Authors Note: See…told you I would not make you wait too long 😊.
Before I let you read, I just wanted to say thank you for all the amazingly sweet reviews. It brings me SO SO much joy that you guys are still enjoying this story. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your kind words. I wish I can respond to each of you as you post them, like I can on AO3, which is an amazing feature, but I want you to know I value each one of you. Meee, Docnikki, Chryssa, Pasorider, Dreamer, Syeern, Kmile…thank you. If I missed you, I am so sorry, but I love you too!
Okay, go ahead and read. It tis a battle!
Chapter Ten
"There are just too many of them!?" Kili yelled as he used his last arrow to get another goblin who tried to climb the scaffolding just beside where they surrounded Fili to keep him protected. It had been over an hour since they entered this place, yet, they were only able to overtake the first two layers of a city that descended for at least another ten.
Kili caught sight of blonde hair, and he shook his head as Legolas singlehandedly and quite impressively took down three fully grown fellbeasts with his twin blades on the level just above them. Bard, was working with Ryas and Dwalin, each dealing with a dozen goblins directly across the way from them and Bofur with Bifur were teaming up to take out an orc party a few meters from the lord of Dale.
Throughout the city, Kili could hear the sounds of battle and the roars of fellbeast as their armies and the people in Minam fought for their lives. Thankfully, Kili has not seen any of their men fall, but the orcs and goblins were without end and for every one they took down, another five appeared in its place. Looking back to his brother, Kili ran his hand through his hair in worry. Fili was growing paler by the minute, and had a sheen of sweat over his entire being, but he was alive and that, is what Kili was clinging to.
A growl just behind him had Thorin jumping up to take out yet another orc. "How long do we have?" Kili yelled to Nyaunni who was desperately trying to clean the wound with water she had to run to get in hopes to keep the venom at bay…though she knows from experience it was futile. She had never, in all her years here, been successful in saving a single human or dwarf who was bit. There was no ifs, Thorin's nephew…was going to die. It was only a matter of how long he has at this point.
"I don't know." The dam replied, frustrated that she was useless in this situation.
"What do you mean, you don't know?!" Kili cried out.
The dam gave him a furious look. "I mean I DON'T KNOW!" She bellowed. "Some last hours, some days. It depends on how much venom she got into his arm when she bit him."
"Wait, days? Hours?" Kili gaped at the dam the shook his head. "I mean how long do we have to administer the antidote before it won't work."
"We do not have an antidote on hand. Only the orcs do, and they only give it, if they feel it necessary to give." Nyaunni tightened the sash on Fili's arm even as she glared at Kili.
"But you said we had to give him the antidote!" Kili yelled.
"No, I said we need to GET him AN antidote OR medications!" The dam's face darkened. "Do you really think they would give us anything like that? They care nothing for us, we are not but flees on a rat to them. If we die, they replace us, end of story, youngling."
Kili stared wide eyed at the dam for several seconds. "KILI!" Thorin called out, surrounded by a dozen orcs he was trying to keep back.
"Mahal save us." Kili cried up to their maker.
Just as he was about to jump into the fight, an arrow flew past his face and embedded itself into one of the orcs about to ram his blade into Thorin's back. Then as second arrow flew taking out another. Kili whipped his head around and looked up in horror, as his wife stepped into the light flanked by none other than Dis and Viltarra.
"TAURIEL!" Kili yelled up. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"
Tauriel smiled down at her husband. "BRINGING HELP!". She and Viltarra replaced their bows and drew their blades, as Tauriel shouted, "BARUK KHAZÂD! KHAZÂD AI-MÊNU!" From behind her, Oin, Vin who had come on foot with the guards from Erebor…having been left behind by his daughter, and Tauriel's team burst from the shadows along with another army of battle-ready dwarves and men. Kili realized, the men and women among them, were many of the captives of the city they had released earlier, all returning to fight for their lives and their comrades.
Thorin had just taken out the last orc when he turned to the new additions. "What in the name of Mahal….DIS?!" Thorin gaped as his sister gutted two orcs at once and spun to behead a goblin.
"Wow….mam!" Kili cheered, but had to duck when an orcish blade soared into the wall behind him.
"Eyes on the fight, meleth nin!" Tauriel yelled from just a level above him. She was currently in a small duel with a rather large orc, who was realizing he was about to lose his mind…or head. Tauriel flicked her wrist and slid her dual swords along the creatures neck, severing the sneer on his lips right off his shoulders. She sent a smile to Legolas who had rolled his eyes before jumping down a level to help Bard.
Kili grumbled. He should have known his wife would refuse to stay out of danger. Yet, he also could not help the feeling of desire for her overtake him. His warrior elf, never able to sit at home and watch the battle happen. Oh, he will have words with her, but, maybe now, they had a chance. Then, he remembered his brother and he froze.
