Chapter Eleven

The Vision

I lay next to Thorin and watch the stars as I heard the others settle down themselves, well except for the dwarf who was on watch duty. After a while, I felt Thorin's arm snake around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

"Why did you stare at me like that?" asked Thorin softly.

I close my eyes and whisper,

"I saw everything that you did. Saw everything that happened to you, your family, friends," I open my eyes, tears coming down my cheeks but I refuse to look at Thorin "I am so, so sorry Thorin."

"Elaina." whispered Thorin, brushing a tear away from my face before kissing me.

"I didn't mean to probe your mind," I pause looking away "That sort of happened on its own accord."

"Has it happened before?" asked Thorin.

"No, that was the first time."

"Then I am honoured." whispered Thorin, causing me to look at him.

He was much nearer than he was a few moments ago.

"Why are you honoured?" I asked him "It wasn't a pleasant thing to witness."

Thorin gently cupped my face, stroking it.

"I know it was not nice to see some of my past Elaina. When I close my eyes, I sometimes dream of the battle of Azanulbizar," began Thorin softly "My brother Frerin had also died that day and there was nothing I could to stop that from happening."

Thorin looked away from me, though he still caressed my cheek. He appeared to be in his own world once more.

"It was Balin who had informed me what had happened to my brother," continued Thorin after a while "He told me that Frerin was the first to fight the Orcs. At first he was doing well, slaying many Orcs that dared come near him. However things have a way of changing good fortune."

Again Thorin paused and I could tell he was in pain. I gently touched his face, wishing he was alright.

"Frerin and his own army were driven into a wood and it was in this wood, where he was slain. Not only did I lose my grandfather, I also lost my younger brother Frerin."

I gently stroke his beard seeing Thorin close his eyes.

"There not really gone you know!" I point out to him, seeing him open his eyes once more.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," I began, trying to elaborate what I really meant "that in here," I place my hand on his warm chest, where his heart was beating "is where the good memories reside. If you ever feel sad about your kin, just remember the happy times with them."

~~Thorin's POV~~

I smile. What Elaina had just said, has moved me. I will try and remember what she has said. Maybe thinking of happier times, will ease my heart with this quest we are all on.

"There are many happy memories," I admitted, I placed my arm around Elaina's waist once more "but I have so many things on my mind."

"Don't we all!" Elaina muttered under her breath.

I had heard her and thought of own her troubles. So I gently kissed her forehead and started stroking her back, hoping it will help Elaina to relax once more.

"I meant what I said earlier Elaina," we both watch one another as I continue "I will always be there for you, should you wish to consult me with your own problems."

"And vice versa." Elaina mused, smiling at me.

"And vice versa!" I repeated.

I lean forward and coax her lips to respond to mine and feel her lips move against mine. The kiss deepens and I realise that I am in love with her and would always protect her from harm.

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

I woke with a start. My breathing was erratic. I had had a strange dream. I dreamt that I was high in a tree with Loki, Gandalf and Dwalin. Where fire was speading beneath us. Orcs were trying to bring us down. Everything went into slow motion as I saw something that had freaked me out. Slowly out of nowhere was a massive white dog that looked evil and on top of this animal was a pale tall Orc watching everything around him. It was Azog the Defiler and I could tell at once, he wanted Thorin dead.

I glance at Thorin who is still beside me. I turn slightly, facing him and realised he was handsome even when asleep. I noticed he had a small smile which I guess means he was dreaming about something. I close my eyes again and felt Thorin tighten his hold on me. I did not realise at the time, that Thorin was not really asleep.

o0o

~~Hett's POV~~

I wake up and stretch my limbs. I was still upset that both Fili and Kili would joke about an Orc raid. Thinking what they said, brought me to that night once more. Every time I closed my eyes, all I saw was that black shadow.

I glance around the camp and saw everyone was still asleep. Elaina was with the leader Thorin who had his arm wrapped round her, which is quite touching to see. When I first saw all these dwarves back in Bag End, I was a little miffed.

