Chapter Thirty

Tower And The Ring

~~Hetti's POV~~

Poseidon was right, I did feel a little lightheaded, though I was relieved that Kili was sitting besides me. He was currently lifting my mood by telling me silly jokes in weird voices, causing me to laugh at his weird facial expressions.

"Are you okay?" Kili asked after a while, watching me intently.

He had an animated look on his face, which made me smile back at him.

"A little lightheaded," Kili looked at me with alarm "but that is what Poseidon said, is it not?"

"Yes, but if it wasn't for me, this would never have-," Kili trailed off, looking at the ground.

Shaking my head, I gently grab his chin, making him look back up and noticing his eyes go wide.

"Kili, what did I tell you?"

Kili, I realised, was swallowing hard and licking his lips, which was so out of character of him. My eyes instintly went on his lips then his eyes, wondering what the matter was.

"You said that we should relax and put all this behind us," muttered Kili looking anywhere but me "but I can't help it. Seeing you slip in that water has really changed my outlook on my life."

I was thankful we were a little further away from the rest of the company, as I really wanted to hear what was really on Kili's mind.

"I may act like I'm reckless, but I try really hard to prove my uncle and even my brother, that I can be a responsible person, but sometimes, fate has other ideas."

"Kili!" I whispered, my hand still grasping his chin.

"Please, let me finish," He said, surprising me by placing his hand over mine, the one that was holding his chin "Sometimes I say things without really thinking them through. I do things rather rashly but when you're near me, I feel like I can finally be myself."

Finally he looked at me, his chocolate eyes searching mine and I am left stunned. He is looking at me, the way Loki had looked at me and I am at a lose for words.

"I tried so hard to stop this from happening, because at the time, I had no idea what the matter was," carried on Kili "but every time I see your smile, your eyes and...well everything, it lights up my heart like the sun rays from the sun itself."

I could feel a blush coursing through my cheeks, when Kili had said that. I couldn't even say anything, his words had moved me.

"Hetti, I, uh-," stammered Kili, which made me smile at his sudden shyness "Could-,"

"Oh for Mahal's sake, just kiss her Kili!" Came a voice behind us.

I turned and saw Fili leaning against a tree with a massive grin on his face. Instead of being embarrassed, I smirk at Fili's outspoken response.

"How long have you been standing there?" asked Kili, causing me to return my attention back on him.

Kili was looking to his left at nothing in particular.

"Long enough," laughed Fili, which made me snicker despite myself "You certainly have a way with words, don't you Kee?...It moved me a little."

He emphasized what he meant, by placing his hand on his heart, with a lobsided grin on his face. I could tell Kili wasn't in the mood for his brothers playful remarks, as he was now frowning.

"Go away Fee!" said Kili, not glancing at his brother, but at the ground.

"Remember to breathe in and out when you finally kiss this fair maiden here. You don't want to pass out on her now, do you? In and out, in and ou-,"

"Fili! Go bother someone else!" snapped Kili, now glaring at his brother.

I heard Fili laugh as he walked away from us, back to the rest of the camp. Kili then closed his eyes and his frown increased. It really wasn't his day today. First my accident, Loki shouting at him and now Fili playfully poking fun at him. I gently stroked his chin, feeling his stubble on my palm. Kili opened his eyes and looked at me with uncertainty.

"Don't listen to your brother Kili," I finally say to him "Your words moved me."

I watch as Kili suddenly went all bashful on me, which I thought was adorable. A small smile slowly spreads across his face and he slowly edged closer to me, before his lips met mine.

His lips moved on mine with such tenderness, that it confused me. The kiss was different from Loki's. It wasn't a spir of the moment kiss. This kiss was filled with promise of what may be between us. The kiss deepened as he gently held me tighter and as I wrapped my arm around his neck, completely oblivious to who was watching us.

