Bard strode at a steady pace through the elven compound, knowing exactly the location of Lord Elrond's tent. Being a king, he wasn't challenged, but was still surprised when he reached the inner ring of tents with standards denoting powerful lords, to see Lord Erestor walking in his direction. He hadn't a clue word of his arrival was broadcast several times by guards until one with enough rank contacted a ranking lord.
"King Bard, how may the elves serve you?"
"Is Lord Elrond available?"
"Yes," Erestor motioned for Bard to accompany him. He took him to Lord Círdan's large tent. Seated around the table were Thranduil, Círdan, Arwen, Galadriel and Elrond. They appeared to be discussing sailing elves and how the kingdoms were being affected.
"I didn't mean to interrupt an important meeting. I can come back," Bard stated when he became the center of attention by his presence.
Elrond motioned him to the table. "We are finishing up a few details before parting to our own realms. Do we need to speak in private or can these eavesdroppers hear?"
"I don't think what I have to say is private." Bard accepted the glass of wine Erestor pressed into his hand and took a seat across from Elrond. The elves went silent waiting for his message. "When I informed Bain he was going with you to Rivendell, my eldest, Sigrid, expressed a desire to also go and stay until Bain returns. I said I would ask you if it was okay and what amount of funds you would require for two of my children."
"That is a wonderful idea," Galadriel responded before Elrond had a chance to open his mouth. "She would be great company for Lady Gilraen, who is feeling the loss of her son maturing."
"Have you foreseen events?" Elrond asked her instead of addressing Bard.
"No, but a young woman should also travel and have advantages; especially in comportment of a princess. Lady Gilraen could teach her much."
"I try and stay out of all women's training and everything else," Elrond meekly replied and saw smirks from his fellow elves. He finally addressed a waiting Bard. "I would be happy to host your eldest also. I won't charge anything for her either. My house is open to your children and I hope bonds are formed that last a lifetime for them. Of course, she is expected to journey to the sea when my son's and Legolas take the boys."
"I'm overwhelmed with your generosity," Bard admitted and drank deeply of the vine. Placing his almost empty goblet down, he continued. "I won't accept charity and wish to know how to pay you. I'm no longer a pauper, so is it gold or gems I can entice you with?"
'Elrond, don't say no to gold,' Erestor stated in his mind. 'That way Bard saves face and we have enough to buy what we desperately need.'
'What are you in dire need of, Elrond?' Galadriel asked and it was echoed by Círdan just as swiftly.
"I'll take a small amount of gold, but you will need most of yours when men return to Dale. Farms will need repaired and seed purchased. Two older children for three years would come to…..," he mentally calculated for Bard's benefit. "Say three gold coin per child per year. That will more than cover any expense." He managed to evade his fellow elves questions, but knew they would press until he divulged his secret shame.
Bard thought the amount a token, but agreed. "My children don't have much, so I will throw in ten extra coins for any clothing or necessities they will need. Bain has already outgrown the clothes we arrived with, which was on our backs. I haven't paid you for the boots the elves made for him. And I'm sure you don't want two children looking like waifs in your home."
Elrond gave a small smile. "You are correct in we will outfit your children with new garments. And if I didn't need the coin, I would never take that amount, but every coin is essential for me right now." He decided that disclosing his need to Bard better than being grilled by elves centuries his senior. "The horses you see are all I have. We were raided by a band of men last winter and they killed all our livestock, tending elves, and stole the horses. I house them in a separate valley from Imladris, so it was days before someone went to the valley and found our elves slaughtered and all in chaos."
"Elrond, why did you not send word?" Círdan was first to speak.
Galadriel was puzzled that neither she nor Celeborn were informed or her mirror disclosed the tragedy. She frowned, but remained silent.
"I am weary of this world," Elrond confessed. "I let my guard down and withdrew my protection for a time. I still wonder if Sauron knew then was the time to strike. It happened just after the twins left with Bilbo, or I'm sure they would have hunted the culprits down and retrieved my horses. I didn't tell them and put out the word that nobody was to reveal to them that they lost their lines of horses. I wanted to buy more and re-establish before they found out. That's one of the reasons I was agreeable to letting them go on tour with Legolas. I was sure the last place they would be is Imladris."
"I'm glad Celeborn is not here," Galadriel finally broke her silence. "He will be angry you didn't tell him." She smiled. "He might have even knocked you over the table."
