Chapter 17
The most difficult part of waiting for her husband to return was keeping herself busy and her mind on anything other than Thorin. Kaleria had kept close to Dis, knowing her sister would find ways to keep them busy and avert her thoughts. Dis was happy to have her shirt mender back and put Kaleria to work catching up on all the shirts Cardeena hadn't gotten to. After they finished that task, Dis had a desk full of documents to go over with Kaleria as the highest ranking member of the royal family. And when all those were taken care of, Kaleria visited the market to oversee the renovations that had begun during their absence.
Each assignment kept her days busy, but the nights were the hardest to survive. Without Thorin's warm body lying next to her, Kaleria found herself shivering until she fell asleep. The safety that she usually felt within the mountain had disappeared like the morning fog over the lake.
Today was the sixteenth day without Thorin, and though she tried not to, Kaleria began to wonder if something wasn't right. Dis was busy instructing the seamstresses on a new banner Dale had commissioned, leaving Kaleria to wander the mountain. Since her return she had informed Dis, the boys, Hedina and Valdrus, Cardeena, and Balin of her happy news. She had checked in with Oin on her condition and he had nothing but delightful things to say about how she was progressing. More and more Kaleria found herself holding her rounding stomach, believing it added an extra layer of protection for her child. With nothing to keep her mind busy, Kaleria let her feet guide her to the one place she hadn't visited since being back in the mountain.
The door to Thorin's study weighed more than she expected. She struggled to push it open and then close it behind her. She crossed the room to his desk and looked at the neat piles of papers lined up on the surface. She didn't dare pick one up and move it. Thorin would know it was out of place, even after all this time.
Kaleria moved around the desk and sat carefully in his chair. The seat lent its sturdiness to her, making her sit up straighter as if she wasn't weighed down by her troubles.
She hadn't been sitting there long before a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," she said.
Balin entered the room, but didn't close the door. "My queen, we have called a council meeting."
"Pertaining what?" Kaleria asked, looking down at the desk, only half interested in what the council members wanted to debate now.
Balin didn't answer right away and her eyes turned to his.
"What is it, Balin?" She asked, more insistently.
He cleared his throat. "It's about the other caravan."
The air was sucked from her lungs as his words registered in her ears. If he was acting like this, it wasn't good news.
"What happened?" Kaleria stood shakily from the chair and walked toward him.
"I don't know yet. A letter was brought in by a raven. The guard only read the first line before bringing it to Dis. She called the meeting." Balin relayed the information he knew.
Kaleria choked down her panic. "Then we must hurry."
They strided quickly to the council room, where many of the council members were already gathered. Kaleria saw Dis standing by the fireplace reminding Kaleria of all the times Thorin had stood there to contemplate a serious issue. Kaleria joined her sister at the fireplace.
"Dis, what is it?"
The normally steeled face of the younger Durin looked as malleable as melted gold. Dis didn't offer any words. She held up the letter for Kaleria to see.
Kaleria took the paper and began to read.
To the Kingdom of Erebor,
We have your King. In exchange for his safe return, we ask for four bags of gold for all fifty of our men. You will fill as many wagons as it will take to carry the gold and drive them out to an outcropping of rocks marked with our flag.
If you don't follow our instructions, we will kill your king and every member of his caravan.
Kaleria read every word slowly until the message became clear: Thorin wasn't coming home. Her hand dropped to her side and her eyes stared sightlessly at the floor.
"Kaleria?" Dis tried to touch her arm, but she pulled away.
Her back straightened as she crossed back to the table where the council members had gathered. Instead of walking to her spot at the table next to Dis, Kaleria stood at the head of the table where Thorin would stand. She drew strength from the essence of Thorin that remained.
"Please have a seat." She called the members to attention. Those who had not found their seat, sat quickly at the table, including Dis.
Kaleria held up the letter. "We have received a message from an unknown group of individuals, who claim to have captured King Thorin and the members of the caravan, in total twenty citizens of Erebor. In return for the safe return of our King and his men, the group has asked for four bags of gold per man in their group which totals fifty."
The members of the council gasped and whispered in hushed tones to each other.
"If we do not concede to their stipulations," she paused and balled her fist for strength, "they will kill our people, including our King."
"What do we do, your highness?"
"We can't give them the gold!"
"We must save them!"
Different voices tried to make themselves heard as each member threw out their solutions or concerns. Nothing was going to be solved with their level of bickering.
"Enough!" Kaleria channeled Thorin's commanding presence to regain control.
The council members quieted.
"This group is not getting our gold," said Kaleria.
Soft mutters started again at the table.
"We will send scouts to search for the meeting place this group suggested. Only when I am satisfied by the information we gather, will I decide to part with our gold."
The table was silent, each member thinking it over.
"If I may?"
Kaleria glared down the table to Grollin, who held up a finger in question. "What?"
Grollin stood so everyone could see him better. "Shouldn't we ask who stands to gain from this unfortunate occurrence?"
No one offered a guess and he continued.
"Lord Dain stands to take the throne, if King Thorin does not return."
"Are you mad?" Dis asked. "Fili is next in line."
Grollin shook his head. "Fili is not an heir of Thorin, and Thorin has not proclaimed Fili to be his heir apparent."
"Thorin has made it clear that Fili will inherit the throne," argued Dis.
"Still," Grollin shrugged, "Dain could make a claim for the throne."
Kaleria measured his words. "We know nothing more than what this letter provides us. Our best option is to gather more information before making any drastic decisions." Her eyes darkened as she stared him down.
Grollin looked around at the other members for support, but they avoided his gaze. He retook his seat and waited for Kaleria to continue.
"If there are no other objections," she waited a moment, "I will send scouts toward Mirkwood and the Iron Hills. Once they send word of their discoveries, we shall make a decision. Dismissed." Kaleria moved to the fireplace to avoid being watched by the council members as they left. She still felt their eyes on her back, but they couldn't see the tear slipping down her cheek.
A presence joined her at the mantle, but she relaxed as Dis came into view.
"You are a better woman than I," commented Dis.
Kaleria gave a hollow laugh. "I asked myself what Thorin would do and went from there."
"I'm sorry he missed it because you were spectacular."
At the mention of his absence, Kaleria lost all her built up strength. She wobbled on her feet and Dis caught her in her arms. Dis held onto her tightly, hoping she could keep them both together.
"It will be okay. Thorin is tough and he's stubborn. He won't allow himself to be killed without a fight." Dis reassured her.
"I can't raise a child without him, Dis. I can't do it by myself."
"Come now. Who said you would have to do it by yourself?" Dis smoothed her hair back as she held her. "For starters you have me and the boys. They aren't much help, but they are great entertainment. You have Hedina and Valdrus. They would help you in a heartbeat. You have many people in this mountain who would protect and care for you and your child. You are not alone."
Kaleria hugged her tighter. "We should call Balin to Thorin's study and plan out our scouts. I want the best and the fastest. We will bring Thorin home."