~~Elaina's POV~~

Walking back in the camp, I saw that everyone was doing their own thing again. Thorin was having a conversation with Poseidon which brought a smile to my face. Knowing he was getting used to my uncle. I knew Poseidon wanted to talk to me too, but for now, I left Thorin and my uncle alone.

My eyes went on Gandalf who was looking at nothing in particular. I had the feeling he was in his own thoughts, so decided to leave him be. Though looking at him closely, Gandalf looked troubled and that was not a good sign.

I walked up to Loki who had his back to me. He was watching something and I followed his gaze and my eyes widened. Further from where Loki and I were standing, I watch both Hetti and Kili kissing and then my attention found Loki's somber expression. He looked livid.

"I did tell you, that you would have to fight for her." I informed Loki, looking back at Hetti and Kili.

"Oh, I intend too Elaina. Hetti's mine, no one elses!" spat Loki, turning his back on the couple "She just doesn't realise that yet!"

I watch Loki walk of to where Gandalf was, completely blown away by his attitude. Never had I heard such vemom in his voice before. Glancing at Gandalf again. I slowly went up to him. There was something that I wanted to ask him, that was plaguing my mind.

"I do not wish to discuss anything more about Hetti!" sneered Loki, turning his head slightly.

"That's good to know, as I wanted to speak to Gandalf, not you Loki!" I reply, glaring at Loki for his rude behaviour.

Gandalf sat up straighter and looked up at me. He had a pipe in his mouth and I could have sworn the smoke from the pipe were turning into little shapes, instead of the usual smoke ring that I was used to seeing from Bilbo's own pipe. Shaking my head, Gandalf chuckled, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"What can I do for you Elaina?"

"This may turn out to be a stupid question, but are there towers around these lands?"

"Towers?" enquired Gandalf, watching me carefully "There are several towers. Is there a reason why you asked?"

At first I don't say anything, trying to work out the meaning of the tower with that fireball eye right on top of it. That dream I had, felt lifelike. There was no doubt in my mind, that dark tower was evil.

"I just wanted to know more about," I stopped when Loki turned around, watching me with rasied eyebrows "everything. Being on this quest, has sparked an interest to me, on the history of Middle-earth."

Well, it was technically the truth. I had always been interested in everything. While at BagEnd, you would always find me reading one of Bilbo's books. History had always fascinated me and by joining on this quest, I found I really wanted to know more on the origin of everything my eyes set on. That tower being one of them.

"Is that so?" asked Gandalf, his blue eyes never left mine.

I couldn't be sure, but the way he was watching me, felt like he was trying to piece together a puzzle that I had accidentally destroyed.

"Why do you want to know about towers?" asked Gandalf.

For a split second, I saw the dark tower with the fireball eye in my mind and I swallowed hard. Just why was I troubled by this dream? Glancing at Gandalf, I was torn in too. Should I explain what had been shown to me and hear his theories on this one particular tower or should I just try and bury it and try and get on with what matters the must?

I decided to tell him about the dream. After all, maybe he could analyse this dream for me and hopefully put my fear aside.

"I had a strange dream," I began, catching Loki's concerned gaze "I was in a strange place. The gates were black as night itself, when they slowly opened up."

In my mind, I could still see those gates, as they slowly reveal what was behind them.

"Go on, child." said Gandalf, gently.

"Slowly the gates open up and I could see sworms of Orcs marching out of this weird place. I had no idea where they were going, but it didn't look good."

"Orcs you say?" replied Gandalf, puffing on his pipe, I nod my head "Interesting! Anything else?"

"Uh...Yes." I stammered, now seeing that tower looming through my mind.

"Elaina!" I heard Loki say, bringing me back to the present.

I felt his cool hand on my own and I looked at him, seeing the worry on his face.

"What did you see, Elaina?" asked Gandalf, now sounding a little worried himself.

"As more Orcs walk out of that dark place, I remember looking past them, glancing up to a tall tower."