Thinking quickly, Kili ran and leaped into the air, grasping a rope attached to a pully system to the next level. He climbed to the top and pulled himself up onto the shaft of the mechanism, then carefully crossed over the thin beam onto the wide, rail-less, path. Making quick work of a group of hissing goblins, Kili slid under a smaller fellbeast as it lashed out at his wife, and used his sharp sword to sever its legs before taking out its head. "Don't forget, those are venomous love, keep your hands away from its teeth."
Tauriel nodded and moved to head to another group of orcs coming their way, but Kili grasped her wrist to stop her. "Fili was bit." As he spoke the words, Tauriel felt the pain in Kili filter to her, and her knees nearly buckled from the strength of it.
"Bit? By a fellbeast?" Tauriel watched as her husband nodded, but then yanked her back just as the group of orcs got to them. Working together, they took out each one. "Where is he?"
"Just underneath us, he lost consciousness Tauriel." Kili turned around and they headed back the way he came. "Where did Viltarra go?" As they moved quickly, his eyes scanned the area for blonde waves, but he did not see any nearby.
"She went the other way with Dis." Tauriel searched the battles around them and then looked to the lower levels. "She is there, with Vin and amad." Tauriel pointed four levels down to see Viltarra, Vin, and Dis working side by side to help a group of human children being attacked by goblins.
Kili sighed. "They are too far away now, Fili will be furious to find her here."
Tauriel eyed her husband. "Are you?"
The young prince paused as he turned to stare at her, lifting a brow. "Oh aye, and then some actually. This was a stupid idea to come here, Tauriel, but I am also filled with a confusing amount of wonder that you coming here, may have just saved all of our lives. We don't have the time to discuss that now, though. Fili is dying and I don't know what to do to help him." He began moving once more, swiftening his steps to get to his brother faster.
"What about an antidote? Kili, tell me there is an antidote!" Tauriel cried out, as she quickened her pace to keep up with her husband. Her son was most displeased by even more jostling, but she needed to move to get to Fili. She sent some comfort to him, which appeased him for the moment, but it was likely he will continue to be displeased until this is over.
"Apparently, there is one. But the orcs are the only ones to have it." Kili heard his uncle cry out and turned his eyes to where he left his uncle and brother moments ago.
"That was Thorin!" Tauriel hissed. "We need to get down there, quickly!"
Kili nodded and eyed the pully system again and made straight for it. "Tauriel, be careful the plank is…" He was about to say very thin, but Tauriel was already running across it like it was nothing but a solid path.
"Trees, meleth nin….I run through them. This…is nothing." The eleth chuckled at his look, and Kili shook his head as he followed. Why he always forgot she was an elf, was beyond her.
Kili leaned down and grasped the rope, then wrapped his arms tightly around his wife and their son. "HANG ON!" Kili yelled out as he jumped, triggering the mechanism that lowered them to the next level. Upon landing, he had to help right his wife a bit, but her blades were out faster than he thought possible in her condition, as Tauriel all but ran towards a fellbeast who had Thorin backed against the wall as Nyaunni held her position protecting Fili from another, slightly smaller fellbeast.
A chirping roar sounded from several levels up and Tauriel froze to see a large feathered mass soar over the open pit and put her large claws out as she attacked the fellbeast twice her size.
"DAJNEL?!" Nyaunni shouted out in both shock and worry as she ran her sword through the creature trying to kill her…a creature she helped bring to this world. At least…she is writing her wrongs. Not that she had a choice in what she did.
The larger fellbeast swiped at Dajnel, shoving her off where she landed with her back to Nyaunni; hissing angerly and baring her teeth as her feathered tail swung menacingly back and forth behind her. The talons on her claws attached to her wings dug into the dirt path while she focused on the large predator before her. Just as the larger beast lunged at her, Dajnel spread her wings and flew above the larger creature and dug her teeth into the other fellbeasts neck, locking her jaw as her foe cried out and tried to once again, swipe her off.
Thorin jumped in, digging his sword into the chest of the large fellbeast as Tauriel and Kili too joined the fight while Nyaunni took a goblin down who jumped to their level from the paths above, and had pulled his bow, aiming straight for Thorin. She then joined the fight to take down the fully mature fellbeast. "WATCH HIS CLAWS THORIN!"
The dwarven king never let his eyes leave his foe as he ducked low at the same moment the fellbeast swiped his clawed wing, barely missing Thorin but taking out an orc who had been attempting to climb up from the lower level. "Well…that was helpful." Kili said breathlessly as he jumped back to stop from getting bitten by the razor sharp teeth snapping at him.
"Focus Kili!" Thorin growled, swinging hard and removing the clawed hand that once again, came his way. It was a difficult fight, and one of the most ferocious fellbeasts he had yet encountered. But with all of them working together along with Dajnel who was able to get the massive beast to focus on her, the creature finally fell after Tauriel, to Kilis great horror, ran up the fellbeasts spine and severed his head from above.
Thorin stepped back, only to glare at Tauriel who slid back to the ground once the creature stopped moving. "NÂTHA! What are you doing here?!" Before she could answer, however, he shook his head and sighed lifting his hand to stop her before she began. "Actually, don't bother answering." The dwarven king ran a hand through his hair. "You three will put me into an early grave." He rumbled then looked at Kili. "Make that you five. Who is watching Erebor?"
