Chapter 35

A Prophecy That Can Not Be Broken

~~Elaina's POV~~

I was a little surprised to see that we were now standing on the cloud that I was beginning to familiarise myself with and I found myself sighing that my first teleport had actually worked.

I glanced around, noticing there was a table and several chairs in the middle of this strange room. I could feel my heart beating faster than what it should be and I willed myself that it was just Zeus, my biological father I was seeing and not a foe.

"There is no need to be nervous Elaina," a familiar voice echoed throughout the room and I frowned "you are always welcome here."

A light came from nowhere causing me to shield my eyes. Slowly the light dimmed and I uncover my eyes seeing a smiling Zeus who was standing with someone that I had never met before.

This newcomer was tall and had a athletic built. He had dark brown hair, blue eyes and was wearing gold armour. I had no idea who he was, but I had a feeling I would get on with him.

"You look much better then when I last saw you Elaina," grinned Zeus heading towards me "I expect this has something to do with Thorin."

Zeus turned his attention to Thorin and I realised he knew about us.

"You know, don't you?" I finally ask him.

Zeus's smile broadened.

"Among other things, yes I do," Zeus stepped towards Thorin and held out his hand "you have my blessing to marry my daughter."

Thorin shook Zeus's hand with a little smile of his own.

"Thank you. I will love and protect Elaina with my life."

"Oh no doubt you will," remarked Zeus, turning his attention to Loki and Thor "it has been a while Thor."

I did notice the way Zeus had looked at Loki. This angered me. Why did I come here? I should have asked Gandalf instead! Sure he would be more vague around this subject, but at least Gandalf doesn't treat others with distrust. I was unaware that the strange man beside Zeus was watching me intently until he spoke up that is.

"My lady," I glanced at him wondering what he was about to say "could I have a word in private?"

I glanced at Thorin who was now speaking to Zeus, before I look back at this newcomer.

"I have no idea on who you are!" I said, feeling a red hue appear on my cheeks for admitting that.

"My apologies," He grinned back at me "I am Apollo, I am you're brother."

I just watched him with wide eyes.

"Brother?" I asked him.

I glance back at Zeus who was currently listening to what Thor was saying, before I returned my attention to...my brother.

"Yes I'm your brother," smiled Apollo "we have quite the big family here. I would introduce you to my twin sister Artemis, but she is currently on a errand."

Apollo then surprised me by embracing me.

"It is a relief to finally meet you Elaina."

Not knowing what to do, my hands hesitantly went around Apollo's waist. I just couldn't believe I had a sibling. Well several it seemed. Breaking away from the hug, Apollo glanced at Zeus then returned his attention to me.

"While father is speaking to Thor and your fiancé, could I speak with you in private?"

"About what?" I ask him.

"I just want to get to know you."

There was something weird going on here but I didn't want to make a scene.

"Sure," I finally say to him "lead the way."

I began to follow him, though I was still suspicious, only to be stopped by Loki.

"Where are you going?"

"I wish to speak to Elaina," Apollo said, now looking at Loki "if that's alright with you?"

"Not really!" snapped Loki.

"Loki-," I began but Apollo interrupted me.

"Actually, this does concern you too. You may come with us."

By now, I was getting curious as to what Apollo wanted to say to me, especially as it now had something to do with Loki as well. Glancing back at Loki however, I had this distant feeling that he knew what was about to be said.

"Very well," said Loki, with a somber expression on his face "I will come with you, but this is for Elaina's benefit, not yours."

I glanced at Thorin and Thor who were having a long discussion with Zeus. A sudden thought hit me then.

"Thorin will worry." I admitted, frowning a little.

"Will he?" replied Loki, causing me to look at him.

He now had a smile on his face.

"Leave that to me. Follow your brother, I'll be with you in a second."

"What are you up too?" I asked him, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Oh nothing really," Loki grinned at me "just an illusion. Go!"

I did not like the sound of that but, Apollo gestured me to follow him and with a heavy heart, I just went with him. He lead me toward a white cloud wall and I watched in stunned silence as the wall opened up. He then walked in but I glanced back at the others, knowing they were alright, before I stepped inside as well.