"The tower that started this discussion," said Gandalf, gently "In your dream, what did this tower look like?"

"It's hard to explain," I admitted to him "but maybe I could show you."

Letting go of Loki's hand, I searched the ground for a little twig or stick and found some near the campfire. Walking up to the fire, I saw a long stick that hadn't got caught in the fire, so I bent down and pulled it out.

"What are you doing, Eliana?" asked Bilbo, causing me to glance back at him.

"Um, I'm about to draw the ground." I answered him, walking back towards Loki and Gandalf.

"I beg your pardon?" asked Bilbo following me.

"I have to show Gandalf something and drawing on the ground, is the only way I can do that."

"Can't you use paper and a pencil?"

I turned my head at Bilbo and shrug, noticing I now had an audience around me.

"I haven't got a pencil on me, this will have to do." I remark holding onto the thick stick.

I stopped in front of Loki and Gandalf, but not looking at them, I was watching the ground, wondering how I could start this. Taking a deep breath, I got on my hands and knees and began drawing in the dirt. Every detail of that dream coursed through my mind as I slowly etched the gate with that dark tower in the middle of it.

I even drew in a few Orcs coming out of the gate, though I did not draw the fireball eyeball. Something told me not too, which was fine with me. That eye thing was damn right creepy. When I had finally finished I got,back up, a little muddy and looked at my work'

'Yes, this is the tower alright!' I thought, shaking my head a little.

Gandalf stood up from the branch he had been sitting on and walked to where I was, looking at my handiwork. I felt an arm go around my waist and I turned my head and smiled at Thorin, who gently kissed my temple.

"What is that?" asked Ori clearly interested in my strange art work.

"It's very good, shame you did this on the ground, lass." remarked Gloin.

I grace Gloin with a smile but say nothing as I return my attention back on Gandalf. His eyebrows furrowed and he seemed to be in deep thought.

"You are certain this is what you saw?" Gandalf finally said, turning around to face me.

"Yes." I replied, noding my head.

"This tower is Barad-dur which used to be Sauron's domain. There is nothing there, except this tower!"

Gandalf watched me closely and I swallowed hard at his intense gaze. It was like he was trying to work out something from me and truth of the matter was, it was very of putting.

"I can not be certain," Gandalf finally said "but I have a feeling there is something missing in this drawing. Could you draw what is missing?"

Taking a deep breath, Thorin reluctantly let go of me as I bent down once more, heading straight for the top of the tower. At first I hesitated, I really did not want to draw this bit, which is why I left it out. How Gandalf knew that this drawing was missing something, was anyone's guess.

Slowly, I etched in the eye as best as I could. I remembered that the eye looked like a cats eye, searching for something. Once I drew the eye in, I added two lines, which was my way in explaining the eye was looking at everything. Satisfied that I had finished, I stood up and walked backwards, looking down at the mud drawing.

"What is that?" asked Fili, looking slightly alarmed.

"This is what I dreamt!" I admitted to him, suddenly feeling a little shaky from what I had just done.

Seeing this drawing was creeping me out. I hoped Gandalf would soon allow me to kick the dirt across it. Seeing that eye again, made me very uneasy again, causing me to shiver at that thought.

"Elaina," said Thorin coming to my side, before wrapping his cloak around me "Are you alright?"

Glancing at him, I grace Thorin with a smile and nodded my head.

"I will be, when that's gone." I answered, pointing at the drawing.

"What possessed you to draw this?" whispered Thorin, wrapping his arm around my waist once more.

"That dream has been bugging me and I thought Gandalf might know the answer."

"And does he?" queried Thorin, his blue eyes now on Gandalf.

"I have no idea, but it is worth a shot, isn't it?"

Thorin wrapped his other arm around my waist, cocooning me as Gandalf stepped in front of my mud sketch and inspected the now complete drawing.

"Is this connected?" I faintly heard Gandalf mutter "But it can't be...Surely not!"

