards and stable workers who were pulling the bars from the door.
"What!" Nyaunni said in shock. "Out where? How?"
"I don't know. But the Nazgul have him." Thorin pulled Rhya out of her stall, forgoing a saddle completely as he pulled himself up onto her bare back. "I am going to get him back."
"By yourself? I think not. We need a plan, Thorin."
"OUR GRANDSON WAS TAKEN!" Thorin roared as he turned angerly to Nyaunni. "They will KILL him, Nya."
"But not before they use him as a means to get wha' they want, Thorin." Balin said running in. "He is the bargaining piece. They will keep him alive."
"I am not staying here while they take him to his death, I won't take that chance Balin."
"We don't expect you to. But you have no sword, you have no plan…you may as well trade yerself for his life if yeh go there like this."
Thorin sighed running his hand through his hair. This was the worst possible scenario. "Fine. Get a team together, we leave here as soon as possible. AND SOMEONE GET ME MY SWORD!"
Naufi kicked and yelled until the human who held him smothered his mouth with his hand as they rode. Naufi tried to bite his hand, but the man was faster and readjusted. Before he knew it, a rider beside him had pulled a sack free from his saddle bag, and thrown it over Naufi. He was small enough for the man to then tie the bag and fling it over his shoulder as they rode.
"Kick again, dwarf, and I drag you behind the horse." The man warned in a thick accent.
Naufi's breaths were coming out in quick pants. He barely had time to react when that human came out of nowhere and snatched him from outside the stables. Now, now he was being taken away from his home, from his family. He felt tears rolling down his face as he sat confined in the bag against the man's back.
"Mama...da..." Naufi cried softly, doing the only thing he could think of in that moment. He closed his eyes, focused on the connection his mother had taught him about...and called for his parents. "...help me."
Authors Notes I promised at the end: I know…it's a cliffhanger. So sorry. Don't hate me but I am still working on refining the next chapter. The timing might be a little confusing, but there is a lot of going forward and back in time. We will be heading back to Rhun in the next chapter which picks up right where we left them, so it is once again, going backwards to when Kaw left for Erebor…so back several days. Got more battles ahead! And a pretty pissed off elf whose about to go all mama bear. I really do love to get people kidnapped don't I. LOLLLLLLL. I guess it is my trope.
Anyway…here's some shout outs at the bottom!
Ken: Lorilyn will find her peace in the afterlife, I promise you that. I honestly think it was the only way for her to find peace with what she went through. You will definitely be hearing more about Tork and the hybrids as the story unfolds a bit more. OH, you will have to see about that bet you made. 😊
DocNikki: HAPPY VACATION! Though your probably back by now, lol. I love the medical talk! I knew there probably was a faster, safer, way to do that but since it wasn't a healer doing it, and boiled down to Fili being the one to finish it, it felt more real to have him just…cut and pull. Yeesh, that sounds gruesome even to type. I really am fascinated by the blue wizards, and I wish there could be a new middle earth adventure surrounding them and their story. We have Frodo, we have the line of Durin, we have the elves of the west…but the Avari are mentioned to be a mysterious elven clan, and that they refused to take the journey to Valinor. I just made all the other stuff about them up. There is more to middle earth than what we see in the LOTR and TH…but we don't seem to have anyone wanting to tell more stories which is sad. I hope, maybe one day, someone will come out and decide to share their view on what could have happened in the east lands of Arda. Until then, I suppose we have online pedias and fanfiction. He he he, and Thorin was right PISSED about Viltarra being gone. But that isn't really surprising.
RinaHaven: Thank you for the encouragement. I am sorry this took longer than expected, but it makes me so happy you are enjoying this enough to anticipate every notification. I will try to get another chapter up soon. :D