Walking inside, there was another table and chairs and several bookshelves and I realised, this must be a library. I was tempted to have a look around but I knew Apollo wanted to speak to me.

The door opened again and Loki appeared, still with a grin on his face. Just what exactly had he done. Loki walked up to me, though his eyes were now on Apollo.

"Please, have a seat." smiled Apollo.

I pulled the chair out from under the table and sat down. Apollo sat opposite me and was silently watching me, which was a little unnerving. Loki sat down besides me and the silence that followed was horrible.

"So," I began, trying to break this weird atmosphere "how many siblings do I have?"

Apollo grinned back at me.

"There are quite a lot and I'm sure you will meet them soon enough," He glanced at Loki who had a bored expression on his face "shall we begin?"

I just nodded and waited for Apollo to start speaking.

"You wanted to know about this prophecy of yours," I nodded "I predict many of them as well and they have all come true."

"How wonderful for you!" remarked Loki somewhat dryly, causing me to glance at him as he rolled his eyes at Apollo "I bet you were the centre of attention at a gathering!"

A small smile plays on my lips from Loki's cheek. Apollo however was not amused, in fact, he looked angry.

"Do not meddle with me, silver-tongued. I am not so forgiving as your brother and Elaina appears to be. I know what you did and it disgusts-,"

"Stop it!" I yelled at Apollo "just ignore Loki's last remark," I sighed and shook my head "you know something about this prophecy that concerns me, don't you?"

Apollo only nodded his head.

"Well, what is it?"

Apollo sighed and leaned forward, as if he was gearing himself up.

"It is foretold that you will save someone that is not in the company you keep!"

I just watch him, not understanding. Apollo sighed and continued,

"Your adopted father, yourself and Loki here," Apollo glared at Loki when he said his name "will travel with Thorin and most of the company to Erebor."

"Yes, I promised to help Thorin and his kin get their home back."

Apollo shook his head.

"No you don't understand! Bilbo, is that his name?" I nodded "Loki and you will venture deep in the treasury room. Bilbo will be searching for the Arkenstone, however," Apollo sighed again watching me intently "you will be speaking to the dragon, Smaug, breaking the curse that is around him."

I furrow my eyebrows trying to process what he had just told me.

"I'm sorry what?" I finally answer "Are you insinuating that I will have a conversation with a dragon that caused mass carnage to everyone in Dale and Erebor?"

"In a word, yes." replied Apollo "Smaug needs help."

"Your telling me!" I spat, taking no notice of the 'ehehehe,' coming from Loki's direction "That dragon is evil!"

"No he is not! He is under a curse, which is why you need to free him!"

Despite my better judgement I asked,

"What curse?"

I knew I would not like the answer to my question.

"Smaug has been manipulated by The Messengers. They poisoned his mind with words. Making him mad. Plus he can not change back."

Again I furrowed my brows at Apollo.

"What do you mean he can't change back?" I ask him icily "Change back to what?... An egg?"

Again I heard Loki's laughter with him saying,

"Oh that was priceless...An egg!"

"Loki!" I hissed, not finding this at all funny, in truth I was a little frightened at what Apollo would say next.

"Oh, but I like this. Keep it up!"

I glare at Loki, who now had a smirk on his face, before turning my attention back to Apollo.

"Smaug is a skin changer!" informed Apollo when Loki regained his composure.

"A-A skin changer!" I stammer a little "like Beorn?"

"Yes and you are to save him!" replied Apollo with a somber expression on his face.

o0o

~~Bilbo's POV~~

I was sitting outside on the porch, looking out at the garden in front of me. It was really taken care of and it made me think of my own garden. I really missed tending to my own garden, planting seeds in the soil, waiting for them to slowly spout out into beautiful flowers.

I missed home a lot. Though I will stay and help Thorin and his company reclaim their home. From a distance, I saw many bees being busy for their queen, by collecting nectar from the flowers. It was comforting to watch, that was until Hetti plonked herself down next to me. Glancing at her, I saw that she had a sad expression and I wondered what had caused that.