"Is what connected?" I asked him, not understanding what he was talking about.

"Hmm," I heard Gandalf say, turning to face me "Best get rid of this drawing, there are to many memories of that place."

Gandalf then proceeded to leave, leaving me baffled by his strange behaviour and I watch him pass me until my eyes automatically went on Bilbo. He appeared to be in his own world, but my eyes strayed down to his hand in his pocket.

I could see movement in there and I found myself narrowing my eyes as I suddenly remembered something. In that cave, Bilbo had found a ring and thinking back, I had a bad feeling about that ring.

Fili, Bofur and Dwalin were about to destroy my sketch and without any warning I shouted,

"Wait!"

This stopped them in their tracks and again I glanced at Bilbo, who was now looking back at me with concern. My eyes then went back on the tower, then back at Bilbo's pocket. Finally slotting a piece of a jigsaw puzzle into place.

"Gandalf's right," I mumbled to myself "this is connected!"

"Elaina," whispered Thorin, losing his grip of me before turning me slowly around "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." I assured him, glancing back at Bilbo.

"I'm not convinced, especially when you keep glancing at that drawing on the ground then at Master Baggins, then back again!" remarked Thorin,

I could feel his eyes watching me carefully.

"Out with it, what's on your mind?"

I frowned, wondering how I could explain Bilbo's findings from that cave.

"Or do I have to use our bond telepathy?" smirked Thorin, arching an eyebrow.

My eyes snapped back on Thorin, before they narrowed.

"You wouldn't dare?"

Thorin smiled before lowering his mouth to mine, kissing me gently.

"Try me?" He whispered against my lips.

Taking a deep breath, I knew I couldn't keep this inside me so I nodded my head.

"Alright, I'll explain everything," I replied seeing his smile broaden "on one condition."

"And what's that, my angel?"

"I want to include Loki in this matter."

Thorin scowls at me and I could tell he was not happy with these new turn of events.

"Thorin, he can read minds and I have yet to shield my thoughts and besides," I placed my forehead on his "I would like his opinion as well as yours on this matter!"

It was the truth. Since meeting Loki, I could tell he was a very intelligent man. That and the fact, he was fast becoming a good friend to me.

'Plus as Loki with be with us, it will keep his mind on other things for a while!' I reasoned to myself.

"Very well," said Thorin "he may be included in this discussion."

I raised my eyebrow, as Thorn let go of me.

"Though, you know how I feel about him?"

"Hmm, I know, but I like him," Thorin narrowed his eyes at me "as a friend, so stop being jealous."

"I'm not jealous," remarked Thorin "I just don't trust him."

"In time you will," I reply, realising that I meant it "but until then, please try and get on with him."

"Grrr!" was Thorin's response causing me to chuckle at him.

I turned my head, noticing Loki was staring at the direction where Hetti and Kili were residing. I really didn't like seeing him like this.

"Loki!" I called out to him.

Loki turned his head, watching me with a somber expression on his face.

"Could I have a word with you?"

Loki took one last look at Hetti, before walking to where Thorin and I was. My eyes went back to the drawing I did, realising that it was now destroyed. That actually put my mind at rest. Though Gandalf was now acting weirder than usual and that bothered me.

"You wished to see me?" asked Loki, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I smiled at him.

"Yes, but not here. This is a private matter."

Loki frowned but didn't say anything. Thorin meanwhile took the initiative and wrapped his arm around my waist as we walked away from the others for a little while. I glanced at him with a smirk, knowing he was protecting me from Loki. Thorin rolled his eyes when he caught me watching him and I shook my head at his protective nature.

'Men!' I thought to myself with a small smile on my face.

o0o

~~Hetti's POV~~

"Are you okay?" whispered Kili, nuzzling my neck.

"I'm not sure," I admitted to him "I wasn't really-,"

"Expecting me to kiss you!" finished Kili, looking up at me "I don't regret it and you shoudn't either. In fact, to my reckoning, kissing you, felt right."