"Balin, Bombur, and Ori." Tauriel said. "Kili said Fili has been bit, where is he?"
Thorin looked over Tauriel's shoulder to his nephew and the eleth followed his gaze to the still heir of Erebor. She spun around and fell to her knees as she reached him. "Kili said there is an antidote...how difficult would it be to get?"
Nyaunni shook her head sadly. "Nearly impossible. If they even have one made up, I would not for the life of me begin to know who carried it. Only the orcs who work directly with the fellbeasts have them, and they change duties daily. Even the goblins were left to die if they were bit, considered basically second class to the orcs and easily replaceable." She eyed the dead orcs scattering the ground. "It could be any one of them who has the medication necessary to save his life...or none of them at all."
Thinking to herself as she considered options, the eleth remembered there may be another way to save her brother other than searching every dead body in Minam for something that may not, in all actuality, exist. "That satchel Oin gave you, the one for injuries, Kili. Where is it?" Tauriel stared at her husband who was standing beside her with his sword at the ready in case anyone were to attack.
"Maryn." Kili responded. He now felt foolish for choosing to leave it behind. He had only brought his weapons to battle. It should have occurred to him to carry that just in case something like this would happen.
Tauriel sighed. "I made certain Oin packed athelas for wounds. I think I can help, but I need the athelas for wounds such as these, or I can do nothing."
"Then I will get it." Kili said, kissing her brow.
"BE CAREFUL!" Tauriel called out as she watched her husband sprint and once again use the pully system to fling himself up a level. "Should we move him?" Tauriel asked, looking to Nyaunni who still seemed to be in shock at seeing her fellbeast here.
The dam shook her head to clear the surprise. "We need to get him out of here, but moving him in this condition, will only cause the venom to spread faster." They did not have a choice, they had to wait in the middle of a battle for Kili to get back. She hoped he hurried.
Viltarra stood with her back to Dis as she thrust her sword at one of the fellbeasts that was no larger than Hiril. Luckily, it was nearly as inexperienced with battle as she was, and it did not take much effort to take it out. "Dis, what is it looking like on the next level?"
With their path now cleared, the only options they had were to go back up a level, or go further down. Dis was relieved as she looked over the side to see Bofur and Bifur take down a large fellbeast along with Nori and Dori. A cheer erupted with its fall as it marked one of the last of the attacking fellbeasts which meant they, now had the edge. The orcs were losing, and their numbers thinning. She watched as several orcs carried wooden crates to the upper levels and disappeared out where they came in; everyone far too lost in battle to notice them.
"Some are getting away!" Dis called over her shoulder. "They are abandoning the city." Dis turned back and smiled at Viltarra who was wiping her blade on a dead orc. "I think we did it. Let's go find the family, you need to rest." She moved some sweat soaked hair from Viltarra's face, noting how drained her daughter-in-law looked.
Viltarra nodded and smiled, she was honestly exhausted, and ready to get home. Not to mention she had not seen Fili yet, and she was desperate to make sure he was alright. When they entered, Viltarra and Dis had broken off and gone the opposite way of Tauriel, running deeper into the city and slaying whatever they came across. Viltarra knew she should have followed Tauriel. Her sister-in-law would have likely gone straight to Kili, and where Kili was, Fili was guaranteed to be. But she was glad she kept with Dis and her father, they fought well together.
Speaking of her father, Vin was just a few yards away, wiping his axe and grumbling as he stepped into a pile of what appeared to be fellbeast excrement. "Kakhf." He called out, then looked at his daughter who was laughing, and Dis who had her hand over her mouth to keep her own amusement in. "Don't tell your mother I said that."
Viltarra shook her head. "Said what?" She waited for him to come over and turned to follow Dis who was waiting for both of them. This level was completely cleared now and only held the bodies of felled orcs, goblins, and fellbeasts.
"You know, Dis, you should join us in training. You are incredible." Viltarra smiled as they stepped around felled orcs and goblins. There of course was some fighting still going on in the lower levels; both dams peeking down over the edge to see that it was completely under control. The orcs and goblins were now outnumbered, and as each level was cleared, the dwarves of Erebor, men from Dale, and captives of Minam filed down to add to the numbers of those still fighting.
Dis would not doubt the battle will be completely over in just a quarter hour, if not a bit over that. "It has been a very long time since I have wielded this sword in battle. My brother made it for me." Dis lifted the sword Thorin had crafted just for her, and smiled. "I begged for it, and he refused to make it until I proved worthy to have it. So he trained me, and my father allowed me to work with the guard now and again…as long as I understood that I was not an official member of the guard, and could not step one foot outside the gates of Ered Luin without explicit permission. But when my father and grandfather were both killed in battle together, I made my own choice to formally join the guard…against Thorin's will…and built my skills up as a warrior in my time of service whenever he would leave the city." She smiled at the memory.