The lords and Bard laughed while Elrond grimaced at the thought.
"My plan is to retrieve the animals and buy more livestock," Elrond stated confidently. "I'm sure word spread that we were absent last year and a group of vagabonds from someplace got wind the time to strike was ripe. I have feelers out for the horses. Some community will divulge a large band of horses is now in their area. All I have to do is apply pressure with gold coin."
"I'm sorry for your loss, Elrond," Thranduil said. "You know I don't have anything to offer. We eat wild meat and our eggs come from wild ducks."
"I told several of my finest hunters to bring in game for the winter," Elrond told him. "We survived that way when first establishing Imladris. We have plenty of chickens at the community and other than not being able to eat more than a rooster once in a while, are doing good. It's the beef I used to make jerky for travelers that is missing. I will jerk what wild game I can, but it won't be as good."
"We don't have any livestock either," Bard reminded everyone. "I'm hoping a wagon train arrives with starter animals."
"I think maybe we should form a pact for domestic animals," Elrond told him. "Celeborn has plenty of goats, sheep and cattle on his hills. Perhaps he can sell us both enough to get back in business."
"All of Harlindon is flush with cattle," Círdan supplied. "I think a cattle drive is in order. I can get my warriors, who haven't had this much fun in an age, cull the herds and bring the strongest east. Elrond can cut out what he needs and the rest will be driven over the Misty Mountains to Dale. I bet if we run this by the dwarves, Thráin, will be more than willing to buy several thousand head also. Pigs are in abundance at the Iron Hills and a much closer drive."
Elves could feel Elrond's fëa lift. "Thank you, my friends."
"How much gold coin would I have to send with you?" Bard asked Círdan.
"I'll impose on Lord Erestor to write a contract for all of us and we will figure the numbers you and the dwarves will need and the cost," Círdan responded and Erestor nodded.
"I'm sure Celeborn will be in a fit when he finds himself left out of this discussion." Galadriel reminded everyone of the missing lord.
"What will it take to appease Celeborn?" Elrond asked.
"First, you need to tell him right away. Then you should accept his offer of goats and sheep," Galadriel sagely advised.
"He will want some of my wine," Elrond complained.
"Naturally."
Lióni let Thorin escort her to supper, where the intimate families were gathered in the king's home. She felt mellow and wondered at the change in her. Everyone expected a nervous bride and she felt tomorrow couldn't come soon enough and told Thorin so.
Thráin sat at the head of the table with Thorin on his left and Dáin and Azie his right. Lióni sat beside Thorin and Dis had his other side with Dwalin and then her parents and Risári. At the opposite end sat Gandalf, who was more nervous than anyone that something would go wrong. After Nori informed the Company, Gandalf pondered what they missed. Up the other side from Gandalf were Balin and Cát, Aneht and Óin.
Gandalf tapped his knife against the long stemmed crystal glass. Its tinkling sound stopped idle chatter. "King Thráin, thank you for this intimate gathering. To see a Durin family in this chamber makes all we fought and suffered for seem a distant memory."
Thráin nodded he understood.
"Tonight we have the blending of another family and Lord Dóvad, you will fit in nicely with this Durin clan, as other lords have in the past. Thorin and Lióni's dwarflings will benefit with two strong grandfathers." He looked at Lári. "You will have the double burden of providing a maternal grandmother presence. I wish you could have known Princess Lis."
"My mother knew her and with all the stories I grew up on, feel as if I do know how she would think and act."
Gandalf smiled at her and looked to her left at Risári. "I expect you to tell those stories to the next generation of Durin's."
"You can count on me," the elder dam assured him.
Gandalf raised his glass. "A toast to all here tonight."
Everyone stood and drank to themselves and each other.
That done, Thráin motioned for the servants to serve. They had for the wedding eve dinner, roasted goat meat from the wild goats that lived on the mountain, potatoes and carrots smothered in a thick zesty gravy. Bombur personally cooked this typical dwarfish meal.
Thráin took a large bite of meat and upon swallowing commented, "This sure beats the raw rat meat I got in Dol Guldur."
Dáin and Dwalin laughed, while Dis snapped, "Father, don't think of that horrid place. Tonight is for congenial conversation and happy stories."
"Okay, my daughter." He looked at Thorin and Lióni. "Ye two are quiet. This is ah wedding, not ah funeral."