"At least we both remembered to breathe." I teased, remembering Fili's little remark.

Kili laughed, before brushing his lips over mine again.

Kissing Kili was a pleasant surprise. He was very gentle in holding me as the kiss deepened, whereas with Loki, it felt rushed. Though I did enjoy Loki's kiss as well and that was really confusing me.

Until today, I had no idea that both Loki and Kili liked me more than a friend and truth of the matter was, I had no idea what to do. I did not want to hurt either of them and yet it seemed inevitable and I hated that feeling. I did not want to lose either of them as friends, but I feared that would be the case.

Kili broke the kiss and smiled, before nuzzling his nose with mine.

"I've never felt this way with anyone before," said Kili opening his eyes "I've flirted with other women but never have I felt this content."

"Kili." I began, but Kili stopped me.

"No, let me finish...I'm not dumb, I've seen the way Loki looks at you and at first that did hurt my pride, until I realised something."

"And what's that?" I asked him, softly.

"That I'm going to fight back and earn your heart. Let Loki come, I'll be ready."

I was dumbstuck. No words would come out of my mouth. All I could do was watch him as his smile slowly spreads.

"You're worth fighting for, Hetti." murmured Kili, coming closer to me again, before crashing his lips on mine again.

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

All three of us walked in silence, until we came to a clearing in the woods. Loki turned and faced Thorin and I with a bemused look on his face.

"Well, what is it that you wish to speak about?"

Sighing, I began my tale on how Bilbo and I fell down the chasm before meeting that strange creature Gollum.

"Yes, you mentioned that name before," said Loki "You played a riddle game to outwit him."

"Yes, but what I'm about to say happened, before that strange game," I remarked "You see, when we first got our bearings, Bilbo saw something glint on the ground floor and went and retrieved it. I watched him look at the object in his hand and I saw that it was a ring."

"A ring?" enquired Thorin.

I nod my head.

"Yes a ring. When I went and had a look at it however, a feeling went through me, telling me that this ring was not as it seemed!" Thorin and Loki never said anything so I continued "I did try and tell him to leave the ring alone but Bilbo, bless him, decided to do the opposite and keep it."

"You mean, Master Baggins refused to listen to you?" asked Thorin, smirking a little "He's got guts."

It was when Thorin caught my worried stance, his smirk disappeared.

"Then after the riddle game, Gollum kept saying he had lost something precious to him," I began again "I realised it was the ring Bilbo took but so did Gollum, which resulted in a long run to anyway that didn't have Gollum in it

Somehow along the way, Gollum was near us again and we frantically tried to slip away from him. It was at this stage, when Bilbi vanished from my eyesight."

"Vanished?" queried Thorin, now frowning.

"Yes, Bilbo placed the ring on him and he then disappeared."

"A magic ring!" grinned Loki "Interesting."

"When I had that weird dream about that tower, I knew it was a warning." I carried on.

"Which is why you asked Gandalf," informed Loki, watching me intently "for his input on your vision. As that is what it is, isn't it?" I nod my head "But Gandalf never revealed anything did he? Only the name of the tower!"

"Barad-dur," replied Thorin "Where the War of the Last Alliance took place. Many lives lost, but we were victorious when Sauron was slain by Isildur."

As I listened to Thorin, my thoughts went back on Bilbo's ring. It was when Thorin mentioned Sauron, that a shiver went down my spine, which made Thorin tighten his hold on me.

"It's connected!" I finally say.

"What is?" asked Loki, frowning a little.

"The tower and the ring! I have no idea why, but that ring in Bilbo's procession is not just a magic ring, it is something else entirely."

"What's that then?" asked Thorin.

"I can't be certain," I replied, glancing at Loki and Thorin "but I strongly believe the ring Bilbo is holding onto, has some connection to that tower and that I think, it is an evil cursed ring, that should be destroyed, as soon as possible!"