Viltarra laughed. "What? That sounds nothing like you." The sarcasm clear in her tone.
"No…nothing at all." Vin rolled his eyes.
"You should have seen his face when he returned home after a visit to another clan…and I was on duty. He was FURIUS. But eventually, I won, and he let me stay on." Dis chuckled. "I can be quite persuasive."
"You mean you told him nothing he could say, would stop you." Viltarra lifted a brow and smirked.
"Bet he took that well." Vin added.
Dis chuckled and nodded to Viltarra. "It was something like that." She then looked over her shoulder at Vin. "And he certainly did not, not at first. But…he grew to accept it and presented me with this blade on my next birthday. I was just not allowed to join in on major battles, but small skirmishes…as long as he was not around…I joined. It was more of a, beg forgiveness then ask permission kind of situation." She waived her hand nonchalantly in the air. "Like today."
Vin lifted a brow. "And now I know where those boys get it from." He grumbled as the dams in front of him laughed.
The trio slowly made their way up the levels, only having to stop a few times to draw their swords in battle, otherwise, the siege was over. Dis, Tauriel, and Viltarra were able to tip the scales in their direction by not only bringing more to battle, but by giving the small push the Minam inhabitants needed to join the fight rather than flee. With weapons passed to them by the dwarven and human guards, they had jumped in to deliver justice for what was done to them.
"DIS?" The dam turned as Naurfaer ran up to her then looked at Viltarra in equal surprise. "Valar above, let me guess…my granddaughter is here as well." He sighed and shook his head. "She is officially more trouble than her mother. Where is she? By chance?"
"We were just going to find her, and Fili." Viltarra said, not stopping as she began climbing a ladder to the next level. "I am guessing, we find Kili, we find Tauriel and Fili."
"Thorin too." Dis said. "I do not doubt they would be together."
Viltarra did not even know how they ended up on such a low level, she had been so distracted trying not to get herself killed in her first battle, that she and Dis somehow managed to end up just a few levels above the bottom of this city….well….more like small, underground, compound if you compare it to Erebor. Though, there was a beauty about this place that was almost indescribable, and if they removed all this scaffolding, the pullies, and ladders, then repaired the paths that had broken away…it could be a wonderful home to a decent amount of people.
Viltarra wonders if they will choose to remain here when this is all over and fix the city, or if they will abandon it altogether. Something was here before them…some beautiful and exotic civilization…because the statues and waterfalls could in no way be orc or goblin work.
The young dam had just wiped perspiration off her face as she turned to climb a set of steep steps to yet again, another level. Why was she sweating so much? "Viltarra, take a moment, dear." Dis noticed Viltarra begin to slow her pace as the adrenalin left her system. "You just spent nearly an hour in battle when your body is already in a taxed state. You do not need to push yourself anymore. We will find them."
"Come on gem, rest a bit." Vin tried, knowing full well until his daughter found Fili, she would keep going. But it was worth a shot.
Naurfaer stopped just ahead of Viltarra and turned to eye the dam. "Dis is right, you really do not want to put yourself in a position where you begin early labor, Viltarra. You still have weeks to go yet, it would neither be good for you, or your child."
"And I can guarantee Fili will have something to say about you running into battle." Vin added as he lifted a brow at his daughter.
"I will be in no more trouble than Tauriel." Viltarra grumbled as she stepped around Naurfaer and her father as she kept moving forward. "I will rest, when I find Fili."
Vin gave Naurfaer an 'I told you so' look and the elf sighed and rolled his eyes before looking at Dis who smirked and continued to follow her daughter up one level at a time. She was as stubborn as the rest of them, and true to her word, she did not stop until she reached the level she last saw Kili on.
Speaking of Kili, the young prince was sprinting around the circular, pit like, structure. "KILI!" Dis yelled as she ran after her son. Kili paused only a moment as his mother barreled into him, grasping his face in her hands as she began looking him over. "Are you alright dear? You did not harm yourself did you? You look alright…where is Fili? And your uncle? Is Tauriel alright? Why are you running? What happened?"
"Mam…I can't move my mouth." Dis had her grip so tight on Kili's face, the young prince could barely get a word out, so the dam released him but still gave him an impatient look. Kili rubbed his reddening jaw. "Tauriel and Thorin were alright when I left, but…" Kili looked to the ground. "…but Fi, was bit."
"BIT! What do you mean…bit?!" Viltarra cried out, her eyes searching the level until she saw bright red hair just yards away. "By one of those fellbeasts? Is he alright?"
Dis too looked confused. How bad was the bite? Kili looked as if he was steps away from being in mourning, so it had to be quite severe.
Seeing the confusion on the dams faces, Naurfaer ran his hand through his hair, realizing they ran into battle not knowing that fellbeasts…are poisonous. With a breaking heart, he uttered the words he wished he did not have to say. "Fellbeasts…if they bite you….release a venom into your system." He looked Viltarra into the eyes, delivering the devastating news in almost a soft whisper. "It is deadly."