"I think all the stress of putting the wedding together so fast has worn me out," Lióni admitted.
"Don't let anyone hear ye say that, lass." Óin admonished her. "There will be ah mutiny in the mountain if they think ye not able ta bear healthy sons."
Thorin put an arm around Lióni's shoulders and grinned down at her. "After tomorrow, all you have to do is lie around and work on those healthy sons."
"Thorin, remember, we are not in our drinking hall," his father reminded him. "There are ladies present."
Thorin spun on him. "There are no young lasses and these dams know exactly what I'm talking about."
"Another subject we won't discuss at the supper table," Dis reminded everyone. "Don't we have something pleasant we can discuss?"
A knock at the large wooden door to King Bard's private residence had Bain jumping up to open it. Traffic to the residence was rare because Bard utilized the office of the king, a relic from when Girion ruled. He was speechless when he saw Lady Gilraen and Elessar on the other side.
Bard saw his son hesitate and quickly moved behind him. "Forgive my son's bad manners and come in."
Bain blushed. "I'm sorry; I was shocked to see you out at this time of night."
Removing the cowl from her head, Gilraen looked around at the home of the king. Everything was shabby from over a hundred years of neglect, but one could see it once was a beautiful home. She smiled at Bain, but addressed his father. "I'm sorry for my late visit. I haven't had time to talk with you, King Bard and have just been informed we will be leaving in a couple of days."
"Please, I'm just Bard," he corrected. He secretly hated the title, but knew it went with his job title. "Can I get you anything?"
"No, thank you." She sat in a chair and Bard near her. The girls moved closer to listen, while the boys departed to Bain's bedroom.
Gilraen drew Sigrid into the conversation. "I am delighted you are coming with us, Sigrid. I hardly see Elessar anymore and I am looking forward to female companionship that isn't elf; not that there is anything wrong with them."
"I'm excited to see the fabled Rivendell and learn how to act like a lady," Sigrid replied.
"And she is going to come home and teach me all she learned," Tilda added, drawing a laugh from Gilraen.
"And learn you will," Gilraen addressed the elder girl. "Even I had much to learn when I first went to Rivendell. I was tutored in the language of elves by my husband, who was raised at Rivendell, so could communicate with them in their language. I will start your education as soon as we leave, for elves only speak Sindarin when among each other. I bet by the time we reach Rivendell, you will be able to talk to them."
Sigrid's face reflected her anticipation. "I want to learn it all. Da told me in a year and half, I also get to go to the sea and a place called the Havens."
Gilraen nodded. "Along with the boys. I also will go and have never been west of Bree and that was when I was married to my husband. We traveled much until he was killed."
"I'm sorry," Bard stated. "Was it recently?"
Gilraen shook her head. "No, Elessar was only two when we were ambushed by orcs. I and Erak were the only survivors, and that's because he was ordered to get me and my son to Rivendell. I saw him fall and knew before we rode out of sight of the battle that I was a widow."
Bard nodded. "Losing a mate is devastating. I lost my wife to sickness that struck Lake-town a few years ago."
Gilraen looked sympathetically at him. "I never met a wife, so assumed yours was also dead. I'm glad for your sake it wasn't when Lake-town burned."
"We lost so many last winter fleeing from the fire," Bard replied. "It's hard to believe the changes in such a short time."
"The reason for my untimely visit is to see if the children need anything before we leave. We will be into early fall in the high country and coats will be a must."
Bard looked at his daughter. "I know Bain has outgrown all his clothing, so I will raid the storehouse for a coat for him."
"I have a lightweight jacket," Sigrid admitted. "Will that be enough?"
"Not for High Pass. Maybe another coat that will fit over it will suffice."
"Sigrid will also be prepared to travel," Bard said.
"If possible, put your belongings in a travel bag with a handle so it can be tied to the horses. I overheard the elves and know we are short supplied on mounts. King Thranduil is loaning Lord Elrond an additional thirty horses to pack our supplies and wine. The lord actually told his warriors they had to ride double so the wine could make the trip."
Bard smiled. "I was in the meetings. Something about a raid was said." He was vague, not knowing how much the lady was privy to.
Gilraen nodded. "Elessar doesn't know, so I would appreciate if it was kept between us."
"We won't say anything, right, Tilda?" Sigrid replied.
"For once I know something Bain doesn't." Tilda sounded smug.