"What's the matter?" I finally ask her.

"Loki!"

I rolled my eyes. I knew what was going on. My head was not stuck in the sand. I knew that both Kili and Loki have shown her some attention. Though I must admit, I preferred her with Kili. He seemed more sensible than Loki, but it was not up to me on this matter.

"What did he do?"

"It doesn't matter," sighed Hetti, leaning on her elbow "he's just annoying!"

"Hmm, I have to agree with you on that matter."

For several minutes, nothing was said as we both watch the garden.

"Where is everyone?" Hetti finally asked.

"Gandalf was last seen speaking to our host. As for the others," I heard a door slamming from behind me, which made me jump "I have no idea."

"I hope Elaina is okay," said Hetti "she was so unwell last night. You know, I have never seen her ill before."

"I know. Maybe its because of who she is." I reasoned "she is the daughter of Zeus after all."

"Hmm, true," agreed Hetti, now leaning her head against my shoulder "I just hope she is over the worst to whatever made her ill last night."

I placed my arm around her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Elaina is stronger than she looks, as are you Hetti. Whatever Loki has done, don't let him intimidate you. Be the stronger person."

Hetti glanced up at me with a small smile on her face.

"You always know what to say."

"Not always," I chuckled "but I do try."

"Never change." whispered Hetti looking back at the garden.

I don't say anything. We just stay in this comfortable spot for a while, both in our own thoughts.

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

"Do what?"

I couldn't believe I was hearing this. Did Apollo seriously think I would save a dragon that had taken great delight in killing innocent people? There was no chance I would save a horrible, vile dragon that could kill me in seconds.

"You heard. You are to save Smaug."

I got up and glared at my brother.

"There is no way, I will save that dragon. He destroyed the city of Dale, not to mention killing people. I will have no part of this!"

I manage to find the door and pushed it, revealing a hole. Stepping back outside, I noticed the illusion Loki had created. I was watching myself, clearly having a discussion with Apollo.

Loki was besides the other me, though he looked extremely bored to tears to whatever Apollo was saying. I found this to be very surreal watching this, that was until Apollo and Loki came out of where we were moments ago.

"The prophecy can not be broken," whispered Apollo "you will save Smaug."

"I bloody well won't!'" I shouted, noticing the illusion Loki had created evaporate into nothing.

Of course, this also made me aware that everyone was now staring at us and I cringed.

"What is going on?" asked Thorin walking towards me.

"Ask him?" I hiss, glaring back at Apollo "or better yet, ask my dear father! I'm sure he knows everything about this bloody prophecy as well...I'm out of here!"

Walking away from everyone, I muttered under my breath,

"Take me back to Beorn's home."

Without another word, I was teleported outside Beorn's house in a foul mood. There was no chance I would save Smaug. It would defeat the object. That dragon was evil, pure and simple.

"Elaina!"

I turned my head and saw both Bilbo and Hetti sitting on the porch steps and I sighed, but before I could say anything, Loki came from nowhere and grabbed hold of my hand, leading me away from Bilbo and Hetti.

"Where are you two going?" asked Hetti sounding a little annoyed, but Loki and I never answered as he lead me towards a stable.

"I am not changing my mind Loki!" I exclaimed as Loki shut the stable doors behind him "that dragon is-,"

"Innocent!" interrupted Loki, turning around and facing me "Smaug is innocent."

"How do you work that out?" I question him.

"Easy," replied Loki stepping closer "it was The Messengers that caused all that destruction, not the dragon!"

I shook my head.

"No, that is wrong. Smaug was seen by many that day. Using his fire breath on unsuspecting victims, crashing his body weight on a lot of buildings."

Loki shook his head and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Though some did see Smaug that day, he never once attacked anyone. He went inside Erebor, trying to fight the curse that was slowly torturing him. He knew being in that mountain would help him out."

Loki sighed and went toward a white horse. I watch him as he tenderly strokes the horses head before he continued speaking.