Slowly however, I found I actually liked them all, including the two brothers. Both of them seem to joke around alot and I find myself smiling at their antics. Though what they had said last night was not at all funny and I found my smile disapper again.

"No, not funny, more like pathetic!' I thought bitterly to myself.

Slowly the camp come back to life and I watch Ori start writing in his journel, but pay no heed to him. A diary is a private matter. I pick up my bag and look for something clean to wear. I had a feeling, it was going to be a long day.

"How are you feeling lass?" came a voice behind me.

Turning around, I saw Dwalin, with a bowl of red berries in his hand.

'Where on earth did they come from?' I thought.

As if reading my mind Dwalin smirked before saying,

"Bombur and Bifur found these last night, would you like some?"

Dwalin handed out the bowl to me but I politely declined. I really was not at all hungry.

"I'll ask you again, how are you feeling?"

I continue staring at the red berries unable to answer.

"What those brothers said was very reckless of them!" said Dwalin.

I shake my head, trying to work things out in my head.

"What they said was not very amusing but that is not the reason I acted the way I did last night!"

"Would you like to talk about it?" asked Dwalin softly.

Could I really explain my past to someone else? Dwalin might think I was a right idiot, that I probably dreamt what I saw back in the foster home. I glanced at Dwalin's brown eyes and saw concern on his face. Perhaps I could explain to him my past a little. It could even help me out.

Slowly, I nod my head.

"Let us talk away from the others then." smiled Dwalin.

Dwalin then lead me away and we walk towards a boulder where I finally explain what I saw twenty years prior, before Elaina and I arrived in The Shire.

~~Kili's POV~~

I nudged Fili who was munching on an apple. He followed my gaze and we both saw Thorin and Elaina snuggled next to each other.

"Our new Auntie to be." I smirked, which earned me a slap on my back from Fili.

"Don't even think about winding up Elaina, Kili, She has been through alot!" I heard Fili say to me.

"I wouldn't dream of it. It is nice to know that Thorin has feelings for her." I reply, looking away to where Hetti was and my smile went.

I saw Hetti and Dwalin walk of and I found I did not like that in the slighest. Where were they going? Ever since Fili and I bumped into her in The Shire, I couldn't stop thinking about her.

She was very pretty and there was something about her that made me want to reach out to her. She had green eyes, full lips and a slim body and yet she seemed to favour Dwalin more than me.

~~Fili's POV~~

I was finishing eating my apple before throwing the core on the ground when I caught Kili's gaze. He was watching Hetti and a smile slowly spread out across my face.

"I'm not stupid Kee," I began "I know you like Hetti."

Kili looked at me then back at the retreating form of Hetti and I saw a ghost of a smile.

"After all," I continued "it's not every day I hear my own brother call Hetti a butterfly."

"That is what she is," confessed Kili "A pretty butterfly that moves gracefully around us, observing everything. Though it seems she like Dwalin."

I saw the hurt look on his face and I patted his back.

"Have you seen them get close to one another?"

Kili shook his head.

"Then think of that as a good thing little brother. Hetti may still see you for...you!"

Kili's answer was a shove, at least he was smiling again.

~~Elaina's POV~~

I woke up and found my head was moving on it's own accord. Up and down, up and down. I gingerly tilt my head slightly and find myself staring up to the face of Thorin. He gently traced his thumb on my cheek, with a smile on his face.

"I didn't have the heart to wake you, my angel."

Despite myself, I smile back at him. I felt Thorin pull me slightly so I was facing him fully. He was watching me and my mouth. I blush at the way he is looking at me and look down, only for Thorin to cup my chin.

"Don't hide your face from me, my angel," whispered Thorin. "You are so beautiful."

I shake my head.

"No, no I'm not." I whispered, not meeting his gaze.

"Elaina, you are beautiful," I shake my head again "Yes you are. You just need to start believing in that!"

Thorin wraps his arms around me protectively while placing his forehead on mine.

"Elaina, are you alright?" I heard a voice I knew too well, it was Bilbo.

"She's fine." replied Thorin, catching my eyes.