Pushing past Kili and Naurfaer, Viltarra ignored her fatigue, and the nauseating kicking from her child, and sprinted to where she could just make out Tauriel's silhouette and vibrant hair.
Her hands flew to her mouth as a sob fell from her lips when she finally saw him and Viltarra slowed her pace and crumpled to the ground beside her still husband. "Fili?" She turned desperate eyes to Tauriel, begging for answers and any spark of hope she can give. "What has happened, why…is he…will he..."
Seeing Viltarra's pain, Tauriel gathered her sister into her arms. "He is still alive, muinthel, and he will remain that way if I have anything to do with it."
Viltarra pulled away and leaned over Fili, brushing strands of his golden hair from his face as she pressed her lips to his moist forehead. "Fili? Please…please don't leave me." Her words were a pleading whisper against his damp skin as she pressed her brow to him while her tears cascaded down her cheeks.
Dis ran up to where her son lay and gasped, a cry leaving her as she took in her son. "Oh, Fili." She lay a hand on Viltarra's back as the young dam heaved with sobs, her head buried in Fili's shoulder.
Kili passed Tauriel the satchel, and Nyaunni watched as the she-elf emptied it on the ground around her, searching for what she needed. Thorin had gone off to find Erebor's healer, who must not have been far as they both came running back moments later, with several others in tow; each of them being a member of his council, or company they seemed to refer themselves as. Dwalin was the one who took charge and began calling out orders to get people out of the city and keep the area clear.
Not far away from the red-headed dam, Dajnel was licking a small wound on her tail, though she looked over at Nyaunni and purred likely sensing the dams distress, but the sound rumbling softly from her fellbeasts chest did nothing to ease Nyaunni's pain as she looked at the fallen prince. In all her years, Nyaunni has never once been able to save anyone who had the misfortune of getting too close to a fellbeast's sharp fangs, and suffered the consequences of being bit.
If they were young, and healthy, they would struggle for days, completely unconscious. If they were older, it was hours. But all of them had paid the price with their lives. But those orcs? They would poor a vial down their throats, and be carried out. Within days, they would be back on duty. So she knew the antidote was out there, but Thorin's nephew would likely be long dead by the time they found it.
Tauriel frantically opened each pouch in her search for the special but common plant. "Oin, you packed the athelas right? As I suggested?"
The healer nodded, his horn up to his ear as he sat on the opposite side of Fili, assessing the damage done to him which did not appear to be extensive in any way. "Aye lass, as much as I could fit in the pouch."
Kili put a hand on Tauriel's shaking shoulder as she rescanned the ground for signs of the plant. He then knelt down, and pulled a plump pouch from where it peaked out underneath her satchel. It must have slid under when she dumped everything out. "Here it is, amralime. It is right here." His voice was soothing, despite the sheer amount of fear and panic running through his system that no doubt, was overtaking hers.
The eleth plucked the athelas from Kili's hand and turned back to Fili, but a hand stilled her and she looked up into Naurfaer's worried eyes. "Are you about to do what I think you are?"
"I must save him." Was Tauriel's only response as she turned to Dis. "May I have your breastplate?" Without hesitating, or asking, Dis immediately unclipped the armor and passed it to Tauriel, who poured the green plant into the center of the plate and pulled one of her daggers to begin cutting it into pieces before crushing it with her hands until it had the consistency of pulp.
Naurfaer looked to Kili, then back at Tauriel. "You are already exhausted, Tauriel, this could kill you."
"WHAT?!" Kili looked from his wife to Naurfaer. Dis and Thorin too froze with worry as Nyaunni looked lost as to what was happening. What was the elf about to do…and how was it life-threatening? Even Viltarra and Vin eyed her with worry.
"What do you mean, kill her?" Thorin grumbled.
Naurfaer ignored them though, and knelt down to his granddaughter, tipping her chin up to look at him. "You will do it anyway, won't you?" She nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. He stared into her eyes for a moment then looked to the rest of the family, Oin, and Nyaunni. "She is exhausted, and her body already beyond taxed at her stage. The healing gift she has, has a cost, and that cost, is energy. Before she was mortal, it took little out of her, maybe she needed a moment to rest her mind and body, but nothing more. As a mortal…"
"It depletes her energy, significantly." Kili said, remembering the times she had used her gift in the last few years. How she fell against him saving Shaada, how she collapsed in bed after trying to save the Ukdam, and Fili telling him he caught her when she nearly fell to the ground saving him. Those were all times she had been well rested….how will it affect her when she already looked ready to collapse.
"Lass…" Oin began, opening and closing his mouth, unsure of what to say.
"I am going to save him." Tauriel repeated, turning away from Naurfaer and going back to her athelas paste and scooping it up. She gave Kili as small smile as she leaned her brow against his and whispered, "Do you trust me, meleth nin?"
"With everything that I am." Kili instantly answered.
