Chapter 26
Waking up, I shake off the last bit of sleep from my mind. Squashing down the betrayed fury from the knowledge provided, or rather hidden, by my wife I sit up from my resting place with a snarl. Despite the unlikelihood of his survival, Thia should have told me of the possibility that my father still lived. She knew how desperate I was to find him yet she didn't even hint that he was still alive. The added issue of some entity parading in her image creates unneeded stress. What did it want with my father? My children? And the ring... that cursed ring. Now, our children reside within the fallen fortress which I have reason to believe already houses my nemesis... How Adad must have suffered for YEARS and I could have aided him, if only I knew. If only she had told me. It quickens my heart that the twins could possibly be facing the same fate. Starved, cold, and fearful. There are too many unknowns. What connnection does the ring have with her? What became of my kin when the children were taken?
These questions cannot be answered without going to Dol Guldor. Our original goal was recognizance but I wanted to be cautious. As such, we passed the fortress on the south side to put Lothlorien at our backs. While I am reluctant to request aid from the elves, having the option is better than not.
Pulling out the latest update from Nori, I check it to confirm the details of the shared dream. I'd placed the letter in my pocket last night but did not read it. Unfolding the parchment, I skim over the contents. It is vague as usual but confirms that the children were separated from their mother and that she has joined a group bound for the south east. Gandalf and an elf are with them, thus it is likely that the group will stop in Lothlorien in the coming weeks. It is barely a day's march from our current location. I will retrieve my wife from there. For now, I must focus on our next steps.
"Dwalin." I call to my guard and cousin, who is already awake due to being on watch. The sun is still an hour from completely lighting the sky, but I can not put this off "We must move on. Thia and I shared a dream in which I was informed that our children-"
"-are with yer father?" I start in confusion. He gestures further into the woods, his face pale as though he has seen a ghost. I slowly turn and watch as a small group makes its way up to camp "I was just about to wake ye."
The group moves slowly but evenly paced. I can easily see the form of the twins on either side of a haggard creature and it takes me a moment to recognize it as my Father. He has... changed. Aged. Withered. My heart aches at the image but I steel my spine. I do not approach the group, letting them close the gap. Not because I do not wish to but rather for the safety of all involved. It is clear that my father is unwell and it has been many years since any have seen him. I doubt many of those in attendance other then Dwalin would recognize him for anything but a vagrant. He grips the hands of the twins so tightly, I can see his knuckles paled from here. The entire group appears uncomfortable but no one is actively pulling away from each other. At least, not until my daughter sees me. Her tiny face transforms into one of relief, surprise, and exhaustion as she begins trying to tug her hand free. My father does not release her until he is standing directly infront of me.
"Papa!"
The soft chirp from the girl as she is finally set free tugs at my heart as she hides behind my legs, hugging them with her tiny arms. Her brother follows, wrapping his arms around her as well, whispering into her ear. The two older boys exchange looks before drifting away from my father but not completely from my sight. The half elf does not try to meet my gaze, clearly aware of my displeasure but the skinchanger waves stupidly as though we are old friends. They all look haggard but my father... him standing before me as he is... I am conflicted. I dreamed of this moment for years and yet it was never like this. Joy... Relief... Togetherness... Yes, I feel all those things. They are tainted by sadness, disbelieve... and pity. I do not know how to react but I must do something. As more of my entourage wakes, questions will be asked. Thinking quickly, I call to Dwalin quietly.
"It would seem my wife was successful on her journey and has sent me quite the gift. When we see her again in Lothlorien, we will have to thank her."
He nods slowly, understanding my intent from that alone. He goes and gruffly speaks to those who are awake, short or curt but more than enough. Soon they begin to whisper freely, coming to the conclusion that Thia is carrying out my commands and we will meet up again soon. While she has never been particularly willing to follow any instructions I give, I am certain that our paths will merge again shortly. The whispers will continue to drift through the camp until someone recognizes the figure before me and then the pieces will fall into place for those present: The Queen was sent to retrieve the King's decrepit father. They will pity him and I but will be thankful for his return and her assistance. Rectification efforts are usually versions of the truth, if hardly wholly so. Even more so, by Dwalin giving an explanation in my sted, it lowers the importance of the situation, making it appear interesting but not a surprise. For now, I stare at the dwarf who raised me. When it becomes too much to stay in the stillness, I speak.
"Father-" he shutters and backs away in clear fear "..."
"Whisper." Thoria says, peaking up at me with a finger to her lips "You have to whisper."