"I asked Elaina, not you Thorin." snapped Bilbo.

Watching Thorin frown after what Bilbo said, made me laugh a little.

"I'm okay Bilbo," I reply to him, still watching Thorin, who thankfully lost his frown. "Really I am."

"Well, if you sure." said Bilbo walking off.

"That halfing is driving me crazy." muttered Thorin.

"Hey, that's my foster father your insulting." I whispered to him.

"He had the gall to be rude to me!"

I just smile at him and placed my hand on his cheek, who leans into my touch, before brushing his lips on mine.

~~Thorin's POV~~

I'm letting Elaina do all the leading. I will never rush her. When she caressed my cheek, I wasn't expecting that. As we both deepen the kiss, I feel her stroking my beard and Mahal help me, it is driving me mad. I definitely know she is my one. I am completely in love with her.

"Ahem!" came a voice.

With great reluctance, we both break the kiss. I look up and find Gandalf standing over us.

'Not again!' I thought to myself.

"It's good to see romance but we should move on, yes?" smirked Gandalf walking of again.

Growling, I let go of my love and rolled up my bedroll, watching Elaina do the same.

"Will you stay by my side every night?" I whispered to her, seeing her blush again.

"As you wish."

"I will never rush you Elaina, if you don't want to be by my side, I will-,"

"I said, as you wish." interrupted Elaina.

I pull her towards me and just watched her. As well as helping out for my men, I will always help and protect my heart. For I know she is my soulmate.

~~Elaina's POV~~

"Will you tell me what happened the other night?" asked Thorin, his lips near my own.

I actually look away. What had happened to me had really freaked me out. I was now wondering if that lightheadedness would come back and then see him again. That was not what I wanted at all.

I returned my attention back on Thorin, seeing his worried face. I placed my hand on his cheek as I think on how I could tell him about my newly discovered father.

"Only if you want to!" whispered Thorin, kissing the palm of my hand as I gently stroke his beard.

Maybe explaining this new problem would ease my heart. Sighing, I then began my tale on how I talked to a moron who liked repeating himself, how Loki appeared from nowhere, how this roman soldier took the crap out of Loki which I was angry about.

"What do you mean?" asked Thorin.

"Well he seemed to relish in Loki's guilt over what he did in his past!"

"And what did Loki do?"

"Well, the man," I could not call him father "said that Loki tried to take over the world!"

"What?"

Despite myself, I chuckled, causing a growl from Thorin.

"Do you speak the truth Elaina?"

I nod my head.

"Yet he is traveling with us!" muttered Thorin, glancing at Loki who was by Gandalf's side.

"Like I told that prat on the cloud, everyone deserves a second change."

"Your to trusting Elaina." replied Thorin, placing his forehead on mine.

"No," I shook my head "No I'm not. I just think Loki needs another chance to put things to right...He looked a little lost earlier, much like yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"When those Orcs were making those strange noises, you looked like you were in a different place."

Thorin looked away and I feared I had upset him in some way.

"Tell me your heart." I repeated what Thorin had said earlier.

A low chuckle caused through him and I felt his arms tighten around me.

"All in good time, my heart, all in good time."

All these feelings came to me then, I realised that Thorin has suffered a lot of pain in his life. I hoped he would tell me more of his past, maybe he could help me with my own past.

It felt like there were memory lapses when I try and remember life in the foster home. It was when Hetti mentioned about a fire and Mother Jane that I tried thinking about my childhood in that foster home.

I just could not remember my previous life and that was quite frightening. Just why could I not remember anything about that foster home? Maybe it had something to do with that roman man, seeing as he had somehow summoned me.

'When I get the change, I will have to ask Gandalf about this!' I thought to myself, catching the concerned look from Loki. 'Why is he looking at me like that?'

~~Loki's POV~~

I watch Elaina walk of with Thorin, both of them head towards their ponies. I knew exactly what she had thought and I was appalled. What happened to her in that foster home? I knew I was to protect her, but Gandalf had never mentioned her memories lapses. Something was clearly not right here and I did not like it one bit.