"And make sure it stays that way," her father warned with his tone.
"Lady Galadriel is monitoring a battle on the other side of the Lonely Mountain right now," Gilraen divulged. "Lords Celeborn and Glorfindel are slaughtering orcs and other fell beings as I speak."
"How does the Lady of the Wood do so?" Sigrid asked.
Even Bard wasn't sure how she worked her magic; just that elven rings were involved.
"She took water from the river and poured it into a basin. It is there the battle is being played out before her eyes."
"Magic," Tilda whispered in awe.
"Very powerful magic," Gilraen agreed. "Lord Elrond told me after the battle, the army will start back here and they won't stay beyond a proper farewell to you and King Thráin. Everyone is anxious to return to their homes before bad weather descends."
"I will miss their wisdom," Bard stated.
"You and I are one of the lucky humans to have seen Lord Círdan in the flesh. Generations of my husband's family never met the ancient elven lord, including my husband."
"What's with the beard?" Bard lowered his tone.
Gilraen smiled. "I've seen paintings of him and not one is of bare cheeks. Elrond told me the Valar blessed him with a beard to stand out among elves and he isn't to shave it, but he does keep it clipped short. When he sails, the Valar will remove the beard. Lord Círdan is the oldest elf in Middle Earth and even Lady Galadriel defers to him. I didn't think anyone above her among the elves, but he is."
"I've learned something." Bard turned to his daughter. "Life is full of learning as you will find out. Enjoy this time of your life."
"I will, Da."
Gilraen rose. "We must be getting back or Lord Erestor will be knocking on your door. He disapproved of my sojourn here and I had to put my foot down. Sometimes I feel smothered by the elves. I'm sure they have guards watching your door, but did allow Elessar and I breathing room on the short walk here."
"Well, there are elven tents almost to my door," Bard teased with a smile.
She returned the smile.
"I don't mind if Elessar spends the night," Bard offered. "I know the boys will be spending a lot of time together, but Bain has had so few sleepovers in his life."
"Thank you. I accept."
He escorted her to the door and told her he would inform the boys and have Elessar back to her in time to ready him for the wedding.
She took her time returning to the elves. First she wandered about Dale, looking at closed booths and the layout of the city. She could see in its day, it was an impressive place and hoped it shone as brightly again.
Arwen was waiting in her tent. "It was either me or Erestor," she explained as soon as Gilraen entered.
"I needed time to myself alone," Gilraen explained. Although she didn't really know Elrond's daughter, she found her charming and friendly, once she got to know her.
"I understand and feel choked with all the concern for my security," Arwen agreed. "From time to time, I've rebelled. If I don't do it too often, I get my own way."
"Are you coming to Imladris?" Gilraen asked. Alone with an elf, she automatically switched languages.
Arwen shook her head. "No, I'm instructed to remain at Lothlórien by my daerodhrons and adar. They won't tell me why, but I'm sure the fate of the age is weighed in the balance by their tone and what they aren't saying. I have a certain amount of foresight, but not in the matter of my near future. I asked Erestor what they were hiding from me, for I feel something. I've never seen him so closed off. He schooled his features into a bland mask and changed the subject, after denying I was involved in the fate of the world." She sighed. "I suppose he is correct."
"For what it's worth, they haven't breathed a word of you to me either. I'm so caught up in my son's future that I hardly pay attention to the matters of elves. My life is too short. Elves can plan one event that may not happen in my entire lifetime."
Arwen laughed. "On that we agree." She changed the subject. "So you don't have a problem that you won't share with the elves?"
Gilraen shook her head. "Elessar is spending the night with Bain and I felt like a walk. I don't need an army of elves fraught with worry over that."
"I don't think it's an army; just our loveable Erestor, who worries needlessly over all of us." She rose. "I'll go and assure Erestor that you are fine and ask him to place guards around Dale. That way, he won't have to bother Adar, who will insist the boy be guarded." Arwen paused. "You know, I've never seen a Dúnedain progeny fussed over as much as your son. He bears watching." On that she silently departed.
Gilraen readied for bed pondering the fate of her son. That he was different from all other Dúnedain, she had no doubt.
"Before you disappear for ten minutes and your chaperones act surprised at finding you alone, I want a private word with you and Lióni," Gandalf stated, but it came out as an order.
Thorin and Lióni were trying to slip away while everyone was getting ready to depart and thanking the king for his dinner.