"Ah..." His fear weighs on my heart but my daughter gives me hope. If only for a short while, the children traveled with him. Even if it was not the most secure, they arrived safely. I nod down at her with a soft smile before trying again "Adad?"
His crazed eyes search the area but always return to me and the children. He does not shutter away again though. With much help from Thoria, I am able to calm him enough to have him sit against a far tree. While unafraid, my son is wary of his grandfather and keeps his distance; only coming so close to be with his sister. Returning to camp, I thank Dwalin for assisting in mitigation measures while I tended to my father. There will be questions but the crowd will be satisfied for now. Without him, the group would have approached, loud and with weapons, and my father might have fled. It would have been even worse if he'd tried to take the children with him. As things are, I can only watch from a distance as he curls in on himself, muttering incoherently. A tug at my hand reminds me that my father is not my only concern.
"Mizimith..." my daughters eyes are filled with unshed tears and I am warmed by her presence. She lefts her arms and I immediately pull her into my own "You did so well. What a brave child you are."
"Theo too..."
"Yes." saying nothing, my son snuggles into the embrace with a tired yawn "Theo too."
It does not take long for the two children to fall into slumber. It is not unexpected. Not only were they nearly on their own, but they arrived at dawn meaning its possible they traveled through the night. There is no telling how long they were walking. But... They came from the direction of Dol Guldor. Laying them upon a bed roll, I beckon over the half elf who is followed by the skinchanging child I know to belong to Beorn. After ensuring their wellbeing, Kiliel begins his report. It is spotty and he can not provide much information about the current situation of his guardian. It would seem that Thia ensured he would not be privy to anything concerning the ring. Pulling one of my maps from my ruck, I review it as the boy continues. The twins need rest but even I know allowing them to sleep too long would be unwise. An hour or two would barely affect our march forward, though it will also be amended. The boy before me is hardly a reliable source to go by. Even his report of how he came to be with my father is without detail but I can tell this oversight is due to magic. Nori had departed the mountain, returning to follow Thia in secret while the rest of the group continued. One moment they were on the mountain, the next they were seated before Thrain. He grabbed the twins and began walking. The older boys followed because they could not do much else. That was a few days ago. They barely stopped moving since.
After receiving the report, I dismiss the boy without much fanfare. Nothing more is needed to be said. He did not follow my orders. He did not ensure Thia's safety. He allowed the twins to be taken by a strange dwarf without a fight. He knows my displeasure and I know where his loyalties lie. His love and devotion to my wife is clear, which clouds his ability to follow my orders when she is involved. I am unsurprised by Nori's actions, as his letter gave me insight on his movements. I doubt he could compel my wife back to Erebor in an amiable state but he will not allow her to go to Mordor. Even if he had to do something as uncouth as knocking her unconcious, he would not allow her to do something so wreckless without my leave. Surely Gandalf would have known that as well. Thia has always been independent but surely the wizard wouldn't truly believe I would simply let my wife and Queen go on a journey such as that... Regardless, we will intercept them in Lothlorien and end Thia's participation in this-
"Monster!"
Looking over, it appears that Lord Posen's luggage has begun sprouting limbs and they have grabbed my daughter. Quickly determining what trick he has pulled, I bound over and snatch up the child. I'd forgotten the wiliness of children. One mustn't take their eyes off them for a moment. Though, in my defence, she had just been asleep. I refrain from toppling the trunk on its side and dumping the contents as I once more soothe the child.
"Come out of there, ladies." Glaring at Posen as he rushes over with food dusting his mouth and looking overall dishelved, I ignore his daughters as they crawl out of the large trunks he'd brought "Care to explain?"
"I... I... There is a... rational reason for this, majesty!"
"Oh?"
"Yes!"
"..."
"..."
"Go on, then. Explain."
"Ah! Yes! Of course! M-my daughters-" His youngest, the owner of the arm that reached for Thoria, falls free of the trunk with a thud. Posen grimaces before he rushes over and helps her to her feet before assisting the older one as well "They... Ah! They admired the Q-Queen's adventurous spirit!"
"She never travvelled in a trunk, I assure you." a few of the onlookers frown and gripe over the occurrence but I am beyond it, planning how to turn it around. While everyone is focused on the trunks for now, this will put the virtue of the two dams, as well as my own, in question. That is something I would prefer not to do "You supported this?"
