Chapter 13

The view was incredible. For now they all stood together and breathed the night air. Even though the tunnel air was good, nothing beat the fresh air of the night. Rafaella sat on a big rock with her eyes closed in concentration. A few minutes ago she explained, that she will try to telephatically reach this Bard and ask for a meating.

Thorin and Balin suggested a meeting with the Master of Lake Town, but Rafaella explained about him and his nature. Let's just say, nobody wanted to meet him. Thorin could feel something tugging him to the mountain and the gold, but then he looked at the lady warrior and the whispers went away. He knew abut the Dragon sickness and hoped, that Rafaella could do something about that. The King didn't want to lose his mind. Thinking about Rafaella helped, she could help him keep his head in the right direction.

Everyone sat down in a circle and started a small fire to cook something to eat. Thorin was still looking at her. She looked calm and peaceful, but her shoulders were stiff. Thorin thought, that she looked beautiful. At that moment, her eyes sprang open and she let out a big gasp of air. Everyone jumped up and looked around for threats, but Rafaella gestured, that everything was alright.

"It has been a while for me to try to speak with someone in their minds. He will meet us here in an hour." Thorin nodded his head and gestured for her to step to the side with him. She jumped down from the rock and asked:

"Yes, Thorin?"

"First of all, I want to thank you again for being here with us. I think, we would have so many difficulties without you and your guidance." Rafaella blushed at his words, but smiled.

"I want to help you reclaim your home. It is your birthright." Thorin smiled at this, she understood him perfectly. He was doing this for his family, his kin and his people. Rafaella quietly admired his dedication.

"Thank you. But i wanted to ask you something and possibly ask a favor of you." She looked at him, all serious now. The blush was gone and she waited.

"Ever since we have gotten closer to the mountain, there are whispers in my mind, about gold. Have you heard about the Dragon sickness?" She gulped, but nodded.

"Yes, i was thinking about it, but since you behaved as usual, i hoped, that the sickness wouldn't come to you." She thought for a moment. "You want my help in curing this sickness from the minds of you and your kin, yes?" Thorin exhaled and nodded his head. He turned to look at Fili and Kili, his young nephews. Still young, but they were his pride and joy. The sons of his sister, Dis. He promised to keep them safe, because they would not stay home.

Rafaella also watched Fili and Kili. She had seen their possible deaths and wanted to prevent it at all cost. Also, with Kili she saw Tauriel, but would they find each other this time? In one of her visions, she saw them bond in Thranduil's dungeons, but there is no way she will let them meet like that. For now, the priority was keeping them safe. The rest will follow.

"There are a few things I can try to help you. It will not be painful, just invasive for your mind." Rafaella turned and gestured to Fili and Kili to come to her. They hurried to them and smiled. "How can we help you both?" Thorin and Rafaella chuckled at the image they both game. Yound and innocent, but so eager to help in any way they could.

"Have you felt something in your minds, a whisper?" They both turned to Thorin, when he asked. Kili shook his head in negative, but Fili thought about this for a minute. "I think, i have felt something. It gets stronger as we come closer to the mountain." Thorin inhaled at this, but then he remembered, that Rafaella could try to help them. "I have felt the same, it is the Dragon sickness." Fili looked horrified with Kili not far behind. "What do we do? Are we becoming like greatgranfather?" Rafaella was quick to silence his fears. "No, Fili. I won't let eather of you to become like him. There is something I can do to help." Kili looked releaved at this, Thorin put a hand on Fili's shoulder, with words : "You are not alone in this. I have also felt this."

Rafaella gestured to follow her a bit from the company, where a few trees stood. The company could still see them, but not hear. She gestured for them to sit in a circle around a small pine tree. When they did, she explained: "I will go into your minds, with your permission, of course, and try to find the source of the sickness. There won't be any pain, just a bit of discomfort." Then she turned to Kili: "Will you want the same? The sickness can still awaken in you." He frantically nodded his head. Then she rested against the tree and turned to Thorin. "Do I have your permission to enter your mind with you?" He nodded. The lady grabbed his hand and looked in his eyes. In all honesty, there was no requirement to touch him in order to enter his mind, but Rafaella liked touching him.

In a moment, they both found themselves in Thorin's mind. It looked and felt like a long corridor with many doors, some had names, some were blank. Rafaella felt a jolt, when she saw a door with her name on it in big bold letters, but turned her head away, blushing. Thorin didn't notice, he stood fascinated about his mind. Here the whispers were more prominent, but Rafaella took his hand again and they followed the voices down a small dark hallway. Thorin wanted to protect her from his mind, but she just squeezed his hand and they went in there together. At the end of the hallway, there was a small green dragon sleeping on a money pile and whispering about treasure etc. Rafaella gestured with her hand and turned the dragon in a plush armchair. At that moment, the whispers stopped.

Thorin felt like a mountain fell from his shoulders. He felt free. And it was all thanks to her. Rafaella , who held his hand and helped him again and again. He turned to her and , instead of thanking her with words, he tugged her towards him and hugged her. She fit perfectly against him. Rafaella blushed, but felt so comfortable against Thorin's chest, listening to his heartbeat. When they broke apart, Thorin found himself outside his mind, in the clearing again. Rafaella was still blushing, but he could see, that she was releaved. Next was Fili and then Kili, but this time Thorin noticed, that she didn't hold their hands. To him , he just stood there without blinking, but he could feel Fili's shoulders relax and after a minute saw Kili also breathe easier.

Rafaella hugged the tree for a moment, in an effort to get some energy back. Only now, after helping all three dwarves, she felt a bit exhausted. They went back to the company and ate. Everyone felt good. Then Rafaella jumped up and ran to the shore. Thorin and Dwalin were startled and ran after her. Everyone else, after getting over their shock, also got up to see and barge coming toward them across the lake. Dwalin's hand was itching towards the axe on his back, but Thorin saw her smile. She knew the man. Bard had come.