"He was desperate you see. Those Messengers really messed around with his head. Smaug needed to escape."

"But even Thorin saw Smaug attack others!" I exclaimed, not knowing what was true any more "Though by the way you are saying this, you are saying it was all The Messengers fault."

"Indeed it was!"

"How?"

Loki smiled, though it never reached his eyes.

"You've seen my illusion," I nodded "well imagine all of The Messengers combine their power together. Creating something so big to put fear into every living soul."

I closed my eyes realising what Loki was getting at.

"They created a duplicate Smaug."

"Exactly," confirmed Loki as I opened my eyes watching him "The Messengers were the ones that were responsible for everything that day, not the dragon!"

I watched Loki carefully and I knew at once he was speaking the truth, but this shocked me. Those Messengers were more dangerous and clever than what I realised. How did they even pull this off?

I went to a pile of hay and sat on it, trying to figure out what to do now. This was not what I was expecting. All this time I had thought Smaug was a greedy horrible dragon and yet that was not the case at all.

The stable doors opened and in walked Zeus, Gandalf and Apollo. I groaned, knowing I had to apologise to Apollo. Getting up from the hay, I quickly brush myself before walking up to my brother.

"I er, I'm sorry I snapped at you." I say to him.

"It is quite alright Elaina," smiled Apollo "I would have done the same."

Apollo glanced back at Loki and sighed.

"I suppose you explained what really happened?"

"Of course," replied Loki narrowing his blue/green eyes at him "I would have told her much sooner, only Gandalf thought it best to stay quiet."

"She was not ready yet Loki," Gandalf said, though he was watching me "as well you know that fact."

"You knew?" I glared at Gandalf.

Gandalf had the decency to look away before he replied,

"Yes I knew."

"Is there anything else I should know about?" I demanded.

"No, that is all. You are to save Smaug from the curse those Messengers did to him. You will then gain a powerful friend."

"Friends with a dragon?" I scoff.

"Elaina," Zeus steps near me "He is a skin changer, when you save him, he will revert back to his former self."

"And that is?" I ask him with a serious expression.

"Smaug is half human."

This was all to much for me. Not only have I got to save a dragon, it now appeared I had to befriend it.

'What would Thorin think?' I thought and my eyes went wide 'What would he think?'

"Thorin needs to know this!"

"No! No, Elaina that is not wise." said Gandalf.

I narrowed my eyes at the wizard. He had no right to tell me what to do.

"He is part of my future," I spat at him "therefore, if I want to tell him, then I shall."

"You are also stubborn like him!" fumed Gandalf.

I sighed and shook my head.

"Thorin will know something is wrong and if he asks, I will tell him the truth."

I walked past Gandalf, Zeus and Apollo before adding,

"There will never be a secret between Thorin and I." With that said, I walked out of the stable, feeling like crap.

Just how was I going to explain to Thorin that Smaug was innocent?

o0o

Walking inside Beron's hall, I spotted Balin and Fili around the table, eating some of the food that was covering the table. I went up to the table and sat down, next to Fili. Balin was sitting opposite me, eating some cheese.

"Balin."

He looked up and grinned at me.

"Hello lass. I hope you are feeling better today."

"Yes, I'm much better than what I was last night."

"That's good to hear," said Fili "it is not only uncle that has been worried about you Elaina."

I just smiled, not sure what to say to that. I saw a pitcher of water and grabbed it, finding a goblet nearby. While pouring the contents in, I ask Balin what was on my mind.

"Balin, could I ask you something?"

Balin glanced at me while chewing on his cheese.

"Ask away."

"You don't have to answer of course," I placed the pitcher back in its original position before carrying on "what do you remember when Smaug attacked Erebor?"

Balin watched me with wide eyes but judging from my own somber expression, his own features softens. He then had a faraway look on his face and I feared that was his way of telling me that I should mind my own business.

"It was awful," He admitted "one minute peace, the next a red dragon flies past, using his fire breath on unsuspecting citizens, smashing into buildings," I closed my eyes, now knowing that this was false "and the screaming that followed!"