"No, n-not at first but then the Queen forged ahead to better relations with the surrounding lands, all with her children in tow. It must have been... restricting! Yes! My daughters simply wanted to emulate that to better understand her. They must have overheard talk of her current mission and wanted... to... try adventuring? You would have rejected the request if I'd made it-"
"So you deceived me?"
"Never! Never, my leige. I-"
"If I may speak, my king?"
The eldest daughter, Pauline, steps forward. For having spent so much time in a trunk, she is still striking. Although I would never willingly take the dam to bed, she is quite beautiful. Her hair is always well managed, her beard trim but thick, and her eyes are akin to deep pools. Yes, she is beautiful. And conniving. She was always clear with her intentions to elevate her status and what she was willing to do for it. She is no whore, but neither is she wholly virtuous. Though hardly a female I would want by my side, she knows her way around court's darker sides. The peck her sister placed upon Thia was mere child's play compared to Pauline's antics. I've pulled her off her knees more lonely nights than one. It was one of the reasons, I refused their proposals to my nephews and later myself. While Eponine is no more than a ditzy shadow, Pauline is a cunning female that I do not wish to allow to further my line. She swipes a stray auburn lock away from her face, peering over at me with indigo eyes that scream her intentions. It is well known her interest in a marriage and many believed that I would one day give in. Those eyes have promised and demanded of me many things over the years and I have declined as often as I could. Still, I can not ignore the simple request in this instance. Nodding, I allow her leave to speak.
"Thank you for your care, my king. You are ever gracious and patient. My dear sister, on the other hand... well... In terms of patience, she has none. When we heard the young princess, my sister immediately attempted to guide her away from the edge of camp for her safety! So quick was her response, that she did not stop to think how frightening it would be for the child. Please, my merciful King, forgive her impertinence."
"M-my sincerest apologies." The younger of the two, Eponine drops to the ground in a deep bow "Truly, I meant no harm!"
"We meant no harm, my King Thorin." Pauline's eyes glint brightly with mirth as she purrs my name. I know what is coming and I wish I hadn't let her speak "We were just so excited to meet our charges."
"Ch-charges?" Eponine lifts her head with a confused look of excitement "The royal children? They are to be under our care? Truly!?"
"I can only assume, dear sister." placing a delicate hand to her mouth in thought, the auburn dam smiles in mock confusion "What other reason would make our King ignore two obvious dams traveling in trunks?"
"Y-you mean he knew?"
"Of course he did. Our King is no fool! He was just giving Adad the chance to come clean before the children arrived." the dam looks at me from beneath her lashes and I wish to be as far away from her as possible. Had she been male, I'd have been rid of her long ago. As it stands, she confirms my explanation of the children's precence while also giving a plausible reason for her own. The whispers float around, waiting for my response. To deny it would be folly and she knows that. She bats her lashes again in question when I do not immediately answer "My king? Am I wrong?"
"... It is just as you say."
"Very good, then!" she smiles brightly as I clear my face of any emotion. I can only feel anger and it would appear misplaced after such a conversation "Please, allow us to ready ourselves for your children."
She bows with a wide grin, earning my leave and her freedom as I shiver in disgust at her obvious insinuation. Her idiot father and lost sister follow behind her, completely unaware of how she managed such a feat. The group that gathered disperse to begin packing up, leaving me with a large headache. As much as I am loathed to do so, the children will need care while I guide the group. I brought warriors, not nursemaids. Keeping the dams and the children together is not unusual, in fact it is common practice. Still, I do not like my hand being forced this way.
"What shall you do?" Dwalin comes to stand beside me. Setting Thoria on the ground, I watch as she sticks her tongue after Pauline before she runs off to the other children who welcome her eagerly into the fold "The children came from Dol Guldor. I doubt the defiler is there anymore or he would have surely stopped them. Even if he was, ye cannae march in there with dams and children in tow."
"... I still wish to see the old fortress. It may reveal something still... However splitting the group is out of the question, especially now."
"Ye said ye expect to find the lass in Lothlorien. Its close. If the defiler frequents these parts, they'll know and theyll tell her to be wary..."
"... Yes, I suppose that is true." I have to adapt quickly. My goal in this was to confirm the life of Azog the defiler without alerting Thia but it may be too late for that. Regardless, this current method does not support that course "We will make for Lothlorien then."
'I've pulled her off her knees more lonely nights than one.'
? WTF does that mean, THORIN? You know when characters sometimes write themselves? Well, Thorin just slipped a bit of info into the story and I'm not 100% what it means yet.