Tauriel brushed a tear from his cheek away with the clean side of her hand. "Then know, I will be fine. I have you, you are my strength, my Kili. Worry not, for I shall not go where you cannot follow." Tauriel then turned to Naurfaer. "Auduadarya, I have the strength to do this, I cannot lose my brother. Not after all we have been through, not after all he has given me. I am your granddaughter, my blood is your blood, you know, I am able to do this, because I come from you."
Naurfaer felt the tears falling from his eyes. She was about to use her gift in a moment when it could very well cause disaster to her system. She was willing to sacrifice everything, her life, her sons life, her time with Kili on Arda, everything, to save one she loves deeply. Naurfaer felt Tauriel wipe a tear away as she smiled softly at him. "Lend me some strength, auduadarya?"
A sob tore from Naurfaer as he nodded. His heart thumped in his chest in fear and he felt his hand cradle her jaw and pull her head to his, in exact copy of how Thorin showed his own affection. But this, was just a bit different. Naurfaer found a very faint connection to his granddaughter, and through it, sent her a little bit of his own strength and ability. It was all he was able to do for her, and he doubted it would be much, but it was better than nothing.
Tauriel pulled away and placed a hand on Viltarra, she could see Vin just behind her, watching sadly. "Muinthel, I will get him back to you." The dam lifted herself from Fili, and just stared at Tauriel, who nodded then turned to Kili. "This may affect you, Kili, but I cannot do it alone anymore."
"Take whatever you need from me, amralime. Whatever, you need." Tauriel took his hand and laced their fingers together, then opened their connection completely feeling all of Kili fully encompass her. With their sealed palms, on one side, Tauriel took her free hand and pushed the pulplike paste into Fili's bite wound and closed her eyes.
"Menno o nin na hon i eliad annen annin; hon leitho o-ngurth." Tauriel cried out to the Valar above. Kili watched her, transfixed as she repeated the words again, and again. Each time, her voice grew more ethereal as a glow began to form around her. "Menno o nin na hon i eliad annen annin; hon leitho o-ngurth."
"What is she doing?" Nyaunni asked quietly beside Thorin.
"Trying to save him. She has a gift, it is an elvish thing, she can use to help heal…" Thorin explained.
"But it is not perfect, or guaranteed in some cases." Kili said in a whispered tone as he looked behind him at his uncle and Nyaunni while his wife continued to chant beside him. He remembered the frustration and disappointment she had in herself when she could not save the Ukdam or Thorin after the battle….or himself the first time he fell.
"Kili, focus." Naurfaer chastised as Kili turned back to his wife and brother.
"Elven ability? You mean like the light vial? The one we used to escape and get to Dale?" Nyaunni asked, recalling the mysterious glowing vial the group had with them that never extinguished, not even in water.
Naurfaer nodded. "Just like that."
Nyaunni watched the small family, then looked around to realize they were surrounded by dwarves both from Thorin's company, and many she had seen interacting with the family in her short time back in Erebor, all watching sadly just a few meters away. "Can we help?" She asked, finally.
The taller elf lowered his brows and stared at her, then looked to his granddaughter whose light was beginning to fade. She was losing strength and would not last much longer, yet Fili looked no better than he had before she began. "I do not think so." He said after a moment.
The dam moved and got to her knees beside Viltarra. Well, she for one, was not going to give up; this young dwarf had far too much to live for and too many who needed him. Placing her hand on the young prince, Nyaunni closed her eyes and honed in on the words the she-elf…Tauriel…was saying. She mouthed the words, then as she got the rhythm and vocal movements, her voice got louder.
Naurfaer gaped at her, surely that won't work. It is not how gifts function, they are singular gifts, not shared gifts. It is one thing to have two elves with similar gifts to combine forces, and another for it to be someone like Kili who was bonded to her, but beings of a completely different race, with completely different abilities, merging together to amplify one gift? He had never before heard of such a thing. Then again….
Naurfaer placed a hand on Kili's shoulder, the young prince's hand still linked to Tauriel's, and Naurfaer too, began softly repeating Tauriel's prayer.
Kili opened his eyes he had closed so he could concentrate on his wife's state, and listened as Naurfaer, and Nyaunni, both chanted with Tauriel. Getting the idea, he added his voice, his heart skipping when he realized…she was actually getting strength from this. He gave his mother a desperate look to help them, and she quickly caught onto the idea, fumbling over the words before catching on after several failed attempts at the fluidic language. Then Thorin's deep rumbling voice added itself to the cadence, and Viltarra's soft spoken cries as she too began speaking the prayer followed by her father who had his arm now tightly around his daughter.
It was then that Legolas pushed himself through the group. "What has happened?" Bard was just beside him watching the scene.
"The lassie, is tryin' the save Fili." Aeodhen said quietly, his eyes not leaving the scene before him. "He was bitten by one of those beasts and has been poisoned."
"With her gift?" The dwarven captain nodded and Legolas watched in awe as the elf he watched grow from an infant, filled with light as she prayed. Though he was not connected to her in anyway but friendship, he could still sense her lifeforce draining. "She will not last."