Gandalf laid a hand on Lióni's shoulder to stay their escape. His deep toned cry of, "Curse you, Sauron," caused the room to darken and fear flowed freely through all the dwarves present and they shrank away in fear. Just as quickly, Gandalf forced a calm he didn't feel.
Outside the stone walls, Galadriel and Círdan stopped monitoring the efforts of Celeborn and Glorfindel and looked at each other with concern.
"Something is amiss in the mountain," Círdan uttered aloud.
"Mithrandir will let us know if we are required," she calmly replied.
"Should we send someone to investigate?" Círdan wasn't convinced they should wait. His sensitive fëa also felt Mithrandir's burst of power and dismay.
Thorin pulled Lióni away from Gandalf with a snarled, "Explain!"
Dóvad roared in rage. "I'll not have ye saying my daughter is cursed, not on the eve of the most important day of her life."
Thráin, meanwhile, had a flashback to his days in captivity and felt as if someone walked on his grave and all his dreams faded into a mist and he imagined being free and back inside the mountain. He almost smacked his forehead to see if he could awaken. He was cold all of the sudden.
Gandalf struck the stone floor with the butt of his staff and all talking ceased. He struggled to regain a pleasant demeanor. "I didn't mean to scare you, Lass Lióni, but when I touched your shoulder, I felt a strong curse upon you. It wasn't there last time I laid a hand on you. I need to know how you came to be under a spell."
Lióni cast a helpless look around the room. "I…,I'm not sure what you mean. I feel fine; perhaps a bit tired, but other than that, I'm relaxed and anticipating tomorrow. Are you sure about this enchantment?"
Gandalf touched her shoulder again and this time was prepared. "Yes, I'm certain. A powerful spell has been cast upon you; one I cannot remove. I'm going to have to send for Radagast."
"That might take too long," Thorin stated with a raised voice. He felt his world crashing. "I'm still going through with the wedding tomorrow."
The wedding momentarily forgotten was once again placed front and center in everyone's minds.
"Of course the wedding will proceed," Dóvad added his vote in favor.
Knuckle dusters rapped on the nearest hard surface, an entryway table by the door, causing all talking to cease and look at the attention grabber.
"What effect does this spell have on the lass?" Thráin was looking directly at Gandalf so everyone turned to the recipient for an answer.
"I cannot say for sure. I'll check with the lady and see if her waters have disclosed further information. And as for contacting Radagast, I'll summons an eagle tonight. He will be here by morning." Gandalf looked around. "I suggest we get a good night's sleep and meet here when Radagast arrives."
"Who did this to her and when?" Thorin snapped; his last night of a forbidden liaison evaporating.
Everyone looked at the lass and waited in silence for her to remember.
"I started feeling different earlier today. It was like a shroud overcame me when Thorin and I walked in the arboretum. I just came from the market…," she paused and then held her hand up. "A dam accidently poked me and drew blood."
Gandalf gently took her hand in his. He felt a strong presence of a spell emanating from the pinprick. "This is it. We need to find the dam."
"Tonight?" Thráin asked.
"She is dangerous and may strike again, so yes, tonight."
Thráin turned to Picket. "Summons the Company and Generals for an emergency meeting." He looked to Thorin and Lióni. "I know on the eve before ah wedding, we are supposed ta forget ta chaperone ye, but I have to order this custom banned for your wedding. I don't want anything to progress between ye before we know how it might affect ah union."
Thorin looked like he might deck his father, but after sharing a long look into the other's eyes, he bowed his head in acceptance. He smiled lovingly at his father. "I'm not a young buck that has to have this forbidden encounter."
"You wouldn't have with me present anyway." His chaperone, Aneht, made herself visible.
"You're too old to keep up with us all night," Thorin rejoined in a lighter tone.
"And that's why I will have Cát with me." Aneht smiled right back.
Thorin remembered his sister. "Who is chaperoning those two?" He pointed to Dis and Dwalin.
"I'm part of the Company," Dwalin reminded him.
Thorin groaned. "This thawing has made me forget that I am too." He looked apologetically at Lióni. "Tomorrow night I will kill anyone who tries to separate us." With a kiss that was all too respectable, he led the way from the chambers, followed by everyone.
Gandalf brought up the rear. "I'm checking in with the elves. Don't start the meeting without me."
Thráin raised his hand that he heard.