"Did you see Smaug yourself?" I asked him, opening my eyes, holding onto the goblet, like my life depended on it.

"Yes, I did lass. That dragon very nearly trampled on me," Balin looked at me with a quizzical gaze "why do you want to know this?"

"Oh, I just had a dream about the dragon, which felt a little lifelike," I lied, sipping some water "I did not mean to upset you Balin. That was never my intent."

"You haven't upset me Elaina," He smiled at me "history should never be forgotten."

"What shouldn't be forgotten?" asked Fili.

"History, Fili," replied Balin slicing cheese in half with a knife "history, especially when we ourselves have lived through it."

"Um Balin, where were you when you saw," I glanced at Fili, who was watching me with concern on his face "um Smaug?"

"I was by the columns of Erebor. Was this in your dream too?" asked Balin.

"No," I reply, returning my attention to Balin "I just wanted to know."

Balin stood up and smiled at me, before walking away.

"Want to talk about it?" asked Fili.

I turn my head, noticing Fili was silently observing me. Though we haven't spoken much, I had this feeling he would not judge me.

"I wouldn't know where to begin."

"The beginning would help," grinned Fili "it can not be that bad."

I sighed.

"Oh, but it is."

"I've been known to be a good listener. So tell me what's bothering you."

Taking a deep breath, I slowly and quietly I might add, explained what Apollo and Loki had told me. I filled him in as best I could at what I had to do. Fili's face went from wide eyed to someone that believed what I had said.

"What are those Messengers?" asked Fili after I had finished.

"I wish I knew. They are after my power that I do know."

"That will never happen," said Fili, "Uncle and the rest of us will protect you with our lives."

"Thank you, though I can take care of myself."

Fili grinned back at me, before looking serious at me.

"I think you should tell uncle."

"He will not believe that a dragon was just a pawn in something more sinister."

"I believe you and deep down uncle will too, when you explain everything to him."

I sighed knowing he was right but I was worried that Thorin would shout at me. It made me feel a little apprehensive, if I was honest with myself. Speaking to Fili however, was rewarding. He had never interrupted me and I found myself growing to like him even more. Sure he was a prankster at heart, but I could see a caring dwarf besides me.

"Thorin will know something is wrong anyway, after my little outburst earlier," I admitted "I'll wait until he asks me."

"Chicken." smirked Fili.

I shook my head.

"No, just bidding my time."

"If you say so."

Despite myself, I chuckled at him. I knew he was only trying to help and I was thankful for that.

o0o

I leaned on the wooden railings looking at the garden. Well, to be honest, I wasn't really looking at anything, when I felt arms go around my waist.

"I wondered where you were." whispered Thorin, nuzzling his nose in my hair.

"I can say the same about you," I reply, placing my hands over his "where were you?"

"I've been speaking to Thor," He admitted "he speaks funny, but has many good stories to tell...Are you alright my angel? You left abruptly. I've been worried about you."

"I'm sorry to worry you Thorin," I leaned against his back "it's been one of those days."

"This is about the prophecy?"

All I could do was nod my head, knowing where this was leading.

"Will you tell me?"

I sighed and turned in his arms feeling him tighten his hold of me as we watch one another. I cupped his face in my palms and drew him toward me and kissed him with all the love I could muster.

I reluctantly broke the kiss, though my fingers gently stroke his beard, while I contemplated on how to tell Thorin what really happened when his home was taken from him.

"Something has clearly upset you Elaina," He said, brushing his lips on mine again "tell me."

I nodded my head, seeing the relief on his face.

"Not here though. Let's go somewhere private." I say to him, taking hold of his hand.

Thorin had every right to know what really happened to Erebor. Though as we walked in silence towards the room we had stayed in last night, my biggest fear was that Thorin would not believe me.

It had taken me a while to realise that Smaug was innocent, but would Thorin see it that way? Properly not, but he had every right to know what really happened that day. I started praying that things would be alright, but to be honest with myself, I was not convinced myself.