"Mahal…" Bofur said from just beside them, his hat in his hands as Bifur stood at his other side. He looked around, with them was Dwalin, Dori, and Nori. He then looked across the way to see Gloin, Dynni, and Naglur along with the rest of Tauriel's team. Making a decision and stepping closer to the family, Bofur took a deep breath, and began attempting to repeat the words. Like Dis, it took him several tries before he picked up the Sindarin prayer, and one by one, Dwalin, Dori, and Nori joined him, placing their hands on each other's shoulder as they did.
Legolas was stunned as her glow grew brighter. This should not be possible! They were DWARVES, and she was an ELF. He had never heard of such a thing working, but if it did…it meant Manwe was watching over her. He may never know how she fell in love with a dwarf, he may never know why she gave up her immortality, but he can see, that she is guarded, and guarded well…and not just by the mortals around her. Dropping to his knees, Legolas bowed his own head, and added his voice to the mix.
Even the humans began to speak the words, Bard being the first, followed by his captain and army. As more dwarves from Erebor and humans from Dale came to the level and realized what was happening, they too joined in the elven prayer until it vibrated through the echoing pit.
Fili was lost. He stood in one of Erebor's long corridors and looked around him. On either side, stood a stone wall, but before and behind him, complete darkness. "Viltarra?! Mam? Ki?!" Fili called out. He heard loud echoing whispers behind him, calling his name, and he turned towards the calls. But another voice, Tauriel's voice, was calling him from the other direction. So which way does he go?
Fili shook his head, and once again began to go towards the sounds of the many, hearing a deep voice beckoning him forward. Until, that is, a much quieter sound caught his attention.
"Da?"
Fili whipped his head in search of the tiny voice that not only called out to him, but filled his heart. In the direction of Tauriel's cries, he saw something small sitting on the ground. It was a dwarfling, or a child, maybe Finli's age, facing away from him. At first he thought it was Finli, about to run up to his nephew, but he quickly realized the hair was a deep, golden, blonde, rather than Fin's dark, amber, locks.
"Da?"
Fili paused as the dwarfling, still with it's back to him, began to crawl away from him. "Hey…wait?"
"Da?" The tiny voice called again.
So Fili quickened his steps, but the crawling toddler got to its feet and was suddenly transformed, its hair now much longer, falling around its shoulders, and Fili could see their bare feet picking up pace as it moved swiftly away from him and the whispers he had been going towards.
"Come on da!" It cried. "Auntie is calling!"
Fili could hear Tauriel's cries filling the air louder and louder as he ran. Yet the once small whispers behind him, now grew to loud calls, booming in his ears as they urged him to turn around. Fili suddenly found it difficult to move forward, his entire being feeling sluggish and heavy, as if he was being pulled to a stop by some unseen force.
"DON'T STOP DA! KEEP RUNNING!" The voice ahead of him cried, and all he could see was blonde waves being engulfed by the darkness before him.
"WAIT!" Fili cried out, fighting against the invisible forces trying to pull him back the other way. "LET…ME…GO!" Fili sneered out through clenched teeth.
"DA! You have to fight it!" Fili heard.
"I am TRYING!" Pushing and tugging, Fili felt his feet be forcibly pulled back several steps.
"TRY HARDER!" The voice ahead called out, but Fili felt himself once again be pulled back the other way.
"I can't." Fili gave up, unable to fight it anymore.
A soft, warm, hand took his, and Fili could feel himself being tugged away from the thunderous voices behind him, as they released him from their grip the moment the other being grasped his hand. "I shall help you then, da." A soft whisper filled his ears. The light the being gave off was so bright and vibrant, Fili could make nothing out, with the exception of thick blonde waves, and a pair of piercing blue eyes which were boring into him. All other features were indecipherable.
Voices suddenly were added to Tauriel's ahead of him, and he picked up his pace as he heard his Viltarra among them. "Mama needs you." The voice said quietly. "They all do."
Now, the voices ahead, outnumbered the voices behind, and Fili felt the gentle tug of his hand as the dwarfling, who seemed closer to his height now, began to run once more. "Come on da!" It laughed as Fili felt his hand be released as he chased after the running being in front of him. Was that his son? It had to be!
"I'm coming!" Fili called out as the child giggled, which brought a bright smile to his lips as he continued chasing him towards the sound of his family. However, he was forced to a standstill as he reached a wall of light.
Fili glanced at it curiously, and he was suddenly shown a hazy image of his sister, a bright light glowing all around her as Kili held her hand. He then saw his beautiful flower, his Viltarra, who had tears cascading down her cheeks, and her eyes shut tight, though her lips were moving. She was held tightly by Vin who was likely keeping her upright. Just beside them, was Thorin, who sat on his knees beside Nyaunni, both of which were also speaking, but again, Fili could not make out what was being said.
Fili shook his head, confused as he saw his mother who was also crying with her lips moving as if she too was saying something. Quickly glancing at Naurfaer, Fili could see him talking as well, along with Dwalin, Bofur, Oin, Nori, and Dori. Beyond them, the image grew too blurred for him to see through the wall of light before him.
"They are calling you home. But it is your choice to go." The sound echoed in the room around him, but the dwarfling was gone. Instead, there stood a dam with golden hair to the floor, and teal eyes. She giggled at his confused expression. "No, I am not the same, you must wait to meet your child. I am Karra. I am Viltarra's guardian, or something like that."
Her features were almost one with Viltarra, though she had a slightly different nose, and an easy smile. Karra…he remembers that name. "You're not Viltarra's sister…"
Karra widening grin was bright and welcoming. "I am, and will always be. Fili. You are to make a choice. Tauriel cannot last much longer, even with the strength she is getting from all around her, and her mother. Look…" Karra pointed once again to the image and Fili peered in to see a faded outline of another elf with both of her hands gripping Tauriel's shoulder as she bent over her. "Ithildin watches over Tauriel, as I do Viltarra. She always has, as she has told me."
"What are they doing?" Fili asked, seeing his sister begin to buckle as her energy waned.
"Do you not see?" Karra said softly, pointing once again.
Fili's brows lowered in curiosity as he looked in once more and this time, the image was one above the heads of his family. "What? I…I don't understand? That can't be me?"
"It is." Karra said sadly. "You were bitten by a fellbeast. Dark creatures of Sauron. He made them, to do his bidding. Fili you must listen…because we do not have a lot of time. This portal will put you back into your body, but…" She eyed the images. "Doing so will not be easy. You have to find your own strength and push. Giving up, means ending up in your ancestors' halls. But…" Karra looked to the ground. "…understand this…the harder you push, the more of Tauriel's energy you consume…until she has nothing left to give to you…or them." She indicated to Kili beside his sister.
Fili gaped at Karra. "If I…push too hard, I could kill my sister?" The dam nodded and Fili fell back against the wall, his head falling into his hands. Killing Tauriel, was unthinkable, it was not an option. Her death, would destroy Kili, who would not only lose his brother, but…his wife who was his world…and very likely, his unborn son as well.
"I can't." Fili whispered. "I can't sacrifice her."
Karra eyed him, then the portal. Her teal eyes falling on her sister as she nodded her head and stepped away.
"She would want you to try, Fili." Another voice spoke up beside him, and Fili looked up into a pair of green eyes framed by long, dark, hair. It was Findyyr, Fili remembered him from the halls of Manwe, Tauriel's father. He gestured to the portal with a small smile. "Look at her, Fili. She already made the choice for you by doing what she is doing. Tauriel gave up her immortality not just to make things right in middle earth, or to be able to have a life with Kili, but to also have a chance at having something denied to her all of her previous life before she met twelve dwarves and a hobbit in Mirkwood. Something many take for granted, and that, is a real family who accepts her for who she is, inside, and out. She loves you Fili, deeply, and she knew the risk. Trust her, she can manage, and we won't let her fail."
Fili glanced at his sister once more. Was it worth the risk? He remembered the blonde waves of his child running from him, calling after him. "I am to be a da, a father."
"There is no greater blessing than that." Findyyr said with a smile, placing a hand on Fili's shoulder. "Your own father is quite proud of you, Fili, both your true father, and the one who raised you." Findyyr pointed to Thorin. "Both love you equally, though one needs you more in the physical world. The other, is welcoming the long wait."
Findyyr then nodded to Viltarra. "She needs you too, your love, your support, and your companionship." Fili felt tears falling as he looked at his wife, his other half. "Trust them Fili, trust them to guide you through, trust Tauriel to have the strength to make it."
With his heart hammering in his chest, Fili nodded. "I will do it." He said and stood before the portal. He placed his hands on the image and began to push. It was not like anything he had ever done as he began to give more force as he tried to break through.
Fili cringed as he braced his shoulder against the ungiving image, and used all his strength to get through, but it only gave in small bits. "You must try harder! TRUST THEM! Do not doubt them!" Karra called out. "Your doubts, are keeping you away! Your fears, are stopping you from getting through!"
Fili bared down and pushed harder. He huffed in exertion as the barrier continued to only give slowly. "IT'S…NOT…BUDGING!" Fili huffed out, his breaths leaving him in pants as he gave everything he could.
Findyyr watched as Tauriel's light began to flicker. The effort Fili was putting in was taking a toll on her. "Come on Fili, a bit more!"
"PUSH HARDER!" Karra called out.
"Come on da, don't you want to meet me?" The soft voice in his ear was the last thing he heard as a bright light engulfed him and Fili fell, waving his arms as he slid from the portal and past his family. A sense of peace and completion surrounded him as the vision faded. The last thing he heard was, "See you soon, da." The voice was a soft whisper in his ears, and Fili smiled as he found darkness.
It was the same moment Tauriel collapsed.
Authors note: Wellllll…shoot. Sorry. I actually forgot this ended on another cliffhanger. BUT….this took me a lot less time to edit, so I might still be able to get you another chapter by Sunday evening if not before. I will try REALLY hard to get it edited and done. I hate leaving you hanging. Love you guys! XOXOXOXO